Putting the previous day’s events behind her, Rachel arrived at her laboratory as usual and opened a book she had set aside earlier.

Although Duke Bermund had suggested writing a memoir, uncertainty remained about how much information on the Tears of Licorice it would contain.

Whether she accepted or rejected Duke Bermund’s proposal, finding information independently remained Rachel’s priority.

And if the memoir’s content proved true, another source must exist from which that information originated.

Rachel briefly thought of Edward. He was the only person around her who possessed materials related to the Tears of Licorice.

Unfortunately, the literature Edward had referenced didn’t seem to contain detailed information, but for Rachel, who had no information beyond what Creon had told her, just knowing documents existed represented a significant gain.

More detailed materials about the Tears of Licorice might exist in books she hadn’t yet examined, so Rachel carefully read through the texts.

How much time had passed like that?

When Rachel had finished reading two books and was reaching for a new one, she heard a knock on the door.

Rachel, who had been massaging her strained eyes lightly with her hand, looked up.

“His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”

Today’s visitor to her laboratory was Ryan.

Rachel frowned at the thought that she seemed to receive visitors quite frequently despite having only recently become an imperial mage. She sighed and stood up.

“Tell him to come in.”

Upon her permission, the door opened and Ryan entered.

“Rachel, have you been well?”

Ryan greeted Rachel with a bright voice. Judging by the smile spreading across his face, he must have had some good news.

Rachel nodded and returned a light smile in response to his.

“Yes. Has Ryan been well too?”

“Yes. May I sit down?”

“Please do.”

Ryan comfortably settled himself on the sofa. Rachel soon sat down across from him.

“What brings you here today?”

When Rachel asked with interest, Ryan smiled broadly.

“A hunting competition will be held soon.”

“A hunting competition?”

Rachel’s eyes widened at this news she was hearing for the first time.

In the future she knew, no hunting competition had ever been held during this period.

“Yes. It was decided today, so the specific date hasn’t been set yet. It will likely be held within the next two weeks.”

“So suddenly?”

Such hunting competitions usually required at least a month’s notice. Rachel couldn’t help but find it strange that not only was it scheduled suddenly, but it would occur within two weeks.

“It is sudden, but His Majesty the Emperor wished for it to be held, so that’s how it was decided.”

“I see.”

Rachel could understand only after hearing Ryan’s explanation.

Perhaps this change had occurred after she successfully led the monster subjugation team.

Even so, since it didn’t directly relate to her, she didn’t think much of it.

“And there’s a reason why I’ve come personally to inform Rachel about the hunting competition.”

However, Ryan’s next words shattered Rachel’s assumption that this had nothing to do with her.

“I would like Rachel to participate in this hunting competition.”

“What do you mean all of a sudden…”

As Rachel frowned and muttered, Ryan laughed awkwardly.

“Actually, the reason for holding the hunting competition is because of you, Rachel.”

“What do you mean? Because of me?”

“The news that you’ve become an imperial mage has been spreading quietly, but it hasn’t been officially announced, has it?”

“…So you plan to announce that I’ve become an imperial mage through this hunting competition.”

Before Ryan could finish his explanation, Rachel grasped the situation and responded, causing him to scratch his cheek in embarrassment.

“Yes, that’s right.”

When Ryan confirmed, Rachel frowned briefly before nodding.

“I understand. Do I have any specific role in the hunting competition?”

“Well, nothing specific has been decided yet. As I mentioned, this was just decided today. I’ll provide you with more details later.”

“Alright. Please let me know then.”

When Rachel accepted without resistance, Ryan studied her. Rachel tilted her head at his lingering gaze.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No, I’m just surprised you’re taking this more calmly than I expected.”

“I thought something like this might happen when I decided to become an imperial mage. Though I didn’t think it would be a hunting competition.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

From the moment the Emperor offered Rachel the position of imperial mage, she had expected that the Emperor would eventually showcase her to others.

The imperial court needed to widely publicize that they had recruited a talent coveted even by the Magic Tower.

The Emperor intended to make the hunting competition the venue for that publicity.

Ryan looked at Rachel with a smiling face, grateful that she had readily agreed without refusal. His gaze toward Rachel overflowed with goodwill and affection.

The first emotion Ryan felt toward Rachel was curiosity.

He found himself intrigued by how someone no one had paid attention to showed more brilliant results than anyone else in the monster subjugation team.

And her expression, which didn’t look happy at all despite returning victorious, stimulated his curiosity even more.

Confessing to her when they had barely met was an overreach even by his own standards.

In fact, he hadn’t fallen for her this deeply at that time. Rather, he had a stronger desire to keep someone as exceptional as Rachel by his side.

He never thought she would reject him so quickly.

However, even after being rejected by Rachel, Ryan chose to stay with her.

Strangely, Ryan felt comfortable when he was with Rachel.

That was because Rachel differed so greatly from the people he had met before.

Two types of people typically surrounded Ryan, the Crown Prince.

Those who tried to impress him and those who smiled to his face while scheming behind his back.

But Rachel belonged to neither group.

Rather, when Ryan showed interest in her, she even rejected him. It was because she wanted nothing from him.

So he sought her out, and with each moment spent with her, he felt himself falling more and more for Rachel.

It was the same now.

Just looking at her face kept making him smile.

“But… why are you looking at me like that? Do you have something to say?”

As Ryan continued to stare, Rachel asked him curiously.

He looked like he had something to say.

“No. Just because.”

Rachel let out a small laugh at Ryan’s trivial answer.

Ryan kept Rachel in his sight before recalling his recent encounter with Tervan.

“By the way, have you met with Lord Sanchez separately?”

When Ryan mentioned Tervan, Rachel frowned briefly before smoothing her expression and nodding.

“Yes, I have.”

“How… did the conversation go well?”

Judging by her reaction, it didn’t seem like the conversation had ended well, so Ryan asked with concern.

“Yes. You don’t need to worry.”

Rachel nodded lightly.

“I’m glad to hear that. But really… are you and Lord Sanchez just friends?”

Ryan believed that mere friends wouldn’t secretly follow each other. Moreover, he judged Tervan’s reaction to be unlike what would come from a normal friendship, so he asked Rachel.

“That’s how I see it.”

Rachel answered briefly. Ryan felt uncertain about her answer.

“Then does Lord Sanchez think differently?”

“Who knows.”

When Rachel gave an ambiguous answer, Ryan hesitated. Both her previous and current responses seemed to avoid the topic, suggesting she didn’t want to discuss it.

“It seems difficult for you to talk about. I understand.”

Ryan wanted to ask Rachel more details about her relationship with Tervan, but seeing that she appeared unwilling, he decided not to press further.

“Rachel, it’s almost lunchtime. Would you like to have a meal together?”

Ryan asked, changing the subject.

Rachel turned her head briefly to check the time. It was already approaching noon.

“Sure.”

“Then let me guide you.”

Ryan stood up and extended his hand to Rachel. Rachel took his hand and rose.

Ryan placed her hand on his arm as though he were escorting her. Then he left the laboratory with her.