The school cafeteria had become a makeshift fortress. Dozens of students huddled together, some crying, others staring blankly at the [Level 1] blinking in their vision.
Lucas watched Leon from across the room. His mind was a storm of conflicting memories. In the timeline that was erased, Leon hadn't been an "Emperor" from day one. He had been a shield—the selfless protector who stood at the front lines until his strength drew the eyes of the Vampire Queen, Carmilla.
Lucas shivered, remembering the five years Leon spent as her "Puppet Consort." He remembered the hollow look in Leon's eyes back then, and the two children—half-human, half-vampire—who had clung to Leon's legs, calling the mindless warrior "Father."
Lucas vowed. I won't let you be a puppet for five years.
Listen up!" one of the senior students shouted. "The System says we unlock our 'Classes' at Level 5. We need to share our stats so we can form balanced parties."
One by one, students called out their numbers.
"Strength 12, Agility 10..."
"Strength 8, Intelligence 15..."
When it was the trio's turn, Lucas held his breath. He had manipulated his own screen to show mediocre stats, but Leon just stood there, his golden eyes hooded.
"Strength 15, Agility 15," Leon lied smoothly, his voice devoid of emotion.
Even his "lie" was higher than most, but it was nothing compared to his true Strength of 85. Beside him, Elena's violet eyes flickered. She knew he was lying—she had seen him decapitate three Goblins with a piece of wood—but she stayed silent.
"I'm at 14 Strength," Elena added quickly, stepping closer to Leon.
The Gods, bored by the "low-tier" numbers in this sector, shifted their celestial gaze back to the S-Ranked heroes in the cities.
The group began to organize for the next wave, Lucas pulled Elena aside into a quiet corner near the kitchen.
"Elena," Lucas whispered, his voice urgent. "You need to tell him."
Elena's brow furrowed. "Tell who what? Lucas, we have monsters in the hallways—"
"Tell Leon you love him. Now. Right now."
Elena's face turned as violet as her hair. She recoiled as if stung. "Are you insane? We're in the middle of an apocalypse! I'm second place, he's first. I have to prove I'm his equal before I—"
"There might not be a 'later'!" Lucas grabbed her shoulders, his blue eyes burning with the trauma of seeing her die in Leon's arms in the original timeline. He remembered her blood on Leon's white hair, her final confession whispered as her soul faded. "Last time... I mean, if something happens, if a powerful entity takes him... you'll lose your chance."
Elena shook him off, her expression hardening. "No. Not this time, Lucas. We need to survive first. Leon doesn't need a girl confessing to him; he needs a comrade who can watch his back. I won't be a distraction."
She walked away, her hand gripping her sword hilt so hard her knuckles bled. Lucas watched her go, a sinking feeling in his gut. The Vampire Queen's trial starts when the school gate falls. If she sees him like this—as a Ruler—she won't just want a puppet. She'll want a King.
"They're back!" a student screamed.
The cafeteria doors groaned. Something much larger than a Goblin was thudding against the metal.
"Lucas, Elena. Front and center," Leon commanded. He didn't ask; he ruled.
The trio stood before the doors. Leon still held the wooden sword, but he had wrapped the blade in strips of cloth soaked in monster gall.
"Don't let them surround you," Leon said, glancing at Lucas. He noticed the boy's strange behavior, the way he looked at him with grief and guilt. Lucas knows something, Leon thought, his golden eyes narrowing. He looks at me like a man who has already seen me die.
The doors burst open. A Hobgoblin, seven feet tall and wielding a rusted iron mace, roared into the room.
As Leon engaged the beast, Lucas charged in beside him, swinging a scavenged blade. He noticed that even while fighting, Leon's aura was leaking—a faint, golden shimmer that made the Hobgoblin hesitate in pure, instinctual terror.
It was the aura of a Ruler. And somewhere, far beyond the school walls, a pair of crimson eyes in a darkened castle snapped open, sensing a scent far more intoxicating than mere blood.