EQUINOX || The Catalysts Series, #3

XV

Lena had always known Arcana to be rather influential in this city to be running Arcane Academy, but getting the richest man in the City of Leatia to sponsor their Annual Games? That's on another level.

That also implies that Arcane Academy is far superior than Lena thinks. And the supposedly popular competition that's broadcasted to the public is way more well-received than Lena gives it credit for.

It's supposed to be just a school. But as it is, Arcane Academy isn't just a school. It's a title, a privilege. One you go walking around boasting.

Which explains why she's been earning stares with her uniform on—both positive and negative ones.

The hallways are empty with students already headed to classes after the mini commotion earlier, urging Lena to go faster. She'd thought she would be late, but before entering the branched hallway toward her classroom, she stops short at the main corridor. This part of the building is wide compared to where their classroom entrances are, but it is equally packed with students not going to their respective classes despite returning to the junior building. There must not be any teachers nearby or in the classrooms, because there is evidently another duel from the rising smoke in one end of the structure.

Students around are much less into the ongoing duel compared to the one before in the fields, and are instead whispering various versions of what happened earlier—or whatever they found particularly intriguing.

"What do you think Mr De Vincenzo is here for?"

"Did you see Saanvi challenging so many people upon her arrival? They say it's not long before she starts climbing ladders or challenging even the seniors..."

"What's up with second year's Lucifer? Why is everyone taking about him recently? Why did Saanvi even challenge him?"

Lena doesn't process any of these; they come too quickly for her to absorb, all while trying to see what's ahead.

She's just lost within the little crowd, struggling to head toward the deserted classroom hallway, when something grabs her by the arm, and firmly but gently navigating her through. Only when she's out of the body of students—passing through two girls glaring at her for blocking their sight—is she able to see that someone's managed to single her out through the crowd and get her into a deserted branching hallway.

Lucifer.

He nose is smudged with a line of ash he'd missed wiping out after his duel, but other than that, he looks neat and ready for class—he's changed into a new set of Arcane Academy uniform, because the black coat is sleek straight and spotless. Lena wonders then if every student has a spare lying around somewhere, or that the academy simply provides for them whenever necessary. His dark eyes are awake and alert this time, not the usual tired—alive, even, the depths of them glinting as Lena stares at her own reflection within them.

Lucifer clears his throat, and she pulls back, looking away from his gaze. But Lena realises she can't not look at him, because he's standing right before her. Instead she decides to settle with his pale collarbone when she's level with him, because he is taller than her anyway.

"What are you doing?" Lena demands when he doesn't speak as if he isn't the one who dragged her out here. When he doesn't answer, Lena finds herself looking up again. His eyes are unfocused, not looking at her; his hair messy still from the duel. "Lucifer," Lena tries again, softer this time. "What is it?"

He flinches as she says his name, and then looks down to meet her eyes, only to look away once more. Finally, Lucifer begins, "I want you to know that I..."

Lena waits. He doesn't finish. Strangely, it doesn't do anything to her patience. She waits two breaths; tries again. "Are you hurt somewhere from the duel?"