CHAPTER 266: CHAPTER 266

Five days later

Today, I visited Glacial Sphere Academy’s administrative office. The corridors were unusually quiet for the afternoon. My footsteps echoed softly until I stopped in front of the wide oak door marked Administrative Affairs.

When I entered, the administrative chief—an elderly man with thin silver-rimmed glasses—looked up from his paperwork. His brows furrowed as I handed him the form.

He scanned it once, then again, his sigh heavy and long. "You’re dropping out?" he asked, disbelief lacing his tone. "After working so hard to stay at the top?"

I nodded silently.

He leaned back in his chair, clearly reluctant. "Because of your countless contributions, you became popular and the Awakener’s Association has already prepared a title for you. Since you’re the only Awakener who primarily uses a dagger, they’ve decided on ’Shadowblade’. If you graduate, you could live like a celebrity."

A Hero with the life of a celebrity. The thought made me want to laugh. I bit it back and smiled faintly instead. No thanks. I’d rather live quietly—away from cameras, microphones, and endless eyes waiting for me to stumble.

The chief wasn’t giving up, though. He tapped the table lightly with his pen, searching my face for any hesitation. "Several guilds are already eyeing you, you know. The Orion Index, Royal Dominion—even the guilds under Eldoria’s royal family have shown interest. Do you still want to drop out?"

I met his gaze and nodded once, firmly. "Yes."

"There will be no turning back. Won’t you regret it?" the administrative chief asked, his tone carrying both concern and disbelief.

"I assure you, sir," I said softly but firmly, "I won’t."

There was no reason for me to stay anymore. The main characters would be safe until graduation—and during that time, they’d grow stronger, just as they were meant to. They didn’t need me watching over them anymore. As for myself... there was nothing left here to learn, nothing more to gain.

"I see," he murmured at last, his voice weary. He took the form, stamped it with a heavy thud, and the bright red seal spread across the paper.

I stared at it for a moment, then stood and gave a polite bow. "Thank you."

As I turned to leave, I heard a faint, trembling whisper that reached my ears just before the door shut behind me.

"May this poor child’s future be full of blessings..."

I paused for a brief moment, a small ache tugging at my chest. ’He’s a good person,’ I thought before quietly closing the door behind me.

The hallway outside was flooded with cold light, almost too bright compared to the stillness of the office. I walked through it without looking back, my footsteps echoing down the corridor until I finally stepped out into the open air.

The wind brushed against my hair as I turned toward the portal gates—only to stop when someone stepped in front of me.

"Remillia..."

I blinked, recognizing the familiar voice before I even saw his face. "Oh, hey, Zeke," I greeted softly.

Ezekiel stood there, his usual easy smile replaced by something... sadder. His eyes lingered on me for a moment before he stepped closer and gently placed something into my hand. A small, neatly wrapped box.

"Here," he said. "A gift."

I looked down at it, then back at him. The corners of my lips lifted faintly. "Thank you."

"Open it later," he added, voice steady but softer than usual.

"Okay," I said, tucking the box carefully into my bag before attempting to step around him. But he moved again, blocking my path with a faint, almost teasing smile.

"In Eldoria," he said, a trace of warmth flickering in his eyes, "we hug to say goodbyes."

I couldn’t help but smile at that. "Gladly."

He pulled me into a gentle embrace, and after about five seconds, we finally pulled apart. Ezekiel’s hands slipped from my shoulders, and his expression was calm again, though his eyes said otherwise.

"See you later then," I said, giving him a small smile as I started to step past.

But before I could move any farther, I felt his hand close gently around my wrist. "I forgot to tell you one more thing," Ezekiel said. His voice carried a faint tremor—one he probably didn’t mean to show. "Don’t forget to visit me in Eldoria."

"Promise," I said with a soft smile, carefully slipping my arm free from his grasp. "I’m going now."

He nodded once, trying to hide the emotion tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Goodbye."

I turned away and began walking toward the Portal Station once again. I could feel Ezekiel’s gaze lingering on my back, but I didn’t turn around. Better to leave things the way they were—clean, final.

Then, out of nowhere, a familiar voice shattered the silence.

"Hey, you witch!"

I froze for a split second. ’Oh, no.’ Turning my head just slightly, I saw Rex sprinting toward me, waving his arm like a madman.

