At that time, Evelyn's magical rank had just reached Archmage. When she heard that the academy had, for the first time, admitted a male apprentice, she felt a hint of curiosity but did not pay it much mind.

  (The magical rank system in the continent: Magic Apprentice, Adept Mage, Journeyman Mage, Senior Mage, Master Mage, High Mage, Arcane Mage, Mystic Mage, Archmage, Elder Mage, Grand Magus)

  She trusted that the academy's leadership had their reasons. After all, convincing the notoriously strict instructors to relent must have had a special cause.

  From the rumors she had heard, the male apprentice's talent was mediocre. Even his basic elemental affinity was only average. His only distinguishing feature was his close bond with a female student.

  Normally, they were inseparable, sharing learning experiences. He never disturbed other female apprentices in their studies, nor did he ever use her status to claim magical resources.

  Because of his good behavior, the academy's leadership did not impose strict restrictions on him and would occasionally grant him magical crystals and study scrolls, implicitly acknowledging his presence.

  Yet no one anticipated that such a seemingly peaceful relationship would end so tragically.

  During an expedition into the Cursed Hollow, both of them went missing, and their bodies were never recovered.

  When the news reached the academy, the leadership was furious. Instructors personally led elite forces into Cursed Hollow to investigate, sparking a bloody purge.

  Even more shocking, the operation uncovered a hidden Dark Elder Mage deep within the Cursed Hollow.

  This Dark Elder Mage was infamous across the continent, feeding on the souls of female mages and mastering the evil Soul-Devouring magic.

  The academy leadership speculated that the male and female apprentices had likely perished at his hands. It was no small feat to simultaneously eliminate someone of Evelyn's level alongside her companion; only an Elder Mage of his strength could manage it.

  In the end, the Dark Elder Mage was slain by the academy's Headmistress.

  The remaining dark mages in the Cursed Hollow were wiped out by the team led by Evelyn, leaving the threat nearly eradicated.

  After this campaign, dark mages across the continent were forced to restrain themselves. For the next thousand years, they dared not provoke Glacial Arcana Academy's apprentices, and even approaching the academy's sphere of influence was done with extreme caution, fearing a repeat of the Cursed Hollow disaster.

  "Evelyn, I'm going to suffocate in here!"

  Evelyn's thoughts were interrupted by a voice filled with grievance.

  Ryan, tangled in the bindings under the covers, could no longer bear it. Even at night, the summer heat offered no relief, and being wrapped up like a mummy made him restless.

  Evelyn snapped back to reality and saw Ryan struggling under the covers. Her brows furrowed slightly, but she still stepped forward and lifted the blanket off him.

  Ryan immediately took deep breaths of fresh air. The suffocating pressure on his chest vanished, and he felt much more comfortable.

  Once his breathing stabilized, he raised his head and met Evelyn's cold, clear gaze. The two stared at each other, creating a subtle tension in the room.

  Swallowing nervously, Ryan cautiously said,"It's already very late. Maybe we should go to sleep early?"

  His tone was tentative, but inside, he held a trace of hope. If he could share a bed with Evelyn, even while still bound, he would be completely willing.

  "I just want to sleep, really, that's all!" Ryan quickly explained, afraid Evelyn would misunderstand him again.

  "Look at me, all tied up like this. Even if I wanted to do something, there's no chance!"

  "Still restless while tied up? Do you want me to hang you from the ceiling beam?" Evelyn glanced at him coldly, her tone carrying a clear threat.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Ryan immediately went silent and quickly closed his eyes, pretending to sleep. He knew Evelyn too well. If she actually hung him up all night, it would be pure suffering.

  Seeing his frightened expression, a faint smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of her lips, but it vanished almost immediately.

  Just as she was about to return to her own bed, Ryan's voice sounded again:"You look really nice when you smile."

  Evelyn paused mid-step and looked back. Ryan's eyes were still closed, but a thin slit at the corner revealed a foolish smile on his face. He had clearly caught that fleeting smile of hers.

  "Do you like seeing it?" Evelyn's voice softened slightly.

  "I do!" Ryan immediately opened his eyes, openly expressing his admiration, secretly hoping she would smile longer for him.

  But reality hit him hard. Evelyn turned her back, expressionless, and walked to the corner of the room to sit.

  Blue magical auras immediately radiated from her body, clearly entering a meditative state. She did not even give him the courtesy of a single glance.

  "Now she won't even show me her face!" Ryan muttered to himself but did not dare disturb her further and reluctantly closed his eyes.

  He quietly activated the Chaosforge Arcana within him. Without deliberate guidance, it could operate automatically during sleep, strengthening his magical energy.

