"Thank you for the lessons," I said, offering her a polite smile as I began to gather my things. Despite my efforts to appear composed, I could feel the faintest warmth lingering in my cheeks.
"No problem," Evelyn replied, her voice smooth and warm. She adjusted her glasses, her gaze lingering on me for just a moment longer than necessary. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to find me, Sera. I'm always happy to help… or simply talk."
Her words carried a weight that felt almost personal, and I quickly nodded, muttering a quick, "Thank you," before walking away, my heart inexplicably racing.
As I made my way toward the library, I couldn't shake the way Evelyn had looked at me or the way her words had felt like more than just casual kindness. It was... distracting.
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I focused on my next task. Lillian was waiting for me, and I needed to get my mind back on track. Before heading straight to the library, I stopped by a small café on campus to pick up a few snacks for her. Lillian was the kind of person who could get so engrossed in her studies that she'd forget to eat, and I didn't want her fainting in the middle of our session.
The café was cozy and bustling, filled with the scent of freshly brewed tea and baked goods. I picked out a couple of buttery scones and a small box of chocolates—something sweet to lighten the mood in case history and morals became too dry.
With the snacks in hand, I resumed my walk to the library, admiring the way the sun streamed through the tall academy windows. The halls were quieter than usual, with most students off studying in their dorms or at home, which only made the grandeur of the academy feel more pronounced.
The library doors loomed ahead, their intricate carvings of magical runes catching the light. I pushed them open and stepped inside, greeted by the familiar scent of old parchment and ink. The soft hum of quiet conversations and the occasional rustle of pages created a serene atmosphere.
It didn't take long to spot Lillian. She was seated at a table near one of the large, arched windows, her flowing pastel pink hair catching the sunlight in soft waves. She was surrounded by a small fortress of books, her sparkling green eyes focused intently on one of them as she flipped through the pages.
"Hey," I greeted as I approached, setting the bag of snacks on the table.
Lillian looked up, her green eyes brightening when she saw me. "Oh, Sera, you're here!" Her smile was warm, and it immediately put me at ease.
"I brought you some snacks," I said, pulling out the scones and chocolates. "Figured you might need a little energy boost."
Her expression softened, and she chuckled lightly. "You're always so thoughtful. Thank you, Sera. These look delicious."
"Well, I didn't want you passing out in the middle of our study session," I teased, taking a seat across from her.
"Fair point," she said with a small laugh, breaking off a piece of a scone and taking a bite.
As she ate, I pulled out my notebook and a few pens, ready to dive into the subjects we'd planned to cover. "So, history and morals, right? I figured we could start with history since that's a bit more straightforward."
Lillian nodded, wiping her hands delicately with a napkin. "Sounds good. Though I have to say, the morals section has me a little nervous. It's not something you can really prepare for in the same way as the other subjects."
"True," I admitted, flipping open one of the history books. "But I think we'll manage. Between the two of us, we've got this."
She smiled at my confidence, and as we began to dive into the material, I couldn't help but feel a sense of calm. Studying with Lillian felt easy, natural, and for a moment, I let myself forget about the looming exams, the battle event, and all the complexities of my new life.
For now, it was just the two of us, a quiet library, and the promise of scones, good company, and perhaps, something a little more.
"It's good to see you like this," Lillian said suddenly, her voice soft but carrying a weight that pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Hmm?" I looked up from the book she had handed me, my pen still poised mid-note.
"You've changed quite a lot," she continued, her green eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my pulse quicken.
I blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected comment. "What do you mean?"
There was a flicker of something in her expression—something I couldn't quite place. A mixture of fondness and curiosity, perhaps, or maybe even... concern? Whatever it was, it was enough to make me uneasy.
She shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Don't worry, Sera. I was just talking about the rumors."
"Rumors?" I repeated, my voice a mix of confusion and alarm.
What did she mean by that? Don't worry?! How could I not worry when she dropped something so cryptic? My mind raced, a hundred scenarios flashing through it all at once. Could she... no, there was no way she knew about the transmigration. Right? Right?!
As if sensing my internal panic, Lillian leaned closer, her delicate face now mere inches from mine. I froze as her breath ghosted against my cheek, and before I could process what was happening, she blew a soft gust of wind at me.
