He felt the old urge to do something reckless — to run ahead and fix things before they broke — but he pushed it down.

As the first years dispersed, Sylvia stood near the platform and watched them go.

She folded her arms, thinking of contingencies.

She met Kalden’s eyes.

The students left Ground, some to study halls, some to the mess hall, a few to their rooms.

In the dormitories, some practiced quietly, others simply sat and watched as the shadows lengthened.

On that day, Cecelia marched straight toward the boys’ dormitory building.

Everyone who saw her could tell, she had something serious in mind.

She stopped a few meters from the entrance, scanning the corridor full of first-year boys hanging around.

"Excuse me," she said firmly.

"Do you know where Kael’s room is?"

The boys exchanged quick, startled looks.

It wasn’t every day that Cecelia, one of the most respected and admired students among the first years, came looking for someone in the boys’ dorm.

One of them, a brown-haired boy with a nervous smile, pointed down the hall. "It’s... uh, third door on the right. But he might be—"

She didn’t wait for him to finish. "Thank you," she said curtly and walked straight in that direction.

The boys blinked as she passed.

"Wait, she’s really going there?" one whispered.

"Yeah, that’s Kael’s room."

"What’s she doing? That’s a boy’s dorm!"

"Maybe they’re... close?"

"Close? Are you kidding? Kael barely talks to anyone!"

Their whispers followed her down the corridor, but Cecelia didn’t slow.

When she reached the door, she didn’t knock.

She just pushed it open.

The door creaked, revealing Kael’s small dorm room lit by the fading sunlight spilling through the half-open window.

The air smelled faintly of metal and sweat.

Kael stood shirtless in the center.

His sword whirled through the air in a smooth arc, slicing invisible enemies.

The sudden sound of the door made him pause.

He blinked in surprise, lowering his sword slightly.

"Ahh... what brings you here, Cecelia?" Kael asked.

Cecelia crossed her arms, her sharp eyes scanning the room before locking onto him.

"Where were you last time? In Elaris City. And why did you go there?" she asked directly.

Kael froze for a brief second.

He turned slightly, pretending to place the sword back on its stand, but his eyes didn’t meet hers.

"Uhh... that one... I was heading to meet a friend there," he replied.

Cecelia frowned, stepping closer. "Do you think I’m a fool?" she shot back.

Kael sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Cecelia, it’s not what you think. I had something to take care of."

"What could be so important that you couldn’t tell anyone?" she demanded.

"You disappeared without informing anyone, not even Professor Sylvia! Do you realize how dangerous that was?"

"That I was scared and you didn’t show up"

Kael didn’t answer.

He moved to grab a towel from the bed, wiping the sweat from his face.

"You always act like you can do everything alone," she continued, stepping closer until she was just a few feet away from him.

He finally turned to face her, his expression softer but firm. "Cecelia... I didn’t go there to show off. I had to confirm something—something that might help us in the future."

Her eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

He hesitated, then shook his head. "You wouldn’t believe me if I told you."

She glared at him, clearly not satisfied with that answer.

Kael sighed and tried to step past her. "Anyway, it’s done. Don’t worry about it."

But Cecelia didn’t move. She blocked his path stubbornly. "Tomorrow we have a rescue mission. Let’s go together," she said firmly.

Kael paused, glancing at her. "The thing is... I can’t—"

"There is no such thing," she interrupted. "You’re coming."

Their eyes locked for a moment. Kael’s calm gaze met her determined one.

He could see the worry hidden behind her stern expression.

Finally, he let out a small breath. "You don’t have to drag me along, Cecelia. I know what I’m doing."

"Then prove it," she countered. "Come with me tomorrow. Don’t disappear again."

He looked away, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You really don’t trust me, do you?"

"I trust you enough to scold you," she replied dryly.

That earned a small chuckle from him.

He reached for his shirt and pulled it over his head. "Alright. I’ll be there tomorrow."

"Good," Cecelia said. "Don’t make me come looking for you."

Kael gave a mock salute. "Yes, ma’am."

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips.

He grinned faintly. "You’re just too serious."

Outside the door, a few of the first-year boys were still lingering around the corner, whispering in disbelief.

"What is she doing inside Kael’s dorm?" one said, pressing his ear to the wall.

"It’s a boy’s thing," another replied with a smirk. "Probably something."

"Are you blind? That’s Cecelia—she doesn’t just visit boys’ rooms for such thing.’"

They all shushed each other when they heard footsteps approaching.

Cecelia stepped out of the room a moment later, her face was slightly flushed.

She walked past them without a word, but her cold glare was enough to make them scatter instantly.

Once the hallway was empty, Kael sat down on his bed, staring at the sword resting against the wall.

"Cecelia... always straightforward. Always pushing me to stay with the group."

He let out a small sigh. "I can’t let her get involved in this..." he said.

He picked up the sword again and looked at its reflection.

The faint flicker of red mana pulsed along the blade’s edge.

If the information from the Demon organization is true, he thought, then tomorrow’s mission might be more dangerous than anyone expects.

Meanwhile, Cecelia walked back towards her home.

"Why do I always feel like he’s hiding something?" she whispered to herself.

"Kael... just what are you planning?"

When she was walking back towards her home after crossing the gate, she saw Edwin, jin and Elysia talking among themselves.