Life at Everine Academy flowed peacefully, vibrant with laughter and light.
Margaret had now blossomed into a sixteen-year-old young lady—calm, intelligent, and stronger than ever.
Over the years, she had grown close to Corvin, Kione, and Emilia. Their bond had changed her—she was livelier, more open, and full of spirit. The four of them had become inseparable, standing side by side through studies and daily life alike.

Both Kione and Emilia had even become wielders of magic swords.

(The sword Emilia received had been a dormant magic sword. One day while cleaning, she accidentally cut her hand, and her blood awakened it.
As for Kione, during his graduation exam, he fought through a forest filled with monsters. Among them was a beast that had swallowed an already-activated magic sword. Its former master was long gone, and thus it chose Kione as its new one.)

Six years later…

The night before her sixteenth birthday, in the Wahles family’s sitting room, Lady Isabella smiled gently at her youngest daughter.

“Really!?” Margaret’s voice burst out in excitement.
“Yes,” her mother said with a nod. “You two will be visiting the neighboring kingdom of Alanticia—partly for leisure, and partly to attend the traditional festival, The Day of Blessings.”

Her father added after a pause,

“And Corvin will be accompanying you.”

Margaret’s eyes widened.

“We’re leaving tomorrow morning already?”
“That’s right. Everything’s prepared.”

Emilia chimed in from the side,

“Kione will come too, but he’s busy, so he’ll arrive tomorrow evening by teleportation gate.”

The next morning dawned bright and clear, the air fresh with the scent of spring grass.

A special carriage bearing the Wahles crest rolled out of the capital, carrying three young travelers—Margaret, Emilia, and Corvin.

Inside, Corvin dozed lightly by the window, silver hair swaying in the breeze. Emilia chatted away, describing all she’d read about the festival: flower parades, masked processions, seaside fireworks…

Margaret, meanwhile, sat quietly by the other window, gazing at the endless meadows stretching toward the horizon. Her thoughts drifted back to what had happened that morning.

The headmistress had sent her a small wooden box with a note:

“This box was found in the basket you were brought in. The note says to give it to you when you turn sixteen. It doesn’t say how to open it—only that the answer lies in the neighboring land.”

By noon, the carriage reached the gates of Alanticia—a coastal kingdom famed for its gentle climate, white-domed buildings, turquoise cobblestone streets, and the faint scent of salt in the air.

Stepping down, Margaret exclaimed,

“Ah! We’re here already!?”

Without wasting time, the trio returned to the seaside villa Emilia had prepared for them.

That night, Margaret lay sprawled on her bed, turning the pages of the last book she had borrowed from the library. She sighed softly.

“Haah… Last one. I hope this has the clue I need.”

The moment she flipped the first page, her eyes lit up in excitement.

“Ah! Here it is! Magic stones… so the box needs a water magic stone?”

She frowned in thought, then snapped her fingers.

“Wait—Corvin has some magic stones! I’ll borrow one!”

Without hesitation, she grabbed the box and dashed to Corvin’s room.
Throwing open the door, she called out,

“Corvin!”

He turned, brow furrowing.

“What is it?”

Before she could answer, a familiar voice came from behind her.

“Hey, Margaret. I’m here.”

It was Kione.

Both turned toward the door—their eyes met in surprise, and in that fleeting moment, both faces flushed crimson.

“Uh… hi,” Margaret murmured awkwardly.

Before she could react further, a coat was gently draped over her shoulders. Kione had come up behind her.

“Honestly… I’m exhausted. I’ll rest a bit. Next time, be more careful,” he said, his tone calm but teasing.

Margaret blinked in confusion.
She turned to Corvin.

“Do I… look weird or something?”

Before she could finish, Corvin had stepped closer—so close she could see his reflection in his eyes.

“Look closely,” he said quietly.

Margaret instinctively looked down—and froze.
She was still wearing her nightgown.

Her face turned beet red. When she glanced up, Corvin’s face was just as flushed.

The air between them grew still.

He’s… actually kind of handsome. But why won’t my heart calm down…? she thought, her heartbeat racing.

Corvin was the one to break the silence.

“So, what did you come here for?”

“Ah—right! Do you have a water magic stone? I think I found a way to open this box!”

He thought for a moment, then nodded.

“I do.”

From his pocket, he drew a clear blue gem and handed it to her.

“Here.”

“Thank you!” Margaret beamed and quickly fitted the gem into the box’s lock.

At once, the box began to glow. The lock turned softly, then clicked open.

Inside lay a delicate silver necklace, set with a glimmering teardrop-shaped gem.
The very stone she’d used had been its missing key.

“Let me help you put it on,” Corvin said softly, leaning in to clasp it around her neck.

When he stepped back, his voice was gentle.

“It’s late. You should get some rest.”

“Ah! Right—I forgot!” Margaret squeaked, spinning on her heel and running back to her room.

The door closed behind her with a thud.

From the hallway, Kione stepped out of the shadows, arms crossed.

“Haah… I wonder if she even realizes what’s really going on,” he muttered.

Corvin shot him a cold glance.

“You like her too, don’t you?”

Kione smirked, a spark of challenge glinting in his eyes.