The halls of the Liberal Arts building stood quiet, too quiet for how heavy Caelus's footsteps felt.
The sun had long dipped past the windows, casting long shadows that stretched like fingers across the polished floor. Most students had already gone home, leaving the corridors to echo with nothing but silence and the faint hum of old lights. Yet, here he was — walking alongside her.
Professor Lynn.
A name that carried weight in every corner of Rhodeia College. A name spoken with reverence, with fear, with awe.
And now, she who bore that name was walking beside him.
Caelus kept his eyes forward, but his thoughts reeled. It was surreal. For all his years spent among demons — creatures who laughed at death and spat in the face of gods — nothing quite prepared him for the sheer gravity of being near her.
It wasn't just honor. It was pressure. It was expectation. It was the undeniable sense that he was standing next to someone who saw through him.
"Oi," she called out. "It'd do you good to smile every now and then. Keep up that droopiness, and your face will start to wrinkle within a few years."
"There's not enough of a reason for me to smile," Caelus replied.
"Goodness gracious. Such depressing words for someone so young. You're starting to sound like that grumpy old man, Archeota."
"You know the professor?"
"Indeed. That man would sooner fall over due to old age than give me a genuine smile. I swear, whenever he's in the room, it is an immediate instinct to tense up. That goes for me as well."
That statement was far from an exaggeration. It had been a month since Caelus first started attending Rhodeia, so he's had his fair share of Professor Archeota's menacing glares.
"Anyway, talk to me," Lynn said. "What's got you so worked up? I mean, a hole in the hallowed walls of Rhodeia? That's a feat not even the most dastardly criminal would think of, much less capable of."
"Ah... I apologize for that. I'll pay for the repairs."
Only recently did Celine create a new account at the magic bank and deposit a hefty sum for Caelus to use at his leisure. Given how prestigious Rhodeia College is, there was no way the repair cost was any small amount.
It was a shame, but he only had himself to blame.
"Pay? Hehe~" Lynn giggled. "No need for that, dear. There's nothing that magic can't fix, so long as the mage is adept. And it just so happens that I am well-acquainted with one such mage. In fact..."—she rested a finger over her lips—"Oh my. I knew your name sounded familiar. Caelus de Luvelaine, one of her only four students."
"...You mean Professor Silva?"
"Indeed. As her student, you must know how capable she is, so worry not. She can fix that wall with a snap of her fingers."
Despite the casual tone, Caelus was cautious. It was Silva who discovered him with Alune, one of the Malevolence. Given the apparent relationship between her and Lynn, the woman standing before him might have known more than she was letting on.
For now, he decided to tread cautiously.
"So? Are you going to answer my question, dear?" Lynn asked.
"It's... nothing you need to worry about," he replied. "Just a snobby rich kid who couldn't keep his mouth shut."
"Mm, of course. Rhodeia College wouldn't be the same without the classic noble descendants marching in and acting like they own the place. At this point, it's a tradition."
"What a shitty tradition."
"As it is with many of Vectis's oldest traditions. That's why I prefer the traditions of my homeland. Unfortunately, there is very little that can be done about it. In a place like this, you're bound to face a bit of unkind words, especially with how competitive Rhodeia is.
"Trust me. I get that. But there's a massive difference between competitive banter and blatant insults aimed at my family name. That's something I won't let slide. And to be completely honest with you, Professor... I'm holding back as best I can. At this rate, though, I don't know how much longer that'll last."
The moment his final word left his mouth, Lynn stopped in her tracks.
She glanced out the window beside them, as if seeking clarity in the fading daylight. Then, slowly, she turned to face him.
Her eyes met his, and what she saw stopped her breath.
Behind those eyes, a fire blazed. It wasn't warm, nor was it bright. It wasn't the darkness of night, but something far more absolute. A pitch-black flame, cold and merciless, curled in the depths of his gaze.
Her skin tingled. Her instincts screamed... because she had felt this once before. A very long time ago.
"Remind me of your name again, child," she said.
"Mine? It's Caelus de Luvelaine."
"Caelus de Luvelaine. I shall remember it. Alas, it seems we've arrived at your destination. Archeota's classroom, right?"
"Huh? I mean... Yeah."
Lynn let out a soft chuckle. Then, without warning, she leaned forward and gently lifted the strands of hair dangling in front of Caelus's face. Through his glasses, she saw a pair of lavender eyes — still young, still flickering — yet behind what life still remains was the gaze of something else that wasn't his.
"Professor?" Caelus called out, to which she faintly chuckled.
"It's nothing, dear. Just... don't let them get to your head. You know who you are. You know what you stand for. That doesn't mean that everyone needs to understand. So long as you do, that's all that matters. Keep your head straight, regardless of what may stand in your way. Understood?"
For a moment, Caelus stared into her eyes. They were soft and gentle, carrying an air of tranquility, but also... sadness. A deep, gnawing sadness.
But why?
"Alright then, dear," she said, twirling away. "Off you go. And if you ever need anything from me, don't hesitate to stop by my class."
"What? But I'm not even a part of your class, much less the Faculty of Swordsmanship."
"It doesn't matter to me. From here on out, you are an honorary student of mine. Silva better watch out, because I might pluck you away for myself. Take care, dear!"
With that, she skipped along the edge of the corridor before turning the corner. There was something strange about her that Caelus couldn't put his finger on. It seemed more like she was observing him and collecting answers rather than having a casual stroll. What was more, she knew. Whatever it is that she knows remains to be seen.
Caelus let out a breathy sigh before pushing open the door to Archeota's classroom. But then, the soft stroke of a piano key stopped him. Another followed, then another, weaving into a melody so beautiful it could have been a lullaby.
He carefully pushed the door open.
A young man sat alone at the front of the lecture hall, eyes closed, his hands gliding over the keys with practiced grace. With every movement, his light blonde hair swayed. With every swing of his arms, a note rippled through the empty space.
Taylor Reinhall.
And as the song entered a crescendo, so too did Taylor's exaggerated movements. The gentle flow became sharper. His fingers pressed harder. The resonance rang louder.
What was once the warmth of a lullaby quickly twisted into something fierce, and with every strike, it felt less like he was playing music and more like he was trying to destroy the piano itself.
At last, a heavy and dreadful chord reverberated along the walls of the lecture hall before fading into nothingness. Then came one last note, a chord much softer as if he had finally calmed down upon the song's departure.
He opened his eyes. In them was restrained sadness, but most of all... anger. As he lowered his hands on the keyboard, he turned and saw Caelus.
That was all it took for that previous anger to shift into blatant annoyance.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Taylor muttered.