《A Fairytale for Wizards》


 CH 1

    Act 1: The Girl and the Wizard


    It is common for people not to remember events from when they were younger, but Azriel Esthera¡¯s childhood memories were crystal clear. She could recall what her mother used to say to her while she was barely learning how to crawl.


    ¡°Twins! How ominous! If only Benhiram was born alone¡­ Why was this thing born?¡±


    The memory of her mother¡¯s eyes, which seemed to convey disgust for the filth clinging to her son, was vivid enough for her to draw them.


    She could also clearly remember the expression her father made when he would kick her.


    ¡°This thing needs to die quickly. You are a parasite sucking up your brother¡¯s luck.¡±


    Azriel had an unnecessarily good memory. In the village in the northern, minor territories where she was born, twins were considered sinister beings who shared one another¡¯s luck. Since she was born after her twin brother, she was considered nothing more than a curse that would bring him misfortune. For that reason, her parents had not even wanted to name her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe in such things.¡±


    Benhiram, her twin, was the only one who was kind to her.


    ¡°You are nothing like a curse,¡± her brother would say, with the same golden eyes and the same black hair as her. ¡°You are my sister¡ªthe sister I should protect. So, I¡¯ll give you a name.¡±


    Then, there was a war. Their village was burned to the ground, and their parents perished. Only the twins survived, and they fled. Even though everyone else had died, Azriel was fine because she was with Benhiram. Her brother was her only family anyway.


    Not too long after, however, he pa*sed as well. The name he had given her also died with him. She was only seven years old and completely alone, roaming around as an orphan without a name.


    She had become accustomed to sleeping in a corner in a back alley when, one day, she suddenly woke up in a huge, soft bed.


    ¡°You are ten years old, Miss. The person who named you appointed us as your guardians.¡±


    A couple with friendly smiles introduced themselves as her new guardians.


    ¡°I am ten¡­ years old? And there is a person who¡­ named me?¡± asked Azriel.


    ¡°Oh my, don¡¯t you remember?¡±


    She could not remember a single thing. Her memories from between ages seven and ten had disappeared. Even though she normally had an unnecessarily clear memory, she could not remember the past three years of her life¡ªas if they had been painted black.


    ¡°You don¡¯t even know your name?¡± the couple asked.


    ¡°My name¡­¡±


    There was only one thing she did remember: a man¡¯s low and soft voice ringing in her ears like a tune.


    ¡°Azriel Esthera,¡± the voice sang as a dazzling and peaceful light covered her, ¡°let this be your name.¡±


    Her new guardians had no knowledge of what transpired during the three, lost years in her memory. They did not answer her no matter how many times she asked. Nevertheless, they were very kind to her. At their mansion, Azriel enjoyed a luxurious life unlike anything she had experienced before, but this lasted for only one year.


    ¡°This child, she must¡¯ve been abandoned for sure.¡±


    The couple was after Azriel¡¯s enormous wealth. She was only 11 and unable to protect herself from her guardians who were blinded by greed. Despite the various safeguards that had been put in place to protect her, it did not take long for the couple to take over her wealth and sell her into slavery.


    As a slave, Azriel was sold and traded to and fro. The top of her foot was branded by fire. She tried to run several times, only to be caught and whipped. Around the time she learned to give up, a merchant purchased her. He noticed that her appearance was quite outstanding, so he washed and dressed her well and taught her basic etiquette. Then he sold her to the family of Count Colte in the Kingdom of Aucandor to be used as a whipping child. She was 12 at the time.


    When a child of high esteem would misbehave or neglect his studies, a whipping child would be subjected to receive whippings in his place. Royalty normally selected whipping children from the aristocracy while ordinary aristocratic families used commoners or slaves.


    Count Colte had a daughter around Azriel¡¯s age whom he bought her for. His daughter, Deborah Colte, was a beautiful girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, but she was stupid and arrogant. She would sleep during her lessons, neglect her work, and mock and insult her tutors. Sometimes, she would even throw her ink bottle at them. Not a single tutor lasted more than half a year with the Colte family.


    The Count¡¯s cherished daughter took her whipping child for granted, though she would feel embarra*sed whenever the girl was shown to others. The scars on her whipping child exposed evidence of her stupidity and laziness, so Deborah started to work a little harder than before and ordered them not to beat her whipping child on her face, arms, and legs¡ªany place that would be visible to others.


    Nonetheless, not a day would pa*s without red welts and bruises covering the skin of Azriel¡¯s back beneath her shirt. She was forced to endure and hide her pain since Deborah would starve her if she displayed her suffering because it would embarra*s her. Whenever she was in pain, Azriel would turn to her thoughts.


    ¡®The person who named me will come to find me someday,¡¯ she believed. ¡®He must be a very strong and tender person. He must have been upset that I lost my memory and left for a little while. He didn¡¯t abandon me. He should be worried sick about me and might even be anxiously looking for me by now. He will find me and rescue me from here.¡¯


    Those were difficult days. Every time Deborah had a cla*s, Azriel was whipped. Other times, she was made to run small errands and do chores. She had become a whipping child with slave origins whose hands were always rough and back constantly coarse with scars. Four years pa*sed like that. The once enduring feeling of being someday saved by the light slowly faded. Nobody came to rescue the girl.


    In the spring of the Iskam Calendar year 996, the girl turned 16. She had long abandoned her faith by then, but the hope she had let go of came true in a way different from what she had ever imagined.

 CH 2

    The day had been awful since the morning. It was common for Deborah to neglect her homework or insult her tutor, but the tutor¡¯s anger was excessive today. Azriel¡¯s back was covered in blood from having been whipped over 30 times that day. Even after all the beatings, the tutor was still furious and left, fuming.


    ¡°Don¡¯t pretend it hurts,¡± Deborah said, slapping Azriel¡¯s face as Azriel staggered.


    ¡°Are you going to embarra*s me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, My Lady,¡± Azriel answered.


    ¡°¡­You are such a shame.¡±


    Deborah glared at her in dissatisfaction and left the room.


    Azriel then organized Deborah¡¯s books and writing supplies before returning to her own room, which was a space in the corner of a liquor cellar divided from the rest of the basement by a plank. It was always dark, damp, cold, and filled with dirt. To Azriel¡ªwhose body was already weak from constant whippings, starvation, and abuse¡ªit was an extremely harmful environment.


    She coughed incessantly as she opened a rusty bottle. The smell of cheap ointment filled the small space. Given that it was such a crude ointment, it did not have much of an effect on her wounds, but it was better than nothing. Azriel undid her shirt and rubbed the ointment on her back, already accustomed to putting it on spots that were normally hard to reach.


    As she dexterously treated her back, she focused her ears on the sounds coming from the ceiling. Above her room was the hallway between the kitchen and the pantry.


    ¡°Quick, move faster! Do you understand who¡¯s visiting tomorrow? If he doesn¡¯t like you, all of you might turn into frogs!¡±


    She could clearly hear the head maid¡¯s loud voice. The other maids giggled as they busily carried on with their tasks. Azriel had heard about the guest who would be visiting the castle tomorrow. They said that a great wizard from the capital was coming.


    In legends and tales of history past, wizards were described as being able to call down lightning, split the ground, turn the tide of war, and even fight dragons. Such stories were fairy tales now. Most wizards these days were more similar in ability to healers or craftsmen¡ªtreated with higher regard, of course. Even petty wizards were capable of ¡®communicating¡¯. Wizards had the unique ability to send and receive messages to and from one another regardless of the distance between them. Delivering information through the wizards¡¯ communication system was so important to the foundation of the nation that it was directly managed by the kingdom.


    The wizard who would be visiting the castle tomorrow was rumored to be in an entirely different cla*s from other wizards. He was closer in ability to the wizards of legend than the ordinary wizards found in every village. Someone like him did not normally visit the countryside, but he must have been coming to investigate the ruins that were recently discovered on the Colte estate.


    ¡°What?¡± yelled the head maid. ¡°Did we run out of butter? What on earth were you doing instead of checking on such basic things?! Maylie, go buy some butter, quickly!¡±


    ¡°Head Maid, you sent Maylie to organize the parlor because they were short-handed.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right. Then, who else is left?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯d all be short-handed even if we had four hands. Oh, isn¡¯t Lady Deborah¡¯s cla*s over? I saw Tutor Carter¡¯s carriage leaving!¡±


    ¡°Look at the time!¡± the head maid screamed in irritation. ¡°It must have ended a while ago already. Where is that d*mn little girl Azriel idling around at?¡±


    Startled, Azriel sprang up from her bed. She hastily rubbed the rest of the ointment off her fingers and onto her apron as she ran. Hearing the head maid¡¯s steps thumping above her head, she raced up the stairs.


    ¡°Head Maid,¡± she called, ¡°were you looking for me?¡±


    ¡°You!¡± the heavy-framed head maid frowned at the thin girl at the end of the stairs. ¡°You were messing around again!¡±


    Azriel hurriedly bowed.


    ¡°The count took in a slave girl like you, fed you, raised you, and even made you a commoner, yet you don¡¯t know how to be grateful, do you? You can¡¯t do anything right except look for a chance to loaf around!¡±


    ¡°No, I was just putting some ointment on my back¡­¡±


    ¡°What kind of excuse is that?¡± the head maid ground her knuckles against Azriel¡¯s head. ¡°Don¡¯t whine about getting whipped a few times, you sloppy girl!¡±


    Azriel relented and shut her mouth. No matter what she said, the head maid would only grow angrier. As the head maid had said, Azriel was no longer a slave, though not because the Count had been merciful. The King of Aucandor had pushed to abolish slavery. When that happened, Count Colte destroyed Azriel¡¯s slave certificate with displeasure. He then instead made a contract of indentured servitude after increasing her ransom dozens of times.


    ¡°You should pay back the money I paid to buy you, don¡¯t you think? The extra is interest.¡±


    Azriel¡¯s debt amounted to a million pels. Since her wage as a commoner was only 500 pels a month, that meant she needed to work for 167 years to pay off her debt. It was never meant to be paid off. Count Colte even said that he would sooner deduct her wages than pay her anything. He had no intention of letting her go or even paying her properly. This kind of practice was now commonplace in Aucandor following the abolishment of slavery.


    The brand on Azriel¡¯s foot, however, still remained. Though she was now a commoner on paper, the mark would not disappear, both from reality and from people¡¯s knowledge.


    All the servants employed by the Colte estate were either other nobles or commoners from the village. Azriel, on the other hand, was a slave who did nothing but dress in finery and stand in the young lady¡¯s room while she was in cla*s and the others were working hard. As a result, she was bound to be hated. Since Deborah forbade her from showing her wounds in front of others, few people knew the extent of Azriel¡¯s beatings. Without any apparent injuries, she was undoubtedly detested by others.


    The head maid especially hated Azriel.


    ¡°Go buy three blocks of butter now, and don¡¯t even think about stealing a single dime, or you will be punished without mercy!¡±

 CH 3

    The head maid warned Azriel as she handed over several silver coins. Azriel placed them in the pocket of her apron and left the estate. She knew that she would be scolded for her laziness if she were to come back even a little late. Hastily, she crossed the garden and headed toward the rear gate.


    ¡°Where are you going in such a hurry?¡±


    A man with dull blonde hair appeared from the drill hall and called to her. As soon as he saw her, he put on a peculiar smile and approached her.


    Azriel quickly lowered her head, ¡°I¡¯m going to the market for an errand, Young Master.¡±


    The man was Count Colte¡¯s heir and Deborah¡¯s only brother, Damon Colte. He scrutinized Azriel¡¯s body with glistening eyes. Though she was thin and small, her sixteen-year-old body was maturing, and smooth curves were beginning to develop. Upon closer examination, he saw that her face was unbelievably beautiful¡ªeven more so than his sister who was said to be the prettiest in the land. Deborah also treated Azriel harshly for this reason and frequently slapped her across the face. It annoyed her to know that her whipping child had an unnecessarily pretty face.


    ¡®She will be a stunning beauty if she dresses up properly and ages a little more,¡¯ Damon smiled, smacking his lips.


    ¡°If you earn my favor, you won¡¯t have to do such things. Why don¡¯t you serve me while I take my bath?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but this is an urgent errand.¡±


    ¡°Is that more urgent than me?¡±


    Azriel took a step back and dodged Damon¡¯s approaching hand, causing him to frown. She politely bade him farewell while grabbing the hem of her skirt.


    ¡°It¡¯s a matter of urgency. I believe the generous Young Master would understand.¡±


    As she quickly made her way to the rear gate, she could feel Damon¡¯s sticky gaze on her back, which still ached from her burning wounds. His gaze stopped only when she was completely out of the castle. She coughed in nervousness and pressed her chest to swallow her cough. Her uneasy heart beat palpably under her hands. Damon¡¯s attitude towards her was becoming more unusual as the days went by, and she knew exactly what it meant. How long could an orphan girl of slave origin avoid the young master¡¯s touch?


    ¡®I need to run away.¡¯


    But how? And to where? Though slavery had been abolished two years ago, a girl with no guardian and bearing a brand was bound to be in danger anywhere she went. She had learned this reality as a slave. In fact, Azriel had been rather lucky. At least she had not been sold to the nobles as a nightly toy.


    People could not be trusted without caution, either. There were not many who would do favors for a girl without any power or guardians to protect her for no reason. She had realized this when she was sold by the very guardians who had once smiled at her and told her to consider them her parents.


    ¡®But I can¡¯t stay here forever.¡¯


    Even more dreadful events might await her even if she did manage to escape. She could very well end up regretting her decision and telling herself she was better off withstanding life with the Colte family. Knowing what could happen to someone who was left alone in the world made her even more scared and fearful. Nevertheless, she had been preparing to run away, ever since she abandoned hope that the one who had named her ¡®Azriel Esthera¡¯ would come to save her. Hidden inside a stack of straw and covered by a worn-out blanket in her room were dirty coins she had been persistently collecting for the past two years. Saving money was very difficult for someone like her¡ªan underage girl with no wages. Even so, she had managed to collect quite a decent amount so far, but she still needed to save more until she had enough to run away and settle in another territory.


    Once she arrived at the market, she bought three blocks of butter as the head maid ordered. While pocketing the change, she checked the clock hanging on the wall of the general store. Since she had been hasty, there was still some time left.


    ¡®I can stop by the bookstore. I hope there¡¯s a job for me.¡¯


    While clutching the paper bag containing the butter, she slipped into an alley deeper in the market. A bookstore with a rusty sign sitting in a secluded spot came into view. At the entrance, old books were piled up precariously high as if they would fall at any moment.


    ¡°Welcome, Azriel,¡± an old, bespectacled man greeted her as she pa*sed through the piles of books.


    ¡°Hello, Grandpa Warden.¡±


    ¡°You are just in time. I have a job for you.¡±


    A smile appeared on his wrinkled mouth as Warden handed her a package and an old book. Azriel received the items with a beam.


    ¡°I just need to write it in Limble again, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Bring it back when you¡¯re done. I¡¯ll give you five silver coins in exchange.¡±


    Limble was the most widely used written language in the continent and generally used by commoners. People of higher rank usually used Lemm, an older form, rather than Limble. Lemm was also used for official doc*ments within the kingdom and as a general text to communicate between two countries that spoke different languages. For that reason, precious books tended to be written in Lemm instead of Limble.


    Azriel had been saving the money she earned from translating texts from Lemm into Limble. Since not many people knew Lemm, it was a fair-paying job. Five silver coins per book was about the same as the monthly wage set by Count Colte. Under normal circ*mstances, her wages should have been at least a hundred silver coins, but there was no way Count Colte would ever pay her that much.

 CH 4

    ¡°I will bring it back within a week.¡±


    ¡°That soon?¡¯


    ¡°It¡¯s not even that thick,¡± Azriel said plainly as she eyed the book in her hand.


    ¡°How incredible,¡± Warden admired her softly. ¡°I¡¯ve been seeing you for a while, but I still can¡¯t believe it. For God¡¯s sake, where did you learn Lemm?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ Frankly, I¡¯m not sure.¡±


    ¡°You say that every time. Psshh. Just say you don¡¯t want to tell me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s true. I have been able to read it for some time.¡±


    ¡°Huh. It¡¯s not a language that anyone can learn so easily. I just can¡¯t wrap my head around the fact that a young woman like you¡ªwho is neither a wizard nor an aristocrat¡ªknows it.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± she smiled vaguely. ¡°Amazing, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Lemm was a complex language that was difficult to learn. It had existed since ancient times¡ªeven before Iskam the Great. It was nearly extinct as a spoken language, which made it even harder to learn. Only the written form remained in use today. Even Count Colte, an aristocrat, could only stumble through it with the help of a dictionary by his side. The Countess and Damon barely managed to memorize its alphabet. As for Deborah, she had already given up on learning Lemm. Azriel, on the other hand, had been able to read Lemm since she was young. Not only could she read it but she could also use it as freely as Limble. To be more precise, she realized she had suddenly become fluent when she was ten.


    ¡®Since I didn¡¯t even know how to read Limble when I was young, I probably mastered it during the three years that I can¡¯t recall. What in the world happened to me?¡¯


    She then wondered why she could not remember the process of learning Lemm when she could read the text so vividly. She sighed softly. The mystery perplexed her, but she was not idle enough to ponder over it too deeply. Azriel put an end to her wandering thoughts and hid the book and package well in the inner pocket in the lining of her apron.


    ¡°I should go now. Thank you so much, Grandpa Warden.¡±


    ¡°I should be the one thanking you. Be careful on your way back.¡±


    She closed the door behind her as she slid back through the piles of books. Though she had been looking down at her feet as she left, she looked up in response to a weird feeling that had overcome her and met someone¡¯s eyes between the pillars of books who stood taller than her.


    They belonged to a pale man. His long, flowing, silver hair gleamed even in the shade of the alley. Pale skin, tall height, and grey eyes that resembled a cloudy sky¡­ The white robe that covered his entire body was free of any dirt, let alone stains.


    His image did not blend in at all with the unkempt surroundings. He seemed as if he had been taken out of a watercolor illustration in one of Deborah¡¯s fairytale books and dropped into the alley. The stark contrast between him and the environment around him was heightened even more by his beautiful face, which seemed to be perfect in every way. He almost looked as if he was in a separate world even though they shared the same space. Suddenly, Azriel felt her skin crawl. She reflexively stepped back, and her body swayed as her knee caught on a pile of books.


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    As she fell backward, the many, precariously piled books collapsed in a row, making a loud noise. Luckily, she had not been hurt because much of the weight had been supported by other, nearby books, but she was still in horrible pain. The books were pressed against her wounded back, which had not yet healed since the morning. The pain was so great that she could not even utter a groan.


    ¡°What¡¯s happen¡­ My goodness!¡±


    Warden, who had rushed out after hearing the commotion, was surprised by the mess. He reached a hand out to help Azriel up as she struggled.


    ¡°Are you not hurt?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m alright, but it¡¯s my fault that your books¡­¡±


    ¡°Books, I can pile them up again, but how did you fall like this?¡±


    ¡°Over there¡­¡± Azriel began as she lifted her head, but soon she fell speechless. The space where the pale man had been standing was empty. Nothing was there. He had been right there for certain. Was it all her imagination?


    ¡°Over there?¡± Warden repeated.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing. I must have been mistaken.¡±


    While shaking her head, she picked up the bag of butter, which had been rolling on the ground. When she looked inside, she saw that the butter was slightly crushed. She automatically sighed when she thought about how the head maid would be furious with her.


    ¡°How stressed you must have been to hallucinate something,¡± Warden clicked his tongue as he patted Azriel¡¯s shoulder. Her bony and feeble shoulder was pitiable. ¡°Be careful.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Azriel nodded with a smile as she began to pick up the fallen books. ¡°I will.¡±


    As soon as she started to stack the books again, the old man waved her off.


    ¡°You¡¯re running an errand, right? I know you are busy. You can get back on your way.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the one responsible for this mess. I have this much time.¡±


    ¡°I was going to reorganize them, anyway. I can take this chance to sort them out. Go on, quickly.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say anymore but go now little girl, or you will get scolded more.¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry, Grandpa Warden.¡±


    ¡°No problem.¡±


    Azriel said her goodbyes to Warden as he waved her off and left the bookstore. Her back was still aching, but she could endure it.


    ¡®Oh, I¡¯m late. I¡¯m in trouble.¡¯


    As she scurried to turn a corner, her feet stumbled over a stone jutting out from the pavement. Her body tumbled forward as the sole of her ragged shoe snagged and ripped on the stone. With both her hands occupied with the bag of butter, she could not stretch them out to brace herself. Thinking that it was indeed a bad day, she shut her eyes. At that moment, a light and soft breeze brushed past her and tickled her cheek. Her body paused mid-fall. Then, a pair of arms approached her from behind and grabbed her waist, picking her up. They withdrew once she was righted. A scent akin to birch hovered around the tip of her nose. Azriel blankly looked back.


    ¡®I wasn¡¯t mistaken for sure.¡¯


    The pale man she had seen before was standing right behind her. He was so tall that Azriel had to tilt her head back to gaze up at him.

 CH 5

    The man saw his shadow cast over her and took a couple steps back. The sense of difference between them faded to an extent.


    ¡°Th-thank you.¡±


    He stared at Azriel as she hesitated and thanked him. Then, his grey eyes, which resembled gla*s beads, roamed downward. They paused on the hem of her apron, which was worn out despite having been washed clean. His gaze traveled to her thin legs and the frayed soles of her shoes. His eyes shook slightly.


    ¡°Why are you living like this?¡±


    His voice was deep and slow. She felt like she had heard it before. Azriel was distracted by his voice and belatedly realized that he was asking her something.


    ¡°Pardon me? What did you say?¡±¡±


    ¡°Why are you living like this?¡±


    He could have been sarcastic, but it did not feel that way. His tone was dry, as if he was reading from a printed text. Azriel looked at him and blinked.


    ¡°Do you know me?¡±


    The man shut his mouth. After a short silence, he slowly answered her, ¡°I¡¯m not supposed to, but I do.¡±


    She could not understand him and slightly knitted her brow, ¡°Do you know me or not? Who are you?¡±


    ¡°I am Rhema Resh*th.¡±


    ¡°Are you a wizard, by any chance?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Bewitched by his strange aura, she did not quite notice until now that what the man was wearing was similar to the kinds of robes wizards normally wore. She had not heard of any new wizard moving into town.


    ¡®Oh, could he be the great wizard visiting from the capital?¡¯


    Azriel lowered her eyes to hide her surprise, ¡°You must be the one coming from Modjankle. Excuse me.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t come from there.¡±


    ¡°What? Then¡­¡±


    ¡°Can I fix the shoes?¡±


    She looked down at her feet in response to his sudden question. Her soles had nearly been torn half off after tripping on that stone.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t allow me, then I can¡¯t do it. Give me permission.¡±


    ¡°P-permit what?¡±


    ¡°Can I fix your shoes?¡±


    ¡°My shoes? I¡¯m grateful for your kindness, but I¡¯m in a hurry now¡ªyikes!¡± Azriel began to answer him in confusion before interrupting herself with a shriek.


    She was about to express her gratitude for his kindness when he bent his waist and grabbed her foot, lifting it and causing her body to lean back. At the same time, she could feel something soft touching her hips and giving her something to sit against. When she turned back to check what she was sitting on, she almost hiccupped. Her seat was just empty air. She felt as if she were sitting on a fluffy cushion, but nothing was visible.


    Clutching her bag of butter nearly to the point of crushing it, she barely managed to avert her eyes from the strange sight and focus on her foot. The man casually knelt on the ground before her, supporting her foot with his hands. The robe, which was so white she felt scared to touch it, covered the dirty ground of the alley.


    ¡°Resh*th,¡± he whispered a spell and brushed the ripped sole with his fingers. Wherever his fingers touched, her shoe was repaired until it looked like new.


    Azriel watched the scene with wide eyes, astonished to the point of speechlessness. She was more surprised by his attitude¡ªthe way he knelt and held her shoe in his hands¡ªthan the actual magic fixing her shoes. Instead of forming coherent speech, she felt like she was going to cough. When her shoes were neat and proper again, the man was about to let her foot down but flinched and stopped. Just over the top of the leather covering her foot was the slightly visible brand burned into her skin. His eyes briefly narrowed. Realizing that he was looking at the edge of her brand, she hurriedly withdrew her foot and stood. She did not want a stranger to find out that she had been a slave.


    ¡°Th-thank you for your help!¡± she bowed her head as she hurriedly escaped the alley.


    The man stood and watched as she departed. There was no expression on his face.


    ***


    Azriel had been starving since lunch. The head maid was in a rage over the crushed butter in addition to the fact that Azriel had returned late. She was even short a few coins of change which must have fallen out of her apron when she fell. Her punishment this time was merely a skipped meal since they were too busy with preparing for the arrival of the wizard from the capital, else the head maid would have grabbed her by the hair.


    ¡°You are in charge of water today,¡± The head maid screamed, frustrated that she did not have the time to beat Azriel because of how busy she was. ¡°Do it all alone!¡±


    The water facilities supplying Colte Castle were dedicated only for use by the Colte family and guests. Water that the servants used had to be carried from a pump located in a far corner of the yard. For one person, it was a nearly impossible job, but she had to do it. Azriel¡¯s body was weak, and she could only carry so much water at once. There would not be enough water¡ªeven if she continuously carried bucket after bucket without a break.


    Sure enough, busy servants expressed their annoyance at her whenever they saw the water pail empty. She could see red marks on her hands from having to grab the handle of the bucket so often. Her legs started to shake from having to continuously go back and forth between the pump and the water pail on an empty stomach. The wounds on her back were burning as well.


    ¡®This is the worst day.¡¯


    She was pumping water with trembling hands when another coughing fit broke out. As she hunched her body and coughed, she accidentally pushed the water bucket. It was about to spill over when pale hands reached out to steady it. Though her eyes were watery from all the coughing, she thought they were beautiful. They were noble and graceful hands, as if they had never experienced any hard labor.


    ¡°Are you not feeling well?¡± the owner of the hands spoke as he set down the bucket. ¡°You can¡¯t stop coughing.¡±


    It was the strange wizard from the alley she had fled from earlier. Frightened, Azriel rubbed her eyes and checked again to see if he was indeed standing there. She was not mistaken. Moreover, his appearance could in no way be mistaken with someone else¡¯s.


    ¡°You¡ªcough¡ªyou¡ªcough, cough¡­¡± she wanted to ask why he was here but could not speak amidst all her coughing.


    Slowly, Azriel stepped back, still coughing. The man gazing vacantly at her wore the same white robes as before. Even though he had knelt on the ground of that filthy alley, there was not a single spot marring his clothes. He was indeed a mysterious man, appearing out of nowhere without a trace or even a sound.


    ¡°Do you want to stop coughing?¡± the man abruptly asked.


    Who wanted to cough? Every time she did, it was hard for her to breathe, and her chest was sore. Instead of answering him, she nodded amidst her coughs. The man then approached her in two strides and bent his waist forward, reaching his hand out toward her. Pale hands with long fingers neared her, as if they were about to grab her neck.

 CH 6

    ¡°¡­!¡±


    Startled, Azriel was about to dodge him, but he grabbed her shoulders to prevent her from doing so. His hands felt chilly as they wrapped around her neck. A strange sensation emanated from his cool touch and permeated her body.


    ¡°¡­Wait?¡±


    ¡°You are fine now.¡±


    When he removed his hands, her coughs stopped completely, as if they had never existed. The congestion inside her lungs had been cleansed as well. Azriel brushed her chest, which felt refreshed.


    ¡®I guess this kind of a thing can be healed with magic too, but he didn¡¯t make an incantation¡­ Did I miss it?¡¯


    She was not a wizard, but she knew that wizards made incarnations when they used magic. It was common sense.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Azriel looked up at the man as she caught her breath. ¡°I received your help again.¡±


    Since she had been helped by him twice already, she needed to pay him back somehow, regardless of his mysterious identity. She had no idea why he was helping her, however.


    The man quietly asked Azriel, who was wavering, ¡°Why are you doing this job?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because this is my job. But, Mr. Wizard, um¡­ what was your name?¡±


    ¡°I am Rhema Reshith.¡±


    ¡°Oh, okay. I am Azriel. Well, by the way, how did you get here, Reshith? I didn¡¯t hear that we have a guest coming.¡±


    ¡°Please call me Rhema, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s¡­ How can I dare to call a wizard by his name?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel comfortable being called Reshith by you,¡± the man frowned slightly. An emotion close to displeasure or shame flashed across his face, causing Azriel to be taken aback. ¡°Rhema will suffice.¡±


    ¡®He must not like being called by his last name. I read that a wizard¡¯s surname is not their real name but actually a magical name¡ªa spell¡­ Oh, perhaps he doesn¡¯t want other people to utter his spell.¡¯


    ¡°Then, Mr. Rhema¡­¡±


    ¡°I told you,¡± he seemed stubborn, though his manner of speaking was calm, ¡°Rhema will suffice.¡±


    ¡®I can see why all wizards are said to be ill-tempered¡­¡¯


    Azriel changed the subject as she could not get used to calling a strange wizard by his first name, ¡°Well, umm, if you don¡¯t mind me asking, why are you here? If you are lost, by any chance, I can guide you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not lost. I just came to give you this.¡±


    Rhema held a well-packaged box out towards her.


    Even before she took it, Azriel realized what it was. The gold-plated marking at the edge of the box looked familiar. It was the same logo bearing the name of the shop that Deborah¡¯s cherished dress shoes had been purchased from. She wore those only on special occasions. Noble children around Deborah¡¯s age would brag about having such shoes and how they were from a famous boutique in Modjankle, the capital of Aucandor. Azriel found it hard to associate herself with something so precious.


    ¡°This is¡­ for me?¡±


    ¡°Your shoes seem very old,¡± Rhema spoke calmly and handed over the box to a dumbfounded Azriel. Then he agnonized for a while before asking another question, ¡°You said this is your job. Did you choose it on your own?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t choose to do this, but this is what I have to do. But, Mr. Rhema, this is too much. Why would you¡­?¡±


    ¡°Azriel! Where are you slacking off again?¡±


    The head maid¡¯s sharp voice echoed through the yard. Startled, Azriel pushed the box back toward Rhema and picked up the bucket. It was empty. She would be met with curses if she came back with an empty bucket.


    ¡°I¡¯m drawing water, Head Maid!¡± Azriel hastily grabbed the pump handle and raised her voice in response. ¡°I¡¯ll be there soon!¡±


    ¡°Did you make a new pump to draw from?¡± the head maid¡¯s frantic voice was drawing closer. ¡°You must have been dozing off, you shrewd girl! You won¡¯t have dinner tonight, either!¡±


    Watching the girl turn pale as she rushed to the pump, Rhema murmured a question, ¡°Would killing that woman interfering with your life be without permission?¡±


    His words were drowned out by the sound of pumping and bucket sloshing with water.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Azriel asked. ¡°I didn¡¯t hear you because of the water.¡±


    ¡°¡­Never mind. That was a question I already had an answer to.¡±


    Hazy agitation spread like a ripple across his steady face. Then, Rhema muttered to himself as he rubbed his face. He seemed slightly embarrassed.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve felt regret over doing something.¡±


    His disconcerted face made him look like a common person. Azriel stopped pumping and stared at him. There was a sense of deja vu. She seemed to have seen this person and this expression before. When was it¡­?


    ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there gawking! I knew it!¡±


    The head maid came around a hedge and arrived at the pump in a fury. Azriel was horrified at the sight of her and looked back at Rhema. There was no one standing where he had been. He had vanished like an illusion. Instead of a wizard, the package from before was left on the ground in his place.


    ¡®Where did he vanish to? Is this magic? I read that teleportation magic has been long gone for a while now, so how¡­?¡¯


    She had learned about the existence of teleportation magic from a book she had translated into Limble before. It was one of the types of magic that had disappeared during the fall of an older culture. There was little probability she was mistaken since she remembered almost everything she had seen before.


    The head maid¡¯s huge hand struck the stunned girl¡¯s head. Azriel flinched and hardly had the chance to scream.


    ¡°You! You don¡¯t even pretend to work hard in front of me, now. Why do you even continue to live?¡± said the head maid.


    Expecting to be hit again, Azriel shut her eyes, but she was met with silence. Slowly, she opened her eyes.


    ¡°Head Maid?¡±


    The head maid¡¯s arm was raised, but her body was stiff.

 CH 7

    The head maid¡¯s eyes were wide and looking through the air instead of at Azriel. Her face then gradually turned pale, as if she were witnessing something horrific.


    ¡°Head Maid, what¡¯s wrong¡­?¡± Azriel, shocked, tugged at the head maid¡¯s collar.


    At that moment, the head maid trembled as if she had been struck by lightning before sinking to the ground and crawling backward on all fours.


    ¡°Uh, oh, oh, arrgghh!!¡±


    She hurried to her feet and darted off, screaming.


    Azriel stood lost in wonder as she watched the head maid disappear with a glimmer. She examined the space the head maid had been staring at, but nothing was visible to her eyes. All she could see was a bucket filled with some water and a box laying neatly on the ground.


    ¡°¡­No way.¡±


    She carefully picked up the box. The silk ribbon wrapped around it had been tied into an intricate, floral shape that felt too precious to untie. Her fingertips fidgeted with the edge of the ribbon as she glanced at her surroundings.


    ¡°Mr. Wizard? Where are you?¡±


    There was silence. The pale wizard did not materialize.


    ¡°Reshith¡­ No, Mr. Rhema? Did you happen to do something just now, by any chance?¡±


    Knowing how stupid she might have looked, she still posed her question to the empty air. She waited for a while but received no answer. The only sounds she heard were the wind rustling the leaves and the commotion of people coming and going from the direction of the castle. She felt like she had been dreaming. Had it not been for the box in her arms, she would have questioned whether she had dozed off while standing.


    Looking down at the fancy box in confusion, she wondered, ¡®He gave this to me? Why?¡¯


    She felt uneasy and leery, but she could not just leave it there. Finally, she resolved to take the box to her room later and resumed her water-carrying duties.


    *


    Rhema Reshith stood before the head maid¡¯s body and coldly looked down at the corpse lying at his feet. It had been a long time since he killed someone who was not a wizard.


    ¡®How dare you,¡¯ he thought.


    He did not regret his actions. In fact, they even felt inadequate.


    ¡®How dare she curse her? How dare she lay a hand on her? How dare she, how dare she!¡¯


    Such words filled his mind. With a gesture of his hand, the wizard turned the head maid¡¯s corpse into dust that dissipated as it blew in the wind. Though he was watching the dust that had been a breathing being not too long ago, his mind was preoccupied with other thoughts.


    The frayed shoes with soles that had fallen half off, foot with a mark burnt onto it, scarred legs that were so thin they looked easily breakable, a worn-out skirt, chapped lips and hands, large and sunken eyes that looked exhausted¡ªyes, those exhausted, golden eyes¡­


    ¡®I didn¡¯t leave hoping she would live like that.¡¯


    Something stirred in his barren heart. He could not describe the emotion he was experiencing and merely continued to repeat his previous words like a parrot.


    ¡®I thought you¡¯d be happy. I just wanted you to enjoy an abundant and happy life just like other people¡­¡¯


    He rubbed his face, which had become twisted. Then he rubbed his face once more. Something was surging up within him with no intention of calming down. Rarely did his tranquility break, and since it happened so infrequently, he did not know what to do. The more he contemplated the situation, the greater the jarring feeling inside of him grew. Perhaps that feeling had dampened when he had made excuses to himself by saying he would just come to check on how she had been living¡ªonly for a brief moment. Or maybe things had already started going wrong when he decided to leave her.


    ¡®If you are not happy when I¡¯m gone, then I¡¯d rather be around¡­¡¯


    No, that should not have been the case. He knew full well that he would make her unhappy¡ªeven more so than now. However, he did not want to leave her in this state. The wizard gently closed his eyes.


    *


    Preparations for the guest were not finished until late that night.


    ¡°Azriel! Azriel! Are you there?¡±


    Azriel had been staring intently at the box that she had yet to unwrap but rushed to hide it in response to the voice calling her from outside.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she answered. ¡°I¡¯m here. Come inside.¡±


    ¡°Hehe,¡± Maylie giggled as she slipped in through the door. She was a kind-looking maid with curly, red hair and Azriel¡¯s only friend. Hiding something behind her back, she shrugged.


    ¡°Guess what I brought you.¡±


    ¡°Let me see¡­ I smell something sweet,¡± observed Azriel.


    ¡°Look!¡±


    With a broad smile, Maylie held out what she had been hiding. In her hand and wrapped in paper was a round chocolate pie the size of her palm. A cherry laid adorably atop the center of it. Azriel¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this a dessert for guests?¡±


    ¡°Yeah! It got a little crushed here, so the chef gave it to me since it can¡¯t be served anymore. I brought it to share with you.¡±


    This was a precious dessert that was difficult for mere maids to get their hands on, yet Maylie had thought to sneak it into Azriel¡¯s room to share with her. Touched by her thoughtfulness, Azriel felt as if she was already tasting the sweetness of the pie on her tongue¡ªeven more so since her day had been exceptionally tough.


    Azriel smiled and shook her head, ¡°You can have it all. I¡¯m alright. I don¡¯t like pies anyway, and I know you love them.¡±


    ¡°I know you like chocolate! Let¡¯s eat together, please? And look here, I brought this, too. You didn¡¯t have dinner, did you?¡±


    Maylie took a loaf of bread from the basket hanging on her arm and placed it in Azriel¡¯s hand in one motion. It smelled sweet.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have dinner, did you?¡±


    Azriel remembered how her brother used to say that to her before handing her a piece of bread when they were younger. Her voice cracked as she looked steadily down at the bread.


    ¡°Thank you so much.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± Maylie replied.


    Maylie sat down next to Azriel and laughed. They had not always been friends since the beginning. When they had first met, Maylie was reluctant to get close to her. Although she did not pick on her as the other servants did, she would still avoid her. Azriel¡¯s particularly pale skin was a trait unique to the ethnic peoples living in the north, so her appearance was awkward here. Maylie had also never seen anyone with golden eyes before, and they looked strange to her. Additionally, she had not been too keen on the fact that Azriel, a slave, was dressed in better clothes than the other maids.


    Then, one day, a pair of earrings that Countess Colte treasured disappeared. Maylie had been the last person to exit her dressing room, so she was suspected to be the thief. Not only was she about to be thrown out of the estate but she would also have been indebted for the price of the earrings.

 CH 8

    Nobody believed in Maylie¡¯s innocence except Azriel, who came forward at that moment and spoke up.


    ¡°It must be Lady Deborah who borrowed those earrings. They should be in her jewelry box.¡±


    And just as she had said, the earrings were found in Deborah¡¯s possession. She had not meant to steal them, but she had forgotten to return them after borrowing and wearing them for a day without her mother¡¯s consent. Of course, Deborah did not admit her fault. She insisted on her innocence in front of her mother.


    The Countess chose to punish Azriel instead of revealing her daughter¡¯s fault before all servants.


    ¡°Come to think of it, you must¡¯ve stolen them and hidden them in my daughter¡¯s jewelry box when things got out of hand!¡±


    The Countess was aware that Azriel did not steal them, but the truth was meaningless to her. Azriel was whipped severely and locked in the castle¡¯s dungeon for a month as punishment. The other servants believed the lie that Azriel had stolen the earrings. Others shut their mouths even after knowing the truth for fear of reprisal. Those individuals were the ones who spoke ill of Azriel and swayed the general opinion of her.


    ¡°She was only punished that much for stealing Madam¡¯s item,¡± the servants and maids would gossip. ¡°Why is that slave favored so much?¡±


    Maylie, who had barely managed to escape her false charges, found the atmosphere very peculiar. She snuck into the dungeon to visit Azriel and thank her.


    ¡°Why does everyone think you are responsible for it?¡± she asked. ¡°Madam punished you to cover Lady Deborah¡¯s fault!¡±


    ¡°It is convenient for them to believe that,¡± replied Azriel.


    ¡°Convenient? What is?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s more comforting to believe that a slave girl has misbehaved rather than think that the madam they had been serving would unjustly accuse someone or to admit that they turned a blind eye to the injustice out of fear when they knew the truth.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying that they believe her because they feel more at ease believing you¡¯re the thief? That¡¯s nonsense! What makes it so convenient for them?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just easy for them to feel that way because I¡¯m already someone detestable.¡±


    Azriel had been 14 then. Maylie could not believe how calmly she was speaking despite her age. She gazed at the girl crouching beyond the bars.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s unfair?¡± she asked.


    ¡°It is unfair.¡±


    ¡°But how can you be so calm?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not calm. I cried.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t just cry about it! upset, instead! Tell everyone not to do that!¡±


    ¡°A slave like me?¡±


    Slaves were not considered human. There had been disputes in the capital over continuing the practice of slavery, but at the time it was still largely in practice. Maylie also had held a vague belief that slaves were different beings until she encountered one who helped her to this extent. She was at a loss for words. After agonizing over the situation, she asked Azriel another question.


    ¡°Th¡­ Then, why don¡¯t you try not to be hated by others?¡±


    ¡°How?¡± asked Azriel.


    ¡°Well, umm¡­ Listen to others well, do what you¡¯re told to do diligently, and be nice¡­?¡±


    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m hated because I don¡¯t work hard enough or I¡¯m not nice enough?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Maylie suddenly felt embarrassed and shut her mouth. Azriel was neither mean nor lazy. She was just a meek girl who quietly did what she was ordered to, and she was someone who had come forward and put herself at risk for her even though it was none of her business. Despite this, Maylie had avoided her. She had thought her to be a slave who was obviously different, from another ethnic group and someone that people hated anyway.


    As Maylie wavered, Azriel continued, ¡°People who hate because they need something to hate don¡¯t change easily.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°But if I try harder, maybe they will decide to hate something else. If I don¡¯t think as much and be blindly obedient and kiss up to them, it might get a little better.¡±


    ¡°R-right! You are too quiet¡­ If you flatter other people more, the head maid or others might be fond of you. You look so cute, you know¡­¡±


    ¡°But Maylie, if I were to live like that, I wouldn¡¯t have come forward this time, either.¡±


    ¡°¡­ Uh, uh¡­¡±


    ¡°If I have to lower and devalue myself to gain the favor of others, then it¡¯s not real favor. I don¡¯t want to try hard to earn such fake favors and make myself unworthy.¡±


    Maylie vacantly gazed at Azriel. The girl under the shade of the dungeon stretched her back and sat up straight.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to become servile,¡± she whispered. ¡°I won¡¯t live that way.¡±


    Those words did not seem to belong to a slave.


    Maylie unknowingly raised a question, ¡°Are you a slave for sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am.¡±


    ¡°Have you been a slave from birth?¡±


    ¡°¡­No.¡±


    ¡°Then what were you originally?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ Aren¡¯t you in fact a princess of some sort from some country who became a slave for a reason? And when the people of high standing come for you, all the people who bullied you will get knocked away?¡±


    Behind her bars, Azriel burst into laughter. Since she continued to laugh for a long time instead of responding, Maylie¡¯s face reddened.


    ¡°Wh-why are you laughing? Did I say something weird?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just funny. And thank you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you? What are you thanking me for?¡±


    Azriel had not answered Maylie then. At age 14, after hearing Maylie¡¯s fantastical imagination and bursting out into laughter, she was finally able to set down her hopes that ¡®that person¡¯ would come and find her. She realized then how delusional and vain her expectation had been. From then on, she began planning preparations to run away. It was around that time when she met Warden at the bookstore and found a way to make money whenever she was sent to run errands at the market. After the abominable practice of slavery was abolished thanks to the King of Aucandor, she realized she could very well escape if she managed to raise more money. Maylie had become her friend after that day they spoke in the dungeon and became privy to her plan. Whenever she would run errands, she would stop by the bookstore to receive jobs for Azriel.


    * * *


    Once Azriel finished eating her bread, Maylie handed over a water bottle from the basket.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Azriel accepted it graciously. ¡°I haven¡¯t had anything all day. I feel like I can finally breathe now.¡±


    ¡°No problem. By the way, Azriel, how¡¯s the preparation to leave going?¡± Maylie asked.


    ¡°I need to raise some more money. Whatever I do, I¡¯ll have to bribe someone. I need to think about the cost of getting an identity and my living expenses until I get another job.¡±


    ¡°I hate to say goodbye to you¡­ but you¡¯d better leave quickly.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Instead of answering her right away, Maylie carefully cut the chocolate pie in half. While handing it over to Azriel, she hesitated.

 CH 9

    ¡°Well, you know, you might¡¯ve noticed but, umm, Young Master is getting more¡­¡± Maylie trailed off.


    ¡°¡­Yeah, I know. Our young master is not so much of a gentleman.¡±


    The taste from the chocolate pie spreading on her tongue was sweet, but Azriel¡¯s expression was bitter.


    Maylie drew a long breath, ¡°I heard from the coachman that after his coming of age celebration, the quality of the places he began frequenting has worsened. He drinks more and more and even has acquired dirty habits.¡±


    While chewing the rest of the chocolate pie, Azriel calculated the money she saved so far.


    ¡°I still need to do several more jobs. I have enough to settle in a nearby dominion now, but I¡¯ll be captured quickly if I do. If I want to go farther, then I should¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll lend you some. Get away quickly, please?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous,¡± Azriel refused Maylie¡¯s suggestion with a solemn face. ¡°What about your siblings?¡±


    The reason why Maylie began doing odd jobs at the castle around the same time Azriel had been brought in as a slave was because of her sick mother and younger siblings. The young maid¡¯s wages were hardly enough to make a living for her family.


    Maylie swallowed hard before lowering her voice and whispering, ¡°I have some money saved. Use that.¡±


    It was unquestionably obvious what the money had been for. Maylie¡¯s mother had been suffering from an unknown illness for a long time, and she often said that she wanted to take her mother to the capital. There were great wizards in the capital who could possibly cure her. Azriel choked. She could not take such money nor did she wish to.


    ¡°It¡¯s all right,¡± she said while clearing her throat. ¡°You saved that money for your mother¡¯s medical treatment.¡±


    ¡°I will lend it to you, and you can pay me back after you run away and settle down. You can do that, right?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll be able to pay you back.¡±


    ¡°You will earn it soon. You can even write in Lemm, after all.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. So I just need to hold out a little longer.¡±


    ¡°What if something happens to you? It¡¯s not like you have the healthiest body either!¡± Maylie¡¯s face was distorted as if she was about to burst into tears.


    Maylie¡¯s genuine concern moved Azriel to tears. She turned her head away.


    ¡°If I sense that something major is about to happen, I¡¯ll run away no matter what, so you don¡¯t need to¡­¡±


    In the direction she was facing, Azriel caught sight of the top of the box she had carelessly stashed away earlier. She paused. Suddenly, she thought of a way to make money quickly.


    ¡°¡­Maylie, do you know anything about the wizard visiting tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Like what?¡±


    ¡°Does he have silver hair?¡±


    ¡°The wizard is indeed a man, but he doesn¡¯t have silver hair. They say he¡¯s old enough to have a child around our age.¡±


    The wizard named ¡°Rhema Reshith¡± seemed to be in his early to mid-20s at most. If he stood next to Damon, who did seem older than his age, Rhema would definitely look younger.


    ¡®I¡¯m sure he¡¯s not the wizard coming from the capital,¡¯ Azriel pondered. ¡®Who is he, then? If he can give me something like this like it¡¯s nothing, then he must be extremely rich. It¡¯s rare for a wizard to be that wealthy, though.¡¯


    Wizards were generally well off in comparison to the common folk, but it was unusual for one to be as rich as a noble.


    ¡®Is he a wizard from a foreign country who came here after hearing about the ruins? ¡­Why did he show kindness to me?¡¯ Azriel meekly pulled the box out from its hiding place.


    ¡°But what about the wizard all of a sudden?¡± Maylie sniffed. ¡°And what is that?¡±


    ¡°A weird wizard I met today gave this to me¡­ I should trade this in for money.¡±


    These shoes were crafted by a renowned boutique that was famous enough for Deborah to boast about to her other aristocratic peers. Since they were a new pair, they would surely fetch a handsome amount if she sold them. Azriel felt uneasy about receiving such an expensive gift, so she thought to return them, but the current situation necessitated her using them for her own sake and then finding a way to pay him back another time. She knew his name, his face, and the fact that he was a wizard, so she should be able to find him later.


    Having reached her decision, she tugged at the ribbon on top of the package. The intricate knot came undone at once.


    Maylie spotted the logo branding the lid of the box and her eyes widened, almost to the point of bulging out of their sockets, as Azriel opened the box.


    ¡°Whoa, whoa,¡± she exclaimed, ¡°look at that¡­¡±


    ¡°My goodness,¡± Azriel admired the shoes, at a loss for words.


    Adorning the shoes were crystal flowers that were so clear they seemed to be made of glass. Jewels surrounded the flowers like a serene scattering of stars, blindingly dazzling. Her dim, basement room seemed to brighten as well.


    ¡°A, A, Azriel, th, this¡­ I don¡¯t think it¡¯s c, c, crystal but d, d, diamond,¡± Maylie stammered with a voice that sounded like she was being choked.


    Azriel vacantly looked down at the glass shoes, turning her eyes towards the crystal flowers. They were about the size of silver coins. If they were indeed real diamonds¡­ She felt like she was about to faint.


    ¡°That can¡¯t be¡­ They must be crystal.¡±


    ¡°I, I heard of a trick before that we can use to test whether it¡¯s real,¡± Maylie murmured. ¡°If you spill a drop of water on it, and it forms a round droplet instead of running down, then it is a real diamond.¡±


    Still murmuring, Maylie tipped a nearly empty bottle of water towards the shoes. She shook the bottle, and a bit of water barely dripped from it, forming a droplet on the rock. Azriel had to cover Maylie¡¯s mouth to prevent her from screaming.


    ¡®The shoes themselves are enough to make my heart leap into my mouth, and those are diamonds?¡¯ Azriel thought. ¡®This is not something I can just take.¡¯

 CH 10

    ¡°You just received these?¡± Maylie gasped, barely managing to calm herself. ¡°From who? For what reason?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Azriel tried to explain her encounter with Rhema. ¡°I had never met him before. He was a wizard named Rhema Reshith. I was at the bookstore¡­¡±


    Maylie rolled her eyes, ¡°Could that wizard have fallen in love with you at first sight?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s nonsense. It didn¡¯t feel that way.¡±


    ¡°He gave you this exorbitant gift. That can¡¯t be meaningless!¡±


    Azriel let out a low sigh and closed the box¡¯s lid, ¡°In any case, I absolutely can¡¯t sell this.¡±


    ¡°Why? This was given to you as a gift anyway!¡±


    ¡°This is too much. I¡¯m afraid of the aftermath.¡±


    There were different kinds of gifts, but this was more extreme than she expected. Azriel decided to find the wizard by any means and return the shoes. Maylie had a regretful look on her face, but she also agreed with Azriel¡¯s judgment.


    ¡°Well, right. You might get in trouble for accepting this. Then, how are you going to make up for the shortfall¡­?¡±


    ¡°I can manage it somehow. Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°Somehow? Do you have a plan?¡±


    ¡°I have something in mind, so don¡¯t worry about me and go to sleep now. You know tomorrow is going to be a busy day, too, because of the guest.¡±


    ¡°You are sure, right? You need to let me know if there¡¯s anything I can do, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay, I will.¡±


    ¡°All right. Good night, Azriel!¡±


    ¡°Good night to you, too, Maylie. Thanks for the pie and bread.¡±


    Maylie peeked outside to check if there was anyone around before quietly returning to her room. After bidding goodbye to her, Azriel glared at the box she had placed on a pile of straw. She thought about the pale wizard with a straight face and the look of embarrassment that had briefly appeared as if his mask had been broken. The feeling of deja vu¡­


    ¡®Did I meet him during the time in my life I can¡¯t recall? Can he be the one who named me¡­? No, I told myself I wouldn¡¯t expect that person to return anymore.¡¯


    Azriel put a stop to her thoughts before they could take root. She emptied her mind and pulled out the book she received from the bookstore today. Even though she had told Maylie not to worry about her, she had not come up with a specific solution yet. She had to hurry and quickly raise the money she needed to run away. She set about transcribing Lemm into Limble until it was deep into the night when she finally fell asleep.


    *


    The next day, a wizard from Modjankle, the capital city, arrived at Colte Castle. Since the morning, the entire castle had been busy preparing a banquet to welcome him. Deborah would be attending the banquet, so there were no classes scheduled for her today. Though Azriel, as her whipping child, was given a reprieve from working in that capacity, she was, of course, not allowed to rest.


    ¡°Hurry up! What are you staring at? Hey, you! Wipe this again!¡±


    Azriel ran errands for the kitchen, which currently resembled a battleground. Because of how busy everyone was, she did not even notice that the chief maid had been missing all day.


    ¡°Hey, take this to the banquet hall! Give this to the wizard! Be quick!¡±


    A maid pushed a tray carrying a new napkin towards Azriel before running off to attend to someone else calling her. Azriel stopped wiping the cups she had been cleaning to take the tray and left the kitchen. The entire castle was boisterous except for the banquet hall. Only the sounds of soft chatter and the occasional clinking of tableware were heard. She took a deep breath and opened the door to the banquet hall. An orchestra was playing next to a long table laden with various, fancy dishes. The musicians had originally been hired to serenade the diners, but their hands were now off their instruments because the guest had said they were too noisy. Thus, awkward silence surrounded the hall.


    The wizard did not remove his hood even though he was indoors and focused only on eating quietly. Chubby Count Colte kept wiping his sweat with his handkerchief. Damon Colte was cutting his steak into pieces with a frown. Deborah Colte narrowly managed to muster a smile with the corners of her mouth twitching.


    Only Countess Colte, with a fake smile, began a conversation with the wizard, ¡°Mr. Tarbo Tameion, I heard you are a member of Aurora. How wonderful. Of course, someone like you can also use great magic, right? Like the wizards of legend¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you even know what Aurora is?¡± the wizard snapped at her with phlegm in his throat.


    ¡°I do,¡± the countess replied feebly, embarrassed. ¡°Isn¡¯t Aurora a social club for remarkable wizards? It¡¯s a place where people like you, Mr. Tameion, get together and form friendly relations¡­¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Tarbo smirked and lowered his head toward his bowl, ¡°you have no idea.¡±


    The Countess¡¯s face reddened and an awkward silence befell the hall again. Still holding the tray, Azriel studied the atmosphere. The butler, who was dressed in a tailcoat, stood at the entrance and noticed her. He squinted his eyes after scanning her attire, which was untidy from working.


    ¡°How dare you lowly being walk into the banquet hall with such filthy attire! Give it to me. I¡¯ll do it.¡±


    He reached his hand out with annoyance. Even though he spoke quietly, the wizard heard him since the rest of the hall was quiet. The hooded wizard quickly eyed the entrance. He had initially overlooked Azriel passing her tray to the butler and hastily turned his head toward her. Tarbo Tameion glared at her as she was about to leave after bowing to the butler. His shaggy, brown beard¡ªthe only part of him visible beneath his hood¡ªwas trembling.


    Before Azriel could close the door behind her, he abruptly cried out, ¡°Wait!¡±


    All the banquet hall¡¯s occupants were surprised. Azriel, as well, was startled as she looked back.


    ¡°You,¡± Tarbo gazed at her with sharp eyes and gestured, ¡°come over here.¡±


    Azriel hesitated for a moment before approaching him. When Tarbo removed his hood, a horrible burn scar covering his entire face appeared. Deborah was about to scream but managed to swallow it at her mother¡¯s dissuasion. Azriel also flinched a little at the sight. Tarbo did not care for the others¡¯ reactions and stared at Azriel with a piercing glare¡ªespecially her eyes.


    After a moment of silence, he asked, ¡°Who are you?¡±

 CH 11

    ¡°I am Azriel, Lady Deborah¡¯s whipping child.¡±


    Azriel had never told anyone of her surname: Esthera. It was abnormal for a slave to have a surname. Even commoners typically were not given one.


    ¡°A whipping child?¡± Tarbo¡¯s lips twitched.


    Count Colte, who was sweating profusely at the strange situation, hurriedly interrupted them, ¡°Do you like that girl? I formerly bought her as a slave, but now under His Highness the King¡¯s ordinance¡­¡±


    ¡°She was a slave?¡± Tarbo cut him off. Rolling his eyes, he ran his gaze up, down, and through Azriel without taking his eyes off her. ¡°Then sell this one to me, Count.¡±


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°I said sell her to me.¡±


    ¡°Trading slaves is now f-forbidden¡­¡±


    ¡°I had no idea you were such a law-abiding man,¡± he sneered. ¡°You surely don¡¯t look like one. Then, lend her to me for a few days.¡±


    ¡°Ehem, hmm, what are you going to use her for?¡±


    ¡°Do I need to explain it to you, Count?¡± Tarbo drew his attention away from Azriel, who was frozen and pointed his chin to the Count. ¡°I see you need connections in the capital. I¡¯ll write a letter of introduction to the Duke of Rudimna. How about that?¡±


    ¡°Do you really mean the Duke of Ru, Ru, Rudimna?¡±


    The Count¡¯s lid almost flipped as one of the two most powerful dukes in Aucandor was mentioned. He rubbed his hands while nodding frantically.


    ¡°You can take her for your use as much as you like,¡± he continued. ¡°Should I send her to you tonight?¡±


    The nuance carried in the Count¡¯s use of the word ¡°tonight¡± was explicit. His tone revealed the extent of his imagination for the wizard¡¯s use of Azriel. He did not forget to shoot a menacing look at Damon who was about to protest.


    Tarbo was dumbfounded by the Count¡¯s implications and briefly looked back at Azriel. Her face had turned pale and she was clutching the train of her skirt. Seeing her hand shaking, Tarbo chuckled and brushed his shaggy beard.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll just take her now. Thanks for the meal, Count. I¡¯ll return her when I return from the ruins.¡±


    Azriel¡¯s fate was sealed by his words. She held her breath.


    ¡®I need to escape right now!¡¯ she thought as her head spun frantically.


    As she agonized over how she would get herself out of this situation, Tarbo rose from his seat and grabbed her wrist. She tried to remove herself from his grasp in terror, but he whispered something in her ear.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I need your body, so follow me. Don¡¯t you want to know what you are?¡±


    At his words, Azriel stopped resisting and Tarbo dragged her out of the banquet hall. She continued to stumble behind him until he finally let her go after arriving at a guest room that the butler had guided them to. Azriel held her wrist, which had turned red. After locking the door, Tarbo opened his mouth to speak.


    ¡°I¡¯m planning to take you to the ruins.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me? The ruins?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not interested in your body. Instead, what I¡¯m interested in is within that body. The enormous ma¡­¡±


    He suddenly stopped and looked beyond her, his eyes widening. Azriel was surprised, but before she could look back, someone pulled her from behind. Snowy cloth covered her sight and the scent of birch brushed the tip of her nose.


    ¡°Please sleep for a moment, Azriel.¡±


    ¡®Wish you a sweet dream.¡¯


    With those final words that were somehow familiar, Azriel lost consciousness.


    Rhema Reshith appeared in the room out of nowhere. He lifted the sleeping girl into his arms. Tarbo watched the scene, stupefied, and was startled when he caught the stranger¡¯s eye. Long, silver hair; a white robe; an almost inhumane beauty; metallic, grey eyes; suddenly appearing through what could only be teleportation magic; and the ability to make the girl fall asleep without uttering a single incantation¡­ Tarbo Tameion himself was quite an outstanding wizard. Not only was he able to ascertain the level of magic the silver-haired wizard performed in that short period, but he also recognized his identity. There was only one wizard capable of practicing such a high level of magic after the fall of the ancient magic civilization. Turning deathly pale with fright, Tarbo grabbed the door handle.


    ¡°I knew you were a wizard with deep mana, but I didn¡¯t know you would recognize Azriel.¡±


    Rhema spoke plainly as he approached Tarbo. His speech was slow, and his gait was careful. He seemed to be trying not to disturb the girl in his arms. Tarbo madly pulled at the door handle, but it would not open.


    ¡°Do you know who I am?¡± Rhema asked quietly. He had now come very close to him.


    ¡°¡­The, the Wizard of the Horizon¡­¡±


    Wizards of legend could call lightning, split the ground, turn the tide of war, and fight dragons. Those kinds of wizards were things of the past since wizards these days performed more ordinary feats. There was, however, one who could be described as a living legend. On the northern side of the continent existed a plain called the Endless Wilderness. It was once a land of many mountains and hills, but now it was open earth. No matter which direction a person looked, one would only be able to see the horizon. People said that the land had turned that way as a result of the aftermath of the battle between the White Wizard and the Black Dragon.


    The White Wizard who had slain the Black Dragon was named ¡°The Wizard of the Horizon,¡± which conveyed two meanings: ¡°the one who turned mountains into the horizon¡± and ¡°the one at the horizon¡ªthe boundary between the sky of god and the land of man.¡± His title signified that his mastery of magic was nearer to God than man. Tales centering around the legend of the Endless Wilderness, old and new, were widespread and often told of meeting the Wizard of the Horizon and receiving help from him.

 CH 12

    Each time, the White Wizard¡¯s appearance was always described the same, indicating that he was still alive and did not age.


    Reports of his existence caused adventurers, scholars, and even kings to roam the land in search of the Wizard of the Horizon in the hopes of him granting their wishes. His immortality and his almighty power had become myth and even religion to some. These kinds of tales were commonly known to the general populace; however, wizards like Tarbo Tameion knew different stories. There was a rumor often whispered between wizards.


    ¡®Wizards disappear when they reach the horizon.¡¯


    It was a ghost story that said that wizards would vanish upon meeting the Wizard of the Horizon. Whether these wizards disappeared or perished was unknown. Many mistrusted this rumor since it lacked basis and the majority of the reports about meeting the White Wizard involved him aiding others or performing a miracle. Tarbo also had not given credit to such stories¡ªuntil now. At this very moment, from the moment he encountered this person, he knew by intuition that he was unmistakably the Wizard of the Horizon. Thus, he struggled like a madman and hammered at the door. Even though he screamed and shook the door hard, as if he were trying to break it down, no one came.¡®


    ¡°My name is Rhema Reshith. I don¡¯t know how much you know about me, but the reason I came to see you is¡­¡±


    Tarbo turned back with fear in his eyes. The Wizard of the Horizon suddenly stopped talking and glanced at the girl asleep in his arms. He stared steadily at her closed eyelids and lifted his head soon after.


    ¡°¡­It¡¯s tiresome to explain. Just consider yourself unlucky.¡±


    Rhema stretched out his hand. Tarbo gasped and tried to avoid him, but he unexpectedly found his body would not move. He tried to use magic, but he could not use his mana either. His eyes wide, he could only watch as the hand approached him.


    The long and graceful hand touched Tarbo¡¯s forehead, which was distorted from his burns. From the point where his finger touched Tarbo¡¯s head, Tarbo¡¯s body began to crumble into what resembled sand particles.


    ¡°Urgh¡­ Ah¡­¡±


    ¡°Rest in peace.¡±


    Even his screams crumbled into sand. The sand doll bearing the image of a person soon poured down into a pile of sand. When Rhema withdrew his hand, a gust of wind blew from somewhere and disturbed the sand pile, blowing most of it out the window. Just like that, a middle-aged wizard by the name of Tarbo Tameion vanished, leaving behind only a few sand grains.


    As soon as Rhema withdrew his hand, the wizard he disposed of was no longer any of his concern. His attention was immediately directed to the girl in his arms. Azriel was sound asleep, letting out light but even breaths. He looked around the guest room and found a large, luxurious bed. The quality of this bed was not good enough for her, but he had no choice but to lay her there. Her hair, which she had worn up to suit the maids¡¯ attire, looked uncomfortable. With a slight wag of his finger, her hair was untied and came cascading down. He sat at the edge of the bed and softly brushed her disheveled hair with his fingertips and vacantly stared at her bare, white feet.


    ¡°¡­You¡¯ve grown so much, Azriel. I almost didn¡¯t recognize you at first. You were a little child in my memory, but now you look closer to a lady.¡±


    He was whispering quietly to the girl who was not able to hear him.


    ¡°You¡¯ve grown more beautiful than I imagined, but I cannot say the same about the life you are living.¡±


    Rhema turned his eyes to Azriel¡¯s wrist. Tarbo¡¯s grip had left a red mark on her slender wrist. He stared at it for a long time. His hand, which he had placed on the bed, flinched a little.


    ¡°I swore not to intervene in your life.¡±


    Rhema slowly stood from his seat, choosing not to touch her wrist. It was rare for him to move hastily. Perhaps it was natural since he had been living a life that was almost as old as eternity and possessed a power close to omnipotence.


    ¡°Ever since I met you again,¡± his face twisted momentarily, ¡°I have been ceaselessly tempted to break that vow¡­ Even though I made a pledge because of this.¡±


    He took a few steps back from the bed. Before he disappeared from the space, he muttered as if he were making an excuse for his actions.


    ¡°I got rid of that head maid because I didn¡¯t want to see her anymore. It¡¯s not that I meant to meddle in your life. As for the wizard just now, I took care of him as an extension of my duty, so this isn¡¯t considered intervening in your life, either.¡±


    Rhema resumed his steps and vanished as if he had been erased from existence. Only the last words he spoke remained in the quiet room.


    ¡°Until you give me permission¡­ I will keep that vow.¡±


    *


    It was the dead of night when Azriel woke up again. She lifted her body and groaned in a low voice, cringing for a moment and struggling. The wounds on her back hurt from being laid upon.


    ¡®I should be coughing by now, but I haven¡¯t coughed yet.¡¯


    Ever since the strange wizard at the water pump stopped her cough yesterday, she had not coughed once. Azriel touched the area around her neck unintentionally before realizing that the bed she was on was overly soft and smooth.


    ¡°This place¡­¡±


    The room was dark, but thanks to the gleaming moonlight, she could roughly see the outline of the room. It was the guest room she had been dragged into by Tarbo. She panicked and got up from the bed.


    ¡®What¡¯s going on? Why was I sleeping here¡­?¡¯


    She examined her attire in haste and recalled what happened before she blacked out: a white hem, the scent of birch, and a man¡¯s low voice.


    ¡°¡­Rhema Reshith?¡±


    He was clearly the wizard she saw and sensed. Azriel was perplexed.

 CH 13

    ¡®Was it that person again? How many times have I met him in just two days? No, before that, the backyard is understandable, but he just popped into the guest room. How? Is it really teleportation magic? By the way, is he the one who made me fall asleep? Why? What on earth happened? Come to think of it, I need to return the shoes. Oh, what about the wizard from the capital? What did he mean by knowing what I am?¡¯


    Random thoughts and questions filled Azriel¡¯s mind. She took a deep breath, rubbed her face, and narrowly managed to arrange her thoughts.


    ¡®Anywho, despite whatever happened, there¡¯s only one thing that¡¯s important and for certain.¡¯


    The fact of the matter is she could not stay in Colte Castle anymore. She needed to escape. After all the mysterious questions and thoughts were cleared from her mind, that was the only truth left. As she recalled what happened in the banquet hall, she felt a chill. Though slavery had been abolished and she was no longer a slave on paper, she was still a slave in reality. She could stand being whipped, made to do odd jobs, and starved, but she was growing and had no power to protect herself. If this kind of incident were to happen again, there was no guarantee she would be as lucky a second time. Even with the insufficient amount of funds she had, she still needed to get away somehow.


