Recaps

Greg danced with Catherine after she used her promised resources for Victoria as leverage, and he warned Catherine to watch her family. Catherine asked him to introduce her to the Night Church, while Greg realized too late that someone with long ice-blue hair had seen him dancing with her.

• Catherine mentioned that Victoria had spent most of her resources on the Exchange Meeting, so Greg agreed to dance with her until the song ended.
• Greg and Catherine danced together as onlookers admired them and the young nobleman who had pursued Catherine watched in humiliation.
• Greg asked about the Screech-type Magic Device and warned Catherine to watch the people in her family.
• Catherine asked Greg to take her to the Night Church, hoping to seek its support, and called him her partner.
• Greg noticed a familiar figure with long ice-blue hair leaving the banquet and realized he might be in trouble.

Vivian fled the banquet after seeing Greg dance with Catherine, afraid that jealousy and their secrecy would drive him away. Greg comforted her with a kiss, then knelt in the rain and asked her to dance, leaving her facing his outstretched hand.

• Vivian watched Greg and Catherine dance and felt jealous and afraid that Catherine might replace her.
• Vivian ran from the banquet hall into the storm, and Greg followed, calling her name.
• Vivian admitted to Greg that she feared losing him and blamed herself for feeling jealous.
• Greg kissed Vivian in the rain, and she stopped struggling and returned the kiss.
• Greg knelt before Vivian and asked, "May I have this dance, beautiful Princess?"

In the rain, Greg comforted Vivian with memories of their childhood and promised that she would always have a place in his life. Vivian asked him to prove it and revealed that she was alone in the dorm that day.

• Greg caught Vivian's hand and led her in a dance through the rain.
• Greg recalled childhood moments, including the rainy day when he cheered Vivian up by splashing in a puddle.
• Vivian remembered how Greg had been her light and began to smile.
• Greg told Vivian that his love for her was unique and swore she would always have a place in his life.
• Vivian asked Greg to prove his promise and said she was the only one in the dorm that day.

Greg and Vivian grew close in her dorm room, where he promised to take responsibility for her for the rest of her life. Meanwhile, Catherine brought Victoria the profits from her investment, unaware of what was happening in the room next door.

• Greg waited in Vivian's dorm room and worried that he was taking advantage of her vulnerability.
• Vivian came out of the bathroom, sat beside Greg, and accepted his promise to take responsibility for her future.
• Victoria woke to Catherine's late-night visit and learned her one-silver-coin investment had earned her a bag of gold coins.
• Catherine heard a strange noise from Vivian's room, but Victoria said Vivian was probably cleaning.

Vivian woke after spending the night with Greg and felt that her fear of losing him had disappeared, though she hid the evidence of his visit from Yelina. She told Yelina she was fine and asked her to oversee the house reconstruction while she rested in the dorm.

• Vivian woke to find Greg gone and recalled their night together with a mix of embarrassment and happiness.
• Vivian covered the marks on her bed before opening the door to Yelina.
• Yelina noticed Vivian walking stiffly, and Vivian said she had fallen the day before.
• Yelina tried to reassure Vivian about Greg and Catherine's dance, but Vivian said she had sorted out her feelings.
• Vivian asked Yelina to handle the house reconstruction while she stayed in the dorm to rest.

After spending the night with Vivian, Greg tried to hide the evidence from Nightmare, who was absorbed in studying an old Pocket Watch. Nightmare revealed it could anchor a one-use return through time, and Greg realized Wendy might know how to activate it.

• Greg showered as soon as he returned to avoid Nightmare noticing any scent connected to Vivian.
• Nightmare questioned Greg’s behavior, then returned to examining the Pocket Watch while he rested and recalled the night with Vivian.
• Nightmare said she had learned the Pocket Watch could serve as a one-use anchor for turning back time, though she did not know how to use it.
• Greg realized Wendy’s connection to the Mother of the Clepsydra might let her explain the Pocket Watch’s function.

As the slum reconstruction neared completion, Greg, Victoria, and Lilith celebrated their work and learned that the Night Church had taken in the local children. Greg turned down Victoria’s invitation to dinner, telling her to ask him again next time.

• Victoria and Greg finished painting a wall and discussed preparing for the Final Defense as Lilith joined them, exhausted from the work.
• Victoria teased Lilith about getting along with the children, and the two chased each other through the ruins while Greg watched.
• The children thanked Greg, Victoria, and Lilith, then explained that a sword-carrying woman and the Night Church had offered them protection and education.
• Victoria thanked Greg for helping the children, while Vivian announced that the reconstruction was nearly complete and everyone could rest starting the next day.
• Victoria invited Greg to dinner, but he declined because he had other plans and told her to ask him again next time.

