Hearing his student’s assumption, faint lines of surprise crease Lutzer’s face, though softened with a smile.

  “Zeff Lou Roan, do you really believe that rumor? Do you think a queen could have an affair, get pregnant, and give birth without the king ever noticing?”

  Zeff shows no hesitation, his response objective and steady.

  “Forgive me, Grand Master. I’m only gathering the information that’s circulating. I haven’t had the chance to confirm whether it’s true. But at the very least, I feel it’s important to know that such gossip has spread among the Argoust nobility.”

  Lutzer nods in understanding.

  “You’re already starting to think like a future intelligence agent.”

  Zeff blinks, a little caught off guard.

  “Ah, so Grand Master already knows.”

  “Of course. Why else would you take the eagle-eye training if not because you intend to become an intelligence agent?”

  “Honestly, I prefer working behind the scenes rather than serving on the front lines,” Zeff admits.

  Lutzer Swan smiles. His favorite student never fails to meet his expectations.

  “At least I’m giving you some perspective on why I hope you might one day serve the third prince of Argoust.”

  “Yes. Your judgment is a valuable guide for me. But for now, I can’t avoid being placed under the crown prince’s command.”

  “I understand your situation, Zeff Lou Roan. Your family’s reputation is at stake.”

  “I’ll endure it for six months. After that, I’ll submit a request to transfer to the general corps, where I can remain neutral again. If possible, I’ll look for an opportunity to serve the third prince.”

  The Grand Master smiles warmly.

  “Good. It’s reassuring to see you already have a clear plan for your future. Whatever path you choose, make sure you think it through carefully. May your future be bright, Zeff Lou Roan.”

  “Thank you for your guidance, Grand Master.”

  .

  The artificer building.

  Jacelin enters Zoi and Yanzen’s workshop with a bright, cheerful face.

  “Heyyy, sorry for the trouble, and thanks so much for letting me hold the farewell party here.”

  She comes in with Bertan, carrying several shopping bags. Zoi greets her warmly.

  “No problem. You’re Zeff’s friend, so that makes you our friend too. Don’t hold back, Jacelin, Senior Bertan.”

  “Oh wow, Zeff’s girlfriend is really kind.”

  Zoi’s face turns red. “I–I’m not Zeff’s girlfriend. Don’t believe that rumor!”

  Everyone chuckles at her reaction, which only makes it more obvious that she really does have feelings for Zeff.

  Yanzen quickly helps carry the bags from Bertan’s hands.

  “You two brought so much. What’s in this one? Feels like a drink.”

  Jacelin looks a little worried.

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “Oh, that one has some really valuable wine inside, so please be careful, Yanzen.”

  “You seriously went as far as buying expensive wine?” Zoi asks while arranging plates and glasses on the round table.

  “For our last moment together, it has to be celebrated properly! But why aren’t Zeff and Vichel here yet?”

  “Vichella Arleith?”

  “Yeah, she’s my best friend. I invited her too.”

  .

  In front of the still-closed lift doors, Zeff and Vichel lock eyes in a tense stare.

  Zeff, broad-shouldered and towering, stands directly before the lift with his arms crossed over his chest. His chin tilts up in arrogance, but his gaze drops down, fixed on the smaller girl in front of him.

  “What are you doing here?” His tone is more interrogation than question.

  Vichel glares back, convinced he’s blocking her on purpose. “This is a public place. Anyone’s allowed to be here.”

  “Not for people who look suspicious. What business does the second-place battlemage champion have in the artificer building?”

  The jab hidden in his words makes Vichel bristle.

  “Jacelin invited me here for the farewell party!”

  “Oh, really? You should’ve said that earlier, then I wouldn’t have had to interrogate you.”

  “You’re the one making things difficult for yourself. Why blaming me?”

  Zeff flashes a mischievous grin, then presses the button to open the lift. When the empty cabin slides open, he steps into the doorway and stretches his left arm across, holding the door as if to block it from closing.

