"So... what is it, Senior?"

They had moved far enough from the garden that the noise faded into the background. The corner behind the church was quiet, shaded by tall trees, with barely anyone passing through.

Vanessa crossed her arms lightly, watching him.

As far as she remembered, she and Riley hadn’t interacted much recently. Nothing that would explain him coming all the way here, pulling her aside like this.

And honestly...

That alone made her cautious.

Not because of him specifically—but because of what came with him.

Riley had a reputation.

The kind that made things... complicated.

If someone saw them together like this, alone, in a quiet spot behind the church—it wouldn’t take long before people started talking. And knowing how things usually went around him, those "talks" tended to spiral into misunderstandings real fast.

Dangerous, she thought quietly.

Not in a bad way.

Just... objectively speaking.

The kind of person a girl shouldn’t be seen alone with too often.

Which was exactly why—

She wanted this over quickly.

Riley didn’t waste time either.

"I know this might sound out of nowhere, Junior Vanessa..." he said, his tone calm but direct. "But can I ask you something?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"...Go ahead."

"Is there something going on with the World Tree?"

Vanessa blinked.

Just once.

Then tilted her head slightly, her expression turning confused.

"...The World Tree?" she repeated. "What are you talking about, Senior? You’re saying that like I’d know anything about it."

She let out a small, light laugh.

"And problems? I don’t think there’s anything like that going on."

Riley didn’t react.

Didn’t press.

He just looked at her.

Then—

"You know your identity isn’t exactly a secret to me at this point, right?"

Silence.

Vanessa’s smile froze for just a fraction of a second.

Then—

It returned.

Soft.

Controlled.

"...I see."

She studied him quietly now, her gaze a bit sharper than before. The air between them shifted—subtle, but clear.

"So, you do know."

A short pause.

"...Since when?"

Riley shrugged slightly.

"Does that matter?"

"Not really," she admitted, letting out a small breath. "I’m just curious."

Her eyes lowered for a moment, then lifted again.

"I was actually quite proud of hiding it."

There was a hint of amusement in her voice—but also something else.

Something measured.

"But considering it’s you..." she continued, looking at him more seriously now, "it’s not that surprising."

A faint smile.

"The kind of information you have access to... finding something like that out wouldn’t be difficult for you, would it?"

Riley didn’t deny it.

Didn’t confirm it either.

He just stayed quiet.

And that alone was enough of an answer.

Vanessa exhaled softly, her posture relaxing just a little—but her eyes didn’t.

"...So," she said, tilting her head slightly, "now that we’re past that..."

Her gaze locked onto his.

"What exactly do you want to know about the World Tree?"

"Exactly what I asked," Riley said, his tone steady. "I’m wondering if there have been any abnormalities with the World Tree lately. As its priestess—"

He paused for a second, then corrected himself.

"...No. It’d be more accurate to say its saintess."

His eyes met hers.

"You’d be the first one to notice."

Vanessa let out a quiet sigh, bringing a hand up to her forehead.

"So you even know that much..."

There was no point pretending anymore.

Honestly, the whole situation was starting to get a little irritating.

Not because of what he was asking—but because of who was asking.

Riley wasn’t someone she could just brush off.

Emilia trusted him.

And more importantly... the World Tree itself didn’t reject him.

Through her connection to it, Vanessa could feel it clearly—his presence wasn’t hostile, wasn’t tainted in a way that raised alarms. If anything, it was... complicated.

But not dangerous.

At least, not in the way that mattered to her people.

Still—

That didn’t change the fact that anything related to the World Tree was sensitive.

Very sensitive.

Vanessa crossed her arms lightly, her expression settling.

"No," she said after a moment. "There’s nothing going on in particular."

Riley didn’t look convinced.

"There hasn’t been any demonic or... other kinds of corrupt energy influencing it?"

"...."

A slight pause.

Just a fraction longer than before.

"...No."

The answer came out the same.

But—

Riley noticed it.

That tiny shift.

Still—

She wasn’t lying.

That much he could tell.

"...I see."

He didn’t push further.

If the World Tree was stable for now, then that meant the elven side hadn’t been touched yet.

For now.

His thoughts shifted quietly.

The World Tree wasn’t just some sacred symbol—it was a key.

One of the major catalysts needed for Erebil’s descent.

Which made it dangerous.

Not on its own—

But because of how it could be used.

And last time... in that broken world.

The elves had been caught right in the middle of it.

Riley’s gaze darkened slightly.

He already knew several ways to prevent that outcome. Different paths, different methods—some cleaner than others.

But all of them had one thing in common.

They required timing.

And more importantly—

The right trigger.

[Act 5.]

More specifically...

A scenario involving both Liyana and Vanessa.

Until that started—

There wasn’t much he could do without forcing things too early.

"...Guess I’ll have to let things play out a bit longer."

The thought passed quietly through his mind.

For now—

All he could do was watch the flow.

And step in at the exact moment it mattered most.

"Tell me if anything comes up," Riley said as he turned slightly, already half ready to leave. "Anything that might become a problem. I’ll come help right away, Junior."

Vanessa frowned a little at that.

"...Why are you so eager about this, Senior?"

