The day continued. When the afternoon class began, Lucian relaxed a little. He sat beside Naomi again, the classroom was warm, the professor was explaining something about case studies, and a few students looked sleepy.

Just then—

The classroom door opened and three men walked in.

The first man was tall and thin, wearing a dark suit that looked too expensive for a classroom. His silver hair was neatly combed, the calm on his face almost looked threatening. He also carried a black leather folder that made Lucian narrow his eyes.

The second man was shorter, broader, with sharp eyes and a clean-shaven face. He looked like he had never lost an argument before.

The third was younger, maybe in his early thirties, but he had a cold, polished look.

Behind them stood a university administrator and two security guards.

The ease in the room died instantly.

"Can I help you?"

The professor asked with a frown.

The tall silver-haired man looked around the room, then his eyes stopped on Lucian. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Lucian Cross?"

Lucian stood up.

"Yes."

The tall man opened his folder.

"My name is Adrian Vale. I represent the families of Ryan Cole, Nathan Briggs, Joe Pike, and Luke Moore."

Lucian’s stomach tightened at those names.

But before he could say anything, Naomi stepped forward.

"If this is about yesterday, Ryan started it."

The shorter lawyer turned his eyes toward her.

"And you are?"

"Naomi Pierce."

"Miss Pierce, if you have something to say, you may provide your statement through the appropriate legal channel."

"Ryan followed Lucian, he mocked his dead parents. Lucian told them to leave him alone."

Naomi did not back down.

The younger lawyer smiled politely.

"Miss Pierce, emotional provocation does not grant legal permission to inflict grievous bodily harm."

"They cornered him."

Naomi stood firm.

"That is a claim, it will be examined."

"It is not a claim. It is what happened."

"The court decides that, not you."

Naomi opened her mouth again, but the silver-haired man spoke this time.

"Miss Pierce, if you continue interfering with the formal service of notice, we will request that the university administration record your conduct as obstruction of a legal process. I would advise silence."

"I..."

Naomi didn’t know what to say. It was difficult to counter those ’lawyery’ words for a normal student.

"Naomi."

Lucian looked at her, she turned to him, and he shook his head. Naomi’s jaw tightened, she seemed unwilling but in the end, she stepped back.

The silver-haired lawyer looked at Lucian.

"Mr. Cross, our clients have instructed us to pursue all available civil remedies against you. Additionally, formal complaints are being filed with law enforcement concerning the incident that occurred yesterday on university grounds."

The classroom was silent.

Lucian’s senses sharpened.

He could hear every heartbeat.

His own.

Naomi’s.

The students around him.

The room suddenly felt smaller.

The lawyer continued.

"The injuries sustained by our clients are severe. Mr. Ryan Cole suffered a compound fracture and ligament damage. Mr. Briggs suffered two fractured ribs and facial trauma. Mr. Pike sustained a concussion. Mr. Moore required stitches and has reported loss of consciousness.

Given the severity of these injuries, our clients are pressing for charges including aggravated assault, intentional infliction of bodily harm, reckless endangerment, and, depending on the final medical assessment and police review, potential attempted murder."

Attempted murder.

A cold feeling spread through Lucian’s chest.

Hearing that phrase in front of the entire class made his world tilt.

The shorter lawyer, uncaring of Lucian’s state, stepped forward and placed several papers on the professor’s desk.

"These documents include formal notice of representation, preservation demands for university surveillance footage, requests for disciplinary records, and notice that our clients intend to pursue compensation for medical costs, emotional distress, academic disruption, and punitive damages."

"This is a classroom."

The professor looked angry.

"We are aware."

The lawyer nodded.

"The university administration was notified. Mr. Cross is present. Service has been completed."

Those words echoed in Lucian’s ears.

Service.

Charges.

Court.

Prison.

Psychiatric ward.

The official story about his parents.

The demon.

The blood.

His eyes.

His strength.

And as it happened, more and more questions began to form in his head.

If the police investigated too deeply, what would they find?

The broken railings at the hospital?

The sudden increase in his strength?

Would they find the truth about his parents’ murder?

Would they find out about the demon?

What about him?

Would they lock him up?

Would Claire step in?

Would she even care?

Just those thoughts made his throat dry.

He had barely found a way to control himself, he had barely started improving in the gym and the MMA Centre, he was even getting better at following the topic in the classroom.

He was getting better.

Everything that had happened to him, at the end of things, he was regaining control over his life, this time, more than he ever could before but...

That control was now cracking.

That demon had already taken away his parents.

Now everything else might be taken away as well.

Lucian’s body trembled, he looked like he might cry any moment now. The silver-haired lawyer, however, didn’t care one bit, he simply closed his folder as if the ’job’ was done.

"You are advised not to contact our clients or their families directly. Any attempt to intimidate, threaten, or approach them will be documented and used against you."

"I was not going to contact them."

Lucian answered in a somewhat hoarse voice.

"Good. Continue not doing so."