Chapter 9 — Where Paths Intersect - (II)
POV: Claire & Olivia (Market)
The deeper Claire and Olivia moved into the market, the louder it became.
Vendors called out deals at the top of their lungs. The smell of roasted meat mixed with sweet pastries and incense. Students laughed openly now, freed from the stiffness of the ceremony, while visiting nobles strolled through the streets with practiced grace.
Claire slowed near a stall selling charm trinkets, her eyes lighting up.
"Look at this one," she said, holding up a small crystal pendant. "It's supposed to keep bugs away."
Olivia examined it for a second.
"That's just scented mana glass," she said flatly. "You'll smell like flowers. The bugs won't care."
Claire stared at it again.
"…Still cute."
---
Before Olivia could respond, the noise around them shifted.
Not louder.
Sharper.
Conversations nearby lowered in volume. Footsteps slowed. A small pocket of space formed in the crowd without anyone consciously stepping aside.
Olivia felt it first.
"…Claire," she said quietly.
Claire followed her gaze.
Three figures were approaching.
At the center walked a young man dressed in fine attire—elegant, expensive, and unmistakably royal. His blond hair was styled perfectly, his posture relaxed in a way that suggested the world had never told him no.
Lucas Aureth Valenor.The Second Prince.
On either side of him walked two young men, both wearing Academy uniforms tailored a little too well.
One was tall and broad-shouldered, his expression openly smug—Roland Viremont, son of Duke Viremont.
The other had sharp features and calculating eyes, a pleasant smile that never reached them—Edric Montclair, son of Duke Montclair.
Claire felt her mood sour instantly.
"…Of course," she muttered.
Lucas spotted them.
His lips curved into a practiced smile as he approached.
"Lady Claire," he greeted smoothly. "What a coincidence."
Olivia stiffened.
Claire met his gaze calmly.
"Your Highness," she replied, voice polite but cool.
Lucas clasped his hands behind his back.
"I was hoping I might see you today," he said. "The Academy feels livelier already."
Edric chuckled softly. "Truly. It's rare to see such… energy among first-year students."
Roland laughed louder. "Especially when some of them think they can skip proper introductions."
Claire's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I don't recall avoiding one," she said. "Unless you mean something informal."
Lucas raised a hand, chuckling lightly.
"Let's not start on the wrong foot," he said. "I simply wanted to ask how you were enjoying your first day."
"I was," Claire replied, "until now."
Olivia inhaled sharply.
Edric's smile tightened. "Such sharp words. We only wished to talk."
Claire crossed her arms.
"Then talk. Here. In public."
Roland scoffed. "You don't need to be so defensive."
Lucas's smile faltered—just a little.
"I believe," he said slowly, "we could have a much more pleasant conversation somewhere quieter."
Claire didn't move.
"No."
A brief silence fell between them.
Nearby students pretended not to listen—badly.
Lucas studied her, eyes flicking briefly to Olivia, then back.
"…You haven't changed," he said softly.
"And you have," Claire replied. "For the worse."
Roland bristled. "Watch your tone!"
Olivia stepped forward slightly, her voice calm but firm.
"Your Highness," she said, "we're about to meet friends at the arena. If you'll excuse us—"
Lucas's gaze sharpened for a moment.
Then he smiled again.
"Of course," he said. "Another time, then."
He stepped aside just enough to let them pass.
As Claire and Olivia walked away, Claire could feel his eyes on her back.
She didn't turn around.
Behind them, Roland scoffed. "She's still insufferable."
Edric shrugged lightly. "Still untouchable, too. For now."
Lucas watched the crowd swallow them whole.
"…She won't always be," he said quietly.
They followed at a distance.
Not close enough to be obvious. Not far enough to lose sight of them.
Claire didn't notice at first.
It was Olivia who slowed slightly, her steps faltering.
"…Claire," she murmured. "They're still behind us."
Claire's jaw tightened.
Of course they are.
She stopped walking.
Turned.
Lucas halted a few steps away, surprise flickering briefly across his face before his composure returned.
"You really don't know when to stop," Claire said.
Lucas exhaled, irritation finally slipping through his calm façade.
