Just as Illusionary Feather arrived at the eastern wall of the ancient castle with Blazing Heart, his communicator buzzed. The displayed number revealed it was Lily.

"Lady Lily, what’s up?"

"Call me ‘lady’ again and I won’t tell you."

"Alright, alright—what is it, Lily?"

"I just lied to Leilo… said I was changing clothes. Syncing our stories so we don’t get exposed."

"Got it."

"Lily, are you almost ready?"

"Ah, nearly there. That’s all—bye."

Hearing Lily’s words, Illusionary Feather realized her icy exterior hid surprisingly thoughtful care—she just never showed it to him.

He led Blazing Heart to the eastern gate, where two guards stood watch. After explaining their purpose, one guard went to report while the other observed them. The little Blazing Heart disliked that stare, hiding obediently behind Illusionary Feather.

Soon the reporting guard returned, followed by Leilo. Dressed in a white suit radiating noble grace rarely seen at school, Leilo drew a teasing remark: "Whoa, you came personally?"

"Bro just worried you’d get lost," Leilo shot him a *don’t-mess-with-me-now* look.

Having known him long enough, Illusionary Feather caught the cue instantly. "Right, right. Let’s go in."

"Oh—where’s little Blazing Heart?" Leilo asked as they walked. It was natural he hadn’t spotted her; his focus had been on Illusionary Feather, and Blazing Heart had stayed completely hidden behind him. As the guide, Leilo had turned first, missing her tiny steps to Illusionary Feather’s side.

"Blind much? She’s right here!" Illusionary Feather stepped slightly ahead, trailing half a pace behind Leilo.

Leilo glanced left, then rubbed his head sheepishly. "Ah—sorry, Blazing Heart! Didn’t see you there."

Blazing Heart shook her head, unconcerned.

Leilo escorted them to the changing room. As he turned to return to the southern open-air venue, he froze. His sister Lyster stood there in a pure white gown edged with lace. Her natural elegance and stunning beauty stole his breath—he’d never seen her look this radiant. Not that she wasn’t always beautiful, but today… today was unmatched.

"Leilo? What’s wrong?" Lyster asked, feigning innocence at her dazed little brother.

"A-ah… you look amazing today, Lyster." Despite being siblings, their tiny age gap meant they’d always used names—not titles—except on rare occasions.

"R-really?" A faint blush colored Lyster’s porcelain cheeks as her delicate fingers brushed her face. Leilo’s daze deepened at this rare sight.

"It’s still early… walk with me?" she finally breathed, extending the invitation.

"Sure. Nothing else to do anyway." Leilo accepted naturally. Just as they turned to leave, Illusionary Feather’s voice cut in: "So we’re just supposed to wander around cluelessly? What if we get arrested?"

Illusionary Feather and Blazing Heart emerged from the changing room. They’d only tried on outfits earlier—the gala was hours away, no need to change yet. As hosts, Leilo and Lyster wore their day attire; they’d switch to formal gowns later.

Lyster had been pleased by Leilo’s agreement, but the sudden interruption dampened her mood. Still, as a noble lady, she maintained perfect grace. "If your friend asked you to show them around, go ahead. I’ll stroll alone." She departed first.

Leilo then guided them around the estate. *Noble territories really are massive*, Illusionary Feather mused. A few loops around the castle grounds ate up the morning. Strangely, they hadn’t spotted Lily’s group all day.

Illusionary Feather hadn’t meant to spoil Lyster’s moment—he’d planned this tactical separation for what came next.

At lunch, Leilo’s parents invited them to dine. Only then did they see Lily’s group; Yote had taken them sightseeing. After greetings, they gathered around the table.

Illusionary Feather kept his habit of silence while eating. Leilo’s father, Duke Griel Henry, and mother, Delar Yuri, chatted warmly with Lily, Kerdling, and Yote. When Griel turned to address Illusionary Feather farther down the table, Illusionary Feather shot Leilo a warning glance. Leilo smoothly intervened: "Father, Illusionary Feather doesn’t talk during meals—it’s his habit, so—"

As a refined noble, Griel merely smiled politely. Illusionary Feather returned a courteous nod.

