Chapter 166. Very Serious Conversation
I left the others behind in the medical ward, their muffled voices fading as the door clicked shut behind me. Leon was resting, Zyon was watching over him, Freya was tending to Amelia, and I—
—I needed some air.
Logically, I should have gone to Mia. I hadn’t seen her since the rift incident, and I didn’t even know if she was really alright. But if she’d returned with Miss Celia, then she was probably safe.
Besides, Mia hated it when I barged into her space—when I tried to micromanage her life like some overbearing parent. She wasn’t a child anymore. She wanted her independence, and I... well, I was trying to respect that.
So I let her be.
Instead, I walked through the quiet Academy corridors, heading toward the Third Wing Garden. It didn’t take long—less than five minutes—and just like the nurse had said, Kaelira was there.
She was crouched in front of a patch of late-blooming flowers, fingers brushing softly against their petals. Still in the same clothes she’d been wearing the last time I saw her—black tank top, grey hoodie, grey trousers.
I shoved my hands into my pockets and strolled toward her, voice light. "Hey, Kael. How are you holding up?"
She turned her head slowly, her eyes dull and tired. Just... placid acceptance. A long sigh escaped her lips before she finally answered.
"I’m fine. The girl you sent me with—Evelyn? She brought me here. Took me to that weird nurse. The one with the... questionable fashion sense. But at least she’s competent."
I chuckled. "You know, I’m kind of relieved someone finally said it out loud. I’ve been questioning that nurse’s outfit choices for months. Glad I’m not the only one. By the way, why are you so down?"