What Lucian feared arrived so suddenly and in the most unexpected way—through his sister's voice that was not exactly from hers; at least, the sudden shift in demeanor caused him to believe so.
"Who–"
Just as Lucian was about to speak, Samantha—or at least whoever was possessing her—raised her index finger in front of her lips and gestured him to hush.
"Shh. That's a cliche question, you know. More importantly, I'm just here for greetings. Sigh. I'm jealous; why is my subordinate the first to know the identity of the 13th Eternal-Class Awakener?"
Lucian maintained his distance from his sister, whose hands were on her back, casually leaning her body, tilting her head as if to thoroughly observe him.
Subordinate?
Despite Samantha's unusual demeanor, Lucian caught the very word he needed to hear to determine who was possessing her, abruptly and mysteriously so.
That being said, Lucian's lips slowly moved, spitting out words that determined his current composure.
"And here I thought you were asleep most of the time, Witch of Dreams."
"Hoh? Referring to this girl as a subordinate probably gave my identity away. Well, not that I'm hiding it. Heh. Anyway, I'm still asleep. Fufu. Not that you'll know what it means."
What the hell is she talking about?
Lucian wondered, his brows slightly furrowed.
"What do you want? Also, if possible, it's not about how you're doing it, but please refrain from taking over my sister's body. It's unpleasant."
His voice was cold, garnering a wide smile from Samantha—the Witch of Dreams, specifically.
She liked his boldness, to say the least.
"Hah. All right. I won't take much of your time. Hmm, how should I begin? Ah! Hear, hear! You're immortal, aren't you?"
As casually as possible such words were blurted out, coupled with Samantha pointing fingers at him; her seemingly condescending smile remained.
Lucian swallowed, his composure momentarily shaken.
Calm down... Calm the fuck down! But how does she know? I never told my sister yet about this damn curse.
"I don't know what you're—"
"Shh. Lying is bad, baby."
"...!"
The Witch of Dreams treaded slowly until her face became close to his, prompting him to involuntarily take two steps back. She then added, her voice nonchalant yet containing the gravity of authority.
"Every Eternal-Class Awakener possesses eternal life. Why? Do you think you're the only special one? But! But!"
As she, too, took a few steps backward, her lips moved as to continue speaking,
"Only an Eternal-Class can kill another Eternal-Class! Aha! That's a piece of invaluable information! I'm generous, am I? Praise me! Praise me!"
In Lucian's eyes, crazy was an understatement to describe her at the moment. He was frozen in place, but what the Witch of Dreams had said was undeniably significant—which also raised a few questions since it seemed different from him, whose eternal vulnerability depended on the [Bonded] summons in exchange for absurd proficiency to quickly become stronger.
Or is it possible that even without the death of my [Bonded] summon, I can die through their hands?
"Hey..."
Lucian interrupted her joyous acts.
"Seriously, what do you want with me?"
"Huh? You're starting to lose patience quite quickly, too? Sigh. Bummer! Well, I guess I'm getting in the way of your sibling bonding. So..."
"...?"
"What I want... is nothing! Hahaha! Didn't I say I just wanted to greet you?"
This bitch...!
Lucian's forehead bulged, his displeasure was evident in his expression.
"I am not a liar. Hehe. I will be watching you from now on through this body's eyes though. And depending on what you'll do, I will let you know what I might want. Maybe I'd invite you to my world? Ah right, you don't know what that means. Bye!"
"Wait–?!"
At that moment, the cloudy pink mist in Samantha's eyes receded, and clarity returned to them.
"Oppa... Wh-what just happened...?"
Fortunately, she seemed aware that something was just amiss.
"Sam..."
Lucian muttered, what had happened still lingered at the back of his mind.
***
"S-sorry, Oppa..."
Apologetic and gloomy, Samantha's head hung low. Lucian then approached her, gently patted her head, and, as they walked to exit the dungeon with an awkward atmosphere, said,
"It's not your fault. But it makes me think... Don't you think everyone under the Phantasm Clan can be possessed by the Witch of Dreams? It's only my speculation."
"T–that..."
Samantha didn't think that way, but it's one of the possibilities—or maybe the Witch of Dreams was just overpowered that possession was nothing but a day walk.
"No need to fret over it. She said she'd be watching me through your eyes, but we're not exactly seeing each other most of the time due to your duties, so it's fine. That aside..."
"...?"
"Why does it seem like the Witch of Dreams is an oddball immature child?"
As though deliberately, with Lucian believing the Witch of Dream's words that she's now watching him through Samantha's eyes, those words escaped his mouth.
Samantha's eyes widened.
If the Witch of Dreams could see him through Samantha, it also meant she could hear him.
"Yo brat. If you are really listening and watching me, then forgive me if I'll forget it sometimes and speak ill of you."
He chuckled.
Lucian was not aware why she had shown her presence. But maybe it was not all too bad considering her demeanor.
If the other Family Heads had known first about me being the 13th Eternal Class, it might have led to different circumstances.
Also, this might mean that Samantha's safety was being secured by the Witch of Dreams so that she could occasionally watch me. So, what I need to do is...
"Are you perhaps interested in me? Just so you know, I'm still a virgin."
Garner her interest!
At that moment, Samantha shouted, her face painted with embarrassment.
"O–Oppa!!"
"Right– my bad. I should probably speak those words when she's the one talking. Anyway, let's go."
***
Dream World, Witch of Dream's Absolute Domain.
A woman with a petite build, whose hair was long and cascading purple, with eyes closed as if she was in deep slumber, heard every word that the 13th Eternal-Class Awakener blurted out.
Thanks to his trusting yet somewhat foolish nature, he had exposed himself quite easily.
Surrounding the Witch of Dreams as she floated in a dreamy escape with nothing but abstractness that no human mind could comprehend were spherical worlds as if each one of them represented her eyes.
With her body curled up while embracing a particular purple pillow, she muttered,
"Take a rest, my playful self."
[Deactivating the Main Skill: Reality Fragmentation.]
At that moment, a purple-hued faceless phantom in her dream world dissipated. Her voice sounded drastically different—cold and devoid of emotion—compared to when she possessed Samantha, one of the important figures in her family.
"Now, this will be interesting, Lucian. I wonder what you'll do..."