    ¡®I need to go as far as I can with the money I have. I have no choice but to run away and think about the future later.¡¯


    Azriel paused as she headed for the door. Something was sparkling under the moonlight on the expensive carpet. She took a closer look and realized that they were grains of sand.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the sand¡­?¡±


    ¡®Sand in the guest room that the servants swept and mopped all day long yesterday? It¡¯s not like there is a sandy field nearby.¡¯


    She tilted her head for a while but soon took her attention away from it. Whatever happened in this room was not important now. The castle was very quiet during the middle of the night. Azriel snuck out of the guest room and stealthily slipped down the stairs. Fortunately, she did not run into anyone until she entered her room next to the liquor storage in the basement. She packed her belongings in a flash. Since she had been planning on running away for some time now, it did not take her long to pack: two sets of clothes, the money she had saved thus far, a few candles, matches, a map¡­ and the book that she had not yet finished translating. She would return it to the bookstore on her way out. After gathering everything, she stood and held her belongings in her arms.


    ¡®¡¯I won¡¯t be able to say goodbye to Maylie before I leave.¡¯


    Her meeting Maylie one last time was the only thing she was sorry about. Azriel glanced at a scrap of paper that had been left to one side of the room. It was part of the wrapper for the pie Maylie brought. She might feel heartbroken, but Maylie would understand why Azriel needed to leave without taking a moment to say goodbye. As soon as she made up her mind and was about to leave the room, she stopped and sensed something was missing. She belatedly realized what she had forgotten after looking around the narrow and dim room.


    ¡°That shoebox is gone.¡±


    She had buried it underneath the pile of straw she used as her bed, but now it had vanished without a trace. Startled, Azriel searched the straw again, deeper this time. The box was nowhere to be seen. Only Maylie knew of Azriel¡¯s recent acquisition of the expensive dress shoes and that she had stashed them in her room.


    ¡®¡­That can¡¯t be.¡¯


    Azriel had some doubt, but she threw it out at once. She trusted Maylie. She continued to search for a little longer, but the shoebox was nowhere to be found. Since she was running out of time, Azriel left her room and headed for the kitchen. There was plenty of food leftover from the banquet; however, she only packed some of the biscuits and a bottle of water. This was how much she usually had for a meal, anyway.


    ¡®I don¡¯t want to be a thief, so I¡¯ll only take my portion.¡¯


    Passing through the kitchen, she quietly opened the door to the rear yard. The moonlight was shining and the wall surrounding the entire castle cast its shadow over it like a monster. Above the wall, torchlights carried by the guards glimmered. During the daytime, the rear entrance was left open for servants to come in and out of, but it would be closed by now. There were also no alternative entrances such as ones for dogs on the castle wall. Azriel was not swift enough to climb over the wall without being caught by the guards on patrol, which is why she had originally planned to run away in the daytime.


    ¡®It¡¯s a gamble, but let¡¯s go to the well.¡¯


    In the rear yard was a well that had dried up a long time ago. The well had not been removed even though it had been dry for several decades. Deborah once threw her ring out of the window out of ill-nature, wishing for Azriel to suffer outside in the cold as she searched for the ring. Azriel had reached the bottom of the well back then because she thought she saw something twinkling between the piles of decomposing leaves and dirt down there. While searching for the ring, Azriel found a mysterious passage that perhaps seemed to lead outside the castle. She then also realized why Count Colte had been neglecting the well that had long since dried.


    ¡®That was the escape route that every castle or noble mansion has.¡¯


    She was guessing since she had never actually entered the passage to check. It was worth a try, though. Even if the passage had been blocked in the middle, she could still hide there for the night and find a chance to run away as soon as the sun rises again.


    Quietly, she crossed the yard. Upon arriving at the well, she pulled the old rope to check if it was still strong. She then let her belongings down first and carefully rappelled down to the bottom. After getting rid of the drooping vines at the entrance of the passage, she saw the entrance was wide open and pitch-black¡ªlike the mouth of a beast. A cool wind blew from the inside where nothing was visible. Her skin crawled slightly.


    ¡®The passage must not be blocked since I can feel the wind blowing. It¡¯ll be fine.¡¯


    Azriel barely managed to comfort herself and suppress her fear. The passage was low, so she needed to bend her waist to fit through it despite her small figure. A healthy, adult male would have had to crawl. While gripping the wall with her hands, she stepped inside. As she made her way through, there was a slight incline, and soon the ground became flat.


    Once she was a bit of a way away from the entrance, she took out a candle and lit it. The small candlelight fluttered like a firefly pushing away the darkness. She saw a spider hanging from a web in the corner of the ceiling busily scurrying away. As she walked further into the passage with her candle, the passage began to widen enough for her to walk without needing to lower her head. She continued walking but did not encounter any forks. The passage was dark and narrow, and it was hard to tell how long she had been walking for. Azriel could not even tell whether the passage was straight or winding.


    ¡®I see the light!¡¯


    She saw some light up ahead, which happened much faster than she anticipated. The light was not natural light, but rather it was the kind of light that came from lamps or candles.


    ¡®This doesn¡¯t look like an exit¡­ What is it?¡±

 CH 14

    While approaching it, she heard a sharp, whipping sound and chatter.


    ¡°How dare you lie before my eyes?!¡±


    ¡°This is not a lie¡­ Aargh!¡±


    She heard the sharp sound of someone being whipped. Since she was used to being whipped, she was certain of the noise. After blowing out her candle, she approached the direction of the light.


    ¡°This is hers? Stop talking nonsense. Where did you steal this from? Tell the truth already!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not lying. I really didn¡¯t steal it, Lady¡­¡±


    The moaning voice sounded familiar. Azriel felt her blood run cold. The light was coming from a hole about the size of a finger on one side of the passage walls and located above her eye level. She had to set her feet in between the bricks jutting out from the side while hanging onto the wall in order to peek inside.


    As soon as she looked inside, she knew where it was. It was one of the dungeon cells in Colte Castle similar to the one she had been locked in during the earring incident. A red-haired girl was crouched there while another whipped her.


    ¡°May¡­!¡±


    Azriel covered her mouth, barely managing to stop herself from calling out the girl¡¯s name. Behind the servant who was whipping the girl was Deborah Colte, who sat on a chair. When she made a gesture, the man stopped whipping.


    ¡°Lady, Lady, please¡­¡±


    Maylie looked up at Deborah, her face distorted with tears and her nose running. Deborah lifted one corner of her mouth. Azriel knew well what that expression meant. She always put on that face when she was about to have her way, whether it was right or wrong.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to tell me until the end, aren¡¯t you? Great. I¡¯ll find out where you stole it from myself.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t steal¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up! You¡¯re already guilty, and if you want to leave here alive, you should choose your answer wisely. Where is the other shoe?¡±


    The object Deborah held up sparkled in the light. It was a glass shoe with jewels that glimmered like stars. The shoe that had gone missing in Azriel¡¯s room was dangling in Deborah¡¯s hand. Maylie spoke again with tears in her eyes.


    ¡°I will, I will give the other one to you, so please save Azriel. You could do it, Lady¡­¡±


    ¡°Give what? This is not even yours.¡±


    ¡°This belongs to Azriel!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. How can a slave get such a precious shoe? How dare you try to make a deal with me over a stolen item?¡±


    ¡°She was taken in the daytime but hasn¡¯t come out of the room even though the sun is down¡­¡±


    ¡°What about it?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s been serving you the whole time. She was whipped every day instead of you. Please, have mercy on her for once in your life, Lady, please¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you going to come to your senses after more whipping? Do you really want to die? I¡¯m asking where the other one is!¡±


    Azriel¡¯s face paled as she watched Maylie plead and Deborah scream sharply.


    Azriel could guess how this all came to be. Maylie must have become anxious upon learning that Azriel had been dragged away by the wizard, and since they did not come out of the guest room even after the sun went down, she could only imagine the worst-case scenarios. For a commoner and a maid like Maylie, however, there was no way for her to save Azriel. If there was anyone who could get Azriel back from the wizard, it was a member of the Colte family. But the Count was the one who had handed Azriel over in the first place, and Damon would want to get his hands on her after saving her. The Countess had once whipped Azriel and imprisoned her in the dungeon instead of exposing her daughter¡¯s fault during the earring incident, so the only person who had the slightest chance of helping her was Deborah.


    Of course, Maylie also knew well that Deborah was arrogant and ill-tempered. Nonetheless, the reason she had faith in Deborah was that she had heard about the bond between whipping children and their aristocratic counterparts. Many noble children would feel sympathy for the whipping children who were punished in their stead and would form tight bonds with them. It was common for a whipping child to become the closest associate of a noble child even into adulthood, which is why the nobility would carefully pick their children¡¯s whipping child.


    There was no such bond between Deborah and Azriel, though. Deborah did not consider Azriel as anything more than an object. She even sought to find ways to get her whipped even more. Other servants might not have known about this, but Maylie knew the truth to some extent since she was aware of how badly injured Azriel¡¯s back was. Despite knowing all she did, Maylie still decided to take a chance and have faith there was a glimmer of a bond to rescue her friend, even though such a bond more than likely did not exist. She did not believe that Deborah would help Azriel out of the goodness of her heart without gain. To convince the greedy young lady, she needed more incentive. What Maylie must have thought of at that moment were Azriel¡¯s glass shoes. But even after showing one of the shoes as a potential reward to Deborah, she coldly turned her back on the request to help Azriel. Maylie had not neglected to say that she would give the other shoe to Deborah once Azriel was free.


    ¡°Good gracious, Maylie,¡± murmured Azriel. ¡°Deborah will¡­¡±


    Deborah was someone who would sooner whip her to death in order to forcibly take the shoe since she did not regard people outside of the nobility as people. She was not someone who would make a deal with nor complete a favor for a person like Maylie. Understanding the situation, Azriel groaned and covered her mouth with both hands. If it had been up to her, she would have never gone to Deborah. Maylie would have had a better chance of bringing the shoes to mercenaries.


    ¡°Please save Azriel, please, Lady!¡± Maylie pleaded faintly as she wept.¡°I will never tell you where the other shoe is until I see her¡­¡±


    Annoyance and disgust spread on Deborah¡¯s pretty face. She kicked Maylie, who clung onto her, and gave a look to the servant holding the whip. Maylie was neither an orphan nor a slave but a commoner maid with a sick mother and younger siblings. Deborah Colte, on the other hand, was a count¡¯s daughter, who could get rid of a castle maid and claim she died accidentally or from sickness.


    ¡®No!¡¯


    In an instant, as the whip was being raised again, Azriel looked back. Without taking the time to relight her candle, she madly dashed back the way she came. She threw the pack she had been carrying on the ground and crawled back up the well. As she hurried, she slipped and scratched her calf on a rock, drawing blood, but there was no time to notice the pain. She grabbed the rope and climbed back up. By the time she barely managed to raise her head out of the well, she was greeted by a half-moon hanging in the night sky. Beneath that, right next to the well, was a white figure standing completely still. Azriel stiffened in surprise, her upper body hanging over the edge of the well.


    ¡°Mr. Rhema¡­?¡±

 CH 15

    Azriel was so surprised that she lost her grip. Rhema grabbed her as she was about to fall. He pulled her lightly with one arm out of the well.


    ¡°Thank you¡­¡±


    Azriel had thanked him reflexively but came to her senses as soon as her feet touched the ground and Rhema¡¯s hand was off of her. Maylie¡ªshe needed to rescue Maylie! While rushing through the passage, she had thought of a plan. It was an extremely risky and dangerous plan, but nothing else had come to mind.


    ¡°Azriel.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Rhema. I¡¯ve got to run now¡­¡±


    Rhema¡¯s eyes examined the dirt and cobwebs on her, her face besmirched with unknown stains, and her bloody calf. The middle of his forehead subtly knitted together. Azriel felt the air around them tense like a string stretched tautly.


    Rhema asked in a whisper, ¡°Can I help you?¡±


    Help was what she needed desperately; however, Azriel could not answer him right away. Something stirred inside her body. It felt like the blood flowing in her veins was sweeping through her entire body.


    ¡®This is a profoundly different question than the other ones this strange wizard has asked so far. If I answer him, everything will change. But how? In a good way or a bad way?¡¯


    She could not think of a response to the question in her mind. Something was about to appear beyond her dark and buried memories. Then, she heard a girl shrieking. It was as faint as the wind, but Azriel clearly heard it. Her thoughts stopped.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, I need to go. I will retrieve the shoes you gave me and return them, so¡­!¡±


    Azriel rambled and trailed off as she ran toward the direction of the castle. She slammed the rear entrance open and entered the kitchen to grab a bottle of oil and stuffed a handful of matches in her pocket before rushing into the hall. The stairs to the dungeon were located on the opposite side, across the lobby at the center of the castle. When she was about to turn the corner after crossing the lobby, someone grabbed her shoulder.


    ¡°Eeek!¡± Azriel almost dropped the oil bottle. She narrowly managed to hold onto it and glanced back to see Damon Colte looking at her with a flushed face.


    ¡°That brute must not be good enough for you. Look at you, still got the energy to run around.¡±


    Damon¡¯s tone was sarcastic as he grabbed the back of her dress. Whenever he would open his mouth, the stench of strong liquor would overwhelm her.


    ¡°You were mine, mine! I was working hard to get you, and that middle-aged man¡­!¡±


    Murmuring like a crazy man, he pressed Azriel against the wall. As her shirt was pulled, the upper buttons were ripped off. His hands swept her slender neck like a licking tongue.


    Azriel looked at the man¡¯s bloodshot eyes in fear. Then, all of a sudden, there was a white spark. Lightning struck the dry, night sky. Like the light that had just flashed at that moment, something was about to appear beyond her pitch-black memories. A loud boom echoed. Thunder belatedly rang everywhere.


    ¡°Let go!¡± Azriel screamed and pushed Damon away. ¡°Let go! Get off me!¡±


    ¡°You like that too, right? I¡¯m much better than that monster face. Why do you go live like this with that pretty face? I¡¯ll be good to you¡­ Aaaarrghh!¡±


    Azriel swung the oil bottle with all her might and hit Damon¡¯s head. As if the edge of the bottle directly struck his temple, he staggered. Blood dripped through his fingers, which grasped his head. Still holding the bottle of oil now stained with blood, Azriel hesitantly stepped back. Damon cried out something as he grit his teeth, but nothing was heard over the sound of thunder. He reached his hand towards her but stumbled and eventually fainted. Gasping for air, Azriel looked down at Damon¡¯s unconscious form. Then, she turned around to run again.


    Barely arriving at the entrance of the dungeon, Azriel opened the door. Maylie must have been nearby since she could hear whipping noises below. Once she confirmed where Maylie was, she poured half of the oil onto the tapestry hanging near the entrance, and then she went halfway down the stairs and sprinkled the rest beneath her. She abandoned the empty bottle, took out the matches, and lit the tapestry on fire before going back down the stairs and throwing a lit match on the oil-covered floor. The oil burst into flames in an instant.


    ¡°Fire!¡± Azriel screamed.


    Her shout echoed through the basement, followed by another loud boom of thunder rolling again. Outside the window, rain began pouring down. Azriel turned around as soon as she screamed. She watched the scene through the door from inside a room opposite to the entrance to the basement. The fire on the tapestry spread to the carpet. Beneath the stairs, she heard a thump as if something had collapsed and footsteps rushing up the stairs. The servant who had been wielding the whip arrived at the entrance to the dungeon, holding Deborah in his arms. Maylie was nowhere to be seen. They seemed to have left her by herself.


    The fire that had spread to the carpet turned one side of the hall into a sea of flames. Upon seeing the extent of the fire, the servant turned pale and ran to the side of the hall that was free of fire. It would not take long for a crowd to arrive. As soon as their backs disappeared around the corner, Azriel rushed downstairs. The fire was spreading alongside the oil as it flowed, and the heat overwhelmed her. Thankfully, the underground walls were made of stone, so it was not too dangerous to keep moving. She found a dungeon cell with its door wide open and immediately went inside.


    ¡°Maylie!¡±


    Maylie was squatting on her haunches. Fortunately, she was not tied to an object.


    ¡°Maylie!¡± Azriel tried shaking Maylie¡¯s blood-covered shoulder and raised her up carefully. ¡°Maylie! It¡¯s me, are you awake? Are you all right?¡±


    Maylie let out a groan and opened her swollen eyes, ¡°Az¡­ riel?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get you out of here first.¡±

 CH 16

    Maylie could not keep her balance. Azriel supported part of her weight on her back and headed to the stairs, stumbling repeatedly. Her body was already weak, and she could not move quickly while helping Maylie who was taller than her. She was soaked with sweat and Maylie¡¯s blood. The wounds on her back and calf bled from the pressure, and the heat from the fire suffocated her. She was lucky that her chronic cough had not returned.


    With all of her might, she came up the stairs. Avoiding the side of the hallway blocked by fire, she went the opposite direction and heard people¡¯s footsteps nearing. Confused, she looked around and went inside the room across from the one she had been hiding in a while ago, where the winter rugs, curtains, carpets, and other furnishings were stored. She leaned Maylie, who had fallen unconscious, against the piles of wool rugs. People were moving and shouting fire outside. Azriel locked the door and approached the window, which had its curtains closed.


    When she opened the curtains and looked outside, torrential rain was pouring down. Occasional lightning illuminated the surroundings white. Lamplights busily moved in the rain. The guards must be searching for intruders after news of a fire in the castle. Lamplights were heavily gathered near the rear entrance as well.


    ¡®I need to get back to the secret passage again.¡¯


    Even after deciding on her next course of action, Azriel felt desperate all of a sudden. Since she was alone, she could just run away, but what about Maylie? Maylie had a family that could not be moved as easily. She clenched her teeth.


    ¡®If we have money, we¡¯ll make it somehow. I should escape with all of Maylie¡¯s family. If I rent a huge coach¡­¡¯


    She was finally determined. Azriel went to Maylie again and shook her shoulder.


    ¡°Maylie, Maylie. Wake up for a second. Where did you put the other glass shoe? We need it to run away together.¡±


    Maylie only blinked her eyes, as if she were drowsy. Only after Azriel pressed her with a low voice did she barely manage a response.


    ¡°In the lobby¡­ armor, deco¡­ ration¡­ right side, the second one¡­ inside the helmet¡­¡±


    It was Maylie¡¯s job to clean the decorative armor displayed in the castle¡¯s lobby.


    ¡®She hid it in a familiar place.¡¯


    Azriel nodded and covered Maylie with the curtain she took down from the window so that she would not be visible to anyone entering the room.


    ¡°Take a rest here. Hold on a little longer. I will find the glass shoe and we can run away together.¡±


    After hiding Maylie, Azriel went out the window and climbed down the wall. Her whole body was instantly soaked to the point of pain because of the pouring rain. Soon, her body felt cold. She ran staggeringly to the rear entrance near the lobby. Luckily, there was some distance between the lobby and where the fire was raging. She counted the armors on display in the quiet lobby. Second from the right. Stepping on the knee of the suit of armor, she climbed up and opened the helmet. Inside the dark lump of cast iron twinkled a clear, glass shoe. Azriel pulled it out and hid it inside the inner pocket of her apron.


    About the time Azriel returned to Maylie, the fire was put out. As she crawled up the window that she had left open, she heard Deborah¡¯s scream in a shrill voice.


    ¡°The girl¡¯s gone! Go get her now! She couldn¡¯t have gone far!¡±


    There was no time to catch her breath. Azriel ignored her body, which had started trembling, and uncovered the curtain she had placed.


    ¡°Maylie, wake up. Maylie?¡±


    Maylie seemed to have completely passed out. She did not open her eyes no matter how many times Azriel shook her. Azriel wrapped her with a plush rug and rolled her out the window. It was only possible because they were on the first floor and the window was low. The rug turned heavy after becoming drenched with rain, and she could not utter the strength to lift it. As soon as she went over the window, she removed the rug and carried Maylie on her back. Her back hurt and her legs shook, but she somehow managed to move. She had to.


    Lights were turned on all over the previously sleeping Colte Castle. Shadows of people running around were seen through the windows. Azriel clung to the wall to hide and moved slowly. Her hair, wet from the rain, kept sticking to her face. Azriel¡¯s only comfort was hearing Maylie¡¯s occasional light breathing.


    She reached the well after what felt like an eternity. Upon arriving, she set Maylie down against the well. Although she was exhausted, she needed to get herself and Maylie inside the secret passage before she could rest. As she looked inside the well to pull the rope, she was thrown into despair.


    ¡°No¡­ Water has¡­¡±


    Because of the sudden, heavy rain, water was filling the well. She thought there must have been a device to drain the water since it was where the secret passage was located, but when she looked down at the flooded well, she felt her efforts were futile and sank into the ground. Wiping the rain running down her eyes with the back of her hand, she thought hard.


    ¡®What do I do now? Think, Azriel Esthera. It¡¯s not just for your sake, but you need to save Maylie, too¡­¡¯ Azriel paused and thought. ¡®That passage, there was a slight incline at the beginning. Maybe if I can go underwater and enter it, there might be no water inside.¡¯


    ¡°¡­You b*tch, I got you!¡±


    She heard a horrifying voice. Azriel turned back in shock.

 CH 17

    Lightning struck. With his face glistening from the rain, Damon approached Azriel. He laughed, revealing white teeth as he held his bleeding head.


    ¡°How dare you hit me?!¡± Damon stretched out his hand as he neared her. ¡°D*mn it. I won¡¯t let this pass.¡±


    A dark shadow loomed over her tiny figure like despair. Whenever she blinked, she felt as if a monster was trying to crawl out of her lost memories. As she stepped back, her back finally touched the cold wall of the well. She stopped breathing. At that moment, she saw something white appear behind Damon. It was him. That weird wizard, Rhema Reshith. Upon realizing his presence, Azriel shrieked.


    ¡°Help!¡± There was an illusion as if time was paused. No, it was not an illusion. Azriel vacantly stared at the raindrops that had stopped before her eyes. Raindrops like beads were paused around her. The water droplet hanging from Damon¡¯s finger which was stretched out to her also stopped as if it were stiffened. The lightning breaking out in the sky was also paused as if someone had placed a drawing of tree branches. The shadows of the people that were reflected from the castle, lamplights that were coming and going, and even the grass leaves laying down due to the wind had paused as if they had turned into paintings. Only Azriel¡¯s breath spread out like white fog in the scene where everything was stopped.


    Rhema Reshith walked slowly to her. Not casting his shadow over her, he got on his knee and got down to her eye level.


    ¡°Azriel.¡±


    ¡°Th, th, this, you did this? Did you¡­ pause the time?¡±


    ¡°Yes, only for a little while.¡±


    Azriel unconsciously called his name without the honorific. It felt much more familiar somehow as if she had been calling him all along. When she called him by his name, his face seemed to soften a little. He was still expressionless like a statute but Azriel could not tell why she felt that way. He spoke in his signature slow tone. ¡°I want to help you, Azriel. Can I intervene in your life?¡±


    ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°I made a vow not to meddle in your life. One of the reasons for such a vow was to protect you from me.¡±


    ¡°Protect me¡­ from¡­ you?¡±


    ¡°I am a being close to omnipotent, Azriel. If you allow my intervention, your life may be distorted. I want you to be happy, but you can get miserable because of me.¡± A being close to omnipotent, that was an expression too arrogant to call oneself with his own mouth. However, it did not sound arrogant at all for raindrops were still paused like jewels scattered in the air at the very moment. The still speckless snowy robe, silver hair flowing like a silver thread, unimaginable magic that was said to pause the time, a being close to omnipotent¡­ There was one thing that came to her mind. The legendary being who was still alive and breathing. Azriel blankly murmured. ¡°The Wizard of the Horizon¡­?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m often called that.¡±


    ¡°You are, the Wizard of the Horizon?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    She felt dizzy. Azriel rubbed her wet face with her both hands. ¡°¡­Why did you make such a strange vow? Why do you keep trying to help me? And why¡­ do you think I might be unhappy when you help me?¡± Through her trembling lips, questions poured out. Rhema closed his mouth for a moment and answered her slowly. ¡°It¡¯s because you are a person who can see the same thing as me.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to explain in a simple way. This is a long story to tell now.¡±


    Azriel stared at his straight face. Something kept glimmering as if she could touch it. Nevertheless, she could not think straight due to her exhausted, wounded, and soaked body. She was dead tired. A day tougher than yesterday was not over yet. She feebly asked. ¡°Then tell me one thing. Is there a way for me not to get miserable even if I get your help?¡±


    ¡°There is.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ help me.¡±


    Snap. She felt something like a knot breaking. She repeated. ¡°Please help me, Rhema.¡±


    She felt a sensation as if things that had been binding her entire body snapping in strands disappeared. Her sight twirled around. The things that had been suppressed swelled filling her whole body and began to overflow. Then the rain that had been paused began pouring again. Rhema raised his body and reached out his hand. Damon was startled to see a man suddenly appear. Rhema¡¯s hand touched him. Then Damon vanished on the spot as if he was removed with an eraser. Even looking at the strange scene, Azriel could not come to her senses due to the strange sensation flowing through her body.


    She opened her mouth, struggling. ¡°Rhema¡­ what did you do just now?¡±

 CH 18

    ¡°I teleported him to somewhere else,¡± Rhema responded and glanced at the sky. The rain abruptly stopped. The clear night sky was exposed in a flash. Then he placed his hand over Azriel¡¯s leg. ¡°Reshith.¡± With a low incantation, the wound on her leg quickly healed.


    Azriel could not afford to watch that. She did not even feel her wound heal. The thing that had been blocked all along and began overflowing just now was knocking on her entire body and awakening.


    ¡°Ugh¡­¡± She began to see things similar to sparkling dots from one point. Azriel blinked her eyes a few times and rubbed them, and then opened them wide again. The sparkling dots were becoming clearer and increasing. Finally, they filled up the surroundings like the stars. Mesmerized, she looked at the dimly shining, spinning, and flowing stars in a variety of colors and sizes. In the night sky, swaying grass leaves, the air, the rocks that made the well where she was leaning against, and even her body, Maylie¡¯s body which was laid down next to her, and Rhema¡¯s body before her, from around her feet to the far distance that she could hardly see, everywhere were the stars. She felt like she had dived into the sea of stars.


    She was so refreshed to the point she was ecstatic. It was like something that had been blinding her eyes was taken off, as the lost sense had come back. The world where the stars twinkled and flowed was her own world by nature. It was what only she could see. She found enlightenment by instinct.


    Azriel held out her hand as if she was possessed to the star group shining nearest to her. Rhema grabbed that hand.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch that,¡± Rhema said, grabbing her hand. His hand covered her eyes. It felt cool. She finally realized that her eyes were hot as if she were feverish. Tears had welled up in her eyes. Still covering her eyes, Rhema whispered. ¡°Since you have forgotten how to look at them, I¡¯ll block it for a while.¡± As soon as his hand was taken away, fantastical stars were no longer seen. Everything was the same as usual. Then she felt a strong sense of loss. She was mesmerized even though she saw it only once. The beautiful sight even felt familiar as if she wore well-fitting clothes.


    ¡°What was the thing I just saw¡­?¡±


    ¡°That was mana.¡±


    ¡°Mana¡­?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s what only you and I can see in our time.¡±


    He said as he picked her up in his arms. Azriel was still unable to come to her senses due to the lingering feelings. She was about to ask more questions, but she let out a low groan crouching despite herself as his arm touched her back.


    ¡°Ahh¡­¡± Azriel groaned.


    ¡°¡­Excuse me, Azriel.¡± Rhema flinched and suddenly turned her around and made her sit. Then he grabbed the hem of her clothes. He pulled her shirt down despite Azriel, who tried to pull herself free instinctively, and checked her back. Then he was silent for a long time. Her fragile back was full of wounds. From old scars to recently formed ones, her back was filled with scars, which looked like a reckless doodle.


    ¡°Wh, what are you doing?!¡± Azriel, who was not able to move freely because of exhaustion and dizziness, narrowly came to her senses due to the coldness. She yelled as she pulled up her clothes but Rhema did not respond. All of a sudden, something like a soft cloth landed on her. It was the white robe he was wearing.


    Adjusting the robe on her, he spoke in a whisper. ¡°Please wait here for a moment.¡±


    ¡°What? Where are you¡­¡± Before she finished her sentence, his appearance vanished. Buried under the huge robe, Azriel emptily gazed at the spot where he vanished.


    *


    Rhema Reshith teleported into the place where he had left Damon. It was the guest room where he turned Tarbo Tameion into sand. Damon, who was stiffened in the same position as before like a stick, was only rolling his eyes. When Rhema appeared, his eyes wandered as if he was in fear.


    ¡°Do you have any idea who you were about to lay your hand on?¡± It was unlikely of Rhema, but his question was imbued with ridicule. He asked as he put his hand over Damon¡¯s head. ¡°What kind of life did Azriel live after I left?¡± It was not a question asking for an answer. Precisely, it was a question to find out the answer from Damon¡¯s head instead of his mouth. When he heard the question, he reflexly recalled related memories in his head. Rhema read through the memories in detail.


    Digging up his memories was horribly painful. Damon wanted to scream and twist his limbs but could not move a finger. He dropped foam at the mouth. Learning everything he wanted to know, Rhema took his hand off. Damon¡¯s eyes were halfway rolled away. Looking down at his hand, Rhema mumbled.


    ¡°¡­If I knew this was going to happen, I would¡¯ve continuously watched her even by twisting Ofeq¡¯s neck.¡±


    Damon saw Rhema¡¯s lowered grey eyes sink bleakly. They were in the color of a frosted metal piece. That became the last color Damon saw alive. Damon¡¯s body was crumpled like a piece of paper. He opened his mouth wide but no scream came out this time as well. When his blood was about to flow, Rhema put his hand on him. He did not like messy corpses or leaving bloodstains. The crumpled body soon turned into sand and ran down.


    Looking at the pile of sand, Rhema thought about the scars left on Azriel Esthera¡¯s back and the memories of Damon trying to get his hand on her. It was not enough. What was not enough? Inside him, dried and crumbled wastes of emotion were gathered to form a figure and rose. It was a figure of a monster. Instead of suppressing it, Rhema left it to wail. Then, the vibration that spread from around his feet became an earthquake and struck the whole Colte Castle. Anywhere the vibration grazed through turned into sand. To be exact, they were shattered to the point that they turned into dust and became like sand. The sandcastle collapsed. People fled and shrieked. Some were dying as they were buried under the sand but the wizard paid no attention. He merely searched for someone among the fleeing and dying people.

 CH 19

    Suddenly the space in front of Rhema contorted and a colorful, huge bird popped out. The bird opened its beak and cried out loudly.


    ¡°Danger line! Danger line!¡±


    ¡°Shut your mouth before I really twist your neck, Ofeq,¡± Rhema waved his hand to ward off the bird.


    Evading his hand, the bird soared, flapped its wings, and circled above his head. Feathers of various colors fell off. ¡°Warning! Warning!¡±


    ¡°I already know,¡± Rhema said sharply and set his eyes on the people running away. He saw fat Count Colte on a knight¡¯s back. An invisible, huge hand grabbed and lifted him in the air. The Countess, who was desperately packing pieces of jewelry that were yet to be turned into dust yet, was found as well. She was also caught by the invisible hand. Lastly, Deborah Colte was found and caught.


    ¡°Halt! Halt! Halt!¡± The bird was crying its head off.


    Instead of listening to that warning, Rhema gestured to the bird. The bird¡¯s beak was closed shut as if it was glued. It shivered its feathers and fluttered frantically. The collapsed Colte Castle became a huge sandhill. The Colte family was dragged and cast before Rhema, who was standing on top of the hill. He first asked the Count.


    ¡°Where did you buy Azriel?¡±


    The answer was unnecessary of course since it was a question to read his memory as well. The Count¡¯s eyes were overturned in agony of his head being stirred. Rhema indifferently withdrew his hand after reading his memory. The Count¡¯s neck was twisted and soon, was turned into sand and scattered. The Countess who watched the scene immediately passed out. She also became a part of the sandhill as soon as Rhema¡¯s hand touched her.


    Deborah Colte, who was left lastly, turned pale while still holding a glass shoe. It was because the castle collapsed when she was screaming at the servants to either find the runaway maid, Maylie, or the other shoe. Rhema ripped the shoe off her grip. Then he looked down at her with freezingly cold eyes and tapped her forehead with the tip of his hand. ¡°See what it¡¯s like to get back what you¡¯ve done.¡±


    ¡°Agh!!! Arrgghh!!!!¡±


    Deborah crouched and started shrieking. The pain of whips being wielded on the back pounded on her. No wound was formed but the pain was real. Leaving Deborah aside, who was rolling on the sand, Rhema glared at the bird that was peskily flying around. ¡°I¡¯m not going to cross the line. Go back to where you¡¯re supposed to be, Ofeq.¡±


    The bird whose beak was freed from forcibly being shut cried loudly and circled him. The bird that had been quacking suddenly spoke in a beautiful voice that sounded like a boy. ¡°Rhema Reshith. Can you kill Azriel Esthera?¡±


    Rhema grabbed the bird¡¯s neck and pulled it right in front of his eyes. The bird¡¯s pitch-black eyes glared. It asked again. ¡°Rhema Reshith, Rhema Reshith. If you have to kill Azriel Esthera, can you not hesitate?¡± Rhema¡¯s hand holding the bird¡¯s neck was clenched so hard that the veins on it stood out. The bird only stared at him as if it did not feel being strangled. Finally, he opened his mouth.


    ¡°¡­If I have to, I can.¡± The response that came out belatedly sounded rough like a metal being scratched. The bird blinked its eyes and closed its beak. Rhema soon let the bird go. The bird no longer warned. It fluttered above Rhema¡¯s head once and vanished, distorting space just like how it appeared first. A couple of feathers with a mixture of red and green fell before his eyes. The moment he scowled at them, they were burned and turned into ash.


    He could kill her if it was necessary, so it would be fine if he kept her near him. ¡­Could he really do it? Rhema stopped thinking at that point. After brushing his face with his exhausted hand, he gestured annoyingly at Deborah who was still screaming. Not even watching her turning into sand and fall, he turned his back.


    *


    Azriel was still in a hazy state. She was dizzy as if she had been suffering from fever. She wanted to check on Maylie who was still passed out but could not move at all. She curled up in the robe that Rhema covered her and closed her eyes. When she took a deep breath, her nose was filled with the birchwood scent from the robe. Her head cleared up a little. She just breathed for a while in that position. She felt a little better by doing so, so she rubbed her eyes that still felt hot and hardly opened her eyes. Then even her dizziness disappeared by the sight unfolding in front of her eyes. The Colte Castle was disappearing into dust before her. It turned into a sand castle and collapsed. Grasping the hem of the robe, Azriel looked at Colte Castle that became a sandhill. She also watched each household of the Colte family turning and scattering into sand before Rhema after being captured.


    ¡®No way¡­¡¯ It was a terrible sight. Although she hated and blamed them, she never wished them to die. She had imagined them apologizing and pleading to her on their stomach but never imagined such an end. At least, she did not want them to turn into dust crying in great agony like that. Rather than feeling satisfied, a feeling of revulsion weighed down on her. Rhema, whose facial expression did not even change once, did not feel like a human. The edge of human, a being closest to God, the nickname Wizard of the Horizon had never felt more accurate. He quickly appeared in front of her again. In his hand, he held a sparkling glass shoe.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know where the other one is.¡±


    Speaking calmly, he knelt before frozen Azriel and laid the shoe. Taken aback by his words, she took out the other shoe from her apron.


    ¡°I had the other one.¡±


    Rhema¡¯s eyes were slightly widened. He took it from her and laid her feet on his knee.


    ¡°Eeek!¡± Embarrassed, Azriel tried to pull her feet away but Rhema did not let them go. He took off her dirty, old shoes right away. The slave mark branded by fire appeared. He looked down at it for a short while. Grey eyes moved slowly like a collapsing cloud. His fingertips stroked the uneven brand.


    ¡°Reshith,¡± he said in a low voice. Azriel witnessed her brand being removed clearly with a dim light.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± The trace of slavery that felt like it would bind her entire life disappeared. All minor scratches and scars left on the feet were gone as well.

 CH 20

    Rhema, instead of putting the old shoes on her now clean feet, put on the glass shoes that were in his hand. ¡°I know you said you wanted to return these to me, but I don¡¯t wish to get them back.¡±


    ¡°Uh, Rhema, that¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d better get used to receiving things from me from now on.¡± Fair and little feet went well with the glass shoes with jewel flowers. Rhema carefully put down those feet. ¡°Azriel, since you gave me permission, I¡¯m not going to leave you to live like this.¡±


    Azriel looked at her feet on which the brand had disappeared so easily and the great and beautiful wizard who was kneeling and meeting her at her eye level in turn. It was an image that was likely to be found in a fairytale. It was exactly what she had dreamed of when she was a little younger. A very strong and tender person came to ¡®rescue¡¯ her. However, she could not just be glad for it. Fear seized her. Behind the wizard, below the night sky with a half-moon was a sandhill that was shining white. The Colte Castle, which had been standing tall just a while ago, had vanished without a trace, including its owners. She managed to move her mouth which was stiffened. ¡°Is it because I asked for your help, that you killed them?¡±


    Rhema responded after a little hesitation. ¡°I have many ways to help you. Above all, I¡¯m the one who chose this way, not you.¡±


    ¡°Why did you do this?¡±


    ¡°I was upset.¡±


    ¡°Upset¡­ because of my back?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± It was a response that easily came out without hesitation. Azriel was dumbfounded. The fact that she had some wound could be a reason for this guy to turn a whole castle into dust and kill the whole family of Colte? Moreover, his face was perfectly silent and serene for someone who did all of that out of anger.


    ¡°Umm, Rhema¡­ do you do this every time you get angry?¡±


    ¡°I rarely feel anger, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°You just said you were upset.¡±


    ¡°Because it¡¯s about you.¡±


    So, why on earth someone like you, a person whom I just met a few days ago, would do that? She did not understand. Suddenly, Azriel remembered the only thing that was left in the memory that was painted black. Her head started to hurt. Pushing her forehead with one hand, she asked in a trembling voice. ¡°Rhema, are you the one who gave me a name?¡±


    Rhema suddenly reached out his hand. It did not seem like he was aware of his action. He, who checked her face by touching it with his fingertips, slightly smiled, dropping the tails of his eyes. It was a very faint smile that could barely be placed in the category of smiles. ¡°Yes, I named you, Azriel Esthera.¡±


    Azriel had not told him her surname. She never mentioned the existence of her surname to anyone after she became a slave. Her surname, which was called in about six years, sounded strange yet familiar. She had tons of things she wanted to ask. However, her headache got worse as soon as her surname was called. Every time she blinked, strange scenes like paintings drawn inside her eyelids slid by. She shook her head. ¡°Why don¡¯t I remember you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve closed your memory, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°Why? Why would you¡­ Did I do something wrong?¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t do anything wrong.¡±


    ¡°Then, why¡­¡± Things came to mind ceaselessly and filled the space. What she had forgotten gushed down as if she had opened a cupboard full of things. Because there were too many, it was hard to even distinguish one from another. She felt so dizzy that she felt like throwing up. When Azriel covered her mouth in the middle of talking, Rhema put his hand over her forehead. His cool temperature felt fresh. ¡°It¡¯d be better to take time to revive your memory. Your body is very weak now.¡±


    As she was feeling his temperature, her nausea calmed down. The things that had been pouring out in her head also became dim. He tried to lift her in his arms, who blinked her eyes as if she was exhausted. She stopped his approaching arms, breathing heavily. ¡°Wait, wait¡­ Maylie first¡­¡±


    Rhema gave a look at Maylie who was passed out next to the well. It was a dry look as if he was looking at an inanimate object. He spitted out an insincere incantation. ¡°Reshith.¡± The wounds caused by whipping quickly healed. Followed by that, Rhema teleported her to another place. It was a gesture similar to that of removing trash.


    Startled, Azriel pulled his arm. ¡°W, where did she go, I mean, Maylie?¡±


    ¡°I sent her to the inn that I rented.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get you there too. You¡¯d better wash up and rest.¡± After saying so, Rhema did not move immediately but looked down at the girl who was hanging on to his arm. Azriel staggered due to the lack of energy as she had no more strength left after holding his arm to stop him. It was even hard to keep her upper body straight. She, who was leaning her forehead on his arm and breathing evenly, lifted her head as there was a pause.


    ¡°¡­Rhema?¡±


    He involuntarily brushed the girl¡¯s hair. It was a very tender and familiar hand movement. Startled, Azriel tried to get away from his hand by turning her head. Rhema looked at his lost hand as if he was looking at something strange.


    ¡°¡­What¡¯s wrong?¡± Azriel asked.

 CH 21

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    Rhema lifted her and the robe that wrapped her altogether. As soon as he took a step, the surroundings changed. It was a clean and classy bedroom. There were two beds and Maylie was passed out on one of them. He looked at the bed with unsatisfied eyes and carefully put down Azriel. ¡°It might be too much for you if we move too far, so we should rest here today. Would you like to eat something?¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡± Answered Azriel.


    ¡°All right.¡± Perching on the bed, Azriel watched him move. He whisked out of sight and appeared with a porcelain bathtub with gold decoration. Then he made water in the air. The sight of water gushing out and filling the tub just by a small whisper of ¡°Reshith¡± was not even very surprising now. He, who disappeared again after filling the tub with water, appeared with a basket and a strange lump of light in his hands. The light, which was about the size of a child¡¯s head, was waning indiscriminately. In Azriel¡¯s eyes, it seemed to be disconcerted. Rhema laid the basket next to the bathtub and let go of the lump of light. Then, it flew to Azriel like an arrow.


    ¡°Yikes!¡± Azriel backed off in surprise. Paying no attention to such a reaction, the lump of light circled around her, blinking.


    ¡°It¡¯s a spirit I made. It seems happy to see you in a long time.¡±


    ¡°A spirit¡­? You made it? It knows me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you all about it later. You should warm yourself first. The spirit will serve you.¡± Rhema stepped back and pulled the bed curtain. As the tub was placed between the bed and window, the room was divided to some degree when the thick bed curtain was shut. Then, before Azriel could say something, the lump of light, called a spirit, moved busily. It jumped into the basket and came out with bath preparation wrapped around it and dropped it in the tub. Then it went into the tub, circled around to mix the bath preparation with water, and flew back to Azriel.


    ¡°Umm, excuse me¡­¡±


    ¡®What should I call it?¡¯ Pondered Azriel. The spirit clung to Azriel who was getting nervous. It removed Rhema¡¯s robe that covered her and undressed her clothes that were soaked wet in rain in no time. When it was about to undress her undergarments, she freaked out and held onto them. ¡°I, I¡¯ll do it!¡± The spirit swayed from side to side as if it was tilting its head. Then it flew to the basket and took out all sorts of bath supplies including a towel and soap. Meanwhile, Azriel laid down the undergarments she took off and stepped into the tub. While doing so, she lost her balance and slid, but the spirit quickly held her up. ¡°Oh, thank you¡­ I guess you can be touched, can¡¯t you?¡±


    It looked like a regular lump of light but she could feel its flabby touch. She dipped herself in the nice scented water and fiddled with the spirit. It stayed steady in her palm for a while but soon flustered to get out of it and began washing her hair. The water temperature was perfectly warm. It was a warm bath she first had in almost five years since she was a ¡®lady¡¯ just before she became a slave. Her frozen body due to the rain softly melted down. Azriel dipped her whole body below her chin. On the back of her feet which wavered below the water, the brand was not seen. ¡®Everything feels like a dream. I can¡¯t believe it.¡¯ Too many things happened in a short period of time. With her body and spirit both exhausted, she was continuously spacing out. Burying her face in her wet hands, she slightly raised her voice. ¡°Rhema, are you there?¡± Come to think of it, she had been unknowingly calling him without an honorific. She wondered why it felt more natural. Maybe she used to call him this way.


    ¡°I am, Azriel.¡± Beyond the thick curtain, she could hear his voice. Setting her eyes on the water dripping along her hand, she spoke. ¡°If you¡¯ve closed my memory, would I be able to remember it all soon?¡±


    ¡°Since the moment you allowed me to break my vow, the latch has been unlocked. As of now, I¡¯ve paused it for a short while, everything will settle into its place little by little.¡± The memories from age seven to ten. The reason why she could not remember no matter how much she tried was because that wizard had erased it all. She was in warm water, but she suddenly felt chilly.


    ¡®Since a wizard who can manipulate my memory is next to me, I can¡¯t even trust my own memory.¡¯ It was creepy. She rubbed her skin on forearms with goosebumps all over. ¡°Rhema.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°¡­Why did you name me?¡± The spirit wrapped Azriel¡¯s rinsed hair with its formless body. As it stayed still for a while and fell off, dampness in her hair disappeared in an instant. It started brushing her well-dried hair neatly. Rhema, who stayed silent, finally answered in a subdued tone by the time the brushing was almost over.


    ¡°It¡¯s because you are someone who can see the same things as me.¡± It was the same response he gave when she asked why he wanted to help her. He then added. ¡°The first one to show up before me in a thousand years.¡±


    ¡°A th, thousand years?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it should be about that much.¡± It was 996 in the Iskam Year now. It would be a thousand years if you started counting even before the calendar was created. Such a remote past felt surreal. He looked only about 24 or 25, but a thousand years?


    ¡°Rhema, you don¡¯t look like you¡¯re older than a thousand years¡­¡±


    ¡°I stopped aging ever since I became a wizard.¡±


    ¡°Then you¡¯re i, immortal?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s similar.¡±


    They said that the Wizard of the Horizon was immortal. She already knew about it, but it was too much to take when she heard it right next to her. ¡®Similar to being immortal¡¯ did not make sense either. It seemed better to ask about something else, putting this aside for now. Endless questions were piled up anyway. With a split voice, Azriel changed the subject. ¡°Well, you said I can see the same things as you. Do you mean things like the stars from a while ago? The thing called mana?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. But they look like lines to me, not stars. It¡¯s because each dragon eye perceives mana in different forms by nature.¡±


    ¡°Dragon eye?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s what we call the eye that can see mana, which both you and I are born with.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s called the dragon eye? The eye of a dragon¡­¡±

 CH 22

    Dragons had always been humans¡¯ enemies whether in fairy tales or legends. The Wizard of the Horizon was best known for his fight against a dragon and the myth of the creation of the world also began with the battle between the primal dragon and God. If one that stood against God was called the devil, the dragon was the devil. The reason why the longest and toughest mountains that crossed the continent was named the Backbone Mountain Range originated from the myth that the continent itself was formed with the body of the primal dragon that was defeated by God. To Azriel, the dragon eye sounded similar to a cursed eye. However, Rhema spoke casually as if it was nothing surprising. ¡°Because magic originated from the dragon.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± When she straightened her upper body in surprise, water splashed. The spirit performed a wonderful feat by moving quickly to contain the water that was being spilled.


    ¡°It¡¯s a fact that any decent wizard knows. You knew about it before you lost your memory.¡±


    ¡°Was I a wizard¡­? Did I learn magic from you when I was younger?¡±


    ¡°¡­The water¡¯s getting cold, Azriel. You¡¯d better come out now.¡±


    The spirit helped her get up. When she wiped herself and put on a gown, it opened the curtain. Rhema, who was sitting on a chair, approached her. When he put his hand, the tub disappeared. Azriel sat down on the edge of the bed with the spirit¡¯s help. ¡°Uh, so, are there only two, you and I, who have the dragon eye?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s true as of now.¡±


    ¡°That means you were alone before you found me.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°¡­For a thousand years?¡±


    ¡°Since it was before Iskam the Great unified calendar, it should be about that long. I haven¡¯t counted the exact number of years.¡±


    The number of a thousand years still did not feel realistic. It was also difficult to accept that she was a being who could see the same things as ¡®the Wizard of the Horizon¡¯ yet. Nonetheless, it sounded very lonely to hear that there was no one else who could see the same things as Rhema for a thousand years even though he was candid as if he was not able to feel anything. ¡®Is that why he named me, and offered to help me?¡¯ Azriel suddenly asked. ¡°Rhema, if I¡¯m the only one who has the same eyes as you, can I become a wizard like you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s possible for you.¡±


    Can I use the magic that pauses time, travels through space, and meddles with memory? It was too enormous that it felt like a lie. It was still hard to believe that the man before her was the Wizard of the Horizon. She looked at Rhema vacantly. Leaning by the window, he was capturing her in his eyes, with a calm face. ¡°¡­Did you teach me because you wanted me to become a wizard like you?¡±


    His face turned strange. A complex expression of being delighted, yet unwilling was faintly put on. He moved his eyes to a far distance and then gazed at her again. ¡°If you learn magic, I¡¯ll be happy. But¡­¡± He stopped talking and hesitated. After closing his eyes for a long time and opening them back, he spoke as if he had made up his mind. ¡°Azriel, you asked if there¡¯s a way for you not to get miserable even if you get intertwined with me.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll explain it to you. Request everything from me. Whatever you want to have or do, anything. There are seldom things that are impossible to me.¡±


    ¡°What? Any, anything?¡±


    ¡°Yes. If you need power, I¡¯ll make the emperor worship you. If you want riches, I¡¯ll turn a rocky mountain into gold. Even if you want a garden where winter never comes, I can make one for you. After receiving everything you want from me, when you think that I¡¯m no longer needed, tell me. Then I¡¯ll make a vow again.¡±


    ¡°¡­What vow?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a vow not to intervene in your life. If I do so, you won¡¯t become miserable.¡±


    It was a tremendous and dumbfounding suggestion that was only beneficial for her, which was hard to believe. Azriel asked again in confusion. ¡°Would you be okay with it, Rhema?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about my interference. Once I make a vow, I won¡¯t be able to come near you even if I wanted to.¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I meant¡­ Is there nothing you want from me, Rhema?¡± Rhema, again, had a strange expression on his face. ¡°You ask the same question you asked when you were young,¡± he observed.


    ¡°Have I asked the same thing before?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°How did you answer me back then?¡±


    ¡°I said it¡¯s my wish to watch you grow up, but it¡¯s different now. I¡¯ll be okay if I don¡¯t know how you grow up.¡±


    ¡°Then, you don¡¯t want anything? You¡¯re saying I should abandon you when you¡¯re no longer needed after taking everything. Are you sure that¡¯s enough for you?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I just want Azriel, you to be happy somewhere I don¡¯t know.¡± It was an incomprehensible statement. Azriel became confused and pressed her forehead. ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t you know me? Wouldn¡¯t that be lonely? Can¡¯t I be happy somewhere near you?¡± At an unexpected question, emotions completely disappeared from Rhema¡¯s face. Just like that, he silently looked at Azriel for a long time. His still face was beautiful yet terrifying that she gradually became scared. She recalled that he literally turned the Colte family into dust.


    ¡®Was it a question I¡¯m not supposed to ask? But it¡¯s too strange that he will give me anything without asking for anything in return.¡¯ By the time Azriel started plucking the hem of her gown out of nervousness, he opened his mouth. It was a plain and dry tone like reading a book. ¡°The closer you get to me, the more sorrowful your grief will be.¡±

 CH 23

    ¡°It¡¯s not about me but about you, Rhema. Regardless of my life, are you okay if you don¡¯t get anything in return?¡± Azriel disputed despite herself.


    Rhema¡¯s still face was broken. An embarrassed look. It felt like he had no idea how to react. Since it did not feel creepy as before, Azriel plucked up her courage. ¡°Why do you say that I¡¯ll be miserable when I get close to you? Is it because you¡¯re such a strong wizard?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡®The distant time of a thousand years, the powerful magic that pauses time and manipulates memory, the being that neither ages nor dies,¡¯ She could vaguely guess what becoming miserable meant when getting intertwined with him. The fact that he had closed her memory gave her chills just a moment ago. The more she thought about it, the scarier it got. Their time of life would be different, too. There was no way that a person who did not age or die could live a normal life with a normal person. Moreover, the suggestions he just made had a possibility to make them miserable in a different sense. ¡®He will make any of my wishes come true if I wanted? That¡¯s like a fairy tale. Those tales usually don¡¯t have a happy ending, whether it¡¯s greed or devil¡¯s trick.¡¯


    His eyes lowered, Rhema was silent. Azriel was waiting for his reply but suddenly realized something. If she could become a wizard like him, all her questions would be meaningless. A wizard. The word had a charming echo to it. She had never imagined that she could become a wizard, both before and after becoming a slave. But there was no reason to reject it if she could become one, especially if she could become a great wizard like ¡®the Wizard of the Horizon.¡¯


    ¡®Maybe I¡¯ll be able to use magic right away once my lost memory comes back. I probably learned magic from Rhema during that time. That¡¯s why I could read Lemm.¡¯ The group of stars she saw for a moment by the well was still vivid. She fell in love as soon as she saw it. It was a mesmerizingly splendid and familiar scene as if it was originally her own. Rhema said it was mana. The source that enabled wizards to perform miracles was called magic. She wanted to make that scene her own. She wanted to become a wizard. Her heart pounded. Azriel spoke in a slightly excited tone. ¡°Rhema, you said I can become a wizard like you. You taught me magic so that I could¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true.¡±


    ¡°What? You just said it¡¯s possible.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t deny your potential. The reason why I taught you magic¡­¡± Rhema left his statement vague. There was a look of reluctance on his face, and soon, he became calm and continued. ¡°Azriel, I hope you don¡¯t learn magic as much as possible.¡±


    ¡°¡­Please explain your reason.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Rhema, you said you¡¯d be happy if I learned magic. It doesn¡¯t make sense, why are you¡­¡±


    ¡°Azriel.¡± Rhema interrupted her. He softly picked her up and laid her on the bed, covering her with a blanket. Looking down at her blinking golden eyes, he quietly whispered. ¡°If you become a wizard.¡± His gentle touch stroked her forehead. ¡°I will have to kill you someday.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± She thought she heard it wrong. Bewildered, Azriel looked up at him. He closed his mouth and got up. ¡°You will slowly start remembering things that you¡¯ve forgotten. Wish you a sweet dream.¡± He called the spirit that was taking care of Maylie with his hand gesture and grabbed it. At the same time its appearance vanished like it was being erased, the light was turned off. ¡®He¡¯s going to¡­ kill me if I become a wizard?¡¯ ¡®The one who said he would grant any wish, said he would kill me if I learned magic? Did I hear it right?¡¯ She felt cold. Azriel curled up under the blanket. Things were mixed up in her head. Everything was doubtful. She tried recalling the conversation they just had. However, her exhausted body did not give her the leisure to think more. Not long after she was buried in the blanket, she fell asleep. When she was asleep, things she had forgotten in darkness began to unfold.


    Act 2 ¨C Recollection and Memory


    ***


    ¡°You filthy thing!¡±


    It was what she commonly heard. The girl was thrown down on the cold stone floor. Her whole body that crashed into the hard stone hurt. With a splash, filth was poured on her head. It smelled awful.


    ¡°Beat it!¡±


    The door was shut with a loud noise. The sweet scent of bread disappeared with it. Only the stink and coldness left. The girl staggeringly got up from the spot. Her red, scratched knees and elbows were bleeding. The sticky thing dripped from her head. She searched her head. She brought the thing that got in her grip to her eye level. It was a piece of half-rotten, moldy apple peel. She hurriedly took it to her mouth. It smelled terrible, yet she chewed and swallowed it. Something cold landed on her huddled shoulder. She looked up at the sky. From the grey sky, white snow was falling.


    Suddenly she became terribly frightened. Snow was scary. It was freezing and it took away breaths. When it fell, death came without fail. Whenever she saw bodies frozen to death, she was relieved that she did not end up like them and at the same time, felt fear that she could end up like them at any time. Clenching the collar of her ragged clothes, she tried her best to wrap her body.

 CH 24

    White snowflakes touched her ugly bare feet with blisters and scabs. Her feet which were turning red were now freezing in blue. Her toenails which had been broken and cracked repeatedly were now in weird forms that made her feel bad by looking at them. The girl walked into the darkness of the alley. The dark shadow hid her dirty appearance.


    If there was a hut that could block the wind one was in a good situation. That was possible for children with parents or siblings. Things like wooden panels, sunken stone walls, and pieces of a straw mat were luxury. Even if she was lucky enough to get one, it would be taken away soon.


    The girl was alone, powerless, and meaningless. The bottom of the bottom. A life that was strange even if she died now. She was living a life that no one would remember.


    The corner with a chimney that stuck out from a house adjoining the castle wall was a spot that the girl discovered two days ago. Even though below the castle wall was a great spot as everyone avoided it, there was a place left. It was because one would have a hard time if he was unluckily caught by the guards who patrolled above the wall. Sometimes, the guards would piss straight down the wall or throw out filth.


    The girl pressed herself closer against the wall and sat down, leaning on it. She was lucky. There was faint warmth left on the wall as if someone had made fire. Crouching her knees, she tried hard to put her both feet under the ragged clothes she was wearing. If she slept with uncovered feet, they would freeze pale and become useless. She curled up her body as much as possible and got close to the wall. Within her half-closed view, she could see snow piling up. She slowly closed her eyes, wishing she could open them back up tomorrow.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    Out of the blue, her hair was grasped by a rough hand. Startled by the pain like her head being plucked as a whole, she opened her eyes. She could see smooth leather boots. Her face turned ashy pale.


    ¡°I thought it was dead, but it¡¯s alive.¡± It was a coarse voice. It was awfully painful as she was forcibly raised up while she was grabbed by the hair. Reflexively, she grabbed the hand that held her head. Her hand was full of scratches with black dirt underneath its fingernails. The man sent her flying. ¡°How dare you touch me, you filth!¡±


    ¡°You brute, you touched that first. Don¡¯t come near me, you stink.¡±


    She heard them giggle. She was thrown on the stone floor where snow was piling up little by little. She screamed softly. Then the giggling stopped all of a sudden. ¡°Hey, this is a girl.¡± She was frightened out of her wits. It was easy for women to get miserable as they were weak. Since the gender of young children in the back alley was hard to distinguish, she usually pretended to be a boy. When she looked down, her thin legs were exposed as the lower ends of her clothes were rolled up. She hastily covered her body by pulling it down. The leather shoes approached her with big strides. A cheap alcoholic smell surged in.


    ¡°Dude, what are you doing now?¡±


    ¡°You nuts! Are you getting a boner by looking at that? That scrawny and little thing?¡±


    ¡°Oh, like you¡¯ve never seen him do that. He¡¯s always turned on by little kids.¡±


    ¡°You dirty scum.¡± The men¡¯s voices buzzed around her.


    She crawled backward scratching the floor. She could hear someone spitting on the ground. Some giggled and some stepped away.


    ¡°Be quick.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll get going then.¡±


    A huge hand grabbed her forearm. Overtaken with fear, the girl lifted her chin. She saw the grey sky through her hair frozen with filth. Underneath it, a flushed man was holding her. He was in a guard¡¯s uniform. Despite knowing that the guards were the reason why there were no people below the wall, she was attracted by the warmth of the chimney. She regretted it at last.


    She was only seven but already knew that something horrific would happen from now on. An unprotected child would be a grown-up too early. To withstand the force that was pulling her, she dug her fingers firmly into the cracks of the stone floor. As the man pulled her, her fingernails in the cracks broke and started bleeding. She was defenselessly dragged out. From behind her back, she could hear trousers getting unfastened.


    ¡®Please, please, please.¡¯ She repeated a plea that she could not even tell who it was directed at. She frantically resisted and kicked the man¡¯s groin. The man grabbed her by the collar and punched her cheek, cursing. Her head was turned severely and she could hear a ringing in the ears. It was the fist of a robust grownup man. At one strike, the girl lost all the strength in her body. She tasted blood in her mouth. Her cheek was instantly swollen. The man threw her to the ground. The ragged clothes were pushed up. The man¡¯s dark shadow covered her body like a monster. She looked at the grey sky beyond it. The white, clean death was fluttering in the sky.


    ¡®I hope this monster gets smashed.¡¯ She wished desperately. At that moment, her sight spun. She saw stars flowing like the galaxy in a flash. It raged violently and filled her whole sight. She felt her strength slipping from her body as if she was falling from a height. Then the man was smashed. Lines were recklessly drawn over his body. Red blood flowed along the lines. The man was broken into pieces and poured on top of the girl. She vacantly watched the blood, guts, and flesh pouring down on her. The first thing that came to her mind was that the blood covering her whole body was quite warm.

 CH 25

    ¡°Wh, what?! What is that?!¡±


    ¡°Gregg, Did Gregg just die?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?!¡±


    She heard men¡¯s cries. Other boots approached. Someone¡¯s hand lifted up the man¡¯s broken head, trembling. Some burst into tears and some shrieked.


    ¡°Dude, he¡¯s really dead, shattered into pieces! What is this? This is insane!¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nobody around us. It¡¯s just us and that b**tch! How did this happen?¡±


    ¡°That thing must¡¯ve done something.¡±


    Someone grabbed her by the collar and lifted her up, who was frozen. Some stepped backward in fear. ¡°Did you do this? Did you kill Gregg, you b**tch?!¡±


    ¡°Magic? Is this some sort of magic?¡±


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t touch her. What if you get killed, too?¡± The man violently shook her who he had lifted with one hand. He growled sounding like a beast. ¡°I¡¯m asking if you did this! Do it to me, too, you b**tch!¡±


    ¡°Stop him!!¡± Another yelled. The girl could not think at all. In her empty eye, the image of the man shattering was stuck. She did not have any strength to move a finger. The man threw her after shaking her frantically and began trampling on her and kicking her. She crouched as a reaction. Gasp, gasp. She made a choking sound. The boots turned red with her blood. Her broken tooth bounced and rolled on the floor.


    ¡°What do we do? How are we going to report this?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because of this b**tch!¡±


    ¡°Is this some sort of a curse? Dude, stop it!¡±


    ¡°Nothing happens when you beat her!¡±


    ¡°Then why did Gregg die?¡± The men quarreled with each other. The girl vomited blood. With her blurred vision, she saw a snowflake melting into her blood. She passed out just like that.


    *


    What the girl saw when she opened her eyes was the dark night sky. She smelled the smell of rotting flesh. Above her sprawled limbs, as if they were not her own, she felt something crawling. She rolled her eyes to see her side. The face of a corpse showing the whites of the eyes and with its mouth open was right next to her. It was a corpse half dipped into foul water. She knew that she was abandoned at the moat outside the castle wall. Bodies without connection were used to be thrown into the moat. In the filthy water where filth and worms floated, she was half submerged, mingled with other corpses. The water in midwinter was hideously cold. She did not move. Even if she crawled out of this hellish swamp, there was no one waiting for her anyway. Her parents did not love her from the beginning. Her brother, who was her only family, died. She had no one now.


    ¡®I might be able to see my brother if I just die.¡¯ Stars were splendidly scattered in the clear sky. It was the most beautiful scenery as far as she knew. I¡¯m lucky to see this beautiful night sky when I die. She genuinely thought. At the moment she gave it all up, he appeared like a god. His long hair glowing in silver cast like a fog. Pale face and spotless white robe, everything about him was white. He was shining on his own. The girl thought he was an angel or a god. Standing in the air, the man distantly looked down at her.


    ¡°Do you want to live?¡± He asked.


    She looked up at him without a reply. The eyes of the man looking at her was grey, the same as the snowy sky. He stretched out his hand to her. ¡°Would you like to come with me?¡±


    She blankly looked at the clean hand. It looked the noblest among what she had ever seen. He was a completely different being than herself. Thus, she did not understand the meaning of his hand right away. After quite a long time had passed, she realized that the man was reaching out his hand so that she could follow him.


    ¡°Me?¡± The cracked voice after getting very hoarse was small as the sound of the wind. The man who was paying attention to her understood that voice. ¡°You inherited the greatest legacy among all humans I¡¯ve seen so far. You may be able to see the same things as me. Would you like to come with me?¡± The girl did not understand half of what he said. However at this moment, she intuitively realized that an opportunity like this would never come to her life.


    She tried to move her arm. Her arm, which was half submerged in the filthy water and pinned under a corpse, did not move well. As if something was broken, pain overwhelmed her whenever she tried to move. In spite of that, she lifted her arm with all her might. It was a dirty arm with many cuts and bruises.


    While trying to reach out her arm to the man, she felt embarrassed by her arm, which was a mess compared to the man¡¯s flawless hand. It felt like she should not touch him. To the moment that she stopped right before she touched him after struggling to lift her arm, the man was watching her silently. There was no disturbance in his pure sight. He just waited, until the girl took his hand on her own.


    Cold wind blew. The tip of the girl¡¯s hand shivered. She swallowed her saliva mixed with the blood welled up in her throat. The texture of the blood scratching down the injured throat was sharp. She could not take her eyes off the man¡¯s eyes. In his eyes like the mirror, her awful image was reflected. There was no sympathy, disgust, or affection in his eyes. They were emotionless like glass beads. That was rather relieving.


    The girl finally placed her hand on the man¡¯s hand. It was a small hand only half the size of his. The man¡¯s fingers were gently intertwined, wrapping her hand.


    ¡°My name is Rhema Reshith. What is your name?¡± The girl did not receive a name from her parents. The one who named her instead of her parents was her twin brother. He was the only one who called her by that name. So, when her twin brother died, her name died as well. Nobody called her by name anymore. Therefore, she had no name. She shook her head without a word. The man gazed at her golden eyes, the only clear part among her dirty body covered in the mixture of filth and blood.


    ¡°Azriel Esthera.¡± That sound rang around the girl¡¯s ears like a tune. ¡°Let this be your name.¡±


    Not caring about his sleeve getting messed up, he reached out his arm into the filth. He scooped the girl out of it. She flinched seeing that dirty spots were forming wherever she touched. He held her in his arms. As if by magic, she did not feel cold at all as soon as she was in his arms. Although he looked snowy white and cold, he was warm. The girl slowly closed her eyes while still being held in his arms. He thought the girl was overly light. Compared to the vast possibility hidden inside her, it was a body too small and weak. The girl, who fell asleep before one knew, was completely relying her body on him. A faint hint of smile appeared on his face. Just like that, everything began.

 CH 26

    When ¡®Azriel Esthera¡¯ opened her eyes for the first time after receiving her name, what she saw was a perfectly peaceful scenery. In the middle of a wide space in the inner forest, there was a petite two-story house built of wooden frames and bricks. Small flowering vines were intertwined with the low fence surrounding the yard. Over the fence was a winter with frozen bare branches but only inside the fence was a warm spring. Chickens and chicks were roaming around the grassy yard. On one side of the roof which was sticking out, a colorful bird had nested. On the railing of the terrace, a black cat and a white cat were enjoying a nap back to back. The white cat yawned big. In the yard, a huge, yellow dog with shaggy fur was running along a butterfly. It soon laid down on its back as if it was tired and enjoyed the sunshine.


    In that peaceful scenery, Azriel was wrapped in a soft blanket, buried in a rocking chair. The beige blanket smelled like sunshine. She was dying in a freezing cold, filthy water just a little while ago. Was she dreaming?


    ¡°You are awake.¡±


    A low voice was heard from behind. It was faster for him to come in front of Azriel than her turning around. The train of his white robe softly swayed. A big cup was held out in front of her. The cup was filled with sticky, green liquid. ¡°Drink it.¡±


    Azriel vacantly looked down at the cup for a while and lifted her head to look at him. The man with long, flowy silver hair was standing in front of her in the same image she saw before she passed out. As she was just watching him, Rhema tilted his head. ¡°I cured almost all injuries, your body is too weak now. This is a medicine that will replenish nutrition and detoxify your body.¡±


    ¡°Is this not a dream?¡± Azriel asked out of the blue.


