The heavy magical soundproof door of the laboratory silently closed behind them, cutting off the low hum of delicate instruments and the distinctive scent of steaming potions.
Eileen leaned against the cold metal door panel, exhaling a long, deep breath.
That breath seemed to carry the weight of exhaustion accumulated over several days, as well as a tremendous sense of relief, like clouds parting to reveal the sun.
“Finally….”
She whispered softly, her golden eyes shimmering with fatigue yet burning brightly as she looked at Haelga, who was equally worn out.
“Haelga, we’re on the right track! Selica’s success is the strongest proof! As long as we follow this path, continue optimizing the potion ratios, and adjust the energy counterbalance parameters, the others will definitely recover too!”
Haelga pushed up her glasses that had slipped down to the tip of her nose. Behind the lenses, her purple eyes were filled with both relief and a faint, hard-to-detect pride.
She nodded, her voice hoarse from staying up late.
“Mm, the data chain is fully closed, and the theoretical model has passed its first practical test. Now all that’s left is to methodically repeat validations and fine-tune the details. But….”
Her tone shifted as she looked at Eileen’s pale face and heavy dark circles with undisguised concern.
“What you really need to do now is go to sleep immediately—right now! Look at you, you’re paler than Moonlight Grass! Leave the upcoming potion formulations and experimental monitoring to me and the professors from the Royal Research Institute. They…”
Haelga paused for a moment, her brow barely furrowing.
“…really exceed expectations in efficiency and professionalism.”
Speaking of the professors sent by the Magic Academy and the Royal Research Institute to assist them, Eileen’s fatigue seemed to lighten somewhat, and genuine admiration showed on her face.
“Yes, I didn’t expect that either. Especially Professor Oliver’s reverse analysis of life runes and Professor Winter’s improvements on the Abyss Energy Stabilizer—their insights are brilliant and greatly shortened our trial-and-error period! Their expert support was a huge help!”
Haelga let out a soft “hm,” mumbling quietly.
“They definitely helped a lot… but maybe a little too professionally. Even I, a member of the Sage Council, had to work hard to keep up with your line of thinking. They… accepted it way too quickly and smoothly, don’t you think?”
A flicker of puzzlement and unwillingness passed through her eyes, but she didn’t voice these doubts in front of an extremely tired Eileen.
“All right, all right, don’t overthink it.”
Eileen smiled and patted Haelga’s shoulder, knowing her dear friend and assistant was worried about her.
“I’ll go get some sleep now—promise I’ll sleep until I naturally wake up. You and the professors handle the lab here.”
“That sounds more like it.”
Haelga finally showed a trace of relief.
“Go quickly. Lilysa should be waiting for you outside.”
The two parted ways at the entrance of the lecturer’s dormitory area in the Magic Academy.
Night had grown deep and silent over the academy district, with only the magical street lamps casting a gentle glow.
Watching Eileen’s slightly frail figure disappear into the shadowed entrance hall of the dormitory, Haelga turned and, her mind filled with experimental data and lingering doubts, headed back toward the brightly lit laboratory.
*****
Eileen dragged her heavy steps up the stairs.
Every cell in her body screamed exhaustion, but her spirit was strangely exhilarated by the joy of Selica’s successful recovery.
Just now, Selica’s tears of regained life, her newly vibrant emerald eyes, and the fiery oath sworn with her very soul… each scene replayed vividly in Eileen’s mind.
Hope was no longer a vague promise—it had manifested into Selica’s real flesh and blood.
As long as the path was right, as long as they persevered, those tormented souls in the dungeon could all embrace the sunlight again!
At this thought, a gentle but firm smile tugged at the corners of Eileen’s lips.
She pulled out her key, about to unlock her dormitory door.
At that moment—
Tap, tap, tap.
Clear and light footsteps echoed from the far end of the corridor behind her, growing closer, remarkably distinct in the stillness of the night.
Eileen froze slightly and instinctively glanced back.
Under the soft magic light stood Freya’s slender figure.
