Lilfrea, the First to Recognize Seru's Value
Lilfrea was the first to begin realizing Seru's true value.
We were under intense scrutiny right now. From the entire competition staff, no less. The miracle of growing the Willin to 50 meters in just four days had drawn their attention.
Judges, headquarters executives, technical staff... even the Edelan Ten Stars and Raena herself.
Before we knew it, everyone was gathered around the central L-37 pillar in the arena, which had become the focal point of the event.
"Ho... impressive."
"What on earth did they do?"
"Those two were extraordinary even from the preliminaries."
Their gazes were full of questions. How was it possible? What was the trick? They scrutinized us closely.
At first, it was thrilling. The fact that a bard of Raena's immense fame was looking our way honestly excited me. The moment our eyes met, a shiver of pleasure raced up my spine.
But that thrill was fleeting.
The second round of the finals was the longest and most grueling four days of the entire competition.
For four straight days, Estel sang, I guided, we tuned and adjusted, rehearsed properly in front of the Willin—endless repetition. Sleep was barely a few hours.
My body felt endlessly heavy, my mind a whirlwind. The sheet music was crammed with notes. Staring at them so much made me nauseous just seeing the writing. The paper was even torn and ragged in places.
I was glad the hard work was paying off, but at the same time, everything felt depleted.
Yet we couldn't stop. We'd already surpassed 50 meters, so we could rest a bit, but what if, what if—we kept pushing the Willin higher. Just a little more, just a little more.
As the Willin grew overwhelmingly, crowds gathered every day. Competition staff, participants, spectators.
Thankfully, inside the blue pillar, their voices didn't reach us, but their stares were visible and exhausting. It felt like being ogled all day.
Even taking a sip of water became self-conscious.
"Good job, Estel. Let's rest a bit."
"Yeah..."
Estel flopped into the chair. Normally, she'd bark a cheerful "Yep!" but today it was just a single syllable, flat.
The usually bright girl had gone quiet. That alone was a crisis signal. She was worn out.
I quickly wrapped a scarf around Estel's neck and handed her warm honey tea. Then I took off her shoes and gently massaged her tired feet from singing, carefully between every toe.
Estel smiled faintly, looking a bit happier at the toe massage.
"Ahh... it's not just my legs—feels like my soul's unwinding..."
She hadn't complained, but the accumulated fatigue must have hit her hard. Instead of suffering with her, I needed to step up. Take care of her. That was my job.
"Two days left until the final second-round judgment. Just hold out tomorrow and the day after."
"Yeah, I'll do my best."
Grow the Willin tomorrow and the next day, final measurement with the Glphy. That day, the results would be announced before tens of thousands of spectators.
We steeled ourselves once more, gritting our teeth toward the top height prize.
"I'll fetch some water."
I stood, slowly stretching. Crack, pop. My back and shoulders creaked. Stiff as hell. I'd stretch properly after returning.
As I left the L-37 pillar with that thought, my brow furrowed involuntarily.
...Was this arena vast or cramped? I always ran into them whenever I walked around.
Lilfrea, Maribel, Clara. The three girls were surrounding a man who looked like their guild manager.
From their expressions, the mood was tense. They seemed furious, unleashing a torrent of words.
Lilfrea, arms crossed, snapped sharply.
"Make sure to tell Professor Ludwig clearly. Ask if this is all he can teach. Look at our situation—no results, just embarrassment."
Maribel jumped in right after, eyes flashing with anger.
"Do we have to do everything? That's for you, Lukan, to sort out! The seed's suspect, no growth, that boasted lineage means nothing! Four days for a measly 5 meters—what the hell is 5 meters!"
Clara looked apologetic but spoke up too.
"If we tell him directly... he might get offended... so could you relay it properly, Lukan? Everyone knows... we're constantly losing to Estel..."
"Ahaha... right, right."
The guy named Lukan laughed awkwardly, sweating bullets. His eyes darted between the girls, hands flailing in the air.
"I-I totally get it. I'll pass it on. Yes, definitely..."
"You know time's short until final measurement."
"Tell him to shape up. We can do it. We can—it's just the guidance missing the point."
"For someone so famous... to lose to Seru, who doesn't even have a certificate... it's honestly weird... even if he's older..."
"You're all right. I'm truly sorry... I'll earnestly suggest it to the professor. Including the Willin seed issue."
"Don't mention we said it. He has connections. Don't want the hassle."
"Yes! Of course! My lips are sealed!"
"With proper guidance, we're top material anytime."
...Top? With mindsets like that? Look in the mirror before blaming others.
I won't deny their skill. But that attitude? No way they'll rise.
Ultimately, it's not skill—it's mindset.
Ah, but this competition has one good point despite the hardship. Flattening their noses.
