***

The Ruhen Academy alumni gathering, continuing its tradition for 100 years, boasted a scale as grand as its reputation.

Those attending the gathering were all renowned figures in their respective fields.

There weren’t many opportunities to meet so many talented individuals at once.

That’s why it was an unmissable chance for Ruhen Academy students.

After entering the party venue, the chairman delivered a brief greeting before stepping aside to allow guests to interact freely.

This marked the real beginning of the alumni gathering.

As the chairman stepped aside, students and graduates mingled and conversed.

Among them were some who were family members, while many others were meeting for the first time.

‘Others must have received letters asking to take care of students, just like me.’

Yvette quickly emptied and set aside her champagne glass, then looked around the party venue.

Until a few minutes ago, she had been with Noel, but he got caught up with other nobles, forcing them to separate for a while.

Of course, this was fortunate for Yvette.

It was an opportunity to search for Kervel without having to mind Noel.

‘Please be here.’

Yvette prayed earnestly in her heart.

She didn’t know who the god of this world was, but she hoped that whoever it was would show her mercy just this once.

As she closed her eyes tightly and clasped her hands in prayer, it happened.

“…What’s this?”

A soft, beautiful voice sounded from behind her.

The moment she sensed the presence, Yvette’s eyes flew open.

‘Could it be.’

She turned around with a mix of doubt and hope.

And finally, she saw the red-haired beautiful boy she had been searching for.

The boy looked to be at most seventeen or eighteen years old.

Despite his fragile appearance that seemed like he might collapse if pushed, his eyes were the sharpest she had ever seen.

“I thought I smelled something familiar, so I came over. So you’re the culprit?”

The boy smirked as he looked Yvette up and down.

It was a gaze that seemed to pierce right through people.

“You look like you’re from the Blanche family. How surprising that you’re still alive.”

Yvette flinched at his slow, deliberate words.

It was the moment her suspicion turned into certainty.

“…Kervel Petoras?”

Kervel’s eyes widened in surprise at her question.

Soon, he curled up the corners of his mouth with an intrigued expression.

“Kervel, huh. It’s been a while since I heard that name.”

The real Kervel had appeared!

Yvette inwardly rejoiced as soon as she heard his words.

Until she bumped into Liliana earlier, she had been doubtful.

It seemed that God hadn’t completely abandoned her after all.

“You know my name, so I guess you have some business with me?”

Kervel asked in a languid voice. He didn’t seem particularly concerned about meeting someone he had cursed.

“…Let’s go somewhere more private first. This doesn’t seem like a conversation we should have here.”

Yvette quickly scanned her surroundings before answering his question.

She already noticed a few nobles who had recognized her and were whispering among themselves.

“Follow me this way.”

Yvette hurriedly moved towards the exit of the party venue.

“It’s bothersome to go too far. Why don’t we just talk here?”

Kervel stopped abruptly in the corridor while following her.

Yvette, who had stopped with him, frowned.

“…There are still many eyes here, you know?”

“That’s easily solved.”

Kervel smiled gently and snapped his fingers. Suddenly, it became quiet as if all noise had been blocked out.

“Now no one can see us or eavesdrop on our conversation. Is this sufficient?”

“…Was that magic just now?”

When Yvette asked in amazement, Kervel slightly shrugged his shoulders.

His face was relaxed, as if this was nothing special.

“So, why did you come looking for me?”

Kervel leaned against a pillar and looked at Yvette.

As he got straight to the point, Yvette unconsciously swallowed hard.

Now that she was face to face with him, she felt strangely tense.

Although he had the face of a sickly boy, Kervel was the strongest magician in this world.

Perhaps that’s why. Even though he was just standing there, she felt an odd sense of pressure from him.

‘He really is the villain, after all.’

If she spoke carelessly in front of him, she might turn to dust without anyone knowing.

But even so, she had to say what she came to say.

That’s why she had come all this way.

‘Don’t be intimidated. Either way, I’ll die if I don’t speak up.’

After taking a deep breath, Yvette opened her mouth.

“As you said, I’m from the Blanche family. I’m also someone who’s been suffering because of the curse you put on my family.”

“Hmm. That curse is still ongoing? I thought everyone would have died long ago. How unfortunate.”

Kervel muttered in a tone that didn’t sound unfortunate at all.

Despite his boyish face, his words were ruthlessly cruel.

“Hearing that, I can guess why you came. You want to break the curse, right?”

“You know well.”

Kervel smirked as he saw Yvette answer promptly.

His blood-red eyes sank gloomily.

“But what should I do? I have no intention of breaking your curse.”

Kervel said in an utterly shameless tone.

There wasn’t even a speck of guilt or apology to be found on his face.

‘…What kind of crazy bastard is this?’

Yvette stared at Kervel in disbelief.

Even in the original story, Kervel was portrayed as a character without an ounce of empathy.

He only acted ‘human-like’ in front of Liliana.

After living for nearly hundreds of years solely for Liliana, how could it be otherwise?

‘Be patient. I must be patient.’

Yvette tried to calm her anger and continued speaking calmly.

“…Why can’t you break it? There must be a reason.”

“If I break the curse on you, it might cause me some troublesome problems.”

Kervel answered with a small yawn.

Unlike Yvette, who was burning up inside, he looked extremely nonchalant.

“So what exactly are these troublesome problems?”

As Yvette continued to press, Kervel waved his hand as if answering was bothersome.

“Just think of it as having unfortunate ancestors. That’s how life is, isn’t it?”

Saying this, Kervel straightened his posture.

His expression showed boredom, as if he had already lost interest.

“I thought you came to me with some grand problem. But it’s nothing special.”

At those words, Yvette finally couldn’t hold back and burst out shouting.

“Nothing special! Someone is about to die because of you!”

“Why would you die? You’ve already met your destined one.”

Kervel didn’t seem to care whether she got angry or not.

His gaze, indifferent to the point of being dry, turned to Yvette’s nape.

Although the tattoo was hidden by clothes, Kervel seemed to already know of its existence.

Yvette instinctively covered her nape and glared at Kervel.

“…Are you telling me to live my whole life depending on that person?”

“Why? Don’t you like it?”

Kervel blinked. His expression asked what the problem was.

Yvette couldn’t bring herself to answer and rubbed her face.

She felt like she might have a better conversation talking to an animal than this.