"Astra..."
The moment Cedric called out his guide's name, a faint light flashed in the air, forming a tiny figure that floated without a human form. The glowing bundle seemed to pulse softly, as if adjusting to its existence in this world.
"Player, thank goodness you're fine. Before that battle, my connection with you became lost." Astra floated closer, the light around him trembling softly, as if trying to make sure that Cedric was really there, alive and intact.
Astra floated closer, the light around her vibrating softly, as if trying to make sure that Cedric was really there, alive and whole. "By the way, this place. Isn't it your room from the past?"
Cedric sighed, his eyes sweeping around the room that felt so familiar yet also weighed heavily on his chest. "Yeah, after that fight, for some reason I ended up back in the time when I was summoned to this world."
Astra pulsed gently, as if processing that information. "So you experienced regression... but under different circumstances." Her voice sounded thoughtful, as if something was bothering her.
"What do you mean?" Cedric squinted his eyes. Astra floated closer, the light around her shimmering gently, as if contemplating her words.
"I'm not really sure… but if you really went back in time, the system should have reset completely too," Astra said softly. "But the fact is, I'm still here, and you still remember everything."
Cedric squinted. "So, something has changed the course that was supposed to happen?"
Astra pulsed softly before continuing, her voice sounding more serious. "It's not just that. I also feel like something's off with the system. Like there's someone else interfering in this process."
Cedric clenched his fist. "Someone else... does that have to do with the voice that spoke to me before I came back?"
Astra didn't answer right away, but the light around her dimmed a bit. "Most likely, yeah. If someone can take over the Guardian's system, it means we're dealing with something way bigger than we thought."
Astra pulsed hard, then asked seriously, "Hey, Player, do you remember who you were fighting before coming back here?"
Cedric snorted, ready to answer. "Of course I remember every—"
His words were cut off. His chest suddenly felt tight, as if something was pressing on his mind. The image of the battle was still clear in his memory—heavy rain, a shattered battlefield, and a holy sword shining brightly in his hand. But as he tried to remember his opponent's face...
"What...?" Cedric held his head, feeling like something was off. "This is weird. I remember fighting someone, but I can't recall their face or name."
Astra floated closer, her body's light dimming a bit. "That's not normal. There might be something that's intentionally wiping your memory of it."
Cedric clenched his fist, his eyes burning with determination. "Someone or... something." He took a deep breath, as if trying to calm himself. "Astra, maybe there's something that's pulling me back to the past, but I think what I do now has to be different from before." He looked at his guide, who was a bundle, his eyes full of unspoken hope. "So, I'm asking for your help again," he continued, his voice low but firm, "Please be my guide in this world."
Astra moved slowly, as if pondering for a moment before answering, her voice soft yet clear. "You're something else." There was a little laugh behind her words. "Isn't that why I'm here?"
Cedric smiled faintly, feeling a bit relieved by Astra's response. "Alright, then, I need your help once again."
Lucian and Natty stepped out of the casino with light steps, although the atmosphere inside still felt heavy after the incident. Lucian looked around, judging the dark and silent streets, illuminated only by the dim moonlight. There was a feeling of anxiety in his heart, but he tried to stay calm, not wanting to show his doubts.
Natty walked behind her, noticing every movement around them. Although he was more inclined to act according to Lucian's orders, the tension that had just occurred disturbed his mind a little. He knows very well how dangerous it can be if they stay in a place that can attract more people's attention for too long, especially with the chaos that has just been created.
"Oh, I guessed. The horses of noble families are indeed trained," Lucian said in a satisfied tone, his eyes looking at the gleaming black horses parked beside them. The horse stood firmly, looking so calm despite the many or people are walking around.
He walked over to the horse with light steps, then gently stroked its back. "Hey buddy, good. I'll bring you some food tomorrow," Lucian said with a small smile, feeling the bond forming between him and the horse. "So how about we head back to the mansion now?"
The horse moved its ears, responding to Lucian's touch, and lifted its head a bit, as if it understood what was going to happen next. Its breath was soft, and its tail swayed lightly. Lucian chuckled softly at the horse's reaction. "Very good~," he said with a satisfied grin.
Without a doubt, Lucian hopped on the horse smoothly, his body moving in sync with the trained horse. Once settled, he reached out his hand towards Natty. "Come on," he said in a calm yet authoritative tone, his eyes challenging Natty with a hint of confidence.
Natty paused for a moment, her eyes reflecting on things. "Is this really how Mr. Lucian is?" she murmured, a bit confused by Lucian's demeanor that seemed much calmer and more calculated. "Didn't the seniors say he had a bad personality, but Young Master now..." she thought, trying to understand the change that had occurred.
"It's true you shouldn't trust rumors," Natty thought, feeling there was another side to Lucian that she was just starting to recognize. Maybe that's why she felt more appreciated, even in tense situations.
Suddenly, Lucian noticed the silence around him and gently called out, "Natty?"
Natty jolted, snapping out of her daydream. "Oh, I'm coming!" she replied quickly, then with a bit of hesitation, she stepped up to the horse's side. Lucian immediately reached out his hand to help her onto the horse. Natty carefully took Lucian's hand, a little confused but really grateful for that small kindness.
