I slapped Adrian's hand away before his fingers could touch my forehead.
*SLAP!*
The sharp sound echoed through the quiet infirmary. Adrian blinked in surprise, his glowing mana runes fizzling out into thin air.
"Do not mistake my cooperation for permission to touch me, magician," I said, my voice cutting through the dark room like a razor. "My soul's origin is none of your business. All you need to do is decipher the artifact and fulfill your end of our bargain."
Adrian stared at his slapped wrist for a second before letting out a soft, delighted laugh. "Fierce as always. Very well, Lady Rosel. I shall respect your boundaries... for now."
He packed his research gear into his leather bag and bowed elegantly before exiting the chamber.
As soon as the door opened, Chloe rushed back inside, her eyes wide with frantic worry. She completely ignored Adrian as he walked past her, throwing herself down beside my bed and grasping both of my hands tightly in hers.
"Lady Rosel!" Chloe gasped, her hands trembling violently. "Did he hurt you?! I heard a sharp noise—I was about to break the door down!"
"I'm fine, Chloe," I sighed, letting out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "I just had to remind our dear genius magician about his place."
Chloe leaned her head against the side of my mattress, her warm tears soaking through the fabric of my blanket.
"Please... don't send me away again," Chloe whimpered, her voice cracking with raw emotion. "When I was standing out in that cold hallway, thinking about you being alone with him... I felt like my heart was being torn apart."
*Ping!*
[Reading Chloe's Thoughts...]
*‘I don't care if she is from another world. I don't care if her soul is alien or dangerous. She gave me warmth when everyone else treated me like garbage. If she leaves this world... I will burn down the heavens to follow her.’*
* **[User_YuriSimp]:** *MY HEART! CHLOE'S DEVOTION IS SO PURE AND DANGEROUS!*
* **[User_LocalObserver]:** *The bond between them is officially transcending the original novel's plot.*
I looked down at Chloe's tear-stained face, reaching out with my trembling hand to gently brush a lock of green hair away from her eyes.
"I won't send you away, Chloe," I whispered softly. "I promise."
The threat of my transmigration secret was growing stronger every day, but looking at Chloe, I knew I couldn't afford to fall here. The road ahead was full of traps, and the next target was already waiting in the shadows.