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As expected, Puring showed great interest in Sora’s snow globe.

She is a talented individual, befitting an Associate Professor of Magic at Meikhael Magic University. Though she has a quirky side, like revealing obscure magic formulas during academic festivals that no one else cares about, her abilities are the real deal.

What particularly caught my interest in Puring was her research field—Spatial Transfer Magic.

The biggest reason I couldn’t defeat the players despite multiple attempts was their near-immortality.

The so-called relationship between players and NPCs… That is perhaps the greatest gap between reality and the otherworld.

Unless that gap is bridged, saving this world would be impossible. So, I thought:

The only way to truly bridge that gap is to completely erase the wall between this world and reality.

That’s why I took such a keen interest in Puring’s research.

“Puring finds this very interesting! This is the first time Puring has seen something like this!”

Puring stared at the snow globe with fascination.

“But Puring is happy that this is the first gift from the Chairman!”

“It’s not a gift for you.”

“Puring is sad!!”

Though she said that, Puring couldn’t take her eyes off the snow globe. Well, it’s understandable. Inside the snow globe, the scenery of the real world was reflected.

It must feel like being a giant god looking down at Earth from distant space.

Puring, finally tearing her eyes away from the snow globe, energetically exclaimed:

“Puring is curious about where this place is!”

“It’s classified.”

“Classified! Then this must be a super important place, right?!”

“Yeah, something like that.”

Explaining the truth directly would only complicate things and waste time. So, I decided to help Puring understand through a metaphor.

“What I can tell you is… if this place is a dungeon, then that place is the world outside the dungeon.”

“Interesting explanation!”

Puring’s eyes sparkled.

True to her curious and eccentric professor nature, she easily took the bait I offered.

It was fortunate that I understood Puring’s character well.

Though she was just an extra whose name wasn’t even known, someone as deeply inquisitive as her would latch onto any interesting research topic. For example, like this:

“If such a world exists, wouldn’t you want to go there?”

“Puring wants to go too! Puring wants to be the first to set foot in a new world!”

“Right. I feel the same. And if a magic formula is created that allows free travel to such a world, it wouldn’t be a bad deal for you either. If I remember correctly, wasn’t your research motivated by wanting to save people trapped in dungeons?”

“That’s right! The Chairman remembers correctly!”

“To achieve that, I need your help.”

I approached Puring, knelt down to her eye level, and held up the snow globe she had been holding.

“There’s one thing you must remember. Researching this is top secret and must not be revealed to anyone. If you’re willing to help me with this research, you’ll have to stop your current research. Is that okay?”

“It’s okay! This might… this might be related to Puring’s current research too!”

Puring nodded readily. True to her nature as the one who created the magic formula for dungeon travel, she accepted my proposal. Though I felt a bit guilty for hiding my true intentions, what could I do?

“Good. I’ll leave this with you for now. As long as you don’t break or damage it, feel free to research it as you like.”

“Puring is happy!”

Puring, holding the snow globe, returned with the expression of someone who had just found a great research topic.

Now, I need to fully support her research. At least until the service starts, the research must succeed.

Busy. Really…

Knock knock knock.

Not long after Puring left, another visitor appeared.

How do they always know when I’m at the school…

On the other hand, considering my position, it might be important to show my face whenever possible.

Given that my stock is rising, it seems the faculty wants to get a stamp of approval from me.

But the person who entered wasn’t a faculty member or a student.

“I couldn’t find you at the mansion, so I wondered where you went. Tristan.”

“Uncle…?”

“Yes. It’s been a while.”

It was Arthur Ruelberta, a middle-aged gentleman. Tristan’s guardian and uncle, he was the only person I addressed with respect.

But why did he come looking for me?

“Were you looking for me?”

“Yes. You’ve been so busy making excuses that you haven’t even come to greet me.”

Arthur grumbled and scolded me.

After the northern expedition, our schedules never aligned, so I hadn’t met him… but that’s just an excuse.

Truthfully, I was too ashamed to face him.

I remembered ordering him to be killed in a previous loop when I had completely lost my mind.

Seeing his face now brought back that dark history, making me feel embarrassed and guilty.

“Why are you avoiding eye contact, boy?”

“No reason.”

“Tsk tsk… A man like you… Stand tall. If someone sees you, they won’t believe you’re the brilliant talent who led the northern expedition to success.”

Arthur patted my shoulder. It seems the rumors have already spread to him. Seeing him, who was always dissatisfied with my actions, praise me felt oddly refreshing.

But that feeling vanished as soon as I heard why Arthur had come.

“The reason I came to see you today is that I think now is the best time.”

“…Best time?”

“You’re the head of our family, aren’t you? How long do you plan to stay single in such an important position?”

No. Don’t tell me…

“How about you get married soon?”

*

Bella Izakhel remembers that day.

The day she met that arrogant yet mysterious boy.

During the peak of the Izakhel family’s power, banquets were held almost daily at the mansion.

