There are many ways for a person to express their thoughts. Some choose to use words, others rely on writing, while there are those who believe silence to be the best answer to everything.
But for Rosalia, silence was never a choice.
She simply had never spoken a single word.
Amid the bustle of Edevane Academy, the silver-haired girl had grown accustomed to curious glances, unspoken questions, and the countless assumptions others made without ever bothering to ask for an explanation. Some considered her shy. Others assumed she had difficulty speaking. There were even those who believed she deliberately refrained from using her voice to attract the attention of those around her.
Rosalia had never bothered to correct any of them.
To her, explaining something to people who had no intention of understanding in the first place was nothing more than an exhausting endeavor.
It was nearing midday when she arrived at the research library alongside Vandal. Unlike the academy's public library, this building stood in the northern section of the main complex, separated from the students' study halls. Its walls were lined with towering bookshelves that stretched all the way to the ceiling, while certain volumes were kept behind protective glass due to their age and magical properties.
Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, falling across the dark wooden tables. Fine particles of dust drifted through the beams of light, lending the place an air of timeless stillness.
Vandal approached the lending desk and placed his academy identification card upon it.
"I'd like access to the archive on spell construction."
The librarian on duty promptly examined the card. After verifying his identity, he nodded and gestured toward a door at the side of the room.
"That section can be accessed through the eastern archive room, Professor. Would you require an attendant?"
"That won't be necessary."
"Very well. I'll have the documents prepared."
Vandal retrieved his identification card and turned toward Rosalia, who had been standing nearby with two books in her hands.
"You may wait here if you don't wish to come along."
Rosalia shook her head.
Vandal regarded her for a moment.
"All right, then."
The two entered the archive room together.
It was considerably quieter inside. Wooden shelves stood in several long rows, each marked according to its period of origin and field of research. Most of the documents were preserved as books, though there were also parchment sheets protected by seals to prevent their inscriptions from fading.
Vandal made his way toward one of the shelves at the far end. He searched through several titles before finally pulling out a book with a gray cover.
"Here it is."
He placed it on the table and opened it to a marked page.
Rosalia approached. After setting down the books she had been carrying, she examined the diagram that filled the page.
"Have you seen this arrangement before?"
The girl shook her head.
"This is a spell construction designed to maintain energy stability within an enclosed space. The theory is rather old, but some of its principles are still applicable."
Vandal turned the page.
"The problem is that the author relies too heavily on the assumption that all forms of energy possess characteristics that can be treated equally. In reality, the nature of each essence is different."
Rosalia studied the diagram for a little longer. Then she raised her hand and touched one part of the illustration. A faint light emerged from her fingertip, forming a small circle around a particular symbol.
Vandal followed the direction of her gesture.
"That part?"
Rosalia nodded.
Vandal reread the annotation beside the diagram. His brow furrowed slightly.
"You're right. There's an inconsistency between the binding symbol and the energy's return pathway."
He took a pen and made a small note in the margin.
"It seems you're more meticulous than the author himself."
Rosalia lowered her hand. Her expression remained largely unchanged, though the corners of her lips lifted ever so slightly.
Vandal returned to reading the book. He asked no further questions, while Rosalia pulled out a chair and sat beside him.
The silence between them felt perfectly natural.
Neither felt compelled to fill every pause with conversation. Vandal read, Rosalia took notes, and from time to time, they exchanged thoughts through magical writing that appeared upon the surface of the table.
To others, such a method of communication might have seemed cumbersome. Vandal, however, had never found it troublesome.
He did not need Rosalia to speak.
He only needed her to convey what she wished to say.
---
By midday, the two had left the archive room and made their way toward a side courtyard of the academy.
Along the way, several students were seated beneath the trees, enjoying their break. Some were reading books, others discussing their upcoming examinations, while a few were busy practicing simple spell formations.
Rosalia walked a short distance behind Vandal. The books she had been carrying were now tucked inside her small bag.
As they passed a stone bench, she noticed a female student struggling to lift a box filled with alchemical equipment. Several bottles rattled inside as the girl tried to balance the weight with both hands.
