Chapter 470 A Conversation Beneath the Starry Sky

Though she felt anxious about the current state of affairs, Hulim knew there was no point in rushing.

If mastering this magic had been that easy, she would have succeeded back in Ilz.

"It seems...... unless my control over my powers improves drastically, this is the best I can do for the time being."

But it was just a thought. The upper limit of one’s magical control was determined by the strength of their mental power—and mental power could only be forged and grown step by step, with no shortcuts whatsoever.

Hulim Heyerar. So this is where you’ve been."

A voice suddenly called out from behind her.

Hulim turned around.

"Miko?"

It was Miko, who had climbed up the hill slowly and now sat down beside her.

"Why are you out here so late, Hulim?"

"Me...... I’m practicing my magic. Though it’s not going too well."

"Huh?"

Miko blinked in surprise.

"Practicing magic? Now? Out here?!"

"? Is there something wrong with that?" Hulim asked, confused.

"Well......"

Miko hesitated, her words trailing off.

In the end, she murmured softly:

"......Nothing at all."

"It’s just...... I think I finally understand why you’re so strong."

"Ahhh~."

Miko stretched out on the ground, lying on her back and gazing lazily up at the sky.

"I thought once I finally reached B-Rank, I’d be able to fight alongside you. But now I realize how naive I was to think that."

"No, you’re already stronger than most people. There aren’t many in this world who can reach B-Rank at your age."

"That’s true enough......"

Miko said flatly.

"But there’s only one person in the entire world who can reach S-Rank at your age, isn’t there?"

"......"

"Honestly, Hulim——"

Miko sat up, leaned in close, and stared intently into Hulim’s eyes.

"Sometimes I really want to crack you open and see what’s inside. You’re absolutely insane! Who becomes an S-Rank at fifteen?! The gap between us is so huge, it’s impossible to even compare myself to you."

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"Please don’t say such terrifying things with a straight face."

"Aww~, what’s so terrifying about it?" Miko held out her hands.

"I’m just genuinely curious."

"While I can understand your curiosity......"

"Please don’t try to take off my coat——!"

"Seriously, stop it right now!"

"Aww, don’t be such a spoilsport. I just want to take a little look~."

"Stop. Right. Now——!"

CLANG!!!

A minute later,

Miko squatted on the ground, holding her head with tears in her eyes.

"You’re such a spoilsport. You let me touch your tail all day long, and now this."

"It...... it’s not the same thing." Hulim argued, her cheeks flushing slightly—her words completely unconvincing.

"How is it not the same? You manhandled my most sensitive spot, and now you’re acting like it never happened. That’s so unfair."

"Don’t say things that will get people the wrong idea! I’ve never heard of the White Cat Clan considering tails a sensitive part of the body."

"Hmm...... Maybe it’s a new tradition?"

"Really...... If you’re going to make up nonsense, at least don’t say it in such an unconfident tone." Hulim said, utterly speechless.

"Hehe, sorry sorry~!"

Looking at Miko’s sheepish expression, Hulim felt a mix of helplessness and amusement.

She simply lay down on the ground, just as Miko had done earlier.

As she settled back, the brilliant cosmic starry sky stretched out before her eyes, seemingly within arm’s reach.

Miko snuck over and lay down beside her, gazing up at the stars too.

Hulim noticed, but did not stop her.

"Speaking of which, I never asked. Why did you come here, Miko? You didn’t come here because you knew I was here, did you?"

"I really didn’t. When I saw you here, I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy in my life!"

"Uh, thank you...... S-So why did you come?"

"Oh, I was basically dragged here by Grandma Laki."

"Hmm?"

"I’d just had a huge breakthrough in my training, and I ran straight into her when I went out. "

"Then she said something like ‘Truly a descendant of my bloodline—this talent is worthy of praise. But strength without skill is useless. I’m heading north anyway, so you’ll come with me, little one......’ And then, here I am."

"So you were forced to come, huh."

"I was! Grandma Laki...... Ugh, I hate calling her that! It feels like she’s getting the better of me."

"......It’s because you two look exactly alike."

Hulim studied Miko’s face carefully. Honestly, if she hadn’t known the truth, she would never have believed that their bloodline was separated by several generations.

"But even if the start was bad, I’m so glad I got to meet you here, Hulim!"

A genuine smile spread across Miko’s face.

"All things considered, it’s not a bad outcome at all."

Watching that smile,

for some reason, Hulim’s heart felt a profound sense of peace.

She turned her gaze back to the stars.

After a long silence,

she spoke:

"Me too......"

The two lay quietly on the ground,

untroubled by the world around them.

Time flowed slowly in that peaceful moment.

"It’s so beautiful."

"It is."

"I used to dream about things like this sometimes—wandering the stars, plucking all those beautiful stars one by one and taking them home."

"If you used stars as lamps, their light would be far too dim. What about the moon?"

"Haha~, you’re right! Using the moon as a lamp would be so much better. Ugh, I was so childish back then. But still......"

"It would be amazing if that chance ever came. I wonder what the stars really look like. Hulim, have you ever wanted to see them for yourself?"

"If the chance ever came, I think I would go."

"Heh~, is that so? Then don’t get lost out there."

"Would I get lost?"

"You would. Grandma Eperu said the starry sky is incredibly, incredibly vast......"

"I see. Then I suppose getting lost is a real possibility~."

"So, Hulim, you have to remember the way back, okay......"

"I’ll remember."

"......"

"And Miko, don’t forget to wait for me when the time comes, okay?"

"......Zzz~."

Soft snores drifted into Hulim’s ears.

"Miko?"

Hulim turned her head.

The girl beside her had already fallen fast asleep.

Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, Hulim smiled softly.

"Some things never change......"

"Good night, Miko."

The starlight from the far reaches of the cosmos fell gently upon the two of them, as if draping a thin, soft veil over their forms.

In her sleep, the girl smiled—as if she was having a sweet dream.

"Well...... Sometimes moments like this are nice."

......