"If there's a trending topic right now, it has to be the mysterious disappearance of the blonde beauty that day."

Celicia spoke as her gaze flicked to Moen, whose face had suddenly become somewhat stiff.

"Hmm? You don't look so good. Are you feeling unwell?"

"N-no, not at all."

Moen snapped out of it and forced a smile.

"Didn't I just say it earlier? I'm as healthy as ever, and everything tastes amazing to me right now."

"You should take care of your body."

Celicia casually flicked the toothpick in her hand into the trash bin and continued,

"Back to the previous topic. Although I haven't actually seen this so-called blonde beauty myself, going by what Weier and the others described, she's apparently an extraordinary stunner who could stir up the desire in any man. She must be the kind of girl who would attract countless admirers just walking across campus."

"R-really? Is it that exaggerated?"

Moen wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Could she possibly be more beautiful than you, Celicia?"

"I don't think my looks are that impressive."

Celicia lightly swayed her long silver hair, which shimmered in the sunlight streaming through the window, adding an ethereal glow to her already exquisite face.

"Although it's possible that the circumstances surrounding the blonde beauty at the time might have heightened her appeal and triggered the protective instincts of others — but since even a girl like Weier said so, her beauty must be undeniable."

"According to Weier, if the intruders hadn't taken her as a hostage, the students, who were still in shock from the sudden chaos, probably wouldn't have been able to organize themselves so quickly."

"Haha, I see… So that girl actually contributed quite a bit."

"Indeed, but because she drew so much attention at the time, it caused a stir after the fact when the students, still thinking about her, couldn't find her anywhere." Celicia went on,

"They say the school office was nearly swamped with inquiries the next day."

"So… so did they ever find her?"

"Of course not. The faculty combed through the entire student registry but found no record of such a person."

"Is that so?"

Moen widened his eyes, then clenched his fist as if making a firm resolution.

"Then it must've been a scheme by the enemy. Those guys from that brotherly-love cult probably fabricated a beautiful hostage to stoke outrage in the students, aiming to incite their hatred and absorb magical energy from their attacks."

As he spoke, Moen became increasingly indignant.

"Those guys are truly despicable, exploiting the students' sense of justice and compassion! If I'd been there, I'd have beaten them all to a pulp!"

"Hmm, that's more or less how the professors explained it afterward as well." Celicia nodded approvingly, naturally ignoring Moen's latter tirade of bravado.

"The professors said that?"

Moen breathed a sigh of relief.

Since even the professors had framed it that way, those strongly aroused students were unlikely to dig too deeply into what really happened that day. The commotion would eventually fade with time.

Of course, Moen wasn't afraid of being found out — after all, no one would uncover anything about a person who didn't exist.

What he feared was that some overthinking genius, bored and perceptive, might notice something suspicious about the face of that "blonde beauty," which, though feminized, still bore three or four points of resemblance to him.

So, naturally, Moen wanted this whole episode to quiet down sooner rather than later.

"However…"

Celicia's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Hm, what is it now?"

The possibility that things might not be as bad as he'd feared put Moen in a much better mood.

"Maybe I can help you figure it out, Celicia."

"It's not really a major question, but if you can help me think through it, that would indeed be great."

Celicia crossed one long, snow-white leg over the other, resting her elbow on her thigh. Interlacing her fingers to prop up her chin, she leaned slightly forward, her icy gaze fixed on Moen. Slowly and deliberately, she asked,

"At that time… why did those heretic cultists specifically name you — Moen Campbell — when they called someone out to rescue the blonde beauty?"

"…"

Her voice was cold and devoid of emotion... yet the lightness of her words caused Moen's forced smile to freeze once more.

But Celicia, as if oblivious to his reaction, continued.

"Could it be that, from their perspective, that blonde beauty is someone important to you? Important enough to make you risk stepping forward?"

"…"

"Well? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Celicia's impassive face revealed a gaze tinged with subtle significance.

"Didn't you just say you'd help me think it through?"

"Uh… maybe, maybe…"

Moen laughed awkwardly, trying to dodge Celicia's piercing eyes while desperately searching for excuses in his mind.

He knew, of course, that using the "she's a cousin or relative" excuse wouldn't fly with Celicia. If she wanted to, she could investigate down to his ancestors without missing a beat.

And with someone as sharp as Celicia, too many lies would only expose potential inconsistencies.

In this moment, his only way out was to feign ignorance.

"Maybe… just maybe, those heretics thought I'm such an incredibly kind person that I'd take the bait no matter whose appearance they fabricated!" Moen explained nervously.

"But honestly, whether she's real or fake, that blonde beauty has nothing to do with me!"

"But why then would they call for you so specifically, as if they knew you — or knew you well? Did you ever do something to provoke that so-called True Love Fellowship?" Celicia pressed on relentlessly.

