Departure

Thud.

A leather pouch dropped onto the bed without warning, causing Ensi to look up.

“I didn’t think your research would be finished already—are you just taking a break?”

“It’s not the kind of research that finishes in a day or two, and I didn’t think staying cooped up in the lab would make any brilliant ideas strike me.”

Ensi felt a small smile form at the corners of his mouth. Luke certainly had a long-winded way of saying he had made time to visit.

“And this is?”

As Ensi lifted the leather pouch, Luke gestured toward the luggage Ensi was currently packing.

“Improved medicine. It seemed like the absorption rate of the Sun Grass was dropping, so I remade it. It’ll be hard to burn herbs during the practical, so take that with you instead.”

“Thank you.”

Knowing that Luke had spent his precious time researching this, the words of gratitude came easily. Luke waved his hand dismissively and plopped down on the bed.

“In exchange, I’m taking a few roots of Sun Grass to make potions, so forget the thanks.”

“If you’re making potions—the ones on the east side would be best. I heard the flowers there are in good condition.”

“Hmm, did Donovan set those aside separately? I’ll probably get an earful later.”

“But you’re going to take them anyway, right?”

“Obviously.”

It was only natural that the higher the quality of the ingredients, the higher the quality of the potion. If Donovan had set them aside, it meant they were top-tier. He likely intended to use them for himself or for breeding, but what could he do?

Finders keepers.

Luke had no intention of missing out on top-grade materials just to avoid a few words of resentment.

“I heard you’re moving with Agniele for this practical.”

Luke cooled his hands and pressed them against his heated neck. Even though he had been to the greenhouse many times, his body showed no signs of getting used to the temperature.

“Did Lily make some strange request?”

“She asked for a potion that puts someone in a state of suspended animation for a set period of time.”

“That sounds dangerous just hearing about it. You didn’t give it to her, did you?”

“No. I told her I don’t have that, but I do have a potion that puts you in a state of suspended animation where I can’t guarantee you’ll ever wake up.”

It was ruthless, but a very Luke-like response. Ensi burst into laughter, and Luke continued indifferently while fanning himself with his hand.

“Cyril would probably fix it before they die anyway.”

“Cyril is so busy lately; she probably won’t have time for that.”

Lately, Cyril spent more time in the Holy Kingdom than at the Academy. She had originally fled to the Academy to avoid political strife, so the fact that her stays in the Holy Kingdom were lengthening meant that power in Asgard was beginning to consolidate around the Pope.

If the flow of power had remained stagnant, the Pope wouldn’t have summoned her back under the guise of danger. Recalling that the Pope was the strongest supporter of Cyril’s appointment as the Saintess, she might soon be officially coronated rather than just being a candidate.

“So, what about you?”

“Me?”

“Shouldn’t you be the one who needs to be more concerned?”

“Well, it’s not so bad. It’s just a practical exam, after all. No, actually, it might be quite convenient.”

Since Agniele volunteered to do all the annoying and difficult tasks, Ensi saw no reason to complain. Above all, Ensi didn’t think the relationship between him and Agniele was all that awkward. He dismissed it as Lily just making a fuss.

“But were you really going to try and feed me a potion with no safety guarantee?”

“If you wanted it, I was going to try and make one. It didn’t seem entirely impossible if I improved a sedative.”

It was the kind of thing Lily would be hurt to hear, so Ensi just gave a faint smile.

“Are artifacts allowed during the practical?”

“They don’t put restrictions on that.”

“Then take these. I made this thinking of a lighter, but the firepower was stronger than expected, so I haven’t been using it.”

Besides the lighter, Luke handed over several useful artifacts one by one, including a portable water purifier and a flashlight. No matter how he looked at them, they seemed more like intentionally designed goods than failed experiments—especially the waterproof cloak.

There was no reason for a cloak Luke claimed to have made for himself to fit Ensi so perfectly. However, since Luke didn’t seem to want to be honest about it, Ensi didn’t pry. It was enough to convey his gratitude properly.

“I’ll use them well and return them.”

“Don’t bother. I can just make more.”

“Making them costs money, doesn’t it?”

“Doesn’t the Eclipse Merchants Guild support us? Technically, these are all items bought with your funds anyway.”

‘Was that so?’ Hearing Luke’s words made the artifacts look a little different. As Ensi showed signs of satisfaction while looking at them, Luke stood up to leave.

“Leaving already?”

“I only came to deliver those. I thought it would be too hectic once you depart.”

