After bidding farewell to the students, Sefina and Shalina did not immediately begin their journey back.
According to the schedule, the exchange students and accompanying teachers dispatched from Legdolo Magic Academy to Oselenka would depart in two days. They could conveniently return together.
This also meant they had unexpectedly gained two days of leisure to stay in the western continent’s capital city.
“Sefina, the mission is finally over.” Shalina stretched her body, a relaxed smile appearing on her face.
“What are your plans for the next two days? Would you like to go try some of the western continent’s specialty foods together? Or I know of a few good observation decks in the capital with excellent views.”
Sefina shook her head slightly, her tone carrying a hint of apology. “I’m sorry, Shalina. I… need to meet an old acquaintance.”
A flicker of disappointment passed through Shalina’s eyes, but she quickly concealed it, maintaining her smile.
“I see… That’s alright. What about the afternoon then? You should be free in the afternoon, right? How about we go shopping together?”
Seeing the expectant look in Shalina’s eyes, Sefina nodded.
“Alright, we can go together in the afternoon.”
Watching Shalina’s slightly skipping figure leave, Sefina sighed silently. Meeting Versie was now unavoidable.
It’s just… the thought of the complex thoughts that might be hidden behind those ice-blue eyes filled her with an indescribable heaviness.
She didn’t know how to face this old acquaintance who was no longer simply a “student.”
“Enough.” Sefina forced herself to calm down. “I’ll treat it as an ordinary meeting between teacher and student! Only discuss recent events, only talk about magic, within safe boundaries.”
Sefina admonished herself this way, trying to limit the scope of this meeting. However, reason told her that things probably wouldn’t be as simple as she wished.
Returning to her temporary hotel room, Sefina removed the clothes suited to her petite body.
Then she took out the shape-shifting magic ring and gently placed it on her finger.
With a faint wave of magic power, her figure grew slightly taller, her blue hair transformed into snow-like silver, and the lines of her face underwent subtle changes, becoming closer to her former appearance as “Holmes.”
Flovi had already prepared a set of well-fitting casual clothes for her, simple in style and low-key in color, inconspicuous among crowds.
However, before going out, Sefina still took out a self-made face mask and carefully put it on, covering most of her face.
This was truly a last resort. The identity of “Holmes” was still a wanted criminal by name in the countries of the western continent. Her wanted poster might be posted on some street corner bulletin board.
If it weren’t for the fact that Versie’s invitation involved a personal debt and the previous aid she had given, Sefina would absolutely not have been willing to appear in public in this form in the western continent again, even for the short walk from the hotel to the cafe.
So Sefina walked through the streets of the capital city, trying to avoid densely populated areas, and finally arrived in front of a rather elegant-looking cafe.
This cafe was an establishment under the Duke’s Family, and that specific private room on the second floor was once the “old spot” where she, as Holmes, most often enjoyed afternoon tea and discussed magic with Versie, a place belonging only to their teacher-student pair.
Sefina took a deep breath, went up to the second floor, stopped in front of a familiar private room door, and gently knocked.
“Come in.”
A familiar female voice came from inside, clear and gentle, carrying a hint of a maiden’s softness, yet subtly imbued with a sense of control. The speaker was none other than Versie.
Sefina pushed the door open and entered.
The room’s decor remained the same, warm and private.
Versie was sitting elegantly on a chair by the window. The morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a soft halo around her.
She held a cup of steaming coffee in her right hand, her movements serene, a bright and gentle smile on her face. She looked entirely like an amiable and ladylike noble young lady.
Sefina slowly walked over and sat down in the seat opposite her, reaching up to remove the mask from her face, revealing the cool features belonging to “Holmes.”
Looking at her former student sitting right in front of her, smile unchanged, Sefina’s heart involuntarily trembled slightly.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something—perhaps thank her for yesterday’s assistance, or ask about her recent studies—but the words turned in her throat and ultimately failed to come out smoothly. Facing Versie, she always seemed to find it difficult to maintain her usual calm.
In the end, it was Versie who broke the silence first. She set down her coffee cup and spoke in a calm voice, as if they had just parted yesterday.
“Long time no see, teacher.”
“Long time no see, Versie.” Sefina responded, her voice a bit dry. She hesitated for a moment, then followed the usual small talk routine, asking with a hint of concern.
“How have you been these past two years?”
However, Versie gently shook her head. She extended a slender finger, thoughtfully rubbing the warm side of the coffee cup. Her tone carried a faint, almost imperceptible sense of grievance and accusation.
“Not good.”
Versie raised those ice-blue eyes, looking directly at Sefina. A faint light seemed to flicker within them.
“Teacher left without a word back then, didn’t tell me where you were going. I didn’t even know where to send a letter of greeting… And, teacher never wrote me a single word either.”
Sefina was momentarily speechless, falling into silence. Versie’s accusation was not without reason.
She lowered her head, avoiding those eyes that seemed capable of seeing through people, and murmured softly with sincere apology.
“I’m sorry, Versie. At that time… the situation was special. I was wanted by various countries, could barely protect myself, and truly couldn’t spare the energy to arrange more. And also…”
Sefina paused, her voice growing even lower.
“I was also afraid letters might be intercepted mid-way. If it were discovered that I, a wanted criminal, was in close contact with you… with a noble young lady of your status, it would implicate you and your family instead. I couldn’t take that risk.”
Sefina wasn’t lying. This was indeed the choice she made after weighing her options back then.
Staying away was the best protection for Versie she could think of.
Versie listened quietly. The smile on her face faded a little, but she didn’t seem angry. She just nodded slightly to show understanding.
“Mhm, I know teacher had your own difficulties.”
However, Versie changed the subject. A flicker of cunning and anticipation passed through her ice-blue eyes. She put back on that flawless, gentle smile. Her tone was soft but carried a strange feeling.
“But… teacher, I truly missed you very much these past two years. This longing, and the grievance of you leaving without a word back then… could you… give me a little bit of compensation for it?”
That seemingly pure and harmless gaze made Sefina’s heart tighten slightly. She raised her eyes to meet Versie’s.
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