The cradle of the Heavenly Spirit Tree, the white castle.

Elf King Florin, who rarely used her own chamber, was looking into the mirror which had a faint scent of human.

The thin black fabric dress and veil made sure not a single sheen of light touched her body.

She was hidden well, but it had a subtly different vibe from what she had worn before.

‘Though I can't do much for you... this much should be possible.’

Yeonhong Chunsamweol, whom she met in the Divine Realm, apologized to her and gave her a special gift.

The first gift weakened the curse.

"Even if it's temporary... I'll transfer a part of your abilities to Baek Yu-Seol through me.”

In fact, Florin didn't really know her abilities properly, except for the fact that she could enchant others.

However, according to Yeonhong Chunsamweol, she indeed had many abilities.

Florin ended up passing a tiny portion of them to Baek Yu-Seol, which required her to stay awake for three days and nights, but the method was incredibly simple and ordinary.

All they had to do was just hold each other's hands while resonating with each other's energy.

However, for Florin, it was a very special experience.

Feeling someone else's warmth with her bare hands.

Although three days might seem tedious at first, when Florin held hands with Baek Yu-Seol... she felt something exhilarating.

Since it was her first time feeling this way, she couldn't describe it, but perhaps this was what people call 'happiness.'

Weakening the curse?

It was something she truly desired, and it was a good gift.

But... it resonated with her even more as a greater gift.

And the second gift.

A Curse Shield Dress.

"I tried to make it based on your dress. Until now, others in the same space as you must have been influenced by the curse, and you must have been careful even when listening to voices. But if you wear this dress, you won't have to worry about that.

It was far more enhanced than the dress personally made by Florin, and with this, she could reveal her face somewhat to the outside world.

Now that she had lost her trusted aide, Florin was in a position where she had to perform the king's duties herself, and she could no longer hide in the forest, so it was something she really needed.

She looked at herself in the mirror with calm eyes.

It was no different from before.

She still concealed every inch of herself.

She couldn't show it to anyone.

Knock! Knock!

• May I come in?

At that moment, a voice echoed from outside.

Florin quickly nodded.

"Yes, come in."

As the door opened, Baek Yu-Seol walked in, bypassing the space guarded by the royal guards.

Thud!

As the door closed, he looked around the chamber with a curious expression.

He had thought it would be extremely grand since it was the king's chamber, but it was just ordinary, so he felt slight disappointment.

"Hmm... It suits you well."

"Thank you."

Smiling softly, Florin glanced briefly toward the door, and then took off her mask.

It was something she would never do before due to its danger, but she felt it was fine to show her face in front of Baek Yu-Seol.

But, what could she do?

Even though she was Florin, the Elf King.

It wouldn’t be… wrong to fulfill a small desire, would it?

People wouldn't know.

The joy which rose from someone looking at her true face and eyes instead of a mask.

How delightful she felt to boldly reveal her face and show her smile to someone.

Florin smiled.

Perhaps it was because she hadn't smiled in a long time, it still felt stiff, but even that seemed to brighten up the atmosphere pleasantly.

"... It's nice. To be able to take off the mask like this."

"Once we gather the items, you'll be able to do that outside too."

"Yes......"

Florin hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"About the items......"

"I'll try to find out as much as possible."

If you were to ask who was busier between a student and a king, of course, it would be the king.

Moreover, compared to Florin, Baek Yu-Seol had a bit more freedom to roam outside.

"I hope I'm not burdening you too much... Later, when I have time, I'll make sure to search together."

"That sounds good."

Infact, after returning from Stella, Florin was going to be incredibly busy.

She was already busy enough, but now the work had piled up.

And since she spent few days looking for Yeonhong Chunsamweol, she might not even have time to sleep properly due to work.

Furthermore, her efficiency would have significantly decreased since she hasn’t properly managed her work for a long time.

It wouldn't make sense for her to go searching for the items herself right away.

So Baek Yu-Seol planned to search for items alone.

The items told by Yeonhong Chunsamweol weren't difficult to find, and fortunately, all the information was stored in his Sentient Spec.

Moreover, this trip wasn't entirely meaningless.