"I tried being polite."
Roland snorted. "You should be grateful, honestly."
Claire took a step back, instinctively placing herself half in front of Olivia.
"If you have something to say," she said coldly, "say it here. Or leave."
Lucas's gaze flicked to Olivia.
Then back to Claire.
"…Fine," he said quietly, and then he reached out.
---
POV: Hayato
The market was louder than he remembered.
Hayato moved through it easily.
Vendors shouted exaggerated deals. Adventurers compared scars and trophies. Students from the Academy wandered freely now, uniforms still crisp, expressions bright with anticipation.
He adjusted his direction slightly, already angling toward the Academy district. Cecil would be there.
Still annoying as ever, he thought dryly beneath the mask. Calling me back as if nothing happened.
He almost smiled.
Almost.
Then—
Something tugged at his awareness.
A presence.
Sharp.
Familiar.
Which he hadn't felt in years.
He stopped near a stall selling roasted skewers, pretending to browse as his senses reached outward to confirm the presence.
…Her?
A faint curve lifted beneath the mask.
You're here already.
He changed course.
Not directly. That would be obvious. Instead, he let the crowd carry him closer, weaving between bodies, slipping through gaps that seemed to open naturally as he passed.
Then he saw her.
Red hair. Straight posture that tried—and failed—to hide tension. That unmistakable stubborn tilt of the chin.
Still short-tempered, he noted.
She was arguing with someone.
Hayato's gaze shifted calmly.
Blond hair. Fine clothes. That smug posture people adopted when the world had never denied them anything.
Royal.
Ah, he thought. So it's that kind of day.
Claire turned away first.
Good. That should have been the end of it.
But the man followed.
Hayato felt the shift instantly.
The crowd reacted before his eyes did—subtle pauses, a widening pocket of space, to avoid unnecessary drama.
He moved closer now.
Two others stepped in behind her and the blonde girl beside her. Not guards. Students. Poorly hiding intent behind casual stances.
Cornering.
The man in front spoke again. Too close now.
Claire stopped.
Turned.
Hayato's pace slowed.
The man in front reached out.
His hand closed around her wrist.
For a single heartbeat, Hayato did nothing.
No flare of emotion.No rush of power.
Just clarity.
That's far enough.
The next instant—
He vanished.
---
POV: Claire & Olivia
Fingers closed around Claire's wrist.
She froze.
Lucas's grip wasn't rough.
That almost made it worse.
"Don't walk away like that," he said quietly, his smile gone."I wasn't finished."
Claire's eyes hardened."Let go."
Behind her, Olivia stepped back—
And found her path blocked.
Roland and Edric had moved without a word, their positions casual but deliberate.
"Easy," Edric said lightly. "We're just talking."
Olivia's breath hitched."This is a public street. You can't—"
Lucas tightened his grip slightly.
"I can," he replied. "I'm being generous."
Claire's free hand clenched.
"Let me go, Now" she said coldly, "or else—"
She never finished the sentence.
Because Lucas suddenly let go.
No—He was forced to.
A hand had appeared on his shoulder.
Not dramatic.Not glowing.Just… there.
Lucas didn't even have time to turn.
His feet left the ground.
The world spun.
And the next thing he knew—
He was staring up at the sky, flat on his back, the breath ripped from his lungs.
The impact echoed through the street.
Silence slammed down like a dropped curtain.
Roland and Edric froze.
Olivia blinked.
Claire stared.
Between them now stood a figure they hadn't noticed before.
A masked young man.
Calm. Unimpressed.
"You should keep your hands to yourself," he said.
His voice was flat.
Almost bored.
Roland snapped out of it first.
"Do you have any idea who that is?!" he barked, stepping forward.
The masked man glanced at him.
Roland stopped.
He didn't know why.
Edric swallowed. "…Lucas?"
The prince groaned, clutching his shoulder as he struggled upright, fury burning in his eyes.
"You—" he hissed. "You laid hand on royalty."
The masked man tilted his head slightly.
"And you touched someone who told you not to."
A beat.
Then, quieter—
"This is your last warning."