Greg met Catherine at dusk and led her toward the Night Church’s base in the Imperial Capital, while she found his unconcerned manner interesting. After reuniting with Rom and Colwin, Greg warned them not to touch the black cat in his dorm, prompting them to rush back to see it.

• Catherine waited conspicuously for Greg, who asked her not to do so again as he took her to show her the way to the Night Church’s base.
• Catherine agreed, though Greg clarified that he hoped there would not be a next time.
• Greg ran into Rom and Colwin, who suspected he was cheating on Victoria with Catherine.
• Greg explained that he was only guiding Catherine and told Rom and Colwin that a hissing black cat was staying in his dorm.
• Rom and Colwin hurried back to the dorm to see the black cat.

Greg accompanied Catherine to the Night Church’s newly rebuilt headquarters, where they were taken to meet the Deputy Bishop. He discovered that Talaya, the Church’s fervent admirer of its Bishop, was their guide and endured her lavish praise of him.

• Greg told Catherine that his temporary roommates from the Exchange Meeting had become his friends.
• Greg and Catherine arrived at the Night Church’s rebuilt headquarters, and Catherine told the guards that Greg was with her.
• Talaya came to receive Catherine, recognized Greg, and said she would not retaliate over their previous encounter.
• Talaya led Greg and Catherine inside and praised the absent Bishop, while Greg awkwardly listened.

Catherine approached the Night Church’s Deputy Bishop, Ellie, to seek cooperation, while Greg quietly signaled Ellie to play along. Ellie accepted Catherine’s proposal immediately, leaving Catherine both delighted and suspicious that she had been targeted.

• Talaya led Greg and Catherine to meet the Night Church’s Deputy Bishop and warned them to behave respectfully.
• Greg pointed out that Ellie was asleep, and Ellie woke to find Talaya apologizing for disturbing her rest.
• Talaya introduced Catherine Roman and Greg, whom she called an unidentified gentleman, before leaving them alone to discuss business.
• Greg secretly signaled Ellie to pretend to agree reluctantly, then left the room with Talaya.
• Catherine began proposing cooperation with the Night Church, but Ellie accepted at once, surprising Catherine.

Talaya told Greg why she joined the Night Church and revealed how the Church of Light’s corruption cost her mother her life. She left Greg with a bitter judgment of the Church as a predatory institution.

• Talaya asked why Greg had left the room with her, and Greg said he had wanted to give Wendy and the others privacy.
• Greg learned that Talaya had been with the Night Church for almost half a year and asked why she had joined.
• Talaya asked Greg what he thought of the Church of Light, and he said the institution had a polished exterior but might contain corruption.
• Talaya recalled that the Church of Light recruited her as a child because of her magical talent and promised her family she would become a pillar of the Church.
• After Talaya’s mother fell gravely ill, the Church refused to provide treatment without an exorbitant fee, and her mother died.
• Talaya later learned that Church officials skimmed holy water and resold treatment allocations for profit, and she condemned them as wolves in sacred robes.

Talaya explained that Wendy had brought her into the Night Church after the Church of Light mistreated her. Wendy then secretly pulled Greg aside at the Base, where they discussed Talaya and tried to recreate the effect of their previous kiss.

• Talaya told Greg that the Gospel-Spreading Night Raven had welcomed her into the Night Church and inspired her to seek justice for her mother.
• Talaya turned to demand Greg’s answer, but found that he had disappeared.
• Wendy, disguised with dyed hair and glasses, grabbed Greg and led him to a secluded guest room.
• Greg realized Wendy had been the Gospel-Spreading Night Raven who recruited Talaya, and Wendy confirmed it.
• Wendy kissed Greg to see whether she could repeat the effect of their previous kiss, but it was weaker, and Greg suggested they keep trying.

Greg asked Wendy about an antique pocket watch that had once belonged to her, but she could not remember its origins and let him keep it. After Talaya confronted Greg for wandering through the Night Church base, Wendy vouched for him, and Catherine emerged from her meeting looking profoundly bewildered.

• Greg showed Wendy the pocket watch, and Wendy recognized it as her own but could not recall where it came from.
• Wendy let Greg keep the watch and promised to tell him if her ability helped her remember anything about it.
• Talaya grabbed Greg by the collar and accused him of wandering suspiciously through the Night Church base.
• Wendy explained that Lady Night Raven had invited Greg and proved to Talaya that she served the Night Church.
• Wendy left, and Catherine emerged from her meeting looking dazed and shaken.

