The next morning, at dawn.

When Muen awoke from his sleep, he saw Senior Anna still seated sideways by the window with the swaying blue curtains, resting her cheek on her hand, gazing out at the scenery.

The pale morning sun streamed in through the window, casting a halo like jade across her fair side profile.

At this moment, all allure faded—bathed in light, Senior looked nothing short of sacred.

Muen found himself unable to look away.

“You’re awake?”

His soul was gently pulled back by the soft greeting. Muen came to his senses and saw that Senior was smiling warmly at him.

“How are you feeling?”

“I... I feel great. Better than ever. My head’s light as air...”

Muen answered instinctively, then snapped back to awareness. “Yesterday’s potion...”

“It was a sleeping potion meant to help you rest properly. Whatever the case, staying in good condition before an exam is what matters most, right?”

“I see...”

Realization dawned on Muen, and he let out a bitter smile.

Without noticing, he’d slipped into something like a trance.

Even with his iron willpower, the intensity of sleeping only two hours a night for an entire month had led to fatigue piling up without him realizing.

If Senior hadn’t used a potion to forcibly make him rest and clear his head, even if he had another night of review, he probably wouldn’t have performed well on the exam.

For any exam, your condition is a critical factor.

“Then, Senior, did you stay here the whole time?”

Looking at Anna, still sitting in that same spot like she’d never left, Muen couldn’t help but ask.

“How could I have?”

Anna rolled her eyes at him, full of teasing charm.

“I have my own business to deal with too, you know. It’s just that you slept for way too long.

But...”

Suddenly, Anna crossed her arms, leaned forward, and curled her lips into a slightly provocative smile.

“Are you saying that you wanted me to sleep beside you?”

“Well... since you’ve said it already.”

Muen straightened his back in an instant and declared with righteous conviction:

“Then as your junior, I guess I can make that sacrifice.”

“Pfft. Saying that with a blushing face doesn’t exactly sell it, junior~”

Anna burst into laughter, clearly delighted, then shifted the conversation:

“While you were asleep, I made a little adjustment for you. I hope you won’t mind?”

“A little adjustment?”

Muen was still puzzled when Anna handed him a cute makeup mirror.

He took the mirror, looked into it, and froze.

The reflection showed someone with short, neatly trimmed golden hair, even brighter than the morning sun outside. The stubble on his chin had been completely shaved, highlighting his naturally fair and handsome features.

“This... you did this?”

“Is there anyone else here besides me?”

Anna sighed softly.

“You looked so ragged yesterday, I just couldn’t help myself. I hope you’re not angry.”

“No, of course not.”

Muen pinched a strand of his short hair, gently twisting it as he spoke in slight shock:

“I just didn’t expect that Senior could cut hair... and do it so well. I honestly thought it was the work of a professional master.”

“Pfft, still such a sweet-talker, junior.”

Anna covered her mouth and ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) chuckled lightly.

“But to be honest, I haven’t done this for someone in a long time. I used to do it often when I was in the orphanage.”

“Orphanage?”

Muen caught that word immediately.

“Prying into a woman’s past isn’t a very good habit, junior.”

Anna flicked her finger gently against his forehead.

“Your exam’s coming up. Aren’t you going to get ready?”

“Ah, right!”

Muen snapped out of it and quickly checked the time—only about an hour remained before the exam.

“I slept almost fifteen hours?”

He did some quick mental math and realized why Senior said he’d slept too long.

Fifteen hours in one stretch—not even a pig could sleep that much.

“I was planning to review one more time before the test, but now there’s no time.”

With a bitter smile, Muen turned to bid farewell.

“Then, Senior, I’ll be going now.”

“Take care on your way. And good luck.”

“Mm, I will.”

Muen headed out, but just as he reached the doorway, his gaze involuntarily swept back one last time.

In the empty potion classroom, Senior sat alone by the wall, her head turned toward the even emptier view outside. The blue curtain cast a cold shadow across her figure—she looked... so alone.

Muen’s heart gave an inexplicable pang.

“Senior.”

“Mm?”

“About what you said earlier.”

Muen turned around and spoke seriously:

“I want to join the Ancient Potion Society.”

“Oh? Bringing that up all of a sudden?”

Anna raised an eyebrow in surprise, then smiled gently.

“Junior’s finally interested in ancient potions?”

“Mm, something like that.”

Muen replied sincerely.

But it was a lie.

In truth, he wasn’t particularly interested in potions.

In fact, for someone like Muen who was so obsessed with gaining strength, potions—despite being broadly applicable—offered very little in terms of actual power, and weren’t something worth spending time on.

It was just that...

Muen suddenly remembered—yesterday, Senior had taught him her final lesson.

In other words, the bond between teacher and student had come to an end.

But Muen didn’t want his connection to Senior to vanish so easily. He needed something new—something that could tie them together.

So whether it was potions, magic, or magical painting—whatever kind of club it was, Muen would join.

“Alright.”

Anna tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and smiled softly.

“Welcome to the club, junior.”

And Muen smiled too.

“Is there any formal registration process?”

“We’re just a small club, so there’s no need for that kind of red tape. Just remember to stop by every now and then. I’m usually around in the afternoons.”

“I see.”

Muen nodded.

“Then I’ll head to the exam for now. See you later, Senior.”

“Mm, see you later.”

“Oh, right.”

Muen suddenly remembered something else—though it was a little embarrassing to say aloud.

“Um... Senior, are you free during the Open Days?”

Saint Maria Academy, despite its closed management, gave students three days of free time after every monthly exam—these were known as Open Days.

They were when students could go home to resupply, or, for some who had been cooped up too long, to blow off steam.

It was said that the commercial street outside the academy was only open for these three days each month, but made a fortune every time—even the inns had to be booked a month in advance.

“Open Days?”

Anna thought for a moment. “I have something to take care of on the first day, but I’m free the rest of the time.”

“Then...”

Muen took a deep breath and asked:

“Senior, would you like to go out with me on the second day?”

“Oh?”

Anna blinked at his words, then immediately caught on, breaking into a mischievous grin:

“Is Junior... inviting me on a date?”

“A date? That’s a nice way to put it.”

Muen spoke with a flushed face but a thick skin:

“But in truth, I just wanted to thank you a little, Senior.”

“Thank me?”

Anna twirled a lock of hair around her finger, glancing away.

“But I haven’t even decided what kind of reward I want yet.”

“This isn’t a reward.”

Muen spoke with sincerity.

“It’s just a small token of appreciation from me.”

“A token of appreciation?”

Anna froze for a second, then broke into a smile, her eyes curving like crescent moons.

“Alright then. Since it’s an invitation from Junior—I’ll go.”