Ark Simulator, don't I have no physical form?

In contrast to Eyjafjalla's immense shock and embarrassment, Saria, behind the desk, reacted much calmer.

The instant she saw the "naked Suri" appear, a barely perceptible glint of understanding, akin to "I knew it" or "she's still acting so recklessly," seemed to flash across Saria's icy blue eyes. Her brow didn't even twitch.

Then, while Eyjafjalla was still petrified, and the suddenly appearing "Suri" seemed somewhat bewildered by her own state and situation, instinctively trying to curl up or seek cover—

Saria moved.

Her movements were swift and fluid, without the slightest hesitation. Without even leaving her seat, she simply reached out and, with remarkable ease, untied her thick, well-tailored dark gray uniform coat from her shoulders. With a flick of her wrist, the coat, still warm with her body heat and carrying a faint, cool fragrance, was draped, like outstretched wings, precisely and gently, over the suddenly appearing, naked "Suri."

The wide hem of the coat fell down, perfectly covering most of the boy's body, revealing only a small section of his fair calves and bare feet. The coat, carrying Saria's body heat and scent, enveloped "Suri," bringing a slightly warm touch and acting as a barrier, temporarily separating him from the suffocating shame.

"Suri's" body stiffened slightly at the sudden covering. He raised his head, his black eyes, still filled with confusion and embarrassment, meeting Saria's calm, icy blue eyes, which seemed to encompass (or rather, see through) everything.

Saria's gaze met his calmly, without questioning, reproach, or even much surprise. She simply spoke in her deep, steady voice, as if stating a fact, yet with an almost imperceptible, teasing tone:

"It seems the 'progress' is faster than I expected. However, remember to find some clothes before you 'appear' next time."

Her tone was so natural, as if she were simply reminding a reckless child to bring an umbrella before going out.

Eyjafjalla remained frozen in place, her cheeks as red as boiled shrimp, her mind still blank. She could only stare blankly at "Suri," who was wrapped in Saria's coat, revealing only half of her flushed profile and black eyes, and then at Ms. Saria, who remained calm as if nothing had happened...

What... is wrong with this world?!

The moment Suri was enveloped in Saria's coat, which carried her body heat and a cool fragrance, her consciousness (in this suddenly formed boy form with similar features to Eyjafjalla) seemed to recover slightly from the confusion and embarrassment of "unexpected materialization due to excessive connection depth".

The slightly warm fabric clung to his skin, blocking out the cold air and bringing with it the familiar scent of Saria—a scent that blended rationality, strength, and a hint of something indescribable, like the workings of a finely tuned machine. This scent was completely different from the warm, soft scent in Eyjafjalla's consciousness, one that carried a faint anxiety and hope, yet it was equally... a strange, almost instinctive familiarity and sense of security.

How could he... suddenly appear here in this form? And... in this state?

Suri's "consciousness" (the part still deeply rooted in Eyjafjalla's mind) was rapidly retracing its steps and self-examining. Just now, when Saria asked the question about "synchronization rate" or "progress," he was trying to decipher the precise meaning of Saria's words and find a suitable response by drawing a deeper connection with Eyjafjalla's consciousness. Perhaps it was because Saria's very existence acted as a powerful "anchor" subtly resonating with his own form of being, or perhaps it was because Eyjafjalla's tension and confusion at that moment had reached a peak, causing a brief, unstable "overflow" and "concretization" of their conscious connection…

As a result, a portion of his highly active consciousness energy, closely intertwined with Eyjafjalla's, briefly coalesced in the real dimension into an unstable form based on Eyjafjalla's life characteristics (ram's horns) and his own essential consciousness (silver hair, black eyes). Moreover, because it was a hasty and unconscious "manifestation," it naturally lacked any concept of "clothing."

This is simply... incredibly embarrassing, especially in front of Saria.

A clear hint of embarrassment and helplessness flashed across Suri's (sheep form) dark eyes. He shifted slightly, his body wrapped in his coat, trying to steady himself. At the same time, he subconsciously tightened the collar of his coat, as if that would completely block out the humiliating feeling of nakedness. The feel of the fabric against his fingertips, and the scent of Saria lingering around his nose, gradually replaced the confusion caused by the "accident" in his heart with a more complex emotion.

