"Actually, before I go," Damion said, pausing at the door. "What are your plans for the next two weeks? Until class placements are announced?"

Lucas leaned back against his bed frame. "Why do you ask?"

"Zacard and I are planning to do some hardcore training," Damion explained. "We've both been holding back during the exam. Our Soul Weapons, we haven't been able to use them properly with so many outsiders around who'd freak out if they knew we could manifest them."

Lucas nodded. Soul Weapons were rare, incredibly powerful, and typically only accessible to those with exceptional talent or unique circumstances.

"We're going to find a secluded spot outside the city," Damion continued.

"Somewhere we can really cut loose without worrying about witnesses or accidentally leveling a building. Push ourselves to our limits, maybe break through to the next rank if we're lucky." He grinned. "Hellish training, basically. You're welcome to join us if you want."

It was tempting. Training with two Soul Weapon users would be invaluable experience.

Lucas could learn techniques, observe their fighting styles, maybe even gain insight into how to use his own Soul Weapon that he had got from the system, if that was possible.

But he had other priorities.

"That sounds fun," Lucas said. "And I appreciate the offer. But unfortunately, I have other plans for the two weeks."

Damion's face had a look like he understood something. "Are you going to look for Marie?"

"How did you..." Lucas said, shocked.

"Lydia mentioned you seemed worried about her earlier," Damion said. " If you need to check on her, that's important too." He shrugged. "Friends look out for each other. Can't fault you for that."

"Thanks for understanding."

"No problem. Just..." Damion's expression grew serious again. "Be careful out there. The roads aren't as safe as they used to be. And if Marie's family situation is related to that marriage negotiation I heard the king is having with the nobles in Jazhad..."

"I'll be careful," Lucas assured him.

"Good." Damion opened the door. "We'll catch up when we get back. Maybe compare notes on how much stronger we've gotten."

"It's a deal."

Damion left, and Lucas heard his footsteps receding down the hallway. He was about to return to Henrik's journal when the door opened again.

Lydia stepped inside. Her timing was so perfect it was almost suspicious.

"Did you wait for Damion to leave?" Lucas asked.

"Maybe," she admitted with a small smile, closing the door behind her. "I saw him heading this way and figured you two might need to talk alone." She walked over and sat on the edge of his bed. "So, what are you really planning for the break?"

"I need to visit Marie's family estate," Lucas said. "Make sure she's okay. The timing of her leaving and the situation with Leyla about the marriage arrangement..." He shook his head. "Something doesn't feel right."

Lydia nodded slowly. "I had the same thought, but I didn't want to worry you if it was nothing. Marie's strong though. She can handle herself."

"I know. But I'd still like to check on her." Lucas said.

"When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning, probably. Get an early start, maybe rent a horse from the city stables."

"That's actually perfect timing," Lydia said, her expression brightening. "Because I wanted to ask you something first."

"What's that?"

"The school is putting on a fireworks show tonight," she explained. "To celebrate the end of midterms. They're setting them off from the North Tower at sunset." She looked at him expectantly. "Would you want to come watch it with me?"

Fireworks show? For midterms?

These students were treating this like some grand finale when it was literally just the halfway point of the semester.

He could understand celebrating survival after how grueling the forest exam was but a whole fireworks display seemed excessive.

Then again, this was an academy for nobility and wealthy merchants' children. Of course they'd go overboard.

"You don't seem thrilled about the idea," Lydia said.

"It's not that," Lucas said quickly. "It's just... doesn't a fireworks show seem a bit much for midterms? This isn't even finals."

Lydia laughed. "You're thinking like a commoner, Lucas. For most of these students, this is their first real test of survival skills. Their first time facing actual monsters without their family's guards protecting them. To them, this *is* a huge accomplishment."

"I suppose that's fair," Lucas said. "We did almost die several times."

"Exactly." She leaned closer. "Besides, when's the last time you just... relaxed? Had fun without worrying about exams or whatever else is going on in that always worried head of yours?"

Lucas opened his mouth to respond, then realized he didn't have a good answer.

Since arriving in this world, he'd been in constant survival mode. Training, studying, investigating, fighting. When had he last done something just because it was enjoyable?

"That's what I thought," Lydia said, "One fireworks show. Maybe an hour of your time. Then you can go back to aura farming or whatever else you want to do."

"I'm not aura farming." Lucas said.

"Lucas, you literally just had a serious conversation with Damion about your 'special instincts' while sitting in a dark room. You were absolutely aura farming."

Fair point.

"Fine," Lucas said. "One fireworks show. But if it's boring, I'm leaving early."

Lydia's face lit up. "It won't be boring, I promise. The academy spares no expense for these things." She stood up. "Meet me at the North Tower courtyard at sunset. Don't be late!"

She left before Lucas could change his mind, and he found himself alone again with his thoughts.

[System detects Host agreed to recreational activity with potential romantic interest.]

"It's just fireworks," Lucas said.

[System notes that 'just fireworks' is historically a common precursor to romantic development in approximately 73% of documented cases.]

"Are you seriously giving me statistics on romance right now?"

[System merely wishes to ensure Host is aware of the situation's implications. As a Novice Villain, Host should be manipulating others' emotions and commiting heinous acts, not going on dates.]

Where were you with all this BS when I went on a date with Celeste?

[The situation with Celeste was different. System knew that Host has to do it to survive. But to become a top villain Host must refrain from such actions unless necessary.]

"I'll deal with that later."

[System suggests Host deal with it now. Current Villain Level: Novice Villain, Rank F. Host has committed multiple villainous acts including: intimidation, robbery, assault of fellow students, manipulation of dangerous creatures, conspiracy against authority figures, and possession of restricted alchemical knowledge.]

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