"We will now commence a fifteen-minute interval. Please return shortly."
"Just what was that?" Athena asked.
"Yeah, your acting…it felt…real…" Gideon muttered.
"I didn't expect you to miss me soooo dearly, Lucas," Celeste teased, though her tone had a hint of seriousness in it.
"It was acting," I answered simply.
"No, it wasn't," Celeste frowned. "It felt so powerful, so strong that it made everything seem…real…"
"That level of acting…is truly something else…" Athena studied my expression closely.
"But on the other hand," We all turned to Liora, our priestess. "Lucian's acting enhanced our acting by a tremendous amount."
"What do you mean?" Kael asked.
"When Lucian broke down, his emotions were everywhere. Regret, anger, loss, sadness, grief—we could all feel it. And the powerful feeling he gave off, which shocked us all. Gideon," Liora turned to him. "You felt unsettled for the first time. That emotion of yours was real. It was no longer an act. Everything was real."
Her words hit us hard.
"Our 'performed' emotions became something real then, which even the judges were astonished by," She continued. "Now that," She looked at each of us. "Is true acting."
"You, Lucian, brought out our true potential. For that, I must thank you." Liora dipped her head slightly.
"Is that why you whispered a silent prayer just now? That wasn't in the script." I questioned.
"Oh? You noticed?" She smiled faintly. "I felt compelled to do so, then."
"How did you do it, then?" Celeste looked at me eagerly. "How did you—"
"Act like this?" A voice came from behind us.
We all turned to see Kaori.
"That's because he either remembered a painful memory or he created a painful scenario in his mind that would cause his heart to ache. Am I correct, Ace?" Kaori winked.
"Yeah, Kaori is right," I muttered.
"Your name is Ace? How unique…" Athena forced a smile.
"No, it's not. It's just a nickname. You don't have to smile even when it really is a bad name, Athena."
"Sorry…"
"She calls you by your nickname?" Gideon asked. "But she's the Student Council President."
"Student Presidents can know their juniors too, you know."
"..."
"Interesting…" Celeste glanced between Kaori and me.
"Act V: Love, Too Late"
It was the same shattered courtyard. The rain continued, heavier now. Celeste's body lay to the side, partially illuminated, black feathers scattered across the ground, the sky darker than before. The world felt like it was holding its breath.
I stood several paces away from Celeste's body, still, breathing unevenly. Sword in hand, but lowered. Athena stepped forward slowly. Carefully. Like approaching something fragile.
"Lucian…" She said softly, her voice trembling.
"..."
No response.
"Please…"
I finally spoke without turning. "You shouldn't be here." My voice hoarse.
"I chose to be." She paused. "Just like you."
That line reached me.
Barely.
I exhaled shakily. "You don't understand what you are choosing."
"Then make me understand."
Silence.
Rain fills the space between us.
Athena stepped closer, closer than ever before.
"I saw you."
A beat.
"Not what they said you were," Her voice cracked slightly, "Not what he said you are."
Gideon stiffened in the background.
"You saved them.
You spared him.
You—" Her voice faltered.
She steadied it once more. "You held her like she was everything."
That line lands.
My grip on my sword tightened slightly.
"You're not a monster."
Silence.
"It doesn't matter," I said quietly, almost empty.
"It does to me."
I finally turned slowly, my expression exhausted, eyes red and empty. "Why?"
A simple question.
But heavy.
Athena took another step forward. "Because I can't look at you and pretend you're the enemy anymore."
"You should."
"I can't."
"Then you will die."
"Then I'll die understanding the truth." A pause. The rain intensifies. "I don't know when it started—" She laughed softly, broken. "Maybe when you healed that soldier…Maybe when you refused to kill Gideon…Maybe when you looked at her like—" Her voice broke. "—like losing her would destroy you."
A tear fell.
"I don't know." She stepped closer. "But I know this—" She looked directly at me with no hesitation now.
