Chapter 504: Cat catches up
Lucavion stepped into his room with an easy stride, exhaling slightly as the door clicked shut behind him. The space was as grand as expected—richly decorated, yet not excessive. Heavy velvet curtains framed the tall windows, their deep navy complementing the polished dark wood of the furniture. A chandelier cast a soft, warm glow, illuminating the neatly made bed and the ornate desk near the window.
Behind him, Anne lingered at the entrance, clasping her hands together.
"If you need anything, sir, please let me know," she offered politely, her posture now steadier than before.
Lucavion stretched his arms before glancing back at her. "Hmm… well, if you're offering, something to eat would be nice."
Anne nodded without hesitation. "I will have it prepared at once. Would you like some tea while you wait?"
Lucavion raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh? That depends."
Anne blinked. "Depends…?"
He stepped just a little closer, tilting his head. "If the tea is from your hands, then I will gladly accept. I refuse to drink it from anyone else!"
Anne's brown eyes widened slightly, caught off guard once more. She stared at him for a moment, lips parting as if to say something—but instead, a small chuckle escaped her.
"What is that? Ahaha…."
Lucavion grinned, watching as she covered her mouth, shaking her head in amusement.
Still, she straightened, giving a small, playful bow. "If that is what you wish, I will do my best."
His smirk deepened. "I'll be looking forward to it, then."
With one last glance, Anne nodded and excused herself, leaving Lucavion alone in the quiet room.
As the door shut behind her, his gaze drifted to the ceiling, and with a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair.
Finally. A moment to breathe.
And, more importantly—
'Alright, Vitaliara. You have my full attention now.'
A soft but distinct [Humph.] echoed through Lucavion's mind.
He smirked, shutting his eyes as he leaned against the ornate desk, crossing his arms. Even without seeing her, he could feel her presence lingering close—closer than she had been in a long time.
'Oh? You sound irritated.'
There was no immediate response, but he didn't need one. Through their connection, he could sense the emotions rolling off her—frustration, relief, annoyance, and… something softer, something she likely wouldn't admit.
She wasn't just angry.
She had worried.
And, well—she had every right to.
Lucavion sighed, rubbing his temple. 'Alright, fine. I was reckless.'
His sudden departure into another dimension had forcefully severed the link between them—a link that had always remained, even when they were far apart. And for Vitaliara, who had never experienced such a complete and utter disconnection from him… it must have been hell.
He imagined it now.
Her trying, again and again, to reach him.
Her waiting.
Her searching.
Her wondering if he had—
Lucavion exhaled slowly.
'Yeah… I really must have made you anxious, huh?'
For a long moment, there was silence.
Then, finally—
[Idiot.]
The word came through with all the weight of her pent-up frustration.
Lucavion smiled faintly. 'Yeah, yeah. I know.'
Lucavion let his smirk linger as he leaned further into the desk, feeling the familiar warmth of Vitaliara's presence growing stronger.
'Come here.' His voice in their connection was smooth, teasing—but beneath it was something genuine. 'We have a lot to talk about.'
[Humph.]
She was still sulking, but he could feel it.
She was moving closer.
Lucavion's smirk deepened. She's predictable in that way.
And, well—if she was going to play stubborn, then he might as well push a little further.
'Hmm… should I remove my clothes?' he mused aloud, his fingers toying with the collar of his coat. 'Maybe then, our little peeping cat would finally reveal herself?'
There was a sharp spike of emotion through their bond—flustered, indignant.
[I am not a peeping cat!]
Lucavion chuckled, eyes gleaming with amusement. 'Oh? Then why do you sound so defensive?'
A flicker of mana stirred in the air—subtle but unmistakable.
Ah.
She was almost here.
Lucavion exhaled, shaking his head with a small chuckle before letting his voice settle into something softer.
'Alright, alright… I am sorry, Vitaliara.'
A pause.
'But I had to do it. I had my reasons.'
Just as the last word left his thoughts, a sharp [You—!] tore through their connection, crackling with unfiltered frustration.
A second later—
[You may have had your reasons, but after returning, you could have at least notified me, right?!]
Lucavion winced slightly at the sheer volume of her voice in his head. He swore, if she had a physical form right now, she'd be right in his face, tail lashing, ears flattened in absolute outrage.
'I didn't have time,' he reasoned smoothly, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve, though even he knew how weak that excuse sounded.
A beat of silence.
Then—
[Oh?] Vitaliara's voice dripped with the kind of sweet venom that sent a shiver down his spine. [You had time to flirt with maids, but not any time to notify me?]