Completing the impromptu events gave him a significant skill experience for the Constellation Project, and on top of that, Blessings of Yeonhong Chunsamweol went up.

**[Blessings of Yeonhong Chunsamweol Lv.3] **

[Sense +38%]

[Mental Strength +1 Star 27%]

Compared to the first level last time, the increase in ability level was significantly high.

It was especially noticeable in Mental Strength, which was a crucial attribute.

It could somewhat cover Baek Yu-Seol’s weakness in prolonged battles.

[▼ Detailed Abilities]

[Psychometry: Expends Mental Strength to partially read the memories of specific objects.]

[Telepathy: Expends Mental Strength to transmit or receive thoughts to/from others.]

[Mentalist: Expends Mental Strength to perceive information about a target's actions and gestures.]

[Mental Shield: Expends Mental Strength to resist spiritual attacks.]

[Charm: Instills trust in the target with eye contact. You gain strength in your speaking skills, and reveal the intent of opponents.]

[Even if the world turns its back on you, your heart, crimson like spring, shall remain unwavering.]

Along with these, new abilities were added.

'Charm.’

It was quite useful in social aspects rather than combat.

The ability allowed one to attract favorable impressions from others, and it was one of Florin’s advantages.

Compared to her, who could suck souls with just eye contact, it was far inferior, but it was still at a considerably high level.

Moreover, it was quite anticipated that he would inherit more of her abilities as he continued to gather items in the future.

Originally, the intention wasn't to treat Florin’s physique for abilities, but... it wouldn't hurt to take advantage of the opportunity, right?

"Well then, I'll be going now. I have a lot of work piled up..."

"Yes. Take care."

Florin’s expression appeared oddly regretful for a moment, but then she hurriedly put on her mask and bowed her head.

Though their short meeting was regrettable... It was time for each of them to return to their positions now.

As Florin returned to work, some of the palace guards saw him off.

Coming out of the White Castle, he looked back a few times, appearing somewhat regretful.

Even though she was genderless for now, spending less time with someone worthy of being called a beauty was still regrettable.

He should see her more before she became a man...

It was deeply regrettable that such a beauty was bound to become a man in the future.

——-

Rumors spread like wildfire, albeit with plenty of embellishments.

The rumors about the Seventh Main Tower were spreading rapidly these days.

The Skalben Club.

Jeremy Skalben tapped a yellow chess piece which resembled his hair.

He had significant skill, and he had defeated professional players even though he never properly studied Soul Chess.

"Does Prince Jeremy have any interest too?"

"Yeah, I like hearing about what my peers are talking about."

His smile was so pure and dazzling that it made one's heart flutter.

However, most club members already knew why he was interested in such rumors.

It was Edna.

Free-spirited but beautiful commoner girl, Edna.

She appeared like a comet at Stella Academy, and with her incredible talent for light magic, she stirred the hearts of many male students, and unfortunately, one of the victims happened to be Prince Jeremy.

Thanks to him, the underlings always had to be prepared for news about Edna and take care of them.

"There are various versions of the ghost story, which one would you like to hear? I can tell you all of them."

"All of them. Tell me."

"Of course."

As soon as Edna showed interest in the ghost story, he had already prepared for such a situation.

Recently... Jeremy wasn't in a good mood, so he had to show himself off well in situations like this.

Just before the Academy Battle began, Prince Jeremy called three students and instructed them to somehow get rid of Baek Yu-Seol.

He intensely disliked Baek Yu-Seol and planned to express that sentiment indirectly by manipulating from behind rather than directly expressing it.

However, now that it had failed, where would Jeremy's unexpressed anger go?

Everyone below had to bear it.

So, among the students from the Skalben Empire Academy, Edna and Baek Yu-Seol were subjects of considerable resentment.

Why did they keep fluctuating Jeremy Prince's mood?

It was not like they had to suffer for it!

"Hmm. I see."

The prince listened with considerable interest.

Though, it inevitably aroused curiosity.

"According to rumors, the Seventh Main Tower exists somewhere on campus, right?"