"I love you."
Silence.
Everything stops.
I froze.
Completely.
That line—
I did not expect it to come out with so much emotion.
"...You shouldn't…" My voice was barely a whisper.
"I know," She said with a faint, sad smile. "But I do."
There was a long pause.
I looked at her, really looked.
And for the first time—
My guard breaks…just slightly.
Something soft flickers in my eyes.
Something human.
Something that wants—
Just for a moment—
To accept it.
"You do not understand what I am."
"Then tell me."
"If I tell you—" My voice lowers, fragile. "You won't be able to stand where you are anymore."
"Then I'll stand with you."
I took a step back almost instinctively, like that offer was more dangerous than any blade.
"No."
"Why not?!"
Athena was…acting with genuine emotion?
"Because this path—" My voice tightened. "—ends with me."
A pause.
"Then I'll walk it anyway."
"I'm not trying to save you!" She sounded frustrated. "I'm trying to understand you."
The silence was heavy.
I closed my eyes briefly, like I was fighting something inside myself.
Then—
Gideon stepped forward.
"That's enough." His voice was firm.
The tension snapped.
Athena turned sharply. "No—"
"Step away from him."
"You don't understand—"
"I understand exactly what he is."
"Do you?" I asked quietly.
Gideon glanced at me. "You manipulate. You distort. You pretend——"
"I act."
"Then this ends now." He raised his blade.
Athena stepped in front of me instinctively.
"STOP!!"
Silence.
"If you kill him now—" She pleaded desperately. "You'll never know the truth!!"
"The truth does not change what he has done."
"Then let him speak!"
"He's had his chance."
"No—you didn't listen!"
"I listened enough." A beat. "Step aside, Athena."
"No."
"That's an order."
"Then I refuse it."
Silence.
Gideon's expression hardened. "Then you stand with him."
"...I stand with the truth."
"Then you stand against me."
Silence.
Athena doesn't move.
Doesn't step back.
Gideon's grip tightened.
He moved fast—
Decisive.
Athena reacts—
But I moved faster.
I pulled her back—
Turns—
And—
Takes the strike.
The blade pierces me.
Silence.
"...No." Athena's voice breaks instantly.
I exhaled sharply, blood spreading slowly.
I staggered but remained standing.
Athena caught me, hands trembling.
"No—no, no—stay with me—"
"...You hesitated," I said softly, fading.
She shook her head desperately.
"I chose you—"
"That was your mistake."
Not cruel.
Just…sad.
"Don't say that—"
"You were supposed to survive this."
"Not without you—"
A faint breath leaves me.
Almost a laugh.
"That was never part of the equation."
I looked past her, at Gideon. "You still don't understand."
"Then explain it."
"It's too late." My voice was weaker now. "The gate—"
"What gate—?" Athena asked.
"When it breaks…" I paused. "You'll see."
"No—tell me now—"
"I wish I could." My gaze softened. "You deserved better timing."
A single tear slipped from her eyes.
"Don't leave me——"
"You'll understand." I paused again. "And when you do…" My voice was barely there now. "Don't forgive me."
"I already do—"
"That's why you're dangerous." I gave her a faint, broken smile.
Then—
My body weakened, and I collapsed.
Athena caught me and held me tightly, shaking. "Lucian!!"
Silence.
The rain continued relentlessly.
Athena buried her face against me, just like I had done before. "...Why did you have to be right?" Her voice shattering.
With this scene, she would definitely get into the main cast.
Gideon stood still, sword lowered.
And for the first time…
…he felt uncertain.
"Yayyy!!!!!" Celeste exclaimed backstage. "Our job is finally done!!"
"..." I eyed Celeste.
"It is such a pity that both lovers die, though." She frowned. "But all that's left is quite boring, right? Gideon and his party find out the truth about the angels and seal angels. So boring."
"Are we allowed to go home now?" I asked.
"No…we still have to thank the audience after this." She whined.
