"Is Liana not playing over there?"
"Eh?"
Inside the dim forest. Liana, sitting idly in the grass, was gently petting the cute spirits when she tilted her head.
"Over there? Where?"
"Over there, where the sky is sparkling."
A small water spirit in the shape of a person, the newly promoted Mid-Level Spirit, Aurora, pointed in a direction.
Turning her gaze in that direction, Liana saw fireworks that lit up the sky with a green hue, accompanied by loud popping sounds.
Though it was far off and looked small from here, it was still a grand and magnificent display. From here, it was evident that the fireworks were spectacular.
Underneath those fireworks, people would probably be enjoying the festival, eating, drinking, and celebrating.
"No, I don't really feel like playing over there."
"Why?"
Liana shook her head with a slightly displeased expression. Aurora tilted her head.
"Since you're human, don't you find it a bit fun to play with humans?"
"Aurora, not all humans are friendly."
"I know that too. There are many humans, and each has different thoughts and tastes."
Aurora stretched her shoulders proudly. Now that she had risen to Mid-Level, she believed she was quite knowledgeable about humans.
"Yes, you're right."
Liana smiled softly and patted Aurora's head with her finger.
"As you know, some people don't like to interact with others... There are those who prefer to be alone."
Liana, a first-year student at Siyoram Academy at the time, nodded her head.
It was the first day of the Birth Festival.
In truth, Liana didn't find the Birth Festival enjoyable.
First of all, it was too noisy.
There was so much noise from all directions that it hurt her ears, and the overwhelming presence of people made it uncomfortable to focus her senses.
Most of all, it was so crowded that even the lower-level spirits, who had been hiding in quiet corners, quickly ran off somewhere.
Liana, who hadn't yet built enough rapport to form contracts, was just trying to approach them to build some familiarity. It was bothersome.
Moreover, it was tiring.
She hated participating in the official events, yet people kept calling her.
"Liana, if you have some time, why don't we go somewhere together?"
"Liana, since there's space, would you like to go sightseeing?"
"Liana, everyone's gathering, why don't we go somewhere to eat?"
Blah, blah...
"Ugh."
Liana reflexively shook her head to clear the stiffness from it.
Even students who were usually distant were getting to that point.
There were so many outsiders at Siyoram’s campus, all staring at her with curiosity. External business people came in, handing out business cards and giving long self-introductions.
Powerful groups were trying to recruit her, others were approaching based on her appearance, and some just wanted to network lightly...
That’s why they kept warning her to carry a recognition-disturbing magic tool.
Liana, who had initially ignored it, found herself experiencing the very bothersome situation on the first day.
In fact, it was inevitable.
She possessed the rare ability to connect with spirits as a unique power and had a mana capacity sufficient to handle large-scale spirit operations.
She lacked no other qualities, and her appearance was so stunning that no one could compare.
Additionally, as a first-year student, her potential for growth was still limitless.
Such a remarkable individual, yet Liana had no affiliation with any faction yet.
For these reasons, many people approached Liana.
"Do you understand now, Aurora? That place is practically a battlefield. If we go back in, it won't be easy to get out."
Liana explained, but that didn’t mean she was obligated to respond to those who approached her.
Hence, here she was, in the forest with no one around, playing with the spirits.
After listening to Liana's explanation for quite a while, Aurora tilted her head again.
"Isn't that the same as usual?"
"...I suppose so."
"Aurora, do you not have any human friends?"
Aurora’s question made Liana’s shoulders stiffen. She calmly moved her hair behind her back and replied.
"Aurora, the definition of a friend is quite vague."
"Then, do you have someone you consider a friend?"
With consecutive questions, Liana's pupils shook.
"...I do. I greet them when I see them, and if we have a group project, I call them. There are people I can ask if I'm curious about something."
"Isn't that more like a business relationship?"
"Where did you learn that?"
"I read it in a book."
The book had spoiled the pure spirit. Liana thought to herself for a moment, but how could she condemn expanding one’s thinking through books?
Moreover, Aurora had just become a Mid-Level Spirit and had developed a much more mature and higher self-awareness than other spirits.
How could she stop a young one from being curious about the world and exploring?
"Sigh, anyway, I'll be here for a while."
As Liana sighed deeply, a small dog-shaped spirit slowly approached and snuggled up to her.
A smile returned to Liana's lips as she gently petted the spirit's back.
Liana loved spirits.
Had she loved spirits because of her unique affinity for them, or had she developed this affinity because of her innate ability to connect with them?
She didn’t know the cause, but the result was clear: Liana loved spirits.
Spirits were pure and unpretentious.
They didn’t pretend to like something they didn’t like, nor did they shy away from things they enjoyed.
If they didn’t like something, they ran away, and if they liked something, they happily followed.
They didn’t turn their backs and spew nasty words, nor did they say things they didn’t mean.
They were pure, without a trace of artifice. Unlike some people, they didn’t hide their malice or carry daggers behind their backs.
Liana liked spirits more than humans.
It wasn’t that she hated humans outright, but if she had spirits, who were better friends, she didn’t want to mingle with humans.
Under the sparkling fireworks, she preferred to be in a quiet place, enjoying the spirits’ company.
