After arriving in Linkon, Rafayel launches the 'Illusion' painting series — pigmented with red coral stone soaked in Lemurian blood — which rapidly makes him an international sensation and auction record-breaker. Information broker Sutherland passes him the tip that MC attends the University of Linkon. Rafayel takes a guest lectureship at the university, series title 'Lost Sea: Lemuria's Art and Civilization,' specifically to be near her. In the campus café he sits behind her and orders the same cake she ordered — confirmed in the Year-3 birthday event as happening because he saw her order first. His class exhibit is painted using spices, encoding his complex grief and anticipation at being close to her again. He carries a photo of her.