HTNSA 75

Chapter 75

Even if Eila argued right now, it wouldn’t change anything.

Just like when she lost her title as the Blanche family’s noble daughter to Rosia—she hadn’t felt bitter.

She had always believed she’d regain her rightful place one day.

It was the same with the dragon. If it was truly her fate to be with it, it would return to her someday.

Divine beasts were said to choose their own masters, after all.

Eila smiled gently at Peony.

“I think… it’s something I just have to accept.”

Peony looked at her apologetically.

“I’m sorry. But I’ll make sure to check on the dragon myself and keep you updated. Since it’s winter break now, I’ll be heading back to the palace.”

Eila’s eyes widened.

“Back to the palace… isn’t that dangerous?”

Peony grinned mischievously, as if it were nothing.

“To catch the wolf, I have to walk into the den.”

She planned to investigate who had been poisoning her during the semester. She couldn’t just sit and take it anymore.

Eila looked at her with concern but then smiled encouragingly.

“You’re strong. I know you’ll handle it well.”

Even Felix, who had been sulking beside them, added in agreement.

“I think so too. No one’s more persistent than Peony-senpai.”

Peony narrowed her eyes.

“…Was that a compliment?”

“Of course. Persistence is the best quality in a knight.”

His cheeky response made Eila chuckle and nod along.

“Same goes for alchemists. You need to be stubborn to make good potions.”

“What kind of logic is that?!”

Eventually, Peony burst into laughter.

Thanks to their encouragement, she no longer felt anxious about returning to the palace, even if danger awaited her.

The three of them shared a warm, light-hearted moment of laughter.

Then, as the mood quieted, Felix cautiously spoke up.

“…Actually, I have something to say too.”

Peony turned to him in surprise.

It wasn’t like Felix to hesitate this much.

“I’ll be leaving the academy for a bit as well.”

“What? You too?”

Peony turned to Eila in alarm.

If Felix left, Eila would be alone in the dorms over break.

Of course, nothing major is likely to happen… but still.

Felix hesitated, clearly aware of that concern.

“While I was in solitary, the Duke came to visit me. He suggested I spend some time at the dukedom once I was released… to receive some special training.”

His expression turned complicated.

The Duke had looked deeply upset about Felix’s imprisonment, as though it were an insult to himself.

And he had told Felix repeatedly:

“Don’t worry. I’ll get you out of there no matter what.”

Felix had always known the Duke to be a fair and rational man.

So to offer release before his name was even cleared—it didn’t quite make sense.

The way he looked at me… it felt different somehow.

Felix fell silent, his thoughts tangled.

But Eila, knowing more than he did, guessed the truth immediately.

“He probably wants to spend time with his son. Maybe even get a blood test done.”

She was a little sad to be spending break alone, but she couldn’t deny the Duke’s desire to be with his child.

So she smiled gently at Felix.

“Don’t worry about me. Just go and enjoy your time.”

“But…”

Honestly, this worked in her favor.

If Felix went to the dukedom, he could gather the rare herb she needed.

“Let’s ask him to bring back God’s Footsteps.”

With that herb, both of them could finally be free of mana insensitivity.

Just thinking about it made Eila smile.

“If you’re getting special training from the Duke, you’ll come back even stronger. So… can I ask you for a favor?”

“A favor?”

“There’s a herb I need. Can you convince the Duke to give it to you?”

“What kind of herb?”

“It’s one of the ingredients needed to completely cure mana insensitivity.”

“…”

“It’s called God’s Footsteps. It’s rare, so the Duke probably won’t give it up easily. But… I think you can get it.”

At those words, Felix frowned unconsciously.

The idea of being completely cured of mana insensitivity should have made him happy.

But for him, it meant something else entirely.

A complete cure… would that mean I don’t get to see Eila anymore?

They were in different departments. Until now, he’d had an excuse to see her often because of the temporary treatments.

But if she was cured, those excuses would disappear.

And Eila… she had risen to the top of her class with just a temporary fix.

If she’s fully cured, she might surpass me completely.

Then she wouldn’t need his protection anymore.

And once she graduated, it would be even harder to see her.

Felix would follow the Duke to the duchy, after all.

That thought made his chest tighten uncomfortably.

Can’t we just stay like this?

He was already strong enough to be recognized by the Duke.

If he trained for just a few more years, he could protect Eila completely.

But does she even need a perfect cure?

Felix stared at her in silence.

“Felix?”

Eila tilted her head, confused by his lack of response.

In her bright eyes, he saw his own reflection—and his cold expression startled him.

He realized what he was thinking… and let out a breathless laugh.

Of course Eila should seek a full cure.

He had no right to deny her that—just because he wanted to stay close.

“Stop being stupid.”

He forced a smile and nodded slowly.

Seeing that, Eila beamed.

“Great! Then I’ll write down the precautions for harvesting God’s Footsteps without damaging it.”

Unaware of Felix’s inner turmoil, Eila looked cheerful as she rummaged through her pocket for a pen and memo pad.

She began writing carefully, each word neatly pressed into the page.

Watching her, Felix felt like something inside him was burning.

He wanted to protect her. To be by her side.

He told himself those were just normal feelings between close friends.

But the more he saw her lately, the more strange desires crept in.

He wanted to monopolize her gaze, her smile.

To be the center of all her attention.

And it no longer felt like just friendship.

A tightness seized his chest.

“…How am I any different from Cadin?”

He remembered the way Cadin had grabbed Eila’s wrist and shouted at her.

The cold look Eila gave him afterward still lingered in Felix’s mind.

He didn’t want to make the same mistake and be hated like that again.