That's called a self-destruct system

Now, he had to face Aelric again—this time, in a classroom setting where he couldn't escape.

He adjusted his satchel and strode toward the Innovation Hall.

The Innovation Hall was a marvel of design, seamlessly blending magic and engineering. The ceiling was a transparent dome, enchanted to shift between an open sky and a holographic blueprint display. Workstations were arranged in a circular pattern, each customized to the students' respective fields. The air hummed with the gentle pulse of active enchantments and the faint scent of burning metal.

And right in the middle of it all, sitting at their usual spot, was Aelric.

The fairy's presence was instantly familiar, but something was… off.

Gone was his usual vibrant energy, his wings fluttering with excitement. Instead, he sat quietly at their workstation, idly tracing patterns into the wooden surface.

His golden hair, normally a wild mess, looked a little less windswept. His wings drooped slightly, lacking their usual eager flicker.

It was subtle—most people wouldn't notice.

But Theron did.

"…You look like you've been cursed."

Aelric's head snapped up, his emerald-green eyes widening in surprise. For a split second, his expression was unreadable—shock, relief, and something else. Then, a slow grin spread across his face, not as bright as usual, but genuine.

"THERON!"

Before Theron could react, Aelric flitted up from his seat and launched himself forward.

Theron barely had time to step back before the fairy collided against him, wrapping his arms around Theron's neck.

Oh.

Aelric… hugged him.

It was brief—just a second—but fiercely tight, as if he needed physical confirmation that Theron was real.

Then, just as quickly, Aelric pulled back, clearing his throat and fixing his tunic as if nothing happened.

"You look terrible," Aelric announced, squinting at him.

Theron rolled his eyes. "Charming."

"You are alive, though, which means Bronn owes me five gold pieces," Aelric continued, flopping back onto the workstation. "I told him you wouldn't die of stress."

Theron raised a brow. "That was… a bet?"

Aelric shrugged. "You disappeared for weeks and then wouldn't see anyone. We had to entertain ourselves somehow."

Despite his words, Aelric's voice lacked its usual teasing bite.

Theron sat down across from him, setting his satchel beside the table. He hesitated, then asked, "…You okay?"

Aelric blinked, caught off guard. "Me?"

Theron gave him a pointed look. "You're quieter than usual. And you didn't ask a hundred questions the second you saw me."

Aelric's wings twitched slightly. "I figured I'd let you breathe first."

Theron frowned.

Aelric was never this patient.

The fairy must have noticed his suspicion because he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, I still want to know everything—why you disappeared, what project had you locked in your lab, and what exactly made you break down—but…" His gaze flickered downward, voice softer. "I saw you that day, Theron. I saw you crying."

Theron stiffened.

Aelric exhaled sharply. "I don't know what happened. But I know it wasn't just some failed experiment." He looked up, green eyes serious. "So, I won't push. Not yet."

That was… unexpected.

Theron wasn't sure how to respond. He wasn't used to people giving him space without demanding answers.

Aelric stretched his arms above his head, attempting to shift the mood. "Now, you are telling me eventually. But for today, I'll be nice and just say—" He gestured toward their workstation. "—Welcome back to the worst class of the century."

Theron huffed a quiet laugh. "It's not that bad."

Aelric gave him a deadpan look. "You have not read today's assignment."

Before Theron could question it, their instructor, Professor Luthan, strode into the room, his robes trailing behind him as the enchanted blackboard flickered to life.

The topic for the day's project appeared in glowing letters.

"TEAM PROJECT: PAIR UP TO DESIGN A FUNCTIONAL PROTOTYPE."

Aelric groaned. "Oh, this is going to be a nightmare."

Theron glanced at him. "It's a project-based class. What did you expect?"

"I expected not to get stuck with Vanessa" Aelric grumbled, gesturing toward a tall, green-haired elemental seated across the room. "She keeps setting my notes on fire. On purpose."

Theron smirked. "Have you considered not annoying her?"

"Where's the fun in that?"

Their instructor cleared his throat, gaining the class's attention. "Since some of you have graciously returned to us after an extended absence—" His gaze lingered on Theron for a moment. "—I will allow you to choose your partners."

Aelric perked up. "Oh, perfect. You're with me."

Theron raised a brow. "You're assigning me?"

"Yes," Aelric said cheerfully. "Because one, you owe me for the stress you caused. And two, I refuse to get burnt by Vanessa again."

Theron sighed. "Fine."

Aelric grinned. "Excellent. Now, tell me—what's the most dangerous thing we can build?"

Theron rubbed his temples. This was going to be a very long class.

Class had gone about as smoothly as Theron had expected—which was to say, it was a mess.

Aelric, naturally, had insisted on designing something borderline illegal, and Theron had spent most of the time redirecting the fairy's enthusiasm into something that wouldn't get them expelled. It had been a battle of logic versus chaos, and somehow, they had managed to create a prototype that was both functional and not an immediate safety hazard.

Now, with class over and their project successfully submitted, they made their way toward the cafeteria.

"I'm just saying," Aelric chattered beside him, wings twitching with energy, "if we had added just one more arcane capacitor, we could've made it explode and clean up after itself."

Theron shot him a flat look. "That's called a self-destruct sequence."

"Exactly!"

Theron sighed, rubbing his temple. "You're going to get arrested one day."

"Nah," Aelric said breezily. "I'm too pretty for jail."

They turned a corner, the hallway buzzing with students heading toward their own destinations. The scent of food from the cafeteria drifted in the air—freshly baked bread, roasted meats, and something that smelled suspiciously like burnt honey.

Theron was just about to comment on it when he spotted Bronn.

The vampire was marching toward them, looking exceptionally displeased. His usually immaculate uniform was slightly rumpled, his crimson eyes glinting with irritation, and there was a tension in his jaw that suggested murderous intent.

Aelric, to his credit, reacted instantly.

The second his gaze landed on Bronn, he spun on his heel and bolted—so fast that Theron barely had time to register the movement before Aelric vanished down the hallway like a seasoned fugitive.

There was a beat of silence.

Then—

"AELRIC"

Bronn's furious shout echoed through the corridor, making a few passing students jump. The vampire's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits, and without breaking stride, he took off after Aelric.

"You little menace! Get back here and face me"

Theron blinked.

Then blinked again.

It was very obvious that this wasn't the first time this had happened.

Students barely reacted to the scene, merely stepping aside as if it were a daily occurrence. Some even placed casual bets on how long Aelric would last before Bronn caught him.

Theron exhaled slowly, watching his two friends tear down the hallway like mortal enemies locked in an endless cycle of vengeance.

"…Should I even ask?"