Chapter 141
Nille remained seated on the sofa in a meditative posture, his breathing slow and steady as he organized the countless thoughts running through his mind.
The abandoned logistic carriers.
The temporal distortion within the Draconian Mountain Range.
Possible solutions for dealing with the Stymphalian Birds.
And the many questions surrounding the mountain ecosystem itself.
Even while resting, his mind refused to remain completely idle.
Within his awareness, Nyx and Hyde had finally grown quiet, allowing him a rare moment of peace.
The temporary room was calm.
The soft ambient light from the Rune Forge corridor filtered through the window, illuminating the otherwise quiet space.
Nille focused on slowing his thoughts.
Then, he felt the sofa shift slightly beside him.
Opening his eyes, he saw Lin Yue had moved from the bed.
Without saying anything, she sat down next to him.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
The silence between them was comfortable rather than awkward.
Eventually, Lin Yue leaned slightly toward him.
Resting her head gently against his shoulder, she instinctively sought the warmth beside her.
Nille stiffened for a brief moment in surprise.
Lin Yue, however, seemed completely unconcerned.
"You think too much," she said softly, her voice carrying traces of exhaustion.
Nille blinked.
"Do I?"
Lin Yue gave a quiet hum in response.
"You've been planning since we returned."
She adjusted slightly, becoming more comfortable.
"We escaped."
"We're safe."
"Everyone is resting."
"For a little while... you can rest too."
Nille remained silent.
The warmth of another person beside him felt strangely grounding after everything that had happened over the past two days.
No dangerous Malignants.
No uncertain terrain.
No need to stay constantly alert.
Just a quiet room within the safety of the Rune Forge.
Lin Yue closed her eyes.
"I'm not saying stop thinking," she murmured. "Just... don't carry everything by yourself all the time."
Nille looked down at her for a moment.
Despite her usual composed and practical nature, the expedition had clearly exhausted her as well.
The tension she had maintained throughout their journey had finally begun to fade.
A small smile formed on Nille's face.
"Okay," he replied quietly.
Satisfied with that answer, Lin Yue relaxed further against him.
The room fell silent once more.
Even Nyx and Hyde remained respectfully quiet.
For the first time since returning from the Draconian Mountain Range, Nille allowed himself to simply exist in the moment.
There would be time later to prepare.
Time later to find answers.
Time later to return to the mountains.
But for now, surrounded by safety and quiet companionship, he allowed himself something he rarely gave much importance to.
Rest.
Several hours passed peacefully within the Rune Forge.
The exhaustion from the expedition had finally caught up with everyone.
When Nhulla Loresong decided to check on Nille and Lin Yue to inform them that the others would soon reconvene, she approached Nille's temporary quarters with her usual composed demeanor.
After knocking lightly and receiving no response, she carefully opened the door.
The sight that greeted her caused her to pause.
Nille remained seated against the sofa, his posture having shifted from meditation into sleep sometime during the night.
Lin Yue had long since abandoned any attempt at maintaining proper posture.
Still asleep, she had unconsciously leaned fully against him, comfortably using his shoulder as support.
One of Nille's arms rested awkwardly against the sofa, while Lin Yue had shifted closer during sleep without realizing it.
The entire scene looked surprisingly natural.
Nhulla blinked once.
Then slowly closed the door.
"...I see," she muttered quietly to herself.
She had no intention of waking them.
After everything they had experienced in the Draconian Mountain Range, a few extra hours of uninterrupted rest would probably benefit both of them.
Besides...
A small mischievous smile appeared on Nhulla's face.
Perhaps it would be more entertaining to simply leave them to discover the awkward situation on their own.
Without disturbing them further, Nhulla quietly made her way toward Head Merchant Rume Ironbark's main office to wait.
However, as she turned to leave, something on the floor near the sofa caught her attention.
A single piece of paper had somehow drifted onto the ground.
Likely knocked loose as the two shifted in their sleep.
Curious, Nhulla extended her hand.
A simple telekinetic spell activated.
The paper floated gently toward her.
At first glance, it looked chaotic.
Small sketches.
