Chapter 73: Sleepy Lilith - Rosia and Lathel

"What’s wrong?" Rosia sneered. "Lucien, are you too afraid to reveal that arm of yours?" Hearing her words, Lucien frowned, his eyes growing sharp—but then... he immediately suppressed his anger. ’No! Rosia isn’t at fault...’ he thought to himself. ’The one behind all this must be Lathel.’ Lucien began thinking of a way to respond, when suddenly, Lilith’s voice echoed in his mind: "Take off the bandages, Lucien. I have a way to help you." "Master!" Hearing her voice filled him with renewed confidence. "Thank you." "When I give the signal, remove the bandages—but remember, you’ll only have 30 seconds." Lucien answered inwardly, "Understood." He took a deep breath, then said aloud, "Since you all want to see... then look carefully." Rosia and the crowd flinched in surprise, eyes widening in disbelief as they stared at Lucien. Even Morlan was startled. He quickly said, "Lucien, you don’t need to prove anything, you—" "Master! I cannot let your honor be tarnished by some baseless rumor." Hearing this, Morlan gave a slight nod, feeling deeply satisfied. Lucien glanced at everyone. Slowly, he began to unwrap the bandages from his arm, deliberately drawing it out as long as possible. However, there weren’t many layers—just a few turns, and the arm would be exposed. "Now!" Lilith commanded. Upon hearing her voice, Lucien instantly yanked the bandages away. Smash! The sound of ripping fabric rang out—and what was revealed before everyone’s eyes was not a disgusting demon’s arm, nor the grotesque limb Morlan had once seen during Lucien’s time in the Trial Tower. It was just a normal human arm. However, it was covered in horrifying wounds—some so deep that bone was visible. "Are you satisfied now?" Lucien said with a frown, his voice filled with authority and fury. "Over a few baseless lies, you all were ready to trample the honor of the Vice Dean." "Seems... you’re all just a bunch of fools." "No way... this can’t be..." Rosia shook her head, her expression full of worry, fear, and disbelief. "Huh! Pathetic." Lucien silently counted the seconds in his mind. Then, quickly rewrapping his left arm, his heart pounded with anxiety. "No! I want to inspect it myself!" Rosia shouted. Lucien turned, his eyes filled with contempt as he looked at her. "You have no right." With that, he left them behind, walking alone back into the courtyard. Once he was out of sight, Morlan finally spoke. "Enough. You were all only acting on lies spread by others." "And since this is the first time, I won’t hold it against you. I’ll consider today as if it never happened. However... if something like this happens again—don’t blame me for being ruthless." Everyone listening felt fear and dread settle in their hearts—like a mountain pressing down on their souls. "Go." Morlan waved his hand, and the gate slowly closed before the ashamed students. He let out a quiet sigh of relief and thought to himself: ’Could it be... that Lucien’s arm truly can return to its original form? Is it just so badly injured that he has to keep it bandaged?’ Morlan’s gaze gradually brightened, and his heart grew more at ease. Though he trusted Lucien, after witnessing his expression, that monstrous arm, and the killing intent during the Trial Tower, Morlan had indeed harbored some concern. Yes, it wasn’t unheard of for humans to borrow power from the Demon Clan—but the price for doing so was always immense. But now, after seeing Lucien prove that his arm seemed to be merely a manifestation of his innate talent, Morlan finally felt reassured. "Huh! Professor Lyra..." Morlan muttered with disdain. "You ignored such a promising seed. Foolish." "Seven days from now, I’ll make you regret it." At that moment, Lucien felt extremely uncomfortable being misunderstood like this—but what worried him even more was Master Lilith. "Master, are you alright?" Hearing Lucien’s concern, Lilith sighed, her weak voice echoing in his mind: "I’ve used too much energy. After helping you before, and again just now, I don’t have enough left to remain conscious." Lucien remembered what had happened in the Trial Tower—when Professor Lyra attacked him, it was Master Lilith who had cast magic to shield him. If not for her, he might still be unconscious. And now, she had once again expended magic to help him, draining herself completely. "Master! Are you going to disappear?" Lucien asked, worry rising in his voice. "No," Lilith said wearily. "I’ll enter a deep sleep to conserve what little energy I have left. If you find any items that can supply energy to a soul, leave them for me." "I understand," Lucien replied with a nod. Lilith sighed. "I’m sorry I can’t help you more." "No! Master, you’ve already done far too much for me." Lucien clenched his teeth. "Rest now. I’ll search for soul energy items for you." "Master... I swear—I will bring you back." "Mm." Lilith’s voice softened. "I believe in you." And then, Lucien felt it—the clear sensation of his connection to Lilith fading away. He knew she hadn’t left or disappeared. She was simply sleeping, saving her strength. But even so, he felt empty and heavy-hearted. "First it was Selvia... and now, Master Lilith. But Master... I won’t let you be taken from