  The night passed in silence, leaving only the steady breathing of the two in the room.

  The next morning, a knock suddenly sounded:"Mentor! Are you awake?"

  Ryan, half-asleep, was startled awake by the sound. He groggily opened his eyes, about to stretch, only to realize he was still bound and could not move.

  He turned his head toward the corner of the room. Evelyn was still meditating. The magical aura around her was even more intense than the night before, clearly in deep study. The knocking had not disturbed her at all.

  "Stop knocking! I'm coming out!" Ryan shouted, worried the noise might interrupt her.

  Derrick outside heard him and immediately stopped, shouting through the door:"Okay, Mentor! I'll wait out here!"

  After a full hour, the magical aura around Evelyn gradually dissipated. She slowly opened her eyes, a trace of satisfaction shining in them.

  After a night of meditation, her magic had improved several degrees.

  "Evelyn, you're finally awake! Untie me already!" Ryan, growing impatient, spoke up quickly."If Derrick comes in and sees me tied up like this, my reputation as a mentor is completely ruined!"

  Evelyn stood and walked over to Ryan, untying him. But just as he thought he was finally free, she took out the short binding rope again. One end she tied to his wrist, the other to her own.

  "Until you give me a satisfactory explanation, don't even think about running. Otherwise, I'll break your legs and drag you myself."

  "Evelyn, you're terrifying!" Ryan gasped.

  "Do you think I'm joking?" Evelyn seemed to see through his thoughts. A piercing chill radiated from her, and the room's temperature dropped several degrees in an instant.

  A human air conditioner, Ryan thought wryly, shivering despite himself and quickly said.

  "Absolutely not! How could I ever doubt you!" Ryan hurriedly waved his hands in denial, forcing a flattering smile.

  He suddenly recalled an incident from a past life: back then he had just obtained a high level agility scroll. Overconfident in his nimbleness, he actually went and stole Evelyn's undergarments.

  He was caught red handed. Evelyn did not utter a word, she kicked and shattered his leg bones, even swung her sword and severed both his arms.

  "What are you thinking about?" Evelyn's tone grew colder when she saw his eyes wander.

  "Nothing! I was just thinking about lodging on the Central Continent!" Ryan snapped back to attention and changed the topic.

  "When we arrive, we should first find a safe inn. Safety comes first."

  He knew well that with Evelyn's character, if she truly meant to harm him, she would have done it already. Her threats were only words for now.

  Just then the door opened and Derrick poked his head in. He saw the binding rope still tying Ryan and Evelyn's wrists. Derrick wore an honest grin."You two are so affectionate, even walking tied together."

  Ryan:"……"

  Evelyn:"……"

  Neither of them explained. Darlene followed in and spoke first."Before I go to the Sanctum of the Sacred Sword, I need to return to the palace to see my mother. Do you want to come along?"

  "You came to find me yesterday just to say that?" Ryan remembered Derrick's joking blessing last night and realized they had come to invite him.

  "Yeah." Darlene nodded, looking a little embarrassed."I wanted to tell you yesterday, but when we heard no sound from the room we thought you were… resting, so we did not want to disturb you."

  When she said"resting," her eyes involuntarily glanced at Ryan and Evelyn, clearly thinking something naughty.

  "No thanks. Your place has nothing interesting." Ryan refused plainly. He was tied up and awkward to move, and visiting the imperial palace would attract too much attention.

  Derrick quietly moved closer, leaned to Ryan's ear, and lowered his voice.

  "Mentor, Darlene said her mother is the Queen of the Eryndor Empire. The palace must have many rare magical artifacts, maybe even high level magic scrolls."

  "Really?" Ryan's eyes brightened. He frowned at Derrick, half in disbelief. He had always assumed Darlene was from an ordinary noble family and did not expect such a background.

  Derrick shook his head."I am not certain. Darlene told me privately yesterday."

  Ryan then used Grimoire's detection magic to scan Darlene.

  【Name: Darlene】

  【Identity: Daughter of the Queen of the Eryndor Empire】

  【Magic Rank: Eighth Tier Adept Mage】

  【Weapon: Epic Frost Jade Sword (Sealed)】

  "An epic weapon!" Ryan exclaimed inwardly, barely keeping his expression in check.

  He confirmed the reading several times before he dared believe it. Epic weapons were extremely rare across the magical continent. Even when sealed, they contained immense magical power.

  Yet Darlene seemed completely unaware, carrying it like an ordinary sword.

  A bold thought flashed through his mind: should he"borrow" the sword while Darlene does not notice? After all, she could not use it for now, and having it in his hands would allow its true value to be realized.