Lucifer: Godless Reawakening-Chapter 264: Foundation and nervousness

"You’re really not going to stay a little longer?" Emma asked as she watched him button his shirt.

"As much as I want to, I shouldn’t. You said Dorothy would be back by evening, and it’s already night." He did not want to create an awkward situation, so leaving felt like the wiser choice.

He appreciated that Dorothy had not returned earlier than she promised, likely giving them time alone. But he could not expect her to spend the night outside her own room.

Emma sighed and rose from the bed, clutching the sheet to her chest. Her bare shoulders were marked with faint red traces along her neck.

Anyone who saw her like this would easily guess she had spent a passionate evening with her lover.

And William had no intention of letting anyone else witness that sight.

He sat in front of her and gently brushed a few loose strands of hair behind her ear.

"Does anything hurt?" he asked softly. He would not pretend he had been entirely gentle, and that thought stirred genuine concern.

Emma leaned into his palm, eyes closing as she absorbed his warmth.

"No, not really. Though I suspect I’ll be sore tomorrow." She opened her eyes and smiled faintly. "But don’t worry. I don’t mind a little ache."

William let out a quiet chuckle. "Yes, I noticed."

He leaned forward and drew her into his arms.

Emma exhaled against his chest. She could faintly catch her own scent lingering on him, and for reasons she could not quite explain, it comforted her deeply. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Leaving a trace of herself on him felt strangely comforting.

A knock sounded at the door not long after.

William exhaled and reluctantly let her go. He gave her a brief kiss and without another word, he slipped out through the window.

Once outside, he walked across the garden with his hands in his pockets.

He planned to stay up tonight. He had barely studied during the day, and attempting to do so with his lover beside him had clearly failed.

Fortunately, classes were suspended tomorrow. He could afford to wake up late.

"Hmm?"

As he passed the central plaza on his way to the male dormitory, he noticed someone sitting near the fountain.

He recognized him immediately.

The transfer student.

The same one who had recently thrashed a teacher during assessment.

Though the boy sat with his head lowered and posture seemingly relaxed, William could tell he left no openings. There was no blind spot, no vulnerability for someone to exploit.

Most people came here alone to think or release stress. In such moments, their minds were loud. Overthinking, regretting, planning.

Yet from this boy, William heard nothing.

Not even a trace.

His brows lifted slightly. His pace slowed but did not stop.

And then he saw it.

The moment the boy raised his head and looked straight at him.

William did not break eye contact as the boy rose from the bench.

His gaze sharpened.

The next instant, the boy stepped forward and vanished.

Cleave.

THUNK.

The bench split cleanly in two as William’s attack carved through the space where the boy had been seated.

The transfer student reappeared a short distance away, body tilted, blazer torn slightly from the edge of the strike.

"You’re quite rude," the younger one muttered. His voice matched his age, perhaps a touch shriller than William expected.

"Were you about to show off your speed?" William asked, lifting his left brow.

A faint smile curved the boy’s lips. "I wasn’t being serious."

William shrugged. "Try next time. Though I won’t guarantee what spell I’ll use."

"Oh, I’ve heard." The boy’s smile deepened. "The explosive prodigy who leaves devastation in his wake. I’m quite familiar with your feats, Senior."

William exhaled slowly and turned away. Sliding his hands into his pockets, he began walking.

The exchange had not been interesting enough to hold him. If anything, he had expected a proper fight.

After a few steps, a voice followed him.

"You didn’t ask my name."

William did not stop. "I have no reason to."

The younger one chuckled softly.

"Soon... I’ll make you ask my name. That’s a promise, William Delimore."

William did not turn around. He had met many like him before, people who believed they were special simply because they had tasted sudden recognition. Once, he had been the same.

But the Curse had taught him a harsh truth.

Nothing in this world was absolute.

He soon reached his room. The moment he stepped inside, he found Loid sitting on his bed, swaying left and right with a suspiciously bright smile.

"What’s going on?" William asked as he pulled his nightwear from the closet.

