"So, what do you think?" Valerie asked, her tone measured as she leaned back in her high-backed leather chair. Her dark eyes, sharp and discerning, were fixed on the woman sitting opposite her.
Even for Valerie, one of the world's most powerful Immortal-rankers at Rank 13, the sheer presence of the woman before her was daunting. The aura of strength emanating from Lilith Windward was a force unto itself, like a coiled blade that could strike at any moment.
In a world of two hundred Immortal-rankers, only ten stood at the pinnacle, at peak Immortal-rank, like Valerie. Yet Lilith, one of just thirty high Immortal-rankers and ranked 24th, was a threat in her own right—not merely for her strength, but for the fact that she had not yet peaked.
'What a monstrous swordsmanship family,' Valerie mused. The Windwards ruled half the North with their unparalleled mastery of the sword, their reputation woven into the fabric of human history. But it wasn't until Valerie had befriended Lilith that she truly understood what it meant to be part of that legacy.
Lilith sat with an unshakable calm, her emerald eyes glinting as if she saw more than just the room around her. Her expression was inscrutable, but when she spoke, her words carried a weight that left no room for doubt.
"He's an exceptional man," Lilith said, her voice smooth, with just the faintest hint of admiration. "Honestly, I feel bad for my little cousin, given that he's the same age as Arthur."
Valerie's lips twitched at that, though her expression remained composed. She knew the truth behind those words. The name Arthur Nightingale was on the lips of every high noble, whispered and debated over the fine crystal of their wine glasses. The comparisons to Lucifer Windward had been inevitable—and brutal.
Arden Windward, Lucifer's father, had been convinced, convinced, that his son was destined to become the Paragon of humanity. That Lucifer would be the shining star that would eclipse all others. And now, that conviction had become the source of much mirth among the high nobility. They found no small amount of amusement in how thoroughly Arthur had surpassed Arden's prized heir.
Still, the laughter was unfair. Lucifer Windward was a prodigy of staggering talent in his own right, the kind of genius who could realistically ascend to peak Radiant-rank. Few in the world could ever hope to rival such an achievement.
He just wasn't Arthur Nightingale.
Valerie's gaze softened slightly as she considered her words. "Lucifer is still remarkable," she said, her voice quieter now, as if offering a reprieve for the absent young man. "He has the talent to shape the future in ways few can imagine. But Arthur…"
Lilith leaned forward slightly, her emerald eyes piercing as they met Valerie's. "Arthur is a force of nature," she said. "The kind you can't stop or contain. You can only hope to survive the storm he brings."
For a moment, there was silence. The weight of their words hung heavy in the room, like the unsheathing of a blade that could never return to its scabbard.
Finally, Valerie exhaled, her expression sharpening once more. "Then it's our responsibility to ensure the storm is directed where it's needed."
Lilith's smirk returned, small but sharp. "Agreed. Humanity will need him, whether it's ready for him or not."
"So, you agree to stay, then?" Valerie asked, her tone deceptively casual as she leaned back in her chair. Her sharp eyes studied Lilith, who gave a reluctant nod, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
The deal had been a simple one, though neither of them had expected it to come to fruition. Valerie had bet that Lilith would be shocked when she saw Arthur in person—his strength, his presence, his sheer uniqueness. And if she was, Lilith would agree to become the homeroom professor and join Mythos Academy's faculty.
Lilith, confident in her own unimpeachable standards, had scoffed at the notion. She didn't want to be a professor—Valerie's friendship notwithstanding. But a bet was a bet, and now, much to her chagrin, she had lost.
Arthur Nightingale had not only met her expectations; he had surpassed them. And not just in strength.
For Lilith, Arthur was an anomaly—a figure who didn't seem to fit within the confines of the world. There was something about him that defied categorization, as though the rules that bound everyone else bent slightly in his presence.
"Honestly," Lilith said, her emerald eyes narrowing slightly, "he doesn't need much guidance, does he? He's going to keep rising, faster and faster."
