Iris''s expectant eyes watched him, her gaze unwavering. Damon froze for a moment, caught off guard by the intensity of her expression. He turned to Lilith, only to find a sly smile playing on her lips. For a brief moment, he felt his breath hitch and his heart pound, but right on cue, the Remorseless skill activated, forcing him to calm himself.

    Damon frowned, carefully placing his teacup down with a faint click.

    "I''m sorry, Lilith, but I think there''s been some misunderstanding."

    Lilith raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening slightly. "A misunderstanding?"

    Damon nodded slowly, maintaining his composure.

    "Yes. You seem to believe I''m some sort of expert on the matter. But as much as I''d love to bask in the glow of your faith in me, I''m afraid I have no idea what you''re talking about."

    Iris''s blue eyes darted toward him, her voice trembling slightly. "You... really don''t know anything?"

    Damon turned his gaze to her, his tone softening.

    "No, Iris. I don''t. I wish I did—if only to help you find some peace. But I''m as in the dark about your father''s death as anyone else."

    Iris lowered her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "I see."

    Lilith tilted her head, her smirk turning sharper.

    "Really? You mean to tell me you, of all people, have absolutely no insight into what happened to Carmen Vale?"

    Her gaze flicked back to Damon, her tone teasing yet probing.

    "Are you sure about that?"

    Damon shook his head slowly, his voice steady.

    "That''s exactly what I''m saying. I''m just a student trying to get through the day without being dragged into anyone else''s schemes. If someone''s led you to believe otherwise, I''d suggest reevaluating your sources."

    The jab was subtle but unmistakable, and Lilith caught it. Her smirk faltered briefly before returning, more calculated than before.

    "Hmm, I see. Perhaps this was a misunderstanding on my part. But I''m sure someone with your... unique perspective would be willing to help me, wouldn''t you, Damon?"

    Damon kept his expression calm, though he recognized the trap. She was baiting him, but with Iris watching him with such a hopeful, pleading gaze, he knew he couldn''t refuse.

    "Yes," he said evenly. "I''ll try my best to assist however I can."

    His hand clenched tightly at his side. Lilith Astranova had crossed a line—there was no reason to involve Iris in any of this.

    "Very well," Lilith said, her tone triumphant. "I''m glad to have you on board."

    She glanced at Iris, who was still looking at Damon with a mix of hope and longing.

    Before either of them could act, the sound of delicate footsteps echoed through the stillness, followed by a voice dripping with mockery.

    "Well, well, well. What do we have here? The pristine student council president messing around with a boy in a secluded area in the dead of night..."

    The voice paused for dramatic effect.

    "What a sight."

    Damon immediately released Lilith''s collar and turned to face the source of the interruption. Standing a short distance away was a woman with violet hair tied into a sleek ponytail, her eyes matching the vivid hue of her hair. She wore the academy uniform, but her confident posture and the curve of her body gave her an aura of nobility. Her beauty rivaled that of Lilith Astranova, though her aloof expression and the subtle smirk on her lips grated on Damon''s nerves.

    In Damon''s perception, the shadows surrounding her seemed... off. There was something strange, something unnatural about her presence.

    He knew exactly who she was.

    Renata Malcrist.

    She wasn''t just any student. Ranked number two among the second years, she lived in the War Halls and had a reputation for unmatched power. Renata had already reached her second class advancement—a feat that placed her on par with Lilith Astranova. Her unique magic attribute, Zero, made her even more dangerous.

    Rumors of her exploits circulated widely. She was known to take down monsters at the level of those who had reached their third class advancement, and she herself was just a step away from crossing that threshold.

    Lilith immediately stepped between Damon and Renata, her stance a mix of caution and hostility. Her cold, calculating eyes locked on the violet-haired girl.

    "What do you want?" she demanded.

    Renata''s smirk deepened as she crossed her arms, her gaze flickering between Lilith and Damon.

    "Now, now," Renata said, her tone light but laced with amusement. "No need to get defensive, Astranova. I was just passing by and couldn''t help but notice the tension. What''s the matter? Trouble in paradise?"

    Damon felt a vein pulse in his temple, but he held his tongue, watching the exchange with wary eyes. He knew better than to underestimate someone like Renata.

    Lilith''s voice dropped, her tone sharp and biting. "This doesn''t concern you. Leave."

    Renata chuckled softly, taking a leisurely step closer. "Oh, but I think it does. You see, when someone like you—Astranova herself—gets so worked up over a mere boy, I can''t help but be curious."

    Her eyes shifted to Damon, her gaze lingering. "And him... there''s something different about him, isn''t there?"

    Lilith''s posture stiffened, her body tensing like a coiled spring.

    "I said leave," she repeated, her voice colder than ever.

    Renata''s smirk didn''t waver as she raised her hands in mock surrender.

    "Relax, I''m just observing. But if you''re so keen on hiding something..." Her gaze grew sharper, almost predatory. "...it must be interesting."

    Damon clenched his fists, his instincts screaming that this encounter was far from over. Whatever Renata''s intentions, it was clear she wasn''t leaving anytime soon.