Lucas gazed at his two maids, who stared back at him as if he were some kind of alien.
"I'm heading out for a bit. Do you want to come along?" he asked softly.
Without hesitation, they nodded.
Though they couldn't understand what was going through their young master's mind, they knew him well enough to be certain—he wouldn't invite them without a reason.
Without another word, Lucas stepped down from his bed and made his way toward the door, offering no further explanation.
The two maids exchanged uncertain glances, unsure whether they should follow immediately.
But as Lucas nearly reached the doorway—
"Young master, wait… we're coming too!" one of them called out.
The next moment, both rushed after him.
Now in his courtyard, Lucas walked at an unhurried pace. The air was filled with the delicate fragrance of flowers in full bloom. His gaze fell upon a small pond, barely ten meters wide, adorned with vibrant red lotuses.
His eyes softened.
These flowers were rare, found only in select regions of Bharat Country, a nation that existed on the massive planet looming above his head.
He had gone through considerable trouble to acquire them. They were his mother's favorite, and every month, without fail, he brought them to her when he visited.
His gaze lingered for a moment before shifting. Then, he resumed walking.
Before long, he reached a massive road that stretched beyond the horizon. Rows of colorful light poles lined its edges, their glow stretching into the distance. Densely packed trees grew alongside, and beyond them lay student dormitories and private courtyards—luxuries only the affluent could afford.
Lucas continued his slow, steady pace, taking in every detail.
To his maids, however, it seemed as if he were simply wandering aimlessly.
Minutes passed before he finally stopped. His eyes shifted to the left, where a spacious courtyard shimmered under the glow of lanterns. A large gathering of students filled the space, their animated voices rising as they discussed something in hushed yet urgent tones.
Lucas already knew what this was about.
They were plotting against NOX—conspiring to shun him in class, to drive him away. Some were even devising ways to frame him for a crime he didn't commit.
In the past life, these very people had pushed NOX to the brink of madness.
It was almost unthinkable, but at this point in time, NOX had been the kindest soul one could imagine. And yet, everything changed on this exact day.
They tricked him. Framed him. Systematically ostracized him.
Can you imagine what it would be like if every person around you—your classmates, your peers—accused you of things you never did?
In the past, Lucas had been too late. He had assumed these people would eventually stop.
At first, it had been minor—accusing NOX of petty theft or other trivial misdeeds. But the lies escalated.
Some women even falsely claimed that NOX had tried to force himself on them, and so-called "witnesses" backed their stories.
How laughable.
Lucas could not, would not, remain silent this time. At the very least, he wanted to help NOX. More than that, he wanted to ensure these vermin didn't continue to hound him.
He didn't care whether people like them lived or died. What he did care about was whether NOX killed them.
Because on this day, the world began calling NOX a devil.
And Lucas refused to let him prove them right.
No matter the circumstances, if NOX took a life, these people would only take it as confirmation. They wouldn't care about the reasons. They wouldn't care whether he truly was a devil or not.
They just needed a face to direct their hatred toward.
Stepping into the courtyard, Lucas took a slow, deliberate look around—mentally noting each and every person present.
Conversations dwindled as the crowd noticed him. One by one, gazes turned toward him, tension thickening in the air.
Behind him, his maids stood frozen, lost in thought.
They could no longer recognize the young master they had always known.
After all, how could they possibly comprehend that the boy before them was not a seventeen-year-old teenager—
—but an entity who had lived for two billion years—thanks to time reversal?
"Can anyone tell me where I can find Harry White and Zhang Wei?" Lucas asked the crowd politely.
Though he despised these vermin, a little politeness never hurt, right?
Silence. The crowd only stared at him, suspicion flickering in their eyes.
Lucas scanned them again. It was obvious—these people were on the verge of becoming a cult.
Just then, a young man stepped forward.
"What do you want from me?" The young man's voice dripped with disdain as he fixed his gaze on Lucas. He was Harry White—blonde hair, blue eyes, and an air of self-importance.
The type who acted a certain way only because people were watching.
Lucas narrowed his eyes at him and spoke calmly, "Where is Zhang Wei?"
At his call, a second figure emerged from the crowd. Zhang Wei. He remained silent, his squinted eyes unreadable against his fair skin.
"Do you know why I'm here?" Lucas asked, his piercing gaze locked onto the two.
"If you're here to plead for your friend," Harry scoffed, his arrogance mingling with righteous indignation, "don't waste your breath. That devil must be punished."
"Plead? Punish?" Lucas echoed, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Pretty big words for a seventeen-year-old, don't you think?"
But to Harry and Zhang Wei, his tone felt nothing short of mocking.
Seeing no immediate response, Lucas continued, his voice turning cold. "I don't care if he's a devil or a god, but if you cross the line again—I will turn your lives into a living hell."
Harry and Zhang Wei stiffened.
Nearly a hundred unranked students surrounded them, and yet Lucas had the audacity to walk right into their midst and issue a threat?
"I think you should leave while you still can," Harry warned, his voice forced.
Lucas had an unusual background—that much, Harry was sure of. He didn't want to provoke him unnecessarily.
But backing down? That wasn't an option. Not when so many were watching.
Lucas simply stared at him. And in that moment, Harry felt it—Lucas's gaze, piercing through him, as if every inch of his being had been laid bare.
Lucas sighed.
'These fools won't listen to reason… So why am I even bothering?'
"Sari. Mei." Lucas called out, his voice laced with authority.
"Yes, young master!" The two maids answered in unison, their voices instinctively sharp.
"Draw your swords! If anyone in this crowd interferes with us, sever their limbs as a warning—and if that fails, you have my leave to kill," Lucas ordered.
In an instant, the maids' auras shifted. Gone were the obedient attendants—what stood now were battle-hardened warriors. Twin swords materialized in their hands, and a suffocating pressure descended upon the crowd.
A collective shudder ran through them. No one dared to move.
They weren't willing to test the maids, not when the price of resistance could be their limbs.
The entire crowd fell silent, their eyes now fixed on Lucas, waiting to see what would happen next.