Catherine finalized a cooperation agreement with the Night Church, then struggled to understand why they had accepted her proposals so readily. Greg reassured her that they might see more potential in her than in her siblings, and she left determined to focus on the work ahead.

• Catherine and the masked Deputy Bishop finalized every term of their cooperation in an hour, with the Night Church accepting all her proposals.
• Catherine wondered whether Greg had influenced the agreement, but recalled that Talaya had treated him as a stranger.
• Greg asked whether the Night Church had rejected her, and Catherine explained that their quick acceptance seemed strange given her limited influence and funds.
• Greg suggested the Night Church might consider Catherine a more valuable and sincere partner than her older brother and sister, and advised her to focus on what she could do.
• Catherine thanked Greg at a fork in the road, then watched him head toward the Magic Tower before walking in the opposite direction.

Greg returned to his dorm and found Rom and Colwin worshipping Nightmare, while the five academy heads met to discuss the Imperial Capital disaster and the upcoming Final Defense. Olivia diverted attention from Luna, who nearly exposed her connection to Greg, and left planning to make Greg’s Final Defense topic.

• Greg found Rom and Colwin kneeling before Nightmare and praising her as a sacred, beautiful cat.
• Isadora thanked Luna, Moon Enchantress, and Aurora for helping contain the disaster, while arguing with Olivia over the damage Olivia had caused.
• The academy heads discussed the phantom enemies and the person who created the Black Sun, and Luna’s suspicious behavior drew their attention.
• Olivia claimed Luna urgently needed the bathroom, giving Luna an excuse to leave before revealing what she knew.
• Olivia redirected the meeting to the Final Defense, then privately resolved to draw Greg’s topic and make him perform well.

As the Imperial Capital celebrated its restoration, Greg and the other contestants gathered for the Final Defense, each facing an unknown set of topics. Seeing Academy Head Olivia oversee the draw, Greg prayed that she would choose the topic he had prepared for.

• The rebuilt Imperial Capital filled with decorations as most students went out to enjoy the celebration instead of waiting for the Final Defense.
• Greg arrived exhausted after Rom and Colwin spent the night pestering him about how to approach a girl they liked and making assumptions about Victoria.
• Victoria and Sylvia joined Greg in the waiting room, while the contestants gathered and prepared for the Final Defense.
• The contestants worried about which of five topic sets would be drawn, but Greg believed the person drawing would favor a marked set.
• Greg saw Academy Head Olivia at the drawing venue and prayed to Hachimi that she would select the topic he had prepared for.

Olivia shot and destroyed the box holding the Final Defense topics, leaving the students unsure what the new topic would be. Greg collapsed from exhaustion into Victoria’s arms, while Melina concluded the cultists had likely been wiped out and considered exploiting Greg and Victoria’s relationship.

• Olivia fired a shot that shattered the wooden box containing the Final Defense topics.
• Greg lost his strength and collapsed into Victoria’s arms as Victoria and Sylvia reacted with alarm.
• Greg asked Victoria to let him rest against her, and Victoria allowed it despite her embarrassment.
• Victoria scolded the students for staring and told them to return to preparing for the Final Defense.
• Melina concluded the cultists had likely been wiped out and considered using Greg and Victoria’s relationship to her advantage.

Olivia scrapped the established Final Defense procedure and persuaded the other Grand Mages to replace it with an unprepared topic, leaving the contestants unsettled. Greg was called in for his defense, while Victoria quietly wondered whether he had forgotten something important.

• Olivia defended changing the Final Defense rules after Isadora challenged her, and Aurora and Moon Enchantress supported her plan to use a new topic.
• Olivia announced that contestants would learn the topic only upon entering the conference room and could not return to speak with other contestants until the defense ended.
• Greg recovered while resting with Victoria and reassured Sylvia that he was all right.
• A professor called Greg for his Final Defense, and Victoria briefly caught his wrist before wishing him luck.
• After Greg left, Victoria wondered whether her senior had completely forgotten.

The five academy heads discussed Melina after she left, and Aurora, Moon Enchantress, and Olivia competed to claim her. Olivia secured their agreement by offering exchange student places at Glory Kail, while Luna appeared to hope for an opportunity to bring someone to her academy.

• Melina thanked the five academy heads for their guidance and left the meeting room.
• Aurora and Moon Enchantress argued over who would recruit Melina, while Isadora warned them not to cause trouble in the Imperial Capital.
• Olivia declared that she was claiming Melina and offered Aurora and Moon Enchantress unconditional, unlimited exchange student places at Glory Kail after the Five-Academy Competition.
• Luna stood as if to make a request, but Olivia told her an Academy Head could not use the exchange place to visit; Olivia then offered to send someone to Luna in the future.

