Chapter 172. Elara Valcourt
The dim Academy gym smelled strongly of sweat and charred cloth. The only sound was the steady thud of fists hitting leather. Leo stood in front of an old punching bag, its surface torn and worn, ragged cloth covering his knuckles.
As he delivered a barrage of blows, the ring necklace around his neck gleamed with every one, swinging like a clock.
Rin’s tear-streaked face and her heated argument with Elara Valcourt were haunting him, and his mind was a mess. Leo intervened, his voice cold, as he pushed Rin away, an attempt to shield her from Ashtera’s wrath.
It ripped free, flying across the gym to crash against the stone wall, embers falling like fading stars as the cloth on his hand burned to ash.
"Still tearing yourself up over it?" Erin’s soft, playful voice pierced through. When Leo turned, he saw her sitting on a bench with Nimbus stretched out on her lap, his black fur gleaming as she stroked him.
Her silver hair hair caught the dim lamplight of the gym as her violet eyes met his with a mixture of understanding and humor.
Leo approached, sagging tiredly onto the bench next to her. He remarked, "You are no longer on the council to complain about damaged property."
Erin’s grin deepened as she ruffled Nimbus’s fur with her fingers, eliciting a soft purr. "You know, I’m still a responsible student. You need to be held accountable by someone."
Leo’s eyes narrowed as he glanced at her. "How long?"