"Why haven't you broken character yet?"
"My, you noticed?" Celeste smirked. "I just haven't felt like it yet."
~~~~~~~~~~
"Why are you here tonight? Can't you see that I've had a long day?" I sighed as I opened the door.
"Nope! I can only see that you're very comfortable in your pyjamas and nightcap. Oooh! Plus, you're hugging the giant banana plushie I bought you after I saw your room decorated with bananas!!!" Kaori exclaimed.
"So? Why are you here today?" I made her usual hot chocolate, and she happily sat at the kitchen counter.
"Must I have a reason to see my cute brother?" She winked.
"Yes."
"How cold!!"
"What is it this time?" I asked, while eating a banana.
"I was just thinking that there are still sooooo many things I don't know about you."
"What makes you think that?"
"Today, when I was talking to you, I noticed the ring on your finger. Who is it from?" Kaori asked.
"Oh, this?" I slid the ring off my ring finger. "This is from a childhood friend."
"Can I see it?"
"Do whatever you like." I placed the ring in her palm.
"Wow," Kaori sounded amazed as she studied the ring. "This is a man-made item box, one of the oldest ones, in fact."
"..."
She glanced at my expressionless face. "Don't tell me you've been wearing it for over five, ten years without knowing what it does?"
"How did you—?"
"You weren't agreeing with me." Kaori sighed. "Now listen to your Big Sis. This is one of the most powerful ancient artefacts ever created. It can even store Astralis. That just shows how powerful it is!!"
"I see, I'll keep that in mind."
"That's it?" She frowned. "No, 'Thank you, you're the best Big Sis in the whole wide world!! You're so smart?"
"Keep your fantasies to yourself."
"How mean!!"
I slid the ring back onto my finger. "How does it work then?"
"It depends," Kaori answered. "For items, you just tap the ring gently against the item."
"Like this?" I tapped the ring against my banana peel.
It instantly vanished into the ring.
"Yeah, like that," Kaori beamed. "Now, for Astralis storage, you just have to close your eyes and feel the Astralis running down your veins into the ring."
I closed my eyes.
Feel the Astralis within you.
A warm sensation filled my veins almost immediately. It felt like water running down multiple tunnels of my body.
Now I just have to guide it all to my ring finger.
All my Astralis were now flowing backwards toward my astral core, the heart of Astralis. In my mind, I silently guided it down my left arm and into the ring finger…
"The warm sensation is…gone," I muttered, studying the ring. The minute I guided the Astralis into my ring, it disappeared almost immediately, almost as if it was absorbed by it.
"Yep! That's exactly how you do it!!"
"..."
I studied the ring carefully. I have never looked at it so closely before, now that I think about it. On closer observation, the ring had detailed small, worn off snow flaked carvings around it, symbolising it had been passed down for generations. Perhaps it was a family heirloom. I will need to ask Snow about that query. This is not mine, after all. It is hers.
"Hey, Kaori, do we have a family heirloom?" I asked.
"Hm, let me think." She scratched her chin. "Not that I'm very sure of, but Nightfall is one of the most prestigious houses in Aetherion. Furthermore, we are part of the main branch of the family, so I'm sure we have some, but…" Her voice trailed off.
"But?"
"If I remember correctly, one of our Houses' most sacred heirlooms is a ring, too, I think. It is with Grandfather right now, in his treasure vault. He is still waiting for an heir to take his place after the 3rd Generation, my parents, have died." Kaori looked deep in thought.
"But I'm sure there are still others in the branch families of the 3rd Generation."
"No, you don't understand," Kaori sighed. "Grandfather considered my parents as the most gifted in the House. So when they perished, he believed that the entire 3rd Generation was doomed. Now, it's up to the 4th Generation to decide our standing."
"What standing?"
