Time flew quickly from the founding day. Thanks to Astin, the head of the information brokers, actively helping with the work, the business Aer started with Kaylee progressed smoothly.

Astin helped Aer arrange everything, from Kaylee’s workspace to necessary materials like fabrics.

Even when Aer tried to pay, Astin would just look at her with a strangely expectant expression and shake his head.

Aer signed contracts not only with Kaylee but also with John. It’s best to secure exclusivity when you can.

Now that she had found a way to increase her wealth, it was time to find a way to maintain her status even if her family fell from grace.

There were several methods, but the most secure one was to get employed at the palace.

Actually, she thought that as long as she had money, she didn’t necessarily need to be a noble. But a commoner woman with only money was vulnerable in many ways.

“If the Basium Empire becomes unstable, I can go to the Floss Kingdom.”

If it’s about ability, the Floss Kingdom, which values talent, might be better.

Since the side story hasn’t started yet, it might be okay to move to the Floss Kingdom before then.

More urgent was what would happen after becoming a healer.

She had already asked Astin to look into awakening stones when they met.

Just having an awakening stone would allow her to endure even if she awakened and couldn’t find her match.

“The timing of awakening is uncertain, huh.”

Aer had to admit once again that she was an overwhelmingly insignificant side character among side characters.

Anyway, it wouldn’t be a problem if she was prepared. Aer arrived at the classroom, organized her thoughts, and found her seat.

This class was an elective course, a Floss Kingdom language class. It was one of the few classes where she was separated from Louis.

As she opened her textbook, she resolved to definitely beat Louis at chess today.

Aer still met him to play chess after all classes were over, and as she got used to it, it became even more fun.

Also, Louis took off his glasses when they were alone, and the pleasure of seeing his bare face was quite enjoyable.

For a man, he had delicate facial features, large eyes, red and plump lips, and a high, straight nose.

His small face had all features arranged in perfect balance. And his voice, oh his voice.

Sometimes she would lose herself in that androgynous, beautiful voice that seemed neither male nor female.

“…Why does he wear glasses normally?”

She thought he wore them because of poor eyesight, but he played chess just fine without them. He won every day without going easy on her.

As the class began, Aer shook off her stray thoughts. She focused, as this was a class she needed.

“Well, shall we have a pop quiz after a long time?”

Pop quizzes were frequent in any class to check students’ skills from time to time.

“Can you see the words written on the blackboard now?”

Aer raised her head as she received the paper being handed out at the professor’s words. About 40 words were listed.

“I’ll give you 1 minute from now. Memorize these words and write down as many as you can remember on the paper to submit.”

The students let out low sighs.

“For today’s quiz, there will be a special reward for students with good scores. Also, the student who memorizes the most will get additional points for the end-of-semester evaluation.”

Tension filled the students’ expressions at the professor’s words. Aer too waited for the professor’s words with a tense expression.

“Alright, I’m starting the 1-minute timer now.”

The first thing Aer did at the start signal was to categorize the words.

She began memorizing by classifying related words. After dividing them into categories like food, items, people’s names, etc., she memorized them while checking the spelling.

It was a memorization technique a school teacher had taught her in her previous life. Words arranged in related order stick better in the mind than randomly listed ones.

“One minute is up. Now, write down as much as you remember.”

The professor started erasing the words on the blackboard. Students quickly wrote on their papers.

Aer wrote down the words she vaguely remembered first and then the ones she clearly remembered later. She boldly gave up on words she couldn’t remember.

Counting the words she wrote, it was about 38.

“Alright, collect the papers from the back and send them to the front.”

After collecting all the quiz papers, the professor skimmed through them lightly, then looked up with a surprised expression.

“Wow, there’s a student who wrote down almost all the words. Excellent.”

The professor’s gaze fell on Aer and then moved away. The students in the class couldn’t help but know who the professor was talking about.

“Good work today. In the next class, we’ll briefly learn about the history of the Floss Kingdom. I recommend reading a history book on the Floss Kingdom before coming to class. Then, see you next time.”

As soon as the professor left the lecture hall, the students sighed and stood up simultaneously. Aer also packed her books and stood up.

As she was moving for the next class, she spotted Kai walking towards her, surrounded by female students.

Although she owed him for his help at the festival, she thought it was awkward to exchange greetings and tried to go down the stairs pretending not to see him. But Kai was faster.

“Aer!”

Kai, who spotted her, ran over. The female students around recognized Aer and whispered.

Uncomfortable with this, Aer spoke gruffly.

“A greeting is enough, why are you running over?”

“Haha, even though you were trying to ignore me and just pass by.”

At Kai’s words, which accurately guessed her thoughts, Aer lightly shrugged her shoulders and moved her steps.

Seeing the book she was holding, Kai asked cheerfully.

“Are you learning the Floss Kingdom language?”

“Yes.”

“I know the Floss Kingdom language well. Want me to teach you?”

“No, thank you.”

“There are many things not in the book, it would be good to learn from me, you know?”

Aer was still bothered by the female students still trailing behind Kai.

Though not clearly audible, their whispering attitude was familiar.

It seemed that not only the awakened ones but also the healers were somewhat obsessed. It might be the instinct of healers to desire more superior awakened ones.

Obsession…

She really wanted to decline.

At that moment, a familiar voice called out to Aer. With his usual beautiful voice, but lower than usual, Louis called out to her who was with Kai.

“Aer.”