Trevor's body immediately tensed as he looked down at Caroline's skirt.
It was indeed shorter than the one she had worn the previous day.
Looks like she liked what happened yesterday, he thought, stealing quick glances at her exposed thighs.
Trevor considered using his card's power to manipulate her thoughts, but decided not to. It would feel much better if she realized her own feelings naturally.
Still, deep down, he didn't like how her thoughts were progressing. Every word he heard through Whispering Shadows sent a rush of adrenaline through him.
He decided that after class, he would walk her home. Maybe he could explain things. If she still didn't understand, then he'd use the Whispering Shadows.
Soon, class was over. Their last lesson for the day was Dungeon History — unarguably Trevor's worst subject.
He disliked how dungeon explorers were portrayed — treated like expendable tools of a corrupt government.
After all, his mother's name was right there in that very textbook. She had been one of the greatest explorers to ever live.
"Now, to conclude today's lesson," Miss Silvia said, snapping Trevor back to reality, "the Government Hunters Recruitment Program has been scheduled for the end of the month."
As usual, excitement filled the classroom. It was the most anticipated event of the year.
Trevor clenched his fists. He needed to get stronger. By the end of the month, the strongest students would be recruited — and those left behind would be as good as dead.
When Miss Silvia dismissed the class, everyone began to disperse. Trevor packed his things, then remembered his plan to walk Caroline home.
He rushed out with his bag, and luckily, she hadn't gone far. Slowing his pace, he began to approach her.
Reading her thoughts, that familiar surge of adrenaline returned.
He didn't even say a word to me today, but he kept flirting with Chloe through eye contact. What am I even thinking? He's probably just trying to use me, Caroline thought as flashes of last night's pleasure filled her mind.
She bit her lip, her heart racing. But he really knew how to touch a woman.
Trevor heard every single thought as he finally caught up with her.
"Hey, Caroline. How have you been?" Trevor greeted with a calm smile.
Caroline turned her head slightly, her cheeks turning red at the sight of him.
Wait, when did he start looking this good? she thought, replying shyly.
"I'm fine… and you?" she asked, avoiding eye contact.
Trevor was now certain beyond any doubt that Caroline liked him. Maybe she would be the next one to crave him completely. Still, he knew he had to move slowly. He didn't want to seem like he was only after one thing.
"I'm good. I just thought I'd walk you home," Trevor said boldly, his tone casual.
He knew exactly what those words would do to her mind.
"Well… thanks, I guess," Caroline's face turned bright red as she spoke.
"Yeah," Trevor simply replied.
As they walked down the quiet road, Trevor couldn't help but wonder why Caroline always walked home when she could easily be picked up.
There was a brief silence between them before Caroline finally spoke.
"Well, I see you're close with Chloe now. That's actually… a nice choice, I guess," she said, her heart skipping a beat as she began to wonder if it was the right thing to say.
She'd seen the group chat yesterday, and with the way Trevor had looked at Chloe today, it was obvious something was going on.
Trevor paused, carefully choosing his words. He didn't want to ruin this moment or complicate things later.
"Well, let's just say we're friends. She gave me her card yesterday after my fight with Levi, and we started chatting — nothing serious though," Trevor spoke casually, as if Chloe were just another friend.
"Oh, I see," Caroline said, her tone instantly lighter.
"By the way," she added, "you actually had a really nice fight with Levi." Her voice was more cheerful now.
"Thanks," Trevor said, smiling slightly. "I've been working on my combat skills lately. It's been stressful, but it's my hobby, so I can't really stop. Thank God it finally paid off."
They slowly began approaching her house.
"Wow, that's really nice. I also love combat! My dad used to train other hunters, and I'd always watch him back then," Caroline said, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
Trevor was surprised. Was her dad a government official? Or maybe she meant regular hunters, he wondered.
"Well, that explains why you're that good," Trevor said as they stopped in front of her house.
Caroline chuckled, stepping up the stairs to her house. "Who knows? Maybe you could come around sometime — I could teach you a few techniques," she said, turning back to him with a smile.
"Sure," Trevor replied, smiling faintly. "I will."
Caroline watched him walk away, her smile lingering before she finally went inside.
At least their relationship was developing — or maybe she was simply drawn to him. Either way, things were going well.
Trevor increased his pace. He needed to grab something from the restaurant before heading home — cooking wasn't exactly his strength.
By the time he got there, it was getting dark. He placed his order quickly and left once he received it.
When he finally got home, he was greeted by his mother, who immediately wrapped him in a warm embrace, her face glowing with joy.
Trevor smiled and hugged her back. But after a few moments, she pulled away, giving him a suspicious look.
"But where exactly did you get the money, Trevor?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Trevor's face tensed up immediately as he quickly spoke.
"Well… I got a new job," he said calmly, though a flicker of tension ran through his voice.
Of course, he couldn't possibly tell his mom what he had really gone out to do last night.
Mia stared at him in silence, her eyes scanning his face as if she could see straight through his words. Trevor could feel her gaze pressing into him, peeling away at his composure.
"Uh… can I go now?" he finally asked, unable to stand the weight of her piercing stare any longer.