Sylvie took a warm bath and changed into something more comfortable.

    When she stepped out of the bathroom, she paused in surprise. Her room had been tidied up, and the broken glass was being swept into a dustpan.

    Adrian was crouched down, cleaning the mess she had planned to take care of after freshening up.

    "You didn''t have to do that," she said softly, feeling a little ashamed that the Professor was doing it instead.

    But Adrian replied with a calm smile, "It''s fine. I do this every day—it''s no trouble at all."

    His workshop might be a mess, always scattered with tools and materials, but his personal space was the opposite—neat and clean. Especially now, with Ariana visiting him regularly.

    He dropped the last shard of glass into the dustbin and neatly placed the broom and dustpan back into a small cabinet near the entrance.

    Once done, he returned to the room and asked, "Want some coffee?"

    Sylvie immediately stood up. "Let me prepare it, sir. You''re a guest—I can''t let you do everything."

    Adrian smiled. "How about I show you my coffee-making skills today? Next time, you can make it for us."

    His words left her speechless for a second. She nodded and showed him where everything was.

    Each student''s room had a small kitchen setup for late-night snacks or warm drinks like this. Though the school discouraged them from keeping anything that could burn, they weren''t strict about it—students often had kettles or boilers tucked in.

    Adrian poured just enough water for two cups into the kettle and placed it on the boiler.

    "You can rest, if you want," he said.

    Sylvie was sitting upright on the bed, a bit too stiff in his presence.

    "I''m really okay, sir," she replied. "And... just so you know, not even for a moment did I think of letting Michael do anything to me."

    Adrian let out a slow breath. "Sylvie... are you sure you''re not forcing yourself to say that?"

    She nodded firmly. "When I chose to become a Warden, I understood death wasn''t the only thing I needed to be ready for. I was fourteen when my instructor first told me—she didn''t sugarcoat anything. She shared real stories. Some female Wardens were captured by Acolytes and... weren''t killed right away. But there were warriors who survived that hell, too."

    She took a moment, steadying her voice.

    "That''s why I made up my mind long ago. I knew something like this could happen. And I was well prepared to fight against it to death.*

    Adrian looked at her and said quietly, "I''m proud of you, Sylvie. Truly. Even if you had killed Michael for what he tried to do, no one would have questioned you. So if he ever shows up again, don''t hesitate. Slit his throat."

    Sylvie''s eyes hardened. "I really hope he does come back, sir. It''s been a long time since I felt this much disgust toward someone."

    Adrian almost laughed. The last person she probably felt this way about was him.

    But he said nothing, simply walked over with the two cups of coffee in hand and placed one by her

    side.

    He sat on the chair across from her, and before he could even take a sip, he heard her delighted voice.

    "This… is so delicious."

    She quickly covered her mouth, but her eyes sparkled with joy.

    Adrian smiled warmly. "I''m glad it suits your taste."

    But then Sylvie tilted her head slightly, a look of surprise on her face.

    "Wait… don''t you prefer black coffee? No sugar, no milk, sir? How did you know I like mine sweet and creamy?"

    Adrian blinked, caught off guard. "How do you know how I like my coffee?"

    Sylvie''s cheeks turned pink.

    She couldn''t possibly tell him that she used to watch him closely… that she knew almost everything about him—his habits, his routine, even his shoe size.

    The room fell into a short, quiet pause.

    Neither of them said what they truly knew.

    Adrian had read it in the novel in his previous life. It mentioned more than once how Sylvie found comfort in sweet drinks, and how Allen used that to soothe her when she was upset.

    So yes, both of them knew—but neither could confess the source.

    A few moments passed before Adrian gently spoke again.

    "If you want to return home and take a few days off, I can arrange the permission."

    Sylvie slowly shook her head.

    "The atmosphere back there… it''s not something I want to face right now."

    Adrian''s expression shifted.

    He was suddenly reminded of Edward—the eldest heir of the royal family—whose passing had shaken the kingdom. How could he forget?

    "I''m sorry about that."

    But Sylvie gave a soft smile. "It''s alright, sir. I know you''re looking out for me… and just having you here is already more comforting than you realize." Sёarch* The N?vel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    She mumbled the last part, almost under her breath, but he heard it.

    Adrian wanted to sigh.

    Even after everything that had happened between them… she still held onto those feelings.

    He didn''t say anything about it.

    His only focus now was to be here—for her.

    If his presence could bring her some peace, even just a little, then he would gladly stay silent and stay close.

    They chatted for some more time before Sylvie was told to rest as Adrian heard a knock on the door.

    Sylvie lied down on the bed as Adrian opened the door and found Ariana standing on the other side.

    He glanced at the girl once before stepping out and slowly shutting the door.

    "Did you find him?" Adrian asked only to find her shaking her head.

    "He seemed to have disappeared in the forest downslope. He must have made preparations."

    Adrian shook his head, "No, this happened impulsively."

    Ariana frowned, "What do you mean?"

    "Sylvie was paying attention to him until a few days ago, and they seemed on good terms. But she slowly distanced herself from him because she was attending the extra classes I provided to Thalia. So I believe this is an impulsive action."

    Ariana hummed, "Then he wouldn''t have gone too far and must be hiding somewhere in the forest." She had already informed the border security to capture if they saw a boy with the features she described.

    So between the border security and the academy was the expanse of greenery.

    "What about Allen?"

    Ariana assured him, "He has woken up but still being taken care of."

    Adrian nodded as he rested his hands on his waist.

    It turned out after investigation that Allen came to see Olivia off to her room when he heard the disturbance from the neighbouring room.

    And upon calling out, Sylvie cried for help and then Allen lost to Michael during the confrontation.

    Seriously, Allen has reached nowhere his canon counterpart.

    "Adrian, what should we do about Sylvie?" Ariana asked.

    Adrian understood that she was anxious about her security, but, "Leave her alone. She will be used to lure the hunt into the trap."

    Michael''s chapter has been stretched far too long. It''s time to end it.

    °°°°°°°°

    A/N:- Thanks for reading. Drop a comment or review if you have been enjoying so far.