After saying goodbye to Will, Elena watched him disappear down the academy corridor.
She still wasn't completely relieved after the Tower Incident.
But seeing him doing okay and trying to improve on his own made her feel slightly relieved.
For several seconds she remained standing there.
Then she quietly looked toward the corner where Ruby had disappeared earlier.
"...Strange."
Ruby's behavior felt unusual.
But after thinking for a moment, Elena shook her head.
There was no point thinking too deeply about it.
Will seemed different lately too.
After the Tower Incident everyone had changed a little.
That wasn't strange.
Eventually she headed toward one of the academy's open training grounds.
Unlike Will, she wasn't planning intense training.
Just something light before returning to her room.
A few simple mana circulation exercises.
Several controlled spell casts.
Nothing serious.
Compared to students desperately trying to increase their rank, Elena trained more to maintain consistency.
After roughly forty minutes she finished.
By the time she returned to her room, the sky had already started turning orange.
After taking a shower, she came out loosely wrapped in a thin, transparent wet cloth that clung lightly to her skin.
Before doing anything else, she walked over and sat on the edge of her bed.
Carefully.
She removed the damp transparent cloth first.
Otherwise the sheets would become wet.
Then she set it aside.
For a moment she looked around her room.
Her room was her personal room.
Smaller than the standard shared rooms in the academy—
but noticeably more refined.
Everything felt cleaner.
More elegant.
More comfortable.
There was only one bed placed against the wall with neatly arranged sheets.
Beside it stood a small bedside cabinet with a lamp and a few random items she used often.
Near the window sat her desk.
Books were stacked in small organized piles.
Several notebooks.
Her wand rested carefully on a stand.
A few accessories were scattered nearby—
hair ties, earrings, hand bracelets, and small decorative pieces she occasionally wore.
Across from it stood her wardrobe.
Not huge—
but large enough to hold more clothes than she actually needed.
A door beside it led to her private bathroom.
Her eyes drifted toward the picture frames.
One showed her standing between her parents.
Her father smiling proudly.
Her mother gently holding her shoulder.
Another picture—
smaller.
Older.
She and Will.
Taken years ago.
Both smiling.
She looked at it for a moment.
Then looked away.
Quiet.
She thought about what she should do.
Study?
She could.
There were always things to review.
Or—
she could finally do that annoying task she had been putting off.
Sorting through old clothes.
Organizing things she no longer wore.
Putting away outfits she hadn't touched in months.
Her eyes drifted toward a pile of folded clothes she had left for later.
She immediately looked away.
"...No."
She didn't want to do that.
She wanted something else.
Something relaxing.
Something that didn't feel like work.
As she sat there thinking—
Then—
A notification appeared.
Message Received.
Her expression softened.
The sender's name appeared.
Lily Mercer.
Elena blinked.
An outing?
That was unusual.
She opened the message.
Simple.
Short.
Cafe?
Just us.
For a moment Elena stared quietly.
Recently—
Lily had felt different.
Distracted.
Absent-minded.
Even during classes she seemed lost in thought.
At first Elena ignored it.
Then rumors started spreading.
Something about Lily's father's company.
Something about financial problems.
Apparently their business hadn't been doing well.
Elena wasn't interested in rumors.
But...
She knew Lily.
Something was definitely wrong.
After several moments she stood.
"...I'll ask her directly."
She walked toward her wardrobe and looked over her clothes.
Then stopped.
"...Wait."
She looked again.
If she was going out—
she should probably wear something nicer.
Not too much.
Just enough.
She pulled out one outfit.
Looked at it.
Too formal.
Put it back.
Another.
Too plain.
Another.
Too flashy.
She frowned.
Why was this suddenly difficult?
She stared at her wardrobe.
Then sighed.
She tried another combination.
Looked in the mirror.
Changed again.
Then again.
After several minutes—
she realized she was thinking too much.
It was just meeting Lily.
Nothing special.
Eventually she picked something simple.
A soft pink transparent sleeveless open-back deep-cut crop top.
A milk chocolate mini skirt.
Long black high heels.
Small silver earrings with tiny pink stones.
A thin hand bracelet.
She paused for a moment and opened a small accessory box.
After looking through it—
she picked a pair of delicate dangling earrings.
Not too flashy.
Just enough to match the outfit.
She put them on and looked in the mirror again.
