Editor : Amethyst00



The next day

Usually, Chloe braided her hair neatly into a half-up style.

But today, Lysinas simply brushed her hair neatly.

Lysinas, with her necktie knotted, took a deep breath.

"Shall we go?"

Creak—

As they opened the door and stepped out, female students from the Department of Magic were bustling about in a frenzy.

"Hey! How long are you going to use my brush?!"

"I overslept! Today's the assignment deadline!"

Watching the students start their day in such a hectic manner, Lysinas smiled warmly.

'So lively.'

5,000 years ago…

Before the Age of Calamity began, mornings like this—full of life—were an everyday routine.

Dragons have far superior memory compared to other races.

Aside from Aaron, who was born during the Age of Calamity, Kyle, Luna, and Dweno all retained memories of that peaceful time.

However, by the end of Arhi's journey, most of those memories had faded and become blurred.

At that time, dragons were the only race who remembered life before the Age of Calamity in vivid and intricate detail.

That's why encountering a peaceful morning was all the more meaningful to Lysinas compared to Luna or Aaron.

"Chloe, good morning!"

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Good morning, sunbae!"

"Huh? You didn't tie your hair today?"

Juniors and classmates greeted her cheerfully.

"Yeah, it's a good morning, isn't it?"

Chloe replied with a bright smile and click-clacked her way out of the women's dorm area.

The girls who remained were left with blank expressions.

"Wh-What was that just now?"

"I don't know… but I feel strangely calm."

It was the same face they always saw, but something felt different today.

Just seeing Chloe's smile brought a sense of peace.

And yet, as if enchanted, the image of her smile wouldn't leave their minds.

"I feel like I've experienced this feeling before somewhere…"

At that moment, the 5th years paused with troubled expressions.

"Yeah, I kind of feel the same way."

The 4th years looked like they were on the verge of remembering something.

"Ah."

A 5th-year student suddenly recalled something.

"It's like Elena's Mystic Eye."

"Ah! Now that you mention it."

"You're right. It feels totally different, but… it's like that entranced feeling Elena gave."

"Does Elena-sunbae have a Mystic Eye like Professor Albi?"

A 2nd-year asked curiously, and the 5th-year shook her head.

"Not the same as Professor Albi's. But it's enough to be called a Mystic Eye."

Elena was born with a naturally powerful charisma that captured people's gaze.

A natural ability to command others without trying.

Combined with her stunning beauty, that charisma gave her a nearly supernatural allure.

For a normal person, such overpowering charm would've been a curse.

But Elena was a genius who could perfectly control that ability.

When her ability was at full power, her pupils would glow.

The 4th and 5th years had dubbed that the "Mystic Eye."

"You guys won't experience it yourselves. Elena only used that power during her wild-child phase."

She could intoxicate people and toy with their emotions.

It was an extremely dangerous power—one that could easily create enemies.

Hearing the explanation, the 1st through 3rd years shuddered.

"Elena only started settling down in her 3rd year. You guys never saw her wild days, right? You're lucky."

The 5th-year shook her head.

"But Chloe-sunbae doesn't have that kind of power, right?"

A 2nd-year tilted her head in confusion.

The 4th and 5th years nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, she doesn't."

"Was it just our imagination?"

"Maybe it's just the sudden change in atmosphere."

With that, the girls from the Department of Magic resumed getting ready for the day, brushing it off as nothing important.

bl

Tweet tweet—

As Lysinas walked down the hallway, she heard the chirping of birds.

Turning toward the window with a view of the outside, she felt her chest tighten.

"Wow…"

The world she remembered as a ruin was now vivid before her eyes.

But now—

The scenery outside the window was peaceful and breathtaking.

Warm sunlight poured down gently.

Tiny plants and animals brimming with life.

'Yeah. We… Kyle… really did it.'

She had known it in her head.

That Kyle had defeated Erebos and saved the world.

That the world she now stood in was 5,000 years in the future—a world redeemed.

She knew it all.

But seeing it with her own eyes still made her heart tremble.

To save this world—

How many desperate days had they endured?

How many companions had she sent off ahead?

How many times had she struggled not to fall into despair?

In the end, even those more precious than her own life had passed on.

Even the person dearest to her, she had left behind in that world.

In the end, all she had were promises she couldn't keep.

Now, that world stood before her.

Just as she had longed to see it.

Just seeing this landscape gave her a sense of being repaid, even if just a little.

For all the pain…

All the farewells…

Back then, she thought this single view could make up for it all.

'But not now. It's not enough.'

What regrets did she still hold?

It wasn't simply to see the world that had been saved.

Because Lysinas had known all along.

That the world would be saved.

'Even when I left Kyle behind… that was the one thing I believed without doubt.'

A belief and trust that would never waver.

That's why the world's salvation was not her lingering regret.

'What is my regret, then?'

It wasn't a difficult question.

Step—step—

As students bustled down the hallway, a particular set of footsteps caught her attention.

'Has his stride changed? Oh, right—he has a new body now.'

Yet the uniquely quiet, almost soundless footsteps were unmistakable, even amidst the crowd.

Realizing he hadn't changed much even after reincarnation, Lysinas couldn't help but smile.

Step—step— The footsteps grew closer.

Lysinas closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.

Otherwise, she feared she might cry.

