.

    .

    A day passed, and morning arrived.

    I stood motionless at the carriage station located near the Academy’s main gate.

    *Whoooosh…*

    The cold winter wind ruffled my hair.

    The biting chill gnawed at my skin, rousing my weary consciousness.

    I blinked a few times, trying to clear my head.

    Through my vision, blurred by the cold, I saw a ck carriage adorned with elegant designs.

    As I was momentarily mesmerized by the ornate decorations, a girl with crimson eyes standing in front of the carriage waved at me.

    “See youter, brother!”

    Ariel hopped onto the carriage with a cheerful farewell.

    Her vibrant red hair swayed gently as she bounced on the balls of her feet.

    Ariel’s signature bright demeanor was enough to bring a smile to my face.

    “Have a safe trip. Say hello to the old man and Father for me.”

    “Okay! I will!!”

    Ariel nodded enthusiastically at my request.

    She was such a bright child. She probably took after ourte mother.

    After waving her arms energetically, Ariel disappeared into the carriage.

    I turned my gaze slightly to the side.

    There stood a brown-haired girl, silently holding a bag.

    She had been maintaining a heavy silence, but as soon as she confirmed that Ariel had boarded, she stepped forward.

    “…Then, I’ll be on my way too, Young Master.”

    Rachel looked at me with a strangely subdued expression.

    A hint of sadness, which she couldn’t quite conceal, flickered in her clear eyes.

    ‘What’s wrong…?’

    Why was she looking at me with such a wistful gaze?

    As I tilted my head in confusion, Rachel forced a bitter smile, covering her mouth with her hand.

    “Please don’t… disappear while we’re gone, okay? If you’re nning to leave, at least… say goodbye.”

    “Ah.”

    I let out a dumbstruck sound, finally understanding.

    Come to think of it, I had said something about leaving soon the other day.

    And I hadn’t had a chance to exin myself yet.

    It seemed like I’d have to have a proper conversation with her after this whole invasion business was over.

    “I’m not going anywhere. Just focus on getting home safe.”

    “…Promise?”

    “Yes, I promise.”

    I brushed off her distrustful gaze with a yful grin and linked my pinky with hers.

    Perhaps slightly reassured, Rachel’s expression softened as she climbed into the carriage.

    “I’ll be back.”

    “Okay.”

    “Brother! See youter!”

    “Yeah, yeah.”

    I waved at the departing carriage for a while.

    The carriage gradually disappeared from sight, swallowed by the swaying scenery and the passing wind.

    “…”

    Why did…

    that departing figure fill me with such a strange ache?

    I pushed down the unfamiliar pang in my chest.

    My footsteps turned towards the dormitory, each step heavy with unspoken emotions.

    .

    .

    .

    “…I can’t sleep.”

    I suddenly sat up in bed.

    As I rubbed my dry eyes, a long yawn escaped my lips.

    Outside the window, darkness had already painted the sky.

    A quick nce at the clock on my bedside table told me it was 3 AM.

    Any other student would be sound asleep by now, prioritizing their physical condition, but I was still wide awake.

    Was there ever a day when I could get a decent night’s sleep?

    I let out an irritated groan, massaging my throbbing temples.

    My hand moved instinctively, reaching for the bedside table.

    My fingers brushed against a small box tucked away in the corner.

    It was the box containing my Deathweed.

    Without a second thought, I pulled out a green stick, put it in my mouth, and lit it.

    —Click, hiss…

    “Haa…”

    Gray smoke billowed out with each exhale.

    The faint scent of herbs, wafting into my nostrils, calmed my restless mind.

    I took a few deep breaths, trying to gather my exhausted body and mind.

    My eyes wandered aimlessly, scanning the silent room.

    The empty dormitory felt not just lonely, but eerily empty.

    Normally, I’d be able to hear Rachel’s soft breaths from beyond the open door…

    But tonight, even that small sound was absent.

    “…It’s a little… lonely.”

    A wave of mncholy washed over me, and I hugged my pillow tightly.

    As I buried my face in the soft pillow, a familiar scent tickled my nose.

    It was a sweet,forting scent, like peaches.

    ‘What is this…? Why does my pillow smell like…?’

    I frowned, puzzled by the unfamiliar yet oddly familiar scent.

    With a sense of unease, I examined the pillow and spotted a small embroidery on the corner: “Ray.”

    “…”

    My mind went nk.

    Why was Rachel’s pillow in my room…?

    Did I identally grab it while I was doingundry the other day?

    As confusion clouded my thoughts, the realization of what I had just been doing struck me.

    I had been hugging Rachel’s pillow… and burying my face in it…?

    “…!”

    The moment that thought crossed my mind, I flung the pillow away from me.

    My face, cold from the winter air, instantly flushed hot.

    My heart pounded erratically against my chest.

    I covered my face with my hands, overwhelmed by a wave of shame.

    “What have I done…”

    Damn it, why did Rachel have to make such an uncharacteristic mistake?

    I tried to shift the me onto the absent Rachel, but the embarrassment wouldn''t fade.

    I let out a sigh, my thoughts drowning in the sound of my own frantic heartbeat.

    “Damn it…”

    This was turning out to be a very difficult night for sleeping, in more ways than one.

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