Vol3 Chapter 20 Long time no see, Elena.

Amos lingered beneath the shade of a broad oak lining one of Arianne Academy's stone walkways, hands tucked lazily into his pockets.

The first day of classes had ended much earlier for the first years. Compared to the older years, it was almost relaxing.

"..."

He glanced toward one of the academy buildings—the third-year classrooms. Elena’s class should have wrapped up a few minutes ago. He thought about sending her a message through an academy attendant but decided against it. Waiting in person felt right, and besides, he really wanted to see her.

"...Wonder if she'll be surprised."

A faint smile played on his lips. It had been a long time. Though they now went to the same academy, their schedules hardly ever matched. With Elena in her third year and Amos just starting his first, they’d only exchanged brief, distant glances during the admission exams. They’d never actually spoken. Students trickled out of the building—third years gathered in clusters, some laughing loudly, others heading off toward the training grounds or the library. Amos stood quietly, watching them go.

"..."

No Elena. He leaned against the tree.

"Maybe the professor kept them longer."

It was entirely possible. She seemed like the kind of student professors could count on. Minutes slipped by. More students trickled out. Still, no sign of Elena.

"Huh."

Amos frowned. Had she slipped out through another exit? Impossible. Then again… maybe not. She’d somehow managed to appear behind him back at the Kyros Estate. He shook his head.

"No."

"That's just years of experience."

...

Soft, steady footsteps approached, stopping directly behind him, and a familiar voice spoke with perfect calm.

"Young Master."

Amos closed his eyes.

"..."

A smile slowly appeared.

"I knew it."

He turned to find Elena standing there.

Her long black hair cascaded neatly down her back, and her academy uniform was as flawless as ever. Her face held its usual calm, unreadable look, as if she hadn’t just walked up without a sound to someone who could sense monsters from hundreds of meters away.

"..."

They looked at each other for several seconds. Then Amos sighed.

"You did it again."

"I did."

"I was specifically watching the exits."

"I noticed."

"I was even paying attention."

"You were."

"So how?"

Elena answered without hesitation.

"Then, it's simply meant that you need to pay more attention."

"..."

"..."

Amos pointed accusingly.

"That explanation somehow makes me more annoyed."

"I expected as much."

A corner of Amos's mouth twitched.

"Have you been secretly training to do this entire time?"

"No."

"...Really?"

"I simply know how you think."

"..."

"..."

He couldn’t disagree with her. She likely knew his habits better than he did himself. At last, Amos smiled.

"It's been a while."

Elena's eyes softened ever so slightly.

"Yes."

"It has."

Silence settled between them.

Amos looked her over.

"The academy suits you."

"Thank you."

"You look..."

He paused.

"...older."

Elena tilted her head.

"I would hope so."

"I meant mature."

"You already said older."

"..."

"..."

"...You're becoming cheekier."

"I learned from someone."

"I wonder who."

"I also wonder."

Amos laughed.

"There she is."

"The Elena I know."

"I have always been Elena."

"True, or maybe not so true—there’s also Selena."

Elena studied him in return.

"..."

"You grew taller."

Amos straightened proudly.

"I know."

"Approximately eight centimeters since we last met regularly."

"You measured?"

"I estimated."

"That's sounds very concerning."

"It is accurate."

He chuckled.

"So?"

He spread his arms.

"What do you think?"

Elena examined him from head to toe with the seriousness of someone evaluating an art.

"..."

"..."

"You still look like a kid."

Amos froze.

"..."

"..."

Amos covered his face.

"...Cruel."

"I am honest."

"I preferred when you lied."

"You have never preferred that."

"..."

"At the very least you should have tried it."

Elena looked at him quietly.

Then,

"Welcome to Arianne Academy, Young Master."

The words were plain but hearing them from her made the academy feel real at last. Amos couldn’t help but smile.

"...It's good to be here."

"And..."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"...I missed you."

For the briefest moment—so fleeting it could be missed entirely—the corners of Elena's lips curved in the faintest hint of a smile.

"So did I."

A comfortable silence hung between them.

Students bustled along the wide academy streets, making their way to dorms, cafeterias, libraries, and the many other buildings scattered across Arianne Academy. It barely felt like a school—towering buildings loomed on all sides, districts stretched endlessly into the distance, and high bridges linked vast sections of the campus like parts of a sprawling city.

