As soon as the explanation ended, hearty laughter echoed through the classroom. Mr. Ranbir held his stomach as he laughed, then finally calmed down and wiped the tears that had formed at the corners of his eyes.

“Teacher, you have interesting students. The students in Bercherie are so smart that it’s exhausting to converse with them.”

“I’m making constant efforts to break down these absurd beliefs before they become adults. My students shouldn’t be embarrassed when they go out into the world.”

The children’s faces turned red in unison as they turned their heads away. Especially the child sitting in the front row, who grumbled that she didn’t really know much about it anyway.

“I’ve traveled to the eastern continent and met people who use all kinds of magic.”

The children’s attention gathered again at this interesting topic. Mr. Ranbir rested his chin on the podium and grinned at the child whose pride had been severely wounded.

“Whether they were magicians or sorcerers, they all looked different, but they always had something in common. Their skin had a greenish tint, the tips of their long noses were curved, and their pointed fingernails were as long as their noses. One day, I was so curious that I asked a magician why these commonalities appeared, and he told me that these were essential conditions for being able to cast curses.”

After hearing Mr. Ranbir’s words, the children glanced toward the window. Chloe’s pale skin was so fair it might be mistaken for having a blue tint, her straight nose showed no sign of being curved, and her neat fingernails were short.

The children, who had been believing what adults told them without question, fell into confusion. Noticing the shift in atmosphere, Sylven looked satisfied and hid behind his father again.

“Sylven is a smart boy who knows how to think for himself.”

Teacher Gerald, usually stingy with praise, stroked the boy’s head. Sylven opened his mouth while repeatedly tapping the front of his shoe on the floor.

“I only believe what I’ve seen and heard myself.”

Amid the commotion of murmuring children, Chloe heard a calm, youthful voice quietly whispering. Her heart sank at the unfamiliar warmth.

This shouldn’t be happening, this is terrible. She was growing covetous of the child who had given her a reason to continue living.

Ronald returned just as classes were ending. He had timed it so he could walk home with Chloe when she left school.

However, Chloe, unaware of his thoughtful intention, spotted his brown hair sticking out above the windowsill and raised her shoulders in surprise.

“Is that Ronald?”

The perceptive Teacher Gerald went straight outside without waiting for an answer. The sound of the teacher’s thunderous voice and terrified running echoed all the way into the school.

“Don’t you think Sylven is handsome?”

Amid the children chattering in small groups taking advantage of this opportunity, Chloe heard the conversation between the girls sitting behind her.

“Rather than handsome, I’d say he’s pretty.”

“I don’t like anyone prettier than me.”

“You don’t know anything. Boys like that grow up to be handsome men. My sister told me so.”

“He seems to have a nice personality too.”

“True, he even defended that…”

The words cut off, and Chloe felt gazes converging on the back of her head. She pretended not to hear and looked out the window.

It was the moment Ronald, who had been running around the school without thinking, was caught by Teacher Gerald waiting at the corner.

“Will he come to our school?”

“Since he’s the son of the Windalune Trading Company’s owner, he probably has a private tutor.”

“That’s a shame. He’s a boy I actually like for once.”

Ronald, who had received a knock on his head, was rubbing it vigorously, and Chloe felt a stinging pain in her chest.

“I like Sylven too.”

Another child joined the conversation. It was Isabel, who was essentially the leader of the girls’ group at school.

“We didn’t say we liked him. We haven’t even talked to him yet.”

“I can tell what kind of person he is. Plus, he’s rich, handsome, and quiet, so he’s perfect.”

A subtle atmosphere settled, but the girls didn’t argue further with Isabel.

Isabel’s father owned one of the largest breweries in the Molde County, mainly dealing with the upper class or supplying alcohol to the count’s castle. In terms of wealth, it was far from being comparable to the Windalune Trading Company, but it was still the wealthiest in Eb.

Isabel, who closely resembled her beautiful mother who had once been famous in Molde County, grew up eating only the finest foods. Among the disheveled children who helped with farming, the brewer’s daughter had stood out from the moment she took her first steps.

“I think he’s my Sorus.”

“Isabel, are you a Divine Power Holder?”

“Who knows? I still have four years until I turn fifteen.”

“If it’s true, that’s really romantic. Meeting your destined partner before your divine power even awakens.”

The girls giggled, saying it was just like a fairy tale.

