After carefully looking around, I called out to the system.

“Open book.”

– Materializing Monster Encyclopedia. How may I help you?

“Search for Dandel.”

– Opening the page containing information about NO. 62 ‘Dandel’.

The pages turned with their familiar pleasant sound before settling. Once it reached the desired page, I eagerly searched for information about Dandel. When I muttered its name inwardly, the word ‘Caution’ disappeared from the relationship evaluation, replaced by ‘Interest’. Finally, my relationship with our cute fluffball had improved!

– NO. 62 Dandel’s relationship evaluation has progressed. ‘Magical Creature Characteristics’ is now unlocked.

Following the system’s guidance, changes appeared in the characteristics section. It seemed that when the relationship evaluation advanced one level, it revealed characteristics of magical creatures not easily known. Holding back my obvious joy, I covered my mouth and quickly scanned the completed text.

Characteristics: Although its eyesight is poor, it sensitively detects environmental changes through the fur covering its entire body. Its main diet consists of tree fruits and flower nectar. It especially likes yellow flowers because its deteriorated eyes can only distinguish yellow. Therefore, when it meets someone it likes, it decorates itself with yellow pollen.

Right on cue, Dandel, decorated with yellow pollen, approached and rubbed against me. Surely this meant I was someone it liked? What should I do with this adorable fluffball? After roaming around, Dandel finally settled on the flowers in my hand. It seemed to really enjoy my gift.

Hehe…. While watching Dandel with a silly smile, I heard rustling behind me. I hurriedly turned my head to find Asrein, wearing an elegant long grey coat, looking down at me.

“Why are you here?”

“Ah, Professor!”

I unexpectedly encountered Asrein, whom I thought had gone home, in the greenhouse. Eager to share my progress with Dandel, I stepped forward abruptly and showed him Dandel perched like a fruit on the flower.

“Look at this. Dandel has let its guard down with me…!”

Though I bragged without even greeting him first, Asrein responded composedly.

“How fascinating. It’s usually too timid to approach easily.”

“So I lured it with yellow flowers. I saw it in the book you gave me.”

“You read well. Good application.”

“…Thank you.”

Just one compliment from him made all my accumulated fatigue vanish like snow. It was both amusing and strange. Meanwhile, Dandel, covered in pollen, flew toward Asrein. Not content with just settling on his broad shoulders, it gently rubbed its fur against his face.

The fluffy ball clinging to his usually impeccable appearance softened his whole demeanor. Seeing the yellow pollen on his porcelain-like cheeks, I couldn’t help but laugh. Pfft. The obvious sound of laughter filled the quiet greenhouse. I quickly covered my mouth, but I’d already caught his attention. While awkwardly clearing my throat and trying to compose myself, his low voice settled in.

“You seemed so deflated since that day, but it looks like you’ve gotten your spirit back.”

“…You mean me?”

“Who else would I mean? You looked like someone being chased.”

His neat eyebrows raised slightly, probing for a response. Perhaps it was because I’d only briefly greeted him when arriving at the lab these past three days before burying myself in books. I hadn’t spoken much out of guilt, but I’d momentarily forgotten his keen eye for detail.

“Was it that obvious? …How embarrassing….”

“Until then you would occasionally do unexpected things, but suddenly you were quietly reading books, so it was impossible not to notice.”

“I guess I got tense without realizing it, trying not to cause trouble.”

Carefully stroking Dandel with my thumb, I bit my lip hard. Actually, even now I worry whether Asrein regrets putting me on the field research team. While I hung my head, his elegant voice broke through perfectly timed.

“Don’t worry. Whatever you’re concerned about, it won’t happen.”

Should I understand that as him not regretting his choice? I glanced up with just my eyes, and his calm gaze blinked slowly. Though his expression remained understated, I felt lighter knowing he was thinking of me. After fidgeting and pouting my lips for a while, I finally gave a slight bow.

“Thank you, Professor. I meant to say this earlier….”

“What’s that?”

“I’ll definitely repay this kindness someday.”

When I stared at him with determined eyes, Asrein’s mouth twitched at one corner.

“How will you manage that?”

Ah. Four words instantly crushed my resolve. I’d gathered my courage to say it, but when he asked how, my mind went completely blank. How? How would I know? Whether it was knowledge, honor, capital, connections, or even looks – there wasn’t a single thing I had that he didn’t have better. After uselessly rolling my eyes around, I confessed frankly.

“…When you put it that way, I don’t know. Actually, I hadn’t thought deeply about it.”

