Selene Valmond returned from her training at the Azure Tower, her arms still heavy with fatigue as she finished changing clothes. That sensation from before——the warmth of Walter's fingertips——lingered somewhere within her still. (A piece is a piece. Don't let emotions drag you down.) She told herself this while checking her reflection in the mirror. Her lustrous black short bob caught the evening light and gleamed softly. It was time for the afternoon lecture. Ashley Roaden arrived to pick her up right around then. "I'm glad to see you're ready." His voice was calm. Soft, wavy chestnut hair caught the light streaming through the corridor windows. Clear green eyes curved gently and kindly. A star-shaped earring on his right ear swayed faintly. The 26-year-old academy director——head of "Starweave Academy," the empire's only institution of higher magical education——carried an aura that seemed utterly free of pressure. Yet that very quality made Selene feel she couldn't let her guard down. "[gentle]Today I'll guide you to the Star-Reading Tower. The afternoon sun at this hour is perfect for observing the flow of star veins." After a short carriage ride, the two entered the grounds of Starweave Academy, which sprawled across the hilly terrain southeast of the imperial capital. Seven research towers stretched toward the sky, and academy students moved between lecture halls. At the center stood the Star-Reading Tower. It rose noticeably higher than the other six, its stone exterior carved with delicate patterns of star veins. Ashley guided Selene to the top floor. With each spiral staircase climbed, the sky drew closer. "Excuse me." The moment she opened the door, Selene stopped short. Three walls of the room were lined with bookshelves, packed tightly with everything from ancient parchment scrolls to thick grimoires. The remaining wall was a large window overlooking the imperial capital of Philaster. True to its name as the "Silver City," limestone buildings softly reflected the evening light. The Silverthread River cut across the city like a thin band of light. On the desk, various magical instruments were arranged with meticulous care. Crystal tubes to visualize star vein flows, needles to measure magical concentration, colorful gemstones... The "Ashley's Research Room" from her past-life game memories was nothing like this. She'd imagined it far more organized, but the actual space was quite chaotic. "[laughing]It's a bit... scattered, isn't it?" Ashley's expression went blank for a moment, then he gave a wry smile. "[sarcastic]Organization isn't my strong suit. As long as I know where things are, I consider that sufficient." "That's hardly what I'd call 'organized.'" "Harsh judgment." Ashley laughed and pulled out two chairs. He placed them in front of the desk. The distance was close, Selene thought. Close enough that their shoulders would touch if they leaned in. "Then, shall we begin? First——what are star veins? Let's start with the basics." A grimoire was opened. The diagram drawn on the page resembled a cross-section of the earth. Several glowing lines ran between the layers of stone. "[serious]Star veins are the pathways of energy that flow through the earth. Just as rivers carry water, star veins carry magical power. Humans absorb that magical power into their bodies to use magic——this is what we call star vein magic." Selene nodded. It was basic knowledge, but as she cross-referenced her past-life memories with her current sensations, the resolution of the details sharpened. "The pathway of absorption is the meridians within the body——correct?" "[surprised]You're quite knowledgeable." "I've only picked up bits and pieces." "Then, look here." Ashley traced a finger along the page. Then, without warning, he took Selene's hand. Gently, but with certainty. He guided her fingertip toward the diagram in the grimoire. It was like a teacher showing a child how to write, but the warmth of it caught Selene off guard. "This line——here is the main flow of the star vein. Inside your body, there's a similar pathway. Like this..." Ashley's finger rested softly on the inside of Selene's wrist. "[gentle]Can you feel the pulse? Beneath it, there should be another rhythm." Selene narrowed her eyes. She concentrated her awareness. Indeed——beneath the normal pulse, there was a faint but irregular rhythm. "...Yes, I can." "[excited]That's your meridian. Proof that star veins flow through your body." His voice lifted slightly. Academic excitement, as they called it. Selene observed it coolly while simultaneously lowering her gaze to her left wrist. There, a faint pattern resembling a star vein mark floated on her skin. She noticed Ashley's eyes catch it. "[serious]...Fascinating. Is this mark something you were born with?" "It was already there when I became aware of myself. My parents never explained it to me." "I see." Ashley withdrew his hand smoothly. The soft atmosphere from moments before shifted, just for an instant, to the face of a researcher. Eyes calculating something. But soon, the calm smile returned. Selene etched that shift firmly into her memory. The lecture continued. Ashley's explanations were clear, converting difficult magical theory into everyday analogies. When he said, "Star vein nodes are like places where rivers merge——the water volume increases, so the surrounding impact grows larger," Selene found herself