Chapter 285: Never Stand Alone
Lancet and his Heroines stepped out into the open field of Awakener Supreme. Wind blew at them, spreading his sunlight hair all over his face.
What a journey it had been!
First the training on the mountain, getting struck daily by lightning and attaining mastering of the sword.
Then duping the Post Commander, clearing the half-citadel, witnessing Spectra in her full Demoness form, seeing Purgatory Demons before their main arc in the canon and meeting Baal himself!
And then facing the Council Members and Sovereigns in the trial, Spectra’s clutch moment to save them, meeting President Alistair Bane, planning for the first Human Citadel, revealing that Verdrak was a Demon Spy and ultimately making friends with the most powerful people in the world.
All of it. In less than a week.
And now he was back here. Back at the Academy. Back where students were worrying about exams and training scores and inter-class competitions.
Lancet almost laughed. ’I can’t believe I’m in this dump.’
He felt like he had gone past the levels of a normal student in Awakener Supreme. Way past. He had stood before kings and queens. He had planned an invasion of the Second World. He had been called humanity’s greatest asset by King Romsgard Goldstone himself.
Coming back to the Academy felt like... demoting himself.
But that was fine. He had a plan. When the multiple promotion tests started at the end of the school term, he would apply.
And by the next academic year, he intended to jump straight into Year 5. No more waiting. No more pretending to be ordinary.
Still, none of that was the most important thing.
This journey — this small, impossible, world-changing journey — had brought him closer to his Heroines.
Closer than any training session or casual conversation could have done. They had fought together. They had stood before the most powerful people in the world together. And they had won.
He turned to them. Astensia, radiant as always Thor, her grin still tinged with the thrill of battle. Kestrel, sharp-eyed and regal. Espel, neutral as always. And Spectra, her crimson eyes watching him with quiet amusement.
He smiled.
"So," he said. "I don’t have much Grace left, so I’ll leave it up by saying this—"
Spectra rolled her eyes. "You don’t have to say anything. You really are so sentimental." She waved a dismissive hand, but her smile was fond. "This isn’t goodbye. You will surely be seeing us tomorrow."
The others laughed. Thor gave Lancet a playful punch on the chest. It fucking hurt but he took it in.
"The Demoness is only teasing you, but she’s right. You don’t have to say anything because we already know what you’re going to say." Her stormy eyes softened up.
"Today, we achieved something great and unbelievable together. We helped save the world. And we did it because of you. Under your banner. Under your leadership."
Lancet felt his throat tighten. He remembered when Thor used to condemn him for not being a true leader.
That felt like a lifetime ago. To hear her say these words now meant more than any Council apology or Sovereign’s praise.
"I am not lying when I say today was one of the greatest things I have ever done," Thor went on. "Because of us, the world is readier for what would have been a disastrous threat. And now we have been unified more than ever."
Kestrel stepped forward. Her sharp eyes, usually so guarded and calculating, held a warmth that was rare for the Dragon Blademaster.
"Back on the mountain, when I was training you, I knew there was something extraordinary about you." She inclined her head. "I am happy to have witnessed it."
Espel looked at him with her usual blank expression. Then she smiled. It was a small smile, barely a twitch of her lips, but it was genuine.
"Well done, Lancet."
Lancet huffed. ’That’s a big deal coming from her.’
Astensia approached and Lancet’s heart stopped.
She smiled at him, causing his entire body to tingle, reminding him of... that day.
"Master," she began with an ever gentle tone. "When you summoned me, I did not know what to expect. A seemingly gifted Summoner from the eastern slums. I thought perhaps the Elders had made a mistake. But you needed my help and I swore to always defend those who need help."
She paused, and her grip on his shoulder tightened.
"Now, you don’t need my help as much. You have evolved into a leader. A true leader. The kind that comes once in a generation, if the world is lucky."
Her voice grew stronger. "You saw injustice and you acted. You stood before the most powerful people in the world and you did not flinch. You were willing to take the risk to protect this world."
She lifted her chin, and the golden light of the setting sun seemed to gather around her.
"We are your Heroines. Your Summons. Your companions. And we will be by your side always. In every battle. Every trial. Every moment of darkness and every dawn of victory. This I swear on my blade, on my honor, on the golden light that guides us all. You will never stand alone."
Lancet stared at her. His chest was tight. His eyes stung. He was not going to cry. He was absolutely not going to cry.
"Thank you," he managed, his voice rough. "All of you. I don’t deserve..."
"You deserve everything," Astensia said firmly. "Never doubt that."
Lancet took a breath. Steadied himself. Then he looked at each of them in turn — Astensia, Thor, Kestrel, Espel, Spectra — and made a promise of his own.
"From today, I’ll begin fulfilling my part of the promise to all of you. Everything we talked about when we first met. Everything you asked of me. I’ll do it." He paused, then added with a small smile, "And I promise to get powerful enough so you guys don’t have to live inside my chest every moment."
Spectra smirked. "Indeed, it is pretty bleak in there." She placed a hand over her heart with mock solemnity. "The decor is nonexistent. No windows. Very poor lighting. I’ve been meaning to complain to management."
Thor snorted. Kestrel shook her head, but the corner of her mouth twitched. Astensia smiled. Even Espel let out a small huff of amusement.
Lancet laughed with them, the tension of the day finally beginning to ease.
These were his Heroines. His companions. His friends. And whatever came next, they would face it together.
A soft chime echoed in his mind.
[ Grace reserves critically low. Summoned Heroines will be returned to summon space in 10 seconds. ]
Lancet looked at them. "That’s my cue. Goodbye for now."
"Goodbye, Master Lancet," Astensia said.
"Until tomorrow," Thor said with a grin.
"Keep practicing those sword forms," Kestrel added.
Spectra winked. "Dream of me."
One by one, their forms dissolved into streams of golden light that flowed back into Lancet’s chest.
Then they were all gone.
Except for one.
Espel stood alone on the field, looking at him
Lancet blinked. "Right. You don’t live in my chest. You actually go here."
She tilted her head slightly. "You’re part of the Inter-Class Competition today, aren’t you?"
Lancet’s eyrs widened.
He had almost forgotten about Renan Falconhart. The one-on-one combat tournament. The duel that was the entire reason for all of this even happening.
"Right!" he exclaimed, smacking his palm against his forehead. "How could I forget?"