A sidelong glance.

Envers looked up at the sky. It was blue and beautiful, with clouds drifting majestically and sunshine so bright it felt almost spiteful.

Undoubtedly a peaceful day. On this rare fine day, Academy students were whistling cheerfully, and those living in the dormitories were hanging laundry on their balconies.

"......"

But he didn't believe it. This was clearly a deception tactic.

If he turned his eyes away and pretended to be distracted for a moment, then suddenly looked back, that sky would reveal its dark true intentions.

Suddenly thunder would crash, sandstorms would blow in, and everything would move to drive all love and dates to ruin!

He could prove it. Look. Just like this, with a surprise glance upward!

A quick peek!

"......"

Naturally, nothing happened. The day remained blue and the birdsong bright.

"Why have you been having a staring contest with the sky this whole time?"

"I'm preparing for an ambush. It will surely take advantage when I let my guard down and instantly crush my spirit."

"Who exactly would do that?"

Nata scratched his head, wondering why this guy was malfunctioning again. The ball would be held indoors anyway. No matter what terrible weather might come, it wouldn't stop the event, so what was he worried about?

What he should be worried about right now was something else entirely.

"Did you prepare your clothes? You'll need a mask too."

It was about preparing his outfit.

The concept for this ball was a masquerade, with a notice encouraging everyone to bring various types of masks to enjoy the event. Just a touch of theme to add to the fun.

Envers confidently pounded his chest and said:

"Of course I've prepared clothes. The Namgung Family's martial attire carries a dignity suitable for any occasion. The professor told me to get a suit tailored, but—"

"Are you out of your mind, you crazy bastard?!"

Nata immediately implemented his sword-drawing persuasion technique.

Swoosh!

Emotions are always reflected in martial arts. Nata's skills were far below Envers Redburn's, so his sword draw couldn't even cut a collar, but his sincerity was deeply conveyed.

"...I'll wear one. I'll wear it."

And so, one splendid tailored suit was prepared. He chose a rabbit mask.

In truth, Envers felt awkward in such formal attire. Perhaps because he'd seen his brother, who wore suits so well, he thought such clothes didn't suit himself.

"Hmm."

But perhaps because he'd grown taller over the years, his reflection in the mirror looked quite presentable.

Afterward, he bought a bouquet. Thinking it would be good to apologize for everything as well, Envers racked his non-existent literary brain and squeezed out some lines.

He considered asking someone with good writing skills for advice.

But it seemed right to put in the effort himself, so he filled a notebook with his thoughts, leaving traces of his struggle.

A quick glance.

"......"

He also didn't forget to occasionally peek at the sky's movements.

He prepared for contingencies too. If, by some terrible luck, a black meteor were to fall to earth... could he ask her to wait? Or perhaps ask her to leave with him?

Yes, Luna wouldn't refuse a request to go together. Then there would be no problem. Even if things went wrong, they'd be together.

After completing all these preparations, the time finally came.

The sky gradually turned crimson, reflecting the excitement in the Academy students' hearts. The doors of the hall designated for the ball opened, and students began to enter one by one.

"...Let's go."

"...Yes, Envers. Let's wish each other good luck."

Creak, creak!

Envers and Nata headed toward the ballroom, moving almost like wooden puppets. The distance quickly closed. He found himself fidgeting with his neatly tied necktie, which felt strangely tight. And then. And then.

Through the half-open doors of the ballroom.

Rustle. Rustle.

With every movement, the hem of a dark blue dress resembling the night sky swayed. Her hair was neatly arranged and pinned up. The off-shoulder dress revealed her slender neckline.

And those eyes. That unique gaze that seemed indifferent, but deep within those clear pupils resided a terrifying drive.

Thud. Something fell.

"...Oh my."

It was his heart. Envers Redburn's heart couldn't withstand the visual assault and plummeted. He had never seen her dressed up like this before.

Other male students were also glancing and admiring her beauty. That fact bothered him somewhat, but when he took in her appearance again, his mind went blank.

His heart pounded. He felt excited. How should he approach her? Was it okay for him to approach? Had she... dressed up like this for him? Really?