Lucavion froze.
Then, very carefully—
'Ahem…'
His collar suddenly felt a little too tight.
Lucavion cleared his throat, recovering quickly. 'You know my score, not my story.'
A sharp silence followed. Then—
[Score?]
Lucavion blinked. '…Well, I guess that was a bit irrelevant?'
There was another pause, the kind that felt like an unimpressed stare.
[You are testing me again.]
'I am not.' He exhaled dramatically, rolling his shoulders. 'Just come here, you cat!'
—SWOOSH!—
The air shifted violently.
Lucavion barely had time to register the blur shooting toward him from the open window before something—no, someone—lunged straight for his face.
Instinct kicked in.
SNAP!
His hand shot up just in time to catch a set of furry paws inches from his cheek.
A deep smirk pulled at his lips. 'Holy—! You've gotten quite a bit faster!'
The owner of those paws let out a sharp [Tsk.], her feline-like tail flicking behind her.
Lucavion tightened his grip slightly, meeting her narrowed crimson eyes with a smug grin. "You know, you nearly messed up my very handsome face just now."
[Oh, if I wanted to, I would have.] Vitaliara huffed, her ears twitching. [You deserved worse.]
Lucavion laughed, finally releasing her paws as she landed gracefully before him.
'Hah… it really has been a while, huh?'
Chapter 505: Cat catches up (2)
Vitaliara, now fully perched on Lucavion's head, let out a small [Hmph.] before placing her soft paws against his forehead.
Tap.
Lucavion stayed still, allowing the light, rhythmic taps without complaint. If this was what she needed to settle her frustration, he wouldn't get in her way.
Her warmth was familiar, grounding, a presence that had been missing for too long.
After a moment, he spoke, his voice casual.
'Then… what were you up to recently?'
THWACK!
Lucavion's head jerked slightly as Vitaliara smacked his forehead—not with her usual gentle taps, but with a solid, paw-delivered strike.
[I should be the one asking you that!] she shouted through their bond, her tail flicking wildly.
Lucavion winced slightly, rubbing his forehead. 'Alright, alright, fair,' he admitted, though the grin tugging at his lips didn't fade.
But Vitaliara wasn't done.
[You suddenly pushed yourself forward into that vortex—what were you thinking?!]
Her voice was sharp, laced with the emotions she had bottled up.
Lucavion's smirk dimmed, his gaze lowering slightly.
Ah.
That.
That was the last thing she had seen—the exact moment he had shoved Elara back, taking her place just as the vortex swallowed him whole.
Vitaliara huffed, her tail swishing aggressively as she stomped—well, as much as a tiny feline-like creature could—on top of Lucavion's head.
[Why did you risk your life for that girl?!] she demanded, her voice sharp, frustrated. [Do you even realize how reckless that was?!]
Lucavion exhaled, his smirk returning just slightly. "Well… I had my reasons."
[Reasons that you won't tell me!]
He chuckled under his breath. "I will. When the time comes."
Vitaliara's tail bristled. [And when, exactly, will that time come?!]
"Just be patient."
[You bastard!] she snapped, smacking his forehead again—not as hard as before, but enough to make her irritation very clear.
Lucavion let out a soft chuckle but didn't retaliate. Instead, his voice lowered, his smirk fading ever so slightly.
"I know you were worried," he murmured, his tone quieter now. "I'm sorry."
A long silence stretched between them.
Then—
[Humph.]
She turned her head away, crossing her paws in an exaggerated sulk.
Vitaliara's tail flicked restlessly as she remained perched on his head, her ears twitching in thought.
After a moment, she spoke again, her voice quieter but firm.
[Then? What did happen in there?]
Lucavion stretched slightly, letting out a small sigh. "Well…"
Where to even begin?
"The vortex dumped me into an unfamiliar dimension, one that felt… off. The sky was cracked, the land itself was unstable. The whole place felt like it wasn't meant to exist—or like it was something left unfinished."
Vitaliara listened intently, her previous sulking momentarily forgotten.
"I wandered for a bit, looking for an exit," Lucavion continued. "And then… well, you must have noticed it too, right?"
[Noticed what?]
He smirked slightly, tilting his head. "The energy. That massive kraken—the one that tried to eat me whole—its energy felt similar, didn't it?"
Vitaliara stiffened.
"My energy… and Master's."
She didn't say anything.
Didn't even move.
Lucavion narrowed his eyes. 'So. You did notice it.'
He let the silence stretch for a moment before he spoke again, his voice dipping lower.
"Why did you hide it from me?"
