The Academy cafeteria's banquet had only just begun.

Luo Wei passed the excuse she and Hessel had agreed on to Laura and asked her to inform Professor Pence for leave.

Professor Pence wasn't angry—he looked gratified. "That child has grown up. She's even learned to consider other people's feelings!"

He knew his student's temperament. Hessel had never liked crowds; nearly two years at Siria Magic Academy and she still kept a distance from classmates and professors. Before, if she didn't want to attend something, she would simply slip away without a word. Now she was at least sending a pretext.

Professor Pence was moved. As he'd always said: there are no unteachable students—only teachers who don't put in the heart.

Look at Hessel. Such progress!

The banquet ran for over an hour. Lively chatter filled the hall. The aroma of roasted meat and wheat bread wrapped the tables; wine in clay jugs released a rich fragrance.

The food wasn't refined, but laughter made every bite satisfying—even the rank, tough old beef seemed extra chewy in a good way.

After long exposure, the mingled smells of alcohol and grease grew stifling. Half full, Luo Wei rose and went to the window for air.

"Not eating anymore, junior?"

A clear, mellow voice sounded behind her.

Luo Wei turned; a tall figure approached, wine cup in hand.

"Senior Noel." She lifted her skirt hem and curtseyed. "I'm already full—just getting some air."

Sebastian inclined his head politely. "May I stand here?"

"Please." Luo Wei stepped aside.

Sebastian took his place beside her. His tone was gentle. "Junior, are all Misty Plains folk as clever as you?"

"You're that curious about people from the Misty Plains?" Luo Wei joked. "If you're curious, why not immigrate and become one of my realm's citizens?"

Sebastian shrugged. "Someone like me qualifies?"

"Certainly. It's a land without strife."

He chuckled. "So when can I go?"

"No rush." Luo Wei put on a serious face. "We first dispatch people to verify your identity and criminal record. After you pass screening, you can immigrate."

"Think I'd pass?"

"Hard to say—depends on whether you've killed before."

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"So if I have, that disqualifies me?"

"Killing a bad person is fine. Wanton slaughter isn't."

"What is a bad person? What is innocent?" Sebastian countered. After a two‑second pause he added, low, "No one on this continent is innocent."

He tipped back the last of his wine, then let a bright, open smile return. "Junior, it's chilly. Head back early."

Luo Wei watched him silently.

He didn't mind. He strode off, leaving a carefree, dashing back.

"Senior!" Luo Wei called. "Are you a follower of the Church?"

Sebastian stopped and turned partly, the light behind him. "Are you insulting me?"

"You're promoting the Church's doctrine of Original Sin—aren't you?"

"When did I—" Sebastian broke off, realization making him fall silent.

She was right. If he believed no one was innocent, wasn't that admitting Original Sin?

"Senior, join us," Luo Wei invited. "Whether you believe in Original Sin or not, walking forward alone is too tiring."

"I don't believe in it," Sebastian said sternly. "And this 'us'—do they consent?"

"They won't object. Since we've already noticed each other, cooperation is the safest option."

Sebastian turned fully back. "If I join you, what price do I pay?"

"Basic trust. Both sides have to put that in."

"Alright." He agreed at once; a satisfied smile finally reached his eyes. "Should I start calling you captain?"

"No need." Luo Wei lifted her chin. "We're a democratic team."

Sebastian's smile deepened. "Very well, junior."

Luo Wei gave a soft laugh. "Pleasure working with you, senior."

Two anglers posing as bait had finally become fish hooked in each other's mouths—each tugging the line, neither letting go.

By the time the banquet ended it was already nine.

The deep tolling from the clock tower rolled out as the cafeteria gathering began to disperse.

A large crowd filed out, chatting and laughing along the dim campus paths toward the dorms.

During the banquet, Luo Wei heard from classmates that the cathedral at Siria Magic Academy also housed Magic Mirrors. They could link to the spectator area's mirrors and broadcast their match images. The sole difference: far fewer units—fifteen Magic Mirrors, just enough to watch only their own Academy's teams. They couldn't receive other schools' feeds.

Many students were disappointed; they wanted to see the St. Teno Divine College teams fight.

Luo Wei reasonably suspected the Academy wasn't short of mirrors—just unwilling to let students wave flags for rivals.

On the way back, students rehashed battle moments; voices rose and dipped, falling low as if sharing illicit secrets.

Luo Wei's expression faintly shifted—she caught "healing potion," "poisoning," again and again, and the conversational "Hol content" seemed unusually high.

"Luo Wei, Luo Wei! Darling, I've been looking everywhere for you!"

Jane gathered her skirt and squeezed to Luo Wei's side, clasping her arm in complaint. "So many people back there—I couldn't find you. I almost missed you again!"

"Why were you looking for me?" Luo Wei asked. "Did you need something?"

"Can't I look for you without a reason?" Jane gave her a look like she were a heartless scoundrel. "It's only been three days and you've already forgotten me!"

"Uh, I didn't mean that." Luo Wei proactively linked their arms. "I was concerned about you."

As soon as she said it she sensed it sounded even more like a scoundrel's line.

Fortunately, Jane was magnanimous. She forgave the supposed coldness; hearing Luo Wei's "concern," she brightened and shared her glee.

"Luo Wei, you were amazing! After the first match ended, watching the Snake Academy and Lane Academy students crawling all over—so funny!"

"And the Taslonte Noble Magic Academy kids—rolling and scrambling up the slope. My cousin's face went pale with fright. Hahaha, her expression was so ugly. I'm going to sketch it, send it home, and let everyone see!"

Luo Wei sighed. "That last sentence is the real point, isn't it? You really dislike your cousin?"

"I hate her to death!" Jane fumed. "She and my wretched uncle plot every day to carve up my inheritance. They even say I'm useless and try to make my father hand the territory to her!"

Luo Wei frowned. "Isn't a hereditary noble's land only passed to the eldest son? How could it go to her?"

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