Chapter 66: A Confrontation That Ends with Another Confrontation.

Chapter 66: Chapter 66: A Confrontation That Ends with Another Confrontation.

When class ended, Taliah gathered her things and turned toward him.

"Draven."

"Yes?"

"We need to talk."

Draven studied her expression.

"About what?"

"About your behavior."

"My behavior?"

"You’ve been distracted all morning."

"I was just tired."

Taliah frowned.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Of course."

"How many hours?"

Draven remained thoughtful for a moment.

"...Enough."

"That’s not exactly precise."

"It’s a perfectly reasonable answer."

"Draven."

"..."

Taliah sighed.

"Is one of your injuries bothering you?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Completely."

The girl watched him for several seconds and then lowered her voice slightly.

"Are you still thinking about what happened in the forest?"

Draven stopped smiling, because that question was different.

Taliah had also been there during the aftermath of the attack and had found Draven gravely injured, so it was understandable that she was worried.

"A little."

He answered at last, and Taliah watched him.

"Draven..."

"I’m fine."

"That doesn’t mean you should pretend nothing happened."

The young man remained silent while Taliah continued speaking.

"Someone tried to kill you."

"I know."

"And we still don’t know who it was."

"I’m aware of that too."

The girl lowered her gaze briefly.

"Then you should be more careful."

Draven smiled slightly.

"I’m trying."

Taliah immediately lifted her gaze.

"Why do I feel like you’re hiding something from me?"

Draven remained still.

’Because you’re right.’

However, he couldn’t say it.

"Probably because you worry too much."

Taliah frowned.

"I worry because you always end up getting involved in trouble!"

"That’s an exaggeration."

"You almost died a few days ago!"

"..."

Draven decided not to argue that point, so Taliah let out a sigh and then continued in a calmer tone.

"I just want you to be careful."

Draven looked at her for a few seconds and finally nodded.

"I will."

"Do you promise?"

"..."

"You have to promise."

Draven smiled.

"I promise."

Taliah seemed to relax a little.

"Good."

Then she picked up her books.

"Then let’s go."

"Where?"

"To the dining hall."

Draven raised an eyebrow.

"Is it that time already?"

"It is."

Taliah looked at him.

"You weren’t paying attention to the schedule either?"

"..."

The girl sighed again.

"You definitely need to rest."

Draven started walking beside her.

’If you knew what I did last night...’

She probably wouldn’t leave him alone for several weeks.

As they crossed one of the academy’s outer corridors, Draven continued thinking about his investigation.

He had obtained an important lead, but he still needed to find a way to use it.

’Maybe I could start with the commercial records.’

Mercenary companies needed resources like weapons, supplies, lodging, and transport.

Even clandestine organizations had to maintain some kind of infrastructure.

If he managed to identify the facilities near the coordinates, he could narrow down the possibilities considerably.

’Though for that I need a more detailed map of Drakar.’

The maps available to ordinary students probably wouldn’t show private facilities, and military records were completely out of his reach.

’Maybe Zenash can get something.’

However, before asking for her help again, he wanted to check whether other options existed, since he couldn’t constantly depend on her.

Besides, he still remembered the promise he had been forced to make during one of their last conversations.

’An entire day together.’

Draven smiled slightly.

’Though that doesn’t seem too complicated.’

The real problem would be making sure Zenash didn’t discover his secret relationship with Yruza.

’I definitely have too many problems.’

Draven let out a small sigh.

"Again?"

Taliah’s voice interrupted his thoughts, and Draven turned toward her.

"What?"

"You’re sighing."

"And?"

"It’s the fourth time since we left the classroom."

"..."

Draven raised an eyebrow.

"Are you counting my sighs?"

"Because you’re acting strange!"

"I always act strange."

"Don’t joke!"

Draven let out a small laugh while Taliah watched him with clear frustration.

"I really don’t know what to do with you."

"You could stop worrying so much."

"Of course not."

The answer was immediate, and Draven smiled.

"You didn’t even think about it."

"I don’t need to."

Taliah crossed her arms.

"Someone has to make sure you stay alive."

"How considerate."

"I’m serious!"

"I know."

They both continued walking, but just as they were about to reach one of the courtyards that connected to the dining hall, they heard several voices coming from a nearby corridor.

"Hey! We’re talking to you!"

Draven slowed his pace slightly, because the voice sounded familiar, and Taliah heard it too.

"What’s going on?"

Draven didn’t answer immediately, and another male voice was heard.

"Why are you always acting like that?"

Then a third appeared.

"Our friend just wants to talk to you!"

Draven frowned slightly.

’Wait...’

He recognized those voices, and not exactly because he had good memories of their owners.

"Draven?"

Taliah looked at him.

"Do you know them?"

The young man remained silent for a moment and then sighed.

"Unfortunately, yes."

Taliah raised an eyebrow.

"Who are they?"

Draven started walking toward the place the voices were coming from.

"Some idiots."

Taliah followed him, and when they reached the corner of the corridor, they heard the first student again.

"Stop ignoring me!"

Draven recognized that voice immediately.

’Selmar Velgrimm.’

He also recognized the voices of Mirholt Braskill and Tervin Roskell.

’What are they up to now?’

Taliah frowned.

"Are they bothering someone?"

"Looks like it."

Draven advanced a few more steps and then heard a female voice.

"I-I..."

The young man stopped while the girl seemed nervous.

"P-Please..."

Selmar answered immediately.

"Then stop acting like an idiot!"

Draven raised his eyebrows slightly.

’It can’t be.’

That female voice also sounded familiar, and Taliah observed his expression.

"What’s wrong?"

Draven didn’t answer. He approached the corner and finally saw what was happening.

Selmar Velgrimm stood in front of a young woman wearing the academy uniform, while Mirholt and Tervin flanked her, blocking her escape.

The girl kept her head slightly lowered and clutched her books against her chest.

Her expression was timid and she seemed unable to defend herself, but Draven knew that appearance perfectly.

’Seriously?’

The young woman lifted her face slightly, and her glasses reflected the corridor lighting, revealing that it was Lansholt Calenne.

At that, Draven could only think one thing.

’These idiots have no idea who they’re messing with.’