Emilia took the small camera, pulled out the chip and started playing the video.
A magic blast erupted from the gate aiming at Freya but at the critical moment, a purple-haired boy covered her pulling her back. Then a blast hit him, but it was blocked by an emergency charm that formed a crystalline wall.
However, since it was a low-grade charm, the shock waves blasted it, breaking it along with the one inside.
Behind them, a boy who seemed to have fallen had been hit directly was burnt to death followed by Talia who ran back and then crouched down to avoid much impact.
Then the scene shifted to ground gathering dust, it remained there for a moment and then it moved a bit.
Slowly, the camera seemed to be dragged around, and then the person who carried the camera stood up, in the image, he flicked a weapon and then gave a potion to Freya, and then he ran ahead ro fight only to be beaten.
Fee scenes later, Freya healed creating a huge cyclonic wind that tore off corpses after which Lukas gathered the remains and burned them off.
CLICK!
Emilia switched off the video and then noted down the points.
"Most of it matched but..."
A brief pause lingered on her thought.
"How did he know of the incoming attack from outside? He said something about mana sensitivity but was it possible."
The explanation and video proof were flawless but she found something odd and wasn’t able to pinpoint.
She then locked her thoughts onto Lukas.
"The boy is seriously interesting."
...
"How much longer do we have to stay here?" Freya’s voice rang out sharply, echoing through the hall. Her frustration was palpable. "You saw it..I’m fine. Just let us go already!"
Her anger boiled over making her scream reverberating again and again, making the air heavy with tension.
Brenda rushed to her side, her steps quick and nervous. "Freya, it’s just protocol," she said softly, trying to ease the situation. "Anyone who’s been in contact with a specter needs to be observed to make sure there are no side effects."
Freya shot her an incredulous look. "But I’m totally fine! Can’t you see that?" she snapped, her tone sharp enough to cut through steel.
Brenda opened her mouth to respond, but before she could utter a word, a different voice cut her off.
"Don’t waste your time on her, Miss Brenda. She’s a lost cause. A spoiled little princess like her can’t be reasoned with," Lukas said lazily, his tone dripping with sarcasm. He lay on his bed, legs crossed, looking entirely too relaxed for the tense atmosphere.
Freya’s eyes widened in disbelief, her jaw tightening. She turned to glare at him, her anger seething. "Excuse me?!" she barked, her voice rising. "Just because you saved me doesn’t mean you can say whatever you want! Do you even realize the consequences of speaking to me like that?"
Her voice trembled with rage, but Lukas barely glanced at her. Instead, he hummed a light tune, his indifference stoking her fury.
"You…" Freya’s hands clenched into fists as she turned to Talia, searching for support. But Talia avoided her gaze, looking down at her hands, clearly unwilling to get involved.
Freya felt her insides churn with anger, her chest heaving as the heat of her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. She had never been so furious in her entire life. No one had ever tested her patience to this degree, and the urge to lash out was almost unbearable.
Brenda stepped in quickly, placing a calming hand on Freya’s shoulder before approaching Lukas. "Lukas, your wounds need to be treated. Also, the priest will be here soon. This could be a good chance to heal your older scars too," she said gently.
Lukas, who had been lounging on the bed with an air of indifference, perked up at her words. Sitting up, he asked, "Really? Is that possible?"
Brenda nodded with a small smile. "Yes, he’s a strong priest with medical expertise. His spells might be enough to heal even deep scars."
Freya tilted her head, her anger momentarily replaced with curiosity. "Scars? What scars are you talking about?" she asked, her brows furrowing.
The room’s atmosphere shifted abruptly. Lukas’s carefree expression broke a bit as his eyes turned sharp and guarded. Freya noticed the change immediately, her confusion deepening.
"Why are you acting like that?" she pressed, her tone softer now, though it held an edge of concern.
Lukas stayed silent, his gaze distant, but Brenda hesitated before speaking. Her voice was low and cautious as if treading on delicate ground. "They’re scars from being bullied," she explained quietly. "He’s been through a lot. He was hurt badly—broken arms, deep wounds, injuries all over his body..."
"WHAT?!" Freya’s voice broke through the heavy silence, her shock evident.
"Stop reacting loudly,"Lukas scoffed with a sigh.
Talia let out a softer, more subdued gasp, her wide eyes reflecting her surprise.
A heavy silence filled the room, broken suddenly by a loud curse.
"What the f**k... A spectra?!" a man exclaimed, striding in. "Seriously, your academy must have some serious holes to let this happen every year. Kids dying left and right without even losing their virginity—poor souls. May Goddess Ophelia bless th—"
He froze mid-sentence, his eyes landing on the four stunned people staring at him.
