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The Winter Demon Dungeon had opened early.

Previously, the Autumn Demon Dungeon had also opened ahead of schedule.

Zerion Academy had somewhat anticipated this.

So, the opening of the dungeon didn't cause any particular chaos.

‘It finally happens in Iris’s absence.’

The absence of Iris, the top combat power in the Martial Arts Department.

Her absence was sorely felt.

But with the Emperor in critical condition, Iris couldn't possibly return.

Her absence had to be filled somehow.

“The dungeon opened early again.”

“Looks like the schedule is being pushed forward.”

Snippets of conversation from the martial arts students reached my ears.

As they said, the schedule of the dungeon rarely changes.

Now, with both the Autumn and Winter Dungeons opening early, it suggested a new possibility—that the dungeons might continue to open earlier than before.

Not a good situation for the academy.

With the dungeons opening ahead of time, the pre-established curriculum would need to be drastically altered.

But they couldn’t just sit around complaining.

The academy was built to respond immediately to the opening of dungeons.

It had a duty to fulfill its role.

“We’re moving to the dungeon entrance immediately. Everyone, be ready within 10 minutes.”

Professor Vega instructed the students.

Since January, she hadn’t had a drop of alcohol, so she looked remarkably clear-headed.

No doubt, she had deliberately refrained in preparation for the Winter Dungeon.

Very much like her, always putting the dungeon and students first.

Given the previous experience with the Autumn Dungeon, the academy had been preparing since late December.

As Vega’s personal assistant, I was already aware of this.

“Vikamon, assist the associate professor in leading the group.”

“Yes, Professor.”

Vega handed off student supervision to me and the associate professor, then quickly left the staff room.

She was heading to join the other department professors.

“Alright, let’s move quickly.”

The second-year associate professor began organizing the students and led the way.

The students followed promptly.

It was already the end of the second year.

Everyone had grown quite used to entering the dungeon.

So even without Vega, everything ran smoothly.

While the associate professor led from the front, I took the rear.

My role was to ensure the students maintained formation.

Perhaps because of that, people I was familiar with naturally drifted to the back.

Being separated from the main group made it safe enough to talk without being overheard.

“So, it really does seem like the dungeon schedule has been permanently pushed forward.”

Hania said while inspecting her sword.

As the daughter of a knight commander, she remained calm no matter the situation.

Still, without Iris, she seemed a little less spirited than usual.

She was always devoted to Iris—no surprise there.

“More importantly, how are you planning to fill Iris’s absence?”

The dungeon raiding teams were pre-arranged.

So even one person missing affected the entire team.

Especially someone like Iris, who was among the top in terms of combat strength.

Her absence wasn’t something just anyone could fill.

“I recruited someone from the first-year Martial Arts Department.”

I was the one who formed the dungeon raid teams.

So I had already secured someone to fill the vacant position.

“A first-year?”

Hania raised an eyebrow.

Understandably so—she couldn’t think of anyone among the first-years who could replace Iris.

At best, perhaps Aisha, the top of the first-year class.

But there was one more.

An enigmatic person, even I didn’t fully understand yet.

“But they’re definitely skilled.”

“If you’re saying that, Vikamon, then I’m sure their skills are more than enough.”

Hania trusted me far too much.

Maybe that’s the kind of trust that comes from being an ex-girlfriend.

I appreciated it.

Just then, I spotted Isabel from behind.

She’d been walking deep in thought the entire time.

It was easy to guess what was on her mind.

She was probably still bothered by her fight with Sharin.

The dungeon’s environment changed constantly.

Personal conflicts among team members could cause serious harm to the group.

Especially this time, with the team tasked to clear the dungeon as fast as possible due to recent anomalies.

Tight coordination between members was more important than ever.

Isabel likely didn’t want to carry her personal feelings into this.

So she was thinking about how to resolve things with Sharin.

“Isabel.”

“Ah, yeah.”

She flinched and looked up when I called her name.

“You’re thinking about making up with Sharin, aren’t you?”

She avoided my gaze.

I’d struck a nerve.

When I read her thoughts so clearly, she let out a bitter chuckle.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to drag you into our fight.”

“I caused this too. My vague attitude is to blame.”

“Right. It is your fault, Assistant Vikamon.”

Hania slipped into the conversation with a jab.

But it helped lessen Isabel’s guilt a bit.

“I don’t want to use losing my emotions as an excuse, but I’ve been seriously thinking about our relationship too.”

This wasn’t something to decide overnight.

Which was why I was thinking about it so seriously.

So I could eventually give them both an answer they’d understand.

“That’s why I’m the one at fault. Not you two, who ended up fighting over it.”

Possessiveness and jealousy were natural human emotions.

So I didn’t want them feeling guilt or resentment because of that.

