Chapter 287

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Chapter 287

Her continuous study of witchcraft earned her an invitation to join the Crulon Research Society. The organizers didn’t know who she was, but they casually assigned her and Xerath to share the same suite.

They had met at other conferences before. Just three months ago, they were both invited to a meeting about new standards for scroll writing. However, they didn’t communicate much at that time. They only had dinner together after the meeting and then went back to their own cities. Sylas didn’t even have time to hesitate about what to say before they said goodbye.

Clearly, the brief and relaxed moments were gone, as if sealed in the moment before graduation.

Instead, there was formality and politeness. Xerath would smile at her, but Sylas could tell it was just a polite and shy smile, as if to say, "I’m being friendly, but I don’t want to have a deep conversation."

They were no longer as close as they used to be.

But even so, she had to share a room with Xerath and use the common area of the suite. They both had a habit of sitting in the living room and reading books. This habit started almost as soon as she arrived at Aimekotes and started living with the archmage.

However, just a few hours ago, they both found excuses to leave the living room and went back to their own rooms.

Sylas had been tossing and turning for three or four hours. She felt hot and found the room unsuitable for sleeping, so she opened the door and walked out.

Outside, there are still a few fishing lights shining, and the starlight shines through the glass window, spreading all over the floor. A shooting star left a long tail in the sky.

She couldn’t help but think of Xerath’s last name: Stellar. This surname, which originally came from the ancient official position of calculating stars, looks full of mystery and fascination. She walked to the window, closed her eyes, held her hands in front of her, made an insignificant wish, then poured herself a glass of water and tiredly sank into the soft sofa.

She stared ahead blankly and then took a deep sigh.

"Sylas." Suddenly, a voice came from the sofa beside her, startling her so much that she not only choked on the water but also jumped up from the sofa in surprise.

Xerath was actually sitting there, hidden in the darkness, and she was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn’t even notice someone sitting there.

It was all because the room was too dark and Xerath didn’t make any sound at all.

"…Did I scare you? Sorry."

"What are you doing here?" She patted her chest in fright. Just for a moment, right after making a wish and leaning on the glass, the words "Xerath" almost slipped out of her mouth. It would be terrible if Xerath actually heard it.

"Can’t sleep, came out to sit for a while. How about you?"

"I can’t sleep either, I feel a bit hot." Sylas honestly expressed.

"The room is too stuffy, maybe." Xerath patted the sofa beside her, gesturing for her to sit back in the position where she had fallen.

"Are you still having trouble sleeping outside?"

Xerath nodded, realizing that she couldn’t see, and softly made a sound of agreement.

However, there was a problem with this, she still remembered that Xerath slept well when camping in the wild, where there wasn’t even a bed.

"Well…"

"Shh…don’t talk, didn’t you come out here to fall asleep?" She glanced at Sylas, her eyes losing their silver-gray color in the darkness, leaving only a glimmer of light.

Sylas obediently closed her mouth, watching her fade into the glimmer of light, slowly leaning against the back of the sofa.

Her breathing gradually became steady, Sylas thought, could she be falling asleep? Is it possible so quickly? This doesn’t seem like someone who suffers from insomnia…

She was still too afraid to look at Xerath, even if heaven itself was helping her by making Xerath face her direction. She was scared that Xerath might just be pretending to sleep and easily catch her peeping, but she couldn’t help glancing a few more times. The thin body of the archmage had no defense and her face was filled with relaxation. Her head was buried in the back of the sofa, showing no reaction to Sylas’s long stare.

The living room with its spacious and slightly open window was much cooler. Sylas also felt a lot cooler as she leaned against the sofa with Xerath by her side. She gradually felt sleepy.

The wind was a bit chilly after all. Sylas asked Leunen to bring a blanket with his tentacles and gently covered Xerath. But she still felt uncomfortable as if Xerath was about to slide down.

After hesitating for a long time, she made a decision and asked very softly, "Teacher, are you going to go back to sleep?"

It seemed like Xerath heard it and made a short "mhm" sound, as if agreeing, but there was no further response. Her head slowly slid down, occasionally frowning to express dissatisfaction, but her eyes remained closed.

Sylas watched as Xerath leaned on her, but there was a constant trend of sliding down. Wasn’t it uncomfortable? Unable to help it, she reached out and supported Xerath’s other shoulder. But this position was really…

It was too uncomfortable. Xerath’s forehead rested against her collarbone, and Sylas had to bear the weight of both of them on her left shoulder, while using her right hand to push against Xerath’s shoulder.

