Zane blinked, standing still for a moment as the echo of Ron's voice faded into the broken silence.
"Please… become our teacher, Mr. Zane!!!"
The crater still sizzled behind him. The wind howled through the ravaged forest, brushing against his coat. Zane tilted his head slightly, blinking again.
"...What?"
Ron, still kneeling, looked up with fierce, determined eyes.
"Please! I—I know I'm not strong enough. But I want to be. I want to protect the people around me like you do! So… teach us! Guide us!"
Lia, beside him, wiped her mouth, blood still smeared on her cheek. She didn't speak—but she gave a silent nod, her eyes just as determined.
Zane looked at them both, lips parted, a little confused.
Zane stared at them for another second, then casually waved his hand.
"Umm... no."
Ron froze. "Huh?"
Zane raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Aren't you both going to that academy? You know—Astralis Arcanum, the one you told me about?"
