"You can't go, Emma."
The words made the silver-haired girl frown. She stood inside the instructor's office—the man who not only taught them but also guided their team, handed out quests, and gave advice before every mission.
When she asked for a single day of leave from the academy, the rejection came instantly, without even a pause.
Kevin, standing quietly nearby, shifted uncomfortably. He already knew how Emma would take it.
And he was right.
"It's been more than a year since I last asked for leave," Emma said, her voice sharp with frustration. "I never turned down a single mission, no matter how pointless. I took charge when Kevin wasn't here. I even filled in as mentor for other teams. After all that, you're telling me I can't take one day off? What am I to you—a slave?"
The instructor's eyes hardened at her words. "Watch your tongue, Emma. Reputation or not, service or not—you are not above the rules."
Emma's expression grew cold, her anger simmering beneath the surface. Before she could fire back, Kevin spoke up.
"Sir, isn't it fine?" he said quickly. "This mission isn't too dangerous. And honestly…it could be a good thing for us. We've been leaning on Emma far too much. We should learn how to handle things without her, because she won't always be there."
The instructor frowned, weighing his words. Silence stretched until finally, with a sigh, he said, "I'll allow it. But only because of you, Kevin. I trust your judgement."
Kevin gave a small, uneasy smile and bowed his head in thanks.
When the two of them stepped out of the office, Emma glanced at him. "Thanks for that."
He shook his head. "It's nothing. I know you wouldn't ask for leave unless it was really important. Especially when we've got a mission."
Emma only hummed softly, offering no explanation. She had no intention of telling him the real reason.
After a moment, Kevin spoke again, hesitant. "Emma…I don't mean to pry, but…this isn't about William, is it?"
Emma's steps slowed. Her gaze turned sharp. "So I wasn't wrong," she said quietly. "You followed me last night."
Her voice dropped colder than ice. "I was so focused on my spell I didn't notice you, but now I know. Since when did you become a stalker, Kevin?"
The slight warmth from earlier—the gratitude in her tone—was gone, replaced with pure frost.
"I'm sorry, Emma, for following you," Kevin said quietly, guilt tugging at his voice. "But I was worried. You know the kind of man William is. He hates me so much he'd spin a hundred lies just to win your sympathy. And the moment you start trusting him, he'll betray you—just so he can hurt me through you."
Emma's eyes narrowed. "Did you ever stop to wonder why he hates you so much?"
The question struck him silent.
She didn't let the pause linger. "I know William treated his fiancée terribly. But you—" her voice cut sharper now, "to get close to her while their relationship was already breaking apart…do you really think that was right?"
Kevin's eyes widened. "I didn't seduce her. We were just friends."
Emma let out a bitter scoff. "Friends. Sure. Keep telling yourself that." Shaking her head, she stepped back. "Look, Kevin. I understand your concern. But I'm not a child who needs protecting. I know exactly what I'm doing, and I know who deserves my trust. So, for the sake of the team, let's keep our boundaries clear."
Without waiting for his reply, she turned and walked toward the stairs.
Kevin's fists clenched at his sides as he stared after her retreating figure. His chest burned with frustration, with helplessness. "No matter what you say, Emma… I know you need me. That bastard has poisoned your mind, and I swear on my life, I won't let him taint you."
As those words left his lips, his gaze turned toward the forest beyond the academy doors
°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Short chapter? Well, sorry about that. I will increase the word count soon.