CHAPTER 377: NERIO’S GIFT

"You’re here, Silvanus. Come in."

The moment Silvanus stepped into the principal’s office, the old man’s gentle voice floated over as usual.

Right after that came Nana’s mocking tone: "Making people wait? Well, that’s expected. What else can you expect from someone with no manners?"

Silvanus was far too used to this attitude of hers. If Nana didn’t put him down at least once a day, she acted as if her whole body would get itchy.

The principal only smiled at the two of them, as though the students before him were having a pleasant conversation instead of glaring at each other like they were natural enemies.

He slowly explained the reason he had called them here today.

"As you both know, the school year is coming to an end. However, this year is special because it coincides with Lumina’s 100th anniversary. It will be a grand event with guests from various classes and races. Lumina will need two representatives for the ceremony."

Silvanus raised his hand. "We’re both first-years. Is that really fine?"

The principal smiled. "We do not concern ourselves with how many years you’ve been here. Silvanus, you are an exceptional student. You can already stand on equal footing with third-years. I trust you know where your abilities lie. And you, Nana, a noble representative of excellence, heir to the Aurellan family whose bloodline symbolizes light. I truly cannot think of anyone more fitting than the two of you."

The principal’s words were always beautifully crafted, and even Nana—with her usual arrogant expression that looked down on the world—lifted her chin, pleased.

The actual process of the ceremony was simple. Nana and Silvanus didn’t have to personally carry out everything. They only needed to greet guests, give speeches... the real challenge lay elsewhere: delivering invitations.

Even after leaving the principal’s office, Silvanus couldn’t help feeling troubled.

"I feel like the principal is doing this on purpose..." he said.

Asking them to travel all the way to personally deliver invitations to the Elves and the Merfolk—even with Elder Nicole accompanying them—was a bit much.

Nana scoffed. "Are you scared?"

Silvanus shook his head. "No. It actually sounds fun. But don’t you think it’s a little unreasonable?"

Nana paid no attention and flicked her hair as she walked away. "Just admit that you’re a coward."

Silvanus: "..." He really couldn’t have an everyday conversation with Nana.

The day to start delivering the invitations was two days later.

That night, Silvanus had a special dream.

It wasn’t exactly a dream—he was simply pulled back to that place.

When Silvanus opened his eyes, he barely had time to react. It had been nearly a year since he was last called there.

Nerio’s small, adorable face looked at him, smiling brightly. "Finally, you’ve come. I missed you so much."

Kirin, at his side, swung his large tail back and forth, not contradicting Nerio’s words.

Silvanus sat up and looked at Nerio. He nodded and said, "I was almost about to forget you."

Nerio seemed taken aback by Silvanus’s words. His mouth parted in surprise, then tears streamed down his cheeks, transforming into tiny gems that fell to the ground.

Silvanus had only been joking, but seeing Nerio’s deeply hurt expression, he couldn’t help but feel a little alarmed.

He quickly wiped Nerio’s tears and said softly, "I was only joking."

Kirin watched the scene in silence. Silvanus had been tricked by Nerio’s tears countless times, yet every time Nerio used the same tactic, he still fell for it.

Nerio grasped Silvanus’s hand and sniffled. "Don’t say that next time."

Silvanus nodded in assurance.

Weakly, Nerio wiped his own tears and asked, "Are you going to the Merfolk territory soon?"

He had guessed right—this was why Nerio had suddenly brought him here.

Silvanus replied thoughtfully, "I’m not going to deal with the entire Merfolk tribe just to get you out. Besides, even if I wanted to, I don’t have that kind of power."

Nerio laughed. "You’re silly. That was just a joke." He paused, blinking his big, round eyes, then said softly, "But I really do need your help with something."

Silvanus didn’t pay much attention. "Go ahead."

"Bring me a seashell, a huge one. I heard you can hear the sound of the ocean in it."

Nerio lowered his head to look at his fish tail and mumbled, "I really love the sea."

Hearing that, Silvanus couldn’t help feeling a bit of pity. Nerio should have been swimming freely in the open sea, not locked away here—though he still didn’t understand why Nerio was imprisoned at all.

Just like Alden, bound to a single place, unable to leave.

Silvanus suddenly asked softly, "There’s really no other way to get you out of here?"

Nerio paused for a moment, then laughed. "To get me out, we need to wait for the right time. Don’t worry." As he spoke, Nerio placed a small pearl into Silvanus’s hand. "Take this with you. You won’t be afraid of water anymore."

Silvanus wanted to say that he had magic, but this was Nerio’s heartfelt gift, and he had no intention of refusing it.

He gently rubbed Nerio’s soft hair and nodded. "Thank you."

Nerio smiled obediently, beautiful like moonlight. Silvanus felt that once Nerio grew up, he would surely make countless people fall head over heels for him.

Just as that thought crossed his mind, his body vanished from the icy land.

Nerio watched the fading light and happily turned toward Kirin. He covered his mouth with a smile—no trace of the gentle, innocent expression he’d shown earlier remained. Mischievous like a fox, he whispered, "I’m going to get to go outside soon~"

His tail even thumped excitedly, showing just how pleased he was.

Kirin: "..." Nerio was never meant to be a fish—he was definitely supposed to be a little demon.

But seeing Nerio swaying with excitement as if he might fall over, Kirin still leaned over to support him.

He looked at Nerio and said quietly, "If Silvanus learns that you deceived him..."

Nerio lowered his eyes and stroked Kirin’s mane. "So what? He’ll forgive me for sure. Just a few tears, a reasonable excuse, a bit of pitifulness..."

Besides, just as Nerio would forever remain loyal to Silvanus, Silvanus would always harbor boundless compassion for Nerio.

It was an instinct etched into their souls. A being crafted by God’s own hands would always receive His immense favor...

Matthew also heard the news that Silvanus would be traveling to the territories of the Elves and the Merfolk. Matthew couldn’t even imagine how far those lands must be.

But the only thing he could say was, "Be careful."

Ariana, standing beside him, hugged Silvanus emotionally, her voice soft. "Come back soon, okay? And don’t forget to bring gifts!"

Hearing that, Silvanus laughed and nodded. "Alright."

At that moment, Nana’s mocking voice rang out. "What a sentimental bunch."

Ariana quietly glared at her.

Nana simply crossed her arms and looked at Silvanus. "Let’s go, slowpoke."

Silvanus sighed theatrically. "Someone who doesn’t have any friends to say goodbye to wouldn’t understand my situation."

Nana shot back coldly, "Shut up if you don’t want to die."

Silvanus shrugged, unfazed.