Chapter 299: A Small Gift?
Alfred coughed up unnaturally on the unexpected jab at the prince; Lucien’s eyebrows twitched involuntarily. While Lumina hurriedly separated from her brother, glaring at him. While the golden prince remained in the whole misconception, speechless as he cursed, ’What the fuck did I even do?’
The principal asked, "So, I think you have a lot to answer and..."
But Lucien was prepared for it, as he stated straightforwardly to the highest individual within the academy, "I apologize, sir, but if you want to ask anything related to how I entered, survived, and escaped from the void, as well as how I rescued her. I cannot tell you. As it is related to personal skill set and related to my royal family’s heritage."
Regina chuckled hearing that, Alfred shook his head, and Alric Stragoy looked at the prince for a minute of silence. Lucien was sweating internally at the evaluating gaze of the principal. Eventually, the powerhouse spoke with annoyance,
"This is the first time I am hearing about the royal family having anything useful related to the false void, but fine if you say. I won’t pressure you further. But let me remind you of this carefully. The horrors of the void must not be awakened and disturbed. If not, the implications of it are..." he did not finish the sentence as he paused abruptly.
He added further after a moment, "As for the fact about whether Axel Nomrad did this deliberately or not, I can assure you that no one else but Lumina herself can see the tool stats of the artifact. So, that’s not possible even for Axel, who created the weapon. Even with runic eyes."
"Well, since the two of you seem quite alright, I will take my leave." The figure of the principal broke into light fragments as he disappeared.
Lucien’s expression did not change, but he knew what the principal implied; he knew it more than anyone, perhaps. The true horror beyond comprehension that existed within that world. He also let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, it was just a clone of the principal. Otherwise, he could have suspected him more, and he tactfully dismissed the partial transformation a minute before coming out of the void.
The other two professors also left, Regina said one last piece while going out, "Just so you know. This room is not soundproof, Prince Lucien."
Lumina showed a disgusted look towards Lucien, "This is all your fault. I can’t believe there are such rumours because of your damn antics...."
Lucien placed a hand on his face, too tired to even respond to the insults at this point, while Lumina and Regina both were trying to lighten the atmosphere. But he wasn’t in the mood for it. Lucien spoke, his voice taking a very, very serious turn, "Lumina, you will never use that artifact again. And hand that over to me right now."
Lumina’s expression also turned serious towards her brother; she was unwilling, she said through gritted teeth, "No, I won’t."
Anger surfaced on Lucien’s face. He rebuked in a harsh tone, "Have you lost your damn mind? You almost lost your life because of the machinations of that bastard. If I did not reach you in place and.....and...."
Lumina shouted in response, "Don’t you dare blame him for this. He had no idea this would happen, and I’m still okay, aren’t I? The principal even confirmed it just now."
Lucien walked closer, almost losing his mind in rage, "IF I SAID YOU WILL HAND IT OVER. YOU WILL HAND IT OVER LUMINA, AND YOU WILL HAND IT TO ME RIGHT NOW."
Lumina stepped backwards, almost scared. Because it was pretty rare for her brother to be angry at her, eventually she stated with pursed lips and nearly teary eyes, "Fine, but you have to promise me that you won’t do anything to Axel. It’s not his fault. He would never try to harm me. I swear it’s the truth."
"Please believe me," she pleaded desperately.
His expression turned ugly at the hopeless, desperate pleading from Lumina; this stupid girl was completely head over heels in love with that damn wretch. She can’t see the truth, one-sided love twisting her perception entirely. Of course, she can’t see it; that bastard made sure to craft that very image into his innocent sister’s brain after all.
His gaze softened as he sighed, he hugged her and promised, "Fine, I won’t hurt him. I won’t do anything to him. Just hand over that thing."
Lumina also hugged her brother, unable to stop her tears. After managing to calm down a bit, she handed over the beautiful necklace with reluctance, almost unwilling to do it even now. It was something really precious to her. After all, Axel had made it for her with a lot of effort. Not only that, though she still felt weakened after its use, she thought that she had found a missing piece of her very existence.
Even now, there was a certain level of clarity to her that went far beyond simply growing stronger as if her entire existence had been purified to a certain extent. After that, Lumina went to her apartment, while Lucien went in another direction. There was a boundless resolution and hatred within his eyes. The damn wretch had completely brainwashed his little sister; there’s no way he would let him live any further after this.
Even though the principal said he had nothing to do with it, he couldn’t trust his words, given how much the whole academy favored Axel Nomrad greatly. More than that, his instincts said otherwise. There was something the bastard was up to; he couldn’t prove it, but his powerful dragon instincts could tell. Axel Nomrad did this deliberately.
If he let the guy be, he would continue to use his sister. In turn, he would be used as well. There was also the matter with the valkyrie. But that was secondary. His sister’s safety was more important. There was no way he was going to let that suspicious bastard have his way with his innocent Lumina.
But why was he doing all this? For what purpose? What was the benefit of pissing him off? Was it because Axel thought that within the academy grounds, no one could be killed? Was it because of Sophia? Was the bastard threatening him indirectly? The rage within him continued to build up more and more as he considered the possibilities.
He brought out a special token from his tool space, and with a press, the mechanism was activated. This was something given to him by his mother. If there was something out of the line he needed to do desperately within the academy grounds. For example, if he needed to take someone out, there is a specific organization that could help with that. As the mechanism was activated, he would now have to wait; they would come to him on their own.
***
Lucien kept staring at the unconscious body of Heinz. But his mind was elsewhere, wondering if the letter had reached the bastard. There was blood dripping from Heinz’s hands. It was bandaged tightly. He chuckled darkly, "I hope you like the gift sent to you...Axel."
Axel opened the door of his apartment, hearing the low knock. It took him a minute to come, as he was in the engraving chamber, about to try forging something, as he had nothing to do for a while. But there was no one there, only a small box left on the carpet. He first analyzed the box with suspicion. But he picked it up and brought it inside nonetheless.
But the moment he opened the box, his expression changed instantly. The contents of the box were, "A finger????"