Saphielle stood still, the strange artifact now resting on her face—those plain, unremarkable glasses that Noah had insisted on.
Noah let out a slow breath. "Phew... looks like it worked. Well, now we wait. I had to replay everything that happened today for her... and damn, it was a long day. Now that I think about it, way too long."
He glanced at Saphielle again.
"It actually makes her look hot, I knew it."
Her body didn’t move, her eyes behind the lenses blank. There was no reaction—just stillness.
With a sigh, Noah approached her and gently lowered her to the floor, positioning her so that her head rested on his lap. His fingers brushed a loose strand of hair from her forehead.
"Don’t make me regret this," he muttered.
Silence settled over the ritual chamber. The air was thick with faint traces of burnt incense and old magic. The Hollow Echo remained dormant atop the sealed coffin, radiating no power now that it had no one to wield it.
Noah stayed there, unmoving, letting his thoughts drift.
’This might take a while... but at least there’s no danger—for now at least.’
He glanced up at the ceiling of the chamber, letting his head rest against the wall behind him. The flickering torches painted shadows across the stone.
’Just hang in there, Saphielle. You will see what will happen that I couldn’t stop.’
Across the ritual chamber, on the opposite end, Cordelia and Lys walked calmly, their steps echoing against the cold stone. Behind them, the aftermath of battle was eerily quiet—necromancers bound by roots, others unconscious, their dark rituals halted without a single life taken.
"Not bad," Cordelia said, brushing dust off her shoulder. "No casualties. Always a plus. Harder to explain dead bodies to the city guards, you know?"
"Agreed," Lys replied cheerfully. "Although, honestly, with a Quad Enchanter and a Spiritualist contracted to three legendary spirits? Total cheat code."
Cordelia chuckled softly. The two made their way toward the large door where Noah had vanished earlier. Lys followed closely, a casual sway in her step.
Suddenly, Lys spoke, her voice light but direct. "So... Cordelia?"
Cordelia glanced at her. "Yeah?"
"If I took Noah out on a date... you wouldn’t interrupt us, right?"
Cordelia blinked, then shrugged. "Why would I? We’re not dating. I already told you—it was all an act. Two persistent guys wouldn’t stop flirting with me, so I used him as a decoy."
"Well... in that case," Lys grinned, "let me steal him from you properly."
"Go ahead," Cordelia said with a smirk. "All yours. Don’t know what you see in him, though."
"You don’t?" Lys spun dramatically. "How can you say that when Noah is—" She inhaled deeply, eyes shining.
"Handsome, brave, strategic, mysterious, kind when he doesn’t want to be, loyal, sarcastic in the best way, absurdly composed, slightly reckless, totally my type, surprisingly gentle, focused, complex, tall, clever, stylish when he tries, good under pressure, annoyingly calm, quietly confident, irritatingly charming, independent, observant, secretive, responsible, intense, adaptable, fierce when it counts, detached but caring, intimidating, soft-spoken, deep-thinking, elegant, rough around the edges, stubborn, weirdly patient, unpredictable, goal-driven, sharp-tongued, level-headed, emotionally unavailable... and just—ugh! You have to see it!"
Cordelia stared blankly. "...I see. So you’ve been thinking about this."
Lys puffed her cheeks, embarrassed. "Just a little."
They reached the sealed door. Cordelia placed her hand on it and tried to push—but nothing happened.
"It won’t open," she said.
"Let me try." Lys stepped forward, her eyes flashing. "I can’t let Noah spend more time alone with that... that bitch."
Cordelia raised an eyebrow.
’Whoa. She’s really into him... Good thing she didn’t notice when I kissed Noah. My life might be in danger if she ever finds out.’
With a determined spark, Lys summoned Fire—the most explosive of her three spirits. A swirling ball of crimson flame hovered beside her.
"Let’s blow a hole through it," she declared.
The fire spirit struck the door with a burst of heat and force... but nothing happened. Not even a scorch mark.
Cordelia folded her arms. "Seems like the ritual room’s protected. We’ll have to wait for them to come out."
Lys scowled. Not satisfied, she raised her arms and called all three spirits—Fire, Aqua, and Gaia. Each materialized, pulsing with their own energy. Together, they launched a synchronized assault on the door.
Lys exhaled a frustrated sigh and lowered her hands.
When Saphielle opened her eyes, everything had changed.
She was no longer in the ritual chamber. The smell of incense and dust was gone. Instead, a warm breeze caressed her face. The golden light of the sun filtered gently through the trees, and birds chirped softly in the distance.
A wide courtyard stretched before her. It was familiar. The benches, the trees, the distant sound of students laughing. She was back at the academy.
Seated beside her on the bench was a boy.
White hair. Blue eyes. Calm expression. His presence was striking—sharp yet serene.
’Shit... He really put the glasses on me.’
She raised a hand to her face, confirming it. The artifact was there.
’Noah... you actually did it. You used them on me.’
Her jaw tightened slightly.
’That doesn’t change anything. I will revive my master. I have to. This doesn’t change my decision...’
Still, her gaze drifted sideways.
’But who is that boy? White hair... blue eyes...’
He wasn’t looking at her—his eyes were fixed forward, thoughtful, as if waiting for something.
Saphielle tried to move, but her body remained still, as if bound by the memory itself.
’Is this... one of his memories? Is this what he wanted me to see?’
The boy turned slightly, and for a split second, she caught a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his lips.
It made her chest tighten.
She looked away quickly, cheeks warm.
’Stop it. He’s just a projection. This is just part of the memory...’
The memory continued, and Saphielle remained trapped within it—an observer, but strangely present.
The boy with white hair leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His voice came out low and sharp, breaking the silence with urgency.
"We need to act already," he said. "We can’t waste time. Things already went wrong with Lys, and I’m not screwing this up again."
Saphielle turned her head toward him slowly, surprise flickering across her face.
’Wait... that’s Noah? But...’
Before she could finish the thought, the boy beside Noah—someone equally composed, equally striking—spoke.
"Relax," the other said, his tone calm, smooth, perfect. "Everything’s already in place."
The two boys didn’t look at her. They were focused on something far ahead, as if planning something greater than the moment could contain.
Saphielle stared at them, heart beating faster for reasons she couldn’t explain.
’Noah... what are you trying to show me? What the hell is this memory?’