On the weekend, Olivia invited both Kane and Lily to her house to "study."
Lily didn't question it much—Olivia's version of studying was usually just sitting together quietly, which was good enough. Still, as they made their way through the streets, something felt… different.
Last time Lily had passed through this district, the streets were crowded with beggars. They lingered at corners, near alleyways, even along the polished roads leading into the wealthy quarter.
Now, they were gone.
Not completely gone—but reduced.
Drastically.
Lily's eyes scanned the surroundings as they walked. The usual clusters of ragged figures had thinned out, replaced by something else entirely.
Buildings.
Several new ones lined the street, each bearing the same symbol—a flower.
Her steps slowed slightly.
That symbol…
Her mind immediately jumped to a name.
Chris Tian.
The mysterious man dressed in white.
The one who had spoken of salvation.
Lily's chest felt warm at the thought.
So it was real.
Her gaze softened as she noticed figures inside those buildings—people she recognized. Beggars she had seen before, now sitting indoors, some eating, others resting.
Clean.
Safe.
A quiet sense of admiration bloomed in her chest.
They really are helping people…
The Church of Salus.
She hadn't known much about them before, but now…
If they keep doing things like this, their faith might spread across the entire world.
Without realizing it, Lily smiled.
Then she nudged Olivia, who was walking beside her.
"Hey, do you see those buildings?"
Olivia followed her gaze. "The ones with the flower symbol?"
"Yeah." Lily nodded, her voice carrying a hint of pride. "They're owned by someone really kind. They take in people who need help—no conditions, no payment. Just… helping."
She said it as if it were her own organization.
Behind them, Kane's voice cut in.
"Looks fake to me."
Lily's smile vanished.
"I doubt anyone does that out of pure kindness," he continued in his usual flat tone. "It's probably some political move. Get people dependent, then pull them into their cause."
Lily turned sharply, glaring at him.
"Maybe for you," she snapped. "Not everyone is like you nobles, always scheming with your parties and committees."
Kane shrugged lightly. "Believe whatever you want."
Lily opened her mouth, ready to swear at him—but stopped.
They had arrived.
Standing at the gate, Olivia's maid greeted them with a polite bow. Lily swallowed her words instantly, forcing her expression back into something neutral.
Kane, of course, noticed.
He glanced at her with the faintest hint of provocation in his eyes.
Lily clenched her jaw but said nothing.
Olivia, pretending not to notice anything, simply led them inside.
Olivia's room was spacious and neatly arranged, sunlight filtering in through tall windows. The atmosphere was calm
They each took out their notebooks and pens.
Kane's and Olivia's were both made from some kind of polished metal, sleek and refined. Lily's, in contrast, was encased in simple wood.
The difference was obvious.
But none of them commented on it.
Soon, the room fell into silence, broken only by the faint scratching of pen against paper.
Time passed.
Slowly.
Heavily.
The kind of silence that pressed down on your thoughts until they started to blur.
Then—
Thunk.
Olivia's head dropped onto the table.
Lily and Kane both shot up at the same time.
"Olivia?"
They rushed over, only to find her breathing steadily.
Asleep.
Lily exhaled. "She just passed out…"
Kane straightened, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah…"
For a moment, neither of them moved.
The quiet returned—but now it felt even heavier.
Kane glanced at Lily.
"I'm bored," he said bluntly. "Want to play a game?"
Lily leaned back slightly. Her brain was starting to shut down from the monotony.
"Sure," she said lazily. "What do you wanna do?"
Kane met her eyes.
"Fight me."
Lily blinked.
There was no hesitation in his voice.
No humor.
Just seriousness.
For a brief moment, she studied him—and saw it clearly.
He meant it.
Ever since the entrance exam… since that mission…
Something had been bothering him.
He had seen the gap between himself and others.
And he hadn't been able to ignore it.
Lily turned away.
"No."
Kane frowned. "Wait—why?"
He genuinely didn't expect that answer.
"You like fighting."
"I don't want to," Lily replied flatly. "Why should I?"
Kane paused.
Then, as if remembering something, he added quickly—
"Fine. Then how about this?"
Lily glanced back at him.
"The winner gets a wish from the loser."
There was a brief silence.
Then—
Her expression changed.
Slowly.
A grin spread across her face.
Not just any grin.
An evil one.
Kane stiffened.
"…What?"
"Nothing," Lily said lightly. "A wish, huh?"
"Uh… yeah?" Kane suddenly felt like he had made a mistake.
Lily's mind was already racing.
Oh, the things I could make him do…
Embarrassing.
Humiliating.
Public.
She didn't hesitate.
"I'm in."
Kane nodded, trying to ignore the creeping sense of regret.
"…We can't fight here, though."
Lily pointed toward the window.
"Then let's go outside."
They stepped into the backyard after getting permission from the head maid, who allowed it without much concern.
The yard was fairly large—though not nearly as massive as Arlen's.
Still, it was more than enough.
They walked to opposite ends.
Lily raised her hand.
Mana gathered.
A transparent barrier expanded outward, forming a dome around the area, sealing them inside.
Kane barely glanced at it.
Instead, he flicked his wrist, casually releasing a few spells into the air as if warming up.
Lily exhaled slowly.
Then looked at him.
"Start on three?"
Kane nodded. "Fine by me."
They locked eyes.
The air shifted.
3.
The wind stilled.
2.
Mana stirred beneath the surface.
1.