“Heh, quite honest.”

“I may not be better than you at anything, Professor… but don’t you think such a day might come?”

“Hmm?”

I gave him a bright smile while he tilted his head slightly.

“A day when you need my help.”

Just then, Dandel floated up like dandelion fluff and came toward me. This time it rubbed its soft fur all over my cheeks, making it impossible to contain the ticklish feeling. While I slightly shrugged one shoulder and smiled brightly, I faintly heard his calm voice.

“Indeed, that suits you better.”

“…Pardon?”

“It’s nothing.”

Does he mean acting silly and laughing suits me better? I looked at him questioningly, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he set an impossible goal.

“Then grow until you’re capable enough that I would seek your help.”

“What? Me?”

How much would I need to grow to surpass him? In ten years? Or perhaps a hundred years? No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t imagine such a future. Startled beyond measure, I shook not only both hands but my head as well. Seeing my foolish appearance, he smiled softly.

“I look forward to that day coming someday.”

It was the first time. The first time his smile felt genuine. Unlike his usual courteous smiles, this one contained pure joy. Between his elegantly curved eyes, golden irises shone brilliantly, reflecting my image.

Could I really avoid disappointing him?

No, I didn’t want to disappoint him.

***

The thought of going on a field survey with Asrein made me feel like I was walking on clouds. But the joy was short-lived. Soon, one worry led to another.

“What should I pack…?”

Since I hadn’t gone on any trips recently, I tried to recall my freshman MT. Into a large backpack went spare clothes, underwear, wallet, toiletries… and what else did I pack? For a perfect survey, I should pack in advance, but I couldn’t think of anything else right now. Sitting at my desk staring intently at a blank memo pad, I suddenly remembered the most important preparation and jumped up from my seat.

“First, let’s go to the herb garden.”

First aid supplies come first. Nothing is more miserable than getting sick while traveling away from home. I took out ‘Easy Learning Herbology’ from the bookshelf, wrote down the names of necessary medicinal herbs, and hurried to the herb garden. Thanks to the map Jin gave me, I quickly arrived at the herb garden located on school grounds. Even at a glance, an enormous field of easily over 10,000 pyeong (about 33k square meters) spread out before me. With hundreds of herbs gathered together, I felt the excitement of a child visiting an amusement park for the first time. If it weren’t for the occasional students studying herbs scattered about, I would have been running down the long paths with my arms spread wide by now. Trying to maintain a dignified appearance, I gathered the necessary herbs one by one while comparing them to my memo.

“Got this one… mm, got this one too. What else do I need…?”

While putting the neatly cultivated herbs into small cloth pouches, I pondered deeply. I picked herbs that help with bleeding and leaves that are good for insect bites. While counting them one by one with my fingers, I suddenly remembered the herb that had given me such a shock.

“Ah, Sarracenia. …Should pack that too.”

Since Agnus, who lives as a shadow tenant, might suddenly act up and run low on magical power, I should take some Sarracenia just in case. It’s absolutely not because it’s an expensive herb that I have ulterior motives. Definitely not.

While passing through the neatly divided square enclosures, I spotted the Sarracenia herb garden in the distance. On the vast land, 1.8 million won… no, Sarracenia was blooming wide open to soak up the sunlight.

Though it looks like nothing special – just a red flower – knowing its greatness made it appear to glow with a halo. While I walked toward the Sarracenia with a reverent heart, I belatedly realized someone had already occupied the 1.8 million won before me. Looking carefully, some tall man was standing there staring blankly at the Sarracenia.

“What the… A student…?”

Short hair, white shirt, black pants. His appearance was so ordinary that I couldn’t hastily judge his identity. If I had to point out anything unusual, it would be his perfectly straight posture and well-balanced body that even the shirt couldn’t hide. From a distance, I anxiously watched, worried he might take all the Sarracenia.

That’s when he knelt on one knee and roughly uprooted the Sarracenia. And instead of putting it in his pocket, he slowly opened his mouth to swallow it raw. After watching this scene in a daze, I suddenly came to my senses and shouted.

“Hey!!!!!”

This person clearly doesn’t know what kind of disaster the taste of Sarracenia can bring about. Like stopping someone from jumping off a cliff, I reached out my hand and hurriedly called out to stop him. Just before the red petals touched his lips, thankfully he stopped. Panting from my run, I grabbed his arm without ceremony and shook my head vigorously.

“You’ll die if you eat that raw.”