The Green Eyed Immortal.

Aster was the first to break the silence. 

"Hey, don't look so down, Miri. Maybe you just need more practice," he said, his voice light, though there was a hint of unease beneath it. He wasn't used to seeing her like this—so quiet, so withdrawn.

It wasn't like Mirielle to look defeated.

Arian nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it doesn't mean you don't have an element. Maybe we're just going about this the wrong way." 

Mirielle shook her head before they could continue. 

"It's okay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. 

Aster frowned. "Miri—" 

"I'm fine," she insisted. Then, before they could say anything else, she turned and walked away. 

She didn't need to hear any more reassurances. 

She had felt it. The emptiness. The silence. 

No element had answered her call. 

She wasn't like them. 

And that was something she had to accept. 

By the time she reached her dorm, the sun had dipped lower in the sky, casting soft golden hues through the stained-glass windows lining the hallway. She stopped in front of the familiar wooden door, exhaling before pushing it open. 

The moment she stepped inside, a wave of excited energy greeted her. 

"Mirielle! You're back!" 

Rishi, her ever-enthusiastic mermaid roommate, practically bounced over to her. Her long brown hair was slightly ruffled, and her eyes sparkled with curiosity. 

"So? Did you find out what your element is?" Rishi asked, practically buzzing with excitement as she leaned in. "Tell me, tell me!" 

Mirielle hesitated for a fraction of a second. 

Rishi took her silence as an invitation to keep talking. 

"Oh! If it's water, we're officially twin souls! Mine's water too, of course, it's not much of a surprise since almost every merfolk has water as their element," she said, waving a dismissive hand. "Honestly, it's kind of boring! Like, come on, we live in water. Why couldn't I have had fire or something? Imagine how cool that would be!" 

She sighed dramatically, flipping her hair over her shoulder. 

Just then, their other roommate, Sabreena, looked up from her desk. Her sharp, eyes regarded Rishi with quiet amusement before turning to Mirielle. 

"Not all elves have the same element either," Sabreena said, tucking a strand of her golden blonde hair behind her pointed ear. "Mine is air." 

She said it simply, as though it wasn't the least bit surprising. 

Rishi gasped. "Wait, really? Why didn't I know about it though? I thought elves mostly had earth or water. Air seems so rare for your kind!" 

Sabreena merely shrugged. "It's not common, but it happens." 

The conversation continued, both of them casually discussing their elemental abilities. But Mirielle never responded. 

She sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the floor, lost in thought. 

Her silence must have stretched on for too long because Sabreena suddenly tilted her head and observed her. 

Then, she spoke. 

"Mirielle does not seem like someone who likes noise," she remarked, her voice calm but knowing. "Nor does she enjoy speaking." 

She turned to Rishi. 

"Let's not make her uncomfortable." 

Rishi blinked, her mouth slightly open, before she let out a sheepish laugh. "Oh—oops. Sorry, Elle. I got carried away again." 

With that, the room finally fell into silence. 

And Mirielle was left alone with her thoughts.

The dormitory was quiet, but sleep never came for Mirielle.

She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling the weight of failure pressing down on her chest. The others had found their elements so easily.

She turned onto her side, curling up as if she could shield herself from the thoughts clawing at her mind.

But it was useless.

With a quiet sigh, she slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Rishi or Sabreena. She grabbed her cloak, pulled it over her shoulders, and stepped out into the dimly lit hallway.

She needed fresh air.

She didn't have a destination in mind, but her feet carried her forward on their own.

The cool night breeze brushed against her skin as she walked, her footsteps light against the cobblestone pathways. The moon hung high above, casting a silver glow over the university grounds.

It was only after a while that she realised where she had ended up.

Donovan's quarters.

Her eyes widened slightly. Of course.

It made sense.

This was the only place she truly knew in Sacred Roots. A place of familiarity amidst all the uncertainty. A place where she had spent her childhood vacations, listening to Donovan's stories, watching him work, sneaking sweets from the kitchens when he wasn't looking.

Her feet had carried her here instinctively.

She didn't step inside, though. Instead, she continued walking, drawn toward the back gardens where the lake lay.

The lake shimmered under the moonlight, its surface like liquid silver.

Mirielle stopped at the edge, staring at the reflection of the moon rippling across the water.

She had always loved this place.

Even as a child, she had come here whenever she needed to clear her mind. The stillness of the water, the gentle hum of the night, the way the moon seemed to shine just a little brighter here, it always brought her peace.

But tonight, even this place could not ease the weight pressing down on her.

She sighed and sat down, drawing her knees to her chest.

Why?

Why had nothing answered her?

She had wanted to feel something, to prove that she belonged here among the others.

But maybe she didn't.

Maybe she wasn't meant to.

Lost in thought, she never noticed the presence watching her from the shadows.

A certain silver-haired, green-eyed elf stood at a distance, his sharp gaze locked onto her.

Eren had been watching her intensely, unmoving, unreadable.

And he was not pleased.

Mirielle remained lost in her thoughts, her eyes fixed on the gentle ripples of the lake. The night air was crisp, carrying the distant hoot of an owl. She didn't hear the soft footsteps approaching from behind.

"What are you doing here?"

The deep, cold voice startled her out of her trance.

She gasped, her body jolting in surprise. Her balance slipped, and before she could catch herself, she tumbled from her sitting position, landing awkwardly on the ground with a soft thud.

A sharp sting shot through her palms as they scraped against the rough earth.

For a moment, she simply sat there, stunned, her heart pounding from both shock and embarrassment.

Then, she realised who was standing behind her.

Professor Valen.

The silver-haired elf towered over her, his green eyes reflecting the moonlight. His face was devoid of any emotion, his sharp features appearing even more striking under the celestial glow.

And yet, he made no move to help her up.

He simply stood there. Watching.

Judging.

Mirielle's cheeks and ears burned with embarrassment.

She quickly averted her gaze, scolding herself internally. Why am I like this? Why do I always embarrass myself in front of him?

His expression remained unreadable, his piercing gaze locked onto her as if he were waiting for something.

"Answer my question," he said sharply, his voice carrying no patience for hesitation.

Mirielle swallowed, forcing herself to meet his eyes.

Why was she here?

It was a simple question, yet she found herself struggling to form a response.

She couldn't admit that she had simply wandered here out of habit, that her feet had carried her to Donovan's quarters because it was the only familiar place in Sacred Roots. She didn't want to seem like a lost child.

Eren's gaze remained fixed on her, unwavering, expectant.

When she still failed to answer, he let out a quiet, almost disapproving hum before speaking again.

"Are you taking advantage of being the founder's great-granddaughter?"

The accusation struck like a blade, sharp and precise.

Mirielle stiffened, the words slicing through her far deeper than she expected.

She stared at him, her breath catching in her throat.

He knows.

Very few people knew of her relationship with Donovan. 

She never boasted about it, never wanted special treatment. In fact, she avoided mentioning it altogether.

But this man—this professor who had only just arrived—knew.

Her heart pounded, confusion and indignation swirling within her.

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

The mere suggestion that she would exploit her great-grandfather's name… wounded her more than she cared to admit.

"I—" She swallowed hard, trying to steady her voice. "I would never—"

Eren's expression remained unreadable.

She clenched her fists. "I don't take advantage of my connection to him. Nor do I want anyone to know."

Her voice was quiet, but firm.

Who is this man?

How did he know such details about her? Why was he questioning her as if he knew her better than she knew herself?