Akashic Records of the Bastard Child Engaged to a Goddess

Lumiere & Lucretia Arc

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(POV: Lumiere)

I opened my eyes.

From the pale glow in the room, it looked like it was already nighttime.

Or maybe not...

Being in this room for so long really changed my entire understanding of how everything should and shouldn't work. If it wasn't a normal uncontrolled action of the body, it's likely I'd have forgotten how to breathe.

I don't like crying, but I've been doing that all the time...

Maybe some would think I'm soft for that, but no, it just hurts. And I'm not above emotions.

No one is...

I slowly rose from the ground, feeling the softness of Ravenna's gown wrapped around my body.

I took some time to look at it, and for some reason, I hugged it again.

Seeing the dress made me mad, but at the same time it made me happy, it reminded me that she was resting inside me.

"Yeah, I should check the updates..."

I placed my hand on my chest, remembering that I gained some new things from absorbing Ravenna's soul remnants into me.

『 Updates:

? Physical Strength: 9,300/9,300 (+3,000) ---> 12,300/12,300

? MP: 81,500/81,500 (+45,600) ---> 127,100/127,100

? Newly acquired skills:

- Additional Skills: 「World Acuity」 (A+), 「Physical Pain Nullification」 (E), 「Infirmity Nullification」 (D+)

All sensory skills have been merged and compounded into the Additional Skill "「World Acuity」", hence, the increase from Rank F to Rank A+. With said skill, you have gained the ability of true universal awareness, provided you want to, your sense can tap into and across the "feel" of the realms across.

? Cursed Summons:

- Cursed Divine Four-Armed General, Relika.

- Black Dragon Moth, Farvosth.

? Cursed Skills:

"Black Death Curse" : A semi-automatic skill that can instantly kill anyone within a given range provided that your "spiritual degree" is effectively higher than theirs. 』

"I guess these skills would've been more if it was all of her soul I consumed.."

The same thing happened with Gallus.

When I absorbed his soul, I gained all his experience.

The same thing happened with Ravenna, but the gains were reduced due to the fact that I only absorbed the snippets of her soul.

Glancing to my right, I sighed as I saw the door still hanging off its hinges.

It seemed that my argument this morning with Lucilia was just that bad.

It was a tad surprising that Lucilia could even cause that much damage.

Brushing off the dirt from my clothes, I walked over to the window, peering outside. Despite the late hour, there were still students milling about, the campus illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns.

All of a sudden I remembered what Lumila said.

Today would mark the end of the Snowworks Festival. There was no point going to it now, I was too down for that, and there was also the fact that I initially wanted to take Ravenna with me.

A lot was going on for me now, especially with my thoughts of leaving the university.

There was a protocol that required us to give a one-month notice before departing. It was a formality aimed at ensuring the school had ample time to secure a replacement.

"I suppose I can't just disappear without a trace," I murmured to myself.

Normally, I would, but I already knew Abaddon "intimately". If I did leave with no warning, she'd probably come to the Silva Citadel and confront me. She wasn't the kind of person to get unnecessarily angry, so she'd likely just tell me how disappointed she was that I'd do such a thing.

But the thing is, I'm already disappointed in myself...

How I treated Ravenna...

Sure, I was nice at some point, but for someone who had only a day to live, I could've done better.

"M... Master Lumiere...?"

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out my name, snapping me out of my reverie. I turned to my left and there, hovering before me, was Sylph, the petite wind spirit who had become my constant companion.

"What's wrong, Sylph?" I asked, concerned by her sudden appearance.

She fluttered her wings anxiously. "I... I... I was worried about you..."

A cough escaped my lips, and I gently placed a hand on Sylph's head, assuring her, "Don't worry, I'm feeling much better now than before."

I truly was.

A genuine smile spread across Sylph's delicate features as she exclaimed, "Okay, that's great!"

I patted her head affectionately, grateful for her endless support.

Turning my attention back to the window, I watched as the students continued to move back and forth, their laughter and chatter echoing softly in the night.

"Alright, time to fix the door."

I decided to address the broken door.

Walking towards it, I realized I couldn't simply leave it in disarray.

The bald professor could start shouting about it again.

Quelling the door's weight easily, I gently placed it back on its hinges.

Using [Plant Magic], I conjured small branches that intertwined and strengthened the hinges, ensuring their durability.

"There we go," I said, smiling.

As I stood before the restored door, satisfied with its sturdiness, I prepared to close it and head back to bed. That was the only "comfortable" thing for me.

However, just as I was about to pull it shut, a slender hand gently held the door and a soft voice pleaded, "Please, wait."

"Hm?"

Intrigued, I turned to face the unexpected interruption, realizing that I hadn't checked their identity earlier.

In a curt manner, I replied, "I'm not in the mood for conversation, so please go."

It was likely Anastasia or maybe Lucilia again.

The female voice persisted, her tone filled with desperation as she implored, "Please, just listen to me."

I didn't want to open the door, nor was I interested in whatever they had to say, but something made me reconsider. It was after I turned to head back to bed, I saw the way Sylph looked at me, hoping I'd answer the person.

I sighed heavily and looked back at the door.

I grudgingly opened the door, allowing them to enter.

To my surprise, there stood Simone, the personal attendant of Lucretia, with a knight in blue armor standing behind her. The knight's blonde hair framed his piercing blue eyes, he had physical build similar to Garret, but with good looks.

It was strange to see Simone without Lucretia.

But what was even stranger was that this time Simone didn't have her usual composure.

Simone's hands trembled in a nervous fashion, her entire body seemingly weighed down by an indescribable fear. "P... Please," she stuttered, her fragile voice on the verge of shattering like glass, "I need your help."

Startled by the urgency in her tone, I couldn't help but ask, "What's the problem?"

The knight stepped forward, his expression grave and filled with sorrow. With a heavy sigh, he uttered the words I never expected to hear.

"Lucretia... she's dead..."

The room fell silent.

"W... What...?"ｂｅ𝚍ｎｏ𝚟𝚎ｌ.𝚌𝚘ｍ