Greg spoke privately with Veronica before his Final Defense examination, and she warned him to protect his undercover identity while offering him further help. After Veronica left, the professor mistook her farewell for an attempt to recruit Greg to the Church of Light, leaving Greg under even greater pressure.

• Greg asked Nightmare whether she would mourn his social death, and she dismissed the idea before complaining about Veronica's presence.
• Veronica stopped the professor and asked to speak privately with Greg before his Final Defense examination.
• Veronica warned Greg not to reveal his identity while undercover in the Night Church and said she would be heartbroken if he died.
• Veronica offered to help Greg again with his adjustment to a male body, and Nightmare ordered him to accept.
• Veronica publicly praised Greg and said the Church of Light would welcome him, prompting the professor to assume she was trying to recruit him.

Greg entered the Final Defense conference room, worried that his lack of real expertise would be exposed before the five Academy Heads. As they studied him for their own reasons, he awaited the defense topic, still hoping he could manage it.

• Greg followed a professor to the conference room and feared he could not handle the Final Defense after relying on memorized game-guide knowledge in earlier rounds.
• Greg introduced himself to the five Academy Heads, and Olivia encouraged him to impress them while holding Luna back from greeting him.
• Aurora recognized Greg as the human disciple the Elf had mentioned and suspected he was an exceptional prospect after hearing about Juno.
• Moon Enchantress admired Greg's appearance and imagined having him sire her next generation.
• Isadora studied Greg and wondered why he seemed familiar, but she could not place him.

Greg’s Final Defense was delayed by a quarrel among the deans, and Luna’s moon magic revealed a possible way to strengthen Greg and repair Nightmare’s Divine Core. When the defense finally began with the topic of the origin of magic, Nightmare offered to help in exchange for Greg agreeing to pursue a deeper connection with his teacher.

• Greg asked the five deans to announce his Final Defense topic, but they argued over their attention toward him instead.
• Luna unleashed her moon-attribute magic to stop Olivia, Aurora, and Moon Enchantress from quarreling, and Nightmare told Greg that connecting with Luna could benefit them both.
• Olivia calmed Luna, and Isadora began the defense by announcing the topic: the origin of magic.
• Greg realized he knew nothing about the topic and hoped Nightmare could provide firsthand knowledge.
• Nightmare offered to discuss the origin of magic in exchange for Greg agreeing to pursue a mutually beneficial connection with his teacher, and Greg accepted.

Greg used knowledge supplied by Nightmare to defend his thesis on the origins of magic before five Academy Heads, arguing that magic predated humanity and that deities may have risen from human pioneers. He left the defense having impressed the judges, while several Academy Heads considered recruiting him.

• In the waiting room, Sylvia worried about Greg, and Victoria said she expected him to bluff his way through the defense.
• Greg told the Academy Heads that magic existed before human civilization and that humans inherited it from ancient races.
• Greg argued that humanity became magic’s primary inheritor through adaptability, education, and systematic research.
• When Isadora asked about deities, Greg proposed that they had begun as humans who pioneered magic and eventually transcended humanity.
• Greg attributed his claims to an ancient book in Duke Sass’s library, while the Academy Heads considered the implications and some resolved to recruit him.
• Greg silently thanked Nightmare for feeding him answers, and Nightmare reminded him to keep his promise.

After the Exchange Meeting, Greg received a letter from Duke Sass inviting him back to the family, but he recognized it as a warning that the family was still watching him. He chose to maintain a polite response to protect Erin, then stepped into the Empire’s festival and was approached by Melina.

• Greg finished his Exchange Meeting duties and decided to explore the Imperial Capital during the festival.
• A staff member delivered Greg a letter from Duke Sass inviting him to return to the family.
• Greg suspected the letter was meant to remind him that the family was watching him and worried that a complete break could endanger Erin Sass.
• Greg sent Duke Sass a courteous reply, saying he would consider returning and answer later.
• Greg went outside to enjoy the festival, where Melina appeared and teased him about missing her.

Greg tried to avoid Melina at the festival, but she followed him until he ran into Rom, Colwin, Kaira, and Adele. After Melina left with a cryptic promise that they would meet again soon, Rom reminded Greg that Victoria was missing, and Greg realized he had forgotten his promise to explore the festival with her.

• Greg tried to shake Melina, who followed him and teased him about spending time together.
• Greg encountered Rom, Colwin, Kaira, and Adele, and explained that Melina had been following him.
• Colwin confirmed Melina had acted pushily toward Greg before, prompting her to leave after telling Greg they would meet again soon.
• Rom asked where Victoria was, and Greg remembered he had promised to walk around the festival with her after the Exchange Meeting.