The students of Stella who attended the thrilling seminar were able to board a dedicated Stella aircraft on their way back.

Originally, it was appropriate to use public transportation such as private cars or trains, but due to the massive crowds after this seminar, there was no other choice.

"I thought we were going to get into a serious accident."

"Is it my fault?"

"Oh, it's totally Ahjussi's fault."

At Stella’s aircraft restaurant.

Edna reprimanded Baek Yu-Seol, who was struggling to swallow the rice.

"... This won't cause the world to end, right?"

“I guess? The world doesn't end that easily. Aren’t you worrying too much about useless things?"

"Ugh."

Still, if Edna, who knew the original future, was so relieved, then it seemed that the feared outcome wouldn’t come true.

He sighed deeply.

After glancing around to see if anyone was listening, he asked, "By the way... when was this magic supposed to appear?”

"It was supposed to be announced at the Manwol Tower about 5 years from now."

"Well, at least it's coming in only 5 years..."

"Thanks to this, Manwol Tower lost one of the century's achievements to a mere student. However, the researchers secretly working on Mana Parallel Arrangement might be shedding tears by now, right?"

"Oh, now that you mention it..."

When he was boarding the flight, he remembered that there were people clinging desperately to him, claiming to be members of the Manwol Tower's academic research group.

‘... Those people were probably researchers on Mana Parallel Arrangement.’

Suddenly, a feeling of regret arose, but what could be done?

The ship had already sailed.

As Edna slurped the soup, she looked at Baek Yu-Seol and subtly asked.

"But, why is your memory so chaotic?"

"Huh? What?"

"No... anyway, if it’s about a magic as grand as Mana Parallel Arrangement, I thought you might remember the time it was announced? Ah, if it's something you can't talk about, it's fine."

They agreed to be only 50% honest with each other.

Edna left out the rest of the conversation.

'Hmm...'

Her question was quite straight to the point.

Perhaps she hadn't realized that he was from another world since the last Alterisha’s item presentation.

Naturally, she would think Baek Yu-Seol had read the 'original novel'.

However, Baek Yu-Seol hadn't read the original novel and ended up making this mistake due to the lack of knowledge of the intricate storyline.

He wanted to confess that fact, but due to the Narrative Power, he couldn't do anything.

He could only be satisfied that she had this minor question in mind and would have to figure out the answer herself.

‘It's difficult to come up with an answer on my own…’

Who would even think someone had become transmigrated by a 'game' based on the original novel?

One wouldn't even dream that the protagonist in that game was none other than Edna herself.

He felt oddly strange thinking that the cute short-haired girl, who relished on seaweed soup at a table’s distance from him, was the main character of the world.

‘Hmm? Come to think of it, in the game's ending… where was Edna?’

Just before being transmigrated in this world, Baek Yu-Seol had hunted a black dragon named Demonic Black Dragon, Darkest Night of the Thirteenth Month.

{TN:- The reason for name change will be revealed after the book’s first round of editing is completed.}

However, just before encountering that black dragon, Baek Yu-Seol remembered receiving some strange quest.

'Find the missing Edna…’

That truly was a bizarre quest.

Originally, ‘Character Edna’ was supposed to be the protagonist.

And 'Character Baek Yu-Seol’ who followed Edna was just a mere extra.

But suddenly, with no warning, the protagonist disappeared, and a quest was given to a side character to find the protagonist.

At that time, he wasn't really interested in the story and didn't even care, but thinking about it now, something seemed off.

… What could it be?

Surely, after hunting the Demonic Black Dragon, Baek Yu-Seol had some time before he transmigrated.

However, even after undoubtedly defeating the final boss, there was no scene or sign of Edna.

In other words, defeating the final boss wasn't the answer to find Edna…

‘I guess…’

‘I don't know.’

Even if he thought about it now, it remained a mystery.

This quest was solely experienced by Baek Yu-Seol alone and wasn't recorded in his Sentient Spec.

He looked at Edna with a newfound gaze.

While stuffing her mouth full of lettuce-wrapped kimchi, she widened her eyes with a questioning look upon noticing his gaze.

‘What? Why are you staring at me?’ That’s what her eyes communicated without words, and Baek Yu-Seol lowered his head.

