"Wonder why he specifically chose midnight...? Is there something special about it, I wonder...?" I mumbled out as I lay on the couch while holding the letter.

"Not really. It's most likely that's when he's available if anything. Though, magic with the Star attribute is stronger during the night so I won't deny he might be planning something," Vin remarked, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "If anything, I assume it might be to ensure his own safety."

"I can definitly see that being the case. I mean, he's the crown prince, you know? It'd be weird if he didn't," Leo commented while sitting on the other couch, huddled in a blanket. "Though, what could the prince do anyways? I don't know much about magic so..."

I took a glance at the archangel and saw him looking at me, making an expression that made it clear he didn't want to explain this time. Guess I shouldn't be surprised since he always explained a lot. I'm a mage too so I guess I should explain once in a while. I thought with a sigh. Devourer or not, it didn't change the fact that I learned about magic and attributes. He's coming along with us so he has to know about magic in order to increase his chances of survival. Even if it goes against the Academy's regulations, I don't exactly want to be the reason why he isn't as strong as he could be and died.

"The Star affinity is considered the epitome of magic so he's probably exceptionally strong if the prince can make up for the insanely huge mana consumption. For people like him, making preparations beforehand is considered the norm, especially if they intend to pull off grand spells. After all, if they don't, it can be lethal for the user," I explained as I turned my attention to the blonde. "Those who have it are typically kind-hearted people with strong resolves. As of defying the cruel world, the brilliant star shines to the very end, no matter what. That's how one of my professors described it."

"...no matter what, huh..." Leo repeated, then nodded his head and sent me a smile. "I think I can see what that professor was getting at. It certainly describes the prince well, seeing as how he always cared about others so much. You know, the strong kind-hearted, reliable type."

...yet his magical energy feels cold and hateful too as if there's something hidden behind that. I thought to myself, holding back the urge to sigh. Guess he doesn't know that though. Probably didn't care too much about learning about the royalty or listening to gossip. I decided against bringing that up, thinking it's best he didn't know that. Instead, I returned his smile and nodded my head in response. From the corner of my eye, I saw Vin close his eyes and look away, clearly not intending to tell either.

With a sigh, I decided to check on the clock again and saw it was midnight already. Crap, it's already time? I sure hope he doesn't mind us being a few minutes late... I thought to myself as I hurriedly sat up and opened the letter. Putting the wax seal beside me, I pulled out the paper and unfolded it. What I saw caught me off-guard. ...a paper with numerous magic circles inscribed on it...?

Instantaneously, the magic circles started glowing, bright yellow light orbs appearing around us alarmingly fast. Oh shit. As I frantically examined the spell to see what it's doing, Vin quickly gets off the wall, clearly taken aback by the sudden event.

"Wait, hold up, don't tell me he intends to—?!"

Before he could finish what he was saying, all of us were quickly blinded by a flash of light, causing us to cover our eyes in surprise. After that, for some reason, I could feel the slight gust of wind and the feeling of stone underneath me. ...eh? I hesitantly opened my eyes and was greeted with a plain of white radiant flowers, complemented with the starry night sky. I looked down at what I was sitting on, which was a gray stone bench. ...so I was sent away to somewhere else but... Worried, I checked my surroundings and noticed that the other two were nowhere to be seen.

"I apologize but I sent your companions somewhere else. Don't worry though, this is my personal territory that I made with magic so I can assure you they're safe. Besides, I'd rather have a one-on-one conversation where I can get to know the people I'm dealing with better."

Surprised, I attempted to find the person speaking but soon found out there was no trace of them at all. "...I see, and you're using magic to communicate to me from afar," I commented with a sigh. "...well, I suppose I can't blame you for being careful. So? What did you want to talk about...?"

"Straight to the point, huh?" the prince noted, chuckling. "Well then, I'll return the favor then. Do you intend to stop the strange events happening around the world?"

I answered without hesitation as my expression turned serious, noticing his intentions. "Yes, I would like to but I can't do anything if I don't have sufficient enough info to make a plan," I admitted with a frown. "Shooting in the dark won't help so I have no choice but to continue to gather info."

"Hm, fair point. You were pretty quick to respond too," the male paused for a bit then continued speaking. "Our goals align with each other and from what I saw and heard as you did your investigation, I have no qualms with helping out. However, I don't fully trust you three to accompany you on your journey so I'll only provide information for now."

"Wait, hold up, you really were observing us all this time?!" I exclaimed, caught completely off-guard. "I didn't even get the sensation that I was being watched! None of the people that we were around seemed suspicious either!"

Tatsuya chuckled again, amused at my reaction. "I have to be competent at everything I do if I want to earnestly protect everyone," he warmly replied, then his tone of voice quickly changed to serious. "...especially now. After all, we're currently in a precarious position."

"What do you mean by that...? Was there something that the mages didn't notice?"

"Correct. Tell me, what would most people normally not look at in their daily life, especially for a long time?" he questioned, causing me to frown at the strange question.

What would most people normally not look at in their daily life...? If that's the case, then the chance of it being on the ground isn't likely. After all, if it was me doing it, I wouldn't want it to be too easy to find and detect if magic was used on it. ...so then the other option was the sky. The only thing in the sky that you don't normally look at and can't look at for a long time is...

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"The sun?"

