"Are you still a kid? Don't even know which shoe goes on which foot?" Grandpa chuckled as Xavier rushed out of the house.
"Yeah, and I'll be your kid till your last breath, old man! Haha!" Xavier called back, waving goodbye with a wide grin before dashing out.
He was almost sprinting—if he got late to the campus, it would be chaos. Everyone else was allowed to roam freely… except for the tour guide. Of course.
Nearly an hour later, Xavier arrived at the airport.
As he stepped in, all eyes turned toward him. His hair was a mess, and sweat dripped from his neck.
"Don't tell me… I have to handle all these kids on my birthday? Ugh. I can't even scream—it's a public place," he groaned inwardly, letting out a deep sigh. But he knew he had no choice.
Still, he straightened up and stepped forward to greet them.
"Hello!" he said politely.
"Hey bro, you're handsome! What kind of food do you eat, huh?" one of the kids grinned, eyes wide in admiration.
"I knew this would happen," Xavier sighed internally.
A voice rang out, snapping everyone to attention.
"Kids, listen up! The flight is in one hour. Stick with the group, and remember—no flirting with guys or girls. Especially him," Clara said, shooting a sharp glance at Xavier like she was ready to eat him alive.
"Why do I feel horrible just looking at girls? Even the beautiful ones… Maybe I need to see a doctor. Something must be wrong with me."
"Why are you standing like a statue? Hello? I'm Clara. You must be Xavier, right? I'm your co-partner in handling the group. The principal already assumed you'd mess up," she said while organizing the kids and motioning for them to sit.
"Only you?" Xavier asked flatly.
"No! Don't get too happy—Tiago and Zabby are joining us too," she replied.
Clara's inner thoughts tumbled like a waterfall.
"Why does he look this good? Even in a messed-up state… He doesn't seem human. Like the gods took their sweet time making him. That jawline, that broad chest—anyone would be lucky to fall asleep on it. His arms and thighs… Has he fought in wars or something? Ugh, wait! What am I thinking? He'll think I'm attracted to him! I've definitely been reading too many manhwas lately..."
Meanwhile, Xavier squinted at her, thinking,
"Why is she staring at me like that? She must be regretting doubting how insanely handsome I am."
After an 8-hour flight, they finally landed in Italy.
I can't think straight—this is Italy.
They had just landed, and Xavier couldn't stop staring.
The towering buildings seemed to touch the heavens, and even the clouds looked like they were on duty—making everything feel magical.
"They must've heard I was coming," he smirked to himself.
"Remember," Clara said, handing him the attendance diaries and pointing to the list of names, "keep count of every student before and after entering any place—whether it's a restaurant, museum, or hotel."
"Okay… There are 10 students, right?" he asked, flipping through the list.
"Yes," she confirmed.
Just then, the cabs pulled up.
Both Clara and Xavier helped the students get in, making sure there was no chaos.
"Don't fight, and sit properly," Xavier instructed as he guided the group.
"Uncle, I want ice cream!" one of the younger students begged, looking up at him with big puppy eyes.
"Uncle...? That's new."
"Alright, alright—don't look at me like that. I'll get you some after we reach the hotel. First, enjoy some pasta and donuts, okay?"
"Donuts?! I love donuts! Yesss!" the kids squealed.
Xavier couldn't help but grin as he closed the cab door and walked to the second one, where Clara was managing the other half of the group.
"They're asking for strawberry cake now!" she called out, half-laughing.
"And mine want ice cream!" he replied, shaking his head with a smile.
"Hmm, they must be starving after all that travel. I'll go ahead with them and meet you at the hotel—with cake and ice cream in hand," she said, turning to leave.
"Wait, where are Tiago and Zabby?" Xavier asked suddenly.
"They're already here. They went to the museum early to set things up before we bring the kids," Clara said. "Didn't you hear? Two or three people were killed recently by a shadow. Hahaha! Isn't that weird?"
She laughed casually, but then added, "Of course, we can't let the kids hear that—it'd freak them out. That's why Tiago and Zabby went ahead to check if it's safe. If it isn't, we'll switch museums."
"No." Xavier said firmly. "We're not going to another museum."
Clara blinked. "Why?"
"I don't know… but I feel drawn to it. Since we landed—no, even from the airport and on the plane—I've been sensing something. Some strange… energy."
Clara raised an eyebrow, then smirked.
