"I... want to leave the squad."
Richard Jetri—current Sage, honorary leader of the Glorious Delan Mage Corps, member of the Radiant Star Squad, vanquisher of the Demon King, and Viscount of West Westhold—spoke these words.
"Why?"
Vya Pendragon—current Sword Hero, captain of the Radiant Star Squad, slayer of the Demon King, first heir to Aelons Kingdom, honorary leader of Delan’s Lionheart Knights, dean emeritus of the Delan Hero Academy’s Swordsmen Division, and commander emeritus of Aelons’ Silver Hand—stared at him, utterly bewildered.
"Well... the Demon King’s already been defeated..."
Jetri’s gaze lingered on Vya: 178cm tall, golden-haired, emerald-eyed, with features blending masculine sharpness and feminine grace. Just looking at him felt like basking in warm sunlight.
Jetri’s heart sank again.
Richard Jetri—formerly Jiang Chuan—was clearly a transmigrator. Twenty-five years in this world, and his relationship status remained stubbornly blank.
In a classic Demon King vs. Hero tale like this—one countless predecessors had "cleared" effortlessly—he should’ve been living the dream: surrounded by beauties, slaying demons with one hand, kicking dragons with the other.
Reality? Not quite.
Yes, the Demon King was gone.
Yes, the Radiant Star Squad had two men and two women. But—
"Vya!"
A delighted voice cut through the night behind them.
Jetri knew that voice all too well.
One of the squad’s members. One he’d once pursued.
Vya flashed Jetri an apologetic look. "We’ll talk properly later," he murmured gently before turning. "Princess Victoria. Good evening."
The knight’s smile was warm, his bow flawless.
—Victoria Hanover.
Current Healing Hero, second heir to Delan, Radiant Star Squad member, honorary Cardinal of the Church, commander emeritus of the Azure Wings Knights, and deputy leader of the Delan Mage Corps.
Prince and Hero.
Knight and Princess.
A match made in radiant heaven.
Victoria’s silky silver hair cascaded like moonlit water, her lake-blue eyes soft as the night sky. Her elegant gown shimmered under the moonlight.
Just seeing her made Jetri think of Vya’s legendary blade—
*Untarnished Lake Light*.
Though darkness cloaked the world, something blindingly brilliant seemed to ignite Jetri’s vision.
*They’re not this formal with each other*, Jetri thought bitterly. *This is just for show. To highlight how perfectly they fit.*
He could never mimic that grace.
Just like tonight—he’d skipped the royal victory banquet hosted by Delan’s court.
He still bowed when facing royalty, of course. Skipping the party didn’t excuse manners. But beside their polished elegance, his own bow felt like a rat scuttling from a gutter.
He’d tried to learn. But his plain face and dull aura always fell short next to Vya’s brilliance.
Jetri’s lips twitched.
*Victoria’s here. So it’s happening again.*
"Victoria, shouldn’t you be resting at this hour...?" A fourth voice sighed wearily.
"Oh? Lilith’s here too," Vya greeted warmly.
A slender half-elf figure emerged from the shadows.
"U-uh... Vya..." Lilith von Ravenhale’s tanned face stiffened instantly. Her usual cool composure melted into awkwardness.
Another Radiant Star member. Another woman Jetri had once pursued.
She wore a gown too—bolder than Victoria’s, hugging her athletic curves. It suited her. Emphasized the strength no noble lady in the capital could claim. Her long legs and toned waist looked dangerously elegant, like a panther in silk.
*Stunning.*
Jetri nodded politely, though she ignored him.
*Did she just glare at me? Probably thinks I’m in the way.*
He snorted inwardly.
*See, Vya? This is exactly why I want out.*
—*Game over.*
*Only two girls in the squad! Could you leave me just one?!*
*Fine, maybe they’re out of my league. But at least give me space when you’re not busy being perfect together!*
His thoughts raged silently.
The trio chatted effortlessly, their laughter weaving a circle that excluded Jetri completely.
He sighed. He was used to it.
Patting Vya’s shoulder—well, his waist, since Vya was too tall—he muttered, "I’m heading out."
His turn was sharp, almost too sharp to hide the loneliness beneath. He didn’t notice Vya flinch.
"H-hey! Where are you going?" Vya hurried after him, abandoning the other two.
*Seriously?*
*Bro.*
*My actual brother!*
*This is why no one likes me!*
*I’m gracefully exiting as the third wheel, and you FOLLOW me?!*
He didn’t need to look back to imagine their expressions.
But how could a mage outrun a swordsman?
Cornered, Jetri inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly. He kept his eyes down—facing Vya’s perfect features made harsh words dissolve. "Vya... I really do want to leave."
"So *why*?" Vya pressed, frowning. He stooped slightly to meet Jetri’s eyes.
"... " Jetri shut down.
*Respectful? You’re only 5cm taller!*
*Could I even tell him the real reason?*
*Like those "leaving the party" tropes from my past life?*
*Yeah. I’m done with this.*
*Funny thing is—once you leave, everyone suddenly realizes how vital you were.*
*Becomes the white moonlight in their memories.*
*But could he say that to Vya?*
*"I’m leaving so the girls will miss me and chase after me, making you the loser"?*
The thought made Jetri cringe internally. *Ahem. I know a princess and an elf duke’s daughter are way out of my league. But maybe... without your blinding shadow, I’d stop looking like a gutter rat?*
"If you won’t give me a reason," Vya said, voice tight, "I won’t allow it."
Night wind rustled through the trees, carrying fallen leaves into the dark.
Jetri didn’t want to break ties. But this decision had festered for years.
Since the rejections.
Since he’d stained his hands killing nameless demons to prove his worth.
Or perhaps... because of the one reason he could actually voice.
