A few days passed.
Then a few more.
And somehow—
Life in the palace became… normal.
Arin had a routine now.
He woke up lazily.
"Good morning, Cutie."
A soft glow.
"Good… morning…"
He washed up.
Walked through the gardens.
Talked casually with palace workers — who were still not used to being greeted so normally by someone under the Goddess.
Sometimes he got caught saying something slightly rude about her—
Only to turn around and find her standing behind him.
Then came the kneeling.
The dramatic apologies.
The thousand "My Lady, forgive me."
And almost getting erased.
Again.
And again.
At rare times, he would sit in the grand library and open thick ancient books.
Full of complex symbols.
Divine equations.
Mana structures.
He understood absolutely nothing.
But he would nod seriously.
"Hmmm… yes."
"Of course."
As if he were decoding the secrets of the universe.
He wasn't.
But he looked convincing.
Even Caelum had gotten used to him.
The random questions.
The dramatic reactions.
The laziness mixed with sincerity.
It had become… normal.
---
One day, while Arin was walking through the corridor humming to himself—
He noticed something unusual.
Caelum.
In a hurry.
Very much in a hurry.
He was carrying stacks of papers in his hands.
And even more were floating beside him.
Arin blinked.
"Voo… vo?"
"Where are you heading? Why such a hurry?"
Caelum didn't even slow down.
"I'm heading out."
"If you wish to come, seek the Goddess' permission."
He took another step.
Then added quickly—
"Hurry. Or I will leave."
Arin froze.
"…Eh?!"
"Okay, okay! Wait!"
And he ran.
---
He rushed through the halls and reached the Divine Hall.
Empty.
He blinked.
"That's weird…"
"She's usually here."
A palace worker passed by.
Arin casually stopped him.
"Hey, do you know where the Goddess is?"
The worker froze.
Eyes wide.
As if Arin had just asked where the sun was stored.
Arin tilted his head.
"You don't know?"
The worker swallowed nervously.
"L-Last time… I saw her in the library…"
Then hurriedly added—
"Please don't tell her I told you!"
And rushed away.
Arin stood there.
"…Why is everyone so scared?"
He shrugged.
"Anyway."
And ran again.
---
While sprinting toward the library, Arin started preparing his speech.
As if this was an exam.
"Okay… what should I say?"
"Option one: 'Oh divine radiance of eternity—'"
"…Hmm, 6 out of 10."
"Too dramatic."
"Option two: 'My Lady, I humbly request temporary leave for educational observation purposes.'"
"…8 out of 10."
"Sounds smart."
He paused mid-run.
"Wait."
"I used that line last week."
"Won't work."
He groaned.
"Think, Arin, think!"
And then—
He reached the library doors.
He inhaled deeply.
Straightened his clothes.
And stepped inside.
---
The library was quiet.
Towering shelves.
Soft golden light.
And at the far end—
The Goddess.
She was seated at a large desk.
Piles of documents stacked around her.
More floating mid-air.
Her eyes moved calmly over the pages.
She didn't look up.
Even as Arin entered.
Arin walked forward carefully.
Then immediately dropped to his knees in his usual dramatic pose.
"Ohhh, my Lady—"
Before he could continue—
She spoke.
"I am busy, human."
Her tone was flat.
Uninterested.
"I do not have time to entertain your theatrics."
Arin froze mid-sentence.
She turned a page.
Without looking at him—
"Go with Caelum."
Permission granted.
Just like that.
Arin blinked.
"…Eh?"
Then quickly bowed.
"Thank you, my Lady!"
She didn't respond.
Already focused on another document.
Arin stood up.
And ran out with an expression so bright—
It looked like a child who had just been given candy.
---
At the palace gates—
Caelum was waiting.
Tapping his foot lightly.
Expression strained.
"You are late."
Arin arrived slightly breathless.
"Oh, come on!"
"I'll explain on the way!"
Caelum stared at him for a second.
Then turned.
"…We are already behind schedule."
And just like that—
The gates opened.
For the first time in days—
Arin was stepping beyond the palace walls.
Outside