The academy remained as lively as ever. Though only two weeks had passed since the midterm exams, the atmosphere was far from relaxed. If anything, the air was thick with competition.

Gallimar, the continent’s most prestigious institution, was a place where only the elite gathered, and a single lapse could cost you dearly. This high-stakes environment meant that students rarely let their guard down, at least not until the upcoming field trip, when the intensity might briefly wane.

As yet another demanding day concluded, Regia walked alone on the path back to her dorm.

*Step, step…*

Her pink hair fluttered softly in the evening breeze, her bangs obscuring her vision occasionally, but she didn’t bother adjusting them. She moved in a trance, deeply lost in thought.

Regia had been like this for some time, since the traumatic incident during the midterms. Her mind seemed somewhere else, weighed down by memories of that day.

— *Hey, commoner! Can't you summon your precious beast this time either?*
— *You're just dead weight, aren’t you?*
— *Move aside and stop getting in our way!*

Those words lingered, catching in her throat.

— *Run outside now. I’ll hold them off here... if you escape, at least one of us will make it.*

The harrowing, life-or-death moment had haunted her. She hadn’t been able to do anything to help; others had fought to survive, while Regia had been paralyzed by fear, unable to support them due to her own powerlessness.

*“I nearly ruined everything… again…”*

She bit her lip as guilt washed over her. It wasn’t merely the fear of death that plagued her, but rather the realization that her helplessness had nearly cost her friends their lives. The despair clung to her, a heavy shroud.

*“They could have all died… because of me.”*

It was a chilling thought, and difficult to shake off the weight of responsibility. If only she had control over her abilities, things might have been different. But instead, her own inadequacy had nearly led to disaster.

*“If only I wasn’t so weak…”*

Her self-doubt rose like a shadow, whispering words from her past.

— *A useless child like you… should never have been born.*

Her mother’s venomous words echoed, slicing through her like sharp glass. She staggered, a wave of dizziness hitting her as memories of her failures and old scars intertwined. Struggling to maintain her balance, she clenched her fists.

*Gasp, gasp…*

Her breath came in uneven bursts, and she was about to spiral deeper into her thoughts when—

"Regia."

A voice came from behind her, calm and familiar.

Turning, she found him standing there—blond hair, serene expression, and eyes half-closed as always.

"I’ve been waiting."

"Y-Young Master?"

"Shall we walk together for a bit?"

Once again, at the edge of her despair, he was there to pull her back.

---

"Shall we walk together?"

Waiting for her to finish class, I appeared quietly behind her. Startled at first, Regia nodded, and together, we made our way back to the dorms.

During the walk, she said nothing, and silence weighed heavily between us. She followed my steps carefully, her expression vacant, almost like a doll with no spirit left.

"You seem worn out," I finally remarked.

"…Pardon?"

"You don’t look well these days. Are you feeling unwell?"

"N-No… I just haven’t been sleeping well."

"Are you saying you haven’t slept properly in a week?"

"…"

Eventually, I broke the silence, and Regia scrambled for a response, her voice weak.

"It’s really nothing… The coursework has just been tiring. I didn’t realize it would exhaust me like this."

"Is that so?"

"Y-Yes…"

She nodded timidly, but I could tell her words were just a cover-up. Her exhaustion was too visible to ignore.

*She must still be haunted by what happened in that abandoned lab.*

It was no surprise. In the original story, Regia’s inner turmoil was a common theme. Her inability to control her powers, despite possessing the strength to protect others, left her feeling like a failure. Her potential felt wasted, like a sharp blade given to a scarecrow.

*“I didn’t do anything…”*

Regia always blamed herself, unable to pass responsibility onto others. She found it easier to hate herself than to fault anyone else. She was naturally inclined toward a life of self-imposed wounds.

This time was no different. She was tortured by the thought that her own weaknesses had almost led to a tragedy, her mind gnawing on the memory.

*“She’s afraid.”*

Regia hadn’t truly grown much. In this altered reality, many of the original hardships that spurred her growth had never occurred. The villainess’s bullying had all but disappeared, she had found companionship at the academy, and she had avoided the brutal consequences of the midterms and her entanglement with Anne.

Things had been relatively smooth.

*Partially my doing, perhaps.*

Pain often prompts growth. Growth, in essence, requires a certain degree of suffering. Regia needed a moment, a chance to stand up and face her fears independently.

*If she needs such an event… then it’s up to me to create the opportunity.*

In this world, events ultimately followed the choices of the protagonist. While I could control many things now, the outcome of the story would eventually rest on them. Even my powers couldn’t change that, which meant my role was to guide them, leading them to the right path.

"Regia," I said, smiling.

If she wanted to change, I was willing to provide that chance.

"Are you free this weekend?"

"Yes? Free…?"

"Do you have any plans?"

