First Intergalactic Emperor: Starting With The Ancient Goddess

Xavier blinked. He still couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

”What the fuck are you doing here... Reva?”

The girl flinched for a split second but quickly composed herself. She pushed up her glasses and spoke, voice calm and detached, ”You’re mistaking me for someone else.”

Then, like nothing happened, she turned back to her keyboard and continued typing.

Xavier narrowed his eyes.

”If I’m mistaken, how the hell do you know my name, huh?” He stepped forward, about to say something else—

But then, his glasses beeped. A message popped up on the inner lens:

[Don’t say anything. Pretend you don’t know me. Play dumb.]

Another ping followed instantly:

[Midnight Club. After school. Same room as Angel.]

Xavier glanced to the sides without moving his head. A few students were eyeing them curiously, probably not sure what was going on, but nosy enough to listen. Although Xavier had spoken in a very low voice, he couldn’t risk it.

’Smart girl.’

He slipped into character, straight face, cocky grin.

”Oh yeah! Right, right. I was looking for you ’cause one of the teachers was asking. Said you needed to report to the office or something.”

Reva didn’t even flinch. ”I’ll go once I finish my project,” she replied without looking at him.

Xavier gave a light nod and walked off like it was just some boring errand.

Back in his classroom, Xavier sat through the rest of the period, staring at the screen like he was paying attention. But his mind was elsewhere.

”What the hell is she doing here...? And what game is she playing?”

Lunch break came. He met Oliver as usual. They ate their meal in the cafeteria, chatting about random shit like nothing was going on. Oliver cracked jokes, Xavier laughed on reflex, but his thoughts were locked in that library room.

Then the bell rang. Classes resumed.

Finally, when it was over, Xavier didn’t waste a second. He hopped on his bike and blasted off, tires screeching through the underpasses until he reached the Midnight Club.

He parked, walked to the backdoor, flashed his ID at the sensor, and made his way through the empty halls. The usual room Angel had rented out for him was dark, quiet. He stepped in and closed the door behind him.

A few minutes passed.

Then it opened.

Reva walked in, closed the door behind her, and let out a heavy sigh—tired, frustrated, and more disappointed than angry. She didn’t say anything at first. Just stood there for a second, breathing like she’d just gotten off a twelve-hour shift in hell.

Xavier leaned back on the couch, one arm slung over the side, watching her with narrowed eyes. ”What’s with the dramatic sigh?”

Reva dropped her bag on the chair, pulled her glasses off, and rubbed her eyes. ”I hate the fucking sun,” she muttered. ”It drains the shit outta me. Makes me feel like a dried fruit.”

Xavier tilted his head. ”Right. You always struck me more like a nightcrawler.”

Xavier then asked, ”What’s going on and how come you are Eleanor Vion Stein, who is also Lucas’ Fiance.”

She didn’t reply. Just flopped down across from him and reached for the room’s terminal. Her fingers danced across the screen as she ordered food—something light, something fizzy, and a heavy dessert. She was multitasking like a pro. Still calm, still composed.

Once she was done, she looked up and shrugged. ”It’s obvious. Eleanor Von Stein is my real name. Reva’s just my hacker tag. My alias.”

Xavier squinted. ”Yeah, figured. But since we went on a date and all, I was kinda hoping ’Reva’ wasn’t just some code name.”

Reva snorted. ”Get used to disappointment.”

Xavier raised a brow. ”What about Angel? Don’t tell me that’s fake too.”

Reva leaned back, gave him a tired smile. ”Nah. Angel’s actually Angel. That idiot really used her real name. Not that anyone would think that is a real name, but still. She’s not in on any of this, by the way. She doesn’t know who I really am, or that I study in Astraeus Academy.”

”I thought you two were good friends. Is this common for friends to lie and deceive?”

Before Reva could reply, Xavier added, ”Oh, right. Your definitions are always fucked up. Surprise means attacking, lying means... what was that...? Creative omission!” Xavier taunted her by quoting with his fingers.

”Wow. Angel had said you have two sides depending on your mood. That day, you were kind. And currently you are... cocky.”

”Looks like your definition of cocky is the same as mine.” Xavier exhaled and stared at her for a moment. ”So what the hell are you, really?”

She blinked. ”What kind of question is that?”

”I mean it,” Xavier said, voice lower now. ”Who are you? What are you? And you must know by now... Lucas is one of my top enemies.”

”You already know I am Reva, and I am a vampire. And as for me knowing about you and Lucas...”Reva shrugged again. ”I didn’t. I rarely come to school—once a week, tops. Tuesdays, in case you didn’t notice. I don’t read academy gossip or those shitty articles either. Don’t care enough.”

Xavier stared at her, long and hard. Silent. Studying her like a puzzle missing half its pieces.

Reva finally noticed his eyes and frowned. ”Wait—hold up. You’re not seriously thinking I’m with Lucas, right?”

Xavier didn’t blink. ”Wouldn’t be the first time someone played me.”

”You think I went on a date with you because of Lucas?”

”I’m saying... if I were in your place, and I was with Lucas... that’s exactly what I’d do.”

Reva groaned and ran her fingers through her hair. ”Alright. Fine. What do I have to do to prove I’m not on his leash?”

Xavier didn’t even hesitate. ”Explain everything. Start to finish. No code names. No bullshit. Just you.”

Reva sighed again, but this time, she didn’t look annoyed.

”Well, fine. I was going to ask you on a date again, anyway. So I guess we can consider this a surprise after school date.”