In those days, Bella’s father, Duke Fred Izakhel, lived a lavish life, spending money extravagantly. And many nobles attended the banquets to show their faces at the Duke’s residence.

Especially Bella, the young lady of the Izakhel family, was another protagonist of the banquets.

Despite her young age, her stunning beauty was a hot topic even within the empire. Combined with her high status as the Duke’s daughter, Bella received numerous marriage proposals from nobles from a young age.

It was an extremely unhappy time.

A life surrounded by strange men proposing to her every day!

Thinking back to those days is horrifying.

Bella couldn’t hide her depression whenever she saw the line of men proposing to her.

‘Sigh… Is my future husband among those men…?’

The men who approached Bella all praised her beauty and character, trying to prove they were worthy of her. They brought gifts and…

On the other hand, it was ridiculous. Men who had never exchanged more than a few words with her acted as if they knew her character and desperately courted her.

She had grown up like a princess, lacking nothing.

Tired of politely rejecting their proposals, Bella once complained to her father, Duke Fred.

-“They’re only doing this because you’re beautiful, Bella. You’re the only daughter of Duke Fred Izakhel. It’s natural for people to be interested in you. Get used to it. Haha.”

But Fred seemed to take pride in his daughter being adored by nobles. Considering the Izakhel family’s influence at the time, it was understandable.

However, realizing even her father couldn’t help, Bella started acting on her own.

-“You think you can win me over with such a gift? Sorry, but I don’t need that.”

-“No. Go away. You’re making me uncomfortable.”

-“What a waste of time. You’re not even worth meeting.”

-“Yes, I’ll refuse. You’re too old.”

Looking back now, it’s embarrassing, but at the time, Bella was arrogant and overly prideful.

She coldly rejected the men’s proposals and even felt a sense of satisfaction seeing their disappointment.

‘Well, so what.’

After all, as the Duke’s daughter, no one would dare complain. No matter what she did, people would praise her.

She thought it was only natural for someone as superior, talented, and beautiful as her.

But as one year passed, then two, Bella grew tired of that life. No, it’s more accurate to say she felt emptiness.

Though countless people showed interest in her, none truly understood her.

At that time, Bella could have anything she wanted. The grand Izakhel mansion was filled with more clothes than she could wear in a lifetime, various artworks, expensive accessories, and jewels.

Yet, nothing could fill the void in her heart.

Bella had realized boredom and futility at a very young age.

Even on that fateful day, when Bella spotted a boy sitting in a corner of the banquet hall, she didn’t think much of it.

She had already memorized the faces of most nobles attending the banquets.

Yet, why had he only appeared now and not even come to greet her?

He must be some brat from a lesser family. She should teach him a lesson.

-“Marek Garcia. Ah, my lady. Your beauty is blinding.”

-“Then go blind. Next.”

-“W-wait!”

-“Next… Yes. That boy over there.”

When called, the boy stared at her for a moment before sighing.

What’s with that attitude…?

-“What are you doing? You haven’t even greeted me yet.”

-“M-my lady… You can ignore him…”

-“I don’t want to hear it.”

The maid fidgeted nervously, but Bella, at that time, didn’t care.

Now revered as a living saint, back then, she was just a spoiled girl.

Step step.

At Bella’s insistence, the boy reluctantly walked over.

‘Hmm…?’

He had a strangely tired look in his eyes. His sharp features and striking appearance made him stand out like an elegant noble.

Moreover, his androgynous face, almost mistaken for a girl’s, was unforgettable.

So mesmerized, Bella didn’t notice he hadn’t spoken until he stopped in front of her.

-“Ahem… State your name, rude noble.”

-“Tristan.”

But despite his dazzling appearance, the boy’s reply was curt.

-“Are you joking? State your family name properly. Tristan.”

-“M-my lady…!”

-“Ruelberta.”

-“?!”

-“Tristan Ruelberta.”

Bella looked up to see onyx eyes staring indifferently at her.

Only then did Bella realize who the boy was.

Though the memory had faded like an old photograph, his image remained vivid.

Looking back, Bella might have subconsciously sensed it.

That this boy would become her destined partner.

*

“Miss, are you ready?”

“Almost done, Blanshe.”

After finishing her preparations, Bella checked her reflection in the mirror one last time.

Hair—perfect. Eyelashes—fluffy. Lip color—captivating. Nails—immaculate.

Hmm. Good.

Now, only the final step remains.

Bella took the silver ring from the bear doll—Isabella’s hand—and slipped it onto her left ring finger.

It was the fake engagement ring Tristan had given her for protection. Though she wore it to fend off persistent suitors, it held a deeper meaning for her.

This fake engagement ring perfectly symbolized their relationship.

As Bella had publicly stated, their relationship was more than lovers but less than spouses. It was an awkward in-between.

Yes, that’s what an engagement is. A relationship where marriage is planned but not yet realized, feeling neither here nor there.

Their relationship had remained in this state due to the cursed fate surrounding them. But now, freed from that fate…

“Shall we go?”

“Yes, miss.”

Nothing could stand in Bella’s way anymore.

 

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