Editor : Amethyst00



Thump—!

A droplet hanging from the ceiling fell, rippling across the water's surface.

Elena's eyes slowly opened as she soaked in the spacious bathtub with her eyes closed.

Her alluring pinkish eyes scanned the bathroom.

"As expected of Seiren. Even the private baths are amazing."

Splash—

As she moved her body, gentle waves stirred within the tub.

Rubbing her snow-white skin, Elena stretched with a long yawn.

She wasn't particularly fond of morning baths, but being in such a cold place, the desire to immerse herself in warm water was impossible to resist.

The Elves' architectural style wasn't flashy, but neither was it shabby.

On the contrary, it emphasized a classical elegance, giving it a refined air.

'Should I get a villa in the northern continent?'

The snowy landscape outside the window was quite to her liking.

After finishing her bath, Elena stood up.

With a snap of her fingers, a towel flew over and gently wrapped around her body.

Using magic to dry her hair, she put on her undergarments and school uniform, then stood before the mirror.

She began brushing her hair meticulously.

Though she could've done it with magic, she preferred the care of doing it by hand.

Lately, she'd been putting effort into her appearance, and her already radiant beauty now shone dazzlingly.

In the past, flies who didn't know their place would buzz around her from time to time.

But recently, Elena's brilliance had become so intense that such insects couldn't even dare approach.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Elena smiled faintly.

Then, after trying out a few different expressions, she muttered while massaging her cheeks and jaw.

"Smiling prettily is harder than I thought."

She had been the heiress of the Zeron family since childhood—her status was never lacking wherever she went.

Moreover, she was revered as the greatest magical talent in the history of House Zeron.

So it was only natural for her to look down on others from above.

Rather than win others' favour, her smiles had always been crooked—mocking, scornful.

Of course, even those were so enchanting thanks to her natural beauty that they could still beguile people.

"Well then."

Elena stood up.

"It's about time Leo finishes his morning training and gets washed."

Having grasped Leo's morning routine, Elena left her room.

And headed to Leo's room.

After adjusting her outfit one last time in front of the door, she knocked.

Knock knock—

She waited for Leo to come out.

But even after some time, there was no response.

Wearing a puzzled expression, she knocked again, but still, no reaction.

Taking out her pocket watch to check the time, she tilted her head.

'What? He's not back yet?'

Whether at school or outside, unless something special happened, Leo's routine was always consistent.

This should be the time when he'd finish washing and begin his day.

She'd come this early using his lecture on star sorcery as an excuse—but there was no response.

'If he's not back yet, I'll just wait inside.'

Casually, Elena reached for the doorknob to Leo's room.

Returning to her own room might've been an option, but with Elena's personality, such a choice didn't exist.

Click—!

"NYAAAAAAAH!"

"Where do you think you're going?"

As soon as she opened the door, chaos erupted.

Aru was digging her claws into the floor, desperately trying to crawl toward the door, and Leo was pulling her tail.

"……"

A chilly smile formed on Elena's lips.

"What's going on this early in the morning?"

To Leo's question, Elena closed the door and answered.

"I came to ask what kind of lecture you were going to give… but I ended up witnessing quite the sight this morning, haven't I?"

Elena's lips curled upward.

"Leo, you keep luring female students into your room like this. You know that's against school rules, right? If you keep this up, even as student council president, you'll get dragged to the punishment room."

With a voice laced with thorns, Elena walked between Leo and Aru.

Then she slap—! struck the back of Leo's hand that was gripping Aru's tail.

As Leo let go, Aru quickly hid behind Elena.

"That black rabbit is bullying me!"

"Bullying? Anyone hearing that would think I was waterboarding you!"

"You did waterboard me last time!"

Aru shouted fiercely, tail bristling.

Leo replied, "I was just making you meditate a bit. Is that so bad?"

"You zap me if I move! You even forbid my tail from twitching!"

"Endure it. Are you a beast? Can't stay still for a moment?"

"Who are you calling a beast?!"

Aru tried to scratch Leo with her claws.

Of course, Leo firmly held both her wrists as she struggled with a grunt.

"Why are you making her meditate? Trying to make her more dignified?"

Elena asked, looking baffled.

Leo let go of Aru's wrists.

Aru quickly returned to Elena's side.

She apparently judged being near Elena was the safest place.

With her blue eyes blinking, Aru remained wary of Leo.

'She's really like a cat.'

Elena thought as she gently stroked Aru's head.

"Training."

"Training?"

"Yeah. Training to approach the Origin."

"Origin? That's a concept I've never heard of. Mind explaining?"

Elena, full of curiosity, sat on the sofa.

She tapped the spot beside her, eyeing the wary Aru.

After a moment, Aru glanced at Elena, then quietly sat beside her.

Watching Aru, Elena smiled.

"You're so cute. And beautiful too."

"Heh. My elegance is quite something, isn't it?"

"Yeah. And strong on top of that."

"Fufu. I am strong indeed."

