After talking with Viola a bit more and finally convincing her that I had not gone mad, I exited her room and immediately made my way toward my own.

…Or at least, I tried to because before I could do so, a voice echoed.

"Tch, so heartless." A mischievous, unmistakably feminine voice echoed down the hall. "Acting like you didn't even notice me."

I stopped and turned around with a sigh.

"Hey, Sera. Didn't see you there." I greeted, almost too casually like she wasn't the last person I wanted to run into right now.

I was a completely sane person and I had already exhausted my monthly quota of emotional dealings. Dealing with an insane one right now was not on my agenda.

"Cut the act, dear boss." She stepped closer, leaning in until her head tilted toward mine, her presence impossible to ignore. "Don't think I'm like any woman you can just woo with that devilish smile of yours."

"Thanks for the compliment, Sera and I didn't know my smile had such an effect." I replied to her with a polite smile.

Sera looked utterly impossible to budge… so I gave in. Unlike her usual timid self, the one standing in front of me right now was her umbra form.

I turned and headed toward my room and she joined me at my side.

"So, what did you need?" I got straight to the point.

It wasn't every day Umbra Sera graced me with her presence, at least not unless she needed something… or wanted to spar.

Her expression turned serious and for a moment, I almost thought she was about to say something important but instead, a long sigh slipped from her lips.

"I am bored," she muttered. "I am so fucking bored."

"Ever since we defeated that elven bastard, I haven't fought anyone in a life-threatening situation." Her gaze sharpened. "And it's making me bored."

"I want to feel that thrill again and not just some useless sparring."

Tsk.

I almost let a frown appear on my face but naturally, my flaw and my previous life experience of managing immature interns prevented that.

"I told you, Sera. You'll get a chance to fight during this mission." I emphasized the mission because she knew exactly why we were here. "Can't you just wait a few days?"

"Just switch with normal Sera until then."

Seraphina looked at me with a small pout.

"You do know we are one and the same, right?" She said, "Even if I switch, my emotions will still be the same and only my personality changes."

I looked away.

"Yeah, yeah, I know," I muttered. "But I figured it might help you be a little more patient."

I didn't want to say it to her face but normal Sera was far easier to manage as she stayed quiet and nodded most of the time.

"Hmph, you just don't care about me, do you?" She suddenly said, deliberately raising her voice.

My eyes twitched.

"Keep it down, will you?" I replied immediately. "And you are wrong. I care… In fact, I care a lot about you."

Seraphina froze mid-step, her face flushing slightly. "Y-you… what are you saying?"

I stopped as well and turned to look at her, meeting those big golden eyes as a genuine smile spread across my face.

"How could I not care about you?" I said warmly. "Your delicate face and your… sturdy body, especially since you are going to be my meat shield. Hahaha."

Seraphina was dumbfounded for a moment before her expression twisted into pure fury.

"You bastard." She snapped. "Who's going to be a meat shield for a sly bastard like you? Tsk."

She shot back immediately.

The time I had spent with her wasn't long but honestly among everyone I knew, she was probably the one who understood me the most.

We had pulled this kind of joke on each other plenty of times before. I knew exactly where to push to get a reaction and she knew it too.

Somehow, she reminded me of my secretary from my previous life—Jiyun. She was just like this as well. Always trying to prank me, only to end up getting pranked herself.

…Maybe that was why this side of her felt so familiar.

"Don't try to flirt with me again," she added in a low voice. "I might start taking it seriously even if I know how cunning you can be."

She paused. "A maiden's heart is fragile."

…What the hell?

Why was she reacting like this?

I had made jokes like that plenty of times before and I had never bothered hiding my intentions from her either, mainly because she was my assistant and it wasn't like she could betray me.

She knew I was usually just joking… or trying to use her.

So her reaction felt a bit weird.

"Hey, Sera—"

Before I could finish asking her if she was serious, laughter suddenly echoed through the hallway.

"Pffft—got you, bastard." Sera started laughing while clutching her stomach. "Don't kid yourself. I could never fall for you." She grinned. "You're simply not my type."

Her words hit me a bit.

"Listen here, woman. I am everyone's type." I scoffed. "You're the one who's not my type."

I wasn't actually hurt. I was just joking about her ridiculous assumption that I couldn't possibly be her type.

I mean… she had to be kidding.

But Sera didn't look convinced at all. Instead, her laughter echoed even louder through the silent hallway.

"Sure, buddy. Sure."

Before I could say anything she spoke again.

"Oh, my room's here. See ya, Rael."

She stepped inside without hesitation, shut the door and locked it behind her, leaving me alone in the hallway with my eyes twitching.

…She was definitely joking.

Right?

Yeah. That had to be it.

—

Meanwhile, just behind the now-closed door, Seraphina lightly pressed a hand against her chest as her umbra form faded away almost instantly.

"Dummy…" she murmured softly. "Why did you have to say that?"

It was unclear whether those words were meant for Rael or for the other presence hiding quietly within her.

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