CHAPTER 163: LUX’S VILLA

The villa’s interior was as pristine as its exterior. A hall of polished marble opened before them, its floor etched with faint runes that shimmered as they stepped inside, dispersing a subtle warmth into the cool night air. High windows allowed moonlight to spill in, mixing with the gentle glow of enchanted lanterns hung along the walls. A soft fragrance of jasmine drifted through the corridors, carried by enchanted currents of air.

The butler, silver-haired and impeccably dressed, guided them toward the rear of the villa. "Dinner has been prepared by the head chef, Young Master Lux. The ingredients are fresh, delivered just this morning from the coastal markets."

When the party arrived, the back of the villa opened into an expansive courtyard. The centerpiece was a magnificent pool—its waters glowing faintly with a bluish light, as if moonlight had melted directly into the depths. Carved white stone surrounded the pool, and silverwood trees encircled the area like silent guardians. At the far end, a wide balcony overlooked the endless sea, where waves crashed softly against the cliffs below.

Around the pool, long white tables had already been arranged, covered in dishes that shimmered with steam and aroma.

Nero stopped in his tracks. "This is... a feast."

Adam let out a bark of laughter. "Now that’s what I call hospitality! You Leclairs never disappoint when it comes to food, Lux."

Blake, lazily scratching his head, muttered,

"So much work for one evening... guess I won’t complain." He immediately spotted the cushioned lounge chairs by the pool and dropped into one, stretching out like he owned the place.

Lux walked past them calmly, the faintest smirk playing on his lips. "Eat as much as you like. You’ll need the strength for what’s coming tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Nero asked, curious.

Lux didn’t answer. Instead, he gestured for them to sit. The butler and a small team of servants moved quietly, arranging glasses of chilled nectar wine and crystal pitchers of clear spring water on the table.

The aroma of grilled seafood dominated the air—lobster tails glazed with a sweet mana-honey sauce, clams simmered in white wine and herbs, and great silver platters of sea bass roasted with lemon and enchanted peppercorns that released a faint sparkle when bitten into. Beside them were steaming trays of spiced rice, freshly baked bread glazed with garlic butter, and roasted lamb seasoned with rosemary.

On another table, fruits gleamed under the lantern light: golden apples from the empire’s northern orchards, mana-infused grapes that glowed faintly violet, and star-shaped fruits from the eastern islands that crackled softly when cut open.

Adam was the first to dig in. He grabbed a leg of lamb the size of his arm and tore into it with a grin, juices dripping down his chin.

"Hah! This is proper food. Academy rations are nothing compared to this."

Blake raised a glass of wine, his red eyes flicking lazily over the table.

"At least you’re predictable, Adam. Always meat first." He plucked a golden apple instead, biting into it slowly, savoring the sweetness.

Nero hesitated at first. The spread was overwhelming, and he wasn’t used to this kind of luxury. But Lux noticed his unease and said, "Relax. This isn’t for show. My chef prepared it for us, not for appearances. Eat what you want."

Taking that as permission, Nero filled his plate modestly—roasted sea bass, a small cut of lamb, and some glowing grapes. The first bite surprised him: the flavors seemed sharper, richer, as though the ingredients themselves had been enhanced by magic. Every mouthful carried a sense of vitality that spread warmth through his body.

Lux ate more elegantly than the others, his movements precise, but even he allowed himself a small smile as Adam and Blake bickered over the last lobster tail.

"Oi, leave it. I saw it first!" Adam growled, holding the platter closer.

Blake didn’t even get up from his lounge chair. A shadow tendril casually snaked out from his sleeve, snatching the tail from Adam’s grip and carrying it lazily toward his mouth.

"Bastard!" Adam slammed his fist on the table, making the plates rattle.

Blake just took a slow bite, looking utterly unconcerned. "Too slow."

Nero nearly choked on his drink from laughter, while Lux sighed. "You two never change."

After the feast, the servants cleared the tables and withdrew, leaving the four to their own devices. The pool glowed brighter now, illuminated from beneath by softly pulsing runes. The water was so clear it looked like liquid crystal, with the reflection of the moon scattered across its surface.

