I'm... Not Something to Eat♡

Han Do-yoon decided to play dumb for now. Knowing Estelle Argent's true identity as the Star Bishop, the source of her pitch-black mana circle—revealing all that would be a weapon, but also proof of who he really was. And right now, there was no need to show his hand.

"What do you mean by that?"

Estelle's expression hardened at his words. It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠didn't take long for her to regain her composure.

"Since you've fused the four elements, I'll grant you the qualification of Nebula Alchemist. Do you know about the ranks? The qualifications for alchemists in the Heavenly Tower are divided into three categories: Star, Comet, and Nebula. Nebula is the highest rank, granting special privileges in the Heavenly Tower. Of course, that comes with more responsibilities, but Han Do-yoon had fulfilled them through lectures in the past.

"Yes, my teacher told me about it."

Estelle took a golden badge from the wooden box and handed it to him. This would be his second badge... He was currently wearing a robe borrowed from Evelyn's workshop, but he figured it was time to get some proper alchemist attire soon. Just like with Isana—clothes were part of one's identity, after all.

"...With this, the examination of Evelyn Howard's disciple, Han Do-yoon, is complete. By the authority of the Heavenly Tower Lord, Estelle Argent, I recognize him as a Nebula Alchemist. Does anyone object?"

Han Do-yoon looked around. He spotted a few familiar faces—those who had treated him like a slave because he was just an apprentice, dismissing him as worthless trash. In his previous life, he'd been crushed by them and died screaming in the tower without earning recognition. But this time, it was possible.

"A new genius has appeared in the Heavenly Tower."

"Move! I need to copy that quadruple synthesis array!"

"Damn it, another grandmaster we have to serve?"

Applause rained down amid the satisfying murmurs... For now, he bowed his head to Estelle.

Now that I've got the qualification, gathering materials will be a breeze as long as I have the money.

He could seek cooperation from various workshops to modify Last Wish, or attempt to create a new Elixir. There were some variables along the way, but things are proceeding according to plan.

After securing the alchemist qualification, the next steps were modifying Last Wish and reinforcing his body. The reason Han Do-yoon wasn't actively climbing the tower right now was the limitations on his attack power and the lack of a body strong enough to handle it.

Should I start with an exoskeleton? He was mulling over designs for an external auxiliary device when—

"If you have time, could we talk for a moment?"

At the Heavenly Tower Lord's invitation, Han Do-yoon pondered briefly before nodding. ...Prioritizing, this took precedence anyway.

The two moved to the top of the Heavenly Tower, to the celestial telescope crafted by Evelyn's master.

"Leading me to a place like this... What's this about?"

Han Do-yoon focused on the Oracle Celestial Telescope... Before fully starting his alchemist life, this was the observatory that had been destroyed. I don't know when it'll be destroyed, so I should memorize it now... Where did she hide the synthesis array?

"You seem very interested in the Oracle?"

Estelle's words snapped him back to reality. He'd almost slipped up.

"...Ah, I've heard it's one of the Heavenly Tower's prides."

"Is that all you've heard?"

"A tool for observing stars outside the Tower World, a super-high-magnification lens that captures light from dozens of light-years away."

"Correct. It's deeply tied to alchemy. On nights when certain stars shine exceptionally bright, materials infused with the same energy have maximized effects. That's why alchemists study astronomy as well."

"That's what I learned too."

"...But you've never used it yourself, have you? Would you like to try?"

"Really? I can?"

"Of course. You're a Nebula Alchemist, the pride of the Heavenly Tower now."

He'd planned to use it soon anyway, even without her suggestion. It would make it clearer what calculations had gone wrong when creating the Elixir. He reached out eagerly.

Unfamiliar text appeared the moment his hand touched it. Han Do-yoon examined it closely.

Sub-administrator, Evelyn Howard... Lock function?

Right after entering the Heavenly Tower, Evelyn had said the Oracle was made by her master—someone akin to a grandmaster to him. So it wasn't strange for Evelyn to be listed as an admin.

Why am I recognized as Evelyn Howard...? Ah, because of the mana circle?

An accident during the mana circle induction process had led him to absorb hers. It seemed like a glitch from using the circle for authentication, but...

Shouldn't be a problem.

He began operating the celestial telescope. The lens, pointed at the world's end, lifted. The Heavenly Tower's roof parted, revealing the purple night sky. Below, alchemists watching from afar gasped in awe.

The other alchemists won't know what I'm seeing right now... Orion constellation, the pitch-black star on the left shoulder, Betelgeuse... Found it.

Betelgeuse... The cause of his mana circle's corruption. Right after Isana became the Sword God, another incident led to Betelgeuse's disappearance.

A single 'star' vanishing meant alchemy influenced by astronomy would face issues. All existing recipes had to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠be revised... And the Elixir's failure couldn't be entirely disconnected from Betelgeuse's influence.

This time, I have to prevent Betelgeuse's fall. To do that, this woman is key...

