It was evening. Street lights turned on and smoke was billowing out of the chimneys.

Dusk was falling and it was the time people would gradually head back home.

Desir was also hurrying his steps back to the academy dormitory. He wasnt alone, however, someone was casually following him.

It wasnt a stalker. For a stalker, the person was far too confident, brazen even, This individual clearly wanted their presence to be noticed.

The person who was walking behind Desir had a smaller build than him. Their face couldnt be seen due to their hood.

How did I not notice them sooner?

Desir was always on alert, monitoring his surroundings for anything suspicious. Though such a habit would make anyone else seem paranoid, Desirs alertness was a result of necessity; anyone forced to live in the Shadow Labyrinth for ten years would be the same.

Even still, Desir had been caught with his pants down. Somehow, some way, someone was walking right next to him and he didnt notice.

Furthermore, they were exuding an overwhelmingly potent aura. His instincts told him that this person was strong, even stronger than Hersaint-Blanc.

Nervous to his core, Desir held his composure and maintained his pace.

Privately meeting a journalist in a rural area like this, arent you acting a bit too suspicious for someone praised as a hero?

*Thump*

Desir stopped walking, not because the voice was that of a female, nor because his meeting with Aylus News was exposed.

He had recognised the voice. He had definitely heard it a lot in the Shadow Labyrinth, but he couldnt quite place it

The stature of a smaller female, Southern accent, someone from the Empire, and this intense aura

No need to worry. Im not interested in others private lives.

As if to dance, she did a full spin and blocked Desirs path.

The hood uncovered and her face was shown. She was good looking and had distinct facial features.

Desir got undeniable confirmation that his guess was correct. But he couldnt show that, not in front of her.

Is there anything I can help you with? You seem to know a lot about me, but I cant say the same about you.

Youll know soon enough.

She didnt reveal who she was, but Desir already knew about her in detail. He recalled her identity as he kept his smirk to himself.

Swan Katerina, Queen Class Archer.

Swan was criticized for her rash behaviors, but she was amazing in the sense that she could cover up all of her shortcomings with her level of skill.

And one of the Royal Guards.

The direct bodyguards for the Hebrion Emperor, the Royal Guards.

Despite only having four members, they were regarded as the most elite force within the Hebrion Empire.

Why would a Royal Guard look for me?

As though she could read Desirs mind, the answer was quickly given.

Hm I thought youd be a potato since you were hiding your face and all. I guess I was wrong?

I doubt you came just to see my face, so whats the deal here?

Swan shrugged.

Too bad. I did come all the way just to see your face.

Desir was lost for words.

It probably wasnt a lie. She had a fairly impulsive personality.

Thanks to her personality, the captain of the Royal Guards often struggled to clean up after her. She was probably here to merely satisfy her curiosity.

Well meet again soon.

*Whoosh*

Swan backed off with a smile, and soon blended in with the darkness of the night street.

* * *

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Romantica was slouching on the couch in the party office.

And it wasnt just to escape the suffocating heat, albeit that was a good reason.

Romantica had long grown bored of the book she was reading, and had been swinging it around her fingers. Desperate for a distraction, she voiced her thoughts, breaking the silence.

The weather is already exhausting enough. The test is just adding fuel to the fire.

Realizing she wasnt going to get the break she craved, she turned back towards her studies and began casting a spell. Suddenly, a stream of wind blew into the office.

The stream of wind maintained its strength without affecting the documents Desir was studying, nor the book Romantica was reading.

Achieving an impressive level of control and maintaining the strength of the spell wasnt an easy task, but Romantica managed it all while resuming her book.

The sight brought a smile to his lips.

She really has improved.

Desir yawned as he skimmed the interior of the party office. There were only two of them in the office. The academys Promotion Battle had been postponed as a result of the war, but now that normal life had resumed everyone was out training in preparation.

Since the academy had been forced to close, the Promotion Battle was serving not only as their midterm exam, but also their final.

It was already a crucial exam to begin with, but the circumstances made the exam exceptionally important.

Desirs mind drifted to the rest of the Starling Partys members.