Ensi belatedly noticed the fatigue in Luke’s voice as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“You haven’t slept much.”

“……The improvements took longer than expected. It’s my own fault for being arrogant, so don’t worry about it.”

Luke muttered, avoiding eye contact in embarrassment. He then waved his hand and walked away.

“Right, go get some sleep.”

Knowing Luke would only grumble if he tried to make him stay, Ensi waved back and saw him off. Perhaps because of the final request, Luke turned his head to glance back at Ensi, but in the end, he never said he would.

It seemed he had no intention of sleeping early today either.

If her eyes weren’t deceiving her, Lily’s arm was currently trembling. It wasn’t out of fear or terror, but pure, unadulterated anger.

“You… You…!”

The moment Ensi noticed Lily preparing to pull a scream from the depths of her soul, he quickly covered his ears.

“You petty bastard! You didn’t give me a single thing like this, but you only take care of Ensi?! Am I not even your friend?!”

Even though he had covered his ears, Ensi felt his head ringing and frowned slightly. Admiring Lily’s boundless energy even in the early morning, he shook his head to clear the lingering noise.

“Just wait until I get back!”

“That line sounded like a lame villain right before they exit the scene.”

Ensi replied bluntly while gently stroking the neck of the horse that had been startled by Lily’s shouting. His ears were still ringing so much he wondered if she had infused her voice with mana.

“No, Ensi, isn’t Luke being too much?”

“I wouldn’t go that far. It’s probably because you’re moving with me anyway.”

“Is it?”

Since Lily wasn’t truly annoyed so much as she was feeling a momentary burst of pettiness and hurt feelings, she calmed down quickly at Ensi’s words. After taking a few deep breaths to regain her composure, she examined the artifacts Luke had given. Having perfectly grasped how to use them just by looking, Lily clicked her tongue.

“It’s even more annoying because they’re all so useful.”

“No need to get worked up. Anyway, where is Agniele?”

The departure time was approaching, but not even a hair of anyone resembling Agniele was in sight. Perhaps because he thought the diligent man was being late, a note of curiosity touched Ensi’s voice.

“Since the escort disguised as a supervisor has to follow us secretly, he had to go report our departure. He went to do that.”

“Is that so?”

Seeing as Lily knew this, it seemed he was the last one to know. Ensi was awkwardly touching his hair, which he had tied up high, when he turned around at the feeling of someone approaching from behind.

“Agniele, did you finish the report?”

Since the person coming into view was his companion for the foreseeable future, Ensi spoke with a hint of welcome.

“……You’re beautiful.”

The response that came back, however, was not an answer to the question, but a short yet intense exclamation.

“Pardon?”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake—”

Of course, Agniele hadn’t said it on purpose. It was just that seeing Ensi in comfortable travel attire for the first time had caused him to whisper it as if possessed. True to the term “comfortable attire,” there were no flashy embroideries or beautiful jewel decorations, but in his eyes, Ensi looked as radiant as ever.

However, separate from Agniele’s feelings, Lily expressed clear agony, and Ensi was left stunned. While Ensi struggled to find his bearings as if unable to process what Agniele had said, Lily lamented internally.

‘Of all things, why did a new pattern not in the expected scenario have to come out?’ Thanks to that, she had revealed her emotions clearly without any way to hide them. Honestly, even if it had been a scenario she expected, she didn’t think her reaction would have been much different.

“What do you mean by—”

“Alright, let’s head out now! Mount Lakes is far, right? We need to move quickly, what are you doing? Get on your horse, hurry!”

Knowing all too well that if Ensi replied, she would have to listen to a stagnant conversation or a dialogue she detested, Lily quickly cut him off. Thanks to Lily pushing his back relentlessly, Ensi climbed onto his horse with a reluctant face, while Agniele still couldn’t take his eyes off him.

“Agniele!”

Lily called him again as she noticed Agniele’s head naturally following Ensi’s movements.

“Ah, right. We should depart……”

Having regained his senses a step late at the sharp call, Agniele climbed onto his horse with stiff, clunky movements. Seeing Agniele looking awkward even from the back, Lily let out a deep sigh and mounted her own horse.

“Everyone has everything they need, right?”

“I’m good.”

“I have everything as well.”

Lily was concerned about Agniele, who still seemed half-dazed, but under the belief that he was an adult who would figure it out, she shouted energetically.

“Then, let’s go!”

For the sake of my mental and physical stability!

Naturally, the latter part, which was her true inner thought, remained swallowed.