Gardenia’s Heart

Inside the Mage Academy, in the last room on the top floor of the administrative building, a girl with rabbit ears and twin tails was yelling frantically.

“She knows teleportation magic! Why is everyone acting like she just brewed tea and baked a cake!?” Selene exclaimed, watching her family lounging on the luxurious sofa while eating a platter of fruit.

“Selene, we’re not having this conversation again. We were impressed too, but if we overreacted to everything we experienced, we wouldn’t be able to get anything done.” Abelia calmly replied as she carved a rabbit-shaped apple slice with a knife, placing it on a plate and handing it to Selene. “And if you’re still struggling with tea, Cleomel can teach you sometime.”

“That’s not the point...” Grumbling, Selene accepted the apple slices from her older sister, momentarily conceding defeat.

Sitting on the sofa across from Abelia and Cleomel, Selene rolled her eyes when she felt the piercing blue gaze of a particular girl.

“How can you say that while I’m sitting right here?” Lily muttered, sipping from her cup of coffee, her narrowed eyes reflecting her annoyance at her self-proclaimed rival’s boldness.

Stepping away from the window where she had been leaning, Lily placed her now empty cup on the table and reached for one of the fruits Selene had brought.

“It’s your fault for doing something so incredible and then vanishing right after, Rival. Do you know how confused I was!?” Selene huffed, watching the silver-haired girl inspect a cluster of grapes as if it were some kind of rare treasure. She sighed heavily before sliding further down the sofa, her back sinking into the cushions until she stared blankly at the ceiling. “I really thought it was strange when you redirected my advanced magic during our duel, but if it was teleportation, that makes sense.”

“Lady Selene is having the same reaction I did. Lady Lily’s magic is remarkable, isn’t it?” Cleomel chimed in, letting out a soft laugh, clearly as impressed as Selene.

“It’s not just impressive—it’s terrifying.” Selene rolled over on the sofa, her red dress tangling slightly as she played with her long rabbit ears. “Teleportation magic is something only the elder of the Mage Tower knows. It’s kept so confidential that even three-star mages aren’t allowed to request it. I’ve even heard that the regent king has to go through a series of formalities just to gain access.”

Hearing the words of the rabbit-eared girl sulking on the couch, Lily tilted her head, her fingers pausing from toying with the small purple grapes in her hand.

“Cleomel mentioned it was hard to learn, but not that it was this restricted,” Lily replied, frowning slightly.

“Your ignorance is frightening, Rival.” Forcing herself to sit up properly, Selene grabbed another slice of apple for herself. “Ancient-era magic is already rarer than advanced spells, but among them, there are a few so powerful they stand above all others. These spells are called Absolute Magics.”

“Absolute Magics...” Lily echoed, listening intently to Selene’s words.

“They’re directly tied to a nation’s military strength. Each race keeps their most important spells sealed away, locked under the strictest security to prevent them from being stolen, as it could jeopardize their supremacy. I don’t know where you learned such magic, but if you don’t want to be hunted across the capital and the Mage Tower, you should keep that power hidden—at least while you’re in Anthus.”

Listening to Selene’s words, Lily wrapped her hands around her waist, gently pressing the tentacles that brushed against her skin beneath her dress. The pride she felt knowing her wife possessed such a rare and powerful spell filled her more with joy than any anxiety or fear.

Finishing her apple slices, Selene’s rabbit ears twitched slightly. She turned toward the door of her office with a calm expression, and after a few seconds, a soft knock echoed through the room.

“Welcome back, Oliver,” Abelia said, watching her son enter the room with a wide smile on his face.

“I’m back, Mother.” His smile softened further when he noticed her slightly reddened eyes, still touched by the tears of relief she had shed earlier. Bowing respectfully to the others present, he added, “Aunt Selene, Lady Lily, Lady Cleomel. Thank you again for looking after my mother while I was away.”

Taking a few steps forward, Oliver’s gaze fell on the twin swords strapped to Lily’s waist, partially concealed beneath her cloak. Despite the cover, he could tell how finely crafted they were.

