Inside the infirmary, a heavy silence hung in the air. A few teachers stood gathered around the bed where Sylvie lay, her face pale against the white sheets. Among them was Adrian, his expression tense.
Worry clouded every face in the room. This wasn't just about a student getting hurt—this was the Princess of the Nation. And even though the academy prided itself on treating all students equally, everyone knew the truth. Right now, no one can stay calm.
"I'm disappointed in you, Instructor Nordan," one of the senior professors said sharply, his voice cutting through the quiet like a blade.
"You should've stopped the match before it got out of hand. No—" he shook his head, "you never should've let them face each other in the first place."
Instructor Nordan lowered his head, his lips pressed tightly together. He had his reasons, things he could say—but he stayed quiet. The weight of rank kept his voice locked in his chest. In the academy, even among teachers, there was a clear line between who could speak and who couldn't.
The senior professor—round in build and heavy in presence—turned now to Adrian.
"Professor Adrian," he said, his tone sharp but polite, "please speak with your dear student. Ask her why she decided to pull such a reckless stunt today?"
Adrian let out a long breath. His eyes softened as they landed on Sylvie's unconscious face.
He simply nodded.
And stepped forward.
He moved away from the bed and approached the bed where the silver-haired was sitting.
She was brought here just for formality but stayed for unknown reasons.
The headmistress hasn't issued any punishment for her until now, and considering Ariana's strong belief in 'everything is fine until someone breaks the rules' he hardly believes that she would take any action.
After all, Elana never broke the rules. Sylvie gave her consent for the battle. Never surrendered despite being injured. And Elana stopped just before landing the strike which possibly could have gotten her expelled—worse, imprisoned.
He pulled a chair forward and sat down in front of her.
Elana visibly stiffened. The cool detachment she'd worn like armor faded from her posture, replaced by a flicker of panic as she looked at Adrian.
Adrian leaned in, resting his forearms on his knees. His voice was calm, but steady.
"What you did back there... and what you could've done—were you fully aware of it all?"
Elana nodded. "Yes. It was a normal spar, until she said something... and I lost my cool."
Her father had never taught her how to lie to people she liked. Fooling strangers was one thing. Lying to someone she respected? She couldn't do that.
Adrian took a deep breath, his gaze locked on her.
"You knew what could have happened if that strike landed?"
She nodded again. "Broken lower jaw. One month recovery."
This time, there wasn't a hint of hesitation in her voice. Even if she'd lost her temper, her strike had been deliberate, precise. If she hadn't had that much control... several students might've disappeared by now.
Adrian let out a long sigh.
"Elana, listen… You've got a sharp mind and a future brighter than most. Don't waste that talent by taking—"
He stopped. Her lips had curved into a smile, and her gaze had dropped to the ground. A faint blush colored her cheeks.
"What?" he asked, caught off guard.
She looked up at him, shy but bold. "Praise me more," she said softly.
Adrian stiffened, completely thrown off. What was this girl talking about?
After a moment of silence, he refocused and asked, "What exactly did she say that made you lose it?"
The smile vanished from Elana's face. Her eyes sharpened like blades.
"She insulted the person I admire," she said, voice low but intense. "And that... is unacceptable."
Adrian genuinely had no clue who this person was...but since things came to admiration, he believed it was her father.
That's why he said, "I know you adore that person, but don't take such a rash step that you might end up regretting taking in the future."
Adrian got up from the chair and rested his hand on her head, "I don't want to get separated from my favorite student. Now, take some rest."
Saying so, he walked away returning to Sylvie's bed.
Elana bit her lip...his warmth still lingered...and those words.
'Favorite student...I am his favorite...' Her ample chest heaved, going up and down in quick succession. Her face was hot and because of the heat she felt sweat accumulating somewhere between her legs
She glanced around, and after ensuring no one was looking, she dashed inside the restroom.
.....
Adrian returned to his office not so long after. Sylvie was fine and would recover by tomorrow.
There was a thing called potion in this world but it can only be brewed by a Light user, so it's a luxury in this world.
That explains that despite being the Princess she wasn't fed the potion for instant recovery.
The academy has a few but they keep them for emergencies.
Adrian doesn't know their exact price but he was thinking of buying them in the near future.
'Should I return to the time chamber or should I practice some time at the workstation?' While he was conflicted between his thoughts, someone knocked on his door.
"Who is it?" Adrian asked.
"It's me, sir, Allen."
Adrian rolled his eyes...really, this guy is restless. After a brief pause, he said, "Come in."
From the other side, the familiar black-haired boy stepped inside the room.
Adrian purposely opened a random file just the moment he opened the door.
As Allen stepped inside, Adrian said, "If it's about student Sylvie, then you have knocked at the wrong door." He was sure, considering how mad that fatty was, Professor Sean must be a better choice to whom he could complain.
"I am not here to talk about Sylvie, Professor. It was her choice to fight against Senior Elana." Allen spoke as he stood before the table, his hands locked behind his back.
Adrian's brows elevated as he looked up from the file and asked him, "So why are you here."
"To request for your help...I want Professor Adrian to inscribe runes on my blade."
Adrian was taken aback but before he could have said anything, the boy continued, "The sword on which you inscribed the runes...was just perfect. It felt so right in my hand as if it was a part of my body. I didn't have to apply excessive mana to it. I-I just knew that if I have such an armament with me I can train better."
Adrian hummed and leaned back in his seat. The armament...his actual first armament was well-liked by the boy. Well, considering Allen and that redhead Warden's response, it seems Adrian tunes really good armaments.
However, "You are aware of the rules. Inscribing runes while not being in the class is not allowed."
The teachers are not allowed to help the students with their armaments out of the class, and that's why he couldn't help it.
"I can pay you." Allen offered, the desperation evident in his voice. He really needs such fine-tuning for better performance.
Adrian shook his head, "I can't take money from a student...."
Allen's shoulders slumped in disappointment...he was actually expecting this. But then,
"...however, if you have something else to provide me. Like a book or tome...then I might help you."
Showing ignorance here was the key. However, he indicated what he desired.
Allen suddenly jerked as he said, "I think I can provide you with something."
°°°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading.