"Leor… you okay?" James was the first to speak, his tone calm but laced with concern.
Leor didn't answer right away. Instead, his gaze swept over them with unnatural seriousness.
"Do you three trust me?"
His voice was steady, but the weight behind it made Clara and Johan unconsciously lean forward.
"Where's that coming from?" James asked again, this time more impatient.
"Answer me."
James fell silent, eyes narrowing as he considered something.
"Yes, of course, Leor!" Clara broke the tense silence, unable to bear it. Johan simply nodded in agreement behind her.
James, seeing the dangerous smile Clara wasn't directing at him, quickly followed suit with a nod.
Leor's expression softened slightly, his gaze deepening. "Good."
Then, his voice dropped a notch. "I haven't told you two about this yet, but there was a terrorist attack today…"
Johan's mouth twitched. Is he about to talk about me?
Fortunately for him, Leor only gave a brief summary of the gas leak and the lit cigarette.
Clara and James stiffened. Clara trembled slightly, while James remained outwardly calm.
"So what's the plan?" James took a deep breath, cutting straight to the point. I'll question him later about why he was so scared of me. Now's not the time. Something big is definitely going on.
Clara, on the other hand, was already panicking. "What are you saying, James?! Are you serious? There is no plan—we report to the church immediately!"
Johan, having already chosen to trust Leor, had no intention of interfering. He simply stood quietly, waiting to hear the plan.
Leor's next words left no room for argument.
"No, Clara! We don't have much time, and we can't leave the house. If you don't listen to me, we will all DIE."
He placed heavy emphasis on that final word, sending a cold shiver down their spines.
I can't explain everything to them!
James frowned. "We can't leave the house?"
Leor met his gaze. "First—James, there's no need to hide it. I know you're a Numina of Goddess Aethira's church."
James' pupils constricted.
"Again, don't ask how I know. You'll stay here in the living room. Engage if there's an intruder." He paused. "Send your messenger to the church—and give me your revolver."
Leor extended his hand, not giving James time to hesitate.
James' thoughts raced. He knows everything. From my messenger to my affiliation with the church…
An inexplicable fear gripped his heart. It felt like he was completely exposed before Leor—like he had no secrets at all.
But thankfully, he's my brother.
Clara and Johan were momentarily stunned by the unfamiliar terms Leor had just thrown out. Johan, in particular, felt a flicker of hidden excitement. But neither dared to ask questions—Leor was clearly in a hurry.
James took a deep breath and reached into the hidden pocket of his long coat, fingers searching. Moments later, he pulled out a polished green gemstone, large enough to fit in his palm.
Gripping it tightly, he suddenly clenched his fist.
The gemstone pulsed with a brilliant green light, partially blinding.
Both Leor and Clara could feel it immediately—a faint sensation, as if their bodies had been submerged in a flowing river, gentle currents brushing against their skin. Aether.
Leor's expression remained unreadable, but Clara's eyes were as wide as they could possibly go, her body trembling. She darted a glance at him—calm as still water—then turned toward Johan.
Johan stood motionless, eyes fixed on James. But unlike them, he didn't seem to feel anything at all.
The green light finally faded.
A revolver materialized in James' hands. Midnight black, its barrel and frame were adorned with delicate silver lines that shimmered between green and silver, an otherworldly beauty to its design.
James passed it to Leor, who took it without hesitation, gripping it firmly.
Leor nodded. Then his gaze shifted to Clara and Johan.
"You two—first, close and lock every window and door in the house. Then get wet towels and seal them. Only leave my room open."
They exchanged glances but nodded.
Leor wasn't finished. "Then turn the gas lamp on. Let it fill the whole house."
"Leor, are you fucking crazy?!" James snapped. He immediately understood the implications, his frown deepening.
Clara and Johan's eyes widened in horror. Now they understood what Leor was planning.
Leor's voice remained calm. "Don't worry. It's just a backup. Tell me, James—what's more valuable? This house or our lives?"
James hesitated.
Leor pressed him further. "It will only come to that if we lose in the living room."
James exhaled sharply, then nodded. It's not like I haven't faced death before. And it's just a house. As long as I win, nothing will go wrong.
His gaze firmed. "Clara, trust me. I will win."
Clara stared at him, eyes misting but refusing to let a single tear fall. She finally understood.
How did I even get into Lavenham Academy?
James had made it happen. He had changed, endured things she couldn't even imagine. Yet he still acted like his usual self, as if nothing had ever happened. But he wasn't the same.
Johan and Clara quickly got to work—Johan heading upstairs to fill buckets of water, while Clara searched for towels and rags.
Now, only James and Leor remained in the living room.
James idly fidgeted with the gemstone, but Leor's gaze was fixed on a specific spot.
Then, he spoke. "Vane. I know you're there. I need your help."
James stiffened, eyes widening. He instinctively turned toward the main door—but saw nothing. Just a plain, sturdy wooden door and a shoe rack.
Silence.
Then, a deep, emotionless voice resonated in the room.
"I wonder how many surprises I'll receive in one day."
The space distorted.
Air twisted violently, like invisible waves crashing over them. The familiar sensation of a river's current returned, but this time, it was no gentle flow—it was a rapid, surging force.
Through the shifting air, a figure emerged.
Vane sat against the door, his posture relaxed yet deliberate. His right leg stretched out, while his left was bent at the knee, close to his chest. His head hung slightly forward, gaze distant. One hand rested lazily on his knee, fingers brushing over the dark fabric of his pants. In his other hand, he held a mirror. At first glance, it looked like a cheap vendor's item. But upon a closer look—
It reflected nothing.
Dressed in a black waistcoat streaked with subtle gray over a crisp white linen shirt, he exuded an effortless elegance.
Vane lifted his gaze, meeting Leor's eyes. Then, with a soft, calm smile, he spoke.
"I'm in."