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Derek was obviously the number one suspect in my mind, but I couldn’t tunnel vision solely on him since other teachers also disliked me due to the rumors he spread.

"I see." I rubbed my chin.

"Do you think it was a demon?" She looked at me while gripping the table tightly. It seemed she was trying to contain her reactions, not wanting to look too worried.

I didn’t want her to scare herself and start spreading rumors, so I kept a straight face and raised my shoulders. "Might be. I can’t be sure just yet."

However, that was a lie. The fact she had seen the Cyclops’s eyes turn bloody, and considering the black heart inside its ribcage… the chances of a demon being involved were 100%. It confirmed that they were still alive and roaming the world without anyone knowing.

After this conversation, we quietly ordered our food and ate without mentioning the subject again. Instead, we talked about the Royal Academy and how I was adjusting to this new role of mine.

Time went by quite fast, and soon we were back in the limousine, heading back to the academy. We drank a bit of alcohol, and my head was getting quite dizzy. Compared to earlier, we were a lot more touchy with one another. I sat right next to her, and she didn’t seem to mind as she hadn’t said anything about it.

"What are you going to do with the information I told you?" she asked with a laugh.

She was probably worried about me. But well, there wasn’t much that she could do. The fact she had told me all this was already great and a good step in the right direction.

"I have a small idea. But I can’t tell you just yet…"

I didn’t want her to get tangled up with my problems as it would just complicate things. Either way, as the days passed, I could definitely feel the two of us getting closer.

Even now…the atmosphere between us was clearly tense.

She caressed the right side of my face while staring directly into my eyes.

"Come on, tell me," she giggled.

Yes, you weren’t dreaming. She was flirting with me. Well, I was also playing along, but that was only a detail…

I didn’t say anything as I stared into her purple eyes. She was looking extremely beautiful tonight. Her dress made her even prettier, and her hair wasn’t all messy from alchemy, revealing her true beauty.

Suddenly, she removed her hand from my face and looked ahead, releasing a sigh.

"You know…you’re truly a mystery to me."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well, you managed to get a job at the Royal Academy at twenty-two. You humiliated Derek without any effort."

I nodded since she was basically flattering me while stating facts.

"But, the strangest thing about you…is that none of the professors ever heard of you." She sighed. "Someone of your strength should have been more known on the battlefield. But when I looked, there was nothing about you. Only the plain fact that you were a soldier. I’m not asking you to tell me all your secrets or why you’re so powerful.

But, just promise that one day…when you really trust me, you’ll tell me."

She turned toward me and stared at me for seconds, her gaze unwavering.

"I-I…"

For the first time in a very long time, words were stuck in the back of my mouth. I didn’t know what to tell her. I had no idea she had researched me…, I had no idea she had been so interested in me. It was strange hearing it coming out of her mouth.

She was right, though. Everything she said was true, my past was hidden for a reason. But I couldn’t tell her…not yet. The weight of being a Sage was too heavy. I couldn’t loop her into this.

"Maybe."

I finally uttered with difficulty.

"Maybe, I’ll tell you one day what happened to me."

Maybe it was because of the alcohol, but I was a lot more emotional today than usual. It was getting harder and harder to keep a straight face as she continued to talk to me.

I felt a touch near my right hand, and when I looked down, I saw her grabbing it. We looked at one another as our eyes slowly raised…

"Don’t worry. I’m not in a rush to know more about you and your past. Just tell me when you’re ready."

I still had no words. She was one of the first people I had let into my life, and she saw through me instantly. It was troubling, and I wasn’t sure what to say.

I just sat there, not saying another word during the car ride.

I simply couldn’t.

-Screech!-

The car stopped, and the door opened. We went our opposite ways. My face was emotionless as I walked toward the Royal Academy. I paid no attention to my surroundings as I headed to my room. I needed to rest.

This night had been a lot more insightful than I had thought.

I don’t think I even told Ava good night as I simply walked with an empty mind. It had been years since I had been able to clear my mind like this, and it felt good. I felt relaxed.

For the first time since I had arrived in this world, I felt like someone had understood a fraction of me.

It felt good.

I didn’t know how to put it into words.

But that night…the smile that appeared on my face was a real one.