Samuel paused as he looked.
The silhouette was just as familiar as he rembered.
But what he couldn’t understand was why Onyx would show up here.
Was she ...?
Before his mind could even complete the thought, his feet had already begun moving, as if driven by instinct, to confirm it.
As he approached closer—
He called out, "Onyx?"
The woman didn’t turn toward him. But she didn’t walk away either. She simply stood there.
That alone made Samuel feel even more certain.
He stepped forward, moving to stand in front of her.
"Onyx, I—"
However, his words halted the mont he saw her face clearly.
"Sorry, sir," Alia spoke, her brows knitting in slight confusion. "Were you calling for ?"
Samuel quickly shook his head, an apologetic smile forming on his lips. "I’m sorry. I mistook you for soone else."
Alia simply nodded, offering him a polite smile. "It’s alright."
Samuel gave a small, respectful bow before turning and walking back the way he had co.
He didn’t dwell on it.
After all, why would Onyx appear here in Ashvale, Vabraria? The last confird reports had placed her in Saint Martin, Belmar—
A country far to the extre west of Vabraria.
Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought and walked away without turning back again.
However—
Just as he left, Adelyn appeared from the corner.
Alia glanced at her, her gaze dropping imdiately to her shoes. "Have you tied your laces?" she asked.
Adelyn nodded. "Yes. Let’s go."
And with that, they left as well.
Outside—
As expected, Freya was already waiting with the car.
This ti, Adelyn didn’t refuse the ride. She slipped into the back seat, while Alia took the passenger seat beside Freya.
Soon, the car drove out of the premises.
Not far away, Edic caught sight of them.
Freya had once been the top talent manager, and he had personally long admired her, so he recognised her imdiately. His gaze shifted to the back seat, trying to catch a glimpse of Adelyn.
Though he couldn’t see her clearly, he could guess who she was.
"Oh ... so that’s her," he muttered.
Ethan stood right beside him. Hearing that, he turned slightly, confusion evident in his eyes. "Who are you talking about?"
Edic tilted his chin toward the direction of Freya’s car, which was already heading toward the exit.
"Freya Finn’s new artiste," he said.
Ethan turned to look as well.
But by the ti he did, the car had already driven away. He caught only a fleeting glimpse of it before it disappeared from sight.
"Freya must’ve brought her here to practice. She was probably training in the sa arena as you. We missed the chance of seeing her."
Ethan turned back to him, his brows drawn together tightly.
Edic understood that look and imdiately added, "Oh, don’t give that expression. I’m not telling you sothing out of context. Later, you’ll be seeing her more often anyway. I heard she’s been signed for The Empress’s Grief too. As for what role..." he paused, shaking his head, "they haven’t announced it yet."
Ethan didn’t respond.
But sothing seed to strike him suddenly.
He turned again, looking toward the direction where the car had vanished.
His eyes turned cold.
Edic noticed the shift imdiately. "Why do you look like that all of a sudden?" he asked, following his gaze. After a mont, he frowned. "Did she offend you sohow? Do you know her?"
He paused, then shook his head on his own.
"No ... that can’t be it. You didn’t even get a proper look at her. You probably don’t even know who she is. Then why are you acting like she offended you in the worst way possible?"
Ethan’s voice turned colder.
"One who only knows how to copy others isn’t worth offending ."
His words left Edic completely baffled.
He tried to make sense of them —but the more he thought, the less sense they made.
"What does that even an?" Edic asked. "She might just be a supporting cast for now, but you can’t look down on her like that. If Freya chose her, she must have talent."
Ethan clearly didn’t look convinced.
Seeing that, Edic frowned and pointed at him. "You ... since when did you beco this arrogant? I didn’t groom you like this. Weren’t you always supportive of people who worked hard?"
Ethan might appear cold on the surface, but as his manager, Edic knew him better.
The boy wasn’t heartless.
He might act bluntly, but he wouldn’t belittle soone without reason.
"Working hard is different from copying," Ethan said, his tone laced with quiet accusation. "Mimicking soone else’s moves can take a person forward —but only for so long. She may start as a supporting character ... and remain one forever."
Edic didn’t know where all of this was coming from.
And frankly, he didn’t have the energy to dig deeper at the mont.
So, he let it go.
If Ethan was mistaken, he would realize it himself soon enough.
After all, they would eventually et on set.
And as for Edic—
He trusted Freya’s judgnt.
If she had chosen soone, there had to be sothing exceptional about that person.
"Alright, let’s drop it," Edic said, waving a hand dismissively. "Let’s talk about your upcoming schedule instead."
anwhile—
Inside Freya’s car—
Alia suddenly turned in her seat.
"Wait ..."
Adelyn looked at her.
Alia continued, her curiosity getting the better of her,
"Earlier, we saw you handling the sword so skillfully ... have you ever competed in any tournants before?"
She knew it might be slightly off-topic —but she couldn’t help herself.
After all, every ti she underestimated Adelyn—
The girl proved her wrong.
"If you have any notable achievents in this field," Alia added, "we could use them for your promotion later. People love versatile actors. So ... have you participated in any major competitions?"
Freya, too, glanced at Adelyn through the rearview mirror, clearly interested in her answer.
Adelyn t Alia’s gaze and thought for a mont.
And just when Alia was about to elaborate further—
Adelyn spoke.
She gave a small nod.
"Yes," she said simply, "I’ve won a few championships."
"Championships?" Alia nearly gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief.
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