'Well, I think I've said all that needed to be said,' thought Ace, stretching out his arms as he gazed at the morning sky with a contemplating gaze. 'It wouldn't do any good if she started doubting herself and broke down so soon. As the saying goes: A healthy mind in a healthy body. She still has her usefulness after all. A little compliment shouldn't hurt, right?'
On the other hand, Emilia was beet red like a tomato, her head held down as her bangs hid her face. She no longer heard or paid attention to what was happening around her as the single phrase Ace had said: "You look much cuter that way," continued to repeat itself in her mind that was filled with her own thoughts.
'It's… it's not fair. How could he just say that so suddenly? I really don't get him. One time he's cold, and the other he acts as if everything normal. It's really not fair.'
"My, oh my," a voice echoed from nowhere as Emilia's vision became distorted within a snap of their fingers.
'Huh?' Emilia's eyes slowly fluttered as she fell unconscious in someone's arms.
Ace sighed, a hint of resignation and annoyance evident in his tone. "What do you want now, old man?"
Hugo smiled as he held the unconscious Emilia in his arms and slowly laid her down on the ground. "I simply wanted to have a chat is all."
With another resigned sigh, Ace crossed his arms with a piercing gaze. "If it's another weird favor, keep it to yourself. I don't want any part in it."
Hugo's expression shifted to one of seriousness. "Well, I was simply curious."
"About what?" asked Ace, also turning serious.
"Exactly what do you intend to do with that young lady?" Hugo had a sharp, killer glare that was directed at Ace.
"Kind of funny that you're asking me what I'm planning when you seem to want to entangle me in whatever you're scheming," Ace simply glanced at Hugo with a cold look that seemed to be ready to engage in battle.
Their pseudo-staring contest that seemed to wait for one of them to concede, made the air heavy with tension as time seemed to move slowly. Ace continued to talk his mind, walking slowly towards Hugo with his hands now in his pockets.
"You asked me to keep an eye out for her, but what you actually wanted was for me to save her from whoever was chasing after her, right? I'm pretty sure you were looking at everything that was happening from wherever you were. In that case, I'm pretty you know exactly what's going on. And… the fact that you didn't intervene simply means that you were okay with my methods, right? So…"
Hugo, staring down at Ace who locked eyes with him with a cold yet confident look, pondered at his words as the air only got heavier.
"…let's simply use each other as we've always had and not get in the other's way, okay… old man?"
After a few moments, with a sigh, "Understood," Hugo resigned to Ace's words as he simply turned back, walking away while glancing at Emilia.
"If I were to give you any sort of advice, it would be to be careful not to lose yourself in your search of whatever it is you're chasing. And…" he said, stopping abruptly.
Hugo glanced back at Ace, locking eyes with him one more time as a knowing and professional smile that seemed to fit his role as an educator, drew itself on his face. "…you should follow your own advice."
"Hmmm?" Ace tilted his head.
"After all, you are also a young student at this academy," said Hugo as disappearing from the vicinity as wind enveloped him.
After a while, Ace's eyes darted around his surroundings as he confirmed that Hugo's presence faded completely, releasing a sigh of relief afterward.
'That was close. For a second there, I really thought he was going to attack," he monologued internally while a drop of cold sweat dripped down his face. 'To think he can exert such pressure with just his eyes. Even the technique Deker used against me would look like child's play in comparison.'
Ace's eyes then shifted towards Emilia's sleeping form, a flicker of bother and exasperation in his gaze. 'At least lift your damn spell before going away, old man. Well, I can't just leave her here either. What a pain.'
Ace's expression remained impassive as he took Emilia in his arms and put her on his back. Standing up from his crouched position, Ace gave a piggyback ride to Emilia who still remained fast asleep even after being moved.
Several minutes passed as Ace walked slowly on the academy campus, realizing that the distance between where they were and the dorms was further than he thought. 'Well, running is faster than walking. Not only that, but I've also got dead weight on my shoulders.'
Accompanied by a soft moan, Emilia's brows twitched as her eyes slightly fluttered open, her mind still half-asleep. 'What's… happening? Is this… Ace? Or… am I dreaming? I… don't… know…"
Ace looked at her, a mixture of relief and uncertainty in his gaze. "Hey, are you awake? If you are, walk on your own. I'm tired of carrying you back."
Emilia, her half-asleep state not fully absorbing what was happening around her, simply closed her eyes as she drifted back to sleep.
Shoulders dropping, Ace released a sigh, a hint of self-resignation in his eyes as he continued to walk with Emilia on his back. "You really are something else, you know that? I'll indulge you just this once, so you better remember that you owe me one."
His voice then grew deeper and lower as he muttered another phrase, his expression leaving a foreboding impression.
"At least until you become strong enough."
In the meantime, Emilia, back in her dreams, felt a cool verdant breeze hit her face, a reassuring sense of peace washing over her as her chest pressed more against Ace's back while her arms wrapped around his shoulders more tightly.
'Considering her breathing, she's still fast asleep. But still…. why the hell is she so clingy? It's uncomfortable,' thought Ace, stopping momentarily as he noticed the change in Emilia who had a single thought running in her mind at the time.
'What a nice smell.'