Nox tapped his fingers on his desk, his brows furrowed in worry. It was fifteen minutes past the first bell, but Estella still hadn't arrived in the classroom.

She was safe, that much he knew from their mental link. But the Resonance was muddled ever since the morning, and he could feel her panic and shame surging in waves.

His mental inquiry was only met with a simple, I'll be there in a few minutes. He didn't press her on after that, sensing her anxiety. But from that brief conversation alone, he deduced the reason for Estella's tardiness.

She woke up late.

The door burst open, and Estella hurried inside, her hair still wild from sleep. At least her uniform was presentable, but the silence that engulfed the room told Nox that he wasn't the only one shocked at her appearance.

After roll call had finished, she placed a stack of papers on her desk, smiling nervously. "The result of your test papers last week." One by one, the students were called and they took their test papers.

When it was Nox's turn, he frowned as he read the results. He checked the name, but it was indeed written under his, and yet the answers were certainly not the ones he had chosen. He glanced at Erian, who looked just as baffled.

"Please tell me you got the right test paper," Nox muttered.

Erian shook his head. "As a matter of fact, no, I didn't."

Nox glanced at Estella. "Teacher?"

"Yes?"

He held up his test paper. "This isn't mine."

"So is this," Erian added. The other students told the same, though a small percentage seemed to have received the correct test papers.

"Mine seems correct," Ireela said.

Estella shifted in her seat, and Nox could sense her anxiety rising. Hey, relax.

I mixed them up! The panic in her thoughts nearly overwhelmed him.

Calm down. Take a deep breath and tell them you'd fix your mistakes as quickly as you can.

Estella swallowed and nodded. Still smiling, she said to the entire class, "My apologies. Those who received the wrong test papers, kindly place them in a pile on my desk. I'll send another copy to your dorms later."

I'll help, Nox said as he stood up. She flashed him a grateful smile.

Class began after that. Estella lacked the enthusiasm she had yesterday, but Nox was glad she managed to finish her lessons without further mishaps. As the students prepared, she said, "Mister Dauros and Miss Stormcloud, please come to my office later today, after the fifth bell."

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Nox glanced at her curiously, then at Erian and Reina. The former was frowning, but he nodded and swept past his Squire. Reina swallowed and followed him.

You're not going to reprimand them, are you? he asked.

No. Estella sounded grim. I'm just going to tell them what they should hear.

***

Dinner wasn't pleasant.

Nox watched Erian and Reina sitting together, and the only sound between them was the scraping of their spoon and forks against their plates.

Your dead village felt happier than these two.

It was an accurate statement, but Nox knew better than to put more firewood into the fire. At least Estella had the decency to eat in the faculty room where she wouldn't see Erian.

Nox could only gather tidbits from her memory, but those were enough to form a picture: that Erian didn't really care for Reina, and thus Estella had to order them to stay together at all times lest she failed both of them.

It was unfair to Reina, but Nox saw the practicality in it. By forcing them to stay together, Erian had no reason to abandon Reina's education. Not unless he wanted to intentionally fail, but Nox didn't see him as that kind of person.

"Master, what should we expect for the Assessment Exams?" Ireela asked.

Nox looked at her and smiled. "Written and practical tests about what you've learned during the first three months. The written tests are usually easy, and the practical tests won't have you casting advance spells."

"And it will be given at the end of next month?"

"Yes. After summer vacation." Which reminded him; he needed to ask Estella about her plans.

Ireela brightened at that. "Oh, summer vacation! Do you already have plans, Master?"

"I'll stay here. You?"

"Well, I want to return to my family. But they are so far away that it would be pointless."

He nodded. "In that case, we'll continue our training and study sessions."

"Even in summer vacation? Can't we visit the city?"

"Alright, I'll take you to the city. But only on weekends." As Ireela smiled, Nox glanced at Erian and Reina. "How about you two? What are your plans?"

Erian was silent, so Reina answered first. "I'm staying to train and study." Her voice was soft yet firm.

Nox expected as much. He stared at Erian expectantly, and when a shrug was all he received, Nox sighed.

***

The days passed swiftly, and soon it was the final week of the second month.

Nox had established a routine for Ireela's training. At five in the morning, they would train together with their Animartas. Magic training were done after classes for the day ended, and any assignments they had left they would work on together in the evening.

Estella was proving to be a great teacher, but Nox could sense the stress on her. There were times when she would stay inside her office throughout the night, preparing lessons only to arrive late on her own class.

Sometimes he helped, but she would often just smile and tell him she was fine and he should focus on his own studies. Nox didn't press her during those times—he trusted her capabilities just as she trusted his. All he could do was help her to his fullest whenever she allowed him to.

Besides, being a Knight wasn't his only duty.

"What's the budget for this year's school festival?" he asked Erian during one of the Student Council's regular meeting.

"Thirty thousand crowns," Erian said, reading a note.

"Isn't that twice the amount we got last year?" Polima asked.

"Almost. Seems like the school has a high budget this year."

"They need to." Esmeir flipped through a document he was signing. "We'll host the inter-school competition this year." He handed the document to Nox. "For your signature, President."

Nox scribbled his name, then put the document on a growing stack to his left. "Do we already know which schools are coming?"

Erian placed a paper in front of him. It was filled with lots of notes. "Pantosa, Zakrar, and Tarveka have all confirmed their participation. No word on the others yet."

"And Thurina?"

The vice-president was silent for a moment. "None," he said at last.

Nox nodded. Either they hadn't sent a response yet, or the Headmaster was withholding the confirmation for a later date. Either way, it was best not to deal with that for now.

The rest of the meeting focused on discussing the budget and preparations for the school festival. There were lots of new stalls and booths this year, but Nox knew that he and Estella were only excited for one. He could almost imagine her joyful smile when she tasted her favorite honey-custard pies again.

After that, the meeting turned to other matters. Nox maintained his composure. As the sun was beginning to set, his right foot started a rhythmic tap on the floor. It was almost time for Ireela's magic training, but there was no sign that their meeting would be over any time soon.

He really admired the way Estella had managed to balance her life as student, master, and Student Council President. Perhaps he should ask for pointers next time. Nox certainly didn't expect to fulfill his lover's former role, a position that was more time-consuming than being a mentor. And yet he couldn't refuse when the entire class practically voted for him.

Perhaps you should have.

Maybe he should have. But there was no point lamenting over that. All he could do now was ensure that everything ran smoothly for his successor, whoever that would be.

"Is that everything?" Nox asked as they finalized the budget for the various clubs. They nodded. "Right. See you all later at dinner."

With that, he rose from his chair and left.