NOVPUBThe newly constructed dormitory for exchange students at Starflower Magic Academy had garnered significant attention among the students, and rightly so—it had been built under the direction of the Starcloud Trading Company with outstanding quality.
It wasn’t just that the dormitory catered to human comfort; the decor, including tree roots protruding from the hallway walls and a model of the World Tree towering over the dormitory's central lobby, displayed the builders' artistic dedication.
“Welcome, Stella cadets!”
Though Stella Academy had dorm supervisors and staff, they generally kept a low profile, never addressing the students formally. Many of the students were accustomed to noble privilege, and Stella's approach encouraged them to shed such entitlements, leaving the staff to function quietly, almost ghost-like.
But in elf society, there was no nobility.
“Welcome to Starflower.”
The elven staff instead greeted the cadets with a courteous warmth, creating an unusual experience for those used to Stella’s detached service.
The commoners among the cadets returned the greetings awkwardly, while the nobles looked pleased, their dormant sense of privilege revived. Among them, Baek Yuseol received the grandest welcome—because Jellyel was walking with him.
It was hard to ignore the unusual attention as Jellyel, practically the “owner” of this luxury dorm, walked beside him with dignity. Behind her, a line of supervisors and attendants followed.
‘This feels... awkward...’
While most of the students dispersed into their respective dorm rooms, Baek Yuseol couldn’t, as Jellyel insisted on giving him a personal tour. Although it felt like a hassle, it wasn’t an entirely unpleasant experience. Baek Yuseol had a sense of adventure, and exploring a dorm built with elven aesthetics was a novel experience.
After the tour, they ended up on the upper terrace’s outdoor garden, where they had a meal together. Finally, Baek Yuseol asked the question that had been on his mind.
“This dorm wasn’t like this before. Why rebuild it?”
“Because I knew you would be coming as an exchange student.”
“...What?”
Her answer took him by surprise.
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“It has everything to do with it. I wanted you to have a good place to stay here.”
“Is... that so?”
Jellyel rested her chin on her interlocked hands, tilting her head toward him with a gentle smile.
“Do you not like it?”
Her question was laced with confidence, as if she couldn’t imagine any answer other than approval.
Baek Yuseol did like the dorm, but knowing it was made specifically for him gave him an odd feeling. Maybe... he even felt a little overwhelmed.
So, he hesitated to respond.
A simple “Yeah, I love it” would have sufficed, but Baek Yuseol ended up stammering.
“Uh... actually...”
He tried to say something, but Jellyel interrupted him.
“If you’re done eating, let’s go. You must be busy.”
“Oh, yeah. Let’s do that.”
Jellyel rose first, and Baek Yuseol trailed after her like a guilty party, quietly sighing to himself in regret.
‘I should have just responded normally.’
He felt awful for disappointing her, though he wondered if it would have been appropriate to show such excitement. Lost in his thoughts and awkward silences, he suddenly realized Jellyel had stopped and turned around, gazing back at him with a small smile.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Huh?”
“Whatever thoughts you’re having about me... they don’t bother me at all.”
She took a step closer.
“But I want you to understand me.”
“...Understand?”
Jellyel smiled warmly, and in that moment, there was no trace of the malicious character she had once been.
“I’ve committed many unforgivable sins, ones that I’ll be atoning for my entire life. So... I don’t expect much from you. Just knowing that you understand my intentions and feelings is enough for me. Truly. I could live my life satisfied with only that.”
Baek Yuseol didn’t have to make any effort to understand the depth behind her words; accepting them came naturally.
“So please, don’t feel burdened.”
He nodded in response, and Jellyel seemed pleased, smiling softly.
He couldn’t bring himself to confirm her emotions; perhaps he didn’t want to.
Leaving him behind, Jellyel quickly exited the dormitory and walked briskly across the Starflower campus grounds, moving so fast that her legs ached. Though the attendants and Starcloud bodyguards began catching up, she didn’t slow down.
Cold sweat trickled down her face, her heart pounded erratically, and her breathing grew ragged, making it hard to stay steady.
What she had said to Baek Yuseol was true—Jellyel had always believed that way.
‘Atonement.’
She’d resolved to live as a sinner, using her power and authority to atone, swearing not to desire anything more.
But... could she really keep that promise?
A voice within her mind seemed to whisper, casting doubt.
Until now, Jellyel had never been denied anything she truly wanted. But now, the one thing she desired most was out of reach, and an aching emptiness gnawed at her.
“Ugh...”
She clutched her chest, feeling a strange, painful sensation, though it was not physical. Having come to understand emotions so late, she mistook this new feeling of despair as actual pain.
