Dominic Eñeforte

Arthur and I cautiously move through the dimly lit corridors, our eyes scanning every crevice and corner for traps like hidden buttons or pressure plates that could trigger more hazards.

-Click!

A sharp sound echoes through the stillness.

"Sorry, Doms."

I spin around to see Arthur standing on another pressure plate.

"Not again," I mutter under my breath.

-Rumble!

Suddenly, the ground beneath us gives way, and we plunge downward.

"Ahh!" Arthur's scream mingles with the rush of air as we fall.

Looking down, I see the dark shimmer of water rapidly approaching. Panic grips me—I can't swim. I take a deep breath and clench my eyes shut with no other options.

-Splash!

I hit the water hard, the cold shock enveloping me completely. I force my eyes open to a suffocating darkness. Without Arthur's light, I'm submerged in overwhelming blackness. The water feels dense, pressing in from all sides. My breathing becomes rapid and uncontrollable as the fear of drowning takes hold.

My vision blurs and a terrible thought crosses my mind: 'Is this how I'm going to die?'

Just as despair begins to set in, I feel a firm grip on my arm. Squinting through the darkness, I see Arthur, his body enveloped in a radiant light that cuts through the water like a beacon. Relief floods through me. I'm not alone; I'm safe.

Arthur pulls me firmly, guiding us toward what I hope is the surface.

"Hah...!"

I gasp as we finally break through into the air. I collapse onto the shore, coughing and spluttering as I try to expel the water from my lungs.

"Are you okay, Doms?"

"Yeah... I'm fine..."

I manage to say between coughs, grateful for his timely rescue and the solid ground beneath me. The ordeal shakes me, but Arthur's quick thinking prevents a dire outcome. Together, we sit on the damp earth, catching our breath.

As I catch my breath, I suddenly realize that the bag carrying our extra clothes is wholly soaked.

"N-No! Our clothes!" I exclaim, hastily opening the bag to retrieve the now-drenched garments.

"Doms, it's okay," Arthur says calmly.

His calmness caught me off guard. I expected Arthur to be disappointed, considering I had brought him into this situation. However, to my surprise, he placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"Really?"

"Yeah, it's my fault for being more careful." His admission of responsibility lessens my guilt.

"No... you don't have to apologize," I respond, grateful for his understanding.

Arthur then stands up, extending his hand to help me. I accept, and as I stand, a cold wind hits us, the chill intensified by our wet clothes.

"Let's take off our shirts, Doms," Arthur suggests.

"W-wait, what?"

I'm surprised by Arthur's suggestion. I'm not used to undressing in front of someone, even in these circumstances.

Arthur sighs, noticing my hesitation. "Doms, if we stay in these wet clothes, we'll catch a cold. It's better to take them off and let them dry."

His explanation makes sense, but what about our pants? They're just as soaked as our shirts.

"What about our pants then?"

Arthur smirks, clearly amused by my bashfulness. "We should take those off too. Don't worry, Doms, there's no one here but us. We're in an ancient temple, remember? No one's going to see us in our underwear."

I feel my cheeks flush from embarrassment. The situation blurs my mind, and I fail to realize the practicality of what he's saying. I'm too focused on the awkwardness of undressing.

Reluctantly, I peel off my wet shirt, the cold air making me shiver as it touches my bare skin. Arthur does the same, tossing his shirt aside without hesitation. After hesitating, I remove my pants, feeling the warmth drain from my body as the wet fabric leaves my skin.

Arthur seems entirely at ease while I fidget, feeling more self-conscious than I want to admit. He notices my discomfort and offers a reassuring smile.

"Hey, it's just the two of us. No need to feel embarrassed."

I nod, trying to relax. Arthur's calm demeanor helps, but it's still strange for me.

"Let's place our wet clothes on that rock over there," Arthur suggests, pointing to a nearby flat surface. "I'll use one of my light spells to dry them out quickly."

