The bustling activity at the Siyoram Gate Terminal marked the end of their return trip.
The terminal was packed with people.
“Look at the crowd. If this building were any smaller, they wouldn’t even fit,” Hong Yeonhwa muttered, clearly exhausted as she glanced at the swarming masses inside.
“It’s not just us. Everyone’s returning today or tomorrow,” Baek Arin said casually, shrugging her shoulders as she walked alongside.
“Once the sester starts, no one can afford to spend much ti outside. Lots of people probably stayed out as long as possible before coming back.”
While not every student spent their vacation outside Siyoram, many took the opportunity to leave, knowing that extended trips wouldn’t be possible during the sester.
Having completed her entry process, Hong Yeonhwa stepped out of the crowded building, greeted by the open blue sky and clouds that floated like tufts of cotton.
“Phew...”
She took a deep breath, and the fresh air filled her lungs.
Even though they weren’t on the outskirts of the island, the occasional salty tang of the sea reached her nose.
It wasn’t a scent she particularly enjoyed, but right now, even that was oddly welco.
China.
Not a demonic realm, but certainly not ordinary land either.
Many regions had beco intertwined with dungeons that had gone rampant, breaking through their barriers and blending with this world.
So areas were even steeped in the poison of the Two-Headed Venom Dragon, reeking of foul odors.
It hadn’t been unbearable, but it was certainly unpleasant.
Now, standing amidst such a clean and refreshing environnt, she felt a weight lift from her mood.
After a brief mont of respite, she resud walking.
“Ariel, take this luggage to the dorm,” she instructed.
“Yes, understood,” ca the reply.
Following just behind her like a shadow, Ariel bowed her head and accepted the task.
Ariel had accompanied her on the trip to China.
It was only natural.
Once an elite hunter of the highest rank, Ariel had a knack for tracking. She had joined the search party when Lee Hayul went missing.
Fortunately, Lee Hayul had been rescued quickly and was now back at Siyoram.
His return had been a hot topic.
The nightmare of the Two-Headed Venom Dragon, almost repeating history, had been stopped by Lee Hayul before the damage could grow.
His actions brought him recognition and fa, though there were suspicions about why trouble seed to follow him.
However, the Association’s intervention swiftly silenced any accusations.
“It’s a pity, though,” Ariel comnted suddenly.
“What is?”
“I didn’t get to see the young master’s regressed appearance in person,” she said wistfully.
Hong Yeonhwa’s eye twitched.
“It’s truly fascinating news. Physical regression... I’ve never heard of such a case. Could it be a variant of renewal or rebirth?”
“...You’ll have your chance. Just wait.”
“Indeed. A wise response,” Ariel said with a light clap of her hands, her face still expressionless.
“I’ll suppress my desires and look forward to the future. In the anti, miss, I recomnd you address your urges promptly.”
“Hey, that phrasing is a little off.”
“Ah, my apologies.”
Ariel’s odd tone didn’t waver as she picked up the luggage and departed, leaving Hong Yeonhwa shaking her head in disbelief.
The journey to her destination continued.
The destination was Lee Hayul’s dormitory.
The dormitory lobby was as crowded as the terminal had been, with nurous students having returned to Siyoram.
The bustling crowd parted, however, as Hong Yeonhwa entered.
Though recent interactions with Lee Hayul had softened her reputation sowhat, the wild rumors surrounding her persisted.
She stepped into the elevator and pressed the floor button.
As the elevator began its slow ascent, she stared at the changing numbers.
2, 3, 4...
The elevator seed unusually sluggish, almost as if there was an issue.
“Hm-hmm-hm...”
As she crossed her arms and tapped her fingers impatiently, a faint humming reached her ears.
Her brow twitched.
That sound.
It wasn’t new—it had been there for a while.
“...What’s with the humming?” she asked.
“Huh? What do you an?”
Turning, she looked at Baek Arin, who had her hands clasped behind her back and was humming cheerfully. Baek Arin tilted her head with an innocent smile.
Baek Arin, too, had been invited by Lee Hayul. It seed he intended to reveal so secrets, like the existence of Seo Yul.
Hong Yeonhwa understood the reasoning. Seo Yul’s existence couldn’t remain hidden forever, so it made sense to inform trusted people.