Loid giggled. Not laughed, but actually giggled like an excited girl before blurting out, "I got to touch her."

William paused mid-motion and glanced over his shoulder. "What exactly did you touch?"

Loid’s smile vanished instantly, his eyes widening in alarm. "N-No! Nothing inappropriate. She was complimenting my hair and told me to touch hers so I could feel how rough it was."

A small grin returned to his face as he added, "But honestly? It wasn’t rough at all. It was really soft... and smelled amazing."

William gave him a wry smile. "Aren’t you getting a little too comfortable? You already got hit once. Be careful."

Loid scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I don’t lead the conversations. I just responded. I don’t want to come off as pushy. Honestly, it’s because of your advice that I’m holding back."

He knew he could get overly talkative when excited. But William had explained the value of listening, especially around a girl. Since then, Loid had been careful, choosing his words, letting pauses breathe, and giving Natalie space to speak.

And surprisingly, it was working quite well for him.

"Glad to hear that. But keep an eye on Kevin too," William said as he removed his shirt, deliberately turning just enough for Loid to not notice the claw marks that had been left by a wild cat

"Kevin? But you said there’s nothing going on between him and Miss Natalie. And from what I’ve seen, he seems completely oblivious."

William hummed as he pulled his shirt down and set it aside. "Did I not mention he’s overly caring and protective? He might start seeing you as a threat. Or worse, someone with hidden intentions. And if Natalie were forced to choose right now, she would pick him over you without hesitation."

Loid already knew that. Anyone could see how long Kevin and Natalie had been close. Still, hearing it stated so plainly made his shoulders slump.

After a moment, he shook his head. "Forget it. I’ll just trust my instincts and go with the flow. I don’t need to overthink it. I’ll just be myself around her."

William gave a faint smile and chose not to add anything further.

"All right then, tell me. Have you finished revising the maps?" William asked.

Loid blinked, surprised by the sudden shift. "Yes, I have. Why?"

William grinned. "If things get rough, I’ll just ask you for a few answers through telepathy during the exam."

Loid’s eyes widened slightly. "Are you seriously considering cheating? That’s unexpected. I should inform Miss Emma."

William shot him a sharp look. "What was that? You’re going to complain to her?"

Loid crossed his arms with mock confidence. "Of course. She’s been your study partner. Imagine her face when she finds out you’re thinking about cheating."

William clicked his tongue. "You know you’re an asshole, right? A prince, my foot. You’re a damn blackmailer."

Loid chuckled and grabbed a notebook from the side. "Here. I’ve already marked the maps that are most likely to appear tomorrow. Just imprint them in your mind and you’ll be fine."

William rolled his eyes but took the notebook anyway.

As he began scanning through the maps, Loid returned to his own revision.

There were many brilliant and confident students like Emma and Loid. Yet none of them were taking the exam lightly.

No one wanted to repeat a year and fall behind their friends.

For some, it was about honor. For others, it was about time they could never get back. Some studied out of desperation, while others simply felt those restless butterflies in their stomachs.

It was now all about what happens in two days.

...

Far from the academy, a grey-haired boy sat perched on a tree branch, watching the academy’s flag ripple in the wind.

His eyes were empty, unfocused, as though he had fainted with them open. His body was utterly still. Anyone not looking directly at him would have missed his presence entirely.

"The foundation has been set," a voice spoke from his left.

He turned his head slightly and saw a woman standing there, her red lips curved into a knowing smile.

He gave a low hum. "That’s not my concern. I only care that the timing is right."

"You could always ask your favorite girlfriend about it," she teased.

He did not respond. His gaze shifted back to the distant academy.

"A fortress that has never fallen," he murmured. "A fortress that has never bowed. So many grand titles... and yet, such fragile security."

The woman remained silent, her eyes hidden by the round hat. However, behind the shade, she held a complicated gaze.

The man nodded repeatedly before muttering, "We now have two targets but let’s focus on the Prophecy child first. We are going to kill him or destroy everything he holds dear."

"This time...we won’t fail."

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. If you have been reading the story so far, please drop a comment.