The night grew deep.

The night sky, filled with magic, was so murky that not even a star shone through, completely cloaked in black darkness.

Yet the reason the darkness didn’t feel frightening was that a warm light flickered beside her, softly surrounding the area.

They said that flames emerge when one feels joy or happiness.

Recalling the words she had heard just a little while ago, Sylvia smiled gently as she thought about it.

Did she even realize how much joy it brought her that they had become friends?

As Sylvia pondered this, she turned her head slightly to gaze at where Scarlet was lying.

As if sensing her gaze, Scarlet turned slightly and their eyes met, naturally exchanging smiles.

Just that exchange made all the weariness of the past time seem to melt away like snow, leading Sylvia to think that Scarlet resembled the very flame she produced.

Just like that flame, which gives her strength with its warm light amidst any adversity and hardship.

At that moment, Sylvia noticed Scarlet’s eyes slowly blinking as she looked in her direction.

Literally, she was someone who had come back from the dead.

Having physically and mentally expended considerable energy, it was natural for her to feel tired.

But the reason she couldn’t close her eyes must be that she was worried about being attacked by lesser demonic beasts while she slept and getting hurt.

Seeing her consistently think of others before herself even in such circumstances made Sylvia feel a sense of admiration, and she quietly spoke to Scarlet.

“…If you’re tired, just go to sleep.”

“But, the demonic beasts…”

“Don’t worry. I’ve set up a spell that will sound an alarm if anything approaches.”

“But if you exert yourself, it becomes a burden for you, Sylvia…”

“That’s not a burden at all. And—”

Seeing the worried look in Scarlet’s eyes, Sylvia reached out.

Gently placing her hand over Scarlet’s, she smiled slightly and said,

“Because we’re friends, let me do this much for you.”

After a moment of silence, Scarlet responded,

“…Okay. Then I’ll rely on you.”

Nodding her head, she slowly closed her eyes.

Once her eyes were shut, it seemed she was very tired, quickly falling into deep sleep with soft breaths.

Sylvia smiled at this sight.

She felt that Scarlet had opened her heart to her.

It wasn’t just one-sided help; they had become a relationship where they leaned on each other.

Gently holding the sleeping Scarlet’s hand, Sylvia looked up at the night sky.

The starless night was pitch black.

Just like the situation Scarlet found herself in.

Ahead lay a thorny path full of hardships.

But she wouldn’t back down.

With all her strength, she would face that path alongside her.

No matter how hopeless it seemed.

Even if the situation appeared grim.

Somewhere in that night sky, there would surely be stars shining.

Thus, like in her childhood, Sylvia looked up at the night sky and prayed to the invisible stars.

To protect her precious friend.

To ensure her flame would not extinguish.

Desperately wishing so.

*

That night, Sylvia dreamed.

[Child.]

In a world covered in black darkness.

Sylvia heard a voice speaking to her.

[Child.]

The voice, whether low or high, small or large, echoed in her head as if resonating.

[Child of the stars.]

Yet Sylvia knew the voice’s owner was in the sky.

And when Sylvia raised her head, she saw it.

A small star shining beyond the darkness.

Realizing that star was speaking to her, Sylvia asked.

“Did you call out to me?”

[That’s an interesting question. We have always been speaking to you. It’s just that you’ve been unable to hear us until now.]

The star twinkled faintly as it replied.

[However, it’s not your fault. The path that connected us burned away. Just the fact that you are connected with us, even if faintly, is akin to a miracle. You, the child of stars with the purest heart.]

Illuminating Sylvia with its light.

[Perhaps this is also fate. Fire destroys everything, yet at the same time, it purifies and regenerates. The land that has turned to ash will one day sprout anew. Your arrival with the flame to this land is ultimately led by fate.]

Unable to grasp the incomprehensible words, Sylvia tilted her head in confusion as the star continued.

[Yes, child. You made a wish to us.]

Recalling the wish she had made to the star, Sylvia nodded.

[Unfortunately, we are not beings capable of granting wishes.]

The star told her that it couldn’t grant her wish.

[However, we can help you fulfill that wish on your own.]

It murmured in a gentle voice.

And as it spoke, the star called out,

[Child, child of the stars.]

[If you seek help, recite the covenant spell.]

Unknowingly, Sylvia remembered a phrase.

Every time she borrowed the star’s power, she would say it nonchalantly.

And Sylvia vocalized that phrase aloud.

-Alf Ad Astra

Immediately, a satisfied voice was heard.

[Child. Remember.]

And Sylvia saw.

[Even if hidden by darkness and unseen.]

In that thick darkness, countless stars were obscured.

[We are always here.]

They emitted brilliant light, enough to dispel the darkness.

[We will always respond to your call.]

Alf Ad Astra.

As the elf’s hand stretched towards the sky.

Astra Ad Alf.

Brilliant starlight illuminated the elf.

*

Feeling the warmth in her hand, Sylvia awoke.

Opening her eyes, she turned her head slightly to the side and found Sylvia soundly asleep, holding tightly onto her hand.

Trying to carefully withdraw her hand so as not to wake Sylvia.

“Ummm…”

In protest, she clung to her hand, causing a soft chuckle to escape her lips.

Carefully propping herself up, she sat beside Sylvia, who was uncomfortably sprawled out on the hard ground.

Thinking about what to do, she recalled how she had once given Yoon Si-woo a knee pillow, and she knelt down, gently positioning Sylvia’s head onto her knee.

She thought this was definitely better than sleeping on the hard ground.

It seemed that this was indeed more comfortable, as Sylvia nestled her head against her knee while still clinging tightly to her hand.

The thought that she resembled a cat sleeping on her thigh made her smile as she gently stroked her hair, earning a contented purr from Sylvia that felt adorable.

Slowly caressing Sylvia’s hair, she looked around.

Fortunately, it seemed nothing had happened during the night.

Here, a place said to be extremely dangerous, was surprisingly safe.

Initially, she had planned to keep vigil throughout the night since her body didn’t really need to sleep, but strangely, she had felt an overwhelming drowsiness.

Had she expended too much energy recovering from her injuries?

When she rubbed the back of her neck, it felt entirely clear without a single scratch, suggesting she was thoroughly healed…

However, her memories were vague of lying back here until waking up, so she couldn’t completely accept that she had literally come back from the dead.

She thought she should ask Sylvia for details about what had happened later.

Just then, sensing a presence from afar, she quickly turned her head.

Her senses had sharpened.

“It’s nearby. Keep your eyes peeled as you move.”

“Oh, Miss Sylvia is over there…!”

The sounds of footsteps and conversations came through clearly.

Simultaneously, the alarm that Sylvia had set up began ringing loudly in her ears.

“Sylvia…! Sylvia, wake up quickly!”

“Umm… what’s happening…?”

In a panic, she shook the sleeping Sylvia on her knee vigorously to wake her.

“Ugh…”

Sylvia groaned as she awakened.

Raising her body as if trying to understand what was happening, she looked around.

“Oh…”

Upon spotting the Aegis Academy’s patrol team rushing over, she let out a defeated sound and buried her face back into Sylvia’s knee.

Sylvia couldn’t help but feel flustered by her reaction.

“No, Sylvia! This isn’t the time for that! They’re coming; we need to run somewhere!”

She shouted, but Sylvia clung onto her knee like a child, unwilling to let go.

Was she perhaps still half-asleep and unable to make proper judgments?

Just as she was thinking that and attempting to force her up, Sylvia, lying with her head on her knee, looked up at her and said,

“There’s no need to panic, Scarlet.”

“Just trust me. I’ll handle everything.”

With an oddly calm smile, she spoke.