About ten minutes later, the lingering heat in Thora's dorm room finally faded. She asked, "Does Skybound Group work with Blue Star Military Academy?" By then, Darius had barely gotten himself under control, his pants finally smooth again. Losing control in front of Thora wasn't new. He stayed calm and shameless, face steady. Any buried embarrassment twisted into flirtation, mixed with a thrill he couldn't explain. He lifted a hand to fix his wrinkled clothes. The motion looked less like tidying up and more like deliberate temptation. "Skybound and Blue Star Military Academy have been partners for the last century. More accurately, since my grandfather's time," Darius said slowly. "When the academy was founded, it needed sponsors. The Blackwoods were one of them." He paused, then added, "Only a few top officials and the Blackwoods know. Even my grand-uncle doesn't. Our AI research team has always worked with the academy's research division, building products and custom systems together." Thora understood. No wonder the VR game in the third assessment felt familiar. It must've been co-developed by Skybound. After explaining, Darius fixed her with a heated look, stepped closer, and bent slightly so his face was near hers. "I'm here for two reasons." Thora looked up at him. His handsome face still carried that calm, restrained edge. Darius smiled. "The first reason is you." She raised an eyebrow, clearly waiting. "The second reason..." He dragged it out, then said seriously, "Still you." A strange feeling rose in Thora's chest—something she'd never felt even during the apocalypse. It felt safe and warm, filling her with quiet happiness.Their eyes met. Suddenly, Darius leaned down, wrapped her in his arms, and pulled them both onto the bed. This time, all he felt was how relaxed and soft she was. None of the guarded tension from before. Her trust was obvious. Darius felt instant joy. She had finally taken another big step toward him. Just as his hand started to wander again, his wrist was caught. "Touch me again, and I'll kick you off," Thora warned coldly. Darius was already immune to her sharp tone. He was the type to push his luck the moment he was given space. He stayed still, yet remained pressed close to her. Their breaths mixed like when they shared a bed at the villa. "Has anything interesting happened lately?" he asked softly. Thora stared at the ceiling out of habit and replied flatly, "Yes." "Oh?" Darius's tone lifted with curiosity. "I met someone who looks exactly like you. He said his name is Draven—your younger brother," Thora said after a pause. Darius's expression shifted slightly, then he smiled. "Really? You sure you didn't mix us up? If you thought he was me, that punk would be way too lucky." Thora turned to look at him, her eyes steady like the first time they met. "You told me your name is Darius. So I know he isn't you." That one line made Darius break into a wide grin. She remembered his words. That alone felt amazing. But when the smile faded, complexity took its place. Thora looked forward again, voice calm yet pointed. "Tell me when you feel like explaining." The words carried many meanings, yet sounded completely open.Darius studied her eyes, trying to see deeper, but they stayed clear and trusting. That absolute trust calmed him. He tightened his arms around her. Thora shifted uncomfortably, but he only held tighter. She frowned, but she didn't push him away. With his eyes closed, Darius murmured, "Thora ... how are you this good?" She didn't answer, letting him hold her as she lay straight on the bed. Was she good? She didn't know. She had always followed her heart and never hid her feelings. She just wasn't used to showing her thoughts on her face. The room grew quiet, filled only with the sound of their shared breathing. Darius was taller and broader, yet he curled his legs around hers. His tailored pants creased from the strain, making him look almost dependent on her. "When are you leaving?" Thora suddenly asked. He lifted his head slightly, propping himself up. Soft light traced his handsome profile as he looked down at her, a roguish smile curling his lips. "When do you want me to leave?" She frowned. She was about to answer when a red light suddenly swept across the room. Darius's face darkened instantly. As he started to rise, Thora shoved him away hard. Almost at the same moment, a bullet ripped through the air between them with a sharp whistle, slamming into the wall and leaving a deep, jagged mark.