    Awakened by their conversation, two cats that were at the railing jumped down. The black cat sat down around Azriel¡¯s feet and examined her with its narrowly opened green eyes. The white cat snuggled into Rhema¡¯s robe skirt and rubbed its body against his leg. Ignoring the cat, Rhema gazed at Azriel and answered her. ¡°This is not a dream, Azriel.¡± He was still holding the cup steadily. Azriel wriggled her hands under the blanket to receive it. It took a long while until she could hold her hand out of the blanket as he wrapped her hands too tightly. When she barely took the cup, a black cat lightly climbed up the rocking chair.


    ¡°Ah¡­!¡± Surprised, Azriel¡¯s body was stiffened. Because of that, some of the liquid was spilled on the blanket. She turned pale, thinking that she would get beaten for staining the blanket. ¡°S, s, sorry! I¡¯m sorry!¡± She trembled and wrapped her head. There was no change in Rhema¡¯s expression. He asked as he picked up the black cat to separate it from her. ¡°Do you dislike cats?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s, it¡¯s just, that I was surprised,¡± replied Azriel.


    ¡°This is Noir. The white one is Blanchet. Noir, come down.¡± As if it understood his words, the black cat cried long and jumped down the rocking chair. Noir looked back at Azriel for once and went away haughtily with its tail raised up. The white cat that was rolling under the chair also disappeared after it. All cats Azriel knew were thin, stray cats with rough fur and fierce claws. In the back alley, she had to fight against cats over food. She even had a scar from a cat¡¯s claw. Those creatures were too different from the cats she knew. She stared at the graceful and soft-looking cats.


    ¡°It¡¯s getting cold. This medicine is the most effective when you drink it warm.¡± When Rhema pointed out in a low voice, Azriel looked down at the cup only then. The liquid did not look so appetizing, but she drank it at once. It tasted like a rotten egg mixed with ixeris. She frowned reflexively. Rhema tilted his head again. Looking at Azriel, who bit her tongue as she lowered the empty cup, he said as if he realized something. ¡°Is it bitter?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s, it¡¯s al¡­ right.¡± Azriel nervously replied. At her obviously horrified look, Rhema asked no more but just took the cup. When he disappeared, she let out a deep sigh at last. Then she slowly examined her body. A white and soft-textured tunic was put on her. Since it was quite big, it seemed to belong to Rhema. Its shoulder slipped down and was hung on one side, and the short sleeves came down below her forearms.


    Her dirty body was washed clean and any broken bones or scratches were neatly healed. The black dirt underneath her fingernails were gone as well. Her black greasy hair entangled with filth smelled nice, too. If it were not for her body that looked like thin tree branches due to malnutrition or infected fingernails and toenails, it would be hard to believe that she was rescued from a filthy moat.

 CH 27

    [Meow.]


    The black cat that had returned without Azriel¡¯s knowledge cried around her feet. The shaggy large dog that had been rolling on its back in the yard had snuck up on the terrace as well. The white cat sat on the railing and watched her. Azriel, who had only seen arm-sized sewer rats, alley cats, and yappy wild dogs, was scared of animals. She grabbed the blanket like a shield and hunched in the rocking chair. While the cats were watching, the dog approached her casually and put his big head on her crouched legs. Scared, Azriel was stiffened. It blinked its huge, black eyes and gently wagged its tail.


    Azriel narrowly afforded to ease the strain as the dog only kept on wagging its tail. It¡¯s mild eyes seemed to be smiling. She carefully reached her hand out of the blanket. The dog did not move until her hand like a maple leaf reached its nose tip and licked it when she touched.


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    It was warm and damp. Azriel took her hand off in surprise. The dog shook its body and put down its head on her leg at once again. Its black eyes blinked and shut completely. Its yellow, long fur shined in gold reflecting the sunshine. Azriel possessedly reached out her hand and caressed the dog. The fur that wrapped around her fingers was softer and warmer than the blanket. She smiled in spite of herself.


    The black cat that watched it turned its body as if it was upset and jumped up on the railing. It tapped the white cat. Soon, the two cats got entangled with each other and began playing.


    ¡°Azriel.¡±


    A cup was held out before her eyes again. The dog glanced back and stepped aside. Rhema was looking at her with his still face. This time, it was a sweet-scented, dark brown liquid. ¡°It¡¯s chocolate.¡±


    Azriel did not know what a chocolate was, but took the cup without a fuss as she took and drank the unknown green liquid. The liquid which she sipped expecting a bitter taste, was warm and sweet. The giddy sweetness started from the tip of her tongue, filled inside her whole mouth, and spread a blissful sensation to her entire body.


    Rhema watched her widened golden eyes being filled with surprise and joy in full view. It was a color similar to one stretching. He unwittingly laughed a little. ¡°Do you like it?¡±


    ¡°Th, th, this¡­ What is this?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s chocolate,¡± he repeated. Azriel¡¯s small lips moved. Her eyes sparkled. Rhema liked those eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s good! It¡¯s so so good! I¡¯ve never had this before. Is this¡­ heaven in here?¡± Azriel spoke with a little bit of tears in her eyes. Rhema pulled up the tunic that had slipped down and covered her thin shoulder. ¡°No, from now on, this is your house.¡±


    Azriel blankly opened her mouth. ¡°My¡­ house?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying that I get to live here?¡±


    ¡°Yes, if you want to.¡±


    ¡°Can I do that? I, I¡¯m useless. What do I need to do?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to work.¡±


    ¡°Then why me¡­¡± Azriel¡¯s small, carefree face was instantly terrorized.


    Turning pale, she dropped the cup. At the moment she missed it, Rhema reached out his arm and caught it. Not noticing such a spectacle scene, Azriel got away from him as far as she could and buried herself in the chair. His shadow being casted over her reminded her of something. Her sparkling eyes were shaded, which Rhema did not like.


    ¡°Th, th, then, umm, oh, uh, I, I¡­¡± She began shaking. She recalled the rough hands that spread her legs. She did not remember what happened afterwards. So, she got even more scared. From the edge of her toes, an unpleasant feeling creeped up. She was stifled. Looking down at the girl who turned pale into blue, spoke slowly so that she would not be scared. ¡°This is my house, and you chose to come with me. So, this is your house, too, now. You can learn magic from me here.¡±


    ¡°¡­Magic?¡± Azriel¡¯s trembling stopped at the idea that she had never thought of. Rhema solemnly nodded as if he was talking to an adult. ¡°I¡¯m curious how far your potential will reach. That¡¯s why I reached out my hand to you. I thought you accepted it¡­¡± he slurred the end of his words as if confused. Those were difficult to understand for a seven-year-old girl who had been living in the back alley. Azriel asked him back with her own understanding. ¡°Are you going to teach me magic?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Then, if I learn it hard, will this be my house?¡± Azriel asked in desperation. Rhema blinked his eyes. Her desperate eyes seemed to be clingy. He did not understand such desperation but could see that she wanted to stay. ¡°Yes, if you learn magic, this is your house,¡± he replied. Azriel took a deep breath. She knew what a wizard was. Wizards all wore nice clothes, lived in nice houses, and ate tasty foods. No one treated wizards badly. She had seen the bakery owner, who kicked her and poured filth on her, smiling friendly to a wizard. Such a wizard was offering to accept and teach her. It meant to train her as a wizard. It was a miraculous fortune. Shades were gradually lifted up from the girl¡¯s face. Her thin and hollow face was filled with hope and bloomed like a young bud. ¡°I will work hard! I¡¯ll do my best!¡± Rhema Reshith watched the change still. His grey eyes like shaved metal turned a little softer. ¡°Does this make you that happy?¡±


    ¡°Of course! I¡¯m so happy. Thank you!¡± Azriel beamed from ear to ear. He stared at her as if he was not sure how to treat such a girl and looked down at the cup of chocolate. There was still a lot left, so he handed it to her again. Azriel took the cup. The sweet scent of the wavy brown liquid filled her nose. It was a sweetness that marked the beginning of a new life.


    ***


    ¡®¡­Yes, I started liking chocolates from then on.¡¯


    Azriel opened her eyes at the same time she thought of it. Sunshine had filled the inn room. She could feel the soft and smooth bed, not the feeling of a bed made from a crumbly stack of straw covered with a coarse blanket. Then she could smell something sweet. It was the smell of chocolate. Azriel slowly got up from her seat.


    [Meow.]


    It was a thin cry of a cat. A white cat that was curled up around her feet had lifted her head up and was watching her with its jewellike blue eyes. Azriel recognized the cat. It was the cat she saw in the dream, no, in the first page of her memory just a moment ago.

 CH 28

    ¡°Blanchet?¡± At Azriel¡¯s call, the cat came to her and rubbed its forehead against her hand.


    As she stroked its chin, Blanchet narrowed its eyes and purred. As they stayed that way, the spirit she saw yesterday flew toward her carrying a cup on its head. Without looking inside, she could tell what it was. ¡°It must be chocolate.¡± The spirit lightly sparkled and handed over the cup. It was full of warmed up chocolate. Azriel reminisced about her memory of drinking it for the first time. ¡®I was as good as dead but Rhema rescued me and gave me a new life¡­ and he asked me to learn magic back then,¡¯ ¡®Then why did he tell me not to learn magic now, even saying that he will kill me if I become a wizard?,¡¯ ¡®Will I know if I remember the rest of my memory? What happened when I was ten?¡¯


    ¡°A, A, Azriel?¡±


    She heard someone¡¯s¡¯ crawling voice from the next bed. Maylie, who got up from the bed, was looking at the spirit that was floating before her, holding on to her blanket. ¡°Wh, wh, what¡¯s that? Wh, wh, where are we?¡±


    ¡°Maylie! Are you alright? Are you hurt?¡±


    Azriel put down the cup carelessly and rushed to Maylie. Maylie looked stupefied. ¡°No, I feel fine. No, maybe my mental state is not fine. I¡¯m seeing things¡­¡±


    ¡°No, you¡¯re not seeing things. It¡¯s a spirit.¡±


    ¡°S, spirit? The one from the old story? The things that live in a lake, mess with people, and make contracts with wizards? That thing is that spirit? Really? A real spirit?¡± Maylie, with her face flushed, spoke quickly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know much about the details either.¡± Since Rhema said it was a spirit, it was a spirit. Azriel did not know much about it other than that. She might have known more in the past, but her memory had not fully recovered yet. She put on a vague smile and looked back at the spirit. ¡°Hey, where is Rhema?¡± The spirit spinned around, sprinkling light around. It was an incomprehensible behavior for the girls. As they were watching it perplexedly, they heard someone¡¯s voice from another direction.


    ¡°Rhema said he had something to do and left. He put me here instead.¡±


    A strange woman was perching on Azriel¡¯s bed. It was a fuzzy, long-haired woman in her late 20s. Her solid and slender figure and sharp look from the raised tail of the eyes made her look like a mercenary or a warrior. It was more so due to her simple attire with a shirt and leather pants. She narrowed her blue eyes and murmured. ¡°I don¡¯t like to imitate humans very much, but this way, it should be easier to talk to you.¡±


    ¡°¡­Who are you?¡±


    ¡°You recognized me before, but I guess not all of your memories are back. It¡¯s been a long time, Azriel.¡± No way. Azriel asked with a doubt. ¡°Excuse me Miss, are you¡­ Blanchet?¡±


    ¡°Yes, what¡¯s with the honorifics? Don¡¯t be awkward.¡±


    ¡°Weren¡¯t you¡­ a cat?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my familiar spiritual form designated by Rhema. I am much bigger and fabulous in my original form.¡± Blanchet smiled sweetly and approached Azriel. She lifted up Azriel and placed her on the bed. ¡°I thought you¡¯ve grown so much, but why are you so light? You should eat well from now on, yeah.¡± She handed her a cup of chocolate again. ¡°Drink this for now. You like chocolates, don¡¯t you?¡± She then handed another cup to Maylie who had turned pale and frozen. ¡°Here, you should drink some, too.¡±


    Maylie took the cup with trembling hands. Azriel could understand her friend¡¯s heart. Since Azriel was still confused whether it was a dream or reality, Maylie, who had just woken up, would be much more confused. Not caring about the girls¡¯ condition, Blanchet fell on her back on the bed. ¡°Rhema told me to guard you until he comes back.¡±


    ¡°Where did he go?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. He doesn¡¯t always tell where he¡¯s off to. As you know well enough, oh, you must not remember such things yet.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°In fact, Noir wanted to come, yeah, but I thought he will only try to fool around when you are still disturbed.¡±


    ¡°Does Noir¡­ transform into a human just like you, Blanchet?¡±


    ¡°Yes, since we are of the same kind, you know. But it¡¯s not that we transform into humans. We only mimic them.¡± Azriel could not tell the difference between transforming and mimicking. She stopped thinking too much and drank the chocolate first. As the sweet and warm liquid spread inside the body, it seemed to calm her to some degree. Still lying on the bed, Blanchet stared at her and smiled faintly just like a cat. ¡°I know humans grow quickly, but this is so interesting. You were a tiny human cub¡­ You¡¯ve grown so beautifully, yeah.¡±


    ¡°Miss¡­ you saw me till I was ten, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I told you to lose the honorifics. You were so quiet and cute when you were young. I thought you were cute only because you were a human cub and you¡¯d turn gross when you grow up, but¡­ You know what, can I pat you a little bit?¡± Blanchet crawled on the bed and came close to her. Azriel almost got choked.

 CH 29

    ¡°But you¡¯re too skinny. Your fur is rough, too¡­ Who put you through so much trouble? But, yeah, how can you be so pretty? Is it because I took care of you when you were a human cub? Maybe you¡¯ll become prettier if I take care of you well. Can I hug you?¡±


    Not waiting for a response, Blanchet hugged Azriel tightly. Azriel was startled. ¡°Yikes!¡± She was awfully strong. She rubbed her cheek against Azriel¡¯s hair and smelled it.


    ¡°Oh, this familiar scent. But it¡¯s just too rough. Let¡¯s eat a lot of good foods from now on and be soft, yeah?¡± Blanchet was about to lick Azriel¡¯s hair like licking fur but met Maylie¡¯s eyes which were looking at her like a crazy person.


    ¡°Ehem, hmmm, hmmm.¡± As Azriel cleared her throat, she let Azriel go awkwardly. ¡°Sorry. It¡¯s just been too long. Hey, I¡¯m not a human, so don¡¯t look at me like a crazy person like that.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re not a human, what are you exactly¡­?¡± Maylie asked, shaking. Blanchet tilted her head. ¡°I said I¡¯m Rhema¡¯s familiar spirit.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s Rhema and what¡¯s a familiar spirit?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know what a familiar spirit is? Well, most of the wizards these days can¡¯t make familiar spirits anymore. Familiar spirits are servants that wizards manage. They¡¯re a creature that takes mana in exchange for a master-servant agreement. Yeah, those who don¡¯t have enough mana to manage it can¡¯t raise it.¡± Blanchet had a slightly mocking smile on her face. Azriel interrupted. ¡°Rhema is that person, Maylie. The wizard who gave me dress shoes.¡±


    ¡°That strange wizard¡­? What about that wizard?¡±


    ¡°He helped us. Don¡¯t you remember what happened last¡­¡± At the sudden recollection of last night, Azriel stopped in the middle of talking. Over the night, the Colte Castle turned into dust and the whole family of the lord disappeared. There must be a huge uproar by now. She worried about Maylie¡¯s family. ¡°Excuste, Miss Blanchet¡­¡±


    ¡°Just Blanchet. Don¡¯t be nervous around me. It feels so distant. I know that you forgot about our friendship but it saddens me a little.¡±


    ¡°Uh, yes, no, okay. Well, can I go outside? I¡¯m worried about Maylie¡¯s family¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, she has a family?¡± Blanchet opened her eyes round and approached Maylie. She scanned Maylie¡¯s body from top to bottom and nodded. ¡°I heard you were hurt, but you look fine now, yeah. Then I¡¯ll go with her. So, we can just go and check if they¡¯re safe, right?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m coming with¡­¡± As Azriel was about to come with them, Blanchet cut her off. ¡°You stay here. I¡¯ll have a hard time if you¡¯re not here when Rhema comes back.¡±


    ¡°¡­Pardon?¡±


    Instead of answering Azriel, Blanchet put on a mysterious smile and lifted up Maylie in her arms. Although Maylie was much taller than Azriel, Blanchet, with her big body, held her up like a child to Maylie¡¯s surprise. ¡°Oh, gee! Excuse me!¡±


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t struggle. This is faster than your walk. By the way, you, what was your name?¡±


    ¡°May, Maylie¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go, Maylie. Hey, spirit! Watch over Azriel. Call me if there¡¯s a problem.¡± The floating lump of light sparkled, moving up and down. Blanchet went to the window, opened it, and asked Maylie. ¡°Which direction?¡±


    ¡°A, about there?¡±


    ¡°Hold on tight. Azriel, we¡¯ll be back!¡± Without giving time to stop her, Blanchet jumped out of the window. The room was on the fifth floor. Almost no other buildings were seen out the window. Flabbergasted, Azriel rushed to the window.


    ¡°Ahhhhhhh!¡± Maylie¡¯s scream gradually grew farther. Blanchet landed on a roof below as if nothing and disappeared, skipping between roofs in a twinkling.


    ¡°My word¡­¡± Azriel was watching the sight, dumbfounded, and she felt someone tugging her train. When she looked back, it was the spirit. The spirit flew away quickly and hovered above the table. A steaming dish was placed on the table. ¡°You want me to¡­ eat?¡± The spirit moved as if it was nodding. Azriel sat down and ate with a dazed feeling. The spirit served her diligently, pouring a drink in her cup and cutting bread and meat for her. ¡°¡­This is so surreal¡­¡±


    She was served by the spirit in her bath yesterday, but it seemed that it would take her some time to get used to the flying lump of light, or more memories would have to be restored. She was certain that she had no appetite, but since it had been so long since she ate such decent dishes, she found herself emptying her plate when she came to her senses. Then she was sleepy. She felt better than yesterday, but her body was still heavy and lacked strength. As if it knew her condition, the spirit pushed Azriel to the bed.


    ¡°Are you saying I should go to bed? It¡¯s still bright outside.¡±


    Until yesterday, she had to wake up early in the morning, get an earful from the mean chief maid, and be whipped instead of Deborah, but she was now asked to sleep on a soft bed in the middle of the day. The spirit laid her and covered her up to her chin. As if her question was meaningless, she fell asleep right away. Then her forgotten memory began to unfold again.


    ***


    Rhema cleaned up the room on the second floor where junk had piled up and created Azriel¡¯s room. He did not know how to decorate a child¡¯s room. So, he went to a craftsman in a nearby city and asked for everything required for a girl¡¯s room. When the craftsman asked about his budget, he ordered to bring the very best items regardless of their price. Because of that, fancy and huge furniture pieces, which did not really match the small room, were delivered. Rhema, who saw the huge bed that filled more than half of the room, simply resolved the problem. He cast a spell in the room and increased its size several times. Thus, the room turned spacious and luxurious enough for a princess of a nation to have.


    ¡°This is your room,¡± said Rhema.


    ¡°This¡­ is?¡± Azriel, with her jaw dropped, looked inside the room.


    From a shiny chandelier to a bed with a canopy drawn over it, she did not know where to put her eyes. On the floor, a soft and pretty-colored carpet was laid. It made her afraid to step in.

 CH 30

    ¡°You don¡¯t like it? I can redecorate it anytime¡­¡±


    ¡°No, no!¡± Azriel hurriedly shook her head, but she was still reluctant to step in. Rhema tilted his head and pushed her back slightly. ¡°Get inside and look around, and let me know what you don¡¯t like about it.¡±


    She ended up stepping on the carpet with bare feet. The feeling of the carpet underneath was much softer than she imagined. She was completely blown away. Looking at her bare feet, Rhema thought that he should buy shoes. Azriel, who was dragging a huge tunic around the room, stepped on the hem and stumbled. He thought that he should pick up some clothes as well. Rhema, this time, went to the best tailor in the city and demanded the best clothes of all kinds. The experienced tailor realized that he had caught a great pushover. He suggested that a girl needed bigger clothes as she grew up and should follow seasonal trends. Eventually, Rhema signed an agreement to buy clothes from him periodically. It was likewise with a shoemaker. Soon, cute and various clothes and shoes that a seven-year-old girl might wear were filling a huge wardrobe. From intricate dresses that could not be put on without a maid to travel clothes made out of high-quality leather, all sorts of children¡¯s clothes were bought.


    Remembering Azriel¡¯s reaction after eating chocolate, Rhema ordered a mountain of chocolates as well. The bakery owner of the city recommended other kinds of confectioneries to the wizard as he only ordered chocolates. Rhema bought them all in as well. Whatever labeled with phrases such as, ¡®a child might like,¡¯ ¡®would make a child happy,¡¯ and ¡®would go well with a child,¡¯ he bought everything without hesitation. To him, money was meaningless like a grain of sand on the ground.


    Not long after, in Pizarro, the nearest city to the village, the silver-haired wizard became a celebrity, as a pushover who would buy anything regardless of money if it was for his girl. The wizard often showed his appearance, but no one had seen the girl. Even the tailor had never seen the girl. He only made clothes as Rhema described.


    ¡°How much on earth does that wizard care for the girl that he¡¯d never send her out?¡±


    ¡°Even when ordering clothes, he only comes with the measurements.¡±


    ¡°Maybe that girl is in such a high position that she can¡¯t expose herself recklessly.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps a royal blood that he raises in secret?¡±


    ¡°That could be true.¡±


    This was how Azriel became a hidden princess that the wizard serves among the city merchants. Young Azriel stood vacantly in front of the wardrobe after opening its doors. All the clothes were so glamorous that she was afraid to touch them. She felt dizzy.


    ¡®What if I wear it and get it dirty?¡¯ She, at last, picked the most modest-looking dress without decorations. Of course, Azriel back then could not imagine that it only looked modest but was, in fact, a piece made from an expensive material by a master craftsman. She never knew that the things like the cushions that rolled around her room like nothing, the leather shoes that she wore with ease since they did not have any decoration, and little sparkling rocks that she played with thinking that they were glass beads were extremely luxurious.


    In those days, Azriel could not come to her senses as she faced miraculous everyday life. To her, all of the moments in Rhema¡¯s house felt like magic. She used to think that the freshly baked white bread was the best food and the dress with pockets that the bakery owner¡¯s daughter wore was the best clothes. Nice clothes, a cute and spacious room, and all sorts of confectioneries and foods were what she could not have ever imagined. Just like that, her life was turned upside down in one day.


    Azriel, who used to curl up near the chimney¡¯s outer wall to feel its warmth, now slept alone on a huge bed that could fit in five young children. When the morning sun shone on her room window, Blanchet quietly pushed the room door and came in. Noir, who always followed around Blanchet, also quickly followed her. When the two cats jumped up on her bed, walked on her, cried, or kneaded her, Azriel naturally opened her eyes. She used to hug them tightly as the morning greeting. Blanchet obediently fell into her arms, but Noir often ran away.


    Soft, light pink sleepers were always prepared under the bed. When she put them on and came out of the room, the cats would follow her. They went to the kitchen only after seeing her go down the stairs and enter the bathroom right next to the stairs.


    One side of the bathroom wall consisted of half-transparent crystal. There was a spring below that crystal, and clean water flowed from above like a little waterfall. It was a mechanism formed by magic close to a miracle, but since everything was surprising to Azriel, she was not especially marveled by the bathroom.


    When she came out after washing her face with the water from the spring, she could always smell something delicious from the kitchen. The living room with a fireplace and the kitchen were divided by a swingy curtain. When she opened the curtain and entered the kitchen, the cats were eating breakfast on one side. Largo, a big, yellow dog, finished eating by then and wagged its tail. Even while busily moving in the kitchen, the lump of light used to sparkle when it saw Azriel as if it said hello. The light was a spirit Rhema created. Seldomly, Rhema cooked on his own, but the spirit was the one who cooked most of the time.


    Azriel had no idea what a spirit was or what it meant to make one. However, she soon got used to the sight of a spirit going around, stirring pots, and doing house chores such as cleaning and washing clothes.


    Rhema was often absent in the morning. Sometimes he was not in the house or had not woken up yet. When she sat on the table chair, the spirit gave her a breakfast meal with fresh milk and fruits. Azriel used to eat breakfast alone. After eating breakfast, it was time to play until lunch. Since Rhema had never raised a child, there were no toys in the house, but there were plenty of things to play with without such things.


    Azriel played with Largo or followed around the cats. She also watched chicks and looked for eggs that the chickens had laid here and there in the yard. Sometimes she found them and brought them to the kitchen, and the spirit would make her a snack.


    In the backyard of the house, there was a garden where unknown herbs grew, a little greenhouse, and a pond. She also liked watching marvelous herbs but never touched them.


    ¡°You can enter the greenhouse as much as you want. But there are dangerous herbs among them, so don¡¯t touch them.¡±


    It was because Rhema warned her so. Azriel never went against his words.

 CH 31

    When she got tired of looking at herbs, she would observe fish in the pond. Occasionally, Noir approached maliciously and chased away the fish in the pond. Even though Rhema never told her not to go out of the fence, she never stepped a foot beyond the fence. It was because she felt that all would disappear like a mirage if she went out. As she played like that for some time, her clothes would get messy with grass stains. By lunchtime, she came inside to wash and change. The spirit would clean the clothes that she took off from any stains and hung them in the wardrobe.


    She generally ate lunch with Rhema. Since he was not so talkative and Azriel could not talk to him first, the mealtime was always quiet. After lunch was study time at the study on the second floor. Rhema¡¯s study was a space filled with endless books that it was suitable to call ¡®the library.¡¯ This room was also under his spell that it was humongous inside compared to its outside appearance.


    Rhema started with teaching texts to Azriel. What she learned first was the common text, Limble.


    ¡°Did you memorize it all?¡± Rhema asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± replied Azriel.


    ¡°Then, try reading this.¡± As soon as teaching her letters, he handed over a picture book. When she took it, Rhema sat down near her and began to read his own book. ¡°If there¡¯s anything you don¡¯t know, ask.¡±


    This was how he usually taught. He was certainly not a great teacher. However, in contrast with his unskilled, simple education, Azriel¡¯s learning speed was impressive. She absorbed knowledge like water. The two remained in the study until dinner when the spirit came to call them. After eating dinner, Rhema shut himself in the underground lab or left the house. Azriel could not find out what he did. She would read the book that she grabbed from the study, reviewing what she learned that day, and fall asleep.


    Days went by and a month of time had passed. Those were peaceful days like bubbles. Azriel carefully adjusted to the peaceful life which she had never experienced before. Only within a month, she got used to Limble enough to read regular books, not just picture books. Then Rhema began teaching her Lemm text. At that time, Azriel asked a question that was not related to letters for the first time. ¡°When will I learn magic?¡± Rhema glanced at her quizzically, took a parchment, and wrote down some things on it. It was a list of books. ¡°If you read all of these books, I¡¯ll start teaching you magic.¡±


    The list was full of difficult theoretical books that if regular wizards saw it, they would blame Rhema for suggesting such a list to a seven-year-old. Azriel was frozen after receiving the incomprehensible list of books. ¡°Do I need to read them all?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re the basics of the basics. You can only become a wizard when you know that much.¡± Of course, they were only the basics in Rhema¡¯s standards. Only a precious few elite wizards among those who graduated college studied the books on the list. Rhema had been walking on a completely different path than others that he was not familiar with the ordinary wizards¡¯ education process. Young Azriel also had no idea how wizards become wizards. To seven-year-old Azriel, Rhema was God. Whatever he said was the truth and law. She could not ever doubt him.


    ¡®If I can¡¯t do this, I can¡¯t become a wizard? Then¡­ will I be kicked out of this house?¡¯ She was so afraid that she was about to cry. She clenched her lips and barely managed to ask. ¡°If I can¡¯t be a wizard, what¡¯s going to happen to me?¡± Rhema looked down at her with a still face and spoke calmly. ¡°You have many questions, Azriel.¡± To Azriel who was frightened, it sounded like he was warning her not to annoy him with unnecessary questions. Her face turned pale. ¡°N, n, no I don¡¯t! It¡¯s nothing!¡± Then she ran away from the study with the list in her hand, afraid of Rhema getting angry at her.


    ***


    When she opened her eyes, the twilight was filling the room. It seemed she had been sleeping all day. In the ruddy light, Rhema Reshith was leaning on the wall by the window. The white wizard stained with the color of the sunset was beautiful as a picture and yet dry as a picture set up. He had not changed a bit from the appearance she saw when she was seven, even after nine years. ¡®Would he have been the same a thousand years ago?¡¯ Azriel thought so, still in haziness. He, who was looking out the window, suddenly turned toward her.


    ¡°Rhema, what did you mean by that?¡± When their eyes met, she impulsively asked.


    ¡°¡­What are you referring to?¡±


    ¡°At the study, when I asked you what¡¯s going to happen if I can¡¯t be a wizard, you said¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± He came near Azriel and went on perching on the edge of the bed. ¡°Azriel, I don¡¯t usually enjoy having conversations.¡± It sounded like he did not want her to start an unnecessary conversation. Azriel wanted to run away like when she was young. However, instead of running away this time, she gathered courage and asked. ¡°You don¡¯t like to converse with me, Rhema?¡±


    ¡°No, I meant that you are an exception.¡±


    ¡°¡­What you said earlier sounded like you didn¡¯t want to talk to me.¡±


    Rhema¡¯s eyes were slightly widened. He blankly blinked his eyes and put on an expression as if he had realized something. ¡°By any chance, was it like that then?¡±


    ¡°You mean when I ran away?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I thought you were upset with me because I annoyed you.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡± Rhema recalled the girl who used to be much smaller than now. He did not like having long conversations with humans. He did not remember how many decades had passed since someone talked to him first without a particular reason. It might have been hundreds of years ago. Thus, he did not even talk to the girl he named if it was not necessary. He did not expect the girl to say something as well. However, to his surprise, when the unexpected thing happened, he was not annoyed at all. He was rather delighted. Why he felt that way was a mystery to him. So, watching Azriel running away while talking, he fretted for some time. It had been a long time since he pondered over why the other person had stopped a conversation. It might have been his first. Usually, he would have been thankful that the other person disappeared on his own and have forgotten about it not long after that.


    After giving a lot of thought, he came to the conclusion that Azriel did not want to continue the conversation with him. He got depressed a little bit after that, but since he was used to being alone, he did not pay too much attention. Yes, until then, he was not shaken by ¡®Azriel Esthera.¡¯ It would have been great if it stayed that way.

 CH 32

    Rhema steadily stared at Azriel, who was looking at him with an absurd face and slowly carried on. ¡°What I meant by that was that you can ask me anything. I wanted to know what you were curious about.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you meant that.¡±


    ¡°I must¡¯ve misled you. I¡¯m sorry, Azriel.¡± Rhema slightly lowered his head. It was a sincere apology. Azriel did not expect him to apologize this way. She tried not to show her astonishment. ¡°N, no, it¡¯s, it¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Azriel,¡± A memory momentarily passed by her. The image of Rhema lowering his head and herself clinging to him, bursting into tears. ¡®When was this?¡¯ She got a headache when she tried to recall. As she touched her forehead unconsciously, Rhema reacted. ¡°Does your head hurt?¡±


    ¡°A little bit¡­¡±


    He put his hand on her forehead. His temperature was cool, but his touch was tender. ¡°It¡¯s a phenomenon that occurs in the process of your closed memory being opened. Your pain will get worse if you try to recall it when you are awake, so it¡¯s better to do it when you¡¯re asleep.¡±


    ¡°Rhema.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°Why did you close my memory?¡± He found her and gave her a name. He also gave her a happy life that felt like a mirage. Then he taught her magic. Why did he, who had done all of that, suddenly erase her memory and abandon her, saying that she would be miserable if she got intertwined with him? Rhema answered in a low voice. ¡°I thought it¡¯d be better to break our link.¡±


    ¡°Why did you have to cut off our relationship even by erasing my memory? What happened?¡±


    ¡°You will know soon.¡± As he took his hand off saying that, he had a strange expression on his face. ¡°You¡¯d better sleep more, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°I slept all day long.¡±


    ¡°Your head will hurt as long as you¡¯re awake for now. Magic related to memory is known to cause headaches.¡± He gently laid her down. Azriel still had a lot to ask. However, as soon as her head touched the pillow, she felt sleepy. Resisting her eyes that were about to close, she asked. ¡°Rhema, where¡­ have you been earlier?¡±


    ¡°I needed to check something.¡±


    ¡°Maylie¡­¡±


    ¡°I heard from Blanchet. Her family is safe.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re safe. What a relief¡­¡± After saying that last, she could not hold her eyelids up any longer. The image of Rhema quietly touching her cheeks was reflected on her eyes before she closed her eyes. ¡®That strange expression, again¡­¡¯ What would that mean? Things were covered in the dark. Another piece of memory unfolded again.


    ***


    It was in midwinter when seven-year-old Azriel first came to Rhema¡¯s house. Frozen white snow was hanging on birch trees beyond the fence. Inside the fence was always a gentle spring. Even if a snowstorm gushed or a storm raged outside, it turned into a mild drizzle when it entered the fence. Unlike the unchanging inside of the fence, the outside changed. The frozen scenery beyond the fence began showing soft colors like the inside as the sprouts grew and gradually deepened with the strong sunlight. Two seasons had changed and it became summer. Around that time, Azriel said to Rhema in the study.


    ¡°I read them all.¡±


    Rhema looked slightly surprised. He stared at Azriel who had a similar eye level as him sitting on the chair. ¡°The books on the list, Azriel?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s much faster than I thought. Did you understand them?¡±


    ¡°I, I didn¡¯t¡­ because they¡¯re difficult. But I memorized them all. Is that not enough?¡±


    ¡°You memorized them all?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡±


    The grey eyes were looking at her with a penetrating gaze. Azriel became anxious that she crumpled the train of her skirt. Those books were too heavy and huge for her to lift. Moreover, they were tightly written in Lemm, not in Limble. She tried hard, reading books even during her playtime, but faltering over them was overwhelming enough. Magic, spell, will, thoughts, fluidity, reactivity, fixation power, definition, measurement, principle, contemplation¡­ There were some contents that she narrowly understood. However, she could not possibly understand most of them. Memorizing them as a whole was her limit.


    ¡®I didn¡¯t even get the basics, he should be disappointed. He might be regretting bringing me here, saying that he wouldn¡¯t have brought me here if he knew I¡¯m such an idiot. I must be useless like my mother and father said. If it were my brother, would he have done better? My brother should¡¯ve been the one to survive instead of me¡­¡¯ She clenched her fists so strong that they turned pale. She felt like bursting into tears.


    ¡°Do you want to learn magic as soon as possible?¡± Rhema asked.


    ¡°¡­Yes.¡±


    ¡°Why is that so? I never rushed you.¡± A stiff and cold voice. It sounded like he was angry.


    ¡®When my father was angry, he usually kicked me with his feet or sometimes used a poker.¡¯ Thankfully, there was no such thing as a poker in the study, but she was still afraid to answer. Azriel only moved her lips. Not saying anything, Rhema just waited. Only after quite some time had passed, she opened her mouth with a weak voice. ¡°I thought you¡¯d¡­ if I don¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°Please speak more loudly.¡±


    Tears welled up in her eyes. Rhema was slightly flustered to see that, but Azriel, whose sight was blurred by tears, did not notice that. Everyone used to be frustrated when she cried. They said that the last thing they wanted to hear was someone¡¯s cry. The only person who did not beat her or cuss at her when she cried was her twin brother. Looking at the wizard¡¯s still face, Azriel tried not to cry. ¡°You brought me here because you wanted to teach magic. But if I can¡¯t learn magic, I¡¯d be useless, and you¡¯ll get disappointed, then¡­¡±


    ¡®What if Mr. Wizard tells me to beat it since he does not need me anymore? I hope he beats me instead,¡¯ She did not want to be kicked out. She wanted to live here. ¡®Please.¡¯ At last, tears that she could not hold back overflowed.

 CH 33

    ¡°I, I, I like it here, very much. I want to live here. I¡¯m scared whenever I fall asleep. What if everything disappears when I awake? What if all of this, everything is a dream¡­?¡±


    Azriel rambled. She could not see straight because of a flood of tears. She did not know what kind of face the wizard was making. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t understand them. I will work harder! I will work harder, so¡­!¡±


    ¡®So, please don¡¯t get upset. Don¡¯t abandon me. Please,¡¯ The words that she would work harder burst out from her mouth like a cry. She pleaded, screaming. Rhema Reshith remotely gazed at the crying girl. Meanwhile, he looked back on the time that had passed since he brought Azriel. Azriel obeyed his words unconditionally. She never asked him for anything. When he told her to ask questions after giving books, she only asked during the time when they were in the study. When he said, ¡®why don¡¯t you go out and play?¡¯ seeing her reading a book in the morning, without giving much thought, she made sure to go outside after breakfast. Not once, she stayed inside the house in the morning, not even when it rained. She played outside no matter what to do exactly what he told her to do. Rhema, only then, realized that her actions were different from the ones of ordinary children.


    She was only seven years old. Children at her age would nag, ask for the impossible, get in trouble, and wonder about all things. There were a lot of marvelous things in his house, which must have triggered her curiosity, but she had never asked about anything except about letters. This was certainly abnormal. Even in the house or yard, Azriel only got around where he had allowed her. As if she was living in other people¡¯s house, she never touched things that are not allowed and did not even show interest in them. She did not make noise or invade his space. She had never interrupted his time or made trouble.


    Rhema, at last, realized that the girl had never called him first or started a conversation while two seasons passed. In Rhema Rhesith¡¯s long life, the period he stayed with others was not so long. However, he knew that some inconvenience was inevitable when living with others. Living together was like that. However, in the past half year, Rhema barely felt inconvenience, even though the other party was just a young child, not an adult. Nothing much had changed while living with her from the time he lived alone.


    ¡®What is with this child¡­¡¯ Rhema looked at the girl who was wet with tears as if he was looking at something mysterious. It was a very strange feeling. The residue of emotion crumbled by the weight of time moved slightly. He reached out his arm toward her. Since Azriel got frightened when the big shadow fell, he moved slowly not to surprise her. He pulled her and hugged her. There was no specific intention. He just wanted to do so. The child¡¯s temperature in his arms felt warm due to the crying. Despite having a vast potential, she was now so weak and small. Rather than seeing the little girl cry hard like this, it seemed it would be better for him to be uncomfortable. He wanted to be uncomfortable. He got curious what kind of inconvenience the child would cause him.


    ¡°Azriel, I won¡¯t be disappointed in you.¡± It was not that he brought the child for a purpose. He neither had a big plan nor needed her. He just had a mere hope. The magical legacy that she was inherited with was unprecedentedly enormous. He thought she might be able to see the same thing as him. And he liked the shiny golden light he saw from her. Such little attraction and a simple hope moved him. The years he lived were long enough to wear down all of his hopes. Thus, even if she could not see what he could see until the end, he would not be disappointed. Since he was fond of her star-like eyes, that was enough. ¡°It¡¯s okay if you¡¯re not good enough or slow. You¡¯ll be okay if you fail. I won¡¯t drive you out for such reasons.¡±


    Azriel lifted up her face in his arms. On the teary face, an expression of unbelief was put on. Caressing her black hair, Rhema quietly went on. ¡°You chose to follow me and I gave you a name. Since then, you are my responsibility. I will take care of you till the end.¡±


    Just because he brought her without a purpose, he was not going to be irresponsible. Otherwise, he would not have brought her in the first place. He named her thinking that he would be responsible till the end, meaning, until her death.


    Azriel swallowed her tears. Her small hands held onto the hem of his clothes in desperation. Her faint, weak voice slipped out of her mouth.


    ¡°Really, are you not going to kick me out? Will you be by my side? Even if I¡­ can¡¯t learn magic?¡±


    ¡°Of course. Even if you can¡¯t do anything or do something wrong, I won¡¯t leave you.¡±


    ¡°Why are you so kind to me, Mr. Wizard? I¡¯m useless.¡±


    Rhema looked down at the child who clung to him as if she had nothing but him. The pure face soaked in tears. He felt strange. If he had to define his emotion, it was close to affection. Since it had been too long, it felt like he had never had such emotion. ¡®How do you normally treat a child who you are affectionate about?¡¯ He kissed her milky forehead. Then Azriel covered her forehead with her both hands, with her eyes wide open and jaw dropped vacantly. Such a reaction made Rhema slightly regret it. ¡®Is this not it? It seems she does not like it. Well, if someone you don¡¯t like kissed you without permission, it will make you feel bad. She seemed to dislike me. She once ran away in the middle of a conversation,¡¯ After pondering for a while, he asked honestly. ¡°Do you not like me by any chance? Then¡­¡±


    ¡°That can¡¯t be true!¡± Azriel denied it frantically. Her small head shook violently.


    ¡°You made me happy, Mr. Wizard.¡± The innocent eyes looked up at him. Clear golden eyes. He liked them more and more.


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m not ¡®Mr. Wizard.¡¯ Azriel, do you remember my name?¡±


    ¡°I, I do.¡±


    ¡°Then, please call me by my name.¡± Azriel¡¯s face was blushed. Afraid if she could really do so, she hesitated for a while. Rhema waited patiently. His patience was rewarded soon. ¡°¡­Mr. Rhema.¡±


    ¡°Just ¡®Rhema¡¯ would suffice, Azriel.¡± Azriel lifted her head. Transparent grey eyes were looking down at her. In contrast with his still face, his eyes were kind.


    She called the wizard¡¯s name as if she was casting a spell. ¡°Rhema.¡±

 CH 34

    ¡°Yes, Azriel.¡± Rhema put on a faint smile. Dried residue of emotion slowly moved. For the first time since he was called the Wizard of the Horizon, affection for another person sprouted. He was not aware of that fact. ¡°That is enough. Call me anytime. Ask me any question, ask for whatever you want, and tell me what you want.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°You can throw a fit like any other child. I wonder how you¡¯d do that.¡±


    ¡°I, I won¡¯t throw a fit!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a shame.¡± He laughed a little. Azriel hesitated and asked, pulling the hem of his clothes.


    ¡°All of that is only good for me, Rhema¡­ Is there anything you want?¡±


    Anything he wanted¡­ The impossible was rare for him. Omnipotent and boring life.


    Rhema Reshith looked back on his faded past. About a few hundred years ago, he had turned over and looked everywhere the whole continent frantically. There were times that he would leave everything he was doing to look for someone if there was any possibility. He wanted to meet a person who could see the same thing, mana, as him. It was a wish that had long been dried and given up. He no longer scoured the continent. He did not stop what he was doing even if he felt a unique wavelength of mana. Despite so, if he felt something close to where he was, he would go check after he was done with his work. Such an action was merely a broken fragment of a dead wish. However, that fragment had led him to this girl. ¡°I¡¯ve seen a potential from you. So, it is my wish to watch your growth, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°What potential? How do you want me to grow up?¡± Azriel tilted her head. Rhema brushed her hair quietly.


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave that up to your choice.¡± For him, it was enough to teach her magic. Creating the environment and making it sprout was enough. Now, it did not matter whatever the result would be. It would be a little depressing if he had to kill her to see the result, but emotions would crumble and disappear in no time, as always.


    *


    What Azriel asked for the first time was to stay with her until she fell asleep. As she wanted, Rhema held her hand and stayed by her side until she was asleep. The girl fell asleep soon as if she was tired. He carefully let go of her hand not to wake her, fixed her blanket, and left the room. Noir, who was sitting upright near the door, looked up at him with his eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you buy her a doll?¡± What came out of the cat¡¯s mouth was a man¡¯s voice. Rhema looked down at the black cat around his feet.


    ¡°A doll?¡±


    ¡°She hugs me every morning and clings to me when she gets bored¡­ Why do you think so? Buy her a rag doll or something.¡± Azriel had not realized this yet, but not a single animal in Rhema¡¯s house was an ordinary animal. The cats, dog, and the colorful bird were all familiar spirits. In addition, none of them were ordinary familiar spirits. Noir was a monster with high intelligence and mana by nature. Originally, it was as big as a house, wild, and even preyed on humans. Rhema was going to kill it who tried to prey on him, but suppressed it after realizing that it was a rare, smart monster. Then he fixed it in the form of a cat and made it his familiar spirit.


    Noir, who was resistant in the beginning, was now quite satisfied. It was mostly because he met Blanchet, a female of the same kind. Since they were a rare species, it was not easy to meet someone of the same kind, but thanks to Rhema, he was able to live with her. Noir would repeatedly try to stalk her every mating season and was clawed by Blanchet.


    Unlike Noir or Blanchet who were monsters by nature, Largo used to be an ordinary dog. He was a normal dog, but due to chance and error, he was born with tremendous mana and was dying, not being able to handle it. Upon discovering the dying Largo, Rhema made a contract of familiar spirit and gave him intelligence. Up to that point was a similar contract with other familiar spirits, but as the owner of the magic was Rhema Reshith, he far outgrew the normal range.


    ¡°Does she cling to you? Are you saying this because you don¡¯t like that?¡± Rhema put on a strange face. She always seemed to stay distant from him, but she clung to the cat to the point the cat was annoyed. He somehow wanted to chase away the familiar spirit. Noir, who had no way of knowing Rhema¡¯s mind, hissed and raised his fur. ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t like it, oh, you¡¯re driving me nuts! Just buy her a doll! Why can¡¯t you buy a single toy for a seven-year-old human cub, you nasty! You are filthy rich too, huh?!¡±


    Noir was right. A toy, why did not he think of such a thing? Since he was not sure what she would like, he thought he should buy her toys of all kinds and then buy some more of what she likes. Rhema made a decision that would make the city merchants scream with joy for a new source of income. Before he went out to buy them, he could probably make a rag doll in a hurry. ¡°What kind of animal does Azriel like?¡±


    ¡°Considering that she hugs me every day, she must like cats the most. What about a stuffed cat?¡± Noir expanded his soft chest. It seemed like he was subtly bragging.


    ¡°All right.¡± Rhema thought he should exclude a stuffed cat unconditionally.

 CH 35

    Heading down to the basement storage, Rhema roughly recalled the dolls he had ever seen. It seemed the teddy bear was the most common. It must be the best to go with the most common shape since he did not know Azriel¡¯s taste. He searched the basement storage. Among the random piles of fabrics in the corner, there were ones that could make someone who knew their values drop his jaw. Rhema picked up one of the precious fabrics purely based on color and texture. It was an extremely high-priced civet fox fur that was used for noble women¡¯s scarves because of its vanilla scent. He picked it because its light brown color resembling a well-baked cookie seemed to be a common teddy bear color and it had a soft texture.


    One was bound to learn miscellaneous skills when living a long life alone. He cut the fur proficiently, drew a design, and enchanted a needle. In an instant, quite a huge shape of a teddy bear was formed. He filled it with cotton and made its eyes and nose with black diamonds that he found after rummaging through a box on one side of the storage. After doing so, it looked like a decent teddy bear.


    Compared to the unimaginable cost of its materials, its appearance was quite normal. At a feeling of something missing, Rhema looked into the bear and took out some red silk. He put a bow on the bear¡¯s neck with it. Following that, he cast a few magic spells that were simple according to his standards. Lastly, he embroidered a name on the bear¡¯s foot.


    He placed the bear, which had just been made, in Azriel¡¯s arms, who had just fallen asleep. The teddy bear that had a suitable temperature by magic smelled like vanilla due to the fur material that he used. Azriel hugged the bear tightly as she tossed around in her sleep. The child¡¯s fingernails above the bear were clean and pretty pink. The trace of bleeding after being distorted and cracked was nowhere to be seen. It was a peaceful and lovely sight. With a satisfactory feeling, he stroked the girl¡¯s hair and left the room.


    *


    The sweet scent of vanilla repeatedly tickled the tip of Azriel¡¯s nose. She opened her eyes even before the cats came in. She was surprised to find a teddy bear, which she had never seen, in her arms.


    ¡°Huh?¡± She sat up and lifted up the bear. It was a little big for her to hug. ¡°What is this¡­?¡±


    Some words were embroidered on the bear¡¯s foot. She read it slowly. ¡®To Azriel Esthera, From Rhema Reshith¡¯ Something lumpy rose within her and filled her whole heart. Her swollen heart was light as a butterfly. Azriel hugged the bear tightly. Laughter automatically burst out and filled her whole body.


    *


    The next day, Rhema unusually showed up for breakfast. He, who was focusing only on his food as usual, suddenly noticed that Azriel¡¯s eyes were looking at the floating spirit. It was cleaning the kitchen.


    ¡°Is there anything you want to know about the spirit?¡±


    Azriel was startled. Their mealtimes had always been quiet. It was the first time that a conversation took place. She hesitated for a little and pulled up some courage to ask a question. ¡°Well, does the spirit not have a name? Everyone has a name¡­ a, and¡­ is it a boy or girl?¡±


    It was a question Rhema had not expected. He was preparing to talk about how to create spirits, the origin of spirits and definition, or the purpose of spirits. He, whose eyes were widened at an unexpected question, let out a low laugh. When he laughed, Azriel lowered her blushed face. ¡°Spirits don¡¯t have a gender by nature. As for the name, I didn¡¯t name it, so it doesn¡¯t have a name.¡±


    ¡°Why doesn¡¯t it have a name?¡±


    ¡°That is not a spirit born in nature, but an artificial spirit that I created. So, it doesn¡¯t have a proper personality at the moment. I didn¡¯t name it because it will bear personality if I name it.¡±


    ¡°Is it a bad thing to have a personality?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯ll just be bothersome.¡±


    Azriel vacantly opened her mouth. Rhema continued his meal and spoke as if he just thought of an idea. ¡°I¡¯m going to visit the city after the meal since I have something to buy.¡±


    ¡°Oh, uhhh, have a nice trip.¡± It was also his first time to tell her about his schedule. It felt like living together at last. Looking at the girl who responded to him shyly, Rhema asked a sudden question. ¡°Do you want to come with me by any chance?¡±


    She lifted her head so quickly that he could hear her movement. Her round eyes sparkled with curiosity. He loved those eyes so much that he regretted not asking her sooner.¡°Well, can I do that?¡±


    ¡°Of course. Come to think of it, you¡¯ve never gone out of the fence since you came to this house.¡±


    ¡°Can, can I go outside¡­?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t go outside alone. There are no monsters in the woods, but it¡¯s dangerous. You can go out as much as you want if you take any one of Largo, Noir, or Blanchet with you.¡±


    Azriel¡¯s face was filled with thrill. Her small head nodded in a rush. ¡°Okay! Okay! I won¡¯t go alone! Thank you¡­ Rhe, Rhema.¡±


    ¡°Very well. Go change and come out after the meal.¡± Rhema, who finished his meal early, stroked the girl¡¯s head gently as he stood up. To him, it was an involuntary action. However, to Azriel, it was the first tenderness she felt from an adult. Her cheeks were reddened. ¡°Eat slowly. I¡¯ll be waiting.¡± Rhema left the kitchen. Azriel tried to touch her head that he stroked and ended up hitting a cup with her elbow. The cup, which was tipping over, was fortunately stopped by the spirit that was going around nearby.

 CH 36

    It was her first time going out in a half year. Azriel fiddled with the blue dress among other dresses that filled up her wardrobe. It was the one with a fluttering material, full lace, and a fairy imprinted gem brooch in between the collars. It was so beautiful and expensive-looking that she had not been able to wear it as she felt it did not belong to her. She glanced at the teddy bear that she had set against the pillow on her bed. On the bear¡¯s foot, which was sitting quietly, she could see the words that Rhema had embroidered.


    With some courage and thrill, Azriel took out that dress. She was trying it on excitedly but was confused soon. The dress had back straps that needed to be crossed and knotted in order to be put on. It could not be put on alone since it was a dress suitable for a daughter of a big merchant or of a noble. She stretched out her hands behind her back as much as possible, but she could not reach the straps. She ended up falling while struggling. Noticing that something was going on, Rhema entered the room.


    ¡°Azriel?¡± Seeing embarrassed Azriel and the disheveled straps behind her back, he grasped the situation. ¡°I¡¯ll help you. Come here.¡±


    Rhema gathered her long, black hair and turned it over to the front, making a knot with the straps in the back to a nicety. While he was at it, he fixed the hem and lace that were creased when she fell and put on a thin summer cape on her, which was made as a set with the dress.


    Azriel, who wore the white cape over the blue dress, looked pretty as a doll. He was tempted to give her better things. He wanted to load her with more valuable, no, the best things. Such a desire was formed in his mind. It had been a long time since he had felt such a desire. Rhema tidied up the girl¡¯s disheveled hair by roughly brushing it with his hand. He was not clever enough to think of using a comb or tying her hair. ¡°Well then, shall we go?¡±


    He stretched out his hand to her. Grabbing that hand, Azriel looked at his attire closely. Rhema was wearing a white robe that he wore when he first met Azriel. Even though it was in the middle of summer, it seemed he did not feel the heat at all. The sleeves of the plain white robe were embroidered with silver thread. It was similar to what wizards would commonly wear.


    When Azriel took his hand, the surrounding environment was changed in an instant. It was a surprisingly smooth long-distance teleportation. Azriel was yet to know how amazing this magic was. As for Rhema, he did not think too much since he was used to it like breathing.


    Where they arrived was a back alley of Iligala, a free port city that the Kingdom of Aucandor boasted of. Holding the girl¡¯s hand, he headed to the shopping district he was familiar with. The shopping district was where wealthy people went, which mainly dealt with custom-made and imported goods.


    Since Rhema did not know where the toy shop was, he went into the boutique that he regularly visited. At the bell chime, a tailor came out to greet the customers. Seeing them, he opened his mouth wide as if to drop his jaw and hastily poked his assistant¡¯s waist. The assistant, who was organizing items, irritably lifted his head and dropped what he had in his hands upon seeing the famous wizard bringing a cute, doll-like girl. The wizard¡¯s princess whose rumors were widespread had finally appeared.


    ¡°Welcome, Mr. Wizard! It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, little lady! How can I help you?¡± The tailor quickly came out and bent his waist. He looked at Azriel from top to bottom to have a close look at the girl who was wearing the clothes he sent out. She seemed to be from the northern region as she had golden eyes, black hair resembling the night, and outstandingly pale skin. Her small face had well-defined features even though she was young. She was a strikingly pretty child, but her elegant mysterious atmosphere was more impressive. She looked exotic. ¡®She could be a princess of some country.¡¯ For such a girl, the blue dress he sold matched perfectly. The tailor¡¯s heart was filled with pride. The only thing that bothered him was her hair. Since she had a nice texture, it did not get tangled, but it seemed to have been roughly fixed by hands no matter how much he looked. The unpolished, untied hair that was just laid down randomly did not seem right.


    ¡°About toys¡­¡±


    ¡°Before then, how do you like this, Mr. Wizard?¡± The tailor with a lightning-like hand movement picked up a hat for girls. It was a white straw hat decorated with a cute ribbon. When the eyes of Rhema and Azriel were on it, he quickly went ahead to explain it. ¡°The sun is hot now, why don¡¯t you put this hat on this little lady? It will be cute and cool. Particularly, this ribbon lace is a piece by a renowned artisan, imported from the Talasin Empire with difficulty¡­¡±


    Rhema, looking at Azriel and the hat in turn for a moment and nodded. Thinking that he had made a great sale once again today, the tailor tried to put on the hat on the girl. As a shadow of a grownup man was cast over her head, Azriel turned pale. A monster, a monster¡¯s shadow. She hid behind Rhema¡¯s back as if to run away. As his robe was tugged, Rhema looked down and saw that the tip of Azriel¡¯s hand was trembling.


    ¡°Step back.¡± As the wizard¡¯s voice carried displeasure, the air seemed to react and tighten sensitively. A chilling feeling flowed down the tailor¡¯s back. He quickly took a few steps back. Azriel, who eventually calmed down, stuck her head out. Thinking that the child was shy, the tailor held out the hat to Rhema. ¡°Would you like to put this on her, Mr. Wizard?¡±

 CH 37

    Rhema picked up the hat and sat down on one knee in front of Azriel. As he did so, his eye level became similar to that of the child and no more threatening shadow was cast over her. He ran his hand through her hair and put the white straw hat on her. He also straightened the crooked hat a little. The tailor swiftly brought a full-length mirror. Letting Azriel stand in front of the mirror, Rhema asked.


    ¡°Do you like it?¡±


    Azriel thought that the girl in the mirror looked unfamiliar. She looked like a really precious lady. She used to be useless who was always abandoned by others, but it seemed Rhema had a different idea.


    ¡°¡­Yes.¡± Azriel bashfully nodded her head. The tailor celebrated inside. ¡°Would you like to see other hats as well? These days, real flower decorations with lace are in trend. This will suit the little lady perfectly.¡± He was tiresome. Rhema slightly knitted his forehead and glanced at Azriel. She was busy looking at the mirror and touching the hat with her hand. Seeing that, he quickly made a decision. ¡°Please send all kinds.¡±


    ¡°Certainly. Should I send them to the Village of Hanora like last time?¡± The tailor, who just hit the jackpot, smiled from ear to ear. After agreeing to him, Rhema asked, ¡°Where can I find toys?¡±


    ¡°When you step out, pass two more alleys and turn left, you¡¯ll see a shop with a green door. That is the toy shop.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Rhema pulled out a pocket of gold coins from his chest. Tailor¡¯s mouth stretched even wider at the jingling sound of gold coins. Rhema handed over the whole pocket to the tailor without reluctance. ¡°Just as before, you can keep sending me goods as long as the money lasts.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely. I will select the best items with care and send them to you.¡±


    Leaving the tailor who was bending his waist deeply, they left the boutique. At the moment they left, the tailor grilled his assistant. The assistant frantically rushed to the toy shop through a shortcut and delivered the message early. In a second, the news that the ¡®princess¡¯ had arrived was spread in the shopping district.


    Having no idea of that, Rhema and Azriel walked down the street. Rhema, who was striding without giving much thought, looked down at the feeling of his hand being pulled all of a sudden. It was Azriel who almost fell trying to follow Rhema¡¯s steps and balancing herself relying on his hand.


    Not saying anything, Rhema waited until she found her balance. Then he began to walk very slowly. Because of that, it took them quite a while until they could reach the toy shop. Thanks to the heads-up from the tailor, the owner of the toy shop was fully prepared to receive the guests. When they entered the shop, he approached them with a smiley face.


    ¡°Welcome!¡±


    Azriel, with her eyes widened, busily looked around. The inside of the store looked very fancy as precious items that were usually not displayed due to the fear of dust sitting down were all taken out. While Rhema and the owner talked, Azriel walked around the shop, stupefied.


    There was a very expensive girl doll as tall as Azriel. It had blond hair made with silk thread and eyes made of blue crystals. Next to it was a huge dollhouse with its door wide open. Dolls about the size of her palm were sitting like nobles, wearing clothes decorated with lace.


    On another side were piles of all sorts of rag dolls. In front of the shelf where the dolls were placed, small and intricate animal pieces made of ivory were displayed. On the center table, detailed tableware for housekeeping play was displayed. Little Conhead, fairy sculpture, dice made out of animal bones, colored wooden game board, and other items were also there. The basket was filled with colorful glass beads like candies, and next to it stood all sorts of model ships with sails.


    There was a huge model castle in the middle of the shop. On top of it, a silk flag embroidered with colorful threads was hung, and light sparkled through a coin-sized window. Along the palm-sized wall stood tiny soldier dolls. Real water streamed in the moat. The moat and the soldiers made Azriel feel bad, so she turned to the other side quickly.


    Against the wall stood a bookshelf full of picture books and next to it were small violins and pianos that were sized down to suit children. On one corner, toys for boys such as wooden horses, wooden swords, and leather balls were randomly piled up. It was the trace of the owner who shoved the things that boys might like in preparation to receive the girl guest.


    Azriel approached there and lightly touched a wooden horse colored with watercolor. The silver bell that was tied on the horse¡¯s neck made a sound. Startled, she took off her hand and carefully shook it again. Jingle, jingle. A smile spread around her lips. For the girl who had never had decent toys on her own, this was a new world. Noticing her going about all directions, Rhema asked. ¡°Which one do you like?¡± She vacantly looked up at him. He asked again. ¡°If you are not sure, you can take all of each kind and play with them first, and tell me what you liked later. Then I can order more of such kinds.¡±


    ¡°N, no¡­¡± Bewildered, Azriel grasped his hem. He bent his waist to hear her better. Rhema¡¯s spending was so enormous that Azriel could not grasp it. However, buying all kinds of goods in the shop was unthinkable to her. Azriel shook her head hard. ¡°I don¡¯t need that many. The teddy you gave me is enough for me, Rhema.¡± Rhema tilted his head as if it was strange. ¡°Isn¡¯t it better to have more?¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s fine. I can¡¯t play with that many toys anyway.¡± Rhema quietly looked at Azriel who was fidgety. He pondered for a while and asked. ¡°Are you uncomfortable?¡±


    ¡°¡­These, aren¡¯t they really expensive?¡±


    ¡°Azriel, I am rich. You don¡¯t have to care about such a thing as money.¡± He said the truth calmly. In fact, money had not been a problem ever since he became a wizard. It was because of his master¡¯s legacy. After a long time, he could now turn stones into gold. Creating something from nothing was impossible as it was a domain of God, he could turn already existing things into others as much as he wanted. To him, there was not much difference between stone and gold. However, Azriel had no idea of such a fact. She spoke clearly. ¡°It¡¯s strange for me to ask for something I don¡¯t need just because you are rich. I already have more than enough great things, so it¡¯s all right.¡±


    ¡°You have no greed, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that. You¡¯re treating me too well, Rhema. If you keep doing this, I might become a spoiled child.¡± Azriel protested in a small way. The way she spoke so enthusiastically felt cute. Rhema unconsciously stroked her cheek and looked down at his hand. Soft and weak texture. It was a strange feeling. It was an emotion close to ¡®lovely.¡¯ He whispered, clenching his fist. ¡°Where did you learn that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve read it in a book. If you treat a child too nicely, the child will be spoiled¡­¡±


    ¡°Since you know that already, you won¡¯t ever be like that, Azriel. Then it won¡¯t matter anymore, will it?¡±


    ¡°¡­What?¡±


    ¡°Since Azriel will be fine and I also want to give it to you, there is no problem now.¡± Looking back at the owner who was nervously watching them, Rhema made an order. ¡°Give us the best things of all kinds.¡± Taking a pocket full of coins, the owner bowed deeply that his forehead almost touched the ground.


    After leaving the toy shop, Rhema and Azriel ate lunch at a restaurant. Although the food was not as good as what the spirit made, to Azriel, a place like this was novel. After the meal, chocolate ice cream sprinkled with almonds was served in a glass. Azriel, who just had a spoon of it, sighed. Rhema looked at her. ¡°Why do you sigh?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ think I¡¯m too lucky.¡±


    Rhema did not agree with her. He saved the girl from filthy water where corpses floated. Her body was full of traces of violence and was so skinny that her bones were revealed. There were neither family nor adults who looked after her. He was not sure whatever happened to her, but she was frightened whenever an adult¡¯s shadow was cast over her. If all seven-year-olds in the world were divided by the categories of the fortunate and unfortunate, Azriel was certainly on the side of the unfortunate.


    Of course, if judged by only her potential, she could be the luckiest among all people. However, she must not mean her potential. That was why he could not understand her. When Rhema tilted his head, she went on. ¡°It¡¯s because I met you, Rhema.¡±


    ¡°¡­Are you lucky to meet me?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I am probably the happiest child in the world right now.¡± Azriel beamed. Rhema blankly watched that smile. ¡°Is it because I give you good things?¡±


    ¡°I sure like those things, but, what I like the most is¡­¡± She mumbled a little and continued. ¡°The name you gave me. I am happy whenever that name is called. And¡­ I also like that I can call you by your name.¡±


    ¡°Anyone can have a name. Did you not have a name at all before?¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not true, but¡­¡± A smile disappeared from Azriel¡¯s face. The girl quietly lowered her eyes. A deep shade that did not match her young face was cast over her face.


    ¡°My mother and father did not give me a name. So, my brother named me. The only person who called me that name was him. No one else called me by that name. But my brother¡­ he is gone too, now¡­¡±


    ¡°Your brother is¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my twin brother. I had a twin.¡± Rhema was not particularly surprised. To be born with the level of mana that Azriel had, one had to be a twin. There were rare exceptions, but it was generally the case. Moreover, there were no exceptions for Wizards like Rhema who was born with the dragon eye. All were born as twins and only one of the twins would have the dragon eye. Instead of explaining that to her, he quietly listened to her story.


    ¡°My brother¡¯s name is Benhiram. There was war in my village and¡­ only my brother and I survived.¡± Azriel breathed so deeply that her chest heaved. ¡°My brother was much smarter than someone like me. He smiled a lot and was kind. He always got food from somewhere and gave it to me first. He shouldn¡¯t have done that. He should¡¯ve abandoned me¡­¡± Her eyes slowly welled up. ¡°Then the people who started the war came to catch people who ran away. They came riding on horses in a bunch, burned everything, and k, killed everyone, but my brother¡­¡±


    ¡°Was he killed?¡± Rhema asked calmly. Azriel bit her lower lip and her shoulders began shaking.


    ¡°Only I hid. It was too narrow. My brother should¡¯ve hidden. He said he didn¡¯t need to because he is older. Only, only me, and¡­¡± Her patience was of no avail. At last, her tears poured down. ¡°My brother should¡¯ve been the one to live. He should¡¯ve met you. If it were him, he wouldn¡¯t have disappointed¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true. If it weren¡¯t for you, we wouldn¡¯t have met in the first place. And I had never been disappointed by you.¡± He denied her words without hesitating. Azriel looked up at him oddly with wet eyes. ¡°Azriel, the fact that you¡¯re a wizard means that your other twin is never a wizard.¡±


    ¡°What? Why?¡±


    ¡°Later¡­ if you learn more about magic, you will understand it naturally.¡± Rhema asked another question as if to change the subject.


    ¡°Did you live alone after that?¡±


    ¡°Yes, until I met you. Well, honestly, I thought I didn¡¯t want to live any longer back then.¡±

 CH 38

    At the moment she was about to give up everything, he appeared. And a dreamy life continued afterward. It felt like she was born again after dying once. More than all she had, she liked the fact that she was not alone. She liked him who told her that he would not abandon her no matter what. She felt like she was enchanted by magic whenever he called her name and she called his name. Azriel rubbed her eyes and smiled. ¡°Rhema, you are a really good person. Thank you for bringing me with you.¡±


    Rhema closed his mouth and looked at Azriel with strange eyes. There was someone who said this to him a very long time ago. And what did that person say to him after a long time had passed? He mumbled lowly. ¡°I¡¯m not a good person.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± asked Azriel. His voice was so low that it did not reach Azriel. He shook his head. ¡°Azriel, your ice cream is melting.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± At Rhema¡¯s remark, Azriel looked down at her bowl and rushed to pick up her spoon. She, soon, was so focused on the ice cream that she forgot about Rhema¡¯s reaction.


    ***


    When she opened her eyes, it was a hazy dawn this time. Azriel, who was now sixteen, touched her heavy head and lifted her body. Still, she had no strength in her body.


    ¡®It¡¯s better than yesterday, at least.¡¯ This time, there was no one in the room. She did not see Rhema. She falteringly went to the window. As she breathed in the cool morning air, her head was cleared little by little. Azriel leaned on her elbow on the windowsill. She steadily watched the sun coming up and the view gradually brightening. It was the scenery of the familiar Colte town where she lived for four years, but something was not right. Studying the view for a while, Azriel realized what had changed.


