"No. I work better alone."
Up front, Elysia's eyes followed his retreating figure. Her expression sharpened, lips curling downward slightly.
(You better be alone), she thought coldly. (Sooner or later, I'll kill you with my own hands.)
But even with that dark resolve, there was a small flicker of something else in her eyes—an emotion she couldn't quite define.
From the sidelines, Cecelia stood beside, quietly watching. Her eyebrows furrowed in concern as Kael walked away.
Her grip tightened around the small journal she always carried.
(Why do you keep pushing everyone away, Kael? You don't have to fight alone…)
Kael didn't look back as he walked away from the crowd of students.
Then, a familiar voice called out from behind.
"Kael, do you want to join me in my group?" Cecelia asked, her voice gentle but clear enough to catch everyone's attention.
Kael stopped in his tracks.
