“Anyway, this vilge is the most isoted p the eastern ti, far from Thalradia. So we should be fine,” Catherine said, though her tone cked full fidence. She pushed back her chair, standing with a determined look. “I’ll che Aegis Wardstone’s status. You must be tired, though. Get some rest.”I rubbed the bay ned sighed. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m such a night owl.”Catherine gave a soft chuckle, her lips curving into a reassuring smile. “No… I mean, it’s normal for your folk, isn’t it? The night feels more like home for you.”Her ent caught me off guard, but I quickly rying not to overthink it. “Ah, right. Maybe that’s it,” I murmured, my cheeks warming slightly. Then I remembered the promise I made earlier. “Um… I… promised to have dinner with someo Lisa’s pce this evening. Is… is that okay?”Catheriilted her head slightly, her brow raising just a bit. “That girl, huh?” she said, her smile teasing. “I don’t see why not. The vilge is rather lively at night, and it’s good for you to bond with the others.”“Hey, Catherine. You’re a witch, right?” I asked, my voice hesitant as I watched her tilt her head slightly, her witch hat shifting with the motion. “Is there magic… that heal heart problems?”Catheri out a long, weary sigh, the kind that carried turies of weight.“I ’t,” she said, her voice soft and tinged with regret. She offered a weak smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m not skilled in spatial magi I a priestess gifted with healing magic. I’m just… a retired witch, living quietly on this hill he vilge, spending my immortality in peace.”“I see…” I murmured, my voice barely audible as a faint shudder ran through me.Her eyes darkened slightly as she looked at me, her gaze pierg. “I know what yetting at,” she said quietly. “I’ve lived for far too long. Long enough that I’ve lost any sense of innoce I once had. People e and go, living and dying, while to me… a geion passes in the blink of an eye.”Her words were heavy, and the room seemed to grow quieter with every sylble.“I’m sorry,” she tinued, her voice steady but ced with an ache that only time could fe. “I’m not a good person, Mashiro. My empathy wavered a long time ago. Even now, the only reason I try to mediate the flict between the humans and elves is purely selfish. I just want to keep my peace here… to live undisturbed.”“I’m sorry,” I said softly, the words slipping out before I could think of anything else. They felt ie, but they were all I had.Catherine didn’t respond immediately. She simply gazed at me with those tired, a eyes, a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugging at her lips.After all, I was just a 19-year-old college girl not so long ago. What did I know about living for turies, about watg people e and go like seasons ging? I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to feel about her words—pity? Admiration? Fear? Or maybe just the simple, ag lonelihat hung in the air around her like an invisible shroud.The sileween us stretched, heavy but not unfortable. I shifted awkwardly, my hands brushing the edge of the table. Part of me wao offer something—fort, perhaps—but what could I possibly say to someone who had seen and endured so much?“I’ll go to sleep,” I said, my voice tinged with weariness.Catherine gave a small nod, her expression softening. “I’ll wake you up early in the evening,” she replied, leaning ba her chair. “Oh, and I o buy a few things in the vilge. We head down together if you don’t mind.”A faint smile crept onto my face, her offer bringing a small sense of fort. “I’d like that,” I murmured. “Goodnight, Catherine.”She waved a hand zily, her witch hat slightly tilting as she leaned her elbow oable. “Goodnight, Mashiro. Sweet dreams.”I smiled at her goodnight, though deep down, I doubted I’d have much luck dreaming tonight. Still, the thought of seeing Furukawa in my dreams brought a flicker of determination. This time, if she showed up, I wouldn’t let her off so easily. I’d wrestle her down for answers—no cryptic remarks or dodging my questions. Just the truth.With that thought in mind, I headed to my room, feeling the weight of the day settle in. Even if sleep didn’t e peacefully, I’d at least try to face it head-on.

  ? ? ?