Finally, she shifted. Her paws pressed lightly against his forehead as she exhaled, almost hesitant.
[It was because I was unsure.] she admitted, her voice carrying a rare uncertainty. [It was the first time I saw something like that in my entire life. That energy—whatever it was—it didn't belong here. And that was strange.]
Lucavion hummed, absorbing her words. "So you were scared?"
A pause. Then—
[Yes.]
Vitaliara didn't hesitate this time. [Is there a problem with that?]
Lucavion chuckled under his breath. "No, no… You were right to be scared."
And that was the truth.
Vitaliara let out a small sigh before gracefully hopping down from Lucavion's head, landing lightly in his lap. She curled up there, resting her tail around herself, her crimson eyes still sharp with curiosity.
[Did you know about that kraken?] she asked after a pause.
Lucavion nodded without hesitation. "Yeah, I knew."
Vitaliara's ears twitched. [How?]
Lucavion exhaled, tilting his head back slightly. "That… is really hard to explain."
[I see.]
She didn't push further.
Lucavion smirked slightly—of course she wouldn't. Vitaliara had long since learned that there were things about him that simply didn't make sense. Like how he had known the location of that Archmage's lair long before anyone else did. Or how he always seemed to be one step ahead, aware of things he shouldn't be.
She had questions. But she also knew that, in time, the answers would come.
Instead, she shifted slightly, her tail flicking as she moved on. [Then, what happened after you got swallowed by the vortex?]
Lucavion leaned back against the chair, one hand absentmindedly brushing over Vitaliara's fur. "I wandered for a bit, looking for an exit."
His fingers stilled slightly.
"And then… I saved a certain daughter."
[What?] Vitaliara's ears perked up.
Lucavion let a slow smirk tug at his lips. "The Veiled Lady. Remember her?"
A pause. Then—
[Yes.]
"Well…" Lucavion chuckled, his golden eyes gleaming. "I saved her."
Lucavion let his fingers idly stroke Vitaliara's fur as he continued recounting the events.
"I found her surrounded by a group of adventurers," he murmured, his voice losing some of its usual teasing lilt. "They weren't the decent kind. They knew exactly who she was… and what they could do with someone like her."
Vitaliara's tail flicked sharply. [They tried to assault her?]
Lucavion nodded. "She was weak. Ill. She could barely stand, let alone fight back." He scoffed slightly, his expression darkening. "If I had arrived even a moment later, well…"
His fingers stilled briefly.
"It wouldn't have been pleasant for her."
Vitaliara didn't say anything, but through their bond, he could feel her reaction. Anger. A quiet, simmering rage.
Lucavion exhaled lightly. "I dealt with them, obviously. And after that, I had to carry her around like a helpless little kitten."
Vitaliara's ears twitched. [Hmph. And then?]
Lucavion smirked, leaning back into his chair. "Then came the Kraken."
Lucavion let out a slow breath, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. "I knew from the start that thing could be too much for me."
Vitaliara snorted. [Of course! That was a damn kraken! What did you even think?]
Lucavion smirked. "Well, I'm still here, aren't I? That means my plan worked."
[Hmph. And what exactly was your plan?]
He leaned back further, stretching lazily. "It's a bit complicated. Wanna hear all of it?"
Vitaliara huffed, shifting in his lap. [Obviously.]
Lucavion grinned, but as he spoke next, his tone held a sharper edge. "Aeliana's illness was directly tied to the Kraken."
Vitaliara's ears twitched, but she remained silent, listening.
"Her mana was being drained—not by a curse, not by poison, but by a connection. Something deep, something unnatural. The Kraken was feeding off of her, using her as an anchor between dimensions."
Lucavion's fingers curled slightly. "Which meant, if I could sever that link—if I could force a shift in that balance—the Kraken would weaken."
Vitaliara narrowed her eyes.
"And that's exactly what I did," Lucavion finished with a small smirk. "I turned its own connection against it."
A beat of silence.
Then—
[Aeliana?]
Lucavion blinked.
Vitaliara's tone was suddenly… different. A little sharper. A little more pointed.
[Is that her name?]
Lucavion felt her small paws press into his chest as she stared up at him, her crimson eyes gleaming with something unreadable.
[You're now close enough to call her by her name?]
Lucavion chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Ahaha… Why not? I am her savior, remember?"
Vitaliara's tail flicked once.
[Heeee?] Her tone was flat. [Suspicious.]
Chapter 506: Cat catches up (3)
[Heeee? Suspicious.]
Lucavion laughed it off, waving a hand dismissively. "What's the matter?"