"No, absolutely not. They targeted me because… because…"

Sweating profusely, Moen's brain suddenly sparked with an idea. He declared solemnly, "It's probably because of my breathtaking handsomeness!"

"Your handsomeness?"

Celicia raised an eyebrow. "Explain."

"Well, that true-love group, isn't it essentially a brotherly-love cult? And as one of the most outstanding, incredibly good-looking men ever, it's only natural they'd target me."

In order to avoid being labeled a weird cross-dresser in Celicia's presence, Moen decided to sacrifice a bit of his pride.

"Target you?"

Celicia scrutinized him closely for a while, her stare so intense it made Moen's scalp tingle. Finally, she relented with a small nod of approval.

"Maybe so. Judging by appearances, you're not bad looking. The story about them being interested in you isn't entirely off-base."

"Right?"

"But…"

Celicia touched her chin, considering thoughtfully.

"Given that, perhaps you'd better be careful then."

"Be careful? Careful about what?"

Moen was left scratching his head. Could it be that there were still members of that brotherly-love cult lurking around, eyeing his body?

"Though I don't really understand concepts like 'brotherly-love,' 'top,' or 'bottom,' I remember Weier once saying…"

Celicia spoke earnestly,

"In many stories of this kind, a person's preferences often change after being pursued ardently and subjected to aggressive advances."

She paused meaningfully.

"So… if you ever find yourself falling for men, I imagine… the Duke of Campbell would be heartbroken."

"That will absolutely NEVER happen! My preferences are perfectly normal!"

Moen nearly fell apart, almost crying as he protested,

"Don't mix up book plots with real life. Besides, Celicia, maybe you should consider cutting Weier from your circle. You're influenced by her weird ideas!"

"Am I, now?"

"Incredibly influenced!"

"Hehe…"

Moen was still pouting indignantly when he noticed the rare curve of a smile gracing Celicia’s lips.

It was like the thaw of snow and ice – water rippling in springtime. The radiant noonday sun seemed to pale in comparison to that faint smile of hers.

"Feeling better now?"

"Huh?"

"I saw you tossing and turning on your hospital bed earlier. You seemed a bit restless, maybe from days of having no one to talk to. So…"

Celicia tilted her head slightly, choosing her words carefully as she spoke in a soft tone.

"I thought I'd tell you a joke."

"A… joke?"

Moen froze in shock.

Celicia, joking?

And not just any joke — this one was meant to cheer him up, having been confined to the ward for days?

How… unexpected.

But, deep down, Moen couldn't help feeling a surge of warmth.

"Thanks, Celicia," he murmured gratefully.

"I feel much better now."

"That's good to hear."

"But maybe next time, pick another topic."

Moen forced a bitter smile.

"Jokes like that could give someone a heart attack."

For a brief moment, Moen had almost believed that she'd figured everything out.

Though, in hindsight, Celicia hadn't actually been all that serious—it was just her usual cold demeanor throwing him off.

However…

It was precisely because she'd built such an icy facade that moments of warmth, even fleeting ones, shone all the brighter.

Enough to make one unconsciously want to dig deeper into her icy exterior, curious to uncover what kind of blazing warmth lay hidden beneath the cold.

"Looks like I’m not too good at making jokes. But since you’ve asked, I’ll shift to another topic."

She straightened her posture, her long, shapely white legs crossing in the opposite direction, while a faint trace of that rare smile lingered at the corner of her lips.

Which left Moen wondering—with her looking uncharacteristically gentle at that moment—what new topic she might introduce.

"So—"

Celicia’s smile vanished as quickly as it had come. Her expression turned serious as she asked solemnly,

"Why were you completely **naked** at that time?"

"…"

…

…

"It’s getting late, so I’ll take my leave now."

Glancing at the clock on the wall, Celicia rose to her feet, preparing to depart.

If she didn’t head out soon, Weier, who was still busy helping with paperwork, might honestly break down and cry.

"Take, take care."

By this point, Moen no longer had the strength to see her out. Merely conversing for a short while had drained him so completely that he lay limp on the bed, feeling like a dried-up salted fish.

"Oh, by the way, someone asked me to deliver a message."

"Hmm?"

The “salted fish” laboriously turned its dead-fish eyes toward her.

"Who?"

"Reine."

"Reine?"

Moen immediately sat bolt upright in bed.

"Is he okay?"

"He’s fine, but given his close encounter with heretic cultists, he’ll need to take some time off for a full physical and psychological assessment, as well as further observation for a while longer," Celicia explained.

"That’s a relief."

Moen let out a sigh of relief.

For someone who had nearly been corrupted like Reine, this outcome could probably be considered one of the better ones.

"So, what did he ask you to tell me?"

