The next day arrived bright and clear perfect weather for a PE class.
The training field buzzed with students stretching, chatting, and laughing as the teachers gathered near the equipment racks.
Milly, clipboard in hand, was still rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
Her thoughts were sluggish, and her coffee hadn't kicked in yet.
That was when Celeste walked across the field.
The new absorption magic instructor carried herself with calm precision every step measured, every motion smooth.
Milly watched her quietly from the corner of her eye.
Her students didn't notice, but her gaze lingered a little too long.
Celeste stopped near the field's edge, turning to observe a group of students practicing mana channeling. She crossed her arms and the motion made Milly's heart skip.
That hand posture. That tilt of her head. The same rhythm Simni used when she analyzed data.
Milly blinked several times, her thoughts stuttering.
"…No. Nope. Not again."
She shook her head rapidly, forcing a smile at a passing student.
"Focus, Milly. Just focus on class."
She clapped her hands together and called out, "Alright everyone! Let's do fifty laps before warm-up! You know the rules no complaints!"
The students groaned but started running.
As they did, Celeste moved to assist a few stragglers who struggled with mana stability. She knelt beside one, adjusting the student's wrist angle and giving a short nod.
Her tone was steady. Warm. Familiar.
Milly's eye twitched.
"Okay… okay, that's the exact same phrasing Simni used during training drills…"
Her fingers trembled slightly as she scribbled something random on her clipboard mostly just doodles of question marks.
Celeste straightened up and turned toward her for a moment. Their eyes met.
Amber calm, steady for a moment.
Then, blue. Just for a heartbeat.
Milly's heart jumped.
She immediately looked away, laughing awkwardly under her breath.
"Heh… right. Definitely fine. Totally not hallucinating."
She muttered quietly, "I really, really need some pills or something…"
One of the students nearby blinked. "Did you say something, Miss Mila?"
Milly turned, smiling too wide. "Nope! Absolutely nothing! Keep running before I make it seventy laps!"
The student yelped and ran faster.
Meanwhile, Celeste's gaze lingered on Milly for a moment longer. Her lips pressed together faintly...like she wanted to say something, but couldn't.
Then she looked back at her students, voice calm as ever.
"Focus your mana flow. Do not let emotion interrupt balance."
And Milly, watching from the sidelines, could only mutter under her breath-
"…You even sound like her."