Just as Yulia was pondering how to explain the legal concept of "a crime not warranting death" to Caerus, a gentle, warm breeze swept through the air.

The students, who had been kneeling in a state of panic, were lifted by the wind and slowly began to regain their senses.

Loren Eir snapped out of it, jerking upward. He pulled Daisy Laites up from where she had also been kneeling, his face a mask of shock.

"Why... why did I kneel?" he muttered, his eyes darting across the garden. "What just happened?"

The students turned toward the man walking around the corner of the corridor. "Principal Elias... good day," they murmured, bowing respectfully.

A young man in white robes strolled toward them. His hair was a pale, near-silver gold—the color of the Silver Divine Realm. It signified a noble bloodline infinitely close to that of the gods.

"Good day, everyone," Elias said. His voice was low and steady, projecting a calm that transcended his age.

He acted as if Caerus didn't exist. He addressed the students with a gentle tone: "You have three minutes before the second lecture begins."

"A reminder," Elias added, his smile thin. "Professor Priestley is taking attendance today. I trust none of you wish to lose five credits at once?"

The gossiping students finally woke up from their daze. They scattered like headless flies across the grass.

They had no time to question why they had suddenly knelt before a stranger. If an evil mage had cast a spell, Principal Elias would protect them. But if their academic credits were wiped out... no one could save them.

"Principal Elias..." Loren Eir stood his ground. Unlike the students, he was here to handle the academy's defense.

Recent rumors about Catharsis had reached the Temple of Radiance. Now, a strange, black-haired youth had popped up from nowhere. He had to be certain.

"Knight Commander Loren Eir, you haven't left yet?" Elias smiled as if he had only just noticed him.

"These two are my guests," Elias continued, his voice polite but final. "I shall introduce you another time. The Temple is likely waiting for your return, so I won't delay you further."

Gaia Academy held a unique position as an independent city-state. Principal Elias was Loren's mentor, and the knight respected him deeply. He stopped pressing the issue once he sensed the Principal's protective tone.

"...Understood, Principal," Loren replied, bowing his head.

Elias turned his attention to Daisy, who was standing behind Loren. "Miss Daisy Laites, are you not leaving? You'll be late for your next practical divine arts class."

Daisy, who had been staring blankly at Caerus, jolted back to reality. "Ah! Class! Right... My apologies, Principal. I'm sorry, I'll go right now..."

Daisy's face turned bright red. She hurriedly pulled her gaze away from Caerus.

She didn't know why she had been staring at him. Her eyes had felt as if they were being drawn by some invisible force—she found him dangerous and alien, yet she felt a strange, unbidden urge to be close to him.

Daisy dragged Loren away in a hurry. They didn't stop until they were far from the garden.

"...That was truly startling, wasn't it..." Daisy panted, her hand clutching her chest.

"Hmm." Loren replied distractedly. He stopped and suddenly blurted out, "Don't you think that girl looked a bit like someone?"

Daisy's heart skipped a beat. She tightened her grip on Loren's sleeve.

"She... she is a bit like Yulia," Daisy whispered, tilting her head to gauge Loren's expression.

As expected, hearing the name Yulia made the young man's brow furrow immediately. In his memory, Princess Yulia loved wearing rose-colored, gaudy gowns with layers of lace and puffy sleeves—things that made her look entirely vulgar.

Yet, the girl from moments ago had looked elegant and refined, like a pure, fragrant white rose. "Yulia? No," Loren said, his tone laced with annoyance. "They don't look alike. Not in the slightest."

Daisy breathed a slight sigh of relief. Ever since Princess Yulia had been sacrificed to the Black Dragon, life in the Rose Palace had improved drastically for her.

She was already accepted as the Princess of Farislan in every unofficial sphere. King Austin poured all the love he held for his daughter onto her.

To Daisy, it all felt like a beautiful dream she couldn't help but sink into. She didn't want to wake up.

"Class time has passed," Loren said, glancing at the clock tower. "I'll walk you to your classroom and explain to Professor Priestley. Otherwise, you won't escape the deduction."

Daisy smiled sweetly. "Thank you, Sir Loren."

After the onlookers left, the garden suddenly fell quiet. Only the three of them remained.

Caerus looked displeased, his golden slit eyes narrowing. "Elias, you're meddling too much."

Yulia listened from the side, her sapphire eyes wide as she realized Caerus actually knew this young Principal. So, was he the person Caerus had come to find?

"If I hadn't meddled, my students would be piles of ash right now".

Elias spoke the truth with a terrifying lack of weight. He turned his gaze toward the black-haired man. "I know I probably won't get an answer, but... why the short fuse today?".

Yulia widened her sapphire eyes, the picture of practiced innocence. "Sorry, sorry! It was just a misunderstanding. The Knight Commander... he bumped into me. He was insistent about a doctor. I told him I was fine, but he wouldn't let me go, and then—".

"I told you, it had nothing to do with you," Caerus cut her off, his voice a low, flat drone. "Don't make yourself out to be more important than you are".

Classic tsundere.

Yulia straightened her borrowed linen skirts, her voice dripping with mock-reverence. "Of course. You weren't angry because I was bullied. It was about prestige. As your follower, I made you look bad".

She leaned in, a glint of mischief in her sapphire eyes. "Don't worry. Next time I see Sir Loren Eir, I'll headbutt his armor into scrap metal. I won't embarrass you again, I promise!".

"Yulia." Caerus's jaw tightened, his golden slit eyes narrowing as he swallowed back his rising irritation. "Shut up".

"You got it!" Yulia chirped, her eyes bright with a happy, dangerous spark.