The door clicked shut behind him.
Silence.
Lucan stepped into his apartment, the faint scent of familiarity settling around him. It was simple. Clean. Quiet.
Then
A heavy thud.
Before he could take another step, something massive rushed toward him.
"Easy…"
A large figure slammed into him—not with aggression, but excitement.
A deep, joyful bark filled the room.
"El."
Lucan's voice softened… just slightly.
The dog towered beside him, its size unnatural for an ordinary breed. Dark fur, sharp eyes—but none of it mattered. In that moment, it was nothing more than a loyal companion, its tail wagging wildly.
Lucan rested a hand on its head.
"You haven't changed."
El nudged him again, almost knocking him off balance.
For the first time that day… Lucan smiled.
Barely.
But it was there.
Later that night, Lucan sat on the floor, leaning against the couch.
El lay beside him, its head resting comfortably on his lap.
Lucan stared ahead, quiet as always.
"…I got in."
El's ear twitched slightly.
"The GSSA."
His hand moved slowly across the dog's fur.
"I've been assigned to a squad."
A pause.
"They're… capable."
Another pause.
"But…"
His gaze dimmed slightly.
"…it doesn't matter."
Silence filled the room again.
Then, quietly—
"I'll get stronger."
His hand tightened slightly.
"Strong enough to kill every demon I come across."
His voice dropped.
"No matter what it takes."
El shifted slightly, letting out a low, sleepy breath.
Moments later, it was asleep.
Lucan looked down at it.
Then closed his eyes.
Darkness.
Suddenly
A scream.
Lucan's eyes snapped open.
But he wasn't in his apartment anymore.
Flames.
Endless flames.
The sky was torn apart, bleeding red as shadows moved within it. The ground was covered in bodies—lifeless, broken, scattered like they meant nothing.
Then
Something moved.
A presence.
Massive.
Overwhelming.
Watching.
Lucan's breath caught.
A voice
Whispering.
Unclear.
Distorted.
But it was calling to him.
"—"
Lucan grabbed his head.
Pain.
Sharp. Violent.
His vision shattered.
Silence.
He was back.
In his apartment.
Breathing heavily.
El stirred slightly beside him.
Lucan said nothing.
He just sat there… staring.
Then slowly
"…tch."
He looked away.
And brushed it off.
The Next Day
The training grounds stretched wide beneath the open sky.
A controlled environment. Reinforced structures. Designed for combat.
Lucan stood with the others.
Minato stood ahead of them, his assistant by his side.
"Today," Minato said, "we assess your combat capabilities."
His gaze moved across them.
"Each of you will demonstrate your abilities."
They began with introductions.
Again—but this time, with purpose.
"Takeshi," he said, stepping forward.
Electricity sparked faintly around his fingers.
"Lightning."
A confident grin followed.
"Reika."
She stepped forward calmly.
A faint glow formed around her hand—then shifted.
Fire.
Water.
Air.
Different elements flickered briefly before fading.
"Sorcery," she said. "Elemental and form-based."
Minato nodded slightly.
"Versatile… but unrefined."
Reika didn't react.
"Lyra."
She stepped forward softly.
A gentle glow surrounded her hands.
"Healing."
Her voice was calm, steady.
Minato nodded.
"You'll remain on standby. Support only."
Then
Lucan.
He stepped forward.
No expression.
No effort.
"Fire."
That was all.
Minato's gaze lingered on him for a second longer than the others.
"Begin."
Takeshi moved first.
Lightning burst from his body as he dashed forward, fast and aggressive.
Reika responded immediately—forming a barrier, then shifting into an offensive spell.
Their movements were sharp. Coordinated. Skilled.
Sparks collided with magic.
The air crackled.
They were good.
Very good.
Then
Lucan stepped in.
No warning.
No build-up.
Just movement.
Flames ignited.
Not like Reika's controlled magic.
Not like Takeshi's sharp bursts.
This was different.
Wild.
Heavy.
Dominant.
In an instant, the temperature shifted.
Takeshi reacted, lightning clashing against the incoming flames—but his expression changed.
Just slightly.
Reika moved to assist, casting layered spells
But Lucan broke through.
Effortlessly.
Silence fell.
The flames disappeared as quickly as they came.
Lucan stood there.
Untouched.
Unbothered.
Minato's assistant spoke quietly.
"…His rank should be higher."
Minato didn't respond immediately.
Then
"All new recruits begin at Seeker."
His tone was final.
The tension eased.
The session ended.
Lyra moved quickly.
Her hands glowed as she healed the minor injuries sustained during the spar.
Nothing serious.
Just scratches.
Burns.
Fatigue.
Lucan walked past her.
Calm as ever.
"…Lucan."
Her voice was soft.
He didn't stop.
But for a brief second
He glanced at her.
Just once.
Then kept walking.
Lyra froze.
Her face turned red almost instantly.
Her eyes followed him.
"…oh."
She looked down quickly, trying to compose herself.
But it didn't work.
Takeshi noticed.
Of course he did.
He smirked slightly.
But said nothing.
Lucan continued walking.
Alone.
And deep within him…
Something stirred.
Something dark.
Something… watching.