They ended up continuing their tea party for a while longer.
Strangely enough, Serene gradually dropped her composed facade. The sharp restraint she usually carried faded, replaced by something far more relaxed—almost unguarded. At some point, she even began listing things out for Knox, enthusiastically explaining them one by one.
A list. Specifically, a list of Meilyn's black history—the embarrassing kind.
Knox listened in silence, nodding along as if he were being entrusted with state secrets. Somehow, the whole situation reminded him of a certain crane adeptus enthusiastically recounting old stories—especially that legendary tale about a coco-goat rolling down a mountain.
He wisely chose not to comment.
Time passed unnoticed.
Before either of them realized it, Knox and Serene reached for the last cookie at the exact same moment.
Their fingers brushed.
There was a brief, strange sensation—like a faint spark jumping between them. Not quite pain, not quite surprise. Something subtle, like instinct briefly reacting to instinct.
In a typical romance novel, this would have been the moment.
Blushing.
Awkward silence.
Hearts pounding.
Unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately—this was not that kind of story.
Because the people involved were Knox and Serene. After flinching slightly, they locked eyes.
No blushing.
Instead, both wore faint, knowing smiles—expressions that made it clear their minds were already calculating how best to tease the other.
If Aha had been watching, they would have been proud.
Praise Aha—ahem.
That reference aside, it was more likely that Yae Miko would have smiled approvingly, already considering whether these two were suitable disciple material.
Eventually, the teasing subsided, and the final cookie was eaten.
Only then did Knox realize something.
…Wait. I've been drinking tea and eating desserts for over an hour now.
He sighed inwardly. If the K-ON members saw me like this, they'd recruit me into the Light Music Club on the spot.
Not long after, Serene decided it was time to leave.
She stood up, turned toward Knox—and suddenly stumbled as her leg gave out beneath her.
Before she could fall, a hand caught her.
Instead of the expected pain of hitting the ground, she felt warmth.
"Serene, are you okay?"
She blinked. Only then did she realize she had fallen straight into Knox's arms.
For a brief moment, her mind went blank.
…This feeling isn't bad at all~ she thought, the corner of her lips curling slightly—especially after hearing the genuine concern in his voice.
After steadying herself, she spoke up.
"Of course I'm not fine~" she said dramatically. "To be bullied like this… this humble one is deeply hurt… sob sob."
Her tone was mournful. But, her delivery was not convincing in the slightest.
Knox's mouth twitched.
"…Sigh. My fault," he admitted. "I ignored your post-battle condition."
He raised his hand.
A soft, pale-green light gathered in his palm.
"Heal."
The light washed over Serene, gentle and warm. Despite Knox holding back during their fight, there were still scratches, fatigue, and lingering strain throughout her body. As the light enveloped her, the aches faded, wounds knitting together as if they had never existed.
Serene froze.
"…!"
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Healing magic—true healing magic—was something completely outside a necromancer's domain.
And yet, Knox had used it as casually as breathing.
"…This," she said quietly, staring at him. "You just—"
Her gaze sharpened. For the first time since the tea party began, Serene wasn't teasing.
She was genuinely shaken.
Noticing Serene's reaction, Knox looked at her, gave a small wink, and smiled.
"Hehe. It's a secret, okay~?"
Before today, Serene already knew that Knox was strong—even without seeing him fight. And after crossing blades with him herself, she had realized that calling him "strong" was still a massive understatement. Manifesting hundreds of floating swords alone was already absurd. Even if those swords weren't made purely of mana, it didn't change how outrageous the feat was.
At first, Serene had assumed that nothing about Knox could surprise her anymore.
Reality proved her very wrong.
A necromancer… using healing magic?
Please. She would rather believe that a saintess was secretly working as a professor at Kizen.
…Which, unfortunately, turned out to be a terrible jinx on her part—because, as it turned out, it was true.
She rubbed her temple, feeling mildly cursed by her own thoughts.
After a long pause, Serene muttered under her breath, "…How is this even possible?"
Knox laughed softly. "Haha. Nothing's impossible~" He leaned back with a smug grin. "So? Am I amazing? You can praise me more, you know~ Though sadly, you still won't get anything out of it. Hehe."
Serene's mouth twitched. For a brief moment, his handsome face looked… punchable.
"Besides," Knox continued casually, "why are you that surprised?"
Serene stared at him as if he'd just said something utterly insane.
"Why am I surprised?" She sighed deeply. "Forget it. I'm tired. I give up." She shook her head. "You're like an onion, Knox. Just when I think I've peeled you enough, there's another layer. And another. And another. Endlessly."
"Well," Knox said cheerfully, "people say mysterious men are charming~"
Serene felt her fist tighten. A tremor ran through it as the urge to pummel the annoyingly handsome face right in front of her surged uncontrollably.
If this were the world of G Gundam, she would have already shouted "SHINING FINGER!!!" and grabbed his head without hesitation.
Then Knox added, almost idly, "I mean… I'm pretty sure you also have a unique power hidden inside you, right~?"
Serene's eyes widened. "…You," she said, then stopped herself. She exhaled slowly. "I really want to dig into your brain one day." She paused. "But not today. I'm exhausted."
