Friday morning.

Marina woke up with the light of dawn filtering through the window, delicately illuminating her room. As she stretched, her gaze fell on the other beds in the room, where her companions were sleeping soundly, confirming that it was still early. She had plenty of time to wash and dress without any problem.

With a soft sigh, she got out of bed and walked over to the window to watch the new sun rise. The fresh morning air caressed her face, carrying with it the sweet scent of flowers. She let those good feelings distract her from the previous day and the terrible impression she had made. She had no intention of telling Lyceum and Aena about the mead, not because she had been caught up in it, but because she wanted to avoid bringing back the terrible memories.

She had shot Shirei... she had even tried to kiss him.

More than two whole days had passed since then, during which she had literally barricaded herself in the house so as not to see him.

She dived onto her bed and turned in panic. It was the mead's fault, obviously she would never have done such a thing without the intoxicating influence of the divine liquid.

She shouldn't have doubted a simple truth.

She got up and got ready hastily. The less time she had to think the better it was for her. She didn't want to accept that she had those intentions for the boy, not even for a single moment. To face the day ahead, she took a hot shower and got ready to go to the canteen.

It was with great amazement that, as soon as she crossed the threshold of the seventh house, she discovered the figure of Shirei waiting for her a few meters from the entrance. The unusual encounter made her freeze, she hadn't expected to see him so soon and she hadn't mentally prepared what to say. Despite everything, his presence gave her a sense of calm that she couldn't help but appreciate.

"Shirei! W-why…why are you already here?" She asked, trying not to stumble.

Shirei approached, making her hesitate, then took a piece of paper out of her pocket, "I received a letter from Lyceum regarding today's lesson," he explained in a calm voice. "I woke up early and thought I'd take advantage of a light morning jog."

Marina nodded, understanding the situation. However, she decided to remain at a distance to avoid the embarrassment of having to talk to him. "I understand," she said with a slight smile. "Then, shall we go?"

He nodded in response. "Didn't you have any problems with what happened a few days ago?"

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Ien's daughter blushed and hid from the demigod's eyes.

Did you really have to remind me?

She took a deep breath and decided to continue, convinced that he would follow her. They arrived at the canteen in a short time and took the opportunity to have a quick breakfast. Only after Marina heard some demigods commenting on their presence there did she realize it would be best to leave.

The two went to the huts for lessons at a very slow pace. Marina was anxious about the situation and feared that new rumors would start to spread the moment they were seen together. She just hoped that in the canteen they were talking about Cragar's son and not about her with him. The girl glanced at the violet-eyed demigod, who was as calm as ever.

Right, she said to herself, It's all just in my head.

She was having too much unnecessary paranoia. She had to be professional and stand her ground no matter what happened between them. The truth was that there had been nothing between them, she was intoxicated by the wine of the divine Miula and he had been quite clear.

They were just friends, or at least they were a demigod and his secret spy, pretending to be close for personal gain.

Marina kicked instinctively, she didn't want that.

Because of everything that had happened in the previous days, she had avoided talking to Aena and Lyceum.

She didn't want to snitch. Shirei was strange, but he wasn't evil, she was sure of that now. He had even worried about her after the incident with the tenebrae.

Couldn't they just remain friends?

As those thoughts wandered through her mind, Dalia's image appeared before her. The little girl smiled,

But… do you want something to happen?

Marina blinked several times.

Cragar's son grabbed her forearm, making her jump suddenly.

"You're overweight."

"Excuse me?!" Marina pushed him away, "What the hell is wrong with you?"

He couldn't really have said it, she couldn't believe it. She was starting to have hallucinations, the mysterious momentary appearance of Dalia supported that hypothesis.

Shirei looked at her strangely, "You were about to crash. You're lost in thought."

Marina opened her eyes wide and turned to look forward, a few centimeters from her face was a wooden pole.

"Was that intentional?" The boy asked, still confused.

Marina closed her eyes as her skin blushed more and more. Without saying a word and with her eyes lowered, she increased her pace towards the huts.

Shirei joined her. Although he didn't show it, he was starting to worry about her. The boy searched her eyes with his gaze, fearing that she was suffering passive effects from the wound inflicted by the blade of discord.

"Everything is fine?" He asked again.

Marina nodded and mumbled a thank you before speeding up. No further words were said to each other until they arrived.

The class was already full and the kids were shouting while waiting for the teacher. As soon as they saw them together, some of them began to laugh and exchanged numerous phrases in whispers. Ien's daughter covered her face with her hand. Obviously they would talk, how could she even hope otherwise.

Shirei followed her inside and simply leaned against the side opposite the entrance. Marina clapped her hands for attention and headed towards the blackboard. The lesson was dedicated to geography and the third generation from what was written in the letter.

Strange, she thought, We usually wait until the new year for the first hints of the old times.

She wrote twelve names on the blackboard, then turned and wiped her hands.

"So, is everyone ready to start?" She rhetorically asked, "This lecture is quite important, so I recommend you take notes."