He hadn't even realized that his "concern" and "connection" with Eyjafjalla had reached such a deep level that, under the "stimulation" of the special being Saria, it could trigger such an unstable "manifestation." This meant that, to him, Eyjafjalla was no longer just a "host" or an "object in need of help"; her emotions and state could so directly affect his own existential expression.

This realization made Suri (whether in lamb form or at the core of her consciousness) feel a subtle... unease, but it didn't seem to be all bad.

Just as Suri (in lamb form) was still struggling with his sudden "appearance" and state, Saria had already withdrawn her hand from draping the coat over him. Her movements were natural and fluid, as if the scene that had just stunned anyone was as commonplace as brushing a fallen leaf off her shoulder.

Volume 19, page 1286: University requires letters of recommendation.

Saria didn't look at Suri (in his lamb form) again, as if she already understood his "unexpected appearance" and his slightly embarrassed posture, and didn't need to pay him any more attention. Her gaze fell back on Eyjafjalla, who was still in a state of great shock and shame, her cheeks flushed and her eyes glazed over.

Saria's icy blue eyes calmly gazed at Eyjafjalla, as if she could see through the turbulent waves churning within her heart. Then, almost imperceptibly, she shifted slightly to the side, and with an extremely natural yet undeniable gesture, extended her other hand—

That hand didn't reach for the documents on the table, nor did it make any gestures. Instead, it gently, in a protective yet undeniably forceful manner, put its arm around the shoulder of Su Rui (in his lamb form), who was still standing there somewhat dazed after being wrapped in her coat, and then... gently led him to her side.

Suri (in his lamb form) stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment at the sudden, possessive touch. He could feel the steady, cool strength emanating from Saria's arm, and the increasingly clear, reassuring aura of rationality emanating from her. He wanted to break free; this position felt...awkward, especially in front of Eyjafjalla. But Saria's movements, though gentle, carried an undeniable, habitual control stemming from absolute power and long-established habits, making it difficult for him to move for a moment (or rather, subconsciously, without strong resistance).

And so, to Eyjafjalla's stunned gaze, Saria sat down again in the chair behind the desk, almost "half-embracing Suri." Suri (in her lamb form) was "placed" slightly in front of her, still loosely wrapped around her shoulder with one arm, like a child being cared for by a guardian, or like a precious object being displayed with clear ownership.

This scene... is just as impactful as Su Rui's "unexpected appearance" just now.

Eyjafjalla looked at Suri (in his lamb form), who was being affectionately embraced by Saria in a way that revealed only half of his still flushed profile and black eyes. She looked at the large, dark gray coat that clearly belonged to Saria, and at his somewhat stiff but not fiercely resisting posture... The emotions that had just surged within her due to shame were instantly replaced by a more complex and unfamiliar feeling.

It was a mixture of surprise, confusion, a faint unease, and... a subtle, almost possessive unease that she herself wasn't fully aware of.

Suri… was hers. The one who lived in her mind, helping her solve problems, plan for the future, and even… appeared just now in that embarrassing way. Although this sudden appearance of a lamb with horns shocked and embarrassed her, it was indeed Suri, some kind of “incarnation” of the voice in her mind.

But now, this dignified and mysterious lady, whom he was meeting for the first time, was so naturally embracing Suri, as if he had always belonged to her. And Suri didn't seem... to be resisting at all?

Eyjafjalla's heart tightened inexplicably. Her pink eyes involuntarily shifted between Saria's calm face and the image of Suri (in her lamb form) being held in her arms.

Saria seemed completely oblivious to Eyjafjalla's complex emotions, or perhaps she was aware but chose not to care. Her gaze remained calmly fixed on Eyjafjalla, and with her deep, steady voice, she steered the conversation back on track, as if the two minor "accidents" had never occurred.

"About university."

Her voice forcefully pulled Eyjafjalla's somewhat wandering attention back.

“Columbia National University of Geosciences, Tremont Campus, Geology and Volcanology Studies.” Celia spoke as if presenting a report, her pace steady and her logic clear. “The head of this program is one of my academic advisors in the early collaboration project with Rhine Life. I have reviewed your basic information and the details provided by Suri. Your parents have a background in the relevant field, and your grades meet the requirements. What is lacking is mainly formal recommendations and background endorsements.”