I follow his lead, draping my wet clothes over the rock. Arthur does the same, then extends his hand over the garments.

"Luminous Heat," he murmurs.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

A warm, gentle light radiates from his palm, spreading over the clothes. The warmth is soothing, and I can see the steam rising as the water evaporates. Arthur concentrates, controlling the intensity of the spell so it won't damage the fabric.

I stand beside him, watching the clothes slowly dry, feeling more at ease now that we're taking action. The embarrassment fades, replaced by relief that we're working together to solve the problem.

As the last of the moisture is driven out, Arthur gives me a nod. "Looks like we're good to go."

"Thanks, Arthur," I say, genuinely grateful for his quick thinking and calm leadership.

With our clothes now dry, we quickly dress and prepare to continue our journey. The unexpected ordeal is behind us, but the mission is still ahead.

Ahead, a single path emerges from the darkness.

Once dressed, I look around and notice a single path ahead. "It seems there's only one path ahead."

"It seems so," Arthur agrees.

With no other option, we decide to press forward. The air grows colder as we advance, but we continue onward, determined to find the room where the 'Scepter of Binding' is stored.

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We advance cautiously through the dark pathway, Arthur's light orb casting a soft glow that cuts through the shadows. I remain vigilant, constantly scanning the ground for more traps and watching Arthur's steps to ensure he doesn't accidentally trigger another pressure plate.

After a tense walk, we encounter a dead end. However, it isn't just a simple wall; inscribed is a cryptic text that challenges the reader.

"In halls of stone and secrets kept, a guardian's vigil never slept. To wield my power, one must find the true essence that lies behind it. Not by force nor by might but by aligning with the light. What am I?"

Arthur reads the text aloud and then turns to me, his expression curious.

"What do you think is the answer, Doms?"

I recognize the riddle instantly—it's the same one Célestin solved in the web novel. The answer is clear.

"The Scepter of Binding."

As I speak, the text on the wall glows a vibrant red.

-Rumble!

The wall before us shifts slowly, opening up as a blinding light pours through the widening gap. Arthur and I shield our eyes with our hands until the intense light subsides.

As our eyes adjust, we are greeted by a breathtaking sight: the newly revealed entrance is adorned with gold and various artifacts. In the center of it all stands a magnificent golden staff topped with a radiant red diamond.

"There it is… The Scepter of Binding," I murmur, feeling a mix of awe and excitement.

Compelled by its allure, I approach the staff and enter the room. Taking it into my hands, I feel its weight—a strange mix of power and responsibility.

"Doms, what does that staff do?" Arthur asks, peering over my shoulder with awe and curiosity.

"I don't know, but this would be expensive to sell," I reply, sticking to my cover story.

In truth, I have no intention of selling it. The staff's true purpose is crucial for the Manaficial ritual—it directly separates Magic Power into the Chalice of Merging.

"So, now that you've got the staff, it's time to find mine," Arthur says, his voice tinged with excitement.

"Okay," I reply, settling onto the treasure-strewn floor.

The Scepter of Binding is now in my possession, and all that's left to get is the 'Chalice of Merging.'

Arthur continues his search, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he examines the different treasures. I can tell he's eager to find something that fits him.

Despite our lingering tension, there's also a sense of camaraderie—a shared understanding that whatever happens next, we'll face it together.

"Let's see what you find," I say, smiling as I watch Arthur carefully sort through the artifacts.

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Dominic watches as Arthur moves around the room, his eyes scanning the array of artifacts.

The room is filled with treasures, but none seem to capture Arthur's attention until his gaze lands on a sword embedded in a stone slab. He can sense the dormant light magic within it, a power that a Magician hasn't wielded for a long time.

'This has a "Light" magic attribute,' Arthur thinks, his curiosity piqued.

The sword's hilt is robust yet exquisitely crafted, with a cross-guard fanning out in a gentle curve like angelic wings. Tiny gemstones adorn the ends of the guard, adding a touch of elegance to the weapon.

