Chapter 21: Lillith at the academy
The next morning, I sat in my usual seat near the back of the classroom while absentmindedly staring out the window.
Snow continued falling lightly outside the academy grounds while students slowly filled the lecture hall around me.
I barely noticed any of them anymore.
Instead, I rested my chin against my hand while thinking about Leo again.
I wondered what he was doing today.
Maybe he was reading one of his books again.
Or maybe he was wandering around the manor waiting for her arrival.
A tiny smile appeared on my face.
The classroom door suddenly opened.
I barely looked toward it—
Until I noticed who walked in.
Clara.
The pink-haired girl looked around nervously for a moment before spotting me near the back.
Then—
To my confusion—
She immediately walked over and sat directly beside me.
Even though there were several completely empty seats elsewhere.
My thoughts about Leo instantly shattered.
I slowly turned toward her.
"...Why are you here?"
Clara flinched slightly before nervously fidgeting with her sleeves.
"I-I wanted to thank you properly for yesterday..."
Right.
That thing.
"...Okay," I replied simply before turning back toward the window again.
A few awkward seconds passed.
Then I quietly added—
"You can leave now."
Clara blinked.
"...Am I not allowed to sit here?"
I shrugged lightly.
"...Suit yourself."
Honestly, I didn’t particularly care.
As long as she didn’t interrupt my thoughts too much.
The lesson eventually began shortly afterward.
Mana manipulation.
Spell efficiency.
Elemental affinity theory.
The usual boring academy topics.
Meanwhile—
I returned to daydreaming about Leo again.
I wondered if he’d miss me enough to hug me first during winter break.
Probably not.
I’d probably have to initiate it myself.
Which I would gladly do like usual .
————
Lunch arrived a few hours later.
As usual, I avoided the crowded dining hall and instead ate outside near one of the quieter garden sections hidden partially behind tall hedges and stone walls.
It was peaceful here.
Mostly because anyone who accidentally found me immediately left.
I sat alone at the small stone table quietly eating lunch while enjoying the silence.
Or at least—
I was until I heard footsteps approaching.
"...So this is where you’ve been."
I looked up.
Clara stood there holding her tray nervously.
Then, before I could say anything—
She sat down across from me.
"...Can I eat here with you?" she asked carefully.
I stared at her in confusion.
This girl was strangely fearless sometimes.
"...Fine," I replied begrudgingly.
Clara immediately smiled softly.
"Thank you."
The two of us ate quietly for a while.
Well—
I ate quietly.
Clara talked.
Mostly random things.
How nervous she’d been entering the academy.
How scary nobles were.
How huge the capital felt compared to where she grew up.
I only half-listened while eating.
Eventually, Clara tilted her head slightly.
"You’re really quiet..."
I looked toward her blankly.
"...And?"
"I was just wondering if there’s anything you actually like talking about."
I opened my mouth absentmindedly before even thinking.
"...Leo."
The moment the name left my mouth—
I froze slightly.
Clara blinked.
"...Leo?"
For some reason, her eyes suddenly seemed interested.
"Who’s Leo?"
And somehow—
Without realizing it—
I started talking.
"He’s from the Aldric territory," I said quietly while looking down at my drink. "He has black hair and dark eyes and he gets embarrassed really easily sometimes."
Clara listened quietly.
"And his favorite color is dark blue," I continued. "He also really likes honey pastries even though he pretends he doesn’t care about sweets."
Why did I know that.
"...And whenever he’s thinking too hard, he taps his fingers against tables without realizing it."
Clara blinked slowly.
"You notice a lot about him..."
I ignored that completely.
"He also sleeps facing the wall."
"...How do you know that?"
"...I just do."
Clara looked increasingly concerned.
Meanwhile, I kept talking.
"And he always acts calm even when he’s panicking inside. Also, he tends to tilt his head slightly whenever he’s confused."
At this point, I had completely forgotten we’d only known each other for a couple days.
"...And sometimes he leaves windows open at night which is dangerous because someone could theoretically sneak inside very easily."
Clara slowly lowered her spoon.
"...Sneak inside?"
I paused.
"...Hypothetically."
There was a brief silence.
Then Clara carefully asked—
"...So... is he your boyfriend?"
My face immediately heated up.
"N-no!"
Far too quickly.
Clara stared at me.
I looked away immediately.
"...Not yet."
The moment those words left my mouth.
Clara nearly choked on her drink.
Clara coughed several times after nearly choking on her drink while I immediately looked away pretending to suddenly find the garden hedges incredibly interesting.
A small grin slowly spread across Clara’s face.
"...So," she said carefully, "it seems like the heartless Lilith NightBane has fallen head over heels for a man."
I immediately turned back toward her.
"I am not heartless."
"That’s the part you disagreed with?"
I froze.
"...I hate you."
Clara giggled softly into her drink.
It was annoying.
Mostly because she was right.
I quietly crossed my arms while looking away again.
"...You wouldn’t understand."
Clara tilted her head slightly.
"What’s he like?"
A faint warmth immediately returned to my face.
"He’s smart," I answered almost instantly. "And kind. Even when he tries pretending not to be."
Clara rested her cheek against her hand while listening.
"And he treats me normally."
That part especially mattered.
Most people feared me.
Admired me.
Avoided me.
But Leo?
He talked to me like I was just... Lilith.
Not the daughter of a duke.
Not an A-rank prodigy.
Not the rumored cursed child.
Just Lilith.
A small smile unknowingly appeared on my face again.
Clara stared at me for a moment before laughing softly.
"You really like him."
"...Maybe."
"That was the least convincing maybe I’ve ever heard."
I ignored her completely.
Eventually, lunch break ended and the two of us began walking back toward the academy building together.
The moment other students noticed us—
They immediately started staring.
More specifically—
They stared at Clara.
Mostly with expressions of confusion and disbelief.
Apparently nobody could understand why the supposedly cold and terrifying Lilith NightBane was willingly walking beside a commoner.
Honestly?
Neither could I.
Clara noticed the stares too and awkwardly scratched her cheek.
"...I think people are scared of you."
"They should be."
Clara laughed nervously.
"...That sounded slightly evil."
I thought about it for a moment.
"...Fair."
As we entered the classroom, conversations instantly quieted again.
Several students openly stared as Clara casually sat beside me once more.
One noble boy looked genuinely horrified.
Like Clara had willingly sat next to a sleeping dragon.
Meanwhile, Clara simply smiled awkwardly and took out her books.
I rested my chin against my hand again while looking out the window.
And naturally—
Within minutes—
My thoughts drifted back toward Leo once more.
