The evening air was cool, carrying the faint scent of fresh earth after the long day. The horizon still burned faintly orange, but shadows stretched long across the cobbled path. As the two walked side by side, silence stretched between them, filled only by the soft crunch of their footsteps against stone.

Lilliane's gaze flickered toward Luca, then darted away again, her fingers tightening around the hem of her sleeve. She chewed her bottom lip as if bracing herself, waiting for him to speak.

He could feel her eyes on him, though she tried to disguise it, and inside his mind, a quiet struggle began.

How should I answer? I know some of the truths… but if I speak them plainly, will it help? Or only burden her?

His jaw tensed, then relaxed as he exhaled softly. At last, he parted his lips.

"Well… if they're saying it, it might hold some truth." His gaze lowered, watching the faint scuff of his shoe against the stone. "But… there's always the chance it's just rumor too."

Lilliane nodded slowly, her face turned half-away so the fading light only brushed the curve of her cheek. Her hands clasped together in front of her as if trying to steady herself, and her expression remained unreadable in the dimming glow.

There's no use claiming absolute certainty, Luca thought. If she chooses to dig deeper herself, maybe she'll discover something valuable on her own.

To ease the heaviness pressing between them, he tilted his head slightly and shifted the subject.

"So… are you liking the club so far?"

Her brows drew together, the faintest wrinkle creasing her forehead. She hesitated, as though tasting the words in her mouth before letting them out.

"It's… not as bad as I thought."

Luca gave a faint nod, a quiet curve tugging at his lips. "Well, that's progress."

Her voice softened as she went on, almost like a confession she hadn't meant to give, "Still, it's overwhelming without Aiden… but it's good that my friend is with me." Her eyes flicked to him, and a small, hesitant smile broke through, fragile but real.

Luca glanced at her, lips quirking into a light chuckle. "It's good that you're in the club too."

But behind the easy words, his thoughts lingered.

Maybe this is good for her. Spending time apart from Aiden… she needs to breathe on her own. Right now, Aiden is like oxygen to her—not love, not fondness, but necessity. That's dangerous.

A quiet sigh slipped from him, shoulders loosening.

By then, they had reached the crossroads where the path forked, one way winding toward Block A and the other toward the dorms on the opposite wing. Their steps slowed, almost unwillingly, until they both stopped.

Luca turned to her with a gentle smile, hands slipping casually into his pockets.

"Looks like this is it," he said, his tone low but kind. "Let's get going."

"Mm." She dipped her head in a small nod, pink strands of hair slipping forward as she turned toward her route.

He had just started to walk away when a wavering voice called out, soft but urgent.

"L-Luca…"

He paused mid-step and glanced back over his shoulder.

Lilliane stood there with her pink hair loose in the breeze, the golden glow of the setting sun haloing her form like a fleeting painting. Her lips parted, her eyes carrying a quiet struggle—as if dozens of unsaid words tangled inside her chest.

At last, she called out, her voice breaking free in a rush,

"Thank you!"

Luca blinked, caught off guard. "Hmm?"

But she had already spun around, her skirts fluttering as she hurried down the stone path. The sharp tap of her shoes echoed briefly, fading into the distance as her figure melted into the twilight.

He stood there for a moment, then let out a short chuckle, shaking his head. A small, wry smile tugged at his mouth as he resumed his walk toward the dorms.

The looming shadow of Block A rose ahead, tall and unwavering against the darkening sky. Its many windows glowed faintly, each one a flicker of student life settling in for the night.

By the time he reached the fourth floor and stepped into his room, the weight of the day pressed down all at once. His shoulders sagged as he let the door close softly behind him. He toed off his shoes, pulled at the stiff collar of his uniform, and finally collapsed backward onto the bed with a muffled sigh.

For a long while, he lay still, staring up at the blank ceiling above. His arm draped lazily over his eyes, shutting out the dim light spilling in from the window. Exhaustion seeped into his bones.

"Let's rest early today," he murmured to no one but himself, voice low and almost swallowed by the quiet. "Who knows... if from tomorrow, I'll even get the chance to sleep."

The faint hum of the academy at night drifted through the walls—the distant laughter of students, the muffled clang of practice swords far off, the sigh of the wind in the trees. Slowly, all of it blurred as his thoughts dimmed, until silence finally embraced him.

***

[Aurelia's 3rd Person POV]

The morning light spilled gently across Aurelia's crimson hair, each strand catching the sun's warmth like liquid fire. She stirred beneath the sheets, her delicate fingers brushing across her eyes before a soft yawn escaped her lips. The drowsiness clung stubbornly to her as she slid out of bed, her feet meeting the cool floor.

Her body moved on instinct, carrying her toward the bathroom. The silk of her pajamas slipped from her shoulders, pooling at her feet before she stepped into the shower. Hot water cascaded down her skin, washing away the last remnants of sleep yet failing to wash away the heaviness in her chest.

When she emerged, droplets still clinging to her neck and collarbones, she found herself standing before the mirror. Her amethyst eyes locked with their reflection. Usually, there would be a teasing smirk playing at her lips, a sparkle of mischief lurking in her gaze. Today, there was nothing. No grin. No fire. Just a quiet emptiness that unsettled her more than she wanted to admit.

Her voice, low and distant, slipped past her lips.

"Why is nothing feeling good lately…? Even my attention in classes is fading."

She pulled open the wardrobe. Instead of the academy's uniform, her hand reached for lighter clothes—an outfit meant for ease of movement, not formality. As she laid the pieces out, she muttered under her breath:

"Maybe my mood will improve after this mission with Kyle."

Her fingers wove quickly through her damp hair, braiding the crimson strands with practiced ease. The image of Kyle's determined face flickered in her memory. The last time they had gone on a mission together, he had declared he wanted to become stronger. Now, once again, he had come to her, almost begging for her help.

She sighed, dragging the braid over her shoulder.

"That idiot… at least he is trying to get strong."

Boots laced and tightened, she stood by the door, her expression still shadowed with grogginess. The thought crept back in, sharper this time, cutting into her chest like a blade.

It's all because of that bastard…

Her lips pressed into a thin line as she strode toward the academy gates, the morning air cool against her skin. Her fists clenched at her sides as she thought bitterly, How dare he look down on me? I thought… at least he wouldn't. But he…

Her thoughts fractured as a familiar, playful voice cut through the morning air.

"Hello."

Her steps faltered.

Slowly, she looked up.

There he was—exactly the last person she wanted to see at this moment. Her amethyst eyes widened, not with surprise, but with something far sharper. Anger rippled through her chest, quickening her pulse.

Her voice trembled with restrained fury as she spat, "What are you doing here?"