Chloe’s unfocused violet eyes captured the scene of Teacher Gerald returning to school while pulling Ronald’s ear. But lost in worry, she didn’t even hear Ronald’s cries of pain.

The door swung open, and the children hurriedly returned to their seats. Chloe slowly turned her head away from the window.

“That’s all for today’s lesson. Everyone except Ronald may go home.”

“Why just me!”

Ronald burst out in frustration, his voice cutting through the scattered sound of chair legs dragging across the floor.

“You’re asking after skipping the entire class?”

“I’ve been scolded enough already!”

“It’s that unrepentant attitude that’s making me keep you here. Chloe, don’t wait for him and go straight home. Unless you want to be scolded too.”

Chloe, who had been hesitating with her bag over her shoulder, left the school while glancing back at Teacher Gerald’s stern gaze.

Although Ronald’s response had been excessive, the initial cause of his skipping class was because of her. Feeling sorry, Chloe tried to wait secretly outside, but when she made eye contact with the teacher through the window, she was startled.

“I told you to go home!”

His voice was as loud as if he were catching a child who had broken a window. With no choice, Chloe turned away, deciding to visit Gilbert’s house later with some fruit.

Since it was still daytime, the streets would be bustling with people. Not wanting to encounter trouble while walking alone, she decided to use the shortcut through the school’s backyard.

However, in the place she thought would be empty, there were two figures, one large and one small.

“Chloe, are you going home?”

It was Mr. Ranbir and Sylven. After telling Teacher Gerald they wanted to catch up after class, they seemed to have been waiting in the backyard.

Mr. Ranbir showed a friendly smile, but his eyes were still gloomy. If Sylven’s bright blue eyes were like a summer sea embracing the sun’s bright light completely, Mr. Ranbir’s blue was like a dark sea on a winter night.

“Come here. I wanted to greet you separately, so this is perfect.”

As Chloe narrowed the distance, Sylven gradually retreated and eventually hid completely behind his father. The image of him stepping forward and enduring the focused attention of the children was nowhere to be seen.

The girl, who was quite shy herself, didn’t have the courage to approach the boy who was slightly smaller than her with familiarity.

“I need to return to Bercherie right away for business. For the time being, Sylven will have to stay with his sister.”

“…Yes.”

“Even though the siblings are close, there’s a seven-year age gap between them. So please be Sylven’s friend around his age. My daughter has always wanted a younger sister, so she’ll welcome you.”

Hearing this warm request, Chloe blinked her large eyes and looked up blankly.

“Is it really okay for me to be your friend?”

‘People say I’m an ominous presence. They said my parents died because of me, and even though I did my best, I couldn’t save Aunt Ann.’

‘Maybe I really am the devil’s daughter, cursed to bring death to those I care about.’

“Why wouldn’t it be? As soon as Sylven came to Eb…”

“Father.”

Sylven, who had been keeping his mouth shut, suddenly pulled at his father’s pants. Looking down at him, Mr. Ranbir flared his nostrils as he tried to hold back his laughter.

“Anyway, when you get the chance, come visit our house on the hill.”

“The mansion that’s been empty for over ten years?”

“Now it’s where our family lives.”

He finished speaking and raised his head. Following the direction of his gloomy gaze, Chloe turned around and her eyes widened.

“Chloe, the teacher told you to go home.”

“I was the one keeping the child, so please don’t scold her.”

“If you’re done talking, get going now. Ronald has agreed to write a hundred pages of reflection.”

Fearing another thunderous scolding, Chloe bowed her head repeatedly to both sides and plunged into the undergrowth.

Through the dense leaves, Mr. Ranbir was waving his hand. The pretty boy fidgeted with his fingers and lifted his wrist slightly before abruptly turning his head away.

It was the same behavior shown by her relatives’ children who disliked a stone that had suddenly rolled in. Even though the intention behind the action must be different, Chloe’s heart sank.

Feeling inexplicably depressed, she walked along the familiar path without noticing what was around her. Then unexpectedly, something in a display case caught her eye. Chloe entered the shop as if entranced.

“Welcome… oh.”

Despite shrinking at the disapproving look, Chloe examined a book as thick as a scripture. The high-quality paper inside was blank, with no content.

“What are you going to use it for?”

The shop owner asked gruffly while cleaning nearby with a duster.

“I want to give it as a gift.”

“An empty notebook?”

“No, I’m going to draw flower pictures in it.”