Chapter 201: Chapter 201: The Window, the Gift, and the Walk Home

Charlotte was the first to move.

She slowly pushed herself up, the softest smile tugging at her lips. Her long pink hair fell to one side as she settled onto her knees, still straddling him but now with space between them. Noel, still flat on his back, looked more stunned than ever.

His emerald eyes avoided hers. The heat in his face had nothing to do with the night air.

“Um… I probably should’ve talked to the other girls about this first,” he muttered.

Charlotte tilted her head innocently. “I did.”

Noel blinked. “You did?”

She nodded casually. “Yes. I spoke to Elyra and Elena before all this. I told them my plan. They gave me the green light.”

She brushed her fingers through her hair, her gaze lowering slightly. Her voice softened.

“I didn’t want to interfere with something already built. So this… was the least I could do. I didn’t want to ruin anything just because of my own selfish feelings.”

Noel stared at her in silence, then exhaled through his nose.

“I see. That’s… a relief, honestly.”

Charlotte smiled again, a little more relaxed this time. “So? Did you like it?”

Noel swallowed. “Yeah… It’d be weird not to, after everything we’ve been through.”

He pushed himself up on his elbows, finally looking her in the eyes.

“You’ve been important to me for a while. I guess… the way we met was one of a kind, really. If I betrayed you back then—which I’m not sure counts as betrayal—it wasn’t on purpose.”

His gaze sharpened just slightly.

“In the Holy Capital… we spent a lot of time together. You helped me without asking too many questions. You backed me through every crazy thing I did—even as the Saint, even knowing I was doing shady shit behind the scenes.”

His voice dropped a bit.

“And honestly… you held me together when I was at my lowest.”

Charlotte blinked. Then grinned.

“Wow, I didn’t think there were that many good things to say about me. Go on, flatter me more.”

Noel narrowed his eyes. “Don’t push it.”

She let out a soft laugh.

“Well, I found a way out. You?”

Noel sighed. “Nothing. Searched everywhere. Nothing.”

Charlotte smirked with faux pride. “You know what that means, right?”

Noel raised an eyebrow. “Honestly? Not a clue.”

She puffed her chest. “That I’m better than you.”

He rolled his eyes. “Right… if you say so.”

Charlotte stood and offered him her hand.

“Shall we?”

He took it without hesitation.

“Lead the way.”

The library, still cloaked in darkness, felt warmer now—not from any magical light, but from the quiet exchange between them.

Charlotte held Noel’s hand confidently as they walked through the maze of shelves. Her grip was soft, but sure. Noel let her guide him, letting her steps dictate the rhythm. He was used to leading—but for once, he didn’t mind following.

As they moved, her voice broke the silence.

“So… what do you think people will say when they find out you’re dating three of the most beautiful girls in the academy?”

Noel blinked. “That’s… oddly specific.”

She laughed. “All in Class S, too. And they don’t even know who I really am yet. When it becomes public, that makes three high-profile names tied to you. Think people will want your head out of jealousy?”

Noel smirked. “Now that you mention it… I should probably be grateful.”

Charlotte stumbled slightly. Not enough to fall—but enough to make her cheeks color.

“Oh? Did that embarrass you?” Noel asked, voice low and teasing. “Want me to say it again?”

Charlotte cleared her throat, trying to play it off. “N-No… That’s fine. Once was enough.”

He chuckled under his breath. Her hand was still in his.

They continued walking, the stairs creaking faintly underfoot as Charlotte led him upward through a narrow passage. Shelves faded into archways, and moonlight began to bleed through slits in the upper walls.

Soon, they reached a wide window tucked into the upper level. It had no lock, slightly cracked open.

Charlotte gestured toward it proudly.

“There. Our way out.”

Noel leaned closer, peeking through.

“…Seriously? Through here?”

Charlotte crossed her arms. “Did you find something better?”

He lifted his hands in surrender. “Fair enough. Let me go first, then I’ll help you through.”

He glanced at her. “You might wanna activate your Sancta Veil. Even if it’s nighttime, I doubt you want your identity slipping out just a month after leaving the Holy Capital.”

Charlotte nodded. “Good point. Give me a second.”

As Noel pushed the window open fully and began climbing out, Charlotte took a breath—and with a shimmer of magic, her long pink hair turned a rich crimson, and her eyes shifted to hazel once again.

By the time she stepped outside, Noel was already waiting just beyond the ledge.

The night air was crisp outside the window, brushing against Noel’s face as he adjusted his footing on the stone ledge. The library tower loomed behind him, tall and ancient, its architecture built long before safety was ever a concern. Below them, the rooftops of Valon stretched like dark stairs under the moonlight.

Charlotte emerged beside him, now cloaked in her public appearance—crimson hair and hazel eyes, the Sancta Veil in place.

She looked around, then glanced at him.

“Alright. Now what?”