Despite all the pressure, the party members managed to maintain their confidence..

It wasnt overconfidence either; they had all undergone significant growth as a result of Desirs training regimine. They were able to firmly hold their ground against both the Blue Moon Party and the Red Dragon Party.

After surviving Desirs spartan training, there was nothing left in the world capable of scaring them.

Romantica suddenly let out a sigh.

Hah, I wish I could go back to when I was a first year.

Her complaint was reasonable. Unlike the first years, second and third years didnt have all their exams replaced by the Promotion Battle and had to take multiple written exams at the same time.

In the end, there was no way, other than diligently studying, to avoid failing. No exceptions, even for Single Rankers.

Nevertheless, the reason why Romantica was stuck studying in the party office was because the others had been diligently practicing all along and thus didnt need any additional cramming.

So, Prams practically living in the training area trying to reach Bishop Class, and Adjest is working on controlling the Center of Ice, huh?

Desir put his pen down and yawned.

I guess thats it for todays work.

Desir collapsed right into the couch that was opposite from the one Romantica was sitting on.

A cool breeze gently greeted his face.

Romantica broke the silence while maintaining focus on the book.

Wanna go shopping together, if you got time?

Desir gave it some thought and accepted her offer.

Sure, why not. I have some equipment Ive been meaning to pick up.

Just as Desir got up from the seat, his communication bracelet began to buzz. It was Professor Hersaint-Blanc calling.

[-Desir, are you busy right now?]

As Desir gave Romantica a glance, she let out a disappointed sigh and shrugged.

No, I just got some free time.

[-Great. I have something urgent to tell you, so please come to my office.]

*Beep*

The call was over.

Sorry. Lets go shopping sometime later.

Romantica shrugged.

Oh well, it cant be helped.

She acted as if she was fine, but her disappointment was apparent.

Well definitely go next time.

When? A year from now?

Desir smiled at Romanticas teasing..

This week.

Thats a promise, right?

Leaving a delighted Romantica behind, Desir headed to Professor Hersaint-Blancs office.

* * *

You will meet the Emperor.

It was a rather matter-of-fact statement from Hersaint-Blanc, given that Desir had barely stepped through the door.

Hersaint-Blanc was a close advisor to the Emperor, even though one may not expect it. They had kept this relationship on the down-low while in public.

Ever since Desir had begun working for the Emperor, he had taken up the role of liaison between the two..

Unlike the private meeting last time during the masquerade ball, this time its an official summons.

Until now, conversation between the Emperor and Desir had been a national secret. It was crucial to the Emperor that their relationship be kept secret from the nobles who still pushed for the divide between commoner and noble.

But the circumstances had changed.

It was true that until now, it was better to keep Desir hidden. But thanks to Desir making an international name for himself, the Emperor had decided it would be best if they revealed that the Empire was working with Desir.

Desir, upon hearing this, quickly came to this conclusion.

So he wants to take advantage of my reputation.

For anyone else, that couldve been considered offensive, but Hersaint-Blanc had long learned to simply accept it.

Probably, yes, since youre an important figure in the country now.

Desir got lost in his thoughts.

At this rate, the public will believe Im on the Emperors side.

If that happened, Desir would lose all sway with any nobles who held disdain for the Emperor.

But that was a sacrifice Desir was more than willing to make. Most of those nobles were also the ones who despised commoners, and many of them would consider Desir to be a threat. Chalking up changing their minds to be a lost cause, Desir had no reason to reject the Emperors offer.

Desir bowed and said.

Ill get ready as quickly as I can.

But a question came to his mind.

If the Emperor wanted to publicly establish their relationship, why would he choose a private meeting? If that was his goal, why wouldnt he host a public event?

Suddenly, yesterdays event came to Desirs mind.

Swan Katerina

The Royal Guard was an organization that belonged to the royal family, not the Empire. They were the Emperors sword that swung for him alone.

Des1r had a suspicion that his encounter with Swan might be related to this private meeting with the Emperor.

-

Chapter brought to you by The Patrons.

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ED: Purplemen101

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QC: Nhan