A few hours earlier, at dusk, Ouyang Xue joined Edward for dinner at a restaurant in Augustus College.

Though the college's engineering team fixed Edward's dorm in just two hours, Ouyang Xue was still shaken and uneasy. A private dining room felt safer.

Augustus College offered free cafeteria meals and paid restaurants. With most students from noble or wealthy families, the restaurant had high-class decor. Dishes were diverse, and private rooms could be customized to match any style.

"Wow, it's gorgeous! I've never been somewhere like this before," Ouyang Xue exclaimed. Edward had chosen a mountains-and-rivers-themed room. Inside, it felt like a tranquil cottage nestled among peaks—serene yet vibrant.

Seeing her delight, Edward smiled. "I'm glad you like it."

"Is my brother not coming?" Ouyang Xue asked right after sitting down.

"Your brother has urgent matters tonight and can't join us."

"Oh... he's not coming..." She looked visibly disappointed.

For dinner, Edward picked a casual barbecue buffet instead of a set menu. The room's ambiance made it feel like a relaxed outdoor cookout.

"...So back at school, I was always the one protecting my brother."

"Heh, really?" Edward chuckled.

With Ouyang Tao absent, Ouyang Xue opened up, sharing childhood stories.

"Honestly, I never expected my brother to enter Augustus College too—especially the Mechanical Department, which is tougher than mine... Hmm... I felt a tiny bit of Envy."

"As your brother says, everyone excels at different things. His innate Mana leans almost entirely to 'Metal.' Yours is a balanced elemental mix—you're the most promising talent."

"Huh? Edward, how did you know that?" She'd wondered since yesterday.

Normally, a mage's innate Mana attribute was fixed and secret—even the mage might not know it, like Ouyang Tao. Precise tests were needed to confirm it. Yet Edward saw it instantly.

"Well, it's just my specialty," Edward said with a faint smile. "Truthfully, I prefer observation and theory over combat. My attributes suit the Elemental Department—or even Shadow—better."

"Huh? Then why are you in Mechanical?"

"Well... heh..." He gave a bitter smile. This was his life's greatest regret. "In a way, I had no choice."

"Why? My brother always says: if you can't do what you love, what's the point?" Ouyang Xue asked, surprised.

"Yeah... it's pointless..." Edward had long suffered from hiding his true self. Only he knew that pain. "So I envy you both—you siblings live exactly as you choose."

Both Ouyang Tao and Ouyang Xue radiated cheerful optimism, shaping lives they wanted.

Now Edward wanted to make his own choice too...

"Oh! No one's ever said we're alike before," Ouyang Xue blurted, cutting him off.

"Oh?"

"Edward, my brother and I aren't blood relatives."

"So... no family ties at all?"

"Mm-hmm. People say we look nothing alike. Sometimes strangers mistake us for a couple, hehe."

"I see..."

Her words were innocent, but Edward heard their weight.

He'd made his decision—but now, there was no need to speak it.

In her heart, someone irreplaceable already lived...