I felt utterly bewildered. What was Eunice doing here? Hadn’t I just been at Morse Manor?

Right before we swapped back, my vision had blurred with rapid motion—Eunice moving at incredible speed. But… why race to this remote spot in the dead of night?

This had to be the outskirts of Bluewater City. Gazing at the moonlit expanse of empty fields, realization struck: Had Eunice been rushing to that abandoned mansion to rescue me?

She couldn’t know I’d mastered magic so quickly. She must’ve thought I was doomed against those monsters.

She ran through the wilderness… just to save me.

Did Eunice… actually care about me?

A warmth spread through my chest, sweet and bright. My lips curved into an involuntary smile, all shadows vanishing in an instant.

Beneath the amethyst-diamond sky, starlight and moonlight shimmered sharper. The quiet night breeze carried a serene calm.

What’s this feeling…? It’s like having a confession accepted…

I lightly slapped my own cheeks. Why did my face feel slightly warm despite the cool wind?

But… did Eunice truly… care?

Suddenly, I recalled her icy eyes.

What secrets lay hidden there…?

I shook my head, burying the tangled thoughts. *Don’t overthink it.* I sat on the soft grass, waiting for Eunice while replenishing the Magic Cube’s mana.

Since we’d swapped back, she’d wake to find the mansion’s monsters already defeated. She’d likely come straight here—to reclaim her own body.

That meant… only Eunice knew where I was.

I couldn’t find my way back alone. Straying farther from Bluewater City was a real risk.

My stamina would fade. Getting lost in this wilderness might strand me for months.

Waiting here for Eunice was the only sensible choice.

Trust made the decision effortless. She’d come. Eunice was someone I could rely on.

Once my mana fully recovered, I stood and cast a Detection Mist nearby. It would warn of threats—and alert me when Eunice arrived.

I didn’t wait long. Soon, a distant silhouette sped toward me.

Closer… closer… until Eunice stood before me.

Her slender figure on horseback remained familiar—though that familiarity belonged to the soul hidden within.

I’d grown accustomed to Eunice. I’d begun to accept her.

She rode a deep brown horse. Pulling the reins gently, she halted its slowed pace.

Gripping the reins, her gaze—calm as autumn water—met mine. "Miroa Aranxiene. My sister. Are you well?"

I swallowed my excitement and smiled. "Brother Aranxiene. Thank you for your concern. I’m fine."

"Krein…"

"Hmm?"

Eunice studied me for several seconds. "Those five third-tier monsters. Did you kill them alone?"

"I did… but it was dangerous," I admitted. "I almost didn’t make it back to you."

Without my absurd magical talent, defeating those creatures would’ve been impossible.

"Oh?" A flicker of surprise colored Eunice’s voice. Her eyes narrowed. "You wanted to see me?"

Her question caught me off guard. I scratched my head, forcing a chuckle. "A little, maybe. By the way—I found the chest from the commission in that mansion. Did you bring it?"

If she’d forgotten it, we’d have to go back.

Eunice nodded. "I have it. No need to worry."

She dismounted gracefully, then extended her hand.

"Mount up. We’re returning to Bluewater City."

*Huh?*

I stared at her outstretched hand, shock flooding me. Hadn’t Eunice always hated… physical contact with me?

Could she also be…?

*No. Don’t imagine things.*

I banished the thought and took her hand.

"Place your foot in the stirrup. I’ll pull you up," she instructed.

"O-okay…"

With Eunice’s help, I clumsily scrambled onto the gray-brown horse. Once I steadied myself, she settled behind me, her arms brushing past my sides to grasp the reins.

*This position…*

*W-W-WHAT IS THIS?!*

My face burned as if set aflame. I pressed my lips tight, unable to look ahead.

"Brace yourself. The ride may be bumpy. Tell me if you’re uncomfortable."

My voice trembled. "Y-yes… okay…"

*Why this position?! Why does my heart race like this?!*

*Where’s my masculine pride?!*

…Well, technically, I was currently a young lady.

*How utterly hopeless…*

Eunice urged the horse toward Bluewater City. The moon goddess’s glow embraced the wilderness as the night breeze whispered past.

Every second felt like an eternity. My body and mind screamed for relief.

But what choice did I have? Levitation Spell and flight were fifth-tier magic—far beyond my reach.

If I could levitate, I’d soar through the sky and slip into the city unseen.

Why did everything have to be so complicated…?

Eunice hadn’t returned to Morse Manor. She headed straight for Bluewater City.

We reached Violet’s home before dawn. The guards recognized us and let us pass.

Sore from the bumpy ride, I stumbled down the corridor, my legs wobbling. Eunice led the horse to the stables—she’d return soon.

I’d insisted on dismounting at the gate. My tolerance for this… situation was clearly low.

*Low is fine. At least it proves I’m still sane. If I’d enjoyed it, I’d truly be broken.*

*Holding a girl while riding… isn’t that a guy’s privilege?*

Still, Eunice had been considerate, avoiding unnecessary contact.

I slipped into my room, shut the door, and cast Radiance Spell to banish the darkness. Finding the Moonstone’s hidden switch, I pressed it.

The stone popped out from the high wall, flooding the room with light.

Unbelievable. It worked like an electric lamp—but Violet had once told me Moonstone was rare. Only wealthy merchants or nobles could afford it.

Most people relied on candles.

I dismissed the faint blue glow from my hand and headed for bed.

My legs ached from the ride. Today had been a whirlwind of danger—my first real battle using magic.

And that horseback journey with Eunice…

Body and soul craved rest. I shuffled toward the bed, ready to collapse under the covers.

Then I froze.

Violet sat on my bed, her auburn hair spilling over a pale pink nightgown.

Had my entrance woken her? Or had she been waiting all along?

Waiting for me?

After waking to find Eunice gone from the manor, had she come here… waiting for her sister Miroa?

But…

*WHY NOW?!*

*Radiance Spell… damn it! Why didn’t I just fumble for the Moonstone switch in the dark?!*

Violet huddled in the corner, face pale as she stared at me.

Her clear eyes held pure shock.

Disbelief.

"Sister Miroa… what… what was that?"

Her tiny, trembling voice shattered the silence.

I stood rooted, time itself seeming to stop.

No expression would come.

My heart stopped beating.

I couldn’t breathe.

"That was… that was…"

My voice cracked. How could I explain? How could I make her understand?

*Run. I need to run.* But my legs refused to move.

How could I abandon Violet? The person who trusted "Sister Miroa"… who’d just discovered that trust was a lie.

She’d be terrified. Terrified of me. Terrified of everyone. She might lock herself away forever—just as she’d shut out even her own father.

I understood her fear of people. At the very least… she needed to know I meant her no harm.

I forced myself calm.

"Violet, listen—"

"Sister Miroa…"

She cut me off, her damp blue eyes fixed on mine with an odd intensity.

"That was… magic, wasn’t it?"

I nodded stiffly. "Yes. I’m a Mage. But listen, Violet, I—"

"I know," she whispered, offering a fragile smile. "This is something you can never tell anyone, right? I’ll keep your secret. Just… don’t leave me, Sister Miroa. Please."

*Don’t leave me…*