CHAPTER 249: CHAPTER 249

In an instant, he stopped right in front of me. "I was just gonna look at your art, but you ran away from me instead," he said, his tone a mix of exasperation and amusement.

I opened my eyes. "What?"

"Do I have to repeat myself?" he replied, his voice laced with impatience.

"So why did you chase me?" I pressed.

"Nothing. I figured I wanted to stretch my legs after sitting too long," he said casually.

I was stunned, then caught a glimpse of his lips curving up into a smile before it vanished just as quickly. "Y-You smiled?" I pointed at his face in disbelief.

He glared at me. "Put down your finger, or should we have another lap around the Academy?"

I quickly lowered my hand and walked back with him. This spoiled brat, threatening and exhausting me all at once.

The other students only stared at us with bewildered expressions, whispering among themselves. However, the moment Edge cast a sharp glance in their direction, they immediately looked away, as if afraid of his silent warning.

When we returned to the classroom, I was about to settle into my seat when suddenly, he reached out and pulled my collar from behind, dragging me roughly toward his desk.

"Aack! Why are you dragging me?" I protested, stumbling slightly.

"Sit," he commanded firmly, pointing to the seat next to him.

I rolled my eyes but complied, sinking into the chair with a sigh.

Now he looked at me with a serious expression. "Now what should I do?"

"Huh?" I blinked at him in surprise.

"You told me to help, so what should I do?" he asked, genuinely waiting for guidance.

"But I’m not finished with my work yet," I said softly, refusing to look at his sculpture. If I did, I knew I’d burst out laughing at how awkward or terrible it probably looked.

"Just tell me the basics," he urged, his tone earnest.

Reluctantly, I guided him through the fundamentals, correcting his mistakes along the way. Every time I tried to leave, he’d shoot me a glare that made it clear he didn’t want me to go. So, I had no choice but to carry my own art and sit beside him, still sculpting as I offered him instructions.

When the break ended and students slowly returned to the classroom, Cypher’s eyes widened in shock as he saw me still working on my sculpture.

"Remi? You were here all along?" he asked, walking over and placing his work next to mine.

"Huh? Oh, yeah," I mumbled, still focused on my piece. "I didn’t get a chance to say hello earlier—"

My gaze suddenly drifted to Edge’s sculpture. It was a rough, awkward shape, and I couldn’t help but scold him. "Are you made of stone? Soften your hands, and don’t grip the carving knife too tight."

I approached him calmly, trying to instruct him gently. But it seemed he was either deaf or just ignoring me, because he didn’t change his grip or posture. My patience was slowly wearing thin.

He frowned and grumbled under his breath, but eventually, he listened to my advice, adjusting his hold on the tool. Slowly, his sculpture began to take shape.

I inspected his hand to see if he really loosened it before smiling at Cypher and focusing on my sculpture. "As I was saying, I was about to say hello to you when the instructor came."

Cypher nodded understandingly. "You didn’t have lunch yet, did you?" he asked, glancing at me while continuing to sculpt.

"I have," I said but just then, my stomach growled loudly, betraying my words. I chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of my neck. "I guess I forgot," I admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed.

He shook his head, chuckling. "My guess was right," he said as he pulled out a bento box and handed it to me. "Here. I bought this when you and Edge didn’t come from our usual spot to eat."

My eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Thank you!" I exclaimed cheerfully as I opened the box.

The aroma of freshly cooked rice, savory sauce, and steaming hot vegetables wafted up, making my stomach growl even louder. My eyes widened in appreciation as I took in the assortment of delicious-looking dishes inside the bento box.

I looked up at him, a grateful smile spreading across my face. "Wow, you really know my favorites," I said, feeling touched. "This looks amazing."

He grinned. "I figured you’d like it. I thought you could use a good meal."

I took a bite of the chicken, and the flavors exploded in my mouth. It was even better than I’d expected. "Mmm... this is amazing," I said, closing my eyes in appreciation. "Thank you so much for thinking of me!"

