Chapter 31“ Welf forest” part 1

Meanwhile, Nox hurried off the market road and slipped into a narrow alley behind the shops.

The crowd noise faded behind him. Only the wind and distant bells remained.

He took a few more steps—then suddenly stopped.

His breathing grew rough. A sharp pain stabbed through his chest.

He bent forward and coughed hard. A thin streak of blood touched his lip, and his nose began to bleed. He wiped it quickly with his sleeve and dropped into a crouch beside the wall.

“…What bad luck,” he muttered.

His fist struck the brick once in frustration—not loud, just enough to release the pressure.

‘Moon relic items inside that church today… What a terrible coincidence.’he thought

He exhaled slowly through his teeth.

“I don’t have a choice now.”

He reached into his shadow. A small storage pouch surfaced from the darkness.

With trembling fingers, he opened it, took out a marble-sized moon-white pill, and swallowed it dry.

For a moment—nothing happened.

Then his heartbeat surged, heavy and fast. The mana inside his body shifted and sank like a forced tide.

The crushing pressure in his chest slowly eased.

Nox slid down the wall and sat on the ground.

“…That was close.”

His face remained pale, but his breathing steadied. He checked his pulse, then let out a dry laugh.

He cleaned the remaining blood from his hand and straightened his uniform as best he could.

“What excuse should I give now…?”

After a minute, he stood and walked back toward the main road at a calm, steady pace.

He didn’t notice—From the alley entrance, someone had seen everything.

After Nox disappeared into the crowd, the hidden figure stepped out from behind a stack of crates.

He wore plain clothes, but he was one of Princess Ophelia’s royal informer team members— who tried to check a special admission background assigned by Ophelia as royal order from nosterio

His face was tense.

“So it was true… I couldn’t see clearly, but there was blood,” he whispered. “That special admission student…”

He replayed the scene in his mind—the coughing, the pill, the sudden drop in mana.

“Is he serious terminally ill? And what kind of medicine was that?”

He swallowed nervously.

“If I report this, maybe the Princess will forgive our last failed background check.”

He turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Meanwhile, outside the Church of Love and Purity, evening prayer had ended. Bells rang softly as students walked down the steps in small groups.

Sisbell stretched with a bright smile.

“That felt refreshing.”

Alber snorted. “You say that after prayer and after eating.”

“That just proves both are important,” Sisbell replied proudly.

Scarlet walked beside them, unusually quiet.

Alber glanced at her.

“You look distracted. Did something happen? Are you worried about Nox? ”

“He’s not a kid—he’ll come back. Maybe he just went to the restroom.”

Scarlet shook her head.

“I don’t know.”

Alber blinked.

“Wow. There are things even you don’t know? Historic moment.”

She gave him a flat look.

“Do you want to fall down these stairs?”

“…I’ll stay silent.”

Down the road, a familiar figure approached slowly.

Alber squinted.

“—Nox. He’s here.”

He waved.

“Nox! Over here!”

Scarlet turned quickly. Relief flashed across her face—then worry replaced it.

As Nox came closer, she noticed a faint red stain on his sleeve. She stepped forward at once.

“What happened to you? Where did you go?”

Nox stopped. His expression was calm—too calm.

“That was private business,” he said evenly.

“I don’t plan to explain it.”

Scarlet froze. Her fingers tightened, then slowly fell back to her side.

“…I see but You left so suddenly—”

Nox adjusted his sleeve, hiding the mark.

He looked at Alber and Sisbell.

“We should head back. We need proper sleep for tomorrow’s test.”

Sisbell nodded, but her gaze moved between the two of them. The mood felt off.

“Ah—yes. Sleep is important, but—”

She suddenly grabbed Alber’s wrist.

“Come with me. I need help buying something. Urgent. Very urgent.”

Alber frowned. “What urgent—hey—”

She dragged him away.

“Just five minutes!” Sisbell called back.

Only Nox and Scarlet remained.

Silence stretched between them.

Nox didn’t look at her. He simply started walking.

Scarlet stood still for two seconds… then followed quietly.

A few hours later, the outing ended and they returned to the academy dormitory.

Cool night air drifted along the stone paths. Lamps glowed softly while students chatted in small groups about the day.

Sisbell yawned.

“My legs are dead.”

Alber scoffed.

“You said that after the third shop.”

“And I was correct every time,” she replied with pride.

Scarlet walked in silence. Her eyes flicked once toward Nox. He looked completely normal—like nothing had happened at all.

Nox rolled his shoulders lightly.

