The Smiling Death

Chapter 463: Eliana is Back

It was another peaceful day at Arcadia Academy.

Only two days remained before the Academy officially started once again. Because of that, students had slowly begun returning to the Academy from different kingdoms, noble territories, and distant lands.

The once quiet Academy grounds had gradually started becoming lively again. Students could be seen walking through the large pathways while carrying luggage, talking with friends after long periods of separation, or exploring the Academy grounds once more after months away.

The atmosphere felt refreshing.

Especially for Amon. After everything he had experienced during the last several months, simply walking peacefully inside the Academy again felt strangely comforting.

Currently, Amon, Seraphina, and Marcus were walking together along one of the long cobblestone paths leading toward the Academy entrance gate.

Tall trees lined both sides of the road while warm morning sunlight poured through the leaves gently. A soft breeze occasionally moved through the Academy grounds.

Seraphina had already told Amon earlier that both Eliana and Aisha would return today.

Because of that Amon was genuinely excited. Just yesterday he had met Marcus again. And now he was finally going to meet the others too.

A grin slowly appeared on his face. Then suddenly he spoke with a playful expression, "Hey, how should I greet them? Tell me a fun way."

Beside him, Marcus immediately frowned with an irritated look. His violet hair moved lightly as he glanced sideways at Amon. "Why are you asking me? It has nothing to do with me."

Amon clicked his tongue dramatically. "Tch!"

Then he immediately turned toward Seraphina with sparkling eyes. "Hey Sera~ how should I greet them? Maybe with a jump scare?"

Currently, Seraphina walked calmly beside them while holding a few books in her arms.

Today she wore a simple white blouse along with a black skirt reaching below her knees. Her golden-blonde hair moved softly behind her while her amber earrings reflected sunlight beautifully beneath the morning sky.

Hearing Amon’s words, she thought quietly for a moment.

Then she answered honestly, "Well... just stand there and let her see you. I mean Eliana... I don’t know about Aisha."

She paused slightly before continuing, "She said she was going to arrive today too, but I don’t know at what time. It will probably be sometime in the afternoon."

Amon nodded thoughtfully. "Guess we will just meet her normally."

Soon, the trio finally reached the large entrance gate area of Arcadia Academy. The huge gates stood proudly while many students and carriages could occasionally be seen arriving from outside.

Amon and the others stopped nearby while waiting for Eliana.

Meanwhile, they casually continued talking about random things.

Marcus suddenly glanced toward Amon before speaking with slight disbelief still present on his face. "But seriously... you really became strong. I still can’t believe it."

Amon instantly grinned proudly. "Hehe~ let’s spar later. Then you will know just how strong I have become."

Marcus snorted lightly. "I feel like you became even more annoying after returning."

Meanwhile, Seraphina quietly looked toward Amon before speaking calmly, "Hmm... Amon sure is strong now."

Then after a brief pause, she added honestly, "He might defeat me if we fought seriously. Like fighting against me to kill me."

Amon immediately waved his hands.

"Hey, I would never do that. I can fight Marcus to kill him but not you. Never."

Marcus instantly looked offended. "This bastard!! Your habit of flirting still hasn’t disappeared."

Amon looked wronged immediately. "Hey, I didn’t flirt. I was just being honest."

"My foot honest." Marcus replied.

Amon sighed dramatically before speaking again. "Hey, I already told you I have a lover. Even Sera had talked with her. So why don’t you believe me?"

Marcus immediately smirked. "Because just yesterday when you met me, you said no one can kill you before you build your harem."

The moment those words entered the conversation.

Seraphina’s eyes widened slightly. For the first time in a while, her usually calm expression visibly cracked. With genuine surprise in her golden eyes, she looked toward Amon.

"Is that true, Amon?" Her voice sounded oddly serious now. "Y-You actually want to have a harem?"

She looked at him as though she had just discovered some hidden truth about the world itself. Then her gaze slowly narrowed slightly. "Is that why... you flirt with me, Sister Selena, and Professor Adelia?"

Amon immediately panicked. "Hey! S-Sera, that’s not—"

Marcus instantly pointed toward Amon dramatically. "Yes, you are right! And how the hell did he become so close with Her Highness Selena anyway?"

Amon looked like his soul was leaving his body.

He quickly turned toward Seraphina. "Hey Sera, don’t believe his words. This man is talking nonsense."

