Time flew by. Before he knew it, the night had ended and Monday morning had arrived.
At a neatly arranged dining table, Lucas sat calmly, eating his breakfast dressed in the full uniform of Lincolnville High. It was his final year. Just a few more months before graduation and more than anything, he couldn't wait for the miracle spirit awakening ceremony.
The night before, he had spoken at length with Athena. About the Upper Realm, a world far higher, wilder, and infinitely more dangerous than Earth. And he heard something that made his blood stir: the possibility that his family originated from there.
The Pendragon clan. A bloodline deeply connected to dragons. Their ancestors were true dragons, and every generation was born with a natural affinity for those mythical creatures. You could say, they were flesh and blood of all dragonkind that ever existed.
But the Upper Realm wasn't a fairytale. That world… was complicated. Very complicated.
But one thing is for sure, the gods, really do exist.
Lucas slowly dabbed the corner of his mouth with a tissue. No rush. There was no one waiting for him this morning. Sofia, still unconscious in her room.
Knock! Knock!
The knock broke his train of thought. Lucas picked up his bag and went to open the door.
Standing before him were four young men his age, all dressed in the same school uniform. His friends.
"Yo, ready to go?" Gavin greeted casually.
"Let's go," Lucas replied shortly.
Without another word, they climbed into Gavin's car. This had been their morning routine for the past three years. Especially with Gavin, his childhood friend.
In the original story, Gavin was one of the most loyal. He fought to the last drop of blood alongside the Drakebane family before ultimately being killed by Leon.
But this time, Lucas wouldn't let that happen.
---
Twenty minutes later, the car pulled into the school parking lot. The morning air buzzed with chatter, brisk footsteps, and the whisper of early spring wind.
Lucas got out, and his gaze immediately locked onto someone in the distance.
Leon.
Standing under the soft morning light, casually chatting with another student.
Lucas frowned. He had planted a bomb in that pond, and yet Leon was still standing there, without even a noticeable wound on him.
It left Lucas genuinely puzzled.
'Did his plot armor seriously let him survive that bomb?' he muttered inwardly.
Gavin followed Lucas's gaze and smirked. "Yoo, still got your eyes on Sofia? I still don't get how she ended up dating that loser Leon. He's a total nobody."
"I heard Sofia was kidnapped two days ago, but her dad said she was found," Alex chimed in. "She must've gone through something bad."
"Who did it?" another asked.
"I don't know," Alex said with a shrug.
Lucas just sighed softly. Gustav Valemont really was a patriarchal, misogynistic bastard. He even spread fake news that his daughter had been rescued, when in fact, Sofia was still lying in his private villa.
"Anyway," Gavin spoke again, "are you still planning to steal her back from Leon? You could just beat the crap out of him, or we could do it for you. Want us to bring him to you?"
Alex and the others chuckled quietly, as if they were more than ready to make that happen.
Lucas let out a short laugh. This is what a villain deserves.
But he shook his head slowly.
"No need. You guys head to class first. I want to have a little chat with him," he said as he slung his bag over his shoulder.
Gavin and the others exchanged glances. They didn't need words to understand what Lucas meant.
"Yeah, have fun," Gavin grinned before they all walked off, leaving Lucas alone.
Lucas raised an eyebrow. They don't think I'm actually going to beat Leon up, right? He shook his head and stepped forward, blending in with the stream of students, but unlike the others heading to class, he walked straight toward one person, Leon.
And as if sensing his presence, Leon told his friend to leave and stormed toward Lucas, his steps heavy, his face twisted in fury.
Lucas arched a brow. Aggressive, isn't he?
Before he could say a word, Leon had already grabbed his collar, eyes blazing, jaw clenched.
"Where.. Is.. Sofia?"
His voice was low, but burning with restrained rage.
A few students nearby looked over, but most chose to mind their own business.
Lucas stayed calm. Even smiled a little.
"Hey, relax. Didn't they say she was found? House Valemont issued an official statement, didn't they?" he said casually, like they were discussing the weather.
"Don't think I believe that crap. I checked, she's not there."
Lucas grinned. "Oh? Then I guess it was fake news. Well, if you want the truth… yes, she's still with me."
Leon's blood boiled. "You didn't touch her, did you?"
Lucas locked eyes with him, then leaned in slightly, voice lowering to a devil's whisper.
"Who knows? How long has it been since you… caught us in that hotel?"
And that smile, full of mockery.
Leon saw red. "You bastard!"
Without hesitation, he threw a punch straight into Lucas's face.
Lucas staggered back several steps from the blow.
"Lucas, you piece of shit! I'll"
"Enough!"
A loud voice sliced through Leon's shout.
He turned and saw a middle aged man hurrying toward them, a teacher, followed by the gazes of dozens of students now fully paying attention.
"What is going on here?! Fighting on school grounds? Do you two have a death wish?!"
But as the teacher got closer and realized who the victim was, his expression changed drastically, Lucas Drakebane.
His eyes turned sharp as they focused on Leon.
"You! To the principal's office. Right now!"