Would it happen again as it had done before in Aroth?

Eugene feared it might. He remembered that night when Sienna, Anise, and Kristina, drunk as skunks, forced their way into his room. Eugene had feigned sleep, trembling under his blanket in fear.

The devils reeking of alcohol had laughed as they ripped away Eugene's blanket and landed a punch on his side. Their intent to mock and hurt had been crystal clear as they broke through his resistance and teased him….

What if it happened again this time? Thankfully, Sienna had refrained from drinking and had returned to her room. But Anise had always been the most unpredictable with alcohol, a reputation she'd earned for over three hundred years.

What if Anise drank and Kristina got drunk, and even Ciel, who was with them, also became intoxicated? And if Sienna joined midway and they all drank like there was no tomorrow. What if they then stormed into his room?

Eugene stayed awake all night, consumed by such worries.

But, fortunately, dawn passed without incident. Eugene hadn’t even laid on his bed and sat by the window, lost in thought and was roused by the chirping of morning birds. Relief washed over him as he gazed out at the sunrise over the eastern sea, not too far away.

"Phew…." He exhaled a deep sigh.

A new day had begun. Despite his long contemplation during the pre-dawn hours, the weight in his chest was still there. As he aimlessly gazed outside, he suddenly jolted back in surprise.

Ciel had appeared on the training grounds in her workout clothes. Eugene couldn't make out Ciel’s expression from his vantage point, but she didn't seem dejected, and her steps were steady.

Should he open the window? Or go down to see her? Or should he just ignore her? While Eugene was hesitating, Ciel turned her h...