HTNSA 95

Chapter 95

A week had passed since the new semester began.

Finally, Felix received a message from Eila asking him to come collect the completed cure.

He rushed to the greenhouse in one breath but stopped at the door to straighten his clothes. He also ran a hand through his messy hair to tidy it before reaching for the doorknob.

Strangely, he couldn’t bring himself to open the door right away. Knowing this might be the last time he’d receive a cure from her left him with a bittersweet feeling.

After taking a deep breath and steadying his emotions, he slowly opened the door.

“Eila, I’m he—”

But before he could finish, he was greeted not by Eila but by a thick cloud of steam.

The place looked like a foggy forest, causing him to frown instinctively.

‘What the…?’

Carefully stepping in so as not to knock over any flowerpots, he walked further inside.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long before Eila’s figure emerged from the steam, moving busily.

She stood over a large cauldron on a small flame, diligently stirring a magical potion with a ladle. Occasionally, she’d toss in a handful of herbs.

Seeing her like that made him chuckle helplessly.

Compared to how carefully he’d fixed his clothes just before coming, it felt ridiculous.

‘Guess I got my hopes up for nothing.’

Eila, sensing someone behind her, turned her head. Her face lit up with joy the moment she spotted him.

“When did you get here?”

“Just now.”

“I’m making Peony’s antidote. Just give me a sec.”

After lowering the flame, Eila walked through the steam to him.

Her soft pink hair was a bit tousled, and sweat beaded on her forehead. Her cheeks were flushed from the heat of the potion.

And yet, Felix found her adorable and endearing. No matter how hard he tried not to, his heart thudded loudly in his chest.

Noticing his gaze, Eila awkwardly brushed back her hair.

“Sorry, I must look a mess right now.”

Without thinking, Felix reached out to help tuck a stray lock behind her ear.

“Not at all. To me, you always—”

Eila looked up at him in surprise. Felix couldn’t bring himself to finish his sentence and shut his mouth.

A short, awkward silence followed.

Trying to change the mood, Eila pulled a small crystal vial from her pocket and held it out.

“Ta-da! The complete cure. I bet you’ve been waiting for this.”

“Not really. You finished it quicker than I expected.”

Felix shrugged and took the vial casually. For some reason, he felt conflicted.

When he didn’t drink it right away, Eila tilted her head curiously.

“Aren’t you going to take it?”

He smiled and replied, “In a bit. Have you taken it yet? How was it?”

At his question, Eila beamed.

“It’s amazing. I don’t even know how to describe how good it is.”

Her expression was bright and free, as though she had finally cast off a heavy burden.

Now that she had overcome her mana insensitivity, it was understandable.

Felix kept his emotions hidden and teased lightly.

“People would be shocked if they knew. First, you become a Divine Beast’s master, and now the most powerful mage alive.”

“…You’re teasing me again, aren’t you? You’ve gotten cheekier lately.”

Eila pouted and rolled her eyes, making Felix chuckle.

“No way. Do you know how many people are desperate to get close to you through me these days? I got so many invitations on the way here…”

He grimaced, recalling earlier events.

“Ppiyo!”

Suddenly, a strange creature’s cry rang out.

Turning toward the sound, Felix spotted a Black Dragon nestled inside a large basket.

Come to think of it, this was his first time seeing the Black Dragon in person.

“Cute, right? His name’s Ppiyo.”

Eila lifted the dragon, who had been whining for attention, with a pleased smile.

“See? Even though he’s this big, with an enhancement spell, I can hold him with one hand.”

She proudly lifted the dragon, who was nearly the size of her upper body.

Ppiyo rubbed his face against Eila’s cheek, then glared at Felix as if to boast.

Felix narrowed his eyes.

After meeting Devens, he knew dragons were highly intelligent creatures.

‘Fully grown, they can even polymorph into humans.’

That sly creature was clearly acting cute to win over Eila.

“…Impressive. But is he male?”

“Yep. Why?”

Of course.

His suspicion confirmed, Felix scowled.

“You’re not planning to keep him with you all the time, right?”

“Why not? He gets really anxious when we’re apart.”

Felix looked at her incredulously.

“He’s not a baby.”

“Not a baby? He acts just like a kid.”

“He’s already grown. Mentally, he’s probably our age. Divine Beasts mature quickly.”

“…”

“He’s acting childish on purpose… and I think he knows exactly why.”

As Felix finished speaking, Ppiyo cried out in protest.

“Ppi! Ppiyo! Ppiyo ppiyo!”

It was like he was defending himself from a misunderstanding. Felix smirked.

“See? He understands every word we say.”

Eila looked down at Ppiyo thoughtfully.

But his gleaming eyes looked nothing if not innocent.

“Even so… he’s still just a baby to me.”

She hugged him even tighter, clearly unable to resist.

Felix was dumbfounded. That dragon was nearly half her size, and she still called it a baby.

Well, by dragon standards, he was still small.

“Even though fully grown dragons can take human form?”

“I know, but he’s still got a long way before becoming an adult, and—ah!”

Eila trailed off awkwardly just as the potion began bubbling over.

Startled, she rushed to turn down the heat even further.

Felix, annoyed that their moment had been interrupted by a dragon, quickly let it go when he saw her absorbed in her work again.

Leaning against a nearby table, he quietly watched her back as she moved.

As he watched her hustle, his thoughts wandered to a recent conversation with the Duke.

“So… what exactly did Eila say that convinced you I was your son?”

“She told me about what happened before you entered the orphanage. That you were captured by some men and barely escaped. You were found in an alley in Delpor District.”

“…”

“The moment I heard that, I knew. That’s where I lost my son too.”

The more he recalled it, the clearer everything became.

As his thoughts organized themselves, Felix reached a conclusion.

Eila must know the future—just like him. Or maybe she experienced the future herself and returned to the past.

It was hard to believe, but there was no other explanation.

And now, he had the perfect chance to ask her about it.

Felix spoke in a low voice.

“By the way…”

“Hm?”

“The Duke said… the person who helped him realize I was his son was Eila.”

The view was still hazy with steam, but Felix could tell.

The moment he said that, Eila froze.

“To my knowledge, I’ve never told Eila about any of that.”

“…”

“Then how did you know about my past, Eila?”