Sylas supported her, not knowing what to do. In theory, she should move Xerath into the house and let her sleep comfortably on the bed. But right now, wouldn’t it be like… she was willingly inviting Xerath into her embrace? The peaceful face of the archmage was facing her, as if she could kiss her just by lowering her head.

She didn’t want this moment to end, and she even wanted to stay like this, relying on each other, even if it meant being tired like this, even if it was… fake.

In this difficult situation, she made a brave decision and softly asked Xerath, "Can you lie on my legs?"

Xerath moved a little but didn’t answer. She leaned back slightly, and Xerath’s body followed, falling onto her legs in an uncomfortable position.

Xerath’s body was folded up, and Sylas wanted to help her straighten her legs. However, she couldn’t reach and it would be awkward to disturb Xerath by getting Leunen’s help due to the strong elemental fluctuations.

The awkwardness lasted for a while, but not too long. Xerath, who was nestled on her legs, mumbled incoherently and curled her legs up, curling herself into a ball.

Sylas worried for a while, hoping she wouldn’t have trouble sleeping. Then she thought optimistically, "If she feels uncomfortable, she will probably wake up and go inside to sleep."

Sylas stretched out her legs on a footstool. Leunen obediently brought her blanket, and after covering herself, she felt too tired to move and somehow fell into a deep sleep.

Xerath regained consciousness amidst the noisy chirping of birds. The glaring sunlight made her quickly close her eyes and covered them with her hand. Yesterday was a really good day of sleep. After many days, she finally had this refreshing feeling again. The weather was comfortable, the bed emitted a lovely scent, and the pillow was just the right firmness…

Not wanting to get up, she stretched lazily (she always behaved a bit freely when no one was around), turned in another direction, and intended to continue sleeping.

There were no meetings scheduled for today. The banquet from yesterday lasted until the evening, causing even the latest teleportation array to be shut down. That’s why they temporarily booked a room here.

The old master naturally thought that the difference in sleep feeling was because she changed to a different bed. The familiar and pleasant smell of home let her completely relax, and she buried her face in the strange cushion and rubbed it a bit before realizing that something was not quite right.

It was so…so strange, there was a kind of shivering comfort. She opened her eyes and took a while to gradually see the buttons on the shirt in front of her, as well as a glimpse of a young woman’s graceful curve.

It’s so strange, why did she sleep like this? She had no recollection at all, and even suspected whether she could handle the alcohol content of the fruit wine she drank last night.

Is Sylas awake? Or is she still sleeping? How should I deal with these two situations?

She casually turned her head, only to unexpectedly collide with a green and innocent twilight. Long-lost panic suddenly struck her, and instinctively she sat up. During a blank moment in her mind, something controlled her mouth, and she said in a self-righteous manner, "I’m sorry, I don’t know what happened, but did I disturb your sleep?"

Xerath was more eager to ask "How did I end up sleeping like this?", but if she received a particularly rude answer…she had no way to handle it, so it’s better not to ask.

Sylas gazed at Xerath’s silhouette, sighed with a complicated mood, and answered softly, "No, you didn’t."

Would she feel embarrassed?

"I originally only planned to close my eyes for a moment, but I fell asleep so quickly." She forced a smile and said, "I should… apologize for taking you back to your room."

"No, no need to apologize. It must have been me who fell asleep first. I lost control, so it’s my turn to apologize."

Xerath didn’t turn around from start to finish. She quickly lifted up the blanket and went back to her own room. Faint sounds of water came from a deeper place. She was probably getting ready to wash up and then go downstairs for breakfast.

After eating, she should leave.

When Xerath came out of her room, Sylas was still sitting on the couch. Xerath’s expression returned to its usual state with cold and sharp eyes. When her gaze swept over Sylas, she slightly frowned and asked, "Did you make plans with someone today?"

The beautiful wild beast that she set free seemed to be living well in the wild. It’s been said that she has some new friends in Sotralo. Even at yesterday’s dinner party, she exchanged conversations and laughter with others, but she only came up with a reserved greeting and left.

"Yes…"

When she hesitated about how much to say, Xerath seemed to be impatient for her answer. After giving a curt nod to show that she understood, she quickly left the room. She didn’t even glance at her, but unexpectedly, the water lord behind her turned back with reluctance, giving her a meaningful look.

All day, she pondered anxiously because of Xerath’s cold reaction. She continuously regretted whether if she had carried Xerath back to bed, she wouldn’t have faced those successive actions that hurt her. And when Xerath appeared outside the door, her first reaction was, "Is she here to settle the score with me?"

But Xerath’s actions confused her, and now they inexplicably recreated the scene from back then.