At that time, Kassy was at death's door when Colton took her away. Celitia had assumed she would either die directly or become Colton's experimental subject.

So when Kassy suddenly appeared before her unharmed, it was truly beyond Celitia's expectations.

No, perhaps "unharmed" wasn't quite accurate.

Compared to her former aloof, otherworldly demeanor, Kassy now seemed somewhat unhinged.

Celitia didn't care how Kassy was doing; she only wanted to know if Colton had obtained any information from her.

She thought that Kassy shouldn't be foolish enough to voluntarily tell Colton her secrets.

But she still needed to test Colton's reaction, nothing more.

Instead of answering, Colton asked: "You know that elf lady?"

"No," Celitia said indifferently. "I just saw an elf for the first time and was curious, so I asked."

Colton may or may not have believed her, but he smiled and said: "That elf lady had a skin disease. I called a doctor who cured her, and now she's no longer with me."

Celitia frowned.

Colton was lying. How could Kassy possibly have had some skin disease?

What game was he playing?

Celitia instinctively stared at Colton and saw him narrow his eyes slightly, a gleam flashing in them.

From Celitia's momentary distrustful expression, Colton seemed to have observed something as well.

You know her.

Colton's eyes seemed to say.

While Celitia was testing Colton, Colton was also testing her.

Two old foxes in a confrontation, neither gaining an advantage.

Celitia inwardly smirked. So what if he guessed that she knew Kassy?

If Kassy truly latched onto her, within a few days, the whole school would be filled with rumors again anyway.

Celitia had always felt that Colton was not a simple person, and now she grew even more cautious of him.

"As long as that elf is fine, I'm relieved."

Celitia proactively ended the topic, pretending to be tired as she closed her eyes. "I'm fine too, just need some rest. The Dean need not worry about me."

Colton didn't pursue the matter further: "Then rest well. Don't be late for tomorrow's opening ceremony."

He pulled out a pair of gold-rimmed glasses from his pocket and put them back on his nose bridge, returning to his usual gentle and refined appearance.

"Ah, I'm more comfortable wearing glasses, even if it makes me look older, I'll have to accept it."

Waving to Celitia, Colton turned and left the hospital room.

Celitia exhaled, finally relaxing gradually.

One unexpected visitor after another had finally all left.

Should she really consider leaving Cassia?

Before that, she would need to find a way to take Luna and Rebecca with her, but the Herbert family might not let them go.

Could she possibly use the Princess's influence to achieve this goal?

...Sophia...

The girl's silhouette faintly appeared before her eyes. Accompanied by the subtle lavender scent at the bedside, Celitia gradually drifted into dreamland.

She had a strange dream.

In the dream, heaven and earth were inverted, and she found herself amidst clouds and mist.

Colorful clouds of various shapes surrounded Celitia, drifting around her as if curious about her.

Celitia tried to reach out, wanting to touch the surrounding mist, but the moment she made contact, the dream suddenly ended.

Seems like I had a peculiar dream...

Inverted heaven and earth, with oddly shaped clouds.

Generally speaking, the more powerful the mage, the more mystical significance their dreams held.

Perhaps unknowingly penetrating the mysteries of nature, or unconsciously receiving guidance from the Goddess.

However, after careful consideration for a long time, Celitia couldn't connect this dream to any imagery in reality.

After pondering for a while without reaching any conclusion, Celitia temporarily set aside the matter of the dream.

By now, the room was dimly lit; it must have been evening.

Celitia felt that her spirit was fully restored, and her body had regained strength. She should be able to leave the hospital.

Oh right, how was Shanie doing?

Instinctively turning her head, Celitia met Shanie's gaze.

"..."

Shanie stared at her blankly for quite some time before finally coming to her senses. She immediately threw off her blanket and jumped out of bed:

"I-I-I actually fell asleep?!"

Celitia casually responded: "Perhaps you were too tired, so you fell asleep."

"But I don't remember falling asleep at all!" Shanie fired questions like a machine gun. "And I don't know when I got into bed!"

"Even if you ask me, I wouldn't know. I fell asleep before you did."

Celitia was determined not to tell Shanie the truth.

"That's right..." Shanie was very dejected.

She had come to keep a sick friend company, but not only failed to take care of her, she had actually fallen asleep on the adjacent bed, without even the slightest recollection of it.

Buck up, or you'll be seen as a pig!

Shanie silently encouraged herself.

"Lily, are you feeling better? Is there anywhere you still feel uncomfortable?" Shanie asked with concern.

"I'm much better now," Celitia nodded. "Thank you for bringing me back."

"What kind of illness do you have exactly?" Shanie was very worried. "I heard from Her Highness that you've fainted more than once. Should you just stay in the hospital for a few days?"

"That's not necessary," Celitia said with a straight face, telling a complete lie. "I've had heart problems since childhood. It's incurable; I can only manage it through rest."

"How can that be!" Shanie gasped, tears welling up in her eyes. "And I made you run with me. Why didn't you say anything..."

I did ask you to slow down, but you didn't listen.

Celitia grumbled inwardly.

"That level of activity was actually fine. Don't worry too much about it."

"No way!" Shanie shook her head vigorously. "If you won't take care of yourself, then I'll have to do it for you!"

Celitia fell into silent contemplation, feeling that Shanie's words sounded somewhat familiar, similar to what Luna had said before.

After a long pause, she finally spoke: "Shanie, aren't you angry about what I said this morning?"

Celitia thought those words should have been hurtful enough, but unexpectedly, Shanie hadn't abandoned her either.

"What's there to be angry about?" Shanie played with her braids, smiling cheerfully. "I know those weren't your true feelings. I'm not so easily fooled. Even my teacher says I'm good at reading people... Don't think you can deceive me so easily, okay?"

Celitia's expression gradually became somewhat distant.

She remembered how, years ago, she had pestered the old man to take on a junior sister, but he had always brushed her off.

Later, she learned that Erwin had devoted all his energy to teaching her and had no strength left to take on other disciples.

And later still, she finally had a junior sister, although the smiling girl sitting across from her knew nothing of this.

"Sigh..."

Celitia let out a long sigh, filled with both helplessness and acceptance.

If she truly couldn't push her away, then so be it.

Even if she didn't trust her own judgment... perhaps she could trust the old man's judgment instead.