The earrings moved slightly as she tilted her head.
Simple.
Elegant.
She looked at herself in the mirror.
The outfit was light and stylish without trying too hard.
Underneath, she wore white thong chosen more for style than comfort and practicality.
Comfortable.
Casual.
Nothing overly flashy.
After a moment she nodded.
"...Good enough."
Then she looked back at the wardrobe and let out a small laugh.
She really should organize her clothes someday.
After getting dressed, she walked outside.
Unlike most students—
Elena didn't use public transportation.
Near the academy's vehicle platform waited her transportation.
A mana-powered hover bike.
Its body was white and silver.
Not the newest model.
Not particularly fast.
But reliable.
She stopped for a moment.
Her hand brushed against the handle.
A memory surfaced.
Her father giving it to her.
She smiled slightly.
"...Still works."
A moment later blue mana light activated beneath the bike.
She climbed on.
Then launched into the evening sky.
The city stretched beneath her.
After roughly fifteen minutes she reached her destination.
Landing near the road, Elena looked up.
The cafe.
Immediately she frowned.
She recognized this place.
Not because she'd visited before—
But because everyone knew it.
Positioned near one of the city's higher districts, the cafe overlooked most of the city.
People mainly visited for the scenery.
And one ridiculously famous menu item.
Because of that—
It was extremely popular among young women.
And extremely expensive.
Elena looked at the sign.
Then frowned.
"...Why here?"
If the rumors were true—
this place made no sense.
Still, she entered.
The interior looked elegant.
Warm lighting.
Large glass windows.
Expensive furniture.
Soft music.
After looking around, she quickly spotted Lily.
Corner table.
Already seated.
Elena approached.
Lily looked up and smiled.
She looked good.
Too good.
Long dark chestnut hair.
Warm amber eyes.
Slim figure.
Confident posture.
Not the kind of beauty that stunned people into silence—
but undeniably striking.
The kind of girl people would quietly rate near the top without hesitation.
Refined, attractive, effortlessly eye-catching.
Someone who stood out even in a crowd of attractive students.
She wore expensive clothes.
Cream-colored high-cut hot pants.
A stylish black bikini-style top.
Over it, a fully transparent thin outer top.
Black high heels.
Elegant earrings.
A delicate hand bracelet.
Everything looked new.
Too new.
Elena remembered Lily usually preferred practical clothes.
But today not only was she wearing more expensive clothes—
they were also far more revealing than usual.
That made Elena pause for a moment.
As she sat down—
she noticed Lily glance at her messaging device.
Only for a second.
Then Lily locked it and smiled normally.
"You're late."
Elena sat down and shrugged.
"I couldn't decide what to wear."
Lily blinked once.
Then laughed.
"Typical Elena."
"I already ordered."
Soon food arrived.
For a while—
they talked normally.
Academy.
Classes.
Teachers.
Random rumors.
Lily even complained about one professor giving too much homework.
Elena laughed.
Then noticed—
while talking—
Lily occasionally looked down.
Her messaging device rested beside her cup.
Every now and then she checked the screen.
Only briefly.
Then put it down again.
Elena didn't think much of it.
Maybe she was expecting something.
They continued talking.
Lily asked about training.
Elena asked about classes.
At one point Lily suddenly asked—
"Did Will really beat that monster?"
Elena blinked.
"...Mostly."
Lily smiled.
"Still hard to imagine."
Then she looked at her messaging device again.
Only for a moment.
Then returned her attention.
Eventually Elena finally asked.
Her expression became softer.
"...Are you okay?"
Lily blinked.
"What?"
Elena looked directly at her.
"Recently."
"You've seemed distracted."
She hesitated.
"...And I heard rumors."
Lily stayed silent.
Elena continued.
"They said your father's company isn't doing well."
For several seconds—
nothing.
Then Lily quietly smiled.
"...Yeah."
Elena looked surprised.
"You admitted it?"
Lily shrugged.
"No point lying."
Elena frowned.
"How bad?"
Lily looked outside.
"Not good."
The answer made Elena quiet.
Then she looked around.
The expensive food.
The expensive clothes.
The expensive cafe.
Her expression changed.
She looked back.
"...Then what is this?"
Lily blinked.
"What?"
Elena looked serious.
"If things are bad."
"Why are we here?"
