While driving toward the center of the Floating Island, a mage noticed something unusual in the rearview mirror—a remarkably tall woman. Although her presence was unsettling, it wasn’t something to be concerned about on the Floating Island, where magical phenomena were common. The mage continued driving without giving it much thought.3

After some time, he glanced in the mirror again and saw the tall woman still standing in the corner of the reflection. What was strange, though, was that despite the car moving forward, she hadn’t gotten any farther away.1

"What in the world..." the mage muttered, realizing something was wrong as he pressed down on the accelerator.0

Vroom—0

The car sped up, attempting to leave the woman behind, but then, without warning, she appeared directly in front of him.0

Screeeech—!0

The mage swerved the steering wheel sharply, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and crash into the bushes on the Floating Island.1

“Huff, huff, huff…”0

Thanks to the quick activation of a protective spell, the car remained intact. Gasping for breath, the mage looked ahead. The woman had vanished. She was nowhere to be seen—not in front, nor to the right or left.0

“Whew...”0

He sighed in relief, convinced it had been a mere hallucination, and leaned back against the seat.0

But then...0

Rustle— Rustle—0

A rustling noise came from the backseat, causing the mage's spine to stiffen. His eyes widened, veins bulging, as he slowly turned his gaze to the rearview mirror. There, awkwardly hunched over in the backseat, was the giant woman, grinning eerily with her blood-red pupils glaring.7

“Aaaaaaaah—!”0

***0

Epherene had been discharged immediately. After all, no one believed her story about the ghost—not Allen, Drent, nor the doctor.1

“Ah~ Tomorrow’s the start of a new term,” Julia remarked as they walked back to the Mage Tower.1

Epherene noticed a new bracelet on Julia's wrist, an accessory she...0