Liche and Deon were inside a carriage heading from Ludwick Manor to Hwangdo.

The past three months were a temporary break from Hwanglip Academy to repair the damage caused by monsters. On the day of the full moon, Python returned to its body.

“The yellow bastard? As soon as the fusion was undone, he crossed over to the human realm. He probably went to find his original body.”

“And the glass bottle?”

“It seems he hid it somewhere before undoing the fusion. He was confident that no one, even from other stars, could find it.”

Python was included among the other stars. The glass bottle made by Hekanka blocked interference between worlds, preventing the detection of the star.

After that, daily life continued as usual.

Zigbert came to visit occasionally. After Robenhaf made a silly bet and punishment with Deon and returned, he came to visit again.

Without any major incidents, they realized the reopening day of the academy was approaching.

“Dad’s not here, so I have to do even better.”

“Nagging.”

Deon, as if to say enough, covered Liche’s mouth with his hand.

Ignoring it, Liche moved her lips under Deon’s hand.

“It’s worrying.”

Although there were still two more weeks before the school started, Deon and Liche decided to arrive early at Hwangdo.

They planned the schedule with plenty of time since the roads would be crowded with carriages coming to the academy if they left in a hurry.

Blake also wanted to move together, but he said there was an urgent matter in his territory just before departure, and he would come up to Hwangdo about three weeks later.

“Okay, stop being quiet.”

“Umm.”

Liche held Deon’s hand and looked out of the window. Through the gap in the curtain, she saw the bustling city landscape with people passing by.

The carriage entered Hwangdo.

‘About two weeks left until we go to the academy. I have quite a bit of time.’

It worked out well. There was something he wanted to check.

‘Is Ian doing well?’

Ian, who said he would come to Ludwick Manor once, didn’t contact them throughout the break.

Even if he applied for communication as a Gerwer Duke, and even if he sent a separate letter, there was no news at all.

At first, he thought Gerwer Duke might be busy filling the vacant position, but as the days passed without even a short greeting, he became more and more worried.

‘Gerwer Duke also has a mansion in Hwangdo, so I’ll unload my luggage and go visit tomorrow.’

Ian was diligent, so he might have come early.

While thinking about it, the carriage stopped in front of the familiar gate.

“Master Deon, Miss Liche. We’ve arrived.”

Philip, who was outside the carriage, informed them of the arrival at the mansion.

Holding Deon’s hand first and getting off the carriage, someone approached Liche.

“Miss.”

When a person Liche had never seen before spoke to her, Philip stepped in, blocking her and asked, “What’s the matter?”

“What is it?”

“Our Miss would like to meet you for a moment.”

Seeming to be a servant from a noble family, she turned her head to where a high-end carriage had stopped, waiting there until Ludwick’s carriage arrived.

On the carriage body, a white bird pattern with spread wings was drawn. Deon, who recognized the family crest, frowned.

“Is it the Contes?”

“…Could it be that our Miss has an urgent matter with Miss Celine Contes?”

Philip’s voice sounded guarded.

Due to the unfortunate encounter at the academy, Celine had a hostile attitude towards Liche.

“If Miss Celine wants to meet me, please lead the way.”

In response to Liche’s question, the servant nodded. Despite Philip strongly recommending not to go, Liche agreed to the visit.

“…”

After a brief hesitation, Liche walked towards Celine’s carriage.

‘If she came all the way here, it must be an important matter.’

Liche, who was peeking out the window waiting for her to approach, began a conversation with Celine as soon as the carriage door opened.

“Hello, Tuariche. It’s been a while.”
Liche also greeted and got on the carriage. Then, she sat facing Celine.

Celine had a worried expression on her face, full of concern.

“Why did you come to visit?”

When Liche asked Celine, she immediately brought up the main topic in a hurried tone.

“I happened to overhear what my father was saying to my mother. Oh, not overheard, but somehow happened to pass by the vicinity.”

“I won’t misunderstand, so you can just tell me.”

After saying that she overheard, she seemed concerned about the noble’s dignity. Liche reassured her, and then silently waited for Celine’s continuation.

“It’s about the story of an ability user. I sometimes wonder if it’s right for me to worry alone… But I thought Tuariche should know…”

“…Could it be.”

In a familiar situation, Liche spoke.

It was similar to when Celine confessed witnessing Ian’s nightmare disease in the dormitory lounge.

“Is it about Senior Ian Duane by any chance?”

“W-well, yes.”

Celine nodded.

And with a face that still found it hard to believe the story she heard from her parents’ conversation, she confided in Liche.