As the first rays of dawn landed squarely on Gali’s handsome face, a cool breeze gently brushed his neatly combed golden hair. Sensing movement nearby, he slowly opened his weary eyes.

“Kevin, you’re late. Did something happen? You’re rarely late,” he said, his tone free of blame, laced only with concern for Kevin’s health.

“Nothing serious. Same old magic issues. Don’t worry about it,” Kevin replied.

Clad head-to-toe in airtight armor, Kevin’s every step clanked with metallic echoes. Even the hand bearing his ring was sealed under isolation magic.

This was to block Gali from sensing the ring’s faint connection to his own—a slip would spell disaster, a thought she dared not dwell on.

Yet Gali noticed the anomaly. His eyes caught the subtlest details.

“Kevin, what’s wrong with your hand? Why the isolation spell? This isn’t minor, is it?” His voice trembled with worry. Kevin had grown increasingly odd, never sharing details, only insisting things were under control.

“Gali, I told you—it’s fine. Drop it. What brings you here? I’m busy,” Kevin said flatly, cutting off further questions. He strode to the icy throne and sat, radiating authority in an instant, as if declaring himself unharmed.

“Sigh. Alright. I just came to thank you. I owe you this one, Kevin.”

Gali scratched his hair half-heartedly, a faint relieved smile on his face. Thanks to Kevin, he’d finally met Miss Kallen—perhaps he was ready to stop drowning in despair.

His next words nearly sent Kevin straight to the grave. The world spun violently, threatening to explode any second.

“I think I’m in love with Miss Kallen, Kevin. What do you think? You’re my best friend—I need your opinion.”

Silence crashed over the hall like death itself. From the throne, Kevin coughed lightly to break the tension.

Inside, she screamed wildly. How could Gali fall for her? she raged silently. I made it clear—cruelly clear! But as a friend, I should congratulate him. Properly. Enthusiastically.

“Oh, Gali! As your friend, I’m so glad you’ve moved on. You’ve finally come to your senses,” Kevin said, forcing excitement into his voice. Being admired by a close friend wasn’t exactly joyful. He added, probing gently, “Gali, is your crush on Kailen just because she resembles Manna Suhuali?”

“Maybe. I used to see Miss Kallen as Manna’s shadow. But her words woke me up—Miss Kallen is Miss Kallen. She’ll never be anyone else.”

Gali spoke with deep sincerity. Kevin instantly realized he truly loved her—and felt a wave of nausea.

“I don’t want anyone else to have her. I want to marry Miss Kallen.”

Kevin’s skin crawled. Such saccharine words were torture, especially hearing them as the subject.

“Wow! Oh, Gali—you’re amazing! Go for it! Save me a seat at the wedding. Congratulations!”

She scraped together meager praise for his courage, hardening her resolve to keep her identity hidden.

“Right. I’ll take my leave, Kevin. I’ve matters to handle. Rest well.”

Gali seemed about to say more but thought better of it. Kevin’s condition was delicate—he deserved peace.

Gali vanished beyond her sight, even magic failing to trace him. Only then did a low female voice escape the helmet’s gloom.

“I’d rather die than let Gali find out.”

A slender hand lifted from beneath the armor. With a heavy clatter, the full suit crashed to the floor. Sweat soaked her clothes, fragrant droplets pooling on the ground. Steam rose from her body as a faint magic circle glowed at her pale feet—then she vanished.

“Exhausted. Time for proper rest.”

Kevin reappeared in her lavish jungle villa, collapsing onto a plush bed. Her delicate face wore a worn-out expression; surviving such strain was a miracle. Now, sleep would banish all worries. She closed her tired eyes, soft snores soon filling the room.

In the Imperial Academy office, an elderly man in a suit paced restlessly. Kurt Stoudenmire muttered to himself, vexed by a pressing issue.

“Ugh. The Oustar family promised a Seventh Rank expert as Lorin’s assistant. Now they say he’s injured and won’t come. Where am I supposed to find a replacement?”

A knock interrupted his thoughts. He stomped to the door, grumbling.

“I’m busy! Don’t bother me!”

Yanking it open, he froze at the sight of Gari Barodale. His tone shifted instantly.

“Oh! Brave Sir! My apologies—I’m swamped, but please, come in if you don’t mind the mess.”

“Alright.”

Gali nodded silently, settling into a chair amid the cluttered office. Before he could speak, Kurt sighed wearily.

“Brave Sir, I can’t handle extras right now. Perhaps revisit this in a few days?”

“Relax, Kurt. I’m here to apply as a teacher.”

Gali stated it calmly, as if discussing the weather. To understand Miss Kallen better, weaving their lives together was key.

“? Brave Sir, are you serious?” Kurt’s aged face twisted in disbelief—he must be hearing things. His voice held a questioning edge.

“Yes. But I have one condition.”

“Oh? Do tell, Brave Sir.” Kurt perked up, sinking onto the sofa, eager to hear the terms.

“I want to teach Miss Kallen’s class. That’s reasonable, right? Salary can follow your standards.”

“Oh! Of course! Brave Sir, you’re a lifesaver!”

Kurt’s old bones practically danced with joy. This solved his exact problem—delivered right to his door.

Why would the Tenth Tier Hero join the Imperial Academy, insisting on Miss Kallen’s class? It boggled the mind. Yet having a top-tier swordsman teach was undeniably a boon—skilled instructors were scarce. Kurt added meaningfully, “Brave Sir, you’ll serve as assistant to our master teacher Lorin—a first-rank position. You lack teaching experience; he’ll mentor you. How does that sound?”

“Understood.”

Gali agreed without hesitation. Seeing Miss Kallen was all that mattered.

“Excellent. Brave Sir, let’s meet Lorin now. He’s researching magic on campus—he’s my star teacher.” Pride warmed Kurt’s voice. He planned to hand the headmaster role—and its shadowy intelligence network—to Lorin after retirement. He sprang up, heading out.

“Fine. Let’s see this Lorin.”