"Are you certain you don't want to stay at Alden? It's much more comfortable and warmer there," Neo's voice sounded from behind. Amarok smiled at the approaching figure.

He didn't show any manners when Neo offered him the old cover. He already had it over his body. "Don't be too hard on yourself," Neo suddenly said. He knew Amarok had been through a lot recently. It was already more than three months since he left Wandleaf. In that brief lapse of time, he had seen and felt things.

"Since when have you become this protective?" Amarok raised an eyebrow. Neo caught him by the neck, smacking his head.

"Master, what are you doing?" he cried out in shock. "I was worried for nothing. You are still the same lazy lad," Neo added nonchalantly.

"If you keep calling me lazy, I might really start considering," Amarok said seriously. "You wouldn't dare. Oh, I almost forgot. Mist wants to meet you. Should I let her in?" Neo asked.

"Can I say no?" he pleaded with his eyes. "You have grown independent now. Since when do I need your permission to talk to you?" a stern voice broke out from behind.

Amarok's eyes widened as he stared at Neo, feeling like he was sold. Neo stood and left. Amarok was speechless. She didn't need his permission to talk to him? This girl...

"I was just wondering when I will have the chance to meet you again," he said with an awkward smile.

Mist ignored him and sat in his place. Amarok forced a smile, refraining from pushing her down the cliff.

"You're not completely useless after all. Master Calder has been freed, and his position reinforced in the academy," she said, casting her gaze over the horizon. "When are you coming to the academy? I need a punching bag."

"I'm glad to see you back," Amarok said, sitting on the side. Mist stared blankly, but soon she understood what he meant. She felt a little guilty. She had been really cold with him since they returned from Freud. Yet, Amarok had always kept smiling and never complained, taking everything silently, bearing with her temper.

She was clear. She was hard to live with, a reason why she barely had any friends, even of the same sex.

"I wasn't angry with you but at myself," she suddenly said, not looking into his eyes. Amarok tried to speak, but she quickly continued, not letting him. If she didn't say it now, she wouldn't have the courage later.

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"I hesitated that day..." she lowered her head. "It's but normal to hesitate," Amarok said, casting his gaze on her figure.

"You don't understand... A general doesn't hesitate," she said in a low voice. He could faintly see a sparkling droplet fall down.

"We all have those moments where we question ourselves, where we are uncertain of what is the right thing to do. That's what makes us human," he said. Mist turned to face him quickly, hiding wiping her face.

"It's so cold here," she said. "I know, that's why I have my cover," he said with a grin. Mist blinked. "It's very cold here," she repeated. "You want us to get back inside?" he questioned incredulously.

Mist was speechless, dragging the cover to herself. Amarok understood as he smiled awkwardly. This was typical Mist. He was glad in his heart and at the same time lamenting within; his nightmare would resume.

.....

The next day, Amarok returned to Alden, heading straight to the library – the main reason for enduring all of that. He felt a little excited and full of apprehension. What if he didn't find something? He shook his head; it wasn't time to be pessimistic.

On his way, many curious stares trailed him. Finally showing his head, Amarok approached a figure to inquire about the library's direction. Alden was huge; he couldn't possibly search the whole area. To his surprise, the boy jumped in fright and then showed an awkward smile, leaving without even giving him time to ask his questions.

Two similar occurrences later, he halted his steps. Something was definitely off. "Hey, Amarok," Joan cautiously approached. Amarok heaved a sigh of relief – finally, someone who wanted to talk to him.

"Are you looking for someone?" Joan inquired, having seen Amarok's earlier actions and easily guessing. "Yeah, actually, I need to find the library," he said.

"Okay, this way," Joan proposed. Amarok followed silently behind. "Do I really look that frightening?" he couldn't help but ask. It felt like his ego was hurt; why was everyone fleeing him like a flea?

"I guess you haven't heard. After the special test, Kleid and some people began spreading those rumors about you. They said you were arrogant and complacent. Mist wasn't happy with that; she found out those people and beat them up so badly they couldn't stand. After that, they didn't dare to open their mouths," Joan said with a laugh, a bright smile on his face as he spoke of Mist.

Amarok was speechless. She really was crazy, that girl. But at the same time, he felt a warm breeze caressing his soul. He couldn't help but smile.

"What about Lyra?" he asked, a little concerned. "Ah, Miss Lyra. She is fine but still healing. She hasn't left their manor since. Do you know her?" Joan asked with a puzzled expression. After all, she was from the Frostmoor clan. Not everyone could get close, even if they had high status here.

"No...yes...but not in the way you're thinking. We're just good friends," he hastily said, waving his hands. Joan raised an eyebrow as he scrutinized Amarok.

Amarok felt like he was on trial. "Such a lucky guy," Joan added, turning to lead the way. He couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy. Amarok was Mist and Lyra's friend. It was clear Mist really considered him a friend, which was rare. One was the most talented student of the Arcana elder Calder, and the other was the miss of the Frostmoor clan. At the same time, he couldn't help but admire Amarok's skills. Joan still felt his body tremble when he thought Amarok had no rune weapon – that was crazy. A rune warrior without a rune weapon. Seriously?