CHAPTER 2

Chapter 2

Lucienne arrived at the camp post, her breath ragged as she bent over, hands on her knees. She had almost died. From now on, she would never go to the frontlines again. She had to stay alive—for her grandmother. "Grandmother was right. I need to be more careful. I'll do my job here for just a week and then leave."

Day after day, she worked at the camp post. When the week finally ended, a man handed her the payment. A wide smile spread across her face as she received the money. Without wasting time, she rushed back to her impoverished hometown, carrying supplies she had bought in the city. As she neared her home, excitement bubbled within her. She called out from outside, eager to show her grandmother the money and food.

"Grandma, I'm home!"

She pushed the door open, still grinning—until the sight before her made her freeze. Her smile faded, her breath caught in her throat.

Her grandmother was tied up, a black-clad figure looming over her. The intruder wore a black helmet with a glowing red visor, and a gag muffled her grandmother's voice.

"What the hell?! Let go of my grandmother!" Lucienne lunged forward, but her grandmother's frantic eyes seemed to plead, *No, don't come closer!* Before she could reach her, two more figures, dressed identically, grabbed her arms.

"Ah! Let me go!"

One of the men spoke. "Sir, it seems she really is the daughter of the Light Goddess."

From the darkness, a tall man emerged, dressed in a white dress shirt, beige vest, matching slacks, and a crimson tie. His eyes studied Lucienne with mild interest. "Hmm, you're right. She does resemble Solaris."

Lucienne didn't care who he was—her only concern was her grandmother. Her fury boiled over. "Who the hell are you?! Let her go, now!"

The tall man stepped closer, gripping her chin with a firm hand. He tilted her head side to side, examining her face. Lucienne seethed, struggling against the men holding her down.

"Should we test her?" the man mused.

The black-clad men nodded in agreement. Then, to Lucienne's horror, they turned to her grandmother. Crimson-black energy crackled around them as they struck her.

Her grandmother screamed in agony.

Lucienne's heart pounded. Her pupils shrank as her struggling intensified. "STOP IT! What the hell are you doing to her, you bastards?!" Tears streamed down her face, but her rage burned hotter. Still, she was powerless against their grip.

"Stop," the tall man ordered suddenly. The torture ceased, leaving her grandmother gasping weakly. He narrowed his eyes. "Strange... she's showing no signs of power."

"Could her abilities be dormant? Perhaps they've never been awakened?" one of his subordinates suggested.

Lucienne, who had been staring blankly at the floor, suddenly spoke. "I don't know what the hell you're talking about, but…" Her golden eyes snapped up, blazing with fury. "If you hurt my grandmother, I will make sure you don't leave here alive. Even if I have to die trying."

The tall man regarded her for a moment, then chuckled. "You can't even protect her now. This game is over."

He turned away. The black-clad men released Lucienne and followed suit. But blinded by rage, Lucienne lunged at them from behind—only to be kicked back with brutal force.

She crashed to the ground.

A storm of blows rained down on her as the men struck her mercilessly. "Know your place, you insane mutt."

Lucienne curled up, arms shielding her head, unable to fight back. In her blurry vision, she saw her grandmother lying motionless. Darkness crept into her mind.

Then—

A burst of fire erupted.

The men attacking her reeled back, cursing. The tall man frowned. "Ah, it seems we have an uninvited guest."

From her fading vision, Lucienne barely made out three familiar figures.

"Hey, kid! Stay with us!"

Then everything went dark.

---

When Lucienne woke, her eyes fluttered open to a white ceiling.

"Where… am I?" she mumbled weakly.

A voice called out. "Ah! She's awake!"

She turned her head and recognized the man speaking—the one who controlled plants at the camp post. Moments later, three more figures entered the room. Two were familiar: the fire and earth users from the camp. The third was an unfamiliar woman with short hair and glasses.

"Are you alright?" the muscular man asked.

"Ah… yeah…" Lucienne hesitated, then suddenly sat up. "Wait—my grandmother!"

"Calm down. We brought her to the emergency ward. She's alive but unconscious."

Relief washed over Lucienne. "Thank goodness…"

"By the way, where am I? And who are you guys? Wait-you're the Divinaris from before, aren't you?"

The burly man chuckled. "That's right. You were the girl peeked behind the tree, huh?"

Lucienne winced, embarrassed.

"It's Alright," he added with a grin. "Name's Gaius Roderick. That's Narine, Finn, and our lovely doctor here, Olivia."

"Who are you calling 'lovely'?" Olivia muttered.

"By the way, you're at Aegis Astra's Building," Olivia said. "It's an elite group of Divinaris, tasked with protecting civilians from demons. You're in the medical ward, fifth floor."

"And those people in black? Who were they?" Lucienne asked.

"They belong to Nexaris," said the tall woman–Narine. "They made a pact with demons. They're a threat."

"Why were they after me?"

Gaius crossed his arms. "If our guess is correct, you're the daughter of the Light Goddess."

Lucienne flinched. That name again.

She gripped her head in frustration. "What kind of insane situation is this?! I just wanted to live peacefully with my grandmother!"

Silence.

"I'm sorry this happened to you," Olivia murmured.

"No, don't apologize. I'm just venting." Lucienne sighed.

"Narine suspected you from the start," Gaius added. "Back at the camp, when all the demons charged at you."

Lucienne shuddered. "That was terrifying."

"That's why she kept an eye on you." The man named Finn chuckled. "Right, Narine?"

Lucienne turned to the tall woman. Her crimson eyes were sharp, unreadable. Then, to Lucienne's shock, Narine dropped to one knee, head bowed as if pledging fealty.

"Ehh?! What are you doing?!" Lucienne stammered.

"It is an honor to serve you, my lady."

"Huh?! What does that even mean?!"

Finn smirked. "She has history with the Light Goddess. Think of it as paying a debt."

"Well, don't do that to me!"

Lucienne rubbed her temples. "Just… stand up already."

Narine rose "Understood, My Lady."

"Ugh, stop calling me that! It's Lucienne!"

---

Later, Gaius offered to show Lucienne to her room. Narine insisted on escorting her instead.

As they walked through the halls, Lucienne grumbled, "You can let go. I can walk."

Narine released her without a word.

An awkward silence settled between them. Lucienne stole a glance at the warrior beside her. *She looks so serious… but she's actually kind.*

"We've arrived," Narine announced.

Lucienne hesitated. "Uh… thanks."

"Rest well, My Lady."

Lucienne huffed. "Hey, i said stop calling me 'Lady'!"

"I'm sorry, i'll do it when i get used to it"

"What's wrong with this girl? why the hell is she speaking so formally?" Lucienne said to herself.

---

Inside her new room, Lucienne gawked at the size, the luxurious furnishings, the high-tech gadgets. "This place is bigger than my whole house!"

She flopped onto the massive bed. "Maybe I should've gotten caught earlier… Wait, what am I saying?!"

Then, remembering her grandmother, she checked the clock. Midnight.

"I'll visit her first thing in the morning."

With that, exhaustion finally claimed her.