Lucian carefully pulled Natty's hand, helping her up easily. After Natty sat behind him, Lucian noticed small changes in her, but he didn't show it. "Is it just me or has her vibe changed a bit?" he thought curiously, feeling a different aura between them—maybe calmer, bolder.
Once Natty was comfortably seated behind him, Lucian gently pulled the horse's reins, signaling for the horse to start moving. "To the mansion," he commanded briefly, and the horse immediately stepped forward steadily, taking them home with a calm yet serene pace.
That night ride felt different, not just because the streets were quiet, but also because there was a subtle shift in the vibe between Lucian and Natty. Their presence on the horse, in the stillness of the night, created a sense of calm, as if their journey had just begun in a new way.
When they arrived at the Hale mansion, the horse's steps slowed down, signaling they had reached their destination. Lucian intentionally chose a different path from the main gate, opting to enter through another gate. The horse stopped quietly in front of the gate he aimed for, and Lucian quickly dismounted, leading the horse to the parking area. Natty followed swiftly, jumping down and helping to steady the horse so it wouldn't get restless.
"Thanks for today, Natty." Lucian handed over some of the money he had won from gambling earlier, with a calm yet attentive expression. "This is my compensation for borrowing your time," he said while offering a substantial stack of cash.
"But Young Master, this..." Natty looked hesitant, her hands seemed confused, trying to resist the offer despite being unable to avoid Lucian's firm gaze.
"It's okay, you intend to save money for your brother's schooling, right? Just use that money." Lucian continued, smiling slightly. "I don't want to see you feeling burdened."
"But—...." Natty looked confused, a little surprised by the attention Lucian gave, but she still felt uncomfortable accepting the gift.
"I don't need rejection." Lucian said in a more stern tone, his eyes remaining sharp and calm. "Ah~ it's quite tiring today, it looks like I have to drink Pavel's chamomile tea to calm down." He stretched his body, touching his back with one hand as if he felt the tension starting to disappear.
"Then I'll go back to your room first," he continued, finishing this brief conversation with a calm step. He began to walk away from Natty to his room.
"Young master... no, My Lord..." Natty could only whisper softly, looking at Lucian who had already begun to move away, mixed feelings within her. "From now on, I will serve you," he said later, almost like an irrevocable decision, his eyes full of determination and deep respect.
Lucian strolled casually to his room, his body still feeling light even though the day was full of tension. The calm atmosphere of the mansion felt like a little adventure that had just begun. However, as he got closer to his room's door, he suddenly felt something strange. A dark aura that couldn't be ignored flowed in the air, giving a pressing feeling in his chest.
"Young Master..." Pavel's voice suddenly sounded, with a tone heavier and more serious than usual. The voice came from behind the door, so strong that it made Lucian pause for a moment.
Lucian stopped, his eyes narrowing a bit as he heard the worry in Pavel's voice. "Hey, Pavel. Isn't it not good to stay up late at your age?" Lucian said casually, even though he felt the tension in the air. He waited a moment before opening the door, deciding to see what was going on.
As soon as the door opened, Lucian found Pavel standing in the middle of the room with an expression far from his usual one. Pavel's face looked tense, his body slightly shaking, and his sharp eyes showed signs of deep anxiety. "What's going on, Pavel?" Lucian asked, a bit surprised to see this unusual reaction.
Pavel, who usually has it all together, now looks a bit panicked. "Who do you think this is because of?" he replies with a voice full of emphasis. "I was planning to have dinner in your room, but what I found was just a disguise of pillows covered with a blanket, like you underestimate me to the point of thinking this silly trick would work on me?"
"Where have you been disappearing from during the day until now?" Pavel asks sharply, his voice full of an authority that can't be ignored. He stares at Lucian with suspicious eyes, as if he can't stand the thought of something being hidden from him.
Lucian raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised by the direct question. He quickly composed his expression, thinking for a moment before answering. "Going to meet a friend?" he replied lightly, a bit indifferent, but in his heart, that sentence was just a reflex he used to say back when he was still Kalandra, to explain his absence to the head of the shelter he lived in.
Pavel looked at Lucian with a sharp gaze, not excluding the firmness he had shown earlier. "You think I'm stupid?" Pavel replied coldly, his expression turning more serious. "I know for sure you don't have any friends at all."
Lucian held back a faint smile that was almost there, realizing that Pavel was not easily fooled. "Ugkk!!!!" Lucian suddenly sighed in annoyance, feeling the pressure from Pavel's constant pushing. "I'm really tired right now," he continued, trying to quickly change the subject. "You can nag me tomorrow, okay? Alright, good night." Lucian stepped back casually, trying to wrap up the conversation in a way that made it seem like he didn't care too much.
"Wait, Young Master." Pavel stepped closer, seemingly not wanting to let Lucian leave just like that. His voice sounded more serious, there was something he wanted to say. "Actually, there's something I want to tell you."
"Hmmm?" Lucian paused for a moment and turned, his expression calm even though he was curious about what Pavel was going to say.
"In a few days, the Great Master, we'll be back at the mansion," Pavel said in a heavier tone, giving some pretty surprising news.