A week had passed since then. But Iris hadn’t come to the research lab. I couldn’t see her when passing through the library or the main building either. Had she not recovered yet? The unusual silence seemed strange, so I went to the infirmary where the doctor shared unexpected news.

“Iris received medication for three days straight, but her core showed no signs of returning to normal. So she went back to Klaus Manor to recover. It’s been about two days now.”

The doctor explained that different types of magical power remained in Iris’s body, constantly clashing. Her condition seemed more serious than I thought. Since she had apparently left all her belongings in the dormitory and gone with just herself, I decided to wait patiently.

Meanwhile, good news arrived.

“Can you believe the Professor actually proposed a new experiment first?”

“Really?”

“Yes! If this experiment succeeds, I might be recommended as an Imperial Researcher after graduation.”

Jin spoke with a voice full of excitement as we gathered together after a long time. Sezan and I patted Jin’s shoulders without hesitation.

“Congratulations, Jin! I knew things would work out for you.”

“You’re being rewarded for all your hard work.”

“Haha~ This is quite embarrassing.”

Jin shyly smiled and placed a basket on the table to divert attention. Removing the clean cloth revealed delicious-looking muffins garnished with dried fruits. Like a mother bird distributing food, Jin handed out the muffins, which I accepted before asking:

“What’s this?”

“I was in such a good mood that I made muffins, but there were too many.”

“Wait, you made these yourself?”

“After my family fell from grace, I learned baking to help feed my family. Of course, my father opposed it, so I stopped.”

“Why did he oppose it?”

“He said a man should pick up a sword instead.”

“Ah…”

“Though in rebellion, I picked herbs instead of a sword~”

Jin shrugged while taking a bite of a blueberry muffin. While I wondered what to say about someone else’s family matters, Sezan spoke rather matter-of-factly:

“Actually, my mother has been interested in baking lately. She would be delighted to meet Jin.”

“The Duchess Piart… isn’t she famous for her archery!”

“She enjoys trying various things. This time it’s just pastry-making.”

When Sezan suggested teaching pastry-making to his mother, Jin was startled and declined. Understandable, considering she was a duchess. After listening to their fascinating conversation, I casually remarked:

“Sezan must have inherited his swordsmanship from his mother.”

“I hear that often. Though my mother tries hard to deny it.”

“Oh, why?”

“She wanted me to inherit my father’s magical abilities. She still thinks I have talent for magic.”

Sezan’s faint smile conveyed a strange loneliness. He was struggling to learn magic to avoid disappointing his mother. Everyone gives up something to live their lives. Then what did I give up to be here?

Just as I was about to sink into deep thought, Jin stared at my ear and asked:

“By the way, what’s that earring?”

“Oh, this?”

I could have simply said Asrein gave it to me, but the memory of that day came flooding back in detail, leaving me speechless. The gentle touch brushing my hair aside and the low voice promising to come wherever I was. A hot flush rose from my earlobe, where his skin had touched, to my cheeks.

Seeing my sudden blush, Jin was shocked and raised his voice:

“What is it? Don’t tell me you received it from a noble lady?”

“What?! What noble lady? The only people I know at the university are you and Lord Sezan.”

I frantically waved my hands, but their expressions grew increasingly distorted. Not understanding why, I looked around nervously until Sezan, unable to bear it any longer, explained with a sigh:

“In the Karsa Empire, gifting an earring is an expression of interest.”

“…Pardon?”

“It must be simple interest, right? Since the former emperor gave an earring when proposing, it’s remained a cultural practice.”

Giving earrings instead of rings for proposals? This was the first I’d heard of it, and my brows furrowed involuntarily. But Jin seemed to think I was involved with someone at the university, repeatedly twitching the corners of his mouth.

“Seems you’ve caught the eye of quite an impressive noble!”

“No… that’s…”

Jin kept poking my side with his elbow playfully, making me increasingly troubled. But no matter how I thought about it, it made no sense. Asrein, who only cared about work, couldn’t possibly have given me an earring with such personal meaning. I shouldn’t let my hopes run wild.

Jin, already imagining a secret romance, casually asked:

“Does Professor Asrein know about this?”

“Well, actually…”

Of course he knows, since he’s the one who gave me the earring. As the misunderstanding grew increasingly awkward, the research lab door opened. The moment I saw bright tawny hair through the gap, I quickly stood up.

“Professor! Welcome back.”

“Hmm? Quite a few guests.”

“I’m sorry. I invited them.”

“It’s fine. This is your research lab too, don’t worry about it.”

The consideration was appreciated, but Sezan and Jin prepared to leave immediately after greeting Asrein. It was only natural. What student would comfortably eat muffins and chat when the lab’s owner returned? I smiled awkwardly and exchanged glances with Sezan, who nodded at me reassuringly.

It would have been better if they had left right then, but Jin couldn’t resist calling out to Asrein.

“By the way, Professor.”

“Yes?”

“Tae-oh received an earring from someone. Haha, do you know who gave it to him?”

I tried to grab Jin’s arm and forcibly drag him out, but failed miserably. I stood frozen like a statue with my back to Asrein, squeezing my eyes shut. Unaware of what conversation had passed between us, Asrein responded in a calm tone:

“I gave it to him.”