The crowd had started to notice.
Whispers spread.
---
Two city guards pushed through the edge of the crowd, hands already resting on their weapons.
"What's going on here?" one of them demanded, eyes sharp as he took in the scene.
Lucas straightened his uniform immediately, pain and fury barely contained beneath his practiced composure.
"This man assaulted me," he said coldly.
The guards stiffened.
They recognized him at once.
The Second Prince.
The older guard's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly as his gaze shifted—from Lucas, to the masked young man standing calmly nearby.
He already knew.
Anyone with eyes could see who had instigated this.
But knowing and acting were different things.
He turned toward the masked man, voice formal, restrained, and said,
"You're aware that raising a hand against a member of the royal family is a punishable offense under city law."
Olivia flinched.
Claire's breath caught.
Olivia stepped forward instinctively, words tumbling out before she could stop herself.
"H-He didn't—this isn't his fault, He was—!"
"Then," the masked man said calmly, cutting in before she could finish,"The prince should have kept his hands where they belonged."
The street went silent.
Lucas's face darkened.
That wasn't anger alone.
It was shock.
No one had ever spoken to him like that.
"Next time," the masked man continued evenly, "I won't be lenient."
Roland sucked in a sharp breath.
Edric's smile vanished completely.
The guard frowned.
"Regardless of provocation, that is not a valid justification for your actions," he said carefully.
"Show me your Identification, Young man."
The masked man nodded. He reached into his coat and took out his Adventurer Guild card.
The guard took it.
Looked down.
Then froze.
His grip tightened.
A bead of sweat rolled slowly down his temple.
Claire and Olivia exchanged confused glances.
Lucas scoffed softly, unaware. "Why is this taking so long?"
Before the guard could say anything—
The masked man took out a second item.
A sealed envelope.
White wax.
An unmistakable crest.
Cecil Ashborn's personal seal.
The guard's breath caught.
His posture changed instantly.
He handed both items back with measured care.
"…You're free to go," he said quietly.
The words landed like a thunderclap.
Olivia blinked. "W-What…?"
Claire stared.
Lucas's eyes widened. "…What?"
The guard turned away from the prince, addressing the crowd instead.
"There's been a misunderstanding," he announced firmly."Please clear the street and resume your business."
Without waiting for protest, he stepped forward, helping Lucas to his feet with practiced efficiency.
"Your Highness, we should leave before this escalates. There are many VIP guests arriving today, and we can't afford to have any incident happen right now," he said neutrally, already guiding him away.
Lucas allowed it—barely.
As he was led off, he twisted back, staring at the masked man.
Not just with anger now.
With curiosity.
"This isn't over," Lucas said quietly.
His gaze flicked to Claire.
Then back to the masked man.
Roland and Edric followed quickly, their expressions tight.
The crowd slowly began to move again, though curious glances lingered like embers.
---
Hayato exhaled softly beneath the mask.
Too much attention.
He turned to leave.
"Olivia," Claire said quietly, fingers brushing her friend's sleeve."…Are you okay?"
Olivia nodded, though her voice wavered. "Y-Yeah. I think so."
For a moment, Hayato saw something else.
A younger version of Claire—smaller, furious, and complaining about something stupid.
He shook the thought away as footsteps approached.
"…Thank you," Olivia said, bowing her head slightly. "That could've gotten worse."
Claire nodded quickly. "Yes. Really—thank you."
Hayato waved it off. "It was nothing."
He turned again.
"W-Wait!" Olivia blurted out. "If there's anything we can do to thank you—"
Claire nodded firmly. "Please."
Hayato hesitated.
Then he glanced back toward where the prince had disappeared.
He might come back if I left them alone, Hayato thought.
He sighed.
"…If it's not too much trouble," he said, "could you guide me to the Academy?"
They blinked.
"I'm new to the city," he continued. "And I have business with the Headmaster."
Olivia's eyes lit with understanding.
"Of course!" she said immediately.
Claire smiled and nodded. "We were heading there anyway."
Together, they turned toward the Academy.
Hayato followed a half-step behind.
Unaware—
That this simple decision would echo far beyond today.