Marcus smirked victoriously. "What? Now you are afraid because your secret has been exposed?"

"Dammit!!"

Meanwhile, Seraphina quietly stared at Amon. Though she still maintained her calm appearance, her lips were twitching slightly. As if she was doing everything possible to stop herself from laughing.

Then finally a soft chuckle escaped her lips. "Pff-"

She covered her mouth lightly before shaking her head. "Amon, I was just joking. Don’t worry."

A small smile appeared on her face. Only then did Amon finally relax. He placed one hand over his chest dramatically. "...You almost gave me a heart attack."

Marcus clicked his tongue unhappily. "Tch!"

Honestly, he had been greatly enjoying Amon’s suffering.

Amon glanced toward Seraphina with narrowed eyes. "I knew it. Seraphina, you know me well."

Seraphina nodded gently. "Yes... we did spend a lot of time together during the last few weeks."

Her expression softened slightly. "So I got to know you more, I guess."

Amon sighed helplessly.

Just then a familiar cheerful voice suddenly echoed toward them from nearby.

"Hey!! Seraphina!! And Marcus!!"

The trio immediately turned toward the voice.

Then they saw her.

Amon’s eyes widened slightly. It was Eliana. The elven princess stood near the entrance path while sunlight fell beautifully across her figure. Today she wore a beautiful light blue dress decorated with silver floral patterns near the edges.

Her long platinum-blonde hair looked silky and straight while shining beneath the sunlight almost like silver itself. Her clear blue eyes sparkled brightly with excitement. Her fair skin looked smooth and flawless while her long pointed ears twitched adorably as she moved.

She possessed the graceful beauty that elves were famous for.

She was elegant, natural and almost unreal.

The moment she noticed Seraphina and Marcus, she immediately ran toward them happily.

But then she suddenly stopped. Her blue eyes widened in disbelief. Because standing there beside them was someone she recognized extremely well.

He had Black hair, black eyes. That familiar face. That commoner-looking boy she hadn’t seen for many months. Who had become slightly handsome. Her lips parted slightly.

"A-Amon?! Is that you?!" Her voice became loud from shock.

Meanwhile, the commoner-looking— Well, now honestly handsome-looking young man smiled brightly before waving casually.

"Yes, it’s me Princess Eliana. Long time no see."

The moment she heard his voice clearly Eliana’s entire expression brightened instantly. With a huge smile, she ran directly toward the group before stopping right in front of Amon.

Her blue eyes immediately began checking him from head to toe repeatedly as if making sure he was actually real.

Then with disbelief and happiness mixed together, she exclaimed,

"It really is you, Amon! I cannot believe my eyes!"

Her ears twitched continuously while she spoke excitedly.

"Where were you for so long?!"

Then she actually started bouncing lightly in place from excitement.

Amon couldn’t help smiling while watching her reaction.

Slowly, he opened both his arms dramatically. "Well, it’s a long story."

Then he grinned teasingly. "But I am happy to see you again. Now where’s my hug? I deserve one after meeting you again after so many months."

The moment those words left his mouth, Eliana immediately stopped bouncing. Her expression became baffled.

Marcus coughed awkwardly while staring at Amon like he was witnessing a mentally unstable person.

Meanwhile, Seraphina quietly chuckled beside them while shaking her head helplessly.

Eliana crossed her arms quickly.

Her long ears twitched once more before she replied proudly, "Why should I give you a hug? I am a girl. I cannot hug a man that easily."

Amon immediately laughed before lowering his arms again.

"I was just joking."

Then he spoke casually, "Sera and Senior Selena hugged me when they saw me though, so I thought you would do the same."

Eliana instantly looked at him with disbelief.

Then she laughed proudly. "Dream on."

She lifted her chin slightly with royal confidence.

"I am an elven princess. There is no way you will get a hug from me that easily." her words were proud and filled with dignity that suit to an elven princess.

Marcus immediately smirked from the side. "For once, I agree with her."

Amon sighed dramatically again. "Tch... such cold-hearted people."

Meanwhile, Eliana continued staring at him happily. Even now, she still looked slightly emotional. Because honestly she truly thought Amon might never return. He was a boy with whom she had became friend because he looked funny. He was just a commoner nothing else but after months he really did become her true good friend.

And now here he was. Standing before her once again. He was alive, healthy, fine and smiling like before. And somehow even more shameless than before.