"Nothing. Just don't disappear somewhere later."

"Huh? Ugh."

Baek Yu-Seol got up with the tray first, and Edna chased after him with mouth still full of food.

‘Hmm... I think there’s more to it.’

Besides the keyword ‘regression,’ there was another secret hidden from Edna.

It was certain, but there was no way to find out what it was.

She couldn’t ask him anymore than this.

Since they had agreed to reveal only 50% of each other's secrets.

In other words, the regression itself wasn't the secret.

What lay hidden beneath the 50% was important...

It occurred to her that the secret might have connections with his past relationships with Eisel before the transmigration, but there was no way to find out anymore.

‘… No, wait. Come to think of it, I did hear such a prophecy.’

Wandering in the city of Camelon, she stumbled upon a peculiar fortune-teller. She recalled the words of the mysterious grandmother she met there.

‘Look into the constellations with a child born of the blessing of ice. You might vaguely get a glimpse of your path.’

In this world, there was only one child born of the blessing of ice.

'She said something about Eisel...’

The fortune-teller undoubtedly possessed some special power.

In the Aether World, there were beings with prophetic abilities, so it wasn't surprising for the fortune-teller in Camelon to make a prophecy.

Moreover, didn't Baek Yu-Seol also visit that fortune-teller?

Though she didn't know what he was doing there.

"Hmm..."

After considering for a moment, she decided it would be better to pretend she was deceived and just talk to Eisel.
Since there was nothing to lose anyway.

Having thought that far, Edna stood up immediately, intending to find Eisel right away.

—————

Meanwhile, at the back of the aircraft, on the sky terrace.

"Your Highness! You are truly remarkable!"

"I knew you'd present splendidly, didn't I?"

Surrounded by followers and faction members who had persistently pursued her all the way, Hong Bi-Yeon was enjoying a sense of superiority.

She let her hair naturally flutter under the gentle breeze.

She crossed her legs and casually sipped on the tasteless black tea. She was flanked by admirers on both sides who kept showering her with praises; it was almost heavenly.

"Your Highness, please take a look at this!"

One of the faction members precisely brought a newspaper just in time.

[The humiliation of the First Princess, Hong Si-hwa?]

[Is Hong Si-hwa helpless when it comes to Hong Bi-Yeon, who is blessed with fire?]

The political fight within Adolveit was ripe enough to become a heated spectacle.

And if that fervor was completely saturated with her triumph, wouldn't anyone feel good about it?

"Sigh, why do you keep bringing these boring things?"

While she said so, she couldn't completely hide her inner delight.

Her followers were accustomed to such moments, and adeptly chimed in with remarks like, "Oh, how boring it must be for you in the future if it's already this dull now!"

Snap!

As Hong Bi-Yeon flipped through the pages of the newspaper with a joyous smile, her expression slightly softened.

[Where on earth is Baek Yu-Seol’s progress headed?]

[From the Delta Augmentation Formula to the Mana Parallel Arrangement...]

[Opinions from experts claim he has advanced magic technology by several decades within a mere half-year...]

One side of the article was about Hong Bi-Yeon, while the other side was saturated with Baek Yu-Seol’s story.

"Oh, that commoner."

"Impressive, indeed. Isn't it?"

‘Hey! Pay attention!’

"Oh, right."

The faction members were clamoring about something, but in reality, Hong Bi-Yeon turned a deaf ear to it.

'Is this an achievement a normal seventeen-year-old could accomplish?’

There was no longer even admiration, she just felt pure, unadulterated curiosity.

Perhaps it was not only her who was curious about him.

But could anyone truly uncover Baek Yu-Seol’s past, shrouded even from Adolveit’s intelligence?

‘… No.’

Suddenly, she recalled the conversation she had with Eisel before.

"We've found a way to uncover the hidden past and secrets of Baek Yu-Seol. And maybe, just maybe, find a way... to save him."

At that time, Eisel had spoken so earnestly while referring to the Star Archives.

Initially, she had chuckled.

After all, the Constellation Project was just a myth.

However, Eisel earnestly appealed to her, and before she knew it, Hong Bi-Yeon found herself nodding along.

