CHAPTER 181: CHAPTER 181 - I AM SORRY, VICE DEAN!

The night air in Luca’s room was still, broken only by the faint shimmer of the communication crystal projecting a pale-blue holographic figure before him. The Vice Dean’s presence, even as an illusion, carried a weight that pressed against the dimly lit walls. Luca stood stiffly, his posture betraying both respect and unease.

"It was just to inform you that we have controlled the situation here regarding the contamination of the water," the Vice Dean said, his voice calm yet firm. "But we didn’t find any cultists in the area."

Luca nodded, the motion awkward, a flicker of confusion stirring in his chest. Why report this to me then? There’s no reason... unless... His thoughts trailed as the Vice Dean’s gaze seemed to pierce through him.

"As for the traitor," the Vice Dean continued, his tone turning sharper, "make sure you don’t tell it to anyone else. Unless we have solid evidence, we don’t have the power to accuse anyone. Remember—Arcadia is but a neutral institution."

Luca’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he masked it with another respectful nod. So that’s the true motive. Makes sense... Without evidence, if the Academy raised its hand, it would look like we’ve taken sides. Neutrality... it’s the only shield they have.

"I understand, Vice Dean," he said aloud, his voice steady.

"Good," the hologram replied with the faintest incline of his head. "I will transfer five hundred credits each to both you and Student Aurelia. This mission was far beyond what was listed."

Luca’s lips curved into the faintest wry smile, though his eyes remained calm. A bribe, then. To keep us quiet. Still... five hundred isn’t bad.

"Ahhh, sir..." Luca hesitated, then asked, "did you find what those cultists were looking for?"

A silence fell. The Vice Dean’s figure flickered faintly, his expression tightening before he let out a low sigh.

"No. We couldn’t find it. It looks like someone destroyed all evidence before we arrived."

Luca’s brows furrowed as he digested the words. What were they looking for exactly? And who would go so far as to erase every trace?

The Vice Dean’s voice cut through his thoughts. "We still have no idea about the cloaked figure either. For now, try to lay low. Do not accept any new missions. Focus on the upcoming practical exam."

"I will, sir," Luca replied firmly.

The hologram flickered once more before fading into nothingness, leaving the room dim and quiet again. Luca slowly slumped back onto his bed, staring at the ceiling, the weight of the conversation pressing on his chest.

"Sorry, Vice Dean," he muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing. "This is a far more serious matter... I can’t exactly keep my mouth shut."

Luca remained sprawled across his bed, lazily twirling the communication crystal between his fingers before activating it. The call connected instantly, and a small flicker of surprise crossed his face. That fast? Isn’t she supposed to be drowning in work?

The crystal glowed, projecting the image of a golden-haired woman seated regally upon a throne. Despite her simple gown, there was an unmistakable air of majesty around her. Her sharp gaze fell directly on him, and her lips curved faintly in disapproval.

"What is it?" Celestia asked, her voice cool and composed. "And do you call everyone while lying on the bed?"

Luca smirked, leaning back with deliberate casualness. "Naah, it was just because it’s yo—" He cut himself off abruptly, coughed, and sat up straight. Tch. I’m getting too comfortable with her. Clearing his throat, he muttered quickly, "Sorry."

She gave a soft hmph, though her eyes softened ever so slightly. "What is it? Say it quickly."

"I was on a mission at Ashenrock Gorge," Luca began.

Her brows rose, a trace of incredulity in her tone. "What, now you want a reward from me or something?"

His expression deadpanned. "Do you want to listen or not? It’s important, you know."

That caught her attention. Celestia straightened slightly on her throne, her tone becoming sharper, more serious. "Go on."

Luca nodded and relayed everything—his journey into the gorge, the fight, the strange cloaked figure, and finally the uneasy suspicion he had carried back. He ended with a calm but firm note, "So it seems there is a traitor among the high nobility of the kingdom. Although there’s no concrete evidence yet, I thought it’s better to be careful."

Celestia’s golden lashes lowered as she processed his words. A rare flicker of concern traced her face. "You are right. Have you told anyone else?"

"I told the Vice Dean," Luca admitted. "He was already investigating there. He warned me not to speak of it to others, but..." He hesitated before finishing, "since I have... some relation with you, I thought you should know."

For the first time, her composure cracked. A faint redness brushed her cheeks, though she quickly averted her gaze. "O-Of course, you did the right thing." She paused, then leaned forward slightly. "Then... is there anything else you know about that cloaked figure?"

Luca closed his eyes for a moment, searching through what he had pieced together. Finally, he exhaled slowly. "Not anything concrete. But... when we were in the Savior Camp, I heard there is only one person capable of creating clones of varying strength."

Her eyes narrowed, anticipation sharp. "Who?"

"The Second Demon General."

Silence fell. Heavy, thick, and almost suffocating. The weight of the name itself seemed to chill the air in his room.

It’s better if she knows, Luca thought, pressing his lips into a thin line. Though I had to bend the truth about the source, the information itself is real. And dangerous.

Celestia finally broke the silence, her voice steady but low. "I see. I will look into it more."

The hologram shimmered faintly, its light flickering across the dim room like pale moonlight cutting through a veil of mist. Luca sat up slightly on his bed, glancing at Celestia’s projection as her tone shifted.

"Is there anyone else you are going to inform about this?" she asked, her voice steady, though her eyes narrowed as if testing him.

Luca stretched his shoulders back, answering with a casual nod, "Only Master."

Her posture eased at that, though her gaze lingered a moment longer. "Did you tell her yet?"

He tilted his head, frowning faintly. What does that have to do with anything? "No."

Celestia’s lips curved, but not into her usual cold smirk—rather, a fleeting trace of satisfaction, almost a secret smile. She muttered under her breath, "I am first, as I should be."

Luca blinked, sitting forward slightly. "Did you say something?"

She coughed lightly, regaining her usual composed air. "Yeah. I’ll tell her myself, don’t worry."

"Well, that works too," Luca thought, leaning back with a shrug.

Then, almost as if embarrassed by her own moment of softness, Celestia glanced aside before asking, "Can you take out the baby dragon?"

Luca couldn’t help but chuckle. "Pft—so you do miss her." With a snap of his fingers, a shimmer of mana unfolded, and the small dragon girl appeared, her bright eyes widening before she called out happily, "Mama, mama!"

The coldness melted from Celestia’s face at once. Her features softened, her expression transforming into something warm and achingly gentle. She leaned closer to the projection, her voice tender. "Yeah... we’ll meet soon, okay?"

Luca raised a brow, smirking. "Why don’t you talk with me with that smile?"

Her eyes darted to him, sharp again in an instant. "Hmph. You don’t deserve it."

She turned her attention back to the dragon girl, who squirmed with excitement, nearly leaping toward the hologram as if she could cross into Celestia’s arms. Celestia’s hand hovered near the projection as if trying to stroke her, though her fingers only met empty light. Her voice was soft, apologetic. "Sorry, baby. Mama has to leave, okay? See you later."

She looked back at Luca one last time, her eyes serious once more. "And you—don’t take any missions for now."

The light fractured, and then her image vanished, leaving the room dark and silent again.

Luca sighed, gently calming the restless dragon girl who pouted beside him. As he lay back on the bed, she curled up against him, still murmuring softly, "Mama... mama..."

Staring at the ceiling, Luca exhaled through his nose, a small, almost bitter smile tugging at his lips. "Well... she still cares about me. Just a little."

The weight of exhaustion pulled at his body as he settled beside the little one. His thoughts drifted as the silence deepened. It looks like the next few days will be a bit peaceful. I should focus more on training for now... feels like I’ve been neglecting it.