His sharp lips twisted to a frightening degree, and Jin, standing beside him, displayed clear signs of unease. I approached sideways, crab-like, and quietly asked Jin.

“Jin. Do you know what kind of letter this is?”

“As you know, Professor went to Count Ameli’s estate himself to receive research cooperation.”

“You mean about the request for investigation cooperation because magical creatures appeared in the Count’s territory?”

“Yes, that’s right. But it seems the Count has changed his mind. An urgent letter came the evening after you arrived….”

That day, Asrein saw my face in the greenhouse and sent me home early, saying I didn’t look well. Why would a letter arrive from Count Ameli precisely when I wasn’t there? With growing unease, I quickly picked up the letter from the desk.

The sender was Count Ameli. He had clearly promised Asrein, in my presence, that he would gladly cooperate with the investigation in his territory. However, the letter contained content that contradicted our previous conversation.

“Jin… How was the research cooperation usually?”

“The lord who governs the survey area even provides knight escorts. If anything dangerous happens, the responsibility extends to them as well.”

After hearing Jin’s explanation, reading the letter again made the difference crystal clear. According to Jin’s explanation, the Count should rightfully send knights for this survey. But the letter clearly stated that the Ameli knights would not provide support for this research ‘to maintain their principles.’ He had arbitrarily changed the conditions.

This arbitrary notification could only mean he refused to take responsibility for any incidents. The rudeness beneath the elegant handwriting was so palpable that I couldn’t help but frown.

“What did he say at first?”

“He said he would refuse research cooperation.”

“…Refuse?”

“Yes. So the Professor sent a reply asking for the reason. This letter is the answer to that.”

The magical creature investigation was the Emperor’s order, and Asrein also held a title that the Count couldn’t easily ignore. But suddenly, not only did he refuse the investigation under Asrein’s command, but when asked why, his only response was that he wouldn’t provide knight support. While I pondered his reckless behavior, his dirty intentions became clear in the last line.

I’m concerned whether that child who was my servant might make mistakes. Ah, if you don’t bring that child along for this research, my proud knights will thoroughly assist the professor and his party.

This was clearly because of me. This was revenge against a lowly servant who dared to shame the high-and-mighty Count and leave. His attempts to prevent me from participating in the research were pathetic and petty. But I could only do one thing right now.

“Professor.”

“What is it?”

“Count Ameli’s sudden change in conditions… is clearly because of me.”

“I know that.”

“So I think it would be better to exclude me from the party as the Count suggests.”

Damn Count Ameli. He was ruthlessly persistent even when Asrein tried to scout me, and now he continued holding me back until the end. It was unbearably disappointing that I couldn’t go on the first survey I had so looked forward to. At the same time, I couldn’t stand by and watch the research fall apart because of me. Rather than cause harm, it would be better to give up. That’s what I had resigned myself to. But the sigh that followed held completely different thoughts.

“Perhaps I had excessive expectations of you.”

“…Pardon?”

“Didn’t you tell me you wanted to research? Don’t tell me your mind has changed already?”

A hint of disappointment flickered in his cold golden eyes. I quickly put down the letter and shook my head.

“No, of course I want to go. But…”

“But?”

“…But… if we have to conduct research under unfair conditions because of me…”

The cunning Count Ameli probably knew from the start. That I, upon seeing this letter, could never insist on participating in the research. That’s why it was even more frustrating. Beyond whether the knights would be present or not, this was a battle of pride between Count Ameli and Asrein. No matter how frustrated I felt, for the sake of starting the research safely, it would be right for me to step back.

Just then – a low voice broke the heavy silence.

“Jin. Send a reply.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Those participating in the local research at Count Ameli’s territory will be myself, Jin, Sir Sezan who will handle security.”

His gloved hand elegantly tore up the letter and threw it in the trash.

“And tell him Tae-oh will be joining us.”

I could only blink rapidly in surprise at his words. Though I turned to the side hoping for an opposing opinion, Jin hurriedly left to send the letter to Count Ameli, seemingly having anticipated this. Only a heavy silence lingered in the research lab where just the two of us remained. Unlike me, who could only stand dumbfounded in front of the desk, Asrein let out a satisfied laugh while brushing back his long hair.

“This is better, actually. Knights in name only would just get in the way.”

He showed no signs of hesitation whatsoever. That’s what made it more frightening. I worried that the impending storm might harm many people, including him who had brought me here. Placing both hands on the desk and leaning forward, I said,

“Professor!”

“I’ll take responsibility for what follows.”

“Still…”

“What did I tell you your job was?”

I swallowed hard before answering calmly.

“…You told me to explore freely and never stop thinking.”

“Yes. You remember well. This isn’t something for you to worry about.”

