I don’t know if it was because of the cold wind or too much excitement, but the girl’s cheeks were flushed red anyway. She held that familiar parchment in her hand, her voice filled with disbelief.
“Senior, I can’t believe I ran into you here!”
Seeing the hint of confusion in Seraphina’s eyes, the girl quickly added, “You might not know me yet. I’m the first-year student who asked you a question this afternoon! The answer you gave was incredibly precise. Following your guidance, that unstable array immediately stabilized!”
Seraphina’s smile was a bit awkward. Only she and Movira behind her knew that most of the credit for that ingenious solution belonged to Movira.
This feeling of accepting sincere praise on behalf of someone else didn’t sit well with her, and a touch of shameful warmth rose in her heart.
“Um… glad I could help,” Seraphina responded softly, her tone a bit embarrassed.
“Senior, this might be a bit sudden to say. But…” The girl seemed to muster her courage, her eyes sparkling. “Your insights are so unique. It’s such a waste if it’s just in a private reply. Have you considered setting up a column at the academy’s clerical office?”
“My classmates and I are all frustrated by the long queues, unable to get answers right away. If you join, you could definitely help more students.”
Such a proposal made Seraphina ponder. Setting up a column? That would mean intervening more formally in the life of this human magic academy under the name “Seraphina.”
But it was fine; humans didn’t know much about the Demon Realm anyway, let alone names.
Seraphina wanted to seek Movira’s opinion, but she just stood behind her, without any action or verbal indication. Seraphina had no choice but to respond vaguely.
“Um… it’s an interesting proposal. I’ll think about it.”
This topic clearly wasn’t suitable to continue, so she changed the subject, with a touch of concern. “But it’s so late. Why are you still outside? Shouldn’t you go back and rest?”
“Oh.” The girl scratched her head embarrassedly. “Thank you for your concern. I just came out of the library and happened to see you here, so I couldn’t help running over. I’ll head back now. You rest early too.”
With that, she respectfully bowed slightly, then hugged her books and disappeared with light steps at the end of the path shrouded in night.
As soon as the girl left, Dekalorin’s figure emerged from behind a nearby corridor pillar, approaching slowly with a smile.
“Looks like Seraphina has gained quite a bit?” She nodded toward Movira, then turned to Seraphina. “But that student’s proposal—I think it’s pretty good.”
“The columns over there are always popular and can really help a lot of students. It also shares the burden for the other professors in the academy. And…” She paused meaningfully, glancing at Movira.
“This is also a good learning opportunity for you—a calm and meaningful daily routine.”
Although Dekalorin didn’t spell it out explicitly, her subtle actions conveyed a clear message: a fixed, academically focused column could provide Seraphina with a reason to stay at the academy temporarily, while also allowing Movira to accompany her more closely in a legitimate way.
“Sounds pretty good.” Movira, who had been silent for a long time, spoke up, affirming the proposal.
“Eh? But I don’t have real knowledge or skills? You both know that.”
“Don’t worry about that.” Movira’s voice sounded again, carrying a reassuring strength. “You have me, just like this afternoon. After all, this is also an opportunity for you to engage with magic.”
Dekalorin watched this scene, that smile seeming to express great satisfaction with Movira’s “getting it” response.
She looked up at the already completely darkened sky, the night wind carrying cold brushing past.
“The idea is good, but the specific details can wait until tomorrow. There’s… plenty of time.” Dekalorin spoke up timely, interrupting their conversation. “It’s getting late. The academy at night is much colder than during the day. You two stroll a bit more and then head back. I have to go anyway.”
As she turned around, something that made her feel pleased came to mind, and her tone became a bit lighter. “Speaking of which, in a few days, it’s the academy’s gratitude festival. It’s the liveliest event in winter, with performances, markets, and such. Maybe you’d be interested in checking it out.”
With that, Dekalorin’s robe swayed in the night wind, gradually disappearing into the shadows.
“Gratitude festival?” Seraphina repeated the word softly. It sounded like it would be fun.
The Demon Realm didn’t have many festivals; the ones it did were based on worship of strength, usually inseparable from battles and conquests.
“Um.” Movira continued pushing the wheelchair, her voice coming from behind Seraphina.
“Humans love finding various reasons to celebrate, gathering together, sharing joy and food.”
She tried to respond to Seraphina, but her tone still couldn’t shake off a sense of detachment.
“Sounds… pretty nice.” Seraphina imagined what kind of scene that would be. Having stayed in the Demon Realm for so long, she had somewhat forgotten how grand human festivals were conducted.
Just then, a strong night wind passed through the corridor without warning, rushing head-on, lifting a few strands of Seraphina’s hair and making her shiver involuntarily, trembling with cold.
Although she was covered with a thick blanket, the chill seemed to penetrate through, causing a cooling sensation in several of her unhealed wounds.
“Cold?” Movira quickly showed concern, noticing her tremble. “How about we head back? Your body can’t endure the cold for long.”
“Um… okay.” Seraphina didn’t object; this piercing chill also brought a wave of fatigue to her body.
Movira thus adjusted the direction, pushing the wheelchair steadily and quickly toward the room.
There were no words, only the rustling sound of wind passing through treetops.
Soon, they returned to that warm and serene room. The small garden outside the glass wall emitted a faint glow at night, very peaceful.
Movira carefully lifted Seraphina from the wheelchair, placing her on the soft bed and covering her with the quilt.
After doing all this, she seemed to subconsciously glance around the room, then her movements paused for an instant.
Seraphina wanted to speak up in thanks, but noticed Movira’s gaze was a bit… frozen?
“What’s wrong?”
Movira turned around, a flash of unnaturalness crossing her face, but it was instantly covered by calm.
“Uh… Dekalorin, it seems, didn’t arrange a room for me…”