She straightened slightly. "But before that," she added more quietly, "thank you. For healing me. Especially using something that… secret."
Knox smiled at her. "What are you talking about?" he said easily. "Aren't we friends?" He tilted his head. "Besides, I trust you."
I trust you.
Serene felt her chest tighten.
THUMP.
Her heartbeat skipped—then thudded strangely out of rhythm. She placed a hand over her chest instinctively.
Huh? This feeling… what is this?
"Serene?" Knox asked, noticing her pause. "Are you okay? Still tired?" He frowned slightly. "Now I feel bad… How about I walk you back to your dorm?"
She looked up at him, momentarily dazed.
His expression now was gentle, concerned—so different from the sharp, overwhelming presence he'd shown during their fight.
After a brief silence, Serene relaxed her shoulders and waved a hand dismissively.
"Hehh~ no need," she replied lightly. "But thank you, I can walk by myself," Serene said firmly.
Knox nodded calmly. "Alright then. I won't." He gave a small wave. "Take care~"
Serene stood up, turned around, and began to walk away.
After a few steps, she suddenly stopped. Then she turned back.
"…Knox."
Knox tilted his head slightly. "Yes?"
Serene crossed her arms and spoke in an exaggerated, performative tone.
"In situations like this, isn't it normal to say something like, "No, what are you talking about?! I'll take you there?"
"…."
Knox stared at her for a second.
Didn't you refuse me yourself? Girls…
He let out a long sigh.
"Haaah… alright," he said at last. "I'll take you to your dorm."
Serene's lips curved into a victorious, fox-like smile.
If she were Senti from Honkai Impact 3rd, she would've shouted "YATTA!" on the spot.
"Hehe~ then this humble girl shall gladly accept your gentlemanly offer," she said sweetly.
Just as Knox was about to move, Serene suddenly raised a finger.
"Wait!"
Knox paused and glanced back at her. "Hm? What's wrong?"
Serene clasped her hands together and spoke in a tone that was coquettish, cute—
—and honestly a little infuriating.
"Knox~ I can't walk…"
Knox stared at her, completely deadpan.
Before he could even consider using magic to launch her in the general direction of her dorm, Serene added quickly,
"So… how about carrying me?"
Knox sighed. The sigh of a man who had already accepted his fate.
He turned around, crouched down, and presented his back to her.
"Get on, princess."
Serene froze. She clearly hadn't expected him to actually agree.
After a brief pause, she climbed onto his back.
"…So this is a man's back," she muttered softly. "Wide… secure… not bad at all~"
She leaned in a little closer and teased him again.
"Hehe~ I thought you'd carry me in a princess carry. Want to change positions? This could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance, you know~?"
Knox rolled his eyes. "…Let's go."
And with that, the two of them walked off together.
Leaving behind a certain forgotten protagonist—
Simon.
Who, at that very moment, had reached a major turning point in his life:
forming a contract with Pier and becoming the Seventh Legion Commander.
Knox and Serene chatted about this and that on the way back. Somehow, he managed to escort her all the way to her room without the dorm manager noticing a thing.
"All right, we've arrived," Knox said cheerfully. "Don't forget the five-star review!"
Serene let out a sigh. She was starting to get used to his nonsense.
"…By the way, Knox," she said suddenly, glancing at him. "Don't you want power?"
"No, thank you. I refuse." The reply came instantly.
Serene blinked, clearly not expecting him to cut her off so cleanly—almost as if he already knew what she was about to offer.
"…Really?" she said. "At least think about it for a moment before rejecting me, okay?" She smiled teasingly. "For me, this is practically a marriage proposal, you know. Even my heart hurts a little after being rejected like that~"
"Hehe."
"…Are you really sure?" she pressed.
"Yes."
Serene clicked her tongue, mildly annoyed. "Tsk. You're annoying. No fun at all."
Knox smiled gently. "Really? I thought I had fun talking with you."
Serene froze for a split second.
"Oh my~ is that so?" she said lightly. "Then, while we're at it… how about reconsidering my previous offer~?"
"Hehe. Keep dreaming~" With that, Knox turned away.
Serene puffed her cheeks slightly. "Wait!"
Knox stopped and looked back. "Hm?"
"…Why did you agree to bring me back here in the first place?" she asked.
Knox thought for a moment. "Hmm… maybe because I was curious," he said. "About what kind of person you really are."
Serene tilted her head. "Oh? And what do you think~?"
"Well," Knox replied honestly, "you do have a bad personality."
"…But?"
"But that doesn't mean you're a bad person." He smiled—genuine and unguarded.
For a brief moment, Serene was caught off guard.
"Anyway," Knox added casually, "I'll be going now. Ciao~"
The next instant, he was gone.
"...Knox," Serene murmured. "Knox Aznable… huh."
She remained there for a while, lost in thought, as the night quietly deepened around her.
————————————
Character Voicelines · Serene: About Knox: Part III
Serene: Hehe… looks like, besides Meilyn, another interesting person has appeared. (⟡‿⟡)
Knox (shuddering):(;°ロ°)