"He said," Celicia recalled for a moment and then repeated Reine's words verbatim:

"I saw everything, Moen. You're really handsome, you know."

"Is that what he said?"

Celicia couldn't mimic Reine's tone, but just through those simple words, Moen could perceive the genuine feelings of that earnest youth.

And so, Moen sincerely felt happy for him.

"That's great. When he returns to the academy, maybe we can become real friends."

"...."

After delivering the message and about to leave, Celicia looked at Moen's joyful expression. She couldn't help recalling the burly student resembling a bear, who had shown a touch of "shyness" on his face while asking her to relay these words.

It felt...

"Moen Campbell."

"Hm?"

"Although I have no right to interfere with whom you like or who likes you, still..."

Celicia turned back and solemnly reminded him:

"The Duke of Campbell would truly be heartbroken."

Moen: ???

...

"Ha, I'm so exhausted."

After Celicia left, Moen collapsed completely on the hospital bed, feeling as though his energy had been drained.

"But surprisingly, I don't find it bothersome."

Staring at the white ceiling, Moen couldn't help but smile.

After all, he'd just witnessed a different side of Celicia.

"Maybe I should sleep for a bit."

Closing his eyes, Moen decided to recuperate his strength as tomorrow, after being discharged from the hospital, his leisure time would come to an end.

"Oh my, am I interrupting something?"

Just as his eyes shut, he heard a familiar voice.

Simultaneously, he smelled a faint fragrance in the air; it was alluring enough to stir the imagination.

"Anna Senpai?"

Opening his eyes, he indeed saw the familiar figure whose fitted uniform traced a seductive silhouette.

"Did I wake you, junior?"

"No, I had just lain down."

Moen looked slightly surprised:

"Senpai, don’t you usually have classes or work in the library in the mornings? How come you're here?"

"I don't have classes today, and the library is temporarily closed."

Anna stepped into the room holding a bag of fruit, smiling at Moen. Her eyes curved into crescents, and the teardrop mole near the corner of her eye added a hint of allure.

"Besides, today's the first day your hospital room is open, so I couldn't wait to visit you. But…"

Looking at the apples already placed beside Moen's bed, Anna raised an eyebrow in mild surprise:

"Even though I rushed over as soon as I got the news, someone apparently beat me to it. Junior, you seem more popular than I imagined."

"It was Celicia."

Moen didn't hide it. "She found out earlier and visited me as president of the student council."

"I see..."

Anna set the fruit on the table and asked with a smile:

"So, would you like to eat an apple?"

"No need, I just had one..."

Instinctively about to decline, Moen suddenly noticed Anna's gaze flickering towards the trash bin—so subtle yet unmistakable.

Danger!

The word flashed in Moen's mind immediately.

I can't answer like that!

Realizing his mistake, Moen quickly changed his tone:

"Yes, of course! I'd love to eat an apple; I adore apples!"

"Ahahaha, I didn’t know you're such a fan of apples, junior."

Anna took a seat on a chair that still retained some residual warmth from earlier, smiling broadly:

"Since you requested it, I certainly won't disappoint you."

With that, she began peeling the apple.

Though not as skilled with a blade as Celicia, Anna was careful—her peel was thin and translucent, as if she refused to waste even the tiniest bit of flesh.

"Here you go, junior."

Rather than cutting the apple into slices, Anna handed him the whole fruit.

"Huh? Don't you have some pieces of it, senpai?"

"I'm not hungry."

"But it's just fruit; it doesn't fill you up..."

"Moen, dear~" Anna rolled her eyes playfully, pouting slightly:

"This isn't a moment to reject a girl's thoughtful gesture, you know?"

"..."

Staring at the pristine apple Anna had specially chosen—large and perfectly round—Moen's lips twitched.

Something told him there was more behind this than mere thoughtfulness.

Resigned, he accepted the fruit and started eating it whole.

Meanwhile, Anna rested her chin on her hand and observed him quietly throughout.

Feeling the weight of her gaze, Moen couldn't suppress his unease and asked:

"Senpai, is there something on my face?"

"Not at all."

"Then what are you looking at?"

"I'm observing a pervert."

"What? What pervert?" Moen froze.

"Aren't you a pervert?"

Anna chuckled softly, covering her mouth:

"Strutting around naked in front of the entire school—well, I must admit I admire your audacity, junior."

"That wasn’t my intention! It was because of you..."

"Because of me?” Anna teased slyly: “That statement seems a tad irresponsible, junior. True, I did ask you to strip due to the potion’s effects, but I certainly didn’t instruct you to flaunt your body in front of all students."

"..."

There was no arguing this point.

Left with no choice, Moen lowered his head in defeat and continued munching the apple.

It looked like the label “pervert” wouldn’t be coming off anytime soon.

