The days passed, the exam period ended, and Shion Lan had performed well in both the written and combat tests. He looked at his hands and said,
"My Stellar Spirit managed to master (Cutting Flames), (Paths of Fire), and (Flame Claws). But when I returned to my body, I couldn't release all that power." And remembered the combat test as he couldn't perform his techniques or spells and can't raise them to the stellar level and thought, 'I need to train again. Still, my training speed has increased. You could say the method of mastery is preserved in my mind—it just needs some work.' And consoled himself.
Shion walked through the academy corridors. Everyone was preparing to leave since the exams had ended and the kingdom's annual celebration was approaching. He decided to stop by the first-year classroom to pick up Baro Ferrer and Fiore Tai.
While on his way, he heard a familiar voice.
"Shion Lan!"
He turned and saw Sol Hart approaching him.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"To pick up those two boys."
Sol laughed. "I'll pick up those two boys—as if you're a father collecting his children. So tell me, who's your wife?"
She was only teasing him, but he suddenly remembered the pure beauty in his mind and unconsciously replied,
"Solan Neumann."
"..."
Soul paused for a moment before Shion realized what he had just said. He turned to leave, but she grabbed him.
"So what she said is true—you hugged her."
Shion froze, sweat forming on his forehead. In a cold voice laced with suppressed anger, he asked,
"How do you know?"
And thought inwardly, 'Did Solan really tell Sol about it?! I think she is shy!'
But Sol replied,
"She visited me in my dreams. She pulled me into the Spirit World and taught me many things about spirits since the accident. Then she started asking about you and her face was red. I told her what I knew. But recently, she stopped visiting. When I saw her yesterday, she wasn't in her right mind. So, I asked but she didn't tell me anything thing." And Sol smiled as she continued,
"I didn't leave her all the time and kept asking her time after time, in the end, she surrendered and told me what happened."
"..."
Shion thought for a moment before saying,
"You're such an annoying girl! But speaking of that, I don't know what happened back then. It was as if I was bewitched—I approached her unconsciously. And secondly, don't speak like that. I didn't do anything!"
As he thought inwardly,
'That was strange for real. I didn't how things went to that but I was unable to get my mind back until Shi Yun Lan helped me'
Sol fell silent before saying,
"The reason that happened is because Solan has feelings for you."
"…?"
Shion looked at her in confusion but Sol continued,
"The Spirit World is something Solan created. Everything that happens there is influenced by her emotions. If she's sad, the atmosphere becomes gloomy. If she's angry, it becomes stormy and chaotic. And if she's in love…"
She looked at Shion, who understood and said,
"The atmosphere in my dream was calm, peaceful, and beautiful."
"Exactly!" Sol clapped her hands and said, "Everyone in her world is affected by her emotions—they feel her sadness and her anger. According to what she told me, she loves you. But you keep teasing her." And Sol frowned.
Shion was stunned.
'Wasn't I the one caught in her feelings? Why am I the bad person here?!'
A headache struck him, followed by Shi Yun Lan's voice,
"Your mind is stronger than any influence. Otherwise, Shiu Won Lan would have destroyed you long ago."
"????"
The words only deepened his confusion.
'So I couldn't have been caught by her feelings. What does that mean?!'
Shi Yun Lan replied mockingly,
"A little love bird, thirsty for love, and damned courage boy"
"....."
Sol cut through his thoughts.
"Even if you don't love her, you shouldn't have embarrassed her like that."
'What is going on here?!' Shion screamed internally.
He nodded silently.
After meeting Baro Ferrer and Fiore Tai, they decided to leave together. On their way out, they encountered Lady Vivi, who was with Fiore in the beginning. He chose to leave with her.
When they reached the academy entrance and approached the teleportation circles, soft hands covered Shion's eyes from behind.
"Guess who I am," a girl whispered.
Without thinking, Sol responded, "You lit—"
"Stop!"
Shion knew this would happen again.
"Lady Jewel, you may speak."
The hands lowered. The girl stepped in front of him—red hair, blue eyes, fascinating beauty.
"It seems Lord Lan still remembers me. My heart feels warm."
Shion grabbed Sol's hand—she had clearly intended to kill the girl. Baro pretended to see nothing.
"You can come with us to the common district," Shion said calmly. "We can talk there."
Pearl Jewel blinked in surprise.
"Don't you currently live in a palace temporarily, as a noble, until you finish your studies?"
"My mother prepared a large dinner feast in the district we used to live in for the annual celebration. I'm going to help. If you want to talk, you may come—but don't disturb anyone."
Sol smiled, assuming Pearl would refuse. Who would mix with commoners?
