Chapter 38: Chapter 37: A Poisonous Woman (2)

When Aurora caught up to the Duke, he was waiting for her by a building in the alley. Lucius still didn’t move when she stood in front of him.

Aurora knew he was waiting for her to ask. She did, but her question wasn’t what he thought it would be. “What is that black crystal?”

Lucius turned his gaze towards her, their eyes meeting. “…A catalyst crystal core found in evolved and mutated beasts. It's formed from absorbing the erosion in the Corrupted Region. The beasts were once normal animals, but after living in the region they gain the ability to use mana. The catalyst crystal core is similar to mana cores, but filled with erosion, and it enables them to evolve and use unique skills.”

"Then the longer the beasts stay there, the further they can evolve?"

"Yes."

“What are catalyst cores used for?”

When Lucius saw her curious expression, he instinctively wanted to give her an answer. “Mostly as an ingredient for the ink used to inscribe runes and arrays. Gaius uses it to reinforce my black sword.”

“That small thing can be used like that?”

“The sizes and strength of an evolved beast also determines the size and strength of its crystal. The only exception being mutated beasts. The location, size, and color differ from the others. Their cores are usually smaller and darker in color. This black crystal is at least four times more powerful than a rank A evolved beast.”

“I see.”

Lucius started walking, and Aurora quietly followed by his side.

“Will you not ask me?” He finally couldn’t hold back. Was she only interested in the crystal and not him at all?

“If I ask, will you tell me?”

“If you want to know, I’ll tell you.” He glanced at her. “It’s not that important.”

Not important? The way Gaius acted, and the way Lucius was acting now, it didn’t seem like it. “Then, tell me.”

“Okay.” As the two continued walking in the alley, he told her his story. "First, you should know that Gaius and his little sister attended the same academy with me."

"...Yes?" Aurora blinked her eyes as she tried to wrap her head around what Lucius just said. "Are you saying that brawny oaf man is around the same age as you???"

The corner of Lucius' lips twitched at she just called him. "He's actually one year younger than me. He graduated early at 16 and joined the Magic Research Institute, becoming the youngest Rune Mage in history."

"__" That goes to show that you can't judge a book by its cover.

"A year after he left, or rather, during my fourth and last year, an incident occurred. His little sister, Lillian Lancaster, who was 15 years old at that time and in her second year, was a highly skilled sword user with great potential. While it would not be officially stated on record until she turned 18, she was a Rizar Knight. That is, until she lost her qualifications."

Lucius paused. "There is a competition between all academies in the Empire held every year. The champion will gain the Swordmaster title. I won the title for three straight years and wasn't allowed to participate in my fourth year. Unfortunately, another student from the Imperial City academy was already recognized as the winner. But, that boy was dangerous. Because there are no rules in the competition, you can easily lose your life.”

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“What?” Aurora was startled. It wasn't like that in the past. While competition was encouraged, they were never allowed to let students harm other students unless it was self-defense. 

“It’s what the Emperor declared to make the student’s tension rise in case the barrier around the Corrupted Region ever breaks. Lillian made it to the final round, and her last opponent was Deon. Her master and friends told her to give up because every single one of Deon’s opponents died at his hands. Gaius also begged me to stop her but I refused. I told him it was her decision to make."

He recalled that day where he sat from the audience are and looked on indifferently as she stepped in front of  her opponent.

"Was that what really happened?"

"...What do you mean?"

Aurora didn't answer his question.

She thought about what Lucius told her, and she pretty much figured out how things went.

Lillian had feelings for Lucius. The two might have had an intimate relationship, but the Duke of Rizar saw it as only pleasing his sexual desires. Her older brother realized she was putting her life at risk to gain Lucius' heart.

But they were both wrong.

Lillian was probably aware of how the Duke saw her. She knew she would never become someone special to him. So she believed the only way she'd have the right to stand by his side was winning the title.

A woman's heart was complicated, and then again simple to understand.

"Gaius begged his friends and superiors at the Institute to help him stop the fight. But they all said the same thing. It was up to her to quit. When they refused, he broke the rules and interfered. Although her life was spared, because her dominant hand was crippled she will no longer be able to hold a sword. Angry at the Institute and me, Gaius left and stopped being a Rune Mage. He broke off contact with me until he returned a year later and opened a shop as a blacksmith.”

The Duke stared at Aurora. “To me, she was only a tool to be used for the sake of the Rizar family. Nothing more, nothing less."

That's right, a tool was only that. A tool.

Aurora stood still in place and looked up at Lucius, who also stopped walking. “Your cold expression is nothing but a mask you wear to try and suppress your emotions. You say you see her as nothing but a tool, and yet you ask her older brother about her well-being? What you say and what you feel doesn't seem to match now, does it?”

His eyebrows scrunched. “That’s…as the Duke, and the Commander of the Rizar Knights and the Imperial Army, it’s my responsibility…”

“Is that so? Then...” She reaches out to touch his face. “Then, why are your eyes wavering?”

When he was talking about that girl, Aurora could clearly see the pain he was in. Gaius saw through the Duke’s façade. He wasn’t angry about how Lucius didn’t stop her from entering the final competition. Her brother knew there wasn’t anyone who could stop her, even Lucius. Rather, he was angry that Lucius pretended not to care when he obviously does.

Aurora didn't have to meet Lillian or know Gaius for long to see this. As a former royal member, she spent most of her days deciphering other people's intentions. Ironically, she wasn't very good at it with the people she trusted.

At first, she couldn't see through this man. Even now, she still didn't understand what he was thinking. But, she understood one thing. Lucius Rizar, like her, was simply a liar.

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