Chapter 158. Meeting The Calamity Again
Verena looked like she wanted to say something. Her lips parted slightly, and for a moment I braced myself for another tirade—but nothing came. She swallowed her words and looked away.
Smart move.
She probably realized that anything she said now would backfire. Mia’s current state was fragile—emotionally cracked open. She wasn’t going to listen to anyone else right now, not even her supposed "best friend." Especially not someone trying to wedge themselves between siblings.
Verena could try again later. She would. I knew her type—persistent manipulators never gave up that easily.
But for now? She shut her mouth.
Still, something gnawed at the back of my mind. Mia’s sudden change... it didn’t feel natural. Sure, it could’ve just been because we hadn’t seen each other in a while, and emotions were high—but still. Something didn’t add up.
But whatever. I didn’t have time to psychoanalyze right now.
I pushed the unease aside and motioned for Mia to follow me.
She offered Verena a faint, polite smile—one that clearly said "don’t follow"—and walked with me, silent and steady. I didn’t speak until we were well off the main road, ducking beneath the broad shade of a tall pine-like tree. The leaves rustled gently overhead, but the air between us was heavy.
I turned to face her and exhaled, rubbing the back of my neck.
"Mia... I need to tell you something," I said, voice low. "There’s a high chance you’re not going to like what I’m about to do. But please, just trust me, and go back. Go back to the academy."