    ¡®It¡¯s because the Colte Castle is gone.¡¯ The castle that could be seen anywhere in the town was nowhere to be seen. Where the castle used to be was empty. Rhema Reshith made it that way. When she was young, Azriel thought Rhema was God. A perfect, great, and nice person. However, no matter how close a wizard he was to God, he was not God. ¡®He might not be a particularly good person. He is a good person to me, but¡­¡¯ Was it true? Was he a good person to her?


    ¡°If you become a wizard, I will have to kill you someday,¡± When he said that, his eyes were indifferent. He was not threatening her but speaking the truth. That was even more creepy. Azriel rubbed her forearm. Then, she felt like she needed to look back. Drawn by that mysterious feeling, she looked back and the air was slightly distorted. And Rhema appeared from there.


    ¡°You are up early, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°¡­It¡¯s because I slept for a lot.¡± Rhema let go of the spirit that he was grasping. Holding a basket, the spirit began to place food on the table. It was for one person. ¡°Rhema, are you not having breakfast?¡±


    ¡°I already ate.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s eat together, from next time.¡± Azriel unconsciously talked to him in a friendly way. Apart from the way she was appalled by him now, he felt closer as she recalled more past memories. It had to be.


    Rhema looked at her silently for a long while. Azriel, who said it without giving much thought, started eating. The foods were soft enough not to burden her stomach. She thought that it would take a while to get used to the spirit¡¯s serving, but she was already accustomed to it. She did not care that Rhema was nearby. It was because of her childhood memory. As soon as she finished eating, Rhema opened his mouth. ¡°How far do you remember?¡±


    ¡°Until I went outside with you for the first time.¡± Azriel handed over the empty bowl to the spirit and looked back at him. ¡°About that teddy bear¡­ do you still have it? Rhema¡¯s facial expression was distorted a little. He kept his mouth closed for a while as if he did not want to speak and answered her as she gazed at him. ¡°No, it¡¯s no longer here.¡±


    At his answer, Azriel¡¯s heart dropped to her surprise. No matter how many toys she received, there was nothing more precious than that teddy bear to her. Did he abandon it when he abandoned her? Was it an object that meant nothing to him? It felt like the mire was pouring down on her warm, colorful memories. With a slightly shaking voice, Azriel asked. ¡°Did you abandon it¡­ when you abandoned me, that bear?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true.¡±


    ¡°Then what happened?¡±


    ¡°¡­It was ruined.¡±


    ¡°How come¡­¡±


    He got rid of it because it was ruined¡­ Azriel blurred the end of her sentence. Would it be possible for something to break to the point where the Wizard of the Horizon could not fix it? Would she remember this, too, if she continued to recall her memory? Ignoring her, Rhema said. ¡°You should sleep more.¡±


    ¡°No, my head doesn¡¯t hurt now. I¡¯ll sleep later.¡± It was important to revive her memory, but she could not just keep on sleeping. Azriel stood up from her seat. Rhema asked her.


    ¡°Then what do you want to do?¡±


    ¡°First¡­ I¡¯d like to see Maylie.¡± Her only friend¡¯s safety was first. While talking, Azriel thought of Maylie¡¯s mom and the fact that Maylie was saving up money to visit a wizard in the capital to cure her mom¡¯s illness. ¡°Rhema, I don¡¯t cough anymore ever since you stopped it. Did you fix it completely? Can you cure an illness, too?¡±


    ¡°I fixed it, but it was not an illness in your case. It seems like you¡¯ve been living in a bad environment.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t cure an illness?¡±


    ¡°No, I can do it.¡±


    ¡°¡­Well, Maylie¡¯s mom is sick. Can I ask you to cure her?¡±


    ¡°Azriel, you don¡¯t have to ask that with caution like that. I told you that you can ask anything from me.¡± Rhema calmly told her and stretched out his arm to her, just like the first time they went out together. Azriel put her hand on top of his. The scenery suddenly changed. She flinched and grasped his hand tightly. Unlike the seven-year-old Azriel, the sixteen-year-old Azriel knew how incredible this magic was. It was the magic that disappeared a thousand years ago.


    ¡®¡­Well, Rhema said he¡¯s been living since then.¡¯ The place they arrived was the kitchen and living room of an old and dark house. A white cat roaming around the living room rushed to Azriel and rubbed her body against her legs.


    [Meow. Meow.]


    ¡°Blanchet? You became a cat again.¡± Blanchet smiled bending her eyes. Rhema spoke. ¡°Blanchet doesn¡¯t like to mimic humans, unlike Noir. Unless it¡¯s absolutely necessary, she¡¯ll be in this form.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see.¡±


    ¡°Blanchet, where is the sick girl?¡± Blanchet looked sharply at Rhema and hit the floor hard with her tail. Then she turned to Azriel and shook her head with her ears dropped. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I don¡¯t understand you,¡± Azriel said embarrassingly. Rhema understood it but did not say anything. When Rhema came to check on Blanchet after Azriel fell asleep yesterday, Blanchet already told him.


    ¡°There is a patient in this house. It¡¯s the mom of Azriel¡¯s friend, please cure her.¡±


    For Rhema, it was a simple job like breathing. Even so, he ignored it when Blanchet mentioned it. Then he now came back looking for the sick person. Blanchet was dumbfounded. It would have been better if he cured her beforehand. ¡®He wasn¡¯t like this before at least¡­¡¯ After the incident that happened when Azriel was ten, he became even more ignorant about humans. Blanchet sighed and turned around as if she wanted them to follow her.


    ¡°Azriel!¡±


    Maylie, who was coming out of the inner room with a basin in her hand, ran into them. At her scream, three little, cute kids stuck their heads out of the room.


    ¡°Oh, Azriel!¡±


    ¡°Sister!¡±


    Azriel greeted Maylie¡¯s younger siblings with a smile and turned to Maylie. ¡°Maylie, Rhema is going to cure your mom¡¯s illness.¡±


    ¡°What? Really?¡± Maylie was taken aback. Rhema, who was standing behind Azriel, came forward. ¡°Azriel asked me. Step aside.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes!¡± As she stepped aside, fumbling, Rhema opened the door. The kids who were gathered around the door scattered to a corner as they were startled. Not paying attention to that, he went into the narrow room and approached the mid-aged woman lying on the bed. He placed his hand on her sweaty forehead.


    ¡°Reshith.¡± He murmured a small whisper. Azriel, who entered after Rhema, momentarily saw a group of stars whining near his hand. When she blinked, it disappeared in no time. ¡°It¡¯s done.¡±


    ¡°Pardon?¡± It was a brief instant. Maylie asked back, stupefied. ¡°It¡¯s already over? The cure?¡± Not responding to her, Rhema glanced at Azriel and called Blanchet. ¡°Blanchet.¡±


    [Meow.]


    ¡°Help them move anywhere they want to and provide them with a proper amount of wealth. Take care of them until they are settled. I¡¯ll leave it up to you.¡± He randomly threw something that he took out from his chest. Banchet jumped up and caught it with her mouth. It was a gem about the size of a child¡¯s fist.


    ¡°Rh, Rhema?¡±


    ¡°Azriel, you don¡¯t have to worry about them anymore.¡± He plainly spoke and slightly tilted his head. ¡°Is there anyone else you want to help? Feel free to tell me.¡±


    ¡°Wait a minute, so¡­¡±


    ¡°Is there anyone else you want to save?¡± Again another memory passed by. The white robe on Rhema was dyed in red. Red liquid splashed on his face dripped down and fell from his chin. The grey eyes were like frozen pieces of iron. ¡®What is it? What kind of memory is this?¡¯


    ¡°Oww¡­¡± A stinging pain penetrated her head. Azriel wrapped her head and staggered. Rhema¡¯s face suddenly changed.


    ¡°As I said, you¡¯d better sleep more.¡± He said as he helped to sway Azriel. When Maylie, who was blown away, was about to thank him, Rhema and Azriel suddenly disappeared. Before arriving at their inn room, Azriel fell asleep in his arms as if she fainted.


    ***


    There was a village called Hanora beyond the woods where there was Rhema¡¯s house. It was a tiny village that even the lord of the region was unaware of. In the woods near the village, there was not a single monster which was usually common. People did not know the reason very well. Only sensible wizards could tell that mana flowed oddly in the whole forest and thought that this was why monsters did not live there. In reality, It was the result of Rhema Reshith rooting out all the monsters for the reason of them being dirty and noisy and twisted the whole surrounding mana so that they could not approach.


    The village people knew that the silver-haired wizard living in the woods did not like to get along with people. Still, the wizard helped them when they occasionally asked for help, if it was not too bothersome.


    It was the fall. Tom of the Hanora Village, stirred around the forest holding a net with his peers who were about ten years old. It was to catch a rabbit. When the place where rabbit footprints were seen neared, the kids began to move carefully holding their breaths. They could feel something move beyond the bush. A kid was startled and threw the net. They could hear a sharp cry.


    ¡°Wh, what is that? Is it not a rabbit?¡±


    ¡°Hey, you can¡¯t just throw the net first!¡± Scolding his friend, Tom pulled the net. He pulled thinking they certainly caught something and it was a cat with black fur. Green eyes were fiercely looking up at them. ¡°This cat, it¡¯s Mr. Wizard¡¯s cat!¡±


    ¡°Noir!¡±


    They heard a girl¡¯s voice. Then the cat bared its teeth, cut off the net instantly, and landed on the ground with ease. A girl in a grey coat appeared before the confused kids. It was Azriel Esthera.

 CH 39

    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Surprised at the boys whom she had never seen, Azriel stopped. Since it had not been so long since she had been coming out of the fence, she was not aware of the existence of a village nearby. Noir haughtily walked and stood next to her.


    ¡°¡­Hello?¡± It was Azriel who greeted them first. Tom, who came to his senses only then, reflexively pointed his finger and shouted.


    ¡°It¡¯s Mr. Wizard¡¯s pupil!¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°My dad told me. Mr. Wizard brought a girl around our age as his pupil!¡± Tom¡¯s father was the chief of the Hanora Village. The kids became suddenly boisterous.


    ¡°Are you really Mr. Wizard¡¯s pupil?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re his pupil, are you a wizard, too?¡±


    ¡°Do you live in the house in the woods?¡±


    ¡°Can you use magic?¡± Questions were randomly poured down. Perplexed, Azriel closed her mouth. Tom pushed the kids aside and came forward.


    ¡°Hey, ask one question at a time. She¡¯s confused.¡±


    ¡°C, can you use magic? Show me!¡± A kid with a stubby nose quickly asked. Azriel blinked for a while and responded.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t learned it yet.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you Mr. Wizard¡¯s pupil?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but he said he will teach me soon.¡± As Azriel answered then with a smile, the kids dropped their mouths. Pale and pretty Azriel in nice clothes looked like a princess to them. Tom courageously asked. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Azriel Esthera.¡± The kids¡¯ eyes were widened at Azriel¡¯s response. ¡°That¡¯s a long name! It¡¯s really long!¡±


    ¡°Wow, she¡¯s got a surname.¡±


    ¡°You stupid, there¡¯s no doubt. She¡¯s going to be a wizard!¡±


    ¡°Can we call her freely? She¡¯s a wizard.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not a wizard yet, wouldn¡¯t it be okay?¡±


    ¡°But, she¡¯s got a surname¡­¡±


    Seeing them whispering to each other, confused, Azriel¡¯s heart was fluttered a little. She could never imagine playing with her peers before. In the village where she was born and raised, everyone shunned her, saying that she was a cursed child, and in the back alley, everyone was her enemy. But it could change from now on. She recalled that she used to look at children playing together with envy from afar. ¡°You can just call me Azriel. What are your names?¡± When she asked, the kids¡¯ faces were lit with excitement soon. Tom quickly came forward. ¡°I¡¯m Tom. My dad is a chief¡­ Hey, do you know our village?¡±


    Tom, who said as if to boast, thought of something and added another question. Azriel shook her head with an awkward face. ¡°No, I don¡¯t know it very well. I¡¯ve been staying in the house so far.¡±


    ¡°Why? Were you sick?¡±


    ¡°Ummm¡­¡± Azriel did not know what to say and was mumbling, which was taken as an agreement by the kids. Soon, they showed concern on their faces. She became better after eating well but was still slender, thin, and paler than others. To the boys, who were rough and tanned, she was bound to look small and weak. Tom said as if he was determined. ¡°You want to go look around the village? It¡¯s close by! It¡¯s right below here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, the adults will like you, too!¡±


    ¡°Since you¡¯re Mr. Wizard¡¯s pupil, everyone will like you!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± The excited kids rowdily pulled Azriel. Azriel was involuntarily pushed by the kids down to the village. Noir snorted once around her feet and followed her.


    Hanora was a village formed on a small basin with a small stream, surrounded by woods and mountains. As it had not been long since the harvest was over, the village had a leisurely atmosphere. The person who first discovered the kids crowding in was the blacksmith who was fixing farming equipment at the outskirts of the village. Seeing an outstanding, well-dressed, small girl and thinking that she was a noble child, he was startled.


    ¡°You, you, you kids! Is she a, n, noble?!¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not a noble! She¡¯s Mr. Wizard¡¯s pupil, Mister!¡± Excited, Tom shouted to the blacksmith who was taken aback and stammering. ¡°She¡¯s not noble? Oh my, my heart almost dropped¡­ Wait, what? Whose pupil?¡± The blacksmith who was relieved opened his eyes wide hearing that she was a pupil of the wizard. Throwing the tools on the ground right away, he rushed to the chief¡¯s house.


    At the empty lot in the center of the village, there were many people. Women chatted while making baskets by twisting straws. Girls who were sitting down together were lost in their play with rag dolls in their arms. They were either playing at housekeeping with mud bowls or playing jackstones. The peaceful atmosphere was completely broken as the boys who came in flocks introduced Azriel.


    The adults were appalled by the kids who recklessly brought the scary wizard¡¯s pupil. On the other side, kids were more curious than scared. Studying the atmosphere, they slowly approached her. Azriel was interested in playing jackstones. Among the toys that Rhema bought in various kinds, there were jackstones made of carved ivory. She did not know what they were. So, she laid them by size and color and was feeling proud of herself. ¡®That¡¯s how you play with them¡­¡¯ She wanted to play with them. Come to think of it, there was a dice playboard that she could play with multiple people among the toys. Azriel was getting excited to think that she could use that to play with the kids.


    What the chief, who rushed to the lot belatedly, saw was a girl with expensive clothes at a glance playing jackstones with the village kids, sitting down on the ground. It was not until evening that Azriel returned home with Noir. She promised that she would bring her toys and play with the village kids tomorrow.


    ¡°Your cheeks are red. Are you not feeling well by any chance?¡± Seeing her flushed cheeks, Rhema asked.


    ¡°No, no! Rhema, you know what, today, I¡­¡± Azriel described what happened to her that day. The girl, who just made friends, had sparkling eyes like the stars. Rhema looked at her as if he was observing something mysterious. He did not like people. He did not enjoy being with people a long time ago, even before he became this dry.


    ¡°Did you have that much fun?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± The girl who nodded as she beamed looked happy. ¡®Don¡¯t give them your affection. You won¡¯t be able to live with normal people.¡¯ Rhema was going to say that. However, he could not say that when he saw her flushed face. ¡®Maybe this child might be happier if she didn¡¯t learn magic.¡¯ That day, Rhema had such a thought for the first time. That thought did not leave him for a long time.

 CH 40

    It had already been more than a year since the seven-year-old Azriel began living with Rhema. Meanwhile, she read through the books that she had memorized in a rush. They were still difficult for her, but she understood them little by little with Rhema¡¯s help. Rhema was not particularly good at explanations. Still, he tried his best to explain them to her. It was around the spring when now eight-year-old Azriel was done reading through all the books on the booklist with Rhema.


    ¡°It looks like you¡¯re ready to learn magic now.¡±


    Azriel¡¯s face was filled with hope at Rhema¡¯s remark. Seeing that face, he quietly stroked her hair. Fond of that huge hand, she smiled showing her dimples. ¡°We¡¯ll begin from early in the morning. You have to wake up early, is that alright?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°Then, get some rest early today. It¡¯s not good for you if you lack sleep.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Rhema!¡± As always, Azriel sincerely obeyed his words and went to sleep right after dinner. The teddy bear he gave her was always set on the bed. There were other more cute dolls among the toys he bought her, but the bear was still her favorite.


    Early in the morning before the sun rose, Azriel felt someone carefully shaking her shoulder. She immediately opened her eyes. It was because she had been fully anticipating it. Rhema looked at her eyes and smiled quietly. He certainly smiled more these days.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go outside.¡±


    Putting on a coat over her nightgown, Azriel followed him. The chilly air of the dawn rolled in. Rhema, who came out to the yard, approached her. ¡°We will go up. Please come here.¡± He knelt down and lifted Azriel up. The wind raised them and put them down on the roof. Although a dim light was shone from the end of the Horizon, the sky was still dark blue and full of stars. The colorful bird that was sitting on eggs on one side of the roof looked at them, lifting only its head. The bird buried its head under its feathers as if it was not interested.


    ¡®Why doesn¡¯t Rhema introduce me to that bird?¡¯ He introduced her to the spirit which did not have a name. She wondered for a moment. ¡°Please sit here,¡± Rhema let Azriel perch on the edge of the roof. She felt dizzy looking below her feet. She turned her eyes to the sky to repress fear. She could hear Rhema from behind her back. ¡°Azriel, you do know what the surname of a wizard means, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Rhema.¡±


    ¡°Can you try explaining it to me?¡±


    ¡°The surname of a wizard is a name that he gave to his mana. Mana only moves and exercises when it¡¯s called, so the name becomes a spell that solely belongs to that wizard.¡± Azriel usually did not forget something once she saw it. She recited without hesitation. Rhema continued, sitting down behind her. ¡°Excellent. As you said, the surname that a wizard uses is the name he calls his mana, spell, key, and the name as a wizard. Usually, his master would name it, but some would name it by himself.¡±


    ¡°Rhema, your spell is ¡®Reshith.¡¯ Did your master give it to you?¡±


    ¡°I named it on my own.¡± Precisely, it was a case where he abandoned the spell his master gave him and made a new spell. Rhema went on without going into the details. ¡°You know your spell, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°You named it, Rhema. It¡¯s ¡®Esthera.¡¯¡±


    ¡°Yes, Azriel. Do you know what Esthera means?¡±


    ¡°Is it a word with meaning?¡±


    ¡°Of course. To name mana in Lemm text is a rule.¡±


    ¡°Is ¡®Esthera¡¯ in Lemm¡­ ¡®star¡¯?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± It was a pretty meaning. Azriel said her second name multiple times inside her mouth. ¡®Esthera, Esthera, Star. This will be a spell of my own,¡¯ Looking up at the stars scattered in the dark sky, she asked. ¡°What does your spell mean, Rhema?¡±


    ¡°Reshith means ¡®the beginning.¡¯¡±


    ¡°The beginning¡­¡±


    ¡°It also means the first.¡±


    ¡°Why did you make that word your spell?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a word related to my duty¡­ no, to my mana. It¡¯s like how I gave you the spell named Esthera because I saw stars from you.¡±


    ¡°You saw stars from me?¡±


    ¡°You will see from now on. Close your eyes, Azriel.¡± At Rhema¡¯s request, Azriel calmly closed her eyes. Inside her blinded sight, she could smell the cool air and the forest. Rhema stretched out his hand from behind and touched her forehead. ¡°Mana moves actively this time, which is the borderline between night and day. That¡¯s why we are here. You will sense mana from now on. Magic begins from sensing mana.¡±


    ¡°Can I sense mana right away?¡±


    ¡°Yes, in fact, in your case, you¡¯ve been sensing it already. You just don¡¯t recognize it as mana.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been sensing it already, is that true? I am not so sure¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve used magic already.¡±


    ¡°What? When?¡± Startled, Azriel almost opened her eyes. She was not aware that the soldier, who died in a gruesome way, ended up like that because of her magic. She did not use it knowingly. At the time, Rhema sensed that magic from a distance. Afterward, it took a little time until he could reach her. So, he did not know what exactly happened to her back then. He could only guess that it was not something good as the magic used was destructive. He did not want to disclose her scar. ¡°Azriel, I will make your senses more sensitive from now on. You¡¯ll feel strange but hold on for a little while.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Rhema.¡±


    ¡°You can open your eyes when I get my hand off of you. And if you sense something, don¡¯t say but just raise your hand. Talking is dangerous.¡± From his hand that covered her forehead, something sparked like static. That thing disappeared, stirring her whole body. When his hand was off, Azriel opened her eyes in a slow manner.

 CH 41

    The scent of the woods heavily filled Azriel¡¯s nose. Rhema¡¯s slow breaths from behind rang her ears. She could even feel the flow of the air that touched her exposed skin. It was strange. It felt like all of the senses in her body were on edge. However, her sight rather faded, unlike other senses. It was blurred as if there was fog. When she blinked several times, her sight slowly returned. Then the scenery that she had never seen in her entire life was spread before her eyes. Azriel felt a shudder.


    Stars were all over the world, everywhere, in every color. Lights in various colors and sizes filled all directions. The lights would flock together and slowly flow like a galaxy, twirl around drawing circles, and merge with each other or disappear as they clashed together. A remotely spread sea of stars. Azriel held her breath. It felt like she was going to be overwhelmed by the endless lights. There were stars inside her body as well. If she moved her finger, the stars that were afloat in her hand were scattered. It was dizzying and dazzling. It was also magnificent.


    Inside the countless stars, her own self felt so small and faint. The scenery was so infinite, eternal, and vast, that she felt as if she was going to melt into it anytime. All of a sudden, darkness fell before her eyes. Rhema¡¯s low voice fell around her ears.


    ¡°No, Azriel.¡±


    Again, she felt a sting like static. When his hand was off, she could see the day-breaking sky and the familiar sight of the woods. She no longer saw the stars. Azriel barely vomited out the breath that she was holding in. Her head buzzed. Something ran down from her nose. ¡°Ah¡­?¡± Confused, she touched it with her hand and saw blood. Rhema lightly grabbed her nose from behind. Her nose stopped bleeding as if he used magic. He held her hand and wiped off the blood. Then he sighed. ¡°That was dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Did I do something wrong?¡± Azriel asked in a scared voice. Rhema shook his head. ¡°No, it was my mistake. I didn¡¯t take your keen senses into account. Aren¡¯t you dizzy?¡±


    ¡°A little bit.¡± As a matter of fact, it was not a little bit. Her body felt heavy as if she had just run until she was out of breath.


    ¡°You¡¯d better take a rest.¡± Rhema pulled her toward him so that she could lean on him. In his arms, Azriel looked at the dark sky that was being encroached on by light. The sun that peeked from the edge of the woods was gradually rising. Driving away the darkness and coldness, the morning began. As the sun shone, the tips of her hands and feet that were dropped down were warmed up. Her breathing slowly became even. Only then, Rhema opened his mouth. ¡°Azriel, can you try explaining what magic is?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a skill to draw changes using mana.¡± The answer she gave reflexively was a definition of magic that she read from a book. Rhema asked in succession. ¡°What is mana?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­ It¡¯s the energy that is scattered around like the air, that makes up the world.¡± What mana was a profound question that numerous schools still dispute. Azriel answered according to what she saw in books. Rhema continued on asking. ¡°What is drawing changes?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s changing the reality in a way that a wizard wants.¡±


    ¡°Then what is skill?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s using mana inside a wizard¡¯s body and disposing of it to make the desired result and then actualizing it by reciting a spell.¡±


    ¡°Good job. That¡¯s the general definition. You¡¯ve worked hard.¡± Rhema patted Azriel¡¯s hair. As she smiled big, his face was softened. ¡°But real magic is slightly different from that definition.¡±


    ¡°Is this wrong?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not wrong. Let me tell you an old story.¡± He rearranged his posture, still holding her, and went on slowly. ¡°Before the world was formed, there were only two beings.¡±


    ¡°Two beings? Who were them?¡±


    ¡°At the time, it is said that they did not even know. Just like you, Azriel, they wondered who they were. They also wanted to know who the other party was. Can you guess what they did?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ Did they name themselves? Just like how we name mana?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s similar. They first created ¡®language.¡¯ Then they communicated with each other with the language.¡±


    ¡°Did they ask who each other was?¡±


    ¡°Yes. They learned about themselves as they conversed and about the other party. Even after learning about each other, they did not stop their conversation. It is said that the world was slowly created through their conversation.¡±


    ¡°Wow¡­ Then the world was formed according to what the two people said?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. But the two beings are not humans. They created humans. They wanted to create beings who can think like them and share that with each other with language.¡±


    ¡°If they¡¯re not humans, who are they? Are they gods?¡±


    ¡°One is the God that we know. The other is not God but a dragon.¡±


    ¡°A¡­ dragon?¡±


    ¡°We call it the primal dragon.¡±


    ¡°Wait, is the primal dragon¡­?¡± The myth of the creation of the world that Azriel saw in a fairy tale book began with a battle between the primal dragon and God. God fought the primal dragon that stood against him and defeated it. With the body of the primal dragon, he made the continent. Recalling the story, she tilted her head. ¡°If the two were God and the primal dragon, were they originally on good terms but ended up fighting with each other?¡±


    ¡°Yes. After creating humans, they argued over how to treat them. Their words were what created the world, and their verbal argument must¡¯ve been a tremendous fight. The one that won the battle was called God and the one that was defeated was called the primal dragon.¡±


    ¡°So, are you saying God was not decided from the beginning? The winner became God?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that is correct.¡± It was a story that could make one be stoned for being a devil worshipper if he blabbed about it on the street. However, young Azriel accepted it with no specific prejudice. ¡°I feel bad for the primal dragon somehow. If he won, he would¡¯ve been God¡­¡±

 CH 42

    ¡°¡­He lost, but it was a close call. God also became powerless. The primal dragon still believed that he was right. So, when the weary God was unable to stop him, he acted according to his belief.¡±


    ¡°What did he do?¡±


    ¡°He gave all of his power to the world and humans. We called that power the legacy of the primal dragon and¡­¡±


    Who were ¡®we¡¯? Azriel looked back. With a calm face, Rhema continued. ¡°¡­Today, we call that power ¡®mana.¡¯ It¡¯s the beginning of magic.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ magic?¡±


    ¡°Right. It¡¯s the dragon¡¯s power that goes against the nature established by God, a way to make miracles, the devil¡¯s law, ¡®magic.¡¯¡± Surprised, Azriel opened her mouth. ¡°I, if so, is magic bad?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ Azriel, we talked about how we name mana using Lemm text.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°That Lemm text is God¡¯s legacy.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°When the primal dragon gave mana to humans at his will, God also gave power to humans according to his will. That is Lemm. It¡¯s God¡¯s law that puts a leash on dragon¡¯s wild mana and regulates it.¡±


    ¡°God¡¯s law¡­ Then it¡¯s not a bad thing?¡­ It¡¯s hard.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t understand it now. Well, let me tell you a different story.¡± The sun was up completely. Beneath the sky that turned bright in blue, Rhema quietly continued. ¡°A very long time ago¡­ there were primary wizards. They could use magic like breathing from the moment they were born. It was the time before the word ¡®magic¡¯ was used and the existence of mana was known. How could the primary wizards use magic even before learning about it? How did they know that the world was full of mana? Can you imagine?¡±


    ¡°Ummm¡­ Is it because they sensed mana?¡±


    ¡°Anyone can sense mana. If you can¡¯t feel it, you can¡¯t be a wizard in the first place.¡± Azriel frowned. As she struggled, Rhema gave her the answer. ¡°They could see mana, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°They saw it? With their eyes?¡±


    ¡°Yes, they inherited the eye of the primal dragon. In their eyes, they saw the flow of mana and because they could see it, they could touch it. That¡¯s the beginning of magic.¡± Rhema moved his hand as if he was touching the air. At the tip of his hand, Azriel saw faint stars sparkling. She asked in a murmur. ¡°Is that sparkling thing mana?¡± Rhema¡¯s hand stopped. Azriel could feel his chest heaving as he breathed in. Azriel turned around and looked up at him. With a face mixed with fear, astonishment, and delight, Rhema whispered. ¡°Do you see this? You, too?¡±


    At the tip of his fingers, the stars spun around dizzily. When Azriel paid attention, she could see the movement more clearly than before. ¡°I see it. They are twinkling and spinning. Is this mana?¡±


    ¡°Is it in the form of stars to you?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I think it¡¯s stars. When you told me to sense it earlier, I saw stars all around. It¡¯s like they were up in the night sky¡­¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t just feel mana but saw it?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I clearly saw it. The stars were everywhere and it was dazzling.¡±


    Rhema covered his face with his hands. Through his fingers, the grey eyes sparkled with a mysterious gleam. He let out a hoarse voice. ¡°Stars¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Rhema stretched out his hand toward Azriel¡¯s face. His long fingers outlined her face like groping bubbles. His fingers were trembling. ¡°Really¡­ Oh, god, really¡­¡± Rhema was acting strange. Azriel could not understand the emotions that were passing by him. They were too deep, dry, and old for her to understand. She became scared a little but did not avoid him. For a long time, he did not say anything but stared at Azriel. Stiffened like an inanimate object, his breathing had stopped. The hand that wrapped her face was not taken back for a long time but he did not grab her.


    ¡°Rhema?¡± Azriel leaned her cheek against his hand and called him. Rhema Reshith breathed in deeply as if he was being revived, slowly breathed out, and slowly blinked his eyes. Then he took off his hand. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± Azriel did not know why he apologized but nodded her head. Then she asked cautiously. ¡°Rhema, are the stars I saw mana?¡± Rhema raised his hand between him and her. When his fingers tapped the air, very faint and weak stars sparkled there.


    ¡°What do you see here?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Whenever you take off your finger, stars twinkle.¡±


    ¡°¡­The magic I just used was to open your senses to limits. You said you saw stars everywhere then, right? That¡¯s the image of mana visible in your eyes. It¡¯s your own world.¡±


    ¡°Only me? You can¡¯t see it?¡±


    ¡°I see it in a different form, not stars. It¡¯s normal for everyone to see it in different forms as the mana that each individual is born with has different characteristics. A decent wizard would name his mana according to its characteristics.¡± Rhema smiled faintly. ¡°When I first saw you, the vastly spread mana felt like a night sky full of stars, so I named you Esthera¡­ That must¡¯ve been accurate.¡±


    ¡°What does mana look like to you?¡±


    ¡°To me, it looks like moving lines.¡±


    ¡°Lines? I can¡¯t imagine that so well¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s similar to a spider web or the veins of a leaf.¡± Azriel tilted her head and asked carefully. ¡°Umm, if I got to see mana because of you, shouldn¡¯t I see it in lines, too?¡± Rhema put on a strange face. It looked like a smile and crying at the same time.

 CH 43

    ¡°It¡¯s not that you see it because of me. That¡¯s impossible. From the beginning, from the moment you were born, you probably could see mana.¡±


    Rhema answered Azriel¡¯s question. ¡°But this is my first time seeing it,¡± said Azriel.


    ¡°You were just not aware of it. You can see it now even after I withdrew magic.¡±


    ¡°But, it was full of stars everywhere, but now, where you touched your fingers look blurry.¡±


    ¡°Once you get used to it, you will be able to control it freely. Generally, you keep it closed unconsciously. It¡¯ll be hard to live your daily life if you see mana from everywhere. You can¡¯t see your original surroundings because they would be buried by mana.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± Azriel, who recalled the view of mana, soon understood. Buried by the groups of stars, she could not see other things very well. Rhema faintly sighed. ¡°In fact, it was a little dangerous a moment ago. It¡¯s because I gave you too much stimulus despite knowing your potential.¡±


    ¡°Is it quite dangerous to see everything like that?¡±


    ¡°Mana has a characteristic of condensing. If you recognize mana in nature in unity, you can be integrated into it. You almost lost your ego.¡± Azriel could not comprehend his words. As she did not understand, Rhema chose his words carefully. ¡°You can think that you almost died.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see.¡± Azriel nodded as she understood now. She was not so surprised even though he said she almost died. It was because she vaguely remembered the feeling of almost disappearing, overwhelmed by mana. Rhema stroked her hair. ¡°As a matter of fact, you don¡¯t need to learn common magic since you can see mana. If you move according to what you see, that will be magic. However, Azriel, if you do so,¡± he stopped talking. Azriel was looking up at him. Young golden eyes were looking at him without any doubt. She believed him. Only a few words could make her choose the way he wanted.


    This girl was the only being to appear in a thousand years and could reach the same height as him. He wanted to pull her up that level, right now. To the height where all things would freeze. Even if she dies while climbing up or he kills her¡­ That should not happen. He should not choose her fate. It was not because that was the right thing to do. He did not want to see those eyes get tarnished. Rhema suppressed the seething impulse inside him. With a still face disguised in tranquility, he said. ¡°¡­I will teach you all of the magic. After learning it all, later, if you want¡­ I will teach you the magic beyond that, the magic that the primary wizards used.¡± Rhema gazed straight at Azriel¡¯s eyes. ¡°So, please don¡¯t touch mana before that. Seeing is okay. I¡¯ll also teach you how to see it safely. However, you can¡¯t touch it.¡±


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t touch the stars?¡±


    ¡°No, never, touch the stars. I want you to promise me.¡± Saying that, his face was scarily stern. Azriel did not even think and nodded. To her, his words were the truth. ¡°Okay, I will never touch them.¡± Rhema held Azriel¡¯s both hands. Her young hands were so small that they fit in Rhema¡¯s hand. A group of stars gathered in his hand. She could tell that mana was gathering. Azriel now understood the sight. He asked again. ¡°I will cast a spell on you. It will let me know if you break your promise, is that okay?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going to happen if I break it? Are you going to punish me?¡± Hearing Azriel¡¯s question, Rhema twitched his lips. ¡°No, it¡¯s a pleasure for me, so how would I do that¡­¡± His voice was small like a groan. Azriel could not hear him well. ¡°What did you say, Rhema?¡± Instead of answering her, he shook his head and asked. ¡°Do you promise?¡±


    ¡°I promise¡­¡± As soon as she answered, stars dizzily moved above the back of her hands. A white pattern looking like an interlocked knot was drawn on both backs of her hands and slowly sank in. Azriel looked at it with surprised eyes. Rhema let her hands go. Before she knew it, his face had turned soft as usual. ¡°Then, let¡¯s go eat breakfast. From now on, you will learn magic in the afternoon,¡± he said.


    *


    In the morning, Azriel usually went to the village to play with kids or played in the yard. And in the afternoon, she learned magic from Rhema. The first thing learned was the types of magic.


    ¡°The world is full of mana, but the mana that most of the wizards use is limited to the legacy inside their body they were born with. You know that, right?¡± Rhema asked.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s why it is said knowing your mana capacity is most important.¡±


    ¡°Mana capacity is important, but it¡¯s not the most important thing. In fact, that¡¯s only limited to magicians.¡±


    ¡°Magicians?¡±


    ¡°The wizards we call today are mere magicians. They use the ¡®skill¡¯ to draw changes with their ¡®own¡¯ mana, which is called ¡®conjuring¡¯ in another word.¡±


    ¡°Umm¡­ Conjuring and magic are different?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s different. Look at this.¡± Rhema opened his hand. When Azriel focused on his hand, stars began to show. As if it was made of a galaxy, Rhema¡¯s body was filled with white stars. Among the countless stars, only a small fraction moved. The stars that slipped out above his palm were aligned in a consistent pattern in the air. To her, it seemed like a constellation was forming. ¡°Reshith.¡± When he called the name of his mana, it responded. A little light was formed above his hand. ¡°This is conjuring.¡± Rhema pushed up the light that was floating above his palm. Azriel watched the light that hovered above her head like fireflies. ¡°Did you see the movement of mana?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it looked like it was forming a constellation.¡±

 CH 44

    ¡°That¡¯s how it feels to you. Remember that conjuring and try looking at this again.¡± Rhema opened his hand again. The stars that slipped out of his hand this time were much less than before. There were only a few. The few white stars moved fast and drew in colorful stars that were scattered in the air. The stars that were drawn turned white and began to form a constellation. The same shape as before was formed. ¡°Reshith.¡± When he recited his spell, the same light was created. After floating the two lights side by side, Rhema looked back at Azriel. ¡°This is magic. Can you tell the difference?¡±


    ¡°The first one¡­ drew a constellation only using the stars inside Rhema¡¯s body. But the second time, the stars that came out of Rhema pulled in other stars.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s accurate. Conjuring makes changes with one¡¯s own mana. In other words, it¡¯s like scooping water with your bare hands. If you don¡¯t focus, it disappears soon like this.¡± One of the lights that was floating in the air was turned off and disappeared. Azriel saw the stars that formed a constellation scattering and getting absorbed back into Rhema. ¡°By comparison, magic uses one¡¯s own as a tool to use the mana that¡¯s scattered in nature to make changes.¡±


    ¡°Ummm, as a tool¡­ So, is it like scooping water with a bucket? Then it probably can scoop more water than using hands.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. You are smart, Azriel.¡± As Rhema praised her, Azriel¡¯s cheeks blushed. ¡°Conjuring has a clear limit. You can¡¯t use any skill that requires more mana than the capacity you¡¯re born with. Thus, only magic can make miracles in the true sense of the word.¡±


    ¡°By the way, Rhema, then why do the wizards today use conjuring and call it magic?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because magic has vanished.¡±


    ¡°Vanished? Why?¡±


    With an obscure face, Rhema turned his eyes toward the light that was still left. And he talked about something else instead of answering her. ¡°¡­Conjuring is the base of magic. Azriel, you will also start with conjuring and the tact to control the dragon eye.¡±


    The pace at which Azriel learned magic was tremendous. It was so easy for her who could see mana. She could use magic as she saw it accurately when other wizards used it with a vague sense. If she arranged the mana inside her the same way after looking at the arranged shape of the stars in a drop of water, a water drop was formed. If she arranged the stars on a wounded skin in the shape when it was intact, the wound was healed. To Azriel, magic was close to playing. It was similar to drawing along a constellation.


    Seeing mana became more natural as time went on. When she focused more, she could see the stars more clearly. The mana that she could see before her eyes were as vivid as if she could touch it. It seemed she could use magic if she just reached out her hand and changed the flow or arrangement without using the mana inside her. Would it not be easier to recover the original state by touching the arrangement of the stars on a wound, instead of drawing a constellation from the intact state over a wound? ¡®That would be more natural.¡¯ However, Azriel never touched mana. She consciously tried to forget that she could do so. She had no intention to break her promise with Rhema.


    ***


    Azriel opened her eyes. ¡®How long did I sleep¡­?¡¯ She was still in the inn room. It was bright daylight this time and Rhema was not there. She laid still for a while. It was overwhelming to digest all the memories she recalled. The spirit came flying above her and fluttered.


    ¡°You want me to eat? I¡¯m not that hungry right now. I¡¯ll eat it in a while.¡± As she got her memory back, it was easy to read the spirit¡¯s movement. Leaving the spirit alone, which was anxiously floating around, Azriel put her arm over her eyes. ¡®As I thought, I already learned magic. It¡¯d be conjuring to be precise.¡¯ Rhema told her that he would kill her if she became a wizard, but she was already one. Was that why he erased her memory? What would happen now that she remembered it all?


    After drawing a deep breath, she lifted her body. Opening the eyes that were shut, she ¡®saw¡¯ according to the familiar tact. The beautifully spreading stars. She could see mana naturally like breathing. It was not a difficult thing for her whose memory was revived. Azriel held out her hand. She saw the mana floating above her hand. The golden stars were drawing a constellation. Gazing at the constellation that only she could see, she whispered. ¡°Esthera.¡± Her mana faithfully responded. A light about the size of a coin was created. ¡°¡­It works.¡± The spirit came close and circled around the lump of light that was way smaller than it. Azriel pushed the small light toward the spirit like giving a toy. Leaving behind the spirit, which was tapping the light, she left the bed.


    Swaying around the room, she observed the stars. Stars in the water cup, the track of the stars that flowed along with the steam from the soup that the spirit made, and the flow of the stars in the air that was stirred by her movement. The world looked completely different. The night sky of her own was spread. She even felt a sense of freedom. Inside it, Azriel unraveled her own stars. As if mesmerized, she kept drawing on constellations. ¡°Esthera. Esthera. Esthera.¡± The spell continued like a song. The magic that young Azriel learned and memorized, what Rhema called ¡®conjuring¡¯ bloomed without ceasing. While doing so, at one point, she felt dizzy with a whistle.

 CH 45

    ¡°Argh¡­¡±


    Azriel held on to a bedpost and barely managed to support herself. She caught her breath for a while, leaning against the bedpost. Unlike her face that had turned pale, her golden eyes peeking through the disheveled hair sparkled clearly. She came to know so many things, yet she wanted to know more¨Cabout magic, about Rhema, about herself, and what happened when she was ten. She could only decide when she learned about them. She needed to know before she could take an action.


    Azriel glanced at the back of her hands. She could not see the white knot-like pattern that was formed when she made a promise to Rhema. It was not just invisible to the eye. There was no trace of mana left. ¡®That promise must¡¯ve been broken.¡¯ She bit her lip and forcibly raised her body that did not have much strength. Straightening up her back, she approached the table. There was a warm meal prepared by the spirit. A lump of light flew in as if it was delighted and opened the lids of containers. Grabbing the spoon, she thanked the spirit. ¡°Thank you for the food.¡±


    She was not hungry at all, but she needed to fill her stomach. She quickly began emptying the containers with food that were easily digestible. After drinking tea, she walked around the room a little. It seemed that it would take some time until her body could recover to normal condition. ¡°How long did I sleep?¡± The spirit moved in the shape of the number ¡®1.¡¯


    ¡°I slept for the whole day?¡± it nodded at her question. She lightly sighed. ¡°What about Rhema?¡­ Oh, you don¡¯t know.¡± If he were to be gone for a long time, he would have left a familiar spirit. Blanchet was on a different duty, but there was still Noir or Largo. He must have gone out for a short time. ¡®Since Blanchet is kind in petto, I probably won¡¯t have to worry about Maylie.¡¯


    ¡°I want to wash.¡± At her request, the spirit guided her to the bathroom. Familiarly served by the spirit, Azriel washed and changed the clothes. While doing so, she looked at the mirror. The scars that filled her back like a spider web were completely gone. There was no trace left and she could only see her soft skin. ¡®When was this treated?¡¯ It was probably Rhema. Did he heal it while she was asleep? Azriel¡¯s face turned red thinking that she exposed her back unknowingly. She sighed.


    Rhema was still not back even after she finished washing. ¡®Maybe this is a good thing. I have to remember everything quickly.¡¯ It was impossible to revive the past memory while she was awake. Soon, she got on the bed that was made by the spirit and lay down. ¡®I slept all day, what if I can¡¯t sleep?¡¯ Overshadowing her concern, her consciousness drifted as soon as she closed her eyes.


    ***


    It only took about a year for Azriel to almost master conjuring. Her Lemm text was perfected already. As she no longer needed to learn letters, Rhema taught other things at the time. They were the things like history, math, and geography, which were high-class knowledge that noble people learned. Among them, he selected the contents that were beneficial to wizards and taught her.


    Rhema also taught her a different thing. It was an attitude to have confidence instead of arrogance and to not undermine herself. He did not teach it intentionally. It automatically happened as he merely listened to her whatever she said and answered seriously, treated her more valuable than anyone else, and taught her knowledge and magic. Azriel no longer considered herself a useless, cursed being. Just like that, time went by.


    In 990 of Iskam Year, the spring of age ten, a girl whom Azriel became close with invited her to her birthday party. Azriel wanted to give her a gift. All she had was given by Rhema. She did not get any allowance separately. Azriel agonized over how to provide a gift on her own for a few days. What she decided eventually was to make a cake using eggs that she collected in the yard and fruits that she picked in the forest.


    Of course, there was no way for young Azriel to make a cake properly. She asked the spirit for help. Even with the spirit¡¯s help, it was not an easy task. Magic was as easy as breathing but making a cake felt like the most difficult job in the world. Then she turned over a bowl. As it made a noise, Rhema entered the kitchen.


    ¡°What are you doing, Azriel?¡±


    Looking around the messy kitchen in a flurry, he looked at Azriel whose face was covered with cream and flour and the spirit that was circling around anxiously, in turn.


    ¡°I, I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll clean it up with the spirit later,¡± Azriel answered.


    ¡°I¡¯m not trying to scold you. Why are you doing this?¡±


    ¡°I was going to make a cake¡­¡±


    ¡°Did you want to eat a cake? Didn¡¯t the spirit listen?¡± Rhema leered at the spirit. His look suggested that he would get rid of it anytime. The spirit nervously shook. Azriel quickly explained. ¡°No, it¡¯s not that I wanted to eat it, I wanted to give it to Hannah as a birthday gift. I was invited to a birthday party.¡± She, who was explaining hard, lifted her head as if she had thought of something. It was an excited face. ¡°Oh, when is your birthday, Rhema?¡±


    Rhema¡¯s face turned strange. He looked down at her as if he was looking at something unfamiliar. ¡°My¡­ birthday. I don¡¯t remember because it¡¯s been too long.¡±


    ¡°Still, how can you forget your birthday, Rhema?¡±


    ¡°I think it was in the winter.¡± Rhema, who was vacantly responding to her, murmured as if he had forgotten about it. ¡°Come to think of it, a birthday is a day to celebrate one¡¯s birth by giving a gift. I¡¯ve never celebrated your birthday. I¡¯m sorry, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s fine. I¡¯m fine. I never celebrated my birthday anyway.¡±

 CH 46

    Azriel¡¯s birthday used to be her twin brother¡¯s birthday, not hers. Benhiram received things like a small wooden horse or new clothes every year from his parents. Azriel had never received anything nor had never been celebrated for her birthday.


    When she shook her head, Rhema approached her and bent his waist to meet her eye level. If he could, he was always careful not to cast his shadow over her. He asked gently. ¡°When is your birthday?¡±


    ¡°¡­It¡¯s August 30th.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s still far away. What do you want to have?¡± Azriel shook her head again at his question. ¡°I received so much from you that I don¡¯t need anything else.¡± Rhema tilted his head and smiled faintly. ¡°I got it. A birthday gift is normally kept secret anyway.¡±


    And on August 30th, Azriel received one and only tree that bloomed flowers, which was made out of chocolate, and an embroidered black robe, which was a symbol of a wizard who did one¡¯s share.


    ¡°I¡¯m genuinely happy that you were born, Azriel,¡± Rhema celebrated Azriel¡¯s birthday. She liked the gifts, but she was happier about the fact that he was celebrating her birthday. She beamed.


    ¡°Thank you, Rhema.¡± She was no longer a child that was not supposed to be born. She was neither useless nor cursed. She was the wizard of the highest quality that the greatest wizard of the world recognized and the only girl whom Rhema Reshith cherished more than anyone else.


    Rhema¡¯s familiar spirits that lived together also cared very much for her. Two cats, a large dog, and the spirit were already her family. The village people also treated her as a decent wizard and occasionally asked for help. It was also fun to get along with her peers. She also made friends. There was nothing else she wanted. She was happy. That year, in the early winter of 990 in Iskam Year, strangers showed up.


    *


    It was a day when sleet fell and melted. The dirt road had become muddy. It was inevitable that a wheel of a carriage that was running on it was caught in the mud and broken.


    ¡°Of all things¡­ Can we fix it?¡±


    The Chief Knight wearing an armor that was dented here and there nervously said. Another knight, who was wearing a messed-up armor like him, struggled to connect the wheel to the carriage somehow and put on a hopeless face. ¡°No, it won¡¯t work. We need to stop by a village and get another carriage¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you insane? Those darn insurgents are chasing us!¡±


    ¡°But we can¡¯t move like this.¡±


    The Chief Knight rubbed his face, groaning. His messy face, covered with blood, sweat, and dirt, had a determined look. ¡°What is the closest town?¡±


    ¡°I will go check,¡± another knight took out a ragged map and searched it. The Chief Knight approached the carriage. ¡°Your Highness, I apologize. We need to change the carriage. Are you hurt anywhere?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. What about you? Is everyone safe?¡± A clear and calm voice of a boy came out of the carriage. When the Chief Knight was about to answer him, he sensed someone¡¯s presence from the woods that surrounded the dirt road. ¡°Who¡¯s there?!¡± The knights quickly drew their swords. With a grim atmosphere flowing out of nervousness, the one who came out through the bushes was a girl with long black hair, ¡°¡­A girl?¡±


    The knights were startled but did not take their swords back. It was because the girl who appeared was wearing precious clothes, which did not match the country area. A soft furry black robe embroidered with gold thread. She was different.


    ¡°Is your carriage broken?¡± Azriel Esthera asked calmly.


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    A knight tried to put his sword close to her. Then, with a fierce barking sound of ¡®woof,¡¯ a yellow dog bulged in between the knight and the girl. The dog growled baring its teeth.


    ¡°Largo, wait.¡± Azriel opened her mouth, lightly tapping the dog¡¯s neck. ¡°I¡¯m a wizard of Hanora. The road to the village was messed up and I came here to clean it up on a request.¡± As it was too small, no wizard was residing in the village of Hanora. So, Azriel sometimes lent help to the village and practice her magic.


    ¡°A wizard? At your age?¡± the night asked.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m still learning.¡± She had long passed the level of regular wizards. Despite this, since there was no need to explain it in detail, she gave an easy answer.


    ¡°Is there a village nearby?¡± the chief knight asked one of the knights.


    ¡°Certainly, there is a village called Hanora, Chief.¡± The knight who was looking at the map answered. The Chief Knight nodded and looked at Azriel. ¡°Can you buy a carriage from the village and send it to us by chance? We need the biggest and sturdiest one. It¡¯s urgent. We will give you as much as you need, so get it as fast as you can¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in a hurry, right? You don¡¯t have to do that.¡± Azriel barged in between the knights. Largo followed her from behind. When she came near the carriage, the Chief Knight aimed his sword at her. ¡°Step back.¡±


    ¡°The wheel, I will fix it for you.¡±


    ¡°¡­What? You¡¯re going to fix it? How?¡±


    ¡°I said I¡¯m a wizard.¡± She was surely wearing a wizard¡¯s robe and introduced herself as a wizard a while ago. However, she was still a child about age ten. She was too young to be a wizard who could do one¡¯s share. The Chief Knight frowned. ¡°Little kid, we have no time to play¡­¡±


    Azriel tilted her head and pointed at the Chief¡¯s armor with her finger. ¡°Esthera.¡±


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± The dented parts were smoothed out clearly. Some of the knights involuntarily let out an exclamation, and the Chief Knight almost dropped his sword in surprise. There were very few wizards who could fix broken things so quickly and clearly without touching the objects.


    ¡°I¡¯m not playing. Ummm, I won¡¯t charge you for the armor repair.¡± Azriel smiled lightly.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The boy inside the carriage asked. Confused, the Chief Knight responded. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Well¡­ Your, no, Young Master.¡±


    Through the window, Azriel saw a blond boy¡¯s image peeking through. He soon disappeared. ¡®He should be a noble. It looks like they¡¯re being chased¡­¡¯ It was none of her business. Azriel, soon, took her mind off him and spoke to the Chief Knight. ¡°You said you¡¯re in a rush. I¡¯ll fix the wheel, so please step aside.¡±

 CH 47

    ¡°¡­Okay.¡±


    The Chief Knight put away his sword. Azriel sat down in front of the wheel. Behind her stood Largo as if he was guarding her. ¡°Esthera.¡± According to Azriel¡¯s spell, the wheel was surrounded by a dim golden light. As the light disappeared, it became intact as if it had never been broken. It was a brief moment.


    ¡°Ohhh¡­!¡± The knights exclaimed.


    ¡°You can pay me whatever you want for the repair.¡± Azriel said firmly as she stood up and brushed off her robe. The Chief Knight blankly nodded and lifted his chin at another knight. He took out a gold coin from his chest. ¡°Thank you, young wizard lady.¡±


    ¡°No problem. Oh, this is too much. You don¡¯t have to pay this much.¡± A gold coin was equivalent to a hundred silver coins, which was 10,000 pels. It was an amount that could support a poor family for a month.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry and just take it. You saved us.¡± The knight gave the gold coin to her with a smile on his face and got on his horse. ¡°Let¡¯s be off!¡±


    Without a moment for her to say something, they left immediately. Holding the gold coin, Azriel vacantly looked at them disappearing from her sight. ¡°They must be extremely busy.¡±


    [Woof!] Largo barked instead of answering her. Touching up the messed up road with magic, she smiled pleasantly. ¡°I guess we could buy a better gift, thanks to him, right?¡±


    [Woof, woof, woof!]


    ¡°The road is all clean! Let me get on you again, Largo.¡± Largo, who was wagging his tail, shook his body. In no time, the yellow dog grew much bigger than a wolf and lowered its back. Ariel got on his back. ¡°Let¡¯s go. We should get back before the evening comes.¡±


    When Azriel grabbed the fur around his neck and leaned close against him, Largo dashed through the woods like flying. Azriel stopped by the shopping district in a nearby city and returned home. In her hands, a well-packaged gift was held. The next morning, she held it out to Rhema.


    ¡°Happy birthday, Rhema,¡± said Azriel.


    Rhema looked down at the package that was held out to him as if he was looking at a mutant that deviated from the truth. ¡°What is this, Azriel?¡±


    ¡°This is your birthday gift. Your birthday, you said you don¡¯t know the date but it¡¯s in the winter. Today is the first day of winter¡­¡± Just like he gave her a birthday gift for the first time, she wanted to give him a birthday gift. However, all Azriel had were given by Rhema. She did not want to prepare his gift out of what she received from him. So, little by little, she raised money with the reward she earned by lending help to the village with magic. Since what she earned was merely at the level of an allowance, she was worried that she would not make much even if she worked hard. However, she could buy something nice as she luckily got to fix a noble¡¯s carriage yesterday.


    Upon receiving the package, Rhema¡¯s face gradually turned still. Azriel became nervous. Since he had everything, he did not need anything. Did she do an unnecessary thing? ¡®But I wanted to celebrate Rhema¡¯s birthday, too.¡¯ She wanted to do so, just as he celebrated her birthday.


    ¡°This is my birthday gift? You prepared this?¡± Rhema asked again. When Azriel nodded, he cautiously unwrapped the wrapping. A silver pocket watch came out. Without saying anything, he just gazed at it for a while. As his silence went on, Azriel wanted to cry. He must not like it. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I wanted to give you something better, but I didn¡¯t have enough money.¡±


    ¡°¡­Did you run out of the gold coins in the storage?¡± Rhema did not give Azriel a separate allowance but told her to use anything from the basement storage. Inside the storage, gold coin chests that were as tall as a person were piled up like mountains. Azriel bowed her head down deeply. ¡°That¡¯s your money¡­ I wanted to prepare the first gift for you on my own.¡±


    Rhema steadily gazed at her. The emotions passing by welled up, wadded together, and at last made his scale tip. He slowly closed his eyes and opened them back. He picked up the pocket watch. The ticking sound from the watch¡¯s moving hands penetrated into his ears. By the time Azriel wanted to really cry at the long silence, he spoke. ¡°Thank you, Azriel.¡± His voice sounded different from usual. It was somehow creaking and shaking. ¡°But please don¡¯t give me any gift from now on.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t like it?¡±


    ¡°No, I am glad,¡± ¡®To a dangerous degree,¡¯ Swallowing the last words, Rhema briefly smiled. ¡°Since I don¡¯t remember my birthday properly, you don¡¯t have to take care of it.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t try to give me something, Azriel. I won¡¯t take it from now on.¡± It was a gentle, yet stern tone. He was glad but asking not to give him anything. Azriel could not understand it. Even saying so, he preciously packed the pocket watch, even the wrapper, too.


    *


    The next day, Rhema was not seen since the morning. Azriel, who was eating breakfast alone, received a guest who came from the village, running. It was the son of the village chief, Tom.


    ¡°Is there an injured person?¡± asked Azriel.


    ¡°He¡¯s all bloody. He must¡¯ve been hit by an arrow,¡± Tom replied.


    ¡°Okay. Wait for a little bit.¡± She quickly entered the house and put on a robe. Noir, who was rolling around in the living room, asked. ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°Someone¡¯s hurt in the village. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± Azriel answered him quickly and left the house. When she was young, she did not step out without Rhema¡¯s familiar spirit, but ever since she almost mastered conjuring, she often went to the Hanora Village alone. Noir debated whether he should follow the girl running out and decided not to. ¡°Well, she¡¯ll communicate if there¡¯s a problem.¡± Any wizard could use communication magic between wizards. The black cat lazily yawned and lied down.


    Azriel went to the Hanora Village with Tom. In the chief¡¯s house, an injured person was lying down on his chest on a bed. It was a blond boy who looked about 13 or 14 years old. The chief couple was taking care of the boy. He had lost his consciousness and was breathing heavily. On his back was an arrow. It was clean around where the arrow was, as if someone had wiped his injury.


    ¡°If I give you a sign, pluck out the arrow,¡± Azriel ordered.

 CH 48

    Healing conjuring was what Azriel especially worked hard on. From animals to the villagers, she had healed many. The chief nodded and grabbed the arrow. Azriel put her hand near the wound and prearranged mana. Then she started counting. ¡°One, two, now!¡±


    ¡°Aarrgh!¡± As the arrow was pulled out, the boy twisted his body and screamed while still being passed out. She quickly recited the spell. ¡°Esthera!¡± The wound that was ripped by the arrowhead was healed at a visibly fast speed. Even though they had seen this scene many times, the chief couple and Tom were impressed.


    In fact, a wound of this degree was not easy to be healed right away with conjuring only. What ordinary wizards could treat at once was only about a scratch. It was a limit of using only the mana inside one¡¯s body. What Azriel did was the same conjuring. However, what she was different from the other ordinary wizards was that the mana that she was born with was enormous enough to perform conjuring that could rival magic.


    ¡°It¡¯s done. The wound is all healed, so you can just let him rest,¡± Azriel observed.


    ¡°Great job, Azriel. Thank you,¡± the village chief thanked her.


    ¡°But who is this? I¡¯ve never seen him around¡­¡± Azriel blurred the end of her sentence. It felt like she had seen his bright blond hair. Soon, she remembered the boy that she caught a glimpse of through the carriage window.


    ¡°People found him lying in the woods and brought him here. He must be a noble.¡± The chief looked at the boy with greedy eyes. He was expecting a reward for helping a noble.


    ¡°Was he alone?¡± asked Azriel.


    ¡°They searched around but didn¡¯t find anyone else.¡±


    ¡®If it¡¯s the person from yesterday, there were several knights who served him. What happened? Is he a different person?¡¯ Azriel tilted her head.


    ¡°Azriel, since you¡¯re here, do you want to go see Jonathan¡¯s foal? It was born yesterday!¡± Tom interrupted them. The chief couple also pushed her, saying that they will call her when the boy wakes up.


    ¡®Well, I can ask him directly when he¡¯s up.¡¯ Judging so, she left with Tom to look at the foal.


    *


    The boy woke up not long after that. As soon as he woke up, he looked for the wizard who healed him. Azriel had a private conversation with the boy at the chief¡¯s house.


    ¡°You are¡­ the wizard who healed me?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± answered Azriel. The boy¡¯s blue eyes that looked at Azriel wavered.


    ¡°That¡¯s nonsense. You¡¯re just a child. A child like you can use the magic like this that healed my wound completely?¡±


    ¡°You are young, too.¡±


    ¡°I am fourteen!¡±


    ¡°I am ten. The coming-of-age celebration is at age eighteen, right?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡± Lost for words, the boy closed his mouth. After thinking about something for a while, he looked at Azriel with serious eyes that did not match his age. ¡°First, I appreciate your help. I don¡¯t have anything in my possession right now, but I will reward you enough for your service in the future.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡±


    His way of speaking was completely different from the villagers. He did not seem like a fourteen-year-old boy. He was certainly a noble. The boy lowered his voice with a stern face.


    ¡°I will say this considering you a wizard of your own share, not a child. I have a favor to ask.¡±


    ¡°What favor?¡±


    ¡°Can you communicate for me?¡±


    Azriel, who got nervous along with his serious atmosphere, was suddenly dispirited. Any wizard could perform such magic, but was being too serious. It was not a difficult thing to do. She nodded. ¡°Okay. To whom, what kind of message should I deliver?¡±


    ¡°To Palaios¡­¡± The boy stopped talking for a moment and continued. ¡°¡­That the poorest beggar you¡¯ve ever seen is here. I want you to deliver it with the location of this village.¡±


    ¡°Pardon? A beggar?¡±


    At Azriel¡¯s question, his face turned red. He said as he slowly turned his eyes away. ¡°If, if you say so, h, he will k, know that it¡¯s me.¡±


    ¡°¡­Is that your nickname by any chance?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a nickname! It¡¯s, just, it¡¯s to make it sound easily recognizable¡­¡± With his face completely flushed, he closed his mouth shut. The poorest beggar with that glamorous and good-looking face? How did he get that nickname? Suppressing her laughter, Azriel asked again. ¡°Is that all you want to say? The person from the family of Palaios, his spell, I mean, that¡¯s his surname, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°Tell me more about him in detail. What is his voice like?¡±


    ¡°Do you have to know such things?¡±


    ¡°I can connect to a wizard that I know straight but it¡¯s between the wizards who don¡¯t know each other. I shouldn¡¯t deliver it to a different person who has the same surname, right?¡±


    ¡°I see. The one I¡¯m looking for is Pendelok Palaios.¡± After saying so, the boy studied Azriel¡¯s face. Azriel tilted her head. ¡®Maybe that wizard is very famous. I don¡¯t know about such things.¡¯


    ¡°Is that all? Any other characteristics? Is there any other wizard with the same name?¡±


    ¡°¡­He¡¯s a very old man. He¡¯s over eighty.¡±


    ¡°Oh, then I should be able to find him.¡± Azriel pronounced it with her mana.


    ¡°Esthera, Palaios.¡±


    With her spell, she activated her mana and by reciting the other party¡¯s spell, she sent out a signal. When the other party received the signal that could be identified by the fluctuation of mana and answered, their mana would be connected and voice could be delivered. If one knew well how the other party¡¯s mana felt, in a case like now, one had to spread his signal randomly. After that, he would have to find the person among all the people who answered him. In case of a common spell, it was difficult to find a person as it was used by many people.


    [It¡¯s a wizard with a spell that I¡¯ve never heard of. Who are you?]


    A blunt old man¡¯s voice immediately rang in her head. Luckily, it seemed that there was only one. ¡°This is the village of Hanora near the Tail Mountain Range of the Kingdom of Aucandor, and the poorest beggar you¡¯ve ever seen is here. I was asked to deliver this message,¡± said Azriel.


    [¡­!]


    She could feel the old man astonished.

 CH 49

    [What are you¡­?]


    Pendelok Palaios opened his mouth and swallowed his words. Still maintaining the connection, Azriel looked at the boy. ¡°Do you have any other message you want to deliver?¡±


    ¡°Were you able to connect?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I already delivered your previous message.¡±


    ¡°Then that¡¯s enough. Aren¡¯t you tired? The wizards I¡¯ve seen can¡¯t communicate for a long time.¡±


    ¡°This much is fine. Then I¡¯ll disconnect.¡± Azriel had so much mana that even if the communication was connected all day, there would be mana left. She refocused herself on the mana that was connected. ¡°That is all I need to say. Then, bye now, Grandpa.¡±


    [Grandpa¡­ Wait, hey¡­!] With his last voice that seemed to be shocked in a different sense, the communication was disconnected. The boy smiled faintly. ¡°I appreciate your help with all my heart, wizard.¡±


    ¡°I am Azriel. Azriel Esthera. What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°¡­Charles.¡± He hesitated a little and answered her. Azriel asked quizzically. ¡°You are not a noble? What about your surname?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s difficult to say under my circumstances.¡± Charles¡¯ face turned dark. The boy¡¯s lowered eyelashes looked like thin layers of pure gold. ¡°If I wait here for a little, someone will come to get me. Can I stay here until then?¡±


    ¡°I will ask the village chief. He¡¯ll probably allow it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Then, make sure you rest well, Sir Charles.¡± Azriel stood up from her seat. As she was about to leave the room, she grabbed the doorknob and looked back. There was something that had been bothering her. ¡°Ummm¡­ Where are the knights who were with you?¡±


    ¡°The knights who were with me?¡± He asked in a wary tone as if asking her how she knew about them. Azriel quickly explained. ¡°I¡¯m the one who fixed your carriage yesterday. You didn¡¯t see me?¡±


    ¡°Goodness, was that you as well?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Well, did something happen? If those knights are hurt too, I can treat them. Where are they?¡±


    ¡°They¡­¡± Charles clenched his teeth. Then he put on a distorted smile as if he was crying. ¡°We just¡­ parted our ways because we were going to different destinations. I got hurt because I met thieves. That¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡®Lie.¡¯ Azriel gazed at Charles who was forcing himself to act calm and left without asking more questions. ¡®It can¡¯t be war, can it? If a war broke out nearby, the news would¡¯ve been delivered to the village, too. Then is it a battle between nobles? Like a political dispute or¡­ a struggle for succession?¡¯ She gave up after guessing in different ways as she saw from the book. There were too few clues. ¡®Anywho, it sounds like a big deal. I should ask Rhema, with the question about who Pendelok Palaios is.¡¯ Determining so, she closed the room door. The guest room where Charles was staying was on the second floor. Azriel, who was heading downstairs, found strangers beside the village chief. A man with a black bandana lifted his head. Her eyes met the turbid eyes beneath the bandana. It was dangerous. Her intuition was telling her. She tried to use communication magic immediately. However, even before she was able to say the spell, she felt a strong impact at the back of her neck. ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    It was a clean skill. Azriel lost her mind and collapsed. A man in leather clothes carried her on his shoulder.


    ¡°What are you, gasp!¡± The black bandana stopped the chief¡¯s mouth, who was about to scream in panic. He grinned. ¡°Hush. You said that child is a wizard, right? It¡¯s common sense to catch the wizard first. Hey, check it.¡±


    When the black bandana made a gesture with his chin, several men quietly went up the stairs. A boy¡¯s scream echoed briefly. Soon, they came out holding Charles, who had passed out.


    ¡°We got him.¡±


    ¡° We are lucky. Hey, is there a wound in the back? I clearly saw him getting hit by an arrow.¡±


    ¡°No, there¡¯s none. There¡¯s a bloodstain and a rip in his clothes, but the wound is completely gone.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s crazy. I didn¡¯t expect to find that thing in this ravine. We¡¯ve found an amazing thing for an extra.¡± The black bandana marveled. As the situation was turning weird, the chief¡¯s face became pale in blue. He thought the sudden visitors were servants of a noble family who came to look for their young master. They made him think that way. So, on a purpose to get rewarded, he told them about everything proudly, even the fact that Azriel treated the boy¡¯s wound with magic.