His tongue felt dry. He hadn't felt this nervous since he'd directly told his brother that it might be better not to meet "Blue Rose."

Let's go. He had to get closer for her to hear him. Envers approached her with an awkward gait, his right arm and right leg moving simultaneously.

Then, he saw it.

The trajectory of a black meteor flashing past beyond the building.

"...No, no, NO!"

No!

Really?

With such terrible luck, this had to happen now? Considering the meteor's trajectory... he knew there was a small village at the expected impact point. A village that supplied the Academy with minor agricultural products.

It could be dangerous. For civilians who couldn't handle mana, a black meteor disaster could be fatal. He had to save them.

There was no choice. So.

He would go to Luna and... tell her that something urgent had come up, so she should abandon her beautiful dress, give up this fun party, and come with him to cross mountains and push through undergrowth, struggling to save people.

That kind of... invitation.

"......"

Whoosh.

His racing heart cooled. Guilt, chilliness, and a constricting sensation gripped his heart. A sentence flashed through his mind.

Would I be enough for her?

Once is fine. Twice or three times is fine too. Though shameless, that's what he thought. He believed that missing out for a "good cause" was acceptable, and that she would understand.

But in this moment, what worried him was the future.

What about ten times? A hundred times? A thousand times?

Imagine building a family with her. Having a son and a daughter, living happily. But in this seemingly harmonious home, cold winds would frequently blow.

Because Envers Redburn would be absent from home. Whether at someone's request, through accidental involvement, or due to occasional feelings of duty or mission, he would be rushing out for someone else's sake.

Mrs. Luna Sterry would wait for her husband again. The children would whine about where their father had gone, but she would have only one answer: "Your father is doing something good."

Such a life...

Would be incomparably happy for Envers. A wonderful life where he could save people to his heart's content and return to the embrace of his loving family.

But for Luna, it would be a lonely life filled with endless waiting.

"......"

Know your shame, Envers. You shouldn't leave someone you love lonely. You can't gift her such a life. If that's the case, it's you who must change.

Let's go.

To the ballroom. Let's go talk to Luna.

Forget the meteor. Didn't they say the Mad Magician was keeping watch? He would handle it even if Envers didn't step in. Or if not him, someone else would.

Envers Redburn adjusted his tie, gripped the bouquet with both hands, and strode forward. Finally, he faced the goddess.

She turned around. Starlight flickered in her expressionless eyes.

"Envers, I've been waiting."

"Luna. I'm here. I..."

Envers took a deep breath, held it, and took a few steps forward. But his increasingly heavy footsteps soon stopped. With just ten steps remaining.

Luna's neck tilted awkwardly. She detected something unusual. Concern flashed in her gaze. This wasn't right.

He clenched and unclenched his fists, shouting at himself. Idiot, forget about the meteor and just go!

Be grateful that this beautiful girl likes you, then ask her to dance.

Enjoy the dance. Seize this beautiful night.

"Um... well."

"......"

Please, stupid Envers Redburn. Please!

"...Today, I won't be able to join you. I'm sorry."

"...Why?"

He couldn't possibly ignore it. Because he already knew. Because these were people he could save.

Save them. Even if you can't save the whole world, reach out to those within sight and touch. For someone desperate, that single gesture means everything.

Envers lowered his eyes, carefully placed the bouquet on the ground, and continued.

"...It seems I don't deserve to be by your side after all. Despite how beautifully you've dressed up. To betray your expectations again..."

"Hmm. It's not surprising."

"I'll at least keep my final promise. I said I would never appear before you again. Please, please find someone better than me—"

"Yes. Yes...?"

Luna belatedly sensed the strange atmosphere and opened her eyes wide. She understood that something had happened again. She understood, but...

Why was that his conclusion?

"—I'm sorry."

"Huh?"

What?

Ta-da-dat!

While Luna was experiencing a mental freeze, Envers left that single word and dashed across the ballroom. He moved so quickly there was no way to stop him.

In the place he left, only tear stains were scattered.

No.

"What a fool."

