Villain's Path System-Chapter 39: No Escape

Class dragged on forever.

Professor Reeves droned on about mana theory and circuit optimization—topics Lucian already understood from his novel knowledge and Myra’s brutal training sessions.

But he couldn’t focus.

Because Seraphina kept glancing at him.

Elira watched from the back with that unsettling intensity.

And Aria sat three rows ahead, still pouting, occasionally looking back when she thought he wasn’t looking.

*I’m going to die.*

*Not from assassins or curses or bloodline awakenings.*

*From sheer social awkwardness.*

Finally—*finally*—Professor Reeves wrapped up his lecture and dismissed the class.

Students began gathering their things, conversations resuming immediately.

Seraphina didn’t move.

She just looked at him.

"Now, we talk. Now."

Lucian glanced around.

Half the class was still filing out. The other half lingering in small groups.

"Not here."

"Then where?"

"Somewhere private. Where we can actually discuss this without—"

"The library courtyard," Seraphina cut in. "Ten minutes. Don’t make me wait."

She stood, grabbed her sword, and walked out.

No room for argument.

Lucian sat there for a moment, processing.

Then started gathering his own things.

A presence appeared beside his desk.

He looked up.

Elira.

She stood there, silent and still, ice-blue eyes fixed on him with that same unreadable expression she always wore.

"You smell different today," she said quietly.

*Oh fuck.*

*Not this again.*

"I... took a shower?"

"Not soap." Her head tilted slightly.

She leaned in closer.

*Sniff.*

Her expression didn’t change, but her eyes sharpened. *Sniff sniff.*

"Something else. Something..." She paused, as if searching for the word. "Stronger."

*The healing.*

*She can smell Myra’s healing magic on me.*

*Of course she can.*

"I don’t know what you mean," Lucian said carefully.

Elira studied him for another long moment.

Then, without another word, she turned and walked away.

Just like that.

Gone.

Lucian exhaled.

*What is her problem? Am I that pathetic?*

He finished packing his bag and stood—

And nearly ran directly into someone.

Aria.

She’d approached while he’d been distracted by Elira.

Standing right there. Close.

She opened her mouth to speak—

"Aria."

Cassian’s voice cut through the moment.

The golden boy appeared beside her, that easy smile in place. His hand settled on her shoulder—casual, possessive.

He ignored Lucian completely. Like he wasn’t even there.

Just focused on her. All warmth and charm.

"You coming? Everyone’s waiting." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

His thumb rubbed small circles on her shoulder.

But his smile? Sharp around the edges.

Aria blinked. "Cassian, I was just—"

"I know." His grip tightened fractionally. Still smiling. "But we really should go. You know how impatient they get."

He leaned in slightly. Closer to her. Staking claim.

"Right?"

Lucian said nothing. Ignored the entire display.

Just reached down and adjusted the strap on his bag with deliberate slowness.

Like Cassian wasn’t even there.

Beneath his notice entirely.

The silence stretched.

Uncomfortable now.

Cassian’s smile tightened at the corners—just barely. A hairline fracture in the perfect facade.

He’d expected something. Anger. Jealousy. A challenge.

He got complete indifference.

"Right," Aria said quietly, pulling back slightly from Cassian’s grip. "I’ll... I’ll see you later, Lucian."

Her eyes met his. Brief. Apologetic.

Cassian’s hand slid from her shoulder to her lower back, guiding her toward the door with practiced ease.

"Good seeing you, Valemont," he called over his shoulder.

Tone casual. Smile friendly.

All of it fake.

Lucian didn’t respond.

Just watched them leave.

*Protagonist and his saint. Playing house.*

*Cute.*

He moved from his desk. No one was in the room now. A few moments passed and Lucian let his hand on the edge of the desk and pressed down harder. Bearing weight he couldn’t show anyone else.

I don’t have time for this.

There’s a conspiracy to unravel. A girl who’s going to die if I don’t figure out how to save her. And people actively working to destroy both of us.

Cassian can play king of the castle all he wants.

I’ve got work to do.

Without wasting time, he headed for the library courtyard.

The library courtyard was mercifully empty.

Seraphina was already there, leaning against the stone railing that overlooked the academy gardens. Her sword rested beside her, sunlight catching on the polished blade.

She didn’t turn when he approached.

Just kept staring out at the gardens.

"Your ribs—they’re healed. Completely."

Lucian stopped a few feet away.

"What?"

"I wrapped your ribs last night. Three were cracked, at least two broken." She turned to face him, eyes narrowing. "And this morning you’re walking around like it never happened."

*Shit.*

"I heal fast."

"Not that fast. Where did you go this morning? Before class?"

Pressure built in his chest.

"I—" He tried to be casual. "You know how it is. When I get hit, I heal fast. That’s just... how my body works."

She didn’t buy it for a second.

"Don’t, Don’t lie to me. We’re partners, remember? You said we’d figure this out together."

Lucian met her gaze.

She was right.

They were partners.

And he’d been keeping too many secrets.

But how much could he actually tell her?

All the things he had recently discovered about her?

Yeah. No.

"I went to see someone who could heal me properly."

"Who?"

"A professor. Someone who won’t report to the administration."

Seraphina’s eyes narrowed, she leaned. "Which professor?"

Lucian lifted both hands in surrender. "Does it matter?"

"It matters if you’re keeping secrets that put you in danger."

"I’m fine. The ribs are healed." He met her eyes. "That’s what matters, isn’t it?" A slight shrug. "And we’ve got bigger things to worry about."

She didn’t look convinced.

"Unless—" He tilted his head slightly, that knowing smile creeping back. "—you want to keep questioning me here. In public. Where people might get the wrong idea about us."

She stiffened immediately.

Her eyes darted around the courtyard—quick, reflexive—checking if anyone was watching.

No one was.

But the implication hung between them anyway.

She stepped closer, voice dropping low. Almost a hiss.

"Fine. Keep your secrets. I don’t care. Let’s just go question Elena."

He kept his smile. "Agreed."

They turned to leave together.

A few heartbeats passed before Seraphina spoke again. Back to business.

"If Elena won’t talk, we go straight to the blackmailer. Force the issue."

"Seraphina—"

"I’m done playing nice, Lucian." She didn’t look at him. Eyes fixed forward. "Someone framed you. Used Elena like a weapon. Threatened her family to do it."

Her hand drifted to her sword hilt.

"I want to know who. And when I find them..." Her grip tightened. Knuckles white. "I’ll make sure they pay for every second of what they put you through."

Something tightened in Lucian’s chest.

She’s getting way too protective.

How cute.

But that intensity in her voice—the barely restrained violence simmering under her words—meant he needed to keep her focused from doing something reckless.

"We’ll question Elena," he said carefully. "But we do this smart. No confrontations until we have solid proof."

Seraphina’s jaw worked. Fighting herself.

Then finally:

"Fine."