Enigma of Sin

Kayn arrived at his lecture room a little later than his usual time, and unsurprisingly, Maria was already waiting outside on the bench for Kayn to arrive. He would usually arrive a few moments before she did, but as he was with Kinzie this morning, he had arrived after her.

"Good morning, Professor." Maria stood as she spoke and gave him a small bow. Even in the past few months, the young woman usually kept a stoic expressionless face. The only times that Kayn had seen her expression change was when she found something new extremely interesting.

Maria would update her mother weekly about everything that she was learning, and she felt that her healing prowess had skyrocketed in the last few months. The knowledge and variety of ways that Kayn had taught her to utilize her elements was revolutionary in her eyes. She didn't think she had learned anything in her first three years compared to these last three months.

While that wasn't exactly true, as what she had previously learned laid out her foundation, Kayn was merely shaping a diamond in the rough into its perfect form.

"And good morning to you, Maria." Kayn was smiling before and after he spoke, almost like he was possessed by something. Maria raised her brows at Kayn's odd behavior. Even if he normally would have a small smile on his face, it never seemed genuine. However, today's smile was on a whole different level, as if something miraculous had happened to him.

"As there was no homework for the students last time, feel free to do whatever you like for the first part of today's lesson. I will be holding a question-and-answer session for the class as a review of what they learned and experienced yesterday.

"If you have any questions that would benefit the class, feel free to ask as well. Any questions you hold, that are more complicated than the first years can handle that is, we will discuss tomorrow during our session." Kayn spoke as he took a seat in front of the small desk next to the podium.

Maria only nodded once as a reply as she sat down next to him, waiting for the students to show up for the morning.

As the last student entered just before the bell rang, Kayn stood up and addressed the class by telling them exactly what he had told Maria earlier. Immediately, hands shot up into the air, thus starting the review session.

Kayn answered each and every question that was asked, even if it pertained to something that wasn't exactly related to their profession, such as a few combat related questions that popped up after witnessing the spars yesterday.

Once everyone had asked their questions, Kayn proceeded to divide the class into groups as he had the day before in the arena. He then handed out scenario questions that they were to discuss and solve as a group.

Since they already had practical experience, Kayn wanted them to have more theory practice with new and different situations that they were not able to see yesterday.

Once the groups were all organized and everyone had a few scenarios, Kayn and Maria spent the rest of the time waltzing between groups, solving any doubts they may have had.

Maria was even able to answer questions regarding all of the elements now as Kayn had spent a good chunk of time teaching her all of the basics that she would need to help the class out. He couldn't help but be impressed by her as she absorbed everything he taught her like a sponge, quickly being able to theorize and add it into her own style.

Once the class was over, Kayn spent the afternoon with Lara as he didn't have anything on his schedule for today. He ended up bringing her to a small playground that was near the academy's daycare, allowing her to interact and play with other children.

It wasn't the first time he had done this, but he wasn't able to bring her often as he was very busy most days. But given the opportunity, Kayn thought it was a good idea to have Lara interact with other children as social relations were important for growing kids. Plus, he was hoping to tire her out completely so that after dinner she would be sleepy enough to go to bed.

Working like a charm, Lara promptly started falling asleep after she filled her belly with dinner. Kayn got her all changed and tucked her into the small bed she used inside the Villa. As the final bell for the day had just rung, he had around an hour now to prepare for dinner.

If yesterday sort of felt like a date, today definitely felt like one! Kayn decided to take a real shower instead of just using magic to clean himself off today. He then put on clothing that he deemed as business casual attire with his hair combed down nicely falling just at his shoulders.

Nodding to himself after looking in the mirror, Kayn had one more stop he wanted to make before he arrived at the restaurant, a plant shop. Most of the plants where actually herbs used for alchemy, but Kayn was going to buy some of the flowers that they didn't use for alchemical purposes and generally sold off.

Kayn ended up spending a few silver coins just to have some of the rarest flowers they had available put into a bouquet for him. All different sorts of vibrant colored petals were neatly arranged and tied with a ribbon as per Kayn's request.

He then went to wait in front of the restaurant for Kinzie to arrive. He knew how he felt about Kinzie after seeing her again, but he wasn't sure that she felt the same way. If that turned out to be the case, he could always just say the flowers were an apology and proceed on how they had before.

Kayn hadn't put much thought into pursuing her before as he had other priorities and his mother had straight up told him no girls with different wording.

However, he was now 18 years old and he didn't want to miss the opportunity if it was in front of him. He realized that he had even bigger priorities now and that he would live for a very long time, but that shouldn't mean he has to spend his time alone and not enjoy life a little with someone else by his side.