Valerie nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Arthur is ahead of everyone right now because he knows how to fight to an extreme degree. That's not something most people—even talented ones—can replicate."
"But," Lilith interjected, "the gap will close. Eventually."
"Not fully," Valerie said, her voice quieter now, as though weighing her own words.
"No," Lilith agreed. "Not fully."
Valerie leaned forward, her tone shifting to something more serious. "That's why I want you to help him."
Lilith's eyes narrowed, her gaze sharp. "And why can't you do it?"
"Because I'm not you," Valerie said plainly, though there was no bitterness in her voice. "I'm stronger than you for now, but not for long. And I don't have a Grade 6 art. You do. Your expertise in swordsmanship is what he'll need."
Lilith arched an eyebrow, her smirk returning. "This wouldn't happen to also be an opportunity for the Windwards to smooth over their relationship with Arthur, would it?"
"How haughty," Lilith said, though her tone lacked venom. If anything, there was a hint of amusement in her voice.
She didn't disagree, though. Rivalry had its place, but even the Windwards couldn't afford to alienate someone like Arthur Nightingale—not with the heights he was destined to reach. Especially when he was poised to marry not one, but three princesses.
"Fine," Lilith said at last, her smirk fading into a wry smile. "I'll do it. But only because I'm curious to see just how far that remarkable young man will go."
Valerie nodded, satisfied. "And you'll be glad you did."
For a moment, silence settled over the room, heavy with the weight of unspoken truths. Both women knew that Arthur's path would shape not just his future, but the future of the world around him. And whether by chance or by design, they were determined to be part of it.
After finishing her conversation with Valerie, Lilith left the office, her mind already shifting gears. The magnetic door slid shut behind her with a faint hiss, and she paused, her emerald eyes scanning the hallway.
"Lucifer," she said, her voice calm but firm as she noticed her cousin leaning against the wall. His posture was casual, but the tension in his jaw betrayed his thoughts.
"Big sis," Lucifer mumbled, lifting his gaze to meet hers. He was taller than her now—by a significant margin—but in that moment, he looked very much like the boy she used to know. "Why are you here?"
Lilith folded her arms, tilting her head as if considering the question. "I wanted to try teaching," she said with a shrug, her tone deliberately light.
Lucifer's expression darkened, his emerald eyes narrowing. "Is it because of Arthur?" he asked, his voice low, each word laden with restrained emotion. His jaw clenched, a flicker of frustration breaking through his otherwise calm exterior.
Lilith's brows furrowed, and for a moment, she said nothing. Then she exhaled, a quiet sigh of exasperation escaping her lips. "The entire world doesn't revolve around anyone, Lucifer. Not even Arthur Nightingale," she said, her tone sharper now. "I'm here because I want to be here. Got it?"
Lucifer didn't reply immediately, his gaze dropping to the floor. Lilith stepped closer, softening her tone. "Listen," she said, "if you need help with anything—formation of your Sword Heart, scaling the Wall, anything—just call or text me. I mean it."
For a moment, he hesitated, then nodded. "Okay," he said simply, his voice quiet. But his thoughts were still elsewhere, his mind clearly preoccupied.
Lilith watched him for a moment longer, her expression softening as she studied him. 'He used to be such a cute kid,' she thought, a pang of nostalgia tugging at her heart.
Lucifer had grown so much, in every sense. He was taller now, towering over her in stature. He was stronger, too, his power undeniable. But the boy she remembered, the one who used to follow her around with boundless curiosity and admiration, was still in there somewhere, hidden beneath the weight of expectation and comparison.
With a small, almost imperceptible sigh, Lilith turned to leave, her thoughts lingering on her cousin.
'You'll be fine, Lucifer,' she thought. 'You're stronger than you know.'
And with that, she strode down the hallway, leaving Lucifer to wrestle with his thoughts in silence. The future was uncertain, but if there was one thing Lilith knew, it was that both Arthur and Lucifer had roles to play in the battles to come. Whether they clashed or rose together, only time would tell.