Chapter 297: Leaving The Barony

Nox placed the tea back on the table, deciding that his taste buds had suffered enough. His serious demeanor returned as he leaned forward slightly, meeting Eve's gaze.

"It's about the academy," Nox said in a low voice. "I'll be leaving in a few days for the entrance exam, and if I pass—which I'm confident I will—there is a high possibility that I won't be returning here for a long time."

As soon as Nox said this, there was a slight shift in the atmosphere of the room. Eve's expressions, which had remained calm all this while, shifted ever so slightly; a flicker of sadness or disappointment passed through her eyes. The beautiful woman stared outside her arched windows.

In truth, she had expected that this day would come but...

'It was so soon,' she thought, clenching her fist beneath her desk. Eve already knew about this, but she'd thought there was still enough time to spend with Nox before he left the western region.

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The Necromancer was conflicted deep in her heart.

"I see," she said after a moment. Though she attempted to sound neutral, one could almost sense the sadness in her voice. Then she added in a slightly cheerful tone,

"This is wonderful news. The academy is the best place for someone like you." She forced a smile. Though forced, the smile instantly lit up the room. "Congratulations in advance. Knowing you, those other competitors will be in for a rude awakening."

"I'm flattered," Nox responded with a warm smile of his own. Then he paused, the smile disappearing from his face. "Leaving here is not the only reason for my coming today. I want to thank you, Master. Thank you for your teaching. You've been an important part of my life. I don't know what the future holds, but I'll definitely find a way to repay you for everything you've done."

The chair creaked slightly as Nox got up from his seat and made a low bow. "Thank you."

Eve's fingers traced the edge of her teacup, her gaze falling to the dark liquid inside. She thought back to the first time she had met Nox, as if it was yesterday she started hearing voices in her head.

That day, Eve's life was bleak, and her heart was still filled with resentment for a certain person. Due to her tumultuous emotions, she had not even known when she had said these words:

"Keep looking, and you won't have eyes anymore," she had uttered in a cold, unfriendly voice.

"S-sorry, miss, I didn't see you." That day, the boy hurriedly apologized as he squatted and picked up the thing she had mistakenly dropped. "Here you go."

It... it felt like fate. Who would have thought after that encounter, her relationship with the little tyrant of the Cromwell barony would evolve so much?

To the point where her heart ached at the thought of not seeing him for a long time?

'Because of him, even the resentment I felt for that man is almost gone. Now I don't hate him anymore. If fate allows us to meet again, we'll only be strangers... no more animosity.' Eve's eyes flashed with joy, sadness, relief, longing, and several other complicated emotions.

She let out a sigh, slowly raised her head, and said, "You're being unusually sentimental today," she remarked, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "But I appreciate it. It's not often I hear such words from people."

'How many people have appreciated me like this?' Eve couldn't remember, but it had certainly been a long time.

Nox smiled faintly, though his chest tightened. "I don't think I'd be where I am today without you. Or Skully." He turned to the skeleton, who was standing stiffly, clearly trying to act disinterested but failing miserably.

"Hmph," Skully huffed, crossing his bony arms. "Of course, you wouldn't be where you are without me. I'm the one who keeps this place running. And don't you forget it!"

"Yes, I won't forget. I'll miss your nagging, Skully," Nox chuckled. "I just hope you won't fall apart before I return."

"Hmph, you wish," Skully sneered.

After that, the room fell into a brief silence, broken only by the faint rustle of the wind against the windows. Almost an eternity later, Eve finally looked up, her eyes locking onto Nox's.

"I'll miss you, too," she said softly. "I've grown used to having you around, Nox. But I won't stop you. You're destined for great things, and the academy will help you get there."

Nox bowed to both Eve and Skully one last time. "Thank you both."

"Tch, get going already, pipsqueak. How many times are you going to thank us?" Skully spoke gruffly, but one could hear the bittersweet undertone in his voice as well.

No matter how hard he tried to hide it, there was no denying that he would miss the boy as well.

Eve walked him to the door, her steps slower than usual. When they reached the threshold, she paused, as if searching for the right words.

"Stay safe," she said finally and then smiled. "Also, when you finally return, I'll have a nice surprise for you."

"I'll be looking forward to it," Nox replied, walking into the lonely path that led to the bustling part of the barony.

Eve remained standing there for a while.

Then a single drop of tear escaped her eye.

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Few days later...

"My babies, I'll miss you both so much." Aina was all tears as she hugged both Nox and Nyx. Both hugged their mother back, though Nyx tried to remain indifferent; a single drop of tear escaped her eye as well.

Nox withdrew himself and wiped the tears off his mom. While he was at it, he said, "Take care of yourself, alright, Mom? I'll try to visit. Though it would be years, I'll make sure to visit you." He planted a kiss on her cheek. "So please take care of yourself for me and this stupid girl's sake."

"Bastard! Who are you calling a stupid girl?"

After sharing their goodbyes with almost everyone in the barony who had come to gather at the Cromwell manor, Nox, Serena, and Nyx boarded a coach and left.

"Unfortunately, I couldn't greet Grandpa because he's away running the Armstrong Duchy, but we'll certainly meet again very soon, and by that time, I'll have the cure for Doombringer."

From the roof of a building, Eve watched as the carriage slowly left the barony, her fist clenched. While she was in her thoughts, a familiar voice called out behind her.

"Mistress, you have a letter."

Turning around, Eve quickly maintained her composure. "It's from whom?" she asked, but then her eyes fell on the seal that was on the letter.

It was the seal of a horned demon, one she hadn't seen in a long time. Eve froze, her gaze lingering on the letter for a long time. Her eyes flashed with complicated emotions as she tore open the paper and read through it.

"My fateful daughter, the time of peace is coming to an end. The Demonic Empire calls upon you once again."

The letter was brief, but what mattered was the weight this brief content held, as well as the sender, who was...

Lord Unus Graham, the Demon Emperor.

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