Chapter 145: Leaving the Academy (1) {BONUS}

[Calyra and Silvena’s POV]

The next 2 days...

As the lecture came to a close, Calyra remained seated, her fingers rhythmically drumming against the worn cover of her notebook.

’Why do I keep sensing that strange energy from him lately...? It’s growing stronger than before too.’

Her eyes followed Julian as he exited, the door shut behind him.

’It’s very unsettling.’

’...And honestly, even until now, I still can’t get my head on why he went on and provoked Julian. I guess... it seemed like he had planned something again.’

Calyra sighed as she deeply wondered about it.

But then, a rustle nearby drew her attention.

She turned just slightly, catching the figure of Silvena hunched over her desk, hurriedly shoving books and loose parchment into her storage ring. The motion was uncharacteristic and sloppy.

"Hmm, where is she rushing to?" Calyra murmured to no one in particular.

Then, she stood up and walked towards Silvena.

"How are you feeling now? You were absent for two days." Calyra asked as she brushed her strands and stood next to Silvena.

"I’m feeling all well now. But what’s this... you sound very caring of me~" Silvena replied as she slightly turned her head.

"Hmm. That’s good to know. Take care of your health better. We have a practical exam about 2 weeks left. Well, I don’t think that I need to remind you of that. Anyway, where are you going?"

Silvena’s hands paused, just for a fraction of a second. Barely a breath. But Calyra caught it. The slight hitch, almost imperceptible break in rhythm before her fingers resumed, folding parchment with that same feigned ease.

"I have something to take care of~"

Silvena said lightly.

Calyra tilted her head, a faint crease forming between her brows.

"I thought you didn’t have any electives today?"

"Yes, I don’t," Silvena replied evenly. "And what about you?"

’Did she... just deflect my question?’

Although she noticed it, Calyra did not press further.

She was not someone who chased after half-open doors. If Silvena wished to keep something to herself, then she would simply let it remain unspoken.

Everyone had their own corners of silence.

But still...

’She’s definitely hiding something.’

"I don’t have any electives either," Calyra said, her voice softening as she allowed the matter to pass. "I’m heading to the library. Ruvian said he’ll be coming later. Do you want to join us, too?"

For a fleeting moment, Silvena’s lips slightly twitched, as if she had almost let out a short, disbelieving snort before catching herself.

’Haa... that dummy. Don’t tell me he made a promise with Calyra, but forgot to tell her he can’t come today.’ Silvena thought, slightly amused.

She wanted to tell Calyra that she and Ruvian would not be in the academy this evening until tomorrow. But she didn’t want to get into more trouble explaining everything.

So in the end, she decided to just leave it for now.

"Sorry, Calyra... maybe another time." Silvena replied with a kind smile.

’Poor girl. She’s going to be lonely again in the library.’

Silvena felt a little sorry for her childhood friend. She put a hand on Calyra’s shoulder, tapped it twice before heading towards the exit.

Calyra watched her go with an aloof expression.

And yet... something about it annoyed her.

’What got into her today?’ she wondered, brows drawing together lightly.

’And why is she holding her laugh?’

Calyra turned towards her back again.

’Hmm, well, she is always like that.’

With a casual hum, Calyra let the thought drift. She adjusted her clothes and made her way toward the library.

*****

[Ruvian’s POV]

Later, in the afternoon, during the alchemy elective, the classroom sat in that familiar hush. What followed was, by most standards, a rudimentary lecture of alchemy.

Ruvian listened, nodding at intervals, committing what needed to be remembered. But most of his mind drifted elsewhere.

Once the lecture drew to a close, the murmurs of restless students began to fill the air.

One by one, they filtered out.

Ruvian remained seated for a moment longer, eyes distant. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Then he stood up.

"Corwin. Come with me."

Corwin blinked, halfway through packing his notes, but stood without protest. Curiosity had a strange pull on him, especially when it came from Ruvian.

They crossed the room toward Instructor Howard, who was methodically extinguishing the last of the projection glyphs.

"Instructor Howard, do you offer personal teaching?" Ruvian said calmly.

Instructor Howard looked up, one brow arching in quiet surprise. "That depends," he replied slowly, voice tinged with measured caution.

"Alchemy doesn’t draw many these days. Most prefer their magic loud and visible. But if a scholar shows genuine interest... I don’t turn them away."

Ruvian gave a small nod, then, without warning, he placed a steady hand on Corwin’s shoulder and pushed him gently forward.

"He’s interested." (+150PP)

Corwin stumbled, caught between confusion and betrayal.

"Wait... what?"

Instructor Howard’s expression barely shifted, but there was the faintest glimmer of amusement behind his eyes.

"Oh, are you sure that you really wish to study alchemy in greater depth?"

"I—uh..."

Corwin floundered, his voice catching in his throat as he threw Ruvian a sharp glare.

Ruvian simply met it with his usual calm stare, a faint shadow of a shrug in his posture, as if to say: Why not?

Howard chuckled, low and genuine.

"A rare interest. Most young scholars chase blades and magic nowadays. Haha, very few bother with the beautiful art of transmutation."

"So, I ask again, are you certain?"

Corwin opened his mouth, then hesitated.

Howard’s tone wasn’t mocking, but respectful. Curious, even. And there was something about that pause — about the way Ruvian had stepped back and left the decision entirely to Corwin hands.

"I—uh..." Corwin began, then paused again.

Finally...

"...Yeah," he said, more firmly this time.

"Yes, I want to learn." (+100PP)

"Very well," Instructor Howard said, folding his arms behind his back.

"As it happens, I was just preparing to conduct a series of experiments involving Orvess Extract. I could use an assistant."

Ruvian took a single step back, his part in the arrangement already complete.

"Sounds like a good start," he said simply.

Corwin turned toward him with a look that could only be described as betrayal incarnate.

But Ruvian didn’t bother acknowledging it. He was already walking away, uninterested in whatever flustered protest was about to follow.

’Now, this should help Corwin get better at alchemy.’

[Your action has greatly impacted the course of a character!]

[You have received +800 Plot Points!]

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[Chapter 145: Leaving the Academy (1)]

Plot Points= 7,750