I didn’t stop walking. In fact, I picked up the pace.

And then another voice joined in.

"You think you can hide from us?!"

Christian. Of course.

’Why do these two always find me?!’ I groaned inwardly.

Finally, I stopped and turned halfway, exasperation written all over my face. "What?"

Rex glared at me like I’d just kicked his dog. "What do you mean ’what’?"

"I said I’m leaving," I replied flatly.

"Yeah, we know that," Christian said, crossing his arms, "but cutting ties with us completely? That’s a bit unfair, don’t you think?"

I said nothing. Just stared at them in silence.

Rex threw his hands up. "Seriously? You’re not even gonna argue?"

Christian stepped forward, softer this time. "Remi... we’re not here to stop you. Just... don’t disappear like you never existed."

I looked at both of them. These two idiots who always got on my nerves... and yet somehow made leaving a little harder than it should be.

But I stayed silent.

They both sighed at the same time.

"You really won’t tell us your reason, huh?" Rex mumbled, scratching the back of his head.

Christian stepped closer, his tone softer than usual. "You know, Angela still hasn’t woken up. Edge is... well, still the same, but at least he’s starting to be more approachable. Whitney went on a short trip, and Cypher’s been pushing himself to the limits lately. Shouldn’t we at least know where you’re going?"

I narrowed my eyes at them. "Honestly, once I tell you where I’m going, the two of you won’t even try to keep your mouths shut."

Rex raised a brow. "You think that lowly of us?"

"Yes," I said without hesitation.

Christian exhaled through his nose, then looked at me intently. "But shouldn’t you at least tell Cypher the reason?"

"No," I said firmly as I turned my back on them. "Oh, and by the way, don’t tell the others you met me."

Christian blinked, then frowned. "Wait—did you guys break up or something?"

I froze for a heartbeat, then glanced over my shoulder. "Who? Cypher? We were never even in a relationship."

Both of them looked taken aback, as if that simple statement didn’t quite fit what they’d believed all along.

I sighed quietly. ’I don’t know what’ll happen between Cypher and Angela... but I hope he finally gives her his full attention now.’

Christian opened his mouth again. "Then why—"

I cut him off, stepping backward toward the portal gate. "I don’t have time. Till we meet again."

And with that, I walked away—without looking back.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Sunfire District, Monfort

I went to an empty park in Sunfire District for an appointment. The sun was soft that afternoon, golden rays scattering through the trees, and the air carried the faint scent of blooming azaleas. I called out Macaron and Glacier to accompany me while I waited for Kairos to appear.

While watching the two play, Macaron diving and swooping as Glacier tried to catch him with bursts of frost, I didn’t realize that I had dozed off.

When I woke, I felt something warm and solid behind me. Glacier was purring beside my leg, and when I turned, I froze. I was leaning against Kairos’ shoulder.

I quickly straightened up, brushing my hair aside. "I—I didn’t know you were here already. Why didn’t you wake me up?"

"It seemed that you were tired," he said calmly, his icy blue eyes softer than usual. Then, after a pause, he added, "And I’m sorry. I didn’t know how we left evidence back there."

From his tone and the guilt written across his expression, I could tell how sincere he was.

"Don’t be," I said quietly, shaking my head. "It’s too late now anyway. It’s not entirely your fault either."

Without their help, I would have never been able to kill Raphael.

"I see." Kairos’ gaze dropped to the ground.

Despite the situation being what it was, I couldn’t help but find this side of him... cute. "Cheer up. It’s not like I can slap my boss because of it, right?" I said with a teasing smile.

I had already decided to join the Nightjars Organization. Leaving just because things didn’t go exactly my way wasn’t an option. Besides, I had no plans of becoming a Hero anymore — too much spotlight, too much hypocrisy. And in this situation, joining the Nightjars was the best way to interfere with the story from within.

However, it seemed that calling him boss only made Kairos feel guiltier. Without warning, he turned his head slightly, exposing the side of his face to me.

"What are you doing?" I asked, blinking at him.

"If you want, hit me. This is my fault," he said flatly.

"...What?"

"Hit me. As much as you want."

I stared at him, speechless. Was he serious right now? I scratched the back of my neck, then sighed. Since he looked so earnest, I decided to play along.