After lunch, Leilo led them to the southern venue. His parents retired to prepare for guests, while Lyster slipped back to her room. She hid the rolled blueprint in her sleeve before leaving.

Though her family ran mechanical markets and owned advanced machinery, Lyster’s technical knowledge was rudimentary—nowhere near Leilo’s level. She couldn’t tell the blueprint had been swapped. The quality hadn’t dropped, but it wasn’t the original. Even if she knew, she likely wouldn’t care—as long as it was the same grade.

Bored, Illusionary Feather’s group sat on the grass chatting. He stayed quiet, listening. *Less talk, less trouble*, he reminded himself.

Just as their lively discussion peaked, Lyster joined them. Three women truly made a marketplace—Lily and Kerdling chattered nonstop with Lyster. Both Lily and Lyster were noble ladies with shared topics; Kerdling, from a knightly family, knew her way around high society too.

Illusionary Feather, Leilo, Yote, and Blazing Heart became silent spectators.

Around 3–4 PM, guests began arriving. The girls halted their heated debate about a novel—*Forbidden Love*, a tale of a Dragon Rider falling for his dragon in human form.

*Ugh*, Illusionary Feather shuddered inwardly. Thankfully, they’d only skimmed the start—how the popular male lead had a clingy girl following him. He felt profound gratitude toward the first guest, a stout middle-aged man, for arriving just as they were about to dive deeper. *Bless you, you adorable savior.*

As hosts, Leilo and Lyster sprang into action. Illusionary Feather’s group stood to greet guests. By sunset, duties eased. Lyster again asked Leilo to walk with her. They slipped out through the southern gate.

Earlier, Illusionary Feather hadn’t noticed the iron fence on the Henrys’ southern grounds—he’d been focused on guards. But yes, a southern gate existed. Leilo and Lyster exited through it.

Lyster’s destination was where Illusionary Feather had watched the sunrise that morning—a perfect spot for sunset too.

As Leilo and Lyster left, Illusionary Feather and Blazing Heart secretly followed. Lily and Kerdling spotted them slipping into the woods, assuming Illusionary Feather was up to no good. They trailed after. Yote, seeing Lily and Kerdling sneak off, followed them.

From above, the scene would’ve looked like nesting dolls: two figures talking on the path; two more hiding in the right-side woods, eyes fixed on them (Illusionary Feather’s stealth was masterful—only Lily and Kerdling noticed); and far behind them, an undetectable shadow trailed the girls. A chain of secrets.

At the sunrise spot, the sun had already half-sunk. Lyster and Leilo stood side by side—the white-gowned girl half a head shorter than the boy in his white suit.

Lyster turned Leilo to face her, then pulled an antique blueprint from her sleeve. "Leilo… this is your birthday gift from me."

Leilo unrolled it. Shock flashed across his face, then hardened into fury. He snapped the scroll shut. "So the Integrated Tower’s Lv9 blueprint was stolen… by you, sis! Sis!"

Lyster hadn’t expected this. In her mind, he’d hug her gratefully—not glare with burning anger.

Ignoring her stunned silence, Leilo pressed on, voice tight: "When you visited the academy… was this your plan all along?"

Her trembling silence confirmed his suspicion. "You’re my sister! The Henry family’s heir! How could you?!"

He hadn’t understood why Illusionary Feather had first called him home instead of to the academy. Now, holding this blueprint, it clicked: Illusionary Feather had suspected Lyster from the start. He recalled how often she’d urged him to leave during the academy incidents—"Others will handle it"—and his own blind trust. *Was all that just her setup to steal this?*

His thoughts spilled out loud. Lyster’s body shook. Her perfect plan looked like child’s play to *him*. *Impossible… it can’t be…*

"Leilo, listen—" Her voice cracked. "Let me explain. I just… wanted to prove your worth." Tears welled. "When I heard you were only Lv7 in the worst F-class… I refused to believe it. With your skill, you could master Lv8 blueprints quickly. How could you be stuck at Lv7? I saw Lv8 students weaker than you at the academy—I knew they’d wronged you. I did this… for you."

Everyone in the woods had heard those words. Only Illusionary Feather appeared unsurprised, as if he already knew everything; Blazing Heart remained utterly expressionless. The other three wore identical looks of shock.

