All-around teacher at the magic academy

Inside the captain's office, the dim lighting created a somber and heavy atmosphere.

Max, the usually decisive and efficient captain, appeared unusually agitated and uneasy at this moment.

He sat in his chair, leaning slightly forward, his hands tightly gripping a cigarette, as if the lit tobacco could offer him some solace.

The cigarette burned between his fingers, wisps of smoke rising and spreading through the air.

Max's brow was furrowed, and his eyes revealed deep worry. He lit one cigarette after another in his hand, as if performing some kind of unconscious ritual.

The ashtray on the table was piled high with cigarette butts, forming a small mountain that bore witness to his inner struggles and contradictions.

Despite the overflowing ashtray, Max continued smoking. He leaned back in his chair, staring blankly at the office ceiling, as if searching for some answer.

His emotions were like a turbulent sea, and he could not calm down.

His previous decision kept replaying in his mind. He knew that this decision might trigger a series of unforeseen consequences, but he also knew that, from any perspective, Leon had the right to know the truth about this matter.

Max had weighed the pros and cons and thought things through for a long time before making this decision, but in the end, he chose to inform them.

Max was filled with contradictions and struggles; he didn't know if his decision was right or wrong. That uncertainty was like a tangled mess, tightly binding his thoughts and making it impossible for him to let go.

He worried that Leon might take some risky actions after learning the truth about the matter, or even go astray as a result.

This worry weighed heavily on Max's heart, as if a boulder were pressing down on it.

He couldn't help but wonder if he had impulsively told Leon about it, thus putting him in a dangerous situation.

However, deep down, Max harbored a secret, unspoken expectation.

He hoped that Leon would make that choice, the choice that might make things much easier for Max in the future.

This expectation was so subtle and contradictory that Max felt as if he had become a despicable person, actually trying to use others to achieve his own goals.

Max took another deep drag of his cigarette, the smoke swirling in his lungs and sending waves of stinging pain through him. He gave a self-deprecating laugh, a laugh filled with bitterness and self-reproach.

He couldn't help but question himself: when did I become so filthy that I would have such thoughts?

What's more, that person was his friend, a partner who fought alongside him and went through life and death together.

Max realized that his actions were not only a betrayal of Leon, but also a trampling of his own moral bottom line. He felt utterly despicable and unable to face his conscience.

His gaze fell on the drawer on the table, the drawer that once held that crucial envelope, but was now empty.

His fingers tapped unconsciously on the table, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him. He tried to comfort himself, telling himself that he was doing this for Leon's own good, that Leon had the right to know the truth, and that he was simply fulfilling a friend's duty by telling him everything he knew.

He repeatedly told himself, "Leon is a smart man; he can understand all this. He definitely wants to know the truth, no matter how cruel it may be. By doing this, I'm helping him, giving him the opportunity to make his own choice."

Max tried to calm his inner turmoil with this reasoning, to convince himself that his actions were justified. He had simply told him what he knew, nothing more, nothing at all.

...

On the way back, Leon sat in the car, his eyes unfocused, and his mood unconsciously became heavy.

The envelope in his pocket felt incredibly heavy; it contained the secret Max had solemnly entrusted to him, and it was also the source of his current unease.

Sitting next to him, Ilya keenly noticed Leon's change in mood. She turned her head, her eyes full of concern, and asked softly, "What's wrong, Leon?"

Her voice was gentle and delicate, like the softest breeze in the night sky, trying to soothe the turmoil in Leon's heart.

Leon was brought back to reality by Ilya's shouts. He looked into Ilya's concerned eyes and felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

He forced a smile, shook his head, and said, "Oh, it's nothing, it's nothing."

He didn't want Ilya to worry, and he didn't want her to get involved in any unknown conflicts.

Ilya looked at Leon, still harboring doubts, but she knew his character. She didn't intend to press him further; if he wanted her to know, he would tell her willingly.

Leon took a deep breath, trying to dispel the heaviness in his heart. He shook his head, deciding to stop thinking about it for the time being.

Although Max's expression was very somber, leaving him with a bad feeling, he knew that now was not the time to delve into all of this.

He turned to look out the window; the city outside was still bustling and noisy. He told himself that, at least for now, he should cherish this time with Ilya and treasure this peace and beauty.

Once he gets back, he'll find a suitable time to carefully study the contents of that letter in order to face the potential storm.

Leon turned to look at Ilya beside him, his eyes filled with tenderness and affection. He said softly, "It's been so long since we went out together. Is there anything you want to buy? Shall we go shopping?"

“Great!” Ilya replied excitedly, his eyes sparkling with joy.

It had indeed been a long time since she had gone shopping with Leon. He was usually busy with various matters, and it was rare for him to have such a relaxed opportunity to spend time with her.

The two strolled along the bustling streets of Barton. The shops lining the streets were dazzling, offering a wide variety of goods. Just like their first shopping trip, they excitedly wandered between the stores, selecting their favorite items. Before long, their hands were full of bags and pieces.

Leon smiled and took on the role of porter. Although he had slowly grasped the basics of spatial magic, it was still quite difficult to create a stable space to store items.

So for the time being, he could only work as a laborer, carrying the goods they had bought. However, seeing Ilya's cheerful expression, he felt incredibly satisfied and gratified.

He thought, "This is good enough." With his help, Ilya gradually became as lively and cheerful as any other ordinary girl.

Besides teaching, he could also find time to spend with her and enjoy this simple happiness. Perhaps this was the kind of Ilya Philip hoped to see—happy, free, and unrestrained.

"What's wrong, Brother Leon?" Ilya asked, a hint of confusion in her eyes, noticing Leon's gaze. Her gaze held a mixture of curiosity and concern.

Leon snapped out of his reverie, smiled, and shook his head. "It's nothing. I just suddenly realized that I haven't had a meal cooked by myself in a long time. Would you like to come over for dinner today? I'll cook."

"That's great!"

Ilya happily agreed, her face beaming with a blissful smile.

"I can't wait to try Leon's cooking."

"Let's go back."

"Uh-huh."