🌌 Chapter 15 – A Lonely Seal
Aurora's steps echoed faintly against the marble corridors of Avalon as she made her way back to her dorm. The lanterns along the walls glowed with enchanted light, but to her, the path felt dark, oppressive.
Her hands tightened against her skirt. She was still trembling from the garden incident. Anger had burned hot inside her—but when she had tried to push against the seal, to let her divine bloodline surface, nothing had answered.
It was like screaming into a locked room.
The system's silence was almost worse.
---
Her thoughts were broken when voices trailed behind her.
"Well, if it isn't Avalon's charity case again."
Aurora stiffened. The same group of boys from earlier. They spread across the corridor, cutting off her way forward.
"You looked so proud earlier, acting like you were too good to fight," one sneered. "What's the matter? Afraid you'd lose?"
Aurora forced herself to keep walking, but one of them shoved her shoulder. She stumbled, catching herself against the wall.
Her nails dug into her palms. Her sealed bloodline didn't stir, not even in anger.
"Pathetic."
The word echoed inside her chest. For a moment, she thought she might crumble.
---
And then—
"That's enough."
The corridor filled with a new voice. Calm, firm, and commanding.
The boys froze. Aurora lifted her gaze.
Standing there was a young man with black hair tied loosely at his nape, eyes like molten gold. His presence was quiet but sharp, like a sword hidden in plain sight.
The reborn Hero.
"Pick on someone your own level," he said.
The boys faltered, glancing at one another. They all knew who he was—his reputation as the academy's brightest talent had already spread.
"W-we were just joking," one muttered before they slunk away into the shadows.
Silence returned.
Aurora stared, caught between gratitude and unease.
The Hero turned his gaze on her. For an instant, it was as though he could see right through her fragile mask.
"You shouldn't let them push you around," he said softly. "But… you don't need to fight alone, either."
Aurora lowered her eyes. "I don't need friends."
He tilted his head slightly, studying her. But he didn't press further. With a small nod, he turned and walked away, his figure vanishing around the corner.
Aurora stood there, the words he left behind pressing heavily on her heart.
---
Later, when she finally collapsed onto her dorm bed, the system stirred at last.
> [Skill Granted: Cognitive Bloom.]
[Effect: Increases learning speed and comprehension drastically.]
[Passive Suppression: Host's emotions of 'Love' will be subdued to prevent interference.]
Aurora's lips parted faintly. "Suppress… love?"
The system didn't reply.
She lay back, staring at the ceiling, as silence once again filled the room.
No matter what kindness others showed her, no matter what bonds tried to form—her very system was set against them.