The academy bell rang loudly across the campus and students immediately began making their way toward their assigned classes. The corridors quickly became crowded as hundreds of people except the freshman who just did their exam walked straight to their classroom.

Nadia tightened her grip around Lucien’s arm. "We’ll meet after class."

Lucien smiled. "Try not to cause trouble."

She puffed out her cheeks. "I never cause trouble."

Riley laughed from beside her. "That’s the biggest lie I’ve heard today."

"Hmph!"

The two girls walked away, still bickering with each other, Ryan followed behind them while Malia simply glanced at Lucien before disappearing into the sea of students. Within moments, the bustling hallway became much quieter, and only Lucien and Meghan remained inside the Student Council room.

Lucien slipped both hands into his pockets. "So... you really think we can break the seal?"

Meghan nodded without hesitation. "We can, but it won’t be easy."

Lucien’s expression grew serious. "What makes it so difficult?"

Meghan folded her arms. "The seal isn’t hidden inside Dominion territory, it’s inside the Holy Church," and Lucien raised an eyebrow.

"The Church?"

She nodded. "There are two sacred churches, each one is governed by a Minor God, and the Primordial Devils are imprisoned beneath one of them."

Lucien let out a low whistle. "So devils can’t just walk in."

"They can’t," Meghan said. "The holy aura surrounding the church is overwhelming, any dominion user who enters without protection will either be weakened... or killed."

Silence fell between them, then Meghan continued. "That’s why we need someone from the Holy Academy, a priest, someone who can investigate the church without raising suspicion."

Lucien immediately understood. "And create a bypass."

Meghan smiled faintly. "Exactly. If a priest can analyze the seal’s holy formation, they can create a temporary spell, a spell that suppresses the holy energy just long enough for dominion users to enter."

Lucien nodded thoughtfully. "So that’s your plan."

"It is," she said, looking directly into his eyes. "And you’re the only priest I know who can move freely between both worlds."

Lucien chuckled. "Looks like you came to the right crew," then curiosity crossed his face. "One thing still doesn’t make sense. Why bring this to us? There are plenty of powerful dominion users, you could’ve worked with them."

Meghan’s expression softened. "I don’t trust them, they want power, I want my father back," and she lowered her gaze. "There’s a difference."

Lucien could hear the sincerity in her voice, then Meghan looked back at him. "I thought... you didn’t like me."

Lucien blinked. "Why would you think that?"

She hesitated before answering. "After... everything that happened during the examination..."

Lucien sighed. "I owe you an explanation," he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "The person you met during the exam was my Dominion half. I split myself into two, my priest side and my dominion side, and my dominion half had completely lost control," he gave a helpless smile. "So when you told me what happened between us, I genuinely didn’t remember any of it."

He met her eyes. "I’m sorry. I’m not apologizing because I regret treating you badly, I’m apologizing because I wasn’t myself, and you deserved an explanation."

Meghan stared at him for several seconds, then her shoulders relaxed and a small smile appeared on her face. "I believe you. Apology accepted," and the tension between them disappeared.

After a brief silence, Meghan spoke again. "Since we’re both free, and you still have responsibilities at the Holy Academy, why don’t we go there?"

Lucien grinned mischievously. "You just want me all to yourself for a while, don’t you?"

Meghan’s cheeks instantly warmed. "W-What? I said we’re free, that’s all."

Lucien leaned in just enough to tease her, lowering his voice. "If you want my attention... you’ll have to earn it."

Meghan let out a flustered sigh and lightly nudged his shoulder. "You’re impossible."

Lucien laughed. "Maybe. Come on," and she crossed her arms, pretending not to smile. "I still need clothes if I’m going to blend in."

Lucien snapped his fingers. "I know exactly who can help," and a silver magic circle appeared beneath their feet, and in the next instant the bustling streets of Dominion Academy vanished.

They now stood inside the Holy Academy, students pouring out of classrooms in every direction as the day’s lessons had just ended.

Priests users in white uniforms chatted as they walked through the campus, no one paid Lucien much attention the only attention he had was from the girls just like always.

Meghan, however, looked around curiously. "So this is the Holy Academy..."

Lucien smiled. "Welcome," and without wasting any more time he activated his teleportation spell again. The world blurred, and when it became clear once more they were standing in front of a modest dormitory.

Lucien knocked on the wooden door, and a few moments later it opened with a click. Standing there was a beautiful young woman with short white hair and clear blue eyes, and the moment she saw Lucien her face brightened. "Lucien!" Then her eyes shifted toward Meghan and her smile became curious. "And who’s this?"

Lucien gestured toward the girl beside him. "This is Meghan," then he looked at Meghan. "And Meghan, this is Serena."

Serena looked between the two of them and puffed out her cheeks dramatically. "Oh... so you brought another girl."

Lucien laughed. "It’s not what you’re thinking."

"Mhm, but why would you come to a girls dorm?"

"Can’t explain just let us in." Lucien said.

Serena rolled her eyes, but still stepped aside and opened the door wider. "Well... are you two just going to stand there? Come in."

A/N: If you’re enjoying the novel, please consider supporting it with your Power Stones and Golden Tickets. Every vote helps the story reach more readers and motivates me to keep releasing new Chapters.

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— Author ^⁠_⁠^