    ¡°Oop, oop, woop!¡± When the village chief struggled, the black bandana made him kneel by kicking his knees. Putting a dagger close to his neck, he took off his hand from the chief¡¯s mouth. ¡°Don¡¯t make any noise.¡±


    Seeing the sharp blade against his neck, the village chief could not open his mouth. The black bandana said as he took out something from his chest. ¡°Chief, think wisely.¡±


    ¡°¡­?¡±


    ¡°We are not bad people. We want to work as quietly and peacefully as possible.¡± He showed several sparkly gold coins to the chief. Chief¡¯s eyes were widened. ¡°Will you forget after receiving this, or¡­¡±


    The blade of the dagger became closer. The village chief did not think so long. ¡°I will forget about this! I will forget it clearly! I didn¡¯t see anything.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s wise. For those who saw that boy, give them a suitable explanation.¡±


    ¡°Wh, what should I tell them?¡±


    ¡°Just tell them something like that he ran away alone after getting treatment. There¡¯s a lot you can say.¡±


    ¡°Oh, oh, okay.¡± At the chief¡¯s answer, the black bandana grinned and retrieved his dagger. After handing over the gold coins to the chief, he made an order to his subordinates. ¡°Take both of them. We¡¯ll leave right away.¡±


    ¡°Wait, sir! Why are you taking this child¡­?!¡±


    As the men put Azriel in a sack, the village chief interrupted. The black bandana frowned. ¡°What? Do you have a complaint?¡±


    ¡°Th, th, this child is not related to this, isn¡¯t she?¡±


    ¡°She saw us. Besides, this girl is too talented for a countryside wizard to keep.¡±


    ¡°B, b, but¡­¡±


    ¡°You said she doesn¡¯t even have parents.¡±


    ¡°She has a master.¡±


    ¡°That wizard who lives in the woods? We¡¯ll take care of that ourselves.¡±


    ¡°But this girl, if she disappears all of a sudden, everyone will doubt¡­¡±


    ¡°Shoot, you¡¯re annoying!¡± The black bandana scratched his head roughly, took out a few more coins from his chest, and put them in the chief¡¯s hand. ¡°Just make up something. You¡¯ll be good if you tell them that the wizard left with his pupil.¡±

 CH 50

    The chief greedily looked at the gold coins that sparkled in his hand and swallowed. As he showed a sign of conflict, the black bandana smirked. ¡°Hey, do you think we¡¯re doing this because we don¡¯t have the power to shut you up? We¡¯re only doing this not to go through the trouble of killing many. Or, do you want to get something else than money?¡±


    He threw the dagger and caught it in the air. The chief turned pale and stepped back. ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I mean!¡±


    ¡°Then just stay quiet.¡± The black bandana tapped the chief¡¯s head lightly a few times and left the house. After sneaking out of the village without being seen by others, he ordered his subordinates. ¡°You, watch the chief for a while. Since he¡¯s greedy, he won¡¯t blab so boldly, but if he tries to do something suspicious, get rid of him.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°You three, go to the wizard that is said to live in the woods. If he accepts, give him money, or just get rid of him.¡±


    ¡°Okay, sir.¡±


    ¡°Since he has a pupil of that level, he can be an outstanding wizard. Don¡¯t let your guard down.¡±


    ¡°If he¡¯s good, should we recruit him?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to persuade old people, not to mention, they¡¯re hard to trust. It¡¯s more true for wizards. They can betray you anytime using communication.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then we¡¯ll take care of it.¡±


    ¡°Great, now go.¡± The men who received the order scattered. The rest of them moved quickly carrying Charles and Azriel in sacks.


    *


    Azriel, who had been passed out, woke up feeling coldness and stuffiness. The floor was shaking.


    ¡®A Carriage? A Ship? A Train?¡¯ She could not see anything apart from pitch darkness. She, who was going to rub her eyes, realized that both of her hands were tied in the back. ¡°¡­!¡±


    It was a pair of metal handcuffs. She tried to take her hands out of them but all she could hear were clanking sounds. She wanted to say something, but her voice did not come out. Her mouth was gagged. If she could not talk, she could not use magic. Without magic, she was no more than an ordinary ten-year-old girl. She suddenly got scared.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake. Are you alright?¡± Beyond the darkness, she heard a boy¡¯s voice. It was Charles. ¡°¡­You were dragged into this because of me. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Charles spoke in a depressed voice. Azriel struggled to lose the gag. It did not budge. She was in agony because the inside of her mouth was dried up due to the lump of cloth that was stopping her mouth.


    ¡°They must know that you are a wizard. I want to set you free¡­ but the iron bars are blocking us,¡± he let out a deep sigh. ¡°This all happened because of me, and it would be rude if I continue to hide it. I will tell you all about it.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°You said your name is Azriel Esthera. My real name is Charlene Modjankle de Aucandor, the Crown Prince of this country.¡±


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m now being chased by those who committed treason. While Rudima and Madriol were vacant, Marquis Ederick raided the royal palace and harmed my father, the king who was on a sickbed¡­¡± Charles did not finish his sentence. She heard him swallowing something that sounded like a cry or rage. Clenching his teeth, the boy continued. ¡°Just a little, if we can hold out until the ones that had been absent return, we can win. The palace is already seized by the traitors, so I¡¯m planning to hide in Pendelok Palaios¡¯ secret haven.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I was on the way there, but now that I¡¯m caught¡­ it might get worse even if the Duke of Rudimna and Duke of Madriol returns. The force behind Marquis Ederick is¡­¡± Charles groaned. After keeping silent for a while, he quietly spoke. ¡°Azriel, Marquis Ederick can¡¯t kill me. He needs me to enforce obedience to the dukes. He will probably make me his puppet king or hostage.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°So, he will listen to me to some degree. I will get you out of here somehow. Don¡¯t worry too much and get some rest.¡± It was a story that would be difficult to understand if it was for an ordinary child living in a remote ravine. However, Azriel could somehow understand it almost perfectly. It seemed she was dragged into something much bigger than she expected. ¡°You must resent me. You did a favor for me and I dragged you into danger. You can blame me as much as you want. I¡¯m truly sorry that I made you go through this trouble.¡±


    She could feel that Charles was in agony. As he said, something like this would not have happened if it were not for him, but that did not mean he was the cause of everything. Moreover, Azriel was not as desperate as him. It was surely scary to be bound like this without being able to use magic, but she trusted Rhema. She wanted to say that she was all right but could not say anything because her mouth was gagged. She only fidgeted.


    All of a sudden, there was a big shudder of a door, and a light was shed in the dark room. Azriel could now learn their circumstance. Charles and Azriel were each locked in somewhere like an animal¡¯s cage and were thrown in a freight car of a train. It was early morning outside. Men came in in a row and lifted them up with the cages. They were loaded on a carriage. Thick cloth was put over and they drove for a long time. After they arrived somewhere, they were taken out with the cloth still covering them and were carried to somewhere for a long time again.


    Meanwhile, Azriel sensed a movement that was dimly transmitted to her mana. There was only one who would communicate with her. Rhema was calling her.


    ¡®Rhema!¡¯ At the feeling, she was filled with relief. She closed her eyes and tried hard to connect communication. ¡®Esthera. Reshith. Esthera, Reshith¡­¡¯


    No matter how hard she tried, magic did not start. She arranged mana countless times but it did not work. She was about to burst into tears because the gag was too suffocating. Suppressing her tears, she kept on moving her mana.


    It was a useless act when she could not recite a spell, but she could not stop it. She felt nauseous as she kept struggling in a shaky cage. She retched. Her gagged mouth made it hard to breathe. Her wrists were also in pain because she struggled to get out of the cuffs.


    Out of nowhere, the cage was put down with a big thud. And the cloth that had been covering it was lifted.


    ¡°¡­!¡± Azriel blinked her eyes at the sudden light that was shed. It was a luxurious room. In front of Charles¡¯ cage next to her, a mid-aged man was kneeling.


    ¡°Your Highness the Crown Prince.¡±

 CH 51

    ¡°Marquis Ederick. Do you call me the Crown Prince when you treat me like this?¡± Charles snapped at marquis Ederick.


    ¡°Excuse my manners. It was an urgent situation.¡± Marquis Ederick twisted his lips and nodded, ¡°Release the Crown Prince His Highness.¡±


    The knights who were on standby opened the cage, released Charles, and uncuffed him. The boy staggered with a pale face but soon straightened his back calmly.


    ¡°Your Highness, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Before that, Marquis Ederick. That child has nothing to do with this,¡± Charles interrupted the Marquis.


    ¡°I see,¡± the Marquis raised his eyebrow and grinned. ¡°I will move her to a different room and¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying that, I meant to release her. She ran into me by accident, but she¡¯s only a child unrelated to this matter.¡±


    ¡°Since she came all the way here, she¡¯s no longer unrelated. Besides, I heard this girl treated Your Highness¡¯ wound,¡± as the snake-like eyes glanced down at Azriel. Charles bit his lips.


    ¡°You must need me. Without me, you won¡¯t have any justification.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness is quite smart.¡±


    Although the Marquis was speaking in a pleasant tone, his eyes were not pleasant at all. It was a disadvantage for him if the one that he was going to make a puppet of was smart.


    ¡°Free that child, or I¡¯m not going to cooperate with anything,¡± Charles emphasized.


    Marquis Ederick was silent for a moment. He looked at Charles and Azriel in turn and opened his mouth again.


    ¡°Before that, Your Highness, what do you think of this term?¡±


    ¡°What term?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a term that I get to cut off her fingers one by one every time you don¡¯t cooperate.¡±


    Charles¡¯ face turned pale blue. The boy was shut in shock for a moment and found his serenity back. Charles continued as calmly as he could.


    ¡°Marquis Ederick, I didn¡¯t think of you as that ruthless.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, I don¡¯t want to be a ruthless person. I¡¯d like to win over a person of talent through persuasion rather than a threat. She¡¯s an outstanding talent,¡± The Marquis continued with a smiley face. ¡°She can use magic without fingers, but it won¡¯t look good. She¡¯ll also have a grudge against me.¡±


    Charles¡¯ face, which had been dark, was now turning white. The Marquis shrugged and turned his eyes toward Azriel.


    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you, Your Highness, I¡¯d have received her hospitably. So, if any ruthless event happens to that girl, it¡¯ll be all because of you,¡± Marquis¡¯ smile was deepened nastily.


    ¡°I¡ª¡± Charles clenched his shivering fist. The boy closed his eyes gently and opened the back slowly. Then he spoke in determination. ¡°Marquis Ederick, if you do such a thing, I¡¯ll cut off my fingers, too.¡±


    ¡°¡­?¡±


    ¡°I wonder who the royal dignitaries and the people of the kingdom will suspect when they see the king without his fingers.¡±


    The Marquis knitted his forehead.


    ¡°That¡¯s too much mercy that you¡¯re giving to a girl you accidentally ran into. Your Highness, do you have to do this?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t be an animal who doesn¡¯t know how to repay one¡¯s kindness like you.¡±


    Even though he was pale, the boy had a mocking smile on. The Marquis looked at the young Crown Prince, rubbing his chin, and moved his steps to approach Azriel. He looked inside the cage. His shadow was cast over her. She felt nauseous. She stepped back, struggling.


    ¡°Take this out,¡± at the Marquis¡¯ order, knights opened the cage and dragged out Azriel. ¡°Dagger.¡±


    At his short command, a dagger was handed in his hand. He fidgeted with it for a moment and threw it around Charles¡¯ feet. Startled by the dagger that rolled around his feet, Charles stepped back a little.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Cutting off your own fingers¡­ If you can do it, try doing it, Your Highness,¡± Marquis Ederick chuckled. Then he pointed his chin to the knight standing next to him. ¡°Cut off her finger.¡±


    The knight raised up Azriel and took her wrist. The sword was drawn out with the sound of ¡®shiiing.¡¯ The knight casually asked.


    ¡°Which finger should I cut?¡±


    ¡°From the left pinky.¡±


    ¡°Should I just cut it off like this? It¡¯s a child and she might go wrong in a shock.¡±


    Charles vacantly looked at the dagger on the floor and Azriel in turn. The Marquis gave a look to the knight.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. Cut it off.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    The knight indifferently grabbed the girl¡¯s thin pinky finger. Overwhelmed by fear, Azriel stared at the blade that was nearing her. Her brain turned blank.


    ¡°S, stop! Stop it!¡± Charles shrieked hysterically and the blade was stopped.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop it,¡± the Marquis calmly spoke.


    ¡°I told you to stop it!¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, if you want to stop it, you should cut off your own finger. Unlike a ruffian like me, you would keep your promise, wouldn¡¯t you?¡± The Marquis mocked the young Crown Prince. He was worried about how he should deal with that smart boy, but it was just a great chance. He made a gesture with his chin. ¡°Cut it off.¡±


    ¡°I said stop! I, I¡¯ll cut mine off, so stop!¡± Before the knight moved at the command, Charles shouted with a split voice. He hastily picked up the dagger on the floor. Then he put its blade against his left pinky. ¡°Look! I¡¯ll cut it off! Stop right now!¡±


    The knight looked at the Marquis in question. The Marquis crossed his arms.


    ¡°Wait for him,¡± the Marquis spoke as he crossed his arms. ¡°Let¡¯s see how well our king-to-be keeps his promise.¡±


    There was no way for him to actually cut off his own finger. It would not be easy even for a trained and experienced knight. The boy prince who had been well-cared for as he was raised could not do such a thing. Not to mention, the girl was not even his kin nor an old friend. She was just a child whom he met by accident and received help from.


    ¡°Urgh¡­¡±


    Putting the blade against his finger, Charles shivered. His entire body was soaked in a cold sweat in no time. Marquis Ederick watched that scene interestingly.


    ¡®I thought he¡¯d give in as soon as I asked him, but he at least makes an attempt.¡¯

 CH 52

    That prince might be able to make a scratch on his skin. That much was already a great quality in him. However, that would be the limit. Without strength or skill, he would have to keep moving the dagger until his finger was cut off, suppressing an enormous pain. Such a thing could not be possible. He would not succeed. He would eventually cave in.


    ¡®After that, his guilt and self-hatred will wear him out every time he sees that girl¡¯s hand without fingers.¡¯


    He would be ruined even severely as much as his high qualities. Then it would be much easier to handle the prince. It was a satisfying prediction. The Marquis waited with patience.


    Charles bit his lips to the point of bleeding and put more strength in his hand. The blade burrowed into his pinky a little. Bright red blood smeared, causing sharp pain. It was awfully painful already. Was he supposed to cut it all the way? On his own? Was he to continue to cut himself until it fell off? He felt dizzy. His sight spun. His head also started to get messed up.


    ¡°Gasp, gasp, gasp¡­¡±


    ¡®Even if I succeed, how will I live without a finger? It hurts. It hurts too much. I don¡¯t want to do this. Why do I have to go this far? Why? This is too much¡­ I can¡¯t do this. No way.¡¯


    He felt like he was going to lose his mind. With a blurred sight from the tears, Charles looked at Azriel. Captured by the knight, the girl was looking at him with her widened golden eyes.


    Azriel Esthera could not remember what she was thinking at this moment. Only a few things were clear. The blond boy put a blade against his finger on his own to replace her place and his pale face that was wet from his sweat and tears.


    The shadow that was cast by the knight who was grabbing her, a cold feeling from the blade on her pinky, the face of the Marquis who had a mocking smile on after giving a mad order, the frustration from the gag that was put on her mouth so that she could not cast a spell.


    A distant fear and a promise. A promise with Rhema not to touch the stars. The white knot that was marked on the back of her hands and permeated into her skin. The beautiful stars that covered all these, which were only visible to her, as clear as if she could touch them, and the stars that seemed movable only by thinking.


    Azriel acted unconsciously. Her fingers bound by the cuffs moved. Then the stars scattered in the air, nature¡¯s mana, not her own, responded to her wish, even though she did not cast a spell.


    ***


    On the day that Rhema Reshith received a gift from Azriel, he slipped out of the house after checking that Azriel had fallen asleep. He went up to the nest of a colorful bird on the roof.


    ¡°Ofeq.¡±


    Rhema called the bird¡¯s name. It was a name that he did not introduce to Azriel. The bird lifted its head. Its dark eyes blinked.


    ¡°Show the egg.¡±


    The bird lifted its wings and showed him the egg it had been brooding. The big and uneven grey egg looked like a stone or fossil. Rhema slowly looked into the egg. There was a crack on the surface of the egg. Checking that, he was stiffened with a flinch.


    ¡°¡­How is its condition?¡±


    [Caw.]


    The bird opened its beak and cried loudly. As if Rhema was asking a question that he already had an answer to, it sounded frustrated. Rhema said like he was making an excuse.


    ¡°A crack like this has formed before, so it should be all right.¡±


    ¡°All right? Not even close!¡±


    The bird opened its beak. Instead of cawing, a beautiful boy¡¯s voice came out.


    ¡°I know this is your sealed emotion that you cut off, but I know it better than you do. I¡¯ve been keeping its seal throughout.¡±


    ¡°Is it dangerous?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not dangerous right now, but don¡¯t you know it already? How a cracked dam collapses. If the seal is broken, you know how you¡¯ll end up, right?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°You will get back your normal heart. You will become a common person who cries, laughs, loves, hates, and makes unreasonable choices. You know the rest.¡±


    ¡°¡­This is not a dam but a seal that has been holding out for a thousand years. We¡¯ll just have to maintain its condition.¡±


    The bird cawed laughing and soared. It circled around Rhema, fluttering.


    ¡°Maintain? Maaaintaain?! Rhema Reshith. Rhema Reshith. You don¡¯t believe what you¡¯re saying with your heart, do you? You¡¯re not that stupid. I can see it straight.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t even foresee the future, but you¡¯re being impudent.¡±


    ¡°Oh, of course I can¡¯t foresee the future. But is this something you¡¯ll have to see to guess? It¡¯s not been too long since you brought her home and look what happened!¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t be shaken anymore. Azriel Esthera is just¡­¡±


    ¡°I know what kind of excuse you will make. She¡¯s just a child with the dragon eye? Nonsense!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°That child is the most special to you. And you¡¯re bound to lean toward a special person.¡±


    ¡°Ofeq. You¡¯ve only been keeping the seal ever since you were made. Don¡¯t babble like you know everything.¡±


    ¡°So, did I say something wrong? Even if Azriel Esthera behaves the worst to you, you will still cherish her, good gracious! That girl is even smart and lovely. That¡¯s why you ended up like this!¡±


    Acting dramatically, the bird tapped the egg with its claws. Rhema frowned faintly.


    ¡°I admit that I am fond of her, but that¡¯s about it. There¡¯s no way I will lean more toward her.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah? Then why don¡¯t you destroy that now? I¡¯ll believe you if you do that.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You know what I¡¯m talking about. That thing that you preciously kept inside your chest. Don¡¯t act like you don¡¯t know it.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°That pocket watch, why don¡¯t you destroy it here? Only if you can, keck!¡±


    Rhema lashed the bird that was trying to take out the pocket watch with its claws. Ofeq, who restored its posture only after circling around in the air a few times, cawed.


    ¡°Look, look! You act like this and say that you¡¯re not going to lean more? You lunatic!¡±


    Ignoring the bird, Rhema looked down at his hand as if he was looking at something strange.

 CH 53

    A moment ago, Rhema swung his hand with the intention of killing. According to his intention, magic was naturally cast. If it was not for Ofeq, who was his oldest familiar spirit, old to the point that he could be called the father of all familiar spirits, it would have turned into dust.


    He put that much strength only because he was displeased when Ofeq tried to touch the pocket watch that Azriel gave him. His reaction was too much for mere displeasure. Rhema measured the depth of his affection with the degree of his reaction. It was deeper than he expected.


    In fact, if he was a normal human, it was not an affection to be considered serious. However, he was Rhema Reshith, the Wizard of the horizon, and for him, such a degree of affection was at a serious level.


    ¡°Before I knew it¡ª¡±


    He hurriedly swallowed his words that were coming out like a groan. He did not know how it had deepened like this before he knew it. The girl became precious in only three years. If this much was achieved in three years, what would happen from now on? Rhema glanced at the cracked egg.


    ¡°See?¡± realizing that Rhema had finally admitted its seriousness, Ofeq straightened itself up, ¡°Now, do something before anything big happens.¡±


    ¡°What do you want me to do?¡±


    ¡°Do you really not know? You know there¡¯s a way that¡¯s the simplest and easiest,¡± Ofeq narrowed its eyes. ¡°Kill Azriel Esthera and forget about her as if nothing happened.¡±


    He imagined the child dying. The light from her sparkling eyes like the stars would die, the smile from her face that she showed him would disappear, and her warm temperature would get cold. Rhema Reshith wanted to kill his familiar spirit for the first time in his life.


    Ofeq, who was deeply linked to Rhema, sensed that feeling. The bird opened its beak widely and cawed. It sounded like a sneer.


    ¡°You are teaching her magic. Aren¡¯t you going to kill her later anyway? You¡¯d only be killing her a little early, so what¡¯s the difference? Why are you overreacting like this?¡±


    ¡°Azriel has the dragon eye. So, there can be another possibility.¡±


    ¡°What possibility?¡±


    ¡°If she reaches my mastery, she can replace my role.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you want to make her cut out the emotions like you and live for a thousand years, killing other wizards?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, if you like it better that way, it can¡¯t be helped. She indeed has a high probability to reach your level.¡± Ofeq landed on Rhema¡¯s shoulder, fluttering. Not caring about Rhema¡¯s frowning, the bird said in an intentionally tender tone. ¡°But can you hold out, not giving her more affection, until she reaches your mastery? Can you be calm while you make her that way? When the seal already has a crack?¡±


    ¡°¡­Another way.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Shut up and tell me another way.¡±


    ¡°What do you keep asking me? You know it better than me,¡± the bird tweeted as if singing, ¡°If you really don¡¯t want to kill her, take magic away from her. Erase her memory about you and close her dragon eye with force.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Then let her live as a person who has nothing to do with you at all. Don¡¯t ever see her again.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t see her again?¡±


    ¡°You ended up like this because you kept her close by. Why do you act stupid, pretending not to know what you already know so well? You don¡¯t like this to the point that you want to ignore it?¡±


    Rhema irritably brushed off the bird from his shoulder. Ofeq soared quickly and avoided his hand.


    ¡°If you want to keep her by your side, there¡¯s another way. Lock her in a safe place first, then make her an idiot and raise her like a pet. Then the egg won¡¯t break.¡±


    The grey eyes looking at Ofeq turned cold. The bird casually went back to its nest and sat down.


    ¡°Think carefully, Rhema Reshith, which one is the best way.¡±


    With that as its last words, Ofeq shut its beak. And it began grooming its feathers deliberately like an ordinary bird. Rhema looked at that remotely and turned around. When he took a few steps, magic was cast and the location changed. It was the farthest possible place from the house where Azriel was asleep.


    Rhema did not return home all day long. Traveling all over the continent, he thought and thought. However, no matter how much he thought, he could not make a choice. He wanted to maintain the current life. Teaching Azriel, seeing her happy, listening to her chatter, just like now, continue like this¡­


    It was over midnight, after a full day had passed, when he came back.


    ¡°Why are you here now?! Why didn¡¯t you receive my communication?!¡±


    As soon as he came back home, Blanchet screamed at him sharply. With its tail puffed up, the white cat showed a temper.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Rhema asked back.


    ¡°Azriel disappeared! And¡­¡±


    Stunned by the news, Rhema momentarily could not hear the rest of the sentence.


    ¡°What do you mean Azriel disappeared?¡± he urgently asked.


    ¡°She said she was going to the village to help a person who was injured. Then she didn¡¯t come back and strangers came to the house and talked nonsense, asking to hand over Azriel to them for a generous amount of money, so I¡ª¡± Blanchet pointed to one side of the living room with her tail. Three bodies were randomly piled up. ¡°I was going to keep one alive, but all three of them were swordsmen. Largo is hurt.¡±

 CH 54

    The swordsman was a type of magician. Swordsmen would develop several specific conjuring skills their whole life, such as making their swords sharp and reinforcing their bodies. For that reason, they were outstandingly faster and stronger than ordinary sword fighters. They could also use the conjuring called ¡®sword aura¡¯ which was materializing mana to the point it was visible to the eyes and dressing a sword with it.


    In fact, in ancient times when proper wizards still existed, swordsmen were not considered strong but considered unique magicians. However, as of today, when the real magic disappeared, swordsmen were overwhelming power. They were not at the level that a familiar spirit could deal with.


    Of course, Rhema Reshith¡¯s familiar spirit was a little different. She could get rid of three swordsmen easily. She just could not afford to subdue them. Even though it was a great achievement, Blanchet lost her nerve. She needed to keep them alive so that Rhema could search their memory and find Azriel, but she ended up killing them. Even the Wizard of the Horizon could not search the memory of the dead.


    ¡°For now, Noir went out to track her with scent. I stayed here to wait for you and Largo has been treated roughly, ¡±as Rhema checked on the bodies, Blanchet continued.


    Rhema rushed to move mana. He tried sending communication to Azriel.


    ¡°Reshith, Esthera.¡±


    No response was returned. He could not reach her. He anxiously rearranged mana.


    ¡°Reshith, Esthera,¡± he repeated it multiple times but still could not reach her. There was no response. There must be a problem. Rhema looked back at Blanchet with glaring eyes. ¡°Why did you let her go to the village alone?¡±


    ¡®Because Azriel¡¯s conjuring was now advanced, there was no monster nearby, the village was safe, there had been no problem so far¡­,¡¯ Blanchet did not make such excuses. If she made such excuses, she might die. The white cat lowered its head without saying anything and apologized.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I will also go out to look for her now. I¡¯ll find her as fast as I can, so she¡¯ll be fine. She is strong.¡±


    With that as her last words, Blanchet jumped out over the window. Standing, Rhema rubbed his face. He knew well what Blanchet meant by saying she would be fine. Azriel Esthera was a wizard of the dragon eye. She could make miracles by instinct even if she did not learn it. There was no one who could murder her, except for Rhema Reshith.


    However, there was no guarantee that she would be fine even if she would not die. Moreover, using magic with the dragon eye meant¡­ Rhema clenched his teeth. Quickly, he needed to find her quickly.


    ¡®She went to Hanora before she disappeared. The people there should know something. Let¡¯s start from reading the memories of all village people.¡¯


    Deciding to do so, he used teleportation magic. He did not care about the pain or side effects caused by the magic reading one¡¯s memory. There was also no option to ask, persuade, and inquire, either. Reading one¡¯s memory was much faster, convenient, and assuring. Whatever would happen to the people because of that was none of his business.


    When he reached the village, he began searching the memories of the people whom Azriel mentioned often. Since their screaming was loud, he shut them off. He immobilized a person, blocked his voice, asked about Azriel, checked his memory and threw him away, then found the next person.


    The white wizard moved like a machine. He did not care if there were people around. If he did, there would have been no folktales spread about the Wizard of the Horizon all over the continent.


    For the fifth or sixth time, when he caught a person who was the village chief, he finally could learn about Azriel¡¯s whereabouts. Then he realized that the chief attempted to cover up the kidnapping of Azriel because he caved in for a threat and greed.


    Rhema Reshith did not age. Thus, it became quite bothersome if there was a village nearby. It was because people would be interested in him and wonder about him not getting old. Nevertheless, the reason why he did not reject it when people occasionally asked for help was because it was simpler and less troublesome for him to do so. For him, most of them were easy as breathing.


    There was a time when he made an invisible wall and lived inside it so that no one could approach him. However, he had to stop because it was more annoying if wizards got interested if a space divided by the wall was formed. So, he would move his dwelling when a certain period of time passed or destroy the nearby environment if he did not want to move, so that other people could not live around him.


    A doubt about the strange wizard in the woods was going around in the village of Hanora as well. As it had been a long time since he settled down in the woods, it was only natural.


    Nonetheless, the reason that he did not destroy the village was all because of Azriel. The reason why he became more generous and did more favors for others was that Azriel became close to the people of Hanora. That was how it was, but how dare they.


    Through the cracked seal, emotion slipped out. It was only a small part of rage. If it were for an ordinary person, it was at a level of rage that he would take out by throwing an object. However, what Rhema threw was not an object but mana that was hard for people to bear.


    ¡°Aarggh!¡±


    The village chief¡¯s body that was held by Rhema¡¯s hand was crushed like a piece of paper and disappeared after turning into dust. Then there was a large sound of something bursting around him. Centered around the chief¡¯s house, a huge pit was formed on one side of the village. Everything within it was turned into dust and scattered into the air. Rhema carelessly looked down at the red, bare earth and brushed the dust off his hand.


    Some people took Azriel. Now that he confirmed their faces, he just needed to search other places and find the people who knew them. Since they talked about the countryside and they did not seem like they were from a foreign country, he could start from Modjankle, which was the biggest city and the capital of the kingdom. When he was about to teleport, a colorful bird that suddenly popped out of the air stopped him.


    ¡°Warning! Warning! Warning!¡±


    Ofeq screeched. Rhema showed faint frustration on his flat face.


    ¡°I will take care of it myself¡­¡±


    As he was saying that, he sensed something and closed his mouth. The knot that he tied on Azriel was broken. It was the promise magic that was made to break if she touched mana, in other words, if she used magic with the dragon eye.


    As a reactive force from the moment of its breaking, he could learn her location. It was possible for him to teleport there using the broken promise as a medium. Rhema did not hesitate and teleported. What he saw as soon as he crossed space was a dismembered body of a knight and a girl who was frozen, covered with his blood.

 CH 55

    Azriel could not recognize Rhema who suddenly appeared. She saw stars moving and cutting the knight, who was about to cut her finger off, into pieces. Covered by the blood that was poured on her, she remembered that something similar had happened on the day she first met Rhema. The blood of the crushed soldier that covered her.


    ¡°Ah, ah¡ª¡±


    Groaning, she falteringly stepped back. Charles dropped the dagger he was holding. Marquis Ederick¡¯s eyes were widened.


    ¡°What? It¡¯s ridiculous¡ª!¡±


    ¡°Azriel.¡±


    At the same time that Rhema, who appeared out of nowhere called her, the time around her stopped. Not caring about the surroundings where it became a bloodbath, he approached her, who was trembling and took her in his arms right away.


    ¡°I was worried about you. I¡¯m glad you are not hurt.¡±


    His white robe was dyed red by the blood that she was covered with. Rhema looked at the things that tied her, ¡°Who tied you down?¡¯


    When he touched, the gag and cuffs were broken and fell off. Azriel¡¯s body was freed. She rambled as she clung to him.


    ¡°Rh, Rhema, Rhema¡ª I, I just¡ª What on earth did I just do?¡±


    ¡°You instinctively used magic with the dragon eye. You touched mana. Who drove you to the wall that much?¡± wiping the tears around her eyes, he gently spoke to her.


    ¡°Did I touch mana? Are you saying that this happened because I touched mana? Did I¡­ break the promise?¡± Azriel turned pale blue. Following the impact, a forgotten memory rose like a swamp and strangled her throat. The snowing sky and the dismembered soldier. She murmured like a moan, ¡°I, I¡¯ve done this before. Right?¡±


    Rhema lowered his chin without saying anything. The silver hair drooped down lightly. Azriel saw herself reflected in his clear eyes, soaked in blood. Silence was an affirmation. Her body began to shiver.


    ¡°I¡¯ve forgotten about it. I¡ª¡±


    ¡°It must¡¯ve been a shocking memory. That can happen.¡±


    ¡°What am I? Rhema. What am I?¡± She grasped herself. She felt like a monster.


    ¡°You are a wizard,¡± Rhema answered her without hesitation. ¡°You are a wizard who can see mana. And¡±


    He did not finish his sentence. Azriel was breathing with difficulty to the point that her shoulders heaved. Tears dropped from her eyes without a sound. Instead of explaining, Rhema pulled her in a slow and careful manner, not to surprise her. Then he comforted her unskillfully.


    Azriel slowly calmed down at the unskillful comfort. She could feel him trying to comfort her.


    ¡°I will take care of you till the end. Even if you do something wrong, I won¡¯t leave you,¡± she remembered what he said before.


    ¡°Are you surprised?¡±


    Rhema¡¯s question was gentle. Azriel nodded as she swallowed her tears.


    ¡°Are you not angry, Rhema?¡±


    ¡°Why would I get angry at you?¡±


    ¡°Someone¡ª I killed¡ª I killed¡ª¡±


    The knight being split before her eyes was vivid. She also remembered the soldier being crushed. She was appalled. Not being able to continue, Azriel buried herself into his arms.


    ¡°There¡¯s no way I¡¯ll be angry at you just because you kill a few people, Azriel.¡±


    His huge hand stroked her hair, ¡°Not to mention, he was someone who tried to harm you. It¡¯s reasonable to kill such a person.¡±


    He was not upset. At this moment, Azriel was so relieved by that. She was too young and scared to think that Rhema¡¯s reaction was not normal. These arms would never leave me. Whatever happens, they will be on her side. Then her trembling was gradually subdued. Grabbing his skirt, Azriel said.


    ¡°The promise, I broke it¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Rhema.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t break it on purpose. Don¡¯t worry about such things.¡±


    ¡°Home¡­ I want to¡­ go home.¡±


    She was too tired. She wanted to rest, not thinking about anything. Rhema, who was going to reply to her, discovered a wound, that was about halfway cut, on the girl¡¯s pinky that grabbed his clothes.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    His eyes froze cold. Gently caressing and healing it, he asked.


    ¡°Azriel, who hurt you?¡±


    Azriel unconsciously turned her eyes to the Marquis.


    ¡°I see.¡±


    As soon as Rhema said that, the time that had been paused started flowing again. Marquis Ederick, who was stiffened, blinked his eyes. Azriel only then realized that time had been paused all along just a moment ago. The Marquis was about to scream after finding a wizard in a white robe who suddenly appeared.


    ¡°Who are¡ª Urgh!¡±


    As soon as Rhema looked back at him, the Marquis¡¯ body began crushing, slowly from the tip of his hands and feet. The Marquis let out stuffed screams and soon died, not being able to endure much longer.


    Azriel was stiffened at the horrific sight. Covering her eyes with the full train of his robe, Rhema said in a smooth tone.


    ¡°I will take care of it soon. Wait for a minute.¡±


    ¡°T, take care of it? Rhema?¡±


    The grey eyes like a piece of iron turned toward other people in the room. There were knights who were frozen at the shocking scene and Charles who was seized with terror. Rhema unfolded his hand toward a knight among them. He was involuntarily dragged and seized by Rhema¡¯s hand.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    It was a question to read his memory. He, soon, learned what Azriel had to go through meanwhile. Rage oozed through the cracked egg. Since it was suppressed, it was only a rage like the small embers. However, the embers caught on his dry mind immediately turned huge like a wildfire.


    ¡°Aaaaghh!¡±


    ¡°Aaaarrrgghh!¡±


    Knights were crushed one by one, screaming. The blood flowed from their wringed bodies dyed the carpet. The blood of the knight who was held in Rhema¡¯s hand splashed on him. He would have taken care of it more neatly in a usual circumstance, but Rhema was intentionally being more brutal now. It was to vent his anger somehow.


    Even doing so, his anger was still not subdued as he felt the girl in his arms trembling. The reason why Azriel was trembling was partly because he was killing people in a horrific way, but he, who was enraged, could not think so far.

 CH 56

    When all the knights were crushed, Charles was the only one left. Charles, who had turned pale, stood still, with his body covered in the knights¡¯ blood. It was praiseworthy of him that he did not drop down or faint in this situation. However, when the white wizard¡¯s eyes turned to him after killing all the knights, the boy finally slumped to the floor.


    ¡°W, wait! I have nothing to do with these¡­!¡±


    Charles shrieked, crawling backward. There was no time to say it respectfully.


    ¡°It¡¯s all because of you.¡±


    Cutting off Charles like that, Rhema was about to kill him. Then he stopped abruptly and looked down. Azriel, who heard Charles¡¯ voice, looked up and pulled his clothes.


    ¡°Rhe, Rhema, wait. Please don¡¯t hurt him.¡±


    Frankly, Azriel was genuinely scared of Rhema right now. The smell of blood reeked. She had no idea that she would see such cold eyes and cruelty from him. She knew that it was for her, but it still was dreadful. No, it was more dreadful since he knew that it was all because of her. However, Rhema said whatever she did, he would take care of her. It did not feel right for her to be scared of him, who made such a promise. So, she held back her fear.


    ¡®Charles is not a bad person. Rhema just doesn¡¯t know it yet,¡¯ thought Azriel.


    ¡°Why, Azriel?¡± Rhema, who was looking down at Azriel steadily, asked.


    ¡°He tried to save me,¡± she answered.


    Rhema did not agree with her opinion that much. The boy that he saw through the knight¡¯s memory was certainly going to give up on Azriel. He had no mercy to consider the boy¡¯s circumstances. Nevertheless, instead of killing Charles, Rhema asked again with a still face.


    ¡°Other than him, is there anyone else who you want to save here?¡±


    The blood that was splashed on her face flowed down and dripped from her chin. The grey eyes like frozen pieces of iron turned toward her.


    ¡®Oh, it¡¯s the scene that came to my mind suddenly. It was the memory of that time.¡¯


    Just like that, the 16-year-old Azriel had an unexpected realization.


    On the other hand, the 10-year-old Azriel shook her head. She did not know what kind of event the shaking of her head would lead to.


    The fact that she had no more people that she wanted to save meant that he could kill the rest of the people. Rhema Reshith took it that way. It was a rage that he felt in hundreds of years. Several knights were not enough to resolve that rage. He picked up the girl who was soaked in blood and asked the boy who stood vacantly.


    ¡°Where do you want me to send you?¡±


    ¡°¡­What do you mean where?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll die if you stay here, so I¡¯ll send you to wherever you want.¡±


    Charles intuitively felt that he would really die if he stayed there. He hastily answered.


    ¡°Please send me to Maronas.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Maronas was the nearest city from Pendelok Palaios¡¯ safe haven where Charles originally wanted to go. Rhema nodded and approached Charles. Just before his hand touched him, the boy asked.


    ¡°A, are you the Wizard of the Horizon?¡±


    The great wizard with long silver hair, beautiful appearance, and a white robe. The only one who could use powerful magic which became extinct after the ancient magic civilization collapsed. Who he was was obvious. It was a mere question for confirmation. Rhema placed his hand on the blond boy¡¯s head.


    ¡°That¡¯s what they call me.¡±


    With Rhema¡¯s final words, the boy¡¯s figure disappeared. Then the scenery that surrounded Rhema and Azriel also changed. Azriel realized that they had returned home.


    ¡°Azriel! Azriel! Gosh, what is this blood? Are you hurt?¡±


    ¡°What? She¡¯s hurt? What kind of creep did that?¡±


    A white cat and black cat hurriedly ran toward her and made noise. A yellow dog in a bandage ran out and busily wagged its tail.


    ¡°Blanchet¡­ Noir¡­ Largo¡­¡±


    She was home. Everything was over. Relieved, Azriel burst into tears. When she began crying, the cats roamed around her anxiously. Largo licked her hand as she sagged in Rhema¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Stay by her side,¡± Rhema spoke as he handed in Azriel to the familiar spirits.


    Noir¡¯s body suddenly puffed up and turned into a dark brown-skinned man with short black hair. Taking Azriel in his arms, he asked.


    ¡°Where are you going? A grown-up human is supposed to stay with a human cub at a time like this!¡±


    ¡°Rhema?¡± Surprised, Azriel held out her hand from Noir¡¯s arms.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon. Don¡¯t worry and take some rest,¡± lightly holding her hand, he comforted her.


    ¡°Hey! Where are you going?!¡±


    Without responding, he suddenly disappeared. That day, Rhema Reshith erased the castle where Ariel was dragged to and even the camp nearby where the rebels were gathered clearly from the map. Tens of thousands of troops were killed helplessly. It did not even take a half day.


    The news that all the rebel forces had been annihilated reached Maronas not long after. Crown Prince Charlene Modjankle de Aucandor and those who served him got rid of the few remnants who remained in the capital and returned to the royal palace.


    The revolt of Ederick ended just like that helplessly. And before long, the 14-year-old Crown Prince was crowned king.

 CH 57

    Rhema, who came back after the sunset, came across Ofeq waiting for him.


    ¡°You might have changed history today. Are you satisfied now?¡±


    It was a sarcastic tone. Rhema tried to pass it without answering. The bird fluttered and flew to him and held out what it was holding with its paw.


    ¡°Look, Rhema Reshith.¡±


    What Ofeq showed was a grey, cracked egg. The crack that started from the tip was stretched to the center. Along with the deep crack, small cracks were being formed. Standing still, he looked at it.


    ¡°Do you really want it to end? Make your mind, before it¡¯s too late,¡± Ofeq urged him.


    Rhema was silent for a long time. Then he passed the bird and entered the house.


    Azriel Esthera was sitting with her knees raised on a huge armchair, with a blanket over her. Standing by the doorside, Rhema vacantly gazed at the girl. The girl who was buried in the chair was small. She was lovely. Yes, she became lovely and precious. He recalled an old memory that had been crushed by the long period of time.


    ¡°¡­ You are the last one. There¡¯s no one left besides you,¡± the voice of the man who said this was hoarse and cracked. ¡°¡­You have to do it. You are¡­ to become¡­ an unshakable watchman.¡±


    The words that were spoken as if being squeezed. Whose words were they? Like blowing the dirt that had been thickly built up, he searched his memory. The memory of the thick smell of blood and burning flesh reeking. Master. It was his master¡¯s words. Rhema¡¯s master was dying.


    ¡°If you fall¡­ you will be the end. Never¡­ fall¡­ never.¡±


    Rhema listened to his master without saying a word. Was he crying? It had been too long that he was unsure.


    ¡°¡­ So don¡¯t give affection to anyone. Don¡¯t make someone precious to you. You¡­ shouldn¡¯t love anyone.¡±


    There was no mana left in his master¡¯s voice. It was merely a thin and weak voice of a dying person. Nevertheless, those words were rooted inside him like a curse. The rooted words bound him.


    ¡°You could do it. If it¡¯s you¡ª¡±


    The master put on a smile that made it hard to distinguish whether he was crying or smiling. Then he looked at Rhema with eyes full of emotion and took his last breath. Was the emotion in the master¡¯s eyes a sympathy for him, guilt, or¡ª


    Rhema stopped thinking and stepped in the living room where Azriel was.


    Azriel, looking in the air blankly, was patting Largo whose head was on her feet. At the sound of someone coming in, she turned around. Rhema, who was bloody before, returned home as the white wizard in a clean attire that she knew.


    ¡°Rhema!¡± Rejoicing, Azriel sprang up from the chair.


    Largo, who was pushed away by that, shook his body and slipped away. With a faint smile on his face, Rhema hugged her who came into his arms.


    ¡°Why are you still awake? You couldn¡¯t sleep?¡±


    ¡°I waited for you.¡±


    As Azriel responded and smiled, a smile on his face suddenly disappeared. With an ambiguous face, he looked down at her. Then he murmured to himself.


    ¡°Why do you keep shaking me?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. Do you feel dizzy or hurt?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine now,¡± she answered, shaking her head.


    ¡°You must¡¯ve been exhausted. You¡¯d better sleep quickly,¡± he spoke, lightly lifting her up.


    He escorted her to the bed. There were so many things that Azriel wanted to ask about what happened today and so many things to say. She hesitated to say something until Rhema laid her and put the blanket over her.


    ¡°Good night, Azriel.¡±


    He was about to leave the room after gently saying good night. Azriel grabbed his sleeve without realizing it. Rhema looked back at her.


    ¡°Umm, Rhema.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°The thing I did today¡ª touching mana.¡±


    ¡°Do you mean dragon eye magic?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡±


    Biting her lips, she hesitated. Rhema waited quietly until she continued. Perching on the edge of the bed, his face was calm and soft as usual. Azriel asked as she looked at his face.


    ¡°Is it what you said you would teach me if I wanted after learning other magic¡ª the magic that the primary wizards used?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that was such dangerous magic¡ª That¡¯s why you did not teach it to me.¡±


    Her body shook. She felt like the image of the knight who was cut into pieces would appear in her dream. The tips of her fingers became cold. Azriel grabbed Rhema¡¯s hem tightly.


    ¡°Will I, by any chance, use that scary magic again if there is a similar situation?¡±


    ¡°You probably will,¡± he, who spoke candidly, added as he pulled her blanket. ¡°Azriel, magic is not scary. It¡¯s a power to protect yourself.¡±


    ¡°But, it¡¯s the power to¡ª make other people like that.¡±


    ¡°That power will never attack you. So, you don¡¯t have to be scared of it.¡±


    ¡°That means, others around me will be attacked. Didn¡¯t you say not to touch mana because I might recklessly attack others around me?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t forbid you from using dragon eye magic for that reason.¡±


    ¡°¡­ Then why did you tell me not to use it?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡± Rhema closed his mouth. He stroked her hair silently for a while and stood from his seat. ¡°Sleep tight, Azriel. Wish you a sweet dream.¡±


    After whispering that, he left the room.

 CH 58

    Azriel tossed and turned for a long while before she could fall asleep. Then she was haunted by a nightmare all night long.


    It was a night full of stars. Huge armors surrounded her and stomped their feet. Whizzing voices filled all sides.


    ¡°Cut it off! Cut it off!¡±


    An invisible force pulled her finger. Appalled by it, she shook it off.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡±


    Then the armor collapsed like sand. She saw Rhema beyond that. He was wearing a robe that turned red. He approached her and looked down at her with cold eyes.


    ¡°Rhema? What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Rhema had never seen her with such eyes. He, who was scowling at her without a response, was strange and scary.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that. I¡¯m scared¡­¡±


    When she stepped back hesitantly, the stars in the sky suddenly poured down. The stars cut Rhema into pieces.


    ¡°No! Don¡¯t. Don¡¯t do that! Don¡¯t hurt Rhema!¡±


    No matter how many times she screamed, it did not stop. She stomped her feet but could not approach him. While she wailed, Rhema was ripped into pieces like a piece of paper. White paper pieces scattered and disappeared. In the pitch dark night, she was left alone in the stars like scattered dots.


    It was a horrible dream. When she woke up, her whole body was covered with cold sweat.


    ¡°Rhema, Rhema¡­¡±


    She was frightened and looked for Rhema. He was not home. The surroundings were quiet. The nightmare kept on glimmering in front of her eyes. It was the image of Rhema being scattered like a piece of paper.


    If he disappeared like the dream, would she be left alone again? She remembered the time when she looked up at the night sky after being abandoned in a moat in midwinter. It gave her goosebumps even though the house was always warm like a spring day. She hunched.


    [Meow.]


    Blanchet, who appeared without her knowing, rubbed herself going between her calves. Azriel felt her soft fur. She sat down in front of the white cat.


    ¡°Blanchet, where is Rhema? He¡¯s just out for a moment, right?¡±


    Blanchet nodded her head greatly.


    ¡°I had a very scary dream¡­¡±


    As Azriel was in tears, the cat licked her cheek quietly. She held Blanchet tight. The warm temperature calmed her mind down a little. Blanchet swayed her tail as if she was uncomfortable but gave in soon and let the girl have her way.


    After cooling down to some degree, Azriel ate breakfast alone that the spirit served. It was a soup that she liked, but it did not taste good today. She, who was nibbling at it, could not even eat half of it and stood up. The spirit was startled by that and dimmed its light as if it was sullen. Azriel smiled at the spirit.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I just don¡¯t have an appetite. I¡¯ll be going to the village.¡±


    ¡°Eek? Why? It hasn¡¯t been long since you went through trouble,¡± Noir, who was napping as he enjoyed the sunshine near the window, screamed as he jumped up.


    ¡°I¡¯m going out only for a short time.¡±


    ¡°Hey, just rest up at home. Aren¡¯t you tired?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not that tired.¡±


    Azriel left the living room and prepared to go out. Noir followed her from behind.


    ¡°Why are you going to the village?¡±


    ¡°Just because¡­¡±


    It was hard to explain what she was feeling now. She was just scared and lonely that she wanted to talk to somebody. The spirit could not talk, Blanchet did not like to talk like humans, and Largo was not good at talking. Noir was rather talkative, but since he was a monster, not a human, he was not a good conversation partner by nature.


    When she came out after putting on a thick robe, the spirit flew to her holding a scarf. She put on the scarf tightly and came outside. Noir followed her with his tail raised.


    ¡°Noir, you can stay home.¡±


    ¡°No. How can I let you go alone when you¡¯ve just been through so much?¡±


    It seemed that he was determined not to let her go alone. Azriel sighed lowly and headed toward the village with the black cat. When the village became closer, she could feel a disorderly atmosphere.


    ¡®What¡¯s going on?¡¯


    Tilting her head, she entered the village. People were gathered in groups here and there and speaking noisily or running hastily. Carriages and horses were brought out and all sorts of household goods were also being brought out. They looked busy as they hurriedly packed and carried their belongings. All of them had serious and grim looks on their faces.


    Azriel, who was watching that scene bewilderingly, found Hannah crying. Hannah was the closest friend of hers in the village, whom Azriel made a cake as her birthday gift. She was bawling with her face reddened and distorted. Beside her was her father who was trying to comfort her. Azriel asked as she approached them.


    ¡°Hannah, why are you crying? Mister, what¡¯s wrong? If there¡¯s anything I can do¡­¡±


    ¡°Ahhhh! Get, go away!¡±


    As soon as he saw Azriel, he stepped back screaming and hid Hannah behind his back. The villagers also found Azriel at the sound of his scream and were stirred. Adults dragged their kids and ran away. Sounds of doors being shut continued in a row.


    Not understanding the situation, Azriel stood vacantly. Only Noir read the situation and moved his ears.


    Hannah pushed away her dad¡¯s hand which was trying to drag her into the house. Then she came running to Azriel and yelled in a tearful voice.


    ¡°Give my mom back!¡±


    ¡°¡­What?¡±


    ¡°Give my mom back to where she was! How can you do this?! What did my mom do wrong?!¡±


    Hannah stomped her feet and burst into tears. Azriel still did not know what she meant but stretched her hand out to sooth Hannah.


    ¡°What¡¯s up? Did something happen to your mom¡­?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t lay a finger on my daughter!¡±


    Hannah¡¯s father yelled desperately and shook Azriel¡¯s hand off. He used to call her ¡®a little wizard¡¯ with a smiley face always. He was a kind person who gave errands on purpose to give her allowance. Such a person was looking at Azriel with a distorted face like a demon now. He picked up his daughter and ran to his house. The door was shut with a loud thud before Azriel¡¯s eyes. Soon, she heard the door locking.

 CH 59

    Azriel absently looked around the surroundings that were emptied in an instant. Noir clicked his tongue.


    ¡°¡­Noir, do you know what¡¯s going on?¡±


    Noir groomed his fur like a common cat and feigned indifference. Azriel lifted him up and looked at him in the eye.


    ¡°Did something happen? Why is everyone acting like that?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Noir¡¯s green eyes rolled sideways. When Azriel followed his sight and stared at him, the tip of the cat¡¯s nose twitched.


    ¡°Hey, Azriel. Can we just go home?¡±


    ¡°No. I won¡¯t go home until you tell me!¡±


    ¡°¡­Phew.¡±


    The black cat jumped high and got out of Azriel¡¯s hands.


    ¡°Follow me.¡±


    Azriel walked around the empty village as she followed Noir. It did not take her more than a few steps before she saw something strange. Centered around where the village chief¡¯s house was, a huge pit had formed. The houses that were at the rim of the pit were halfway collapsed, directly showing the inside of them. As if people had fled in a hurry, furniture was scattered in a mess. Azriel turned pale and gazed at the pit where nothing was left.


    ¡°What is this? What about Tom¡¯s house? What happened to the village chief, his wife, and Tom?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. Anyway, I think the people are acting weird because of this.¡±


    Realizing what had happened, Azriel held her breath.


    ¡°¡­This, did Rhema do this?¡±


    The black cat tilted his ears back without a word, which was a sufficient answer. Azriel hectically ran home. Noir was startled as she tripped and rolled on the ground on the way, but she did not care.


    ¡°Rhema!¡±


    As soon as arriving at the house, she called his name.


    ¡°Rhema? Where are you?¡±


    She looked into the herb garden and the greenhouse in the backyard, the kitchen, and the living room. As she noisily searched around, familiar spirits and the spirit watched her nervously.


    ¡°Rhema! Rhema!¡±


    Rhema was not in the study on the second floor nor in his room. The only place left was the basement. Her eyes turned toward the stairs leading to the basement. Down the stairs were storage on the right and Rhema¡¯s lab on the left. If Rhema was not seen, he was mostly gone out of the house, but there were times when he was in his lab.


    She did not know what he did in the lab. She frequently went to the storage but had not been to the lab. She had not even held its door knob because Rhema told her not to enter it. She had never gone against Rhema¡¯s words.


    She went downstairs and opened the storage door. Rhema was nowhere to be found. Standing against the storage door, she used communication magic.


    ¡°Esthera, Reshith.¡±


    She called him a few times, but there was no response. Ever since she learned communication, Rhema always answered her quickly, even while he was out. The only time he did not respond was when he was in the lab. When he was inside the lab, he did not answer her even if she looked for him.


    Azriel stood in front of the lab. Its door was much bigger than the storage door. A big bronze knob was at her eye level. She carefully knocked on it.


    ¡°Rhema?¡±


    It was quiet. Azriel blinked her eyes. When she focused, she saw mana. Stars were flowing at the door knob shaped in the head of a dragon. It seemed complex magic spells were cast to capacity. They were something that she could not undo theoretically. However, somehow, she intuitively felt that all magic would unwind simply like a knot if she just grabbed and pulled the stars.


    ¡°Rhema? Are you there?¡±


    She held the doorknob. She felt the cold metal in her hand. It seemed she could open it. She stood there for a long while. Then she slowly took her hand off of it.


    ¡®Rhema told me not to enter here.¡¯


    She eventually turned away, not opening the door. When she stepped her foot on the stairs, she heard a clicking sound of the door knob spinning. When she looked back, Rhema was coming out of the lab. He seemed slightly tired. Finding her standing at the stairs, he tilted his head.


    ¡°Azriel? What are you doing here?¡±


    He came near her as if he was going to lift her up. Avoiding him, she stepped back. When she took a few steps up the stairs behind her, her eyes met him almost at his eye level. Rhema was a little shocked by the fact that Azriel avoided his hand. His eyebrows shook feebly.


    ¡°¡­Rhema.¡±


    Looking at his grey eyes, Azriel asked.


    ¡°What did you do in Hanora?¡±


    ¡°Have you been to the village?¡±


    ¡°Yes. All the people who saw me ran away. Did something happen?¡±


    ¡°I only searched the memory of the people who might know your whereabouts¡­¡±


    Rhema, who was answering her candidly, suddenly stopped. He remembered the side effects of the memory search magic. Since he did such a thing while asking about Azriel, it was natural that the people were horrified. He felt like he had broken Azriel¡¯s favorite toys. He slightly lowered his head.


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry, Azriel. Please wait for a day. I¡¯ll erase people¡¯s memory.¡±


    ¡°Erase? Their memory?¡±


    ¡°Magic related to memory is usually like that, but the magic that reads someone¡¯s memory is especially painful. Some people might have gone mad because of its impact. That must be why they¡¯re avoiding you, so it¡¯ll be alright if I erase their memory of what happened.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to apologize for hurting them¡­ but you¡¯ll erase their memory about what you¡¯ve done?¡±


    ¡°That way will be more neat.¡±


    Azriel was confused. She vaguely sensed something. Rhema¡¯s reaction was strange somehow. It was unexplainable, but something was strange.


    ¡°¡­Then what is the pit in the village?¡±


    ¡°The village chief overlooked your kidnapping for money. I punished him for that and slightly overused mana.¡±


    ¡°Did you¡­ kill the chief? Because he overlooked me being kidnapped?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Wh, what about the people next door? What about Tom? Are they safe?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. They might have been swept away.¡±


    Rhema indifferently answered.

 CH 60

    Azriel looked at his still face as if she was looking something strange. Was this something that could be said lightly like this? She was surprised when he killed the knights in a horrific way yesterday, but they were at least ¡®bad guys.¡¯ They were the people who kidnapped and threatened her and Charles. However, the village people were not ¡®bad guys.¡¯ She often went to hang out, helped and received allowances, and got along daily. She used to tell Rhema what happened in the village that day, whom she became close with, which family¡¯s pie was great, and so on. And Rhema also used to help the villagers when they asked for a favor even though he was not so fond of it.


    They were such people, and they might have been swept away in Rhema¡¯s magic and killed. It was more shocking than the fact that the village chief overlooked her kidnapping. And Rhema¡¯s attitude as he said such things was even more shocking.


    It felt like the Rhema and a part of the world she had known until now were cracked. Azriel gushed out words with a trembling voice.


    ¡°Rhema, are you saying you might have killed Tom or other people? And there are some people who you made crazy? Then what about Hannah¡¯s mom? Did she go crazy because of you? Is that why Hannah cried?¡±


    ¡°I forgot that they were the people you liked because I was in a hurry. I¡¯m sorry, Azriel.¡±


    With an embarrassed face, Rhema apologized. He seemed to be genuine but it was different. He was apologizing only to her. She did not see any sorriness or guilt toward the villagers. Azriel fell into disorder and thought. Who were those people to Rhema?


    Suddenly all things welled up within her and filled her head. The gag that covered her mouth, the man who ordered to cut her finger off, dismembered knight, the bodies that Rhema crushed, Reddened robe, and, the village chief who overlooked her kidnapping, Tom who invited her to go look at a foal, the pit at the chief¡¯s house, Hannah crying and bawling, Hannah¡¯s father with a distorted face, the doors that were shut before her eyes, and, and¡ª Her head spinned. Suddenly, everything became scary, even Rhema. Azriel stepped back and faltered as she tripped over the stairs. Surprised, Rhema tried to catch her.


    ¡°Azriel!¡±


    She unconsciously pushed aside his hand. It was a weak gesture but Rhema was stiffened as he was. Sitting down on the stairs, Azriel looked up at him. Her wide golden eyes were welled up with tears.


    ¡°It¡¯s strange,¡± she spoke in a stifled voice as if she was being strangled. ¡°Why did you do that? Rhema, why did you do that? You don¡¯t even know who was dragged into your magic and died?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Why did you turn Hannah¡¯s mom that way? If you were looking for me, you could¡¯ve just asked, but why?¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry, Azriel. I¡¯ll try to turn things as they were to the best of my ability.¡±


    When she shed big drops of tears, he was startled. Compared to Rhema¡¯s usual, dull and dry face, it was rarely a prominent face.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d be shocked this much. I¡¯m sorry. Please don¡¯t cry.¡±


    Stammering a little, he apologized repeatedly. Then he hugged her and patted her as usual. Azriel tried to push that arm away. However, she could not bear to push him away.


    Rhema was someone who brought her back to life. He was the one who gave her a name and happiness, guided her to the new world of magic, and said that he would always stay by her side. He was no different than God in her life. So, instead of pushing him away, Azriel could only burst into tears, burying her face in his arms.


    Rhema also noticed that his chest was getting wet. The girl¡¯s entire body was shaking. Azriel was crying all because of what he did. He felt strange. If he knew that this would happen, he would not have done it. He regretted it. It was a regret about his actions in hundreds of years.


    Then he was saddened. When he first went out with Azriel, he pondered upon the words that he murmured to himself, looking at the girl who said he was a good person. As expected, he was not a good person. He had to be. His master told him not to love anyone. So, Rhema cut out something inside him, put it in an egg, and sealed it. He was not sure exactly what he had cut out now that it had passed a thousand years since then. It was certainly something related to humanity. He called it emotion for now.


    Since the beginning of the world, he was the first one to come up with such magic and use it. Even he, who used it, could not foresee what kind of effects it would have. Anyway, Rhema Reshith could withstand a long time without falling because of that magic. Living like that, he realized. A being that could not love a person was eventually a being that could not be loved by a person. There was no way a person who could not have a precious person could become a precious person to someone.


    So, he could never be a good person or make someone happy. Nonetheless, he could not break the seal either. Rhema knew what he would become if he fell. Thus, if she stayed with him, Azriel would be miserable, like how she was crying now. He made a judgement like coming to a conclusion after gathering clues. And he decided to choose one out of three suggestions that Ofeq made. He neither wanted to kill her nor to make her cry. It was meaningless to leave her by his side after making her a doll that only smiles. He did not want that. Then, the best way among what that Ofeq suggested was¡ª


    ¡®¡­Take magic away from her. Erase her memory about you and close her dragon eye with force. Let her live as a person who has nothing to do with you. Don¡¯t ever see her again.¡¯

 CH 61

    The Wizard of the Horizon could turn stones into gold and pause time. However, it was impossible for him to maintain the current life, which was what he desired the most in his heart.


    Rhema pushed her gently. Kneeling down, he looked at her golden eyes at the eye level.


    ¡°Azriel.¡±


    ¡°Rhema¡­¡±


    ¡°I think the time to say goodbye has come. It¡¯s for your sake.¡±


    ¡°¡­ What?¡±


    Azriel was so surprised that she almost hiccuped. It was like crude lightning in the dry sky. Rhema casually continued.


    ¡°You¡¯d better forget about magic, too. If you continue to grow as a wizard, I¡¯ll have to see your end. Living as a normal person without magic will be much happier.¡±


    ¡°Wait, Rhema¡­ what are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be the best for both of us before you become more precious to me.¡±


    Azriel stopped crying. She asked back, fumbling.


    ¡°Rhema, I don¡¯t understand a single word you are saying now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m saying we should go back to before we meet.¡±


    Stroking her hair, he kindly spoke. With her eyes widened, Azriel stopped breathing. She could not breathe.


    ¡°Rhema, are you¡­ abandoning me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not abandoning you. We are just parting.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s, that¡¯s the same thing. Why? Why so suddenly¡­ Is it because I blamed you? I¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not because you did something wrong, Azriel.¡±


    He picked up the girl, who had dropped down on the stairs, with ease. Going up the stairs, he calmly continued.


    ¡°Just because we go back to before, your life won¡¯t be as miserable as that time. I want you to be happy.¡±


    ¡°I am happy now!¡±


    Azriel yelled like a scream. Turning pale, she clung to his body.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Rhema. I won¡¯t blame you for this again. It was my bad¡­¡±


    To Azriel, the people of Hanora Village were very precious. However, they were not as precious as Rhema even if all of them were combined. She realized that fact clearly at this very moment. Crying, she put her arms around his neck.


    ¡°I won¡¯t, I won¡¯t ever do that again, so please don¡¯t abandon me. Please¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not abandoning you. I will find people who will look after you, so that you can live happily.¡±


    Coming up to the living room, Rhema put her down on the couch. Azriel held onto his arms that were putting her down.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know the difference. Rhema, I want to live here. I want to stay with you. Please, please don¡¯t leave me¡­¡±


    ¡°I will prepare a better environment than living here, so don¡¯t worry about it. You will be able to get along with more people than now.¡±


    He gently pushed her. His tone was kind but stern. Azriel realized that he would never reverse his decision. She looked up at the cold and beautiful wizard.


    ¡°¡­Can I see Rhema there from time to time? Will you come to see me? Or, I will come to see you!¡±


    It was what she desperately thought of. Rhema shook his head.


    ¡°No, we won¡¯t be able to see each other again. I will make you forget about me with magic.¡±


    ¡°Forget¡­ about you? Rhema? About magic, too?¡± Azriel blankly asked.


    ¡®Is this a continuation of the nightmare I had this morning? I must be still in the nightmare. Rhema would never do this to me,¡¯ She thought.


    He fainty frowned and raised the tip of her mouth. The face he forcibly made did not look like a smile at all.


    ¡°It will be better for you if you forget about me completely.¡±


    ¡°No! It¡¯s not better! I don¡¯t want to forget!¡±


    She frantically shook her head. Familiar spirits and the spirit were anxiously watching them from the kitchen.


    ¡°If you forget about everything, you¡¯ll be fine. There will be no need to feel sad like now.¡±


    Rhema held his hand out toward her. Azriel could see stars storming at the tip of his hand. It was the flow of mana that would look like a spider web spreading to him.


    ¡®Is this real? It¡¯s a lie, isn¡¯t it? Like this, right now?¡¯


    The girl screamed desperately.


    ¡°You said you won¡¯t leave me! You said you will stay by me whatever I do! You said you¡¯d take care of me until the end!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Azriel.¡±


    He lowered his head. His silver eyelashes were lowered and silver hair flowed down. A calm face and cold grey eyes but shaking eyes.


    Sixteen-year-old Azriel noticed again this time. The memory she remembered momentarily before was this moment.


    Ten-year-old Azriel clung to him and cried.


    ¡°No, please don¡¯t! Don¡¯t erase anything!¡±


    Rhema silently placed his hand on her forehead. Not being able to brush off that hand, Azriel only cried.


    ¡°Please, Rhema.¡±


    The girl¡¯s lips trembled. Unable to look at her in the eye, Rhema avoided her eyes.


    ¡°Pl¡­¡±


    Azriel¡¯s plea could not continue and stopped. Rhema quickly caught the girl who collapsed like a doll.


    ¡°You, really¡­¡±


    Blanchet shut Noir, who was about to say something, by striking him. Noir dropped his ears and lowered his tail. The spirit slowly blinked.


    The face of the wizard, who was looking down at the girl who lost her consciousness, was pathetically grim. Nonetheless, Rhema Reshith did not know that he had such an expression on his face.

 CH 62

    It was a long sleep. Azriel opened and rubbed her eyes. Her tears smeared all over her hand. Gazing at her hands that were wet with tears, she murmured.


    ¡°You surely abandoned me, Rhema.¡±


    She remembered everything. As if she had never forgotten, it clearly settled down within her.


    ¡°¡­I didn¡¯t know that you¡¯d be this miserable. I was mistaken to think that it would be enough since I prepared you guardians and wealth although that wasn¡¯t enough.¡±


    She heard Rhema¡¯s voice nearby. She was not so surprised. With her head still on the pillow, she turned her head toward him.


    ¡°I remember everything.¡±


    ¡°Do you have a headache?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m okay. I¡¯m a little absent-minded though.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been asleep almost all day. Would you like to eat first?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll eat a little later.¡±


    Azriel sat up. Rhema approached her and laid a pillow behind her back. Leaning against it, she looked up at him who came close to her. The beautiful and cruel wizard who did not change a bit since six years ago. After remembering all the childhood memories, it felt like destroying Colte Castle was not a huge deal.


    ¡°Rhema.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°You said you almost didn¡¯t recognize me when you saw me again for the first time.¡±


    He wavered. Looking at her with strange eyes, he slowly nodded.


    ¡°It was only for a moment, but yes.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t change a bit, but I changed a lot, didn¡¯t I? I¡¯m not a mere child anymore.¡±


    There were a lot of differences between the ten-year-old Azriel ruminating about what she had gone through and the current Azriel recalling what happened that time.


    Six years of childhood was incomparably long when compared to the same time of an adult. She was now no longer the child who wailed bagging not to abandon her.


    To Azriel back then, being abandoned by Rhema was a shock equivalent to the end of the world, but it was not the same to Azriel now. So she could be comparably calm.


    Now that she remembers everything, her feelings toward Rhema were quite complex. She just could not organize her thoughts clearly. One thing that was sure was that even though Rhema was the one who ruined Hanora Village and erased her memory at his will, she could not hate him.


    Moreover, even though it was Rhema who chose such a method, his intention itself was all for her good. She knew it. Worried about her being kidnapped, he rooted around the village, because the village chief overlooked her being kidnapped, he became furious, and because she cried and was saddened by his actions, he decided to say goodbye to her.


    She could not trust him and rely on him completely as she did when she was young. However, she could not blame him completely either. Azriel went on, organizing her thoughts with difficulty.


    ¡°I am old enough to understand your words. So please tell me the truth. Why did you erase my memory and leave me?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you remember what happened that time?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m asking because I remember.¡±


    ¡°The village you liked was damaged because of me. In order to avoid the same thing repeating, I had to¡­¡±


    ¡°You just don¡¯t have to repeat it. Why do you say like the same thing will happen again?¡±


    Rhema flinched his mouth. To define it, his look was closer to a bitter smile.


