Luther woke up earlier than usual that morning. Sunlight streamed through the window of the room, hitting his face directly and pulling him out of deep sleep. He yawned, stretching lazily as he tried to burrow further under the blanket. But the persistent brightness forced him to move.
With a heavy sigh, he turned over, resting a hand on something soft. At first, he didn't pay much attention, but the texture and shape felt unusual. Intrigued and still half-asleep, he began to press and squeeze it gently, trying to figure out what it was. It was warm, yielding, and utterly unfamiliar.
Then, he heard a soft noise—a barely audible moan—that made him freeze. Something shifted beneath the blanket beside him. Still confused, Luther cautiously lifted the fabric, his heart pounding as he braced himself for an answer. His blood ran cold when he saw Elise stirring slightly, her eyes still closed as she slowly began to wake up.
The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. "Her chest!" The thought screamed in his mind as his face turned ghostly pale, only to flush a deep crimson moments later. He yanked his hand away as if it had been burned and scrambled out of the bed in a clumsy panic, nearly tripping over a corner of the furniture.
Elise's eyes fluttered open at the commotion, still groggy from sleep. She noticed Luther standing awkwardly nearby, his face bright red and his expression an odd mix of guilt and nervousness. She furrowed her brows in confusion.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice still heavy with sleep as she stretched against the pillow. "Why do you look so flustered?"
Luther, failing miserably to compose himself, turned his gaze away and started babbling incoherently. "U-uh... We're late! Yeah, we're late! You should get ready! Uh... Training! Training, yeah!" His nervous laugh only made his discomfort more obvious.
Elise blinked slowly, trying to process his words. "Late? What are you talking about?" she asked, still not fully awake. But seeing his insistence, she shrugged and sat up on the bed. "Fine... if you say so. Give me a moment to change."
As Elise began to move, Luther spun around hastily toward the door, still blushing furiously. Elise, blissfully unaware of the chaos she'd unknowingly caused in Luther's mind, went about her morning routine with ease.
Once everyone had woken up, the group of summoned recruits gathered at the training field, still groggy but ready for another day of lessons in mana manipulation. Professor Wolfram stood before them with his usual severe expression and rigid posture, gripping a staff adorned with glowing runes. He swept his gaze over the recruits with an air of disdain before beginning.
"Today, we will continue working on your mana circuits," he announced in his deep, gravelly voice, pacing slowly as he spoke. "Without proper circuits, you are little more than useless sacks of meat in this world. Mana needs clear pathways to flow through your bodies, and without them, you can't even perform the most basic of magics."
His tone grew sharper as he continued. "An unstable mana circuit won't just render you useless—it will make you dangerous. To yourselves and to those around you. So pay attention and don't make mistakes. This process is crucial to your survival."
Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted in the distance, cutting off Wolfram's lecture. Everyone turned their heads toward the source of the noise. Near the training field, soldiers and guards were scrambling to load supplies onto several carriages, while others hurried back and forth with tense expressions. In the middle of the chaos stood Princess Selene, her white tunic unmistakable as she barked urgent orders.
The air buzzed with murmurs and curious glances. The recruits whispered among themselves, trying to guess what was happening, but no one seemed to have clear answers. However, Luther noticed something that the others overlooked: the expression on the princess's face. Selene's usual calm and confident demeanor had been replaced by one of deep distress and fear. It was a stark contrast that sent a chill through Luther.
Unable to shake the unease building in his chest, Luther took a step forward and raised his hand cautiously. "Professor," he began, keeping his tone polite, "why are the princess and the soldiers leaving? Wasn't she supposed to supervise the training?"
Professor Wolfram, who had also been watching the chaos, turned to Luther with a look of mild annoyance. After a long, exaggerated yawn, he responded in an apathetic tone, "The castle's in chaos, boy. The princess has business to attend to. Don't worry about things that don't concern you."
Luther frowned, unsatisfied with the vague answer. "What happened at the castle?" he pressed, his voice measured but insistent.
Wolfram's expression darkened, and his tone turned cold. "It's none of your business. Stop asking foolish questions and sit down. The lesson is about to begin."
With that, Wolfram resumed instructing the group on refining their mana circuits, completely ignoring the ongoing commotion. Frustrated but unwilling to push further, Luther returned to his place and focused on the training.
The day passed without major incidents. The recruits worked diligently on their exercises, and under Wolfram's stern guidance, most managed to stabilize their mana circuits. Luther felt the energy within him begin to flow more naturally, though his thoughts kept drifting back to Selene and the apparent chaos at the castle.
By the time night fell, Luther returned to Elise's room, where they continued to share the same bed. Over the past few days, their bond had grown stronger. Though unspoken, the closeness they shared was becoming a source of comfort for both of them amidst the uncertainty of their new reality.
However, neither could ignore the burning stares of hatred that Marcus had directed at them all day. His eyes, filled with jealousy and resentment, followed them wherever they went. Luther and Elise chose to ignore him, but it was clear that Marcus wasn't going to let things go.
That night, as they lay side by side, the tension lingering from the day began to fade. Wrapped in each other's presence, they found a moment of peace amidst the growing unease. But for Luther, sleep didn't come easily. His mind remained restless, replaying the image of Selene's anguished face and the chaos in the castle.
Whatever had happened, he knew it wasn't over.