Rough diagrams.
Scattered notes written in Nille's handwriting.
It resembled a collection of hastily written thoughts rather than a formal report.
Yet as Nhulla continued reading, her expression slowly changed.
The paper contained design concepts.
Possible methods for countering the Stymphalian Birds.
One section detailed a rapid-fire enchanted crossbow system.
Below it were notes discussing its advantages.
Quiet operation. Specialized ammunition compatibility. Lower risk of attracting additional Malignants. Ease of maintenance during expeditions.
Beneath those benefits, Nille had also written possible disadvantages.
Reduced armor penetration against larger targets. Ammunition consumption concerns. Limited effectiveness against extremely fast aerial targets.
Another section focused on a completely different concept.
Railgun.
Nhulla paused.
The notes here were significantly more speculative.
Pros:
Extremely high projectile velocity. Effective against heavily armored threats. Exceptional long-range capability.
Cons:
Massive energy requirements. Material durability concerns. Risk of excessive collateral damage. Potential environmental disruption. Impractical for prolonged field operations.
Additional comments had been added around the margins.
"Crossbow suitable for standard expeditions."
"Railgun reserved for emergency scenarios only."
"Need Rune Forge feasibility assessment."
The writing itself looked like casual doodles.
Ideas rapidly recorded before they could be forgotten.
Yet beneath the rough presentation, Nhulla immediately recognized the reasoning behind each point.
It was practical.
Structured.
Thoughtful.
A small smile appeared on her face.
Without hesitation, she carefully folded the paper.
Initially, she had intended to simply wait for Nille and Lin Yue to wake up naturally.
Now, however, she had something interesting to discuss.
Making her way toward the main office, Nhulla found Rume Ironbark already reviewing expedition reports.
The Head Merchant glanced upward as she entered.
"Any news?" he asked.
Nhulla approached his desk.
"I decided not to wake them," she replied calmly.
Rume raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Nhulla's expression remained composed.
"They appeared to need the rest."
Rume studied her for a moment.
Then noticed the folded paper in her hand.
"And what is that?"
Nhulla placed it on his desk.
"I believe Nille was brainstorming solutions regarding the Stymphalian Birds."
Rume looked intrigued immediately.
He unfolded the paper.
The moment his eyes scanned the contents, his expression shifted.
Curiosity.
Interest.
Then excitement.
"Rapid-fire crossbows..."
His eyes moved further down.
"...Railgun?"
A slow grin spread across his face.
"Now this," he said, leaning forward slightly, "is an interesting conversation."
Nhulla remained silent.
Watching as Rume carefully studied every note and rough sketch.
Already knowing exactly what his response would likely be.
Because while most people would look at Nille's ideas and see complicated weapons.
Head Merchant Rume Ironbark saw something entirely different.
A challenge.
And among dwarves, there were few things more dangerous than presenting an engineer with an interesting challenge.
Rume Ironbark continued studying the scattered notes spread across his desk.
His expression shifted several times as he moved between the rough diagrams of the rapid-fire crossbow and the more theoretical railgun design.
Then his eyes narrowed.
He leaned back in his chair.
A thoughtful expression settled on his face.
Finally, he voiced the question forming in his mind.
"Can I have both weapons," he muttered to himself, "without the downsides of either?"
Nhulla remained silent as Rume organized his thoughts.
Because the more he looked at Nille's notes, the more he realized something important.
Nille wasn't proposing entirely new weapons.
The concepts themselves already existed.
The Dwarven race had long ago developed firearms and muskets. Through trade, conflict, and countless generations of reverse engineering, those designs had eventually found their way into the mortal realm.
The problem was never whether such weapons could be made.
The problem was their limitations.
Rume picked up the notes again.
Noise.
Ammunition consumption.
Accuracy.
Environmental impact.
The points were all written clearly.
Nille understood that muskets and firearms had their place.
Against heavily armored targets.
During open warfare.
In situations where overwhelming force mattered more than subtlety.
But the Draconian Mountain Range was not a battlefield.
It was an ecosystem.
One where every loud sound had consequences.
A gunshot did more than kill a target.
It announced the shooter's location.
It attracted predators.
It disturbed the surrounding environment.
In a place already filled with Malignants capable of detecting movement, sound, spiritual energy, and even scent, every shot risked escalating the situation.
The same problem applied to mages.
Most spellcasters would naturally suggest offensive magic as the answer.
After all, why build a weapon when fireballs and lightning spells existed?
The issue, however, was endurance.
Mana exhaustion.
A mage could only cast for so long.
The moment their reserves ran dry, they became vulnerable.
And in the Draconian Mountain Range...
Vulnerability often meant death.
Even large Malignants suffered under sustained attacks from aerial predators.
Stymphalian Birds were not dangerous because of individual strength.
They overwhelmed through numbers.
Persistence.
Coordination.
Veteran hunters understood this well.
Most anti-aerial hunting methods combined multiple approaches.
Ranged weapons.
Defensive barriers.
Tracking techniques.
Area denial.
There was never a single solution.
Rume glanced again at Nille's notes.
The wording caught his attention.
Nille had never asked if they could create such a weapon.
He had written something entirely different.
"We have to make one."
It wasn't a suggestion.
It was identifying a necessity.
Because eventually, another expedition would return to those mountains.
And if they lacked the proper tools, they would face the same problem again.
Nhulla observed Rume's growing focus.
"What are you thinking?" she asked.
Rume tapped the paper thoughtfully.
"The answer isn't choosing between a crossbow and a firearm."
He pointed toward one of Nille's side notes.
"It's combining their strengths."
His eyes lit up with growing excitement.
"A crossbow provides stealth."
"Firearms provide projectile velocity."
"Magic provides adaptability."
"And cores provide a stable energy source."
Rume stood up abruptly.
The engineering challenge had already captured his imagination.
"The question isn't whether we can build it," he muttered.
"We've had the pieces for centuries."
He began pacing.
"Enchanted repeating crossbows already exist."
"Core-powered artifacts already exist."
"Guidance enchantments already exist."
"So why hasn't anyone combined them properly?"
Nhulla considered the question.
"Tradition?"
Rume snorted.
"Most likely."
Dwarven craftsmen refined firearms.
Elves perfected enchantments.
Humans adapted whatever they could acquire.
Each race improved what they already understood.
Few bothered combining disciplines beyond necessity.
But Nille's notes approached the problem differently.
Not as a weapon maker.
Not as a mage.
Not as a hunter.
But as someone trying to survive an environment that punished inefficiency.
Rume stopped pacing.
"The core," he said.
Nhulla looked up.
"The answer lies with the core."
He pointed to the railgun section.
"The energy output from a Level 200 core could eliminate the need for physical draw strength."
Then he pointed toward the crossbow section.
"But instead of accelerating projectiles to excessive levels..."
His grin widened.
"...we optimize for controlled precision."
Quiet.
Accurate.
Sustainable.
Enough force to eliminate aerial threats.
Not enough to accidentally provoke something worse.
Nhulla finally understood.
"Nille wasn't designing a superweapon."
Rume nodded.
"No."
"He was designing an expedition weapon."
A tool built specifically for environments where surviving was more important than overwhelming force.
Rume looked once more at the scattered notes.
The concepts themselves were ancient.
Crossbows.
Firearms.
Core technology.
Guidance enchantments.
None of them were revolutionary.
But the question Nille had unknowingly asked was something craftsmen had overlooked for generations.
How do you combine existing solutions into something practical enough that explorers can depend on it when everything goes wrong?
Rume's smile slowly widened.
Now that...
That was a problem worth solving.
Nille slowly stirred awake, the lingering effects of exhaustion making it difficult to immediately gather his thoughts.
For a few moments, he remained still.
The warmth surrounding him felt... unusual.
Comfortable.
Soft.
His mind, still clouded by fatigue, took several seconds to process that something was different.
Then awareness gradually returned.
Nille carefully opened his eyes.
The first thing he noticed was that he was no longer sitting upright on the sofa.
At some point during their rest, he had shifted onto his side.
The second thing he noticed was Lin Yue.
She had somehow moved into a similar position, facing him directly.
The two of them had unconsciously curled toward each other during their sleep, sharing the limited space of the sofa in a surprisingly close posture.
The sight reminded Nille of two rabbits seeking warmth during winter.
For several long seconds, neither of them moved.
Then Lin Yue slowly opened her eyes as well.
Silence.
The two simply stared at one another.
Both trying to understand exactly how they had ended up in such a situation.
Nille was the first to look away.
"...Good morning," he said quietly.
Lin Yue blinked once.
Then another time.
She seemed just as confused as he was.
"...Good morning," she replied.
A brief silence followed.
Neither immediately pulled away.
Perhaps because they were both still waking up.
Perhaps because moving suddenly would only make the awkwardness worse.
Eventually, Nille carefully shifted himself into a seated position.
Lin Yue did the same, smoothing out her slightly wrinkled clothing.
The room fell into another moment of silence.
Neither of them had intended for this to happen.
Nille had planned to meditate.
Lin Yue had simply wanted a place to rest.
Yet somehow, their exhaustion had caught up with them far more than either expected.
Thinking back on it, perhaps it shouldn't have been surprising.
The excitement of exploration.
The constant need for vigilance.
The unfamiliar environment.
The threat of powerful Malignants.
The pressure of making critical decisions.
All of it demanded energy.
The thrill of discovery often disguised fatigue until the body simply decided it had reached its limit.
Even if the mind remained active.
Even if adrenaline continued pushing them forward.
The human body still had boundaries.
Lin Yue let out a small sigh.
"I didn't realize I was this tired," she admitted.
Nille nodded in agreement.
"Neither did I."
It was easy to forget.
Both of them had remained functional throughout the expedition.
Focused.
Alert.
Capable.
But being capable did not mean they were unaffected.
There was only so much physical and mental strain a person could endure before rest became unavoidable.
Lin Yue glanced toward Nille.
"We've been moving almost nonstop since entering the mountains."
Nille thought back to everything that had happened.
The harsh terrain.
The constant observation.
The unknown creatures.
The pursuit through the forest.
The emergency retreat.
The temporal anomaly.
The stress had accumulated gradually until their bodies finally claimed the rest they had been postponing.
A small smile appeared on Lin Yue's face.
"I suppose this means we actually needed the sleep."
Nille let out a quiet chuckle.
"I think that's an understatement."
The awkwardness from earlier gradually faded.
Neither treated the situation as something embarrassing.
It had simply happened.
Two exhausted people seeking rest after surviving a dangerous expedition.
Nothing more.
Lin Yue stretched slightly before standing.
"At least we didn't fall off the sofa."
Nille smiled faintly.
"That's true."
Unknown to both of them, elsewhere within the Rune Forge, Nhulla had already decided that allowing them to wake up naturally had been the correct choice.
Not because of the position they had ended up in.
But because, after everything they had experienced, it was perhaps the first genuine moment of uninterrupted rest either of them had allowed themselves.
The mountains would still be waiting.
The unanswered questions remained.
The expedition would continue.
But for now...
They had simply been two tired people whose bodies had finally won the argument against their determination to keep going.
Nille had never viewed Lin Yue as merely a casual friend.
Their connection had deepened long before either of them joined the expedition.
Lin Yue knew Granny Amparo well. The two regularly exchanged letters and spoke over the phone whenever they could. Over time, Granny Amparo had grown genuinely fond of Lin Yue, often calling her apo with the warmth and affection she reserved for family.
To Granny Amparo, Lin Yue had never been just another acquaintance in Nille's life.
Nille, however, remained characteristically oblivious to the romantic implications of many of his actions.
He expressed care naturally.
He helped because he wanted to help.
He listened because he genuinely cared.
He protected others because it felt like the right thing to do.
To him, these actions were simple expressions of sincerity and kindness, never calculated gestures meant to convey romantic interest.
That was simply how Nille had always been.
So when he woke up on the sofa, finding himself face-to-face with Lin Yue in such an intimate position, his first reaction wasn't embarrassment or self-consciousness.
Instead, he simply acknowledged the situation as it was.
They had been exhausted.
They had fallen asleep.
They had unconsciously sought comfort during rest.
To Nille, there was no hidden meaning behind it.
But for Lin Yue, the experience was entirely different.
In those quiet moments before fully waking, she became aware of things Nille himself didn't seem to notice.
The warmth of his presence.
The steady rhythm of his breathing.
The unspoken reassurance that came from simply being beside him.
It wasn't grand or dramatic.
It was gentle.
Safe.
Genuine.
And perhaps that sincerity affected her more than Nille realized.
Because Nille never treated her kindness as a transaction.
He never expected anything in return.
He simply cared.
Lin Yue had long understood that Nille viewed the world differently from most people.
He approached problems with unusual calmness.
While others panicked, he observed.
When others became overwhelmed, he analyzed.
Even in dangerous situations, he sought solutions quietly and discreetly rather than allowing fear to dictate his actions.
It wasn't that he lacked emotions.
Far from it.
He simply processed reality through a lens few people truly understood.
Challenges became problems to solve.
Conflicts became situations to navigate.
Even overwhelming circumstances were broken down into manageable steps until they no longer seemed impossible.
That same perspective extended into his relationships with others.
Nille cared deeply.
He simply didn't always recognize how his actions could be interpreted by those around him.
Lin Yue had come to understand this part of him over time.
The way he remembered small details.
The way he instinctively prioritized the safety of others.
The way he remained dependable even when carrying burdens he rarely spoke about.
There was no pretense behind his actions.
No hidden agenda.
Only honesty.
Perhaps that was why Granny Amparo liked him and Lin Yue together so much.
Because beneath Nille's obliviousness was a person whose kindness remained consistent regardless of whether anyone noticed.
As Lin Yue quietly observed him in the soft morning light, she found herself smiling faintly.
Nille would probably continue doing these things without realizing their impact.
He would continue offering support naturally.
Continue solving problems calmly.
Continue caring for others without expecting recognition.
And maybe...
That was simply who he was.
When Nille finally noticed Lin Yue awake, he gave her the same gentle expression he always had.
"Did you rest well?" he asked sincerely.
Lin Yue looked at him for a few moments before answering.
"Yes," she replied softly.
Because despite everything they had faced within the Draconian Mountain Range, despite the uncertainty waiting for them beyond the safety of the Rune Forge—
for a brief moment, resting beside someone who genuinely cared had allowed her to feel at peace.
And although Nille might never realize it himself, sometimes the quietest forms of affection were the ones people remembered most.
Lin Yue was never the shy type.
She was soft-spoken and naturally reserved, often choosing her words carefully rather than speaking impulsively. Because of this, many people mistakenly assumed she was timid or uncertain.
Corazon, the woman who had raised and cared for her for many years, knew better.
Lin Yue understood what she wanted in life.
She simply possessed the patience to wait for the right moment rather than forcing outcomes through manipulation or unnecessary pressure. She believed that meaningful things could not be rushed. Whether it was knowledge, trust, or relationships, she preferred allowing them to develop naturally.
The world she grew up in had taught her that much.
Life was often unpredictable.
People came and went.
Circumstances changed.
Yet some things were worth waiting for.
Her perspective shifted even further after becoming aware of the hidden world that existed beyond ordinary mortal understanding.
After her awakening, her affinity with wind grew significantly stronger.
Unlike some awakened individuals whose Third Eye allowed them to perceive spirits directly, Lin Yue's gift manifested differently.
She could perceive spiritual flow.
To her vision, spiritual energy moved like invisible currents of air weaving through the world. It revealed disturbances, concentrations of power, and the natural movement of energy surrounding living beings.
Ghosts and wandering souls did not appear clearly before her eyes.
Instead, they resembled drifting mist carried by unseen winds.
This difference wasn't unusual.
Among awakened mortals, abilities rarely manifested identically.
Every person awakened according to their own nature.
Some abilities emerged gently.
A heightened intuition.
Sensitivity toward emotional states.
Subtle elemental affinities.
Others awakened with overwhelming force.
Visions that shattered previous beliefs.
Powerful elemental control.
Direct communication with spiritual entities.
Some arrived like a gentle breeze.
Others like a storm.
No awakened mortal developed exactly the same abilities as another.
Lin Yue understood this well.
Which was why Nille had always stood apart in her mind.
His awakening had not developed gradually.
There had never been a period of adjustment.
According to the stories she had heard, Nille's connection to the unseen had existed from the very beginning.
From the moment he had opened his eyes.
From the moment he had cried and taken his first breath.
The boundary separating the ordinary world from the unreal had never truly existed for him.
Perhaps that was why he viewed reality differently from most people.
He never panicked when confronted with the impossible.
He adapted.
Observed.
Accepted.
Then sought solutions.
Lin Yue had watched him grow over the years.
Despite everything surrounding him, he had remained fundamentally the same person.
Kind.
Patient.
Reliable.
Nille's Filipino and Japanese heritage gave him features that reflected both sides of his family. He wasn't someone people would immediately describe as extraordinarily handsome.
At least, that wasn't what stood out first.
Instead, it was the quiet confidence he carried.
The calmness in how he moved.
Years of training and physical activity had shaped his body into that of someone accustomed to hardship.
His physique wasn't exaggerated or intimidating.
Rather, it resembled the naturally developed strength of a disciplined warrior.
Practical.
Refined through experience.
Comforting in its reliability.
As these thoughts passed through Lin Yue's mind, she finished preparing herself for the day.
Beside her, Nille had already organized his belongings with his usual efficiency.
There was no urgency.
No looming danger threatening them at this exact moment.
For once, they could simply move through the morning at their own pace.
Then—
Growl.
The quiet room fell silent.
Lin Yue immediately recognized the source.
Her stomach.
After everything that had happened during the expedition, neither of them had eaten properly.
Lin Yue looked away slightly.
Nille blinked once before a small smile appeared on his face.
"I think that's our cue," he said gently.
Lin Yue let out a quiet sigh of resignation.
"I suppose it is."
Nille stood up and reached for his jacket.
"Come with me," he said. "I know a good place to have breakfast."
Lin Yue looked at him curiously.
"You do?"
Nille nodded.
"I've been there a few times."
There was a simple honesty in his tone.
Nothing complicated.
Just an invitation to share a meal before the responsibilities of the day resumed.
Lin Yue found herself smiling faintly.
"Then I'll trust your recommendation."
Nille returned the smile.
"Good."
With that, the two quietly left the temporary quarters together.
Outside, the Rune Forge had already begun another busy day.
Researchers organized reports.
Craftsmen inspected equipment.
Staff moved between workshops preparing for future expeditions.
Life continued as normal.
But for a little while longer, before returning to discussions about temporal anomalies, hidden ecosystems, and dangerous mountain ranges, they were simply two people going to have breakfast together.
As Nille and Lin Yue made their way toward the Rune Forge's main lobby, the atmosphere gradually shifted from the quiet comfort of the residential quarters to the bustling activity of one of Yamatai's most important facilities.
The large lobby connected directly to the Rune Forge's commercial district, where students, researchers, adventurers, and craftsmen frequently gathered. Display cases lined the walls, showcasing enchanted equipment, artifact components, survival supplies, and various tools designed for expeditions within the Twelve Sectors.
Several students stood in organized lines near the purchasing counters, discussing equipment choices and comparing notes from their recent field experiences.
Among them, a familiar figure immediately stood out.
Han Seo-jun of South Korea.
Level 5.
Even among the newer generation of awakened students, Han Seo-jun had built a notable reputation.
His awakened ability specialized in Compressed Lightning Discharge, allowing him to condense electrical energy into devastating bursts capable of overwhelming opponents through rapid offensive casting. His combat style emphasized aggression, speed, and maintaining relentless pressure on his targets.
He possessed genuine talent.
More importantly, he knew it.
Han Seo-jun wasn't malicious.
Nor was he a bully.
However, confidence had slowly evolved into arrogance.
He genuinely believed he excelled in most areas compared to his peers.
Because of this, he often assumed that his interest in someone should naturally be welcomed.
Especially when it came to Lin Yue.
For a long time, Han Seo-jun had been openly vocal about his admiration for her.
He had invited her to meals.
Suggested study sessions.
Requested dates with varying degrees of persistence.
Each attempt had been met with the same polite but unmistakable response.
Lin Yue had no interest.
She never humiliated him publicly.
Never mocked his feelings.
But she made certain that her boundaries were clear.
Unfortunately, Han Seo-jun interpreted persistence as determination rather than recognizing it as unwelcome attention.
Lin Yue, however, had dealt with people like him before.
Confident individuals who assumed patience would eventually become affection.
As a result, she had become exceptionally skilled at avoiding situations that encouraged misunderstandings.
For weeks, perhaps even months, she had successfully maintained enough distance to discourage further advances.
Yet seeing her now...
Walking beside Nille.
Relaxed.
Comfortable.
Naturally accompanying him.
It stirred emotions Han Seo-jun had difficulty concealing.
Especially because Nille had been largely absent from normal social circles recently.
Following various incidents and expedition preparations, he had rarely been seen around campus.
To suddenly witness Lin Yue openly spending time with him felt deeply frustrating.
Han Seo-jun wasn't alone.
Several of his close friends stood nearby carrying newly purchased supplies.
Unlike their usual academy uniforms, they wore expedition gear showing signs of recent use.
Dust clung to portions of their equipment.
Minor damage marked several pieces of protective armor.
Their expressions reflected both fatigue and excitement.
They had recently returned from Sector One.
The interconnected mid-term examinations remained ongoing.
Unlike conventional academic tests, Yamatai's practical assessments allowed students considerable freedom in determining their approach.
Students were expected to survive.
Adapt.
Gather information.
Complete objectives.
Failure only officially occurred under specific circumstances.
Voluntary withdrawal.
Or reaching conditions where instructors were forced to intervene to prevent death.
The system was unforgiving.
Several teams had already withdrawn after encountering threats exceeding their capabilities.
From the snippets of conversation drifting through the lobby, Han Seo-jun's group had encountered precisely such difficulties.
The enemy they had faced proved stronger than anticipated.
As a result, they had temporarily retreated to acquire better equipment and reassess their strategy before continuing the examination.
It was a practical decision.
A wise one, even.
Yamatai encouraged adaptation rather than reckless pride.
Then Han Seo-jun noticed them.
His conversation halted mid-sentence.
His gaze shifted toward Lin Yue.
Then toward Nille.
For a brief moment, surprise flashed across his expression.
Quickly replaced by visible displeasure.
His companions immediately sensed the change.
Some exchanged subtle glances.
Others chose the wisdom of remaining silent.
Lin Yue noticed him almost immediately.
Her expression remained composed.
Neither welcoming nor dismissive.
Simply acknowledging his presence.
Nille followed her gaze.
Recognition crossed his features.
Unlike Han Seo-jun, Nille held no particular opinions about the situation.
He understood Han Seo-jun had shown interest in Lin Yue before.
However, he had never viewed it as his place to involve himself.
Lin Yue was fully capable of handling her own relationships and decisions.
Meanwhile, Han Seo-jun struggled to maintain his composure.
Seeing Lin Yue beside someone else was one thing.
Seeing how naturally she interacted with Nille was another entirely.
There was no discomfort.
No obligation.
Only familiarity.
And somehow, that unsettled him more than outright rejection ever had.
Because for the first time, Han Seo-jun was forced to confront something he had long ignored.
No amount of confidence could guarantee another person's feelings.
And persistence alone could not create a connection that simply wasn't there.
The busy Rune Forge lobby continued around them.
Students discussed strategies.
Merchants completed transactions.
Craftsmen negotiated commissions.
Yet within that ordinary scene, an uncomfortable silence briefly settled between the small groups.
Lin Yue simply continued walking.
Calm as ever.
Nille followed beside her.
Unaware that his mere presence had already transformed an otherwise ordinary morning into something considerably more complicated in Han Seo-jun's mind.