Chapter 439: Chapter 439: Checking on Scylla

[Third Person Pov]

Lucian made his way back to his Midnight Castle the next day. Even though it was the middle of summer, the interior of the castle remained cool and refreshing, the kind of temperature that made it comfortable enough to wear a sweater without feeling overheated. The air carried a calm stillness that contrasted nicely with the warmth outside, making the space feel even more inviting.

As he stepped inside, Lucian called out for Medusa and Scylla, his voice echoing lightly through the halls as he tried to pinpoint where they were. It didn’t take long before he caught the faint but pleasant scent of freshly brewed coffee drifting through the air. Following it, he found the two of them near the dining room.

They were seated across from each other at the table, a chessboard set up neatly between them. Both looked focused, though not overly serious, as if they were more invested in the activity itself than in actually winning.

"I know you two are playing chess, that much I can see," Lucian said as he approached, an amused look settling on his face, "but what are you guys seriously doing?"

"It’s something we’re trying out," Medusa replied with a small, easy laugh. "We’re trying to stimulate our brains early in the morning, you know, give it that jolt it needs so we can start the day at full power."

Scylla nodded along in agreement. "I feel smarter already."

Lucian let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head slightly. "Well, as long as you’re having fun."

"There’s coffee freshly made if you want some," Medusa added, gesturing off toward the counter.

Lucian took a seat beside them and casually waved a hand, using his magic to summon a cup of coffee directly in front of him. He picked it up without much thought, taking a small sip before speaking again. "So tell me, how have you been adapting to your new lifestyle? I imagine it hasn’t been the easiest transition."

"Actually, thanks to Medusa, it’s all been really fun," Scylla said immediately, her face lighting up with a bright, genuine smile. "She took me food shopping, and it was amazing! So many things have changed over time. I thought I would’ve had a harder time getting used to everything, but it’s been more like exploring than anything else."

Lucian raised a brow at her enthusiasm but didn’t interrupt, quietly sipping his coffee as he listened. A faint, pleasant smile lingered on his face as he watched her continue.

"Did you know how many things you can make with milk?" Scylla went on, clearly excited. "It’s way more than I remember. They even have a whole section dedicated to it in something called a supermarket! That place was huge. I don’t think I even saw all of it."

Lucian snickered under his breath, nearly spilling his coffee as he did. He glanced over at Medusa, who was already shaking her head with a look of fond exasperation, silently conveying, ’You see what I have to deal with?’

’How precious,’ Lucian thought to himself as Scylla continued talking about everything else she had discovered, her excitement unwavering.

Eventually, her energy shifted slightly. She grew quieter, glancing at Lucian with a small hint of hesitation, like she wanted to ask something but wasn’t entirely sure how to go about it.

Lucian noticed immediately and tilted his head slightly, his expression turning mildly curious. "What is it? Don’t be shy. Go ahead and say what’s on your mind," he said, his tone lightly amused.

That only seemed to make her a bit more bashful, her earlier confidence fading just a little.

"I wanted to know..." she began, hesitating for a brief moment before continuing, "...if I can give you a hug?"

She looked slightly embarrassed after saying it, as if she thought it might sound childish or strange, but it was clearly something she genuinely wanted.

"Excuse me?" Lucian replied, managing to keep a straight face despite the clear urge to laugh, he didn’t though due to the fact she had built up the courage to ask.

"It’s just... I don’t really know how else to thank you," Scylla explained, her voice softer now but still sincere. "It’s only because of you that I get to experience all of this. I can walk around freely, breathe air that isn’t salty or filled with the scent of the sea. My diet doesn’t have to consist of human flesh or blood anymore. I can talk and express myself properly instead of hissing, growling, or roaring... and it’s all thanks to you."

Lucian set his cup down, letting out a quiet laugh under his breath before giving a small nod. "Fine. Come here."

"Yay!" Scylla said, immediately brightening as she got up from her seat and moved over to him. She wrapped her arms around him in a warm, genuine hug, one filled entirely with gratitude. Her voice came out as a soft whisper near his shoulder. "Thank you..."

Lucian simply nodded once, giving a quiet hum in acknowledgment.

After a moment, she pulled back and returned to her seat, letting out a content sigh, as if something that had been weighing on her was finally lifted.

"Actually," Medusa joined in smoothly while taking a calm sip of her coffee, "there’s something more Scylla wanted to discuss with you."

