Liam waited a full hour before finally accepting the truth—Celeste wasn't coming.
With a long stretch, he threw his arms wide, tipped his head back, and let his body collapse against the bench.
"Should've known it wouldn't be that easy," he muttered.
Closing his eyes, he let out a slow sigh, feeling the built-up tension bleed from his body. The shade cooled his skin, the gentle breeze teased his hair, and for a moment, he simply enjoyed the calm.
'Gardens, huh… they always have this way of relaxing you.'
"Whether you stroll around or sit by the benches, the ambiance always gets to you," Liam said aloud, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Don't you think so, Celeste?"
When he opened his eyes, she was there—seated right beside him.
He'd noticed the flicker of movement earlier, right after he'd given up hope of seeing her. Without a word, she had slipped onto the bench next to him.
Celeste didn't answer.
She stared straight ahead, her expression unreadable.
Finally seeing her outside the academy's uniform, Liam drank in the sight. The crisp formality was gone, replaced with a soft, silky white dress that tried—and failed—to hide the shape of her figure.
He was still staring when her eyes cut toward him, sharp and cold as ice.
Liam only smiled back, unfazed.
Without a word, she raised a brown envelope.
A letter and a few pictures slipped slightly from the edges. The exact one he had delivered to her room.
"This yours?" she asked, her tone flat.
Liam nodded.
"Why did you send this to me?" she pressed.
"I went through it, casually," Liam said with an easy shrug, "and thought you might want it."
She didn't respond. Her gaze drifted back toward the garden, her profile calm but guarded.
"I don't," she finally said.
Liam's jaw tightened.
This wasn't going the way he had pictured.
"You wouldn't have come down here if you weren't interested."
She stayed silent.
His irritation pricked higher. He exhaled, masking it with a light tone. "Fine. If you don't want it, I'm sure someone else would."
He stood, brushing off his pants with deliberate slowness, hoping—expecting—her to stop him. She didn't.
"I'm sure a Benedara's journals would fetch a mighty price."
That got a reaction.
Her shoulders twitched, just barely, before she steadied herself again.
Liam almost smiled.
The way he'd dropped the Benedara's name made it clear he knew more than he should.
At last, Celeste turned her face toward him. A frown creased her lips, faint but sharp.
He did feel a pang of guilt for resorting to this, but not nearly enough to stop.
"What do you want?" she asked, her voice cool and flat.
"Nothing," Liam replied, lips quirking. "I just want to return it to its rightful hands."
"Where is it?"
Her patience was already thinning.
Liam reached into his storage ring and retrieved the journal, holding it up for her to see.
Her eyes flickered with recognition—then he slipped it right back into the ring.
"W-What?" Celeste stammered, her composure cracking for the first time.
"I'll give it to you," Liam said lightly, "but hear me out for one second."
She narrowed her eyes. "…Go on."
"You see, I've got this thing…" Liam trailed, pretending to search for the right word. "Let's just call it an issue."
Celeste tilted her head slightly, listening.
"And it's an issue concerning life and death." He fixed her with a straight face. "My life and death."
"…Okay?"
"Well," Liam said, his gaze dropping deliberately to her ear, "it just so happens that an artifact that enhances mental strength would be a real lifesaver right now."
Celeste's hand flew to her earrings. She stepped back, clutching them protectively.
Liam softened his tone, taking a small step closer. "…Hey. It's life and death. You wouldn't want to see a friend die, would you?"
"We're not friends."
"Ouch." Liam pressed a hand dramatically to his chest. "Your words cut deep."
She didn't even blink.
"Fine, how about this," Liam said, pulling the journal back out. "I'll give you the book, and in return, you give me the earrings as a… thank-you gift. Then we never have to speak again. Comprende?"
He placed the journal carefully into her hands, watching as she studied him with the wary curiosity of a cat.
"…You're weird," she murmured.
"I know." Liam smiled lightly.
After a few more seconds of scrutiny, Celeste slipped off her earrings and handed them over.
Liam's grin widened. "Thank you."
Without another word, he turned and walked away, heading straight for the train station. He didn't look back.
'Final piece acquired,' he thought with satisfaction.
***
On the way, Liam booked a train bound for Hollowgrove—a sprawling, controlled forest within the academy's island.
It was where students could hunt monsters for merit points, though for first years, usually only under supervision.
'A shame.' Liam thought If not for that rule, he could've taken the main path and blended right in.
Hollowgrove was no ordinary forest.
Jagged hills rose like teeth, its floor riddled with winding tunnels and cavern mouths that gaped like silent invitations.
And it was in one of those caves that Liam intended to find his weapon art.
When he stepped off the train, he slipped his academy band into his storage ring and veered west, away from Hollowgrove's main gates.
No rules, no guides, no witnesses.
Just him and the chance to grasp the very thing that could change his entire life.