The bell rang, and the classroom buzzed with chatter as students started gathering their books.
"Alright, everyone," Adrian announced, his voice smooth and commanding as always. "That will be all for today. Dismissed."
Every girl in the room practically melted. Aira swore half of them forgot how to walk properly as they giggled and whispered,
"Mr. Crowne is so dreamy."
"Did you see the way he smiled?"
Aira, however, was trying very hard not to set him on fire with her glare.
Because, of course, he wasn't "Mr. Adrian Crowne," the handsome new instructor from the capital.
He was Kyran—the same creature who once tried to kill her and called her "Lilian."
"Ms. Aira," his voice came again, low and amused. "Stay after class."
Every girl in the room turned toward her instantly.
"Omg, her again?"
"Why is she always the lucky one?"
Aira forced a smile that could've killed a small god.
"Of course," she said through her teeth, waiting until the room finally emptied.
As soon as the door shut, she turned to him, arms crossed. "What do you want now, Mr. Crowne?"
Adrian tilted his head slightly, a small, dangerous smirk tugging at his lips. "You seem irritated."
"Wow, you noticed."
He ignored the sarcasm entirely and walked closer to her desk, holding up a sleek black rectangle. "I've noticed these strange new magical tools everyone carries," he said. "It glows, speaks, even shows moving images. Fascinating artifact. What spell powers it?"
Aira blinked. "That's… a phone."
"Phone," he repeated slowly, as if tasting the word. "A device of communication, yes? A tool for magic transmission?"
"It's not magic—it's just technology."
He frowned at it curiously, turning it in his hand. "Technology," he muttered like it was an insult. "In my time, we didn't need fragile metal boxes to connect souls."
He pressed the screen experimentally. It didn't react. He frowned deeper, pressed again. Still nothing.
"Do you have to chant something?"
Aira sighed. "You just—press this button. Here."
She reached to show him—then froze when their fingers brushed. His skin was cold, his power buzzing faintly under his touch. He looked up at her, eyes gleaming with quiet amusement.
"Delicate magic," he murmured, watching the phone's screen light up.
"It's not magic!" she said, snatching it back. "Just normal human invention, okay? Don't fry it—"
Before she could finish, he took it again and pressed the screen with a little too much magical energy.
The phone sparked violently and let out a snap! of static before going completely dark.
Aira gawked. "YOU—You killed it!"
Adrian blinked, offended. "It attacked me."
"It didn't attack you, you idiot!" she hissed. "You overloaded it! With your ancient cursed magic or whatever!"
He crossed his arms, looking down at the phone like it had betrayed him. "Your world's artifacts are pathetically fragile. It couldn't handle higher mana levels."
"Yeah, maybe because it's a phone, not a magical relic!"
He arched a brow. "Mock me if you wish, little witch. You still live only because I allow it."
"Wow. You're so generous," she said flatly.
He smirked, leaning slightly closer, voice dropping into a teasing whisper. "Careful, Aira. Keep glaring at me like that and someone might think you're in love."
She nearly threw the broken phone at his face. "I could kill you right now."
"Mm," he hummed, smirk widening. "You could try."
Her heart jumped despite her anger. She hated that smirk. She hated how smug he looked standing there, like he owned the place—and somehow, he did.
Before she could respond, the academy announcement suddenly blared through the speakers:
"Attention all students. All personnel are to report to the main hall. The government officers have arrived regarding the recent seal incident."
Aira froze.
Adrian's smirk turned knowing. "Oh? The seal, you say?"
Her voice came out quieter. "You don't think…"
"I think," he said, stepping around her slowly, "they're about to find out just how easily humans break what they don't understand."
Then Zara burst through the door, out of breath. "Aira! Sunny's awake—they're taking her away! The officers think she might be responsible for the broken seal!"
Aira's heart sank. "What? That's not—she didn't—"
Her gaze flicked toward Adrian, who was now standing near the window, hands clasped behind his back, watching the courtyard like he was watching a play.
"Mr. Crowne," she said softly. "Please… stop them."
He turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Stop them? You broke the seal, little witch. You freed me. And now, you want me to fix your mess?"
"She doesn't deserve this," she whispered.
He studied her for a moment, eyes glowing faintly violet. Then, with a low, dark laugh, he murmured, "Oh, Aira… every action has its consequence. You, of all people, should know that."
He brushed past her as he left the classroom, the faint scent of smoke and ozone trailing behind him—
—and the dead phone still smoldering on the desk.