Chapter 483:Dinner.

Chapter 483: 483:Dinner.

By the time Silver reached the women’s dormitory, the evening sky above the Academy had already begun changing colors, the last traces of sunlight stretching across the distant buildings while the artificial lights surrounding the pathways gradually illuminated the campus.

Students moved between the dormitories, recreational facilities, and dining halls, some still discussing the recent class-versus-class competition while others were taking advantage of the temporary reduction in training hours to enjoy a little freedom before their regular schedules resumed.

Silver stood beneath one of the trees lining the entrance, occasionally glancing toward his communicator as he waited for Ravenna.

He’d arrived a few minutes earlier than they’d agreed, partly because Antony had practically pushed him out of their room and partly because he hadn’t wanted to give Ravenna another reason to complain about him spending too much time training.

He was wearing a dark shirt with the sleeves folded neatly around his forearms, black trousers, and a pair of polished shoes he’d barely touched since arriving at the academy.

His dark hair had been combed back, although several stubborn strands had already fallen across his forehead, and the faint scent of the cologne he’d purchased during their last shopping trip lingered around him.

It was considerably different from his usual appearance.

For once, he wasn’t wearing anything designed to survive a fight against mutated beasts.

He glanced toward the dormitory entrance and stopped.

Ravenna had appeared.

She wore a dark blue dress that reached slightly below her knees, the material fitting comfortably around her figure before flowing gently with each step. Her long white hair fell freely down her back, secured near one side by a small silver ornament, while a delicate necklace rested against her collarbone.

She’d applied a little makeup, just enough to emphasize her gray eyes and the natural beauty of her features, and the small black handbag hanging from her shoulder completed an appearance that made Silver temporarily forget what he’d been about to say.

Ravenna noticed him immediately and a smile spread across her face.

She immediately approached, stopping in front of him.

"Well?" She said.

Silver blinked, completely speechless.

Ravenna raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing?"

He looked at her, then smiled.

"You look beautiful."

Her expression softened.

"That’s better."

He laughed quietly.

"I was going to say it."

"After staring at me for an entire minute?" She shot back.

"It wasn’t an entire minute," he grumbled.

"Close enough."

She stepped forward and adjusted the collar of his shirt, her fingers lingering there for a moment before she looked up at him.

"You look handsome."

Silver smiled.

"Thank you."

"And you actually listened."

"About what?"

"The training clothes."

He laughed.

"I do listen sometimes."

She gave him a skeptical look.

"Sometimes," she repeated.

He offered his hand.

"Shall we?"

She looked at it, smiled and slipped her fingers between his.

"Let’s go."

They began walking toward the eastern gardens, where the academy had established several recreational facilities for students who preferred quieter surroundings.

The route passed through a broad courtyard filled with flowering trees, decorative fountains, and carefully maintained lawns, while several groups of students occupied benches beneath the evening lights.

Ravenna leaned slightly closer to him.

"Did Antony say anything?" He asked.

Silver laughed.

"He gave me advice."

Ravenna looked interested.

"About what?"

"Apparently, I’m not allowed to talk about training, beasts, academy rankings, or my breakthrough tonight."

Ravenna stopped walking.

Silver looked toward her, confused.

She stared at him a second too long, then nodded approvingly.

"Antony is surprisingly intelligent."

He burst into laughter.

"That’s exactly what I thought."

She smiled.

"Then listen to him."

"Yes, ma’am."

Ravenna laughed softly and squeezed his hand.

They continued walking.

For a while, neither felt the need to say anything, and Silver found himself enjoying that more than he’d expected.

There was something comforting about being able to walk beside her without worrying about what might be waiting around the next corner. No corrupted beasts. No hidden research facilities. No dangerous Contractors. No complicated missions that could end with one of them fighting for their lives.

Just a quiet evening and the woman he loved walking beside him.

A private dining lounge was located near the eastern gardens, occupying the upper floor of a small building overlooking an artificial lake.

Large glass windows offered a view of the illuminated pathways and the water beyond, while warm lighting, soft music, and carefully arranged tables created an atmosphere considerably more intimate than the academy’s usual dining facilities.

Silver had reserved a table beside the window.

Ravenna noticed immediately and looked toward him, her eyes brightening.

"You planned this," she said.

Silver smiled.

"Obviously."

"How long ago?" She curiously asked.

"Yesterday," he quietly said.

She laughed.

"That’s not very long."

"I work well under pressure."

"That’s what worries me."

He pulled out her chair when they reached their table.

She smiled.

"Such a gentleman."

"Occasionally."

She sat.

He took the opposite chair.

A server approached with their menus, and the next several minutes passed with Ravenna examining the available dishes while Silver quietly watched her expression change whenever she discovered something interesting.

Eventually, she lowered the menu.

"Silver."

"Yes?"

"Stop staring at me."

He smiled.

"Am I?" He jokingly asked.

"Yes, I can feel it," she replied.

"Sorry."

She narrowed her eyes.

"You’re not sorry at all."

"Not particularly, you’re too beautiful not to look at."

She laughed, then looked toward the menu again.

"You’re being unusually charming tonight."

He leaned back.

"Is that a complaint?"

"No." She smiled. "Just an observation."

They ordered dinner.

Ravenna chose roasted meat with a lightly seasoned sauce and vegetables, while Silver selected grilled fish with potatoes and a side dish he’d never tried before. They also ordered a small dessert to share, although Ravenna immediately informed him that sharing didn’t mean he was entitled to half.

He accepted the arrangement... With some reluctance.

Their conversation began with ordinary things.

Ravenna complained about the medical examination she’d undergone that morning, explaining that the academy’s doctors had spent nearly an hour checking the stability of her Titan-Horn Mountain Bison integration. Although she was already at Rank Two, the integration was still relatively recent, and the doctors wanted to ensure that her strengthened physical foundation wasn’t placing unnecessary strain on her energy circulation.

Silver listened carefully.

"Everything stable?" He asked.

She nodded and took a sip of her drink before responding.

"Yes. They said my body has adapted well and my physical strength is still improving."

He proudly smiled.

"I noticed that."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Did you now?"

"You nearly knocked Caleb over during training," he replied.

She laughed out loud at that.

"He wasn’t expecting it."

"Neither was I."

Ravenna smiled proudly, then looked toward him, her expression becoming more serious.

"I’m still not as strong as you, though."