Amos glanced around, his curiosity plain to see.

"Say, are you free today?"

Elena blinked once.

"My afternoon lessons are finished."

"Perfect."

His green eyes lit up with genuine interest.

"Would you mind showing me around?"

He gestured toward the distant skyline.

"This place is really like a maze."

Elena followed his gaze.

The academy walls enclosed forests, lakes, commercial streets, training grounds, research districts, residential sectors, and countless facilities. Calling it an academy almost felt misleading.

"It is more like a city of its own." Elena replied matter-of-factly.

"I can see why."

Amos looks around.

"Afterall, how could you accommodate this amount of people in the middle of nowhere."

"So, I expected as much."

"I've only seen the Academy district so far. If I don't have a guide, I'll probably get lost."

"...Young Master."

"Hm?"

"If I do not accompany you..."

She looked toward the endless streets branching into different districts.

"...you will most likely wander into somewhere you should not be."

"I was going to deny that."

"You cannot."

"I really can't."

The corners of Elena's lips lifted ever so slightly.

"So..." Amos smiled. "Will you be my guide?"

"...Very well."

She gave a small nod.

"I shall show you Arianne Academy."

Amos grinned and clapped his hands once.

"Then it's settled."

Before Elena could say anything else, Amos naturally reached out and took her hand.

"Let's go."

"..."

Without waiting for an answer, he started walking.

Elena glanced down at their joined hands for a brief moment before allowing herself to be led along without resistance.

"As expected of Young Master," she said calmly. "You have already decided."

"I asked first."

"You asked while already reaching for my hand."

"Small matter."

"They are important matters."

Amos only laughed as he continued forward.

***

The academy streets bustled with students from every year.

Most merely spared the pair a passing glance.

Then they looked again.

"Wait."

"Isn't that..."

"The Chantless."

The third-year students stopped in their tracks. Leading the way through the crowd was none other than Elena—the undisputed top student of their year. The stoic genius, the emotionless mage who turned down every invitation, ignored every confession, and showed interest only in training and her duties. And yet… she was walking beside a boy. More than that—he was holding her hand.

"..."

"..."

"...What?"

Several third years stood rooted to the spot. One male student slowly rubbed his eyes.

"I... am hallucinating."

"No."

His friend answered with a blank face.

"We're hallucinating together."

Another student whispered,

"Who is that first-year?"

"That's the Kyros heir."

"How does Rank One even know him."

"They look... close."

"Close?"

"They're holding hands!"

A collective silence followed.

Then.

Crack.

Someone unconsciously snapped the wooden practice sword they had been carrying.

"..."

"...Sorry."

***

On the opposite side of the street. A group of third-year girls watched with equally wide eyes.

"I've never seen Elena willingly let anyone get that close."

"They're not just close."

"She's matching his pace."

"...She isn't pulling her hand away."

"..."

"...Who is he to her?"

***

Meanwhile, Amos stayed blissfully unaware, glancing around with a sparkle of curiosity in his eyes.

"So, this is the commercial district?"

"One of them."

"One?"

"There are four."

"Excessive."

"Right."

That really did make sense. He nodded in thought before noticing another intriguing street.

"Oh! What's over there?"

"The artisan district."

"And over there?"

"The alchemy district."

"And that giant tower?"

"The Central Library."

"And—"

Elena answered every single question without hesitation. Students watching from afar couldn't help but stare.

"...She's actually explaining things."

"I asked her for directions once."

"And?"

"She pointed."

"Only pointed?"

"She didn't even bother speaking."

The group collectively looked back at Amos, who continued asking question after question while Elena patiently answered every single one.

One third-year boy clutched his chest.

"Elena..."

Meanwhile, Elena noticed the growing number of eyes following them.

"The attention on us has increased by approximately three hundred percent."

Amos looked around at the countless students pretending not to stare.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"I guess people are curious."

"They are."

Amos looked at the curious students.

"Should I let go?"

Elena looked at their joined hands for a brief second before returning her gaze forward.

"There is no need."

Her answer was as calm as ever. Amos simply smiled.

"Alright."