The luxury car rolled to a smooth stop in front of a massive gated mansion.
Tall walls. Security cameras. Armed guards.
Akari sat in the back seat, her posture stiff, her fingers lightly tapping against the armrest. Her expression, usually calm but now tight with irritation.
The door hadn't opened yet.
"Miss Akari.." came a voice from the front.
It was the driver—the same bald, middle-aged man who had picked up Markara from the airport.
His name was Mutsuki.
His tone was careful, almost hesitant.
His voice was slow, hesitant.
"Are you sure… you're going to leave young mast– my apologies – Markara, just like that ?"
There was genuine concern in his voice.
Akari exhaled quietly, the tension in her shoulders softening just a little.
"He'll be fine."
She crossed her arms, leaning back slightly.
"You saw him, didn't you? He's already grown so much."
Mutsuki didn't respond.
Akari turned slightly toward him.
"Anyway... about the task I gave you—any updates?"
The man nodded slowly.
"Yes. Would you like to hear about the situation inside the country or the international movements?"
Mutsuki asked quietly from the front seat, his voice low and measured.
Akari let out a sharp sigh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Ugh, enough with the international movements. I'm not involved at that level"
Her tone was tinged with irritation.
"Just tell me about the current family situation."
Mutsuki nodded.
"Understood. The head of the Abe family… is still in a coma."
"Everyone knows that." Akari cut in, her arms crossed tightly. "Give me something new."
"My apologies," Mutsuki said, bowing his head slightly even facing at the front.
"Because the current head remains unconscious, the rest of the clan is in chaos. The power vacuum has triggered internal struggle, especially from the Tsuchimikado faction. They've been making quiet moves to take over the head position."
Akari narrowed her eyes.
Akari narrowed her eyes.
"What about the rest of the clans?"
Mutsuki cleared his throat, choosing his words carefully.
"Most are keeping their distance... for now or proceed in secret. But the Hieda clan has made a move. They've enrolled their young heir into the same academy — alongside the Tsuchimikado heir… and young master."
Akari's glare sharpened.
"Stop calling him that."
Mutsuki flinched.
Akari slowly rose from her seat, her voice dropping to a cold, firm tone.
"Do you have any idea how hard it's been to keep his background hidden all this time?" she said, eyes narrowing.
"Only a handful of people know the truth about Markara, and I intend to keep it that way."
Mutsuki lowered his head in a respectful bow.
"My deepest apologies."
Akari let out a breath, folding her arms and leaning back into the seat.
"Still..." she muttered, more to herself this time, "I'm amazed that Martious raised Markara to become like that"
Her tone softened just a little.
"He didn't train him as a weapon. He never even taught him how to harness his power or told him about his family."
Mutsuki looked at her through the rearview mirror.
"You mean... Markara's caretaker?"
"Who else?" Akari said quietly. "He became a father figure, somehow."
Then Akari straightened her posture, her cool expression returning like a mask slipping back into place.
"Anyway... let's get this meeting over with."
Her voice was sharp again.
"Those clan representatives are already waiting inside."
"Yes, Miss Akari."
Mutsuki nodded, pulling the car door open for her.
Without another word, she stepped out, her heels clicking against the stone driveway as she headed toward the mansion's looming front doors.
=============================================
"What the hell is a nymph?"
Markara muttered the words under his breath, still standing near the entrance of the dormitory. He glanced sideways at Elizabeth, who had just casually dropped that piece of information like it was the most normal thing in the world.
The red-haired girl he met earlier… was a nymph?
He scratched the back of his head, visibly puzzled.
Elizabeth, still holding the folded blankets in her arms, turned to him with a calm smile.
"If you are curious, Master, you can look it up in the study room on the second floor."
She gave him a small, graceful bow before heading down the hall to continue her tasks.
Markara stood frozen for a second, then sighed.
"That was a great idea, Elizabeth."
Markara smiled brightly and gave her a big thumbs-up before turning toward the stairs.
He made his way up to the second floor and entered the study room, a space lined with neatly organized bookshelves, polished desks, and several high-end computers glowing quietly in the corner.
"I can't believe I get to use a computer like this…"
He rushed over to one of the available PCs, practically buzzing with excitement.
Then suddenly
"Ah, crap. Where did I put my phone? What if Miss Akari trying to call me."
He patted his pockets, glanced around, and let out a small sigh.
Markara wasn't the kind of guy who used his phone much. Back home, he only had an old, beat-up model that could barely make calls. It was something his dad gave him for emergencies, nothing more.
Akari had given him a brand-new smartphone just to easily get in touch with him whenever she needed him.
But to Markara… it still felt strange.
He stared at the glowing computer screen.
"Alright… let's figure out what a nymph really is."
Markara leaned in and began browsing through the internet.
He typed the word "Nymph" into the search bar.
Dozens of results popped up instantly, encyclopedia entries, mythology databases, forum discussions.
But the more he read, the more confused he became.
"Deity of nature… spirits tied to forests, rivers, mountains… embodiments of beauty…?"
His brow furrowed deeper with every sentence. He flipped open one of the old mythology books from the study shelf.
"So they're not ghosts… but they're not exactly human either?"
The deeper he went, the more it felt like reality was stretching.
Because from everything he was reading, nymphs were supposed to be part of ancient folklore, not real girls feeding rabbits in school gardens.
"No way… that girl looked completely human."
He leaned back in his chair.
Markara was completely absorbed, his eyes darting between browser tabs, ancient mythology texts, and a notepad where he was scribbling down keywords.
He didn't even notice someone entering the study room.
"...Who are you?"
A sharp voice cut through the quiet hum of the computer.
Markara nearly jumped out of his seat.
He turned toward the doorway, and froze.
Standing there was a girl in the school uniform. Her posture was confident, arms crossed, and her sharp eyes locked directly onto him. She had short dark brown hair, neat bangs, and an expression that looked like she didn't trust him one bit.