Noel didn’t answer.

Instead, he stepped forward, turned to face her—then swept her up into his arms in one smooth motion.

“Ack—!” Charlotte squeaked, arms instinctively wrapping around his neck. “W-What are you—”

Before she could finish, he bent his knees, mana surging through his legs, and leapt.

They landed on the slanted roof of the next building down. Noel grunted softly as his feet made contact, knees bending to absorb the force. Without hesitation, he moved again—another jump, another drop, landing gently on a stone terrace. The process repeated, moving from rooftop to rooftop like descending a staircase of shadows.

By the time they reached the final ledge, Charlotte had relaxed in his arms, chin resting lightly against his shoulder.

“You know…” she murmured. “You can put me down if you want. I don’t mind being carried like this, but… you do know I could’ve done the same thing, right?”

Noel smirked. “Oh, I knew.”

Charlotte narrowed her eyes. “So you were showing off?”

“No. Just being efficient.”

She exhaled a short laugh. “You’re not as dumb as you look.”

“Thanks,” he said dryly, “that was a beautiful compliment.”

He set her down gently on the grass of a quiet courtyard. The city of Valon lay behind them, still and glowing faintly from the distant mana-lamps of the main square. Before them, the winding path led back toward the academy.

They started walking side by side, and for a while, said nothing.

Charlotte walked beside Noel, her hands behind her back, rocking slightly with each step. The Sancta Veil shimmered subtly in the moonlight, keeping her identity hidden beneath the mask of crimson hair and soft hazel eyes.

A comfortable silence stretched between them—until they reached the final bend near the academy’s outer gates.

There, as expected, stood the two familiar guards posted at the entrance.

One of them nudged the other with his elbow.

“Look,” he muttered. “Another girl. He’s a damn casanova, isn’t he?”

The other sighed. “I swear, I’d trade places with that guy in a heartbeat.”

Charlotte and Noel waved as they passed through. The guards didn’t wave back—too busy gossiping under their breath to notice.

Noel looked mildly amused. Charlotte rolled her eyes.

“Do they say that every time?”

“Pretty much.”

They entered the quiet grounds of the Class S dorms. The buildings loomed ahead—impressive, ornate, and still lit by faint magical glowstones that lined the paths. It was nearly curfew, but no one was out.

Just before they reached the central fountain, Noel stopped.

“Wait.”

Charlotte turned to him. “Hmm? What is it?”

Noel reached into his Dimensional Pouch and pulled out a small, delicately wrapped cloth bundle.

He offered it to her without a word.

Charlotte blinked. “What’s this?”

“Something for you,” he said. “I bought it from a friend. Thought it’d suit you—well, your other look, mostly.”

She carefully unfolded the cloth.

Inside: a pair of elegant pink earrings.

[Item]

Name: Whisperbuds

Type: Accessory – Earrings

Grade: Uncommon

Description: Fashioned for ceremonial gifts, these enhance the wearer’s base agility and stamina by a small percentage. Popular among healers and support mages for training.

Charlotte’s eyes widened slightly.

“Oh? So you did have this planned. You’ve just earned yourself 100 points for tonight’s date, Noel.”

He smiled faintly. “Hard to beat that record after this.”

Charlotte held the earrings up to the moonlight, admiring the color. “I’m a generous person. Don’t worry—I’ll allow you to enjoy your victory.”

The doors of the Class S dorms closed behind them with a soft metallic click. The stone path diverged into separate wings—one for the girls, one for the boys.

The gates of the Class S dorms closed behind them with a soft metallic click. The stone path diverged into separate wings—one for the girls, one for the boys.

They paused where their paths would split.

Charlotte held the small cloth-wrapped earrings close to her chest.

“Thanks again,” she said, her voice softer now. “It’s not often I get gifts that aren’t political or ceremonial.”

Noel shrugged. “Figured you’d like something a little more personal.”

She smiled at him—genuinely, without the usual teasing gleam in her eyes.

“Good night, Noel.”

“Good night, Charlotte.”

She turned and walked toward her dorm. Noel stood there for a moment, watching her silhouette disappear into the shadows.

Then he turned and made his way to his own room.

The familiar scent of polished wood and faint traces of mana greeted him as he stepped inside. The space was quiet, peaceful.

And there, curled up on the chair near the window, was Noir—his small shadow wolf body tucked in on itself, deep in sleep. His fur was pitch black, streaked with faint violet highlights that shimmered slightly in the moonlight. One ear twitched in response to the door opening, but he didn’t stir.

Noel gave a small smile.

He undressed quietly, placing his clothes neatly aside, then stepped into the bathroom for a cold shower. The icy water hit his skin like clarity—washing away the warmth, the tension, the surreal mix of emotions from the night.

Ten minutes later, he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The moonlight leaked in through the window, soft and silver.

So many things had changed.

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