“Good night. Don’t oversleep. We meet at the cafeteria tomorrow.”

He went inside before anyone could continue the conversation.

Scarlet watched his back disappear.

‘He’s hiding something again. Blood on his sleeve… that’s not normal for him or anyone.’she thought

In the royal dormitory wing, Princess Ophelia was still awake.

A lamp burned beside her bed. Books were stacked around her, but she hadn’t turned a page for several minutes.

Knock. Knock.

She looked up.

“Enter.”

Her personal maid stepped in with a nervous young informer behind her.

Ophelia’s gaze sharpened.

“You’re from the team assigned to investigate the special admission student.”

The man bowed deeply.

“Yes, Princess. I bring new information.”

“Speak but. I don’t want useless details.”

He reported everything—the alley, the blood, the white pill, the sudden weakness, the recovery. Every detail, carefully repeated.

Ophelia listened without interruption.

When he finished, silence held the room for three seconds.

Then she smiled.

“Good work. A reward will be sent to your home.”

His face brightened.

“Thank you, Princess!”

“ Both of you Leave”

Princess say with thoughtful mind

They bowed and exited. The door closed softly.

Ophelia leaned back and hugged her oversized bunny plush.

“He always looks fine,” she murmured.

“But he was coughing blood… and took a moon-colored pill.”

She tapped the plush’s ear thoughtfully.

“So he hides things from others.”

Her expression softened.

“Is that why he reacted coldly when I spoke badly about Scarlet? Did I hit a secret he didn’t want anyone to touch?”

Her cheeks slowly turned red.

“Why is he so complicated… If you’re sick, you can just say it.”

She buried half her face in the plush.

“I want him on my side. Maybe… if I offer help, he’ll look at me differently.”

She lifted the bunny and spoke to it seriously.

“Do you think I’m losing my mind, talking to you like this?”

Silence answered her.

“…No. I think I’m just happy.”

A small smile formed.

“I know something about him now—something others don’t. Not even Scarlet.”

She hugged the plush tightly and lay back, eyes still open, thoughts wide awake.

The next day, the academy buzzed with energy.

First-year students were everywhere—some training on the practice grounds, others crowding the cafeteria for breakfast.

Nox and Alber walked toward the cafeteria entrance together.

Alber scanned the packed hall.

“Looks like the place is overflowing today,” Alber said.

Nox nodded while munching on a cookie.

“Yeah… everyone knows we’re heading to Welf Forest for the test. Of course they’re excited.”

Alber glanced to the side where a few first-years panicked at the sight of a training monster demonstration.

“Some of them look like they’re about to faint,” Alber muttered.

Nox sighed.

“They’ll survive… probably.”

At the corner table, Scarlet, Sisbell, and Liora were already seated. Liora spotted him instantly.

“Nox! Here!” Liora called.

Nox nearly choked on the cookie.

‘How does she always find me so fast? Is it a tracking skill?’he thought

He and Alber moved through the crowd toward the table.

Halfway there, Nox froze.

A premium dessert display stood near the counter—royal chef chocolate cakes, layered and glossy with ganache, decorated like art pieces.

His eyes locked on them.

Alber followed his gaze.

“Do you really like chocolate cake that much?” Alber asked.

Nox didn’t look away.

“Yes. Especially chocolate.”

Alber smirked.

“Do you even have money for that?”

Nox answered on instinct.

“fuck off you brat don't remind my empty pocket.”

Two hands struck down at once—thump, thump.

Scarlet and Sisbell stood behind them.

“Scarlet? Sisbell? What was that for?” Alber protested.

Scarlet frowned.

“Watch your language.”

Sisbell crossed her arms.

“And why are you two late? We were waiting, idiots.”

Nox rubbed his head and sat beside Liora with a gloomy face.

‘He just wants cake. Is it too much to ask? Asking the headmaster for cake money would be too shameless… and she’s busy with that black crystal case.’he thought

Liora tilted her head, studying his expression.

Meanwhile, Sisbell leaned closer to Alber.

“Did we hit you too hard?” Sisbell whispered.

Alber grinned.

“No. He just fell in love.”

Scarlet and Liora both stiffened.

Alber pointed at the cake display.

“With those cakes,” Alber added loudly.

Nox muttered, deadpan,

“Yeah… love at first sight. No idea what Alber is talking about otherwise.”

Scarlet’s cheeks warmed.

“Stop talking nonsense and eat,” Scarlet said. “If you go on an empty stomach, you’ll fail the test.”