Felyn had no idea about Zervanie’s “little scheme.”

He simply didn’t want to revisit those memories.

That warm, ambiguous moment had long been tucked away and buried in the landfill of his mind.

Had he not seen the elven owner of the tavern again, Felyn wouldn’t have remembered it at all.

Avoiding memories of flirtatious encounters with clients during a contract—that was his way of protecting himself.

After all, in his view, emotions were nothing more than illusions.

And just like Zervanie had guessed, he had completely ignored her drunken request for a “mouth-to-mouth” drink.

That kind of thing bordered on workplace harassment.

He had simply pinched her flushed cheek and poured the last glass of wine into her mouth.

“Mmm… no, not like this… I want you…”

Before she could finish, she passed out.

If drinking wasn’t so bad for her health—and didn’t cause weight gain—Felyn would’ve wished she drank every night.

That way, at least she wouldn’t come around to pester him so much.

To Zervanie, that memory might have been one of the few sweet moments she thought she had given him.

But to Felyn, whether the memories were good or bad didn’t matter.

He wouldn’t fall in love with someone just because of things that happened during a contract, no matter how well she treated him.

The night wind was cool, scattering the last remnants of their shared memories.

Zervanie stood with her arms wrapped around herself, eyes blank as she stared at the tavern.

She could tell—Felyn’s expression had faded.

Clearly, he didn’t want to recall that moment.

Zervanie mocked her own naïveté in her heart.

To think she’d foolishly believed that one warm memory from the past could spark some emotion in Felyn’s heart.

How ridiculous.

“Well then… Felyn, go home and rest early,” she said, forcing a smile as she pushed her feelings down and reached to take back the bag of seals.

Zervanie had gambled—and lost. Her bold move tonight had ended the date prematurely.

“The time we agreed on for tomorrow…”

“Eight in the morning, right? I’ll be there.”

“Alright.”

No lingering glance. No explanation.

Felyn turned and left.

Leaving Zervanie alone at the tavern entrance, carrying her shopping bags.

As the elven tavern doors opened, green light spilled from within, casting a soft glow on Zervanie’s face—highlighting its sorrowful beauty.

She wiped the corner of her eyes with her sleeve, unsure of what to do next.

She remained frozen on the spot, unable to move.

When warm memories are placed side by side with brutal reality, the pain hits that much harder.

I once had him, even if only for a fleeting moment.

She turned her head, gazing at the wide-open door.

“Would you like to come in for something to eat?”

It was almost exactly like that night years ago.

The tavern was still quiet and mostly empty.

The elven owner stood at the counter, politely inviting her in.

Zervanie stood at the doorway, looking at the familiar interior.

This was where that hazy memory had taken shape—where she had once shared a moment with Felyn.

“…No, thank you.”

Go in, get drunk, lose herself in false memories, and end up crying alone while hugging a bottle?

Felyn didn’t like those memories.

So she wouldn’t like them either.

There’s nothing to cry about… probably.

“I’m home.”

Felyn stepped into the entryway, took off his shoes, and hung up his coat.

“Meow~”

Hermie rubbed her head against the corner of the wall, then slowly trotted over to Felyn, sniffing the hand he extended toward her.

“You’re really not going to turn into a catgirl?”

He rubbed her chin while listening to the soft purring that followed.

“You’ve got some twisted tastes now, huh?”

Daiyi leaned lazily against the wall, her pale-blue nightgown parting at her thigh to reveal a long, bare leg.

Felyn had to admit, seeing this every night when he got home did make him happy.

If only Daiyi were mute—it’d be perfect.

“I’m just being cautious. Didn’t you say she’s a magical beast?”

Daiyi crouched in front of him, her black bangs almost brushing his own hair.

The scent of a young woman clouded his brain.

“She is a magical beast. If her mana reaches a certain level, she might take on human form. But that would take an enormous amount of mana. If you were someone rich like Miss Zervanie, you could dump your entire fortune into mana crystals and inject her with enough energy—then maybe she could become a catgirl.”

“That expensive?”

“Mm-hmm. Mana crystals hardly give magical beasts any mana at all.”

Both Daiyi and Felyn were petting Hermie—one on the head, one on the back.

Their body heat seemed to merge through the cat between them.

Hermie’s crimson eyes darted back and forth, unsure who to look at.

“You went shopping with a girl again tonight, didn’t you?” Daiyi said after a long silence.

“It was just preparation for the dungeon. Like a date, I guess.”

Still crouching, the two of them tugged Hermie back every time she tried to escape.

“You’ve got pink hair on you. Not very careful, are you?”

“That’s impossible—”

Felyn didn’t flinch. He wasn’t falling for her tricks.

“Hm… so it wasn’t Miss Viloti. I thought after what she did to you last time, you’d have snapped and gone after her hard.”

“You’re the one who put that idea in her head. Don’t corrupt Viloti.”

Daiyi clutched her chest in mock pain. “You’re the worst. You train me to be the kind of girl you like, and now you’re calling me filthy? Fine, I won’t taint Viloti’s pure soul anymore.”

Felyn lifted his gaze and locked eyes with her, studying her deep green pupils as if searching for something.

“What’s wrong? Why are you staring at me like that?”

Daiyi blinked innocently.

“I’m just wondering how you can say such degenerate things with that face… and still not feel embarrassed. Seriously—not even a little.”

“Meow!”

Hermie yelped. Someone must’ve pulled her fur too hard. She stood up, shook herself off, and slowly padded away.

“There she goes…” Felyn muttered.

He brushed the cat hair off his hands and stood to head to his room.

“Wait.”

Daiyi got up too and reached for his clothes.

“There’s something on your shirt. Let me get it off for you. Silver hair…”

Felyn felt her fingers lightly brush over his shirt.

That doesn’t make sense—Zervanie hadn’t gotten that close to me today.

He turned around to see what she was talking about—only to find Daiyi’s hand empty.

But she wore a tiny smirk, clearly proud of herself.

“It was Miss Zervanie, wasn’t it?”

Damn it.

Felyn had countered earlier, but Daiyi wasn’t going to let him off that easily.

Keep testing him—eventually, the truth would slip out.

Late into the night, both returned to their rooms.

Daiyi’s room was spotless—so clean it almost felt sterile.

It barely looked like it belonged to a girl.

She sat at the edge of her bed, staring at the Communication seal in her hand.

Her finger hovered over a name—Viloti.

Ever since Viloti had visited Felyn’s place, Daiyi had gotten her contact information.

After a moment’s hesitation, she sent a message:

【Miss Viloti, Felyn is going into the dungeon with Miss Zervanie.】

Elsewhere in Saiwa—

In the Lanchester Academy student council office.

“Miss Viloti, you forgot your Communication seal—”

Adelina, who had been discussing the upcoming festival with a representative from St. Andros Academy, glanced over and saw the seal vibrating on Viloti’s desk.

She reached out, not intending to snoop.

But the name flashing on the seal hit her like a hammer.

“Zer… Zervanie?”

(End of Chapter)