January 16, 2031
"Are you still feeling sick?" Aria's friend, Inquire, glanced over at her as they made their way toward the main gate of the academy. A throng of students trailed behind, their chatter filling the air, while cars and bikes lined the busy asphalt.
The scene was lively, buzzing with excitement as students flocked to the academy.
"Huh? No, I'm fine," Aria replied, though her mind was still lingering on the events of the previous night. The memories flooded back, making her cheeks warm with embarrassment. She couldn't believe she'd acted that way, giving him such an opening. More than that, she was embarrassed by how her own thoughts spiraled.
-----
"...Do you think a phone would be this long?"
"Kyaaah?!"
"Why are you yelling? It's just a pen. Now sleep."
-----
'Really...' Aria mused, unable to shake off the recollection of last night. When he had hugged her and told her to sleep, it had felt so natural and comforting. They had both drifted off in that position, though she hadn't managed to close her eyes for even a moment.
While he slept soundly beside her, wrapped in a peaceful slumber, her heart raced uncontrollably, refusing to settle. It was a whirlwind of emotions that kept her wide awake for the entire night.
Finally, at 4 a.m., she quietly slipped out from the warmth of his embrace and returned home, her mind still racing from the intensity of it all.
'Focus,' Aria reminded herself, calming down. Though her body had completely healed from the aftereffects, her mind was still exhaling the remnants of anxiety.
She hesitated to dwell on that woman's title, unsure why it weighed on her, and decided to set it aside for now. Instead, she concentrated on today's classes, keeping pace with her friends.
"Amrita, wait! Aren't you going to listen to me?"
As they re-entered the main gate, a voice drew their attention. Lin was trailing behind Amrita, who kept her pace swift, seemingly intent on reaching her class without acknowledging him.
"Tch, why act so innocent?" one of Aria's friends complained, irritation clear in her voice as she glanced at Amrita.
But recalling what the professor had advised her about not blaming that woman, she took a deep breath, relaxed her shoulders, and averted her gaze as she folded her arms. "Lin has lost his mind."
Watching Amrita's swaying back as she walked away, Aria felt a frown tug at her lips. Lin followed closely behind her, and Aria narrowed her gaze, deep in thought as snippets of the professor's words echoed in her mind.
// In the future, you will die at Lin's hand. //
// On January 13, 2031, Aria faced her first betrayal in life. //
Those phrases played over and over in her head.
She closed her eyes, tightly clutching the books in her arms before loosening them again, her expression turned impassive.
Steeling herself, she made her way into the department building with her friends trailing behind her, sensing her uncharacteristic silence.
---
The professor, having recognized her as the student who had been ill and admitted just yesterday, simply nodded in acknowledgment of her distress.
As she rushed through the corridor, a whirlwind of thoughts raced through her mind.
'Why did he leave so suddenly?' she pondered, determination filling her as she made her way to the director's office.
Each step intensified her need for answers regarding her professor's unexpected resignation.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Apologies for the delay, sir. Here is your key," said a receptionist at the five-star hotel as she stepped forward to greet the man before her.
She handed him the key to Aecilia Sertsul's room, clearly flouting the hotel's strict rules prioritizing the privacy and safety of its guests.
However, this time, protocols seemed to be overlooked, given that the man was Marquess Avendial Croceaus.
"Hehe, sir, is there anything else I can assist you with?" inquired the hotel owner, clasping his hands and glancing expectantly at Marquess.
Avendial merely cast a fleeting glance in the owner's direction before turning away and striding toward the presidential suite.
As Avendial passed through the hotel's corridors filled with staff and guests alike, he took the lift to the designated floor.
Upon reaching his destination, he made his way down the long hallway until he arrived at the door to the presidential suite.
With a determined expression, he used the smart key to unlock the door without knocking.
The room was enormous, resembling a mansion in itself, complete with large glass windows that framed a breathtaking landscape.
Yet, Avendial's eyes were focused elsewhere as he stood in the center of the grand space, a smile creeping onto his face.
His gaze landed on a woman, Aecilia, who had one leg draped over the sofa while the other was on the floor, struggling to put on her stockings.
"Good morning, Miss Aecilia. It seems you've woken up late," Avendial said with a warm smile, his eyes closing in a friendly manner.
To his expectations, a towel suddenly flew through the air and landed squarely on his face.
"Don't enter when I'm changing!" came Aecilia's sharp voice, echoing through the lavish suite.