"Sorry, this usually doesn't happen," Ian said to Luke, who was baffled by the entire situation. Luke just nodded along, still processing the tension that had filled the room moments earlier.

I furrowed my brows in annoyance at Cecilia's antics. She acted as if she was simply annoyed, but it was clear she was pushing Lucifer's buttons, knowing Ren would join in due to his inferiority complex since he lost Rank 2 to me.

'What a thoroughly annoying girl,' I thought as I carefully cut my steak.

Cecilia Slatemark was a master manipulator, feigning ignorance to lower others' defenses. It was a trait she inherited from her father, Emperor Quinn, and one she had honed since childhood.

Though everyone here was a powerful heir in their own right, they were still young and relatively easy for Cecilia to manipulate. Her sociopathic tendencies made her adept at playing these psychological games, making her advances on me all the more dangerous. If I fell for her, there was always the risk that it was just a game to her, a prospect I couldn't afford.

In my previous life, I had dated many girls and been led on just as many times, only to be cast aside when I showed genuine interest. It was a feeling I didn't want to experience again, especially not now when I had a world to save.

I shook my head to focus on my plans instead.

Fortunately, this field trip offered us a lot of freedom. It was more about bonding than education, which played in my favor. I could easily slip away to the temple Luna mentioned and get my hands on the Ancient-grade artifact with Jin's help after.

However, Jin alone wouldn't be enough if I approached this like a blockhead. The two -rankers would crush us if we approached them directly. We needed something else, and I knew exactly what that was.

As I planned my next steps, I couldn't help but glance around the table. The group had settled back into a tense but manageable calm. Rachel was back to her meal, though her eyes still flickered with curiosity. Ian and Luke were chatting quietly, trying to move past the awkwardness.

Lucifer and Ren were eating, but the tension between them was palpable. Every time their gazes met, it felt like sparks were flying. Right now, the gap between their abilities was still significant enough that Lucifer wasn't threatened, only annoyed. However, this dynamic would change once Ren entered the -rank, closing the gap between them.

Lucifer's advantage over Ren at the same mana rank would only hold if he unlocked his second Gift.

These power dynamics were frustrating, but I had to navigate them carefully. I needed everyone's support at this table for the future. The plot of the novel had already deviated significantly, especially after the mid-terms, and who knew what other changes would unfold? My actions could have unpredictable ripple effects on the plot, making it risky to rely solely on my knowledge of <>.

While it was still a useful guide, I had to prepare for worst-case scenarios to ensure not just my survival, but the world's survival as well.

'What a heavy burden has been placed upon me,' I sighed inwardly as I set down my cutlery lightly.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Sera watching me with concern. I turned and smiled at her, hoping to convey that everything was fine. She pursed her lips before leaning closer, her lips near my left ear.

"You are my friend. I won't let Cecilia, or anybody, hurt you," she whispered, her voice filled with determination.

A warmth spread through my chest at her words. Despite her cold exterior, Sera's loyalty and friendship were genuine. It was reassuring to know she had my back.

"Thank you," I mouthed, smiling at her. Her blue eyes met mine briefly before she turned back to her food. My gaze lingered on the lock of silver hair tucked behind her slightly pointy ear before I resumed eating.

The table was still tense from the earlier confrontation, and conversation had stalled. I needed to find a way to lighten the mood and refocus everyone's energy.

"So, has anyone decided what they're going to do tomorrow?" I asked, looking around the table.

Ian perked up, eager to move past the awkwardness. "I was thinking of checking out the local markets. I heard they have some interesting trinkets for sale."

Rachel smiled softly. "I heard there's a beautiful garden nearby. I plan to visit it and maybe sketch some of the scenery."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

The conversation gradually picked up as everyone shared their plans, the earlier tension dissipating.

"I want to visit the temple," I chimed in. "It seems interesting, don't you think?"

"Hmm," Lucifer hummed. "Do you believe in what they claim?"

"Mana exists in the world, so why not?" I chuckled.

Mana was the manifestation of the supernatural itself. The circle method had tried to add science to mana, but by its very premise, mana and magic were supernatural, even in this world. There were too many inexplicable things about mana, things that might never be explained because that is its nature.

"How childish," Ren snorted. "To think someone like you is at Rank 2."

"You know what, Ren," I said, crossing my arms before Lucifer could interject, "how about we settle this in a spar? Tomorrow, after we finish the planned tasks and return, we have a duel."

Ren's purple eyes glinted as he studied me. "You want to be embarrassed that badly?"

"Embarrassed?" I laughed. "I hope you don't regret your words when I crush you tomorrow."

