CHAPTER 81: JEALOUS ALREADY ?

Her tone softened slightly as her gaze lingered on him. "I was truly worried out there, watching her go against you. But for some reason, I felt she was holding back. She had every opportunity to finish the fight—anyone could see it, but she didn’t. She held herself back a little."

Eran’s eyes narrowed slightly, his thoughts spinning at her words. She held back? The realization struck him deeper than he expected. If Selene, somehow knew Miyu held back out there better than anyone... noticed it, then others among the high nobles might have seen it too.

Feigning composure, he spoke quietly. "Huh... you sure about that? How do you know?"

Selene leaned in slightly, her fingers pressing softer against his skin as she replied,

"I know my students, Eran. Every one of them. And those who know Miyu well would understand what I mean, she never pulls her strikes unless there’s a reason. Either her pride got in the way, or she felt disgusted being forced to spar against a commoner. Maybe she thought the whole duel was beneath her, or even felt disrespected by the board and Girzar himself for pairing you two together."

She paused for a long moment, her voice dropping lower.

"But something about it didn’t fit. I knew she might be angry, yes.. disgusted, even. But the way she moved, the way she stopped... it wasn’t out of frustration. She had you cornered, Eran. She could have ended it. Especially when you both aren’t in good terms at all in class. Yet somehow..." Selene’s brows furrowed as she shook her head slightly. "Somehow, she quit. And that..." she met his gaze again, " that’s what stunned me."

Eran brushed a hand through his hair, staring up for a moment as Selene’s words sank in. He hadn’t expected her to notice, or anyone else, either — that Miyu had held back during the duel. Of course, he knew she did, but he never imagined anyone would pick up on it.

He shook his head lightly, lost in thought.

’No... just as selene said, even if the higher nobles who knew Miyu well... noticed she held back, they’d probably assume it was out of disgust or disappointment. Nothing more.’

His voice grew lower, and thoughtful.

’Besides, selene might be the only one who noticed something else entirely... because she’s our professor. She’s seen and understands each of her students closely... enough to read what others can’t. Especially in my case, since Miyu and i weren’t on good terms from the very start ’

As his thoughts spiraled further, Selene moved quietly behind him on the bed. Her presence pressed close, her chest brushing fully against his back, the soft warmth molding into him. One of her hands slid up gently, brushing through his hair before resting on his forehead, her touch slow and deliberate as if to test for heat.

She teased in a low voice, her breath grazing his ear.

"Eran... I always wonder what goes on in that head of yours. Does it hurt? Or do you perhaps wish to let me know something?"

Without hesitation, Eran lifted his gaze, tilting his head slightly upward until his eyes met hers. Her body still pressed around him, the soft curve of her chest framing his head, but his tone was calm and even.

"Well... what do you feel about her? When she held back, I mean. You know her better than any noble out there."

Selene’s eyes didn’t waver. Her fingers lingered against his temple, voice soft but direct.

"Nothing... that’s what troubles me. I just feel curious about it. Because I do know her well."

Eran gave a warm, knowing smile. He understood. But immediately shifted the conversation,

"I didn’t know Nyssa would be among the judges."

Selene tilted her head slightly, her gaze locking with Eran’s. "Hm, true. I didn’t think to tell you about that earlier."

She gave a small sigh before continuing.

"But it’s normal. Whenever there are major duels that determine rankings or performance, the academy authority rotates the judges’ panel. They sometimes call on nobles of higher grade to evaluate lower classes. That’s why Nyssa was there."

Eran nodded slightly, confirming his initial thought; the arrangement was standard.

Selene then added, clarifying the long-term impact. "We’re evaluating the results and performance scores on our duel list now. It will take a complete week, or perhaps more, to fully round it up in the disciplinary committee."

She offered a genuine smile. "I’m happy you passed the duel out there—largely due to Miyu’s grace, which I don’t fully understand yet. But the scores still matter, as they’ll grade each of you into your ranks once the season is over."

