Light and Shadow 9: Unforeseen Meeting
Light and Shadow 9: Unforeseen Meeting
I stared at him and noticed that as if he hadn’t slept in days, his exhaustion evident in his sunken features. His gaze was distant, and I noticed his expression clouded with a mix of confusion and worry.
It was clear that something significant had happened, something that had weighed heavily on his mind, preventing him from reaching out to me. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of concern for him, wondering what had caused him such distress.
“Do you remember what happened to you before we found you?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
“Yes…” he responded. “What happened to me that day is still unclear, but I can remember some of it,” he said, staring into space while his face etched with a serious and frowning expression. “I just remember being abducted by the Shadowfells, but I managed to escape. However, I was severely injured as a result of the fight by dozens of them, but I still managed to flee. Just how I ended up in the mortal realm is something I simply cannot recall… it was still a mystery to me.”
Azriel was visibly frustrated, which is why I patted him on the back. I could tell he was worried by the way he stared at me. I smiled at him in an attempt to cheer him up. He groaned and rested his head on my shoulder.
“She must be your sister…” I blurted out, which only made him nod slightly. “Did you show yourself to her to confirm your hunch?” I asked, patting his back.
Even though it was already apparent, especially how he felt towards the lady when he saw her, we still needed to confirm it. It was still hard to trust a ‘familiar’ stranger, especially since Azriel’s memories weren’t returning all yet.
“I didn’t. I just caught a glimpse of her, yet her effect on me was… immense,” I heard him sigh. “After you left, I also almost immediately left with the woman you saved to bring her here…” he replied, his voice tinged with exhaustion.
We both fell silent, and after a few minutes, we decided to take a stroll outside just like what we always did every time I visited here. Stanford Academy may not be as prestigious as Lumina Academy, but it still has something to be proud of.
Hmm… I think this is the perfect time to tell him why I am here…
“I’m here to tell you about our departure,” I began, looking at him as we stood outside. “Mimi’s decided to return to Luminous Realm maybe next week, so I came to let you know. Even though I wanted you to come with us, I knew you had a family waiting for you… if only we knew where your realm was,” I sigh, “I was worried about leaving you alone here in the mortal realm, knowing that your memories haven’t returned yet. But I guess…”
His happy smile cut me off, leaving me speechless. “I’m truly delighted that your mom has finally decided to bring you to the world you’ve been dreaming of,” he said, his voice brimming with emotion.
His happiness for me was palpable, and it warmed my heart. I could see the excitement and anticipation sparkling in his eyes, reflecting the joy he felt for me. Azriel is like a big brother to me, and I can tell from his eyes that he sees me as his little sister too.
He’s a brother that I never had and have always wanted.
“Anyway, why does this academy seem so empty? Where are the students and faculty members?” I couldn’t help but ask while looking around.
“All students were given a mission by their professors, and they’re currently at the mountain with the faculty members,” he simply answered as we sat on the bench. I nodded while he continued talking. “By the way, the woman from yesterday is still in the infirmary, recovering. Once she recovers from what happened, she will be interviewed by the academy’s staff,” he added, making me look at him.
“Will she be alright?” I asked, my voice filled with concern.
“Hmmm… let’s just hope she will…” he answered, making me pout slightly.
A few minutes later, he decided to go to the cafeteria to grab some ice cream to refresh us, as it was scorching hot today. I just let him go and waited patiently here, however, it had been thirty minutes since he left and he hadn’t returned yet.
The cafeteria wasn’t that far from here, so I couldn’t help but look for him myself. As I approached the cafeteria, my body instinctively pulled me back. I immediately ducked behind the bushes and secretly peeked into the cafeteria’s entrance.
Through a narrow slit, I witnessed Azriel standing amidst a group of seven people: three women and four men, and all looking at him with a mix of bewilderment and unreadable expression. A woman with eyes and hair identical to Azriel’s instantly caught my eye.
Her gaze was a labyrinth of emotions, challenging to comprehend. Nevertheless, a subtle hint in her expression made me wonder if they might be siblings. Tears obscured her words, making it impossible to hear their conversation.
I couldn’t help but feel a sense of joy for Azriel, who had finally reunited with his family after a year of being lost. A smile graced my face, but as I turned to depart quietly, I was startled to find someone standing behind me.
With a hesitant movement, I peered up, my eyes meeting his. He stood tall, while I crouched in the bushes, hidden from view. As our eyes locked, my heart pounded, and an overwhelming desire to escape washed over me.
“I had no idea Headmistress Fe’s student was a spy,” he said, his voice a deep, menacing rumble. His sharp eyes scrutinized me, sending a chill down my spine yet I couldn’t help myself but stare at his face.
His meticulously, perfectly shaped eyebrows were arched, lending him a stern and aloof expression. His jet-black hair, wavy and naturally falling, framed half of his forehead in a slightly tousled and effortlessly handsome style.
He has a strong jawline, a perfectly pointed nose, and naturally reddish bow-shaped lips complete his striking appearance. His features were sharp and angular, contrasting with the softness of his hair. Yet his overall appearance exuded an aura of confidence and authority.
His appearance was so striking that it seemed as if the gods themselves had sculpted him, creating a being of unparalleled beauty.
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