The morning air at Westbridge University still felt cool as Kaelan stepped through the campus gates.Kaelan walked straight with calm steps toward his faculty building. However, a few meters before reaching the main pathway, his steps halted instantly.On a long bench near the park, Lyra Bennett sat alone.Not like usual. The girl would usually wave from afar or jog over to him carrying a stack of thick books. But today, her head was slumped despondently. Both her hands gripped the straps of her backpack so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her hair was slightly messy, and faint dark circles shadowed beneath her eyes—signs of extreme sleep deprivation.Kaelan only watched her from a distance for a few seconds. Not my business.He turned his face away again and continued his walk. However, before he could even pass the bench—"Lyra Bennett!"A harsh, shouting voice shattered the morning calm of the campus area. All heads spontaneously turned toward the source of the sound.Two la

The crowd of students slowly dispersed after the two debt collectors left the campus courtyard. The atmosphere of the Westbridge University grounds returned to normal, as if no incident had occurred whatsoever just minutes prior.Lyra still stood rigidly, hugging her backpack tightly, the strap nearly torn."Thank you..." she said softly.Kaelan only gave a small nod. "Take care of your bag."That was all. Without excessive small talk.Lyra tried to force a smile onto her lips. "I'll sew the strap later."Kaelan did not answer. They began walking side by side until they reached the intersection of two faculty buildings. Lyra pointed to the corridor on the right. "I have a class in the Social Science Building."Kaelan pointed in the opposite direction. "I'm going that way.""Um... see you later." Lyra waved her small hand before turning around and walking away.Kaelan turned toward the engineering building without looking back.Thirty minutes later, Kaelan's lecturer closed his laptop.

Ryan Blackwood stood hidden behind a large tree trunk in the corner of the campus back garden. His distance wasn't too close, safe enough not to look suspicious, but clear enough to observe the bench where Kaelan and Lyra had sat a few minutes prior.His hand slowly reached into his pocket, lifting his smartphone into the air.Click.The first photo was captured. Kaelan sat calmly at the end of the bench, while Lyra gripped a drink bottle with a small smile on her face.Click.The second photo. Lyra stood while looking attentively toward Kaelan.Click.The third photo. Kaelan stared straight ahead, while Lyra laughed broadly before running away, leaving the garden.Ryan lowered his phone slowly. The corners of his lips lifted to form a faint, triumphant smile. "Enough."The sound of dry leaves scraping was heard from behind. Olivia stepped closer with both hands crossed over her chest."So, is it true?" she asked coldly.Ryan didn't even need to turn around. "You can see the proof you

Silverpine Forest was once again enveloped in a heavy silence.The three muscular men dressed entirely in black remained frozen in their tracks. Their faces tightened rigidly, while their breaths caught as they realized Kaelan's figure was now standing directly behind their backs without the slightest sound.A chilly afternoon breeze rustled softly, passing through the gaps of the pine needles."Who are you?" Kaelan's voice sounded flat.His tone was not loud, yet it carried a cold pressure that instantly made the napes of the three men feel frozen.The man who appeared oldest among them slowly raised both of his hands upward."We have no ill intentions or plans to attack.""Then, what do you mean?" Kaelan asked. "Following whom?""Following you."Kaelan's gaze did not shift in the slightest. "Reason."The three men exchanged glances full of hesitation. The eldest man finally let out a long breath before answering, "We are here under the orders of Mr. Charles Montgomery."That name ma

The sky above Silverpine Forest began to turn a reddish-orange as Kaelan stepped away from Charles Montgomery's villa area.He walked down the path calmly and without hurry. The forest air felt much colder with the approach of evening, while the bias of the late afternoon sunlight pierced through the gaps of the towering pine needles.His conversation with Charles a moment ago still echoed clearly in his head."Protect me."Kaelan exhaled slowly. The old man was very smart—even too smart for a normal human being in general. Yet, precisely for that reason, Kaelan chose to maintain a safe zone. Someone who offered trust too quickly was usually hiding a hidden motive, or plotting something.And Kaelan had no intention whatsoever of being used as a pawn by anyone.His hand reached into his jacket pocket. The Black Card given by Charles was still neatly stored inside his leather wallet. That object had never been touched, let alone used."Until I find out what your true objective is, that