Chapter 23 – The Bonds of Blood
A few hours after the unsettling visit of King Agnor to Atlantis, Saber walked through the halls of the Academy, his heart heavy and his mind tormented. Each step echoed on the stone floor, like an echo of his uncertainties. He had been summoned by Luxurious, and a deep anxiety had settled in the pit of his stomach.
Upon entering the office, a frigid atmosphere greeted him. Luxurious, seated behind his vast desk, fixed him with an impatience that was almost tangible. Beside him, Valtérian scrutinized him, a slight frown betraying concern he tried to hide.
— Saber… thank you for coming, said Luxurious, his voice sharp as a blade. Stay where you are.
Saber felt an overwhelming weight on his chest. He knew Luxurious was not here to offer comforting words. Advancing cautiously, hands trembling, he bowed slightly.
Valtérian, however, did not look away. His voice was soft but firm:
— Luxurious… I think I should stay, he said, as if to protect Saber from an invisible threat.
— No, you're leaving… replied Luxurious in an authoritative tone.
— Hm… Valtérian, obey orders and leave the office…
The door clicked shut behind Valtérian, who hesitated for a moment before walking away. Saber remained alone, hands trembling, shoulders weighed down by tension. The silence in the room was oppressive, almost suffocating.
Luxurious rose from his imposing desk, his icy gaze scanning every tremor of Saber. His voice rose, slow and heavy, like the hammer of an executioner:
— Saber… I never would have thought… that my own son… no… that the former top of Class A could be so incapable.
Saber lowered his eyes, his heart pounding so hard it seemed it would burst from his chest.
— I… I'm sorry, Sir… he murmured, his voice broken.
Luxurious stepped forward, each movement heavy with menace.
— Sorry?! Do you think a simple "sorry" can undo years of failure, foolishness, and incapacity?!
— Saber… you have always been weak. You have never managed anything on your own. I've always had to correct your mistakes, hide your blunders, protect you… And you dare to say you're sorry?!
Saber felt a burn rise in his throat, a mixture of shame and sadness. He clenched his fists.
— I… I'll do my best… to… surpass… Roy…
Luxurious sneered, his cruel smile lighting up an already harsh face.
— Your "best"… your "best" has never been enough! You were mediocre in Class A, unable to follow, always dependent on others… I've seen you stumble, fail, cry over a simple spell… And now you dare to claim you can surpass someone?!
Saber lowered his head even further, almost crushed by the weight of the words.
— I… I'm sorry… I…
The silence thickened, heavy and suffocating. Then, in a sudden, brutal movement, Luxurious swung his fist at Saber's face. The blow surprised the young man, who had no time to defend himself.
Saber collapsed, the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth. He staggered, pressing a hand to his battered face. Blood already ran from his lips and cheekbones, staining his uniform.
— You see? continued Luxurious, his breath calm but his voice sharp. This… is you. Weak. Incapable. A good-for-nothing. Always dependent. Even when I gave you the chance to be in Class A, even when I made you my own son… you were never worthy.
Saber tried to lift his eyes, but his bruised face and the flood of pain made his head spin.
— I… I'll do better… I… I… he pleaded, his voice trembling.
Luxurious approached slowly, his shadow falling over Saber like a grim omen.
— Your apologies change nothing. You've always been a burden… and even today, you are worth nothing.
Suddenly, in a swift movement, he struck again, this time to Saber's stomach. Saber groaned, his knees hitting the floor. Every breath was torture. His face battered, nose broken, blood flowing, he remained on his knees, beaten but alive, his spirit tossed between shame and pain.
Luxurious leaned closer, his voice low but icy:
— And never forget, Saber… you have never been anything. You are nothing. You will never be anything.
Saber was on his knees, gasping, his face battered, covered in blood. Luxurious stepped back for a moment, watching his son with a cruel smile. Then, in a terrifying motion, he sat on Saber's shoulders, crushing his chest under his full weight.
— You thought you could rise…? murmured Luxurious, his voice cold. You are nothing!
Without pause, he pounded Saber's face with his fists, over and over. Each impact sent blood flying, shattered his lips, bruised his cheekbones, and crushed his nose. Saber's face disappeared beneath the injuries, almost unrecognizable.
Saber groaned, unable to breathe properly. Every breath was torture. He felt his mind waver, but deep inside, a small flame of determination still resisted: he had to survive this ordeal.
As Luxurious continued his assault, movement near the door caught his attention. Valtérian, who had been behind the door all along, returned, his eyes blazing. With a swift gesture, he grabbed Luxurious' arm and forced him to rise.
— Stop! shouted Valtérian, his voice trembling but authoritative. Saber understands… he will do what you want if this continues. Let him breathe!
Luxurious straightened, panting, his clothes stained with blood. He looked at Valtérian with an irritation almost comical in his fury:
— My clothes… look at this mess… this… filthy… brat!
Then he sighed, as if trying to regain some semblance of dignity.
— Very well… heal him. Remove this weight from me, and above all… no one must see him. I cannot allow my image to be tarnished.
Valtérian nodded, his face somber. He immediately bent over Saber, supporting him, wiping away blood, calming his tremors. Saber, still half-conscious, felt his body in ruins, but rage and fear mingled within him, silently promising that this humiliation would not be forgotten.
Luxurious, for his part, turned away for a moment, regaining his stern, impassive air as if nothing had happened. Yet the silence in the room and the sight of Saber injured still bore the mark of his cruelty.
— And let no one… he repeated to Valtérian, his voice low but sharp. No one must know what happened here. Understood?
Valtérian nodded, supporting Saber, whose disfigured and bloodied face reflected both pain and the awareness that he had survived a terrible ordeal, but one revealing the ruthless nature of Luxurious.
To be continued…