"If a warrior like you was guarding the front lines, I'd feel really secure."

"Hehehe. No one would dare touch the mage behind me. Just like Lord Aaron."

"Aaron got breached multiple times too, you dumb cat."

At that jarring remark, Aru glared at Leo.

"Let's ignore that old man."

Elena said as she stroked Aru's head, and Aru's expression softened.

Moments later, as if she'd taken a liking to Aru, Elena offered her lap as a pillow.

Aru, without much hesitation, lay down resting her head on Elena's thighs.

"Was Leo's training really tough?"

"Not physically, but it was mentally exhausting. He kept telling me to empty my mind, but even after doing that, he still scolded me."

"That's because you were literally thinking of nothing."

"You told me to empty it!"

"Well, try to understand. Old men always speak in riddles, right?"

Elena laughed brightly as she petted Aru's head.

In response, Aru's body relaxed and drooped.

'She's treating her completely like a cat.'

Leo asked with an incredulous look.

"You're getting quite friendly with her."

Though Aru appeared relaxed around Leo, she always tried to maintain her dignity in front of others.

To Leo's question, Aru stretched and replied.

"The vice-president of Lumene smells really nice."

'Is it because of Elena's trait?'

Leo tilted his head slightly.

Elena's eyes lit up as she looked down at Aru.

'Adorable.'

This kind of straightforward demeanor from Aru made Elena feel fond of her.

Suddenly, Elena's hand reached for Aru's tail.

Just looking at it, it seemed fluffy and inviting.

The desire to grab it overwhelmed her.

But beastkin hated having their tails touched.

So instead of grabbing her tail, Elena's hand moved from Aru's head to the nape of her neck.

Her fingers caressed her neck, then traced down her back.

Aru shuddered at the touch.

Her tail began to sway gently.

Just as Elena's hand was about to reach the tail—

Aru quickly wrapped her tail around Elena's wrist to stop her.

Elena looked at the white tail gripping her wrist.

Aru, too, looked up at Elena, then quietly stood.

She uncoiled her tail from Elena's wrist.

Elena impulsively tried to catch it, but the tail smoothly dodged her grasp.

"Black rabbit, can I go now?"

"We're not done. Where do you think you're going?"

"Don't touch my tail! I'll come back for training later, just let me go!"

Elena's gaze followed the tail that now ended up in Leo's hand.

Aru whined, tugging at her tail, trying to free it.

Watching Aru so easily allow Leo to touch her tail, Elena pouted slightly.

Escaping Leo's grip, Aru hid her tail and smiled sweetly at Elena.

"See you later."

With those words, Aru left the room.

"She's cute."

Elena said as she looked toward the door Aru had exited through.

"You like her quite a bit?"

"Yeah. I almost want to bring her to Lumene."

Smiling sweetly, Elena asked,

"So? What does it mean to approach the Origin?"

To that, Leo explained about mana awakening.

"Awakening, huh…"

Hearing the explanation, Elena looked surprised.

"Why was Sir Aaron the only one who could reach the Origin? Was it impossible for the other Great Heroes?"

"They didn't have enough time."

"Time?"

"Yeah. Even I, after reincarnation, spent a long time awakening pure mana."

The Great Heroes had reached the pinnacle of their respective fields.

As mages, warriors, summoners, blacksmiths…

But because they'd reached such heights, they had little time left to reach the realm beyond.

"Maybe if they'd survived the final battle with Erebos, they could have."

"Hmm."

Elena narrowed her eyes.

"Then why didn't you tell me about this?"

"You're not the only one. Aru's the only one I told about the Origin."

"Why?"

"Because I only reached it recently myself…"

Leo looked down at his hands.

"I hadn't sorted out everything about this realm yet. Besides, mana and divine power haven't reached the Origin either."

In truth, the successors of the Great Heroes were already overwhelmed just trying to digest the powers and knowledge left behind.

If Leo had shared about a realm even their predecessors never reached, they would only have felt more desperate.

'Only someone as simple as Aru could train without overthinking it.'

And, unlike the others, Aaron's power could be tempered through brute force.

After hearing Leo's explanation, Elena tilted her head.

"Is reaching the Origin easier with aura?"

"Not exactly. It's more because we had Aaron as a trailblazer. I may not know much else, but I'm good at imitation."

"Hm."

"And."

"There's more?"

"Aru's a simple type. I figured meditation would be surprisingly effective for her. Even without the Origin, it's necessary."

For a warrior, physical strength is crucial, but so is mental fortitude.

Aru had a strong will and great courage, but her thoughts weren't particularly deep.

'If she overcomes that, she'll grow immensely.'

After finishing his explanation, Leo asked Elena,

"So? What brought you here this morning?"

"I told you. I was curious about the lecture."

"How admirable. Graduation must be near—you're finally showing interest in your studies."

"Hm? Maybe I should just fail and stay longer?"

At that, Leo sighed.

"Don't say nonsense. Just graduate."