n

n

nDo I have to?

nI blinked at him.

n

"You know, because every time I see you, you always have this stupid look on your face,

" he added.

nI wished he never opened his mouth.

n

"Stu-- I do not!

" I rebuked through gritted teeth.

nWhy must he ruin my mood all the damn time?

nLukas' eyes filled with mirth, clearly laughing at my expense.

n

"Just like that.

"

nI glared at him resentfully. Can I hit a duke? I really want to hit a certain duke right now.

n

"Your mana is leaking.

" Lukas crossed his arms in front of him, looking at something that I can't see.

nHearing his words, heat crept up to my cheeks. I then tried to suppress my mana, bottling it inside me or something. Keyword, tried.

n

"There's still some,

" he commented.

nWith a reddened face, I scowled at him.

n

"I don't know how to, okay? That's why I'm here.

"

nWithout waiting for his reply, I started walking in the direction of the tower. I felt him following me, eventually walking alongside me matching my steps, even though his legs are super long he could have gone ahead instead.

n

"You're going to the tower?

" He inquired.

n

"Yes.

"

nI heard him make a small sound and then he didn't respond again after that.

n

"Hmm…

"

nWe were both silent and although I was a little mindful of it, Lukas doesn't seem to, so I didn't bother either.

nWhen we arrived at the entrance, I went straight to the wide-opened door without delay. I wasn't worried that Lukas would get bounced back because he's a member of the palace regime, he's supposed to go freely unprecedentedly. But who would know that I would immediately be proven wrong?

nI didn't see him get denied entrance but I heard it. Do you know the sound of something hitting the wall? That's what it sounded like.

nCuriosity got the better of me so I turned around, wondering why the hell it sounded so loud, and saw Lukas standing outside, frowning darkly.

n

"Hah?

" His sneer was terrifying. And as if it's not enough, his right hand flared with dark flames, burning so sinisterly.

n

"What are you doing?

" I immediately asked him, dumbfounded by his sudden aggression.

nWithout looking at me, he raised his fist and readied to punch the empty space in front of him.

n

"Destroying the barrier.

"

nMy eyes widened in horror.

n

"Why?

"

nWhy would he do that?

n

"It's obstructing my way.

"

nHis answer seeped into my brain and then it clicked on me.

nHe can't get in?

n

"Wait! Don't do anything!

" I gasped out loud.

nLukas' raised his left brow and did not move as I said. Though his fist is still blazing with that gloomy fire.

n

"I'll ask Z, wait here.

"

nI'm already inside anyway and the counter is just a few steps away. I can definitely run that short distance!

n

"I can just destroy it. That's easier,

" said Lukas.

n

"You can't,

" was my immediate response.

nWhy is his first thought to destroy anything when it's not going his way?

nLukas sneered, his expression cynical.

n

"Who says?

"

n

"Janus will get mad.

"

nIf I don't stop Lukas from doing whatever he likes, Janus will probably come to me as an enabler.

nWhat if he gets angry because the barrier got destroyed by this deranged psychopath? And then he'll get mad at me for not stopping this said deranged psychopath?

nI don't think I want to entertain that idea. After all, I still have not forgotten how the novel Nadia died in his very hand.

nSo I'd rather have Lukas behave right now…

n

"So?

" Lukas replied.

nHe wasn't moved by my threat, as expected.

nI let out a sigh, as deep as the ocean trenches, and pleaded to him with my eyes.

n

"Just don't, alright? … You're a general, you should have a pass!

"

nThat's right, where is your pass! My brother has one, surely you have the same! He told me so!

n

"I don't.

" His flippant reply just made it worse.

n

"Did you not bring it with you?

"

nThe blank gaze he gave me gave it away.

n

"Wait here, I'll call Z. Don't do anything!

" I reminded him for the nth time.

nI ran inside not caring if I'll look tactless. I'm more concerned about Lukas blowing up the barrier than being poised right now.

nI don't trust Lukas' unpredictability.

n

"Z!

" I called out as soon as I spotted him behind the counter.

nZ turned his head in my direction and smiled.

n

"Oh, you're back.

"

nCatching my breath quickly, I steadied my feet and pointed at the doorway.

n

"I have someone with me but he can't come in.

"

nZ nodded in understanding and I was about to blow a relieved breath, but he said:

n

"Then he is not allowed if he doesn't have permission or a pass.

"

n

"He's a member of the palace regime. A general.

" I emphasized.

nI don't know but I can imagine Z raising his eyebrows at me right now.

n

"And he doesn't have a pass?

"

n

"He forgot to bring it.

" Probably.

nZ stared blankly, I assumed so, because he just stood there for a second.

n

"Are you lying?

"

n

"Can you just come with me? He has a badge that he can show you. I'm really worried he would do something if I took too long,

" I then changed tactics.

"He's going to destroy the barrier!

"

nThat's probably an equivalent to 'Janus will kill you!' to him so he finally agreed.

n

"Alright, then.

"

nWhen I returned with Z, I was surprised to see him standing there so peacefully. He still has his flames actively flickering behind his shoulders but at least he's not attacking the barrier like I'm worried about. I was expecting that he would get bored and start burning everything or something.

nLukas suddenly zeroed his eyes on the person with me the moment we burst out of the entrance.

n

"Woah…

" Z then blurted,

"That person's absurd! Is he a demon too? No, that's clearly a human...

"

nI ignored him and gestured at Lukas.

n

"Show him your badge!

"

n