Vitaliara didn't answer immediately. She just stared at him, her crimson eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
A slow, knowing glare.
But she said nothing.
Lucavion took the silence as his cue to continue. "After Aeliana fought against her illness, I handled the Kraken and won. Simple as that."
Vitaliara's tail flicked sharply.
[Hmph.]
She wasn't convinced.
Lucavion could feel it—that particular brand of suspicion, the one she always had when she sensed he was conveniently leaving things out.
[It feels like you're letting out some details.]
Lucavion smirked, shaking his head. "When have I ever done such a thing?"
[All the time!] Vitaliara snapped, her voice laced with exasperation.
"Aha—" Lucavion let out an amused chuckle but didn't deny it.
Still, he chose to conclude the story like that.
However—
Vitaliara didn't look satisfied.
Her gaze sharpened again, eyes slightly narrowed as she tilted her head.
[Fine. Then answer this—how did you end up here?]
Lucavion glanced around the room, exhaling lightly. "Well… apparently, the girl I saved?" He smirked. "She was the Duke's daughter."
A tense silence.
Vitaliara's entire body froze.
Then, her ears twitched, and a dangerous glint entered her eyes.
[You knew everything beforehand.]
Lucavion raised an eyebrow, his smirk unfading. "What makes you think so?"
Vitaliara's tail lashed once, her voice firm. [The fact that you suddenly decided to come here, joined an expedition, and even risked yourself to enter that vortex.]
She stared straight at him, unwavering.
[Even if it's you, you don't do meaningless things. I already had my suspicions, but now…] Her voice grew sharper, her tone laced with certainty. [Now I'm sure.]
Lucavion didn't say anything.
He neither confirmed nor denied Vitaliara's accusation, letting the silence stretch between them. His black eyes remained unreadable, a faint smirk playing at his lips, but he gave her nothing.
Vitaliara narrowed her eyes further, clearly expecting some kind of answer.
Before she could push him further—
Knock, knock.
The door creaked open, and Anne stepped inside, carefully carrying a tray with a porcelain teapot and a delicate cup.
"Excuse me," she said softly, her voice laced with formality. "I apologize for the delay."
Lucavion turned his gaze to her—and immediately, his sharp eyes caught something.
A small, fresh bandage wrapped around the bottom of her left hand.
He didn't miss the way she subtly tried to keep it out of view, as if hoping he wouldn't notice.
Lucavion tilted his head slightly, tapping his fingers against the armrest.
"Did you spill the tea?" he asked, his tone light yet pointed.
Anne stiffened.
For a second, she hesitated—then her grip on the tray tightened slightly.
"…I am sorry," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
She looked embarrassed, most likely not expecting him to pick up on it so quickly.
Lucavion simply chuckled under his breath.
Even if he wasn't the most observant person in the world like another certain character, he wasn't oblivious. And something as blatant as this?
Of course he would notice.
Lucavion didn't say anything at first. He simply extended his hand.
Anne blinked, confused. "S-Sir?"
His black eyes gleamed with something unreadable as he raised his right hand slightly, fingers curling in a slow, beckoning gesture.
"Your hand," he said smoothly. "Give it to me."
Anne hesitated, glancing down at the bandaged area before looking back up at him.
"I… I can't do that," she said, shaking her head. "It's inappropriate."
Lucavion's smirk deepened.
"Good," he murmured. "This time, you didn't forget."
Anne looked up at him, startled.
Lucavion leaned back, resting his chin against his palm as he watched her reaction. "Back then, when I put my finger on your cheek, I expected this kind of response," he mused. "But you were too flustered to remember, weren't you?"
Anne's face turned a shade redder, and she quickly lowered her gaze.
"But now," Lucavion continued, amusement lacing his tone, "now that you're paying attention, you remembered the traditions and acted properly."
Anne pressed her lips together, looking even more embarrassed.
Lucavion simply chuckled under his breath.
"Good," he praised lightly. "It's often the hardest when you have to go against your comfort zone."
Anne glanced up at him, surprised by his tone—not mocking, not teasing, but genuinely acknowledging her effort.
"You've probably always worked in the back," he continued, watching her reaction carefully. "Cleaning, organizing, doing things that don't require much direct interaction, right?"
Anne stiffened slightly.
"And with how cute you look," Lucavion added, his smirk widening, "the other maids wouldn't bully you. Meaning…" His black eyes gleamed with interest. "You took this job on your own."
Anne's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard.
She hadn't expected him to be so accurate.
"I'm right, aren't I?" Lucavion chuckled, leaning back. "You wanted to act as my guide because you get embarrassed in front of strangers, and this was your way of fixing that."
