Lucien stood still, staring at Alden. He could hear many murmurs around him. Students were talking about his battle with Alden. But he didn't care about anything at the moment. He didn't care about the principal who had just left. He didn't care about the murmuring students. He was crushed by Alden. Even with his power-up. Even with his golden finger. Even with his Lightning God Physique that had temporarily awakened. He should have been unstoppable. A single question echoed in his mind. Seles had always told me that Alden was strong—but he was not stronger than me. Then why, couldn't land a decisive blow. Even when I fought him seriously, even when I pushed myself to the extreme… I Had Seles lied to me? Or had Alden grown this strong in such a short time? Lucien's pride had taken a heavy hit. Not just by losing, but by losing twice. I need to grow stronger. I will grow stronger. A fierce determination burned in his eyes. He would not let this happen again. Just then, a voice cut through his thoughts. "Attention, students." Sorin's voice echoed through the hall, silencing the students. "The virtual combat test has ended. You will receive your results next week on your ManaSync. There will be no classes today. You are dismissed." Discover more content at My Virtual Library Empire With those words, Sorin turned and left. As soon as he left the hall erupted into chatter once again. Lucien exhaled, steadying himself. Before he could move, a familiar voice stopped him. He turned towards the voice as he saw a beautiful blue haired girl standing there. She was his friend after all. But something was strange today, her usual shyness was gone, replaced with seriousness. Lucien understood that Something was wrong. "Aurelia?" His brows furrowed in surprise. She was an awkward person and rarely spoke. More importantly she never initiated conversations. But here she was, standing alone and with that look. "What happened?" He asked her. Aurelia looked at him in hesitation. "...You need to find Seles." Lucien's body tensed immediately. The foreboding sensation in his chest increased. "W–what happened to her?" Aurelia's expression darkened. "Her opponent was… Princess Amyra." This alone was enough for Lucien to understand what might have happened. He knew how his sister was. He connected the dots immediately, he was a smart person after all (according to him) "Please tell me exactly what happened." Lucien asked her, hoping it was not as bad as he is thinking. Aurelia whereas was still hesitant, her battles had ended quickly and she had witnessed the whole fight of Amyra and Seles with her own eyes. Aurelia hesitated again, then whispered in a quiet voice. "The battle was too one-sided ." That wasn't possible. Not just strong—she was my equal. She is the only one who ever truly understood me. "Seles tried to surrender. But Princess didn't let her." Aurelia's voice wavered slightly. "She toyed with her till the very end." The images of imagination flashed in his mind— Seles, gritting her teeth, refusing to scream, fighting to the bitter end. Amyra, standing above her with that cold, indifferent expression. Lucien tried to calm his violent emotions. His aura was anything but calm. She had never seen him as family. To her, he was an insect. But dragging Seles into it? That was unforgivable. She shouldn't have done that. That hurt more than anything. "Seles left the hall. She's in her room now," Aurelia said. "Lucien… you should go." He turned and walked away without another word. Lucien arrived at Seles's door. The entire floor was hers. His fingers curled into a fist. "If you don't answer, I am going to sit here until you do." Then with a click the door opened. Lucien stood up immediately. Seles stood there quietly. Her crimson eyes normally so bright and sharp were empty. Lucien's heart ached. She wasn't her usual confident self, she looked so… small and fragile. He expected Sales to think it was his fault. But something unexpected happened. Seles parted her lips—her voice hoarse …and fragile. Lucien's eyes widened. Why is she apologizing? Even now—even now—she thinks she has failed me? "I—I just wanted to talk to Amyra about you," she whispered. "But she—she suddenly started to attack me." Lucien clenched his jaw. "She laughed at me." Her voice broke. "She called me pathetic. She said… she said she was just giving me a lesson about you." Seles's hands shook as she clutched her dress tightly. "She said you were weak." Something inside him snapped. Seles lifted her head—her crimson eyes darkening. She knew Lucien better than anyone. She knew how to break him, how to twist the knife Amyra had stabbed into him. "Lucien…" her voice trembled. "She thinks you're a joke," Seles whispered. Lucien gritted his teeth. Seles exhaled shakily, lowering her gaze. "…I didn't want to lose to her after all that she said… but… but I couldn't defeat her." "I'm sorry… I'm sorry for being weak, Lucien." She couldn't control her tears anymore. And she wanted him to hate her too. It would have been so easy to see through it. If he wasn't already falling into the trap himself. "It is not you who should be sorry… it is me.. " Lucien spoke in a controlled voice "I should be sorry for being weaker…" "…I'm sorry," he whispered. It is because I am too weak. I should've been strong enough to make Amyra never dare lay a finger on her. His rage twisted into something deeper. Amyra thinks I am weak? One day, she'd regret it. I will become strong. Strong enough to never let something happen again. Strong enough to make Amyra pay. And when that day came— She'd never dare to hurt Seles again.