  “Go on, just walk under my arm. Don’t worry, your head won’t hit.”

  The jab drips with sarcasm, emphasizing the ridiculous height difference between them. Veins of irritation practically show on Vichel’s face, as if she’d rather blast him backward with a gust of wind than lower herself to pass under his arm.

  But she chooses patience over conflict, ducking under his arm and stepping inside. Zeff’s grin spreads even wider. He follows her in and casually presses the button for the fourth floor.

  They are the only two inside the moving lift, the cabin humming softly as it rises. Vichel’s face stays locked in an irritated scowl.

  “Do you always act this annoying with everyone? I think Jacelin was wrong calling you a good guy.”

  “Honestly? I just enjoy messing with you.”

  “Why?” Vichel fixes her eyes on him. “Did I ever do something to you?”

  “On the contrary. I’m the one who once did something wrong to you. Teasing you just… makes me feel better.”

  Confusion multiplies across Vichel’s face at that strange admission.

  “How does a creature like you even exist? If you did something wrong, shouldn’t you just apologize?”

  Zeff turns fully toward her. “Fine then, I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?”

  “What exactly did you do?”

  Zeff looks puzzled for a moment, then his expression eases with relief.

  “Oh, so you don’t even remember it as my fault. Guess I shouldn’t have wasted all this time feeling guilty.”

  That only leaves Vichel even more confused. Inside, Zeff silently curses Tseryo.

  “Damn that stuck-up noble, his words kept nagging me!”

  You owe Vichella Arleith an apology. You humiliated her in the arena.

  “If I’m being honest,” Vichel finally speaks again, her gaze fixed away from him, “I’ve never liked you since you beat me in the finals.”

  Zeff’s face tightens instantly. Vichel’s eyes burn with a quiet disappointment.

  “I knew I couldn’t possibly win against you. But I hated losing that way… just because I’m a woman.”

  The elevator doors slide open, and Vichel steps out first, her face expressionless. Zeff stays behind in silence, overwhelmed by a flood of guilt that hits even harder after hearing it straight from Vichel.

  .

  Meanwhile, inside the artificer’s workshop, Jacelin is full of excitement as she teases Zoi along with Bertan and Yanzen.

  “See? I knew it! Zoi definitely has feelings for Zeff!” Jacelin beams, as cheerful as a mother delighted that her daughter has found a sweetheart.

  Zoi’s face flushes red with embarrassment. “Ah, don’t talk so loud—what if Zeff shows up and hears you?”

  “There’s no one outside, Zoi. Relax,” Bertan chimes in.

  “I’ve known for a while,” Yanzen adds. “It’s just that Zeff is ridiculously clueless about girls’ feelings.”

  “Zeff’s always been like that, I can’t blame him,” Zoi says with a resigned sigh.

  Yanzen immediately launches into a long rebuttal.

  “But you’ve done so much for him, Zoi! He should realize it by now. You were the one who discovered the arzechlous orb material during the expedition, the one who insisted the team leader persuade the Faculty Council to make it the prize for the competition Zeff entered. And you were the one who worked tirelessly with the artificer team to turn that material into an arzechlous orb. Indirectly, that orb is a gift from you to Zeff.”

  “Wow…” Jacelin is amazed. “That really is an incredible effort, Zoi. Zeff has to know.”

  Zoi lowers her head. “I… never intended to tell Zeff just to make him feel indebted and forced to return my feelings. I like Zeff—I only hope he realizes it and feels the same about me.”

  “But in Zeff’s case, I think you’ll have to take the first step,” Jacelin offers her own view. “Yanzen’s right—Zeff is completely clueless when it comes to romance. All this time, he hasn’t even realized he has any attraction toward women.”

  “I agree with Jacelin,” Bertan adds. “Zoi, if you don’t confess first, Zeff will never know.”

  “Yeah, tell him soon, before he ends up leaving for Argoust.”

  All their urging leaves Zoi’s face creased with confusion.

  “Should I really confess my feelings to Zeff?”