    ¡°Azriel, it¡¯s hard for me to judge the range of your sadness.¡±


    She thought he would be that way. Something was strange about him. Azriel now was certain of what she felt vaguely when she was young. The Wizard of the Horizon did not seem to look at humans as humans, everyone except for her. She was the only exception.


    She realized how special she was to him. To begin with, she was the first person to show up in a thousand years, who had the same eyes as him. How was his reaction when he found out that she could see mana? Azriel was bound to be special to him.


    ¡®To Rhema, others are meaningless beings.¡¯


    Rhema Reshith was an abnormal and dangerous wizard. However, to Azriel, he was a person who cared about her the most. She had feelings that could not be described. It was creepy and relieving at the same time and also bitter and sweet. Azriel asked in a low voice.


    ¡°Rhema, would you behave the same even if I said I don¡¯t like it and stop you from doing it?¡±


    ¡°¡­I probably won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Right, you wouldn¡¯t do so just like how you saved Charles and helped Maylie. You did everything If I wanted.¡±


    The grey eyes vacantly gazed at her. Azriel lowered her eyes as if to avoid his eyes.


    ¡°But why would you, who was like that, erase my memory even though I resisted that much?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear excuses like you did it to protect me from you or that you were afraid that I would get miserable. I want you to tell me the truth.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not an excuse, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s an excuse. At least that can¡¯t be the whole reason. You have another reason.¡±


    ¡°Why do you think so?¡±


    ¡°Rhema, you changed my life and made who I am now. You were my savior, teacher, and family.¡±


    Azriel lifted her head and looked at him.


    ¡°But that doesn¡¯t mean you can decide my life freely. You always treated me keeping that in mind.¡±


    ¡°¡­Did I?¡±


    ¡°There are not many people who ask a child¡¯s opinion so seriously. Rhema, you never forced me or ignored my word.¡±


    The greatest wizard in the world respected her more than anyone else. So, Azriel became a person who was used to being respected and who could respect others. Regardless of what other people said, whether she was enslaved or not, she respected herself. She did not devalue herself. That was how she grew up.


    Rhema was expressionless. Azriel could not tell what he was thinking but she was not afraid of him. She continued.


    ¡°Rhema, I told you clearly back then. I don¡¯t like the fact that you are abandoning me more than the fact that the village was damaged. But why did you think that I¡¯ll surely be miserable and pull me apart?

 CH 63

    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°You must have a different reason. A bigger reason. If that¡¯s not the case, I don¡¯t get it. There¡¯s no way you¡¯d act like that so suddenly¡­¡±


    ¡°There is no other reason.¡±


    Rhema abruptly interrupted. He took a deep breath for a second and added.


    ¡°There is no such thing as another reason. If you stay with me, you¡¯ll certainly be miserable. That was the reason and that is all.¡±


    Azriel intuitively knew. Rhema was not telling her the most important thing. Judging by his stubbornly shut lips, he did not seem that he would answer her even if she kept asking. She changed her question.


    ¡°Then, what do you mean that I¡¯ll be killed by you if I learn magic?¡±


    He was a little startled by the question. Staring up at him, who was reluctant, Azriel asked again.


    ¡°What are you hiding, Rhema?¡±


    ¡°¡­That is a matter related to my duty.¡±


    ¡°Your duty? What duty is it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I can¡¯t say it.¡±


    Rhema shut his mouth again. He seemed determined not to say anything about it. There was definitely something. All answers seemed to lie in there, but he would not tell her. It was frustrating. Azriel pressed the temples of her head. Noticing her action, he carefully asked.


    ¡°Do you still have a headache?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not that kind of headache.¡±


    It was somewhat funny that he was worried about her first in this situation. Azriel smirked. Whatever the reason was, Rhema really cherished her. That was an unquestionable fact. Azriel quietly opened her mouth.


    ¡°Rhema, you¡¯ve done so much to pull me apart, but why did you find me again?¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to find you. I just came around here because I needed to do something.¡±


    With his eyes fixed in the air, Rhema slowly went on.


    ¡°But, while I was searching the surrounding mana¡­ I ended up discovering your mana.¡±


    ¡°My mana?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Your mana¡­ is intertwined by compact and elaborate lines that sparkle like stars. It¡¯s like a lace weaved with gold thread. It¡¯s very beautiful and noticeable at a glance.¡±


    He described her mana with a saltless tone like he was reading a book, which made her feel weird. Azriel¡¯s cheeks were flushed.


    On the other hand, she could understand why it was noticeable at a glance. When she saw mana, she also could see Rhema at a glance. To her, he looked like a galaxy in which countless white stars were gathered and dazzled.


    ¡°When I learned that you were here, I wanted to see you and how you are doing just for once.¡±


    Rhema let out a long breath as if he was barely letting it out after holding it for a long time.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t intend to show up in front of you. I just wanted to check how you live and if you are happy enough.¡±


    ¡°But I must¡¯ve not looked happy.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    He nodded and added in a low voice.


    ¡°So, I could not possibly hold back. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°No, in the end, it was me who asked for your help.¡±


    He pushed her repeatedly, but it was herself who allowed it. Azriel sighed quietly and pressed her forehead.


    ¡°So, now you will stay by my side until I can live well by myself.¡±


    ¡°Yes, and after that, I¡¯ll leave as fast as I can. Azriel, what do you want? I¡¯ll prepare the life you want.¡±


    ¡°Anything?¡±


    ¡°Tell me anything.¡±


    ¡°Then what are you going to do if I say I¡¯d like to be an emperor. Will you establish an empire for me?¡±


    ¡°The time will depend on the scale of the empire you want, but that is possible. If it¡¯s an emperor of an already existing empire, I can make you one quickly.¡±


    ¡°¡­How?¡±


    ¡°There are many ways. There¡¯s a simple way of informing others that I¡¯m behind you and suppressing them with power and also some moderate ways of fabricating God¡¯s revelation or manipulating people¡¯s memories to make you the sole successor of the emperor.¡±


    ¡°Those are¡­ moderate ways?¡±


    ¡°Relatively. Manipulating one¡¯s memory is a complex job and it might take a while though.¡±


    Azriel got fuzzy to hear the stories of the scale that she had never imagined. Azriel blankly asked.


    ¡°Is it okay to do such things?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that much would be fine. Which way do you prefer?¡±


    ¡°No, it was just a question! I don¡¯t need such things.¡±


    Azriel hurriedly shook her head. Then she paused for a short while. There were two ways left for her now.


    One was what Rhema suggested. It was to enjoy the comfortable life that the Wizard of the Horizon would give her freely. It was a way to go around in circles.


    ¡®But I¡¯ll live unaware of everything in return, even magic or Rhema.¡¯


    He would probably close the eyes that see mana again. It would be almost impossible to him again. Her memory might have to be erased again. And another one was the way she just thought of. Even though she could never imagine what was waiting ahead, she could die, or she could regret saying that it would have been better to have lived a comfortable life, but it was a way to step forward.


    Azriel raised her eyes and looked around. The stars that filled the world. It was a scenery of her own. She looked at him in succession. The white wizard with a dry face. Rhema Reshith. A thousand years that the Wizard of the Horizon had lived alone.


    The stars that were visible to her eyes and Rhema¡¯s thousand years made her and him meet, making a girl without a name Azriel Esthera. Nevertheless, was she now supposed to live comfortably pretending not to have seen anything like these stars?

 CH 64

    Azriel Esthera was a wizard. She was already a wizard since she was born. Even when she was not aware of the fact she was a wizard, she was one. Wizards were the people who explored and pushed forward. If one remained in his place, he could be a magician but not a wizard.


    ¡®The primal dragon doesn¡¯t inherit legacy to the complacent.¡¯


    It was a phrase that Azriel saw in a book about magic and mana when she was young. Being born with mana meant that one was born with such a tendency.


    Therefore, wizard Azriel Esthera¡¯s choice had already been decided. And the choice of the girl, who grabbed the hand that was held out by the white wizard at the winter water, had already been decided as well.


    ¡®Let¡¯s try this way.¡¯


    The way toward the distant wizard called Rhema Reshith. She was determined. Azriel briefly smiled.


    ¡°Rhema, you said I should ask anything I want.¡±


    ¡°Yes, go ahead. What do you want?¡±


    ¡°Teach me magic, everything you know about magic.¡±


    Rhema¡¯s face stiffened. He kept silent for a while and barely continued.


    ¡°I clearly said that you might be killed by me if you learn magic, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°I already learned magic from you, Rhema.¡±


    ¡®Esthera,¡¯ When she recited the spell, stars that formed from her hand made a small light. Azriel held out the light that lingered over her palm.


    ¡°Or is this okay because it¡¯s only ¡®conjuring¡¯? Are you going to kill me right away if I learned ¡®magic¡¯?¡±


    ¡°¡­Not right away.¡±


    ¡°Then when are you going to kill me? When you want to? Did you teach me magic to kill me?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to kill you, Azriel!¡±


    His voice went up. Startled, Azriel disheveled the light. She had never seen Rhema raising his voice. By the standard of the average person, he raised his voice only a little, but it was a rare occasion for him.


    ¡®If you don¡¯t want to kill me, just don¡¯t kill me,¡¯ She did not say that. There must be a reason that could not be helped even though he did not want to. His distorted face and raised voice were proving that. If he could not say it, she just had to find out what it was, she thought. Azriel asked like a whisper.


    ¡°If you did not teach me magic with a purpose of killing me, that must mean there¡¯s another possibility.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a scenario that you don¡¯t have to kill me, isn¡¯t there?¡±


    ¡°There is. But Azriel, that is, when you become like¡­¡±


    Rhema, who was rambling as he answered, stopped talking all of a sudden. He shook his head narrowly and said in a dry tone.


    ¡°That scenario will, even if it¡¯s possible, make you miserable. No, it¡¯s impossible.¡±


    ¡°Why is it impossible?¡±


    ¡°Azriel, why are you trying to choose a way that will make you miserable? You can enjoy anything.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to live with my eyes closed, Rhema. I don¡¯t think I should.¡±


    Rhema instantly understood what she meant by ¡®the eyes.¡¯ It did not only mean the actual eyes or the eyes that saw mana.


    ¡°You said I¡¯m a wizard with the dragon eye who appeared in a thousand years. Maybe that means I¡¯m the most suitable person among all the people who have been born so far.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by ¡®most suitable¡¯?¡±


    ¡°The most suitable person who can achieve the impossible thing you said. The person who wouldn¡¯t get miserable even after staying beside you and learning magic.¡±


    With a pale face, Azriel smiled. The golden eyes sparkled like a star that guides a way in the darkness.


    ¡°I won¡¯t be miserable, Rhema.¡±


    The star that he picked up shone its light in the direction that he never imagined. Rhema¡¯s thought stopped.


    ¡°So, please teach me magic.¡±


    The girl chose to become a wizard.


    Azriel¡¯s body, which had been weakened, was almost recovered after her memory came back fully and sleeping a lot. As soon as she heard that long distance teleportation magic would not hurt her body, she wanted to visit the Hanora Village.


    The village where she arrived with Rhema had been ruined. It was an abandoned village where people left a long time ago.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    Azriel asked, looking into Hannah¡¯s house which had collapsed halfway. Rhema, who was standing a few steps away from her, quietly answered.


    ¡°I treated everyone who was hurt or suffering from the side effects of the memory magic. I also erased all of their memories. I filled in the pit that formed in the village and fixed damaged houses.¡±


    She was slightly surprised. He said he would try his best to return things as they were and it seemed he really tried.


    ¡°But why did everyone leave?¡±


    ¡°It was impossible to revive the dead¡­ Since there were quite a few people who disappeared without leaving their bodies, a rumor that the village was cursed spread and people left one by one.¡±


    ¡°¡­I see.¡±


    Azriel walked toward the village chief¡¯s house, where Tom used to live. The house that disappeared completely when a pit formed stood still as if nothing happened. It was just shabby after being vacant for a long time.


    ¡°Did Tom die?¡±


    She needed quite a lot of courage to ask this question. Afraid of hearing the answer, Azriel bit her lip.


    ¡°If you¡¯re talking about the son of the village chief, he wasn¡¯t swept away. He was alive. His relatives took him.¡±


    She let out a long breath that she was holding. Deep relief filled her. If her childhood friend was killed by Rhema¡¯s hand, she might have weighed down by guilt.


    ¡°Are those who left doing well?¡±


    ¡°It didn¡¯t seem like there was a big problem until they left. I didn¡¯t check after that. Do you want to meet them?¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s enough.¡±


    Rubbing her eyes, she turned around.


    ¡°Rhema.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°Can you promise me that you wouldn¡¯t harm the people I know?¡±

 CH 65

    Rhema was silent for a moment before he nodded.


    ¡°Yes, without your permission, I won¡¯t harm anyone you know. However, I can¡¯t promise that if that person is a wizard.¡±


    ¡°Is wizard an exception?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a matter related to my duty, Azriel. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    That duty again. What Could possibly be his duty related to wizards? Knowing that she would not get an answer from him, Azriel still asked.


    ¡°Can you tell me what duty that is?¡±


    Instead of answering her, Rhema changed the subject.


    ¡°Azriel, why don¡¯t we go to the house? Noir and Largo must want to see you.¡±


    ¡°¡­Yes, let¡¯s do that.¡±


    Rhema¡¯s house was very close to the village. It used to be a short walk even for the little Azriel. Walking along the woods trail behind Rhema, she fell deep into thought.


    The Wizard of the Horizon, his duty, needing to kill her someday if she became a wizard, the case that might not need to kill, another possibility, wizard¡­ All of a sudden, she recalled the middle-aged wizard from the capital, who asked to borrow her. Was it Tarbo Tameion? It was definitely something like that. The wizard who looked into her eyes with a piercing gaze with a distorted, burned face.


    ¡®That person¡­ was gone when I woke up from being unconscious.¡¯


    When she lost her consciousness, she clearly heard Rhema¡¯s voice. And in the room, she found something random like grains of sand. Sand. Naturally, it reminded her of Rhema¡¯s magic that made the bodies of the Coltes into a pile of sand.


    Did Rhema kill the wizard? Why? Come to think of it, he said he came to the area because he needed to do something. A duty? Could killing that wizard be related to his duty?


    What kind of wizard was Tarbo Tameion? It was a wizard who came to examine the ruins found in the Colte territory and who belonged to the Aurora Society located in Modjankle.


    ¡°Rhema. Do you know a wizard called Tarbo Tameion?¡±


    Rhema, who was walking ahead of her, did not even stop nor looked back. He responded as usual.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know that person.¡±


    ¡®A lie¡¯ was what came to her mind first, then she thought of another case. Azriel asked differently.


    ¡°The wizard from Modjankle who wanted to borrow me, with a burned mark on his face¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    Rhema looked back at her and added as he took his steps.


    ¡°I know that person.¡±


    As expected, he was not pretending not to know him. He just did not know his name. Azriel freshly thought that there was a lot of room for misunderstanding in his way of speaking.


    ¡°Did you kill that person?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°¡­Is that also related to your duty? Was that the reason why you came to Colte?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    Rhema, who surprisingly answered her candidly, went on without hesitating.


    ¡°Don¡¯t pay attention to my duty, Azriel. I have no intention to tell you about this.¡±


    ¡°Will something bad happen if I learn about it?¡±


    ¡°Not necessarily.¡±


    ¡°Then, is it bound by some sort of magic that it can¡¯t be known to others?¡±


    ¡°¡­We¡¯re here.¡±


    There was a beautiful, picturesque second-story house surrounded by a low fence. Azriel momentarily was lost for words. Memories surged in like a rising tide covering her.


    Rhema opened the fence door. Following him, Azriel stepped in the backyard. When she passed the door, the still chilly air of early spring turned sweet and warm. It was the sensation that she missed.


    She watched the chickens roaming around the yard and the colorful bird sitting in its nest on the roof in turn. When her eyes reached the beige blanket hanging on the rocking chair laying on the terrace, the door to the house suddenly swung open. Wolf! A yellow dog wagging its tail at a scary speed dashed to her.


    ¡°Largo!¡±


    As Azriel delightfully bent her waist, Largo frantically licked her face.


    [Meow.]


    Following that, a black cat stuck its head out. The cat instinctively ran toward her as soon as it saw her and then flinched and slowed down with effort in the middle. He walked toward her pretending to be casual.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, Azriel.¡±


    Noir rubbed his body against her legs and greeted her lightly. Azriel beamed and held out her hand to the cat.


    ¡°Noir, have you been well?¡±


    When she stretched out her hand, the cat¡¯s corners of mouth twitched. His long whiskers trembled. At last, Noir could not hold back anymore and ran toward her like Largo.


    [Meow! Meow! Meooow! Meooow!]


    He cried as if he was lamenting about something, but Azriel could not understand a single word. Plopped down on the ground, she had to welcome the two animals who expressed their gladness with their entire bodies.


    Rhema watched that scene from a distance. Azriel showed a beaming smile without a shade. After getting her memory back, she did not show him such a big smile like that. It felt like something was stirring inside him.


    Rhema suddenly lifted his head up. Ofeq was looking down at him with its black eyes from the roof.


    ¡®You brought her back at last, you lunatic.¡¯


    His eyes seemed to tell so. Rhema avoided them.

 CH 66

    The interior of the house did not change much. Azriel, who looked around reminiscing, was stiffened when she went up to the second floor.


    ¡°¡­You cleaned up my room.¡±


    Where her magically enhanced room used to be had become a normal room. Inside it was full of miscellaneous items laid randomly. Rhema, who was standing behind her, responded.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t leave it as it was.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It reminded me of you too much.¡±


    Azriel looked back and found Rhema looking down. The grey eyes moved as if it was outlining her room that had already been gone.


    ¡°The chair you used to sit, the bed you used to sleep on, the desk where you used to move your quill pen¡­ those things repeatedly bothered me.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I was told to get rid of everything since I needed to forget anyway, so I did.¡±


    It was Ofeq who gave such advice.


    After sending Azriel, Rhema stopped like a broken clock from time to time while living as usual. His face did not change, he did not think about something specific, nor he felt that it was hard to bear because he missed her so much. He did not moan very much either.


    He just stood vacantly as if he did not know what to fill an empty spot with. He sometimes stood like that for a half day without any thoughts. Such behavior decreased only after cleaning her stuff out following Ofeq¡¯s scolding.


    ¡°I debated whether I should erase my memory about you. However, I couldn¡¯t do that because I might bring you back if I accidentally discover you again.¡±


    He spoke frankly, and it felt strange to hear him. Azriel approached him a little.


    ¡°The bear you made me, did you say it was ruined? Did you get rid of it at the time as well?¡±


    ¡°I left the teddy at the storage. And it caught fire by accident and was ruined.¡±


    ¡°How did you make such a mistake? You¡¯re not usually clumsy.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    He stood vacantly seeing the name engraved on the foot of the doll before he made a mistake. Ofeq got angry at him when he tried to fix the burned bear. So, Rhema had to throw it out too. The only thing that was left was the silver pocket watch. He only pushed it aside where it was not visible but it was still preserved carefully somewhere.


    Azriel saw Rhema¡¯s face getting faint as he blurred the end of his sentence. He seemed to look far away somewhere remote. She got closer to him a little more. When she was young, she did not even reach his chest, but now she was as tall as his shoulders.


    ¡°Did you miss me? Is that why you made such a mistake?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I think so.¡±


    Rhema, who was nodding with a vacant face, looked like a fool. How could that Rhema Reshith look like a fool for even a moment? At the mysterious feeling, Azriel looked at him without a word for a long while.


    ¡°Azriel?¡±


    ¡°Never mind.¡±


    Rhema, who was looking down at her with his eyes blinking, was startled and stepped back. Because Azriel came near him, his shadow had covered all over her. When Rhema stepped back, Azriel looked at him strangely.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Rhema?¡±


    She was not shaking as she did when she was young. There was no sign of fear. Rhema hesitated for a moment and answered.


    ¡°You don¡¯t like when a shadow is cast on you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I used to be like that when I was young.¡±


    Azriel finally realized. Rhema was being careful not to cast his shadow on her ever since he met her again. Come to think of it, he always did when she was too young to notice such consideration. He always stepped back or lowered his body to look at her.


    He never looked down at her intimidatingly. It was such weird kindness. She felt even more strange.


    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t get scared of such things now. I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Why would this kind of person be so cruel like that? What was his duty that he needed to kill someone?


    ¡®I really want to know why you¡¯re like this.¡¯


    She might be able to see everything if she became a wizard of his position. She might learn on the way up to that level. She braced herself even more.


    *


    Azriel had no intention to live in Rhema¡¯s house again. Living there would repeatedly remind her of Hanora Village. Rhema readily allowed it when she said that she wanted to live somewhere else.


    ¡°Where would you like to live?¡±


    ¡°Umm¡­¡±


    She pondered for a short while. She did not want to live in Colte or near Hanora. She planned to look into ¡®the Wizard of the Horizon¡¯ while learning magic. She was going to inquire about Rhema¡¯s secret and duty that he was hiding from her.


    ¡®I should start with Tarbo Tameion.¡¯


    The wizard that Rhema killed according to his duty. What Azriel knew about him was that he came from Modjankle and that he was a member of a society called Aurora.


    ¡®There¡¯s one more thing. Since he said he would write a letter to the Duke of Rudimna, he must be acquainted with the family.¡¯


    Azriel decided where to live.


    ¡°Modjankle would be great.¡±


    ¡°Do you mean the capital of this kingdom?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Is that alright?¡±


    ¡°Of course. What kind of a house should I prepare?¡±


    ¡°Will you stay with me, Rhema?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t be home all the time, but I¡¯m going to stay there mainly. Is it uncomfortable by any chance if I stay with you?¡±


    He tilted his head. From that movement, his silver hair shook and busily reflected the light. His silver eyelashes did so as well.


    Azriel absent-mindedly watched the twinkling for a while. The diamonds that were decorated on the glass shoes he gave felt exactly like that.


    ¡°Azriel?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s, it¡¯s nothing. I don¡¯t mind if you stayed with me. Also, I don¡¯t care what kind of a house it is. Just pick what you want, Rhema.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll prepare it myself.¡±


    ¡°Yes, no, w, wait.¡±


    Azriel, who was going to nod, hastily grabbed his hem. There was something she could guess just by looking at Rhema¡¯s behaviors after meeting him again even if she did not remember her childhood memory. If she left him alone, he would probably find a place close to a castle, rather than a house.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need an unnecessarily flashy house. Whatever you feel comfortable living in is fine, Rhema.¡±

 CH 67

    ¡°I¡¯ll do so. Do you have any other requests?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t. That¡¯ll be enough.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll get one ready in two or three days. Would you like to rest in this house in the meantime?¡±


    ¡°No, I have things to do in Colte.¡±


    ¡°What kind of things?¡±


    ¡°I just want to finish up some things before I leave. I¡¯m going to say goodbye to Maylie properly and to Grandpa Warden¡­ oh!¡±


    Azriel remembered the book she was translating. So many events happened that she had completely forgotten about it. It should be among her belongings in the well, but the well was filled up because of the rain and it must have been ruined. When she looked concerned, Rhema asked.


    ¡°Is there anything you need help with?¡±


    ¡°Umm, Rhema¡­ can you fix a book that¡¯s ruined after getting wet with repair magic?¡±


    Repair magic was a magic that fixed broken objects. It was what Azriel had already learned. It was specialized in restoring broken objects¡¯ original forms such as battered armors or broken carriage wheels.


    For that reason, it did not work very well on objects polluted with other substances such as the ones that were stained with ink or filth. A wet book was closer to being polluted. Rhema shook his head.


    ¡°It won¡¯t work well with repair magic.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought. How about the magic that dries out moisture?¡±


    ¡°The wetness will disappear, but if you want to restore the smeared letters completely, you will have to use restoration magic.¡±


    ¡°Is that difficult magic?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s mechanism is to rewind the time of an object. It¡¯s categorized under dragon eye magic.¡±


    ¡°Dragon eye magic¡­¡±


    She touched around her eyes. The two dragon eye magic that she unknowingly used before were quite destructive. She thought all dragon eye magic would be like that, but it seemed not all were destructive.


    Rhema had told her not to use dragon eye magic. It was not because it might endanger others around her nor because it was destructive. Then what could have been the reason?


    ¡°Rhema, will you teach me dragon eye magic as well?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    He hesitated. Then he looked at the back of Azriel¡¯s hands and her eyes in turn before speaking quietly.


    ¡°If you master all the magic, I¡¯ll inform you exactly what it means to use dragon eye magic. Please don¡¯t use it until then if possible.¡±


    ¡°You mean I shouldn¡¯t touch mana?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Is the reason still a secret?¡±


    Rhema looked at her with a reluctant face.


    ¡°¡­Can I cast a spell of promise again on you?¡±


    ¡°The magic that notifies you if I touch mana? The thing like a white knot?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Then I¡¯ll tell you the reason.¡±


    She thought that he would not answer this either. Surprised a little, Azriel blinked her eyes and held out her hand.


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    Rhema slightly lifted her hand. Stars gathered. Then a white knot pattern formed and smeared into her skin. Looking down at the back of her hand, he spoke.


    ¡°Azriel, do you know what the biggest characteristic of dragon eye magic is?¡±


    ¡°Do you mean directly moving the mana that constitutes nature?¡±


    ¡°That is correct too, but I¡¯m talking about the characteristic that¡¯s the most easily distinguishable when compared to general magic.¡±


    He put down her hand. Azriel thought for a moment and answered him.


    ¡°The fact that it doesn¡¯t require reciting spells?¡±


    ¡°Right. Dragon eye magic is magic you use without casting spells. Do you remember that I taught you what a spell is?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a name you call your mana. It¡¯s made of Lemm text¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, and Lemm text is God¡¯s legacy. It¡¯s a method to restrain mana, the dragon¡¯s legacy.¡±


    She heard it when she was young. It was also the story that she did not understand fully back then. However, in this moment, she realized something all of a sudden as she meditated upon it.


    The battle between God and the primal dragon. The magic that the primal dragon left for humans against God¡¯s will. The leash that God gave humans to restrain that magic, Lemm text. In another word, spell.


    ¡°So, using magic without casting a spell¡­ means that you are using mana without the method of restriction that God gave.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Accordingly, if you use dragon eye magic, it means going out of the fence under God¡¯s protection.¡±


    ¡°Then what happens?¡±


    ¡°The more you use it, the more you will deviate from the worldly law that God made. The first law that goes against is usually the law of aging. You¡¯ll go against the providence that all living things age.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t get old?¡±


    Azriel¡¯s eyes were widened. Rhema¡¯s expression slightly changed.


    ¡°Yes. And starting from that, you¡¯ll gradually deviate from more laws.¡±


    He had a faint smile looking like he was sneering at himself.


    ¡°Azriel, I hope you don¡¯t touch mana until you realize what that means.¡±


    He stroked her cheek gently. It was a very careful and affectionate touch. It seemed to be an involuntary action.


    ¡°¡­For yourself.¡±


    His eyes looking at her seemed remote. It felt mysterious. Even though his hand was touching her cheek, it felt like they were in a completely different space. Azriel murmured as if she was mesmerized.


    ¡°Rhema you must be already¡­ beyond God¡¯s fence.¡±


    Without responding, he took his hand off her. The sense of difference disappeared at the same time. Azriel reflexively caught his hand that was being pulled away.


    ¡°You don¡¯t like that place? Is that why you don¡¯t recommend dragon eye magic to me?¡±


    ¡°Azriel, this world was created by the conversations made between God and the primal dragon. So, language has a very strong influence.¡±


    ¡°What? Why are you suddenly¡­¡±


    ¡°It means there¡¯s a huge difference between realizing it on your own and being verbally informed by me.¡±


    It was an ambiguous statement. When Azriel fell deep into thought, he gently said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you to the inn we were staying in. Where is the wet book you talked about earlier? I¡¯ll fix it.¡±


    ¡°¡­It should be in the well. I left my belongings in the well where I met you.¡±


    ¡°I see. Noir, come here. You can stay with Azriel.¡±

 CH 68

    Noir, who was lingering around, raised his ears and quickly came nearby. He walked very proudly. Largo, who was not called, dropped his ears and whined. Seeing that, Azriel asked.


    ¡°When we get the house, will the familiar spirits live with us too?¡¯


    ¡°If you want.¡±


    ¡°I want to live together. Like before.¡±


    Largo¡¯s drooped ears were raised dramatically. Azriel smiled toward Largo. Its tail swayed busily.


    *


    Rhema left for Modjankle after handing over Azriel¡¯s luggage that was restored as if it had never been wet. Azriel took out the money she had saved and the book she was translating.


    ¡°Noir, I¡¯m going out. Do you want to come with me?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯m coming with you.¡±


    The black cat nodded largely and puffed out his body. Noir soon transformed himself into a black-haired lad with casual attire. Azriel was surprised when she saw Blanchet changing but she was not this time. Since her memory came back, Noir¡¯s human mimicking was familiar.


    She came out of the inn with Noir and headed toward the bookstore.


    People kept glancing at them on their way. It was because Noir, who was much taller than normal men and who had brown skin, was unique. The human form that he mimicked was a handsome man of the southern part of the Kingdom of Aucandor, which was rarely found.


    Since a man who seemed to be a southerner was escorting a pretty girl who seemed to be a northerner, people could not take their eyes off them once they looked back at them. Curious eyes continuously followed them. It was too much even for Azriel who was used to these kinds of attention. She lowered her voice and asked.


    ¡°Noir, can you be in a different form?¡±


    ¡°I can, but I feel comfortable in this since I¡¯m used to this. Why? Should I change?¡±


    ¡°No, never mind.¡±


    They could lose people¡¯s attention only after they entered the back alley. Azriel left Noir waiting by the entrance of the bookstore and went inside.


    ¡°Grandpa Warden, it¡¯s me.¡±


    ¡°¡­ Azriel?¡±


    The old man¡¯s eyes were widened. Warden looked like he was seeing a ghost.


    ¡°Oh God, goodness, you are alive! Good gracious!¡±


    He hurriedly stood up and held her hands. Seeing his eyes welling up, Azriel was startled.


    ¡°You thought I died?¡±


    ¡°Of course, the castle was ruined! I don¡¯t know what on earth happened over night. Some say that the punishment of heaven fell upon it¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ Did many castle people die?¡±


    ¡°Some went missing and some were buried to death, you know. It¡¯s such a strange incident that I heard an investigative party will be sent from the capital. What about you, are you all right?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m all right. Oh, I came to give this back.¡±


    Awkwardly smiling, she handed the book together with the pocket that had almost all of the money she had raised so far.


    ¡°Please take this too, Grandpa.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to leave Colte soon. Thank you so much for all this time.¡±


    ¡°You are leaving? I see. Since the whole Colte family became that¡ª Okay, go where nobody knows that you were asl*ve. That¡¯s a great plan, yes, you should go.¡±


    Warden patted Azriel¡¯s shoulder, showing a smile on his wrinkly face, and handed her back the pocket.


    ¡°One who leaves needs more money, what¡¯s this? I won¡¯t take this.¡±


    ¡°You trusted me, who was only a 14-year-old girl and a formersl*ve, entrusted your valuable books, and gave me jobs. Please let me repay you a little bit.¡±


    ¡°You think there are a lot of people who could use Lemm text so freely like you? It¡¯s because you were talented. I didn¡¯t do much for you.¡±


    ¡°I know you asked around to get translation jobs for me on purpose and paid me more than enough. Please accept this, please?¡±


    ¡°Oh please, just take it back, quickly. Life won¡¯t be easy for someone as young as you to live alone. You should have enough money.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not alone now¡ª¡± she was momentarily lost for words.


    How could she call Rhema in relation to her? A sponsor? A master? Any of the terms did not seem to fit perfectly. He was rather closer to master, but that was not accurate either.


    Rhema was too respectful and did not have much will to teach her to consider her as his pupil. It was rare for him to teach her first if he was not asked beforehand. He could not be a sponsor because there was no desired result for her. He was too distant to consider her as a daughter. He did not discipline her at all for a guardian either. He never scolded her nor tried to modify her behaviors. It was not that he neglected her completely or did not give her enough attention.


    ¡®Can he be described as¡­ the only person of my kind?¡¯


    He and she both were humans, not of a different kind, but that must be the closest feeling. Azriel decided to vaguely define their relationship that way. However, she could not explain this to someone else. She just simply said.


    ¡°¡­ I¡¯m not alone anymore, Grandpa. I met my master.¡±


    ¡°Your master?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a wizard. I¡¯m also going to be a wizard.¡±


    Warden looked at her with a surprised face and soon nodded.


    ¡°Well, I thought there was something about you since you knew Lemm so well. A wizard, that¡¯s great. Very good¡­¡±


    ¡°So, please take this. It¡¯s a token of thanks,¡± Azriel at last pushed the pocket to Warden who was waving it off. ¡°Oh, Grandpa, have you heard about the ruins that were discovered near this area?¡±


    ¡°The ruins? Are you talking about the ruins that collapsed?¡±


    ¡°What? It collapsed?¡±


    ¡°It was getting ready for excavation at the height, but a landslide struck it not long ago and now no one can enter it.¡±


    ¡°A sudden landslide¡­¡±


    ¡°Weird, right? It¡¯s not that it rained or anything but a sudden landslide¡ª On top of the castle turning into a sand hill, the area is chaotic these days,¡± saying so, Warden clicked his tongue.

 CH 69

    Generally, ruins referred to the remains of the ancient magic civilization. It was the era of wizards that flourished about a thousand years ago before Iskam the Great established an empire encompassing the whole continent and united calendars that were different by each region into one ¡®Iskam Year¡¯.


    Rhema Reshith said he had been living for more than a thousand years. Maybe he was the last wizard of the magic civilization. Azriel had a hunch that the landslide occurred at the ruins and Rhema could be related.


    ¡®Could what Rhema had to do be related to that ruins?¡¯


    ¡°Grandpa Warden, do you know what kind of place those ruins are? Anything about its exact location or characteristics of its exterior or¡­ ?¡±


    ¡°Were you interested in those ruins? I¡¯ve got something for you. Wait here for a while.¡±


    Warden, who went into the inner part of the bookstore, rustled for some time. Soon, he came out covered in dust and handed over an old book and a pamphlet which seemed to be new to Azriel.


    ¡°That pamphlet was distributed when people came to recruit excavation manpower for the ruins.¡±


    ¡°Wow, thank you!¡±


    ¡°And about that book, I¡¯m not sure where it came from¡­ I think it¡¯s about old ruins. You can have it.¡±


    On the faded leather cover, it was written ¡®Alionov¡¯s Journal of the Ruins¡¯ in Lemm text. When she opened the book, she saw colored images of ruins, though fainted.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this a valuable book? The texture and the illustration are quite¡­¡±


    ¡°Even so, it¡¯s just an old book. It¡¯s hard to sell it anyway because it¡¯s in Lemm, not Limble.¡±


    Warden stubbornly passed them to Azriel.


    ¡°Goodbye. I hope you stay well anywhere you go. And please visit here once if you become a great wizard.¡±


    It was a kind goodbye. Azriel smiled.


    ¡°I will definitely come visit. Please stay healthy until then.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡±


    She left the bookstore with the book and pamphlet in her hand. Noir was excitedly running around the back alley in the cat form.


    ¡°¡­Don¡¯t play with a mouse, Noir. You are not a real cat.¡±


    ¡°Oou hav no iea how phun it is!¡±¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t understand you. Throw it out and speak.¡±


    ¡°Pfff.¡±


    Noir spat out the mouse that he was holding in his mouth. The mouse that survived from death quickly disappeared into the sewer. The cat watched the back of the disappearing mouse regrettably and turned around toward Azriel.


    ¡°Is there anywhere else to visit?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I want to visit Maylie¡¯s house.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my friend. Blanchet will be there too.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that person Blanchet is helping? Okay, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Azriel went to Maylie¡¯s house with Noir, who turned back into the human form. Maylie¡¯s house was in the alley where old houses that were barely above the level of a shack stood in a row. She found her friend¡¯s house with ease. Noir sniffed.


    ¡°It¡¯s here. I smell Blanchet.¡±


    ¡°Yes, this is it.¡±


    When she knocked, Maylie¡¯s little brother opened the door. The child whose eyes were widened to see Azriel ran back to call his sister. Azriel sat down on the table chair in the room where it was used as the kitchen and living room. The interior was still humble, but pieces of smoke-dried meat were hung fully near the fireplace. All of them looked big and were of good quality.


    ¡°Did Blanchet buy them?¡±


    ¡°Not hunted?¡±


    ¡°This is not the forest, Noir.¡±


    It seemed Blanchet bought it with the money she got from Rhema. When Azriel was looking around to see if other things had changed, the door to the inner room opened and Maylie ran toward her.


    ¡°Azriel! Azrieeel!¡±


    She ran directly toward Azriel and hugged her tightly.


    ¡°Ouch.¡±


    Not being able to stand the weight, Azriel staggered and Noir backed her up lightly with one hand from behind.


    ¡°May, Maylie?¡±


    ¡°Azriel! Mom got healthy! She¡¯s really gotten healthy!¡±


    ¡°Really? She¡¯s not sick anymore?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes! She¡¯s totally fine. She no longer wakes up at night because of fever either.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s really better. Thank God. Congratulations!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to you. Thank you. Thank you so so much.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Rhema who cured her, not me. You don¡¯t have to thank me so much.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all because of you anyway! I will thank you! I will thank you even if I¡¯m dead! How can I repay you for this? Really¡­¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to repay me. Just¡­¡±


    ¡°No, I will repay you no matter what! You know what? Mom can go outside now. She went to the market with Ms. Blanchet, my mom! My mom who was in bed for years!¡±


    Weeping with emotion, Maylie rambled. Azriel hugged her friend tightly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t cry, Maylie. It¡¯s a great thing, why do you cry?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so happy that I¡¯m crying! Boohoo, thank you, really thank you, sob, I¡¯ll repay you somehow¡­¡±


    ¡°I said that¡¯s fine. Don¡¯t think about repaying me, okay?¡±


    Azriel comforted her friend who burst into tears. Noir, who was watching them vacantly changed back into a cat as it seemed there was no need for him to intervene.

 CH 70

    Maylie, who barely calmed down after some time, brought out tea. It smelled sweet and fresh. Putting down a cup in front of Azriel, she continued on chatting.


    ¡°Not to mention this tea, Ms. Blanchet bought all sorts of things for us. She said that we¡¯ll change furniture and household goods later, but we¡¯d have to eat properly from now on¡­¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t your family surprised by Blanchet?¡±


    ¡°They were in the beginning, but now, we are just so thankful and don¡¯t know what to do. By the way, that person must be the same race as Ms. Blanchet, right?¡±


    Maylie pointed at Noir, who was roaming around here and there after changing into his cat form. Azriel smiled and nodded.


    ¡°Yeah, both are Rhema¡¯s familiar spirits.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡±


    Maylie hesitated while fidgeting with her cup and opened her mouth.


    ¡°Hey, Azriel. We¡¯ve received so much¡­ She said she¡¯ll even move us to another house. Honestly, it¡¯s just to believe. Is it really okay to do this?¡±


    ¡°Rhema directly ordered Blanchet to do so. Since he¡¯s offering it, it¡¯s all right.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Blanchet said so but this is too huge. I¡¯m even afraid because only good things have happened since that day.¡±


    Maylie, who spoke with a blank face, asked carefully.


    ¡°By the way, what¡¯s your relation to that wizard?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    Azriel came to tell her about this anyway. She chose her words for a moment and answered.


    ¡°Rhema is the one who named me.¡±


    ¡°What? That¡­ thing that you didn¡¯t remember?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I remember everything now. I was his pupil. We were separated for a reason and reunited by coincidence this time.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡±


    Maylie did not push to ask persistently about Azriel¡¯s circumstances. The red-haired girl murmured hazily.


    ¡°Like I thought, Azriel was like a lost princess. I knew you¡¯d be! I feel like I¡¯m dreaming.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not something like a princess. I¡¯m just Rhema¡¯s pupil.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that. You are the girl who the tremendous wizard who¡¯s rich and even handsome came to get with speaking cats and a spirit! You¡¯re no different than a princess. It¡¯s really fantastic like magic¡­¡±


    Maylie smiled with a dreamy face. She seemed too happy, so Azriel stopped denying it anymore and just smiled. Maylie, who was daydreaming in a twinkling, was suddenly startled and asked.


    ¡°Whoa, wait! If you¡¯re a pupil of a wizard, will you be a wizard, too?¡±


    Holding the cup in her hand, Azriel was hardened. The words that the white wizard whispered rang around her ears.


    ¡°If you become a wizard, I will have to kill you someday.¡±


    ¡°Azriel, why are you trying to choose a way that will make you miserable? You can enjoy anything.¡±


    ¡®However, Rhema, that¡¯s a way to know nothing. I¡¯ll also have to live forgetting about you,¡¯ Azriel blinked as she protested in her head. Then the stars from all over the world entrancingly filled her sight.


    ¡®I can¡¯t live pretending I didn¡¯t see all these, Rhema.¡¯


    She took a deep breath and answered calmly.


    ¡°Yes, I will be a wizard.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s awesome!¡±


    Maylie looked at her with limpid eyes. Azriel smilingly continued.


    ¡°So I came to say goodbye, Maylie.¡±


    ¡°Goodbye? What goodbye?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving Colte soon. I wanted to say goodbye to you before¡­¡±


    ¡°W, where are you going? Are you going there to learn magic?¡±


    ¡°Modjankle.¡±


    Maylie dropped her jaw.


    ¡°Whoa, to the capital? Not somewhere like a magic castle in the forest?¡±


    ¡°Maylie, you read too many story books. It¡¯s not that you¡¯ve never seen a wizard before. What are you imagining?¡±


    ¡°Your master is a wizard who¡¯s really like he popped out of a book! He¡¯s too different from the wizards who are swamped with heavy workload in our territory¡¯s magic office.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    Azriel absolutely could not insist that Rhema was an ordinary wizard. Lost for words, she closed her mouth. Maylie, who gushed out words, began pondering upon something. Then she looked at Azriel with a determined face.


    ¡°I want to go to Modjankle, too.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re okay with it, I¡¯d like to work as your maid. Can I do that?¡±


    ¡°You want me to make you my maid? No way!¡±


    ¡°You are going to live in the capital. Don¡¯t you need to hire a maid?¡±


    ¡°We have the spirit, so we¡¯ll be fine. Also, we can¡¯t hire a maid in the house where the spirit freely roams around.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t send that spirit to the market.


    ¡°You¡¯re right but¡­ I can do that.¡±


    ¡°Why would you do it? You¡¯re the wizard¡¯s pupil. Leave it to me. I can run errands or serve you. Please?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine not served by anyone.¡±


    ¡°I want to do it!¡±


    Maylie passionately poured out.


    ¡°You know I¡¯m known to be pretty good at my job. I served that picky Lady Deborah pretty well, too. I know you well and I won¡¯t be surprised about the spirit, Ms. Blanchet, and Noor, Nouir¡­ What was it? Anyway, about that person either! I can do this!¡±


    ¡°But Maylie, I don¡¯t feel comfortable about hiring a friend as¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because I¡¯m your friend that I want to do this more. What I¡¯ve learned so far and what I do well is working as a maid. I want to repay you with this.¡±


    Maylie was serious. Her eyebrows were dropped.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need a wage. I didn¡¯t repay you properly for the earring incident either and I received a bigger favor this time. Please let me repay you, please? I don¡¯t want to say goodbye to you like this either¡­¡±


    She looked at Azriel with eyes like a whining dog. Azriel hesitated and let out a sigh.


    ¡°I will talk to Rhema about it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Azriel! I love you!¡±


    Maylie lightened up as if she received permission already and hugged Azriel. Azriel could not fully smile while she was hugging her back. It was because she remembered Hannah, who yelled at her to give her mom back, crying.

 CH 71

    That evening, Azriel sent communication to Rhema. It had been six years since she used communication magic as well as communicating with him. She nervously arranged mana.


    ¡°Esthera, Reshith.¡±


    Her mana fluctuated and called his mana. From afar, Rhema responded without delay.


    ¡°Azriel? What¡¯s going on?¡±


    [I have something to discuss, Rhema.]


    ¡°Tell me. I¡¯m listening.¡±


    Rhema answered to Azriel¡¯s voice tenderly that was heard through communication magic. While doing so, he slowly waved his hand. The bodies of the guards scattered in front of him gradually turned into sand starting from the tips of their feet. A man, who was holding on the handrail of the stairs watching that scene, turned pale.


    ¡°Oh, if you¡¯re talking about that girl¡­ I don¡¯t care. Do as you wish.¡±


    The white wizard¡¯s face was slightly frowned, but his voice did not show it at all. He gently continued.


    ¡°Yes. There are some people who might recognize familiar spirits and bother us. So, it¡¯d be much more convenient to have a maid.¡±


    Rhema tapped the bodies of the guards that had become sand with his foot. Then the wind blew and scattered the sand.


    ¡°You must care for that girl very much. Is she a precious friend?¡±


    He walked up the carpeted stairs in a slow manner. The man, who crouched holding the handrail, tried to run away, trembling, as he saw Rhema.


    However, his attempt did not succeed. The moment his eyes met the eyes of the white wizard, his body turned stiff and did not move. He could not voice himself either. The man could only roll his eyes overwhelmed by fear. Contrary to the grey eyes like a piece of metal toward the man, the voice came out of Rhema¡¯s mouth was kind.


    ¡°Of course. I¡¯m not going to make the same mistake. I don¡¯t want to see you cry again for that kind of occasion.¡±


    Where they were was a lobby of a luxurious mansion. The marble floor that used to be glossy without a speck of dust was now full of sand, which used to be people. All the guards who were protecting the mansion had become dust.


    ¡°If she¡¯s a precious person to you, I¡¯ll also treat her preciously. Don¡¯t worry about it, Azriel.¡±


    Rhema¡¯s expression changed after he took his eyes off the man. It was a faint but clear smile. The man holding the handrail felt chills on his back.


    The white wizard before his eyes appeared without a sound and killed the guards only with his gesture. And he turned the bodies into dust. There was no sign of hesitation or change in his expression. It was a cruel and overwhelming gesture. There was no stain or blood left on his white clothes. Such a monster was whispering gently like the fluff as he communicated.


    ¡°Yes, Azriel. I¡¯ll come to get you when the preparation is over. Good night.¡±


    Rhema, who finished his communication, looked back at the man. He murmured in a dry voice.


    ¡°You probably don¡¯t belong to the category of ¡®the people she knows.¡¯¡±


    He drew something in the air with his finger. Then the man¡¯s mouth, which could not let out his voice as if it was fully stuffed, opened and a loud moan came out.


    ¡°Argh, hpp, ugh, arrgghh!¡±


    ¡°The merchant organization you¡¯re running must¡¯ve traded a girl with black hair and golden eyes several years ago. Do you remember?¡±


    ¡°Y, y, you, w, wh, who¡­¡±


    Rhema moved his finger. The man¡¯s body was dragged before him and was knelt down. Petrified, the man looked up at Rhema.


    ¡®Is he a monster? A devil? What is he?¡¯ He thought frantically and thought of the legend of the Wizard of the Horizon all of a sudden. A tall, white wizard with silver hair, grey eyes, and a white robe. The closest being to God. No way. The man turned pale.


    ¡°I¡¯m talking about the ten-year-old girl with black hair and golden eyes, who is from a northern minority. Do you remember?¡±


    The man was the head of a largesl*ve merchant organization. Numeroussl*ves came and went in a day, and he did not usually remember individualsl*ves who were traded. However, he remembered the girl whom the white wizard was talking about. Several years ago, a married couple came to sell her.


    It was common for parents or relatives to sell children. However, it was uncommon for them to sell an unrelated child, saying that she was an orphan. He had a secret investigation to check if she was an illegitimate noble child or if she had a problem relating to inheritance quarrel. The result was that she was indeed a war orphan without anything special.


    The girl was outstandingly pretty with unique-colored eyes and of an ethnic minority, which made her a merchandise of special quality. So, he bought her at an expensive price. As soon as he bought her, he branded her with asl*ve mark and gave hersl*ve training.


    He thought she would be obedient for being young and quiet, but she gave him a hard time because she kept trying to run away. Eventually, he allowed whipping her, risking flaws on her. He could narrowly make her obedient only after whipping her several times. Afterwards, he sold her to another merchant organization.


    ¡®Can he be possibly related to that girl? Shoot, she was an orphan who should have no further trouble for certain! It¡¯s been years since then, too¡­!¡¯


    Rhema placed his hand on the forehead of the man who was stiffened like a log. His mana moved quietly, yet intensely like a strong current under the ice. The man felt inside of his head being stirred randomly. He wanted to writhe and scream but could not move at all.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Rhema¡¯s eyes turned cold after reading the man¡¯s memory. He was tracking down the people who traded Azriel, starting from the memory of Count Colte. All the people whom he found paid for it with their lives. There was no mercy for the wizard who cut off his emotion. Since he was out of the law of God, human laws were none of his concern.


    He pulled his hand off the man¡¯s forehead. The man¡¯s eyes were halfway rolled away. When Rhema gestured, his body twisted and crushed. Soon, the man¡¯s body was turned into sand and disappeared.


    Now, the married couple whom he entrusted Azriel as her guardians were the only ones left.

 CH 72

    Rhema had picked them very carefully. They were quasi-nobles who had lost their daughter who was about Azriel¡¯s age and had a good reputation around. He just did not notice the couple¡¯s greed.


    A strong force was put into his unintentionally clenched hands. His anger and guilt reacted with the mana in the air. Rhema left the mansion falling because of the wild mana around it.


    He almost did not feel emotions. Therefore, he reacted greatly to even a small emotion.


    A drop of different colored ink in an ink bottle would not show well. However, a drop of ink in a clear water would immediately dye the whole with its own color. He had not imagined the magic of cutting out emotions would result in this. He did not know because there were not many things that could shake him despite living for a long time.


    A drop of affection he felt for Azriel Esthera had dyed him completely. The color that he narrowly managed to dilute by forcibly pulling her apart turned thick straight back after he met her again. Rhema was aware of his state but could not stop nonetheless.


    He let out a lengthy breath and moved his feet. Before finding the guardian couple, he needed to buy a mansion in Modjankle for Azriel and entrust the interior to a dealer. He contemplated what kind of house she would like. He was slightly excited. Rhema headed to Modjankle with a faint smile on his face.


    *


    Modjankle, the capital of the Kingdom of Aucandor, was an old city with the Antara River to the south and the Nordic Mountains to the north.


    Around the river were the lowlands and as it became higher northward where the mountains were, the royal palace lied at the highest place as if it was looking down the city. The city walls that surrounded the entire Modjankle looked antique rather than worn-out as it had naturally withstood the winds and waves of time.


    At the outskirts of the walls, there was a train station. The train and tracks were new, but the engine that moved it was the legacy of the old magic civilization. The mana engine that was easily over hundreds of years still ran smoothly today. The magic and techniques of today could not mimic that engine. It was even difficult to understand its mechanism. The best people could do was to find out its use and directions for use.


    At the magnificent main entrance of the city, a unicorn running on the waves, the symbol of the Modjankle royal family, was engraved. This entrance did not open except for special occasions. Instead, to the left and right of the entrance, gates were always open. A team of guards was always there for security checks. Countless people and carriages went in and out of the gates. People came out of the train also headed toward the gates.


    Azriel and Rhema did not go through the gate. They came to Modjankle from the territory of Colte by teleport magic. Where they arrived was a lonesome alley where it was not seen by people.


    Beyond the shady back of buildings and roofs, the royal palace standing tall was seen. The palace with pointy roofs colored with the color of the sea shined in pearly color under the sun. At the top of the roofs was the flag embroidered with the royal arms fluttering.


    ¡°Whoa.¡±


    Azriel quietly exclaimed. She looked out the shady alley. There were many people on the streets where well-carved stones were laid. Within a brief moment, a boy who was running with a bundle of newspapers in his hands, a gentleman with a pipe in his mouth and a cane, noble women wearing feather-decorated hats, a knight in a black uniform with a sword on his waist, and a girl carrying a flower basket passed by.


    She could hear the rolling wheels of a carriage and the clatter of horses¡¯ hoofs. Subtle chiming sounds coming from a temple were also heard in-between.


    Azriel walked out the alley as if she was possessed, forgetting that she was holding Rhema¡¯s hand for teleport magic. Rhema, who unconsciously tried to grasp her hand that was slipping out of his hand, was startled and let her go.


    She headed toward the sun-drenched street full of people. Rhema watched her back from the dark alley. Then he moved his steps following her.


    Azriel stood by the main road and busily looked around the city. Modjankle was the first big city she saw. What she imagined reading the book or what she saw in pictures were clearly different from what she witnessed with her own eyes. Flashy and tall buildings made her feel even sorry to compare with Colte, wide streets, people and carriages that filled those streets, and the royal palace with blue roofs that was looking down the entire scenery from a height¡­


    ¡°This is a wonderful city¡­¡±


    ¡°This city flourished even in ancient times, though it was not called Modjankle back then.¡±


    Wearing the hood over his head, Rhema started walking ahead of her. Azriel followed him with short and quick steps.


    ¡°Have you been here many times, Rhema? Even back then?¡±


    ¡°Yes. There were more people back then than now.¡±


    ¡°More than this? Wow.¡±


    There were too many people in the streets. Afraid of losing him, she clung to him first and then held his arm. And she began chatting with a raised voice excitedly.


    ¡°It would¡¯ve been hard to walk properly if there were more people then. I¡¯ve never seen so many people before¡­¡±


    Rhema looked down at her blankly. When her eyes met his, Azriel was startled and pulled herself away from him.


    ¡®What did I just do?¡¯


    She unconsciously clung to him like she used to do when she went out with Rhema in her childhood. She was close to him back then. However, her relationship with him now was not the same. The memory of being abandoned once and six years of gap flowed between them, including what happened at Hanora Village and the secrets that he was not telling her.


    Even though she was genuinely thankful for him, and she was determined to become a wizard and jump into those secrets because of that, she could no longer treat him as she used to when she was young.

 CH 73

    Rhema stared at Azriel who was a few steps away from him. He seemed to think similar to her. Looking down at his arm that Azriel held on to, he slowly spoke with a still face.


    ¡°Even if we stay together again, it wouldn¡¯t be the same as those days.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I wanted to preserve those days forever if possible.¡±


    ¡°¡­ I also wanted it to be that way, Rhema.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it was me who ended it like that,¡± he stayed silent for a moment and murmured, ¡°we can¡¯t go back¡­ It¡¯s not a bad feeling.¡±


    Azriel was startled by his words. It was not a bad feeling¡ª What was? The way he ended things like that? Was he satisfied not being able to go back to that time?


    ¡®No, he must not mean that.¡¯


    She denied what came to her mind immediately. She did not want to misunderstand him. Thoughts would turn negative the more she contemplated over them alone. She asked him right away because Rhema would be fine if he was asked straightforward questions.


    ¡°Why do you feel that way all of a sudden?¡±


    ¡°Though it wouldn¡¯t be the days I wanted to preserve, I will still be happy.¡±


    He smiled. It was a faint smile that barely raised the tip of his mouth, with his eyes narrowed only a little.


    ¡°Since a very long time until a recent date, my life has barely changed. I never wanted it to change,¡± he continued.


    He could not allow it to change. It was because the long and slow life that continued without a change made him endure it.


    ¡°Despite that, I didn¡¯t dislike the changes you made. The time I spend with you must be more valuable than other times.¡±


    It would be the time that is hard to earn and maintain and that is not as long and would end quickly the more he rejoiced, Rhema murmured to himself inside. The way he looked at her was soft and gentle.


    How much weight would a valuable thing have to the Wizard of Horizon who could have anything? Azriel was lost for words. She looked at him who had a faint smile on, for a while and narrowly managed to open her mouth.


    ¡°Rhema¡ª You speak in a way that¡¯s easy for others to misunderstand. You almost got me wrong again.¡±


    ¡°What misunderstanding?¡±


    ¡°What you just said¡ª It sounded like you were happy to have ended things that way.¡±


    His eyes were slightly widened. Then he fiddled with his lip.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Azriel. I didn¡¯t know it sounded that way.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright because I now know you didn¡¯t mean that.¡±


    Rhema seemed to have lived almost without getting along with people. No wonder he was not used to having conversations with others.


    ¡®He sounded okay when he explained about magic though.¡¯


    Unlike Azriel who smiled and said it was fine, Rhema was not going to let it pass like this. He turned his eyes toward her from the air.


    ¡°I will fix it.¡±


    ¡°What? No, It¡¯s really fine. Besides, I didn¡¯t actually misunderstand you.¡±


    ¡°But it means you can misunderstand me.¡±


    ¡°I will know the truth soon if I ask you. I won¡¯t misunderstand you. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    ¡°Azriel, I¡ª¡± Rhema, who was going to continue, hesitated. It seemed that he was choosing his words carefully before speaking. ¡°I always want to know your opinions, thoughts, emotions, and such but I¡¯m not good at figuring those things out. So, you need to talk to me frequently¡ª I mean, if you have to think about what I mean and consider the real intention, it means you¡¯re in a state of tension, then you¡¯ll feel uncomfortable and you¡¯ll¡ª¡±


    She was not sure what he was trying to say. Rhema, who was rambling on, closed his mouth when he saw Azriel¡¯s blank face. Then he began to agonize again. Seeing him struggling as he tried, Azriel felt like laughing. Rhema was struggling, what in the world.


    ¡°So Rhema, what you mean is that you want me to speak to you comfortably and you¡¯d like to correct the way of speaking. Is that it?¡± she spoke as she chuckled for a moment.


    ¡°Yes.¡± He, who answered her hesitantly, added in a low voice. ¡°I hope that speaking to me would be would be enjoyable for you, Azriel. That way, I can have conversations with you more often.¡±


    Azriel felt strange hearing him speak such words straightforwardly and seriously. She repeatedly realized how much he valued her. And the more she realized it, the more she wanted to know why he abandoned her and said that he would kill her someday.


    ¡°¡­ It¡¯s enough that you think of it that way.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not enough, Azriel. I¡¯ll give it a try,¡± Rhema moved his steps again. Walking behind him, Azriel asked. ¡°Well, how much more do we have to walk?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll arrive there soon.¡±


    When they passed the bridge on the can*l, a street where huge mansions were gathered. As if it were an area where nobles lived, there were not a lot of people seen except for the people who looked like servants. Several carriages bearing the arms of a family passed by.


    Looking at the direction where Rhema was heading, Azriel was shook. She saw a mansion that was a half time bigger and much more luxurious than other mansions.


    ¡°Rhema.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°It can¡¯t be that place, is it?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± he shook his head when he saw the mansion she pointed to.


    ¡°That¡¯s great, that place is a little¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s that place, Azriel.¡±


    Rhema pointed to the direction behind the mansion. Beyond the roof of the mansion, she could see a forest consisting of cypresses.


    ¡°There is a forest within the city! Is this a house in the forest?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a forest. It¡¯s a garden.¡±


    ¡°¡­ What?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯d be faster to cross it. Let me take your hand for a moment.¡±


    He stretched out his hand toward her. When Azriel put her hand on top of his, he lightly held hers and guided her.


    ¡°Reshith,¡± he let out his incantation.


    Azriel could see stars gathering below her and Rhema¡¯s feet. He stepped on to the mana as if he were stepping on the stairs. She also stepped on to the air as he guided her.


    ¡°Whoa¡ª¡±


    The mana that gathered underneath their feet, forming the staircase of wind, looked like a staircase made of the milky way to her. That staircase became a bridge that drew a smooth arch and continued to the cypress forest. She held his hand and held the hem of her skirt with the other hand and walked in the air. Her cheeks were flushed in red.

 CH 74

    ¡°What kind of magic is this? Flying magic?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an application of wind magic. It¡¯s better to use flying magic when you¡¯re alone, but if you need to fly with other people, it¡¯s simpler to apply wind magic.¡±


    ¡°The magic to make wind? Is it the conjuring I learned?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    Without her knowledge, they were above the cypress forest. Walking between the trees standing tall, she looked back. The stars that were in the place where they had passed were scattering away naturally.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that can be applied this way. Do you think I can do it, too?¡±


    ¡°Do you want to give it a try?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯d love to!¡± Azriel sparkled her eyes.


    Faintly smiling, Rhema explained it to her.


    ¡°Just form the wind that blows from below to above by limiting it within a range and repeat it.¡±


    ¡°How do you limit the range?¡±


    ¡°Like this¡­¡±


    Rhema slowly moved mana before her eyes. She carefully watched stars gathering and forming a figure.


    ¡°¡­ You make a frame first, pour in mana inside it, and embody it with wind.¡±


    Normally, it was magic that would have taken several days only to explain. However, to Azriel who could see mana, it was enough to show her a demonstration once. Azriel drew out stars that were swirling inside her body and tried arranging mana in the same form that Rhema showed her.


    ¡°Esthera.¡±


    She recited the spell. When the mana arranged like wind responded, it became wind. The invisible block of a stair was created next to Rhema¡¯s stairs, invisible likewise.


    ¡°Would this be the way?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It is perfect. Now, step on it.¡±


    Still holding his hand, Azriel stepped on to the stairs she made, a foot first and both feet after that. Then she let go of his hand and stood in the air by herself. Wind sturdily supported her feet. She could see a trail continuing in the forest underneath her feet.


    ¡°I did it, Rhema!¡±


    Azriel excitingly looked back at him. Rhema watched his hand that she let go of blankly and lifted his chin.


    ¡°Great job, Azriel. It¡¯s indeed an easy task for you. Now all you have to do is to make the same frame repeatedly.¡±


    ¡°Like you¡¯re building a staircase?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Azriel made another frame right underneath the wind block she was standing on. It was not as hard after trying it once. She tried making several frames at the same time. She felt as if she was drawing a bridge that connected constellations. It was fun. She called the name of her mana with her cheeks flushed.


    ¡°Esthera!¡±


    Stars responded as they twinkled. A staircase was formed to the beginning of the trail which was the end of the forest. The staircase consisting of mana was dazzling in golden light. It was laid next to Rhema¡¯s staircase which shined white. The sight was so beautiful that she regretted that she was the only one who could see it. It would be invisible for other people.


    ¡®No, Rhema can see it. Thought it must be in a slightly different form than mine¡­¡¯


    As soon as she thought so, Rhema spoke quietly.


    ¡°It¡¯s a dazzling golden staircase.¡±


    Azriel looked back at him delightedly.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this pretty? Do you also see it dazzle like gold?¡±


    ¡°Of course. It¡¯s because it¡¯s made out of your mana. My staircase would look white to you, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°Yes, the white stars as if you¡¯ve cut them out of a milky way¡ª¡± Azriel paused from answering him and vacantly murmured. ¡°¡­ Magic is so beautiful.¡±


    ¡°I think so as well. All magic is beautiful from the moment it is made to the moment it fades.¡±


    He said as he bent his eyes. He sounded very pleased. Azriel suddenly realized. Rhema must have watched the dazzling scenery formed by mana all alone until now. No one would have sympathized with him about something this beautiful. He must have accumulated the short feeling of regret that she just felt that nobody would be able to see it over such a long time.


    ¡®And I, too¡ª I wouldn¡¯t be able to share this experience with anyone if Rhema wasn¡¯t there.¡¯


    It was a strange feeling. Azriel shook her head and began carefully stepping down the stairs. When she moved her feet, Rhema, who was waiting for her, also moved. It was the invisible staircase that continued from the top of the tree to the trail. She stretched her arm and walked as she sweeped the branches right next to her.


    There was especially a lot of mana in the forest. Whenever branches shook, mana fluctuated and sprinkled sparkling light. It looked like snow that had piled up was scattering as it collapsed. She watched at it, mesmerized.


    ¡°Now we can see it. It¡¯s that place, Azriel.¡±


    She turned her head at Rhema¡¯s words. As soon as she turned toward the direction, her focus was scattered.


    ¡°That, that¡¯s¡ªEek!¡±


    Rhema caught her swiftly as she was unable to maintain the staircase and fell below. He supported her with one arm and let her step down on a narrow path.


    ¡°Th, thank you. Rhema, you¡¯re quite strong.¡±


    ¡°You are too skinny, Azriel. You should eat well.¡±


    ¡°By the way Rhema, is it that place? That¡¯s not a house¡­ but a castle.¡±


    Azriel spoke, stupefied. When they got out of the forest, she could see a castle by a little lake. The castle with a light beige-colored stone body and a pointy navy roof was casting its romantic reflection on the surface of the water. It was indeed a beautiful castle that could have popped out of a fairy tale, but was this a house? She had said that she did not need a flashy house, thinking that Rhema would get an enormous house close to a castle, but did not think that he had actually arranged a castle instead. Bewitched halfway, she murmured to herself.


    ¡°Oh my! I had no idea there was a castle and a lake within the city¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a castle in the city. I couldn¡¯t find a house that I liked among the ones in the market now in Modjankle, so I found one from another place.¡±


    ¡°From another place? Did you connect this place to Modjankle with magic somehow?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it is dragon eye magic. This is where another mansion was originally. I made it connect to the castle so that we get to the castle instead of the mansion once you enter the garden.¡±


    ¡°This forest is the garden that belonged to the mansion that was here? How big the garden must¡¯ve been¡ª But that wasn¡¯t enough for you. My word.¡±


    She had noticed that there was exceptionally a lot of mana in the forest, but the scale of this place was way too extreme.

 CH 75

    ¡°¡­ Then where is this castle located?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an empty castle in the eatern area of Khu Kingdom.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t Khu Kingdom a nation beyond the Talasin Empire? It¡¯s awfully far away! How on earth did you get that far and arranged a castle?¡±


    ¡°It came to be as I was looking for a suitable castle that had a lake on its side.¡±


    ¡°Did it have to be a castle with a lake?¡±


    ¡°There are not many locations that are apt like a lake to practice different kinds of magic.¡±


    ¡°A lake? Is it because of the magic related to water?¡±


    ¡°That can be a reason, but a lake is convenient to practice large scale magic. It has a wide surface that doesn¡¯t have any obstacles and you wouldn¡¯t make a hill and dale. Since it¡¯s water underneath, there is also a less chance of getting injured.¡±


    He chose a castle with a lake because it was suitable to practice magic. It was a reason she did not expect.


    ¡®He really is going to teach me magic properly.¡¯


    He did not seem to like the idea, but he was going to try his best since Azriel wanted it. She was very thankful that he arranged a place considering such things.


    ¡°I see. It¡¯s all for the sake of magic training¡ª but you don¡¯t necessarily need a castle, do you? It could¡¯ve been a house by a lakeside.¡±


    ¡°I remembered that you used to like castles like this. Don¡¯t you like it? If you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll find a new place.¡±


    ¡°Wait a minute, did I like this kind of a castle?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you remember?¡±


    Azriel looked back at the picturesque castle and something suddenly came to her mind.


    ¡®There was a picture book that has a similar castle drawn in it.¡¯


    She liked the picture book the most among the books she read to learn alphabets when she was young. She read it time after time.


    ¡®I liked the pretty pictures but I especially liked the story.¡¯


    It was a story of an ordinary girl who was raised in love by her family and rescues a cursed prince who was locked up in a castle, with the help of a wizard. She recalled that she used to lie down on her stomach and look at the pages where a picture was fully drawn on two pages. It was a picture of a girl who was heading to a castle by a lake.


    ¡°That picture book¡ª Do you still remember such things?¡±


    He laughed a little.


