The door slid open, and Professor Sylvia entered again.

Her eyes scanned the room, briefly stopping on Elysia, who avoided her gaze.

Then, her eyes landed on Kael, sitting in the third row with his arms crossed.

"Excuse me..." Sylvia said. "Kael, where are you?"

Kael raised his hand slowly. "I am here, madam," he replied politely.

"Come to my office. Right now."

Her tone was firm but not angry—more like she had something serious to discuss.

The entire class turned toward Kael in confusion.

Kael blinked, slightly puzzled. "Okay, madam," he said, standing up.

He packed his notebook into his bag and walked toward the door.

As he passed the rows of desks, a few students whispered behind his back.

"Why does Professor Sylvia always call Kael out? Does she favor him?" one student muttered.

"Favor him? Don’t be stupid. He’s a troublemaker," another whispered. "She probably wants to warn him again."

Kael ignored the chatter. He had gotten used to people talking behind his back.

But as he walked out, one particular gaze followed him—the gaze of Elysia.

(Why does this madam give importance to Kael? He’s a monster at the end...) she thought, gripping her pen tightly.

Outside the classroom, the corridor stretched wide and bright, lined with tall windows that reflected the afternoon light.

Kael took a breath, trying to guess why Sylvia had called him this time.

He didn’t do anything wrong.

As he turned the corner, he suddenly stopped.

Standing near the notice board was a woman holding a stack of papers.

Her presence immediately caught his attention.

She wore a long black coat over her academy uniform, her hair tied neatly behind her, and a pair of soft yet sharp eyes studying the paper in her hand.

When she looked up, their eyes met.

For a second, neither moved.

There was a faint recognition in both of their expressions.

(Did I see her somewhere before?) Kael wondered, narrowing his eyes slightly.

The woman smiled faintly. "Huh... are you Kael?"

Kael hesitated. "Yes, I am," he replied. "And who are you?"

Before she could answer, several of Kael’s classmates poured out of the classroom for their break.

Their chatter filled the hallway instantly.

"Wait—what’s Kael doing?"

"Is he talking to a teacher?"

"That teacher is and she is damn beautiful"

"Don’t tell me Kael’s trying to flirt with her!"

The murmurs grew louder.

His eyes had already noticed something—on the woman’s chest hung a small, silver professor badge engraved with the academy’s crest.

"You’re... a professor?" he asked, pointing casually at the badge.

The woman blinked in surprise. "Oh, yes," she said, lowering the papers slightly.

"I’m a new instructor here."

"What?" one student gasped behind him.

"Kael just pointed at a teacher! He’s insane!"

Another whispered harshly, "Doesn’t he have any manners? That’s a professor, not his friend!"

Kael didn’t even glance back. "Then why are you here in this batch, Professor?" he asked calmly, tilting his head a little.

Myra gave a small, amused smile. "This batch?" she repeated. "Well, I was just assigned here to observe the students before my first class tomorrow. And since your name was mentioned quite

a few times in the staff meeting... I was curious."

Kael blinked. "Mentioned? Why?"

"You’ve made quite an impression," she said softly.

"Professor Sylvia spoke of your performance during the mana restoration test. She said you show potential... though a bit of recklessness too."

Kael scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Heh. That sounds like something she’d say."

Myra chuckled gently. "It does, doesn’t it?"

Meanwhile, the nearby students were whispering furiously.

"What is he doing now? He points and talks casually, and now he’s bowing?"

"Look, he’s bowing! That’s weird!"

"I swear, Kael’s like two people in one body."

Kael straightened up and gave a small bow out of respect. "I didn’t mean to be rude earlier, Professor. I just didn’t expect a new teacher."

"It’s alright," Myra said.

"Not many students talk so straightforwardly. It’s refreshing."

As they talked, Elysia had walked out of the classroom as well.

She stopped a few meters away, her gaze fixed on them.

(What is the relation between the new teacher and Kael?) she thought.

(They seem... too familiar.)

Her heart tensed with unease, though she couldn’t explain why.

Ever since Kael had arrived at the academy, strange things seemed to happen around him.

And now, even a new professor was paying attention to him.

The hallway had grown quieter after most students had gone back to class.

The warm light from the tall windows painted soft patterns across the floor.

Kael was about to continue walking toward Professor Sylvia’s office when Myra took a small step forward.

"I was trying to search for you..." Myra said.

Kael turned slightly, surprised. "Search for me?" he asked.

"Yes," she nodded, her eyes gentle. "It’s been a while. I wasn’t sure if I’d meet you again after that day."

He paused, his expression changing for a brief moment—memories flickered in his mind.

"Thank you," he said quietly, stopping her words.

"Huh?" Myra blinked, tilting her head slightly. "Why thank you?"

Kael looked away, his tone turning softer. "Last time... you saved my life." He clenched his fist slightly, recalling the event.

"I never got the chance to say it properly."

Myra’s lips curved into a faint smile. "And in return..." she said, taking a step closer, her eyes glimmering with amusement, "...I hope I see you every time."

Kael froze. His eyes widened slightly, and before he could stop himself, his face turned red.

"H-Haa..." he stammered, scratching his cheek awkwardly.

"That’s... quite unexpected to hear from a teacher."

Myra chuckled softly, covering her mouth.

"Maybe I’m not like the others," she said playfully.

Before the moment could continue, a familiar voice echoed down the hall.

"Kael! Kael!" Selena called out, rushing toward him.

She hadn’t noticed Myra standing nearby. "I was searching for you till now!"

Kael blinked, still flustered. "Selena?"

She stopped right in front of him, panting lightly. Then she looked up and frowned.

"Wait... why is your face so red?"

Kael coughed awkwardly, trying to calm down. "It’s... nothing."

Selene narrowed her eyes suspiciously—then finally noticed Myra standing behind him.

"Oh... I didn’t see you there, Professor." She bowed her head slightly.

Myra smiled politely. "It’s alright."

From the nearby classroom doorway, a few students peeked out again.

"Look! Another beauty joined..." one whispered.

"Kael’s really popular today," another murmured with a grin.

Kael sighed under his breath. "Why does this always happen to me..."

Myra only smiled knowingly, while Selena pouted beside him, clearly not liking the sudden attention around him.