Riser didn't realize how quiet things had become until he was alone again.
Not truly alone—the academy was never that—but compared to earlier, the absence felt noticeable.
Too noticeable.
"...That escalated faster than expected."
He leaned back against the cool stone wall near the outer training grounds, exhaling slowly. The faint evening breeze brushed past him, carrying distant voices and the occasional clash of metal.
Training never really stopped here.
Neither did tension.
Riser glanced at his hand.
Opened it.
Closed it.
Something about today still lingered.
Not just the fight.
Not just Mirai.
Not just Ravel.
All of it.
Stacking.
Layering.
Changing him.
"...Yeah."
A faint blue glow flickered in front of his eyes.
[System Notification]Multiple Relationship Variables UpdatedNew Interaction Nodes UnlockedCaution: Emotional Influence Detected
Riser stared at the last line.
"...Emotional influence?"
He let out a quiet breath.
"Don't tell me I'm getting soft."
But even as he said it—
Mirai's words echoed.
Don't go alone.
And Ravel's tone—
Be careful.
"...Tch."
He pushed himself off the wall.
"Annoying."
Because they weren't wrong.
And he knew it.
"Talking to yourself now?"
Riser froze.
"...Seriously?"
He turned his head slowly.
Of course.
Elira.
Leaning casually against the training fence like she had been there the entire time.
Watching.
Always watching.
"You're getting predictable," she added with a lazy smile.
"You're getting intrusive."
"That hurts."
"It wasn't meant to."
She pushed off the fence and walked toward him.
No hesitation.
No fear.
Same as always.
"Busy day," she said.
"You could say that."
"I heard."
"Of course you did."
Elira circled him slowly.
Not threatening.
But—
Intentional.
"Fought Mirai."
"Yeah."
"Didn't lose."
"Nope."
"Didn't win."
"...Also nope."
She smiled wider.
"I like that answer."
Riser watched her carefully.
"You always this interested?"
"Only when something interesting happens."
"And I qualify?"
She stopped in front of him.
Close.
Closer than most people dared.
"You're starting to."
That—
Was new.
Not playful.
Not teasing.
Genuine.
Riser raised an eyebrow.
"...That sounds dangerous."
"It is."
She didn't even hesitate.
Which somehow made it worse.
A brief silence settled between them.
But it wasn't empty.
It felt like—
A test.
Then—
"You hesitated."
Riser frowned slightly.
"When?"
"When she asked."
He didn't need clarification.
Elira tilted her head slightly.
"You could've accepted."
"I could've."
"But you didn't."
"I didn't."
"Why?"
Riser shrugged.
"Didn't feel right."
Elira studied him.
Really studied him this time.
Not like before.
Not surface-level curiosity.
Something deeper.
"You're changing."
"Apparently, that's a popular opinion today."
"That doesn't bother you?"
"Should it?"
"It might."
Riser crossed his arms.
"Why?"
She smiled faintly.
"Because people don't like unpredictable things."
"People here already don't like me."
"True."
A pause.
Then—
"But they're starting to pay attention."
"...Also true."
Elira stepped closer again.
"If you keep this up, you won't just be 'noticed.'"
Riser met her gaze.
"I'll be a problem."
Her smile widened.
"Exactly."
For a moment—
Neither moved.
Then Riser exhaled slowly.
"Let me guess. You like problems."
"I love them."
"Yeah, that tracks."
He ran a hand through his hair.
"So what do you want?"
Elira blinked once.
"...Straight to the point?"
"Always."
She hummed softly.
"I was going to invite you."
Riser immediately frowned.
"...That sounds bad already."
"It's not."
"That makes it worse."
She laughed.
Genuinely this time.
"You're fun."
"I'm cautious."
"You're both."
She leaned in slightly.
"There's a gathering tonight."
Riser didn't react immediately.
"...What kind of gathering?"
"The kind you shouldn't miss."
"That's not reassuring."
"It's not supposed to be."
He stared at her.
Longer this time.
"...And why me?"
Elira didn't look away.
"Because you're at the center of something now."
Riser narrowed his eyes slightly.
"And this is related?"
"Everything is related."
"That's a vague answer."
"It's the only one you're getting."
Silence.
Again.
But heavier this time.
Because now—
There was a choice.
Riser looked away briefly.
Thinking.
Weighing.
Mirai's warning.
Ravel's caution.
Elira's invitation.
"...Yeah."
He sighed.
"I walked into this one."
"You did."
"Didn't even try to avoid it."
"You didn't."
Riser glanced back at her.
"...If I say no?"
Elira shrugged lightly.
"Then you stay here."
"And?"
"And things move without you."
That—
Was enough.
Riser clicked his tongue softly.
"Yeah. I hate that option."
"I figured."
He pushed himself off the wall again.
Straightened slightly.
"...Fine."
Elira's eyes flickered.
"You'll come?"
"I'll check it out."
"That's all I need."
"But—"
He raised a finger slightly.
"I'm not walking into anything blind."
She smiled.
"You won't be."
"That's not comforting."
"It will be."
"It won't."
She laughed again.
As they started walking, Riser slowed slightly.
"...Hey."
Elira glanced at him.
"Yeah?"
"...Why me?"
This time—
She didn't answer immediately.
Her steps slowed just a little.
Then—
"Because you're interesting."
Riser raised an eyebrow.
"You said that already."
"I mean it differently now."
He waited.
She glanced at him.
Just briefly.
"...You're not following the path people expect."
Riser exhaled quietly.
"Good."
"And that makes you dangerous."
"Better."
"And valuable."
He paused.
"...That part I don't like."
Elira smirked.
"You'll get used to it."
"Hope not."
"You will."
They reached the edge of the academy's inner district.
The atmosphere shifted again.
Less open.
More controlled.
More—
Hidden.
Riser could feel it.
Even without the system.
"...Yeah."
He muttered.
"This definitely feels like a bad idea."
Elira stopped.
Turned to face him.
"Last chance."
Riser looked at her.
Then past her.
Then back again.
"...Nah."
He smirked slightly.
"I'm already here."
Her expression softened just a little.
Almost approving.
[System Notification]High-Risk Interaction DetectedNew Event Chain InitiatedReward Potential: Unknown
Riser blinked.
"...Of course."
He cracked his knuckles lightly.
"Wouldn't be fun otherwise."
Elira's smile returned.
Sharper this time.
"Now you're getting it."
They stepped forward together.
Into something new.
Something deeper.
And definitely—
Something dangerous.