Silas took a deep breath, regaining his composure. His smug expression returned as he walked toward Maria, his mind still uncertain. Was this just a distraction, or was he truly gaining useful information? Either way, it would benefit him in the end.
"You're from class 1-A, right?" he called across the hallway, his voice echoing in the quiet space.
Maria stopped in her tracks, raising an eyebrow as she glanced over at him. A mixture of confusion and mild curiosity painted her face.
"Uhh… yeah?" she responded, her voice uncertain, yet tinged with curiosity.
Silas, already familiar with her personality from his game knowledge, watched her closely. He knew that in the game, Maria's personality could shift drastically depending on the route. But here, in the real world, he wasn't sure where she stood yet.
He stared at her, deep in thought, not noticing how long he had been observing her. He was lost in the complexities of her potential role, his thoughts swirling as his gaze lingered.
"Are you okay…?"
Maria's voice broke through his musings, now a few feet in front of him. She was looking at him with a concerned expression, her head tilting as if she were inspecting a child with a fever—an unspoken tenderness in her approach. Silas blinked, realizing that she had closed the distance without him noticing.
He shook his head, trying to clear the fog from his mind, and stepped back awkwardly, not quite used to being the object of such care.
"I'm fine, haha…"
He chuckled nervously, though it was half-hearted.
"I'm more curious why you're here. I haven't seen the rest of 1-A out yet,"
He continued, shifting the conversation away from himself.
Maria raised an eyebrow, then chuckled lightly, her hand gently slapping Silas on the chest in a playful manner. The gesture was light, but there was a distinct warmth to it.
"That was all? You had me worried for a second," she teased.
Silas raised a brow, intrigued but trying to maintain his composure. He felt something shift in her presence—something that was both endearing and oddly unnerving.
"Unfortunately, I got injured immediately, and the professor sent me back early."
Her tone wasn't full of disappointment, but lighthearted and almost self-deprecating, her eyes crinkling in a smile.
"I'll just make it up tomorrow!"
She exuded the same infectious enthusiasm that her character had in the game—an energy that was difficult to ignore. It was like watching the main character from a story come to life, embodying that same fiery determination.
Good… the game is going for the good ending route for now…
A faint smile curled at the corner of Silas's lips. His thoughts couldn't help but drift toward the possible consequences of this interaction. Was this really how things were supposed to unfold?
"Earth to Marcus,"
Maria called out suddenly, snapping him out of his reverie. Her hands hovered in front of his face, playfully covering and uncovering his eyes, testing if he'd snap back to attention.
"I'm fine, just deep in thought," Silas muttered, blinking rapidly to shake off the lingering daze.
Maria crossed her arms, a faint smile tugging at her lips. It was a small, teasing gesture, but it seemed to hold something more—perhaps a quiet recognition that Silas wasn't as aloof as he tried to seem.
"Well… if that's all you needed from me, I should probably go now." She spoke with a casual finality, as though the conversation had run its course.
Silas raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her sudden shift in direction. His mind briefly wondered where she might be headed next—and if it could provide the distraction he so desperately needed.
"Oh?"
He asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Care to tell?"
Maria paused, closing her eyes for a moment as her fingers traced her temple thoughtfully, her personality swinging back to that mix of childlike playfulness and mature composure. She was an enigma, caught somewhere between innocence and maturity in a way that felt like a game in itself.
"I'm just messing with you. I'll probably head to the library and wait for Victoria and Philip,"
She said, her voice light but genuine.
Silas nodded, the brief exchange leaving him with a slight feeling of bemusement. He almost wished he could be as carefree as her.
Philip, the prince… the most important variable in the game…
As she turned to leave, something caught Silas's attention, causing him to stop mid-thought. His eyes widened in realization.
"Wait… how did you know my name?"
Maria paused, her head tilting as if the question had caught her off guard. There was a brief flicker of amusement in her eyes, but her expression remained thoughtful.
"You're not exactly unknown with all the stuff you've been doing today…"
She replied, her voice trailing off with a note of amusement.
"Everyone's talking about it."
Silas felt his stomach churn slightly. Of course, rumors had already spread. He had made a mark today, whether he wanted to or not. His identity was no longer just his own—now it was part of the academy's whispers, its history.
As Maria turned to leave, Silas lingered for a moment, the lingering taste of her words swirling in his mind. It was clear that the game—his game—was not just a simple story to follow. He was part of it now, with no way to predict where his path would lead.
"It was nice talking to you!"
She said with that same kind, light voice—the one that carried a warmth capable of disarming even the most guarded hearts. For a brief moment, it almost made Silas forget the truth hidden beneath her smile.
That this girl, now laughing softly in the hallway light, could one day remain just as she was… or become a villain more ruthless and blood-soaked than the assassins Silas had once called peers.
But just as she turned to leave, her golden hair swaying gently with the movement, Silas instinctively reached out. His fingers brushed against the cuff of her uniform, tugging it lightly—an impulsive attempt to keep his fleeting distraction from reality from walking away.
The motion caught her completely off guard. Her steps halted mid-motion, and she spun slightly toward him, eyes wide with surprise.
"Ehh…? Wh-what are you doing?"
Her voice was higher, more startled now, tinged with an almost comedic disbelief.
Realizing what he had done, Silas instantly stepped back, almost stumbling. His hands shot up in front of him as if surrendering to a startled animal.
"Oh… uhhh…"
He stumbled over the words, his confident façade slipping just enough to reveal the awkward vulnerability beneath.
"Sorry… I just got caught up in the moment."
His voice was quiet, unsure, though laced with sincerity.
He hesitated for a second before continuing, his eyes meeting hers with an unusual openness.
"But… can I join you by any chance?"