I couldn't quite beat Ren yet. He knew God Flash, and unless I caught him off guard with a 5-circle God Flash, I wouldn't win. But I trusted Luna. There was something significant waiting at the temple, and I could only rely on the being who gave me her will and willingly bonded with me.

"Don't run away then," Ren said, his purple eyes locking with my azure ones.

Lucifer and Ren both had egos that needed crushing. If I didn't manage Ren properly, he might spiral into insanity like he did in the novel. His end was tragic, and I wanted to avoid it since he had the potential to become one of the strongest -rankers in history. He could surpass his uncle and rank just below Lucifer and me—if everything went according to plan.

'Why does this novel get so much more complicated after the Academy?' I mused, scratching the back of my head.

The chaos that ensues in this world after Lucifer and the gang graduate defies description. The calamities that unfold are so catastrophic that even ten -rank humans and elves, along with Tiamat, couldn't prevent the world's fall. Many, like Lucifer's father, perished in the process.

The world becomes that wrecked by the calamities that occur.

And I had to prevent it all.

'Sometimes I feel like I'm on the verge of going crazy myself,' I thought.

But those events were still far off. By the time I needed to worry about them, I should already be at -rank, surpassing even Nero in strength. Then, I could focus on stopping the calamities. There might even be one I could prevent earlier if I played my cards right.

For now, I needed to focus on the immediate challenges and seize every opportunity for growth. The first step was the temple and the ancient artifact Luna had hinted at.

The rest of dinner passed without incident, though the tension lingered in the air. Conversations were strained, and everyone seemed to be on edge. Eventually, the plates were cleared, and people began to disperse.

I took this moment to slip away quietly, heading toward my room. I had plans to make and preparations to complete before the next day. The encounter at the temple could be pivotal, and I needed to be ready.

Just as I was about to slip away, Cecilia seized my hand and led me into a secluded alcove. She pushed me against the wall with surprising force, her eyes burning with intensity as she yanked me closer. Before I could react, her lips crashed into mine in a furious, demanding kiss.

Startled, I braced my hands on her shoulders, using them as leverage to push her back. "Is this some kind of game to you?" I asked, wiping her red lipstick off my lips with my sleeve.

Her crimson eyes locked onto mine, unfazed. "What game, Arthur?" she murmured, her voice low and almost taunting as she began to untie my tie with deliberate slowness.

I grabbed her hand, halting her movements. "This," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "Playing with me like this."

Her gaze remained fixed on mine, her expression inscrutable. Slowly, her lips curled into a smile, but it was devoid of warmth or joy. It was a hollow smile, a mask that didn't reach her eyes.

"You are so interesting, Arthur," she whispered, her voice a soft, serpentine hiss that sent a shiver down my spine. Her words slithered into my ears, wrapping around my thoughts and sending goosebumps cascading over my skin.

Her smile widened, but it only made her seem more unsettling. The disconnect between her expression and her eyes was jarring, a stark reminder of the manipulative force she embodied.

"Why do you keep saying that?" I demanded, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "Why this fascination with me?"

Cecilia tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing as if she were pondering a particularly intriguing puzzle. "Because, Arthur," she said softly, "you’re different. You don't play by the rules everyone else does. And that makes you... fascinating."

I sighed, releasing her hand and stepping back. "Find someone else to toy with, Cecilia," I said firmly. "I have more important things to worry about."

Her smile faded, replaced by a fleeting look of something that almost resembled disappointment. "Maybe," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "but that won't stop me from trying."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing in the dimly lit alcove, the echoes of her words lingering in the air.

I took a deep breath, shaking off the encounter. There was too much at stake to let Cecilia's games distract me. I had to stay focused on my goals and the challenges ahead.

As I walked through the corridors, the opulence of the mansion was almost overwhelming. Rich carpets muffled my footsteps, and grand paintings lined the walls, each more exquisite than the last. The soft glow of chandeliers bathed everything in a warm, golden light.

Back in my room, I sat on the edge of the bed, reflecting on the day. The interactions, the tensions, the challenges—everything seemed to be building up to something significant. I knew I had to stay sharp and be ready for anything.

I pulled out a small notebook from my bracelet, jotting down my thoughts and plans. I had learned early on that writing things down helped me organize my mind and see patterns I might have missed otherwise.

"Tomorrow," I muttered to myself, "tomorrow is when things start to change."

With that, I lay down, closing my eyes. Despite the comfortable bed and luxurious surroundings, sleep didn’t come easily. My mind was too active, filled with thoughts of the temple, the artifact, Cecilia and the future that lay ahead.

Eventually, I drifted off, the soft glow of the lights casting gentle shadows on the ceiling.