    ¡°I remembered it as I was thinking about what kind of a house you would like.¡±


    She vacantly looked at Rhema and looked back at the picturesque castle again. She felt strange once more. She felt like it was an illustration softly painted with pastel and watercolors. Soaked in the mood, Azriel hesitated. Rhema gently spoke.


    ¡°Tell me honestly if you don¡¯t like it. I can find a new place in two or three days.¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s very beautiful,¡± shaking her head hastily, she replied.


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. Then¡ª¡±


    ¡°Um, but isn¡¯t a castle too much? It¡¯s not that a lot of people will live there¡­¡±


    ¡°Since you¡¯re not a young child anymore, I thought it¡¯d be better to have a big place. It¡¯s not even a big castle, either.¡±


    ¡°No, this is huge! It¡¯s huge enough that Maylie and I won¡¯t be able to clean it even if we cleaned it all day long.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. We can make a spirit dwell in here.¡±


    ¡°A spirit? Are you going to make a spirit like the one in your house? Can it manage a castle this big alone?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I can create one based on that castle. A spirit¡¯s nature is determined by where it¡¯s born,¡± he thought for a moment and added. ¡°It¡¯d be great if you try making one yourself, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°I can make the spirit of that castle?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s quite useful if you learned how to make a spirit. It shouldn¡¯t be a hard task for you.¡± He said it casually and headed to the castle.


    Following him from behind, Azriel reminded herself of what she learned about spirits when she was young. Originally, spirits were a lump of mana that naturally formed after mana inhabited a natural object and went beyond a critical point. Once it went beyond the critical point, it would naturally cluster together and form. A spirit that was born like that became a being that would reflect the nature of the natural object it was born in or the nature of the mana that had been stagnant.

 CH 76

    Commonly, spirits were born in such things as the lake or pond, a huge rock, an old tree. The mana accumulated over a long period of time would become a spirit. Occasionally, if mana was excessively focused in a short period of time, it would be born in a flower, bonfire, and a thunderbolt. Thus, spirits were born naturally but not created artificially.


    It was impossible for humans to make them artificially. Excluding all the miscellaneous problems, it was impossible to pour in the amount of mana beyond a critical point in the first place. At least it was written so in the books that Azriel had read. It was so in the books that she saw while translating Limble into Lemm and in the books that she saw in Rhema¡¯s study when she was young.


    ¡®Come to think of it, the books that Rhema had were different in content as other magic-related books.¡¯


    Anyway, a spirit is not something one could easily say to make.


    ¡°Rhema, isn¡¯t it impossible for humans to make spirits?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s usually so, but not to us.¡±


    The ¡®us¡¯ he mentioned must be the wizards with the dragon eye. They had arrived at the main entrance of the castle already. Rhema pushed the entrance open and stepped aside so that she could enter first.


    ¡°First, let¡¯s go to a place near the center of the castle. We need to create the spirit near the center of the place where it will dwell.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡ª¡± Azriel barely took her eyes off the high ceiling where a chandelier that felt magnificent was. ¡°But by saying ¡®us¡¯¡ª Do you mean the dragon eye makes it possible to create a spirit?¡±


    ¡°No, more than that¡ª¡±


    Crossing the lobby, they headed to the corridor. Between pillars that were connected by an arch, a courtyard was visible. Buds that would bloom in full soon and green sprouts filled the garden.


    ¡°¡­ the dragon eye is, like spirits, a phenomenon caused by the mana that went beyond the critical point. Therefore, all wizards with the dragon eye have mana more than enough to go beyond the critical point to form a spirit.¡±


    Azriel, who was looking at the courtyard, was surprised and looked at him. Rhema was walking ahead of her, not looking back.


    ¡°That dragon eye¡ª Aren¡¯t you just born with it by chance?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s of course close to chance, but there is a reason for that chance.¡±


    When they passed the corridor, a huge hall with a dome ceiling appeared. The colored glass was reflected on the glossy marble floor.


    ¡°People who inherited the legacy of the primal dragon are born a wizard. When that legacy, the mana one is born with reaches the critical point far beyond the average level¡ª¡±


    They arrived at the corridor across the hall. Another courtyard with a fountain appeared.


    ¡°¡­ the dragon eye is formed in the human eye when he¡¯s still a fetus in the mother¡¯s womb. And he is born a dragon eye wizard.¡±


    ¡°Then by any chance¡­ Is a child with the dragon eye born when you pour mana in when it is still in the womb according to the principle of creating the spirit?¡±


    It was a shape question. Rhema hesitated. He answered as he took his steps again.


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible. First of all, it¡¯s impossible to pour in the amount of mana enough to form the dragon eye, and even if it¡¯s possible, the baby can¡¯t be born properly.¡±


    ¡°You mean it¡¯s going to have a stillbirth?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s similar because it won¡¯t be a human.¡±


    It was a horrifying story. After hesitating for a moment, Azriel asked.


    ¡°How do you know that? Have you tried it before?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t done it myself, but I¡¯ve seen a result of an experiment.¡±


    ¡°¡­ An experiment?¡±


    ¡°It was foolish, horribly.¡±


    His voice was cold. Instead of explaining what kind of experiment it was, he explained a different thing.


    ¡°A dragon eye wizard is a being that can¡¯t be created artificially. To begin with, it is impossible for one person to inherit the amount of the legacy to form the dragon eye.¡±


    ¡°What? You said if one is born with mana beyond the critical point, he will be a dragon eye wizard, earlier.¡±


    ¡°Right, but I mean that such a large amount of mana would not dwell in one person naturally.¡±


    ¡°If they can¡¯t be created artificially and can¡¯t be born with such a large amount of mana naturally, then how are dragon eye wizards born?¡±


    ¡°Azriel, you said you had a twin brother.¡±


    ¡°¡­ Yes.¡±


    ¡°I also had a twin sister¡ª a very long time ago.¡±


    ¡°You were a twin, too, Rhema?¡±


    It was a random story and the truth that she had never expected. However, she recalled a memory as soon as she heard those words.


    ¡°Azriel, the fact that you¡¯re a wizard means that your other twin is never a wizard.¡±

 CH 77

    It was what Rhema said to Azriel when she was seven. He said that she would learn naturally when she learned more magic in the future. Azriel stopped walking. Rhema, who stopped before the fountain in the middle of the courtyard, turned back toward her.


    ¡°If twins in the same womb both inherit enormous mana, all mana would be drawn to the more suitable due to the cohesion of the mana.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying that the mana is drawn to one of the twins?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It doesn¡¯t occur to the twins who do not look alike. It also doesn¡¯t occur to the twins with the same gender on top of resembling each other. It¡¯s an extremely rare phenomenon that occurs when both of the twins of the same face with different genders inherit the legacy.¡±


    She also knew that there were different types of twins. Normally, twins with different s*xes resembled each other to the level of ordinary brother and sister. Resembling each other to the point where people would misunderstand them as the same person was only possible for twins of the same-gender.


    However, in a very rare case, twins of different genders with the same appearance would be born. He and Benhiram were of that case. They had the same face, black eyes, and golden eyes. The only difference was their gender. Even that was not very obvious when they were young, so they looked like same-gender twins if one did not look at them closely.


    ¡°Perhaps the very fine difference of being almost the same but not in completion causes this phenomenon. The side that bears the mana of two portions would open the dragon eye. Dragon eye wizards can only be born normally in this case.¡±


    ¡°Then, the other one is¡ª¡±


    ¡°It will be born as a human without a drop of mana. Thus, all dragon eye wizards are twins, Azriel. Just like you and me.¡±


    Azriel felt as if her head was turning blank. She recalled the events from her childhood when she did not have a name, which were uselessly vivid.


    ¡°This thing needs to die quickly. You are a parasite sucking up your brother¡¯s luck.¡±


    The words that her parents said. The words that she was a curse sticking to her brother. She believed them when she did not have any knowledge. However, after she was grown a little, she considered it a superstition unique to an ethnic minority group. However, according to Rhema¡¯s words now¡ª Turning pale, Azriel murmured.


    ¡°Was I born a dragon eye wizard because I robbed my brother of his mana?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that you robbed him, but mana was absorbed by you. Perhaps you had a more suitable constitution for mana.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the same thing whether I robbed him or absorbed mana out of him¡ª¡±


    She felt nauseous. Azriel covered her mouth and lowered her head. Benhiram was the only person who was kind to her. He was the only one who named her and called her as well and the only family.


    ¡°You are nothing like a curse but my sister.¡±


    How did her brother die who said such kind words? When the village was burned due to war, Azriel survived with Benhiram and ran away. Following a flock of refugees, the siblings stayed in the back alley of some city. The life of young twins without guardians in war was no different than the life of gutter rats. Those were the days that they would sleep in-between trashes and corpses, shivering. In spite of that, it was endurable as they were together. Holding each other¡¯s hands, they narrowly survived.


    Then one late night, flames burst from everywhere. The huge fire lightened the night as the bright day. Sounds of horses¡¯ hoops rang the streets. Despairs and screams mixed with the sound of arms rose to the sky. Guided by her brother, she ran. Her bare feet were already full of blood.


    ¡°Quick, quick!¡±


    Azriel used to be called a cursed child and beaten. So, she had never eaten proper foods except the ones that Benhiram shared with her. Because of that, she and he had very different body sizes even though they were born on the same day and time and it was before the difference between two genders were beginning to show. She, who was way smaller and thinner than Benhiram, could not run as fast as him.


    ¡°W, wait a minute, Benhiram, I¡ª¡±


    She was already exhausted and panting. Benhiram rushingly pulled her.


    ¡°Hurry! We need to get out of here!¡±


    She, who was staggering, could not manage the force that pulled her and tumbled to the front.


    ¡°Argh!¡±


    ¡°Ramhita!¡±


    Benhiram called his sister¡¯s name that he gave her. Pulling her up, he nervously looked back. Screaming sounds were getting closer. Azriel got up right away, but she could not walk properly at all.


    ¡°Urgh¡­¡±


    Her ankle ached. She must have injured it as she fell. She, who took a few steps limping, let go of her brother¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Benhiram, go.¡±


    Benhiram¡¯s face was distorted at once. He tried to carry her on his back. Azriel pushed him away.


    ¡°I can¡¯t run anymore. Just go, quickly.¡±


    She stepped back faltering. Benhiram looked around hectically. He soon found a corpse laying randomly on a pile of trash.


    ¡°Come here, Ramhita.¡±


    Benhiram pushed away the corpse and cleared out all the trash that he could grab.


    ¡°I said just go!¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    After throwing away rags that were mixed with muddy filth and stones, he could find a space. He pulled Azriel.


    ¡°Get in here.¡±


    The space was narrow. It was only big enough to hide one person even for little children.


    ¡°What about you?¡±


    ¡°Just get in quickly.¡±


    Pushing Azriel into the pile of trash, Benhiram blocked the front with a huge basket weaved with straw. He roughly hid it by covering the top with trash.


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll hide here. You should run away quickly, okay?¡±


    ¡°Be quiet. I said I¡¯m not going!¡±


    Benhiram crouched down in front of her. He pulled the heavy corpse with all his might and covered his body with it. Azriel could hear him breathing heavily from the basket.


    ¡°What are you going to do?¡± she said as she grabbed the basket.


    ¡°There¡¯s another place to hide here. I can hide, too¡ª Shush, they¡¯re coming,¡± haunching his body tightly, Benhiram whispered.

 CH 78

    ¡°Cover your mouth with your hands. Don¡¯t even make a breathing sound until it gets quiet. Can you do it?¡±


    Covering her mouth with both hands as Benhiram said, Azriel nodded. Even beyond the basket, he smiled small as if he knew that she nodded, ¡°I am your brother. I will protect my sister.¡±


    The boy, who murmured as if to swear, breathed quietly after covering himself with a corpse. Not long after that, she could hear sounds of armor and horses¡¯ hoofs. Rough voices conversed with each other.


    Azriel closed her eyes. As if they would not see her if she did, she shut her eyes tightly with all her might. The smell of a corpse mixed with the stink of trash, the feeling of muddy filth, the sound of Benhiram¡¯s breaths beyond the basket, and the clinking of armors that were nearing¡ª Her heart was pounding as if it was going to crush.


    They hid pretty well for being children, but they were inevitably clumsy. The knights who discovered the trail of things having been dug up from the floor and the pile of trash approached.


    ¡°Is there a rat here?¡±


    A long spear penetrated into the corpses. The edge of the spear grazed Benhiram¡¯s cheek and penetrated into the basket, sticking in around Azriel¡¯s feet.


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    Azriel almost screamed but managed to stop the urge by covering the mouth with both hands. After stopping to breathe, she slightly opened her eyes. Light poured in through the weaved basket. The knights who lifted up a corpse that they penetrated with their spear discovered Benhiram who was haunching down.


    ¡°Urgh, it¡¯s a little child.¡±


    ¡°The order is to eradicate. There¡¯s no exception.¡±


    A knight coldly replied to the other¡¯s murmur. She could hear the sounds of a quiet conversation, clanking, and a swish as if a sword was taken out, horses¡¯ heavy breathing, armors clashing with each other and then¡ª


    ¡°Arrrgh!¡±


    It was Benhiram¡¯s scream.


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    Azriel grabbed and moved the basket away without even thinking, and pressed her mouth recalling her brother¡¯s warning not to make a sound. Her head spinned because she held her breaths for a long time but she could not dare to breathe.


    She heard something collapsing followed by someone¡¯s gasp and groan. Again, the sound of rumbling, crunching, and something falling was heard. After that, the sound of horses¡¯ hoofs gradually grew further away.


    Azriel stayed there only breathing through her nose for a long time. Smell of blood reeked. Ominous hunch rose from the tip of her feet like a bug. Her face, which was still covered by her hands, became wet with tears. Suppressing her tears, she managed to withstand the time. She pushed away the basket and crawled out only after the surroundings turned completely dark.


    ¡°Benhiram?¡±


    In the dirty street, she saw something like a stagnant puddle. Since it was dark, she could not see clearly. As she got close, the smell of blood grew heavier. Her hand that pushed the ground was wet. She lifted her hand to see it in the moonlight. It was red.


    ¡°Blood¡ª¡± She could not breathe. Trembling, she crawled on the puddle. She groped in search of her brother and something was caught at the tip of her hand. ¡°Benhiram!¡±


    It felt cold and horrifying that it even felt scary. However, it was indeed her brother¡¯s arm. Azriel pulled it without thinking.


    ¡°Benhiram, no¡­¡±


    The body which was supposed to be at the edge of it was no longer there. Only lumps of blood were scattered in the puddle of blood, ¡°Aaahhhh!¡± she screamed and probably passed out. She became alone like that.


    ¡®If I didn¡¯t take Benhiram¡¯s mana, if he were a wizard instead of me, he wouldn¡¯t have died like that,¡¯ she thought. ¡®I must¡¯ve been a real curse to him. I took away his mana and life¡ª¡¯


    Azriel covered her mouth, panting. Her sight turned blurry.


    ¡°Azriel?¡± Rhema approached her. Long and graceful hand lifted her chin. ¡°Are you crying?¡±


    Discovering the tears in her eyes, he was shook. Azriel bit her lips and tried not to cry. Rhema opened his mouth, closed his mouth, opened his mouth again, blinked a few times, and barely spoke.


    ¡°¡­You were merely more outstanding than him. It¡¯s not that you absorbed your twin¡¯s mana because you wanted it. You don¡¯t have to feel guilty about it, Azriel.¡±


    Those were reasonable words. However, her emotion could not be convinced by logic.


    ¡°But if he were a wizard, he might not have died,¡± Azriel whispered in a tearful voice.


    At last, a streak of tears went down her cheek. Her tear touched his hand which was holding her chin. Rhema vacantly looked at it. Then, he slowly spoke.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make such a meaningless assumption. Does it change anything? You and I both did not choose to be born this way.¡±


    ¡°Rhema?¡±


    ¡°But we can still choose how we live. So, instead of wasting time, try harder and be the best wizard, so I can boast that my mana has made that great wizard.¡±


    ¡°Those words¡ª¡±


    ¡°This is what my sister told me a long time ago, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°Your twin sister?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Her tears stopped. She steadily went over those words. Agonizing and blaming herself would change nothing. Since she received the mana anyway, it was better to utilize it rather than letting it rot, blaming herself. It could be an ordinary saying, but since it came out from someone who experienced it first handedly, it became quite special.


    ¡®What would Benhiram say?¡¯


    She imagined with an aching heart. Benhiram, her kind brother, smiled, sparkling his golden eyes in her imagination.


    ¡®It¡¯s unfair for me to have it all. It¡¯s the portion you need to have rightly.¡¯


    Benhiram she knew would probably say that. He was always sorry for her that he was the only one with a name and was loved.

 CH 79

    Her emotions that had surged up slowly calmed down. She looked up at Rhema.


    ¡®Rhema had the same agony in a similar state of mind as me. That probably is why Rhema¡¯s sister said those words.¡¯


    ¡°Is your sister not here anymore? Just like my brother?¡±


    ¡°She was an ordinary person. She died a very long time ago.¡±


    He suddenly felt very close. Generally, he had the sense of strangeness with him as if he was standing on the outside of the fence, but she did not feel that at all.


    ¡°When you lost your sister, did you cry, too? I cried my eyes out when my brother was gone.¡±


    ¡°I am not sure. I don¡¯t remember it since it¡¯s been too long.¡±


    ¡°Did you grieve a lot?¡±


    ¡°I probably did.¡±


    ¡°You probably did? Weren¡¯t you close to each other?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure about that either.¡±


    ¡°You must¡¯ve been close for sure. Look at you, still remembering what she said like this.¡±


    ¡°¡­I see. We probably were.¡±


    Rhema¡¯s face was dry as if he was not sad at all. Nonetheless, Azriel was confident that he must have grieved very much. She leaned her cheek on his hand which was wrapping her face.


    ¡°You must¡¯ve been comforted by those words, Rhema.¡±


    Rhema felt her temperature through the hand that was touching her face. From the tip of his hand, warmth was spread. He felt tingly as if it suddenly became warm from the cold. He replied with a blank face.


    ¡°Yes. It seemed like I was comforted by them¡ª So, I also wanted to deliver it to you.¡±


    ¡°¡­Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Did it help?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± She smiled slightly. She thought that it was a good thing that she decided to learn magic. ¡°I should study magic harder. I can¡¯t let my brother¡¯s mana go to waste.¡±


    Rhema looked down at Azriel with his narrowed eyes and took off his hand. Then he pulled the sleeve of his robe and wiped the tears left around her eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad that you are not crying anymore.¡±


    It was a gentle voice with a tender touch. She felt like he was trying to treat her like a child, and as she felt embarrassed to realize that she had sobbed before him as her head became clear, she blushed.


    ¡°I, I¡¯m alright now. By the way, how do you make a spirit? Is this the center of the castle?¡±


    ¡°Yes. This fountain is the center of the castle. Stand on this side,¡± Rhema let her change the subject.


    Azriel stood where Rhema was standing before he stepped aside for her. Water was falling from a sculpture of a chubby baby angel with a trumpet to the marble fountain.


    ¡°Open your dragon eye.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    She was able to see the mana making up the castle when she closed her eyes and opened again.


    ¡°Azriel, do you remember what ¡®composition mana¡¯ is?¡±


    She learned it when she was little. She nodded and answered.


    ¡°It is the basic building block of the world. Without composition mana, every living and nonliving thing will turn into dirt since it is the mana that composes all things. Everyone owns composition mana even if they are not naturally born with mana. Wizards do not use composition mana but surplus mana that they are born with.¡±


    ¡°Perfect. You really do not forget what you saw once.¡±


    As she spoke, Azriel recalled the Colt Castle that turned into dirt. Azriel asked, turning her head toward Rhema.


    ¡°Is the magic you used to destroy the Colt Castle also related to composition mana?¡±


    ¡°Correct. As a matter of fact, I did not use magic. I just dominated composition mana.¡±


    ¡°What? I thought we are not able to use composition mana.¡±


    ¡°In principle, yes.¡±


    In principle, composition mana was not something people could utilize.


    ¡®He said that the more we use dragon eye magic, the more we¡¯d go against the principle of the world. Is that why he could use composition mana, too?¡¯


    Without explaining more, Rhema pointed at the fountain.


    ¡°Azriel, pay attention to the flow of composition mana that makes up this castle, centered around this fountain.¡±


    She took a close look around the fountain. She had already learned how to distinguish the stars filling up the surroundings before. She paid attention to the mana making up the castle instead of the natural mana in the air. Soon, she realized what Rhema was asking.


    ¡°Composition mana is flowing around that area. Is that why this is the center of this place?¡±


    ¡°You are right. Once you find the center, the rest is very simple. You just need to keep pouring mana until you hit the critical point. Try to pour it slowly. Otherwise, it will crush from the impact.¡±


    ¡°How can you tell if you¡¯ve hit the critical point?¡±


    ¡°As soon as you hit it, a spirit will be born, so you won¡¯t have to distinguish it separately. Just be careful not to crush it.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I will try.¡±


    She slowly poured her mana into the stars that were composing the center. She started out as if she was adding a drop of mana, then two and three drops, and increased the amount of mana slowly. Her mana started to fill the castle, and golden stars were placed among taupe and beige stars. The castle gradually changed to a castle of gold.


    ¡®It really takes a tremendous amount of mana.¡¯


    Finally, the pool of mana passed the threshold after pouring mana for a while. All of sudden, a ball of light spurt from the fountain right in front of Azriel.


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    It was a lump of light about the size of a fingernail. As it had received Azriel¡¯s mana, it glowed in gold.


    ¡°You succeeded on your first try, Azriel. This is the original form of a spirit.¡±


    ¡°Wow¡ª¡±


    She reached out to the ball of light as if she was possessed. The ball of light was bobbing up and down above her hand.


    ¡°It will eventually become a full spirit on its own even as time goes by, but I recommend that you complete it to have it submitted to you and work for you.¡±


    ¡°What should I do then?¡±


    ¡°Cover that light with your mana to fixate its form and recite your spell.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Azeriel tied up the ball of lights and whispered the incarnation. ¡°Esthera.¡±

 CH 80

    The lump of light became larger in a flash. It was now about the size of a fist. It wavered unstably for a short moment and soon took a round form like the light of a firefly. The spirit, now that its form was stabilized, floated to the air from Azriel¡¯s hand. Then it circled around her, blinking.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°The newborn spirit is trying to recognize the world. It¡¯s also a way to check who made it.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ I see.¡±


    As if to explore, the spirit tapped Azriel¡¯s forehead, cheek, and the tip of her nose. It was cute and tingly that she laughed in a small voice. Then the spirit burrowed into her hair. It dug up between her black hair and suddenly pulled it.


    ¡°Ouch!¡±


    ¡°Trying to play around the minute it¡¯s born, it¡¯s indeed a spirit,¡± Rhema clicked his tongue in a lone tone. Azriel narrowly caught the lump of light that continuously hid in her hair and pulled it out.


    ¡°My hair is not a toy, you little kid.¡±


    The spirit which had been struggling in her hand escaped through her fingers. It fluttered and flew and got on Azriel¡¯s shoulder. It tapped her hair again.


    ¡°I¡¯ll really get mad if you pull my hair again, okay?¡±


    When she warned it with an upset tone, it stayed quiet for a little while and began roaming around her arm, not being able to hold any longer. Her sleeve was pulled to different directions. Azriel shook her head, ¡°the one in your house was a quiet one.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a fairly old spirit.¡±


    She looked into the wavering spirit that was perching on her index finger.


    ¡°How can I name this guy?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to recommend giving it a name.¡±


    ¡°Come to think of it, the spirit you made doesn¡¯t have a name.¡±


    Did he say that it would be bothersome if a spirit gets personality? When Azriel tilted her head, the spirit floated before her nose and sparkled busily. It seemed like it was nagging her to give it a name.


    ¡°Will there be any other problem other than being bothersome when you give it a name?¡±


    ¡°There are no other problems, but it will be very noisy.¡±


    ¡°Wow, will it be able to talk, too?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s possible once its personality forms. And usually, spirits are quite talkative.¡±


    The lump of light was going to and fro between Azriel¡¯s eyes. Then it rubbed itself on her forehead as if it was acting charming. Its marvelousness and cuteness made her laugh.


    ¡®This is the first spirit I made, and I¡¯d like to hear it speak¡ª¡¯


    ¡°Umm, if it¡¯s just going to be talkative, then I¡¯d like to name it. Can I do that?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Since it¡¯s your spirit, you don¡¯t have to ask for my permission. If you teach the spirit its name and kiss it, its personality will be created. Try it.¡±


    ¡°Kiss it?¡±


    ¡°Mouth is where ¡®words¡¯ come out. It is also the most outstanding passage of mana. Putting one¡¯s mouth over another¡¯s is an original and old way of exchanging mana.¡±


    ¡°I see¡ª I¡¯ll try!¡±


    What would be a good name? There was something that just came to mind. It was the name of a fairy from a picture book. She held the spirit with her both hands and took it to her mouth.


    ¡°Your name is ¡®Brownie,¡¯¡± she whispered to the spirit that was spinning on the spot.


    She kissed it lightly. She felt her little bit of mana flowing to the spirit from her. Suddenly, the light of the spirit largely swayed and swelled. Inside the enlarged light, a faint childlike outline was formed. Then a voice resembling the ringing of a little bell came out.


    ¡°Brownie! It¡¯s a name, a name! I got a name! I have a name! My name is Brownie! What fun! Thank you, Esthera! Thank you!¡± Brownie said.


    Brownie circled around Azriel noisily, scattering golden sparks. Thanks to that, she looked like she was surrounded by gold dust.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you, Brownie,¡± she greeted the spirit, smiling.


    ¡°Yes! It¡¯s nice to meet you! It¡¯s very, very nice! It¡¯s the nicest in the world! Now, Brownie will take care of this castle! I¡¯ll do well! What can I do for a starter? What do you need now? Cooking? Cleaning? Laundering? Brownie can even bake cookies!¡± Its clinking voice rang her ears continuously. She felt all over the place. Bewildered, she shook her head.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t need anything right now¡ª¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need anything? That can¡¯t be! You made Brownie and there¡¯s nothing you need? That doesn¡¯t make sense! That¡¯s not fair! Esthera is not fair! Brownie is good at working! You just need to let me!¡± Brownie shrieked. Azriel involuntarily covered her ears. Rhema sighed quietly and grabbed the spirit that was circling around.


    ¡°Brownie, if you are the spirit of the castle, find out whatever is necessary for us on your own and act like a spirit.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t listen to anyone other than Esthera! Who are you?!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a person who¡¯s going to be living in this castle.¡±


    ¡°What? What? Is that so? Esthera, is that true? Is this strange person going to live with us?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not a strange person. It¡¯s Rhema. Rhema Reshith. He will be living with us in the castle,¡± as Azriel nodded her head, the spirit also nodded.


    ¡°I see! It¡¯s a person living with Esthera! It¡¯s someone who¡¯s going to live in Brownie¡¯s castle! Then it¡¯s fine! You can ask anything to Brownie!¡±


    ¡°We will be staying in the castle from today. Prepare it on your own.¡±


    ¡°Wow! From today? Right away? Wow! People! People are going to live here! There will be people in Brownie¡¯s castle! Leave it all up to me!¡±


    Rhema let go of the chatty spirit. Excited, Brownie circled around them about seven times and flew away.


    ¡°Brownie will do well! Anything will be done readily! I will make the most comfortable house for you!¡±


    With the voice furthering away, golden sparks were scattered behind it like a trace.

 CH 81

    ¡°¡­It¡¯s really noisy.¡±


    ¡°Yes, if you don¡¯t cut it off at a certain point, it will chat endlessly.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s cute,¡± Azriel smiled. Rhema stared at her and, noticing his attention, she looked back. ¡°What¡¯s going on, Rhema?¡±


    ¡°Because you smiled.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I feel happy when I see you smiling.¡±


    He spoke in a plain tone that was no different from when he explained about the spirit. As he said so, he smiled slightly. It was a smile that was still not complete, a smile in which only the tip of his mouth was raised a little. Azriel suddenly became curious to know how it would be like for him to smile largely.


    ¡°Your friend must have finished preparing to move by now. I will bring them and return with my familiar spirits. Take a rest in the meantime.¡±


    ¡°Okay. By the way, where is Maylie¡¯s house located? I heard that Blanchet was arranging a place for her. Is it close to here?¡±


    ¡°There is an outhouse in the backyard of this castle. I¡¯m giving that place to them.¡±


    It was quite surprising. Although it was an outhouse, Azriel did not expect that Rhema would want to live with other people.


    ¡°Is that okay for you? Wouldn¡¯t you feel uncomfortable?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a precious person to you, isn¡¯t she? I¡¯ll be back, Azriel.¡±


    Rhema, who spoke in a gentle tone, disappeared beyond the space. Azriel stood there for a while absent-mindedly. It probably did not mean that he was comfortable. He merely was keeping the promise that he would treat the people who were precious to her as preciously as well.


    ¡°¡­You are indeed a good person,¡± at least for her, Rhema Reshith was the best person compared to anyone in the world.


    *


    Before going to pick up his familiar spirits after dropping off Maylie¡¯s family to the outhouse, Rhema Reshith stopped by at some mansion in the outskirts of Modjankle. It was the mansion of Baron Reynolds.


    Baron and Baroness Reynolds who appeared in the capital several years ago had enormous wealth. The boy King who ascended the throne at the time did not have enough money as he was processing several reforms. The Reynoldses aided a tremendous amount of money to the royal family. That investment turned out to be very successful, so they were recognized for their service and received the position of Baron and Baroness. Now that the King who was a boy became an adult and his reign was stabilized, Reynolds had become a quite prominent family.


    Rhema walked in through the main entrance. The guards who were on duty at the entrance did not see him at all and yawned. He roamed around the mansion freely without being interrupted by anyone. And not long after that, he found the people whom he was looking for¡ªthe Reynolds couple, the guardians who took Azriel¡¯s fortune and sold her as asl*ve.


    ¡°My son, who do you look like that you turned out to be so handsome? Do you look like your dad?¡±


    ¡°Well, he looks so good because he looks like you, my love.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re too sweet.¡±


    The couple who were watching a boy who looked about five or six years old tenderly kissed. Rhema stood blankly near the door and watched the scene. His eyes stayed on the little child who was covered in a silk blanket.


    He had found the guardian couple to entrust Azriel with a very delicate standard. Among married couples who had a good reputation, were sophisticated, and were not overly high in class, he picked several ones who had lost their daughter recently. The Reynolds couple were on that list. Coming from noble collateral lines, they were quasi-aristocrats. They were not too wealthy but always practiced charity. The misfortune that occurred to them was an epidemic. They lost their young daughter during it, and the wife became barren as an aftereffect. In spite of all that, they still loved each other. They only grieved for a while but they had been living diligently after that. Rhema watched them closely for several days and appeared before them as the Wizard of the Horizon.


    ¡°I will grant one of your wishes. Instead, I¡¯d like you to take care of a girl.¡±


    They accepted Rhema¡¯s suggestion. What they wished for was to cure the wife¡¯s infertility. Rhema granted their wish with one spell. He also gave them the wealth that would feed them sufficiently for their lifetime. He did not simply give to them all at once. Using a merchant organization and bank, he tied a large amount to Azriel and let them receive quite an amount constantly while taking care of her. He also warned them about the wish he granted them.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t keep your promise, the wish I granted you will turn into a curse.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We will serve that lady better than anyone.¡±


    That was what they said, but how dare they! Rhema gazed at the little child with cold eyes. While he was searching for the Reynolds couple and going through people¡¯s memories, he could learn roughly what happened.


    The couple was greedy by nature. However, they were smart enough not to show that greed recklessly. They could control themselves to a moderate degree. They had not planned to break their promise right away from the beginning, but as the infertility was cured and when they conceived a precious child that they thought they would never have, their hearts changed. They wanted to raise their child as a proper noble. In order to do that, they could not have a ¡®Lady¡¯ whom they served, especially if that Lady was not a wizard but a girl of an ethnic minority without any evidence of her pedigree nor identity. Moreover, they coveted the enormous wealth that could not be touched as it was tied under Azriel¡¯s name.


    They tested it several times secretly to find out whether the Wizard of the Horizon had really entrusted the girl completely to them, he would find out if they harmed the girl, and he would come to get the girl.


    Even after giving her poison, pretending it to be an accident, and the girl fell severely ill from it, the wizard did not come. When they were assured that the girl was abandoned, they could not suppress their greed.

 CH 82

    Selling Azriel as asl*ve instead of killing her was an act of mercy. It was also to make an excuse if the wizard came back to get her later by chance. Reynolds would say that the girl had gone missing and they could not find her despite searching for her everywhere, and that they had not imagined that she had become asl*ve. They had no idea how far was possible for the Wizard of the Horizon. They could not even imagine that he could read people¡¯s memories. Their choice had saved them. If they tried to kill Azriel, her mana would run wild and cut them into pieces, feeling threatened for her life.


    Rhema had taken away magic from her and closed her dragon eye at the time. It was because he wanted her to live as a merely happy and ordinary girl apart from magic. However, the seal that he had closed was not strong enough to the point where it could suppress the mana that went wild when her life was threatened. Such a seal was impossible from the beginning.


    Rhema Reshith showed himself to the Reynolds couple quietly. The couple who were whispering to each other as they stroked their son who was asleep, lifted their heads at the subtly chilled air. The smiles on their faces disappeared as they discovered the white wizard who was standing like a painting.


    ¡°You did not keep your promise.¡±


    The couple¡¯s faces turned pale at the words that Rhema spoke calmly. The Baron hurriedly made an excuse.


    ¡°No, you¡¯re mistaken! The Lady has been kidnapped by an accident!¡±


    ¡°Like I told you, I will turn your wish into a curse,¡± he said as he pointed his finger to the child. The Baroness covered the child with her body, screaming. The baron blocked him.


    ¡°Wait, wait a minute Wizard Sir. Can we please talk for a little¡ª¡±


    ¡°Reshith,¡± he whispered. At that moment, the child whose body was covered with rash, woke up and cried.


    ¡°Aaahh! Argh! Mom! It hurts! Mom!¡±


    ¡°Oh, no! My son!¡±


    ¡°It hurts. It hurts badly! Argh!¡±


    The child frantically struggled. Baron Reynolds rushed to hold his son in his arms. The Baroness began wailing. Rhema ignorantly looked down at them. Now, he was going to kill them and¡ª


    ¡°Can you promise me that you wouldn¡¯t harm the people I know?¡±


    Remembering Azriel¡¯s words, his hand was paused. These people were certainly whom Azriel ¡®knew¡¯. He tilted his head.


    ¡®She knows them, but they are the ones who made her miserable.¡¯


    However, when he killed the Coltes who made her miserable likewise, Azriel was frozen.


    ¡°Is it because I asked for your help, that you killed them?¡±


    Ruminating over the time when she was still young, she trembled as he killed the knights who kidnapped her in front of her, not to mention the case of Hanora Village.


    ¡®I¡¯ve got to keep them alive.¡¯


    He did not want to do things she did not like. He took off his hand. The Baron, who was trying hard to calm his son down, shouted in a sharp voice.


    ¡°Why to this child! Why do you do this to this child? If you want to punish us, you should punish us!¡±


    The wizard¡¯s grey eyes gazed at the Baron.


    ¡°I told you clearly. If you don¡¯t keep the promise, I¡¯ll turn your wish into a curse.¡±


    ¡°The child was our blessing. So, if you¡¯re going to pronounce a curse on us, it should be our curse, not on the child!¡±


    The child who laid in the Baron¡¯s arms only wheezed as if he could not let out his voice already. Rhema did not have pity on him but somewhat agreed to the Baron¡¯s claim that the boy was not guilty.


    ¡°Then, becomesl*ves on your own.¡±


    ¡°¡­What?¡±


    ¡°If both of you becomesl*ves, abandoning everything, I will undo the curse I put on that child.¡±


    ¡°That, that¡¯s¡ª We¡¯ll, we¡¯ll return all of the fortune you gave us! Now, we have more than what we received from you back then!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your petty property. What I want is for you to suffer as much as you made her suffer,¡± Rhema spoke in a slow and peaceful voice as if he was not upset at all. However, his words were clearly implying rage.


    ¡°So, becomesl*ves like her. If you become miserable enough to satisfy me, that child will be fine.¡±


    ¡°B, b, but thesl*very has been abolished and¡ª¡± the Baron stammered with his face turned pale.


    ¡°That¡¯s none of my concern. Think of a way on your own.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s too much! What have we done so wrong? It was a mistake to have lost her.¡±


    ¡°Do you really think I don¡¯t know?¡± Rhema came near the Baron, asking coldly. The Baron involuntarily crawled back, trying to avoid him. Rhema, who approached him regardless, stepped on the Baron¡¯s foot.


    ¡°When you broke your promise¡ª,¡± Rhema opened his mouth.


    ¡°Aarrghh!¡± the Baron cried.


    ¡°You should¡¯ve been prepared to face your consequences,¡± Rhema added.


    ¡°Honey!¡± the Baroness shrieked.


    The brand ofsl*very was put on the back of the Baron¡¯s foot. It was the same mark that Azriel used to have on the back of hers.


    ¡°Please, please, please have mercy,¡± the Baroness who watched the scene clung to Rehma¡¯s helm, wailing. ¡°Isn¡¯t this too much? You didn¡¯t even listen to our story¡ª¡±


    ¡°Reshith,¡± Rhema said after grabbing the Baroness¡¯ hand that grabbed his helm.


    ¡°¡­What?¡±


    A white knot was formed on the Baroness¡¯ hand followed by the Baron¡¯s hand. The knot did not disappear but became a pattern that bound the backs of their hands. Overwhelmed by fear, the Baroness looked at the back of her hand. The Baron also stared at the strange pattern, forgetting the pain on his foot. The wizard whispered as he pulled the Baroness¡¯ hand.


    ¡°After becoming asl*ve, cut off your hand with the knot. Then the child¡¯s curse will be lifted,¡± Rhema said sternly.


    ¡°Cu, cut off the wr, wrist?¡± she asked in horror.


    ¡°And the fortune I gave you. I don¡¯t want to take it back, but I don¡¯t want to let you have it either. All will disappear as well,¡± Rhema said.


    The Baron¡¯s bloodshot eyes due to the pain and the Baroness¡¯ frozen eyes both turned to him.


    ¡°That is the consequence of breaking the promise,¡± stepping a step back, Rhema warned them. ¡°If you appear in front of Azriel afterwards or try to take an action in vain¡ª¡± His eyes slowly scanned them. The Baron and Baroness flinched at the same time, ¡°¡­Then there won¡¯t be any mercy like now.¡±


    Saying that as his final words, the wizard disappeared as if he never existed in that space. Only the unconscious child and pale Baron and Baroness Reynolds were left in the room. Not long after that, they were reported that the warehouses that they owned had turned into sand heaps.

 CH 83

    Azriel sagged into an armchair, holding an old book and a pamphlet. They were what Grandpa Warden from the bookstore gave her. She first looked at the pamphlet. It had a simple description of the ruins that was found in Colte and recruitment information on it.


    ¡°A stone wall was found in the place where dirt was peeled off and as people dug it out more, they found an entrance¡ª The ruins is assumed to be a facility filling up the inside of the entire mountain¡ª¡±


    The temporary name of the ruins was the Colte Ruins. The purpose of it was unknown as even opening its door had not been successful yet and wizards were still investigating it. It said that they were investigating the area to see if other doors were there around it, and thus, they were recruiting workers to dig up the ground, mercenaries, wizards, ruin specialists.


    ¡°It¡¯s completely collapsed and impossible to excavate now.¡±


    The entrance to the ruins was drawn on the pamphlet. The entrance was blocked by a strange, old and dusty door. The huge crystal at the center of the door and the pattern around it were impressive. Azriel put down the pamphlet and picked up the old book.


    ¡°Alionov¡¯s Journal of the Ruin, who is Alionov? Is it a person¡¯s name?¡±


    She could find out what it was after reading a little bit of the front part. It was the name of a wizard. A wizard named Alionov Aluka dedicated his whole life exploring the ruins and made a book after organizing the information of all the ruins that he had visited. This was the book.


    She turned the pages. The illustrations of the ruins were faded but very detailed and impressive. Azriel, who was skimming through it to get a general idea first and stopped her finger in the middle.


    ¡°A door with a huge crystal¡ª¡±


    It was a small drawing in a corner that looked like it was scribbled on. It looked similar to the one in the pamphlet. The wizard who wrote the book drew the pattern around the crystal and attempted to interpret it. All sorts of inferences and an*lyses? were written on several pages. Azriel skimmed the pattern that was transferred after removing decoratives and written in one row and recognized it right away.


    ¡°It¡¯s written in Lemm.¡±


    It was Lemm that was more complicated and different from today¡¯s Lemm in its way of expressions and reading.


    ¡°Prove you are a wizard?¡±


    It was close to a code, but it was easy for Azriel who had learned Lemm from Rhema. She put down the book and picked up the pamphlet again. She tried reading it, considering the pattern around the crystal on the picture as a text.


    ¡°This is the same phrase. Prove you are a wizard¡ª¡±


    She read the book again. After a long research, the author barely interpreted the phrase that only wizards were allowed to enter. After that, it said that he tried all sorts of attempts, camping out in front of the door for several months. He made incantations at the door, used all sorts of magic, poured his mana into it, and so on. However, the door did not budge whatever he did. So, Alionov Aluka assumed that it was a door that would only open with a key and gave up.


    ¡°¡­That doesn¡¯t seem right.¡±


    She read the phrase again. It was written ¡®wizard,¡¯ not ¡®magician.¡¯ She suddenly remembered the conversation she had with Rhema.


    ¡°The wizards we call today are mere magicians.¡±


    ¡°By the way Rhema, then why do the wizards today use conjuring and call it magic?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because magic has vanished.¡±


    The texts written on the entrance of the ancient ruins would naturally indicate the ¡®wizards¡¯ in the ancient standard, not the ¡®wizards¡¯ of today. There was no doubt that Alionov could not open it as he would have been a mere magician in the ancient standard.


    ¡°It should open with magic,¡± she said. Azriel only knew conjuring until now, but she would learn magic soon. ¡°Then¡ª¡±


    ¡°Esthera! Esthera! The strange wizard dropped off some people and left! There are more strange people in Brownie¡¯s castle!¡±


    The lump of golden light that flew in like an arrow began chatting, jumping up and down on the book Azriel had left open.


    ¡°I was going to chase them away but the strange wizard said they will live here, too! Is that real? Is that really real? Are they our family, too?¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s here?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Three carrots! A small carrot, smaller carrot, and even smaller carrot! And a big chestnut and small chestnut! Should I chase them? Or not? What should I do?¡± the spirit asked, making a fuss.


    ¡°Carrots and chestnuts? What are you¡ª Oh, are you talking about the color of hair? It¡¯s Maylie¡¯s family. They will be living in the castle, in the outhouse,¡± she said.


    ¡°live here? It¡¯s family? Your family? New family in Brownie¡¯s castle?¡± Brownie repeated.


    ¡°Yes, our family,¡± closing her book, Azriel nodded. Brownie got excited and began twinkling.


    ¡°It¡¯s family! Our new family! We have more family! More people in the castle! Brownie will take care of it well!¡± he shouted.


    ¡°Did only Maylie¡¯s family arrive? Did Rhema and his familiar spirit¡ª¡±


    ¡°More family means a party time! Welcome party! Celebration! Guest party! We should have a welcome party! Brownie does well on its own, right? I¡¯ll prepare it quickly! Party, it¡¯s a party! A fun party!¡± Brownie talked to himself and flew away making a whizzing sound. Azriel vacantly watched the scattering sparks for a while and shook her head. She had thought inside that Rhema was too cold for not naming his spirit. But now, she could see why he did not.


    ¡®It¡¯s cute, but it¡¯s rowdy¡ª¡¯


    Azriel headed to the outhouse to receive Maylie¡¯s family.

 CH 84

    When Rhema returned with his familiar spirits, Azriel was in the hall of the outhouse. The outhouse was a three-story building that could be compared to other decent mansions. Maylie first thought that it was Azriel¡¯s house but almost fainted to find out that it was only an outhouse. There was even a small party hall in the outhouse. Brownie prepared a party at that hall.


    Maylie¡¯s family, who had already seen Blanchet, got used to the spirit quickly. Especially Maylie¡¯s three younger siblings who adapted to the new environment fast as they were young. The chatty spirit, delicious cookies and food, and the expectation of a new life all mixed together and brought smiles on their faces.


    Rhema stood by the window and watched Azriel who was smiling among people. Seeing the joyous people, Largo got eager. When Rhema nodded at him, the big dog excitedly wagged its tail and jumped between the people.


    ¡°Yikes! What is this big dog?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. He¡¯s Largo. Largo, when did you come? Welcome!¡±


    The hall became boisterous and then laughter broke out again.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you getting inside?¡± Noir asked Rhema, pricking up his ears. Rhema slightly stepped back.


    ¡°All of you can go inside,¡± Rhema replied.


    ¡°What about you, Rhema?¡±


    Not answering him, Rhema turned around and headed toward the castle. Just as Noir was going to say something, Blanchet hit him.


    ¡°Ouch! Why do you keep hitting me? Just use your words!¡± Noir complained.


    ¡°You don¡¯t get it when I use my words,¡± Blanchet said.


    ¡°What is it this time?¡± Noir asked.


    ¡°Have some wits! Do you really think you can be my partner with that much wits?¡± Blanchet gave him a dirty look and went her way. Noir muttered following behind her. ¡°What¡¯s up with him? Why doesn¡¯t he want to get in?¡±


    ¡°They look happy. Yeah, and delighted,¡± Blanchet observed.


    ¡°Indeed. Rhema doesn¡¯t seem he would fit in that kind of atmosphere. He doesn¡¯t like people that much,¡± Noir said.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right,¡± Blanchet agreed.


    ¡°But won¡¯t he like it since Azriel¡¯s there? When Azriel¡¯s happy, Rhema also feels happy. Then, doesn¡¯t he have to get in there?¡±


    Blanchet struck Noir with her front paw again.


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s worse because Azriel is there, you stupid!¡±


    ¡°I said use your words!¡±


    ¡°Rhema can¡¯t be too happy or sad. We¡¯ve seen our owner for decades and you still don¡¯t know that? Of course you need to be beaten up, don¡¯t you think so?¡±


    ¡°No, I know that. But would he be shaken just by that even though Azriel¡¯s there? He will feel a little better than usual at most.¡±


    ¡°He could be shaken.¡±


    ¡°Why on earth would he?¡±


    ¡°Azriel looks so happy. She¡¯s not with Rhema but with other people.¡±


    ¡°Come on. What about that?¡±


    Hearing Noir¡¯s question, Blanchet gave him a pathetic look and turned around at once.


    ¡°He must¡¯ve slipped away because he doesn¡¯t like the mood. Or he could just be shy,¡± Noir kept talking, following behind her. ¡°Oh, is he just not confident that he might not get along with them? Rhema has been living alone for a really long time. Then we should help him as his familiar spirits!¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re not sure, just shut up and get in, Noir.¡±


    ¡°Hey, is it not right? Then what is it? Tell me in detail.¡±


    ¡°Just get it. Azriel must be waiting.¡±


    ¡°Teach me, Blaaanchhheett.¡±


    ¡°How can you put that disgusting face so close to me?¡± Saying so, Blanchet clawed Noir¡¯s face. After fighting for a round, the two cats could join the party.


    *


    Azriel was walking the hall of the castle. The candles that Brownie had lit up were lighting the hall. She could see a light coming out through the open door at the end of the hall. She peeked in through the open door.


    ¡®It¡¯s the same as the study in Rhema¡¯s house.¡¯


    It was a familiar study which was so huge and wide that the wall on the opposite side was not visible. Memories of learning letters, reading picture books, and learning many things from Rhema were embedded in this place.


    ¡®He said he connected this castle in the Khu Kingdom to Modjankle. Maybe this study is the same.¡¯


    A white wizard was leaning back on the armchair in the study. His long finger slowly turned the page. It was a sight Azriel missed. After knocking on the door, she opened the door a little more.


    ¡°Rhema.¡±


    He lifted his head and saw her. Azriel entered the study.


    ¡°Only the familiar spirits came, so I thought you¡¯re not here yet, but here you are.¡±


    ¡°Yes, just a while ago,¡± Rhema said as he closed the book.


    ¡°You like reading, Rhema. Is it fun?¡± perching on the chair next to him, she said.


    ¡°No, not much.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not interesting? Is it a new book?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve read all the books here.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve read it before and you don¡¯t enjoy it, then why are you reading it again?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s to pass time. I usually read books for that purpose,¡± he put down the book in the air. The book floated in the air and automatically shelved itself in an empty spot.


    ¡°It¡¯s just to pass time¡ª Do you ever find reading a book fun?¡±


    Rhema¡¯s eyes were narrowed at Azriel¡¯s question. He thought for a moment and said.


    ¡°The Theory of Limit of Mana in Human Body¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°It was the last interesting book I read.¡±


    ¡°When was that?¡±


    ¡°It was among the books I read when I couldn¡¯t move from one spot for three days because I was making it rain¡ª I think it was about 600 years ago.¡±


    ¡°600¡ª W, wait, the four days of rain 600 ago?¡±

 CH 85

    It was surprising that it had been so long since he read an interesting book, there was even more surprising fact. About 600 years ago, even before the Kingdom of Aucandor was established, there was a bad drought in the whole continent. The earth dried up and people pleaded to God for their lives. Then, all of a sudden, there was a sudden rain in the whole continent for three days. A moderate fine rain, not a downpour, ceaselessly poured down for three days and wetted the entire ground. People praised God, saying that their plea reached God. It was an event written in history as ¡®the Miracle of Rain.¡¯ Azriel vacantly opened her mouth.


    ¡°The Miracle of Rain was what you made? It was you who made it rain on the entire continent for three days?¡±


    ¡°Yes, the crying sounds were annoying.¡±


    ¡°The crying sounds?¡±


    ¡°Wherever I went, I heard people¡¯s cries, and it was difficult to find things I wanted. So, I made it rain.¡±


    She was lost for words. Azriel opened and closed her mouth for a while, not being able to say something, barely managed to speak.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell others that it was your doing? Nobody knows that it was a miracle made by the Wizard of the Horizon!¡±


    ¡°Is there a reason to let others know?¡±


    ¡°If no one knows who did it, no one will thank you, Rhema.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t particularly want to be thanked.¡±


    ¡°But still. Everyone praised it. Didn¡¯t you feel sad?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I haven¡¯t felt such an emotion.¡±


    Suddenly she recalled the time when she prepared his birthday present for the first time. What did he say when he received the gift?


    ¡°Don¡¯t try to give me something, Azriel,¡± he said.


    ¡°¡­Were there other events like that?¡±


    ¡°What kind of events are you talking about exactly?¡±


    ¡°When you used magic because of people¡¯s pleas.¡±


    Rhema leaned his back against the armchair. He lowered his eyes and thought deeply before opening his mouth.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t counted it one by one, so I have no idea. I just remember that their scale was large¡ª¡±


    He told her several incidents such as: turning the course of a tsunami, stopping an earthquake, preventing a volcanic explosion, and so on. All of them were events in which he saved countless people¡¯s lives from a disaster. Those were written in history and miracles that became the grounds that God existed and listened to people¡¯s prayers even though he never responded. It felt strange. Rhema, who crushed knights, made the people of Hanora Village go crazy, turned Colte Castle into dust and killed the whole Colte family, made it rain to resolve a drought without moving from one spot for three days and did not feel sorry even though no one recognized his hard work, who did not want to receive anything, had been reading books he already knew the contents of and that were not even fun for hundreds of years just to pass time¡ª It seemed the more she learned about him, the less she knew who he was, the wizard called Rhema Reshith. Azriel absent-mindedly looked at the white wizard and asked a sudden question.


    ¡°Rhema, do you ever want to spend time doing something else? Something more enjoyable.¡±


    ¡°Like how?¡±


    ¡°Making friends or enjoying people¡¯s company¡ª¡±


    Azriel blurred the end of her sentence. Rhema had said that she would be miserable if she stayed by his side. He even abandoned her once for that reason. She shook her head quickly and restated her words.


    ¡°There must be something you can do to spend time more enjoyably. Do you have any hobbies?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a particular thing that I enjoy.¡±


    ¡°You used to be in the underground lab often. Is it fun to study magic?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t study magic there. Besides, ever since I reached the limit of a human, I haven¡¯t had a desire to research something.¡±


    The words that could sound prideful did not sound prideful at all. It was because he was speaking the truth in a very calm tone. Azriel asked back.


    ¡°Then what do you do in the lab?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡± Rhema became silent.


    It must be something he cannot tell. Could it be related to his duty? Instead of inquiring more, Azriel leaned against him.


    ¡°Then, let¡¯s look for it together.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Your hobby,¡± she smiled and added. ¡°We¡¯ll try different things together and find what is fun for you. It¡¯s too lonely if you have to repeat a meaningless action just to pass time.¡±


    He blankly gazed at her face and murmured in a little hoarse voice.


    ¡°I¡¯ve tried quite a lot of things but there was nothing that was very enjoyable for me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve don¡¯t most of them alone, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°There are things that are more fun doing together than doing it alone and there are hobbies that you can¡¯t do alone.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°What about hunting? Any instruments? We can try this and that together, can we?¡±


    The eyes like twinkling stars. The wizard could not take his eyes off of them.


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m fine just like this, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°Are you really fine? Just passing time meaninglessly?¡±


    Rhema opened his mouth and closed it. He could not answer her somehow. Something inside him rustled. Azriel quietly watched him. The wizard whose eyes were lowered was beautiful and dried up.


    ¡®He looks like a person who¡¯s not here but somewhere else.¡¯


    She involuntarily reached out her hand. His cheek touched the tip of her hand. She could feel his temperature. He had the same warmth as other people. Azriel smiled.


    ¡°Rhema, I want you to be happy. Just like how you want to make me happy.¡±


    Rhema Reshith possessedly looked at her hand that touched him and her face with a smile.


    ¡°So I don¡¯t want you to pass time, that¡¯s not even fun, alone.¡±


    ¡°I usually feel comfortable to be alone.¡±


    ¡°You mean it¡¯s okay for you to be with me, correct? You said you want to have more conversations with me.¡±


    ¡°¡­Right.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll be on your side.¡±


    The girl who said that she wanted him to be happy smiled. Crack. He heard the sound of an egg cracking.


    At that moment, a colorful bird sitting on a nest far away cawed unpleasantly.


    ¡°Like I thought, he should¡¯ve killed her and forgotten about her. Because he kept her alive, he brought her again and is making the same mistake,¡± Ofeq¡¯s eyes were narrowed. ¡°Should I kill her myself instead?¡±


    The bird was surprised by what he uttered. After fluttering meaninglessly for some time, he looked at the egg inside the nest.


    ¡°¡­Yes, I can just kill her myself. That¡¯d be better. But how can I kill her?¡±


    A familiar spirit could not go against its owner. Even Ofeq, who was the greatest and oldest familiar spirit, was not free from that principle. Then what could he do? Ofeq fell into deep thought.

 CH 86

    The castle that they lived in was soon called the Brownie Castle. It was because of Brownie, who roamed around the castle, chatting endlessly. Maylie¡¯s mother, Maria, began helping Brownie cook.


    ¡°I feel awful just idling around even though I am healthy now. Please let me at least cook.¡±


    Among three of Maylie¡¯s younger siblings, two of them who were old enough started going to school. It was the best school in Modjankle except for the one that only received nobles. Azriel suggested to Maylie to go to school as well. In fact, age 16 was close to the graduating age, but there it was not an obstacle if one had the tuition. Maylie was happy that her siblings started school but was hesitant about herself.


    ¡°How much am I going to learn anyway? It¡¯s useless because I¡¯m not smart,¡± responded Maylie.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t studied properly yet. How do you know whether you¡¯re smart or not when you¡¯ve never had a chance?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°You just know that kind of thing even if you never try. Moreover, it¡¯s going to be wasted anyway. What¡¯s the point of schooling for a maid?¡±


    ¡°Maylie, you told me that you only know how to become a maid, but that¡¯s because that¡¯s all you know of, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯d like you to try other things, too. It¡¯s not too late to choose your job after trying many things.¡±


    Maylie blankly stared at Azriel and asked. ¡°What about you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already chosen what I¡¯m going to do, so I¡¯d like to give you a chance to choose, too,¡± Azriel answered.


    ¡°¡­You are indeed amazing.¡±


    ¡°What is?¡±


    ¡°Just because,¡± saying so, Maylie smiled with her eyes reddened. ¡°I¡¯ll try going to school. I¡¯ll experience it and choose.¡±


    You¡¯ll be my priority whatever I choose. Maylie murmured to herself and hugged her precious friend. ¡°Thank you, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s all thanks to Rhema,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°To me, it¡¯s all thanks to you. But what if¡­ I don¡¯t keep up with the class so well?¡±


    ¡°That can¡¯t be. Also, what if you can¡¯t keep up? It¡¯s important that you try.¡±


    ¡°¡­Right,¡± Maylie¡¯s arms held Azriel even more tightly.


    Azriel patted her friend¡¯s back. ¡°You can stop anytime, don¡¯t feel so pressured.¡±


    *


    It was in the afternoon when everyone left for school and Maria left for market, Azriel sat down with Rhema at the study.


    ¡°Starting today, I will teach you magic, not conjuring,¡± Rhema said.


    ¡°Rhema, before we begin, there¡¯s one thing I want to ask,¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Do you know about these ruins?¡± Azriel asked, holding out a pamphlet toward him. Rhema, who scanned it with his eyes, nodded and said. ¡°These are the ruins found in Colte.¡±


    ¡°This was buried because of a sudden landslide. Did you do it by any chance?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Yes, I did it,¡± he candidly answered her.


    I had a hunch that it was him. Azriel sighed in a low voice and asked. ¡°Can you tell me why you did it?¡±


    ¡°Things that the wizards of this date cannot handle are in the ruins. So, I buried it back.¡±


    ¡°Things that they can¡¯t handle?¡±


    ¡°Those ruins are a research facility for familiar spirits. Artificial familiar spirits that ancient wizards made are asleep.¡±


    ¡°Artificial familiar spirits? Aren¡¯t familiar spirits made when wizards and already existing creatures make an agreement?¡±


    ¡°There were attempts to make stronger familiar spirits than already existing creatures in ancient times. They succeeded to some degree.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    ¡°Familiar spirits that are not contracted with wizards are no different than demons. If they are loosened by chance, it will be chaos.¡±


    ¡°But Rhema, these ruins¡ª only wizards can enter it, right? Then no one can open it anyway. There are no wizards like in ancient times.¡±


    ¡°Of course, there aren¡¯t, but there are people ¡®who could become a wizard.¡¯ The ones that would¡¯ve become outstanding wizards if they were born in ancient times. If they are utilized, even magicians can open that door,¡± Rhema continued as he folded the pamphlet and handed it back to her. ¡°The wizard who came to Colte wanted to use you for such a purpose. Was it Tarbo Tameion?¡±


    ¡°¡­!¡± Azriel was stunned to hear his name.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I need your body, so follow me. Don¡¯t you want to know what you are?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m planning to take you to the ruins.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not interested in your body. Instead, what I¡¯m interested in is within that body. The enormous ma¡­¡±


    Azriel remembered what Tarbo Tameion said when he grabbed her. She vacantly dropped her jaw.


    ¡°Did he realize that I had the dragon eye?¡± she asked.


    ¡°That¡¯s not it. He probably didn¡¯t know what the dragon eye even was,¡± Rhema replied.


    ¡°Then how¡­?¡±


    ¡°He merely noticed what kind of mana that you had. That much is pretty outstanding.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±

 CH 87

    Azriel fiddled with the pamphlet in her hand. Rhema, who was watching her, asked quietly. ¡°Are you interested in the ruins?¡±


    ¡°Yes, a little bit,¡± she answered.


    Rhema Reshith was a wizard who had been living since ancient times. She needed to learn about the ancient times in order to find out what he was hiding. The information about the magic civilization was very little. So, the ancient ruins were a very good lead.


    Rhema knew what was on Azriel¡¯s mind. From the beginning, she had never hidden her intent to find out about his secrets. He did not want to stop her from finding out the secrets on her own, though he could not answer her on his own.


    ¡®Why,¡¯ He asked himself. He would have stopped her if it was in the past.


    ¡°Maybe that means I¡¯m the most suitable person among all the people who have been born so far.¡±


    ¡°The most suitable person who can achieve the impossible thing you said.¡±


    Those were the words that Azriel once said to him.


    ¡®Am I expecting something from her now?¡¯ he stopped thinking at this point. It seemed that he should not think more. He impulsively spoke. ¡°Then, let¡¯s make that your test.¡±


    ¡°What? What test?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Azriel, you are still a magician. Those ruins seem appropriate to test if you¡¯ve become a real wizard after learning magic.¡±


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    ¡°Your test will be contracting with a familiar spirit in the ruins and bringing it with you.¡±


    ¡°Can I enter the ruins? You said you made a landslide to bury it on purpose.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s you¡ª¡±


    Rhema knew what was inside those ruins. There was something that should not be known more than artificial familiar spirits, so he buried it. He was unsure if she could discover it or she would pass by it, not recognizing it. It was also unclear whether she would reach the truth or would not find out anything at last. It was also unknown what would happen once she reached there. This was also a test for him. He faintly smiled.


    ¡°If it¡¯s you who¡¯s become a wizard, you can enter it.¡±


    Azriel intuitively realized that she received his permission, a permission allowing her to approach the secret that Rhema was trying to hide.


    ¡®If I become a wizard¡­,¡¯ she looked down at her hands. Her hands, that had been chapped, were recovering quickly after meeting Rhema. She had no idea what the spirit put in the food, but she was gaining weight and her skin was becoming softer. Her hair, which Blanchet complained about its coarseness, was also getting better. The promise magic that Rhema casted was not visible anymore as it had been smeared on them. However, the stars floating above her hands were visible.


    ¡°Azriel, I hope you don¡¯t touch mana until you realize what that means.¡±


    ¡°¡­For yourself.¡±


    Remembering what Rhema had said, Azriel clasped her both hands.


    ¡°By the way, Rhema,¡± she called.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Rhema answered her.


    ¡°What is the circumstance when you have to kill me?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°You said that there is a scenario where you don¡¯t have to kill me. Then what is the circumstance that you have to kill me?¡±


    Rhema¡¯s face turned a little pale. He shut his mouth and stopped breathing. Azriel saw his eyelashes casting shade on his face. His grey eyes were darkened.


    ¡°Is it something you cannot say?¡±


    ¡°¡­Azriel,¡± he let out his breath in length that had been paused and moved lips hesitantly before he could whisper. It was a small voice as if he was worried that the birds would hear him. ¡°I¡¯m not allowed to talk about it.¡±


    He had said something similar several times before. He could not answer her and did not say it, but¡­


    ¡°It must be okay if I figure it out,¡± she said.


    Rhema did not agree but also did not disagree with her.


    ¡°About what your duty is, why you want me to leave you, and what the circumstances are that you have to kill me,¡± Azriel looked up at him intently. ¡°It is forbidden for you to say it directly, but it doesn¡¯t matter if I find out about it on my own, does it?¡±


    Instead of answering, he closed his eyes softly. The closed lids slightly trembled. What could be binding that sublime wizard? Azriel opened her mouth. ¡°I want to ask a favor, Rhema.¡±


    He opened his eyes. The grey eyes that were darker than usual slowly moved and gazed at her. ¡°Tell me, whatever that is.¡±


    ¡°After I become a wizard¡­ of course, I¡¯ll try not to do that¡­,¡± she took a deep breath and continued. ¡°But if there¡¯s a circumstance that you have to kill me by any chance¡ª¡±


    ¡°Azriel,¡± Rhema interrupted.


    ¡°Then please kill me at once so that I wouldn¡¯t feel any pain,¡± she asked at last.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Can you do that for me?¡± she asked.


    Rhema sat there for a long time like a statue. After blinking in a slow manner, he answered quietly. ¡°I will do as you said.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Azriel smiled widely. For the first time, she thought that she was lucky that she did not have any family.


    *


    Then, three years passed.


    <To be continued in Volume 2>

 CH 88

    Spring, 999 Iskam year.


    Azriel Esthera who turned 19 now was standing before a mound. The bony girl was now a little taller and gained some more weight that she looked good. Her skin was bright like ivory and glowed softly. Her long hair was smooth as a wave. She was wearing a black robe. Taking off the hood, she stretched out her right arm toward the mound. Mana was quickly arranged.


    ¡°Esthera.¡±


    As if an invisible hand was grabbing it, the earth was lifted. Following her moving hand, the mound of earth floating in the air was put aside. Then, an enormous door of the ruins, which was more than twice her height, appeared. At the center of the door was a crystal as big as a person¡¯s head. A complex pattern was engraved around it.


    ¡°¡®Prove you are a wizard¡¯, it is.¡±


    Smiling mischievously, Azriel read the phrase. She touched the crystal with her hand and blinked. Then the world of stars that was only visible to her appeared. The stars that flowed out of her body drew the stars around her.


    The standard that differed between magic and conjuring was whether one could use the external mana, in another word, the natural mana. The only thing that a wizard could move was the mana inside his body. Thus, in order to use the natural mana that was not his own, he should be able to execute gravitation to draw external mana with his internal mana.


    ¡®The base of magic.¡¯


    She induced the natural mana that she had drawn to the crystal. The crystal began glowing subtly. The light from the crystal flowed through the pattern and lightened the whole brightly. And soon, with a huge ¡®thud¡¯ the door opened on its own.


    Inside the door was pitch dark. Azriel stretched her neck to look inside. She could hear dim creaking sounds. She recalled the time she looked inside the secret passage in the well in Colte. Back then, she was merely a powerless girl, but it was different now.


    ¡°Esthera.¡±


    Small lights formed and flowed into darkness. She could see the long stretches of the passage. It was a stone hallway. Azriel adjusted the train of her robe and stepped her foot inside. As soon as she entered, the door shut with a thud. In pitch darkness, only the lights that she floated softly shone the surroundings.


    Wizards¡¯ laboratory facilities would usually have all sorts of security systems. The larger the size, the more brutal the security systems would be. With a rustle, she took out a notebook and a pencil. Drawing the passage in her notebook, she made an incantation.


    ¡°Esthera, Esthera, Esthera.¡±


    Three layers of protection magic¡ªa barrier of mana, blockage and protection¡ªsurrounded her entire body.


    ¡°All set. I will begin the test, Rhema.¡±


    She murmured to herself and proceeded into the passage without hesitation. Not a few steps after, arrows flew in and bounced out weakly after hitting the clear protective barrier. Azriel calmly marked the arrow trap in her notebook inside the barrier. Soon, she met a fork in the passage. After drawing the two passages, she examined both sides carefully. She could see the flow of mana that composed the ruins.


    ¡®The direction of the flow of stars¡­¡¯


    One side had slightly more star flow. She chose that direction. Then after exactly three steps, the floor sank.


    ¡°Esthera!¡±


    The mana that stretched out from her back spread like wings. The wings made up of constellations fluttered and sustained her body. It was flying magic.


    ¡®Rhema said these wings looked like a bow of spider web.¡¯


    Azriel took off and landed on the opposite side of the trap. As soon as she landed, green smoke scattered.


    ¡®Is this poison?¡¯


    The smoke passed through the protective barrier but could not pass through the blockage barrier inside. She walked through the green smoke. Meanwhile, she did not forget to make notes in her notebook. As she walked more, she heard a sound of ¡®thud, thud, thud¡¯ echoing through the hallway. When she looked up, she saw a huge rock which filled the whole passage and was rolling down.


