One night had passed since the engagement was broken. Selene Valmond sat at her desk in the study of the Valmond ducal residence. A room deep within the east wing of the third floor. Through the window, a moonlit garden was visible. There bloomed moonlit jade orchids——rare flowers imbued with starline power——glowing white and faintly luminous. The hand holding the quill trembled faintly, in small, delicate movements. (Calm yourself.) Selene consciously suppressed the tremor. Emotions could wait. Now was the time to organize information. Multiple papers lay spread across her desk. Records concerning Walter Schleich. Commander of the Azure Sky Knights——the man who commanded the kingdom's largest order of knights——. Twenty-eight years old. Born of a fallen baronial house. Starline aptitude rank A——indicating the highest tier of ability to resonate with starlines and draw forth their power. An exceptional individual who had risen to his current position through skill alone. The memories of her previous life were fragmented, yet vivid. In the game "Luminous Star Colors," Walter appeared as a capture target character immediately after the engagement was broken——one of the male characters a player could select to gain affection with. However, the information regarding him was limited. Even within the game, his actions were shrouded in mystery. The one thing that had been clear was that he showed obsession toward women with a particular characteristic. Specifically, women with high starline aptitude. (Obsession with women of high starline aptitude. That is his principle of action——but the reason remains unknown.) Selene was about to record that hypothesis when it happened. Knock, knock. A modest knock struck the study door. It was the middle of the night. There should be no visitors at this hour. "Miss, the Azure Sky Knights Commander, Walter Schleich, has arrived." The butler's voice came from beyond the door. His tone carried deep bewilderment. Precisely as Selene had anticipated. "Show him in." Selene answered immediately. She quickly drew the papers on her desk toward her and pushed them into a drawer. Perfectly, without a trace. The door opened. There appeared a tall man clad in a black military uniform. Jet-black short hair reflected the moonlight, gleaming deep indigo. His features were refined, yet coldness was etched across every part of his face. Sharp gray-blue eyes looked straight down at Selene. An overwhelming presence emanated from his frame, exceeding 185 centimeters in height. On the middle finger of his right hand were an old scar and the Azure Sky Knights' oath ring——a ceremonial ring that proved rank and ability. Selene rose to her feet. Elegantly, yet unhurried, at her own pace. "Forgive my intrusion at this late hour." Walter's voice was low and quiet. Yet within that silence lay deep pressure. One did not need a loud voice to make others obey. "Commander of the Azure Sky Knights. For you to appear at such a late hour suggests a matter of considerable importance." Selene answered with practiced conversational skill. Polite, yet with a hint of irony. The distance between them was roughly three meters. The sound of the butler quietly leaving the room was heard. "The broken engagement is the work of Queen Irene's scheming." Walter stated it bluntly. He was a man who did not engage in roundabout conversation. Selene's expression did not change in the slightest. "I am aware." A brief response. It indicated that she had already grasped the truth. Walter's gray-blue eyes widened slightly. It was an unexpected answer. "You were framed. Your honor, your house's interests——all of it was the target." "Yes. I have formed a rough hypothesis. Her Majesty's objective is likely the starline node 'Moonspring' that my house manages." Selene continued her explanation. To state the queen's reasons. "Starline nodes——places where starline power concentrates most intensely——are limited, and their management rights generate immense power. 'Moonspring' is one of the kingdom's most powerful nodes, managed by the Valmond house for generations. Queen Irene seeks to use the broken engagement as a pretext to destroy my house's credibility and seize those rights. Should the management rights to the starline node be lost, the Valmond house would suffer a significant loss of status as nobility. I believe that is Her Majesty's aim." Walter nodded silently at that analysis. "Precisely. The queen's encirclement is wide. But it is far from unshakeable. To break it, I need your power." Selene walked around Walter's side, as if dancing with a partner at a ball. Yet her movements were calculated. The distance between them, the position of his gaze, this faint tension——all of it was within her calculations. "Then the matter is straightforward." Walter moved as well. Rotating his body slightly to match Selene's pace. The distance between them remained unchanged. Yet the air had changed. "I offer you a protection oath." "A protection oath...?" Selene repeated the words. A protection oath——a covenant by which a person of influence publicly protects one whose social standing is threatened by broken engagements or loss. Through this system, one could prevent isolation in society and preserve a house's credibility. Yet it also created complex problems. The relationship between protector and protected became an ideal target for attack by hostile forces like the queen. "You have conditions, I presume." "One condition. Participation in sword training. The acquisition of self-defense techniques." Selene analyzed the condition in an instant. On the surface, self-defense——a jilted young lady learning to protect herself was a perfect cover story. Yet his true intent was different. (He wishes to confirm my starline aptitude. True to the game's setting, he is a man who shows obsession toward women of high aptitude.) She recalled the game's setting. Walter showed obsession toward women