"Well, would you look at that," Salvius muttered, smirking as he stared up at the boy tied to the tree.
Kael's eyes, sunken and shadowed by dark circles, were locked on him—pitch black, full of quiet fury. That faint flicker of killing intent in his gaze… it wasn't something a boy his age should've had.
"Still got that look in your eyes, huh?" Salvius said. "You're not ready to talk. Not yet. Still clinging to that anger. Such a pity, Kael. You could've changed… but if you'd rather stay tied up like a dog, then so be it."
Kael's glare sharpened.
"What the hell do you even know about me, 'Instructor'?" he spat. "You think tying me to a tree is gonna fix anything? You think you're teaching me a lesson? That's laughable. I promise you this—no matter how long you leave me here—days, weeks, months… I won't change."
He smiled. But it wasn't a smile of peace. It was all teeth and venom.
Salvius frowned. The kid's attitude was rotten—but not unnatural. After what Kael had lived through, it was a miracle he hadn't snapped already. Still… Salvius could see it clearly now.
Kael was walking a path that led straight to ruin. A road soaked in blood, paved with rage. And at the end of it? Regret. The same kind that haunted Salvius from his past. The disgrace he tried to forget.
He closed his eyes briefly.
But what gnawed at him wasn't just the path Kael was walking—it was the fact that, since the moment he'd met him, he couldn't look away. Why? Did he care? Did this stubborn little brat remind him of something?
No. He shook the thought away.
Salvius sighed.
"You want revenge? Fine. That's normal. But tell me, Kael—when it's all over, when the blood's dried and the king's dead… will you actually feel happy?"
Kael laughed darkly.
"What kind of dumb question is that? Of course I'll be happy. And then—I'll die. I'll join my family. That's the only ending I want."
There it was.
Salvius's jaw clenched. So this was more than just revenge. Kael didn't care about surviving—he was chasing death on purpose. Willing to walk through fire, drown in blood, as long as it ended with him buried next to the people he lost.
Salvius looked at him for a long moment.
"I told you yesterday: if you keep chasing this, you'll regret it. You should forget revenge."
Kael went quiet for a second… then let out a bitter chuckle.
"You said you had a daughter, right?" he said softly. Then louder:
"I wonder how you'd feel if I took away the one thing you cared about. Would you still talk about letting go and starting over? Or would you understand exactly what I feel?"
The world went still.
Salvius's expression shifted. No grin. No laugh. Just cold, dangerous silence.
"I see," he muttered. "Then I'm extending your punishment. No food. No water. Figure it out."
He turned and walked away without another word.
Kael didn't shout after him. He just sat there, tied up, hungry, cold—and alone.
But this was better. He didn't want pity. He didn't want friends. All he needed… was fire and time.
******
—Next Morning, Central Hall: Headmaster's Office—
Knock knock.
"Come in."
Silvius stepped into the room and immediately regretted it.
At the desk sat Orvahn V. Thalres, headmaster of the academy—and standing beside him was the last person Silvius wanted to see.
Madam Selviane A'rezaria.
Elegant as ever in a sharp crimson coat, blade-fitted armor hugging her form beneath it, long silver hair tied in a braid, and somehow still wearing heels she could fight in. A devil in a lady's skin.
"Greetings, Headmaster," Silvius said, bowing stiffly.
"Ah, Silvius. How are you holding up?" Orvahn smiled.
"Hello, Silvius," Selviane cut in sweetly.
Silvius flinched. That voice might've sounded pleasant, but everyone who'd seen her in combat knew better. There was a reason she taught swordsmanship and close-quarter combat: she was terrifying.
Abort mission. Run. Now.
He spun on his heel. "Ah, you look busy. I'll come back la—"
A hand tapped his shoulder.
Too fast.
He turned, and there she was, right in front of him, wearing a charming pout like a blade hidden behind silk.
"How rude. Running away just like that. And here I thought you were different from the rest. Guess I was wrong." She folded her arms and stepped lightly back toward the headmaster.
Of course they're afraid of you, you crazy woman, Silvius thought bitterly.
"Wh-what are you saying?" he stammered. "I've just… been busy…"
"You don't need to lie like that," Orvahn chuckled from his seat.
Silvius scratched the back of his neck. "I mean…"
"It's fine," Selviane said, brushing her braid back. "I'm used to being avoided. Everyone's afraid of me. But you, Silvius Veil… I thought you were made of something sturdier. Cold. Very cold."
She flashed a devilish smile.
"If you're truly sorry… you'll buy me a drink."
Silvius swallowed hard.
"If… that's what you want, then sure. I'll do that."
"Wonderful," she said, as if they were chatting about the weather.
Orvahn cleared his throat, face now serious.
"As amusing as this is, Silvius, I called you here because of the incident two days ago. The duel."
Silvius's smirk faded. He nodded slowly.
"Right. That… was my fault. The brat challenged me and—"
"I know it was your fault," Orvahn cut in sharply. "You accepted a duel, unleashed a high-level technique, and nearly killed a student. Do you understand the kind of fire you're playing with?"
Silvius didn't respond. He just stood there, jaw tight, knowing full well this wasn't going to be the end of the lecture—or the consequences.