me." Lucien murmured, his eyes burning with determination. "Lucien..." Irelia’s voice called out. "Irelia, Aris, Billy..." Lucien looked at the three approaching figures and smiled. "Thank you for helping me—and for believing in me." He turned to Morlan, bowed his head respectfully, and said, "Thank you, Master." "Hahaha..." Morlan waved a hand. "No need to thank me. This is simply what a teacher should do when his disciple is in trouble." Lucien smiled and nodded. He truly felt lucky that, even now, there were still people by his side—people who trusted and stood with him. "However..." Morlan sighed and continued, "Tomorrow, you and Lathel will be entering the Academy’s Library. I hope you can restrain yourself a little." Lucien nodded, lips pressed into a thin line. He let out a long breath. "I understand, Master." "The Academy’s Library? What’s that?" Aris asked, confused. Morlan explained, "Aris, I’m sorry. Since you only reached the third floor of the Trial Tower, you’re unaware of the Library." "Its name is the Ancient Library. Every academy has one. Inside are stored texts, absorption techniques, and many other resources related to magic." "Every student who passes the fifth floor of the Trial Tower is officially recognized as a Genius. They earn the right to enter the Ancient Library and choose something that suits them." "Lucien, you and Lathel have both passed the fifth floor. That’s why you both qualify to enter the Ancient Library." Upon hearing that, Lucien clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "I... I understand. I’m sorry, Master. Because I couldn’t defeat him, the bet between you and him..." Morlan sighed. "Alright, you don’t need to worry about that. Even though he cheated, the Academy’s rules must still be followed." "Besides, he’s under Professor Lyra’s protection. And Lyra is someone the Headmaster holds in high regard. I... can’t afford to do anything reckless to her." "Ah!" Lucien and the others were surprised by Morlan’s words. "Don’t worry," Morlan said with a smile. "Tomorrow, when you enter the Ancient Library, focus on finding something that suits you." "Remember, don’t go chasing after high-rank or rare things. Just find what’s right for your path." "I still have one slot available for entering the Ancient Dungeon. He took one slot, you’ll take the other. I believe... by then, you’ll be strong enough to defeat him." "And inside the Ancient Dungeon... even if you kill him, no one will ever know." Morlan’s eyes gleamed sharply, filled with such killing intent that everyone nearby felt a chill down their spines. However, Lucien was different. Upon hearing that, he nodded and said firmly, "Master, don’t worry. In seven days, I’ll kill him and take back your slot." "Hahaha... I believe in you." Morlan laughed heartily, his smile full of satisfaction and delight. "But... I have a request. I hope you can help me, Master," Lucien said, his voice slightly hesitant. Morlan waved his hand. "What is it? You don’t need to worry. If it’s within my ability, I’ll help you no matter the cost." "I... I need a potion or some item that can nourish the soul, or replenish soul energy." "Ah?" Morlan was immediately intrigued. He asked, "Is it for you?" Lucien shook his head. "No... it’s for a friend. Their soul is very fragile and easily disrupted in daily life, so..." Inside, he thought silently: ’I’m sorry, Master. I had to lie... for the sake of Master Lilith.’ Morlan didn’t seem to doubt him. Stroking his chin, he sighed and said, "About that... I’m sorry, Lucien, I can’t help you." "Ah!" Lucien was stunned. Morlan explained, "In truth, soul-nourishing potions are extremely rare. Even our Academy doesn’t have them in stock." "However..." He paused mid-sentence, his expression becoming conflicted. Seeing this, Lucien immediately said, "Master, it’s very important... No, I mean—this friend is very important to me." Morlan nodded slowly, sighing. "Actually, there is someone in the Academy who possesses that kind of potion—and it’s Lyra." "What?!" ... "Damn it!" Rosia stormed into her room, her mood seething with frustration and anger. "Why do they get the Vice Dean’s support, while I don’t get anything?" she muttered, clenching her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her face flushed red with rage. Clap! Clap! Clap! "Who’s there?!" Rosia shouted. Suddenly, the sound of clapping startled her. Even though the room was brightly lit with no shadows or hidden corners, she couldn’t locate where the sound had come from. "Strange... Did I imagine it?" Rosia murmured. "No, you didn’t." "Ah!" Rosia jumped when a young man’s voice sounded right behind her. She let out a scream, spinning around in panic and stepping backward. There stood an incredibly handsome man, his long golden hair cascading down his back like strands of sunlight. On his face was a warm smile—gentle and radiant like sunlight flooding the room. "Who... who are you?" Rosia asked. The moment she laid eyes on Lathel’s beauty, all fear vanished—replaced by curiosity and fascination. Too handsome. The young man radiated such a gentle aura that Rosia was immediately captivated. "Me?" Lathel smiled. "I’m just an ordinary prince." "I came here... to offer you a fateful opportunity."