"How does it look?" Emma asked as she kept her head tilted, showing the scar to William.

When she approached him and heard that he was disappointed, for a moment she thought he was disappointed because she didn't challenge the fifth floor.

And truth be told, she had enough strength to at least test the waters of the fifth floor.

But his reason for displeasure was something else.

Because she was repeatedly thinking about what his reaction to the scar would be, the thought reached the only telepath in the academy. And that got her the reaction.

"It looks like a beauty mark," he responded while staring at the dark trail of burn down her ear.

Emma scoffed, "Yeah?"

"I am not lying," William insisted, his voice sincere. "And that scar is a medal for you. You are a warrior before anything else, Emma," the blond one added.

The silver head heaved a sigh. "Right… I shouldn't have been overthinking this."

William nodded in assent. "Yes. It doesn't affect me a bit, so don't try anything forceful in an attempt to remove it."

Emma obediently nodded.

The duo was currently inside the infirmary.

Emma had just been assessed by the nurse, and it turned out that other than a few cuts, she was perfectly fine. But despite that, Emma was advised to stay in the infirmary for today, in case any ailment appeared later.

William's finger gathered a few loose strands of her silver curls. Tucking them behind her small ear, he asked, "You… were beautiful, Emma… fighting those monsters with utter grace. I couldn't look anywhere but you."

Emma smilingly asked, "What about my Divine Manifestation? Sorry, I never told you about it."

William shook his head. "It's okay… and you looked majestic in that form. I swear, if you ever appeared before me like that, I might offer you my life with my eyes never leaving yours."

Emma chuckled. "What's that exaggerated reaction?" Though she said that, her heart was beating a little faster at the compliment.

Just then, "Umm… William." They both froze as they heard a voice from the left.

As they turned, Emma's frowned upon seeing the familiar girl.

"Lizel," she asked calmly, "What is it?"

Lizel glanced at William before she said, "The headmaster has asked me to bring William to his office."

Emma narrowed her eyes before William got up. "I will be back in a few minutes."

Emma slowly nodded, feeling a bit anxious for some reason.

She wanted to follow them, actually, but she knew William would tell her to rest.

In the end, she could only see them walking out of the infirmary, her heart a little restless.

William walked beside Lizel with his hands in his pockets, his eyes to the front.

Lizel kept glancing at the blond guy beside her, a look of uncertainty in her eyes.

They had a talk back in the forest, but that didn't mean things were calm between them.

Lizel knew William was still upset with her after whatever happened.

While she didn't regret anything she told him in the past, she believed slapping him was still going a little too far.

Finally, she broke the silence and asked, "It appears you are getting along with Emma."

William just hummed and didn't offer any response.

Lizel lowered her head and muttered, "I… still haven't thanked you properly for saving our lives and for what you did for Kevin's mother."

"It's okay," he responded shortly, not offering anything more.

Lizel grew a little annoyed at his lack of response.

In the past, when they hadn't enrolled in the academy, he used to talk a lot. They might not have been lovers, but they were quite good friends. And now, after all this time…

"Was Emma feeling insecure because I came searching for you?" she suddenly asked.

William narrowed his eyes. "What did you just say?"

Lizel shrugged. "I mean, she appeared quite anxious just now because I came to take you with me—"

"Listen," William suddenly turned toward her, making Lizel suck in a cold breath as she stood against the wall.

His eyes darkened, his presence alarming as he said, "Don't play with words and make it sound like Emma could ever be insecure of you."

Lizel didn't back away and argued, "Oh, and why is that? You were once in love with me, so isn't it normal for her to be insecure?"

William didn't show anger or frustration at those words.

He just stood there silently for a brief moment before he finally uttered, "You truly want to know what I felt toward you?" His voice was devoid of any emotion when he continued, "It was pity."

Lizel's eyes widened slightly, but that was not it.

William soon added, "After falling for Emma, I realized I was never in love with you. I was just pitying you because your family members never recognized you and you were pretty much a loner. So, Emma has no reason to be insecure of you."

Leaving those words behind, William turned and left.

Lizel stood there, pressed against the wall.

Tears pooled in her eyes as she felt her heart tearing apart slowly.

She didn't know why, but she was feeling betrayed at the moment.

All those days she believed he loved her… that she had someone who admired her… William was actually—

Her stomach twisted, and for the first time, she was regretting knowing the truth so much.

….

Soon, William reached the Headmaster's office.

He was, naturally, thinking about Lizel on his way because they had just had a talk about their past.

And what he told her was all true because only after falling for Emma and spending time with her did he realize that he was never in love with Lizel.

With Emma… every moment feels precious. He doesn't want to rush things. He always wants to find a reason to make her smile or have her look at him.

But with Lizel, it was more about how he could keep her away from depression—always trying to make her play games or participate in events.

So yes, he was never in love with Lizel. And thankfully, he cleared things up for the girl today.

Well, forget about her.

Exhaling a deep breath, he knocked on the door.

Knock

"Come in," a voice came from the other side.

As William slowly opened the door, he found a few familiar figures sitting inside—including a certain swordsman he had only seen from afar until now.

Lancelot was here.

°°°°°°°°°°

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