Luneth stared intensely at Evo, who scratched the back of his neck, unsure of what to do. He quickly realized she was determined, and she wouldn't let him go without answers.
- This time you're going to tell me. So don't even try to dodge or run away from the subject!
Evo let out a long sigh as their eyes met.
- Fine… but can we at least… can we wait until everything is resolved today? Then we talk. Is that okay for you?
She didn't answer immediately; she kept watching him, analyzing him to see if he was lying or simply saying empty words.
Evo, showing sincerity, stayed silent, looking straight into her eyes.
The rest of the group exchanged glances between them.
After a few seconds of an awkward silence, Luneth nodded, though reluctantly.
- Arrrr… fine!
- But!
She stood up, walked toward him, grabbed his arm, and wrapped her own around it.
Evo was taken aback by her sudden action. Luneth looked up at him, directly into his golden eyes, and finished her thought.
- I'll keep an eye on you the whole time. I won't leave your side for even a second.
- I'll make sure you don't run away at the last moment.
Evo found the whole situation as unexpected as it was cute. He let out a small smile.
- What's this? You're acting like a jealous girlfriend! Hahahahah!
Luneth blushed slightly and gave his arm a light shove.
- No jokes, you rascal!
- Now you sound like Freya when she calls me that. Did she teach you this?
Evo raised a brow questioningly, grinning mischievously at Luneth, who clung to his arm like a cat.
- Hmm! Maybe!
She shrugged and turned her face away, pretending to be annoyed.
Silentia and Velra watched the two clinging to each other and felt irritated—though neither knew why or where that feeling came from.
- Huh? Why am I bothered seeing them like that?
Silentia wondered as she placed a hand on her chest, feeling a small sting.
Velra's eyes burned with obvious jealousy, though she refused to acknowledge it. She simply crossed her arms and looked toward the hall below.
Of course, Luneth noticed. And she added even more fuel to the fire: she leaned even closer to Evo, who was looking the other way, completely distracted.
Her full chest pressed against his arm. Then she turned toward the other two, who no longer hid their dissatisfaction.
The three exchanged sharp, deadly glares. Luneth wore a mischievous grin, making the other two even more irritated.
Sevran and Kaelith, watching from afar, went pale as they witnessed the silent war unfolding.
- Dude… the Leader is going to have so many problems with those three troublemakers!
Sevran said, pale, leaning against the wall. Kaelith replied right after:
- Agreed! In another situation I might envy him, but now… thank the gods I'm not him.
- HAHA, for real. And he doesn't even seem to notice it. Maybe we should warn him!
Sevran suggested.
Both turned to each other at the same time, reaching the same conclusion:
- Noooo, leave him.
- They said in unison, bumping fists in a silent pact.
- Let him have this pleasant surprise.
Sevran said with a sly grin.
- He's going to explode if he finds out we noticed and didn't warn him. Hihihihi!
Kaelith giggled, imagining Veyrath losing his mind with them. It would be hilarious.
- Oh yes, he will!
Back to Evo and the trio provoking each other…
Evo snapped out of his thoughts and immediately felt the heavy and cold atmosphere.
- HIRRRR!
- What's with this heavy mood?
He looked between the three. They seemed to be waging a deadly, silent battle.
He was completely lost, like a rabbit surrounded by wolves.
So he decided to get everyone's attention:
- Everyone, may I have a minute of your attention?
He looked around, making sure all eyes were on him.
The trio instantly stopped their silent conflict the moment they heard his voice.
Kaelith and Sevran stepped closer.
- Yes, what is it, Veyrath?
Sevran asked, patting his shoulder, trying his best not to burst into laughter.
Evo found his attitude a bit strange, but ignored it and focused on what he needed to say.
- Listen: Luneth and I are going to Freya and Ravina. They're probably finishing—or already finished—with the invaders.
- I need to talk to them, report that everything is over, and see what we'll do next.
Evo continued, but Velra interrupted him, her voice slightly alarmed.
- But, Leader… what do you mean "it's over"? Did you forget about the infiltrated students? Won't they attack the others, like you told us?
Evo shook his head calmly, reassuring her. That was exactly what he had been thinking about moments earlier.
- The possibility of infiltrators acting as students was close to zero.
- I was just thinking about that, and honestly, I doubt they'll attack.
- Why?
She asked, curious.
He didn't even need to answer—Sevran was already aligned with the same thought.
Their minds were similar in several aspects, often leading them to the same conclusions.
- Because they must have noticed that no attack happened from the ones working with them.
- And most importantly: the barrier didn't activate.
- They probably realized something went wrong and won't risk exposing themselves.
- Hahaha, they must be losing their minds right now, not understanding why the barrier didn't work.
Velra listened as he explained things simply and logically. She nodded and thanked her familiar.
Sevran and Velra had known each other since childhood. In fact, they were half-related.
Velra's aunt adopted Sevran when he was little and raised him as her own. In short: they were cousins.
Their trust and synchronicity were strong.
- That makes a lot of sense! – She nodded.
Evo continued:
- Even though I'm almost certain—and the chances are extremely low—they still exist.
- Everyone agreed. Being caught off guard was not an option.
- That's why, while Luneth and I go to the other two, I need you all to stay here and keep watch.
- Just in case.
- Can I count on you?
They all nodded. Evo turned around, Luneth still clinging to his arm, and began walking.
As a final provocation, Luneth smiled smugly at the other two, claiming her position beside him. The other two silently promised revenge.
Evo and his assistant dashed toward the area where smoke rose and faint sounds of destruction echoed.
Freya and Ravina
- Seriously! I should thank you two idiots for coming to me and saving me the trouble of hunting you down!
Freya laughed loudly and wickedly amid a pile of debris and twisted metal.
She stood in the middle of the street. Buildings around her were missing chunks, walls were shattered, and some areas had been completely pulverized.
- Arrrr… so you were with them, Baltazar, former marquis of the fallen Elaon family.
- Well, I don't care anyway.
She shrugged as if it meant nothing. It was hard to believe someone like Freya—given her attitude toward the Empire—was called a guardian.
Well, she never asked for it. The nobles gave her that title without her permission. She even tried to get rid of it, but it was far too late.
Her fame had spread across the Empire. Removing that title was impossible.
Back to the scene…
At her feet lay two bodies, scattered and nearly unrecognizable: the former noble who transformed into a chimera dragon, and his accomplice.
Ravina descended beside her, elegant and calm. The first thing she did was scold her friend.
- You overdid it! Did you really have to destroy everything around you? Do you have any idea how much this will cost the Academy's budget?
Freya, like a mischievous child, whined in a spoiled tone:
- Ah, okay, okay, sorry! I just got excited… and wanted to have some fun.
- Put the expenses on the emperor's bill, and everything's fine.
She puffed her cheeks, blaming everything on the sickly emperor who would pay for repairs without even knowing why.
- Honestly! – Ravina rubbed her forehead. – You're a grown woman who's lived for millennia. Why do you act like a little troublemaking girl?
- I already said sorry…
Freya pouted.
- You're lucky Eylam isn't here, otherwise—
She didn't have time to finish.
A voice came from behind them, filled with irritation and resignation:
- What the hell is this mess? What did you two do here?
- Freya! Ravina!
Their eyes widened instantly, recognizing the owner of the voice—clearly angry.
They slowly turned their heads, stiff, as cold sweat dripped down their temples.
- Shit…
They cursed together, knowing exactly what was coming.
They looked at the figure behind them, who stared sharply, demanding answers for all the chaos.
- Evo!
- Eylam!
They called his name in panic, already bracing themselves for the scolding to come.