– S-s… so, Ev, w-what are you doing here?
Freya asked while fidgeting with her long hair and staring at the ground.
She didn't have the courage to look at him directly, knowing full well the scolding she was about to receive.
– I came to report that I've done my part and ask what we're doing next, but…
Evo stopped, looking around, observing the area that now looked like ruins. Everything was destroyed, with parts completely pulverized.
– But when I arrive, I find this. Would you two care to explain?
He turned his attention back to them. Both were visibly embarrassed. Ravina, by Freya's side, whispered:
– I told you!
– I already apologized…
Freya muttered again, whispering as if he wouldn't hear her. Or at least that's what they thought.
– I can hear you two, you know?
Hickk!
Both froze on the spot, their eyes widening at him.
Ravina instantly pointed at her friend beside her, without a shred of hesitation.
– It was Freya! I warned her!
She pointed mercilessly at Freya, who stared back at her as if utterly betrayed.
– How could you!?
She murmured as a single tear rolled down her cheek.
Evo began walking toward them in silence, Luneth following behind him.
He stopped in front of Freya, who was trying her hardest to look cute and avoid punishment.
Inside, Evo wanted to laugh at her pathetic attempt.
– I know it was this little troublemaker who caused all this chaos!
– Just look at you, trying to get away with it, huh?
He grabbed her cheeks and began stretching them while scolding her. Ravina chuckled softly at the scene, admiring her friend's suffering.
– You went overboard, you know that, right? You mischievous woman!
– S-sorry… I-I g-got a bit c-carried away!
Her words came out distorted as he pulled her cheeks.
Freya grumbled while her cheeks were stretched from side to side. Luneth joined Ravina and also started laughing, watching the mighty Academy Director being punished by a student.
– Hihihi… those two never change!
– Tell me about it. Good thing we have Eylam to give her some sense.
Ravina said, still amused. Then she turned to Luneth and asked how exactly the plan had unfolded.
Luneth explained everything in detail. She told them about Evo's idea, about how they stayed outside in hiding and waited for the suspects to check the runes.
– Well, it was a good plan!
– When Evo said it was possible there were staff members involved, I got really nervous.
Ravina commented with a smile. But that smile died when she saw Luneth looking down, shaken.
Ravina widened her eyes, understanding immediately.
– There really was?
Luneth just closed her eyes and nodded.
Ravina felt a chill. If that was true, they would have to investigate even deeper, risking their prestige and the trust of the staff and the students' parents.
It was terrible news.
– And who's the bastard who dared betray us!?
Ravina demanded, furious. Her expression showed she would have gone straight to kill the traitor.
Luneth was about to speak, but Evo — still bullying Freya's cheeks — answered instead:
– The Weapons Instructor, Kalistro.
He didn't even turn around. He simply let go of Freya's cheeks.
He stared ahead, giving them time to process the information.
– What did you say, Ev?
Freya asked, cautiously and dry — not harsh, just making sure she had heard correctly.
She held Evo's hand as he looked back at her.
His golden eyes shone brightly, standing out even in the darker area around them.
The seriousness in them was undeniable.
Still, he repeated:
– Kalistro. And I'll tell you more.
– There's more!?
Both witches asked at the same time. Evo was going to answer, but Luneth, not wanting him to carry all the burden, stepped in.
– Yes, my friends…
Affffff!
She let out a heavy sigh, gathering her thoughts, remembering everything that had happened.
All three looked at her, waiting.
– Besides the instructor… the… the Umbra, the Order member… he was with them too.
She paused in the middle of her words, then continued. Freya was the one who reacted the most. She had been the one to recruit Umbra to help Evo in the Order she created.
Someone she trusted. Someone she placed under Evo's care… had betrayed them. That realization stabbed her with guilt, especially imagining how Evo must have felt upon discovering it.
She looked at Evo, who had already shifted his gaze toward some random corner to avoid her stare.
Feeling her guilt, Evo tried to reassure her.
– Don't look at me like that. It wasn't your fault.
He said softly, but loud enough for all to hear.
He directed his attention back to her — she seemed to be silently apologizing.
Evo gently brushed her cheek. Freya closed her eyes, leaning into his touch.
– There was no way for you to know.
– As you know, Umbra – or rather, Talier – was Kalistro's supposed disciple.
– They never did anything suspicious. There was nothing to notice.
Freya bit her lip, trying to steady herself. She sighed and placed her hand over his.
– All right… you're right.
Then she opened her eyes.
– And where are they?
– Well… Kalistro… I'm not sure if he's imprisoned or dead.
– How can he be either!?
Freya questioned, shocked.
It was hard to believe Evo and the others had been able to restrain him. Evo was only in the First Stage, and the strongest among them was Luneth, who had barely entered the Master Stage.
Evo sensed her doubts and scratched his head, reluctant. He didn't know why, but maybe it was because he wasn't a very social person — the same trait that allowed him to negotiate with the imperial princess.
The same princess he had kicked away without hesitation.
Freya narrowed her eyes at his reluctance.
– Why are you hesitating so much?
With no escape, Evo gave up.
– AHHHHH… fine, I'll tell you!
He let out a short shout, giving up on keeping it secret.
– I made a deal with the princess and asked her to send a small elite squad of royal guards here.
Ravina and Freya widened their eyes, shocked by Evo's boldness.
Evo explained every step: how he asked Blanch for help, how he deceived Kalistro, and how he lured him into a trap.
With each detail, the three reacted with countless expressions. Ravina was the first to speak when he finished:
– Wow, Eylam… that was really smart of you.
She gave him a sweet smile — one that nearly made Evo's heart burst out of his chest. He held it in and just pinched the bridge of his nose.
– Hmph! We are talking about me, after all!
She smiled mischievously and tapped his hand.
– My nose, you show-off!
– Hihi… sorry. I just felt like pinching you. Think of it as punishment for not keeping this troublemaker in line.
Evo flicked Freya lightly on the forehead, making her grumble while rubbing the spot.
– You're mean! You always take Ravina's side!
– Obviously. She's the one in charge. She gets the benefit of the doubt first.
– Annoying!
She began lightly punching Evo's chest while all three laughed at her tantrum.
But the laughter halted immediately when Ravina asked:
– And Talier? Where is he?
Evo, still holding Freya's wrists, froze. Luneth bit her lip and looked away with her eyes closed.
Ravina and Freya instantly sensed the shift.
Evo's eyes… had turned cold, distant — nothing like a moment before.
– Why are you two acting like this?
Freya asked, looking back and forth between Evo and Luneth.
Luneth was turned away, silent. Evo was staring up at the sky, avoiding her gaze.
Not for long.
Freya grabbed his face and forced him to look at her.
Their eyes locked — firm, unwavering.
– What happened to Talier?
She asked, holding his face gently but firmly.
Evo stayed silent for a moment. He knew she would find out eventually. But he feared the moment.
Not because Talier was dead.
But because he had killed him.
He feared — however unlikely — that she might judge him for it. That they might distance themselves from him.
But then he remembered something crucial:
"This world is fake. Why am I hesitating?"
He ran a hand through his hair, took a breath, and finally answered:
– I killed him.