It wasn’t suspicion—more like confusion. The way he said it didn’t sound casual at all.

Riley paused for just a moment before answering.

"Because the world needs it."

A small pause.

"And... warn your king. Tell him to be careful of evil worshippers. It’s not public yet, but a few groups have started showing up recently."

Vanessa’s eyes widened slightly.

"Wait—"

But before she could say anything else—

He was gone.

Just like that.

"...What?"

She stood there for a second, staring at the empty space where he had been.

"...What even was that conversation..."

A quiet sigh escaped her as she rubbed her temple.

A headache was already starting to form.

Too many things didn’t line up.

Too many questions with no answers.

And somehow—

Riley had just added more.

...

It hadn’t even been a full day since Riley returned to the academy, and even with the extended break, he didn’t have the luxury to relax yet.

There were still things he needed to handle.

His girls already knew most of what happened with him and Snow, more or less. Somehow, Emilia ended up sticking with them too—which, while unexpected, wasn’t exactly a bad thing.

But aside from that—

There were other matters.

He needed to at least report to the principal. Out of courtesy, if nothing else. And more importantly, he needed an update on the festival.

Sure, he could just ask Snow.

But knowing her, she was probably buried in work right now, catching up on everything she missed as student council president.

So—

Knock. Knock.

Riley knocked lightly before opening the door and stepping into the principal’s office.

He expected... something normal.

Given what he heard—that the festival was going well, profits rising, everything running smoothly—

At the very least, he expected her to look pleased.

Composed.

In control.

But—

"...What is this?"

Riley blinked.

"Uh... Principal?"

Leilah sat behind her desk.

Or rather—

She slumped there.

Her usually elegant and composed appearance was completely gone. Her shoulders were drooped, her eyes hollow, her hair slightly messy... and worst of all—

Tears were pooling in her eyes.

"...Ugh..."

Her voice trembled.

"I hate this... I hate life... I-I tried my best you know... I really ugh~.... But why must the world hate me too much... haha... haha....."

Then—

"Uwaaahhh!!"

She broke.

Completely.

Crying.

Right there.

In front of him.

"...!!!..."

Riley just stood there, staring for a moment, unsure how to even react.

He paused.

Even though she still looked young—

Beautiful, even—

The at least somewhat elegant image and reputation he had on her.

That image and reputation was gone.

Destroyed.

Completely.

"...Yeah..."

"There’s no saving that."

....

"Hngh...!"

Inside a dim, sealed room, the young woman trembled as her hand pressed tightly against her chest.

Her breathing came out uneven, sharp and strained, each exhale carrying heat with it—real, tangible heat that spread through the air and warped the space around her.

The temperature kept rising.

Slowly.

Uncontrollably.

"Lady Stacia... please, let us enter."

Her voice came from beyond the door—tight with worry, barely held together.

"No... you can’t."

Stacia’s reply was immediate, though weaker than she intended. Even speaking felt like it fanned the flames inside her.

Outside, her servants stood gathered, unease written all over their faces. Her personal butler stood at the front, his usual composed expression long gone, replaced by something much more fragile.

This wasn’t normal.

They weren’t even supposed to be here.

Servants weren’t allowed inside Killian Hall, let alone near a private student room—but this had gone beyond rules and boundaries. It had been days.

Days of this.

And they still didn’t know what to do.

"I-I’m fine..." Stacia forced the words out, her grip tightening over her chest. "Just... give me some time. I’ll get better soon..."

A quiet silence followed.

Then—

"My lady..." the butler spoke again, more carefully this time, though the strain in his voice was clear. "You said the same thing three days ago."

Stacia bit down on her lip.

He wasn’t wrong.

Not even a little.

But—

"...I can’t let you in," she whispered, her voice dropping.

Because it was dangerous.

More dangerous than they understood.

Her mana wasn’t stable.

Not even close.

Ever since that moment—since she was granted the authority of the Fire Spirit King—something inside her had changed. Back then, it had been temporary. Controlled by circumstance.

Now—

It was hers.

And she wasn’t ready.

Not yet.

The power surged through her veins like something alive, wild and untamed. If she lost control—even for a second—

She could hurt someone.

Burn them.

Maybe worse.

"...I don’t want that..."

The heat around her spiked slightly as her emotions slipped.

Outside, the butler’s expression grew even paler as he heard her struggle from within.

"My lady..."

He stepped closer to the door instinctively—but stopped himself.

They were stuck.

Unable to help.

Unable to act.

Then—

Footsteps.

Fast.

Rushed.

"S-Sir!"

A maid came running toward them, slightly out of breath.

The butler turned immediately.

"What is it?"

"I—I have news!"

She steadied herself, then spoke quickly.

"It seems... the young lord Riley has returned to the academy!"

For a moment—

Everything went still.

Then—

Something shifted.

The tension in the air changed, just slightly.

Hope.

It spread across their faces almost instantly, subtle but undeniable.

Even the butler’s rigid expression softened.

"...Riley..."

Inside the room—

Stacia’s eyes widened.

Just a little.

Her trembling didn’t stop.

The heat didn’t fade.

But—

For the first time in days—

Her thoughts broke away from the pain.

"...He’s back...?"