"You can’t just steal from the Academy!" Leilo shouted, his voice strained. "This is an institution even nations fear! The Academy Head is Maria Bella Rould—the Witch Beneath the Starry Sky! If she holds us accountable, our entire clan could suffer!"

"I don’t care about any of that for your sake!" Lyster screamed hysterically, tears streaming down her face. "They wronged you! They made you suffer!"

Seeing Lyster cry, Leilo’s heart softened. He gently pulled her into an embrace, whispering comfort into her ear: "I was wrong earlier, Lyster. Let’s go back and apologize. Maybe the Academy will forgive you. And if they won’t… I’ll take the blame with you."

"But what if you get expelled too?!" Lyster’s sobs gradually subsided.

"I’ve already learned so much. Expulsion wouldn’t matter now."

"But that’s where your talent belongs!"

"If I abandoned you to face this alone…" Leilo’s smile trembled as tears spilled freely. "Losing you would break me."

Lyster nestled against him, tears of happiness tracing her cheeks. She couldn’t pinpoint when she’d fallen for her younger twin brother—someone she’d once resented for his overbearing ways. For him, she’d risk anything, even shaming their clan. Though their family had no history of close-kin marriage, it wasn’t forbidden. Yet she still didn’t know Leilo’s true feelings.

Leilo held her close, breathing in her familiar scent. Growing up, Lyster had always acted the elder sister despite being mere minutes older. Her early maturity made her boss him around relentlessly—even scolding Yote sometimes. Back then, he’d hated how she interfered more than their parents ever did.

Only later did he realize she’d been steering him away from becoming a spoiled brat.

*Where else would I find a girl like her?*

As years passed, his feelings shifted. During the nights she stayed in his dorm room, he’d slept in the study, too flustered to share space. Now he understood: his love had crossed from kinship into something deeper. What lay beyond that threshold, he still feared to name.

Silence settled—until Illusionary Feather swaggered forward, clapping his hands. "Congratulations! Truly heartwarming!"

The couple startled. Lyster buried her face in Leilo’s chest, trembling slightly. Leilo stood protectively, shielding her as he demanded: "How long have you been there?"

"Since the beginning."

"You heard everything?"

"Every word. Deeply moving."

Lyster’s cheeks flushed a trace pink.

Leilo tossed the blueprint at him. "Take it back. Tell the Academy it was solely my idea."

"No." Illusionary Feather caught the scroll casually. "Absolutely not."

"You inhuman creep who likes little girls!" Lily’s voice cut through the trees. Twenty tracking fireballs erupted from the foliage, slamming into Illusionary Feather—leaving him completely unscathed.

*(He’d have faked defeat back then.)*

Hearing Lily’s voice eased the tension in Leilo and Lyster’s shoulders. Lily and Kerdling soon emerged from the shadows.

"Yote! Stop hiding—I sensed you from the start," Illusionary Feather called out bluntly.

"Yote’s here too?!" Leilo and Lyster exchanged uneasy glances. Their friend’s involvement might cost him his place at the Academy too.

Before they could react, Lily—rarely one to vouch for anyone—stepped forward. "I guarantee it. Return the blueprint, and the Academy won’t pursue this."

"Such influence, Miss Lily," Illusionary Feather chuckled.

"Thank you, Miss Lily," Lyster whispered gratefully.

"I agree," Kerdling added quickly. "Just say you found it during a fight off-campus. Claim you never saw the thief."

All eyes turned to Illusionary Feather, painting him as the villain.

Leilo instinctively stepped back as the man approached. With a theatrical sigh, Illusionary Feather tapped the blueprint against Leilo’s forehead. "Keep this. It’s your birthday gift from your big bro. I already secured the Academy’s official copy. That old woman? I’ll handle her. Do you really think I’d abandon a friend?"

Everyone froze. *Handling the Academy Head was as easy as breathing to him? And a Lv9 blueprint as a casual birthday present?*

Illusionary Feather waved over his shoulder as he walked away with Blazing Heart. "Time to head back—the party’s starting. Don’t sweat it. If the sky falls, I’ll hold it up. That old woman? Barely worth mentioning."