Non finally let go of Emily, giving her a final reassuring squeeze before stepping back.

  She remaiill, her cheeks flushed as she looked at Non, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

  The whole situation was… surreal.

  However, they weren’t the only ones surprised.

  The people in the church, who had withe embrace right there in the sacred space, began murmuring amongst themselves.

  "Did you see that? That boy and that girl… hugging here of all pces."

  "Do they have no respect? This is a pce of worship, not some inn for lovers."

  "And he hasn’t even ged his clothes. Just look at the impression he’s giving…"

  "Since when do they let people like that in here?"

  The disapproving and surprised whispers didn’t stop, but Non barely paid them any attention.

  Hestia, notig that Non was still in his sleepwear, approached and offered to take them somewhere more private.

  "Non, if you’d like to speak with Emily in peace… I could guide you to a private room," suggested Hestia, pointing toward a discreet door at the back of the church.

  He nodded, grateful for her sideration.

  "That would be perfect."

  Emily, still somewhat dazed and with her face flushed, nodded silently while ended his hand tently taking it to lead her along.

  She, still lost ihoughts, was left w what this sudden ge in him meant. It was true that Non had given her ued attention from the beginning, but this level of focus…

  It was all too much for her!

  Emily walked quietly, letting herself be led by the two of them.

  As they moved through the hallways to a more private area, Emily looked down at Non’s hand holding hers.

  She thought about how, until retly, Non had always been reserved, distant, and not oo show affe toward others, and now… this closeness.

  What had happened?

  Something inside her told her that something was different about Non, but…

  What exactly was it?

  So deep was she ihoughts that she hadn’t noticed herself drifting away into her own mind.

  "Emily," Noed in a louder toopping for a moment to look at her. "Emily, you hear me?"

  Startled, Emily blinked and looked at him, still slightly flushed and thhly embarrassed for not hearing him earlier.

  "W-what happened?" she asked, her voice tinged with shyness.

  Non, without paying much mind to her distra, gave her a slight smile.

  "I want to see yic."

  She looked at him, surprised, still processing his words.

  While she had practiced several times privately… right now, Emily was quite nervous because Hestia resent.

  For some reasoia’s gaze felt heavier than usual, and it uled Emily.

  ‘Would it be selfish if I asked her to leave…?’ Emily thought, gng at Hestia.

  "A-are you sure I …?" Emily murmured, her gaze now fixed on Non.

  He nodded, determined.

  "You’ve do several times before; you do it."

  Emily’s heart began to race at his words, and she felt chills run through her body from the o her surprise, though…

  She had fotten!

  She had pletely fottehing Non had taught her!

  ‘Damn it… and here I am, a magi who’s supposed to be ready to do this at any moment…’ Emily thought nervously.

  Hestia, who had overheard the versation, was quite intrigued.

  She was about to witness Non’s disciple’s magic firsthand!

  This was aing opportunity!

  ‘What is it about this girl that has caught Non’s attention…?’ Hestia wondered, eagerly waiting for Emily to cast a spell.

  But to her surprise… the seds ticked by, and it seemed like Emily wasn’t doing anything.

  ‘Could it be that the spell requires signifit mental preparation…?’ Hestia thought, puzzled as she waited in anticipation for Emily to show something.

  Several more seds passed and…

  Nothing.

  Emily wasn’t doing anything at all.

  Typically, every mage would recite an intation out loud before casting a spell, but seeing Emily standing pletely still and silent…

  ‘Could she be preparing a rge-scale spell?’ Hestia cluded suddenly, as it was the only expnation for why Emily was taking so long to cast her spell.

  Or it could also be that she wasn’t yet skilled at using magid so she hesitated to cast it.

  But that was impossible for a disciple of Non!

  Emily had to be special, because otherwise, there was no way Non would be fog on her.

  That was Hestia’s reasoning.

  But when the waiting stretched into minutes… Non spoke up and said:

  "Are you nervous?"