Chapter 44: Angry

“Ah, it’s snowing.”

Having endured an unknown duration of torment within the Sea of Flowers, Ewan emerged from the Grand Bell Tower just as the first delicate snowflakes drifted down from the vast, white sky.

Winter had arrived.

A sigh escaped Ewan, a sudden wave of melancholy washing over him.

Unbeknownst to him, he had already witnessed three seasons change within these walls. While the duration didn’t seem particularly long, Ewan couldn’t shake the feeling that an eternity had passed.

“Speaking of which, it seems I haven’t attended a regular class in ages.”

In front of the Grand Bell Tower, students passed by with youthful exuberance. Upon noticing Ewan standing to the side, their expressions shifted to surprise.

However, Ewan rarely saw the fear and disdain in their eyes that he once did. Now, it was merely the astonishment and curiosity of seeing someone who had vanished for a long time suddenly reappear.

Even a daring first-year girl giggled as she approached him, striking up a conversation. “Senior Ewan, you’ve been gone for so long. Did you go off to charm another super battleship?”

“What do you think?” Ewan playfully winked in return.

“I heard the date for your engagement ceremony with the Student Council President has already been set. Aren’t you afraid of facing her wrath if you keep flirting like this?”

“She wouldn’t dare!”

Ewan straightened his face. “Don’t you know who truly holds sway in the Campbell family?”

“Hehe, I recorded that! I’m going to tell the President!”

“No, no, no…”

After a playful exchange, Ewan abandoned the idea of attending class right away.

He had already skipped so many classes; one more day wouldn’t make a difference.

Moreover, ever since he became Mera’s disciple, the academy’s professors seemed to have tacitly approved of his prolonged absence from lectures.

Indeed, having a powerful backer made all the difference. Before, he had to haggle with Kellen for ages just to get a month’s leave.

“In any case, I should relax first.”

He had been thoroughly tormented in the Sea of Flowers by Mera and the Mercury Well. Although all physical injuries and fatigue had fully recovered, his mind still needed some appropriate relaxation.

Achieving maximum efficiency required a balance between work and rest.

As for how to relax…

Ewan’s eyes darted to the junior girl beside him. “Junior, do you know anyone skilled in plant-based magic?”

****

Ancient Potion Classroom.

In the quiet classroom, a rhythmic knocking suddenly echoed. “Little bunny, little bunny, open the door, the big bad wolf is here.”

“…”

“Oh, is the little bunny not here?”

The classroom door suddenly swung open, revealing a golden head peeking in.

Ewan’s gaze shifted, and he saw Anna sitting quietly by the window.

She was still at her usual desk, turned to the side, resting her chin on her hand, silently watching the snowflakes fall outside.

Her silver uniform outlined a devilishly perfect figure. Beneath her pale red pleated skirt, two slender legs, encased in black stockings, crossed and naturally dangled from the desk, her polished leather shoes gently tapping the floor.

She seemed to be humming a song, keeping time with her feet.

“Huh? Didn’t you hear me?”

Ewan blinked, then raised his voice. “Little Bunny? Senior?”

Anna still didn’t turn around, as if she hadn’t noticed an extra person in the classroom at all.

‘Something’s not right…’

Ewan knew the situation was somewhat dire, and his expression immediately turned serious.

He tiptoed into the classroom, hooked his foot, gently closed the door, and then locked it. He then scurried over to Anna.

“Senior?”

“…”

“My dear Senior?”

“…”

“My dearest, dearest Senior Anna?”

“…”

“Oh, dear, could it be that you’re angry?”

Ewan leaned down, trying to catch Anna’s eye.

But she kept her chin propped, gazing out the window, refusing to look at him. Ewan could only see her profile.

The tear mole at the corner of her eye still exuded a captivating charm, and her exquisite face was serene, seemingly devoid of any emotional change.

Yet, she was definitely angry.

‘Strange, I don’t think I did anything to make Senior angry.’

Ewan scratched his head in confusion.

He had been suffering torment in the Sea of Flowers all this time. How could he possibly have done anything to upset Senior?

‘Could it be that she’s angry simply because I haven’t come to see her these past few days? When did Senior become so clingy?’

“Senior, are you truly not going to acknowledge me?”

“…” Still no response.

“You can ignore me if you want…”

Ewan moved closer, his tone gentle. “But you can’t possibly ignore this bouquet of the most beautiful flowers in the entire academy, which I went to great lengths to find for you in this bleak winter, can you?”

As he spoke, Ewan suddenly produced a bouquet from behind his back.

The vibrant red petals glistened with dew, appearing even more dazzling against the pristine white snow outside the window. A faint floral scent wafted through the air, intertwining with Anna’s subtle fragrance, making it exceptionally captivating.

As if drawn by the flowers, Anna finally turned her head.

“The most beautiful flowers in the academy?”

Anna lowered her gaze, a faint, radiant smile gracing her exquisite features.

“Yes, yes, the most beautiful flowers!”

Seeing the icy facade melt, Ewan was overjoyed and quickly said, “Senior, look, the academy is completely covered in white. Where else could I find such beautiful flowers? I went through a lot of trouble, from…”

“But if they are the most beautiful flowers, why aren’t you giving them to your soon-to-be-fiancée? Why bring them to me?”

Senior’s smile remained radiant.

Ewan’s expression, however, froze instantly.

“Se… Senior?”

Ewan stared blankly at the girl before him, who emitted not a single hint of danger, yet his teeth chattered involuntarily. “You… you’re not still angry about that day, are you?”

“That day? I have no idea which day you’re referring to, Ewan.”

Anna flicked her hair, chuckling softly. “Are you talking about the day you were taken away by that princess? How could that be? Am I the kind of person who gets angry over such trivial matters?”

‘Nonsense!’

‘She’s definitely angry!’

Ewan shivered and immediately explained, “Senior, please listen to me. I had no choice in that situation. You know how forceful Celicia is, and I’m no match for her. Being dragged away by her was unavoidable!”

“Is that so? Indeed, since you’re so weak, it’s understandable that you couldn’t resist being forcibly dragged away.”

Anna’s tone shifted, and she suddenly said, “But if we were to disregard the strength factor and give you another chance to choose…”

Listening to her soft words and watching her red lips part, Ewan’s eyes widened suddenly.

The premonition of death once again buzzed frantically in his mind.

‘No, this won’t do.’

‘I can’t let Senior continue speaking, or I’ll definitely fall into that terrifying death-question trap again!’

“Given another chance to choose, Junior would… Mmph!”

Anna’s question was cut short.

Because Ewan suddenly leaned down, choosing to fiercely kiss Senior’s lips, which were even more tender than the flowers.