My hands trembled as I read further.
Come to The Crimson Lantern, Ashbourne District. 9:00 PM.
The paper crumpled slightly within my grip.
A cold feeling settled in my chest.
I had known Reina survived.
After all, even Astravax's attack at the orphanage hadn't completely erased her presence. Somewhere deep down, I always knew she was still alive.
But this?
This was different.
To think we would meet again within the Astryx Empire.
And not only that—
she had entered Mythalris Academy itself.
Without being discovered.
Without leaving behind a trace.
The more I thought about it, the more absurd it became.
This wasn't some ordinary academy.
The Vice Headmaster alone stood at the threshold of SS-Rank.
Countless professors monitored the grounds daily.
Protective barriers surrounded the entire campus.
Yet somehow—
Reina had walked in and out without a trace.
I slowly exhaled.
My gaze remained fixed upon the paper.
Now she wanted to meet me.
Why?
The last time we met, i was going to kill her.
The last words I spoke to her weren't exactly friendly either.
A bitter smile appeared on my face.
"What are you planning, Reina?"
The hallway remained silent.
Only the sound of distant footsteps echoed through the academy.
My fingers tightened around the note.
What if it was a trap?
The possibility immediately surfaced.
A trap prepared by The Black Cross
A trap prepared by Reina herself.
Or perhaps something even worse.
Yet—
if she truly wished to kill me, there were easier methods.
She had already approached me once.
Close enough to hand me this message personally.
Close enough to strike.
Close enough to reveal my identity.
Yet she hadn't.
Which meant she genuinely wanted to talk.
Or at least...
she wanted me alive until nine o'clock.
I sighed.
No matter how I looked at it, I couldn't ignore this.
Reina Emberheart wasn't someone I could simply pretend didn't exist.
Especially not after everything that had happened.
Slowly, I folded the paper and placed it inside my coat.
The Crimson Lantern.
Ashbourne District.
9 PM.
Whether it was a trap or not—
I would be there.
...
Professor Evillise narrowed her eyes.
"I can certainly write a letter excusing you from the academy," she said calmly. "But why exactly would I do that?"
Rio opened his mouth before pausing.
Unfortunately, she had a point.
This was his first week as an assistant professor. He couldn't simply disappear whenever he pleased, especially when half of Evillise's workload had already been dumped onto him.
"I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."
Her expression immediately turned more irritated.
"Tch."
She leaned back in her chair before reaching for a blank sheet of paper.
"You're already becoming troublesome."
The scratching of her pen echoed throughout the office as she quickly drafted the authorization letter.
"Fine. I'll approve it."
A brief sense of relief appeared within Rio—
only for it to vanish immediately.
"But," Evillise continued, not even looking up from the document, "when you return, you'll be handling five times your current workload."
Rio's hand twitched.
Five times?
What kind of punishment was that?
Is she crazy?
For a brief moment, he genuinely considered staying in Ashbourne District forever.
The letter was placed onto the desk.
Evillise finally glanced up.
"Take it or leave it."
Rio immediately grabbed the paper.
"I'll take it."
His lips twitched.
What a terrifying woman.
Evillise pointed toward the door.
"Hmph. Leave already."
"Yes, bit—"
Rio abruptly stopped himself.
The dangerous glint in her eyes had already appeared.
"Professor."
"Good."
Without wasting another second, Rio turned and left the office before her mood deteriorated further
...
A few minutes later, after presenting the authorization letter to the academy guards, Rio was finally permitted to leave the grounds.
The moment he stepped beyond the academy gates, the city of Noctara unfolded before him.
Towering skyscrapers pierced the evening sky, their glass surfaces reflecting countless streams of neon light.
Above the streets, elevated transit rails carried sleek mana-powered trains between districts, their engines humming softly as they crossed the skyline.
Massive holographic advertisements floated between buildings, shifting continuously as different corporations and noble houses competed for attention. Below, countless vehicles moved through designated lanes while streams of pedestrians filled the illuminated walkways connecting one sector to another.
For most visitors, the sight was breathtaking.
Rio barely noticed any of it.
His thoughts remained fixed on a single name.
Reina Emberheart.
The folded note rested within his coat like a weight he couldn't ignore.
The more he thought about it, the less sense it made.
Why now?
Why reveal herself?
And more importantly—
why had she gone through the trouble of entering Mythalris Academy herself?
Rio exhaled slowly.
The cold evening air carried traces of mana from the countless arcane systems powering the city around him. Above, the lights of Noctara stretched endlessly across the horizon, transforming the night into something almost artificial.
Yet despite the beauty of the city—
his destination was already decided.
Ashbourne District.
A district infamous for its nightlife, private establishments, and the countless secrets exchanged beneath its neon-lit skyline.
Rio tightened his grip on the note.
