Carola nudged his arm with her elbow. "You said you came from the future, right? How’s it over there?"

"Are you asking about that world or my situation?"

"Of course, your situation. I don’t care how this world turns out."

Yihan looked at the serious-faced girl, sounding dejected. "Not good."

"Lia... she found me. We even went to another place, planning to stay a few years."

"Isn’t that great?" Carola shrugged but lowered her eyes, forcing a smile to hide her disappointment. "You like her so much, and she’s living with you—wouldn’t that be perfect for both?"

Yihan shook his head, his tone devoid of lightness. "I thought that at first too. But later, I realized she had ulterior motives."

"She wants to get back at me."

Carola’s lips parted into a small ‘O’, utterly shocked. "Wha... what the hell?"

"Five years ago—meaning now—you and I teamed up to seal her in the snowy mountains. This gave her time and stability to control her power. But it also made her spend thousands of lonely days and nights. So she hates me for abandoning her. And she wants me to taste that pain too."

Carola’s gaze turned strange. She repeated uncertainly, her heart conflicted. "Did I really... seal her here?"

"Yeah."

The girl looked away dazedly. This act was beyond her imagination. She refused to believe she’d choose a sealing method that harmed herself for a Witch’s future. But Yihan’s certainty made her believe he was from five years later. He insisted it was her who sealed Lia, preventing the Crimson Flame Witch from ever appearing.

So, why did she do it?

Compared to this, a more pressing concern nagged her. Carola set aside her confusion, focusing on Yihan’s safety. "You just said she wants revenge?"

"...Yes."

"How exactly?"

"She tricked me into going to Waterfall Valley. Locked me in a house, not letting me out. Said she wanted me to experience what she went through those five years."

"What a mess," Carola frowned, furious—as if she were imprisoned, not Yihan who hadn’t shown strong disgust. She stretched her straight legs, the lines graceful. "I know better than anyone what a sealed Witch endures. Five years in snowy mountains, opposing her attribute—if she worked hard and stayed clear-headed, she could regain control. A Witch mastering her power becomes a Sorceress. She should be grateful to us. Why seek revenge?"

Yihan was stunned. "She... resents that I never visited her once in those five years."

"If that’s it, why didn’t you visit her?" Carola’s eyes burned brightly, blunt. "Even with reasons, so what? Everyone has their own life. She’s sealed here, can’t interfere. You don’t need to worry too much."

That made sense. Selfishly, it was fine. But Lia only had him to trust in this world. Yihan vaguely knew he was unique to her. When she was alone in the mountains, sinking into fear, his sudden disappearance—what would that cause?

"These shouldn’t be your concern now. You said you’re from the future—can’t you stay long here?"

"Yes. I can only stay about seven or eight hours. Time’s up, I return to the real world. Once a day." Having shared the secret, Yihan didn’t hide anything. He answered all her questions.

"So after you go back, you still face her?"

Yihan felt a pang of pain. This was what he avoided. Meeting Lia wasn’t bad. But meeting a Lia full of hatred and disappointment? Better to stay here as long as possible. Even if he explained, would she believe him? He couldn’t understand why, after sealing her, he left without a word, never visiting.

Perhaps only enough dreams could unravel his confusion.

Just then, Carola softly spoke beside him. "Yihan, I have an idea. I don’t know what you think..."

"Let’s hear it."

"I’m thinking, could your choices now change the future five years later? If so, try ignoring the Witch. Let her fend for herself deep in the snowy mountains. No sealing, no hatred or revenge. Your troubles vanish."

Yihan froze. "...If I ignore her, what happens to her next?"

"You mean her current state? Her power is going out of control. Either it backfires, burning her to death. Or it erupts wildly, igniting the whole mountain peak, drawing other Sorceresses who’ll team up to kill her. Basically, those two possibilities."

"..."

"That’s why I ask. If you fear her trouble, abandon her. After she dies, return to the future. Danger disappears. You live peacefully. No Crimson Flame Witch bothers you again. But it’s just my guess. Your choice."

After speaking, Carola stood up, brushed dust off her clothes. Limping toward a nearby crowd for water. Leaving Yihan sitting there, gazing blankly at the snowy mountains.

Carola’s words made sense. He’d considered this option. But the fear: what if he chose it, and the future changed as expected? Lia’s changes scared him. He couldn’t accept her methods. But if he returned and never found her again, never saw her face—he couldn’t accept that. This feeling wasn’t fake.

Below, Louise sneaked up nervously.

Yihan saw the unfortunate girl, surprised. "You haven’t left yet?"

"Leaving soon." Louise was too shy to say she just wanted to see him.

"Where to?"

"With townspeople to another city. We’ll find our own way." Louise sighed. The situation was unexpected. Back then, in a heat of passion, they burned the orphanage. All kids were ready to be hanged. But soon, most of the town burned. The fire was uncontrollable. They watched with stunned townspeople as flames devoured their homes. Huddled together through the cold night. No one noticed the orphanage fire. They narrowly escaped. Following townspeople to a nearby city. After this, they orphans were burdens. No nobles or merchants cared. Louise, Luna, and friends planned to find a way together. Fulfilling their wish to leave.

The crowd was about to leave. She ran over to ask if Yihan wanted to join.

He refused. Louise left, disappointed.

The sky darkened. Snow fell heavily. He sat alone on the roof, feeling extremely cold.