Chapter 20: A Rainy Encounter

Chapter 20: A Rainy Encounter

Aetrial had been restless all morning. Despite her efforts to focus on her studies, the walls of the academy felt suffocating. The theoretical lessons on advanced magic theory had left her frustrated—particularly because dark magic, her specialty, was only briefly mentioned, as if it were some taboo subject.

To clear her mind, she decided to take a brief walk outside the academy. She justified it to herself as a way to refresh her thoughts and perhaps grab a snack to lift her spirits. The academy dorms had a strict policy about outside food, but the temptation of warm, fresh pastries was too much to resist.

She slipped out of the academy gates unnoticed, her thoughts set on the quaint little bakery she’d passed a few times on her way to school. Its inviting aroma always wafted into the streets, teasing her senses. Now seemed as good a time as any to finally indulge.

The journey wasn’t long, but midway through, the skies darkened ominously. She glanced up, her brows furrowing as the first raindrops began to fall. "Of course, it starts raining now," she muttered, picking up her pace.

By the time she reached the shop, the rain had turned into a heavy downpour, soaking her completely. She pushed the door open hurriedly, the little bell above jingling softly to announce her arrival.

The warmth of the shop was a sharp contrast to the chill outside. The smell of freshly baked bread and sugary confections greeted her, calming her frazzled nerves. Aetrial let out a relieved sigh, her dark hair plastered to her face and shoulders. Her uniform clung uncomfortably to her, emphasizing her slender figure in a way she hadn’t intended.

Dropping her small satchel onto a nearby table, she looked around. There weren’t many customers—just a few people seated near the counter, including a tall man sipping tea. She paid him no mind as she attempted to wring out the water from her uniform jacket and shirt.

Frustrated by her appearance, she reached up to untie her hair. The dark locks tumbled down in silky waves, framing her delicate face. She looked down, embarrassed by how disheveled she must have seemed, but unaware of the picture of beauty she painted. Her pale complexion, flushed from the cold rain, seemed almost ethereal in the golden glow of the shop’s lanterns. Her soft pink lips, slightly parted, gave her an innocent, doll-like charm that drew attention despite her best efforts to avoid it.

One such observer was Anos, seated quietly at the counter. He’d been enjoying his tea, his mind occupied with thoughts of his next steps, when the girl entered. The sudden commotion drew his eyes, and for a moment, he froze.

She was stunning.

Anos wasn’t someone easily distracted by appearances, but there was something about her—an unintentional allure paired with a natural grace. Her damp hair, her delicate features, and the faint pout on her lips as she tried to wring water from her clothes—all of it struck him in a way he didn’t expect.

Before he could stop himself, he stood. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a neatly folded handkerchief and approached her.

Aetrial, still fussing over her soaked hair, didn’t notice him until he was right in front of her. Startled, she looked up, her wide eyes meeting his crimson gaze.

"Here," he said simply, offering the handkerchief.

She blinked in surprise, her cheeks tinged with pink. "Oh, um... thank you," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the rain outside.

Anos nodded, his expression calm and neutral, though his thoughts were anything but.

As she took the handkerchief and began dabbing her face, she stole a glance at him. His sharp features were striking—high cheekbones, a strong jawline, and piercing crimson eyes that seemed to see right through her. His dark hair, slightly damp from the rain he must have walked through earlier, only added to his enigmatic presence.

"He’s... handsome," she thought, feeling a sudden rush of embarrassment for even noticing.

Meanwhile, Anos found himself unable to look away. The way she wiped her face, the faint blush on her cheeks, and the soft thanks she murmured—it was all so genuine. For a moment, he wondered what she was doing alone, and why someone so strikingly beautiful seemed so unaware of the attention she could command.

Once she finished, Aetrial held the handkerchief out to him. "Here, I’ll wash it and return it to you."

He raised a hand, shaking his head. "Keep it. You’ll need it more than I will."

Her blush deepened, and she looked down at the handkerchief in her hands. "Thank you... again," she murmured, her voice sincere.

Anos gave a small nod and turned back to his seat, though his mind lingered on the brief interaction.

Aetrial, meanwhile, waited until the rain had lightened to a drizzle before gathering her things and preparing to leave. As she walked to the door, she paused and glanced back at him.

"Thank you," she said one last time, a soft smile gracing her lips.

Anos watched her go, his thoughts racing. She was an enigma—innocent yet striking, unaware yet captivating. He hadn’t planned on getting involved, but something about her made him reconsider.

As for Aetrial, she walked back to the academy with a lighter heart, clutching the handkerchief tightly. Though she tried to brush it off as a simple act of kindness, she couldn’t help but replay the encounter in her mind, a small smile tugging at her lips despite herself.

---

Once Aetrial was gone, the shop’s atmosphere seemed to shift. From the shadows behind Anos, a figure emerged—a man cloaked in dark, ethereal mist, his form indistinct to anyone but Anos himself.

"My lord," the shadowed figure said, bowing deeply. "Should I eliminate her?"

Anos’s expression darkened for a moment, but he waved the figure off. "No. She’s... harmless." His voice was calm, but his gaze lingered on the door through which Aetrial had left.

The figure hesitated. "But she is not what she seems."

"Neither am I," Anos replied coldly, his crimson eyes glowing faintly. "Do nothing. For now."

The shadowed figure bowed once more and faded into the mist, leaving Anos alone to contemplate the strange girl who had just disrupted his carefully laid plans.

End of Chapter 20