Chapter 148: Heroine is Absent
But Lucan knew that such a life was a distant dream, especially now that he was under the watchful eyes of those who want to harm Maris. As a Maris\'s guardian, he was first person to get target. For now, Lucan wasn\'t too concerned; he was confident that his power would continue to grow, allowing him to deal with any threat that arose.
What concerned him more was the need to build his reputation—an image that would serve as a shield when the his identity as Evil Magician to reveal. Lucan had plans. He knew that if he were ever exposed as an Evil Magician, his reputation could be his saving grace.
Being the guardian of the saint, Maris, was the perfect cover. Who would ever suspect that someone so close to the saint could be Evil Magician? Even if suspicions arose, no one would dare act without concrete evidence, and by the time they had any, it would already be too late.
Lucan was not yet an Evil Magician, but he was on the path to becoming one. He needed two things to complete his transformation, and both were difficult to obtain. His thoughts turned to one of those items, a relic of immense power that he had read about in the forbidden texts. It was said to hold the key to manipulate dark magic of Empire Class.
His steps took him toward the academy\'s ancient library. The grand stone steps leading to the library were familiar to him.
As Lucan approached the entrance, he caught the sound of hushed voices nearby. Slowing his pace, he listened, his curiosity piqued. Two students were huddled in the shadows of a nearby alcove, their conversation laced with secrecy.
"Have you heard?" one of them, a slender girl with glasses, whispered anxiously. "There\'s a relic hidden somewhere in the academy. They say it holds unimaginable power—enough to change the fate of whoever possesses it."
The other student, a tall boy with a nervous demeanor, leaned in closer. "I overheard Professor Elrod mention it during a meeting. It\'s tied to ancient dark magic, the kind that was forbidden centuries ago. But there\'s a map—a fragmented one—scattered across the academy. If someone were to find all the pieces..."
The girl nodded, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and excitement. "But it\'s dangerous. The relic is said to have corrupted those who sought it in the past, turning them into something monstrous. That\'s why the map was hidden in the first place."
Lucan\'s heart quickened. He recognized this scenario; it mirrored an event from a game he had played, a relic-finding quest that held the key to immense power. The *Eye of Obsidian*—an ancient relic capable of letting user control Empire Class level dark magic—was exactly what he had been searching for. This was no mere coincidence; it was an opportunity.
He waited until the students had moved on, their voices fading into the distance. Once he was sure they were gone, Lucan stepped into the alcove where they had stood, his mind racing with possibilities. The *Eye of Obsidian* was within his grasp. All he needed to do was find the pieces of the map, and the relic would be his.
Entering the library, Lucan was greeted by the familiar scent of old parchment and leather-bound books. The library was vast, its towering shelves filled with knowledge that spanned centuries. But Lucan had no interest in the modern tomes that most students favored.
He made his way to the back, where the older, dust-covered volumes were kept—books that had been long forgotten by most but held secrets that could change the world.
For hours, Lucan combed through ancient texts, his eyes scanning faded ink and crumbling pages. He pieced together the fragmented story of the *Eye of Obsidian*, a relic that had once belonged to a powerful Evil Magician. According to legend, the magician had nearly brought the world to its knees with the relic\'s power, but in the end, the *Eye of Obsidian* had consumed its master.
The saint of that era had only narrowly defeated the magician, taking advantage of the relic\'s treacherous nature. Fearing its power, the saint had hidden the relic away, scattering the map that led to its location. The pieces of the map were entrusted to different guardians within the academy.
Lucan\'s fingers traced the passage he had found in one of the older volumes, confirming what he already suspected. The first piece of the map was indeed within the academy, held by a shadowy student organization known as the Black Veil. They were known for their interest in the occult and forbidden knowledge, a perfect place to start his search.
A plan began to form in Lucan\'s mind. He would need to infiltrate the Black Veil, gain their trust, and secure the first piece of the map. From there, he would track down the remaining pieces, no matter the cost. It was a easy path, the one that Lucan was more than willing to walk.
Closing the book, Lucan allowed a small smile to play on his lips. He would have to be careful, methodical, and above all, patient. The *Eye of Obsidian* was the key to his future, the first step out three in becoming the Evil Magician he was destined to be.
As Lucan left the library, the cool evening breeze greeted him, rustling the leaves around him.
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[This will be the first long arc, and the story had reach its midpoint. in the next 200 to 250 chapters, the story will conclude.]
[Honestly, I\'m really surprised by the support I\'ve received. I\'ve written four novels, and this one has seen the fastest growth among them. I\'m incredibly happy, and I\'ll make sure to give it the best ending I can. By the way, if I continue with these bonus chapters, this novel might end as early as next month. But that\'s okay—please keep supporting me!]