He pulled away from the telescope and looked at Estelle. Her silver hair framed a serene smile, eyes still closed, as she tilted her head.

"Satisfied already...?"

"My teacher said not to look at the stars too much. I don't know why."

"Many fear the stars. It's surprising she'd say that... She's one who receives the stars' love."

"Is she? I wouldn't know."

"And you too, Han Do-yoon."

Estelle's eyes snapped open. Gray-blue eyes pierced him with a faint glow... Every time their gazes met, incidents followed, sending tension through his body.

"I saw it earlier. Your mana circle is pitch-black... That's proof of the stars' abundant love."

Han Do-yoon feigned innocent ignorance.

"What's the problem with being loved?"

"...Those who envy it will persecute you. They ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠follow a god of hell that doesn't save them, so the opposite draws their ire."

"Then, which side are you on, Tower Lord?"

Estelle's hand gently caressed his cheek.

"Ahh, poor lamb... They've finally sent me an apostle... I'm on your side. A meager existence to aid you, who is no less than the Great One. I'll guide you, so you guide me."

An overwhelming display of affection. Completely unlike the woman who had shed bloody tears and cursed him.

What happens if I maintain this relationship?

"S-Suddenly... I don't quite understand."

Her soft touch withdrew. Estelle demurely clasped her hands and closed her eyes again. With the faint glow gone, calm returned to his heart.

"I must have been overwhelming on a first meeting. I'm sorry... Seeing someone loved by a great one like you, Han Do-yoon... It excited me too much."

"Excited?"

"Just as it sounds... Ahh, come gaze at the stars with me sometimes. I'll teach you many things."

Still, Han Do-yoon felt an ominous, unsettling vibe from her.

Ugh... Why is my mana suddenly...

At Summer's Grand Triangle, Evelyn was preparing a feast to celebrate Han Do-yoon's alchemist exam when an unexpected mana thirst hit her. An incomplete mana circle flickered above her head.

My mana is flowing somewhere? The circle isn't fully formed yet...

Finding the reason was easy. Her mana circle was essentially linked to her disciple.

No... If it keeps draining, I'll...

Her lower body grew slick... Not a symptom of mana deficiency. A habit etched into her body from mistakes during 'those' times.

Ngh...!

She dropped the whipped cream she'd been about to spread on the cake and collapsed to the floor. Her insides writhed, craving 'that' desperately. The sensation flooded back, love juices squirting out...

She hurriedly pulled a drink made from her disciple's fluids from her inventory and sucked it down greedily. Withdrawal symptoms like a drug addict.

No... Not enough...

The mana thirst eased, but drinking the fluids intensified her bodily craving. Evelyn's hands, once kneading dough and making cream, slid between her legs.

I can't do this here...

Rubbing her lower belly wasn't enough. Soon, pale fingers slipped under her panties, reaching the golden bush matching her hair.

"Nghaa...♡"

-Squelch, squelch, squelch.

Her other hand teased her stiff nipples while she poured effort into quenching the endless thirst, like filling a leaky jar. Climax came quickly. Her hips bucked wildly. Cute fluids soaked the carpet... Yet satisfaction eluded her.

Her flushed face twisted ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as she ground her pink pussy roughly against the chair her disciple usually sat in.

Aahn... Come quick, I... Like this, I can't...

...As she went for her second, third, and neared her fourth—

Han Do-yoon arrived at the workshop right on time. He'd honed his sharp senses not for this, but he knew the instant he entered. Sour scent, humid air, hormones tickling his nose and stirring lust.

Shedding his coat, he stepped cautiously. Bakery ingredients were out—she'd been baking. Beyond the yeast-heavy dough sat Evelyn's labia, swollen puffier than the dough...

Her golden pussy, pure white and slick, twitching and panting. Ass up toward the ceiling in cat pose like she'd passed out. Her glossy thighs quivered, prepped like they'd finished preheating, promising a chewy texture.

"You haven't finished already, have you?"

"H-Hueh...?"

His teacher jolted up to compose herself, but her legs gave out and she flopped down. Han Do-yoon grabbed the mixing bowl of fresh cream from the table and approached... He'd been craving something sweet.

-Splat, spuuurt.

"Haaaah... W-Wait... That's for eating! Not for spreading there... Eek!"

He slathered it in with three fingers. Her already soaked lower half looked like perfectly baked cream bread.

"The cream keeps dripping... Stop squirting so much, Teacher."

"T-Teacher, not master... Heek, nghak, d-don't spread it there... Hik!"

Each twitch of her pink inner lips overflowed more cream. Finally motivated to eat, Han Do-yoon gripped her hips and plunged his tongue deep.

-Slurrrrp.

"Haak... Mmph, urk... Nghik... C-Cumming♡"

He sucked the cream greedily, lips tormenting her cherry clit. Hands kneaded from knees to inner thighs, sucking her pussy lips like taffy.

"Haaang... Ahn... Hic, nghut... I'm... not something to eat♡"

Her words said no, but her body churned and expelled cream like it was begging to be devoured.