Rosalia stopped.
She approached and extended a hand to help.
"Oh, thank you!"
The student looked slightly surprised. She handed part of the load to Rosalia before studying her face.
"Wait, aren't you Professor Vandal's assistant?"
Rosalia nodded.
"Your name is Rosalia, right?"
She nodded again.
"Ah, that's right! I've seen you in the lecture hall before."
The student smiled, but a moment later, her expression turned hesitant.
"Sorry if this sounds a little rude, but... are you unable to speak?"
Rosalia did not answer immediately. She placed the box on the bench, then moved her index finger through the air. A pale bluish-white light appeared, forming a sentence.
I'm unable to speak.
"Oh..."
The student's expression fell with regret.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."
Rosalia gently shook her head and wrote another sentence.
There's no need to apologize. You were simply asking.
The student read the message and let out a relieved breath.
"That's a relief. In that case, could I ask you for another favor? This box needs to be taken to the alchemy laboratory."
Rosalia nodded.
Together, they lifted the box again and headed toward the laboratory building.
From a distance, Vandal noticed that Rosalia had fallen behind. He merely slowed his pace without calling out to her. Instead, he waited near the corridor intersection, reading a note tucked inside his robe pocket.
It wasn't long before Rosalia returned.
"Finished?"
Rosalia nodded.
Vandal glanced toward the laboratory.
"Good. Then we can continue."
The girl followed him.
After walking a few steps, Vandal spoke again.
"You don't have to help everyone who asks for assistance."
Rosalia turned toward him.
"I'm not saying you shouldn't. It's just that your duties as my assistant don't require you to take responsibility for every little problem in the academy."
Rosalia lowered her head slightly before writing in the air.
I know.
"Then why do it anyway?"
The next message appeared after a brief pause.
Because I want to help.
Vandal read the sentence without responding immediately.
Then he turned his gaze forward.
"A simple answer."
Rosalia followed him with light footsteps.
---
As afternoon approached, the academy courtyard began filling with students who had just finished their practical lessons. The atmosphere, once lively and bustling, gradually settled into something more relaxed. Several groups gathered around the fountain, while others made their way toward the dormitories.
Vandal and Rosalia were walking through the western corridor when a few students standing near the windows began to take notice of them.
"Hey, isn't that Professor Vandal?"
"Isn't the girl behind him Rosalia?"
"Yeah. She's always with him."
"I heard she was even granted access to his private research facilities."
"Seriously? And she's only a first-year student."
A female student crossed her arms.
"I wonder if there's another reason for that."
Her friend chuckled.
"You know what I mean."
"So, you think there's something going on between them?"
"Who knows? It's just strange for a professor to take a female student everywhere and make her his personal assistant."
Their whispers were not particularly loud, but they were clear enough for anyone passing by to hear.
Rosalia did not change her pace.
She had heard such conversations far too many times. Some people had even approached her directly to ask how she had obtained her position. Others considered her closeness to Vandal rather suspicious.
Yet none of their remarks had ever made her feel the need to defend herself.
Vandal did not turn around either.
However, after taking a few more steps, he raised his right hand. His fingertip moved briefly, forming a line of glowing text that floated before Rosalia.
Pay them no mind.
Rosalia read the message, then raised her hand to reply.
It doesn't bother me, Professor.
Vandal glanced at the writing.
"Good."
He returned his gaze to the path ahead.
"People often talk about things they don't understand. If you spend all your time answering them, you won't have any left for anything else."
Rosalia nodded.
They passed the corridor intersection and climbed the stairs to the second floor.
Halfway up, Rosalia stopped for a moment. She opened her small bag and took out a notebook. After writing something, she showed it to Vandal.
Doesn't it bother you, Professor?
Vandal read the sentence.
"What doesn't?"
Rosalia wrote her answer.
What they say.
Vandal fell silent for a moment. Then he turned his attention back to the girl.
"Rosalia, why do you think I chose you as my assistant?"
