Originally, the mission for Flame’s team had been to hunt a 2-risk monstrous bear. However, due to an “unexpected situation,” three giant 4-risk monstrous bears appeared. Despite this complication, they were able to defeat them cleanly without any issues, concluding the mission smoothly.

“How was that? Instructor, we deserve extra points for this, right?” 

“...Yes.” 

The assistant instructor who had followed them to monitor and assist adjusted his glasses and nodded. He had anticipated something like this might happen, but seeing the first-years manage to lure out and take down three 4-risk bears from their nest was surprising.

While he knew these students were exceptional, first-years standing out this much was likely unprecedented.

Boom! Crack! Rumble!

As he calculated their scores, a loud crash echoed through the forest. The instructor shook his head.

“Sigh... they complained about being bored, and now it’s chaos over there too.”

Second-year S-Class student, Dok Cheolgwang.

Supposedly there to supervise the first-years, he couldn’t contain his excitement watching them cooperatively take down 4-risk monsters and had rushed into the forest for his own hunt. Now, he emerged, covered in blue blood, dragging the corpse of a massive beast.

It was the body of a “Monkey Ogre,” a 4-risk monster known for moving swiftly through trees, making it notoriously difficult to hunt.

“That lunatic... did he take that down alone?”

“Haha! I took down three more but didn’t have enough hands to bring them all. This should be enough for tonight’s meal, right?” 

“...Why on earth would you eat that? Cadet Dok Cheolgwang, we have proper, human meals prepared for dinner.”

“Ha, instructor! That’s not manly at all. A true mage devours the meat of their hunted monster to accumulate its experience and fervor within them!” 

“...If you say so.”

The instructor gave up on the conversation and turned to Flame.

“Anyway, you all passed, and I’ll ensure you receive enough extra points. The professors will finalize your overall score, but you can definitely expect an A+.”

“Ah, thank you!”

Flame beamed, her expression brightening.

Seeing her smile, Pung Harang also felt a surge of joy and spoke without thinking.

“We finished earlier than expected. Shall we stop by the capital of the Wind Empire before heading back?”

“Oh, really? Are you going to show us around?”

“I’m not sure if we’ll have time for a full tour... but I can show you some sights.”

“Oh, can we visit your house?”

“...My house?”

Pung Harang felt a bit flustered by Flame’s innocent question. The only “home” he had was the main residence of the Pung family, the ruling dynasty of the Wind Empire, and bringing outsiders there wasn’t simple.

Of course, if he insisted, he could bring them along, but his standing in the family was weak, and every little thing felt like walking on eggshells.

‘Still...’

“What do you think? If it’s not possible, that’s fine too.”

“It’s fine. It’s not that difficult.”

After all, going against the grain a bit for her request wasn’t that daunting.

“This might not be particularly interesting for you two, though... is that alright?” 

When he asked Mayu-seong and Hae Wonryang, they both nodded.

“The Pung family... that sounds fascinating.”

“I’m excited too. I’ve never visited a friend’s house before.”

The unexpected word made Pung Harang’s eyebrow twitch.

“...Are we friends?”

“Sure. We’ve done missions together, so doesn’t that make us friends?”

“That’s absurd. We’re colleagues, not friends.”

“We’re not official mage warriors yet, so ‘colleagues’ doesn’t quite fit, don’t you think?”

Mayu-seong grinned, and Pung Harang turned his head away.

“Think what you like.”

The instructor, watching the first-year students act as they pleased, let it go. S-Class students often bent the rules, and as far as he was concerned, this was just kids having harmless fun.

“Don’t take too long and be sure to return on time. Cadet Dok Cheolgwang, stay behind and make sure the first-years get back safely.”

“Hmph, sounds boring.”

Despite grumbling, Dok Cheolgwang nodded, recalling Bandiyun’s stern reminders to follow orders.

With that, the instructor left, and Flame’s group boarded the automatic carriage Pung Harang had prepared and headed to Taeyusan, the capital of the Wind Empire.

“Wow...”

Flame looked around, wide-eyed, taking in the bustling city.

‘This feels familiar...’

The Wind Empire, with its distinctly Eastern-style architecture, had always held a special place in Flame’s heart, ever since she read the original romance novel it appeared in.

Though most characters from the Wind Empire didn’t gain much popularity, making it rarely discussed among devoted fans, and proper information wasn’t even listed on wikis, Flame had committed its lore to memory.

‘They called it “a facade of tradition masking progress.”’

One member of a fan café for the original novel *Do Not Love the Tragic Princess* loved political commentary and coined that phrase, which became the single sentence everyone associated with the Wind Empire. Outwardly open and welcoming to foreigners, yet internally harboring an elitist belief that their traditions were the greatest in the world.

Regardless of such nuances, the Wind Empire’s culture was dazzling enough for Flame to fully enjoy this brief sightseeing.

“We’ve arrived.”

The driver’s announcement made Flame instinctively reach for the door, but Pung Harang stopped her.

“Huh?”

Mayu-seong and Hae Wonryang were also sitting quietly, waiting for something. Suddenly, the right-side door where Flame sat opened.

It wasn’t automatic.

The driver, who had just spoken, had rushed around to open the door for them.

“Wait, were you all waiting for that?”

When she asked in disbelief, both Mayu-seong and Hae Wonryang nodded.

“Did we do something wrong?”

Watching the two boys who genuinely looked confused, Flame felt foolish.

“Life of the rich...”

She shook her head as she stepped out, only for her jaw to drop at the sight before her.

A magnificent palace sprawling in grandeur, as if every Eastern-style palace she’d ever known—Hanok Village, Gyeongbokgung, Gwanghwamun—were all combined into one.

‘This is Pung Harang’s Serdo Palace...’

