Chapter 50 [Arc 6] - Into the Worlds, I fall

'Maybe it's my curse, where stability feels unfamiliar, and chaos is home.'

A few weeks had passed relatively peacefully, [Name] had relatively stuck to himself. However, it seemed that Olena would always pop up around him when he was at home when he least expected it, making him trying to follow the tasks that were set by Lucian much more difficult. His brother, Declan, also seemed to be lingering around him a bit more – even dragging him out of his room to have awkward meals with both him and his father.

[Name] thought to himself, as he continued walking through the halls, thinking to himself. He sighed again as he settled himself at the desk; he opened his laptop and stared at it for a while.

'Lucian.'

'Yes, Host?'

'Is there anything else I can do? Trying to gamble… this is difficult to do under the radar. My chance of success is awful and I am not a good liar either.'

'I've mentioned that you can upgrade your skillset, Host.'

'You have yet to show me.'

'Apologies for that, Host,' as Lucian finished speaking a few things popped up on [Name]'s laptop.

[Name] opened a few tabs, before glancing around the room, double checking there was no one else walking by, in the hall – he opened a few other tabs that would act as a good cover with a swipe of his fingers.

He glanced back at his laptop and looked at his points, and the skills that were highlighted with a glowing box.

'Gambling can be increased by:

Drinking alcohol, but with drawbacks of your clarity of mind and memory suffers. Putting skill/time into your luck stat. A specific hobby to be learnt – card counting for Blackjack, or sneaking your own dice.'

Lucian explained before continuing, 'When your luck is increased, it means that when fighting opponents, it increases critical strike, your odds of winning increase too when you are in casinos, and increases your overall random chance of winning.'

'Interesting, thank you, Lucian. Is there a time limit for this world?'

'No, considering your performance, you have a bit more liberty.'

'Oh, alright then, how's that measured?'

Lucian didn't answer, [Name] sighed, he made a note of all the things that Lucian had just told him – he sighed again.

"What's wrong?"

[Name] jumped out of his skin and whipped around to see who it was, he seemed to have been so lost in his thoughts he didn't even realise Declan had entered the library.

[Name] cleared his throat, "Nothing, just uni work."

Declan raised an eyebrow, "Why? What's up with it? I don't think I've ever heard you sigh so much."

[Name] pretended to browse over his notes, gaze flickering over the notes briefly, "Just trying to figure out how to start this essay."

Declan looked at [Name] confused, "Leo, you haven't even finished this semester."

[Name] glanced at Declan and shrugged, "So? I know which topic I'm choosing."

"Already?"

"Yeah."

"Right," there was a brief pause, "Alright, I will leave you to it then. Father just wanted me to tell you that lunch will be ready soon, and to be down for it."

"Ah," [Name] bit back a sigh, "Alright then. See you in a bit."

Declan left the library, footsteps quiet, and [Name] let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

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Henry entered class, and his gaze fell on Leo who was sitting by the window. The other seemed to have an effortless way of drawing one's gaze to him, an intensity about him that was shown during the discussions they had during the lectures; a strong sense of justice and listening to the lectures with rapt attention.

The class was mostly quiet, and the other students, not as enthusiastic as Leo and a few others that sat at the front were. Henry sometimes listened in awe as the other students bounced ideas off of each other, their discussions were loud, almost rowdy when they were on break. Yet, Henry found it hard for himself to get close to them, and it seemed that Leo would sometimes avoid him, although it was hard to prove.

Their lecturer entered the class, and their class began.

Henry watched as Leo packed up his laptop and got ready to leave, and in a moment of impulse approached the other. He almost stepped back as he met Leo's gaze, his [Eye Colour] eyes weren't hostile, but neither was it friendly, and if Henry had to describe it, it would be guarded to say the least.

"How may I help you?"

"Yeah, uh," Henry momentarily paused for a second, "I was wondering if you were busy…? After this lecture."

Henry watched Leo shift slightly and slung his bag over his shoulder, he watched the other pause for a moment before nodding, speaking quietly, "Yeah, I have time. What's up? What did you have in mind?"

Henry paused again before Leo spoke up again, he noticed the other glance around at the now empty classroom, "Let's walk and talk. There's another class waiting to come in."

Henry nodded, and followed Leo out, he noted that Leo seemed quite self-assured as they walked out into the hall, and to the elevator, "Why did you want to talk to me?"

Henry paused before making up a small excuse, "I just wanted some help with this upcoming essay."

Henry ignored the sidelong glance Leo gave him, "Why would you need help from me and not ask Mark?"

"I just figured I'd ask, you contribute a lot to class and figured you had some experience in this regard."

"We might be doing different questions, we can talk about it over coffee if you'd like to join me?" Leo's tone was less guarded.

Henry ignored the slight burst of excitement in his chest, and nodded, "That sounds great. Lead the way."