Scylla immediately started waving at Medusa, dragging her hand across her neck in a clear signal for her to stop, but it was already too late. Lucian had caught on and turned his attention toward her with a small, curious look.

"What? Am I so scary that you’re afraid of asking me anything else?" Lucian asked, briefly glancing around as if trying to spot whatever invisible thing was supposedly intimidating her.

Scylla shot Medusa a sharp glare, practically glaring daggers into her, while Medusa simply leaned back in her chair and took another slow sip of coffee, completely unbothered. She looked almost bored under Scylla’s stare.

"I’m sorry... it’s just that you’ve already done so much for me, so asking for more feels wrong," Scylla admitted, her glare lingering on Medusa for a moment longer before softening as she looked back at Lucian.

"It’s just... I don’t want to keep taking advantage of your kindness. I want to earn my stay here," she continued, her gaze dropping to her hands as she fidgeted slightly. "I was hoping you might have some kind of job for me or something like that, just so I have a way to repay you."

"You don’t have to, Scylla. You’re my responsibility—" Lucian started, shaking his head with a small, kind smile.

"I’m not a child, Lucian. I’m an adult, and I’m definitely not a freeloader," Scylla cut in with a light sigh, though she gave an awkward smile afterward to soften her tone.

Lucian paused for a moment before speaking again. "Was there something specific you had in mind?"

"Not really," Scylla admitted, "but Medusa mentioned that you have a coven, and I was wondering if maybe I could join and help out somehow." There was a clear hint of uncertainty in her voice, like she wasn’t entirely confident in the suggestion but wanted to try anyway.

"Do you know magic?" Lucian asked, clearly entertained by her attempt.

Scylla hesitated, flinching slightly. "Um... no. But I promise I’m a fast learner. I pick things up really quickly, you can ask Medusa. She can vouch for me."

"To be fair, she is a fast learner," Medusa added with a small smile. "You have to remember, she’s a nymph. Her level of comprehension is naturally higher than most."

"That may be true," Lucian said, letting out a small breath, "but this is magic we’re talking about. It’s something I’ve spent years studying, and I still haven’t fully mastered it. It’s not exactly something you pick up overnight."

He gave a slightly stiff grin, clearly not wanting to shut her down but also unsure how to respond.

"Isn’t that what covens are for, though?" Medusa chimed in with a quiet snicker. "Learning from others what would be difficult to figure out alone."

Lucian let out a small laugh. "That’s... actually a fair point."

He paused after that, bringing a hand up to his chin as he thought for a moment. ’Wait... isn’t Beatrice technically recruiting students... maybe...’

"Well," Lucian began, rubbing his hands together slightly as he came to a decision, "I suppose I wouldn’t mind giving you a chance. As for your magic, though, I do happen to have a spell I’ve been working on. It’s still... experimental. I’ve been looking for a test subject, and it could potentially help you."

"Use me!" Scylla said immediately, placing a hand over her chest with surprising enthusiasm. "Let me be your test subject."

Lucian shot Medusa a quick side-eye at that level of eagerness. He couldn’t deny it caught him off guard a bit. The only ones he’d ever seen react like that were his shadow soldiers.

Medusa, meanwhile, was quietly giggling behind her cup as she noticed his expression.

"I’m not going to lie to you, I’d basically be taking advantage of your—" Lucian started, his tone turning more serious.

Scylla let out a small laugh and shook her head. "Someone who was actually trying to take advantage of me wouldn’t openly admit it like that. And besides, I want this. You told me before that one of the paths I could take is revenge."

Medusa slowly turned her head toward Lucian, her mouth still half full of coffee. "Whaght?"

"I’ll explain later," Lucian said quickly.

"That instead of just drowning in my grief, I could find ways to improve," Scylla continued, her voice growing steadier. "To take all this anger and frustration inside of me and turn it into something useful."

Understanding settled over Medusa’s expression, and Lucian let out a quiet breath of relief.

"Maybe this is the way forward for me," Scylla went on. "Maybe this is my chance to stop feeling so powerless. So I’m willing to do whatever it takes."

She rubbed the back of her neck for a moment before adding, a little more quietly, "Honestly... this is just another favor you’re doing for me."

Then she reached forward and took Lucian’s hand in hers, holding it firmly.

"But I promise," she said, looking at him with clear determination in her eyes, "I’ll pay it all back."

Lucian looked at her for a moment before a slow smile spread across his face.

"When you put it like that," he said lightly, "how am I supposed to say no?"

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