Couldn't we have talked about this?

"Idiot."

Should she praise him for his quick decision, or should she grab this guy and twist his ear? Luna stood there blankly with an expression like a cat savoring the universe.

"......"

Murmuring.

Before the dazed Luna could come to her senses, the people around her were quicker to speak up.

Envers's generation had now reached the Academy's graduating class. So everyone around knew that the Envers-Luna romance had been stagnant. Therefore, while they didn't know the exact circumstances of this great escape, they understood its meaning.

That's why what burst out first was:

"Hmm. Judging by Envers's actions, it seems a 『meteor』 has fallen. It looks like someone is in danger from an evil god's byproduct—"

It was Selvia in her wine-drinking attire.

"—That's one thing, but has Envers gone mad?!"

"Selvia. You're spontaneously combusting right now. I'm currently lowering the temperature with freezing magic. If it weren't for my help, your dress would have evaporated leaving you naked, so please thank me."

"Has Envers gone mad?!"

"I think complaining about someone who's already left the scene is meaningless, but if that was a genuine question. Yes. He does seem a bit insane."

Blazing.

Receiving Baek-seol's cold compress, Selvia lit up with anger and asked Luna:

"...What will you do, Luna? Should I roast Envers well-done?"

"Considering it."

"Or. If, even after seeing that display, your heart hasn't cooled—"

"Yes."

Her answer came faster than the completion of the question.

"I'm not fast enough. Envers is damn quick. I need help."

"Got it, leave it to me. I'll catch up to him right away and that bastard Envers's hair—"

"Hmm. If you're planning to use magic, my company would help ensure the safety of your dress. Then shall I join you?"

"L-let me come too! Selvia!"

In the middle of this, Nata, with a katana dangling at the side of his tailcoat, cut in. He felt responsible for the situation.

He had advised that one couldn't catch two rabbits at once. But he never expected him to give up the rabbit named Luna!

"I'll go too. The flag of pure love must not be torn in this Academy."

"Even Lady Jenny of the Chain Sickle advocated for the value of love."

"Count me in too. If it's about hitting Envers, I'm interested."

"That guy's prospects are yellow, so go and stomp on him!"

One by one, voices began to rise. Students who had been quite dissatisfied with Envers's romance, and those who had received help from Luna, voluntarily stepped forward to cooperate.

"Help. Thanks."

Luna didn't refuse the assistance. When she closed her eyes tightly and opened them again, a sharp frost blew through her expressionless face.

Even if it breaks, it shouldn't end this way. If he wants to run away, she would find him to the end of the moon and tie up loose ends.

Thump, thump.

The graduating class's Academy masquerade ball was temporarily suspended. Students dressed beautifully and handsomely began to leave the ballroom one by one to prepare for the pursuit. Magicians tracked the mana traces left by Envers, while scouts analyzed footprints to gauge direction.

Swish. Luna picked up the bouquet Envers had left. And declared:

"—Let's go."

"Yes, let's go! We can have the unfinished ball even in the mountains! We can dance after capturing that guy and hanging him upside down-!!"

"Wooooooo!"

The expedition begins.

===============================================================

Pat-pat-pat.

Despite the stuffy tailcoat, he had long since transcended the constraints of such attire. He climbed the mountain path almost vertically, stepping with practiced technique.

His nimble movements were like those of a soaring hawk.

"Even a hawk would protect its nest..."

Envers repeatedly hit his own head. Even after committing his fourth betrayal, regret clung to his ankles like a persistent shadow.

If I break my promise, I will never appear before you again. He resented his own tongue for making such a vow. He should never have said such a thing!

"Focus, focus."

Yes. Luna is too good for a simpleton who's good at nothing but wielding a sword. It would be better for her if such a guy just left far away.

It would be a much better choice for her to meet a more handsome, better man and build a family with him than with himself.

"...Sniff."

Thump.

Envers Redburn arrived at the village on the mountainside.

Night comes quickly in the mountains. It was already dark all around. While the darkness wasn't a major obstacle for Envers, who had reached mastery, it posed difficulties for civilians.

