The academy grounds were growing quieter by the minute. Disciples drifted toward the gates in pairs and groups, their chatter fading into the evening air.
Shaun stood near the main gate, leaning lazily against the post, idly scuffing the dust beneath his shoes as he waited for Natasha, Shaumin, and Sabastian. They had gone to return a few library books and told him to wait by the entrance.
As he kicked at a pebble, a gentle sound of laughter floated from ahead. Lifting his gaze, Shaun saw a small group of girls walking down the path — Princess Nina Heavenstar with her friends Natsumi, Julia, and Reina.
The golden light of dusk framed them, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to slow. When Nina's eyes met Shaun's, her expression softened into a quiet smile. Shaun couldn't help but return it.
As she drew nearer, Nina shyly brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She passed close enough for Shaun to catch the faint scent of cherry-blossom perfume — soft, sweet, and fleeting.
She walked on with her friends, but after a few steps, she stopped. Her heart gave a small, uncertain flutter. Natsumi and Julia exchanged knowing looks, subtle smiles playing on their lips. Reina, however, blinked in confusion.
"What's wrong, Princess?" she asked. "Why did you stop so suddenly?"
Nina hesitated, then smiled faintly. "Could you wait for me outside the gate? I'll be there in a minute."
Natsumi chuckled under her breath, tugging Julia's sleeve. "Of course, Princess. Don't keep us waiting too long."
Reina frowned. "Shall I come with you?"
Nina shook her head gently. "No, that won't be necessary. I'll handle it myself. Don't worry."
"Alright," Natsumi said, her smile turning teasing. "Just don't be too long — and be careful, Princess."
"I will," Nina replied softly.
The three girls continued through the gate, waiting just beyond it, while Nina turned back — her steps slow, deliberate, yet light.
As she walked toward Shaun, the fading sunlight caught the edge of her silver hair and set it aglow. Her smile deepened, shy but warm.
Shaun blinked, caught between surprise and curiosity, as the princess of the Silver Heaven Academy — the very girl whose life he had saved — approached him once more.
It was… awkward. Awkward, and strangely magical. Shaun stood frozen, his face warm as a gentle breeze brushed past. In front of him stood Princess Nina Heavenstar — not just any girl, but the princess of the Silver Heaven Region herself. Her presence alone made his pulse race.
Nina, too, turned her gaze aside for a moment, her cheeks faintly pink. But then, gathering her courage, she looked at him again and took a slow step forward… then another.
With every step, their hearts beat faster — uncertain, nervous, but drawn together.
She finally stopped in front of him. For a long, silent moment, neither spoke. The air between them felt fragile, like one wrong word might break it. At last, Nina gave a soft smile.
"Hello."
"Uh—hello," Shaun replied quickly, scratching the back of his neck.
"You're not heading home?" she asked.
"I will," he said, gesturing toward the gate. "Just waiting for my friends. They went to the library to return some books."
Silence returned — the kind that made time slow. It was their first real conversation, and both of them were painfully aware of it. Finally, Nina broke it again.
"By the way… thank you."
"Thank you?" Shaun blinked. "For what?"
"For saving me," she said gently. "In the Mist Forest. When that assassin attacked… I was terrified. If you hadn't been there, I—" She stopped, lowering her eyes. "I don't know what might've happened. So… thank you, truly."
Shaun smiled faintly. "It's okay. I'm just glad you're safe, Princess."
"Please… just call me Nina," she said with a shy smile.
He nodded, a little flustered. "Right. Nina."
She tilted her head slightly. "How about you? Are you hurt? I'm so sorry you got dragged into all this because of me."
"It's fine, really. You don't need to apologize," Shaun replied, waving it off. "Besides, you saved me too — with your Aegis Divine Barrier. So, I guess we're even."
"But it was my fault," Nina said softly, her voice trembling. "She was after me… and you got caught up in it because of that. I was useless. What if she comes back? What if—"
Before she could finish, Shaun reached out and gently took her hand. Her eyes widened, her breath catching in surprise.
"There's no need to worry," he said firmly. "If she comes back, I'll protect you — no matter what. Even if an army of assassins comes for you, I'll stand in their way."
"Really?" she whispered, staring at him.
He nodded. "It's a promise."
For a moment, neither moved. The world around them faded — the voices of disciples, the sound of the wind — everything. There was only her hand in his, and the reflection of the evening sun in her dark, gentle eyes.
They didn't realize how long they'd been standing like that — five minutes, maybe more — until they both snapped back at once, startled. Quickly, they let go and turned away, faces flushed. After a quiet breath, Nina looked at him again.
"Shaun… I wanted to ask you something else."
He blinked. "What is it?"
"Would you…" she hesitated, fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve, "…would you like to be my friend? I know it might be inappropriate, especially after all the trouble I caused. I'd understand if you said no—"
"I'd like that," Shaun interrupted, smiling.
She froze, eyes wide. "You… would?"
"Of course," he said. "None of what happened was your fault, Nina. I don't blame you for any of it. Honestly… I always wanted to be your friend."
Nina's lips parted in surprise, then curved into a bright, heartfelt smile. Slowly, she extended her hand.
"Then… let's start over. As friends."
Shaun nodded and shook her hand, sealing their new bond.
"Well, I should go now," Nina said softly. "My friends are waiting outside. I'll see you tomorrow. And, um… thank you again, Shaun — for everything."
She gave a graceful bow, her smile lingering a moment longer before she turned and walked toward the gate. Shaun stood there, watching her until she disappeared from sight.
The last rays of sunlight caught her silver hair, and for just a second, it looked as if the sky itself was blessing her path. He exhaled softly, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Yeah… see you tomorrow, Nina."
"Hey, Shaun! Sorry we're late," Natasha called out as she and the others jogged up from the library.
Shaun turned, a small smile still lingering from his earlier encounter. "It's fine. I figured you'd take a while."
Sabastian stretched his arms. "You look like you've been daydreaming."
"Maybe a little," Shaun said with a faint laugh. "Anyway, come on — let's head back to the dorms before dinner."
The four of them walked off together under the golden twilight, their laughter echoing softly through the quiet academy courtyard.
**********
Later that evening, inside the quiet dormitory hallway, Shaun finally told his friends everything that had happened in the Mist Forest.
"What — ?!" Shaumin's eyes widened. "Princess Nina was attacked by a female assassin?"
Shaun nodded, his voice low but steady. "Yes. She was the assassin's target all along. I just happened to reach her in time."
Sabastian frowned, arms crossed. "But why would anyone want to harm Princess Nina? Do you have any idea who that woman was?"
Shaun shook his head. "No. She wore a mask the entire time. I couldn't even see her face."
Natasha, who had been quiet until then, suddenly reached out and held Shaun's hand. "Rich people have a lot of secrets — and enemies. It could be anything, political or personal. I feel sorry for Princess Nina, but Shaun… I don't want you getting dragged into this." Her voice trembled slightly with worry.
Sabastian nodded. "Natasha's right. You've already taken the assassin's target away from her once. If she's still out there, you might be next. So stay alert, Shaun. Keep your guard up."
Shaun smiled faintly, touched by their concern. "Yeah… I will. Don't worry."
The tension slowly faded as he changed the subject, joking about their classes and teasing Shaumin for dozing off during Mathamancy. Their laughter echoed softly down the corridor — a brief, fragile peace beneath the shadow of an unseen storm.
Yet even as he laughed with them, a single thought lingered in Shaun's mind, dimming his smile:
I hope Princess Nina is safe. Who knows who that masked assassin truly was… and what dark plan she might be plotting now?
**********