The Forsaken

"I'm here."

Mo Bai's reply made Rover tremble slightly. Then she sat down beside him.

"It's not just the Academy. You know me too..."

From everything Mo Bai had done along the way, Rover could only draw that conclusion.

"Sure. It's only natural I'd know you. Plenty of people at the Academy know you, the savior—"

"Don't dodge the question."

"Got it."

When Mo Bai tried to be clever, Rover corrected him without thinking.

Her own reaction surprised her.

She almost never acted that way around a stranger with no connection to her.

Mo Bai noticed the surprise flash across her face.

They sat together on the bench without speaking, both falling silent.

At last, Rover spoke first.

"I... believe you."

A fleeting spark of happiness crossed Mo Bai's eyes.

"I thought I'd have to show you more proof. For example—"

Mo Bai stopped mid-sentence.

He had met her golden eyes.

The look in them was the same as ever: a warning not to joke around.

"Sorry."

Mo Bai immediately lowered his head and admitted his mistake, the motion practiced.

Only after apologizing did he ask, "But you must have some reason to believe me, right? The Academy still doesn't."

He spread his hands, looking puzzled.

"I once had a friend who went through something similar."

Rover thought of that bright moon over Seven Hills.

"I see..."

Her explanation brought Phrolova and Gabriella to Mo Bai's mind.

Somehow, Rover's old acquaintances kept helping him, whether he meant for it to happen or not.

"How did that friend of yours get her memories back?" Mo Bai asked, curious.

"She... chose to form new bonds with people..."

Saying it hurt Rover.

The situation she and Mo Bai faced now was different from what she had faced in Seven Hills.

Back then, although