"Correct again. What makes it worse is that the spell is constantly hidden by the sun because it moves in perfect sync with it and is so high up in the sky that it's both hard to notice and dangerous to reach," Tatsuya explained, exasperated. "Whoever we're dealing with is just too competent. I have no idea what the spell does either but I do know that it's insanely strong and it has the Fire attribute from my analysis of it. I only noticed it because of me trying to use the stars to boost my magic."

...it follows the sun? That means it essentially goes around the entire world, right? I couldn't help but get a sinking feeling of dread from it as I mulled over it. After all, it must be for a malicious purpose, right? I mean, why else would they go that far to hide it? The only weird thing about it is that it's still there waiting, yet to be activated. ...or perhaps it's a constantly active spell...? But if that's the case, what does it do? Spells with the Fire aspect are typically destructive magic so the implications that it gave worried me.

Frowning, I decide to ask him a question. "Do you have any leads on what we could do? Is there any way to get rid of the spell?"

He let out a sigh, clearly frustrated. "If I push myself to the maximum limit, I can shatter the spell but that might be a bad idea. I might end up just sending everyone to their deaths by breaking it, especially since I have no idea what it does. It also might be thoroughly protected against people going to it so that's a no go too," Tatsuya lamented. "...as to the leads that I have, I recommend going to the kingdom Ignifera. Some of the acolytes there, referring to themselves as The Fire God's Phoenix, seem to be acting suspicious as of late. They've also been spouting out and doing disturbing things that resulted in them being claimed as wanted by the royalties there."

"So you're implying it could be connected to that god or that organization? And you're not going because you have to watch over the kingdom, right?" I said, to which the prince gave his verbal confirmation. "...so how will we get there?"

"You three will travel there by foot since that'll bring the least attention to you guys. It's within a reasonable distance so you'll be fine. Sorry though, but me offering you assistance will ruin your chances of going incognito and gaining info," Tatsuya explained, his voice tinged with guilt. "One of the prices of being well-known. Lots of people feverishly try to get so much info about me and what I do that it's really worrying."

In short, it's hard for him to have any form of private life. That sounds...hellish. I thought with a shudder. It's like being unable to ever have your guard down and just relax, constantly having to worry about what others may see or think. I stop myself from thinking any further, not wanting to keep the prince waiting.

I quickly waved my hands back and forth in front of me, laughing nervously. "It's fine, it's fine! It's the thought that counts, after all!" I exclaimed, trying to reassure him. "...it'll be a pain to travel by foot, that much I'll admit, but maybe we'll be able to gather more info along the way!"

"True, you do have a point there," he agreed with a laugh. "Then let's hope for the best. Otherwise, it'd be a very uneventful trip."

I nod my head in response, giving him a smile. ...there hasn't been much signs of his cold and hateful side so far. It's almost as if he seems intent on keeping that side of him locked away from everyone. However, that cold intense side did appear when he asked that first question. If I wasn't prepared, I would've felt threatened and nervously reply back. After all, it was like he pointed a sword right close to my neck and asked if I was a good-natured person or not. If I responded badly, would I be interrogated and probably ruthlessly killed since I'm in his territory...? After all, it could be used to prevent people from listening in but also for combat. This place is likely completely trapped and definitely accounted for Devourers like me. ...in short, I have zero chances of surviving or escaping... Tatsuya suddenly spoke up, interrupting my train of thought.

"Well then, if you don't mind, I need to talk to your companions. Leo is staring at the sea right now while in a blanket cocoon, looking pretty bored, while Vin is analyzing this place really diligently."

...I see they both have different priorities. I thought to myself with a sweatdrop. Well, I understand both sides so I can't fault them. Though, more importantly, there's something I need to ask before he goes to talk to them. After all, there's a chance that I'll be sent back to the base so I better ask now.

"Before that, I want to say one more question," I said, looking slightly worried. "...are you alright? You seem to always earnestly put so much effort and time into protecting everyone that I can't help but wonder..."

"I'm fine, there's no need to worry," the prince replied almost immediately, making me wonder if that was done out of reflex. "I do appreciate your concern though. Ah, just so you know, I'm not kicking you out yet. I already made the others wait while I talked to you so it's only fair you do some waiting too."

I couldn't help but internally groan at that. "...guess I'll just frolic around with the flowers, then probably trip and fall face-first into the dirt like an idiot. I mean, I have nothing else better to do..." I mumbled to myself, causing Tatsuya to burst out laughing.

"Sorry! I was caught completely off-guard from that," he explained as he desperately tried to stop his laughing fit. "A-anyways, just please wait there!"

From that point on, I heard silence. I took a glance at the plain of flowers, then looked away in embarrassment. I sure hope he knows I'm joking. Besides, I only said that because I'm concerned that him saying he's fine was probably a lie. ...at the very least, I can make him laugh if there's nothing else I can do. Though, now that I'm stuck waiting, what should I do? Thinking any further late at night isn't something I would prefer to do so that's out. I'd feel bad if I touched the flowers and maybe pick one up so that leaves only one reasonable option left.

With a sigh, I decided to just sit there on the bench and chill, thinking that I might as well appreciate the peace and quiet of not having to do anything. I have no idea if times like this will be rare so might as well appreciate it while I can, right? ...if only I had some snacks and drinks though, then it would be perfect.