NOVEL NEXT Chapter 59: Lumina arrangement
Beorn's tone was hurried yet steady as he stepped into the room. "The Astro Leader asked me to bring you over," he said, his words laced with curiosity and a tinge of unease. Nyxander's brows furrowed, trying to recall any reason for such a sudden summons. His gaze lingered on Beorn, searching for an explanation, but Beorn, noticing the silent interrogation, heaved a heavy sigh.
"If you're expecting answers from me, I don't have them," Beorn admitted, raising his hands slightly, palms open in a gesture of helplessness. "I went to her as planned to request a leave, but instead, she told me to fetch you. That's all I know."
A flicker of mischief crossed Nyxander's face as he tried to lighten the mood. "Although… if this means I get to see her again, I won't complain. Maybe this is my chance to… you know, 'rap' with her."
Nyxander chuckled softly, shaking his head as he strode toward the washroom to freshen up. Splashing cold water on his face, he felt a refreshing jolt that cleared the haze of sleep from his mind. He quickly donned his blue uniform shirt, the fabric crisp against his skin, and joined Beorn at the door. Together, they stepped into the bustling morning streets.
The roads came alive as the day matured, the once-quiet walkways now teeming with the vibrant chaos of life. Passersby jostled and meandered, their faces animated with the energy of a city waking. Beorn led the way, his pace steady, taking Nyxander through a maze of familiar streets that soon gave way to less-traveled paths.
Eventually, they stopped before a Soon, a peculiar building came into view. It was not grand, nor was it ornate, but there was something about it, a subtle gravitas, a quiet authority, that made it stand out. Both paused, their eyes scanning the structure, a shared silence stretching between them. Breaking the silence, Beorn gestured ahead.
"This way," he said, striding forward.
"Oh, yeah," Nyxander replied, shaking off his thoughts as he followed.
Inside, the air was cool and still, yet charged with a latent energy. Nyxander's eyes darted between the rooms lining the corridor, each equipped for sparring but eerily empty. The faint scent of wood polish and leather lingered in the air.
"What is this place?" Nyxander asked, his voice tinged with intrigue as he glanced into the rooms on either side.
"These are training rooms," Beorn explained, his focus unwavering. "They're meant to help us enhance our combat skills."
Nyxander nodded, his gaze lingering on the empty spaces as they walked deeper into the building. At the end of the hallway, they turned left, following a narrow passage that led to a single door.
As the door opened, Nyxander's breath hitched. Before them lay a massive training arena, its floor marked with faint scorch lines and scratches, a testament to countless battles fought there. At its center stood Lumina, her posture poised as she released arrow after arrow from a gleaming white crystal bow. The arrows struck ten wooden targets arranged in a precise column, each shot echoing with an almost melodic hum.
Nyxander and Beorn stepped inside, the door clicking shut behind them as they approached. Nyxander's gaze fell on the bow in her hands, a masterpiece adorned with blue dragon gems at its edges. Energy surged from it, vibrant and alive, and faint accents danced along its surface, whispering secrets in an ancient language. The sight stirred a memory, one he couldn't ignore, his fight with Seraphina.
"Hi, Blue Rose," Nyxander called, waving casually as they closed the distance.
Lumina glanced up, her expression a mixture of delight and frustration. The faintest trace of disappointment lingered in her features, betraying her dissatisfaction with her own training. The bow dissolved in her hands, its essence retreating into the ether.
"You're here," she said, her voice warm but laced with weariness.
"Astro Leader, you're still training?" Beorn asked, his tone filled with concern. "You'll seriously injure your arm if you keep this up."
Lumina shook her head, dismissing his worries with a faint smile. "You don't need to concern yourself with my health," she replied, her tone firm yet kind. "Focus on recovering from your own injuries. You need to heal before you can resume your duties."
Beorn hesitated, but her gesture left no room for argument. "Yes, ma'am," he said with a slight bow before turning to leave. As the door closed behind him, Lumina and Nyxander stood in the quiet tension of the moment.
"There's something bothering me," Nyxander said at last, his voice thoughtful, his words drawing Lumina's full attention.
"And what might that be?" she asked, folding her arms as her piercing gaze searched his face.