Nothing more satisfying. Sudden energy surged.
Good. Work harder, crumple their faces more.
The three girls, mid-conversation with their manager, finally spotted me late and scowled in unison.
Think you're the only ones annoyed? Same here.
They linked arms, sauntering over leisurely, faces plastered with "we're chill" smirks.
"The stem... isn't it overgrown?"
"Looks unmanaged."
"It'll rot in a snap..."
Obviously pissed from losing, forcing laughs was pathetic and hilarious. Chins up, arms crossed, sneering at every word—like "we haven't lost yet."
Yeah, keep holding on.
They glanced at me and passed without another word, heading to their pillar.
Their retreating backs screamed forced bravado—leisure written over anxiety.
Clearly holding back more barbs. They knew speaking would make them look worse.
That's... proof of defeat.
They knew it themselves. The hopeless reality they couldn't catch up to.
Around two in the morning. That was my last memory.
I blacked out the instant my eyes closed, and when I opened them...
"Seru, you dead too?"
Belldia peered over my face.
But that expression—why did she look like she'd seen a ghost?
"...Jeez, you scared me. What's with you?"
I rubbed my sleepy eyes, hauling my tired body up. Cold floor inside the blue pillar. Morning air was chilly. The vast arena field was freezing every dawn.
"Estel's not waking! She's groaning in pain!"
"What?"
I bolted up and rushed to where Estel slept. She was curled in her sleeping bag, moaning. Her forehead burned my hand.
Bad news.
"You okay, Estel?"
My face hardened. Belldia looked worried beside me.
"Fever—looks like a bad cold."
"When did it start?"
"Dunno. Brought breakfast this morning, you two were out. Tried waking her—found out she's sick."
"Damn."
Self-reproach hit: My fault... should've... Needed to care more thoroughly.
Then Estel barely opened her eyes, mumbling.
"I... fine... just rest... cough, cough!"
I hesitated, then decided fast.
"Inn room first."
"Competition?"
"Can't compete sick. Treatment priority."
"Right. Missed Minerri's hunt today. Bolcas and all at the inn."
"Everyone's there? Perfect."
No sooner said, I swiftly piggybacked Estel. Hot, damp heat seeped through my back. My heart raced more urgently.
"Hold tight, Estel."
Leaving the blue pillar, I broke into a run. Dashed across the arena center; behind, Belldia stuffed gear haphazardly and chased breathlessly.
Urgent footsteps. Estel's faint, ragged breaths.
In the final stretch of the second round, an unforeseen variable struck.
The lodging bathed in morning sunlight. Delicate lace curtains fluttered in the breeze, sunlight spilling like golden threads on the floor.
But unlike the dazzling scene, Lilfrea's expression was gloomy.
For an hour, she'd sat on the bed's edge, knees hugged, silent.
"...Why can't I do it?"
The words she'd swallowed inwardly finally leaked out.
She sighed thinly, head drooping. Silence stretched; only the clock ticked.
The Willin not growing fast was frustrating, but more so—Han Seru's recent expressions. His gaze on her.
It kept resurfacing unbidden, looping like a stuck video.
"In your eyes, I'm... nothing now. I can feel your disinterest."
Her voice trembled faintly. Anger? Hurt? An unknown emotion surged.
She'd abandoned him—why this feeling now?
Sitting blankly like that for a while... suddenly, a long-buried voice revived in her mind.
Words she'd heard endlessly back then, dismissed as nagging. Now, strangely... they sank deep.
'Don't force emotions—be yourself.''Read the story hidden in the lyrics first.''Go at your own pace. Haste is poison to music.'
Each one quietly, surely seeped in. Pointing out her flaws precisely.
Only now did she see—he was truly... During this competition, seeing him again, he seemed more... no, beyond expectations, exceptional.
"...Now I see some of what you said was right."
Lilfrea slowly lifted her head.
Estel. Why that girl excelled so much. Not just raw talent.
Lilfrea was gradually realizing. It was him who'd shaped it.
The path, voice, melody.
And... interpretation, strategy too.
Now it was clear—he was good. Incredibly so.
His teaching, planning, tuning... the epitome of a leader.
"...Hah."
Lilfrea snorted. A laugh mixed with complex emotions she hadn't noticed.
"Fine, I'll admit it. You— you're good."
She quirked her lips faintly. Quietly, with bitter self-mockery.
Then—it flashed.
She jumped up, rummaged the drawer. Pulled out a worn notebook.
Notes from learning under Han Seru. Her overlooked weaknesses, his pointed directions—pages dense with them.
"Found it... good I didn't toss it."
A faint smile touched Lilfrea's lips.
No more ignoring that time.
"Han Seru. I'll verify how right you were... myself."
The key to rapid Willin growth. She'd find the answer in Seru's past teachings.