Chapter 55
Superstitions have a hypnotic power over people. Most dismiss them at first as absurd nonsense, but when paired with a honeyed whisper in the ear, an air of mystery, and prophecies that ring just true enough, even the skeptics find themselves ensnared before they know it. The very idea that a simple fortune could unravel the tangled fates of countless lives is laughable on its face, yet talk of glimpsing the future or altering destiny has a way of clouding judgment every time.
"Welcome, miss. Your presence here tells me I was right on the mark."
Luna furrowed her brow slightly at the old woman's confident declaration. She never put stock in superstitions, but today, for some reason, the woman's loaded words hit a nerve, leaving her with an uneasy feeling she couldn't shake. With all those stray cats circling Mars lately, she was already on edge—and now this street fortune-teller had seen right through her. It left a bitter aftertaste.
"Heh heh. No need to glare like that. I'm just a simple fortune-teller. I only pass on what I see and hear."
"Why'd you call me over?"
"Has the attention from your beloved been waning lately? Leaving you worried?"
Luna pondered the old woman's blunt words, reflecting on Mars's recent behavior. Back when they lived together in the mansion, they were bound to cross paths constantly, but now that they were apart these past six months, it was only natural his feelings might drift too. And with all those women around him—stunning beauties one and all—if the day came when he truly recognized his emotions for what they were...
The thought trailed into needless shame and a desperate wish for him to look her way, clashing with her prickly, aloof facade. What if his interest had simply fizzled out? She swallowed hard without realizing it.
"So what? Whether that's true or not, what business is it of yours?"
"Who knows? Looks like a little bug's already burrowed into your heart. The bug called anxiety."
"You... "
"That tiny thing might seem harmless, but it's a terrifying beast that devours the heart in no time flat. Once it starts gnawing, it grows endlessly, hungrier with every bite."
Human anxiety never stops at one. A single worry spawns endless what-ifs, even irrational fantasies that fester into poisonous doubt. For Luna, agonizing over romance, it was all too easy to spiral—especially since, while her looks rivaled theirs, her status and wealth fell short in every other way.
"Miss, take a look at this necklace. Crafted by a witch who fell in love with a human—it's a charm that heightens your beloved's attention. I could let it go for a steal right now~"
"......"
Luna was the epitome of frugality, never indulging in extravagances outside her duties. But when she came to, the old woman's necklace was already in her hand.
A simple design with a blood-red ruby at its center. For a split second, a sly, wicked grin seemed to flicker from within the gem.
"Right, thrust deeper there. Brute force isn't everything—every strike needs precision."
"You're light on raw power, but your dynamic vision and flexibility are top-notch. Rather than bulldozing ahead, turn the enemy's attacks against them. Saves energy and opens up all sorts of counters."
"Too honest. Using your family's swordsmanship is great, but getting stuck in it limits your growth. Sometimes, push relentlessly—even if it's called cowardly."
I was assisting in swordsmanship class, sparring with other students to guide their development. Maybe it was my Aura Lord status, but they looked exhausted yet enlightened, faces bright with progress.
I'd learned the basics from my father or Helios Count, but having forged my own style, their techniques seemed raw and unpolished. Pointing out flaws and fixes left most of them grateful as they left.
"Next up... last one. Polo Helios. You're on."
At the professor's call, my longtime friend climbed onto the arena to cap things off.
Damn, he's handsome.
What can I say? The protagonist of this isekai world stood tall with his sword, exuding poise I could never match—like the unrivaled hero from a historical drama or wuxia tale.
"Mars..."
Polo didn't charge right away. Instead, he spoke softly.
"Mars... you're gonna fight them, right? Those guys...?"
It took me a beat to parse the out-of-context question, but he was asking if I'd battle the Heaven God Cult. Odd timing, but no reason to hide it—I laid out my honest feelings.
"Yeah. Gotta."
Truth be told, I still didn't get it. Suddenly dragged into a trashy dating sim I'd barely sampled? Then these cult weirdos show up wrecking my peaceful life? Absurd. I'd planned a normal second life—girlfriend, marriage, kids—and now trash trying to upend the world kept popping up like weeds. I wasn't some hero with a grand mission to save everything, but protecting my inner circle? That was my resolve.
"...I see."
Polo's expression shifted—self-reproach? Regret? Something uncharacteristic flickered across his face before sinking away.
"Mars is always so bold... always... unlike me."
Screeech! The professor's signal cut our talk short, signaling the spar's start.
Thud!Whoosh!
Polo opened with a heavy horizontal slash. Clang! It aimed for my head; I parried swiftly, surprised at how it differed from my memories of his strikes.
"Heavy."
"I've been working at it."
I deflected his follow-ups and kicked at his exposed midsection.
"Guh!"
His aura-shielded abs gave a solid thud—clearly, he'd absorbed every tip from our Helios estate spars. Impressive.
"Reflexes: pass. Now, dynamic vision."
Shing! Sh-shing! Sh-sh-shing!
Seven illusory strikes flew at him simultaneously—a signature move creating the illusion of one man wielding seven blades.
Only one real slash. Can he spot it?
Clang! His eyes locked on the true lower-right strike; a crisp ring blocked my path.
"Impressive. Try this."
"After eating it dozens of times? About time."
Fair—he'd seen it plenty during our hangouts.
Clang! Scraaaape! Clang!
Minutes ticked by in our exchange.
"Huff... huff..."
"Done?"
"No... one more. Last one..."
Polo assumed his stance—Helios Count's transcendent Mountain Cleaver. Facing its grandeur, I instinctively raised my sword to block—
Boom!
... Crack!!
"Ah..."
"!"
His final technique shattered his blade. He'd poured everything into it; as it broke, he collapsed. I hurried over to support him.
Leaning on my shoulder, panting, Polo murmured wearily.
"Mars is amazing. Always have been, always will be. Stronger than I could ever catch up to. Guess... I just don't have what it takes."
"What?"
"I'm... weak. Can't even touch my Aura Lord father's heels. Useless without your help, can't match half your skill—I'm just a dullard... Does someone like me... even deserve to stand by your side?"
"Yeah. Obviously."
"...Huh?"
Polo stared wide-eyed, but I was the confused one.
"Who are you to decide if you belong by my side? As long as you see me as a friend, I'll stick by yours forever."
He'd been wrestling with inferiority over our strength gap, questioning his place as my 'friend.' Sure, I was strong, but Polo was a genius nearing Master at his age. Even if he weren't, I'd always see him as one.
"Mars... even a mess like me...? No, any me... you'd stay friends?"
"Duh. Obviously, you idiot."
"...I see."
Relief washed over Polo's face. Seeing his positive shift, I gave a small smile.
Meanwhile, in Saintess Hertia's room.
"Luna? You're a bit late."
"Ah~ ran into a cat on the way. Played with it a sec, and time flew."
Hertia's worries about the delay evaporated at Luna's grinning cat tale.
"Oh, a cat! So cute~ Speaking of, the first time I met the Mars brothers here at the academy was thanks to a cat—!"
The saintess chattered excitedly, a fun memory sparked. Living together, similar ages, and Luna's care had fast friends of them.
"I see..."
But even the saintess couldn't notice Luna's eyes—preparing dinner behind her—gleam the same crimson as the ruby necklace.