‘Why am I like this?’

Just worried and checking on him, but here I am, so conscious and embarrassed all by myself.

So Aelfrie tried even harder to feign calmness in front of Kyle.

For him, it was a natural act of breathing, but for me, it was something embarrassing when I realized it was a big deal.

‘The problem is Kyle is too affectionate.’

Thinking that Ino and Nisha would have ran to the window with uncomfortable expressions had they heard, Aelfrie used the paper on her desk to fan herself.

The heat wouldn’t go away today, perhaps it was because the air had become a little warmer.

Then, a brisk wind came in through the window she had opened for ventilation.

The wind not only blew away the paper on her desk but also took the one she was holding.

“Ah!”

Startled, Aelfrie hastily caught the floating papers in mid-air.

Then another gust of wind came, carrying the papers that were about to hit the floor out to the balcony.

“No!”

She had written down particularly hard-to-decipher sections to reference while translating, knowing the documents she was deciphering often required a high level of security. Of course, it would be better if what was written on the paper didn’t leak, even if it wasn’t the original text.

And now, that very paper had flown out onto the balcony and was falling toward the bustling street below.

Aelfrie quickly stepped out onto the balcony, but catching the falling paper was impossible.

Knowing this fact, she still reached out in frustration.

Whooosh!

A sharp noise filled the air. Not only Aelfrie, but everyone walking on the street felt something was off and looked up. That moment.

Screee… Bang!

The sound of something enormous moving and colliding echoed.

It was the sound of the ships moored in the nearby harbor crashing into each other.

The ships in the harbor are usually well-spaced and securely anchored with thick ropes.

High waves could pose a risk, but a long breakwater at the entrance of the harbor ensures that the inner part remains calm, even if the sea outside is stormy.

But now, the sea within the harbor was churning violently.

Amidst this impossible scene, people stood frozen in shock, until a fierce gust of wind swept over them.

Crash!

Sounds of shattering glass and human screams came from various buildings around the harbor. Goods displayed in front of shops rolled on the ground, and flower pots that were on the railings fell, scattering fragments.

What was a peaceful harbor turned into chaos in an instant.
People clung to each other to avoid being carried away by the fierce gusts, hugging crying children and crouching down.

Aelfrie also sat hesitantly on the balcony, shielding her face with her arm from the wind that felt as if it would tear her skin. That’s when she saw it. Through the gaps in the balcony railing, a flicker of light was visible over the distant sea.

Although it was almost touching the horizon, Aelfrie knew what that light was.

‘That light back then!’

It was undoubtedly the light she had seen for a brief moment when she had reached out in the garden, and had also seen in the books in the library.

‘Why is it…’

She wanted to stand and look at the light, but her body wouldn’t move.

As if a puppet with cut strings, Aelfrie’s body fell to the ground.

‘I need to… look at that…’

With that thought, Aelfrie lost consciousness.

The center of the continent, Karanden Empire.

In the main building of the Imperial Academy located to the north of the capital, a man lay on a sunbed on the balcony, enjoying the sun. Beneath his fine, bright blonde hair that fluttered in the wind, was a clearly defined face.

Though he would loudly proclaim, ‘I must be really handsome,’ his face was indeed good-looking but carried a lightness that made even his serious statements sound like jokes.

The man, dozing off like a lazy cat under the gradually warming summer sun, suddenly sat up when the wind brushed his face.

“Huh?”

He looked around in surprise, touched his cheek, then descended to the lower levels of the building.

As he appeared, everyone in the Academy bowed and greeted him.

“Dean!”

“I’m busy! Come find me later!”

“I’ve been waiting for three days!”

“That’s your problem!”

The man referred to as the Dean was Lasis, also known as the Emperor’s right hand and the dean of the Imperial Academy.

Ignoring people who begged him to work today, he swiftly entered the restricted area.

Then, he burst into the room he was looking for.

“Any reactions?”

At Lasis’s words, everyone in the room turned their heads to look at him.

“My God, you noticed?”

“We only found out from the reaction device!”

“As expected of the Heir Hunter!”

At their exclamations, Lasis punched each of them once on the head and crossed his arms.

“So where is it? The capital? It must be within the Empire at least… probably the north.”

“We haven’t deciphered it yet.”

“That can’t be.”

Lasis’s eyes narrowed.

He looked at the lump of light placed in the center of the room.