'My regret is…'

Letting out a trembling breath, Lysinas opened her eyes.

A soft, composed smile spread across her lips.

'Just one thing.'

Step—

The footsteps stopped.

Turning from the window with a light spin, Lysinas faced her lingering regret.

For a moment, time seemed to stop.

'Ahh…'

His appearance had changed.

Gone were the ashen gray hair and eyes that once resembled ashes.

Now he had pure white hair and blazing red eyes that captivated attention.

He looked like a boy transitioning into a young man.

But he didn't seem youthful.

He was the same as ever.

That slightly annoyed, indifferent expression.

Those emotionless eyes.

And yet, he was watching her carefully.

Checking to see if she was sick.

If she was okay.

There was a careless kindness in his gaze.

It wasn't that he'd changed only a little.

He hadn't changed at all.

'How can he be so consistent?'

His personality, his presence—unchanged.

And…

'His promise to save the world.'

She had broken her promise.

Yet the man before her still tried to keep it.

The promise he'd made with her.

She'd mentally prepared herself last night.

That she wouldn't cry.

That crying would be strange.

But all that resolve faded as her heart trembled.

If she opened her mouth, her emotions would spill out.

Still, Lysinas steadied herself.

"Good morning."

She greeted him with a soft smile.

Just as she always did.

Whether 5,000 years ago or now.

Unchanging, she greeted him the same way every morning.

"Good morning."

But his reply was a little different.

The cynical Kyle used to point at the sky and scoff, "How is this a good morning?"

'Yeah… it really is a good morning.'

Thinking about how some things had changed made her laugh.

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine."

"That's a relief."

Leo nodded and began walking.

Then, tilting his head, he looked at her.

"What are you doing standing in the hallway? Let's go eat."

He was inviting her to the cafeteria.

"I've got something to do, so I'll come later."

"Busy from the morning, huh?"

Leo chuckled lightly.

"But hey."

"Yeah?"

"You didn't tie your hair today? First time I've seen that."

"Ah."

Lysinas twirled the ends of her hair and smiled.

"Thought I'd try a change."

"Looks good on you. See you later, then."

Watching Leo walk away, Lysinas took a deep breath.

"Guess it doesn't look too weird."

She touched her cheek and pulled a mirror from her robe.

It seemed her overnight effort to practice a different kind of smile had paid off.

'He's weirdly sharp about random things.'

Lysinas raised one corner of her mouth with a finger, then put the mirror away.

'Nice.'

It was probably okay to tell Leo who she really was.

Leo already seemed to sense it and wanted to meet her, too.

Still, a part of her wanted to tease him.

Because he looked so annoyingly happy chatting with Luna.

But even more annoying—

Was how, after 5,000 years, he'd reacted so indifferently to her kiss.

'This time, I'll make sure he's the one caught off guard.'

Lysinas smiled softly and began her life at Lumene in earnest.

bl

The cafeteria was one of the busiest places in the morning.

All students shared the same basic class schedule.

But that didn't mean every student's day was the same.

For various reasons, many had to be up and active at the crack of dawn.

So it wasn't rare to see students rushing to eat after oversleeping.

Smiling at the lively cafeteria, Lysinas chewed her food slowly after loading her tray.

'Wow—this is good.'

With sparkling eyes, she quickly emptied her tray.

Then went back for more.

'This one's good too. And this.'

Smiling happily, Lysinas refilled her tray again and again.

"Oooh~ Chloe, what's with the loose hair? Trying a new look?"

Carl chuckled and greeted her.

"I saw you from afar. Aren't you eating a bit much?"

"I heard from Chelsea. It wasn't anything serious, right? I was worried you'd still feel weak, but you're practically bursting with energy."

Carl and Abad sat on either side of Lysinas.

Carl had his spoon in his mouth and was slouching in his usual carefree way.

Abad had loosened his necktie and unbuttoned a few buttons in his usual laid-back style.

Both of them were the same as always.

Lysinas put down her fork and looked between the two, furrowing her brow.

"Mm? Something wrong?"

Carl gave a puzzled look.

Lysinas answered seriously.

"Carl. You're a hero. You should set an example."

She pressed her palms against Carl's chest and waist.

Carl instinctively straightened his posture.

"And don't talk with a spoon in your mouth."

"Mm?!"

Lysinas pulled the spoon from Carl's mouth and adjusted his posture.

"See? Looks better, right?"

Smiling, she then turned to a stunned Abad.

"You too, Abad."

"Me?"

Abad pointed to himself in confusion.

Lysinas reached out and buttoned up his shirt, then straightened his tie.

"Neat looks better."

With a soft smile, she picked up her tray and stood.

"I'll go ahead. Enjoy your breakfast."

"Uh. O-Okay."

"See you in class later."

Carl and Abad waved with dazed expressions.

"Something about her feels… different today?"

"Yeah, right? More mature, I think."

Both of them blushed slightly as they fidgeted with their corrected posture and clothes.

"Eliza? What's with that look?"

A Summoning major looked at Eliza, who stood gaping.

'Why are you zoning out like that, Kyle Thomas?!'

"Miss Celia? You could've started eating already? Huh? Celia?"

Chen Xia tilted her head, looking at Celia's stunned face.

'What's with Chloe all of a sudden? No—why the heck is that butterball blushing like that?!'