  “Wake up, my apprentice,” Catherine said softly, her voice warm as she smiled down at me.I blinked groggily, rubbing my eyes as I sat up. The room was dim, and the window framed the dark hues of early evening. Catherine was in her usual witch outfit, looking as posed as ever.I yawned zily, gng around. Ohing was missing. “Huh… no Furukawa?” I muttered to myself, half in relief, half in fusion.“You look absolutely adorable when you sleep,” Catherieased, leaning in slightly. “Especially with that butterfly h over your head.”My hand shot to my hair, patting around as I looked for any sign of the butterfly she mentioned. But there was nothing. Then it clicked—the Swallowtail Butterfly skill. Maybe it really did appear when I slept, silently guarding me. Could it have been the reason Furukawa didn’t show up this time?But… wait. I paused, the fog of sleep starting to clear as fragments of my dream surfaced. I did see Furukawa st night, but not as her college-aged self. It was her high school form, like a memory mispced and dragged into my dream. The pieces didn’t quite fit, and the more I thought about it, the more tangled my thoughts became.Catheriilted her head, watg me with mild curiosity as I frowned. “What’s wrong? Lost in thought?” she asked.“Just… nothing,” I said quickly, shaking off the fusion. I pushed those thoughts aside and climbed out of bed, readying myself for the night ahead. Whatever my dreams were trying to tell me, I didn’t have the energy to untahem now. “Did you finish cheg out the Aegis Wardrobe thingy?”“Wardstone,” Catherine corrected with a slight roll of her eyes. “Ahe o the heart of the forest is broken. Some dragon probably smashed it because someone didn’t do her job properly.”“Sophia wouldn’t do that… probably?” I tilted my head, genuinely uain. “Wait, are you two close?”Catheri out a deep sigh, brushing a strand of her crimson hair behind her ear. “More or less. We were in the same adventurer party more than 300 years ago. We still keep in touch.”“Really? I didn’t think you’d still talk to her.” I blinked, surprised.“She’s… persistent.” Catherine’s lips went into a faint smirk. “While I retired here, Sophia’s been hopping from one job to another all over the world. She ’t seem to stay in one pce for long. And now, after failing to catch those nobles i of trading sves, she immediately moved on to babysitting dragons.”“Catg nobles?” I tilted my head, curiosity getting the better of me.Catherine sighed, adjusting her witch hat as she stood. “After the reports of elves being sold as sves got out, many nobles fled the kingdom to avoid scrutiny. Sophia was chasing after them, trying to catch them i, but they’re slippery. She couldn’t catch them all.”“I see…” I mumbled, processing her words. It felt surreal, like something out of a tragic tale.“Anyway,” Catherine said briskly, breaking the heavy atmosphere as she grabbed her staff and slung a small bag over her shoulder. “We o get going. The vilge doesn’t stay lively forever, and I still have errands to run.”I nodded, quickly adjusting my clothes. “Right. Let’s go.”Catherine and I desded the hill together uhe gentle glow of the evening sky. The setting sun paihe clouds in hues of amber and vender, and the cool breeze carried the faint st of wildflowers ah. Catherine walked gracefully, her witch’s hat tilted just slightly, her long red hair swaying as she carried a small pou her hand.“So, this is where I ask if you’re nervous,” Catherieased lightly, her voice cutting through the quiet.“N-nervous?” I stammered, gng at her. “It’s just dinner…”Catherine smirked knowingly. “Dinner with someone. I saw how you hesitated earlier when you asked for permission.”My cheeks flushed. “It’s not like that! It’s just—S’s kind, and I feel bad for running off on him before.”Catherine hummed, her smirk deepening. “Of course, of course. I’m just teasing. You’re blushing, though.”“I am not!” I shot back, turning my head away to hide my embarrassment. She chuckled softly, the sound warm and slightly mischievous.As we reached the base of the hill, the vilge began to e alive with the chatter of merts and vilgers ing up their day. Lanterns were being lit, their soft, golden glow illuminating the cobblestoreets. The faint aroma of grilled meat and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, making my stomach grumble faintly.roached Lisa’s inn, which stood at the heart of the vilge, its warm light spilling out from the windows.“Well, here we are,” Catherine said, stopping just short of the entrance. “I’ll leave you to it. I have my own errands to run. Enjoy your date.”“It’s not a date!” I excimed, the heat rushing bay face. Catherine ughed, waving a hand dismissively.“Rex. Just enjoy yourself. Lisa’s food is good, and the pany doesn’t seem too bad either.” With a wink, she turned and walked away, her silhouette disappearing into the growing twilight.