Nyxander hesitated, his thoughts racing. "If I mention the term "divine weapon," she might demand to know how I learned it. Beorn clearly doesn't want this revealed. He wrestled with his thoughts, the silence between them stretching until Lumina's voice broke through.
"What's making you think so deeply?" she pressed, folding her arms, her expression sharpening with suspicion.
Nyxander smiled, masking his internal turmoil. "It's nothing serious," he said lightly. "I was attacked the other day by a lady with golden hair."
"Yes, I heard the report," Lumina interjected, but Nyxander cut her off, his tone more serious now.
"It's not the attack itself that's troubling me. It the weapon she wielded… her golden gauntlets. The energy radiating from them, the accent text flowing along their surface, it similar to your bow. They're not weaker than each other, are they?"
The words struck Lumina like a thunderclap. Her eyes widened, trembling slightly as the shock registered. "You can also … see that?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"Yeah," Nyxander replied, his tone measured. "What are those weapons?"
Lumina shook her head, her expression grave. "It's better if you don't ask, or know," she said firmly. "This knowledge is restricted to those at the Sixth Heaven and above. Only the higher authorities within the Fifth Heaven are privy to these secrets, and no one from heaven below is even aware of their existence. Whatever you do, never reveal that you can see their energy. If you do, I may not be able to save you."
Nyxander fell into silent contemplation, his mind racing. If this knowledge is reserved for those at the Sixth Heaven and beyond, then how does Beorn know about it? It's obvious he understands far more than he should.
Lumina turned away, her fingers brushing against the surface of a wooden target as if seeking some form of grounding. She exhaled softly and glanced back over her shoulder. "Let's set that aside for now," she said. "We need to discuss why I summoned you here."
Before she could continue, the door creaked open. A shadowed figure stepped into the room. As the light caught the intruder's features. It was Seraphina. her golden hair cascading down her back like liquid fire, each strand shimmering under the soft glow. Nyxander's heart skipped a beat.
As Seraphina approached, her piercing gaze locked onto Nyxander, a storm of emotions swirling within her eyes. Her jaw tightened, and her voice came sharp, laced with accusation. "You," she said, her teeth clenched. "Per…vert."
Energy surged from her body, crackling in the air like an approaching tempest.
"That wasn't intentional!" Nyxander blurted out, his tone defensive yet earnest. "You appeared out of nowhere, your figure hidden beneath your clothes, and attacked me. How is that entirely my fault?"
Seraphina's eyes narrowed, her fury unabated. "You're deceptive," she spat. Her voice rose in intensity, a sharp contrast to the trembling Nyxander. "You'd better leave, big sis..."
She was mid-sentence when Lumina, with a swift motion of the ulnar side of her right hand, delivered a light yet firm strike to the back of Seraphina's head. The impact wasn't harsh, but it carried enough weight to silence her.
"I told you not to listen to Centric's words back at the meeting," Lumina said, her voice a measured blend of authority and sisterly scolding. "Bringing him back here was entirely my decision."
Seraphina's head drooped, her fiery demeanor crumbling. Her eyes welled up with tears, the spark of rage giving way to childish vulnerability. "Big sis doesn't love me anymore," she wailed, collapsing onto the floor and rolling dramatically, her sobs echoing in the room.
Lumina sighed, crouching beside her and pulling her into a warm embrace. "Big sis still loves you," she said softly, her voice carrying a tenderness that could melt stone.
Nyxander stood frozen, watching the unfolding drama between the unrelated sisters. He shifted uncomfortably, unsure whether to intervene or stay silent.
Lumina eventually released Seraphina, gently pushing her away. Rising to her feet, she addressed her sister with calm authority. "I brought you here to spar with him," she said, gesturing toward Nyxander. "It's to help strengthen his foundation."
Seraphina's gaze darted toward Nyxander, her eyes brimming with a dangerous mix of rage and revenge. Her expression was a silent declaration of war, her aura sparking with unspoken challenges.
Nyxander felt beads of sweat forming on his forehead, trickling down his face as the tension in the room thickened like an oppressive fog. The weight of her gaze left him rooted to the spot, the once-spacious room suddenly feeling far too small.