Anne hesitated, gripping the tray a little tighter. Then, slowly, she nodded.
"…Yes," she admitted softly.
Anne hesitated for a moment before letting out a small breath. "I know it sounds silly, but I wanted to get better at talking to people. The other maids always told me I get too nervous, and I thought if I took on something like this, I'd—" She stopped herself, her fingers tightening around the tray. "I just… didn't want to keep avoiding things forever."
Lucavion hummed, resting his chin against his hand. "Not silly at all," he mused. "Pushing past your limits, forcing yourself into discomfort—it's how people grow. I respect that."
Anne blinked at him, clearly not expecting praise.
Lucavion smirked at her expression. "But," he continued, his voice teasing now, "you did pick a rather dangerous subject for your little experiment. Me."
Anne immediately looked embarrassed, her face heating up. "I—I wasn't expecting you to be like this," she admitted under her breath.
Lucavion laughed, a low, amused sound. "What? Charming?"
Anne huffed, clearly flustered, but before she could retort, her gaze drifted downward—and finally, she noticed the small white cat curled up in Lucavion's lap.
Her brown eyes widened slightly. "Oh… I didn't realize you had a cat with you."
Lucavion followed her gaze, glancing down at Vitaliara. At some point during their conversation, her eyes had shifted back to their normal golden color—no longer the striking crimson they had been a few moments ago.
Anne's expression softened as she took in Vitaliara's delicate features. "She's so elegant," she murmured, a small, genuine smile appearing on her lips. "And… really cute."
Lucavion smirked slightly. "Careful. She bites."
Anne hesitated for a second before letting out a quiet giggle. "She doesn't seem that scary…"
Lucavion raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
Before Anne could say anything else, Vitaliara's golden eyes slowly opened, sharp and piercing as they landed directly on Anne.
The warmth in the room shifted.
Anne instinctively froze.
Something about the cat's gaze… it wasn't normal. It was too intelligent, too calculating—like she wasn't just looking at Anne, but evaluating her.
Lucavion watched the exchange with amusement before lazily stretching his arms. "She's my familiar," he said casually.
Anne's eyes snapped back to him, visibly surprised. "A familiar?"
Lucavion nodded. "Rare to see one, huh?"
Anne slowly nodded, her expression shifting between curiosity and awe. "I've heard of them, but I've never seen one in person…"
Her gaze flickered back to Vitaliara, admiration shining in her eyes. But seeing how sharp the cat's golden stare remained, Anne wisely refrained from reaching out.
Lucavion chuckled, tapping his fingers against the armrest. "Smart choice. She doesn't like being touched by strangers."
Anne gulped, nodding quickly. "I… I figured."
Vitalaria hmphed quietly before closing her eyes again, curling herself more comfortably in Lucavion's lap.
Anne let out a small, nervous laugh. "She really is… something else."
Lucavion smirked. "Oh, you have no idea."
Chapter 507: Cat catches up (4)
Lucavion leaned back in his chair, swirling the teacup in his hand as he took a slow sip. The room was quiet now, Anne having left after setting everything down, leaving only him and Vitaliara.
He let out a small chuckle, tilting his head slightly. "You didn't have to be so harsh on her like that, you know."
[Humph.] Vitaliara flicked her tail, not bothering to lift her head from his lap. [I am too noble to be touched by just anyone.]
Lucavion snorted. "Yeah, yeah. But you didn't have to glare daggers at her."
[Shut up. Don't tell me what to do.]
Lucavion's smirk grew. "So defensive."
Vitaliara merely turned her head away with a sharp flick of her tail.
"Alright, alright," Lucavion relented before grinning. "You peeping cat."
[I am not a peeping cat!] Vitaliara snapped immediately, her fur bristling as she finally lifted her head to glare at him.
Lucavion chuckled into his teacup. He had been waiting for that reaction.
Letting the moment settle, he set his cup down and shifted slightly. "Anyway, what did you even do after I was gone?"
Vitalaria blinked, her golden eyes narrowing slightly. [I looked for you, obviously.]
Lucavion tilted his head. "And?"
[And nothing! It was infuriating. I could sense nothing from you. It was like you had been erased.]
Lucavion nodded, taking another slow sip of his tea. "Indeed. I was in another dimension, after all."
Vitaliara flicked her tail, her golden eyes narrowing slightly. [Since I couldn't sense anything from you, I figured the best way to do something was to hang around that girl.]
Lucavion raised an eyebrow. "That girl?"
[The one you saved. The one you pushed out of the vortex.]