Freya’s jaw dropped, and Talia looked like she’d seen a ghost.
Clearing his throat awkwardly, the man straightened. "Ahem... Hello, I’m Priest Angelo. I’m here to bring the radiant blessings of Goddess Ophelia and heal your young souls."
Freya frowned. "Are you seriously a priest?"
Angelo blinked. "Why would you ask that?"
Freya and Talia exchanged blank stares, speechless.
Lukas didn’t react, seemingly unimpressed, while Brenda sighed heavily. She shot Angelo a warning glare. "Watch your language," she muttered.
Angelo stepped forward, his earlier humor replaced by a solemn demeanor. He pulled out a small, intricately carved staff and closed his eyes, his voice deep and resonant as he began to pray.
"Oh, radiant Goddess Ophelia, shine your divine light upon these young ones. Cleanse their spirits and rid their souls of any lingering darkness."
A soft, golden glow emanated from the staff, gradually filling the room. The light felt warm and soothing, washing over everyone like a gentle breeze.
Freya and Talia gasped softly, their tension melting away as the holy light enveloped them. Even Lukas, who rarely showed emotion, tilted his head slightly, his expression softening.
Angelo opened his eyes, now glowing faintly with the same divine energy, and waved his staff gently over each person. The light shimmered and sparkled, purging any impurities from their bodies and souls.
"You have just lingering remnants of abysmal energy which I purified. Now you are good to go."
"You still need to treat me,"Lukas spoke.
"I had forgotten that,"Angelo clapped.
Angelo sighed, crossing his arms. "Take off your shirt."
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Lukas narrowed his eyes, skeptical. "Are you serious?"
Angelo waved a hand dismissively. "Why? Are you ashamed? As a man, how can you be shy about showing muscles? Man up."
Lukas exhaled sharply but glanced at Talia and Freya, who quickly stood up.
"We’ll leave," Freya said, dragging Talia with her.
Lukas hesitated, then unbuttoned his shirt. The fabric slid off, revealing deep scars—some old, some still raw. Jagged lines crisscrossed his chest, dark bruises marred his ribs, and faint burn marks trailed along his back. The sight told stories of brutal beatings, shattered bones, and endless pain.
Just as he exhaled, two gasps filled the air. He turned sharply—Freya and Talia peeked from the doorway.
"What are you doing?" Lukas growled.
Freya flushed. "It’s Talia! She wanted to see your wounds!"
Talia opened her mouth, then clamped it shut under Freya’s glare.
Before Lukas could argue, Angelo slapped a hand onto his shoulder. "Shut up and stay still," he muttered.
A brilliant golden light flared, engulfing Lukas in warmth. It seeped into his skin, washing away the pain. The glow pulsed, melting the deep scars, healing the bruises, and restoring his battered body.
As the light faded, Lukas felt lighter and stronger.
Freya and Talia stood frozen, eyes locked onto Lukas’s now-healed body. His lean frame, once covered in scars, had transformed into something else entirely. Muscles, not overly bulky but sharply defined, moved smoothly under his skin as he stretched.
Talia blinked rapidly, her face heating up.
She swallowed, unsure where to look. The scars were gone, replaced with perfect contours and firm lines. She had never seen something like this before, and her brain struggled to process it.
Freya, on the other hand, had a very different reaction. Her gaze trailed over his toned stomach, the way his arms flexed, the smooth transition of his collarbones to his chest. Damn… why does he look so good? She bit her lip, feeling something she didn’t quite want to name. Her fingers twitched slightly. Would it be weird to touch?
Lukas, still stretching, suddenly paused, feeling a strange intensity in the air. He turned his head slowly—only to see Freya staring at him like a predator eyeing fresh prey. Talia wasn’t much better, looking dazed and flustered.
A chill ran down his spine.
"...Why are you two looking at me like that?"
Neither answered.
Lukas quickly reached for his shirt, suddenly feeling exposed.
.......
[Lukas POV]
Departing, I immediately rushed to my room.
"Finally the cumbersome thing is over."
CLICK!
Entering in, I loosed my tie and unbuttoned my collars and approached the wall where small pieces of papers with names were attached to the wall.
Staring it for a moment, I took up some from the table and then searching for a bit, I crossed Freya’s name.
"If I was put in Edwin’s team, I needed to pull some strings and use Ashton but that would raise my suspicions."
What I need to do now is to raise everyone’s curiosity about me and let my presence have an important part of their thoughts.
Thinking this, I looked at other names and thought, "So, whom should I proceed next?"
"Selena or Leila..."
"Now, this might be a gamble."
A soft grin escaped from my lips