The scent must have wafted strongly enough that Edge couldn’t help but glance at me and then toward my bento box. "Where’s mine?" he demanded.

I ignored him, turning my back to continue eating and watching Cypher sculpt, the smell of my lunch filling the air.

"Hey, witch," he said, poking my side with a finger.

I jolted, glaring at him. "What?"

"Where’s my lunch?" he repeated, eyeing the bento I’m holding.

"I don’t know," I said flatly.

"What?" he said, raising an eyebrow.

"I said get your own. Cypher gave me this," I snapped.

Edge then looked at Cypher. "Hey, where’s mine?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "We have names, by the way," I grumbled.

"What?" Edge said, furrowing his brows at me.

I immediately plastered on a smile. "I said this food’s delicious!"

Cypher only chuckled softly, glancing at Edge. "Oh, I thought you already ate," he said with a knowing smile.

In the end, Edge only grumbled under his breath as he continued sculpting.

While he and Cypher were distracted, I quickly finished my lunch and moved to the back, determined to enjoy my meal without any interruptions every minute then went back to finish my work.

After about two more hours of focusing on sculpting, I suddenly snapped out of my daze. I hadn’t even realized that my art was already complete.

With a flick of my wrist, the magical carving knife disappeared along with my Spectral Seal.

I couldn’t help but stare in awe at the sculpture before me. Damn. This looks more like Edge than the real Edge himself! Is Edge really this handsome, or am I just exceptionally talented at sculpting?

"Is this your first time sculpting, Remillia?" the instructor asked, her voice filled with awe.

I snapped out of my thoughts and, without thinking, blurted out, "Yes," instead of lying.

The instructor looked at me with a proud smile. "As expected of the top student. I’m deeply impressed by your art. You did an amazing job. Perfect score for you."

"T-Thank you," I replied softly.

After receiving my grade, I picked up my sculpture and walked over to Edge. Quietly, I whispered so Cypher wouldn’t be interrupted, "Hey."

Edge was focused on his own sculpture. But when I looked at his work, I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. "What did you do?!" I whispered angrily. His sculpture was already barely recognizable. It certainly couldn’t be used as a gift. I felt like I had wasted my time earlier guiding him on what to do.

He flinched. "Argh, what now, you witch?" he snapped, glaring at me. "Do you really wanna die—"

But he froze when he saw the sculpture in my hand.

I looked at my sculpture, then grinned. I had named it the ’More Handsome and Kinder Edge Killian’ Bust.

"You want it?" I asked, still grinning.

He looked at me then to his sculpture then back to my sculpture. "Leave," he said.

"Oh well... Then there’s no-"

Cypher cut me off. "Can you give it to me instead?"

I blinked in surprise, staring at Cypher. Him? Wanting this bust of Edge’s face? Seriously? I shrugged it off. I’d been thinking of giving it to Whitney anyway, but if Cypher was into it, why not? "Oka—"

Before I could hand it over, Edge suddenly cleared his throat. I looked at him, but he was still focused on his own sculpture.

"Here you—" I began, reaching out to give Cypher the sculpture, but Edge cleared his throat again, this time louder.

"What?" I asked, annoyed.

"I thought you were going to give it to me?" he said, finally looking up.

"Well, you don’t want it, so I’m giving it to Cypher instead," I replied with a shrug.

Edge looked at Cypher with a skeptical expression. "Why would you even want a bust that looks like me?"

Cypher simply looked at me. "Because Remi made it. That’s why I want it."

I looked away from him and stared at Edge’s art instead. He’s hinting at something, but I refuse to acknowledge it.

"She can’t give it to you. That’s facial rights abuse," Edge said firmly, then turned to me, waiting for me to agree and hand over the statue.

"Pfft!" I couldn’t help but laugh. "What?" I said, trying to hold back my amusement. "Why don’t you just say you want it?" I added, placing the sculpture on Edge’s table.

I could see him wanting to smile at my statue, but he immediately stopped when he caught me looking at him. He cleared his throat and said, "Anyway, it’s only right that I should be the one holding this."