The moment the final bell rang, Ruvian left the alchemy hall immediately and made his way toward the academy’s main gate.

After finishing his elective class, Ruvian didn’t linger.

There were no lessons tomorrow due to the rare reprieve of a weekend, and technically, that meant the perfect opportunity for him to temporarily leave the academy.

Of course, that was easier said than done.

In a place like this, scholars from Class E didn’t get to "go out" of the academy easily. And certainly not with a simple request form.

Those letters usually ended up in the bin or worse... became examples during faculty meetings for what not to entertain.

But Ruvian wasn’t planning to rely on permission.

All he did was simply rely on Silvena.

And she was currently standing leisurely beneath the shade of an old academy tree.

When Silvena D’Elvoire submitted a formal notice to leave the academy grounds, she didn’t need to wait long like the common students. Her status as the daughter of House D’Elvoire, the wealthiest merchant lineage in the capital, meant that her paperwork traveled faster, and easier than most.

"Took you long enough," Silvena said, her voice carrying indignation that didn’t quite mask her amusement.

"You do realize it’s terribly rude to keep a lady waiting on her first date?"

Ruvian smiled, and chose not to indulge her teasing, as it would only encourage her further.

"First, my elective ended late. Second, this is not a date, my lady."

Silvena slowly approached him with a smirk. The evening sunlight slipped through the leaves above, touching her figure with a warm glow.

"Yeah, whatever you say," she said, placing a hand lightly over her chest. "Anyway, I brought you a message from Bella,"

"Firstly, she feels sorry because she could not find another [Heart of the Boundless Sea]. The situation made it much harder than she expected to get such an item. However, as for the other relic, she was able to find it."

Silvena then extended her hand toward him.

Resting on her palm was a necklace, its chain thin but carefully made. In the middle, there was a small piece shaped like a crescent red moon. The dark red surface shone softly under the evening light.

"I see. It’s fine," Ruvian said softly as he took the necklace from her. "To be honest, this is more important than the [Heart of the Boundless Sea]."

The necklace in Ruvian’s hand was known as the [Mirror of Red Night.]

It was not the same necklace that Calyra had received in the Deepmarch Dungeon, but this relic he had suggested to Bella was more crucial for this event.

It would not triple his Mana Essence like the [Heart of the Boundless Sea], but it still provided an additional reserve of 1000 Mana Essence.

Combined with his current capacity of 1110, the necklace would raise his total to 2110 of Mana Essence.

However, that was not the true reason Ruvian sought the necklace. The Mana Essence was merely an added benefit. Its real value lay in a concealed enchantment capable of weakening any opponent he desired, and of course, with a drawback effect after using it.

Silvena observed him in silence, her gaze lingering on the necklace for a short while before she allowed a faint smile to form.

"I also carry the remaining items we discussed the other day within my ring. In any case, we should depart now — the carriage is already waiting just beyond the gate."

Without waiting for further comment, she began walking toward the academy’s main gates.

With a small nod, Ruvian followed her steps.

*****

The moment the two of them stepped into the carriage, the door closed with a soft click, and the vehicle began to move almost immediately.

Through the window, the academy slowly drifted past them. The towering structures stood in solemn silence. Even as the carriage created distance, the academy still felt imposing.

Silvena sat across from Ruvian, her posture elegant even within the limited space. Both of them had already changed into dark formal attire commonly worn by guests at underground auctions.

Her gaze rested on him as he quietly observed the passing scenery. His chin was supported by his hand, while his eyes fixed on the monumental buildings beyond the glass.

Those dark blue eyes remained steady and tranquil, like the surface of a quiet sea beneath a darkening sky, a calm that seemed difficult to disturb.

"She’s coming."

Right after Silvena had said that, Irene slowly emerged from the carriage floor, from the dark shadow.

[Shadow Fold]

Once she fully emerged, Irene took a seat next to Silvena.

"So? Am I right?" Ruvian asked.

"Yes. That very same person followed you all the way to the academy gates. But once the carriage had gone far beyond them, he stopped following."

Irene gave a small shake of her head, a hint of disappointment in her expression.

"Still, I’m sorry. It seems I failed again to identify him."

Ruvian simply smiled, crossing one leg over the other.

"It’s fine. There’s no need to worry about that. I already know who it was either way."

At that, both Irene and Silvena looked at him in surprise.

"Yes, and I believe he began following me out of curiosity — after what happened in the dining hall."

Hearing that reminded Silvena of the report Irene had delivered a few days ago, related to the chaos in the dining hall.

Silvena’s lips curved faintly before she spoke. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"By the way..."

"Hm?"

Hearing her voice, Ruvian turned his head toward her and slowly lowered his hand from his chin.

"...It seems you caused quite the commotion a few days ago while I was bedridden. What a shame I wasn’t there to witness it myself~" she said, giving a playful shake of her head.

Ruvian merely smiled at the remark.

’Ah, right. Silvena wasn’t there while it happened.’

Silvena continued.

"Still, I cannot help but wonder, why did you go out of your way to protect those two scholars? Should I assume you were simply helping your fellow classmates? If so then I will be surprised. How gallant of you~"

Then, her tone suddenly grew a bit serious.

"But what kind of crazy entity possessed you to provoke Julian so openly? Do you even not know the consequences of that? Haa seriously~ I hope you didn’t do that simply as an attempt to demonstrate a more heroic side of yourself."

Ruvian let out a soft chuckle.

"No, of course not."

Then, he turned his gaze to Irene.

"And also, you must be enjoying yourself, telling her what I did, right?"

Irene offered a composed, almost aloof smile.

"To some extent, perhaps. Though in truth, it is rather unfortunate that our gracious Lady Silvena was unable to witness such a spectacle. Such a pity."

"Haa~ yes, yes, I get it. What a shame indeed."

Silvena replied with a small pout.

Ruvian shifted slightly in his seat, settling into a more comfortable posture.

"Anyway, do not worry. I have no interest in such foolish heroics. Actually, the reason was quite simple, and I believe you, of all people, would understand it."

Ruvian gave her a wink.

Silvena let out a soft, tired sigh.

"Ugh. I feel like I already know what you are about to say next."

Even so, Ruvian continued calmly, a gentle, knowing smile forming as his eyes closed slightly. "Yes, to tell you the truth, your intuition is correct, our gracious Lady Silvena. I did it because—"

"—You saw another glimpse of a foreseeable future."

Silvena finished it for him with a weak, humorless smile.

Ruvian simply nodded.

"As expected of Silvena... you’re sharp as always." (+50 PP)

Noticing the faint dissatisfaction in Silvena’s expression, Ruvian added quickly, as if to reassure her.

"I’m only joking. Once we’re done with this business trip, I’ll tell you everything when we head to your guild. For now, let’s focus on the mission."

"Yeah, you should."

At last, Ruvian activated [Foreshadowing].

The tags above them appeared: [Alive].

’Well, that’s good to know.’

He had checked this a few days ago as well, so today’s trip should have been fine. There was nothing for him to worry about.

However, before closing the skill, he had not thought to look at the tag above himself.

Today, it was different.

It had changed to something else...

[Dead].

──────── ✦ ────────

[Chapter 146: Leaving the Academy (2)]

Plot Points= 7,800