“I see everything went well. Stardust weapons are undoubtedly the finest equipment a mage could ask for.” Adjusting the sword at his hip, Oliver straightened his now-spotless combat suit. “Kasa and Davi are finishing settling the rescued family in the staff dormitory. It was very kind of you, Aunt Selene, to take them in as employees. I could hardly believe you managed to resolve everything in just a few hours.”

“I only accepted capable workers. The mother is a skilled cook, perfect for the dining hall, and the father has construction experience that will help with the maintenance repairs. It wasn’t a big deal.” Waving her hand dismissively, Selene shifted to make room on the couch for Oliver to sit. With a soft clap of her hands, she turned her palm toward Lily. “Alright, now that we’re all here, we can begin. Rival, what was it you discovered that you wanted to share?”

Finishing the last of the rare fruits—an indulgence as rare as meat for her—Lily leaned lightly against Selene’s desk.

“I’ve confirmed from a reliable source that Caligo has been purchasing large quantities of raw stardust over the past few months. I don’t think this is just a minor detail. He’s using it for something.” Her arms crossed as she observed the reactions around the room.

“I haven’t heard of any improvements in the guards’ equipment. If it were for weapons, buying them pre-made would make more sense. I can’t think of a reason why he would need the raw mineral,” Selene commented, smoothing the fabric of her red dress.

“Could he be working on some sort of magical artifact?” Oliver suggested.

“It’s possible, but I can’t imagine why he’d waste such a rare material on that. Whether it’s luminite or another mana-rich mineral from the mines, they should be more than sufficient for most magical tools crafted in the city. Using Stardust for something like that would be like harnessing a farmhorse to a golden carriage.” Selene mimicked a scale with her hands as if weighing the imbalance between the material’s value and its purpose.

Nodding in agreement with her sister’s words, Abelia set down the small knife she had been using to slice the apples on the table in front of her.

“We’ve already ruled out the idea that this is some strategy to keep the city running. Caligo certainly isn’t short on funds, especially with the mines sustaining the population’s food supply.” Her sharp gaze met each person’s eyes in turn. “Velmont has been launching attacks on villages both within and beyond the mist, using his authority as a lord to cover it all up.”

Finishing her statement, Abelia turned to Lily, her expression softening with sorrow. The painful conversation they had shared earlier, when Lily had revealed how that very man had been responsible for the death of her family, echoed once more in her mind.

”Furthermore, he’s separating people with mana affinity from those being sent directly for sale. Not everyone is forced into mining—he’s using them for something else,” Lily pointed out, relying on the information she had gathered during the long years she spent imprisoned, trying to piece together the reason behind it all.

”Lady Lily, do you have any idea what he could be using those people for?” Oliver crossed his legs, his obsidian gaze fixed on her, worried not only for the situation but also for his sister’s wellbeing.

”Unfortunately, I never discovered what he does with those people. Except for the rooms used for organ extraction, I have no idea what goes on in the others.” Lily replied, her hand brushing discreetly over her left eye.

A heavy silence settled over the room. The air thickened, tension pressing down on their shoulders until Selene suddenly clapped her hands together, breaking the oppressive mood.

”Alright! We may not know the full picture, but all we need to do is strike with everything we’ve got and end this.” Twirling her Stardust brush between her fingers, her lips curled into a daring smile. ”Though not many of my students were part of the mercenary guild, the managers often ask me to teach promising members a few spells. With the monster alert, many of them should still be in the city. I can try reaching out to some trusted contacts for help.”

Everyone nodded at Selene’s words, determination hardening their expressions. Or rather, almost everyone.

”...Damn it. Why didn’t I realize this sooner?” Lily muttered under her breath, disbelief lacing her voice as she suddenly started toward Selene.

A sharp discomfort gnawed at her mind like a piece of the puzzle had been glaringly obvious but had eluded her. Something she’d overlooked—something she shouldn’t have missed. It felt like the sensation of a blade pressing against her chest, poised to strike.

”Selene, please. I need you to think carefully before you answer my question.” Grasping both of Selene’s shoulders, Lily met her soft pink eyes with fierce intensity.

”Rival?! You’re scaring me!” Selene stammered, her ears flicking back slightly in surprise at the sudden grip.

She considered struggling free but paused the moment she saw just how serious Lily’s expression was. Whatever it was, it mattered—deeply.

”In all the years you’ve lived in Caligo, has there ever been a monster alert where everyone was kept inside the city?”

The question was sharp and direct, but it made Selene hesitate, her gaze shifting as she mentally combed through memories.

”...No, I don’t think so. Usually, the mercenary guild would handle it. I... don’t understand why they haven’t this time,” Selene finally admitted, her expression clouding as she realized how strange that was.

Releasing her, Lily stepped back, her hand moving to her chin, eyes narrowing as her mind raced. The tension in her face betrayed how deeply unsettled she was.

”Lady Lily... is something wrong?” Abelia asked softly, still not grasping the source of her growing alarm.

Lily closed her eyes, exhaling slowly as her fingers brushed one of Nia’s tentacles, a lingering touch seeking reassurance. Then she turned to the group, her expression grim.

”I didn’t think these events were connected at first. It didn’t seem strange enough to question. But I should have realized it wasn’t a coincidence when I learned he was behind all these attacks.”

She had seen this tactic before. Not long ago, in fact. She knew exactly what came next—because it was the same lie used to gather and slaughter everyone in her village.

”Making people enter Caligo to keep them safe isn’t the goal. The monster alert was just an excuse to trap everyone inside the city!”

The moment Lily spoke those words, the entire room’s atmosphere shifted.

”Lady Lily… you don’t mean to say...” Cleomel started, her warrior instincts already piecing together the grim implication.

”Whatever he’s planning, it’s happening soon—and it will involve the entire city,” Lily finished, answering the unspoken question with grim certainty.

Before anyone could respond, a series of rhythmic, soft beeping sounds echoed through the room, drawing everyone’s attention.

”It’s the communication device,” Selene announced, rising from her seat. She retrieved a dark blue box from her desk, faint glowing runes carved along its surface.

”You managed to get that?” Lily raised an eyebrow, watching Selene handle the object.

”We checked John’s hideout the night after you left to search for my son,” Abelia explained, placing a hand over her chest while her other rested lightly on Cleomel’s. ”There was no one there, but we recovered the communication artifact we had found earlier.”

Lily’s frown deepened, her expression darkening.

”If he left it behind for so long, it means he wanted us to find it,” she said, watching Selene’s fingers dance across the glowing symbols. ”What are you doing?”

”I’m adjusting the settings. Communication devices like these can be modified to transmit sound instead of written messages, though the range can be limited.” Selene’s fingers moved one last time, and a harsh static noise filled the room.

Seconds passed with nothing but uncomfortable white noise, until finally—

”I’d like to say I’m surprised to see you siding with her, Selene, but given your history, it was obvious which side you’d choose.”

There was no need to question who the voice belonged to.

”Velmont, you bastard!” Selene snarled, slamming both hands on her desk. Her sharp teeth flashed in fury.

The moment his name was spoken, everyone had already abandoned their seats, moving closer to the device.

”You may not know this, but I always enjoyed our brief conversations. Though I’d love to hear more of your deliciously contemptuous voice, Selene, you’re not the one I wish to speak with.”

His voice oozed amusement, as though he were circling closer to his intended prey.

”You’re here, aren’t you? My dear guest, quick to flee like a wolf who catches the scent of its hunter.”

The sound of his voice was like a blade pressing into the room’s air, sharp and invasive.

Abelia and Cleomel were already moving protectively, but Lily knew.

It was her.

Without a word, she stepped forward, her gaze fixed unblinkingly on the communication box.

”I had to search the records for a while to find you again. White hair, blue eyes—one of the hardest to sell to a worthy buyer. Your lack of natural mana affinity made you worthless to me, so you didn’t stay in my memory long.”

His voice practically dripped with cruel satisfaction, words carefully chosen to slice deeper with each syllable.

”But I must say, I’m very curious how you broke your stigma. You had your chance to escape—and yet, you’ve returned to me. Should I call it a rare blessing, or perhaps... fate?”

The voice paused for a moment as if he knew what she was feeling.

”But we both know why you’re here. If you want Vivienne’s daughter alive, you know what must be done. Come alone. You remember the way back, don’t you? After all—It was your home for so long.”

The voice then fell silent, leaving the room heavy with just words. Everyone who had been too shocked to speak until now turned their eyes toward Lily.

”I’m going to rescue Alice,” Lily declared, already moving toward the door.

But before she could step past the wooden frame, a figure blocked her path.

”Lady Lily, you know this is a trap. You can’t go alone.” Oliver’s voice was steady, but the concern in his obsidian eyes was unmistakable.

The swordsman didn’t know Lily’s full past or the tragedies that haunted her, but seeing the worry in his mother’s and Cleomel’s faces told him enough. Letting her go alone was a mistake.

”Oliver’s right, Rival! We should go together. He knows he can’t win against us united, so he’s trying to divide us.” Selene insisted, her face still tight with bitterness from the recent conversation.

Turning toward Selene, Lily closed her eyes, exhaling softly. She shook her head, strands of her silver hair swaying gently with the motion.

”There was no irregular echo in his voice,” she began quietly. ”I lived there long enough to recognize how sound distorts underground, against stone walls. Velmont isn’t in the mines. But the chances that Alice is there are high enough to take this risk.”

Facing Abelia directly, Lily offered a small, determined smile.

”I’ll make sure everything turns out right. Just like I promised—I’ll bring your daughter back to you.”

Her words weren’t spoken out of anger, vengeance, or reckless defiance. This was her choice—to prevent the same failures from repeating. She had been the reason they hadn’t rescued Alice earlier, and now she would take responsibility for it.

”Lady Lily... please, be careful,” Abelia said, her hand resting firmly over her heart, her gaze meeting Lily’s with trust despite her worry.

After that, no one in the room could bring themselves to stop her.

”Find out where he really is. I will catch up to you when I finish what I need to do,” Lily added, meeting Selene’s eyes one last time. Then, without further words, she stepped through a portal shimmering like a star-filled sky.

The room remained silent as the light faded—but Selene’s frustration didn’t. Stomping her foot hard against the wooden floor, she let out an exaggerated huff.

”That self-righteous idiot! She thinks she can just give out orders and disappear like that?!”

Grabbing the communication device, her cheeks puffed in anger as she began rapidly inputting commands into the interface.

A few moments later, the uncomfortable static returned—followed by his voice.

”If you’re calling me, I assume she’s already on her way, isn’t she?” Velmont’s voice was calm, almost disinterested as if distracted by some other task.

”She is! And you’d better not be lying about Alice being alive!” Selene snapped, trying to bait him for any information she could extract.

”Of course, it’s true. There’s no need to lie anymore. In fact, out of respect for you, I won’t force her to share the same fate as the others.”

Velmont’s tone was disturbingly sincere, the kind of calm that made the words feel even more dangerous.

”This is truly unfortunate, Selene,” he continued, voice blending with the faint sound of wind whistling. ”Our relationship may not have been deep, but I respected you enough not to touch any of your students until now. Had you simply continued doing your duty as an educator, I might have been able to spare you.”

There was no sarcasm in his voice—just cold, genuine conviction.

”You boast more than you can deliver. I’m a two-star mage too! Don’t underestimate me and act like you can get rid of me whenever you please, you bastard!” Selene shouted in fury. She had already gotten what she needed—there was no reason to keep talking to him anymore.

As she spoke, people in the room had begun to move.

She paid them no mind.

”Of course, I can,” Velmont replied, as if stating the obvious.

And that was her mistake.

”Eh?”

At first, she couldn’t comprehend what had happened.

The confusion was so overwhelming that there was no pain.

It was only when Selene felt the sharp blade pierce her soft flesh and twist that the reality of it finally struck.

”You should be more cautious of your surroundings.” Velmont’s voice echoed once more through the device.

A searing pain exploded in her back all at once. She couldn’t suppress the urge to vomit, but what spilled from her lips wasn’t bile—it was red.

Staggering to the side, she reached the edge of the room, pressing her back against the wall while struggling against her legs’ desire to give out and collapse beneath her. Her left hand instinctively pressed over the open wound in her waist, but the blade was already gone.

Mustering all the strength she had left, Selene lifted her gaze toward her attacker, blood-soaked hands trembling as she whispered, her resolve and willpower on the verge of shattering.

”This... has to be a joke, right...? Sis...?”