While he was waiting with flowers in hand, a voice rang out from behind him, most likely someone leaving the restaurant themselves. "Professor Ashan?"

Kayn turned around to see Director Vix standing there in her department director's uniform with a gentleman who looked to be a bit more than middle age standing next to her. "Ah, hello Director Vix and Sir."

The man smiled as if he was laughing to himself, "Sir? Ah, you must be the overly polite newer professor my wife has been telling me about lately. Quite the charmer, aren't you? Try not to take my wife from me, eh?"

"Joseph!" Director Vix slapped his arm even as he continued laughing. "My apologies Professor Ashan, my husband doesn't quite understand etiquette, even at his age."

"Oh hush, can't you see the young man already has someone in his eyes? Just look at is appearance and those flowers. Most men don't even get flowers for women, only the truly dedicated realize most women love receiving flowers and want to win them over with them." Joseph replied playfully.

"Oh? Is that why you've only ever gotten me flowers before I said yes to marry you?" Director Vix glared at Joseph as he turned his head away and pretended to be whistling so she turned her attention back to Kayn.

"Truly, that is wonderful bouquet though. I'm impressed you had time to get out and socialize. Most professors feel overwhelmed during their first few semesters. Who's the lucky lady?"

"Ah, well thank you. And she's just a family friend that I recently learned was attending the academy." Kayn stated since he didn't want it to seem odd that he was having dinner with a student.

"I see. Family friend huh? There are no rules about dating between professors and students, just try not to charm too many students with your looks and flowers, okay?"

Director Vix teased Kayn as a professor and a student being together wasn't unheard of, but she didn't want him playing with a lot of female students' hearts as that would come back in bad way on her department and herself for not managing him properly.

"I assure you, Director, you don't have to worry about anything like that. She truly is someone I've known for a while now." Of course, that wasn't the full truth as he was interested in being more with Kinzie, but he wasn't going to outright say that to his boss.

"In any case, have a nice night Professor, the special tonight is excellent." Director Vix spoke as both her and her husband waved goodbye while walking away.

A short while later, Kayn noticed someone approaching his direction with his Mana Sense, so he turned to see if it was Kinzie. Kayn couldn't stop himself from smiling or staring at her in awe.

She had slightly wavy hair, a light blue dress that fell just above her knees, and an almond-colored bolero cardigan. She didn't have a small bag like she did last night, but Kayn assumed she was carrying her student badge somewhere on her person as it was required.

To others, Kinzie may seem like an above average beauty, but right now to Kayn she looked like a goddess. Kayn stood in a daze even as she got closer, unable to snap himself out of it. Fortunately, his feet moved for him as he walked towards her and presented the flower bouquet.

"Wow! What beautiful flowers! Thank you, Kayn!" Kinzie stated in excitement. She had always enjoyed looking at the flowers in the wild during her adventuring days, but had never been presented any in this fashion before.

"Their beauty pales in comparison to yours though." Kayn let out before quickly blinking his eyes and realizing what he just said.

'The hell is wrong with me!? What a cringe thing to say! Dammit Kayn, snap out of it!' He berated himself in his head.

While Kayn may have thought it was extremely cringe, Kinzie seemed to take it to heart as she blushed heavily, putting the flowers in front of her face so that Kayn wouldn't notice her cheeks turning red.

They entered the restaurant and were shown to a private dining area that Kayn had reserved before he went to buy the flowers. They both ended up ordering the special due to Director Vix's recommendation as well as an appetizer and dessert.

Their conversation during dinner was pleasant and light hearted, exploring more into their lives and how things had been going recently.

Kayn talked about his childhood and the time before he met her while she discussed similar things, including the village she was born in and a little about her parents. They only discussed the happy times, not wanting to sour the mood with any sorrowful topics.

They were still talking jovially when their waiter kindly asked them to move their discussion elsewhere as they were closing up for the evening. Without realizing the time, Kayn and Kinzie had been talking late into the evening again. Though, this time it was at least an hour or two before curfew as the restaurant closed two hours before midnight.

As they were walking out and towards the residential area since Kinzie couldn't use the portal system, she sneakily wound her arm under Kayn's and leaned her head on his shoulder as they walked. Kayn's heart couldn't help but skip a beat at this moment, did this mean that she felt the same about him as he did about her?

They walked in relative silence all the way until they reached the building Kinzie was staying at. She disconnected herself from him and stood at his front with the flowers hugged to her body.

"Thank you for the wonderful evening and the flowers Kayn. I'll contact you tomorrow so we can figure out when we both have time to meet up again. Goodnight."

And just as Kayn was about to reply to her, she quickly leaned in and pressed her lips against his for a brief moment before she ran inside her building, leaving Kayn standing alone, flabbergasted.