As she spoke, she used her free hand (her other hand still loosely wrapped around Suri's shoulder) to open a drawer in her desk and took out a plain white envelope, devoid of any decoration, but with paper that looked exceptionally fine. The envelope was unsealed, and one could vaguely see neatly folded letter paper inside.

“This is a letter of recommendation issued in my personal capacity, as well as in my capacity as an advisor to the Defense Department and Special Projects at Rhine Labs.” Saria held the envelope in her hand, her gaze calmly fixed on Eyjafjalla. “The letter states your parents’ academic contributions (based on their published and documented work), emphasizes your continued studies despite family circumstances and your sustained interest in geology, and, based on my assessment of your…potential,” her gaze seemed to sweep almost imperceptibly over Suri (in her lamb form), who was wrapped in a coat and slightly bowing beside her, “recommends you as a candidate for the Special Talent Development Program. This letter, along with your subsequent formal application and transcripts, should be enough to allow you to skip most of the redundant steps of the regular interview and proceed directly to the final review by the professional committee. As long as you demonstrate a grasp of the fundamentals and a certain level of professional enthusiasm during the final review, admission will not be a problem. Regarding tuition fees, the letter also mentions the possibility of applying for a special scholarship sponsored by the Rhine Labs-related foundation, which can cover most of the expenses.”

Saria's words were clear and concise, without a single wasted word, yet each one carried immense weight, outlining a crystal-clear path to Eyjafjalla's dream academy. As Eyjafjalla listened, the excitement and gratitude in her heart once again overwhelmed her previous complex emotions. This letter was the thing Suri had promised—the thing that would change her destiny! With it, she truly could…

However, just as Eyjafjalla was suppressing her excitement and preparing to step forward to accept the precious letter of recommendation—

Suri (in lamb form), who had been quietly and somewhat stiffly being held by Saria, suddenly moved.

He slightly raised his head, his dark eyes looking at the plain white envelope in Saria's hand. Then, he reached out his hand.

He didn't go to receive it, nor did he go to take it. The moment his fingertips touched the envelope, a faint, almost invisible silver halo seemed to flash by.

The recommendation letter issue in Volume 19, Chapter 1287 is resolved.

Then, under the watchful eyes of Eyjafjalla and Saria, the plain white envelope, along with the letter inside, quickly became blurry and transparent, like an ink droplet thrown into water, and then... disappeared completely.

Without sound or special effects, it simply vanished into thin air.

Eyjafjalla's hand, which she had only stretched out halfway, froze in mid-air. Her pink eyes were filled with astonishment and confusion. The letter...where was it? Gone by Suri...?

Saria's icy blue eyes calmly surveyed her empty hands, then glanced at Suri (in her lamb form), who had already withdrawn her hand, lowered her head again, and seemed to have done nothing. Her face remained expressionless, devoid of surprise or displeasure, as if Suri's actions were entirely within her expectations.

"Suri?" Eyjafjalla couldn't help but call out softly, her voice tinged with confusion and a hint of barely perceptible anxiety. That was a letter of recommendation! How could this be…

“I’ve put it away.” Suri’s (in sheep form) voice rang out, different from the calm and cool tone he had in Eyjafjalla’s mind. This time, it had a slightly husky quality unique to young people, but his tone was still as calm as ever. “In a safer way. Physical letters are easy to lose, damage, or be seen by people who shouldn’t see them. It’s safer to keep them with me. I will ‘give’ them to you when you need them.”

His explanation was concise and to the point. But Eyjafjalla understood. Suri had, in some way she couldn't comprehend, "preserved" that important letter of recommendation in a place only he could access. It was perhaps indeed safer; after all, something so important—if lost while on her person… the consequences would be unimaginable.

But… Eyjafjalla's gaze involuntarily returned to Saria's arm around Suri's shoulder, and to the coat Saria wore on Suri. The letter had been "taken" by Suri, which certainly solved the security issue, but…

She was now empty-handed. The letter of recommendation, which should have been accepted and symbolized hope and the future, was gone. And Ms. Seria, still affectionately (?), held Suri, as if Suri was the main "achievement" of her trip.

A subtle sense of loss and... a lingering sense of grievance quietly rose in Eyjafjalla's heart. She had come all this way, experiencing shock and shyness, only to end up not even getting to touch the physical letter. And, Suri... was now being "held" by Lady Saria.

