Meanwhile, back at the training grounds—
Ethan froze for a second.
He stared at Adelyn as though trying to see through her —through whatever scheme he believed she was playing. However, the confusion on her face appeared so genuine, so unguarded, that for a brief moment, even he found himself wavering.
For a moment, he almost believed her.
But then—
His senses snapped back, sharp and alert, and the corners of his lips curled upward in contempt.
"Heh!" he scoffed lightly, his voice laced with obvious mockery. "You sure know how to act arrogant."
Adelyn paused at his words.
His earlier tone hadn't been pleasant either, but she hadn't paid it much attention then. She had assumed it was nothing more than a passing remark —something not worth judging.
But now—
Hearing him speak like this again, she realized this wasn't accidental.
He wasn't speaking on a whim.
He had approached her deliberately.