With a gesture from Pung Harang, magicians dressed in Eastern-style robes pulled back their staffs and stood aside, revealing the giant red gates that slowly opened with a deep groan.

“Let’s go in.”

As Pung Harang led the way, Flame trailed behind, eyes darting around in amazement. However, she couldn’t look around for long, as Hae Wonryang playfully pushed her head down.

“Careful, or your neck will break.”

“Huh? Oh, right.”

Realizing how childish and rustic she’d appeared, Flame quickly straightened her posture.

Though she assumed they’d walk the rest of the way after leaving the carriage, another vehicle—a specialized carriage for internal palace transport—was waiting inside Serdo Palace.

Pung Harang, leading the way, suddenly halted, his fingers twitching as he stared ahead.

“Huh? What’s wrong? Is something the matter?”

When Pung Harang stopped, Flame peeked around him to see what had caused him to freeze.

“You’ve come, Harang.”

“...Yes, Mother.”

There stood a woman clad in a silver silk dress, with eyes that mirrored Pung Harang’s.

She glanced at the group behind him, a smile playing at her lips.

“You’ve brought friends.”

“There’s no need to be so tense. I’m just glad you’ve come at this time.”

“...What do you mean by that?”

Flame suddenly recalled what she knew about Pung Harang’s relationship with his mother.

‘Wasn’t it said that his mother didn’t really care for him?’

Pung Harang had two older brothers and one older sister. 

The eldest brother had been closest to inheriting the throne but recently fell from grace due to political defeat and was now under house arrest.

So... this woman, his mother, once put all her trust and support in that brother but now found herself without allies.

She approached Pung Harang, taking his hands warmly in hers.

“I heard the daughter of the Starcloud Merchant Guild leader is visiting Cheolhugang Palace.”

“...What does that have to do with me?”

“All your ‘siblings’ are out on missions, so there’s no one here to welcome her. You should go and greet her. It’s not difficult, and it won’t take long.”

“So, you want me to play the role of a figurehead?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“And will that change your position? Is it truly right for the Seven Families of the Wind to grovel to a mere merchant?”

Pung Harang, forgetting that Flame and the others were watching, raised his voice. His mother, however, remained composed.

“It is right. And it will improve our standing. She needs the support of the Wind families, and if you help her... wouldn’t that be a great advantage to our Pung family?”

He had almost forgotten.

She was someone who had long discarded her pride. Probably since the moment her favored eldest son was put under house arrest.

“...Understood. I’ll go.”

After answering, Pung Harang turned and realized that Flame, Mayu-seong, and Hae Wonryang had witnessed the entire exchange.

He turned to them and bowed apologetically

.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to introduce you to the traditions of the Pung family, but an urgent matter has come up.”

“Oh? No, it’s fine. We can still enjoy ourselves without—”

“Wait, could we join you there?”

“Huh?”

Flame tried to reassure him, but Hae Wonryang spoke up first.

“Join...?”

**“Yes. I might not be significant on my own, but as the heir of the Full Moon Tower, accompanying you could bolster your standing. We’re ‘friends,’ after all.”**

It was true.

Though Pung Harang lacked significant influence, being associated with Hae Wonryang could win some favor from Zeliel.

Zeliel had previously received aid from the Full Moon Tower’s master and was close friends with Hae Wonryang’s father.

Mayu-seong nodded enthusiastically at Hae Wonryang’s words, eyes sparkling.

“Zeliel of the Starcloud Guild... I’d like to meet her too.”

“Oh? Then me too!”

“Do I have to respond too...?” 

“Quickly, agree, Cadet Dok Cheolgwang.”

“Ugh, fine, sounds boring, but I’ll do it.”

With Flame, Hae Wonryang, and Mayu-seong all wanting to go, Pung Harang’s mother also approved upon learning of Hae Wonryang’s status.

“Very well. Bring your friends.”

With her permission, there was no reason to refuse.

“...Alright. Let’s go together.”

---

Meanwhile, at Cheolhugang Palace.

Zeliel stared absently out the window, basking in the sunlight.

As a high elf, she could sustain herself just from sun exposure, though she usually didn’t resort to that, enjoying fine dining to maintain her nutrition.

‘This has become such a headache.’

Her expression darkened as she watched the palace she was staying in.

‘This isn’t what I intended.’

Her original plan was simple.

Since Baek Yu-seol was reportedly in Taeyusan for a mission, she had wanted to quietly visit and catch a glimpse of him.

But due to a driver’s oversight in not removing the Starcloud emblem from the automatic carriage, the Seven Families of the Wind had rushed out to welcome her, complicating her position.

She didn’t enjoy being treated with royal courtesy. Though she had a desire for wealth, she had no interest in titles or recognition.

In fact, it irritated her.

Seeing royals bowing to her just because of her financial power always left a bitter taste in her mouth.

‘I need to get out of here...’

She had no idea when Baek Yu-seol would finish his mission and return from the Persona Gate. The royals, believing she had come for an “important reason,” had planned to gather all Seven Families for a grand meeting, which she managed to decline.

Would they ever know?

That the “important reason” Zeliel had come was simply to see a first-year student from Stella Academy.

For now, she had used the excuse of wanting a small favor to disperse the gathered nobles, but she hadn’t even decided what that favor would be, adding to her headache.

Was there even anything the Seven Families could do for her?

She was only looking for two people in this world: Silver Eleven and Baek Yu-seol.

And it seemed unlikely that any of the Wind’s Seven Families knew their whereabouts.

‘I’ll just pass time until it’s reasonable to leave.’

Even if she made a trivial request, they wouldn’t be able to fulfill it. When that happened, she would express her disappointment and depart.

‘Time is money.’

The thought that Baek Yu-seol might have already left while she wasted time here made Zeliel restless. But the clouds over the Wind Empire drifted lazily, oblivious to her worries.