Fish-white morning light spread across the horizon as Lucien slowly opened his eyes
White silk sheets slipped from his body, revealing the peacefully sleeping Elsa beside him
Her breathing was calm, steady, and warm against the early glow
Lucien rose from the bed
His stretch pants, t-shirt, and beach shorts fitted themselves onto his body as if pulled by an invisible force
He walked to the window and quietly lit a cigar, the street below already beginning to stir with life
"Master."
Elsa awoke, sitting up while holding the sheet against her body
Her purple diamond-amber eyes shimmered with excitement
The lingering effects of last night's blood infusion still flowed through her
Though the method had been unusual, the enhancement was undeniable
Her strength had grown once again
But compared to Lucien, she was still far behind
Until she fully adapted to the second modification, Lucien Graves had no intention of giving her more blood
As his own power increased, so did the demons born from him
With enough blood, they would always move closer to his level
"Your Blood Demon Art is forming well
Develop it carefully
If you want to eat someone, go far away from here."
Lucien turned, his amethyst eyes calm and completely void of desire
His body then shrank, transforming into the frame of an eight-year-old child
A soft breeze entered the room as the window opened, and Lucien's figure vanished
An hour later, he arrived at a small village on the border of Roswaal's territory
According to what he remembered, Natsuki Subaru should be preparing for his date with Emilia around this time
Subaru would come here with Rem to check the area and buy supplies
Then he would encounter a puppy transformed from a Mabeast, get bitten, and fall under a curse
Lucien's purpose was simple
He intended to infiltrate the village, personally kill Natsuki Subaru and Rem, and test whether Subaru's Return by Death ability could affect him
A short while later, a round-faced child wandered into the forest to relieve himself
When he returned, it was no longer the same boy
Lucien had replaced him completely, absorbing his memories with precision
He spent the day rolling in mud and playing hide-and-seek with the other children
Through their conversations, he learned that Subaru and Rem had not yet arrived
When evening came, the children returned home
Lucien followed the chubby boy's parents, mimicking their son's mannerisms so flawlessly that not even the mother noticed a difference
A wasted day
At sunrise, Lucien resumed acting like the other children
When he sensed strong mana approaching, he looked up and saw the Child of Destiny himself — Natsuki Subaru — walking beside Rem
Lucien ignored Subaru entirely and focused on Rem
She stood around one meter and fifty centimeters tall, her peach-colored lips soft against the morning breeze
Her short blue hair framed her face perfectly, with longer bangs covering her right eye
Dressed in her black-and-white maid outfit, with white stockings that accentuated her delicate figure, she looked both gentle and resolute
Lucien had loved this woman deeply
He and the other children swarmed Subaru and Rem for the candy they brought
"Can I hug you?"
Lucien blinked innocently, his chubby face full of endearing charm
Rem paused, brushed her bangs aside, then smiled softly and nodded
"That kid over there… what are you trying to do?" Subaru asked with forced humor, envy flashing in his eyes as Rem lowered herself and opened her arms
He had long wanted something similar, but Rem was difficult to approach
Lucien ignored Subaru's jealousy and stepped into Rem's arms
Her warmth surrounded him, and her faint floral scent brushed against his cheek
In a quiet, gentle voice, he whispered, "I love you."
Rem froze completely
Before she could react, a sharp sound pierced the silence
Blood sprayed forward
Rem staggered back, her eyes trembling as she looked down at Lucien's small hand thrust through her chest
Blood flowed from her mouth and nose, her life force draining rapidly
"Rem!"
Subaru screamed
The children scattered in terror
Lucien withdrew his arm, allowing Rem to collapse into a crimson pool
Her breathing ceased moments before Subaru reached her
"What are you—"
Before Subaru finished speaking, Lucien flicked a finger
Subaru dropped instantly, a fatal hole in his forehead leaking blood and gray matter
Once Lucien confirmed both were dead, he reached for his light screen
But the world blurred
Fish-white morning light once more
White silk sheets slipping
Elsa breathing softly beside him
Lucien opened his eyes
He stood, dressed automatically, and moved toward the window
He lit a cigar
Click
A jolt shot through his mind
The memories were muddled, like a mirror splashed with water
But fragments were clear enough
He saw himself as a chubby child
He saw Rem's chest pierced open
He saw Subaru lying dead
"Master?"
Elsa's soft voice reached him
Her excited gaze held the same admiration as before
"Your Blood Demon Art is taking shape
Develop it well
If you want to eat people, go far away from here."
Lucien froze
This was the same scene as before
Had he already killed Subaru and Rem once
Had Return by Death overwritten reality and pulled him back
Was this a time rewind
A world reset
A return of consciousness
Why did he retain fragmented memories
Was it because he was an outsider with a strong spiritual will
If Return by Death could affect him, then the Witch of Envy was far more dangerous than he expected
The screen appeared again
No record of Subaru or Rem's deaths
His lifespan counter was unchanged… except one day was missing
That was the proof
Lucien sat on the bed, smoke trailing from his cigar, his expression dark
Elsa trembled
Anyone could feel the pressure filling the air
"Develop your Blood Demon Art," Lucien said quietly
His form shrank to that of a child, and he vanished
He needed to confirm it again
At the same time, far away in Roswaal's mansion, Natsuki Subaru lay sweating and clutching his head, his eyes wide with terror as fragments of impossible memories clawed at his mind
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