Hearing this, Eran pushed up a bit, stepping off the bed and turning fully to face Selene. He was stunned, and yet completely amused. The victory had not only been granted by his own actions, but by his system and his intellect.

He asked, his curiosity bubbling with amusement, "Are you sure about this? I recall hearing Girzar say something similar, but I wasn’t quite sure. I thought it was just a phrase to push every participant past their limits."

Selene smiled calmly, the warmth in her eyes reflecting the joy her confirmation had ignited in Eran. "Yes, Eran, it’s definitely true. All those declared winners are considered to have passed the duel phase. By season’s end, each one will be granted ranks into the next grade: Grade C."

She elaborated, holding up two fingers. "Remember, Grade C has two ranks ’RankIV and Rank III’ but they are the same grade overall. So we’re working on that evaluation now. That’s why it takes quite some time to process."

Selene then gestured to Eran’s face, tapping his cheek lightly with her fingertip in a playful tease. "Hm. I wonder what you said to Nyssa that made her tell me you surprised her."

Eran’s expression shifted, a subtle change of discomfort or perhaps pride, but enough for Selene to catch.

Selene continued with a playful smile without waiting for an answer. "She told me she’d have to increase your score before her script finally gets into the analysis process. You know I submitted both our scripts earlier, but we’re to go to the committee tomorrow. It’s not too late to change scores, as it takes time to evaluate before merging all the judges’ final results onto the rank list."

Immediately, Eran’s expression lighted up with ease, followed by a warm, knowing chuckle. The amusement was infectious.

Selene pinched both his ears playfully, her grin widening. "Hm. I won’t pretend again, Eran. Now tell me what you told her."

Shifting closer, Eran leaned in to her ear. His reply was a low whisper. "Jealous already?"

Selene pulled back slightly, one hand on her hip, but her smile didn’t fade. "Haha, why would I be jealous? I know Nyssa well. She has a humor, but her calm, staring silence burns like a flame you can’t read. She isn’t the type to be taken lightly when she’s quiet."

Eran winked, raising a single brow in a knowing smirk. "Is that so?"

He leaned back, the amusement never leaving his eyes. "Well, I didn’t tell her anything much, actually. I just told her she had a kind heart in treating a commoner like me."

Selene placed a hand lightly on her chest and let out a quiet, surprised laugh. "Wait, is that all? I am surprised. If you say that alone could make Nyssa so overwhelmed with surprise..."

Eran’s eyes locked on hers, his reply soft and firm. "Yes, I’m sure. Ask her when you two have time together. I didn’t say anything further."

Selene gave a warm, knowing smile. "Doesn’t matter either way," she murmured softly. "Even if I decide to ask her or not..."

Stretching her arms above her head, she let out a low, weary groan before falling onto the bed beside him. "Ugh... it’s been such a long day," she sighed, voice melting into the quiet of the room. "I’m tired. I wish this night could stretch on... maybe for a whole week of nothing but rest."

Eran chuckled low under his breath, watching her with a trace of amusement. "You might actually have that chance," he teased lightly. "After all, you’re a high noble"

Before he could finish, Selene interrupted him with a soft sigh, her tone a little wistful. "Yeah, it’s true," she said quietly. "But there are still certain tasks I can’t neglect..."

Her words trailed off as she turned her head toward him, that familiar warmth rising again in her smile. "Now you understand, Eran," she whispered. "But meanwhile..." — her gaze softened, her hand brushing lightly against his chest — "you can help me calm this exhaustion... and make me feel relaxed. Only you, my beloved."

Eran gave a small, amused smile. "Hm, you’re much too tired," he said softly. "Perhaps just as you said... I’ll only make you warm enough to feel relaxed, then you can drift to sleep. It’ll help."

Selene gave a quiet chuckle, her voice teasing but gentle. "No, give me all I can take. I can handle it." she murmured. Her emerald eyes glassy and seeking, met his—as though she wanted to read his thoughts more than hear them.