Adam stretched with a satisfied groan. "Now that’s what I call dinner. But sitting around like this... I need to burn some energy." His eyes flicked toward the pool. "How about a game?"

Nero raised a brow. "A game?"

"Yeah. Simple. Pool sparring. No weapons, no Laws. Just a contest of strength and agility. Loser buys breakfast tomorrow." Adam’s grin was already mischievous.

Blake groaned from his chair. "Don’t drag me into your childish games."

"Scared of losing?" Adam smirked.

Blake cracked one eye open, his crimson pupils glinting. "No, just too lazy to win."

That earned a snort from Nero, but Adam didn’t push further. Instead, he focused on Nero. "What about you?"

Nero hesitated. He wasn’t exactly against the idea, but the thought of diving into that glowing water in front of the others...

Lux interrupted smoothly, "I’ll play."

That surprised even Adam. Lux rarely joined in such casual games. His composure usually kept him at a distance from these sorts of antics.

But Lux was already unbuttoning his outer coat, handing it neatly to the butler who reappeared briefly. "One round. That’s all."

Adam’s grin widened. "Perfect!"

Within minutes, the two of them stood at opposite ends of the pool. Adam stripped down to shorts, his muscular frame ready for a brawl, while Lux stepped in calmly, his movements precise even in water. Nero and Blake sat on the edge, watching.

The pool’s glow intensified as Adam cracked his knuckles. "Ready?"

Lux nodded.

With a splash, Adam lunged. The water erupted around him as he charged forward like a beast. But Lux moved with uncanny grace, his body sliding through the water as if it bent to his will. Adam’s strike cut through empty space, and Lux appeared behind him, pushing lightly on his back. Adam stumbled forward with a splash.

"Damn slippery fish," Adam cursed, whipping around.

The match continued like that—Adam brute-forcing through the water, Lux gliding effortlessly, avoiding each strike with minimal movement. At one point, Adam managed to grab Lux’s arm, but with a twist and shift of weight, Lux flipped him clean over into the water, sending a spray over Nero and Blake.

"Haha! That’s the stuff!" Adam roared, coming back up. "You’re not half bad, Lux."

Lux’s calm expression didn’t change, but there was a faint gleam in his eyes. "Nor are you."

Nero couldn’t stop smiling as he watched them. It was rare to see Lux so... unrestrained.

Eventually, the two called it a draw after several rounds, both climbing out of the pool dripping wet but grinning.

"Breakfast’s on both of us," Adam laughed, slapping Lux on the back.

Later, when Adam finally collapsed onto a lounge chair and Blake dozed off entirely, Lux motioned for Nero to follow him. He led him to the balcony overlooking the sea.

The air was cool, carrying the salt of the ocean. Below, waves shimmered under the moonlight, crashing against the cliffs in a steady rhythm. From here, the city could be seen in the distance—its white towers glowing faintly, like stars on the horizon.

Lux leaned against the railing, his expression unreadable. "This villa is my escape. Away from the family, away from the academy, away from expectations. Here, I can simply... exist."

Nero stood beside him, silent at first. The vastness of the sea before them was humbling. "It’s beautiful," he said finally.

"It is," Lux replied softly. "But beauty can be deceiving. This city, this villa, even this sea—they all come at a cost. The Leclair family carries that weight. And one day... I will have to bear it."

Nero turned to him, noticing the faint shadow in Lux’s voice. He wanted to say something—comforting, perhaps—but the words stuck. Instead, he simply nodded.

Lux glanced at him, then let out a quiet chuckle. "Don’t look so serious. Tonight isn’t about burdens. It’s about enjoying a moment of peace. Tomorrow will come soon enough."

The two stood there for a while, just listening to the waves, until finally, the butler returned to announce that the rooms had been prepared.

One by one, they retired for the night. Adam snored almost instantly, Blake sprawled across his bed without a care, and Lux retreated to his chambers. Nero lingered a little longer on his balcony, gazing out at the moonlit city, the echoes of laughter and splashing water still fresh in his mind.

For the first time in a long while, he felt something warm stir inside him—a sense of belonging.