She wanted to "take" Suri back. Not the lamb form that suddenly appeared (although that was also part of Suri), but the voice in her mind that had always been with her and guided her, that unique, secret reliance and connection that belonged only to her. She didn't want to see Suri so naturally "possessed" by another person, even by Seria, her great benefactor who had helped her.

But… could she speak up? Lady Seria had just done her an immense favor (even though the letter had been taken by Suri, it was Seria who had issued it), a benefactor who had changed her fate. How could she possibly ask Lady Seria, “Please give Suri back to me?” That would sound so ungrateful, so disrespectful.

Eyjafjalla bit her lower lip, her pink eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude, unease, loss, and a hint of possessiveness towards Suri that she herself didn't fully understand. She looked at Suri (in her lamb form), who was being held by Saria and whose profile was only partially visible, and then at Saria's calm and composed face, which seemed to have everything under control. For a moment, she didn't know what to say or do.

Saria took in Eyjafjalla's subtle changes in expression. A barely perceptible, almost knowing glimmer seemed to flash deep within her icy blue eyes. But she neither pointed it out nor loosened her grip on Suri's arm.

“That's settled about the letter,” Saria’s voice broke the brief silence. “What you need to do is go back and continue your studies, and prepare your application materials. Suri will know what to do before the application deadline. As for the rest…”

Her gaze seemed to sweep over Suri (in her lamb form) beside her again, almost imperceptibly, before returning to Eyjafjalla. Her tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority:

"What happens between you and him is your own 'progress.' I won't interfere. But since he has chosen to 'manifest' in this way and has come to me, he will be under my care for the time being until you leave this building. This is for his 'stability,' and also for your safety. Understand?"

Saria's words were calm yet carried an irresistible authority. She defined Suri's "unexpected appearance" as an "unstable" state requiring "care," and took that responsibility upon herself. This explained why she kept her arm around Suri, and also blocked any possible request from Eyjafjalla to "take Suri back."

Looking into Saria's calm and resolute eyes, and then at Suri (in her lamb form), who seemed to tacitly agree with Saria's statement and had not expressed any objection, Eyjafjalla could only silently suppress the grievances and resentment in her heart. She nodded and said softly, "I...I understand. Thank you, Ms. Saria. And...thank you for taking care of Suri."

When she said the words "take care of Suri", she felt a pang of sadness, but she had to admit that Ms. Seria's reasons were very valid, and that she had indeed done her a great favor.

"Hmm." Saria nodded almost imperceptibly, accepting Eyjafjalla's thanks. Her arm around Suri's shoulder seemed to adjust its position slightly, making Suri (in lamb form) more stable, as if he really was just an unstable energy being that needed to be carefully "taken care of".

Suri (in sheep form) stiffened again due to this subtle adjustment, but he still did not resist. He simply lowered his head even further, his expression complex and unreadable in his black eyes.

Outside the window, sunlight streamed through the glass of Tremont, illuminating the simple office and casting silent silhouettes of three people, each lost in their own thoughts. The recommendation letters had been "delivered" (in an unexpected way), and the path to university seemed to be paved. But what lingered in Eyjafjalla's heart at this moment, besides her anticipation for the future, was a more hidden, subtle struggle and unease about "to whom Suri truly belonged."

Meanwhile, Saria, the always calm and rational defense director, was in a way that was most in line with her identity and logic, "reasonably" temporarily "keeping" a "friend" who had appeared unexpectedly and had a complicated past with her. At the same time, she was calmly observing the young Caprini girl in front of her and the interesting connection between her and this "old friend" that had obviously gone beyond ordinary "symbiosis".

Volume 19, Chapter 1288: Saria was well-prepared.

Inside the office, a subtle tension hung in the air. Saria's arm remained loosely around Suri's (in her lamb form) shoulder, carrying an undeniable air of control, like an invisible barrier separating Eyjafjalla's hesitant gaze. Suri, nestled within Saria's large coat, only revealed a small portion of her face, still flushed, and her lowered black eyes. Her posture was stiff, yet she didn't break free. Eyjafjalla stood a few steps away, her pink eyes shifting between Saria's calm expression and the "cared-for" Suri, her heart filled with gratitude, unease, loss, and a slight discomfort—a discomfort she herself hadn't fully grasped—about Suri being "taken away."

