**[EP???. Crossing the Desert]**  
**– The Boy Who Counts Stars, a Door in the Sky –**

The fairytale, long if long, short if short, had come to an end.

What lingered afterward was a brief moment of reflection.

We were walking back to the dormitory, still a bit dazed.

Evening had set, the sky darkening around us.

---

Whoosh.

A sudden gust of wind swept through.

The academy looked exactly the same, as if nothing had changed.

We had spent ten days in the book, yet in reality, only a few hours seemed to have passed.

---

‘Everything is back to normal.’

Even my shoes, once covered in sand, my outerwear stained with scorpion blood, and my loosened tie had all returned to their pre-journey state.

It was as if the entire experience had been nothing more than a vivid dream.

But we remembered it clearly.

An old boy, journeying far to reunite with the girl he loved.

---

‘Did he make it?’

I looked up at the sky, lost in thought.

The stars twinkled against the pitch-black background.

Among those countless stars, I imagined, the two of them must be together.

As I wandered amidst the starlight about to pour down, a faint smile formed on my lips.

---

‘I hope he arrived safely.’

Had they reunited?

Had the boy, after swimming across that vast sky, finally reached the girl?

We had no way of knowing.

---

But thinking of them embraced in each other's arms, the stars seemed to smile back at us.

Imagining otherwise, it felt as if they wept with sorrow.

A simple thought could change how the world looked.

I still believed the sky was beautiful.

---

"…"

As I walked in silent reflection, a voice sounded beside me.

It was none other than Regia.

---

"…It really feels like a dream."

"It was certainly an unbelievable experience."

"I doubt anyone would believe us."

"It will be our shared memory, just the two of us."

"Yes, I suppose so."

---

Her voice drifted gently in the evening air.

The pink-haired girl murmured as if savoring each moment.

---

"I think I learned a lot."

---

It seemed that this journey had brought her some new understanding.

Her expression was unexpectedly serious.

I offered her a faint smile.

---

‘I’m glad.’

---

If this journey had helped her grow, that was enough for me.

After all, it had been planned with her growth in mind.

I hoped she would continue along this path, steady and true.

With those thoughts running through my mind, I slowly extended my hand toward her.

---

"Miss Regia."

"Yes?"

"Could I have your hand for a moment?"

"Wh-what…?"

---

She tilted her head in curiosity but soon held out her hand.

I gently placed mine over her pale skin.

---

"Y-Young Master…?"

"It was a sort of date, wasn’t it? Even if things got strange in the middle."

---

Warmth passed between us.

Through her clear pupils, I could see only the golden-haired boy reflected.

Watching her hold her breath, I revealed what I had been hiding in my palm—a ring glowing with a green hue.

---

"A gift."

---

It was one of the rewards from the recent episode.

Of the two items we had acquired, this was hers.

Given that we had both contributed to the journey, it was rightfully hers.

Still, presenting it like this made it feel more special.

---

Explaining the reward’s purpose would be tedious, so I decided to call it a gift from me.

It also served as a good opportunity to win her favor.

With that in mind, I slipped the ring onto her delicate finger, smiling as I spun my little lie.

---

"I chose it carefully; I hope you like it."

---

The ring fit her finger perfectly, almost as if by magic.

Regia, who had been speechless, began to stammer in surprise.

---

"Y-Young Master? This… what is this…?"

"Remember what I said in the desert? That I’d always be by your side. You didn’t forget, did you?"

"I-I remember! But what does that have to do with a ring…?"

"Think of it as a token of that promise."

---

Though it looked like an ordinary ring, it was a highly valuable item with special abilities.

It had a low drop rate, making it a rare find.

---

**The Ring of Bond** – a piece of jewelry that could block a single attack directed at its wearer, no matter how powerful.

Though it would disappear after use, it had been known in the original story to withstand even Yuda’s **Lies** power.

For a consumable item, it was almost legendary.

---

"Always keep it with you. If ever I can’t be there to keep my promise, this little ring will protect you."

"But… it looks so expensive! I can’t possibly…"

"It’s fine."

---

I gently patted her head, my voice soothing.

---

"You absolutely deserve it. After all, you’re my dearest friend, Miss Regia."

"Y-Your dearest…?"

"Please, don’t refuse."

"Huff… um… alright."

---

She hesitated, then gave a shy nod, her face blushing red.

Her head bowed bashfully.

It seemed she still felt shy about calling herself my friend.

---

"…Thank you. I’ll treasure it."

---

Her response was quiet and heartfelt.

She was trying to compose herself, but her fingers trembled nervously.

