CHAPTER 125: BETWEEN HER AND HIM.

Jin pushed aside a low branch, his expression frustrated. "She has to be nearby," he muttered, scratching the back of his head.

Elysia walked beside him, her brows deeply furrowed with worry and irritation. "Cecelia said she’d meet us after the exam ended. Where could she have gone?"

Edwin trailed a few steps behind, hands in his pockets and his gaze wandering around the forest lazily. He looked more annoyed than concerned. "She’s probably fine. Maybe she just went off early."

But Elysia wasn’t convinced. She pressed on with quick strides, her heart pounding with a strange mix of anxiety and suspicion.

The trio soon searched for her. As they stepped in, Elysia came to a sudden halt.

There—at the center of the clearing—stood Cecelia.

And in front of her... was Kael.

The sight rooted Elysia to the spot. Her chest tightened.

Cecelia was standing close to him, hands gently clasped in front of her. Her face was calm, even a little flushed, and her voice—though too soft to hear—seemed gentle, uncertain.

Kael stood there in his usual quiet composure, arms relaxed, his unreadable expression giving nothing away.

But his eyes... his eyes were fixed entirely on Cecelia.

He smiled.

A soft, genuine smile—one he rarely gave anyone.

That was the last straw.

"Cecelia!" Elysia’s voice rang out, sharp and cutting through the silence like a blade.

Both Kael and Cecelia looked up, startled. Cecelia’s eyes widened as she saw Elysia storming toward them, her footsteps loud and heavy on the grass.

Before Cecelia could speak, Elysia grabbed her wrist tightly and pulled her away from Kael with surprising force.

"What are you doing with him?" Elysia hissed through clenched teeth, dragging her friend a few steps back.

Cecelia stumbled slightly but didn’t resist. She looked back at Kael for a second—his eyes hadn’t left her—but then turned to Elysia, her voice trembling. "I was just talking with him abou—"

"You don’t need to talk to someone like him," Elysia snapped, her tone fierce and accusing.

"Especially not alone. He will do anything that you don’t know"

Cecelia looked down, guilt flickering across her face. "I’m sorry..."

Kael watched silently from where he stood. He didn’t say a word, but that faint smile lingered—almost as if he knew exactly what effect it had caused.

He stood completely still, not knowing what to speak. He didn’t speak a word, and didn’t try to stop them. He simply watched as Elysia dragged Cecelia away from the crowd. His eyes quietly followed them—especially Cecelia.

(wait what am I thinking.. I am not here to make love or anything)

And just before they disappeared, Kael’s eyes met Cecelia’s one last time.

He gave her a small, soft smile.

Cecelia’s chest tightened at that.

Her feet slowed for a moment, and she looked back over her shoulder.

"I’m sorry," she whispered under her breath. Her voice was so quiet, even she wasn’t sure if anyone heard it.

Then she was gone, pulled away by Elysia.

Behind them, Edwin gave the entire scene a lazy glance. He looked completely uninterested, as if it wasn’t worth paying attention to. With a sigh, he turned around and said, "Let’s just head back already. What a waste of time."

Jin didn’t say anything. He simply nodded and followed after Edwin without a word.

Neither of them looked back at Kael.

Elysia said. "Why him?" she asked, her voice sharp. "Out of everyone—why would you talk to him?"

Cecelia walked beside her, her eyes lowered to the ground. Her hands were clenched into small fists at her sides. She didn’t answer at first.

Then, quietly, she said, "He’s not like what you think... not when you actually talk to him."

Elysia stopped walking.

She turned her head sharply toward Cecelia. "Oh, so you talked to him now? Had a nice little chat?" Her tone was rising with every word.

"You barely even know him!"

Cecelia finally lifted her head. Her eyes burned with emotion. "And you don’t either!"

That made Elysia pause.

The anger on her face flickered—just for a second.

A long silence passed between them, the only sounds being the rustling leaves and the distant footsteps of Edwin and Jin ahead.

Then, softer this time, Elysia muttered, "I’m just trying to protect you..."

Cecelia looked at her, confused. "Protect me from what?"

Elysia didn’t respond right away.

Cecelia pressed again, her voice firm now. "From someone who’s done nothing but treat me kindly?"

Elysia’s mouth opened—but no words came out.

Instead, her jaw tightened. She turned away and began walking again, faster this time.

Behind them, Jin and Edwin continued walking like none of it mattered.

Edwin yawned and glanced back. "Are you being bothered by that guy, Elysia?"

"No," Elysia snapped, her tone defensive. "It’s just... you shouldn’t talk to random people like him."

Jin, still looking straight ahead, shrugged. "Not my business."

The group fell into silence again, the atmosphere tense and fractured.

And that was the truth of it. To them, Kael was a name with no weight. A shadow on the edge of the group. Neither friend nor enemy. Just... someone who existed, and nothing more.

But to Elysia, she didn’t like it.

Not one bit.

Not too far from the rest of the group, Alina, Seraphina, and Liora walk on a fallen log near the edge of the clearing, catching their breath after the dispersion.

Their faces were flushed with exhaustion, but laughter bubbled between them as they compared the scrapes and bruises they had collected during the fight.

Alina raised her hand proudly, showing off a scorched leather glove with a big hole burned through the palm.

"See this?" she said with a wide grin. "That beast did not enjoy getting fire magic blasted straight in the face. I told you it would work!"

Liora let out a short laugh, shaking her head. "We never said it wouldn’t work, Alina. We just thought you’d end up setting us on fire while you were at it."

"Oh please," Alina rolled her eyes. "You’re still alive, aren’t you?"

Seraphina chuckled softly, brushing dirt off her arm where a nasty bruise was starting to form.

"Honestly though... Did anyone expect Elysia to take command like that? She was giving orders like she’d done it a hundred times before. She basically controlled the group like a baby doll being played by the child."