Chapter 93 – The Alchemist in the Shadows

Elena Brightwind's POV

The next day, Elena found herself wandering toward the alchemy wing of the academy.

After the discussion with her friends last night, she had decided to take the first step herself.

Anneliese Nocturne.

A half-vampire girl who had spent her life avoiding others.

And, as it turned out, an alchemy student.

The alchemy division was a bit more isolated from the rest of the academy, with its stone halls, reinforced glass, and the ever-present scent of herbs, burnt materials, and mana-infused liquids.

Elena walked past students in long coats scribbling in notebooks, measuring vials of glowing substances, and muttering incantations over bubbling cauldrons.

But her target was at the very back.

She spotted Anneliese at a lone workbench, away from the clustered groups of other alchemy students.

Her messy black-and-silver hair hung loosely over her face as she carefully poured a thin, crimson liquid into a small vial. Her expression was blank—focused—as if nothing in the world existed except for the experiment before her.

She looked tired.

Not just physically—but exhausted in a way that seeped into the soul.

Elena hesitated for a moment before stepping forward.

"Anneliese."

The girl's hands froze.

Slowly, she looked up, scarlet-red eyes sharp and wary.

"…What do you want?"

Elena smiled gently. "I just wanted to see how you were doing."

Anneliese narrowed her eyes. "Why?"

Elena tilted her head. "Because I care?"

Anneliese stared at her, as if trying to decipher whether she was being mocked.

Then, with a sigh, she placed her vial on the table and rubbed her forehead. "You're wasting your time."

Elena simply pulled out a chair and sat across from her. "I don't think so."

Anneliese let out a quiet laugh—but there was no amusement in it.

"Elena Brightwind," she murmured. "The Saintess Candidate. One of the most talented first-years in the academy. A person loved by everyone."

She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms.

"And yet… you're here, talking to me. Why?"

Elena didn't miss the way she said me.

As if it was obvious that someone like her wasn't worth the time.

Elena smiled softly. "Because I think you're worth talking to."

Anneliese flinched—just barely—but Elena noticed.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, Anneliese sighed again and muttered, "You're annoying."

Elena grinned. "I've been told that before."

A flicker of something crossed Anneliese's face—something almost amused.

But then, just as quickly, her walls came back up.

"…Do what you want," she muttered, turning back to her alchemy work. "Just don't expect me to suddenly be your friend."

Elena just smiled.

She didn't need instant trust.

She just needed a beginning.

Elena wasn't someone who gave up easily.

If she had been, she wouldn't have survived her childhood.

So, when Anneliese dismissed her with a sigh and turned back to her alchemy work, Elena simply leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand.

"What are you making?" she asked curiously.

Anneliese didn't even look up. "A potion."

Elena raised an eyebrow. "I figured. What kind?"

There was a long pause before Anneliese finally responded.

"…A minor rejuvenation potion."

Elena blinked. "For healing fatigue?"

Anneliese nodded. "It replenishes stamina slightly. Good for long hours of study or work."

Elena tilted her head. "You must make a lot of those, then."

Anneliese's hand froze for a second.

"…What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, voice quieter.

Elena shrugged. "Just that you always look exhausted."

Anneliese gave her a sharp look. "And?"

Elena smiled softly. "And that maybe you should take better care of yourself."

Anneliese scoffed. "Like you'd know anything about that."

Elena's smile didn't falter. "You'd be surprised."

Anneliese stared at her for a moment—then, shaking her head, she turned back to her potion.

"…You really are annoying."

"I've heard that before," Elena replied cheerfully.

Anneliese sighed, stirring the mixture in her cauldron with precise, practiced movements.

For a moment, there was only silence.

Then, without looking up, she muttered, "Why are you still here?"

Elena smiled. "Because I want to be."

Anneliese stiffened.

For a second, Elena thought she wouldn't respond.

But then, the half-vampire girl sighed again, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"…Fine." She looked at Elena with narrowed eyes. "But don't get in my way."

Elena simply grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Anneliese huffed, turning back to her work.

But this time, Elena noticed…

She didn't seem quite as tense.

Elena sat with the others in the academy's lounge, stirring her tea absentmindedly. Across from her, Leonhardt, Alicia, and Seraphina were deep in conversation about their recent training, while Reynard and Luca were laughing about some ridiculous rumor floating around the campus.

She let out a sigh.

It had been days since she started approaching Anneliese Nocturne, yet no matter what she did, she couldn't get past the wall the girl had built around herself.

"She's opening up," Elena finally spoke, drawing the group's attention. "But… not enough."

Alicia raised an eyebrow. "You're talking about that half-vampire girl again, right?"

Elena nodded.

Seraphina crossed her arms. "She's an alchemy student, isn't she? That field requires isolation. It's no surprise she keeps her distance."

"Maybe," Elena admitted. "But it feels like more than that. It's like she doesn't think she deserves to have people around her."

Luca, who had been balancing a spoon on his finger, shrugged. "Maybe she just doesn't like people."

Reynard smirked. "Can't blame her. Most people are annoying."

Elena gave him a deadpan look. "Like you?"

He placed a hand over his heart dramatically. "I am deeply wounded by your words, oh noble Saintess."

Leonhardt chuckled but then leaned forward. "Have you tried figuring out what she really wants?"

Elena blinked. "What do you mean?"

Leonhardt rested his chin on his hand. "Everyone has something they desire, even if they don't show it. Maybe she's not pushing you away—maybe she just doesn't see a reason to let you in."

Elena thought about that. "So, I should find something she wants?"

Alicia nodded. "Exactly. If she won't take the first step, you take it for her."

"Easier said than done," Seraphina muttered.

At that moment, another voice chimed in.

"…What does she need?"

Elena turned to see Alden Blackwood, who had been sitting nearby, casually listening in.

He took a sip of his coffee and glanced at her.

"Forget what she 'wants' for a second. Figure out what she needs." His black eyes held an unreadable depth even though he was wearing glasses. "That'll get you past the wall."

Elena frowned slightly.

It was an odd distinction—but one that made sense.

Something Anneliese wanted might change. But something she needed? That was fundamental.

Reynard whistled. "Deep words from the quiet one."

Alden ignored him, standing up. "Do whatever you want with that advice."

And with that, he walked away.

Elena stared after him before looking down at her tea, deep in thought.

What did Anneliese Nocturne need?