The sky did not split this time.
It opened.
Quietly.
No pressure descended upon the world.
No overwhelming authority.
No suffocating probability.
Instead—
A presence lingered.
Sharp.
Calculating.
Watching.
«[The constellation "Magician Who Denied Mystery" is observing the incarnation "Ethan Vale" with great interest.]
[The constellation "Magician Who Denied Mystery" finds the incarnation's interpretation of "magic" amusing.]
[The constellation "Magician Who Denied Mystery" is intrigued by the contradiction within the incarnation.]»
Han Sooyoung frowned.
"…Why does that already sound annoying?"
Yoo Joonghyuk's hand moved to his sword.
"…This one is different."
Kim Dokja didn't speak.
Because he understood something immediately.
'This constellation isn't here to interfere.'
'It's here to observe.'
And that—
Was worse.
Ethan looked up at the sky.
Eyes shining.
"Whoa… someone's there!"
No fear.
No caution.
Just curiosity.
«[The constellation "Magician Who Denied Mystery" is focusing its gaze on the incarnation "Ethan Vale."]
[The constellation "Magician Who Denied Mystery" questions the definition of "magic" used by the incarnation.]»
Kim Dokja's expression hardened.
'He's being evaluated.'
The system flickered.
Then—
«[The constellation "Magician Who Denied Mystery" has proposed a sponsorship to the incarnation "Ethan Vale."]
[The constellation "Magician Who Denied Mystery" is curious about the outcome of this contract.]»
Han Sooyoung immediately shouted—
"Don't accept that!"
Yoo Joonghyuk followed—
"Refuse."
Kim Dokja stepped forward—
"…Wait."
But Ethan—
Was already raising his hand.
"Okay!"
Bright.
Simple.
Without hesitation.
«[The incarnation "Ethan Vale" has accepted the sponsorship without hesitation.]
[The constellation "Magician Who Denied Mystery" is momentarily amused by the reason for acceptance.]
[The constellation "Magician Who Denied Mystery" did not expect such a simple answer.]»
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Han Sooyoung grabbed her head.
"…Why?!"
Ethan blinked.
"Huh?"
"…Why would you accept that?!"
Ethan smiled.
"Well…"
He pointed upward.
"…He doesn't believe in magic, right?"
A pause.
"…So I'll prove it to him!"
The sky dimmed slightly.
But no power descended.
No blessing.
No overwhelming force.
Only—
Recognition.
«[A sponsorship contract has been established.]
[The constellation "Magician Who Denied Mystery" has become the sponsor of "Ethan Vale."]
[The constellation "Magician Who Denied Mystery" does not provide immediate power.]
[The constellation "Magician Who Denied Mystery" is observing rather than supporting.]»
Kim Dokja's eyes narrowed.
'No stigma.'
'No ability transfer.'
'Nothing.'
'He's not empowering Ethan…'
'He's studying him.'
The air shifted.
Barely noticeable.
But real.
«[A new narrative is being formed around the incarnation "Ethan Vale."]
[The constellation "Magician Who Denied Mystery" is attempting to define the undefined.]
[A new stigma is being registered.]»
Kim Dokja's breath caught.
"…What?"
«[Stigma: Undefined Magic (???) has been registered.]
[The constellation "Magician Who Denied Mystery" seems to be testing whether the concept of "magic" truly exists.]»
"…That's not how stigmas work."
Han Sooyoung muttered.
"…They're given."
"…Not… observed into existence."
Yoo Joonghyuk's gaze sharpened.
"…This is dangerous."
"…You made a mistake."
Yoo Joonghyuk said coldly.
Ethan tilted his head.
"Huh?"
"…You allowed something unknown to connect to you."
"…That's a risk."
Ethan thought for a moment.
Then smiled.
"…It's okay!"
"…I'll just prove him wrong!"
Silence.
AAgain
Kim Dokja looked at Ethan.
Then at the sky.
Then at the system.
'This isn't sponsorship.'
'This is observation disguised as sponsorship.'
A chill ran through him.
'And Ethan… doesn't realize it.'
Nothing happened.
No attack.
No interference.
No punishment.
And that—
Was the problem.
«[The constellation "Magician Who Denied Mystery" is silently anticipating further demonstration.]
[The constellation "Magician Who Denied Mystery" is watching closely.]»
Han Sooyoung sighed.
"…Yeah. This is bad."
Yoo Joonghyuk didn't disagree.
"…If it interferes…"
"…I'll cut it down."
"…Sure," Han Sooyoung muttered. "Go stab the sky again."
Ethan stretched happily.
"I have a sponsor now!"
No fear.
No doubt.
No understanding.
Kim Dokja stared at him.
Long.
Careful.
Calculating.
For the first time—
He wasn't thinking about using Ethan.
He was thinking—
"…What happens when that thing finishes observing you?"
Above them—
Something watched.
Not with malice.
Not with kindness.
But with—
Interest.
«[The constellation "Magician Who Denied Mystery" is quietly observing the continuation of the story.]
[The story is beginning to diverge beyond calculable probability.]»
And for the first time—
The Star Stream did not interfere.