In the darkness, they might fall and get hurt if there was a loud noise. So it would be better to finish before it got completely dark.

"Hello, sniff. Is anyone there? I'm a student from the Academy, visiting because I think a magic experiment has had side effects!"

"......"

Peek.

Villagers began to appear one by one. Envers quickly adjusted his mask and felt relieved. Yes, his face was covered.

His face was probably a mess of tears and snot beneath the mask, but thanks to it, he could hide his unsightly appearance.

Envers soon sensed something strange.

"......"

Shouldn't there be at least one response? And also, he was wearing a tailcoat with a mask on top. It was quite an eye-catching appearance, yet no one was asking about it.

If they were wary because he looked too suspicious—that would make sense. But there was no tension. The villagers' eyes showed no proper vigilance.

Rather, they seemed empty of emotion—

"Hello."

Stab!

As a village woman greeted in a calm tone, she simultaneously thrust a sharp wooden stick hidden in her basket.

"Hup!"

A flash of sword light. The wooden stick was cut into six pieces and scattered on the ground. It was a surprising ambush, but not threatening. It was merely a forceful thrust from an ordinary person who hadn't learned martial arts.

But that wasn't the problem. Rustle. Rustle rustle.

"Welcometoourvillage."

"Sohappytomeetyou."

Whoosh!

Villagers with somewhat blank expressions gathered one by one, launching attacks with dialogue that didn't match the situation. Though he didn't know the specific effect, was this the result of the 『Black Meteor』?

"...Hypnosis? Mind control? Personality replacement? Too many possibilities. I'll bring you back to your senses quickly! Emperor—"

Emperor's Sword Form.

His Ascension should be able to counter most information-based attacks. Even if they were possessed by something, he could remove or neutralize it.

Just as Envers was about to grasp the sky to manifest his Ascension.

"Stopyou'lldie."

"...What?!"

Whoosh, the trajectory of the tools held by the villagers bent. Not toward Envers, but toward other villagers nearby. Or toward themselves. The shortest distance.

Also, beyond the first-floor window of a house furthest from Envers. A small girl held a kitchen knife to her throat.

The intention was obvious. It was a hostage situation to prevent Envers from using Emperor's Sword Form.

The most efficient decision would be to use it anyway. If he cast it quickly, some villagers might get hurt, but the damage wouldn't spread further. His brother, Roderus, wouldn't have hesitated.

"...Kuh!"

But Envers stopped.

The controlled villagers also stopped their attack. Envers narrowed his eyes. If anything was clear now, it was that whatever was controlling the villagers had some intelligence and intention.

"...What do you want? What are you, and what do you desire!"

If it was controlling their bodies, and that entity had a purpose...

"Let's start again."

"Hello."

Malice and killing intent. A star (天殺星) that sparkles to spread poisonous death in this world.

Clang! Thud!

Once again, the creaking attacks of the villagers began. It wasn't difficult to deflect them, but he was physically outnumbered.

Envers was one. The opponents were many.

The best option would be to escape far away and use Emperor's Sword Form, but it was obvious what the opponent would do then. The hostage situation would continue.

"...Damn it!"

It's another matter of choice. He couldn't keep this up forever. Envers desperately racked his brain.

Should he use the Explosive Shatter Bind he had buried in the past, pushing for speed even if his body was damaged? Should he try to subdue all the villagers at once?

Impossible. The distance to the little girl in the house was too great. In the end, he would have to use Emperor's Sword Form, even forcibly. Faster than the black star could influence the residents.

In this situation, surrounded by mind-controlled villagers, getting beaten up!

Thwack!

A blunt wooden club hit Envers on the crown of his head. Tears welled up from the pain. For a brief moment, he thought he should have just gone to the ball.

Moonlight.

While his friends were dancing to music on this beautiful night, he was getting thoroughly beaten by villagers who had become puppets with stolen minds. His tailcoat quickly became dirty.

A crisis situation. Like sand slipping through his fingers.

From the other side of the sky.

Whoosh—

"...Huh?!"

A streak of burning meteor crossed the sky.