"The standing decides if we keep the Nightfall surname or not. If, for example, a branch house, Arctic Nightfall, secures the family heirloom during the trials, all the other branch houses, including us, the main Nightfall House, will abandon the Nightfall name and find another. For instance, if Arctic Nightfall loses, they might just change their surname to Arctic or something,"
"I see."
Living in a noble family is quite complicated.
"Speaking of which," Kaori grinned, horribly brightly. "The next trial is coming up soon, I think. And," She pointed a finger at me. "You are going to represent the main house!!!"
"What? Who let you decide that?"
"Me, of course!"
"No."
"Yes!"
"No."
"Yes!!!"
"No means no."
"Ehh? How mean!!" She reached over and pinched my cheeks.
"Ow. Stop it."
"Noooo!!! I don't wanna!!"
"Stop."
"How mean!!" She puffed out her cheeks in dismay. "Anyway, Grandfather hasn't met you yet, so he still might choose me to represent the main house. It depends, I guess."
"I see."
"You seem disinterested," She noted.
"I am. You said that you would handle family matters."
"Only that Oliver incident, nothing else."
"I see. Then I will see what I can do in the near future. Are you satisfied with my answer now?"
"Yes," She smiled. "It's best you contribute a little more, rather than being a freeloader."
"Unfortunately for you, I am never a freeloader," I stated. "You're the only freeloader here."
"Huhh? You still remember that?" She groaned. "I did try my best to help out, though!"
"Your help is not helping us at all. You might as well just not help at all."
"Sorry…" She muttered.
"You should learn to cook sometime soon, too."
"No way!!! Nuh uh!!! I can survive just fine with you cooking for me every day!" Kaori stuck out her tongue.
"I will eventually leave you someday, or rather, you will leave me someday. And on that day, you will need to cook food for your husband."
"Nooooooooo!!! I'm never going to marry if it means I don't need to cook! It's too much work!!!" Kaori flailed in desperation. "Oh, look at that!" She pointed at the clock. "It's 10 o'clock! I should go now, bye!!!" She waved at me and slipped out of the door.
I could still vaguely hear her chanting, "No cooking! No cooking! No cooking ever!"
"..."
I am completely speechless.
If the two of us were to go out shopping, people would definitely mistake her for my spoiled sister, who throws a tantrum when things don't go her way. Even Ella might act more mature than her.
It has been quite a while since the three of us siblings have gone out together. The last time we had gone out together was…five months, one year ago? I do not remember very clearly. I have long abandoned the thought of the three of us uniting until…let's say six years later?
Such a pity. The year I graduate is also the year Ella joins this school. And there is also Kaori. I have no idea what she would do after graduating, let alone six years later. She would be 24 then, old enough to be courted by the Lords of different Houses.
That sounds a little late, though. For simple commoners, they might already be married and have children at the age of 15, which is when we're considered adults. Unfortunately, for us, nobles, our political challenges and power struggles are not the only things that trouble us. It seems even our love life is in constant trouble, too.
We are only allowed to debut as a debutant or debutante at the age of 19. And from there, we are allowed to court or be courted and get married. In this world I have been reincarnated into, I think, being a simple peasant is far better than being a noble. Being a noble is no luxury.
I have yet to meet my mountains of gold and jewellery.
The commoners here are happy being commoners, too. I have noticed that when talking to clients back at The Black Eclipse. They seem to find the nobles tolerable, with the sole exception of Hastings, of course. He is truly insufferable. Maybe the government here drowned us nobles in mountains of work so that we will have less time to pick on the commoners. Who knows.
However, of course, there are some truly kind Houses. Some say House Nightingale is rather sweet. I have yet to see them. But others tend to say that House Nightfall is one of the most powerful houses, blessed with not only power but also looks. Some rumours say that the gods must have taken a great liking to us. So I guess I can trust the rumours for now.
I glanced at the clock.
"It is indeed late; I should be going to bed now."
Dragging my banana plushie behind me, I lay in the bed I have been sleeping in for the past two months, and sleep overcame me.