Isabel looked at me for a moment, then let out a long sigh.

“Why do you always volunteer to be the scapegoat?”

“Maybe I just haven’t been cursed at enough lately. My ears aren’t ringing as much.”

“At this point, I’m seriously starting to worry that you might like it.”

Maybe it’s because I’ve done things before that made me deserve it.

Isabel looked genuinely concerned.

But behind that was a sense of real care.

“The reason you act like this is because you have no self-love. You think, ‘Even if I suffer, it’s okay as long as the people around me are fine.’”

“Absolutely.”

Hania chimed in without hesitation.

“Yeah. Prince Sweet Potato, that’s a bad habit.”

"I admit it."

Even Seron and Eve, who had been quiet, agreed.

"I don’t like blaming you. What I want to say to you is thank you, not blame."

Isabel said that as she quietly clenched her fists.

"So, with Sharin too..."

A brief silence lingered on Isabel’s lips.

So I decided to help carry a bit of Isabel’s burden.

"Isabel, I won’t force you to make up with Sharin."

This is a matter between the two of them.

‘Sharin isn’t the kind of person to get mad over something so small.’

I was the cause of this fight.

That’s why I carefully thought about why the two of them had fought.

One thing’s for sure—even Sharin wouldn’t fight with Isabel over something like this.

She might’ve sulked a little, but they would’ve made up quickly with time.

‘There’s something more going on between them.’

There must be some other dissatisfaction Sharin’s been holding in.

So I didn’t try to force a reconciliation.

"If it’s too difficult to make up, just let me know. I’ll reorganize the team."

If that’s the case, I’d at least buy them some time to open up about their issues.

"Whatever team you’re on, you two will shine anyway."

"......"

Isabel fell silent for a moment.

Then her eyes landed on my collar.

She saw the Veil Bandages I had wrapped under my clothes.

I tried to pull my collar to hide it, but it was too late—I’d already been caught.

"You..."

She looked like she had a lot to say.

But she didn’t press the issue.

Today was January 2nd.

It was Vikamon’s birthday.

A year had passed, and I was now 20 years old.

The Demon Dungeon bars entry to anyone 20 or older.

So without the Veil Bandages, I wouldn’t be able to enter.

"Why did it have to be your birthday..."

Isabel bit her lip, then let out a sigh.

Spending your birthday sneaking into the Demon Dungeon instead of celebrating.

Even Isabel didn’t seem in the mood to nag about that.

"...Once you’re out, take it off and let’s all throw a birthday party."

"It’d better be a grand one."

When I smiled nonchalantly, Isabel looked like she was about to say more—but held back.

I had already informed the Zerion Academy that I was borrowing some mysterious power.

Since Vega also vouched for me, the academy didn’t find it too suspicious.

After all, most of the arcane forces in the world were unexplainable anyway.

Having one more capable person was a good thing right now.

The headmaster even granted me permission to enter the Demon Dungeon.

"...It’s okay. It’s probably time I settle things with Rin too. It was bound to happen eventually."

Seems like she’d made up her mind.

Maybe I unintentionally pushed her forward.

But judging from the strength in Isabel’s eyes, she looked like she’d handle it well.

"And I’m also planning to talk with Seron."

Seron blinked.

She clearly hadn’t expected to be brought up just now.

But then Seron furrowed her brows with determination.

"If this is about claiming ownership of Prince Sweet Potato, I won’t back down even to Bell."

Her eyes said she’d made up her mind long ago.

Seeing her like that, Isabel gave a soft smile.

"Same here. That’s why I think we need to have a serious conversation about it."

"Hmph."

Seron didn’t seem unwilling.

Meanwhile, Hania quietly sidled up next to me.

"Mr. Ex-boyfriend, you must be loving all this attention, huh?"

"Isn’t my ex-girlfriend a thousand times more popular than me?"

"Does that include Instructor Vikamon?"

"Who knows?"

Hania and I exchanged brief smiles.

By now, I’d gotten quite used to joking around with her like this.

"Hey, why are you two all cozy again?"

At that moment, Seron snapped her head around and pointed at us.

Isabel also gave us a strange look.

Hania made eye contact with them—then smoothly hooked her arm around mine.

Seron and Isabel’s eyebrows instantly twisted into dramatic shapes.

"As his ex-girlfriend, I’m asserting my presence."

She was totally at ease with physical contact, just like a real ex.

Looks like she was acting out a little now that Iris wasn’t around.

The funny part?

Hania actually didn’t have any romantic interest in me at all.

"Click."

The glare from Eve toward me felt like daggers.

Her expression increasingly resembled someone staring at a scumbag.

It was sad, but I couldn’t really make excuses.

So at this point, I just accepted it.

Figured it was part of my fate.