Chapter 167. Mine Bidding
Rin Valarune’s duel with Lucian Caulem had left the Academy’s arena in awe, but there was also a sense of unease because Rin’s sudden departure left a lot of questions unanswered.
Rin vanished into the tunnel, and Leo’s gaze followed. His knuckles turned white on the railing as his piercing smile transformed into a taut frown. He turned to Erin Dranemount and spoke in a low, irritated voice. "That was low, Erin. You were aware of what you were doing."
Erin leaned casually against the railing, her violet eyes sparkling with bold mischief. Her tone was light but sharp as she replied, "Why haven’t you apologized to her yet? If she’s upset about your cold shoulder, don’t blame me."
His gaze returned to the tunnel as his jaw tensed and a hand swept through his red hair. With a voice full of regret, he whispered, "It’s safer if she stays away for now."
He used Shadow Step without another word, disappearing from the railing in a flash as his body faded into a swirl of black mist.
The group—Mori, Joel, Annalena, and Velmera—were standing close to Lucian when he emerged from a shimmer of mana on the arena floor, their conversation halting at his unexpected appearance.
As he moved forward, Lucian’s face brightened and his gray eyes warmed with a broad smile. With pride in his voice, he said, "Brother, I knew you’d show up for the spar."
Leo’s crimson eyes gleamed with approval as his smirk returned, softer this time. "Lucian, I couldn’t miss a fight like that. You were phenomenal."
Lucian smiled widely, His voice sparkled as he said, "Thanks."