The moment the girl fell, time seemed to stretch and slow.
Her silvery-white hair fanned out in the air, like threads spun from moonlight.
Her tilted body traced a gentle curve, the Academy’s pure white blouse fluttering slightly, forming delicate creases as she moved.
With one hand, she supported her almost-collapsed body, her fingertips deeply sinking into the soft grass.
Meilin gazed into her eyes.
They were misty gray, hazy and distant, like the surface of a lake brushed by a gentle breeze—when the ripples faded, only a clear and ethereal tranquility remained.
Knee-high white socks outlined her slender legs, and one brown loafer had slipped a little, revealing the elegant curve of her ankle. Even in this rather awkward pose, she still looked like a living painting.
“Are you alright?”
Meilin’s voice was so soft, as if afraid to disturb something delicate.
The girl slowly raised her head, silver hair sliding off her shoulders, revealing a pale, graceful neck.
When those gray eyes looked over, it felt like glimpsing the moon veiled by thin clouds—chilly, distant.
Meilin’s gentleness wasn’t because he was afraid of scaring this elf-like girl; it was precisely the opposite.
He recognized her.
Lucia Amber.
The girl before him was the Empire’s Imperial Princess, a third-year student, and the Academy’s vice president.
She was no less noble than Mashina, perhaps even more so.
But in sharp contrast to her pure and ethereal appearance, her true nature was extremely forceful, hot-tempered, and irritable.
“It’s alright. This just happens sometimes when I get a headache.”
Lucia’s voice was soft, easing a bit of Meilin’s worry.
At least she didn’t suddenly slap him, like Mashina did.
Lucia had perfectly inherited the breathtaking pure beauty of her mother, the Saintess, but hadn’t inherited her gentle, mild temperament.
No… Perhaps it should be said that, even if she had, it had become twisted through long years of suffering.
Because she’d inherited the powerful abilities of both her parents, her body could barely endure it.
Since Lucia could remember, headaches caused by magic power, as well as bone pain and other symptoms, had never ceased and still tormented her to this day.
Late at night, the pain would keep her from sleeping, leaving her with almost no time in deep slumber.
They said the symptoms would gradually ease as she grew older.
But Lucia was already seventeen, and not a single symptom had improved.
Pain and insomnia clung to her like shadows, making her temperament extremely unstable; at school, she only had a few close friends.
Lucia frowned slightly, pressing her slender fingertips to her temples. Deep in those misty gray eyes, it seemed that tiny sparks flickered amid the pain.
Meilin noticed her fingers supporting her on the ground were trembling slightly.
“Um…”
Lucia waved her hand.
“If you’re fine, you should go. My maid just stepped away for a moment and will be back soon.”
Lucia knew her own temper well; before she could lose control, it was better to send unrelated students away. Even she couldn’t control herself.
“Would you like some candy? It can help relieve headaches and calm your nerves.”
Meilin handed a small transparent glass bottle to Lucia.
“……”
“Er… I promise it’s not poisoned.”
Meilin took two candies out, popped them into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed.
He’d developed this medicine under Ophelia’s guidance, not long after she’d taken him in. Back then, he’d tossed and turned at night, unable to sleep, and headaches and fatigue had plagued him from lack of rest.
It was fine to eat them like regular candy—they helped calm the nerves and restore vitality.
Lucia took the bottle half-skeptically, poured out three candies, and put them in her mouth.
She wasn’t really worried about poison; no one in this Academy had the nerve for that.
But if even the Royal Physician couldn’t solve her problem, how could a few candies help?
Lucia’s pain stemmed from her overwhelming magic power and the differing natures of her parents’ magic. Ordinary medicine was useless.
“…Hm?”
Noticing a subtle change in Lucia’s expression, Meilin asked, “How is it?”
“It seems to help a little, though maybe it’s just my imagination.”
Actually, Lucia still didn’t quite believe it. Maybe it was just her body nearing its limit, about to pass out?
“Don’t touch my Princess!!”
Suddenly, a brown-haired girl in a maid’s dress rushed up, standing protectively in front of Lucia with her small frame.
“You womanizing scoundrel! Isn’t the Duke’s Daughter enough? Now you’re going after the Princess?!”
“Uh… I’m not!”
“Don’t try to deny it! I saw everything!”
Lucia shook her hand, grabbing the maid’s sleeve.
“That’s enough, Mary. He just saw me fall and came over to check if I was alright.”
“But, but! That’s how scoundrels always take advantage!”
“I said that’s enough!!”
Lucia’s shout burst out in anger, her royal authority undeniable. She held her head and sighed.
Mary instantly shrank in place, like a startled little rabbit.
“So, you’re that Meilin.”
“Let me say this first—those are just rumors.”
“I don’t care… Anyway, give me ten bottles of that candy.”
“Alright.”
“Do you have anything even better?”
“If you want something to calm the mind and help you sleep, there is something better—but it’s not taken orally. It’s Sleep Aid Incense.”
“I’ll take some as well.”
“No problem.”
“Can I get them all today?”
Meilin quickly went over what ingredients he had left in the lab.
“Should be ready by ten tonight.”
“Good. I’ll have Mary wait here for you at ten. Discuss the payment with her.”
“Understood.”
“You may go now. I’ll rest a while longer.”
Lucia felt drowsiness gradually rising within her.
It was different from the moments before, when her body would suddenly shut down from exhaustion. This time, she was slowly drifting off…
“Mary…”
“I know.”
Maybe… this time, she could actually get some good sleep.
❉❅❆✼❊
This is trouble.
Meilin returned to the lab, full of excitement, eager to get to work.
After all, he’d spent every day at the Academy feeling stifled; finally, he had a chance to be useful.
His ingredients hadn’t been stolen, but they had been damaged during the day. He wasn’t sure he could guarantee the medicine’s effects with what he had.
He’d searched every shop in the capital, ready to pay through the nose, but hadn’t found a single Moonlight Grass.
So he really would have to go to the Dungeon?
But at the moment… no one wanted to team up with Meilin.
If he went back to look for Adventurers, he’d probably miss the ten o’clock deadline; he’d already wasted plenty of time.
At this rate, he wouldn’t be able to deliver tonight.
No, no, he couldn’t have that. He’d finally been asked for help—breaking his promise now would be too embarrassing.
That little maid would definitely exaggerate things in her report, and his reputation at school would only get worse…
He’d just go alone. Meilin made up his mind.
He sprayed himself all over with scent-masking potion.
He was only going to pick a few herbs in the depths, not hunt anything. He just needed to be careful.
He’d done it alone before—he’d be fine.
Meilin dashed out of the city, heading alone into the depths of the Dungeon.