She was still dressed in the simple apprentice robe, her long black hair loose. Her pale face bore a touch of perfectly measured awkwardness and surprise, as if she hadn’t expected to run into Eileen here.
“Freya?” Eileen was a bit surprised, her weary mind responding slowly. “It’s so late. Is there something you need?” She tried to keep her voice gentle, showing no displeasure at being disturbed.
Freya seemed startled by Eileen’s voice, trembling imperceptibly. Her light blue eyes flashed a strange light that Eileen failed to notice, then quickly lowered her gaze.
Her voice was soft, timid, and hesitant.
“E-Eileen Teacher… I’m sorry to disturb your rest. I… I have some questions from class that I didn’t quite understand during the day. I kept thinking about them after returning, turning over and over in bed unable to sleep… So… I thought I’d be bold and ask you for help…”
Her explanation was reasonable, and her tone full of the eager thirst for knowledge mingled with the guilt of troubling her teacher.
Eileen looked at her fragile figure and bowed head, and the last trace of annoyance vanished. She smiled, voice soothing.
“It’s okay, you can ask anytime. What part didn’t you understand?”
Freya hesitated slightly, seeming to gather her words, then raised a question about “the energy decay and stacking thresholds of mana nodes in composite spells.”
It wasn’t an especially tricky question, but it involved the transition from basic theory to advanced application—a confusing point for students who had only recently begun studying “chant variants.”
Though tired, Eileen’s sense of responsibility as a mentor spurred her to focus. She explained as clearly and simply as possible, using an example from that day’s class for illustration.
Freya listened intently, nodding from time to time, eyes revealing a dawning understanding.
But beneath that seemingly attentive exterior, her heart roiled with icy turbulence!
Damn it! That had been the perfect opportunity!
The corridor was empty and quiet; she was completely unguarded!
Why…
Why did she turn around just as I was condensing my murderous intent, preparing to pierce her heart with the ‘Puppet Silk’?!
Was it coincidence? Or… did she sense it?!
No… it couldn’t be mere coincidence!
Froya… my poor sister. I know well the strength of those guards around her!
To make her vanish without a trace, not leaving behind even a hint of evidence—this woman’s strength is absolutely unfathomable!
These past days in class, her understanding of the essence of magic, her effortless, paradigm-shifting teaching style… it shook me deeply!
Her power level is likely far beyond what I estimated! If I act rashly, not only will I fail to kill her, but I will also expose myself and lose the chance for revenge entirely!
The plan… must change! No more head-on clashes.
I need to get close to her, observe her, find her real weakness… or perhaps use those seemingly close people around her…
Freya’s murderous intent churned and her thoughts raced, but her expression quickly reverted to one of humble, grateful attentiveness.
“I understand! Thank you, Eileen Teacher! Your explanation was very clear!”
She lifted her head, offering a pure and slightly shy smile, then bowed deeply to Eileen.
“I’m really sorry to bother you so late! Please go back and rest! I’ll leave now!”
She acted like a student satisfied with having solved her problem, turning to leave.
At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded from the other end of the corridor.
Lilysa’s figure approached swiftly, light as a cat. Her heterochromatic eyes immediately locked on Freya, brows knitted tightly in suspicion and unhidden wariness.
“Master!” Lilysa hurried to Eileen’s side, her sharp gaze sweeping over Freya. “Are you all right? Just now… I thought I sensed a fleeting… not very good aura.”
Her eyes fixed intently on Freya, as if trying to read something from that pure, flawless face.
Freya’s body stiffened momentarily but quickly recovered. She turned to Lilysa, offering a timid, harmless smile.
“Miss Lilysa, good evening. I just came to ask Teacher Eileen a question and have finished. I’ll take my leave now.”
After speaking, she bowed slightly again to Eileen and then briskly disappeared around the corridor corner.
Eileen watched Freya vanish down the hall, then glanced at Lilysa’s wary face beside her. She rubbed her temples tiredly and smiled helplessly.
“Lilysa, you’re too nervous. Freya is just a shy and diligent student. She asked a question from class earlier, and I answered it. What ‘bad aura’ could there be? You’re probably just too tired and imagined it.”