Nero, with Cyril on his shoulders, was running through the forest at night without a single light. Despite in human form, Nero could still see clearly in the night.

In addition, he was much stronger than a human, so even with Cyril on his shoulder, he was able to run at full speed.

How did this chilly guy get out of the dormitory, I wonder?

Both the boys' and girls' dormitories were surrounded by high walls. The gates were guarded by gatekeepers who keep watch throughout the night, so it must not be easy to sneak out.

It would be a different story if he could use wind magic to leap or fly, but flight magic was not as easy as it sounds. Monica once told him that only advanced magicians could handle it because it requires both highly precise magic manipulation techniques and physical abilities.

Aside from her magic skills, Monica's physical skills were very terrible, so jumping up high was the best she could do.

The way I see it, this chilly guy excels in ice magic, but he doesn't seem to be very good at other magics.

Since birth, each human is born with a set of attributes that they are good at. It is not uncommon for ordinary magicians to be able to use only their dominant attribute of magic.

Monica's ability to easily use high-level magic, regardless of the attribute, was quite exceptional in many ways. Sometimes he almost forgot about it.

I guess this chilly guy can't use wind magic. Well, using this much ice magic at his age is amazing enough, though.

How did Cyril, who can't use flight magic, manage to sneak out of the boys' dormitory?

The answer was quickly discovered when he reached the back of the boys' dormitory. There was a crack in one of the walls surrounding the dormitory. Apparently, Cyril had snuck out from there.

"I guess even the most prestigious schools are sloppy in their management."

"I heard that crack was used by previous generations of students to sneak out of their dorms and relax."

A response came from behind Nero.

With Cyril on his shoulder, Nero turned his head and saw a familiar male student standing there.

Sleek and tall, with a perfect facial structure and golden hair that shines softly under the moonlight—that was the second prince of the Kingdom of Ridill, Felix Ark Ridill.

In his uniform, Felix was holding a slightly larger board in his hand.

Once Nero turned his attention to the board, Felix propped it up against the wall so that it covered the crack.

"Cyril usually puts up a board to hide this crack, but it seems he didn't have enough time to do so."

So this crack was a loophole that even the prince was familiar with.

Convinced, Nero put Cyril down from his shoulder.

"I'm just a traveler passing by. I came here to deliver this chilly guy who was collapsing in the woods after his magic poisoning got out of control. I'm kind, aren't I? You should be grateful."

"Yeah, thanks for going to the trouble."

"If this chilly guy says anything, just tell him he's hallucinating because of his magic poisoning.  Everything he's seen is a hallucination."

"Hmm?"

Felix glanced at Cyril, then quickly returned his gaze to Nero.

His gentle expression did not change—but his blue eyes are watching Nero warily.

"A kind traveler. Can I ask you for your name?"

"My name isn't worth mentioning, but since I'm being nice, I'll tell you my name. I'm Bartholomew Alexander."

Once Nero spoke a lie blatantly, Felix put his hand over his mouth to hold his laugh.

"I don't expect you have the same name as the hero of the adventure novel."

"You know Dustin Gunther?"

In Nero's mind, Felix's likeability has increased a little. Nero firmly believes that there's no bad guy who liked Dustin Gunther.

As Nero's voice became more excited, Felix chuckled.

"I've enjoyed every kind of entertainment this country has to offer. Whether it's novels, games, theater…"

"Is women too?"

When Nero, who has witnessed Felix going out for nightlife, pricked him, Felix only smiled vaguely and said, "I wonder."

What a creepy human.

He was born into royalty, blessed with all kinds of things—but he has empty eyes, like a person who possessed nothing.

Felix lightly carried Cyril and then looked at Nero as if he had just recalled something.

"By the way, did you know, traveler? The forest in this area is school property, so it's off-limits to everyone except school officials."

"Oh, is that so?"

The thing that Nero hated was to be forced to follow human rules.

I'm not human, to begin with.

Didn't care what kind of rules that humans have made, Nero only indicated Cyril with a tuck of his chin.

"I saved that chilly guy of yours. So give me a little slack."

"Yes, of course. I wouldn't dare question you for saving Cyril's life."

"Oh?"

Nero frowned scornfully and thrust his hand into his own robe.

He then rummaged around in his clothes and made a gesture as if he was trying to catch something.

"You don't have to question me because this guy's going to find out who I am?"

With that, Nero pulled his hand out of his robe.

At the tip of his fingers, a white lizard with its tail plucked was swaying placidly.

Nero lifted the white lizard to his face level and threatened to eat it, and the white lizard flailed its small limbs and went wild.

Nero laughed viciously, baring his sharp teeth.

"A water spirit, I guess? I'm sure you were planning to sneak a spy in my clothes, but too bad. I'm very sensitive to mana."

A spirit was something like a mass of mana. So, the more high-ranking the spirit was, the more easily Nero could detect it.

This white lizard was a high-ranking water spirit. Most likely, the prince's contracted spirit.

Felix was still smiling serenely when confronted with the white lizard. That's what makes it so creepy.

As for Nero, "W-What!?" or "Who the hell are you?" were the reactions he was expecting. But this prince didn't seem to be the least bit upset.

"Bye."

Nero boringly threw the white lizard to the ground before turning his back on Felix and walking away.

Hey, sparkling prince. No matter how bored you are, you better not mess with my favorite, okay?

If he chattered any longer, his true identity might be noticed. Therefore, Nero only muttered to himself.

He bared his sharp teeth and laughed viciously.

If you try to break Monica, I'll eat your head off.

＊ ＊ ＊

The white lizard that had been thrown to the ground—Will, bowed to Felix once he changed into his human form.

"I apologize for my lack of power. Let me go after that man right now…"

"No, that's fine. It would be a problem if you got eaten."

To Felix's joking remark, Will hanged down his head as if ashamed of his lack of ability.

Felix had no further intention of chasing after the dark-haired young man.

He has no idea who that young man was… but he instinctively knew that he was not someone he could chase down and get rid of.

He's sure a non-human. But… he's not a spirit, but something else.

However, whoever that non-human was, as long as he had no intention of harming Felix, he could be left alone for now.

"Will, go back to your lizard form. It would be a little inconvenient if Cyril saw you now."

"As you wish."

Will, who had taken the form of a white lizard, slithered up Felix's leg and settled into his pocket. After confirming this, Felix resumed carrying Cyril on his back and started walking.

Soon, Cyril moaned softly behind Felix's back. Apparently, he had regained consciousness.

"Ugh… I…"

Felix spoke calmly to Cyril, who muttered in a hushed voice.

"You're awake?"

"Your… Highness…"

Cyril blinked a few times and looked at Felix with blurry eyes.

"You were collapsed in the forest after suffering from magic poisoning. A kind traveler brought you here."

"I'm sorry to trouble you."

"No, it's fine."

If it had been the usual Cyril, he would have immediately said that he would walk by himself. However, the fact that he hadn't was because he was so worn out.

After Felix carried Cyril back to his room, laying him on his bed, Cyril looked up at Felix with dazed eyes.

"Is the traveler who helped me a small, hooded figure?"

Felix shook his head.

"No, he was a tall, dark-haired man."

"I… see…"

Muttering, Cyril closed his eyes.

Suddenly curious, Felix asked him.

"What kind of hallucinations did you have in the forest?"

Cyril was silent for a moment, seemingly confused. Behind his closed eyelids, he was probably ruminating on the dream he had seen.

Eventually, with his eyes still closed, Cyril slowly opened his mouth.

"That monster in my hallucination… was terribly quiet and terribly strong… I probably will never forget that sight for the rest of my life."