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Ayla wasn't upset when Rosia took Blanche Duchess's place.
Because she knew she would eventually reclaim her position.
The Dragon was the same. If being with the Dragon was her destiny, it would eventually return to her.
Because the Divine Beast chooses its own master.
Ayla smiled at Peony as if to say it was okay.
"I think it's unavoidable."
Peony said with a sorry face.
"I'm sorry, but I'll keep an eye on the Dragon and let you know how it's doing. Since winter vacation has started, I'm planning to return to the Imperial Palace soon."
Ayla's eyes widened at her words.
"Returning to the Imperial Palace... isn't it dangerous?"
Peony replied with a playful smile, as if there was no problem.
"You have to go into the tiger's den to catch the tiger."
She was planning to investigate who had helped poison her during the vacation.
She couldn't just sit still while someone was targeting her.
Ayla looked at Peony worriedly, then sent her a supportive smile.
"You're a strong person, so you'll do well."
Felix, who was sulking next to her, also chimed in with Ayla's words.
"I agree. There's no one as persistent as Peony."
Peony narrowed her eyes at those words.
"Is that a compliment?"
"Of course. For a knight, persistence is the best virtue."
Ayla chuckled at his brazen reply and agreed.
"That's right, you have to be persistent to make good Magical potions."
"What is that!"
In the end, Peony couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.
Was it because of the encouragement from the two of them? She didn't feel any fear even though she was returning to the Imperial Palace, where her enemies were waiting to take her life.
All three of them smiled for a while in a warm atmosphere.
Then, when it suddenly became quiet, Felix carefully opened his mouth, looking around.
"Actually, I have something to say too."
Peony turned to him with a puzzled look.
It was rare for Felix to hesitate like this before speaking.
"I think I'll have to leave the academy for a while too."
"What, you too?"
Peony exclaimed in surprise, then hurriedly turned to Ayla.
If Felix also left, Ayla would be left alone in the dormitory during the vacation.
'Of course, nothing much will happen during that time, but still...'
Felix seemed concerned about that point as well, as he paused for a moment before carefully continuing.
"Actually, Duke Argenta came to visit me when I was locked in solitary confinement. At that time, I was offered to stay in the Argenta territory for a while after being released from solitary confinement. To have special tutoring as well."
Felix stopped speaking with a somewhat complicated expression.
He was concerned about the Duke's condition when they were talking at the time.
When he was imprisoned on suspicion of helping to raise the Monsters' egg, he openly expressed his anger as if he had been treated unfairly.
At the same time, he looked at him with pitiful eyes and said this several times.
"Don't worry. I'll get you out of here no matter what."
Duke Argenta, whom he knew, was a very fair person.
But to promise to get him out of solitary confinement before the charges were completely cleared was difficult to understand, even if he was the Duke's disciple.
'And the way he looked at me felt different from before.'
Felix closed his mouth with complicated feelings.
But Ayla, who knew the circumstances he didn't know, quickly guessed the Duke's intentions.
'He's probably going to do a paternity test and spend time with his son.'
She was sad that she would be spending the vacation alone, but she couldn't stop him if his father wanted to spend time with his son.
Ayla smiled lightly at him and said.
"Don't worry about me, just go and have a good time."
"But..."
It was a good thing in a way.
He could bring back important herbs while visiting the Duchy.
'I should get Felix to bring it back this time.'
If she could get the Divine Step, both of them could get rid of their terrible Mana insensitivity.
Ayla's lips curved softly as she imagined that.
"If you receive special tutoring from Duke Argenta, you'll come back stronger. Then, could you do me a favor?"
"A favor?"
"There's a herb I need to find. Can you persuade the Duke to get it for me?"
"What kind of herb is it?"
"It's one of the ingredients that will completely cure Mana insensitivity."
"......"
"It's called the Divine Step, and it's a very rare herb, so the Duke won't give it to you easily. But I think you can get it."
The moment he heard those words, Felix frowned without realizing it.
The news that he could get rid of Mana insensitivity was very welcome.
But it came to him with a slightly different meaning.
'A complete Cure... does that mean I won't be able to see Ayla anymore after I get it?'
He and Ayla were in different departments.
Until now, they had met often under the pretext of receiving the Temporary Cure, but if the disease was completely cured, the frequency of their meetings would naturally decrease.
Besides, Ayla was such an outstanding Mage that she immediately took the top spot in her department as soon as she took the Temporary Cure.
'If she takes the complete Cure, she might become even stronger than me.'
Then she wouldn't need his protection anymore.
And if she graduates, it will be even harder to see her.
Because he will be following Duke Argenta to the Duchy.
Thinking that, Felix felt an unknown sense of rejection.
Can't we just stay like this?
After all, he already had enough skills to be recognized by Duke Argenta.
If he trained for a few more years, he would have enough power and foundation to protect Ayla.
'But does Ayla really need a perfect Cure?'
Felix stared intently at Ayla without saying a word.
"Felix?"
Ayla tilted her head when he didn't answer.
Then, her face was reflected in her clear eyes.
Felix soon stopped breathing when he saw his somewhat cold eyes.
He swallowed a hollow laugh as he realized what he was thinking.
Ayla's words about making a perfect Cure were natural and reasonable.
He had no justification to refuse it, but he hesitated to answer because he just wanted to stay by her side.
'Let's stop thinking foolishly.'
Felix forced a smile and slowly nodded.
Ayla smiled brightly at the sight.
"That's great, I'll write down the precautions on how to dig out the Divine Step without damaging it."
Ayla seemed very happy, unaware of Felix's burning heart.
She rummaged through her pockets, took out a small pen and notepad, and began to write with familiar movements.
Her appearance as she pressed down on each letter was quite serious.
Felix, who was watching her, felt inexplicably burning inside.
He wanted to protect her. He wanted to protect her.
And he believed that it was a very natural feeling that could be felt between close friends.
But the more he saw her recently, the more strange desires arose.
The thought of wanting to monopolize all of Ayla's smiles and gazes.
And the thought of wanting all of her attention as much as possible.
It was somehow inconsistent to define that as simple friendship.
Soon, Felix felt suffocated.
'...What's different about me now from Kadin.'
He remembered Kadin grabbing Ayla's wrist and threatening her.
He also remembered getting a cold look from Ayla after saying unnecessary things about whether he had any lingering feelings for that guy.
...He didn't want to make that mistake again and be hated.
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