Rosalia looked at him but wrote nothing.
"Because I need someone I can trust. Someone capable of understanding my work without having to wait for instructions every time. I didn't choose you just to give people something to gossip about."
He continued walking.
"Their opinions don't change that."
Rosalia watched Vandal's back for several seconds before finally catching up with him.
For the first time that day, a faint smile appeared on her face.
---
The sun was beginning to set when they arrived at a small room not far from the research facilities.
It was Vandal's private office. Not particularly spacious, yet filled with books, documents, and various research instruments. A large desk stood near the window, while several shelves along the walls held objects rarely found in an ordinary professor's workplace.
Rosalia placed the books on the desk before arranging the documents according to the order recorded in the schedule.
Vandal removed his outer robe and draped it over the back of his chair.
"I'll be reviewing a few records. You may rest."
Rosalia shook her head.
Vandal looked at her.
"You've been working since morning."
Rosalia wrote something.
So have you, Professor.
"That's different."
The girl raised one eyebrow slightly.
Vandal regarded her for a few moments before letting out a sigh.
"All right. Fifteen minutes."
Rosalia nodded in satisfaction.
She took two cups from a small cupboard in the corner of the room and prepared some warm drinks. After placing one on Vandal's desk, she sat in the chair opposite him.
Vandal picked up the cup and took a sip.
"Thank you."
Rosalia responded with a small nod.
Several minutes passed without conversation. Beyond the window, the sunlight continued to fade, leaving an orange hue across the rooftops of the academy buildings.
Vandal opened one of the documents, while Rosalia examined the book she had been carrying.
Suddenly, a line of text appeared upon the table.
Professor.
"Hm?"
Will we be returning to the research library tomorrow?
"If nothing unexpected comes up."
Rosalia nodded before writing another message.
In that case, I'll prepare a list of the books we need to examine.
"Go ahead."
He returned to reading his document.
However, before Rosalia could close her notebook, Vandal added something.
"And don't forget to eat before coming tomorrow."
Rosalia's hand stopped.
She looked at Vandal, then began writing a little faster.
I already ate.
"When?"
This morning.
"And after that?"
Rosalia fell silent.
Vandal closed his document.
"That isn't an answer."
The girl lowered her gaze. After a moment, she wrote a short sentence.
I forgot.
Vandal exhaled softly.
"You remember all of my appointments, yet forget to take care of yourself."
Rosalia gave a slight shrug.
"Tomorrow, we'll have lunch before attending to any work."
The girl looked as though she was about to object, but Vandal had already reopened his document.
"Consider it part of the schedule."
Rosalia stared at him for a moment. In the end, she simply nodded.
Silence settled over the room once more.
Outside, the academy bells rang once, signaling the end of the day's activities. Lanterns began illuminating the courtyard as students gradually returned to their respective dormitories.
Vandal finished one document and reached for the next. Rosalia cleared away the empty cups and rearranged several books on the desk.
Nothing extraordinary had happened that day. There had been no battles, no threats to the academy's safety, and no great secrets brought to light.
Just two people spending time together amid the ordinary demands of everyday life.
Perhaps that was one of the reasons Rosalia felt so comfortable around Vandal. He never forced her to speak, never treated her as someone to be pitied, and never regarded her silence as something that needed to be fixed.
He simply treated her as one person should treat another.
As a girl with thoughts, a will of her own, and desires of her own.
When the day's work was finally finished, Rosalia picked up her writing board and wrote a single sentence before handing it to Vandal.
Thank you for today, Professor.
Vandal read the message.
"For what?"
Rosalia did not answer. She merely smiled faintly.
Vandal regarded her for a moment before returning the board.
"Then, until tomorrow."
Rosalia nodded.
They left the room together. The corridors they walked through were now far quieter than they had been that morning. There was nothing but the sound of their footsteps and the lantern light stretching across the marble floor.
In a place filled with knowledge, ambition, and people striving to uncover the secrets of magic, a girl who had never spoken a single word had found someone willing to listen to her silence.
And for now, that was enough.