Erin Xavier looked as if he were waking from a dream. Nathan Lockwood’s warning had been blunt, a direct expression of his displeasure.

And Erin Xavier, once he understood, found he couldn’t argue.

He glanced at Zoe Pierce, who hadn’t said a word, and was now rendered completely speechless.

’He felt wronged, but there was nothing he could do.’

’He had no self-control.’

’He’d known it since last time. In her presence, all his defenses crumbled.’

’She didn’t have to do anything. Just by being there, she was a temptation, an allure.’

’But now, not only could he no longer bring himself to say anything harsh, he actually found himself wishing she *would* seduce him.’

"Anything else you want to ask?" Seeing Erin Xavier’s gaze drift back to Zoe Pierce, Nathan Lockwood narrowed his eyes and made it clear he should leave.

His time with Zoe Pierce had been interrupted, so naturally, no one could expect him to look pleased.

Especially since Erin Xavier was now so obviously coveting her.

Erin Xavier had nothing left to ask, but he didn’t want to leave. The thought of leaving Zoe Pierce and Nathan Lockwood alone in the room together made his chest tighten.

"You two have been alone together for too long," Erin Xavier said, grasping for a righteous-sounding excuse. "It’s not right."

Zoe Pierce glanced at the time and was startled to realize Erin Xavier was right; she had been here for a long time.

She pulled a small freshener from her Space Button and sprayed it on her clothes, then tugged at her outfit. Showing no sign of reluctance, she said to the two of them, "You two can talk. I’ll be going now."

Nathan Lockwood and Erin Xavier watched as she opened the door without a backward glance. With a soft CLICK, the door locked behind her.

After a long moment, Nathan Lockwood let out a cold snort.

"Erin Xavier, your turn will come eventually. You look like you’re just dying to be interrupted, aren’t you?"

With Zoe Pierce gone, the conversation between Erin Xavier and Nathan Lockwood became a bit more natural. "Nathan, we’re on a Starship. There are too many prying eyes. It’s better to be more discreet."

In fact, for the next few months, they would all have to be careful about how they interacted with Zoe Pierce.

If they went by their one-month-per-person schedule, the official friendly match would be starting not long after the training camp ended.

All eyes would be on them then, and it went without saying that plenty of mechanical eyes would be watching as well.

They could still find a deserted corner for some intimacy now, but later, that would be impossible.

Nathan Lockwood was not swayed by Erin Xavier’s words. "You should worry about yourself."

Erin Xavier forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Talking with Nathan Lockwood was often like this.

The man looked at him coldly. "Do I need to show you the door?"

’He’s getting angry out of embarrassment.’

Erin Xavier raised an eyebrow and left on his own, not needing Nathan Lockwood to throw him out.

*

Director Quinn was located by the local police.

The person he had been pursuing was also found.

He was a person who had a mental breakdown after being left in the forest. Director Quinn had split off from Miles Sherman and the others precisely because he’d caught a glimpse of that individual.

Upon his return, Director Quinn frowned when he heard members of the media were present. After questioning Ryan Jacobs, he reluctantly accepted the situation.

After hearing about the donation from Zoe Pierce’s group and their reasons, he immediately made another donation on behalf of the academy.

But they had already wasted too much time on Planet F187. The day after his return, Director Quinn explained the situation to the chief of police and made preparations to depart.

This was official business for them. The Federal Military Academy’s administrative rank was far higher than the local police’s, not to mention they were operating jointly with the First Military Academy. They couldn’t afford to offend either party. Just being associated with this positive event was a huge boon for the police department, and they were thrilled.

They had originally hoped to get a group photo with Zoe Pierce’s squad, but Director Quinn’s expression was so severe that the idea eventually fizzled out under his stern gaze.

After a delay of several days, the Starship finally departed once more.

This time, there were no further incidents, and they arrived safely at the Companion Star.

Since they were already behind schedule, Director Quinn decided to let them rest for two days to get back into peak condition.

They weren’t required to do any training during these two days, just maintain a normal schedule.

Although the Companion Star wasn’t as big as Praxium, its commerce was clearly thriving. Plenty of small-business merchants came here to purchase goods.

Zoe Pierce, having changed into rare casual clothes, opened her door to find Nathan Lockwood standing right outside in a black hoodie.

The dark fabric made his cool-toned skin seem even paler.

Zoe Pierce couldn’t resist holding out her hand to compare it with his. In terms of fairness, Nathan Lockwood’s skin was whiter, while hers had a healthy, rosy undertone.

Nathan Lockwood grabbed her hand, pressed it down for a brief moment, and then let go. "Let’s go."

The contact was brief, the separation swift.

No one would think anything of it.

It wasn’t until they were outside the hotel the academy had booked that Zoe Pierce realized it was just the two of them.

"Just the two of us?" she asked, a little incredulous. It seemed far too blatant.

Walking beside her, Nathan Lockwood glanced over. "Yeah."

"Just the two of us."

"We might not get another chance to be alone after this," he added. "I don’t want them disturbing us."

Under their arrangement, no matter how much the others might have protested, Nathan Lockwood had ultimately won out.

"We’ll buy some things for them," Nathan Lockwood said. "Get some souvenirs for Miles’ family. For the others, just grab whatever."

It was only an excuse, anyway.

Zoe Pierce made a sound of understanding. "Miles’ younger brother and sister?"

Nathan Lockwood looked at her. "You know?"

"I saw Miles on a video call with his family once. I saw them. They were both so well-behaved." Their voices were sweet and they were very polite, clinging to their older brother.

Zoe Pierce had only ever seen Miles smile like that when those two were on screen.

It had left a deep impression on her.

"Zoe Pierce, you know about Miles’ family, and you know about Erin Xavier’s family." Nathan Lockwood gazed at the street vendors. Even in the age of Interstellar Space, with all its advanced technology, nothing could suppress the human desire to browse a market. As far as the eye could see, the marketplace was teeming with people.

Robots stood posted at specific locations, ready to intervene in case of any trouble.

"How about... getting to know me a little?" His voice was quiet, but loud enough for Zoe Pierce to hear clearly.

Zoe Pierce instinctively turned to look at Nathan Lockwood. He was watching her, his expression completely serious.

’She really hadn’t ever tried to understand him on a deeper level.’

’But it wasn’t as if she knew nothing at all.’

"Aren’t you an only child?" Zoe Pierce recalled learning this when she had a check-up at his family’s hospital, from a casual chat with another doctor.

The corners of Nathan Lockwood’s eyes crinkled. "I am."

Zoe Pierce shot him another glance. "And your birthday is April 12th."

This answer was even more surprising than the last.

"How did you know that?" he asked, surprised. He never imagined she would.

Zoe Pierce thought he was being a little silly. "Have you forgotten what my brother... what Damien Pierce wanted me to do?"

’He wanted me to seduce them.’

’She knew all the basic, superficial information that was easy to find.’

"You were the one who told me to watch my words and actions," Zoe Pierce said, suddenly recalling Nathan Lockwood’s initial warning to her. She tilted her head, looking at him. "Right?"