"Oof, crap. Forgot my cigarette case again today... Same old, spare a smoke?" John unceremoniously held out his hand to Dilin.

"No." Dilin remained engrossed in his book.

"Huh? No? Do you not have any, or just won't share?"

"No."

"Aw, don't be stingy. I'm itching for a smoke, and I won't light up in class."

"No."

"Always 'no, no'—are those the only two words you know?"

"I didn't bring any cigarettes."

"...Fine. You win. I don't believe you can resist smoking anyway." John plopped down beside Dilin, legs crossed, making it clear he wouldn't budge until Dilin produced a cigarette case.

"Don't bother waiting. I quit." Dilin looked up. "I've quit."

"Huh? Quit? You? Seriously, don't joke like that. There's no way you kicked the habit." John snorted at Dilin's claim.

"I really don't smoke anymore."

"No way. Once a heavy smoker, always a heavy smoker. Did some unclean spirit possess you?" John rubbed his chin, studying Dilin intently before suddenly snapping his fingers. "I get it! You've fallen in love!"

"...?" What nonsense are you spouting?

"Absolutely right. And your new flame is that new Divine Maiden!"

"Before anything else, explain what you mean by 'new flame'." Dilin shot the clowning John a sidelong glance.

"A new flame is obviously your replacement partner after you got tired of the old one."

"Don't spread rumors. When did I ever have an old love?"

"What rumors? Your old love was that Silver Moon Elf princess, wasn't she?"

"Keep that nonsense to yourself. If you blab outside, I guarantee your safety won't last." Dilin narrowed his eyes at John. He didn't want to get dragged into Astrid fanclub beatings.

"So who's this new flame? What does she look like? What type of Divine Maiden? Human? Or some demi-human?"

"Spiky-haired John, it's such a waste that Elso—the legendary protector of the Divine Child—gave you his Divine Child skills. Ever consider switching to tabloid journalism?"

"...Another Elf?"

"..." Dilin fell abruptly silent.

John was an idiot spouting nonsense, but he'd guessed one thing right: Dilin did carry a woman's scent. And that woman was an Elf.

But that Elf was himself.

"That look—you're blushing! Wow, this is spicy!" John slammed his palm on the desk.

"Spicy?"

"Yeah! Think about it. Your old flame dumped you, right?"

"..............."

"Then you found a new Divine Maiden—also an Elf."

"............."

"It's like silently telling your ex: 'I found someone better. She's an Elf too, accepts all of me when you couldn't. She's superior to you. Plenty of loyal Elf beauties actually want me—how does that feel?'"

"Hey, ever thought of making your new flame and old flame meet? The scene would be insane."

"Stop spouting nonsense here." Dilin snapped his book shut. John's antics had ruined his reading mood. "What Elf Divine Maiden would ever want me?"

"True. I tried recruiting an Elf Divine Maiden for my team recently. Whoa, their attitude—ice-cold, like they couldn't be bothered." John pouted.

"Then I'm confused. If you're not in love, how'd you quit smoking?"

"Usually, men in love willingly obey their partners and give up bad habits, right?"

"You read too many novels."

"Anyway, you've smoked for years. Quitting cold turkey? There's gotta be a hidden reason!" John insisted stubbornly.

"Ugh, just admit you got a new Divine Maiden. It's no big deal—I won't steal your little goddess!" John slung an arm around Dilin's shoulders.

"...Let go." Dilin raised an eyebrow.

"Huh?"

"You reek of smoke. Don't get close."

"What?" John froze, utterly bewildered.

Shrugging off John's arm, Dilin brushed his shoulder fastidiously, as if afraid of catching even a speck of ash.

"Hey, are you okay?" John stared, dumbfounded. How had his friend changed so much in such a short time? He'd never cared about smoke smells before—in fact, he'd been a heavy smoker himself. At first, John thought Dilin was just putting on an act after heartbreak. Now, he genuinely worried Dilin might be sick. Quitting smoking was one thing, but this extreme reaction to smoke?

Dilin ignored him. One hand rested on his textbook; the other subtly tightened around the Golden Chalice Butterfly hairpin hidden in his chest.

He was busy with the gacha draw.

Lately, besides essential studies, he'd completed every weekly and daily quest without fail, stockpiling token fragments.

That morning, he'd noticed the limited-time featured item in the Golden Chalice Butterfly's gacha pool had changed.

The Azure Crossbow was replaced by a deep blue potion in an ornate vial engraved with golden patterns.

[Soul Essence Potion]: Permanently boosts mental fortitude. Effect: Significant.

A glint flashed in Dilin's eyes. This was exactly what he needed now. Permanent mental fortitude boosters like this alchemy potion were beyond priceless—rumor had it the original formula creator might not even be alive anymore. Its value couldn't be measured in mere coins.

But...

Staring at the "148 pulls guaranteed to get featured item" counter made his vision blur.

How long would it take to save enough? Would he even get it before the banner ended?