His eyes, firmly set with conviction, silenced me instantly. I remember those eyes clearly. That day when I was unfairly threatened after spilling tea. They were the first eyes I met when I was kneeling and begging forgiveness in my pathetic state. Both then and now, he never compromised with injustice.

“Don’t easily give up opportunities given to you.”

So I too, having become his ‘student,’ must change now. I must end this habit of avoiding things by pretending not to know when faced with unfair treatment. I must not forget the days I spent anxiously trying to escape from Count Ameli.

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

Don’t easily give up research opportunities. Perhaps it was an obvious goal, one that should have been clear all along. Thanks to his firm advice, my foggy mind cleared like the sky after rain.

After that day, the research lab became busy without a moment to spare. Since they would have to leave the school for several days for the field research, Asrein moved up all his work including classes and meetings to complete them early. I couldn’t just play around while my superior was busy. So I began to master the books filling the research lab one by one. I was determined that even if I couldn’t help Asrein with the field research, I should at least avoid causing trouble by learning everything I could beforehand.

Three days passed like that. When I steeled my mind like preparing for exam period, I naturally forgot about fatigue and hunger. But sitting still and just reading books made all my muscles scream in protest.

“Ugh, so stiff…”

Overwhelmed with strain, I slumped onto the desk like melting rubber in heat. Just when I was about to drift off, someone opened the research lab door. Asrein? I straightened my back sharply and lifted my head, pretending I had never been tired. But the person who entered was Jin.

“Tae-oh.”

“Oh, you’re working late today.”

After reading Count Ameli’s letter, Jin often stopped by the research lab on his way home. Though he claimed it was just to check in, he seemed worried about me. Today too, seeing me buried among books, he immediately frowned his gentle features.

“Don’t tell me you’re still reading books? I told you you’ll get sick doing that.”

“I’m really almost done, I just need to organize things.”

“Then go take a walk and get some fresh air.”

“But I’m not quite finished organizing yet. I need to sharpen the pen nib, clean the desk…”

“I’ll do it, so go take a walk. You have no color in your face right now.”

Having my complexion pointed out again left me with nothing to say. I shamelessly left the finishing work to Jin and stumbled out of the research lab. It must have been around five in the afternoon. While wandering in place wondering where to go for an outing, I suddenly remembered a white ball of fluff.

“Ah, it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen Dandel…”

Being stuck in the research lab like a statue meant I hadn’t been able to meet Dandel. Since I had time now, I turned my steps toward the greenhouse to try to become friends with Dandel. Past the thick forest, the glass greenhouse sparkled dazzlingly between the trees. Perhaps thanks to visiting with Asrein before, the guard at the door didn’t question my coming and going from the greenhouse.

Carefully entering the greenhouse, I felt the warm air completely different from outside. Following my memory through the maze-like paths, I encountered the cascading willow tree just like that day. After peering around for a while, I approached the tree trunk and lifted my head high. But the soft ball of fluff didn’t easily reveal itself.

“Dandel~ Are you there?”

When I called out gently, something stirred between the willow branches. It was Dandel. The white fluff ball sat between branches too high to reach, just like our first meeting. While wondering how to lure it down, I suddenly remembered information I had gleaned while organizing books.

“It likes yellow flowers, right…”

I immediately ran out of the greenhouse and gathered a handful of yellow wildflowers with their roots. For Dandel who had lived in the greenhouse for so long, even common wildflowers would be welcome. Hoping it would be interested, I ran back to the willow tree and held up the flowers cupped in both hands.

“Look at this. Such pretty flowers!”

Dandel, who had been hiding between the branches all along, stirred its body. There was definitely a response. To really seal the deal, I tapped the flower calyx with my finger, making bright yellow pollen scatter everywhere. Only then did the ball of fur that had been watching cautiously poke out.

“If you come here now, I’ll give them to you as a present. How about it?”

As I slowly lowered the flowers serving as bait, Dandel left the willow tree and floated up into the air. Finally approaching the flowers, Dandel spun endlessly around them like a cat crazy for catnip. It even rubbed its body against the yellow flowers, getting lots of pollen stuck to its snow-white fur. It looked just like injeolmi (rice cake) covered in bean powder. Dandel, extremely excited, moved back and forth in front of me, seemingly wanting to show off its pollen-decorated appearance. The sight was so cute that I unconsciously let out a silly laugh.

That’s when I heard a welcome voice.

– NO. 62 ‘Dandel’ has taken a liking to you.

Startled by the system’s sudden appearance, I hunched my shoulders dramatically. While trying to calm my racing heart, I suddenly pondered the system’s words. Dandel… has taken a liking to me. That means… there would be a change in the relationship evaluation?