After about ten minutes, Belial and Abyss emerged from the corridor around the corner. There was no apparent difference between their departure and their arrivalexcept for the faint flush on their lips.
The hallways outside were nearly deserted due to class hours. They continued walking the same path as before, as if nothing had transpired.
Abyss led the way, striding ahead in silence until he abruptly asked, "Why did you come to the academy?"
Then, as if reconsidering, he added, "You dont have to tell me if youd rather not."
Belial saw no reason to conceal the truth. "I came to borrow a few books."
The First Academy of Arcane Warfare had a long and storied history. Within its ancient castle walls lay remnants of deities, their divine traces offering a sanctuary of peace. Even in times of war and chaos, the academy remained untouched, a tranquil haven amidst the storm. Many ancient texts and manuscripts, lost to destruction in the outside world, had surviving copies preserved in its grand library.
"If those books are in the library," Abyss said after a moment, "I can help you find them."
Belial glanced at him, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Hmm?"
Abyss hesitated. He was not one to complain or seek sympathyhe knew better than to expect anyone to care. He had long since learned to keep his burdens to himself; anything else felt like an indignity.
And besides, there was nothing particularly suspicious about his words. Given his academic record, it was only natural that he would be familiar with the librarys collection.
Yet, against his usual instincts, he confessed, "I live in the library."
Belial raised a brow. "The library? Alone?"
Regret flickered in Abysss eyes. He had never spoken so openly before, but the words had already left his lips. Now, all he could do was feign nonchalance and smooth over the revelation with a half-truth. "When the dormitories were assigned, I was the extra one. Having a four-person room all to myself seemed like a waste, so the academy arranged for me to stay in the library. The rooms there suited me better, and I prefer the quiet."
Had Belial not studied at this academy herselfhad she not, by pure coincidence, also been left without roommates in her first year, only to be placed with three younger students the following yearshe might have believed him.
But she knew the truth. The real reason was obvious: no student wanted to share a room with a revenant. That was why Abyss had been given solitary lodging in the library.
Abyss walked ahead, resisting the urge to glance back at Belial expression. He wanted to say something, anything, to move past the subject.
But he had never been skilled at conversation. Socializing had never been a part of his life, and the art of casual chatter was a skill entirely absent from his repertoire.
They descended the staircase, Belial remaining silent all the while. Abyss felt a strange mix of relief and something more elusivesomething almost like disappointment.
As they reached the last step, he glanced around, about to ask whether she preferred a stroll through the courtyard or a visit to the tranquil lake behind the castle. But before he could speak, Belial stepped forward and took his gloved, skeletal hand in hers.
"Lets go to the lake," she said.
Abyss felt the unmistakable flow of magic between their joined hands. He turned to her in curiosity, and she met his gaze with a smile. "A concealment charm," she explained. "It took some time to weave, but it should be enough to deceive Headmistress Gullveigs eyes."
With it, they could walk hand in hand without attracting suspicionjust like any other pair of lovers strolling by the lake.
Let them shun him if they must. He had her by his side.
Only now did Abyss realize that Belial silence earlier had not been indifferenceit had been preparation. He stared at her, momentarily at a loss. And in that moment, he understoodno words of sympathy or comfort could ever compare to the quiet, thoughtful gestures she offered him instead.
They walked together along the lakes edge, their conversation flowing effortlessly, until Miller arrived to fetch Belial. Only then did they part ways.
Belial spell had fooled Miller completely; she never noticed that Belial had been holding hands with another student in plain sight. Instead, she was too preoccupied with the absurdity of the latest news: the headmistress had decided that Belial would substitute for her unfortunate colleague and teach a class.
Belialbarely of age, a half-elf with vampiric lineage. The very idea was laughable.
After she left with Miller, Abyss made his way back to the library. On the way, Baldrs voice echoed in his mind, full of disdain.
"Kissing a half-elfone whos about to become a teacher, no lessinside the academy castle. I should be grateful that, aside from Headmistress Gullveig, no one else knows about our connection."
Abyss knew what he meant.
It wasnt just Baldranyone who found out would be scandalized. If they were discovered, both he and Belial would be drowned beneath the weight of societal condemnation. As Baldrs other half, Abyss would undoubtedly drag him down with him.
And yet, he simply replied, "Youre planning to destroy a kingdom. Why does this bother you?"
Baldr fell silent.
Then, after a pause, he muttered, "Has she made you more eloquent?"
Abyss chuckled, uncharacteristically lighthearted. "Perhaps."
"Shes also made you foolish," Baldr retorted.
Because Abyss must have knownsilent incantations required immense concentration and unparalleled mastery over magic. If ones control was lacking, not only would the spell fail to amplify its intended effects, but it would also become fragile, prone to breaking.
Yet Belial had succeeded. Not only had she performed a silent incantation, but she had also woven it with such precision that it had fooled even the headmistress.
Baldrs voice turned cold. "She is no ordinary girl."
Abyss merely smiled. "And yet, she risked exposing herself just to offer me a moment of solace."
"Youre hopeless," Baldr declared in exasperation.
Abyss said nothing. Upon returning to the library, he relinquished control of their shared body, letting Baldr take over.
Baldr barely had time to adjust before the librarian turned to him, concern evident in her gaze. "You dont look well."
Unlike Abyss, who evoked unease merely by existing, Baldr was universally adored. Even the academys most rebellious student, Freyr Bright, had placed his trust in him.
"Im fine," Baldr replied with a gentle smile. He noticed the towering cart of books beside hervolumes carelessly abandoned by studentsand offered to help.
The librarians fondness for him only deepened. "If every student were like you, I wouldnt have to lose my temper every day."
"One day, theyll appreciate you," Baldr said smoothly, reshelving books with practiced ease. "If not, then that is their loss."
As a token of gratitude, the librarian gifted him a slice of his favorite cake.
Then, almost as an afterthought, she placed a key before him. "This is for you. I recall you mentioning an interest in certain texts from the restricted section. Two professors have approved your requestbut the headmistress has yet to sign off."
Baldrs expression remained unreadable. "She is only doing her duty."
"Perhaps. But the books you want are in the first tier of the restricted archivesany professor can access them. Youre graduating soon, and if you werent the churchs chosen saint, youd be more than qualified to stay on as a lecturer. So go ahead. I wont tell."
Baldr hesitated, then shook his head. "I cannot accept this. Nor should you risk yourself for me. If you were punished because of me, I would never forgive myself."
The librarian looked heartbroken.
Baldr left, feigning departureonly to ascend to the highest floor of the library instead.
There, in Abysss so-called dormitory, lay a concealed teleportation array, a direct link to the Churchs Grand Archive.
Today should have been a rare moment of respite. Instead, Abyss had stolen most of it.
And Baldr was not pleased.