"Well, it's time to be awakened," Arthur murmurs.

He grips the hilt and gathers mana into the sword, hoping to awaken its power.

-Fwoosh!

As he pours mana into the blade, his eyes widen in surprise, and he feels an immense reservoir of power within it—roughly [A] rank worth of mana.

The sword, dormant for so long, now surges with energy that will amplify his mana reserves significantly as long as he holds it. With his existing [C+] rank mana, wielding this sword will allow him to tap into much greater power, potentially bridging the gap that has always seemed to exist between him and Dominic.

'T-That's a lot!' Arthur thought, surprised by the sheer power contained within the weapon.

With a final effort, he draws the sword from the stone. The blade, polished to a mirror finish, reflects the room's dim light with an ethereal glow.

It's a straight, double-edged sword, tapering to a precise point, perfect for slicing and thrusting. Intricate runes, possibly etched in gold, trace elegantly from the hilt to the tip, suggesting ancient craftsmanship. The grip, wrapped in white or gold leather and embossed with delicate patterns, promises comfort and a secure hold for precise maneuvers.

The substantial pommel, fashioned from gold-tone metal and shaped like a cross or crown, is centered with a large gemstone, possibly a sapphire or diamond, giving the weapon a regal air.

'This is great! I should start using this from now on,' Arthur thinks excitedly.

He turns to Dominic, a proud smile on his face. "Hey, Doms, let's go."

"That's a cool sword. Does it have 'Light' magic in it?" Dominic asks, admiring the weapon.

"Yeah," Arthur replies, his eyes gleaming. "The 'Light' magic within it feels strong, and I know it will serve well as a weapon."

He swings the sword through the air, the blade slicing smoothly with practiced ease. As the sword moves through the air, Arthur can't help but reflect on how far he and Dominic have come.

For years, Dominic's progress has cast a shadow over Arthur, his achievements towering over anything Arthur has accomplished. Dominic has taken on roles and responsibilities that Arthur has only dreamed of, like defeating Lumi and successfully raiding a [E] rank Stargate on his first try.

A knot tightens in Arthur's chest, a mix of envy, bitterness, and insecurity gnawing at his insides.

'How has Dominic come so far so quickly?' Arthur thinks.

Memories of Arthur's aspirations resurface, flickering like dying embers. He had wanted to be a Magitist, to study technology and magic. But that dream was buried under the weight of Dominic's growing success, his path twisting in Dominic's wake.

Arthur glances down at the sword, its light-infused blade gleaming in the dim light. The weapon feels like a tangible manifestation of his lingering desire to prove himself, to show Dominic that he can stand on equal footing.

Arthur then looks at Dominic with a challenging gleam in his eyes.

"Hey, Doms, how about we duel tomorrow?"

Dominic is taken aback by the sudden proposal, a mix of surprise and nervousness fluttering in his chest.

"W-Why?"

Arthur's gaze lingers on the sword, his expression thoughtful. "I want to see how strong you've become."

For years, Dominic's progress has overshadowed Arthur's, his achievements constantly outshining Arthur's own. Arthur has struggled with feelings of inadequacy, constantly feeling like a secondary character in Dominic's story. But now, with this sword in hand, he wants to see if he can finally measure up.

"I also…want to see how we compare," Arthur adds, his voice barely above a whisper.

It's more than a duel; it's a test of their progress, a chance to measure himself against the person who has always seemed to be one step ahead.

"Arthur…" Dominic's eyes widen slightly, his brows furrowing in surprise and concern.

Arthur smiles, trying to dispel the tension gnawing at his insides. "It's just for fun. We'll see where we both stand," he says, though the words feel hollow.

Dominic glances at the 'Scepter of Binding' in his hand, then back at Arthur.

"Sure," he finally agrees.

A rush of emotions swirls within Arthur. This duel is more than just a friendly match; it's a chance to reclaim a piece of his lost identity and test if he can stand shoulder to shoulder with Dominic—not as a secondary character, but as his equal.