Chapter 16: To the Restaurant

Flora nodded thoughtfully, her expression signaling agreement with Ian’s reasoning.

“So, you’re saying the demon wouldn’t return to the boys’ dormitory.”

Ian couldn’t believe how easily Flora was following his lead.

This was the same girl who, with a few clever words, had outmaneuvered Sophia, sending her soaring with flattery only to crash out of the race for Aetherina’s favor.

Even with Ian’s help, Flora’s cunning had been undeniable.

Someone that sharp shouldn’t be so easily swayed.

So why was she buying his story without question?

Was it the embarrassment from her earlier display with the dragon scale, when she’d acted like a lovesick fool?

Whatever the reason, her trust worked in his favor.

It gave him the perfect chance to steer their search toward a place where he could finally fill his growling stomach.

Keeping his face serious, as if deeply invested in the hunt, Ian continued, “The demon must know the academy is crawling with people looking for them. The student council and some teachers are already out patrolling the streets.”

Flora jumped in, eager to contribute.

“You mean the demon would hide somewhere secluded, right?”

Ian shook his head, feigning disagreement.

“Not quite. Aetherina mentioned the pearl they stole can mask their presence. They could probably walk right down the main street, and we’d never notice.”

Flora frowned, puzzled.

“If that’s the case, how are we supposed to find them? We can’t just check everyone’s identity like the student council does. We don’t have the authority, and even if we did, it’d be too much work. Plus, we don’t have a list of students.”

“You’re forgetting something,” Ian said, raising the dragon scale, its silver-white surface glinting in the sunlight. “Others might not detect them, but we can. By comparing this scale to anyone carrying one, we’ll spot them easily.”

He knew Aetherina’s claim—that the scale could track the thief—wasn’t entirely accurate.

She didn’t fully understand the Senro Breath Pearl’s capabilities, which gave Ian free rein to mislead Flora without fear of being caught.

The biggest loophole was Aetherina’s own vague knowledge.

Flora eyed the scale in his hand.

“That still sounds like a lot of work. Are we really going to compare scales with every person we meet?”

“To narrow it down, let’s think like the demon,” Ian suggested. “If you were the thief who stole Aetherina’s pearl, where would you go? What would you do?”

Flora’s face flushed a deep crimson, her eyes glazing over as if she’d imagined something scandalous.

Ian had no idea what was running through her mind, but given her obsessive behavior earlier—rubbing her face against the scale like a cat with a new toy—he suspected it was something outrageous.

He braced himself, ready to cut her off before she said something absurd.

But Flora spoke first, her voice dreamy.

“If I had Aetherina’s pearl, I’d probably go to a hotel.”

Her cheeks burned brighter, her gaze distant, as if she were already in that imagined hotel, lost in some private fantasy.

Ian hurried to derail her train of thought, sensing she was about to say something wildly inappropriate.

She wouldn’t take Aetherina’s pearl to a hotel for… that, would she?

That’s too much, even for her.

Feeling the faint hum of the Senro Breath Pearl tucked against him, Ian thought, This thing doesn’t even vibrate. What good would it do in a hotel?

“I doubt the demon would go to a hotel,” he said firmly. “They’re more likely to head to a restaurant.”

Flora didn’t argue, perhaps aware her idea was something only she would entertain.

A demon, especially one with little connection to Aetherina, wouldn’t think that way.

“Demons have huge appetites,” Ian continued, seizing the opportunity. “And since this one hasn’t eaten all day, they’d probably prioritize food.”

Flora’s eyes narrowed, catching a potential flaw.

“How do you know they haven’t eaten all day?”

“Just a guess,” Ian said, a touch of nervousness creeping into his voice. “Think about it—they were in Aetherina’s room this morning, so they couldn’t have eaten there. And with the student council patrolling the streets, it’d be hard for them to grab anything.”

Flora stared at him, as if trying to read the truth in his expression, then nodded.

“That makes sense. So where should we look?”

Relieved she didn’t press further, Ian concluded, “Given all that, they’re most likely eating at some quiet restaurant.”

Flora didn’t object.

“So we just check every restaurant one by one?”

“It’s the only way,” Ian said, inwardly celebrating his own cunning.

Not only had he dodged suspicion, but he’d also set himself up to eat his way through the academy’s restaurants.

I’m a genius.

As they discussed their next move, a familiar voice interrupted.

“Looking for a restaurant?”

Ian turned to see Chiye, the girl he’d met that morning, smiling brightly.

“Hey, Ian! Fancy meeting you again.”

“What a coincidence,” Ian replied, matching her grin.

“I heard you’re looking for a quiet restaurant,” Chiye said. “I know just the place.”

“Really?” Ian’s eyes lit up. “That’d be a huge help.”

It was perfect—drowsy and in need of a pillow, and here was Chiye delivering one.

He didn’t question why she’d appeared so conveniently, only eager to learn the restaurant’s location.

“I can show you the way,” Chiye offered. “My roommate’s eating there right now.”

Her roommate?

Ian wondered.

Is Chiye in a quad dorm?

Isn’t she disguised as a boy?

Does that mean she’s rooming with guys?

Surely not all her roommates are cross-dressing too.

He brushed it off.

It didn’t concern him, as long as he wasn’t sharing a room with her.

If Aetherina came after Chiye’s roommate, it wouldn’t lead back to him.