Chapter Summary:
After their confrontation in the library, Leo and Elyna begin investigating the identity of the mysterious girl who attacked them. They discover she is an **agent of the Hero's Order**, sent to investigate the "dark aura" detected at the academy.
But as Leo tries to uncover the true purpose of her mission, their relationship begins to shift—from enemies to something more complex.
Meanwhile, Elyna starts questioning Leo's past…
> And perhaps, it's time for her to know the truth.
---
I sat in the corner of our secret reading room, wrapped in a thin blanket around my small body.
Elyna sat across the table, idly tapping her pencil against the notes we'd gathered.
"I still can't believe it," she murmured. "They actually had a program about soul reincarnation?"
I stared at her.
Then slowly, I nodded.
Because I myself was living proof of that theory.
"So…" Elyna looked at me seriously. "Are you… also a subject of this project?"
I stayed silent.
And again, I could only stare back without speaking.
But this time, my expression wasn't as blank as usual.
There was a flicker of hesitation.
And maybe, just a little vulnerability.
Elyna noticed.
She gave a small smile.
"If you're not ready to talk, that's okay. But don't think I won't keep asking."
I inwardly snorted.
> Of course she wouldn't stop.
---
Shadow on the Rooftop
A few days after the library incident, I began to feel like someone was watching me.
Not just a hunch.
There was the same faint aura—sharp yet subtle. Like an arrow waiting to be released.
I knew exactly who it was.
The girl with short brown hair. The mysterious archer. An agent of the Hero's Order.
She was still following me.
And this time, she didn't seem intent on attacking.
Just observing.
I brought this up to Tessia, who had hidden herself within the school grounds disguised as a new servant.
"She doesn't want to kill you," Tessia said when we met secretly in the back storeroom. "She's trying to confirm whether you're truly a threat."
I stared at her.
"If she keeps interfering, I can make her disappear," she added coldly.
I shook my head quickly.
Tessia gave a quiet scoff.
"Fine. I understand. You want to handle this yourself."
I nodded.
Because I was certain:
> She wasn't an enemy that needed to be eliminated.
She just needed answers.
And maybe, I could give her some.
---
A Direct Encounter
On a quiet night, I finally created that opportunity.
With Elyna's help, I staged a distraction in the main hall—a small smoke explosion (of course), followed by a fake alarm.
As everyone rushed out in panic, I slipped out of my room and made my way to the school rooftop.
And there she was.
Standing at the edge of the roof, bow in hand.
Her eyes narrowed when she saw me.
"You… knew I was here?"
I gave a slow nod.
She leapt down gracefully from the rooftop and stood a few steps away from me.
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked warily.
I stayed silent.
Then slowly, I pointed at her chest.
She frowned.
"You're looking for something there?"
I nodded.
She studied me for a moment. Then she sighed.
"I can't explain everything. But I do know one thing…"
She pulled a rolled-up piece of paper from her pocket.
It was a photo.
A man with black hair. Sharp eyes. A powerful aura.
> Me.
The photo had been taken when I was still alive—as Kaiser von Zerath.
"We've been searching for you," she whispered. "Or rather… traces of you."
I stared at her.
And for the first time, I saw doubt in her eyes.
> She wasn't sure if I was really the enemy.
---
## 💬 Answers I'm Not Ready to Give
I gazed at the photo for a moment.
Then slowly, I shook my head.
I pointed at myself.
Then I raised my hand and made a small gesture—like wiping away a memory.
"You… don't want to be recognized?" she guessed.
I nodded.
She was silent.
Then suddenly, she gave a small smile.
"You're kind of cute… for a living legend."
I stared at her.
"My name is **Selene**," she said softly. "And I won't kill you… not yet."
I inwardly snorted.
> That's good enough for now.