Chapter 157: Heroine is Absent
Lucan sat alone in the dimly lit library, the flickering candlelight casting long, wavering shadows across the worn pages of the ancient book in front of him.
Lucan had just acquired the third piece of the map, now carefully tucked away in his satchel, and his thoughts were already focused on how to secure the next piece.
As he pored over the text, the soft creak of the library door caught his attention. Without looking up, Lucan subtly shifted his gaze, his keen eyes catching sight of a group of students entering the room. They weren't the usual type to frequent the library, their presence immediately setting them apart from the others.
Lucan's interest was piqued. He watched them out of the corner of his eye as they made their way to a secluded corner of the library, away from the prying eyes of the librarians and other students. The leader of the group, a tall figure with raven-black hair slicked back and sharp, calculating eyes, stood out immediately.
This was Victor, a student known for his cunning and ruthlessness. Victor was the head of a powerful adventurer group within the academy, a group that operated in the shadows, undertaking dangerous and often illicit tasks for the right price.
In the events of the game, Victor had been a formidable antagonist in this game event, and it seemed the same dynamics were at play now, even though Lucan change many things in story.
Lucan's eyes narrowed as he noticed the faint outline of a map in Victor's hand. The edges of the parchment were visible just enough for Lucan to recognize its significance—it was similar to map he was gathering. Victor and his group were after the same relic.
Closing his book with deliberate calmness, Lucan leaned back in his chair, observing Victor and his companions. They were discussing something in hushed tones, their heads bent close together. Lucan couldn't hear them from where he was, but the seriousness in their expressions told him all he needed to know.
Quietly, Lucan gathered his belongings and moved to a nearby shelf, pretending to browse the books. From this vantage point, he could see them better. Victor's group consisted of four members in total, each one seeming seasoned and sharp, likely people with experience beyond simple academy skirmishes.
The only woman in the group, a petite yet fierce-looking figure with short, spiky red hair, appeared to be in charge of the map. She unrolled it on the table in front of them, her finger tracing the lines as she spoke. Lucan strained to hear snippets of their conversation, catching only fragments.
"...move quickly. We're not the only ones after it," she whispered urgently, her eyes darting around the room as if expecting to be overheard.
Victor nodded, his expression hardening. "We need to get ahead of the competition. This relic is the key to unimaginable power, and I won't let anyone else have it."
Lucan felt a jolt of recognition at Victor's words. He remembered that in the game, they talked the same dialogue.
Victor was clearly determined, and from the looks of it, he was willing to go to any lengths to secure the relic. Lucan had to be careful; he couldn't afford to underestimate this group.
The woman with the map continued, her voice a low murmur that barely reached Lucan's ears. "Where's the next piece?"
Victor pointed to a spot on the map, his finger lingering there. "The headmaster's office. We'll need to find a way in without attracting attention."
The headmaster's office was indeed where the next piece of the map was hidden, and now Victor's group was zeroing in on it.
As he watched, the fourth member of Victor's group, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, leaned in, his voice a gravelly whisper. "I've heard that Teacher Lucan might be after the relic too. He's been asking around, researching..."
Lucan felt suprised. He hadn't expected his interest in the relic to be discovered so soon. Victor's group was more resourceful than he had anticipated.
Victor's eyes narrowed at the mention of Lucan's name. "Lucan, huh? He's no ordinary teacher. We'll need to be careful. If he's really after the relic, he could be a serious threat. But...
we can use that to our advantage."
Lucan's brows furrowed slightly as he listened. Victor was clearly scheming something, and Lucan might know what it is.
"We'll let him do the hard work," Victor continued, his voice filled with cold calculation. "Let him collect the map pieces and even find the relic. Then, when the time is right, we'll swoop in and take it from him. Keep an eye on him. If he makes a move, I want to know about it."
Lucan nearly smiled at the familiarity of the situation. This was the exact strategy he had used in the game. Victor's plan was predictable, but that didn't make it any less dangerous. He needed to stay one step ahead of them, and with the knowledge of how things played out in the game, he was already a few steps ahead.
Slowly, Lucan backed away from the shelf, making sure not to attract any attention. As he exited the library, his mind was already working on his next move. He knew the layout of the headmaster's office well, and he had a few tricks up his sleeve to ensure he would get the map piece before Victor's group even had a chance.
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Once outside, the cool evening air greeted him, and he took a moment to breathe deeply, clearing his mind. He would need to act fast, but carefully. Victor's group was formidable when four of them are together.
As Lucan walked away from the library, his thoughts briefly flickered to Maris. She had always been protective, sometimes to the point of being overbearing, but he knew her intentions were rooted in her deep affection for him. Lucan had to do something about Maris, or let her join?
Actually, there was no harm letting her join, it's just Lucan want to keep it secret from everyone.
"Well, by spending less time with Maris, she seemed to be in bad mood..."