Chapter 226: Exiting the Academy
Orion felt an overwhelming wave of compassion toward Nyss, fully understanding her guarded, withdrawn nature.
Gently, he placed a reassuring hand upon hers, briefly squeezing her slender fingers in comfort.
"Nyss," he spoke softly yet firmly, his voice carrying sincerity, "nothing has happened to me so far, and nothing will happen to me later as well. If your aunt can ignore whatever curse you are going through, then I can do so as well."
She looked at him hesitantly, her eyes highlighting the conflict she was feeling inside.
Orion gently smiled, "I’m not merely saying this to boast, but I actually have confidence in myself. And even if you can’t trust in me, trust in my potential and talent."
"You have seen it for yourself, do you think I would go down so easily? And you are not to blame for the misfortune that follows you, after all, you are just as clueless about it as the rest."
Her eyes widened slightly, moistening faintly with restrained tears, clearly moved yet uncertain. Orion continued gently, determined to reassure her completely.
"If anything, it sounds like you’ve simply experienced far too much loss for one person to bear alone," Orion continued softly. "I can’t change your past, Nyss, but I promise you’re not alone now. Even if not the others, I’m here for you. You don’t have to face this by yourself anymore."
Nyss stared deeply into Orion’s gentle eyes, emotion finally breaking through her carefully constructed barriers. A faint tear escaped, trickling slowly down her cheek, her expression vulnerable yet much more relieved.
"Thank you, Orion," she whispered softly, her voice thick with suppressed emotion. "You have no idea... how much hearing that means to me."
Orion smiled gently, compassion filling his gaze. "You don’t need to thank me, Nyss. Friends support each other."