"I'm free all day," Pearl replied calmly. "I'll come as well."
"But don't you hate commoners?!" Sol snapped.
"I hate most of them because of their greedy gazes," Pearl answered coolly. "But not everyone is equal—neither in status nor in morals."
Sol's face darkened instantly. She prepared to summon spirits, but Shion stopped her.
"It seems Sol doesn't accept your presence. We can speak another time."
"No. I cleared my entire day for you."
Baro blushed at her words and thought,
' Things like this I didn't see it before but in the stories. Could that be.....?! '
He looked at the two girls who were aggressive to each other and murdered to himself, "Love Triangle?!"
Something snapped inside Sol.
She grabbed Pearl and stared into her eyes.
"The way you talk, dress, walk, eat, and deal with people—I hate it all. I don't care whose dignity you trample for your interests, but…"
Her red eyes turned blood-colored.
"Shion Lan is a red line. Cross it, and I'll kill you."
Before Sol could pull away, Pearl grabbed her back.
Her eyes were like a frozen ocean as she gazed and said,
"As for others, I never targeted them. I know how it feels to be exploited. They simply overestimated themselves, so I showed them their place. As for Shion…"
She smirked provocatively.
"You're not even in a relationship. Why speak like that? Can a commoner dream of a noble?"
She stopped when she sensed overwhelming killing intent. Sol was forming magic circles, ready to crush her.
"Stop!" Shion commanded.
Sol snapped out of it, looking helplessly at him.
Shion took Pearl's hand and told Sol,
"Wait for us at the circle. I need to discuss something with her."
"What?!"
Before Sol exploded, Shion pulled Pearl away.
…
They walked through the academy paths.
"I didn't expect the head of the Lan family to have such an admirer," Pearl teased. "And not just any girl—the strongest spirit mage in the academy."
Shion ignored her chatter and searched for a bench.
After sitting, she was still talking when he said calmly,
"I have matters to attend to today. Get to the point."
"I like this type of transaction."
She adjusted herself.
"What do you think about making another deal with me?"
"What kind?"
She smiled mischievously.
"I'll do anything you want."
"..."
Shion stood up and walked toward the gate.
"What?! Where are you going?!"
"If you will talk like that I think I can't help you with anything"
He turned to her and said,
"I'll be free one day before the annual celebration. If you learned how to deal with me,Come then."
She realized he was leaving and rushed after him.
"Shion, that's just the way I speak!"
"Then no more deals in the future."
She froze.
'Impossible! My special charm doesn't affect him at all…'
She apologized quickly.
"Forgive my rudeness. This is important to me. Please."
"You may come as I said."
When she realized that she couldn't get him, she changed the subject,
"Is this about Sol?"
"I don't know what happened between you two. If Sol doesn't want to speak about it, I won't pressure her."
"You're right. It concerns us. But I was innocent."
Shion smirked,
"Both of you will tell your version claiming innocence. I'm not a judge."
He looked at her and said,
"I don't think you will like to be with her"
He reached the gate, used the teleportation circle, and they headed to the common district.
The area was unusually quiet at first. As they moved toward the square, noise grew louder.
Long tables stretched across the plaza, filled with food and drink. Adults and children sat joyfully—fitting for a celebration.
"Mom! I'm back!"
Rita Lan turned around. She no longer resembled a commoner—she looked like a noblewoman, elegant despite her age.
"Shion! You're finally back!"
In a second, her noble composure vanished, replaced by pure motherhood. She rushed toward him and embraced him, crying in joy.
"Mom, nothing happened worth this much."
"Stop lying! I know everything you went through!"
A maid's voice interrupted.
"Madam! Please—not here! At least inside the house!"
The maid, assigned by the royal family to teach them noble etiquette, seemed exhausted by the sudden maternal display.
"I haven't seen him in so long," Rita replied awkwardly.
The maid thought to herself,
'Strange… he used to be a disgraceful noble with no manners. Now the air around him has changed. Even in this embarrassing scene, he maintains noble composure.'
Shion blushed slightly.
"Sorry, Mother. We can talk later. Let's celebrate first."
Soon, neighbors, vendors, and acquaintances crowded around. Shion and Sol felt overwhelmed.
"This is more dangerous than the spirit army we faced," Shion muttered.
Moments later, they were swallowed by the crowd.
Their district had produced three academy students—including Shion—earning admiration.
The celebration lasted until night. It became too late to return, so Shion and his mother stayed in their old house.
He lay on his bed, thinking.
"I should prepare a new outfit for the celebration… I've got it. I'll use my Northern Academy master's design. It'll look amazing."
Then he began thinking about whom he should take to the celebration.