She looked at Lily's clothes.
"...And why are you spending money like this?"
For the first time—
Lily's expression changed slightly.
Then she smiled.
"Don't worry."
"I found a way to make money."
Elena frowned.
"You found work?"
Lily smiled.
"Something like that."
Her hand unconsciously moved toward her messaging device.
Then stopped.
Then—
she suddenly grinned.
Changing the topic.
"So."
"How are things with Will?"
Elena froze.
"...What?"
Lily leaned forward.
"Any progress?"
Then she smirked.
"Did you guys kiss yet?"
Immediately Elena's face turned red.
"W-What are you talking about?!"
"We're just friends!"
Lily smiled.
"Right."
"You keep telling yourself that."
Elena immediately looked away.
Lily continued.
"You know."
"There are rumors."
Elena looked back.
"What rumors?"
Lily smiled.
"They say Luna's obsessed."
"If nobody does anything..."
She leaned back and grinned.
"The Ice Princess wins."
Elena immediately became flustered.
"There's nothing to win!"
Lily laughed.
Then after a moment she looked at Elena with a teasing stare.
Elena hesitated before speaking.
Then awkwardly asked—
"...Hypothetically."
Lily raised an eyebrow.
"If."
"If I liked Will..."
Lily's smile widened.
Elena quickly continued.
"Not saying I do."
"But hypothetically."
"If someone liked him..."
"And there were other girls..."
"What should they do?"
Lily stared at her for several seconds.
Then slowly smiled.
"Oh my naive friend."
Elena blinked.
Lily casually rested her chin on her hand.
"Isn't the solution easy?"
Elena looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
Lily smiled mischievously.
"If you can't beat them..."
She paused.
"Join them."
Elena stared.
"...What?"
Lily looked completely serious.
"If you truly wanted to be with Will..."
She shrugged.
"You could just become his second wife."
Then she added casually—
"Or third."
Elena froze.
Her face instantly turned red.
Lily continued.
"So."
"You agree you like Will?"
Elena immediately shook her head.
"W-What?! No!"
Lily laughed.
"I don't get it."
She looked genuinely curious.
"You and Luna."
"Two girls most people would call stunning without hesitation."
"Girls attractive enough to turn heads almost anywhere."
"Why are you both so obsessed with him?"
Then she smiled.
"He sure is a lucky guy."
Elena's face became even redder.
She laughed awkwardly.
"N-No."
"I just wanted to know your thoughts."
Then she quickly changed the subject.
"What about you?"
"Anyone you like?"
Lily calmly answered.
"No."
As Elena looked at her—
her eyes suddenly stopped.
Near Lily's neck.
A faint mark.
Elena stared.
Then smiled.
"...Wait."
Lily blinked.
"What?"
Elena smirked.
"Oh."
"So that's what this is."
Lily frowned.
"What?"
Elena leaned closer.
"Your boyfriend left that?"
Lily froze.
Immediately looked away.
Elena laughed.
"No way."
"You actually have one?"
Lily replied calmly.
"I don't."
Elena continued teasing.
"No no."
"Tell me honestly."
Still calm.
"No."
Elena continued.
Lily's expression slowly changed.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Then suddenly—
She slammed her hand onto the table.
Her voice rose.
"I SAID I DON'T HAVE ONE!"
Silence.
Nearby customers turned.
Elena froze.
Lily stared.
Then suddenly realized.
Her expression changed.
"...Sorry."
She reached for her bag—
then her messaging device lit up.
Lily looked down.
Her eyes stopped.
For a brief moment—
something changed in her expression.
Surprise.
Then tension.
She quickly locked the screen.
Stood up.
Grabbed her bag.
"...I have to go."
Elena blinked.
"What happened?"
Lily avoided her eyes.
"Something came up."
Before Elena could speak—
she left.
Elena remained sitting.
Quiet.
She looked at the untouched food.
The expensive clothes.
The expensive cafe.
The mark.
The reaction.
And now—
that strange look after checking her messages.
Slowly—
a strange feeling appeared.
Something wasn't right.
Eventually she stood.
As she walked out—
she heard voices nearby.
"Hey."
"...Isn't the girl with her the one we saw yesterday?"
Elena paused slightly.
But didn't think much of it.
And continued walking.
Unaware—
that this simple outing had revealed far more than she realized.