The Smiling Death

The pager continued to blink softly in Seraphina's hand.

Beep. Beep.

She took a slow breath, then pressed the button to accept the call.

A familiar voice came through almost immediately.

"Sera."

Seraphina straightened without realizing it. Her posture became neat and composed, as if she were standing before royalty instead of sitting on her bed.

"Big sister," she replied calmly.

On the other side of the pager, Selena Aurellian smiled. Even through voice alone, her warmth was unmistakable.

"It's been a while. How are you doing?" Selena asked. "Are you eating properly? Training too hard again?"

"I'm fine," Seraphina answered. "Training as usual. Nothing unusual."

Selena chuckled lightly. "You always say that. Still living however you want instead of like a noble lady, I assume."

Seraphina glanced briefly around her simple room, then answered honestly. "Yes."

"Good! Good! You are just like me. That's a very good habit," Selena praised her from the other side for not being like a troublesome noble lady.

They spoke for a few moments like that.

About daily routines, academy matters, small things that did not truly matter.

Selena asked about her health. Seraphina answered briefly but properly. It was a normal conversation—comfortable, familiar.

Then Selena's tone shifted slightly.

Casual. Almost offhand.

"Oh, right," Selena said. "There's something I should tell you. Actually, I contacted you for that."

Seraphina's fingers tightened around the pager.

"What is it?" she asked, her voice steady, though her heartbeat had already begun to quicken.

"Amon is safe."

For a moment, Seraphina did not respond. Her golden eyes widened in surprise.

"…What?" she said quietly.

"He was found," Selena continued calmly. "Soldiers located him on that island. He's alive."

The words echoed in Seraphina's mind.

Safe and alive.

Her grip on the pager loosened. The tightness in her chest that she had not even realized was there suddenly eased, as if something heavy had finally been lifted.

"I see…" she murmured.

Selena smiled on the other end. "I thought you should know. You're his friend, after all."

Seraphina swallowed. "Thank you… big sister."

"Of course," Selena replied. "Since I've told you, you can inform the others too. His friends. I'm sure they're worried as well."

Seraphina nodded, even though Selena could not see it. "I will."

There was a brief pause before Selena spoke again.

"It might take weeks for him to return, though," she added. "You know that it takes a week or more than that to travel to that place by ship."

Seraphina closed her eyes briefly.

Weeks.

"I understand," she said. "As long as he's safe."

"That's the spirit," Selena said warmly. "Alright then. I won't keep you. Take care of yourself, Sera."

"You too, big sister."

"Goodbye."

The connection ended.

The pager dimmed, its light fading as silence returned to the room.

Seraphina remained still, staring at the device in her hand.

Then slowly, she lowered it and placed it back on the desk.

Her gaze drifted to the soft toy still resting on her bed.

She picked it up again, holding it gently.

"…You're safe," she whispered.

This time, her voice did not tremble.

She lay back against the mattress, the toy resting against her chest. Her expression remained calm and composed as always—but her eyes were softer now. Lighter.

For the first time in many days, she allowed herself to relax.

"Hah, so you will be back soon," she murmured quietly.

Outside, the sunlight continued to pour through the tall windows of the palace, warm and steady, as if the world itself had chosen to reassure her.

He was alive.

And that was enough for now.

But then her eyes frowned.

It's summer vacation… even if he comes back, I can only meet him after vacation ends. She felt slightly dejected.

---

Arcadia Academy.

The academy was a huge place with various buildings, one of which was for professors. Their quarters.

In one particular room. It was spacious and big. One bedroom, a separate kitchen and even small living room.

In bedroom of that place, an enchanting yet gentle woman sat in front of a mirror.

Her long, bright green hair lay loose down her back. Her yellow eyes stared at her own reflection.

Currently, she was wearing a red, baggy top that covered her whole upper body, yet it couldn't hide her biggest features, something Amon was a fan of.

On the lower half, she was wearing a black, flowing skirt. Wrapping around her wide hips and plump thighs.

She was Adelia Evangeline. Amon's favorite professor, despite not teaching a single subject.

Though it was summer vacation, she still decided to remain at the academy. There were many reasons for that, one of them being Amon.

Amon's disappearance.

She somehow blamed herself for that. Protecting students was her responsibility, yet she still lost one of them. If that was not enough, it was someone who was closer to her than any other student.

She felt guilty for that. Since the day of his disappearance.

But right now.

There was a gentle smile on her face.

The reason was yesterday's news. While working in the academy office at night.

Despite the academy having holidays, it didn't mean there were no other duties for them.

While doing work, news arrived that the first-year lost student had been found.

Which made her really happy and relieved. A heavy burden on her heart was lifted.

She gazed at the leaf-shaped crystal hairpin in her green hair. A gift from her cheeky student.

"So he will be back in a few weeks."

The ship was going to be sent today, so it would take more than a week to go there and the same amount of time to come back.

No matter what, it was good news.

"He really survived there… thank the goddess," she thanked the Goddess.

It was totally wrong. There, Amon had been praying to the goddess so much, but he survived on his own, not because some goddess helped him.

Adelia chuckled while thinking of Amon. How that boy always tried to flirt with her without any shame. Honestly, she should have been offended. But his innocent looks saved him.

Not to mention his sweet talk, which usually should never work on women.

Her yellow eyes were calm. A small gentle smile playing on her lips.

Everything was slowly turning back to normal.

---

[A/N: Hehe~ I just thought you guys might want to see how Fls are feeling. Though I didn't wrote in much details. I think this much should be enough. Anyways enjoy your day guys. Don't forget to support me~. Also thank you so much for your gift JinTian]