"Eh?!" I nearly jumped out of my seat, my voice higher than I would have liked.
Lillian giggled, the sound light and teasing. "You're thinking too deeply," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Listen to what I'm saying. The exams won't be as easy as you think."
I stared at her, flustered and utterly lost. "You could've just said that instead of trying to give me a heart attack!"
"But where's the fun in that?" she countered, her grin widening. She sat back in her chair, looking far too pleased with herself.
I pressed a hand to my chest, willing my heartbeat to slow. "You really enjoy messing with me, don't you?"
"Maybe," she said with a shrug, popping a piece of chocolate into her mouth. "But it's only because I care."
Her words were casual, but the way she said them made me pause. There was a warmth in her tone that felt... genuine. And for a moment, I didn't know how to respond.
"Well," I finally said, trying to regain my composure, "if you really care, then maybe you could stop teasing me for five minutes."
"Where's the fun in that?" she repeated, her eyes glinting with mischief.
I sighed, shaking my head as I turned my attention back to the book in front of me. But despite my best efforts to focus, I couldn't quite shake the way her gaze lingered on me or the flutter of my heart every time she smiled.
As we continued to study, Lillian's occasional quips and playful teasing filled the otherwise quiet library, making the daunting subjects we were tackling feel a little less overwhelming. And even though her antics kept me on edge, I couldn't deny the comfort her presence brought.
Somehow, even in the midst of exams and uncertainty, Lillian Aurora had a way of making everything feel just a little bit lighter—like a gentle breeze on a stifling day.
And perhaps, I thought as I stole a glance at her while she jotted down notes, that wasn't such a bad thing after all. But as the quiet atmosphere settled between us, a question began to nag at me.
"By the way," I asked, breaking the silence, "who do you think will place first in the exams?"
Lillian glanced up from her notes, her green eyes sparkling with confidence. "Me, of course."
I gave her a deadpan look, crossing my arms. "I know you're a princess, really smart, probably learned how to talk and write the moment you were born, but let's stay humble, alright?"
She laughed, the sound light and melodic, and leaned back in her chair. "I'm only speaking the truth, Sera. Would you prefer I lie and say someone else has a chance?"
"Yes, actually," I muttered, though I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips.
She tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Then how about we make a bet on it?"
"A bet?" I repeated, instantly wary.
"If I place first in the exams, you'll have to do anything I say," she said, her tone casual but with just enough emphasis to make me nervous.
I narrowed my eyes at her, already imagining the endless ways she could turn that into my personal nightmare. "Anything?"
She nodded, her smile widening. "Anything."
I hesitated, the gears in my mind spinning. "Okay… but what if you don't place first?"
Her smile didn't falter for even a second. "Then I'll do anything you say."
I stared at her, trying to gauge how serious she was. "Anything?"
"Anything," she repeated, her voice soft but laced with a playful challenge.
I leaned back, crossing my arms as I studied her. Lillian Aurora was many things—brilliant, confident, and not afraid to push buttons—but she wasn't the type to back down from a challenge. And if I was being honest, the idea of having a favor to hold over her was... intriguing.
"Alright," I said at last, meeting her gaze. "You're on."
She clapped her hands together, clearly pleased. "Wonderful! I'll be looking forward to it."
"Don't get too cocky," I warned. "I'm not exactly slacking off, you know."
"I wouldn't dream of underestimating you," she replied smoothly, her smile taking on a softer edge. "But let's just say, I'm confident in my abilities."
The way she said it, with that glimmer in her eyes and the way her lips curved, made my heart skip a beat. I shook my head, trying to focus.
"Alright, then," I said, attempting to sound unaffected. "Better start preparing for when I win, Princess."
"Likewise, Sera," she teased, leaning in slightly. "You might want to start thinking about what you'll owe me."
Her tone was light, but there was something in the way she looked at me that made the air feel warmer, the library quieter. For a brief moment, it was as though the only thing that existed was the two of us, locked in this playful yet charged exchange.
I broke eye contact first, pretending to busy myself with my notes, but I could still feel her gaze lingering.
The upcoming week was going to be interesting.