Chapter 14 — The Invitations: Subtle Games Begin
---
The private chamber they entered was nothing like the rest of the academy's sterile halls.
Dim amber lights floated above like captured stars, casting warm glows on polished black marble. Enchanted glass panels displayed slow-moving constellations across the ceiling — artificial, yet eerily calming.
Three different banners hung behind the table:
The Open Eye of House Valthorne.
The Black Crescent Moon of House Nocturnis.
The Infinite Serpent of House Drakonis.
Three Houses — gathered for one purpose.
---
"Please, have a seat."
The same tall Valthorne student gestured politely, his voice smooth as silk.
--
Cyrus sat without hesitation, posture perfect, expression calm.
His sharp eyes flicked across each of them as if reading invisible text written across their faces.
> Observe first. Engage later.
Each move must reveal nothing — while learning everything.
---
The Conversation Begins
---
The Valthorne student spoke first.
His name, as Cyrus noted quickly from his manner of speech and the family sigil, was likely Lorian Valthorne, one of Lady Elenara's more competent young diplomats.
---
"You're settling in well, Cyrus."
Lorian spoke with measured curiosity, folding his hands as his silver cuff links glinted softly.
"We've heard... whispers. Your independence is admirable."
---
Cyrus offered a faint nod, his tone neutral — neither inviting nor dismissive.
"Adaptation is a natural requirement here,"
Cyrus said in a composed, even tone.
"To not adapt... would be foolish."
---
Lorian smiled faintly at the careful wording.
"Indeed. And yet — your circumstances are... unique.
No House. No backing.
And still... you endure."
---
The girl from House Nocturnis now spoke — soft, almost a whisper, but clear.
---
"You attract attention, Cyrus Aurelius."
Vera Nocturnis' dark eyes remained half-lidded, but focused sharply beneath the long shadow of her hood.
"In a place like Galactus, that is both... dangerous and useful."
---
Cyrus glanced at her briefly — reading her calculated softness for what it was: veiled observation.
> The assassin family prefers to probe indirectly.
They measure reactions even more than words.
---
"Attention is unavoidable when one walks alone."
Cyrus replied, voice steady, his words measured and deliberate.
"But not all attention carries weight."
---
A faint chuckle broke the tension.
The third student, Selene Drakonis, leaned forward now, resting her chin lightly on one hand.
---
"Mmm… spoken like someone who understands the game, even without playing it — yet."
Selene said in an amused, playful tone.
"But games... eventually come to everyone in Dominion Nexus."
---
The air shifted slightly.
Selene's golden irises shimmered faintly — a small flex of her family's time manipulation aura.
> Testing for intimidation response.
Amateur move.
Do not react.
---
Cyrus blinked slowly, unbothered.
"Time eventually touches all, Grand Duchess,"
he answered in a calm, unflinching tone.
"The difference is... how one chooses to respond when it arrives."
---
That response caused Selene's faint smirk to widen slightly.
> He's not afraid. Excellent.
He's interesting.
---
The Real Offer
---
Lorian leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice with an air of confidential diplomacy.
"We are not your enemies, Cyrus.
In fact, we see... opportunity."
---
"For what?"
Cyrus asked in a flat, quiet tone — as if merely indulging their curiosity.
---
"Mutual benefit."
Lorian's tone shifted now — this was where the real proposal began.
"The great houses often seek... individuals of independent mind.
In this academy, alliances determine survival.
And power... is better shared with the right people."
---
Vera's voice followed smoothly.
"We offer you support, resources, protection — discretion.
In return, we ask for... future cooperation."
---
Selene smiled faintly.
"Call it... an early investment.
The game here is long, Cyrus."
---
Cyrus allowed the silence to breathe between them for a moment.
> Alliance offers...
Already.
They're moving faster than I expected.
---
His expression, however, revealed nothing.
"An intriguing offer,"
Cyrus spoke finally, his voice almost soothing.
"Though I have learned... early moves often reveal too much.
I prefer to observe longer before choosing my alignment."
---
Lorian's smile didn't fade, but his eyes narrowed slightly.
> He refuses to commit. Cautious. Dangerous.
But useful.
---
"Of course."
Lorian nodded.
"Consider our invitation open."
---
The conversation ended with no deals made — but much was said without words.
The Dominion Houses had made their first probe.
Cyrus had held ground.
> Their greed for control... predictable.
But now I know who watches, and how.
---
Later That Night
---
Back in his room, Cyrus sat alone — his mind fully engaged.
The offer played on his mental board as dozens of probabilities unfolded.
> I expected this...
But not this quickly.
Why the sudden haste?
---
He shifted focus.
Opening the academy's restricted archives, Cyrus searched for something else.
> Adrien's dungeon... The Hollow Vault of Serathis.
---
Yet as the search executed — nothing appeared.
No records. No mentions. No existing files.
A complete blank.
---
> Either the records are buried too deep...
Or what Adrien spoke of truly lies outside standard Dominion control.
---
Cyrus leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Interesting,"
he whispered in a quiet, almost amused tone.
"Very... interesting."
---
End of Chapter 14