Chapter 64: Chapter 64 – The Echoes of Mythical beasts(1)

Morning sunlight trickled through the windows, gently nudging Luca from his sleep. He opened his eyes slowly, his body still aching faintly, though nowhere near as bad as before. His thoughts churned the moment consciousness returned.

“Two weeks… It’s already been two damn weeks?” he muttered, rubbing his temples. “Shit…”

The realization hit hard. He’d been unconscious—or at least barely aware—for a full fortnight. While the academy’s theory lectures didn’t concern him too much (he already had the foundational knowledge from his past life and game knowledge), what made his stomach churn was something else entirely.

“My daily training… I missed it for two straight weeks. Fuck.”

His hand clutched his head tightly, as if trying to wring the frustration out. The edge he had so meticulously honed, the routine that gave him strength and progress—it had slipped. And with only a week left before the start of the third arc, time was rapidly running out.

His silent brooding was cut short when the door creaked open and several figures entered. Dressed in the polished armor of imperial knights, they walked with practiced precision.

“We are from the Empire Knight Command, here on official inquiry,” one of them announced.

Luca let out a sigh. “Here we go again…”

One after another, envoys and representatives kept showing up. Earlier that day, a delegation from Valdros, the Middle Kingdom, had interrogated him. Even the Holy Kingdom’s priests had come to validate details of Lilliane’s rescue and the faction involved.

The only one who hadn’t shown up?

The Magic Tower.

But Luca wasn’t surprised.

“Well, Master came yesterday. She knows everything. Of course, she wouldn’t bother with formalities.”

By the time the sun dipped beyond the horizon, Luca was mentally exhausted. His throat felt dry from repeating the same answers again and again.

He slumped back on the bed, exhaling deeply.

“I’m going to go mad if one more delegation shows up…”

KNOCK KNOCK

The door opened softly.

Luca tilted his head lazily, expecting another uniform-clad bureaucrat. But instead, a dignified man in a butler’s uniform stepped in and bowed with immaculate grace.

“Good evening, Master Luca.”

Luca blinked in surprise. “…I’m sorry, but—?”

The man straightened and offered a respectful nod.

“Pardon my sudden visit. I am the Head Butler of Count Fairemoore’s House.”

The way he spoke was courteous, but there was no hiding the innate nobility in his posture or tone. Luca instinctively sat up straighter and responded politely.

“What can I do for you, sir?”

Still, his heart began to race. Count Fairemoore was not just any noble. He was the Fairemoore—one of the highest-ranking counts in the empire, a political and economic powerhouse.

Please don’t tell me he blames me… Luca thought grimly. Sure, I saved Lilliane, but she was kidnapped in the first place…

But the butler’s next words shattered those worries.

“Count Fairemoore has expressed his heartfelt gratitude for your heroism and bravery in saving his daughter’s life.”

He bowed—a full ninety degrees—and held the posture with solemn respect.

Luca stared, stunned.

Oh, than god, the count is a good person, but I saved his daughter, I mean not practically but still I was the one who reached her 1st, surely he won’t just thank with words right,heehhe

As Luca started listening anticipately the butler’s words.

The butler continued, his voice steady. “The Count said that he now owes you a favor. Whenever, whatever you ask of him—he shall fulfill it.”

For a moment, Luca couldn’t speak.

A personal favor from Count Fairemoore?

That wasn’t just a thank-you. It was a key. A powerful tool that could open doors across the empire—political, financial, magical, and more. There were nobles who would think twice before asking the Count for anything, yet here Luca was, being granted that privilege freely.

He stood and bowed back sharply.

“Please… thank the Count for his words. I only did what I had to.”

The butler straightened, a faint nod of approval on his face. “Then I won’t take more of your time. Please continue your rest, Sir.”

As the door clicked shut behind him, a wide grin spread across Luca’s face.

“A Count’s favor, huh? Fucking hell…”

He leaned back against the pillow, eyes gleaming.

“I’ll make sure it’s used properly.”

Another knock came, softer this time. Luca groaned, pulling himself upright.

Who now? I thought all the delegates were done…and there shouldn’t be anyone else who wants to thank me.

The door opened — and in walked Elowen.

With her signature braid over one shoulder and her bow slung gracefully over her back, she greeted him with a teasing smile.

“How are you, my cute junior?” she asked in a melodious voice.

Luca relaxed immediately. “Oh, it’s Senior Elowen. I’m doing better than yesterday.”

“Hehe~ You sure have a knack for diving into messy situations.”

He gave her a mock pout. “Now you’re teasing me too? What are you even doing here?”

“Hmm? Can’t I just come visit my adorable junior?” she replied, resting her chin in her palm playfully.

Luca chuckled. “Fair enough. That’s a good reason.”

Her tone grew a little softer. “But seriously, how are you doing?and what happened, tell me?”

Luca squinted suspiciously. “Are you asking out of concern… or as a representative of the Elven Forest?”

“Ehh~” Elowen laughed awkwardly. “A bit of both. But I did come to check on you as a friend. The representative thing is just part-time.”

That made him smile. He told her the whole story — what he remembered, what he’d fought through, and what was still bothering him. Elowen listened patiently, nodding along.

“Hmm, so that’s what happened.” she muttered as she stood to leave.

Then she clapped her hands together cheerfully.

“Oh! You know we got our rewards for the dungeon incident, right?”

Luca perked up. “Yeah? What is it?”

Elowen grinned. “I’m not telling you. It’s a surprise~” she sang as she slipped out of the room.

Luca smirked to himself, leaning back in his chair.

I already know what it is, there should just be a change in the number of people this time. The access to the Inner Sanctum of Beastridge Mountain —where beasts with powerful bloodlines roam. A chance to contract a powerful beast, but there is a high risk of not getting contracted as well, In the game, only the hero party entered as they were the one who originally exposed Emeron in a week of course without blood crystal and all, so they only got the chance to enter, and of course as the main characters they each contracted a powerful beast, but this time His heart raced.

This time, everything’s changed. I’m going in too.

I’ve avoided the original Luca’s death flag, by getting access to the inner sanctum.

But then again…

Anything could happen. I can’t get cocky. Still… I can’t help it. I’m excited. What kind of beast will I make a contract with this time?

Days passed in a blur of rest, recovery, and an endless stream of visitors.

My recovery program had begun, and with each passing day, I could feel my body regaining its strength—no, evolving beyond it. Eric’s jokes, Kyle’s blunt pep talks, Aiden’s quiet support, Lilliane’s usual watchful gaze, and even Selena’s silent visits—every one of them made those otherwise dull days feel alive. Vincent, too, dropped by once, leaving behind an awkward silence and a strangely reassuring presence.

As my body healed, I noticed something strange. It wasn’t just recovering—it was improving. Stronger. Sharper. My mana pathways felt clearer, more defined, like steel wires instead of brittle threads. A blessing in disguise, I suppose.

The destruction and subsequent reconstruction of my veins must’ve tempered them, reforging my body like a blade through fire. But that doesn’t mean I’d recommend it. Master had warned me herself—I could’ve easily died. Still, the results were undeniable.

And just like that… the days slipped by.
₎

Tomorrow morning, we will leave for the Beastridge Mountain.

A new arc begins. The Inner Sanctum awaits.

And with it—the chance to form a beast contract.

My heart beat faster at the thought. This time, there’s no certain death flag, no scripted demise for Luca Von Valentine.

But the path ahead is still uncertain.

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