Veridian-？

It was already eleven at night when you knocked on Veridian's door.

The door opened, revealing him in a bathrobe, a bandage wrapped around his arm. His gray eyes behind his glasses looked more tired than usual, and his hair was a bit disheveled, no longer as meticulously styled as it usually was—you knew that everything you all experienced at the summit today was a nightmare.

"Coming so late, is something wrong?" His voice was still cool and rational, but you could hear the fatigue in it, and a hint of imperceptible surprise.

"Your injury..." You looked at the bandage on his arm, and the scene from the summit a few hours ago replayed in your mind...

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This was an important academic summit hosted by "The Tower," focusing on how to use artificial intelligence to manage Sentinels and Guides. It was a global topic, so top scientific researchers from around the world gathered here. Veridian, as the head of Laboratory 1209, was naturally invited, and you, as his student, accompanied him.

When the summit began, Veridian stood on stage, speaking with rigorous logic and precise data, showcasing his exceptional professional ability. You sat in the audience, watching his unapproachable, refined elegance under the spotlight, filled with admiration for your mentor.

Then, when the first explosion sounded outside the venue, everyone froze.

Immediately after, the second, then the third—the entire venue instantly plunged into panic. People finally realized that the Dark Faction's attack had come again. Screams, the sound of breaking glass, and alarms mixed together, and the crowd surged towards the exits like a tide. You were pushed and shoved by the crowd, stumbled, and fell to the ground, about to be trampled by the panicked masses.

In that instant, you saw Veridian. His actions were exceptionally decisive; he rushed against the flow of people without hesitation, shielding you with his body.

You could feel the strength in his arm and the warmth from his chest, hearing his voice as calm as ever, "There's a safe passage on the left, but if the main door is blocked, it's a dead end." He quickly calculated escape routes while pulling you towards the side door.

The Dark Faction attackers had already stormed into the venue. You saw people fall, saw people get injured. The terrifying power of the Dark Faction Sentinels pressed down on everyone, making you breathless and your hands and feet cold. But Veridian remained calm, his gray eyes still sharp in the chaos, like a precise computer analyzing every step. He pulled you to dodge while quickly observing the attackers' positions and firepower distribution.

"The right passage is blocked." He stopped, sighing, "Then, the best route is—"

With a loud bang, decorations on the ceiling shattered, and metal fragments and glass rained down. You looked up to see a sharp metal shard flying towards you. Before you could even react, Veridian unhesitatingly turned, pushed you away, "Run—!"

Then he was buried under the debris. You stumbled, wanting to rush back to save him, but the surging crowd pushed you further and further away...

Fortunately, "The Tower"'s combat team arrived in time and resolved the crisis.

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Now, you've come here to thank him for saving your life.

"Are you okay? Your injury..." You looked at the wound on his arm, filled with worry and guilt.

"It's nothing, just a minor injury. The doctor checked it." He pushed up his glasses, his gray eyes slightly raised behind the lenses, still looking very tired, "It's good that you're okay. Come in and sit down."