The stone corridors of the dwarven castle stretched quiet and long, their faint blue mana lamps casting soft light across the walls. Noel walked beside Elena, the silence between them heavy but not uncomfortable. Every step echoed, a reminder of the weight still pressing on his shoulders.

Elena's hands fidgeted with the hem of her robe as she walked. Her amber eyes kept flicking toward Noel, then away again. The quiet was too much for her. Finally, she stopped in the middle of the corridor.

Noel slowed, turning to face her. "Elena?"

Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out. Instead, she stepped closer, her face flushed pink. Before she could overthink it, she rose on her toes and pressed her lips softly against his.

The kiss lasted only a brief second, clumsy and nervous, but when she pulled back her cheeks were burning red.

"For… for your energy," she stammered, turning her head away, hands clutching at her robe as if she could hide inside it.

Noel blinked, caught off guard. Then, slowly, a faint smile tugged at his lips. The heaviness in his chest eased just a little. "Thank you."

Elena froze, her blush deepening. She covered her face with her hands, muttering, "I can't believe I did that…"

Noel shook his head lightly, the small warmth of her gesture settling deep inside him. After everything that had happened, after all the blood and chaos, that brief moment of softness felt like a thread pulling him back from the edge.

'It seems like she's not used to it even though she's been doing this for quite some time now.'

He let out a quiet breath and said gently, "Come on. Let's keep moving."

Elena nodded quickly, still hiding her face, and fell into step beside him once more.

"That was bold of you," he teased, glancing down at her. "Very bold, Elena."

Her amber eyes flicked to him, her cheeks still tinged pink. But this time, instead of shrinking back, she lifted her chin slightly. "That?" she said softly. "That was nothing."

Noel stopped for half a step, blinking at her. For once, she wasn't flustered—her words carried a quiet confidence that caught him off guard.

He studied her expression, trying to read her. Elena already knew he had been with Elyra—Elyra had never been the type to hide much. Perhaps that was why Elena's words carried more weight than usual.

Noel tilted his head, curiosity sparking in his emerald eyes. "…Nothing, huh?"

Elena's lips curved in the faintest of smiles, though her ears betrayed her, glowing red against her pale hair. "You'll just have to wait until our date before the Hunt Festival," she said, her voice low but steady.

Noel's smirk widened into something closer to a genuine grin. He hadn't expected her to throw the teasing back at him. "Is that so?" he said, his tone playful. "Then I guess I'll just have to endure until then."

Elena's gaze slipped away, but her smile remained, shy yet firm.

"I'm dying for that day to come," Noel admitted, his voice quieter now.

Her steps slowed just slightly, the words sinking into her chest, and for once, it wasn't embarrassment that showed on her face—it was happiness.

The door to the study creaked open, and Noel stepped inside with Elena close behind him. At the center sat Professor Daemar—tall and thin, his violet eyes sharp despite the lines of age and the streaks of gray in his hair.

He looked up from a scroll as they entered. "Noel. Elena. I expected you sooner."

Noel inclined his head. "I needed to see you. We need to know what will happen to the Academy."

Daemar set the scroll aside, folding his hands. "If Nicolas wills it, I will take the position of Headmaster. But before that, I must speak to him myself. It is not a mantle I take lightly."

Elena gave a soft nod of agreement, her amber eyes thoughtful.

Daemar exhaled, leaning back slightly. "For now, focus on what comes next. Tomorrow morning, you and the other students will depart. The ship is already prepared. It will be a ten-day journey back to Valor."

Noel's brow lifted. "So soon?"

"Yes," Daemar said firmly. "The semester has ended. You'll have three months of respite before the second begins. Use them well." His gaze sharpened. "And know this—after the Council's decision to involve the academies, there will be more work, not less. Responsibility has only grown heavier."

Noel's lips quirked faintly. "Those tasks? I'll leave them to Princess Seraphina. She seems to enjoy that sort of thing, also she is the president of the Council."

Daemar allowed himself a short laugh, shaking his head. "You haven't changed. Always pushing work onto others."

Daemar's violet eyes lingered on Noel for a moment, his stern expression softening. "I also wanted to tell you this… I saw you during the tournament. The way you used Shadow Step. That was impressive. Few could adapt to a new element so quickly."

Noel gave a small nod, his face neutral, but his chest stirred with quiet pride.

"And," Daemar continued, leaning forward slightly, "I can feel it. You've advanced. Ascendant, at seventeen. That is no small feat. You truly are… extraordinary, Noel. I am proud to call you my student."

Elena's amber eyes flicked to Noel, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Noel scratched the back of his neck, uncomfortable with the praise. "Thank you, Professor."

Daemar's mouth curved into the faintest smile. "Still, even geniuses need to pay more attention during exams."

Noel blinked, caught off guard, then let out a quiet chuckle. "You still remember that?"

"How could I forget?" Daemar replied. "I handed you an entire sheet of answers, and you left one page blank. Barely scraped a passing grade because of it."

Elena covered her mouth to hide a laugh, her shoulders shaking. Noel sighed, his hand still at his neck, his ears turning slightly red.

"Yeah, well," Noel muttered, forcing a crooked smile. "Mistakes are how you learn, right?"

Daemar's chuckle rumbled low in his throat, but his eyes shone with pride. "Perhaps. But don't make me regret saying I'm proud of you."

Noel nodded, his smirk more genuine this time.

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