Before the food could arrive, Ethan felt a tap on his shoulder.

He spun around, instantly alert—then froze.

“Tiana…” The name escaped his lips before he could stop it.

Standing before him was a woman with straight pitch-black hair cascading past her shoulders, partially hidden under a simple baseball cap.

Her face wore no makeup, not that she needed any, her skin was flawlessly white, a perfect canvas for those sky-blue eyes that had haunted his predecessor’s memories.

“Ethan…” Her voice carried the same musical quality, though tinged with disbelief. “It really is…you.”

His mind raced. This wasn’t part of the plan.

But as she stood there, the embodiment of his predecessor’s greatest regret, Ethan realized he had a different problem.

This woman knew the original Ethan Brandon intimately. If anyone could spot that he wasn’t the same person, it would be her.

“What are you doing here?” he managed, trying to sound natural.

“I could ask you the same,” she replied, adjusting her cap. “This is quite far from the military district.”

Something flashed in her eyes—hope mixed with hesitation. The memories of their final conversation hung between them like a physical barrier.

“May I?” She gestured to the empty chair across from him.

Ethan nodded, buying precious seconds to formulate his response.

Tiana slid into the chair across from him, her analytical gaze sweeping over his face.

“You look… different,” she said.

“Military life changes people.” Ethan kept his voice neutral, watching her reaction.

“No, it’s more than that.” Her head tilted slightly. “You seem stronger. More confident.”

“Why are you in this district?” he asked, changing the subject. “Thought you’d be in some high-end research facility.”

“Why not?” Tiana shrugged, a hint of defiance in her voice. “Just because I’m in a research facility doesn’t mean I can’t come to this district to eat, right?”

Before Ethan could respond.

Lin appeared with a steaming plate of sweet and sour chicken, her eyes darting between Ethan and his unexpected guest. “Oh! Sorry to interrupt—”

“It’s fine,” Ethan said quickly.

Lin placed his food down with more force than necessary, the sauce nearly sloshing over the edge. “Anything for your friend?” Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Just tea, please,” Tiana responded, either not noticing or choosing to ignore Lin’s sudden coolness.

“Coming right up.” Lin lingered a moment longer than needed before heading back to the kitchen, glancing over her shoulder once.

Ethan took a bite of chicken, using the moment to gather his thoughts. He had to act the same way the other Ethan was, passive aggressive.

“So,” Tiana leaned forward, those analytical eyes focused entirely on him, “scout duties going well?”

“As well as can be expected for cannon fodder.”

She winced, her brows contorting. “Don’t call yourself that.”

“Just stating facts.” He took another bite. “Some people get B-Grade talents. Others get military conscription.”

“You know I—”

“I remember,” he cut her off. The less she dug into his predecessor’s decisions, the better. “Water under the bridge now.”

Lin returned with tea, setting it down gently.

“Anything else?” she asked, this time looking directly at Ethan.

“We’re good, thanks.”

Tiana took a sip of tea, studying him over the rim of her cup.

“What do you think about the beast tide?” Ethan asked, abruptly changing tactics.

Her eyes sharpened instantly. “The rumors about Silver-ranks gathering? Or the general increase in activity?”

“Both,” he said. “One of our generals returned half-dead yesterday. Something big is coming.”

Tiana glanced around before leaning closer. “It’s not random. My research shows definite migration patterns. The beasts are being pushed here from the north.”

“Pushed? By what?”

“That’s the question, isn’t it?” Her voice dropped lower. “The institute thinks it’s just seasonal movement, but my data suggests otherwise. Something’s forcing them south.”

Ethan’s mind raced. A threat that could push Silver-rank beasts? That was beyond anything the city was prepared for.

“The higher-ups aren’t listening,” she continued, frustration evident. “They never do until it’s too late.”

“And when will it be too late?”

“Based on current migration speeds?” Tiana’s expression turned grim. “Two days. Four at most.”

Lin appeared again, hovering nearby. “Everything taste alright?”

“Perfect,” Ethan said without looking away from Tiana. “We’re fine.”

When Lin reluctantly moved away, Tiana sighed. “She likes you.”

“What? No.” Ethan frowned, genuinely caught off guard. Social subtleties weren’t exactly his priority right now. “She’s just doing her job.”

“Sure.” Tiana’s knowing smile was infuriating. “And she just happens to check on you every three minutes when there are six other tables to serve.”

“Can we focus?” Ethan tapped the table. “Three days until potential disaster seems slightly more important than this.”

“Some things really don’t change. You’re still terrible at noticing when women are interested.”

Ethan bit back a response. The original Ethan might have been oblivious, but he had more pressing concerns than Lin’s apparent interest or Tiana’s amusement.

“These migration patterns,” he redirected, “have you spoke about them?”

She scoffed. “I’ve tried to get this to one of the Generals, but his staff blocks everything that doesn’t come through ‘proper channels.'”

“And proper channels mean?”

“District Two military bureaucrats who think a B-Grade talent should stick to theory and leave field assessments to ‘real soldiers.'” The bitterness in her voice was clear.

Ethan studied the diagrams more carefully. If Tiana was right, and her analytical talent suggested she was, the city was woefully unprepared.

‘Silver ranked beasts aren’t the real threat…’ He thought, as he looked at the white clouds in the blue sky.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep