Nightblade (Darkest night)-Chapter 217: Changing times

A pale young man sat alone on a bench with legs carelessly crossed and his eyes closed.

In the warm sunlight, he had an uncanny resemblance to the litany of statues scattered throughout the ancient green labyrinth.

With each breath his chest slowly rose and fell, giving the impression of deep slumber.

A dark shadow fell over his face,

blotting out the soft stream of warm sunlight.

Oblivious to the newcomer, the youngman remained completely still, breathing softly.

A pale delicate hand moved in the stillness,

creeping closer to his neck then pausing hesitantly for a moment.

After a few moments, the young man's eyes slowly opened revealing a pair of brown russet eyes.

"Talia, to what do I owe the pleasure? And how did you find me?"

Talia smiled, her lips curling into a faint smile.

" Can't I simply check on a friend?"

Lucian stared at her for a moment then slowly extricated himself from the chair.

" Friends...huh...That's quite unexpected, coming from you of all people. "

He got up, rising to full height and staring down at her.

Talia's eyes widened in surprise.

"When did he grow so tall and in such a short amount of time..."

" So you don't consider me a friend then..."

Lucian shrugged.

" You can say that...I don't see any particular reason why I should..."

Talia scrutinized him her gaze drifting to both of his hands.

"Hey Lucian what happened to your glasses?"

Lucian shrugged nonchalantly once more.

"I don't need them anymore..."

Talia momentarily stopped in her tracks.

"You don't?"

Lucian nodded.

"Yeah, I don't really need them anymore. My eyes are much better now."

He made his way through the maze, following a particular route.

Eventually, the emerald maze came to an end.

He slowly made his way to the academy building, with Talia following quietly beside him.

"What's up with you, you disappeared for a while and now you're ditching classes..."

"Why does that bother you..."

Talia opened her mouth to speak then froze.

"Why does that bother me..."

Entering the large cafeteria, Lucian silently walked to the large vending machine, ordering a single fruit drink for himself.

After a brief moment of hesitation, he ordered two more.

Looking around, he scanned the place before making his way over to an empty table.

Talia closely followed him plopping down opposite him.

Lucian spared her a glance, then meticulously opened his drink.

Talia stared at him expectantly for a few moments and eventually...

"What...?"

He passively stared at her .

Talia looked flabbergasted, her brown eyes narrowing slightly.

"Don't I get a drink?"

Lucian raised an eyebrow at that.

"What do you mean? You can get one...why didn't you get one?"

Talia huffed in frustration then abruptly snatched one of his drinks, opening it with a loud pop.

Drink in hand, Lucian stared at her for a few moments, then gulped down the drink in one go,

crushing the can in his bare hand.

Letting out a sigh, he shook his head slightly.

"You know you could have gotten a drink if you wanted one."

Just then a familiar pair of green eyes met his and then abruptly made a beeline towards their table.

Lucian fought the urge to grit his teeth and instead calmly opened the second can of juice.

"And all I wanted was some peace and quiet too... is that so hard to get?"

Although the day wasn't quite done, Emily was already nearing her limit. Hearing all the professors drone, on and on...

It was becoming quite annoying.

"I really wish I could ditch class..."

She slowly made her way into the cafeteria.

Edmund wasn't here to hound her abd since he wasn't neither was Warren Frost. The two always moved together, almost as though they were joined at the hip.

Knowing them, they were probably preparing for the incoming Veilrend games.

On the other hand, she still hadn't decided whether she would take part or not...

As soon as she entered the large hall, the delectable aroma of warm food seeped into her nostrils like an insidious attack,

pulling her towards the serving point.

" I'd like that, and that as well, oh, and that too, more fried chicken...more sauce please..." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

The people standing in line behind her gave her several weird looks but she completely ignored them.

"Now to sit

and properly enjoy this..."

She turned around, then promptly made her way towards a familiar brown-haired youth.

"Lucian... Talia"

Without the drink, ever leaving his lips, Lucian nodded, then quietly swallowed.

"Emily!"

Talia's eyes visibly lit up at her arrival then widened slightly after sneaking a glance at her plate.

"Wow...'

Lucian stared at her plate for a while before getting up.

"Huh, where are you going?" Talia stared at him indignantly, half rising from her seat.

Lucian let out an exasperated sigh.

"I'm hungry...I'm going to get myself some food. Why are you suddenly so..."

Talia's eyes narrowed.

"So..."

Lucian seemed to think long and hard about what he was going to say then eventually just shook his head.

" Never mind that. I'll grab something too."

Emily's stomach chose that moment to loudly announce its presence.

Talia stifled a giggle coughing awkwardly.

Emily coughed politely then turned her attention completely to her food.

"Well, sorry for what you're about to witness Talia, I just can't help it..."

With that, the tray of food began to disappear at an alarming rate.

Talia quietly watched her, her eyes widening in surprise and amusement.

Emily paused momentarily letting out a small unladylike burp then sighing.

"I really needed that."

" You sure did..."

Looking up, she noticed the small mountain of food in front of Lucian. Her eyes bulged in shock and apparent disbelief.

Lucian scoffed amidst bites.

"Please...don't need give me that..." he managed,

literally swallowing an entire piece of food.

" Was he always this..." she whispered to Talia.

Talia quietly shook her head.

"I have no idea."

In the next second, her hand blurred across the table grabbing a tasty treat off Lucian's plate.

Emily stared at her in shock then turned back to Lucian.

His eyes narrowed in obvious irritation, darkening visibly.

Sensing the change in mood, Emily hurriedly asked.

"By the way, what happened to your glasses?"

Lucian turned his gaze to her.

"I don't need them anymore."

Apart from the drastic change in his appearance,

Emily could sense the subtle difference in him.

Lucian...had changed.

And he also looked slightly ticked off...