Then he stepped forward, disappearing into the sea of lights as he made his way deeper into Noctara.
...
Since you want to use the woman from the image as the mysterious person beside Reina, I can describe her appearance without identifying her.
"This should be it."
Rio lifted his gaze toward the extravagant restaurant standing before him.
The Crimson Lantern.
Its exterior was covered in flowing crimson lights that traced elegant patterns across dark glass walls. The entire building looked less like a restaurant and more like a luxury establishment reserved for nobles and corporate executives.
A brief thought crossed his mind.
Should I have worn better clothes?
The thought vanished almost immediately.
It wasn't as though he was here for dinner.
Taking a slow breath, Rio pushed open the entrance and stepped inside.
The moment he did—
his eyes widened.
The restaurant was empty.
Completely empty.
The dozens of tables.
The staff.
The customers.
Everyone had vanished.
Silence filled the building.
An unnatural silence.
"What?"
Rio's eyes immediately sharpened.
His gaze moved toward the enormous windows lining the walls.
Then his expression changed.
Outside—
the city was gone.
The neon skyline of Noctara had disappeared.
In its place remained only darkness.
An endless veil of shadow covered everything beyond the glass, swallowing the lights of the city whole.
A domain.
Or something close to one.
Before Rio could react further—
a soft chuckle echoed throughout the restaurant.
"Oh my~"
The voice carried amusement.
"It's quite cute seeing you this clueless~."
Rio's body tensed instantly.
When?
His senses hadn't detected anyone.
Not a single presence.
Yet now—
someone was sitting only a few meters away.
At one of the tables near the center of the restaurant sat a breathtaking woman.
Long silver-white hair cascaded down her shoulders like flowing moonlight.
Elegant black and crimson garments draped around her figure, adorned with intricate patterns that seemed almost alive beneath the dim lighting.
Crimson feathers and dark ornaments decorated her attire, giving her an appearance both noble and dangerous.
Her crimson eyes glowed faintly with amusement.
She rested her chin upon one hand as she observed him.
Like a predator watching prey.
Or perhaps—
someone watching a particularly entertaining performance.
But Rio's attention wasn't on her.
Not anymore.
Because the person sitting across from her had finally lifted her head.
Dark onyx hair.
Cold crimson eyes.
A familiar face.
A face he had never expected to see this close again.
Rio's pupils contracted.
His voice came out quieter than intended.
"...Reina."
Reina Emberheart simply smiled.
Not the broken smile from their final battle.
Not the hollow smile of someone consumed by despair.
But a calm one.
As though they were old acquaintances meeting after a long separation.
"Hello, Noctis or should i say Rio Valen?"
The restaurant suddenly felt much colder.
...
Rio's body moved instantly.
In a single motion, he retreated several steps while drawing Ryūsoku.
The blade left its sheath with a sharp metallic cry.
The silver-haired woman tilted her head slightly.
"Oh~"
Her crimson eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Quite a fancy blade."
Rio didn't respond.
Every instinct in his body was screaming.
Danger.
The woman before him was dangerous.
Far more dangerous than Reina.
Then—
she vanished.
Rio's pupils contracted.
Fast.
Too fast.
Before he could even react—
a warm hand gently landed against his cheek.
His entire body froze.
The silver-haired woman was suddenly standing behind him.
"Let's see..."
Her voice carried the lazy curiosity of someone examining an interesting toy.
Rio immediately tried to move.
Nothing happened.
An invisible pressure locked his body in place.
His eyes widened.
"What are—"
The woman ignored him completely.
"Hm?"
Her fingers moved toward his collar.
"Ah."
A smile appeared on her face.
"This should be it."
Before Rio could stop her, she reached beneath his shirt and pulled out the amulet hidden underneath.
The artifact glowed briefly.
Then shattered.
Crack.
The disguise vanished instantly.
Long black-and-white hair spilled down around Rio's shoulders.
The illusion maintaining his appearance dissolved completely.
"Much better~"
The woman looked thoroughly satisfied.
Rio, meanwhile, felt a chill run down his spine.
She knew.
Not only had she recognized the artifact—
she had identified its exact location immediately.
His gaze sharpened.
Then recognition struck.
His breathing slowed.
An existence capable of casually suppressing him.
An existence capable of seeing through Azrith's artifact.
Only one conclusion remained.
SS-Rank.
The realization settled heavily within his mind.
The silver-haired woman simply smiled.
Elegant.
Dangerous.
Sultry.
The kind of smile belonging to someone completely confident in her own power.
As though the entire situation remained firmly within her control.
She walked back toward the table and gracefully took her seat.
Then she crossed her legs and rested her chin upon one hand.
"Now then."
Her Crimson eyes met his.
"Let's sit down, Rio."
The way she said his name made it clear.
She knew exactly who he was.