A moment of silence followed. Saria's gaze shifted from Eyjafjalla's face, which was etched with complex emotions, and returned to the lamb-like "Suri" beside her, who was wrapped in her coat, with only a sliver of his pale calves and bare feet visible. Her gaze lingered for a moment on the coat, which was clearly too large for her and whose hem almost reached the boy's ankles. A very subtle glint, something akin to "thoughtful consideration," seemed to flash deep within her icy blue eyes.

Then, before Eyjafjalla and Suri (in her lamb form) had fully recovered from their own thoughts, Saria moved.

She released her arms from Suri's shoulders—a gesture that made Eyjafjalla's heart skip a beat, and also made Suri (in her lamb form) breathe a barely perceptible sigh of relief, her body relaxing slightly—then she bent down and reached out to pick up a metal briefcase that looked equally simple and sturdy, which was placed next to the desk.

With a soft click, the combination lock on the suitcase opened. Saria lifted the lid, and inside, instead of documents or equipment, were several neatly folded...clothes?

Eyjafjalla curiously peered over. Suri (in her lamb form) also raised her head slightly at Saria's unexpected action, a hint of doubt flashing in her black eyes.

Saria took a neatly folded outfit from the suitcase. It looked like... a school uniform or some kind of dress uniform? The top was a simple white stand-up collar shirt, paired with a dark blue V-neck knit vest, and matching trousers. The clothes looked brand new, but the style didn't seem to be an adult's size; it looked more like something made for... a teenager.

To Eyjafjalla's even greater surprise, after taking out the clothes, Saria pulled a small, soft cloth bag from the bottom of the box. She untied the bag, and inside were two pairs of…socks? And…a pair of underwear that looked equally brand new and soft?!

Eyjafjalla's cheeks flushed instantly. Lady Saria...she even prepared this?!

Saria neatly placed the clothes she had taken out—from the inside out, including the socks—in an empty corner of the desk. Then, she straightened up again and looked calmly at Suri (in lamb form), who was wrapped in her long coat and was clearly stunned by what she had taken out. A hint of surprise and... even clearer embarrassment flashed in her eyes.

"Change into these." Saria's voice was calm and even, as if she were instructing an assistant to hand her a document, rather than asking a naked consciousness that had just "unexpectedly appeared" before her to put on a full set of clothes. "The size should be just right. I prepared them in advance."

Prepared in advance?

Eyjafjalla and Suri (in sheep form) were both stunned.

Saria...she had already anticipated that Suri might appear in this form? She even...prepared the clothing size in advance? How deep must her understanding and prediction of Suri's "form of existence" and possible scenarios be to achieve this?

Suri (in lamb form) felt even more embarrassed and annoyed in his dark eyes, even with a hint of disbelief. He looked at the complete set of clothes on the table, from underwear to outerwear, and then looked up at Saria's calm face, which seemed to be simply stating, "It's raining today, remember to bring an umbrella." For a moment, he didn't know how to react.

Saria didn't seem inclined to explain her supposed "precognition." She simply stared calmly back at Suri with her icy blue eyes, awaiting his move.

"You...you all turn around first." Suri (in sheep form) finally found his voice, its quality slightly hoarse from puberty, but his tone was stiff, even carrying a hint of awkward command. He was to change into these clothes in front of them, especially Eyjafjalla? What a joke! His "accidental appearance" earlier was embarrassing enough!

However, Saria merely shook her head almost imperceptibly at his request. Her expression remained calm, but her eyes conveyed an undeniable authority.

“There’s no need.” Saria’s voice was low and steady, and her reason sounded… strangely frank and undeniable. “She and I,” she glanced at Eyjafjalla, whose cheeks were flushed even more and whose eyes were darting away because of Suri’s request to turn around, “we’ve met before.”

These words were spoken so naturally, as if they were about something completely ordinary. But to Eyjafjalla and Suri (in her lamb form), they were nothing short of a thunderclap.

It's not like we haven't seen it before!

What did she see?! She saw Suri...naked?! Eyjafjalla instantly recalled that blush-inducing scene from just now. Could it be that Lady Saria also...?! And judging from her tone, it seemed like it wasn't just once? Was the "she" she was referring to herself? Her and Suri...in her mind...that could be considered "seeing" each other? And the way Suri looked just now...

Eyjafjalla's mind went blank again. Her cheeks were flushed red, almost bleeding, and her pink eyes were wide open. She looked at Saria and then at Suri (in her lamb form), completely unable to process the information.