Still, she felt a bit annoyed. Baek Arin learning the secret around the sa ti as her didn’t sit well.
“You seem pretty happy. Did sothing good happen?”
“Hmm... Not really? I’m just feeling great today~.”
‘Yeah, right,’ Hong Yeonhwa thought, narrowing her eyes.
Even though Baek Arin often acted cheerful, this felt different.
From her ti spent with her, Hong Yeonhwa could tell that Baek Arin’s mood wasn’t an act. She genuinely seed happy.
The elevator finally stopped, and the doors opened.
Crossing the hallway, Hong Yeonhwa reached the door with Lee Hayul’s naplate.
‘Sigh...’
Taking a deep breath, she ntally prepared herself.
She was angry. Furious, even. He had gone off recklessly and nearly gotten himself killed. Her temper flared at the thought. She might even scold him while holding him close.
But she was also curious.
His regression. She had heard about it but hadn’t seen it herself. Elia had offered to send photos, but she had refused, wanting to see him in person.
Beyond this door was Lee Hayul.
Gulp.
Swallowing hard, Hong Yeonhwa opened the door.
The entryway greeted her with neatly arranged shoes, many of which were clearly won’s. She frowned slightly, though she already knew about it.
The faint irritation was replaced by the overpowering scent drifting through the air.
A sweet, honey-like fragrance unique to Lee Hayul.
The dormitory was steeped in it, so much so that it felt overwhelming.
Her irritation lted away as she removed her shoes and stepped into the living room.
There were several people gathered there:
Elia Sreid, Liana Belus, Atra Clyde...
And sitting on the floor was... Lee Hayul?
Hong Yeonhwa froze, her breath catching in her throat.
Her eyes scanned him, trembling as they did.
His pure white hair was so pristine it felt like it could stain her hands.
He exuded a mystical, dreamlike aura.
And his skin—soft, fair, and flawless—had beco even more radiant.
‘What...’
Her thoughts ca to a halt.
His right arm, previously scarred with the marks of Guhwa flas, was now unblemished.
Hong Yeonhwa’s eyes widened.
“Yeonhwa?”
Soone called her na from behind, but she didn’t register it.
Her attention was entirely fixed on Lee Hayul and his right arm.
The scars of Guhwa were nearly impossible to erase. They were considered both a mark of proof and a brand of burden.
Yet the scars that had once covered Lee Hayul’s arm were gone, replaced by smooth, flawless skin.
Her heart trembled.
Approaching closer, she noticed his regressed body—small and delicate, almost childlike.
It stirred sothing within her.
Though she wanted to scold him, she decided to put it off for now.
She extended her hand toward him in a daze—
—Slap!
“Eh?”
A tiny hand shot out and smacked hers away.
Hong Yeonhwa blinked.
The fog clouding her mind lifted, and her narrowed focus widened.
Only then did she notice the small girl beside Lee Hayul, glaring at her with sharp, protective eyes.
The girl resembled Lee Hayul, with similarly white hair, though hers shimred faintly with prismatic hues.
Her figure was slightly larger than Lee Hayul’s, and her deanor radiated a more assertive personality.
Most striking of all were the radiant, multicolored wings on her back.
‘Ah.’
Seo Yul.
The fairy born from the egg obtained in the Tower of Growth. She regarded Lee Hayul as a parent and clung to him.
“Don’t hurt Dad!”
—Chi!
Her voice rang clear, like a bell.
Seo Yul clung tightly to Lee Hayul, even spreading her wings wide to shield him completely.
She acted as if Hong Yeonhwa were a threat to be warded off.
Hong Yeonhwa was dumbfounded.
[Seo, Seo Yul, no.]
[That’s not right...]
[I’m sorry.]
[She must have misunderstood...]
[Please forgive her...]
Lee Hayul stamred an apology, his gaze darting nervously toward Hong Yeonhwa as he tried to calm Seo Yul.
Though his posture was tense and his spirit subdued, his protective actions toward his daughter were touching.
“I didn’t even do anything, though...” Hong Yeonhwa muttered, exasperated.
She had only reached out to hold him, yet now she looked like so kind of villain threatening his family.
“Wow, trash,” Baek Arin quipped from behind, her voice cutting deep.
Hong Yeonhwa’s eyes twitched violently.
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