"Hey, Nero… tone it down a bit," Amelia gasped, struggling to stay upright.
She wasn't the only one being crushed by Nero's [Silver-1] rank mana pressure. Almost everyone around them was already on their knees. Even Quinn was barely holding himself up.
Nero, realizing the overwhelming effect of his pressure, was just about to release it—Until Lucas spoke.
"Whoreson."
No one had even noticed when he got up, but now Lucas stood face to face with Nero, his voice calm and sharp.
Nero's eyes turned bloodshot as he glared at Lucas."…What did you just say?"
The mana pressure doubled, laced with killing intent. By now, everyone, including Quinn, was down—everyone except Lucas.
Hands casually in his pockets, Lucas met Nero's stare with unflinching calm.
"I said, whoreson. You got a problem with that?"
In a blink, Nero's leg was already mid-air, swinging straight for Lucas's head.
RUMBLE—!
The ground shook. Dust exploded from the point of impact. Everyone instinctively backed away as the suffocating pressure finally receded.
"What kind of monster is he?" Amelia muttered in terror, the reality of Nero's overwhelming strength setting in.
"He's on another level," Anastasia replied, eyes fixed on the cloud of dust. "But I'm more worried about Lucas."
"He's probably dead," Amelia said coldly. "Provoking Nero like that was suicide."
Despite her tone, her eyes remained locked on the settling dust.
Anastasia opened her mouth to respond but hesitated. She could tell Amelia was conflicted.
Then, a voice rang out behind them, casual and teasing:
"Wow, Anastasia's more worried for me than a certain someone. I'm hurt."
Everyone whipped around.
[When did he get behind us?!]
Lucas stood there, not a single scratch on him, grinning like nothing had happened.
"You… How are you here?" Amelia asked, stunned.
"What can I say? I'm just that strong. Not even Nero could lay a finger on me." Lucas said with a smirk, pointing ahead.
[Arrogant…]
Their skin prickled at his confidence. But when they turned to look where he was pointing—
Nero lay unconscious on the ground.
Sss—!
Gasps echoed. The strongest student in their class—the one who brought them all to their knees with just his presence—had been defeated in mere seconds.
"He'll wake up by evening. Tell him to come find me then," Lucas said casually, ignoring their stunned faces.
No one responded. They could only nod, too dumbfounded to speak.
Each one of them had been considered a genius, a prodigy. They'd grown up believing that only a rare few could surpass them.
Today, Nero and Lucas shattered that belief.
Nero's strength was terrifying. But Lucas—he was an anomaly. To defeat Nero with such ease, without anyone even noticing? It was unthinkable.
The only thing left to do now was carry their Commander and focus on the looming war.
Quinn slung Nero over his shoulder and left. The others followed, silently.
Just as they were about to disappear down the steps, Lucas spoke again.
"Amelia, stay for a moment. I need to talk to you."
Surprised, Amelia paused. The others looked back, curious but didn't argue. They knew—without Nero, there wasn't a thing they could do to stop Lucas if he truly wanted something.
Soon, only Lucas and Amelia remained on the rooftop.
Or so it seemed.
"What are you doing here?" Lucas asked, his eyes shifting to Anastasia standing beside Amelia.
"Nothing," she replied coolly. "Just making sure my friend is safe."
She wasn't about to leave her best friend alone with someone this strong—not after what they'd just seen. Changed or not, Lucas was still unpredictable.
Lucas shrugged. "Do as you like."
"So?" Amelia crossed her arms. "What did you want to say? Make it quick. I have a war to think about—unlike some people."
Lucas chuckled softly. She is shaken, but still trying to act tough. Admirable.
He understood why. She had dedicated herself to becoming strong enough to face him—the one she once vowed to defeat. And now she stood powerless before him.
Still, she wouldn't give in to despair. That was her strength.
"There's something I should've said a long time ago," Lucas began. "Even if it might seem too late now."
"...?"
"I'm sorry."
"!"
"I'm sorry for what happened in middle school," he repeated, calmly.
"!!"
Both Amelia and Anastasia stared at him, speechless.
Everyone knew Lucas had changed, but none of them expected this.
"I'm not asking for forgiveness," Lucas continued. "But know this—I'm willing to accept any punishment you decide, no matter how extreme."
His voice was steady, his gaze unwavering. He meant it. He was ready to suffer if that's what it took.
"…Why?"
"Hm?"
"If you're willing to go that far… then why do it in the first place?" Amelia asked, her voice trembling.
If he truly regretted it, why wait so long to say this? Why hurt her at all?
But the emotions surging in her heart weren't anger or hate.
It was sorrow.
Sorrow that it took him so long. Sorrow that he might change again. That she might lose him again.
She was no longer afraid of his strength. She was afraid of what it meant.
And so, the dam broke.
"You know, Lucas… y-you weren't always like this," she said, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Not like now… and not like how you were back then either."
"You changed after your awakening. You became… withdrawn. Depressed. I heard about your family, about your brother. I—I wanted to help. I wanted to be there for you."
Her voice shook.
"But you shut everyone out. You pushed us all away—including me. You pretended not to know me. And then… you started hanging around those awful people. Bullying commoners."
"…"
Lucas didn't interrupt. He simply stood there, listening.
"When I tried to reach out… y-you…" Her voice cracked, sobs overtaking her.
"Amelia! Are you okay?!" Anastasia stepped forward, alarmed.
But Amelia kept going, overwhelmed by years of buried pain.
"If you wanted me that badly… all you had to do was ask, Lucas!" she shouted, head down, body trembling. "I would've given you everything! So why?! Why did you act like that?! Why did you force me?! Why did you break my trust?! And when I begged for an apology, you—!"
"Amelia, breathe," Lucas whispered, stepping forward and gently placing his hands on her shoulders.
Whether it was the warmth or the sheer shock, Amelia slowly calmed, her breathing ragged but steadying.
Then Lucas asked, his voice quiet and serious,
"Amelia… did I know you before that incident?"