Never in Rin’s life had he heard anyone speak about their death so openly and casually. But Serena sounded serious when she talked about Madam Yao’s offer.

Cough

"I can sense a misunderstanding forming, so let me clarify a few things beforehand. I told Miss Serena the situation, and she decided she wanted to participate to see if she could change the course of fate. None of this is happening because I forced her into it."

Madam Yao professed her innocence before the others could target her. The speed of her response made it clear that she did not want this misunderstanding to create a rift between her and the others.

However, the fact that she was still sending Serena toward a likely death remained.

"If you want to march toward your death, then who are we to stop you? I’m sure you understand your own situation better than anyone here."

Reina was the first to speak, her tone cold. She clearly found Serena baffling, but what else could she even say to her?

"Hmm, I’ll make sure not to hold everyone back. So, are we leaving for the volcano tomorrow?"

Serena did not look disturbed by any of this. If anything, her excitement was almost contagious.

Rin looked at her carefully, but he saw nothing beyond her smiling facade. In the end, he decided to follow Madam Yao’s lead and nodded.

"We should leave tomorrow. Everyone should make their preparations before then."

"If you’re going, then take Albus and Shelly with you. Leave Reina and Amelia behind since it won’t be safe for them. This way, you can avoid unnecessary casualties and things will be easier to manage."

Madam Yao pointed out. The more she spoke, the more it felt like she was sending Serena to her death.

Rin wanted to speak to Madam Yao privately, but there were too many people around, so he held himself back. Instead, he decided to corner her once everyone left to pack.

...

"Madam Yao, may we talk about your decision?"

Rin cornered Madam Yao shortly after everyone left his office. He had asked Reina to show Serena to a temporary room.

The only ones left in the office were Rin, Shelly—who refused to leave—and Madam Yao. But it was obvious that Madam Yao was already looking for a way out of the conversation.

"Do we really have to talk about this? Why can’t we just respect each other and stay out of each other’s business?"

Madam Yao tried to joke, but it fell flat. Eventually, she gave up and decided to hear Rin out.

"Alright, I’m listening. What did you want to say to me?"

She finally turned toward Rin with a frown on her face. Fatigue was beginning to catch up to her, and for the first time, she actually looked her age.

"Do we really need to discuss whatever it is you want to discuss? I’m sure we can move past this conversation easily enough."

Madam Yao tried to brush the topic aside and act as if it did not matter. But Rin was not going to let her deflect so easily.

"I’m afraid I can’t allow that. Especially when other people’s lives are involved."

Rin replied, and Madam Yao finally sighed before turning to face him fully.

"Is this about Serena? I’m afraid there’s nothing for us to discuss there. I offered her a deal, and she agreed. It’s an open-and-shut case."

Madam Yao repeated herself, but Rin was not going to fall for her bullshit.

"You expect me to believe that Serena agreed to this suicide mission after you told her there was a high chance she would die? Do you take me for a fool? What did you actually tell her?"

Rin pressed again, and Madam Yao’s frustration became more obvious.

She still had not snapped at him, but this was the closest he had seen her come to it.

"I don’t know what you want me to say. I told Serena exactly what I told you—that I needed her help with a mission, but she might die because of it. Honestly, the only reason I approached her was because her silhouette matched the one in my vision. But the bottom line is this—she knows the risks, and she agreed to it."

Madam Yao argued back firmly, leaving little room for doubt in her words.

It was not that Rin did not believe her. He just found it difficult to understand how someone could walk toward their own death so willingly. Especially someone as composed as Serena.

Was she...actually fine? Or was she just pretending? And why was it bothering Rin so much?

"Honestly, I’m less concerned about Serena and far more concerned about you. I can still see fragments of the future for other people, but not for you. I have no idea what you’re going to face, so be careful out there."

Madam Yao suddenly stood up, signaling that the conversation was over, and left the room.

"Do you want me to drag her back?"

Shelly asked in a neutral voice. She seemed to somewhat agree with Madam Yao that it was Serena’s own choice, but she did not voice that opinion aloud.

Mainly because she could see how frustrated Rin was, and she did not want him focusing on someone else.

At the same time, she wanted Rin to stay safe, and if pushing someone else off the cliff could guarantee that, she was willing to do it.

Rin had a vague idea of what Shelly was thinking, so he decided not to worry her any further and forced a smile onto his face.

"I’m fine. I just got a little heated earlier, but I’m alright now. I’ll bounce back in no time."

Rin reassured Shelly with a hollow smile, but inside his mind, he was already making plans.

He was not sure why Serena’s smile and her situation were affecting him so much. Was it because he had met her long ago and given her advice? Had his advice ruined her life? Or was there something else bothering him?

It was difficult for him to sort through his emotions, but one thing was clear—he needed to talk to Serena if he wanted to understand what he was feeling.

__________

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