CHAPTER - 143

  Selene blushed as she recalled that intimate moment: the warmth of Dav's body beside hers, his steady breathing, the way he had allowed her to fall asleep next to

  him without saying a word, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

  She couldn't get that silent fragment of sweetness out of her mind, which, for her, had meant everything.

  With her heart pounding, she recounted everything to her sister-in-law Eleanor during a private call.

  At first, there was only silence on the other end of the phone. Then, suddenly, a joyful scream:

  "MY LOVE!! That's wonderful!! No, what am I saying, it's PERFECT!

  You have all the hope in the world! Don't give up, it's an order, soldier of love!"

  Selene chuckled softly, still a bit pensive.

  Eleanor's high-pitched and enthusiastic voice was like a caress to her heart, but her doubts remained.

  "Are you that sure? What if it happened just because... of friendship? What if it doesn't happen again?"

  Eleanor immediately changed her tone, becoming sweeter and more reassuring:

  "Good things don't come immediately, Sele... you have to be patient.

  As I told you that day at the castle: you're the same age, yes, but with different responsibilities.

  He has a burden on his shoulders that only a few can understand. And you're one of those few people."

  Selene nodded slowly, even though she knew Eleanor couldn't see her.

  "This doesn't mean you have to come back here,"

  Eleanor continued,

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  "on the contrary. We want the best for you, and the best for you, right now, is there.

  With him.

  Learn, grow, become strong. Become someone he can confide in, someone who can love him without fear.

  Don't rush. Don't be scared by distance, nor by time.

  If he enjoys having you around, then be there. Even in silence."

  Those words touched Selene deeply.

  She closed her eyes, savoring them with her heart, then said with a shy and sincere smile:

  "I'll work hard... and wait as long as necessary without regretting it.

  I don't think I'll ever find someone like him, here."

  On the other end of the phone, Eleanor laughed with a funny face, full of tenderness and complicity.

  Edmund, Eleanor's husband, had silently approached, curious about such an intense phone call.

  Eleanor noticed him and raised an eyebrow, suspicious.

  "I'm rooting for you, my dear! But now I have to go, a certain someone is spying and getting closer...

  I need to give him a good scolding.

  Make sure to eat and rest! We'll talk soon, darling!"

  she concluded.

  When the call ended, Eleanor slowly turned to Edmund, with a demonic look and a dark aura that seemed to materialize around her.

  "What are you doing eavesdropping on a call between women, huh?!"

  Edmund raised his hands in surrender and slowly backed out of the room, laughing nervously and sweating coldly, as if he were escaping from a tiger.

  Meanwhile, at the academy, the atmosphere was relaxed yet vibrant.

  Some students studied silently in the libraries, others had fun in the courtyards with laughter, games, and chats.

  The laboratories were active, with students learning new spells or combat techniques under the guidance of the professors.

  In the kitchen, the aroma of sweets and soups spread through the corridors, prepared by those who loved to cook even in their free time.

  In some rooms, however, silence reigned, broken only by the slow breathing of those who had allowed themselves a rare afternoon of peaceful sleep.

  In one of the empty classrooms, Leo and Fin secretly read their books, trying not to be noticed by Arthur.

  They were hidden behind a pile of magical texts, carefully flipping through forbidden pages that spoke of techniques and secret magic for connected souls.

  Elsewhere, Elysia played cards with Leona and Martina, the three girls immersed in a silent and intense competition, made of glances, bluffs, and some stifled laughter.

  In a common room, Gabriel, Matteo, Cedric, and Lucas sat on the carpet, each with a console in hand, focused on a virtual battle while throwing jabs and laughing in turn.

  It was one of the few moments when they managed to forget pressures, duties, and expectations.

  That day slipped away without major events, but with the simple and precious peace of a shared afternoon.

  It was the calm before the storm, the rest before the great effort.

  The tournament was approaching.

  The following month had been officially designated as a preparation period: tougher training, simulations, strategies.

  Everyone knew that the days of glory were about to arrive and that the upcoming trials would highlight new talents and future Hunters.

  The world watched in silence, waiting to discover who would be the next protectors of humanity.

  But it wasn't just the students who were training.

  Some professors, although not required, were also preparing for a tournament reserved only for them.

  A special tournament, born to honor a colleague, a friend, or simply to test their own growth.

  For some, that tournament was little more than an exhibition. But for others, it was a personal matter.

  A test of respect, loyalty... and love.

  END OF CHAPTER - 143