Lucavion exhaled lightly. "Elara."
[Humph.]
Vitaliara didn't confirm or deny it, merely flicking her tail again.
She continued, her voice steady but thoughtful. [I wandered around them for a little while. After you disappeared, she put in quite the effort.]
Lucavion remained silent, waiting.
[She joined the search party that was formed after that. She worked restlessly for three whole days—barely eating, barely sleeping, trying to find any trace of you.]
Lucavion tilted his head slightly at that.
Then—
He smiled.
A small, genuine smile.
[Why are you smiling?] Vitaliara suddenly asked, her voice laced with suspicion. [You like it when that girl is running after you, don't you?!]
Lucavion chuckled, shaking his head. "It's not about that."
[Then what is it about?]
Lucavion exhaled, leaning back into his chair, his fingers tapping lightly against his teacup.
'…..'
Lucavion remained silent.
Because yes, it was about that.
Vitaliara didn't need him to admit it—his silence was enough.
She scoffed. [Tsk. Whatever.]
Instead of pressing further, she continued speaking, flicking her tail as she talked. [That girl worked hard, I'll give her that. At the very least, she's not useless, and she knows how to be grateful.]
Lucavion hummed in response but didn't say much. He let Vitaliara explain.
[But then…] Vitaliara's voice grew a bit more serious. [That girl suddenly disappeared.]
Lucavion's fingers stopped tapping against his teacup.
"Disappeared?"
[Yes. One night, a really strong presence appeared in her room. It was overwhelming, and I was afraid of being discovered, so I kept my distance. But in the next moment—she was gone.]
Lucavion frowned slightly, thinking.
"How strong?"
[At least a 7-star. Maybe higher.]
Lucavion's expression remained unreadable, but a single thought crossed his mind.
'Then it must be her.'
[Who?] Vitaliara immediately picked up on the shift in his demeanor.
Lucavion set down his teacup and stretched slightly. "That girl's master."
Vitaliara blinked. [That girl had a master?]
Lucavion smirked faintly. "Most young people who excel do."
[If she had such a strong master, that would explain her prowess.] Vitaliara mused, tapping her paws idly against Lucavion's leg. [She was quite talented as well.]
"Yep," Lucavion agreed, tilting his head slightly. "She always had a natural sharpness to her movements. Not just training, but intuition."
Vitaliara flicked her tail. [Hmph. Well, that makes sense now.]
Lucavion leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the armrest. "Then what happened?"
[Since that girl had disappeared, I was left completely on my own.] Vitaliara's voice was calmer now, but there was a certain weight behind her words. [And while I wanted to search for clues with the expedition team, I knew that would be risky.]
Lucavion nodded slightly. It would have been a bad idea. The Duchy must have been wary of unknown elements—if Vitaliara was mistaken for something dangerous, they wouldn't hesitate to act.
"So, what did you do?" he asked.
[I decided to follow something I had noticed before.]
Lucavion narrowed his eyes slightly. "Follow something?"
[Yes. Back when we were traveling to Stormhaven, I sensed a place filled with concentrated life-energy.]
Lucavion blinked. "You did?"
[I did. But at the time, you were too busy scheming and maneuvering, so I figured I'd bring it up later.]
Lucavion chuckled. "Fair enough." Then, tilting his head, he asked, "So you went there?"
[Yes.] Vitaliara's golden eyes gleamed slightly. [And what I found was…]
She trailed off, her gaze thoughtful.
Lucavion smirked. "Don't leave me hanging now."
Vitaliara flicked her tail again, her golden eyes glinting as she stretched out in Lucavion's lap, clearly taking her time.
[Hmph. You're impatient.]
Lucavion smirked, leaning back into his chair. "You left me on a cliffhanger. What did you find?"
Vitaliara let out a small hum before finally continuing.
[That place… it wasn't just some random spot filled with life energy. It was alive.]
Lucavion's smirk faded slightly, his fingers tapping against the armrest. "Alive?"
[Yes. The energy there was not just concentrated, it was thriving. Unlike anything I've sensed before. It wasn't like the forests or sacred groves—it felt ancient, yet pulsing with vitality. Almost as if…]
She hesitated.
Lucavion's eyes sharpened. "As if what?"
Vitaliara flicked her ears, her voice quieter now. [As if something was watching me.]
Silence hung between them for a moment.
Lucavion frowned slightly, processing that. He had encountered plenty of strange places before, but for Vitaliara—who thrived off life energy—to say that even she felt observed…
That wasn't normal.
"And you're sure it wasn't just an artifact or some kind of lingering aura?"