"N-No… but why do you ask?"

"Since you mentioned that academics have been stressing you, how about a little outing to clear your head? Just to unwind."

"O-Outing…?"

There was a place we could go, a place with an event that could help her grow. I gave her a mischievous smile.

"It’s a date invitation."

Let’s see if we can nurture the protagonist a bit.

---

A few days later, we met in the academy square as planned. Even though I arrived early, Regia was already there, waiting and glancing around. When she spotted me, we exchanged light greetings.

"You’re here already?"

"You arrived early too, Young Master."

"I’ve been looking forward to this. Spending time alone with you is always enjoyable."

"U-Um… then… shall we get going?"

With a shy nod, she averted her gaze, clearly nervous. I couldn’t help but smile at her endearing response. Taking her hand, I gently led her along.

"I’ll be your guide. I know this area quite well."

"Oh… y-yes!"

Crossing the square, we soon left behind the familiar scenery of the academy, entering a different part of the grounds.

Gallimar wasn’t just a school. It was vast, with districts around the main building containing marketplaces, shops, theaters, blacksmiths, and more—a miniature city known as the "Outer District."

"Wow…"

Regia marveled at the dazzling surroundings, her awe suggesting she had never ventured out here before.

"Shall we start with some food?"

"Yes!"

"I know a great food stall that I think you’ll enjoy."

"If it’s somewhere the Young Master likes, then…"

I pointed toward a shabby old stall run by an elderly man with white hair, and Regia tilted her head, surprised.

"Is that… Plania skewers?"

"You know it?"

"Yes! I tried them once while traveling alone. I found a village that sold them."

"Is that so?"

Each of us picked up a skewer, which resembled grilled chicken skewers. Plania skewers were made by roasting a Plania bird and coating it in a sweet sauce—a rare treat in the Empire.

Regia took a tentative bite of the golden-brown skewer.

*Crunch.*

Her eyes widened with surprise.

Watching her reaction, I took a bite as well.

*Crunch.*

The skin broke with a satisfying sound, releasing a burst of juicy flavor, with rich aromas and the spicy kick of the sauce lingering on my tongue. It was a strange blend—the skin was chicken-like, but the meat tasted more like pork.

*First time trying it, but it’s good.*

In the original story, Regia frequented this stall, so I hoped she’d enjoy it just as much here. She looked truly pleased.

"How do you like it, Regia?"

"It’s delicious… even better than the ones I tried before!"

"Glad to hear it."

I patted her head gently, ordering a few more skewers, enjoying the chance to spoil her.

"Shall we explore a bit more after we eat?"

"Yes…!"

We strolled through the Outer District, visiting theaters, browsing shops, and even purchasing a weapon at the blacksmith’s. Time flew by.

"I knew about the Outer District, but I didn’t realize it had so many things…"

"Discovering new things is always delightful."

The sky was beginning to take on the colors of dusk, reminding me that it was time to head to our final destination. I led Regia down a secluded path to an old, deserted shop on the outskirts of the Outer District.

"How about one last stop?"

The shop was a relic, showing the wear of years. Its surroundings were eerily silent.

"There’s a shop way out here…?"

"Looks like it has some interesting items."

Inside, shelves were cluttered with various odds and

 ends, as if someone had taken great care in displaying the items. But there was no sign of an owner.

"Seems no one’s here."

"Maybe they stepped out. Let’s take a look at the items while we wait?"

Among the scattered goods were old magical artifacts, faded banners, and dusty crystal balls. Nothing particularly valuable—until Regia picked something up.

"What’s this…?"

Her fingers brushed over a leather-bound book titled *How to Cross the Desert,* written in golden letters.

"Regia?"

Of course.

She chose that book.

"This book… it feels strange."

"Strange, how?"

"I don’t know… but it feels like there’s a faint magical resonance…"

As a summoner, she was sensitive to mana. Her fingers glided over the cover, feeling the faint pulse. Then, she opened to a page, and—

*Beeeep!*

A piercing sound blared, and a bright light burst from the book, flooding the room and filling the children’s vision with blinding white.

There was no time to react.

"Y-Young Master…!"

Regia’s panicked voice echoed as my consciousness began to fade.

*It’s beginning.*

I let a faint smile tug at my lips.

This was her growth event.

*There’s only one chance.*

And with that, everything went black.

---

When I regained my senses, we were greeted by a blazing sun overhead.

"Wh-Where are we…?"

Regia looked around frantically, her sleeves covered in sand. I muttered to myself.

"It seems we’ve arrived."

The sweltering heat, the rough texture of sand beneath us, the golden landscape stretching in every direction…

We had landed in the heart of a desert.

---

[EP???. *How to Cross the Desert*]  
—*A Boy Under the Starry Sky and the Gate in the Heavens*—

Thus began the hidden episode.