Her cute reaction made me chuckle softly.

---

"It’s getting late. Shall we head back now?"

"Ah… yes!"

---

With our hands still linked, we walked through the night sky side by side.

---

Returning to academy life felt surreal.

In reality, only two hours had passed, but for us, it had been nearly ten days.

The academy was unchanged, its peaceful atmosphere undisturbed.

---

"Lord Yuda!"

"Miss Regia."

---

I waved at the girl approaching me.

---

"I’m sorry for being late. The lecture ran longer than expected."

"I’m fine! I didn’t wait long anyway."

"As expected, you’re so kind."

"Heh… hehehe…"

---

I patted her head, watching her cheerful smile soften.

Her warm presence filled my hand.

---

‘She seems so happy lately.’

---

If there was one noticeable change, it was in Regia.

Since returning from the desert, she had grown closer to me.

When she addressed me, she used my name instead of the formal title she once preferred.

I thought perhaps she had finally opened her heart a little.

---

She no longer shrank away from my touch.

Now, she simply stood there when I patted her head, not running away.

It felt satisfying, like taming a timid kitten.

I wasn’t the only one who noticed the change.

Emilia, observing us, looked curious and spoke up.

---

"It feels like things have changed between you two… Did something happen?"

"Haha, who knows?"

"Suspicious, aren’t you?"

---

Her blue eyes scrutinized us, finally focusing on a point.

Regia’s ring finger.

---

"Commoner? What’s that ring on your finger?"

"Oh, this…"

---

It was the ring I had placed on her finger.

Blushing, Regia stammered as she explained.

---

"It’s a gift from the Young Master."

"What?"

"We made a promise a few days ago. We explored outside the academy, and he gave me this as a token of that promise."

"Yes, it was a lovely date."

"A-a d-d-date?!"

---

Boom.

Her eyes widened, and after standing there stunned for a moment, she shrieked at me.

Her face was flushed.

---

"You… shameless!"

"Hm?"

"After doing that to me, how can you go around charming other girls too?!"

"I’m not sure what you mean."

"When you said you liked me…!"

"Of course, I like you."

"That’s not what I…!"

"I like both you and Miss Regia equally."

---

Her indignant glare was almost entertaining.

To calm her, I patted her blue hair.

Without realizing it, I ended up patting both of them, one on each side—a rather silly position to be in.

Was this what being a cat mom felt like?

---

"You’re the worst."

---

Emilia turned her head away.

Yet she didn’t pull away from my touch.

Perhaps she was reminded of our contract and couldn’t resist.

I chuckled.

---

The lively atmosphere shattered gently in the summer breeze.

As we enjoyed the peaceful moment, someone suddenly spoke up.

---

"Come to think of it, the field trip is just around the corner."

---

The field trip.

The academy event was now just a week away.

---

"I should head to the library. I need to finish reviewing for the next test before the trip."

"M-May I join you…?"

"Suit yourself."

---

It seemed the students were focused on their studies leading up to the trip.

---

"Unfortunately, I’ll have to skip. I have other matters to attend to."

"Oh, I see…?"

---

With only a week until the trip, I had already planned my next steps.

---

"I have someone I need to meet."

---

I murmured, leaving my words hanging.

---

A few hours later.

I found myself alone in a professor’s private office.

---

"This is unexpected. I didn’t think you’d come to see me, Yuda."

---

Seated behind the desk was none other than Selena Drunkard.

She was the professor in charge of my class, Class A.

Her crimson eyes fixed on me as she absently twirled a bottle of alcohol in her hand.

Her

 long purple hair flowed down her back.

---

"I’m curious about your business."

---

The smell of alcohol was strong.

I replied.

---

"I have a favor to ask."

---

During the last midterm exam, there had been an incident.

Selena owed me a personal debt.

Despite being in charge of supervising the exam, she had failed to prevent us from being caught up in the incident.

In return, she had promised each of us a favor during our time at Galimar.

---

"You’re not going to go back on your word now, are you?"

"Of course not."

"I heard you lost your position as a head professor over that incident. Are you alright with that?"

"It doesn’t bother me."

---

Selena tipped the bottle back, indifferent.

After taking a long drink, her red eyes met mine, and she asked.

---

"So, what is this favor?"

"It’s not a difficult one."

---

I smiled ominously.

The time had finally come.

In the future, countless incidents would unfold.

To confront these impending dangers, I needed power within the academy.

The kind of authority that could put an ordinary student in their place.

---

"I’d like you to appoint me to the position of head teaching assistant."

---

The time had come to seize control of the academy.