of high starline aptitude. The reason had been unclear, but likely he wished to utilize her aptitude, or perhaps make her a research subject. Much like the faint pattern that appeared on Selene's left wrist——the 'star mark' that indicated starline aptitude. "I accept." Selene smiled. An elegant, perfect smile. "When shall we begin?" "Tomorrow morning. At the Azure Sky Tower." Walter began to walk slowly through the room. As if observing the bookshelves. Yet his gaze was not on the books, but on Selene. "The 'Moonspring' your house manages is a node of special power. To draw forth that power, one of high aptitude is necessary." Selene listened quietly to those words. It was rare for Walter to offer information. Yet it was not a sign of trust in her, but rather a judgment that she possessed utility. "Show me." Saying this, Walter extended his right hand. Toward Selene's left wrist. His fingertip touched the white-gleaming star mark. In that instant, a sensation like an electric current ran through Selene's entire body. Not the sensation of contact. Something deeper——the resonance of magical power. Starlines answering one another faintly. Walter's gray-blue eyes changed color for just a moment. Shock, and something else——a gleam close to desire. "It's genuine." Murmuring this, Walter withdrew his hand. Yet the warmth of his fingertip remained on Selene's skin. A sensation her calculations could not process. "Come to the Azure Sky Tower tomorrow morning." Selene ended the visit with those words. Her voice was as polite as always. Yet the turmoil in her heart was growing steadily. Walter left the room without a word. The door closed quietly. Selene sat in her chair. She gazed at her left wrist. The faint star mark gleamed softly in the moonlight. (Do not be swayed by emotion. He is merely a piece. A piece to be used.) She told herself this, yet something stirred in the depths of her heart. Then it happened. Knock, knock. Another knock sounded. The same butler's voice, yet his tone was different. Tinged with slight tension. "Miss, Academy Director Ashley Roden of Starweave Academy has arrived. He offers his apologies. Forgive the late hour, but......" Selene raised her eyebrows at those words. A second visitor. Moreover, the director of Starweave Academy——the kingdom's largest institution of higher learning. "Show him in." The door opened. There appeared a man with an entirely different atmosphere. Soft, wavy chestnut hair. Clear green eyes. Tall, though not as much as Walter. Approximately 178 centimeters. And above all——his aura was different. Opposite to Walter's coldness, this man overflowed with a sense of security and warmth. A small star-shaped earring glimmered on his right ear. A depth of thought that seemed impossible for someone of twenty-six years dwelt in those eyes. "Forgive my intrusion at this late hour. Miss Selene Valmond." Ashley bowed politely. His posture was impeccably courteous. Yet unlike Walter, there was no sense of intimidation in it. "Please accept my condolences regarding the broken engagement. Ideally, I should have called to apologize during the day......" "Director. Please, do not apologize. I am grateful for your consideration." Selene smiled. This time, genuine gratitude was mixed into her expression. Ashley gazed at that smile. In his green eyes dwelt a color of deep thought. "In fact, our academy is advancing fundamental research into the nature of starline aptitude——" Ashley spoke slowly, as if choosing his words carefully. "It is generally believed that starline aptitude is an inborn ability unique to individuals. However, if we could obtain data from subjects of exceptionally high aptitude, we might be able to elucidate its true nature. Should we be able to borrow your power, this research could advance significantly. Of course, there is no compulsion. For that very reason, I would like to offer you a protection oath as well——a covenant to publicly protect your honor and house." Something complex tangled within Selene's heart. Two protectors. Yet their purposes differed. Walter was probing her starline aptitude itself. The objective beyond that remained unclear, but likely he intended to use her as a force to break the queen's encirclement. Ashley, on the other hand, sought to use her for academic research. Both targeted her aptitude, yet their applications were entirely different. "I accept. I shall be happy to cooperate." Selene gave another perfect response. Ashley seemed satisfied with it. He smiled. "I am grateful. We shall discuss the details beginning tomorrow. For tonight, it is best that you rest and recover." Ashley too eventually left the room. The door closed quietly. Alone in her study, Selene took a deep breath. Two protectors. Walter Schleich and Ashley Roden. Both showed interest in her starline aptitude. Yet their reasons differed, and the objectives beyond them differed as well. Walter needed her as a force. Ashley needed her as a research subject. And the two were unaware of each other's existence. (A protection competition begins. Yet this is both danger and opportunity.) Selene whispered those words in her heart. In the game, there were scenarios where multiple capture targets competed for a single heroine. But now she was at the center. With understanding of both men's intentions, she could manipulate them skillfully. To break the queen's conspiracy. To protect her own standing. Yet within those calculations, the sensation of Walter's fingertip would not fade. Outside the window, the moonlit jade orchid swayed in the breeze. Its white, faint light illuminated the night garden. Beneath the moonlight, the flowers glowed softly——a beauty as if starline power itself had taken form. Selene stood by the window. This flower, this garden, all of it grew through starline power. The node's power as 'Moonspring' influenced its surroundings. That was why the queen desired control of this house. (Do