saying "I see" aloud. "[gentle]It's been a while since someone listened so intently." "Knowledge is useful in any situation." "You're a strong person." His voice changed slightly. He said it casually, but something lay beneath the words. Selene almost replied with "I'm just being tough," but stopped herself. She wouldn't give this man unnecessary truths. "[sarcastic]I have to tell myself that, or I can't manage." Ashley fell silent for a moment, then stood. He reached for a small pot placed near the window. "[gentle]Let me make some tea. We can talk while we drink." Steam rose from the teapot. Ashley brought two cups and the two of them sat in chairs by the window. The imperial capital spread out below them in the evening light. In the distance, the shadow of the Azure Tower was visible. "[serious]Miss Selene, may I ask you something?" "Of course." Ashley held his cup in both hands and looked directly at Selene. "[serious]Do you understand your own worth?" Selene's hand paused slightly above her cup. "...I'm not sure what you mean." "[serious]The view of you as a 'jilted young lady' is incorrect. Your star vein aptitude is rare even within the empire. I believe what the queen fears is precisely that." Selene was somewhat surprised. Walter had reached the same conclusion through a different path. "[gentle]That's why——I want to protect you. Not just out of academic interest, but personally as well." The words were gentle. His tone didn't change. Yet that single phrase——"personally as well"——rolled strangely in Selene's chest. (It's a trap, probably. But... why does it sound so natural?) She was searching for a response when it happened. The door burst open with force. "Don't skip training." A low, emotionless voice. Walter Schleich stood in the doorway. Black military uniform, jet-black short hair. Gray-blue eyes swept across the room before fixing on Selene sitting beside Ashley. His gaze narrowed for an instant. "Training ended this morning." "Evening self-practice is part of the daily routine." "[sarcastic]...This is the first I'm hearing of it." "I just decided it." Selene couldn't help but put her hand to her forehead. He didn't just decide it. Ashley rose smoothly, maintaining his calm smile as he positioned himself between the two. Though shorter than Walter, his composure remained entirely unshaken. "[gentle]Captain, learning is a form of self-defense too. Understanding star veins changes your judgment in combat." "The sword is learned only through practice." "[sarcastic]Practice without theory is merely brute force." "Theory alone gets you killed in real combat." Their gazes clashed in the air. The temperatures were completely different——Ashley's gentle green and Walter's sharp gray-blue met quietly, yet unmistakably, in opposition. Selene stood between them, cup in hand, and thought: (Why does this room feel so small?) "[serious]Um——" Both men looked at her simultaneously. "Tomorrow I'll attend Walter's training, the day after Ashley's lecture. If we alternate, neither will be neglected. How does that sound?" Silence. Walter stared at Selene for a moment, expressionless. He seemed about to say something, then stopped. "...Do as you like." He turned on his heel. As he reached for the door, he glanced back once. "[cold]Don't get too close to the academy director." With that, he left. The sound of the door closing was strangely quiet. Ashley let out a small breath and sat back down. "[sarcastic]...He's rather overprotective, isn't he?" "Yes, he is." As she answered, multiple thoughts ran simultaneously through Selene's mind. Was Walter's "don't get too close" a warning based on his mission? Or——something else? Was Ashley's "I want to protect you personally" the words of a researcher? Or——genuine? Both were likely calculated words. Of course they were. After all, so were hers. Ashley gently pushed his teacup toward Selene. "[gentle]Before it gets cold, please." Selene took the cup and drank. It was slightly sweet. Ashley must have added sugar for her. "How did you know how much sweetness I prefer?" "[laughing]Observation. Watching you all day, I noticed several things." Selene stopped the cup at her lips. "...As a research subject?" Ashley's expression became troubled for a moment. Then he smiled slowly. That smile was slightly softer than the one from the lecture. "[gentle]Half of it, perhaps. But——the other half is different." Selene started to ask what that "other half" meant, then stopped herself. Her instincts told her to leave it at that for today. "I'll visit again the day after tomorrow for the next lesson." "I look forward to it." Selene left the Star-Reading Tower. As she descended the spiral staircase, she could still taste the sweetness of the tea on her tongue. (The parts that can't be calculated are increasing.) This was troublesome. Really troublesome. Walking alone across the academy's stone paths, she gazed at the imperial capital as the sun set. The orange light reflected in the Silverthread River rippled across the water's surface. The shadow of the Azure Tower stretched long. Having two protectors was reassuring. That much was certain. But the sensation that she couldn't treat either of them as mere pieces was growing steadily. Walter's clumsy warning and Ashley's half-spoken words both extended beyond the boundaries of her calculations. That——by any measure——was her greatest miscalculation so far.