Exiting the cafeteria with hurried steps, Pyris's mind was heavy, weighed down by his earlier argument with Valarie. It had hit him harder than he expected, a bitter blow that left him searching for some kind of solace.
He needed peace, clarity—somewhere to escape the whirlwind of emotions swirling within him. There was only one place that could offer that kind of comfort, and that was where he headed now.
He found his feet guiding him to the back of the academy, where the air felt fresher, and the grass, lush and green, cradled every step he took.
A gentle wind stirred the leaves overhead, brushing across his face, bringing with it a sense of calm. With each passing second, his worries seemed to lighten, the soothing ambiance of nature pulling him away from the turmoil within.
Pyris closed his eyes, allowing the serenity to wash over him.
Walking deeper into the trees, where the grass was neatly maintained and the landscape seemed untouched by time, he found solace.
This part of the academy was quieter, more isolated—a place where students occasionally came to reflect, to enjoy the beauty of nature. It was hidden, almost secretive, with the sunlight filtering through the canopy in golden streams, illuminating the ground in patches of light.
As Pyris moved further, the gentle crunch of twigs under his feet accompanied his thoughts. The deeper he went, the darker the space became, though the beams of sunlight cutting through the leaves made the secluded area seem almost magical.
[Are you really this upset?] Lia's voice suddenly cut through the silence in his mind, her concern evident. Pyris shook his head, a faint smile on his lips as he heard his companion's familiar tone.
"I'm not upset, just… disturbed." Pyris scrolled through the system market in his mind, purchasing a picnic mat with a few clicks.
He laid it down on the soft grass, stretching out under the sun's dappled rays. "I just don't understand why Valarie made such a decision. I need to be alone, to think things through."
"So, I'm not welcome?" A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts, breaking the calm atmosphere. Pyris sat up, startled. He hadn't heard anyone approaching, but the voice—it was unmistakable.
"Emilia?" he asked, squinting in her direction as the light filtered through the trees. "What are you doing here?"
Stepping from the shadows, Emilia smiled, though there was a playful glint in her eyes. "Oh? And here I thought you'd forgotten all about me," she teased, her voice carrying a light, sing-song tone.
"And why would you think that?" Pyris propped himself up on one elbow, looking her over with a small smile. "You're far too important in my life to forget."
"Huh, you've really got a way with words, I'll give you that." She crossed her arms, standing a distance from him, her tone laced with mock indignation.
"But I'm not convinced. A whole month without a single text? You didn't even tell me about your awakening. You really know how to ghost someone, don't you, P?"
Pyris sighed, knowing she was right. He had been distant, lost in the chaos of his responsibilities and projects, and Emilia, his closest confidant, had been neglected. But it wasn't intentional.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice soft but sincere. "The last few weeks have been insane, Emilia. My awakening, all the projects Mother's thrown at me with virtual reality—sometimes it feels like I haven't had a second to breathe, let alone check in with you."
Her expression softened at that, though her stance remained firm. Emilia had always been understanding, but she was also direct—something he respected about her. She knew when to push and when to relent.
"You always know how to disarm me," she admitted with a sigh, her playful annoyance fading. She stepped forward as Pyris motioned for her to join him on the mat. "But I won't lie, you had me worried for a while there."
As she settled next to him, Pyris couldn't help but admire her. Emilia was breathtaking, her pink hued eyes catching the light in a way that made them appear almost luminescent, her purple hair cascading down her back.
Today, she was dressed more modestly than usual, wearing a simple, loose dress that fell just below her knees. It was a contrast to the revealing outfits she usually donned, a reminder of her nature as a succubus—a demon who wielded charm and beauty like a weapon.
But to him, Emilia was more than that. She was his personal secretary, his confidant, and the one person who knew all of his secrets.
Over the years, they had grown close, and though there was an undeniable tension between them, they had never crossed certain boundaries.
With her now sitting so close, her body heat radiating toward him, that tension felt more tangible than ever. Pyris, feeling bold, slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer.
Their bodies pressed together intimately, and for a moment, neither of them said a word. The silence between them was thick, charged with something more than just friendship.
Emilia's breath quickened, her lips parting slightly as her gaze locked with his. She had always been attracted to him, that much was clear. And now that Pyris was of age, that line between them, once carefully maintained, seemed to blur.
They leaned in, their faces drawing closer, their breaths mingling as the gap between them closed. For a moment, it felt like nothing else mattered—just the two of them, alone in the quiet of the trees.
But the soft chime of Pyris's phone shattered the moment, its harsh ring pulling them back to reality. Emilia pulled away quickly, an awkward cough escaping her lips as she turned her head.
Her dress strap slipped from her shoulder, revealing more of her cleavage, though she seemed too flustered to notice.
Pyris cursed silently, pulling his phone from his pocket. The screen lit up with a message notification from his mother. His brow furrowed as he read the message, the confusion on his face clear.
"I'll be away on important matters for a while. You're in charge of Obsidian Tech in my absence. Emilia will assist you in moving to your new place while you're still attending school. Don't worry, the place is close to both the academy and the company. Take care of everything as I've taught you. And remember, the company is your responsibility now."
Pyris groaned audibly, the weight of the words sinking in. "What the actual hell?" he muttered, his mind racing.
Emilia, sensing his tension, looked over his shoulder at the message. Before she could respond, her own phone buzzed with a call. She glanced at the screen and saw it was from his mother.
Without hesitation, Pyris grabbed the phone from her hand. "Mother!" he barked into the receiver. "What is this? I'm supposed to be attending school, not running a company!"
On the other end, his mother's voice was calm, unbothered by his outburst. "You were always meant for more than just attending school, Pyris. It's time you stepped up. This is your destiny."
Pyris sat back, exhaling sharply, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him once again.
******
Should I re-edit all the first chapter?
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