The forest had finally gone quiet.
Broken trees, fallen assassins, and fading traces of black magic were all that remained of the battle.
June Astral cleaned her sword and placed it back into its sheath.
She stretched her arms casually.
"Well… that was easier than I expected."
Across the clearing, Lucas de Hein was standing still.
His silver eyes were not on the battlefield.
They were on June.
She walked toward him confidently, her long brown ponytail swaying behind her.
"Tower Master," she said playfully.
"You're staring."
Lucas didn't answer immediately.
For someone known for his cold and serious nature…
His gaze had become unusually focused.
June stopped in front of him and tilted her head.
"What?"
Lucas finally spoke.
"…You fought well."
June blinked.
Then she laughed softly.
"Is that praise from the famous Master of the Magical Tower?"
Lucas didn't react to her teasing.
Instead, he stepped a little closer.
June raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Lucas's voice was quieter than usual.
"You're reckless."
June folded her arms.
"I prefer the word confident."
Lucas looked directly into her brown eyes.
For the first time since they met, his expression softened slightly.
"You jump from balconies."
"You walk into assassin armies."
"You provoke enemies stronger than you."
June smiled mischievously.
"And yet I'm still alive."
Lucas spoke calmly.
"…Because I was there."
For a moment, June didn't respond.
The wind moved softly through the trees around them.
Lucas looked at her for another second.
Then he said something unexpected.
"…I find myself watching you."
June blinked once.
Lucas continued quietly.
"More than I should."
The words were simple.
But for someone like Lucas…
They meant something far deeper.
June studied his face carefully.
Then her lips curved into a small smile.
"Well…"
She stepped closer to him.
"Try not to fall too deeply, Tower Master."
Lucas didn't step back.
His silver eyes remained locked on hers.
"…Too late."