She had been inexplicably drawn in by the strange power she possessed.

‘If I think about it, it’s really hard to understand even now....’

‘How did I end up agreeing to that?’

It was more magical than magic itself.

But thinking back now, it wasn't such a bad decision.

In fact, it felt somewhat reassuring. She had already been grappling with finding a way to save Baek Yu-Seol.

It was ill-mannered to dig into someone’s past without permission, but at least it was to find a way to overcome the impending deadline... Wouldn't that be acceptable?

Having considered this, Hong Bi-Yeon abruptly rose from her seat.

"Huh? Your Highness?"

"I need to step out for a moment. Carry on without me."

"Yes!"

"Of course!"

Leaving her followers and faction members behind, Hong Bi-Yeon leisurely walked along the edge of the terrace.

Sure enough, she noticed Eisel standing alone at the far end, enjoying the solitude.

For a moment, she found herself lost in the blue hue of her hair. It formed a beautiful contrast with the endless blue sky beyond her.

However, Hong Bi-Yeon quickly shook those thoughts.

"Hey, Morph."

"... Ah. What's the matter?"

As it was a rare occasion for Hong Bi-Yeon to initiate contact first, Eisel wore a slightly puzzled expression.

"Can you explain in detail about our previous conversation?"

".... Are you referring to the Constellation Project?"

"Yes. Can we truly access the Star Archives?"

"Of course. I did it myself."

As Eisel spoke, she gazed strangely at the sky, as if she was trying to communicate with the sky.

Feeling a bit odd about it, Hong Bi-Yeon found it puzzling.

"You claimed to have done it before, right? If that's true, just spill what you saw."

"... I can't do that. Recklessly disclosing what I’ve seen there might even lead to death, no matter how powerful you are."

"What?"

Seeing Hong Bi-Yeon’s incredulous expression, Eisel quickly continued.

"Moreover, in reality, I didn't see much. Alone, my power was... absurdly insufficient."

"Hmm, so you need my power?"

"Yes. Don't you have many questions about Baek Yu-Seol too?"

As she was caught off guard, Hong Bi-Yeon’s lips slightly curled, as if her true thoughts were revealed.

"Who cares about a commoner? I'm just intrigued by the legend of the Star Archives."

"Either way, I'd be grateful for your help. With both of us, maybe we can see more than before."

Behind Eisel’s confidently spoken words, there lay a sense of duty and assurance.

The consciousness of rescuing someone drove her.

Hong Bi-Yeon felt a bit overwhelmed by Eisel’s confidence, but she didn't show it.

"Well, I guess... I…”

"... Did you hear something good?"

At that moment, both Hong Bi-Yeon and Eisel were both horrified by the voice, and hastily turned their heads.

"Isn't it said that those who aren't descendants of the Twelve Disciples might suffer great harm if they hear stories related to the Stars Archives? It seemed like you two were oddly close, secretly discussing such things?"

"Oh, Edna?"

"What, you...?"

The person eavesdropping from behind was none other than Edna.

Strangely, she seemed to have understood the entire conversation.

"The Star Archives? I'm also intrigued by that. Can I join in?”

"Are you hearing me correctly?"

"Yeah? Of course."

Eisel appeared puzzled at her response.

This was due to the message left by Stella's Knight Commander Arien and Principal Eltman Eltwin.

• Those not descendants of the Twelve Disciples won't understand anything related to the Star Archives.

• Even if they somehow understand... they might faint.

• So, try not to talk about it in places with many people.

Basically, anyone not a descendant of the Twelve Disciples couldn't hear this conversation, and even if they did, fainting was the norm.

But to have heard this conversation and remain unaffected...

'Could that commoner really be...?'

'A descendant of the Twelve Disciples...?’

But it didn't make sense.

Descendants of the Twelve Disciples inherited their powers through proper succession.

What about Edna then?

Wasn't she an orphan from commoner origins, with no knowledge of her parents?

'What's her true identity...?'

"Why are you looking at me like that? Are you smitten?"

Seeing Edna speak casually, both Eisel and Hong Bi-Yeon had the same thought at the same time.

Strangely, it stemmed that commoners with black hair held many unique and mysterious secrets.