Suri's (in lamb form) expression became even more complex after Saria's utterly "frank" words. Shame, embarrassment, a hint of annoyance at being "exposed," and a deeper, more nuanced emotion—as if some hidden connection had been touched—were intertwined in his dark eyes. He wanted to refute, to say it was different, to say that perception at the conscious level was entirely different from this kind of real, blatant "viewing"...

But Saria didn't give him a chance to refute. Her gaze, even carrying a barely perceptible, almost "taken-for-granted" calm, swept over Suri's (in lamb form) body, which was wrapped in a coat but whose outline was still discernible, and she added, her tone as indifferent as if discussing the weather:

"Besides, I don't want to miss out."

Volume 19, Chapter 1289: Eyjafjalla was too impulsive.

Don't want to miss it? Miss what? Miss watching Suri change clothes?!

Eyjafjalla felt her breath catch in her throat. How could Lady Saria say something so...so blush-inducing in such a calm tone?! And what she meant by "not wanting to miss out" was...

Suri (in his lamb form) was also speechless at Saria's undisguised, even somewhat "righteous" declaration of "watching." He looked at Saria's calm, icy blue eyes, which seemed to say, "I'm watching, you switch," and then glanced at the pink eyes beside her that, though covered (with ridiculously large gaps between their fingers), shone brightly through the gaps, full of curiosity, shyness, and... a strange, focused light...

An unnamed anger, mixed with extreme embarrassment and a "what's the use" impulse, suddenly surged into Suri's (sheep form) heart.

Alright. One is Saria, who is calm, premeditated, and frankly says "I don't want to miss it." The other is Eyjafjalla, who is obviously shy to death, but still insists on peeking through her fingers, her eyes brighter than anyone else's.

They weren't shy at all. If he were to act coy and hesitant, wouldn't he seem inferior to them? Wouldn't he seem like the one who was being reserved and making a mountain out of a molehill?

This thought, like the last straw, broke down Suri's (in lamb form) already fragile defenses against shame.

He took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled. In his dark eyes, all the shame, embarrassment, and struggle receded like the tide, replaced by a calm that was almost "reckless" and tinged with defiance, and even... a very subtle, barely perceptible provocation?

“Okay.” Suri (in lamb form) squeezed out a short syllable from her throat, her voice even lower and hoarser than before.

Then, under Saria's calm gaze and Eyjafjalla's even more intense gaze peeking through her fingers—

Suri (in lamb form) reached out and grabbed the hem of the dark gray coat that belonged to Saria, which was draped over her body, and then forcefully pulled it apart to both sides!

The oversized coat, like a torn curtain, slid down to the sides, revealing the still naked, fair-skinned, and beautifully sculpted body of the young man beneath.

"!!!"

Even through her fingers, Eyjafjalla could clearly see what was happening. She felt as if an invisible hand was clenching her heart, her blood rushing to her head, her ears ringing. She instinctively wanted to close her eyes completely or turn away, but her body seemed frozen in place. The pink eyes behind her fingers widened, even forgetting to blink, staring intently at the body exposed without any concealment in the bright office light.

Saria's reaction, however, was far more "normal." Her gaze, like the most sophisticated scanner, calmly, even with a hint of scrutiny or evaluation, slowly swept over Suri (in her lamb form). From her slightly slender but smoothly shaped shoulders, to her delicate collarbones, flat chest, and slender yet strangely supple waist, and further down… her gaze didn't linger or shy away, as if she were merely observing the completion of an object. Only in the depths of her icy blue eyes, almost imperceptibly, a fleeting, extremely subtle glint of almost "satisfaction" or "understanding" flashed, so quick it was almost an illusion.

Suri (in lamb form) could clearly feel two gazes fixed on him. One was calm yet penetrating, as if it could see through every detail of his temporarily formed form. The other was filled with burning shyness and curiosity, almost burning two holes in his skin.

A profound sense of shame, like a cold flame, seared every nerve in his body. But he forcibly suppressed all the urges to cower, hide, or simply disappear. He tensed his body, straightened his posture, and struggled to maintain a calm (or rather, stiff) expression of resignation.

He stopped looking at them and instead focused his gaze on the neatly folded clothes on the table. Then, he strode barefoot onto the cool, smooth floor and walked toward the desk.