‘...No, I’m fine.’
Are you really? Are you sure?
Unable to suppress her shaky breaths, Jellyel covered her mouth with her hand.
Tap, tap!
Footsteps sounded behind her. One of the bodyguards had caught up, but she turned to wave him off, only to find that it wasn’t an attendant or a bodyguard... it was Baek Yuseol.
“Are you... okay?”
She widened her eyes in surprise.
“No... I’m just a little tired.”
She quickly lowered her hand from her mouth and crossed her arms, looking away.
It was embarrassing to show emotions like joy or sorrow in front of anyone. Now, having revealed them to Baek Yuseol, she felt utterly humiliated.
“Why did you just walk away?”
He asked with a troubled expression.
“Because I knew what you’d say.”
Jellyel was likely more skilled in navigating relationships than Baek Yuseol. Having conducted countless conversations with a strategy, reading her partner’s facial expressions and personalities, she had already simulated what he would say in her head.
“You’re wrong about one thing.”
“...What’s that?”
“Do you know why I sometimes avoid others’ emotions?”
She shook her head.
“Because... I don’t know when I’ll disappear.”
“What... do you mean?”
Her heart sank.
She vaguely remembered that Baek Yuseol had mentioned his condition, calling it “Mana Leakage Impediment,” and he had a limited time. She’d investigated it thoroughly, believing that she’d come to terms with it after he reassured her. But...
“Disappear? What are you saying?!”
“Please, don’t shout...”
“...Sorry.”
Biting her lip, she cautiously asked.
“It’s because of your condition, isn’t it?”
“It’s not that. Mana Leakage Impediment can’t kill me.”
She let out a chuckle. It was almost amusing how Baek Yuseol could dismiss something that had been deemed insurmountable over a thousand years with such confidence. Oddly enough, she trusted him.
“Then... what do you mean by ‘disappear’?”
“That’s...”
Baek Yuseol hesitated. Revealing too much, even unintentionally, was a mistake. His reluctance to burden her with the truth remained firm.
*...It’s uncertain.*
From the first day he’d arrived in Aither World, he had pondered this question:
*What would happen to me when the main storyline ends?*
Whether he succeeded or failed, Baek Yuseol was still an outsider here.
Even if he were to stay... could he survive encounters with the likes of the Dark Black Dragon, Midnight Black Thirteen?
The constant worries weighed heavily on him, preventing him from forming deep bonds.
“Sorry. I can’t tell you that.”
After a moment, he shook his head, and Jellyel, understanding his reluctance, replied quietly.
“It’s okay. That’s enough.”
“Wait, really? I...”
“It’s enough.”
Baek Yuseol had come to apologize, yet he couldn’t bring himself to say everything. But Jellyel seemed satisfied with his response, turning to leave.
“Wait...”
He reached out to stop her, but just then, a group of people hurried up behind her.
“Miss Jellyel!”
“How many times have we told you it’s dangerous to walk alone?”
“It’s chilly out here! Please wear this coat!”
The Starcloud attendants fussed over Jellyel, wrapping her in a coat. Seeing this, Baek Yuseol realized the extent of her influence on those around her.
As Jellyel had moved from darkness toward the light, her presence had inspired those around her to care for her sincerely.
*...That’s enough.*
Baek Yuseol watched her retreating form, feeling a deep satisfaction with the change she had undergone. He firmly believed that the brighter future she would create would eclipse her past misdeeds.
Alone now, Baek Yuseol strolled through Starflower’s grounds, the crisp autumn wind brushing past him.
*Winter is coming soon.*
It was a season that often stirred deep thoughts, but Baek Yuseol wasn’t the type to indulge in melancholy.
As he walked, watching leaves fall absentmindedly, a gentle voice called out to him.
“Baek Yuseol.”
The sound, like music melting his heart, lingered in his ears
.
“Yes, Lady Flower-Embracing.”
Turning with a familiar and friendly address, he found her gazing at him, veil removed, her eyes clouded with sadness.
Instantly, his expression turned serious as he approached her.
“Is something wrong? Or is it...”
He was about to mention the rumblings of Dark Crimson April when Flower-Embracing interrupted, her voice quivering with a question.
“When you said... ‘disappear’... what did you mean?”
“...What?”
He hadn’t expected her to overhear, and his heart sank.
“Please... explain it to me. I’m begging you.”
Just as he had with Jellyel, he thought about deflecting her question. But unlike Jellyel, who accepted the existence of a reason without probing, Flower-Embracing was different.
As someone who desperately wished for Baek Yuseol to remain, she was determined to understand the reason, even if it meant breaking her own heart.