"...Maybe I should build a log cabin later."
As she petted the spirit, Liana looked up, her gaze gradually filled with the greenish light.
The fireworks were so magnificent, it seemed like green stars were etched into the sky.
Liana, who was watching this beautiful sight with her green eyes, murmured to herself.
A quiet place. A place where people are few, build a simple house, and live peacefully with the spirits.
"Mm, that seems like a nice dream."
Since the world was so harsh, she could buy expensive land in a safe area and build her home there.
By then, Liana would be stronger than she was now, so unless the world collapsed, it shouldn’t be a problem.
She thought to herself that it was a pretty good dream.
.
.
.
A small window opened.
The cool breeze flowed through the curtains, refreshing the room, and the sunlight lightly touched the large bed.
"......"
Liana, who had woken up in her bed, blinked. She tried to recall the first memory from when she woke up.
She had dreamed. A memory from her time at Siyoram Academy.
Looking back now, there were some embarrassing youthful thoughts, but it was still a memorable dream, far from a nightmare.
Before going to sleep, before dreaming... she had been drinking wine while watching the fireworks.
Unlike her days as a student, now, with the green fireworks right above, she enjoyed the taste of expensive green grape wine.
The atmosphere was nice, and the wine was fine, so it remained a fond memory.
But the wine and fireworks were not the main memory.
There was something much deeper and richer.
"Ko..."
The presence she felt in her arms.
Now that she thought about it, there was no smell of alcohol. No matter how good the wine, it would leave a scent the next day.
Instead, a sweet honey-like scent filled the air, lingering around her.
Glancing down, Liana saw Iha-yul, nestled in her arms, fast asleep.
His pale hair sparkled faintly in the soft light.
His smooth skin, like it had been coated in milk, carried a fragrant scent, and his small body was nestled in Liana's arms, sharing warmth.
"..."
"Uhh..."
As Liana absentmindedly admired Iha-yul’s figure, he shifted slightly.
"Haam..."
A small, adorable yawn escaped his open mouth. Could he have woken up sensing her presence?
Liana watched as his eyes fluttered open, and she was struck by the sight of his dreamy gray eyes.
She had seen those eyes before. Eyes that seemed lost in a mist, unfocused and hazy.
Now, his gaze locked in on her, and his blurry, murky eyes clearly reflected her face.
Liana inexplicably felt a great sense of satisfaction. It felt as though her imprint was unmistakably etched onto a white porcelain surface.
"...Did you sleep well?"
His sleepy voice, murmured as his mouth opened, felt different from the past. This time, it was directed solely at her.
Even though he was half-asleep, his voice seemed to seep into her ears, as if he was speaking only for her.
"...Yes, did you sleep well?"
Liana, still confused by the strange sensations, raised her hand and gently stroked Iha-yul's hair.
The sensation of his hair slipping through her fingers was so soft it was hard to get used to.
"Uhh... it's nice..."
Iha-yul, purring as his body curled deeper into Liana’s embrace, wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed closer.
Then, naturally, he buried his face against her chest.
Noticing this, Liana realized her top had loosened, and Iha-yul, with his face buried there, could easily inhale her scent.
"Hmhmhm... it smells nice..."
[Milk scent]
[Warmth]
[Fullness]
[Milk cow?]
"I told you there's no milk... And just because my chest is big doesn't mean I’m a cow..."
His behavior was like he was savoring the scent as if it were his own.
Liana’s face turned red as she tried to hide her embarrassment. She had often exposed her chest before, but never had anyone been so intent on smelling it.
Though she was concerned that the alcohol smell from last night might still linger, since he liked it... well.
Liana gave a strange smile, letting him nestle in her embrace, while gently stroking his lips as they brushed against her chest.
"...Do you like it that much?"
"Yes."
[Positive]
"Hmm... Do you want to move away?"
"No..."
[Negative]
[Possessiveness]
[Desire]
Iha-yul whined as he clung tightly to Liana’s waist, ensuring she couldn’t move.
His face pressed against her chest as if pleading for her to stay, and Liana smiled.
Though it seemed a little naughty, upon closer inspection, it was clear he was expressing pure affection, much like a child.
He had never tried to impress anyone or belittle others.
If he liked something, he expressed it, even if it was embarrassing, and if he didn’t, he expressed his displeasure with sadness.
He had never badmouthed anyone behind their back, nor said anything insincere.
Though he had lied, it was never with the intention of harming anyone.
This content is taken from freёwebnovel.com.
He had never hurt anyone out of malice or betrayed them with a hidden dagger.
"Sweetie? Shouldn't we be having breakfast soon?"
Even back when they first met, and as they got to know each other, Liana found there was nothing she disliked about him.
With a bright smile, Liana patted the back of the pure child nestled in her arms.
'Ah, except for when he doesn't take care of his own body.'
That was something she'd have to scold him for later.
"I never thought I’d get cut in line even after reserving a spot for the stamp," Elia pouted.
Her usual sweet demeanor was now overtaken by an expression of discontent, her arms crossed under her ample chest.
The usually kind Elia was clearly showing her displeasure.
Sitting quietly, Iha-yul, glancing at Elia, broke into a cold sweat.