[No. This wasn't something left behind—this was present. I could feel it shifting, almost… reacting to me being there.]
Lucavion exhaled through his nose, fingers tapping rhythmically now. "And?"
[And…] Vitaliara hesitated, her tail curling slightly. [Something strange happened.]
Lucavion raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
[I suddenly felt some of that energy enter my body.]
Lucavion's fingers stopped tapping.
"You absorbed it?"
[No.] She shook her head, golden eyes flickering slightly. [That's the thing—I didn't initiate the absorption. It happened on its own.]
Lucavion frowned slightly, his thoughts turning. "That shouldn't be possible."
[Exactly. But it happened. And after that…] Vitaliara's voice grew quieter. [I felt my life energy increasing. My strength returned faster than it ever has before.]
Lucavion's smirk had completely faded now, his expression turning unreadable. "And… those red eyes?"
Vitalaira's ears twitched, and she exhaled. [That…] She hesitated again before continuing. [It feels like some kind of side effect.]
Lucavion narrowed his eyes slightly. "A side effect?"
[Yes. This energy inside me—it doesn't feel completely natural. And it's not exactly life energy.]
Lucavion leaned forward slightly, resting his chin against his knuckles. "Then what is it?"
Vitaliara went silent for a long moment before finally answering.
[I don't know.]
That was not something she admitted often.
Lucavion hummed, thinking. Something foreign had entered her. Something that acted like life energy but wasn't entirely the same. That was already alarming enough.
But something else was off.
"What happened to that energy-concentrated place?" he asked.
Vitaliara's golden eyes darkened slightly. [The moment the absorption initiated… the place disappeared.]
Lucavion stilled. "…Gone?"
[Completely.]
Chapter 508: Cat catches up (5)
"…Gone?"
[Completely.]
A weight settled in the air between them.
Lucavion exhaled through his nose, running a hand through his hair. "Now I really want to see what's going on there."
[Tsk. Obviously.] Vitaliara flicked her tail. [But that is the thing…..there is nothing in that place anymore….]
Lucavion exhaled slowly, his gaze settling on Vitaliara with quiet thoughtfulness.
"So, let me get this straight," he murmured. "You sensed a place overflowing with life energy. You went there, and without doing anything, you started absorbing that energy. Then, the entire place just… vanished?"
Vitaliara flicked her tail, her golden eyes narrowing. [That sums it up.]
Lucavion ran a hand through his hair, leaning back into his chair. "That feels like a setup."
[I thought the same thing.]
Silence stretched between them.
Lucavion drummed his fingers against the armrest, thinking. Whatever had happened there—it wasn't natural. Places filled with energy didn't just disappear like that. And the fact that it had forced absorption onto Vitaliara…?
That wasn't a coincidence.
"But," Lucavion muttered, closing his eyes briefly before opening them again, "for now, we don't have enough information."
[Hmph. I hate not knowing things.] Vitaliara grumbled, curling her tail around herself.
Lucavion chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, I know."
Before he could say anything more—
Knock, knock.
Lucavion glanced toward the door. A moment later, it creaked open, and Anne stepped in, carefully balancing a tray laden with food.
"Excuse me," she said softly, her posture a little more composed than before. "I've brought your meal."
Lucavion smirked slightly, shaking off his previous thoughts. Perfect timing.
Anne carefully wheeled the service tray into the room, her posture straight, her hands moving with practiced precision. The tray was filled with a variety of dishes—steamed vegetables, roasted meat seasoned with fragrant herbs, freshly baked bread, and even a small plate of pastries. It was more food than he expected, but he wasn't complaining.
Lucavion leaned back, watching as Anne efficiently set the table for him. She worked quickly but delicately, her hands barely making a sound as she placed each dish in front of him.
She reached for the teapot next, refilling his cup with practiced grace.
Lucavion picked it up, taking a slow sip before exhaling lightly. "Not bad."
Anne blinked, looking up at him. "Sir?"
He smirked slightly, swirling the tea in his cup. "The tea. It's good."
Anne blinked again, clearly not expecting the compliment. A faint dusting of pink bloomed on her cheeks. "Ah—um… T-thank you."
Lucavion chuckled at her reaction. Too easy.
"You sound surprised," he mused, setting the cup down. "Did you think I'd insult it?"
Anne shook her head quickly. "N-No! I just—um—" She fumbled slightly, looking flustered.
Lucavion tilted his head, resting his chin on his palm. "You're making it seem like I'm difficult to please."
Anne's lips parted, and then she quickly shut them, clearly thinking about how to respond.
