The room inside the tower fell silent again.
The strange golden glow had vanished.
The ancient book now rested quietly on the pedestal, as if nothing unusual had happened.
But Lucien knew better.
A moment ago, that thing had spoken directly into his mind.
Elena stepped closer.
Her silver hair shimmered under the floating lights of the room as she examined the pedestal.
"You triggered something," she said.
Lucien shrugged.
"Maybe the tower just likes me."
Elena gave him a flat look.
"You shattered my Frost Domain yesterday."
"You walked into a restricted section of the Arcane Tower."
"And now a mysterious artifact reacts the moment you touch it."
She crossed her arms.
"You're either incredibly lucky…"
"Or incredibly suspicious."
Lucien smiled.
"I prefer lucky."
Elena studied him for a moment longer.
Then she turned her attention back to the book.
It looked ordinary now.
Just an old grimoire with a cracked black cover.
But Elena could still feel faint mana fluctuations lingering in the air.
"This book isn't part of the academy collection," she said quietly.
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"You're sure?"
"I've studied the catalog of the Arcane Tower."
Her voice was calm but confident.
"This artifact isn't listed anywhere."
Lucien glanced at the book again.
That made things even more interesting.
Before he could say anything—
The voice suddenly returned.
Inside his mind.
"Do not reveal me."
Lucien nearly reacted out loud but managed to keep his expression neutral.
You again?
"Yes."
You could warn me before speaking like that.
The voice ignored his complaint.
"The girl must not know about me yet."
Lucien resisted the urge to sigh.
You realize she's standing two meters away from me.
"Your problem."
Lucien rubbed his forehead slightly.
Elena noticed immediately.
"Headache?"
"Just thinking."
Lucien stepped closer to the pedestal.
This time he didn't touch the book.
"Maybe it's just an old research text."
Elena frowned.
"That mana pulse earlier didn't feel normal."
Lucien nodded.
"That's true."
Then he changed the subject.
"You followed me here."
It wasn't a question.
Elena didn't deny it.
"I was curious."
"About the duel?"
"About you."
Lucien laughed softly.
"That sounds dangerous."
Elena tilted her head slightly.
"Most interesting things are."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Elena suddenly asked:
"What spell did you use yesterday?"
Lucien blinked.
"Which one?"
"The one that destroyed my Frost Domain."
Lucien thought about it.
"Arcane Pulse."
Elena's eyes widened slightly.
"That's impossible."
Lucien looked amused.
"Why?"
"Because Arcane Pulse isn't taught until third year."
Lucien shrugged.
"Maybe I read ahead."
Elena stared at him.
Then she laughed quietly.
"You're a terrible liar."
Lucien didn't argue.
Instead he looked at the ancient book again.
The voice returned.
"You must take me with you."
Why?
"Because if the academy discovers me…"
The voice paused.
"…they will seal me again."
Lucien frowned.
That sounded problematic.
What exactly are you?
The answer came slowly.
"I am the Forbidden Grimoire of the Arcane Emperor."
Lucien's heart skipped a beat.
Arcane Emperor.
The same title the voice had mentioned earlier.
Explain.
But before the book could respond—
The tower suddenly trembled.
A low rumbling sound echoed through the walls.
Elena looked up immediately.
"Did you feel that?"
Lucien nodded.
The mana inside the tower had changed.
Something was moving.
Something powerful.
Then an alarm-like magical signal echoed through the building.
A distant voice filled the tower.
"Attention all students inside the Arcane Tower."
"This is an emergency notice."
Elena and Lucien exchanged glances.
The voice continued:
"A sealed artifact on the upper levels has been disturbed."
"Faculty members are on their way."
Lucien slowly turned back toward the ancient book.
The voice whispered urgently in his mind.
"They felt my awakening."
Lucien sighed.
"Of course they did."
Elena frowned.
"What?"
Lucien thought quickly.
If the instructors arrived and saw this artifact reacting to him—
Things would become very complicated.
He made a decision.
Lucien grabbed the book.
The moment his hand touched the cover—
The grimoire shrank.
The black pages folded inward as golden light wrapped around it.
Within seconds—
The ancient book transformed into a small metallic emblem.
Lucien stared.
"…That's convenient."
The emblem landed in his palm.
Then it melted into pure mana and disappeared into his body.
Elena blinked.
"…I definitely just saw something."
Lucien looked innocent.
"Magic trick."
Elena stepped closer.
Her eyes were sharp now.
"Lucien."
"Yes?"
"You're hiding something extremely dangerous."
Lucien considered that.
"Probably."
Instead of being angry, Elena smiled.
A dangerous smile.
"Good."
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"Good?"
"I was getting bored at this academy."
She turned toward the door.
Footsteps were already echoing in the hallway outside.
Faculty members were approaching.
Elena glanced back at him once more.
"Whatever secret you're hiding…"
"I'm going to find out eventually."
Lucien chuckled.
"I look forward to it."
A moment later—
The instructors burst into the room.
But by then, the ancient artifact was gone.
And deep inside Lucien's mind—
The Forbidden Grimoire whispered quietly.
"The game has begun."
Lucien had a feeling his life at the academy was about to become far more dangerous.
And far more interesting.