"You're just more excited than the kids. You love collecting ancient things, remember? The Capitoline Museum is one of the oldest museums in the world. Its energy is overwhelming—even tourists get chills just standing in it. And another thing—you're probably just tired and feeling a little nauseous. Don't push yourself too hard."
She adjusted her bag and continued, "Once we reach the hotel, we'll divide the duties so everyone gets a break. Sound fair?"
Xavier nodded, but his gaze was distant.
That strange pull toward the museum hadn't gone away—it was growing stronger.
After about half an hour, they finally reached the Piazza Venezia Grand Suite Hotel.
Once there, Clara and Xavier did a headcount of the students again—just to be safe—before proceeding to check in.
As they walked inside the grand, marble-floored lobby, Xavier leaned closer to Clara and whispered,
"Why did the school book such a luxurious hotel for kids? Are we teaching them how to live like billionaires now?"
His sudden whisper made Clara jump, and she jolted like she'd been electrocuted.
"Don't say that out loud!" she hissed, glancing around nervously.
"If someone hears you, you'll get kicked out for real. There's a girl named Kayra in the group—she's the daughter of our school's owner. That's why we're staying here."
She grabbed the hands of a few younger kids, gently guiding them toward the lift.
Xavier blinked. "Ohh… that makes sense. For a second, I thought the principal had fallen for me and wanted to impress me!"
He laughed.
"You really are something," Clara rolled her eyes. "Always sugar-coating yourself. That's probably why you don't have a girlfriend."
"I don't have one," Xavier said with a shrug, "because I don't like anyone. I don't… feel attracted."
.
.
.
"Uncle doesn't have a girlfriend because no one matches his level!" Kayra chimed confidently.
Xavier grinned and gave her a high-five. "See? Even the kids recognize my divine beauty!"
Laughter erupted around them, but Clara didn't join in. She shot him a warning glare.
"I told you to keep it down. We're with kids. That was your last warning."
Xavier gasped dramatically. "Oh no! I've angered the Blue Denim Granny!"
He smirked, and the group burst into laughter again just as the elevator dinged open with a soft tringgg.
After breakfast, Xavier headed to his room for a shower—he was already drenched in sweat.
He placed his watch on the desk, peeled off his sticky clothes, and stepped into the bathroom. As the warm water hit his skin, he sighed with relief. Every drop felt like a blessing, like he hadn't bathed in years.
Once done, he wiped the fogged-up mirror…
And froze.
There—behind him—stood a shadow. Not clear. Not human. Just… a shape.
He spun around.
Nothing.
"What the hell…" he muttered, staring into the empty space behind him. "Okay… okay. Probably just a hallucination. I must be exhausted."
He stepped out of the bathroom, towel around his waist, drying his hair when—
Bang.
The door swung open.
Clara.
She took one look at him and burst into laughter.
"What the hell? Why are you half-naked? And what's with that look—did you just see a ghost?"
"Yeah… something like that," Xavier muttered, quickly reaching for his shirt.
"And seriously, ever heard of knocking? You should be the one ashamed."
"I came to tell you the students are ready. I didn't expect to walk into this," she chuckled, turning toward the door—
—but stopped.
"Wait… what's that on your chest?"
He glanced down. A strange, jagged mark stretched across his chest like an old scar.
"Oh, this?" he said casually. "Birthmark. Looks like someone tried to slice me up like a potato. Been there since I was born."
Clara didn't respond, just stared for a second longer before nodding and stepping out.
Xavier sighed. "That was close."
But then…
"Ahhh!" he winced, clutching his left arm. The veins had begun to glow faintly, bulging out like something beneath the surface was about to burst.
His eyes flickered—an unnatural light gleaming within them.
"Why now? Of all days?" he whispered. "This is supposed to be my birthday… I should've stayed home and eaten mushrooms with Grandpa instead of coming to this cursed place…"
He grabbed his socks and, like always, wore them the wrong way.
Just as he stepped out to join the students downstairs, his phone began to ring.
"Hello?"
"Hello? Yeah, Xavier speaking."
A pause.
"Of course it's Xavier—you called my number," he added with a smirk as he got into the car with the kids, buckling his seatbelt.
"This is Tiago. Where are you guys? I'm waiting," came the voice on the other end.
"We're on our way. Ten more minutes."
Xavier ended the call and rested his head back, eyes drawn to the beauty of Rome as the car cruised through ancient streets. Stone paths, golden sunlight, tall buildings whispering stories of a thousand years. He didn't even realize when his eyes closed.
