The next morning arrived quietly over the academy.
Lucien had no lectures scheduled for today.
But he still came to the academy before dawn broke...to train in the private training rooms allotted for Professors.
Dawn light spilled across the empty training field.
Lucien stood alone in the center, sweat already forming on his forehead.
A simple mana circle floated before him.
"Again."
A burst of Blue flame appeared.
It twisted violently before collapsing.
Lucien sighed.
"Control....control..."
He waved his hand and the mana dispersed.
Two hours later his clothes were slightly damp with sweat and his mana nearly depleted.
He stretched his shoulders.
"Good enough for today."
Normally he would have trained in his Estate....But he chose to start training in the Academy Instead.....
His feet carried him toward the restricted area.
A few minutes later.
Lucien stood before the greenhouse.
The silver runes across the door shimmered faintly.
".....Still sealed."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"She will definitely be angry this time. "
Lucien raised his hand.
Crack...
The runes fractured quietly as he slipped inside.
Inside the greenhouse....
Warm air greeted him.
Plants rustled softly in the morning breeze flowing through the glass ceiling vents.
Adeline sat on the same bench as before.
A cigarette rested between her fingers.
She didn't even turn immediately.
She simply exhaled smoke slowly.
"....Professor Lucien."
Lucien stopped.
"Good morning, Head Professor."
Adeline finally glanced at him.
Then toward the entrance.
Then back at him.
Her expression was perfectly calm.
But her eye twitched very slightly.
"You don't have lectures today."
Lucien nodded.
"Correct."
Adeline took another drag from her cigarette.
"So..."
Her gaze drifted towards the shattered runes on the door.
"Why are you here?"
Lucien answered immediately.
"To smoke."
Lucien nodded seriously.
"Obviously."
Another pause.
Adeline pressed her fingers lightly against her temple.
"You came here.....on your day off..."
Her eyes moved towards the broken seal again.
"And broke the barrier."
Lucien shrugged.
"Technically I opened it."
Adeline stared at him.
For five full seconds.
Then sighed deeply.
"Professor Lucien."
"Yes?"
"Do not break my seals."
Lucien nodded again.
"Of course."
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"And do not come here again."
Lucien thought for a moment.
Then shrugged.
"We'll see."
Adeline's eyebrow twitched.
Lucien casually extended his hand.
"..."
Adeline looked at his hand.
Then at his completely shameless expression.
"You are unbelievable."
Lucien remained patient.
Adeline exhaled softly.
"Do you even like smoking?"
Lucien answered honestly.
"No."
"Then why?"
Lucien pointed toward the cigarette between her fingers.
"You seem relaxed when smoking."
Adeline blinked.
Lucien continued casually.
"So if we both smoke, It becomes a social activity."
Adeline stared at him.
Processing.
'What does he want from this?'
'What is his purpose in approaching me?...'
Then she looked away slightly.
"That logic is terrible."
Lucien kept his hand extended.
"Yet effective."
Adeline muttered something under her breath.
Then she pulled out her cigarette pack.
She slapped one into his palm.
"There."
Lucien immediately placed it between his lips.
Adeline crossed her arms.
"...This is the last one."
Lucien lit it with a small spark.
He inhaled carefully.
His face stiffened again.
Adeline watched.
Lucien held it in for two seconds.
Three seconds.
Then...
"Cough!"
He bent slightly, coughing again.
Adeline groaned.
"I knew it."
Lucien straightened quickly.
"Progress."
Adeline pinched the bridge of her nose.
"You are disturbing my resting time."
Lucien blew out a thin cloud of smoke.
"You are smoking during work hours."
Adeline paused.
That was technically true.
She clicked her tongue quietly.
Lucien sat down on the bench beside her without asking.
Adeline glanced at him.
"You are very comfortable."
Lucien shrugged.
"You didn't say I couldn't sit."
Adeline sighed again.
For a while neither spoke.
Only faint sound of leaves and smoke drifting through the air filled the greenhouse.
Finally Adeline muttered quietly.
"You finished the entire pack i gave you."
Lucien nodded.
"Yes."
Adeline raised an eyebrow.
"And you coughed every single time."
Lucien nodded again.
"Yes."
She looked at him.
"...Why?"
Lucien answered simply.
"Research."
Adeline stared.
Then unexpectedly...
A quiet laugh escaped her mouth.
Not restrained.
Not hidden.
Just a soft laugh.
She quickly cleared her throat and regained her usual composed expression.
But the corner of her lips still twitched.
And once again...
The terrifying Head Professor Adeline, feared throughout the academy...
Found herself sharing a peaceful morning.
smoking with the most suspicious and ridiculous man in the entire academy.