“…What?”

“Is there a problem?”

Yes, there is. A big one. I turned around in dismay, but Asrein looked completely nonchalant. He clearly didn’t know the meaning of such a gift among nobles. Of course. What was I expecting?

“It was… the Professor…”

The lab was suddenly enveloped in heavy silence at this unexpected revelation. Sensing the strange atmosphere, Asrein frowned and asked:

“What’s going on?”

“Oh, nothing at all.”

Jin, like the social expert he was, handled the situation without changing his expression. Feeling it would only become more uncomfortable if we stayed longer, I hurriedly took Jin and Sezan outside the lab. The moment the door closed, two pairs of eyes shot toward me. Without them asking, I knew what they were curious about and firmly shook my head.

“He gave it to me because I wear accessories well. Look at this too.”

I rolled up my sleeve to show them the Hyperion bracelet. Fortunately, it seemed like a plausible reason, as both sighed simultaneously. Jin even pretended to pat his startled chest and said:

“Of course… right? No matter how much I tried to imagine it, it just didn’t make sense.”

“What were you imagining? The professor is a grown man.”

“Before being a man, the issue is that he’s a professor.”

That’s… true. Hearing Jin’s words, I became even more convinced that I needed to hide these feelings. They would clearly be unwelcome and unblessed by anyone. Trying to hide my bitter feelings, I laughed exaggeratedly, when Sezan, who had been quietly listening, muttered:

“I’ll keep in mind that you like accessories.”

“What? What are you saying, Lord Sezan?”

The serious Sezan nodded his head and turned to leave first. Jin followed and pestered him about what he meant, but Sezan didn’t answer.

Eventually, they left the lab without saying goodbye. Standing alone feeling empty, I let out a light laugh. Somehow, being with them made me feel like I’d returned to my school days.

“…I should be careful.”

I needed to compose myself so I wouldn’t make mistakes by getting too comfortable. After confirming they had disappeared, I entered the lab. Asrein, organizing documents in front of the bookshelf, casually remarked:

“I need to go out again anyway, so I wonder if I interrupted.”

“Not at all. They all had things to do.”

I quietly followed Asrein with my eyes as he moved busily between the bookshelf and drawers. Just then, my shadow rippled and Agnus suddenly popped out. Before I could be surprised, Agnus immediately began trotting behind Asrein. Though maintaining his form consumed magical power, seeing his happily wagging tail made it impossible for me to order him back into the shadow.

“I’ll be going to the library for a while.”

“I’ll organize the books while you’re gone. Take care.”

Agnus seemed to know my magical power was insufficient and didn’t try to forcibly follow Asrein outside. However, he whimpered like a dog left alone at home. Unable to ignore the pitiful crying, Asrein slightly bent toward Agnus.

“He says he’ll be back soon.”

He comforted the sorrowful Agnus with a gentle voice and patted his head. As if a button had been pressed, the crying stopped immediately. I couldn’t help but laugh at the cute scene.

“He really loves your touch, Professor.”

It was just a passing comment. But Asrein left Agnus behind and stopped in front of me. As he silently looked down at me, I also met his intelligent eyes for a while. Just as I tilted my head in confusion, a large hand approached and gently rested on top of my head. Then, just like when comforting Agnus, he softly stroked my hair.

As my eyes widened in surprise, Asrein uttered one satisfied remark:

“I’ll be back.”

That was it. Having stirred up a storm, Asrein left the lab lightly. After struggling in the fierce tempest for a while, I finally regained my senses.

What was that all of a sudden? Since receiving the earring, Asrein’s attitude toward me had subtly changed. Had he become gentler somehow…? Or had my perception of him changed? Asrein seemed to want me to act spoiled like any other student. That was the hardest thing to do.

“…This shouldn’t happen…”

I wished he would go back to feeling infinitely distant like before. Unlike when he was just an object of respect, now he felt like someone I could reach with just one step forward. That’s why it was dangerous.

After staring blankly at Agnus disappearing into a haze, I hurriedly patted my cheeks. I needed to pull myself together. I knew how absurd these feelings were.

“…Haah…”

I shook off the remnants of emotion with a sigh. Opening the window for some fresh air, a strong wind suddenly blew in, untying the loosely fastened curtain cord. The thin curtain swayed gracefully like an aurora decorating the winter night sky.

Trying to grab the curtain, which kept escaping just out of reach, I waved my hands. Seeing my amusing reflection in the window, I unconsciously let out a carefree laugh. That’s when it happened.

“Hello.”

A familiar voice came riding on the wind. I lowered my outstretched hands and looked outside. Through the thin curtains, I could vaguely see purple hair. It resembled a flower that couldn’t possibly bloom in winter.

“…Iris?”

The person I had been waiting for appeared. As the wind gradually subsided, the wildly swaying curtain came down calmly. Simultaneously, Iris, who had been hidden by the curtain, revealed herself. But her condition was clearly wrong.

“You look disgustingly happy today too.”

She was covered in bruises, like irises blooming all over her body.