CHAPTER - 198

  Narrator: After everyone had smiled and hugged Selene, Dav got up from the ground, dusting off his pants with a theatrical gesture.

  He exhaled softly, faking an annoyed expression but it was clearly ironic, as if playing a role.

  "Suppose it's my turn to move on now.. it’s almost lunchtime too.

  I’ll make sure Lexia shows up today."

  He thought it without saying a word aloud, as he crossed the threshold of the academy’s main building with a calm pace.

  There was a faint smile on his lips, and in his eyes a tired but peaceful glint.

  Selene followed him with her gaze.

  He walked away with his hands clasped behind his back, the sunlight filtering through the branches casting soft shadows across the stone path.

  He was whistling faintly, like someone who had all the time in the world.

  She smiled tenderly, holding back a sudden emotion.

  She thanked him under her breath, even though she knew he wouldn’t hear her.

  "Thank you again.. for everything."

  Dav wandered through the academy’s empty corridors.

  His footsteps echoed lightly against the floor; he was just looking for a bit of silence.

  Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

  Reaching his room, he quietly pushed the door open and stepped inside with a long breath.

  After a few seconds, he slid open the window and stepped out onto the small private balcony, from which he could see the garden and everyone still outside

  celebrating.

  He leaned his elbows on the cold marble railing and pulled out his phone.

  The sky was clear, and the mild midday breeze tousled his hair.

  A goofy expression crept across his face as he pressed call.

  Lexia’s phone rang twice.

  She was seated on a wide beige couch, reading an old letter published in a French fashion magazine.

  One eyebrow shot up when she saw the name on the screen.

  She got up slowly, wearing that typical “what a pain” expression, and walked over to the glass coffee table.

  She answered with a bored, weary tone:

  "Well.. what do you want now?"

  On the other end, Dav smiled.

  His tone instantly turned sarcastic and theatrical, with a trace of genuine affection hidden behind the irony:

  "Nice way to greet your brother!

  Can’t I just call my little sister to ask how she’s doing?"

  Lexia made a face and dropped back onto the couch.

  She lazily flipped through the magazine with one hand while holding the phone with the other.

  "Depends.. If you’ve got another little sister out there, try her.

  It’s certainly not me.

  So, go on, get to the point. What do you want this time?"

  Dav stifled a laugh. That was just like her.

  And deep down, even if she pretended to be cold, he knew perfectly well how much she cared about him.

  "Do you mind coming over today? I’ve been a bit caught up lately.."

  For a moment, his voice slowed.

  His thoughts drifted to the past few days to everything he’d seen, said, decided.

  “Caught up” was a poor summary for all he carried in his heart.

  Lexia sighed and shook her head, but a sly half-smile appeared on her face.

  "I noticed, yeah. You had a great time with the royals and your London vacation."

  "It wasn’t a vacation! There was the evaluation, and besides.. I couldn’t exactly leave Selene alone at a time like that.

  Anyway, there won’t be much to do today.

  I know if you use your ability for too long you run out of mana."

  Lexia sighed again, but her voice softened almost resigned:

  "Alright.. See you later, little brother."

  Dav grimaced as soon as the call ended.

  He repeated under his breath, out of habit:

  "Brat."

  He was about to head back inside when...

  He felt something brush against his back. A light, sudden touch.

  His heart skipped a beat. He turned sharply, his face suddenly tense and pale as a sheet.

  In front of him, with a wide and genuine smile, stood Doctor Sofia, wearing her usual lab coat and calm expression.

  "Hey, Professor Dav! How’s it going?"

  END OF CHAPTER - 198