The next morning, Cassian and Lumine made their way back to the castle. Today, they were scheduled to be assigned to assist Karmen’s forces wherever needed.
Lumine was still sore from the night before, but Cassian’s hands worked out the tension with a slow, thorough massage that left her more relaxed and, by the time they arrived, almost back to her usual energetic self.
They stood in neat lines on the castle’s training grounds, waiting for the Earl to arrive and deliver his speech of appreciation to the Magisteria for sending reinforcements.
Of course, everyone knew it was all just for show. Even the greenest recruits could tell the Earl hated having soldiers under his command who didn’t answer directly to him. His bruised ego at being forced to accept help was an unspoken topic hanging over the entire gathering.
Even if the Earl wasn’t happy about it, he had no choice but to show appreciation for the goodwill the Magisteria had offered. His own army wasn’t performing well, and at the very least, they were now getting a powerful fighter like Naset Lawk — a Circle Warrior said to rival the Earl’s own strength, maybe even surpass it.
Thinking about that man made Cassian remember the reckless plan that had almost gotten them killed. He’d later learned it was Naset’s idea in the first place, something Kalso had admitted with a guilty look when they spoke after everything that happened that night.
Cassian was still irritated about it, though he couldn’t deny the blame wasn’t entirely on Naset. In the end, he’d been the one to make the call to attack those cultists instead of retreating when he had the chance. His own recklessness had nearly cost them everything.
In a twisted way, though, it had also paid off. The system’s new function and the upgraded training ground were worth more than he’d expected. So, he supposed, it balanced out in the end.
Naset had even given him a reward afterward, clearly an attempt to make amends for his boneheaded plan and the way he’d acted like Cassian’s life didn’t matter.
Now, standing under the morning sun, Cassian’s thoughts broke as the blue-haired Earl stepped onto the stage. Behind him stood several high officials, including Naset Lawk.
Among them was the Earl’s younger brother, Moier Kiew Karmen. He looked like a smaller, slimmer version of the Earl, their gave resemblance unmistakable. The difference came from their paths: the Earl was a hardened Seventh Circle Warrior, his body shaped by years of brutal training, while Moier was a renowned mage who spent more time buried in his lab than under the sun. His pale skin and slight frame were proof enough of their very different lives.
The Earl stopped at the podium, letting the silence stretch a moment too long before his voice cut through the morning air.
"For too long, these cult bastards have spilled the blood of my men, and I will accept anything—anything—that helps make them bleed twice as much and see them wiped from this land." His words were sharp, deliberate, carrying the edge of a man used to being obeyed.
He paused, gaze sweeping over the assembled soldiers with a calculated nod before turning slightly, his hand gesturing toward Naset.
"For that reason, I am grateful to the Magisteria for their support... and to Naset Lawk, for lending not only his strength but his men to our cause."
The way he said it — his tone balanced between praise and command — carried a weight that made even gratitude sound like an order. The faintest curl of his lip as he gestured at Naset gave away the man beneath the words, a ruler who hated owing anyone but knew how to play to the crowd.
Naset held his smile, offering a respectful nod, though Cassian could see the flicker of amusement in his eyes.
The training grounds stayed silent for a heartbeat after the Earl’s words, the kind of silence born not from awe but discipline. Then the rows of soldiers slammed fists to their chests in acknowledgment, the sound echoing across the courtyard.
"Today," the Earl continued, his voice ringing out like steel scraping stone, "we fight not for glory, not for banners, but for the lives of every man, woman, and child that cult would rip apart for their madness. We make them fear what they dared provoke."
His hand lowered from Naset to sweep across the assembled troops. "With the Magisteria’s aid and the strength of warriors like Naset Lawk at our side, we will break them piece by piece until there is nothing left to crawl back to their holes."
Cassian’s eyes slid to Lumine for a moment, catching the way her lips pressed thin. She could hear the edge in the Earl’s tone as clearly as he could — the subtle flare of pride even when begging for help, the way his words left no room for anyone to question his authority.
The Earl stepped back from the podium, signaling the end of the speech with nothing more than a curt nod to the officers flanking him. Orders began to ripple through the ranks as captains stepped forward, their voices breaking the tension with assignments and marching routes.
Cassian exhaled slowly, his gaze drifting to Naset, who was still standing there with that calm, faintly amused smile. For all the show the Earl had put on, there was no hiding the undercurrent — a man who hated needing anyone, especially someone like Naset.
As the Earl left the stage, he gave Naset nothing more than a curt nod before turning back toward the castle. His younger brother stepped closer to Naset, the two exchanging words in low voices. Unfortunately, Cassian’s hearing wasn’t sharp enough to catch what they were saying from this distance, especially with the growing commotion among the gathered troops.
With no immediate orders coming down for their team yet, they had a moment to themselves. Wanni turned to them, brows raising.
"Where were you two last night?" She asked, suspicion lacing her tone.
"Staying out. Exploring the city," Cassian replied casually, shrugging like it was nothing.
Lumine, however, froze. A faint red hue crept onto her cheeks as she quickly averted her eyes from Wanni’s piercing stare.
Wanni’s lips pressed into a thin line, her voice coming out half-disappointed, half-irritated. "You should’ve asked me to come along. There’s this famous restaurant here I’ve been dying to try..."
Cassian tilted his head, deadpan. "Ah, yeah. We were too busy for food."
Lumine’s cheeks flared like fire on command.
Wanni’s brows arched high. "Busy. Oh, I see. ’Exploring the city,’ huh? Is that what we’re calling it now?"
"Yes," Cassian said flatly, "because that’s literally what we were doing."
"With her face that red?" a familiar drawl cut in. Robert, leaning against a post, was grinning around a bite of his apple. "Yeah, sure. City exploring. Bet you saw some really... deep parts of town, huh?"
Lumine made a strangled sound that might’ve been a protest or a dying bird.
"Ohhh, what’s this?" Althea’s voice chimed like a bell as she and Theon slipped into the circle. "Did we walk in on a scandal?"
"No scandal," Cassian said, completely unfazed. "Just Wanni being nosy."
"Nosy?" Wanni shot back. "You sneak out in the middle of the night and come back with that face and you expect me not to ask questions?"
Theon’s calm, level voice cut through. "Lumine’s blushing so hard I can see the heatwaves from here. If that’s not a confession, I don’t know what is."
"It’s not—!" Lumine’s voice cracked halfway through and immediately dug her grave deeper.
Robert smirked, gesturing lazily with his apple. "You know, if you’re going to make out behind everyone’s back, at least bring snacks for the rest of us. Some bread. Maybe a souvenir. Proof you weren’t just... busy."
"Oh my gods," Althea gasped theatrically, clutching her chest. "She’s denying it with the exact tone of someone who definitely did it."
Wanni crossed her arms, mock-serious. "That settles it. You owe me dinner. At that restaurant. Both of you. Consider it... restitution."
Cassian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "So now it’s a team date?"
"Absolutely," Althea said brightly. "We’ll sit around, order the most expensive things on the menu, and make Lumine so embarrassed she has to eat under the table."