"Yes. If you find it, there's a 'legendary artifact' left behind by the Progenitor Mage."

Of course... no matter how much you think about it, it didn't make sense.

If such a legendary artifact existed, wouldn't Stella's competent professors have found it long ago?

Even if it were true, would it be possible for students to find it?

Even the professors couldn't find it.

Moreover, rumors about that artifact were truly diverse.

Some said it was a potion which could allow one to live forever, while others said it was a staff with the power to destroy even mountains.

In fact, there was no way to confirm the truth, but Jeremy was quite satisfied.

He had a story to tell Edna.

———-

New Moon was both unpopular and popular in a subtle way.

The reason was that Professor Raiden of the New Moon Department was quite handsome.

The popularity of classes taught by pretty and handsome professors was proven by history.

Professor Raiden always had a full house of students despite teaching a minor subject like philosophy in New Moon Department.

Even during the summer vacation, Professor Raiden conducted seasonal sessions, and the classrooms were still full.

Eisel Morph was also one of the students in New Moon Department.

She didn't attend because Raiden was handsome.

She accidentally enrolled due to Baek Yu-Seol and ended up being genuinely interested in New Moons.

"Please sign the guestbook."

While studying separately about the New Moon Department, Eisel became curious and went to find Professor Raiden to satisfy her curiosity.

Most professors tended to look favorably upon students who came seeking answers out of curiosity, but Eisel was a bit of a special case, and many professors were uncomfortable with her, making the process quite uncomfortable.

Fortunately, Professor Raiden treated everyone equally regardless of their background or status, so she was relieved in that regard.

So, she comfortably found Professor Raiden’s research lab.

Knock! Knock!

"Is anyone there...?"

She cautiously knocked on Professor Raiden’s lab door and took a deep breath.

Entering the lab was always a nerve-wracking experience.

... But there was no response.

"Are you away...?"

However, if a professor left the lab due to class or other reasons, there would be a 'vacant' sign.

But since the 'ON' light was on now, there was no doubt that the professor was inside.

"Hmm..."

Thinking that he might be busy, she turned around.

Creak...

"This jerk! I was supposed to lead this project! But you dare to proceed before me!"

A loud scream echoed from inside the lab.

Since the lab door was slightly ajar, the voice resonated clearly in her ears.

'Is that Professor Chekeren's voice?'

With a long and complex name, Professor Chekeren was famous for his fierce temper and dirty personality, so he was not popular among students.

It seemed there was friction between him and Professor Raiden about the research project.

"Calm down.”

"Ha! Is that important now? I said from the beginning that I would take charge of the Seventh Main Tower!"

'The Seventh Main Tower?'

It was something related to a rumor which was spreading like a wild fire, so she had to listen carefully.

"... I led the research! There's just one step left, and you dare to..."

"That's his will. Don't resist it."

"Are you always going to make excuses? Can you swear that not a bit of your personal opinion was involved?"

"One does not swear lightly."

"Is that so! You..."

Thud!

The conversation was interrupted, and there was the sound of something falling to the ground.

Then, silence followed.

When she heard no conversation, Eisel tried to leave in a hurry, but she felt something intense, so she took a step back and composed herself.

She behaved as if she had just arrived at the lab, and at that moment, the door creaked open, revealing Professor Raiden.

It was truly artistic timing.

"..... What brings you here?"

"Oh? Hello, Professor! I had some questions from class earlier. But... I heard something fall just now. Did I disturb you?"

Eisel asked with naturally sparkling eyes, which were filled with pure curiosity, leaving no room for doubt.

Eisel’s skills like [multi-talented] and [versatile] combined to display the world's highest level of acting prowess at this moment.

"It's nothing. You should go now; I'm busy."

"Hmm, okay..."

Revealing an expression of disappointment, Eisel turned away, and Raiden closed the door with a thud and went back inside the lab.

"Phew...."

Hastily leaving the Second Tower, she walked quickly to the nearby garden and sat on a bench to calm her trembling legs.

Then she struggled to move her stiffened white hair and tried to organize her thoughts.

'What did I just hear?'

It was clear that she had heard some unsettling conversation.