"But that was very admirable."

"Hm?"

Moen lifted his gaze, surprised, and caught Anna's serious expression as she regarded him.

"Leaping into a monster’s jaws without hesitation—that takes courage, junior. Honestly, that was very admirable."

"N-no way," Moen stammered, shyly scratching his head.

"To outsiders, I probably seemed like a reckless lunatic."

"Not necessarily."

Anna pulled out a newspaper and laid it before him.

"This is…"

Moen glanced down at the print.

The man featured had blonde hair, taut muscles, and the sort of looks that could easily charm the chicks—if he were wearing clothes.

"Journalism Club?"

Scanning the paper, Moen’s expression hardened with fury:

"They’re at it again?"

"Ahahaha, don't be mad, junior. This time they actually reported everything truthfully; even the student council can’t find fault."

Anna gestured at the image featuring heavy pixelation over key areas—especially a certain dark hole around the hips that was jarringly conspicuous.

It was still obvious at a glance that the figure belonged to a certain infamous blonde from the academy. However, this photo couldn’t be accused of improper content.

The accompanying headline was neither exaggerated nor misleading, stating plainly:

"A mysterious naked man leaps from a building—here’s the shocking truth behind it…"

—As if the headline wasn’t still extremely sensational!

Moen silently raged internally at the deception.

However, as he continued reading, something caught him by surprise.

Beneath the typical flashy captions, the article's main body was unusually composed.

In fact, much of it portrayed Moen in a positive light.

While it did repeatedly imply Moen's possible connection to certain gay religious groups and rumors of exhibitionism, the bulk of the text centered on lauding his fearless act of jumping toward danger solo when no one else dared.

The closing section even quoted a prominent student council secretary:

"Even though I find Moen Campbell rather annoying, I can't deny that his leap from the rooftop was truly brave.

...But I have reason to believe (based on years of "The Dark Lord Fell for Me" experience) that post-battle romantic developments might follow between Moen and Reine. Please alert me if this happens—thanks!"

"...."

Moen folded the paper, deliberately ignoring the final absurd comment.

Instead, he read and reread the article’s content multiple times.

He stared particularly long at the words “courage” and “cool” before lapsing into reflection.

"Actually, because of this incident—and the journalism club's previous clarifications—your reputation among female students has already improved significantly."

"I'm still just a pervert."

"That’s different though, junior."

"Hm?"

Moen looked up, bewildered, as Anna cast aside her usual teasing demeanor.

Her smile was calm, carrying a rare sincerity as sunlight bathed her figure, giving her an almost ethereal luminance.

"When someone notices the remarkable brilliance in you, all your small imperfections become trivial by comparison.

"At that moment, rather than focusing on something insignificant like your lack of attire, I think most people saw your courage and charisma as you fearlessly confronted danger."

"…Feels a bit like being a celebrity." Moen instinctively murmured.

“You ARE a celebrity."

Anna grinned wickedly.

"The academy’s star. So, about my suggestion to debut—are you reconsidering? Even if a girl idol’s not plausible, a boy idol's perfectly viable! I even picked out a name for you—"

"Don’t even think about it! I'd rather die than become an idol!"

"Aha, your reaction’s adorable."

Anna giggled as she reached over and tousled Moen’s blonde hair into a chaotic mess.

“So—”

“Stop belittling yourself, junior.

You’ve worked hard, and your efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.

You’ve become an excellent junior, you know?”

"Senpai..."

Moen froze, eyes wide and misty.

He didn’t resist.

Looking his senior enveloped in holy light, he wanted to cry.

"Oh my, junior—your eyes are red. Are you crying?"

"Just got sand in them."

"You're welcome to cry! Senpai’s arms are warm—I'd lend them to you."

"...It’s just sand, alright?"

Turning his head to mask his vulnerability, Moen evaded her teasing.

Watching his retreating figure, Anna smiled softly without remarking further.

Then, after Moen had calmed down, she pulled out an item she'd prepared.

"This is...?"

Looking at the introductory magic probability textbook Anna took out, Moen was once again a bit stunned.

"I thought..."

Anna tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and said softly:

"Given your personality, Moen, after holding back for so many days, you must already be itching to do something by now.

So, I brought the textbook over."

Anna tilted her head slightly and asked:

"Shall we start the lesson? Junior?"

"...Yes!"

A sudden gust of wind swept into the room, lifting the light-colored curtains.

Countless rays of sunlight poured in, scattering into clusters of brilliant and indistinct points of light.

Like the shimmering surface of the sea at midday.

The world blurred, leaving only the girl flipping through the pages of the book, so vividly clear.

And at that moment, Moen suddenly realized:

Learning in one month what it would take others a year and a month to master didn’t seem like an impossibility after all.

Because the one teaching him was Senior Anna.