Chapter 83: Incoming Call

Olivia's POV

Ethan went out again. Still half-asleep, I heard the wooden door of Eastridge Tower creak several times. Even though he was being careful, the door was just too old.

I hadn't thought about leaving. Dean Lydia had quietly allowed me to rest here. After all, I couldn't leave the academy grounds anyway, and staying alone in Eastridge Tower was actually easier to monitor than the shared dorm at Westridge Tower—not to mention that some people didn't want to see me, whether it was Chloe or certain professors.

Ethan came and went several times. It wasn't until I got up in the middle of the night that I realized I was covered with two layers of blankets. The familiar patterns showed in the dim light, along with the familiar smell and feel.

How did my blankets get here?

I turned my head and saw the closet door open, with a few of my clothes hanging inside.

Did Ethan do this?

Just as I was thinking about it, Ethan came in again, holding an envelope. He looked up at my face, a flash of surprise in his eyes. "Why are you awake? Too cold or too hot? Or are you feeling unwell?"

Hearing him fire off several questions in a row, a wave of warmth spread through me. "I'm fine. I just slept too long." More than too long—I had been sleeping almost an entire day since the transformation.

He came over, sat on the edge of the bed, and handed me the envelope. "This is for you."

I took it, confused, opened it, and found a new phone. At Dawnspire Mystic Academy, electronic devices from the human world weren't allowed. Even the forum and regular communication used magical tools.

"I went back to Westridge Tower to get your things and ran into Lydia on patrol. She asked me to give you the phone, thinking you might need it." He told me everything honestly.

I hadn't expected it to actually be from Lydia, and suddenly felt a bitter ache inside. Keeping me confined to the school and giving me a phone—it was as if she had already decided I wasn't going anywhere. She would rather have me playing on my phone in my room, or maybe calling my grandmother, because there might not be another chance to see her.

That unease crept up on me again. My hand holding the phone trembled, my fingertips cold.

Ethan noticed. He was watching me. I should say something, or he would worry.

"Why did you think to go back and get my things? Did you get these blankets and clothes?"

His eyes told me he knew I was changing the subject, hiding my anxiety. "Yeah, I figured you'd be staying here for a while. I was worried you'd be uncomfortable, so I brought your personal clothes. Jane gave them to me."

I looked at the phone. "Jane… is she okay?"

Ethan was silent for a second or two. His eyes held emotions I couldn't read. He didn't speak, and the silence stretched. I started to panic, but before I could say anything, he finally answered. "She's okay. She also said to take care of yourself and that she'll wait for you to come back."

My eyes grew wet again. What was wrong with me? In just a day or two, I had become so fragile and sensitive. I wasn't the type to cry easily, but now I always felt like crying.

Since I wasn't going back to Westridge Tower, Jane must be worried and missing me too. She probably knew about my identity by now. What would she think? Would she be afraid of me too? Would she see me as a threat? No, she wouldn't think that way.

I fought back the tears, my nose stinging.

Ethan sat down next to me, his hand gently stroking my back, like comforting a child. "...Are you okay?" His voice was soft, his movements careful, like he was handling something precious.

I tried hard not to cry and just smiled in return.

Dawn was breaking. He gathered the blankets and laid them out on the floor. That worn wooden floor was not only hard but also had splinters—sleeping on it would definitely be uncomfortable. But Ethan acted like it was nothing.

"You won't sleep well like that," I couldn't help saying.

He didn't look at me. "It's fine. I'm not sleepy or tired. I don't need to sleep."

"Of course you do," I muttered. "If you don't sleep, what are you going to do?"

"Guard the door." He looked up, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.

"Silly," I said quietly, but I felt much more relaxed inside. Honestly, in a way he really was like a guard dragon, staying by my bedside, by the door, like he was guarding his treasure.

The next day, there were no classes. I lay in bed playing with my phone, occasionally browsing the academy forum. But because of the reform order, there weren't many posts now. Most were just requests for help and questions—the malicious posts from before were gone.

After my transformation and identity exposure, everyone present had seen it, and the news should have spread like wildfire. Logically, the forum should have exploded overnight, but it was strangely calm now, like someone was deliberately suppressing it.

Ethan went to the cafeteria at a different time to bring me breakfast. I didn't want to go out—maybe I wasn't ready to face other people yet.

After a while, an unknown number appeared on my phone screen. I hesitated, being very cautious. Lydia had told me that many people outside were watching me, and they might find my contact information.

But maybe it was my grandmother? This was a new phone, and Lydia might have already talked to her before giving it to me.

After thinking it over, I answered, staying alert. I didn't speak first, waiting for the other side to talk.

"Olivia, are you okay?" Lydia's familiar voice came through. Only then did I relax. But soon I felt uneasy again—I had a feeling she wouldn't be calling with good news.

"Ms. Martin, I'm fine. Why are you calling me?" I didn't know why I asked that. Maybe the pressure was getting to me, and Lydia's calls might all bring bad news.

"What, I can't call you?" Lydia said lightly. "Are you alone in the dorm right now? Is Ethan not there?"

I didn't understand why Lydia would ask that, like she was deliberately checking if Ethan and I were together. After all, she already knew we were inseparable.

"Yes, Ethan went out. I'm alone right now."

There was a second or two of silence on the other end, followed by a long sigh. My heart tightened along with it.

"There are some things I really need to remind you about."

Author's Note:

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to drop a quick note to let you know that updates will be paused for a short while. Life has been a bit hectic lately, and I need to take some time to recharge my batteries so I can give these characters the attention they deserve.

Thank you so much for your patience and support. It means the world to me!