He smirked. "Ah, so you do think that."
Anne's face turned red. "I—I didn't say that!"
Lucavion let out a soft chuckle, enjoying the way she scrambled to recover.
"Relax," he said, waving a hand. "I'm just teasing you."
Anne exhaled, clearly still embarrassed, but she composed herself quickly. "Then… I'll leave you to enjoy your meal, sir."
She gave him a small bow, stepping back toward the door.
Lucavion smirked but let her go without another word.
As the door closed behind her, he leaned back, picking up his fork and glancing at Vitaliara.
"She's entertaining."
Vitaliara flicked her tail. [Hmph. You and your bad habits.]
Lucavion just chuckled, enjoying his tea as he reached for his meal.
******
Lucavion dusted off his coat, rolling his shoulders as he prepared to leave his room.
Now that he had spoken with the Duke, had a proper rest, and—more importantly—reconnected with Vitaliara, there was only one more thing left to do before the day could truly begin.
A smirk tugged at his lips as he adjusted his cuffs.
"Let's meet with our Guild Master, shall we?" he mused. "She must have been quite anxious after all this time."
[Humph.] Vitaliara scoffed, flicking her tail. [She has no right to be anxious. She's not even close to you.]
Lucavion chuckled, sliding a hand into his pocket. "True enough."
With that, he pushed open the door—only to pause when he noticed a familiar presence waiting just outside.
Anne.
She stood there, perfectly composed, but the moment the door opened, she straightened a little more as if caught off guard.
Lucavion raised an eyebrow.
"...Did you need something?" he asked, watching her with mild amusement.
Anne blinked. "Ah—no, sir. I was just—" She hesitated before adding quickly, "I was ordered to wait here in case you wanted to leave your room."
Lucavion's smirk widened as he tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"Hmm… waiting right outside my door?" He narrowed his eyes playfully. "That's a little creepy, isn't it? Don't tell me—you're a stalker?"
Anne's face turned a bright shade of red. "N-No! I was ordered to!"
Lucavion chuckled. Too easy.
"Alright, alright. No need to panic," he said smoothly, stepping past her. "I was just teasing you, Anne."
She huffed, clearly flustered but keeping her composure. "Where shall I escort you, sir?"
Lucavion stretched slightly, letting out a slow breath. "I'll be leaving the mansion for a while."
Anne gave a small nod, her hands neatly folded in front of her. "Should I prepare a carriage for you, sir?"
Lucavion smirked. "That would be nice. And while you're at it, I also need to retake my Aether."
Anne blinked, tilting her head. "Aether?"
Lucavion's smirk grew. "My horse. She's been waiting for me in Stormhaven."
He had left Aether in a stable after applying for the expedition—naturally, he couldn't bring her into the unknown vortex with him. And after all this time…
He also missed her.
"I see," Anne said thoughtfully. "I will inform the stablemaster to have your horse brought here as well."
Lucavion raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Anne nodded. "That way, once you return, you may have Aether ready in the mansion if you wish."
Lucavion chuckled. "Efficient. I like that."
Anne straightened, looking pleased with herself. "I will see to it immediately, sir."
Lucavion let his smirk linger as he walked ahead, ready to finally leave the mansion.
However, as he walked with purpose, his mind already shifting toward his next meeting—until a small, inconvenient realization struck him.
He had no idea where the exit was.
He slowed slightly, glancing around the grand halls of the Thaddeus mansion. While he had walked through them before, he hadn't exactly committed the layout to memory.
Anne, who had been walking beside him, noticed his pause. "Sir?"
Lucavion cleared his throat lightly, keeping his usual smirk in place. "I assume the entrance is somewhere around here?"
Anne blinked, then quickly masked her surprise. "Ah—of course, sir. Please wait at the entrance hall. I will see to it that the carriage is prepared immediately."
Lucavion exhaled, nodding. "Right, then."
As Anne hurried off, Vitaliara let out a low [Hmph.]
[Look at you, enjoying all this luxury and comfort.]
Lucavion chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "And? Was there something wrong with that?"
[I didn't say that.] Vitaliara flicked her tail. [But I am pointing it out.]
Lucavion smirked. "It's better if I enjoy things when I can. You never know when you'll be stuck in the wilderness fighting for your life again."
[Tsk.] Vitaliara snorted, but she didn't argue.
Lucavion continued toward the entrance, adding with a smirk, "Besides, I don't even know the exact layout of this place. So what else was I supposed to do?"
Vitaliara hmphed again, but this time, it was quieter.
Lucavion only grinned. Victory.