💤 In His Dream...
A faint ringing sound echoed.
"I knew you would come back…" a soft, distant voice said. "Come quickly… awaken me. Let me out of this prison. There's no time. He will approach you soon."
The voice belonged to a blurry silhouette—
A girl with long pink hair that cascaded down to her thighs.
Xavier reached out. "Who are you? I don't know you—tell me who you are! Hey!"
"Sir, we've reached the Capitoline Museum," the driver announced, breaking Xavier from his dream.
He jolted upright. The kids were already stretching and yawning, getting ready to step out.
"What the hell was that?" he muttered, rubbing his temples. "Who was that girl? And why the hell was she calling me lord?"
He stepped out of the car and looked up.
There it was.
The Capitoline Museum.
Ancient. Regal. The heart of hidden stories.
"So this is it…" he whispered, staring at the massive structure. Marble statues stood like guardians. The wind carried a strange weight to it—like it remembered.
He inhaled deeply.
"Let's go."
"Kids are really cute," Tiago said with a warm smile as he hugged a few of them, eyes sparkling with joy. He was the kind of person who genuinely loved being around children.
Then he stepped forward to greet Clara.
"You're even more beautiful than I imagined," he said casually as they shook hands. "Let's go—we've got a whole museum to explore today."
The compliment made Clara blush faintly.
"You men sure know where to aim your arrows," she muttered under her breath, trying to hide her smile.
With a confident chuckle, Tiago turned toward the group and began explaining the ancient paintings and artifacts to the kids, guiding them through time with stories only he could tell.
"Hey bro," Tiago said, nudging Xavier. "Do you know you look like someone who's in this museum?"
"What? Seriously?" Xavier raised an eyebrow. "Come on, you really think someone from this generation could look like me?"
"Well... he's not from this generation," Tiago whispered close to his ear, careful not to let Clara overhear. "He's from another century."
Xavier frowned, trying to brush it off. "Don't mess with me right now, man. I'm already worn out—and honestly? Kind of spooked."
As they walked down the corridor, Clara called out to him.
"Xavier, I know you're not feeling well, but could you take a few of the children up to the second floor? That's where the jewelry and fossil section is."
He sighed, placing a hand over his left ribs. "Yeah, sure. I love ancient things too. Don't worry—I'm fine. Just… left arm and ribs hurt more than usual."
Xavier took the kids up toward the third floor.
But the moment they approached a certain corridor, the pain in his ribs began to sharpen.
"Why… why does it hurt more the closer I get to this hallway?" he whispered, wincing.
"Uncle, are you okay?" Kayra asked, tugging his sleeve. "Your eyes… they turned golden for a second."
"What?" Xavier froze. "I thought it was just hallucinations, but—people are seeing it too?"
Before he could process it, Zabby appeared behind them.
"Hey, Xavier. Clara said you're not well. Let me take the kids to the fossil section," Zabby offered.
"Yeah… thanks," Xavier nodded. "You're a lifesaver."
He handed the children off and turned toward the elevator—but stopped. Something inside him—his instincts, his gut, his very will—urged him to turn around.
Go back.
His breath slowed. His chest tightened.
Against his better judgment, he walked down the corridor. Something was calling him.
And then—
A painting caught his eye.
He stepped closer.
"Typhon Xavier — the Dragon King. The most powerful of the Seven Realm Kings. Never defeated in battle… betrayed only by his own blood."
Xavier's eyes widened.
He stumbled back.
"Wait—what? This is what Tiago was talking about… That face. That's me! Why the hell does this guy look exactly like me? What is this?! I… I shouldn't have come here!"
For the first time in his life, Xavier truly felt fear.
He turned to run—
But in panic, bolted in the wrong direction, away from the elevator.
"I took the wrong turn," he muttered, his heart racing.
And then—he saw it.
At the far end of the corridor, something began to glow. Bright. Divine. Unfamiliar yet… familiar.
His breath hitched.
He stepped forward slowly, unable to resist.
There, illuminated by an invisible light, was a pendant—delicate and otherworldly. A small pink dragon coiled around a thin silver rod. It shimmered like starlight and pulsed with an aura unlike anything he'd ever felt before.
Xavier's eyes widened.
"This… this is real beauty."
He reached for it, mesmerized.
The moment his fingers wrapped around it—
Bang!
He was shoved.
Falling forward, his hand hit the ground—and the pendant shattered into pieces, scattering like glass infused with stardust.