The academy did not know what to make of what had happened in the dungeon. An A-rank monster was dead, three students had returned alive, and no teacher had been present when it happened. The official report was vague, carefully written by the supervising instructor after questioning the group. It stated that the monster had likely already been wounded by previous adventurers and that the students had finished it by chance while escaping.
It was a story thin enough to be believed by those who wanted to believe it, and fragile enough to invite endless doubt. Rumors spread through the academy halls while Eira, Lara, and Ryn were kept in the infirmary for observation. Students whispered about hidden talents, forbidden magic, and impossible luck. Some looked at Eira with suspicion, others with curiosity, and a few with open envy.
Neo barely left Eira's side during that time. She sat beside his bed, holding his hand when he slept, watching his breathing, and flinching whenever he stirred. When he finally woke properly, her relief showed too clearly in her eyes.
"You scared me," she said quietly, trying to sound angry but failing.
"I'm sorry," Eira replied. "I didn't mean to."
She laughed weakly at that and shook her head, squeezing his hand once before letting go.
Ryn woke later that day, pale but stable, thanks to the antidote given to him in time. He admitted in a low voice that he had been conscious for part of the fight and had seen flashes of what happened before losing awareness again. He did not accuse Eira of anything, but his eyes lingered on the sword more than once, thoughtful and unsettled.
A few days later, the student council requested formal statements for their records. Lily, the flower magic user, the S-rank girl known across the academy, personally came to speak with Eira. She was polite, calm, and observant, her light green hair adorned with small living blossoms that shifted slightly with her movements.
She asked careful questions about the dungeon layout, the trap, the timing of the attack, and the way the serpent fell. Eira answered honestly but simply, repeating the official version. She listened, nodded, and accepted it outwardly, but her eyes lingered on him with quiet interest.
"You were very lucky," she said.
"Luck like that doesn't happen often."
"Then I guess I used up all of mine," Eira replied.
She smiled faintly at that, but her gaze remained thoughtful as she left.
After being cleared to leave the infirmary, Eira and Neo decided to spend the afternoon outside the academy grounds. Eira still had bandages on his arm and shoulder, and Neo walked close to him, watching his steps as if afraid he might collapse at any moment.
They wandered through the city market, browsing shops filled with charms, books, clothes, and small magical trinkets. At one stall, Eira bought Neo a delicate silver chain with a small snowflake pendant. She blinked in surprise when he handed it to her, then smiled and put it on immediately, touching it as if it were fragile.
Later, they visited a small restaurant near the river and shared a simple meal. A noble student approached their table, clearly interested in Neo, introducing himself with practiced charm and offering polite compliments. Neo responded kindly but distantly, and Eira stayed quiet, watching without comment. The noble eventually left, glancing once at Eira with mild annoyance before disappearing into the crowd.
On the way back to the academy, the city lights reflected on the river, and the evening air was cool and calm. Neo walked slightly ahead, then suddenly turned back and leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to Eira's cheek.
"Thank you," she said quietly, her face warm with color.
"For what?" he asked, surprised.
"For coming back," she replied.
Eira didn't know how to answer that, so he simply nodded as they continued toward the dormitories together, unaware of how much the world around them had begun to change.