Chapter Ten: The Hero and The Honoured
A week after the attack, the academy returned to something resembling normal.
Repaired stone replaced shattered walls. Reinforced barriers shimmered faintly across the perimeter. Security patrols doubled. Students whispered less openly—but they still whispered.
About the Cult.
About the Hell Knight.
About the Honoured One.
Arthur Grayhound walked out of his final lecture of the day with his usual unhurried stride, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable. If the weight of rumor pressed against him, it did not show.
He had just stepped into the corridor when a familiar voice echoed from behind.
"Arthur."
He turned slightly.
The principal stood at the end of the hall, composed as ever. Her presence quieted nearby students instantly.
He approached her without question.
As they walked side by side toward the administrative wing, Arthur spoke first.
"How's your arm?"
She glanced at him briefly.
"Functional."
He nodded once.
Her lips curved faintly.
"Your regeneration," she continued, "is beyond advanced healing magic. We've confirmed it."
Arthur didn't look surprised.
"I assumed you would."
She shot him a sideways look.
"You created a new branch of Ki inversion before our research department could finish debating the theory."
He shrugged lightly.
"Curiosity."
They reached her office doors.
She paused before opening them.
"Oh," she added casually, "the Hero came to see you."
Arthur blinked once.
"She's now officially attached to our council division," the principal continued. "And she wants to meet the 'other fragments.'"
Arthur's expression didn't change.
But something in his gaze sharpened slightly.
"Is that so."
The doors opened.
Inside stood five figures.
A priest in ceremonial white and gold.
Four Holy Knights clad in gleaming armor etched with sacred sigils.
And her.
White hair that shimmered like frost under sunlight. Pale silver eyes that seemed to glow faintly with divine mana. Her posture was relaxed—but the air around her hummed with restrained power.
The Hero.
She smiled when she saw him.
"Hey."
Arthur yawned.
"'Sup."
The temperature in the room dropped instantly.
One of the Holy Knights stepped forward and pointed his blade directly at Arthur.
"You will address her with respect."
Arthur looked at the sword.
Then at the knight.
Then back at the Hero.
"Not really," he said calmly. "She should address me with respect. I'm royalty."
The knight's grip tightened.
"You dare—"
The principal cleared her throat softly.
The pressure in the room thickened.
Arthur's tone never changed.
"If we're speaking of titles," he continued, "I'm Prince Arthur Grayhound of Quizlet. Third in succession. Dual-core bearer. Recognized by the God Eye."
He tilted his head slightly.
"You're welcome."
The Holy Knight's aura flared.
The priest looked ready to intervene.
But before anything escalated—
The Hero laughed.
A clear, bright sound.
Then, to everyone's shock—
She crossed the room in two quick steps and jumped straight into Arthur's arms.
The Holy Knights froze.
The principal did not move.
Arthur caught her out of reflex.
She grinned up at him.
"I like you," she said warmly. "You're funny."
She leaned back slightly—still in his arms—and looked him over openly.
"Wow. Your physique is peak. Compared to you, I must've been slacking."
Arthur looked down at her with mild disinterest.
"You're aware I'm betrothed, right?"
She nodded casually.
"Yes."
She didn't get down.
"In our past lives," she continued, voice lowering slightly, "we were married."
The room went silent.
Even the Holy Knights stiffened.
Arthur blinked once.
Then—
He yawned.
The Hero stared at him.
"That's your reaction?"
He gently set her down.
"I don't remember that," he replied calmly.
Her smile faltered just slightly.
"You don't… feel it?"
Arthur studied her for a long second.
Silver eyes.
Divine aura.
Powerful core.
Yes.
She was legitimate.
The Hero.
Chosen by the divine cycle.
But—
"No," he said simply.
The priest stepped forward carefully.
"The Hero carries fragmented memories from previous incarnations. It is not unusual that you—"
Arthur raised a hand lazily.
"I'm not the Hero."
The priest paused.
Arthur's gaze sharpened faintly.
"I'm the Honoured One."
The words carried weight.
The principal watched silently.
The Hero tilted her head.
"Two thousand years ago," she said softly, "there were two God Eyes."
Arthur nodded once.
"Yes."
"You stood beside the Hero."
"Yes."
"You fought the Demon Lord."
"Yes."
"And you disappeared."
Arthur's expression remained neutral.
"That sounds like a you problem."
One of the Holy Knights sputtered in outrage.
But the Hero only studied him more closely.
"You feel different," she murmured.
"I am different."
Her silver eyes flickered.
"Stronger."
Arthur didn't deny it.
"You're not bound," she said slowly.
He didn't answer.
Because that was the truth.
The Hero was bound by destiny.
By prophecy.
By the expectations of the divine cycle.
Arthur wasn't.
He had no holy mandate.
No sacred script.
He acted because he chose to.
And that—
Made him more dangerous.
The Hero folded her hands behind her back and smiled again, softer now.
"So," she said lightly, "if you don't remember being married to me…"
Arthur waited.
"…does that mean I have to compete with your fiancée?"
Arthur finally smirked faintly.
"That would be unwise."
The Holy Knights bristled again.
The priest sighed internally.
The principal stepped forward at last.
"This meeting was to establish cooperation," she said calmly. "The Cult of Diablo is mobilizing faster than expected."
The Hero nodded, turning serious instantly.
"They're accelerating something."
Arthur's eyes narrowed.
"The revival."
She looked at him sharply.
"You sensed it too."
"Yes."
Silence settled again.
Then the Hero smiled slightly.
"Well," she said, clasping her hands together, "it looks like we'll be working together."
Arthur shrugged.
"As long as your knights stop pointing swords at me."
One of the Holy Knights started to protest—
The Hero raised a hand.
"They won't."
Her gaze returned to Arthur.
"Next time," she added lightly, "try not to yawn when I reveal tragic past-life romance."
Arthur turned toward the door.
"No promises."
He began walking out.
The Hero watched him leave.
Her smile lingered.
But her eyes—
Were thoughtful.
The priest leaned closer to her and whispered quietly,
"Do you feel it?"
She nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"Stronger than before?"
"Yes."
"And?"
She exhaled softly.
"He's not walking the same path as last time."
The Holy Knights exchanged uneasy glances.
Meanwhile, outside the office—
Arthur walked down the corridor alone.
Students parted instinctively.
His expression unreadable.
Married in a past life?
He searched his mind briefly.
Nothing.
No emotional pull.
No divine tether.
Only clarity.
And a faint irritation.
Amanda's face flashed briefly in his thoughts.
He exhaled.
"…Troublesome."
Far away—
In the depths beneath the earth—
A dark pulse echoed once.
The Demon Lord's seal trembled.
The Hero had arrived.
The Honoured One had awakened.
And destiny—
Was no longer predictable.
---
The end.....