    ¡°All kinds of standard traps pop out here. Esthera!¡±


    As she yelled out the spell aiming for the rock, a spear of mana was shot like an arrow. It directly hit the rock and crushed the rock like an egg. The stone pieces were bounced out against her protective barrier. Azriel kept advancing that way, a fork after trap and again a fork after trap. There were traps that threatened her life and the passage was twisted like a maze. However, noene of them was a danger to her. She was walking while looking at the flow of mana, so she did not wander around much.


    ¡®It was more difficult to make a typhoon on the lake.¡¯


    Raising a typhoon was doable, but it was quite difficult to protect the only chosen things at the same time.


    ¡®It¡¯s easy when you use a protective barrier, but I struggled because he asked to protect them without using it¡­¡¯


    The passage was gradually leading down. And at one moment, the atmosphere of the surroundings changed. The marble wall was full of moss. Through the moss, she could see antique sculptures. Azriel swept off the moss and examined the scultures.


    ¡°It looks like an engravement of wizards¡­ Could they be the primary wizards?¡±


    Three wizards whose faces were invisible because they were hooded were standing in-between a kneeling crowd. They were holding out a flame, water, and book to the crowd.


    ¡°Usually, people engrave famous myths or legends. I¡¯ve never seen a story like this.¡±


    The scultures seemed to tell that the wizards were spreading civilization to people. Such a content was not included in the myths or legends Azriel knew. After studying the sculptures for a long time, she transferred a simplified version of it in her notebook. And she turned her attention to the door which was surrounded with the scultures. It was the same huge door she saw at the entrance of the ruins. Azriel faltered over Lemm text which was surrounded by patterns.


    ¡°Prove¡­ your right¡­ with your¡­ legacy?¡±


    The word ¡®legacy¡¯ the ancient wizards meant was mana after all. How should she prove it? Azriel tilted her head and moved mana after putting her hand on the crystal. Her golden eyes were widened.


    ¡°This is¡­¡±


    Inside the crystal was very intricately arranged mana. Despite being hundreds of years old, its form had not been disturbed. She, soon, realized what it meant. It was a structure that would only open when one arranged mana in the perfectly same form to invoke the magic.


    ¡°This is like a keyhole. It¡¯s like a puzzle, too.¡±

 CH 89

    It was a puzzle that opened if one had the key already or made the key that perfectly fitted in the key hole. It was also at a level that was possible only when the mana was arranged delicately as if to carve a pattern with a needle. But she was not hopeless or frustrated by it. It was just interesting. With a smile on her face, she began moving mana. Stars moved into places.


    ¡®It¡¯s pretty fun that it fits together perfectly.¡¯


    Without a single mistake, Azriel made the same constitution accurately.


    ¡°Esthera.¡±


    Whirr.


    ¡°I did it!¡±


    According to the colors of the mana that she poured in, the door was lit with a golden light. Then it slowly opened. At the same time, a huge unknown object popped out at a tremendous speed and bumped her.


    ¡°Eek!¡±


    She was flown out and was thrown to the wall. The marble wall was cracked from its impact and soon, its pieces fell in great masses.


    ¡°Ouch¡­¡±


    She was bounced out because of the huge impact, but her protective barrier was not broken. Rubbing her elbows, she looked up in-between the piles of stones. [Grrrr] With a low cry, she heard a noise that sounded like a piece of iron scratching against an iron plate. She saw a shadow of a beast that was as large as a house through the cloud of dust.


    ¡®An artificial familiar spirit?¡¯


    The huge beast lowered its body and was glaring at her. Azriel arranged mana and observed the beast which was revealed through the cloud of dust. It had legs like tree logs, steel claws, yellow brown fur that covered its whole body, red eyes with vertical pupils, and long fangs that stuck out of its mouth. The end of its whip-like tail, which was sweeping the floor, looked like the poisonous stinger of a scorpion. From its neck and around its head was filled with black feathers and there were black-feathered wings on its back as well.


    ¡®It looks like a lion with wings.¡¯


    It was a beast she had never seen before, not even in the illustrated monster book. It was natural as it was an artificial creature made by ancient wizards. While Azriel was observing it, the beast was also observing her. Its bright red eyes rolled and narrowed. Its narrowed eyes were fixated on her.


    ¡°Esthera!¡±


    She recited the spell reflexively. After a moment, there was a loud clashing noise. The beast ran against the mana wall that rose up before Azrie


    ¡®It¡¯s so fast.¡¯


    In the blink of an eye, it dashed to her. If she did not build a mana wall intuitively, she would have bounced out again. The beast took a few steps backward and shook its head. Showing its teeth, it growled. Azriel thought hard as she stood up.


    ¡®Since I don¡¯t know how strong its body is, it¡¯s a little tricky to use offensive magic outright¡­ Let¡¯s catch it for now.¡¯


    Looking at the glaring eyes of the beast, she murmured the incantation quietly. Esthera. Then, huge drops of water formed and flew to the beast. [Grrr?] The beast fluttered its wings in surprise. It flew around the air randomly, but inside the ruins was too small for flying. Esthera. Esthera. Esthera. Azriel repetitively recited the spell. Huge water drops that formed without a rest stuck to the beast and joined together. The beast cried out and struck the water drops with its front paw. However, it was impossible to tear the water apart with its claws. It flew around, but it could not get away because the space was too small.


    [Grrrrr!]


    The mad beast came at Azriel. Bang, bang. With its head, it hammered on the invisible wall and clawed it. Due to its struggle, the rocks and marble wall crumbled like a paper box. However, the invisible wall before her remained the same.


    ¡°This is a mana wall that replenishes with my mana as soon as it¡¯s damaged. Give it up.¡±


    Azriel murmured as she looked pitifully at the bleeding forehead of the beast. At last, the beast was completely locked inside the huge water drop that rolled into one. It struggled frantically and stopped moving all of a sudden. Then, it opened its mouth widely and puffed out its chest.


    ¡°Huh? No way¡­¡±


    The beast breathed out fire in the water. Its temperature was so high that its flame was blue. The water evaporated in a flash and steam filled the surroundings.


    ¡°Esthera!¡±


    Stars spread like a net. The moss that covered the wall intertwined with each other and became a vine before surging up. It wrapped the steam from all directions. The beast that popped out of the steam was caught in the net of vine. When it was about to tear up the net with its teeth and claws, Azriel put her hand on the vine.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    With a little apology, she uttered the spell. A strong current flowed through the vine. The beast trembled.


    ¡°I guess it should be able to withstand this much¡­¡±


    The red glaring eyes turned to her. She thought it would pass out, but it seemed she had just made it angrier.


    ¡°¡­Oh, it¡¯s not just withstanding it.¡±


    The beast belched out a fire again. The vine was burned in blue flames and was snapped off. The blue fire caught on the beast¡¯s body, which was wrapped with the vine, but not a single hair of the beast was burned.


    ¡°Wow, it doesn¡¯t get hurt by its own fire. There¡¯s almost no damage from the current as well. Then, I guess I can go a little stronger.¡±


    Murmuring, Azriel took off her hand of the vine. Following her hand gesture, a lighting struck inside. The beast swiftly dodged the lightning dropping on the ground and dashed toward her.


    ¡®It¡¯s indeed fast. It wouldn¡¯t fall behind against Blanchet.¡¯


    The beast approached her and cleverly spit out fire below the wall instead of the mana wall. The stone floor melted down like scooped-out ice cream. Not waiting until it was completely melted, it jumped along with the fire it gushed out. After passing below the mana wall, the beast flew to Azriel who was standing still.


    ¡°You are smart.¡±


    Admiring in a low voice, Azriel held out her hand. As soon as she let out the incantation, an invisible pressure pressed down the beast. The beast was pushed down flatly against the floor and wriggled. It trembled, stiffening its shoulders but could not stand up. It could only make small cracks on the dented floor with its claws.


    ¡°And extremely sturdy. This much pressure would¡¯ve hurt Largo.¡±


    Azriel approached right under the weighed down beast¡¯s nose. It was so huge that its eye level was similar to Azriel¡¯s despite being struck down to the floor.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hurt you, so don¡¯t move.¡±


    As she approached it, the beast raised its front paw, showing its teeth. Azriel gestured, frowning.


    ¡°I said stay put.¡±


    [Whimper.]


    The force of the pressure became slightly stronger. The trembling paw failed to strike her and scratched the floor. Azriel placed her hand on the forehead of the beast. It was where a scar formed when it hammered its head against the mana wall.


    ¡°Esthera.¡±


    Its scar healed in no time. Noticing that its pain had vanished, it stopped scratching the floor. It looked at Azriel with a puzzled look.

 CH 90

    ¡°Have you stayed here for hundreds of years? All alone?¡±


    Azriel peeked inside of the open door behind the beast. It was quiet. There was no sign of other beasts. ¡°How did you find food? Have you been living off of mana only?¡±


    Familiar spirits could live off of mana without food. It would be far behind what its master would provide, but it could last for quite a time with the mana in the air. This beast was not yet a familiar spirit, but as a creature made to become a familiar spirit, it seemed that it could sustain its life with mana though staying alive would have been its best at most. Looking closely, its stomach was thin. Its fur droopped down without shine as well. Azriel approached it boldly and held out her hand near its mouth. ¡°You must be hungry.¡±


    She was about to ball her mana, but the beast opened its mouth big and tried to bite her hand off. She quickly withdrew her hand. Then, she balled mana beforehand on her palm and held it out. ¡°Here.¡±


    The mana was so pure and densely gathered that it was visible to the eye. The eyes of the beast narrowed seeing a lump of subtle golden light. Azriel softly spoke. ¡°Try it. Everyone said my mana is tasty.¡±


    [Grrr.]


    The beast growled in a low voice and then began sniffing. Slowly taking back the magic that was pressing the beast, Azriel stretched out her arm even more. ¡°It¡¯s okay. Alright?¡±


    The beast slightly stuck out its tongue instead of attacking her again. Its tongue touched the lump of mana. [¡­!]


    The eyes of the beast widened as big as a tray. Each strand of its fur and feathers stood and trembled. Then, it flared its nostrils severely and buried its head in the lump of mana. The beast bolted down the mana in no time.


    ¡°Do you like it?¡± Azriel asked.


    The beast stared at her. Its bright red eyes seemed to have faded a little.


    ¡°Do you want more?¡± she added.


    The beast nodded. Azriel balled more mana and held it out. The beast swallowed it like a pig. As if it was satisfied, its tail swayed slowly.


    ¡°If you like it, would you be my familiar spirit?¡±


    Its swelled wings drooped down below. The beast thrusted its nose to her. Not avoiding it, Azriel straightened her upper body. The beast sniffed her smell. It examined her closely, walking around her with its huge body, and tapped her with its front paw.


    ¡°Argh!¡± she yelled.


    The beast only tapped her, but Azriel almost fell. Thankfully, she did not get hurt since she was maintaining the protective barrier. The beast tilted its head. Its eyes seemed to wonder why her body was so weak when her barrier was so sturdy and strong.


    ¡°I am a human wizard, so I don¡¯t have a strong body like you. So, I¡¯d like a strong animal like you to my familiar spirit,¡± she said.


    Azriel placed her hand on the beast¡¯s nose. It was moist and soft. The beast stared at her hand for a while and sniffed a few times before closing its eyes relaxedly.


    ¡°Will you be my familiar spirit?¡± Its big tongue licked her hand. Azriel smiled. ¡°Thank you. What¡¯s your name?¡±


    The beast opened its eyes and raised its body. As it approached her with its mouth wide open like a cave, Azriel flinched. ¡°What?¡±


    As she waited, not avoiding it, the beast held the hem of her robe and lifted her up. Then, it lightly threw her back over the nape of its neck.


    ¡°Eek!¡± Azriel narrowly managed to hold on, hanging on to its feathers. She almost slipped and fell. ¡°Please lift me up gently. I said I¡¯m not as strong as you! By the way¡­ where are you going?¡±


    The beast entered the door. Azriel could finally see the interior of the ruins. Centered around the round hall, cages were attached to the walls. There were broken furniture pieces like stone shelves and desks neglected in the middle of the hall. Old burned books or broken pieces of glass were scattered around in a mess. Beyond the halfway flopped down dest, there were stairs leading to the basement. Inside the cages at the outskirts of the hall were only bones and traces of living things. There was only one cage with its bars dented. The beast sat down on its belly in front of it.


    ¡°Did you live here?¡± Azriel slid down holding on to a feather and stood on the floor. The beast poked the nameplate inside the cage with dented bars with its tail with a poisonous sting.


    ¡°Marthi¡­ coras. Marthicoras?¡± as she read ancient Lemm letters, the beast replied with a growl. ¡°Your name must be Marthicoras. Come here. Let¡¯s make a contract.¡±


    The beast came close to Azriel. Leaning on its furry head, she kissed its forehead. Putting one¡¯s lips was a primal act of connecting the passage of mana. Her mana and Manthicoras¡¯s mana touched. ¡°Esthera, Manthicoras.¡±


    After connecting each other¡¯s mana just like how she would communicate, she connected their mana delicately. She twisted each other¡¯s mana so that its connection would not break. Since it was her first time contracting with a familiar spirit, it took some time. Making the connection, she recited the promise. ¡°I am Esthera. I will give you intelligence, language, and mana. Therefore, be my servant who won¡¯t betray me, Manthicoras.¡±


    The promise was recited. Manthicoras obediently lowered its head. As the familiar spirit agreed, the connection was fixed. Then, a tremendous amount of mana began to flow out through the connection.


    ¡®This is more output than making a spirit. Urgh, I feel dizzy¡­ You said it will take less mana than a spirit, Rhema!¡¯

 CH 91

    She felt dizzy as her mana was drawn out of her. The entire body of Manthicoras, which accepted her mana, was being filled with subtle golden light. Azriel staggered and leaned against the beast entirely at last. Its feathers were soft and she felt quite comfortable. She closed her eyes and observed her mana being drawn out for quite some time, and the flow stopped at one moment. A huge tongue licked her cheek. She suddenly opened her eyes and straightened her body. ¡°Manthicoras?¡±


    ¡°Yes, master,¡± Manthicoras answered her.


    It was the voice of a neat lad that came out of the huge beast. ¡°Uh, oh, it¡¯s nice to meet you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my pleasure, master.¡±


    He was very polite whereas Noir, Blanchet, or Largo did not act like this. Azriel looked up at the red eyes vacantly and shook her head. ¡°You can treat me more comfortably.¡±


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t treat my master so rudely,¡± he refused.


    ¡°You can just call me Azriel¡­¡±


    ¡°How can I act so ungraciously and call my master¡¯s name as a familiar spirit? I can¡¯t do that.¡±


    ¡°O, okay¡­ Do as you like,¡± thinking that she had not expected him to have such a personality, she smiled awkwardly. ¡°Well, you are too big now. Can you become small? Your fixed form is¡­¡±


    ¡°I already have a fixed form. Would you like to see it?¡± after asking politely, Manthicoras¡¯ body brightened with golden light. It was reduced to the size of a puppy and the light disappeared. ¡°How do you like it?¡±


    A lion cub hung around her feet. His movements were so cute. Black wings the size of her palm fluttered and his tale that looked like a fur ball swayed.


    ¡°¡­Marthicoras?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me. The wizards that made me all said I was cute, but if you don¡¯t like this by any chance, I¡¯ll try another form,¡± the lion cub pricked up his round ears and looked up at her with big eyes.


    ¡°No, you are so cute!¡± Azriel said involuntarily. She hugged the lion cub tightly. Soon, the lion cub stopped fluttering his wings and fell in her arms, putting his chin on her shoulder. ¡°Aww, so soft¡­ and cushy¡­ Hey, can I call you Marthi?¡±


    ¡°Of course, master,¡± Marthi put on a proud face and rubbed his head against Azriel¡¯s neck. She could not hold it in and hugged him with all her might before she let go of him, surprised by a short whimper.


    ¡°Sorry, did it hurt?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s because I am too cute. It¡¯s not your fault.¡±


    ¡°Oh, okay¡­¡±


    Marthi stretched his small chest in pride. Azriel chuckled and stretched her hand out. ¡°I need to look around the ruins. Let¡¯s go together.¡±


    Marthi fluttered and flew in her arms quietly. Azriel held the lion cub like a doll and looked around the hall. ¡°They¡¯re all broken. Did you do this?¡±


    ¡°My memory before the familiar spirit agreement is blurry, but this is certainly not my doing,¡± Marthi replied.


    ¡°Is that so? Then why are they all crushed like this?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. It was like this when I came out of the cage. Oh, and I did smash that mana stone storage. I was hungry and in search of food.¡±


    ¡°Did you have a lot of mana stones?¡±


    A jewel that carried mana, which wizards made by breathing in their mana, was called mana stone. Since it was made by drawing in mana in nature, it was an object that the wizards of today could not make. So, the only way to attain it in the current time was to excavate it from ruins, which meant it was a priceless object.


    ¡°Yes, I lived off of them. There used to be quite a lot, but I was out of it recently¡­ I¡¯ve been starving for a few years.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why you became so thin. Don¡¯t worry anymore. I have plenty of mana,¡± Azriel stroked Marthi¡¯s head and walked between broken furniture pieces. When she observed closely, it seemed that an impact such as an earthquake had shaken the whole place and shattered them.


    ¡®What must¡¯ve happened?¡¯


    ¡°Have you had an earthquake here?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I remember feeling a huge jolt. I¡¯m just not certain that it was an earthquake,¡±


    Marthicoras, who was merely a created beast before contracting with her, naturally had no idea.


    ¡°There is not much to see here. Books are all burned¡­ What¡¯s in the basement?¡± she went downstairs. It was a narrow basement. Pieces of fallen, broken, and rotten things filled the space randomly. She rummaging them to see if she could find something useful and found something that was sparkling with gathered stars. An unknown object buried beneath a stone pile carried dense mana. When Azriel was about to lift it up, Marthi quickly soared.


    ¡°Please leave these kinds of things to me, master,¡± Marthi, who turned his front paw only to its original size, pushed the stone pile with ease.


    ¡°Wow, thank you.¡±


    ¡°No problem. It¡¯s something I have to do as a familiar spirit. I should earn my keep.¡±


    His language was humble, but his facial expression was proud and his tail was wagging wildly. Holding back her laughter, she patted Marthi¡¯s head and examined what was exposed beneath the stone pile. ¡°A broken disc¡­?¡±


    A half disc, which was big enough to fill her both palms if it was whole, was on the floor. ¡°Marthi, do you know what it is?¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯ve seen it somewhere¡­,¡± his red eyes narrowed and studied around the half disc in Azriel¡¯s hand. Marthi, soon, shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s before I acquired intelligence, so I¡¯m not quite sure. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s natural that you don¡¯t know,¡± Azriel turned the moon-shaped disc over and back. Its material was unknown white metal. The broken part looked neat as if it was done purposefully. The surface was full of small and strange patterns inscribed on it, which she could not understand at all. And it carried a tremendous amount of mana. ¡°It has more mana than any decent mana stone. Why does it have so much mana?¡±


    She carefully let her mana flow in it. The mana inside the disc did not react at all. ¡°It doesn¡¯t look like the other half is¡­ here.¡±


    Since there was no way she had missed an object that had this much mana with her dragon eye, there must be only the half here. ¡°Will it react if I find the other half and make it a complete disc?¡±


    She examined the rim of the disc, tilting her head, and found very small writing inscribed in one corner.

 CH 92

    It was written in ancient Lemm. Azriel could not see it well because it was too small and because the basement was too dim. As she was looking into it, suddenly a blue light shone. A breath that Marthi exhaled became a blue flame and floated around in the air.


    ¡°Marthi?¡± Azriel asked in surprise.


    ¡°I thought you¡¯d need light,¡± Marthi replied.


    ¡°Thank you. You seem to be good at treating flames. You are like a spirit.¡±


    ¡°There was a fire spirit among the ingredients that made me. It¡¯s easy to treat fire.¡±


    ¡°You have a spirit in you?¡±


    ¡°I heard it was a spirit born in lightning. It was huge enough to burn a mountain. So, my fire can do that much, too.¡±


    ¡°Wow, lightning? That¡¯s a very rare spirit. That¡¯s amazing.¡±


    ¡°Ehem, it¡¯s nothing,¡± Marthi said in a subtly proud way and wagged his tail. ¡°This much is natural since I was born to be the most powerful familiar spirit. Except for Ofeq, the first familiar spirit of Reshith, I must be the most power¡ª¡±


    ¡°Wait, what? Reshith?¡± Azriel was so surprised that she forgot about the disc she held in her hand. ¡°Rhema Reshith? Are you talking about Rhema¡¯s familiar spirit? Its name is Ofeq¡­?¡±


    ¡°Yes, the Ofeq. Anyone less than that level won¡¯t be a match to¡­¡±


    ¡°Did Rhema have a familiar spirit named Ofeq? Not Largo, Blanchet, or Noir?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Marthi made a sound like a hiccup.


    ¡°Master, it somehow feels like¡­ you know are related to Rhema Reshith¡­ Perhaps it¡¯s my imagination, is it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Rhema who taught me magic. Of course, I know him.¡±


    ¡°Whaaat?!¡± Marthi¡¯s eyes were widened. He looked at Azriel with its mouth open. ¡°Are you saying you are Rhema Reshith¡¯s pupil, master?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Oh god, oh god¡­! You are indeed someone who deserved to be my master. You are amazing.¡±


    ¡°Do you know about Rhema, Marthi?¡±


    ¡°Even though I was a beast, I was made to be a familiar spirit. How can I not know the wizard who created the contract of familiar spirit?¡±


    ¡°¡­Huh? Rhema made the contract of familiar spirit?¡±


    ¡°You are not familiar with it? Rhema Reshith needed a guardian to protect his seal, so he created a strong servant that would not betray him for the first time,¡± Marthi continued as he straightened his wings. ¡°That¡¯s the first and the most powerful familiar spirit, Ofeq. Since then, other wizards imitated that and the contract of familiar spirit became common.¡±


    ¡°Wait a minute, a seal? A guardian to protect a seal? What kind of seal is that?¡±


    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s the seal of the watchman.¡±


    ¡°¡­What is a watchman?¡±


    ¡°Oh, are you not familiar with it, either? Rhema Reshith is also a watchman.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of¡­,¡± Azriel perched on a nearby rock with the disc in her hand. Three years ago, she did not acquire much through her investigation of Tarbo Tameion. She found out many things, but she could not find any relevance between Rhema and that wizard. But she ran into a clue from an unexpected place. Her heart pounded. ¡°Marthi, tell me everything you know about Rhema, and Ofeq, too.¡±


    ¡°All I know is simple common knowledge¡­¡±


    ¡°Around what time were you made? Do you know about Iskam the Great? What about the Iskam Calendar?¡±


    ¡°¡­What is that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a calendar. This year is 999 in Iskam Year. So, your common knowledge is ancient secrets now.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­,¡± Marthi blinked his red eyes. The lion cub pricked his ears and opened his mouth in a calm manner. ¡°The watchmen are the wizards who swore to protect people from the dragon. All of them are said to become watchmen by pulling out and sealing their hearts.¡±


    ¡°A dragon? Hearts?¡±


    ¡°Are there no watchmen in the current time?¡±


    ¡°No. There is no dragon, not to mention the wizards who protect people from the dragon.¡±


    ¡°There is no dragon? Back then when I was made, the war against the dragon was at its peak. I guess people won and drove out the dragon!¡±


    ¡°The war between the dragon and people¡­¡±


    ¡°It was called the Great War.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve heard of that.¡±


    People guessed that the Great War was one of the causes that the ancient magic civilization fell.


    ¡®But I thought the Great War was between wizards, not between the dragon and people,¡¯ she thought.


    It was a war against the dragon and there used to be watchmen who fought against the dragon. Come to think of it, Rhema¡¯s nickname, ¡®the Wizard of the Horizon¡¯ originated from the legend that he fought against the black dragon in the Endless Wilderness.


    ¡°What do you mean by pulling out and sealing their hearts?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure about that. It¡¯s just what the wizards who made me loaded me up.¡±


    ¡°What exactly did they say?¡±


    ¡°They said that the watchmen sealed their hearts to fight against the dragon.¡±


    ¡°¡­Is that all?¡±


    ¡°Yes. They said that one of the watchmen, Rhema Reshith, made the first familiar spirit, Ofeq, to protect that seal, and I¡¯d become the strongest familiar after Ofeq. This is all I know.¡±


    Marthi seemed to remember things that were related to himself to a certain degree. But this was a tremendous clue. Azriel repeated the word ¡®watchmen¡¯ in her mouth a few times and asked another question. ¡°What kind of familiar spirit is Ofeq?¡±


    ¡°I heard it was a huge bird that could cover the sky when it spread its wings. It is competent with magic like a wizard and it is the only familiar spirit that could fight a dragon.¡±


    ¡°A bird¡­,¡± the familiar spirits she knew were only three. Noir and Blanchet the cat and a large dog, Largo.


    ¡®I¡¯ve never seen a bird¡­ Wait,¡¯ Azriel recalled a colorful bird which had its nest on the roof of Rhema¡¯s house. She also remembered that she was curious why Rhema did not introduce her to it when she was young. ¡®Is that bird Ofeq?¡¯

 CH 93

    Could that ¡®duty¡¯ that Rhema said related to the fact that he was a watchman? She stared at the empty air vacantly before taking out her notebook. A dragon, watchmen, seal, Ofeq¡­ After writing down what she had heard in the notebook, she suddenly opened the front page before putting it away. It was the page where she had drawn the sculpture near the door.


    ¡°Marthi, do you know about this sculpture? What do you think this is describing?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the three primary wizards,¡± he answered without hesitation just by glancing at it.


    ¡°The three primary wizards?¡± she repeated him.


    ¡°It¡¯s said that there were three wizards in the beginning, and they spread magic and God¡¯s language to people, which was the beginning of human civilization.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of such a story. How do you know that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a common knowledge I was loaded with as a familiar spirit, The knowledge about Ofeq is alike.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ Who were the three wizards? Were they watchmen, too?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know such details. It¡¯s a memory I had when I was a beast¡­ I apologize, master,¡± Marthi drooped his ears. Azriel patted her familiar spirit¡¯s head.


    ¡°No, the things you¡¯ve told me have been a great help, too. Thank you,¡± she titled the drawing of the sculpture ¡®the Three Primary Wizards.¡¯ Then she closed the notebook and stood up. ¡°Now, where should I investigate this¡­ Wait, the disc.¡±


    She had forgotten about the disc because of Rhema¡¯s name that suddenly popped out. Azriel lifted up the half disc she had put down aside and walked it over Marthi¡¯s flame. Under the bluish light, small letters were revealed. It was in ancient Lemm. She faltered over it. ¡°A¡­ u¡­ r¡­ o¡­ ra. Aurora?¡±


    It was a familiar word. Its meaning was ¡®dawn.¡¯ And there was a society that had this name as its title. ¡°The Aurora Society¡­¡±


    She had investigated the society where Tarbo Tameion belonged while inquiring about him. The Aurora Society was a famous gathering that was widely known to even other countries and many outstanding wizards belonged to it. However, the society was not a group of outstanding wizards. ¡°It was not a gathering of wizards only, either.¡±


    Many of its members were non-wizards. There was only one purpose of the Aurora Society. It was to filter the people who would benefit its purpose despite the picky joining condition. ¡°The interpretation of the Aurora Disc. It was a gathering that began from there.¡±


    The relic ¡®Aurora Disc¡¯ was considered to be hiding secrets of the ancient magic civilization. The society bagan from a group of people who came together to study it. High-quality people who studied relics and the magic civilization gathered in the society. Naturally, there were many outstanding wizards. In addition, as they made many attempts to interpret the disc, they automatically appraised and analyzed relics and attempted to restore ancient magic. They had little progress in the interpretation of the disc, but their different attempts and researches had great achievements. Even the instructions of the mana engine of the train was discovered by the Aurora Society. Because of that, the Aurora Society was a group of extraordinary wizards. They were also well-known as the experts of the ancient magic civilization. In spite of that, the original purpose of the society was the interpretation of the Aurora Disc.


    ¡°And the disc that the society studied was only half of it. They were looking for the other half with effort, but they couldn¡¯t find it anywhere¡­,¡± Azriel stared at the half disc she was holding. The reason why the disc was called the Aurora Disc was that the only letters that people could read on the disc was ¡®Aurora.¡¯ ¡°This must be the other half of that Aurora Disc.¡±


    She realized where she should investigate. ¡°I should go to the Aurora Society.¡±


    ***


    Azriel came back to Brownie Castle riding on Marthi in his original form. After passing through the cypress forest, they met an open lake which was cast by the castle¡¯s shadow.


    ¡°A lake! It¡¯s my first time seeing it. The water is so clear! It looks cool.¡±


    ¡°Do you like it?¡±


    ¡°Yes, the master lives in a wonderful place. You are indeed the pupil of the watchman!¡±


    ¡°Then, do you want to look around the lake? I¡¯ll call you soon after.¡±


    ¡°Can I do that?¡± His tail with a poison sting swayed to both sides. Azriel jumped off of Marthi who had landed.


    ¡°Since this is where you¡¯re going to live, look around as much as you like.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, master!¡± Marthi flew to the lakeside excitedly. Azriel went to the castle alone. There was a white shadow standing in front of the castle gate. It was the Wizard of the Horizon who had not changed a bit as if he was stuffed over the past three years while Azriel grew up.


    ¡®Rhema.¡¯


    Spotting him, Azriel¡¯s steps became faster more and more. She almost ran and stopped in front of him. She had never run into his arms since she was ten. She felt a little sad about that.


    ¡°Rhe¡ªma, I, familiar, spirit¡­!¡± she yelled.


    ¡°I was watching you fly in. You¡¯ve certainly brought it,¡± Rhema responded welcomingly.


    ¡°The t, test¡­¡±


    ¡°Of course, you passed. From today, you are a true ¡®wizard.¡¯¡±


    ¡°Whoa, I, I¡­!¡±


    ¡°You should catch your breath.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­¡±


    While Azriel was catching her breath, Rhema quickly scanned her to see if she had been hurt, in trouble, or exhausted.


    ¡°Rhema, were you waiting for me?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Yes. You came back safely,¡± checking that there was not a scratch on her and only her clothes were slightly wrinkled, Rhema smiled. It was a much more smile-like smile that he put on three years ago right after he reunited with her. As he stayed with Azriel, his expression was gradually becoming natural. Azriel had not realized such a change since she had been on his side all along.


    Returning a smile reflectively, she asked. ¡°How did you know that I was going to come?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t,¡± Rhema replied.


    ¡°¡­You don¡¯t say! Have you been waiting for me all along?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t have much to do.¡±


    ¡°What? Oh, you shouldn¡¯t have. It was almost a whole day!¡±

 CH 94

    As Azriel was astonished, Rhema smiled without saying a word. Then he turned around and opened the castle gate.


    ¡°Brownie had been clamorous preparing a celebration party. He must be waiting for you. Why don¡¯t you go visit him?¡±


    ¡°A celebration party? What are we celebrating?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Of course, it¡¯s to celebrate you for becoming a true wizard,¡± Rhema replied.


    ¡°Oh goodness! What if I failed¡­?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no way you¡¯d fail, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°Rhema, you always seem to overestimate me.¡±


    ¡°I am always objectively evaluating you.¡±


    ¡°How can someone who¡¯s objectively evaluating me always compliment me whatever I do?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all because of your fault. You do everything so well. I have nothing to point out. You should¡¯ve failed to some degree, too,¡± moving his steps, Rhema laughed briefly. He was now able to make some things similar to jokes. As they approached the hall, they could hear boisterous noise. They heard the voices of familiar spirits, Brownie, and Maylie¡¯s families. Rhema stopped his steps in front of the hall. He held out a black cloth that was neatly folded. ¡°Take this, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°This is¡­,¡± it was a blue-black robe that was embroidered with silver thread. A robe, which could be called a wizard¡¯s formal dress, exposed its owner¡¯s mastery with its embroidery. Azriel, soon, realized the meaning of the embroidery on the robe he handed her. It was the traditional embroidery of the ancient wizards. The vine pattern which made up a complicated spiral with fruits hanging on to it meant ¡®able to find a solution to any dilemma¡¯, or ¡®a sage¡¯. It would mean the director of magic or a head court wizard who represented a country. ¡°¡­Can I really put this on?¡±


    ¡°I said I evaluated you objectively,¡± Rhema touched the knot on the robe that she was wearing with his fingers. ¡°Your magic has reached the level which can be accepted as a sage immediately even if you go to ancient times now, in just three years.¡±


    The knot was automatically untied and the wrinkled robe was slid down. Surprised, Azriel flinched and looked down at the fallen robe. Her cheeks were slightly reddened. Rhema put on the new robe on her who was wearing a dress. The blue-black robe that stretched out covered her softly.


    ¡°If you were in the old times, numerous wizards would have gathered in admiration. You can be more proud of yourself,¡± Rhema tied the knot on the robe on his own with a faintly proud face. His touch was tender.


    Azriel vacantly looked down at his long fingers twisting the string around and knotting it in a bow. ¡°Are you proud of me, Rhema?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± he was slightly excited, so he looked more lively than usual. Azriel stared at him and her cheeks became even more flushed.


    ¡°Thank you, Rhema,¡± she suddenly remembered the day he found his hobby.


    ***


    Ever since Azriel began learning magic in earnest, Rhema taught her every morning. It was Rhema and her own time from morning until supper. Maylie and her siblings went to school, Brownie and Maylie¡¯s mom, Maria, took care of the castle. The cats generally took a nap and Largo followed Maria around.


    One day, in the afternoon after the magic lesson was over, Azriel found a gameboard in the warehouse of the castle. It was a vintage object made by carving wood. The board had beige slots that exposed the natural wood grain and wine-colored slots that were dyed by turns. In the container next to it, two groups of pieces in each color were neatly placed.


    ¡°It¡¯s a chessboard,¡± she had seen it when she used to be in Colte. It was a game that the one who first caught the other party¡¯s king would win. Azriel moved it here and there and took it to Rhema. ¡°Rhema, do you know how to play chess?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I do,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Please teach me. I¡¯d like to try.¡±


    Rhema gently informed her of chess rules. Once learning how to move the pieces and a few exceptional rules, it was not so difficult. Azriel tried playing chess with him. She grabbed the red and he grabbed the white.


    ¡°Who did you learn it from, Rhema?¡±


    ¡°I learned it from my sister before.¡±


    ¡°Did you have chess in ancient times?¡±


    ¡°There are rules that have changed, but the basis is the same. It¡¯s an old game.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ Are you good at it, Rhema?¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not sure. I haven¡¯t played it a lot.¡±


    ¡°Wait, this¡­,¡± Azriel moved the piece that looked like a knight. The red knight on a horse was aiming at the white king. Her queen blocked the king¡¯s retreat route and her pawns blocked the front. ¡°Did I win?¡±


    Putting his hand on his chin, Rhema looked down at the gameboard. He kept silent for a short moment and said. ¡°Yes, you won. It¡¯s a checkmate.¡±


    ¡°Wow, this is how you play.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to play again?¡± Rhema asked calmly.


    Azriel nodded and organized the chess pieces. For a while, only sounds of chess pieces touching the wooden board could be heard. And not long after that¡­


    ¡°Checkmate, right?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°This is more fun than I thought. It didn¡¯t look like it did when I saw it a long time ago.¡±


    Rhema looked at the chess board on which he was defeated with a piercing gaze. Then he said quietly. ¡°Let¡¯s do it again, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°Wait, again?¡± Surprised to a great degree, Azriel looked at him. His face was still, but his eyes were fixed on the chessboard. She grabbed the pieces, smiling. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s do it.¡±

 CH 95

    On the wooden board, pieces made up of wood had another battle. It seemed pretty intense in the early phase. However, the chance of victory, soon, leaned towards the red pieces.


    ¡°Checkmate,¡± Azriel shouted.


    ¡°¡­again.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s try again,¡± Rhema¡¯s hand, which put chess pieces back to their original places, was serious.


    It was her first time seeing his enthusiastic side. Only now, he felt like an alive person, not a person cut out from a picture. She kept smiling involuntarily. ¡°Okay because It¡¯s fun.¡±


    It was on a terrace where relaxing sunshine was falling. Beyond the railing, she saw the blue lake and cypress forest. It was a quiet afternoon except for occasional chirping of birds. The wizard and the girl were completely engrossed in the small wooden board. Rhema Reshith could not win even once. Holding back her laughter, Azriel observed the white wizard who could not take his eyes off the wooden board on which he was completely defeated. He seemed to dislike losing inwardly. She was unaware of this side of him.


    ¡°Esthera, eat your supper! Delicious supper! Today is a trout dish garnished with Brownie¡¯s special sauce! There is a dessert, too! An apricot pudding! Apricot is good! Everything will be good! Brownie has used his awesome skills! Skills like magic!¡±


    Brownie showed up on the terrace and said noisily, scattering golden sparks. Azriel nodded at the spirit. ¡°I¡¯ll be right down, you go ahead.¡±


    ¡°Okay! Come quickly, Esthera! Before it gets cold! Brownie¡¯s meal is best when it¡¯s warm!¡± Brownie flew away quickly.


    Azriel slightly lifted up the chess board which Rhema was still staring at. The grey eyes moved along the chessboard.


    ¡°It¡¯s supper time, Rhema,¡± she said.


    ¡°¡­!¡± Only then, Rhema realized the lake that had dyed red in the sunset. He obviously seemed to be flustered. ¡°The time¡¯s already¡­¡±


    ¡°You seem to like chess very much, Rhema.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that I¡¯d play such a game, unaware of the passage of time.¡±


    ¡°If you had fun, let¡¯s play again later, Rhema.¡±


    ¡°Again, later?¡± he asked as if he heard extremely strange words.


    Organizing her words, Azriel replied. ¡°Yes, again, later. There¡¯s plenty of time, right¡±


    ¡°There isn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    She could not hear him because his voice was too small. Instead of speaking again, Rhema stood up from his seat. He said, receiving the chess board she had cleared. ¡°¡­Next time, why don¡¯t we bet something and try?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s save betting for later when you become good at it. Betting won¡¯t work now. You didn¡¯t win a single time earlier,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I will practice.¡±


    Azriel thought that Rhema seemed to have lost his temper a little just a moment ago. She looked up at him who was walking next to her. His face was as peaceful as usual, but there was faint heat below it. He was enthusiastic. She became happy to see him that way. She beamed. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll look forward to it!¡±


    Since that day, Rhema used to be lost in thought, moving chess pieces, instead of opening a book. He even bought a chess-related book intentionally. Even so, his winning rate against Azriel as his opponent fell short of ten percent. Since they had no other opponent excluding each other, there was no way to find out whether Rhema was particularly bad at it or Azriel was good at it. Just like that, chess became his hobby.


    ***


    Since those days, Azriel had seen Rhema¡¯s lively appearance occasionally. He was standing like a picture and was extremely beautiful. It was a beauty that was not of a human. So, when she faced it, she became fearful little by little. Compared to that, lively Rhema, who had faint, lingering heat, felt like she could reach him somehow when she stretched her hand out.


    ¡®This side of him looks much better.¡¯


    She burrowed her slightly flushed cheeks in her robe.


    Rhema finished knotting her robe and took off his hand. ¡°Then, hope you have a good time.¡±


    ¡°Are you not joining again, Rhema?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°No,¡± he answered lightly and turned around.


    ¡°Wait, Rhema!¡± Azriel hastily called him.


    He stopped and looked back at her. She grasped the pocket attached to her waist belt. She could feel the hardness of the half circle.


    ¡°¡­Do you know about the Aurora Disc?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I do,¡± Rhema answered her candidly and tilted his head. He whispered in a subdued voice. ¡°You found it, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I found this in the basement of the ruins,¡± Azriel could feel something from his attitude. She swallowed with her dry mouth. ¡°You knew that this was in that ruins, Rhema.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°The familiar spirit was not the only reason that you buried the ruins, was it?¡±


    ¡°You are right.¡±


    ¡°Did you not want this disc to be discovered? What is this?¡±


    ¡°Azriel,¡± Rhema¡¯s eyes narrowed as if he was looking in the distance. ¡°You said that you want to learn dragon eye magic.¡±


    ¡°Yes. You said that you won¡¯t teach me before I realize the meaning of using dragon eye magic.¡±


    He seemed to hesitate momentarily. Then, he closed and opened his eyes slowly and said calmly. ¡°If you find out what is in that disc, I will teach you dragon eye magic.¡±


    ¡°¡­!¡± Azriel opened her mouth in surprise. ¡°Are you sure, Rhema? If I interpret this, will I be able to learn about dragon eye magic accurately?¡±


    ¡°¡­Let me know if you find out. I¡¯ll make that your next test,¡± Rhema only said that and turned around.


    Looking at his back walking across the corridor, Azriel finally yelled out the question that rose inside her. ¡°Rhema, you are a watchman, aren¡¯t you? Is the duty you always talk about the duty as a watchman?¡±


    Hearing her question, he stopped his steps, but he did not look back. His long stretched out silver hair shook a little. ¡°Do you know what the watchman is?¡±


    ¡°I heard it from Marthi¡­ the familiar spirit I contracted with at the ruins. He said that the wizards who protect people from the dragon after¡­ sealing their hearts.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not entirely wrong.¡±


    ¡°Is any of it wrong? What does it mean to pull out and seal your heart?¡±

 CH 96

    Rhema did not answer right away. After standing still for some time, he replied in a small voice as he moved his steps.


    ¡°Yes. I have been a watchman all along. Thus, I can¡¯t answer you.¡±


    It was an answer that he barely managed to let out. He went away with that as his last remark. She watched him until his back disappeared into the shade of the building at the end of the corridor. Then, she heard a boisterous noise from the direction of the hall.


    ¡°When is Azriel coming? Why is she so late?¡±


    It was Maylie¡¯s voice. Only then, Azriel turned her attention and entered the hall. As soon as she opened the door, she was showered with clamorous congratulatory messages.


    ¡°Azriel, congratulations!¡± Maylie shouted.


    ¡°Sister Azriel! Congratulations for becoming a real wizard!¡± Maylie¡¯s sister said.


    ¡°Esthera! Esthera! Welcome, Esthera!¡± Brownie yelled.


    [Wolf, wolf, wolf!] Largo barked.


    She joined the party with a smile on her face. ¡°I¡¯m home.¡±


    *


    The building of the Aurora Society was right next to the royal palace. There was Maylie and her younger siblings¡¯ school nearby. Azriel set out for the society with Maylie. They did not accompany the familiar spirits since they would draw too much attention.


    ¡°I saw it every day because it¡¯s on the way. People in robes always gather nearby. You can see aristocrats, too.¡±


    Maylie said as she guided Azriel. Three years ago, when Azriel was gathering information about Tarbo Tameion, Maylie was a great help. It was she who investigated the Aurora Society.


    ¡°I told you the joining conditions, right?¡± Maylie asked.


    ¡°Yes, I remember,¡± Azriel answered as she recalled.


    Minors under age 18 were not accepted, and three or more references from existing members were required. If one were to join without a reference, he must have an outstanding research result about the ancient magic civilization or donate numerous valuable relics.


    ¡°By the way Azriel, what made you look into the Aurora Society again, all of a sudden?¡±


    ¡°I have to find out about something here.¡±


    ¡°Is there anything I can help you with?¡± Maylie asked, sparkling her green eyes.


    ¡°Guiding me is enough. Normally, it¡¯s your time to go to school,¡± Azrile said, shaking her head.


    ¡°There¡¯s barely a month left until graduation. I¡¯m free,¡± shrugging her shoulders, Maylie said with a dreamy voice. ¡°I never thought I¡¯d graduate. Really, I thought I¡¯d never be able to keep up with the class¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, I knew you¡¯d make it from the start.¡±


    ¡°What about me made you think that?¡±


    ¡°Maylie, you are smart.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s an illusion for certain, Azriel. You wouldn¡¯t say that if you saw my barely-passing grade on the graduation examination.¡±


    ¡°You passed. That¡¯s the only thing that counts. What are you going to do after graduating?¡±


    Maylie hesitated to answer. She said, avoiding Azriel¡¯s eyes. ¡°I, I¡¯ve got nothing like that. I surely am made to be a maid.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re lying. There¡¯s something else you want to do, isn¡¯t there?¡±


    ¡°N, no!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t hide. Just tell me, please?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to return your favor!¡±


    ¡°Why do you think you need to repay it as a maid? You can repay me with something else.¡±


    ¡°But, but¡­ there are things that the familiar spirits or the spirit can¡¯t do¡­¡±


    ¡°You know Mrs. Maria does such things for me.¡±


    Maylie¡¯s mom, who had become healthy now, was into tending the castle alongside Brownie. She began gardening and learning how to cook new dishes. Maylie was also aware of it. She was silent for a while with her mouth shut. In the meantime, they could see the Aurora Society. The marble building with the exterior wall twisted with ivy looked small compared to the status of the society. As a matter of fact, the basement was the heart of the society rather than the building above the ground. It was because the building was built above underground ruins. It was said that the basement of the society had more than ten levels. Because of that, the building of the Aurora Society was nicknamed ¡®the Underground Tower.¡¯


    ¡°This must be it. Thank you for guiding me, Maylie,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Azriel,¡± Maylie called her as if she was determined. When Azriel looked back, she shut her eyes and opened her mouth. ¡°Actually, like you said, there¡¯s something I want to do! I, I¡¯m not sure if I can do it well though¡­¡±


    ¡°Alright, what is it?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°¡­Re¡­,¡± Maylie said in a small voice that was barely hearable.


    ¡°Re?¡± Azriel repeated.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to become a r, reporter!¡±


    ¡°Reporter? Are you talking about newspaper reporter?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I thought of it while I was researching Tarbo Tameion, the Aurora Society, the family of the Duke of Rudimna, and such things upon your request¡­,¡± Maylie¡¯s face became red and began gushing. ¡°It was quite fun finding out information and organizing it. I¡¯ve met quite some people while inquiring around that. There was a reporter among them, and he asked me to work at a newspaper company.¡±


    ¡°A newspaper company? That¡¯s amazing! Which newspaper is it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Modjanklian. It¡¯s a newspaper produced based on magic communication¡­ It must not be a strange company since it¡¯s approved by the royal family as it¡¯s based on communication.¡±


    ¡°I saw that newspaper, too. It¡¯s the most famous newspaper in Modjankle. Geez, Maylie! Were you going to give up such an opportunity?¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to give up. Umm, I just thought they might not mean it¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous! Of course, they suggested it because they thought you¡¯d be good at it. That¡¯s great, Maylie! Congratulations!¡±


    Azriel grabbed Maylie¡¯s hands. Startled, Maylie looked at her ¡°Can I¡­ do it?¡±


    ¡°Of course you can! Why were you going to not take it? You said you wanted to try it.¡±

 CH 97

    ¡°I feel bad for doing what I want to do when I said I would repay you¡­¡±


    ¡°Maylie, I didn¡¯t help you wanting to get repaid. That¡¯s the same for you, too, right? If you thought of the aftermath, you wouldn¡¯t have tried to rescue me at Colte Castle.¡±


    Maylie was silent.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t become friends to nitpick such things. So don¡¯t!¡± she grabbed Maylie¡¯s shoulders and turned her around. ¡°If you do want to repay me nevertheless, repay me by becoming an amazing reporter.¡±


    ¡°Azriel¡­,¡± Maylie¡¯s eyes welled up.


    Azriel pushed her, clicking her tongue. ¡°Hurry and go talk to that reporter.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay! Thank you!¡± Maylie hugged Azriel tightly and leaped with excitement before she ran away in an instant.


    ¡°Oh, I said it¡¯s not something you should thank me¡­,¡± watching the retreating red hair, Azriel murmured to herself, Azriel murmured. It was all thanks to Rhema that she could help her friend as much as she wanted. It was all thanks to him that she became a wizard and was living a happy life as well.


    ¡®So, I¡¯m okay with whatever secret Rhema has. I will surely become a wizard similar to him and¡­,¡¯ with such thoughts in her mind, Azriel opened the door to the society. At that moment, the door suddenly swung open inward. ¡°Eek!¡±


    ¡°Oops,¡± someone caught her as she was about to fall forward. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    It was a hooded man. Azriel straightened her body and lifted her chin. She met the eyes under the hood.


    ¡°¡­!¡± Azriel was surprised.


    The bright blue eyes, dazzling blond hair¡­ Though he had changed from a boy into a young man with the passing time, those two things were still the same. She had not spent a long period of time with him, but it was a very powerful memory. Azriel recognized who he was at a glance. And, he, too, recognized her at a glance.


    ¡°What am I supposed to do if you go ahead of me like this, Your Majes¡­!¡±


    Someone approached him from behind, startled, and shut his mouth after discovering her. Azriel took a step back. What should I say? She was lost for words as she had never imagined that she would run into him like this, no, she had never imagined that she would see him again in the first place. As if it was the same for the man as well, he stood vacantly, not able to take his hand back which he raised to catch her. The person who came calling the man looked strangely at them who stood still facing each other. ¡°Young Master, do you know this lady?¡±


    The man¡¯s eyes shook hard under the hood. He moved his lips as if he did not know what to say. At last, it was Azriel who first spoke. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time. Have you been well?¡±


    ¡°¡­Nine years, is it?¡± The man murmured in a slightly choked voice. Then, he breathed in deeply, which made his chest heave. ¡°It¡¯s been long, Azriel Esthera.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Sir Charles,¡± after answering reflectively, Azriel corrected herself. ¡°¡­No, Prince? No¡­ Your Highness the King¡­?¡±


    ¡°Charles is enough from you,¡± he put on a bitter smile. Nine years ago, the boy crown prince who was kidnapped by Marquis Ederick with Azriel was standing in front of her as a young king now.


    *


    There were many sealed rooms in the underground tower of the Aurora Society as it was underground. Azriel sat down face to face with Charles in a reception room for important visitors among them. The man who seemed to be Charles¡¯ subordinate stood in one corner with his hood pulled down on his face.


    ¡°Who is that gentleman?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°That is my guard, Ash von Madriol. He is more of my shadow,¡± Charles replied.


    ¡°I see,¡± Azriel was a little surprised to hear it.


    ¡®Madriol? It¡¯s one of the two greatest Dukes of Aucandor,¡¯ she thought. He must not be the successor, but still having a Madriol as his private guard showed the standing of the man in front of her. ¡®The king¡­¡¯


    His rank would not have allowed her to even look at him, let alone sitting face to face, if she was still a whipping child of the family of Count Colte. Of course, Azriel now barely cared about such status. Her life had strayed too much from the general track to do so. She thoroughly observed the man before her. Charlene Modjankle de Aucandor, 23-year-old young king of Aucandor. He subdued a revolt of Marquis Ederick at the age of 14 before ascending a throne and had been reigning for 9 years. The public regarded him as a skilled swordsman and a competent monarch. His major achievement was abolishment of slavery, reorganization of magic communication system, development of sea route and antipiracy, invigoration of entrepot trade as a result of that, and so on.


    In general, the only complaint people had for this king was this: ¡®It¡¯s been so long ago since our king reached the age of majority. Why isn¡¯t he greeting the queen already? I hope His Majesty gets married quickly.¡¯


    Azriel recalled the common knowledge she roughly knew from hearing others. Then she suddenly remembered something. It was something that she realized while retracing her memories of childhood after they had come back. It was the incident in which rebel forces were annihilated overnight. It was an incident that made rumors spread that God¡¯s blessing was upon the young king of Aucandor among people who did not know the behind story. ¡®At the time¡­ Rhema must¡¯ve killed all the people who were there. Those were rebel forces by chance.¡¯


    It was a result that she implied that she did not have anyone else that she wanted to save except for Charles. Azriel now knew about Rhema to some degree. Rhema probably was not interested in who they were. What he considered was that they belonged to the group which tried to hurt her. ¡®If those who were there were not rebel forces¡­¡¯


    People who just happened to be there could have died, just like how Rhema saved people who happened to be there by changing the course of the tsunami. Feeling chilly all of a sudden, Azriel shivered slightly.


    ¡°Are you cold?¡± Charles asked.


    ¡°N, no,¡± she answered.


    There was silence after an awkward and short exchange of question and answer. Charles hesitated and carefully opened his mouth.


    ¡°¡­Azriel Esthera. I was indebted to you beyond words at the time. And yet, I only caused you trouble, let alone thanking you properly,¡± he said as he deeply lowered his head.

 CH 98

    ¡°I know it¡¯s late, but I render thanks to you and apologize. Now¡ª,¡± Charles said.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, Sir Charles. I¡¯ve already forgotten about that long ago,¡± Azriel said, waving her hands to refuse Charles¡¯ apology.


    She was speaking the truth. It was a shocking incident, but other things were more shocking to Azriel back then rather than the events related to Charles-the things that Rhema did, the decision he made to leave her, or the fact that she killed a knight by moving mana.


    ¡®I should be able to control it if I learn dragon eye magic properly,¡¯ she thought as she looked into her palm. That was one of her reasons that she wanted to learn dragon eye magic.


    Charles¡¯ face turned a little strange to hear her remarks. ¡°You¡¯ve forgotten about it? As for me, I could never forget that incident¡­ No, never mind. I wasn¡¯t going to say such things,¡± Charles wiped his face with his hands and continued. ¡°I went to Hanora Village as soon as the situation settled, but the village was empty, and I couldn¡¯t even find your trace.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not surprised that you couldn¡¯t find me. I left the village for personal reasons,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Was it because of that incident? Was it because of me?¡± he asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s not because of you, Sir Chalres,¡± she replied. The incident related to Charles was a trigger, but that was not the only reason. It was between Rhema and her.


    ¡°Can you tell me what it was about?¡± Charles asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t,¡± Azriel refused with a smile. Charles opened his mouth to say something but shut it back. Then he looked at her quietly and covered his mouth slightly with his hand.


    ¡°Are you 19 this year?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m a grown-up,¡± she answered.


    ¡°I see¡­,¡± he gazed at her strangely. When Azriel was about to get a little nervous, he quick-wittedly took his eyes off. ¡°You are a pupil of the wizard who was there at that time?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I learned magic from him,¡± she said.


    ¡°I thought so, I¡¯ve never seen a wizard like you once. The pupil of the Wizard of the Horizon¡­,¡± Charles let out a sigh in a low voice. Then, he rubbed his face again as if he was trying to wake himself up. Meanwhile, Azriel glanced at the time. She had a reason for visiting the society.


    ¡®I shouldn¡¯t be too late,¡¯ she thought. She and Rhema had a plan to study about her familiar spirit, Marthicoras. She was glad and surprised at the same time to meet someone whom she had never thought she would meet again, but she already knew that he was doing well from rumors. ¡®I¡¯ve talked to him for some time. Now, I should get going.¡¯


    ¡°Well, Sir Charles¡­,¡± she opened her mouth.


    ¡°Oh, I apologize. I¡¯m a little out of it now,¡± Charles flinched and apologized as he had been gawking at her. Azriel smiled.


    ¡°That¡¯s alright. You must be very busy. I don¡¯t know about state affairs or politics, but I know Sir Charles¡¯ achievements are marvelous.¡±


    She had been helped directly by his policy before. She could get out of a dead end thanks to the abolishment of slavery. Azriel said wholeheartedly. ¡°I was lucky that I was able to save you, Sir Charles. So, you don¡¯t have to be sorry anymore.¡±


    She slightly bowed her head. ¡°Thank you for becoming an excellent king. I hope that you continue to do well.¡±


    With her last remarks, she ended the conversation and stood up from her seat. When she lifted her body, he rushed to shout. ¡°W, wait!¡±


    ¡°Pardon me?¡± she turned to him.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I was busy. I was not out of it because I was busy. It was because I was too surprised to see you again. I¡¯m not busy. I¡¯m very free.¡±


    Hearing his words that were gushed out flusteredly, Sir Ash, who had been standing in one corner like a shadow, cleared his throat. Ignoring that, Charles continued. ¡°There¡¯s something I want to ask you. I¡¯ve always been curious about it¡­¡±


    ¡°Please go ahead,¡± she said politely.


    Charles hesitated and touched the sides of his mouth repeatedly. Then, he took a deep breath and asked as if he was vomiting words. ¡°Azriel Esthera. Do you really not regret helping me?¡±


    ¡°¡­Pardon?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you regret helping a leader like me? Didn¡¯t you think that you helped me in vain? I¡¯d like you to be honest,¡± he stared at her like a convict who was waiting for a judgment. It was an attitude that did not match his dazzling blonde hair, handsome face, grace embedded in his body, and his status as a king who received praise and love at the same time. Startled, Azriel said. ¡°What are you saying? A person like you? You are a good and wise king. Everyone says that they really like you and that you are great.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not great at all. I am a pathetic person. I was ungrateful, stupid, and all talk. I realized that at the time,¡± Charles covered his face with trembling hands. ¡°I said that I¡¯d get you out without fail and that I was not an animal that was insensible of kindness, but I couldn¡¯t do so in the end. I care more about my body, and for the reason that it hurt, I was going to give up on you.¡±


    Has that happened? Azriel recalled her memory. Charles surely grabbed a dagger and attempted to cut his own finger. She clearly remembered the pale face of the boy, which was wet from his tears and sweat. ¡°No, Sir Charles, you tried to save me for certain¡ª¡±


    ¡°No. I was going to give up,¡± he sternly denied it and twisted the tip of his lips. It was a  self-mocking smile. ¡°If only your use of ¡®magic¡¯ was a little late, I would¡¯ve thrown away the dagger, saying that I couldn¡¯t do it. I would¡¯ve revealed my bottom plainly.¡±


    Charles roughly pushed his hair up and spit out words. ¡°I had a nightmare like that many times. It was pathetic. I am just that kind of person.¡±


    His voice carried an awful sense of shame. His face distorted as if he was about to cry. His guard, Ash, was shocked to see him that way. He had been serving him as his lord for several years. The competent king had always been confident, calm, and composed. Ash had always been proud of the king and had never imagined once that there was such shame inside him. Charlene gushed out his heart that he had never shown to anyone for the past nine years before Azriel. ¡°A wise king? What nonsense! How can someone, who turned away the one who helped him only because he doesn¡¯t want to hurt his body, be called a great king? The one who can¡¯t even keep his word is a wise king?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Even that throne is the result of your master¡¯s punishment upon the people who were going to hurt you. I don¡¯t have the qualities of a king¡ª¡±


    ¡°Sir Charles,¡± Azriel  interrupted him.


    Charles lifted his chin which he had buried in his hands. His face, which looked at her, had sunken in a moment of time like a person who had been haunted by nightmares for years.

 CH 99

    Azriel saw Charles in the past overlap on his current face. That face was young. It was a 14-year-old boy with soft hair. ¡®If I were in the same situation, could I have cut my finger for the person whom I just met?¡¯


    She probably could not have done that. Azriel was no saint and neither was Charles. He was not guilty. The guilty were those who kidnapped them, not Charles and Azriel who were dragged into that. She did not know that Charles had been suffering from guilt and shame from the incident of that time. She felt sorry for the man who was looking up at her with blurred eyes. Azriel quietly opened her mouth. ¡°Sir Chalres, you are truly an honorable person.¡±


    Charles was stupefied. ¡°What are you¡­ I¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know well about the qualities of a king, but wouldn¡¯t it be difficult for someone who is generous to himself to become a good king? I think someone who is more strict with himself is more suitable for higher positions,¡± she continued.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°And Sir Charles, you are like that,¡± Azriel¡¯s remark made Charles shut his mouth as if he was lost for words. She smiled and continued. ¡°I¡¯ve never regretted helping you. I should rather thank you. I was helped by your policy.¡±


    ¡°My¡­policy?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I was a slave for a brief period of time,¡± she claimed.


    His eyes widened. ¡°A slave? You? How on earth did that happen¡­?¡±


    ¡°Umm, I had a complicated situation. Anywho, things improved for me in many ways because you abolished slavery, Sir Charles,¡± she replied.


    ¡°My policy¡­ has been of help to you¡­,¡± he murmured.


    ¡°Yes, very much,¡± Azriel smiled brightly. ¡°You are a splendid king. So, please don¡¯t say that you are not qualified as a monarch. Don¡¯t you blame yourself for such guilt anymore as well.¡±


    Chalres¡¯ face was vacant. His blue eyes shook dizzily. His eyes welled up a little. He hastily lowered his chin and covered his eyes with his hand. His hoarse voice came out. ¡°¡­Thank you, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome, Sir Charles,¡± she answered brightly.


    Charles caught his breaths for some time. Then he lifted his chin. With an already cleared face, he smiled. ¡°Just Charles is enough from you.¡±


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t call the king like a friend.¡±


    ¡°A mere king won¡¯t be a big deal for you, the pupil of the Wizard of the Horizon,¡± Charles shrugged and spoke gently. ¡°I¡¯d like to be your friend. Would you not like it?¡±


    ¡°Can a king do that?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Can¡¯t a king make friends? That¡¯s too much,¡± he said with a sad expression on his face. Azriel could not help but laugh.


    ¡°Very well, Then. Let¡¯s be friends. Then can I ask something to commemorate becoming friends?¡±


    ¡°Anything,¡± he answered simply.


    ¡°Why are you ¡®the poorest beggar,¡¯ Charles?¡±


    He gave a dry cough as if he had not expected such a question. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d still remember that.¡±


    ¡°I was so curious back then, too. Is it a secret? A secret code or a nickname?¡± she urged him.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that¡­,¡± he pressed his forehead and sighed. ¡°When I was young, I learned the basics of magic from Pendelok Palaios. Wait, do you know who Pendelok Palaios is?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m not familiar with that name.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s understandable that someone like you doesn¡¯t know him. He is the greatest wizard of Aucandor and the current director of magic.¡±


    ¡°He must be an extraordinary man.¡±


    ¡°If Pendelok had heard what you just said, he¡¯d pass out. Anyway, that was what he said after testing me to see if I have qualities to be a wizard.¡±


    ¡°What did he say?¡±


    Charles shrugged and mimicked the old man¡¯s voice. It was a fast and exciting tone. ¡°There¡¯s mana in your body, but it merely exists. Oh, oh, the amount is practically none! I¡¯ve never seen someone who inherited such a poor legacy, Your Highness! You are the poorest beggar among all people I¡¯ve seen in my entire 80 years of life! You might be the poorest mana beggar in the world! May I study you, Your Highness?¡±


    ¡°¡­So, did you become his research subject?¡±


    ¡°No, I fled. I was lucky that I was a royalty. If not, I might have been dissected.¡±


    ¡°Goodness,¡± Azriel burst into laughter.


    Charles smirked. Leaning his back on the sofa, he looked at her. ¡°By the way, are you truly not going to be rewarded? Is there anything you need?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Knowing that you thought of me is more than enough.¡±


    ¡°I have been determined to reward you since nine years ago. I hope you will receive something for my sake.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t really need anything,¡± Azriel shook her head.


    Charles rubbed his chin and asked out of the blue. ¡°Why did you come here? Is it for a request?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t come to make a request but to inquire about something. You are the king. Why did you come to the society yourself?¡±


    ¡°I also came to inquire about something,¡± he said with a grin on his face and crossed his arms. ¡°By any chance, don¡¯t you need a qualification for membership?¡±

 CH 100

    Azriel indeed needed the qualification for membership. As the Aurora Disc was the purpose of the society itself, it was not something to be rendered to someone who was not a member. There were two ways; revealing the other half of the disc that she had, or approaching the disc officially by becoming a member. However, Azriel did not want to expose the disc she had recklessly. It would cause turmoil.


    ¡®Besides, if the disc information regarding dragon eye magic. Maybe it shouldn¡¯t be known,¡¯ she thought.


    In truth, Rhema had never told her to keep it a secret. Nonetheless, she thought that exposing it at her disposal might be dangerous. There seemed to be a reason for magic to disappear after ancient times, leaving only conjuring. That was the reason she came to join the society.


    ¡°The society doesn¡¯t easily give out information to nonmembers. I don¡¯t know which information you came for, but it¡¯d be convenient to become a member, aren¡¯t I right?¡± Charles asked.


    ¡°Right, I came to join Aurora,¡± Azriel answered.


    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll get you a recommendation letter,¡± he said with a brightened face.


    ¡°Are you a member of Aurora?¡±


    ¡°The king is treated as a special member. I¡¯ll introduce you to two people who can write you the other two letters.¡±


    Originally, Azriel had planned to donate mana stones that she made on her own, saying that they were relics. She did not necessarily join by getting recommendation letters, but Charles looked so delighted when offered to write a recommendation letter for her. In fact, he was already writing a recommendation letter with one stroke of a brush after pulling the paper that was on one side of the table as soon as she shared her purpose of coming to Aurora.


    ¡°You can tell me if you have anything else you need help with, not just related to this matter,¡± he added.


    Azriel could see Maylie, who protested to her that she would repay her favor for certain, overlapping Charles who was handing over the recommendation letter that was made in an instant. She felt sorry that she kept turning him down. It was also better to join on recommendation than donating a lot of relics. At last, Azriel received the letter of recommendation. ¡°Thank you, Charles.¡±


    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll talk to the other two directly¡­¡±


    ¡°Ehem, ehem, ehem!¡±


    Ash cleared his throat loudly from one side. Charles¡¯ face turned flustered and continued. ¡°¡­I won¡¯t be able to introduce them directly, but I will write letters to them for you. If you visit them and show them my letter, they¡¯ll write a recommendation letter right away.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± she replied.


    ¡°I should get going now,¡± he murmured regrettably. Ash delightfully began preparing to leave. But Charles did not get up right away and lingered. ¡°Azriel, are you going to visit this underground tower occasionally from now on?¡±


    ¡°I guess so. I will continue to come until my investigation is over,¡± she said.


    ¡°Around the same time as today?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Probably. This is my most leisurely time of the day.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great. I¡¯ll be visiting here around this time for work. Let¡¯s meet here at the same time tomorrow. I¡¯ll give you the letter of introduction then.¡±


    ¡°Very well, then. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow, Charles,¡± Azriel answered him with a smile. Then Charles paused and stiffened. He vacantly gazed at her and said after covering around his mouth. ¡°Since I should ex, explain about the people who will write you recommendation letters, it might take some time. Wouldn¡¯t that be okay?¡±


    ¡°Sure, if it doesn¡¯t take too long.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t take that long. How about having lunch together tomorrow to talk? I¡¯ll treat you. Do you like Robas dishes? There¡¯s a restaurant that makes good Robas food nearby¡­¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, Minister of Military must be waiting for you,¡± not being able to hold on any longer, Charles¡¯ guard spoke.


    Charles knitted his brows and sighed. ¡°I¡¯m sure he came to tell on me because he¡¯s been arguing with the Minister of Finance over an unreasonable budget for new weapons, can¡¯t we let him wait a little longer?¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty!¡± Ash yelled.


    ¡°I know, I know. What a nag,¡± he got up, grumbling.


    Azriel said as she held back her laughter. ¡°I like Robas food. I¡¯ll come around noon tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then I will see you tomorrow,¡± Charles responded delightedly and left with Ash.


    ¡®I made a unique friend. A king, it is,¡¯ Azriel thought. It was an unexpected outcome, but she did not hate it. It was a pretty pleasant feeling. Azriel left the room with a smile. And not long after, she was bewildered. ¡°This is¡­ like a complete maze.¡±


    The underground tower of the Aurora Society was like a maze as it was made by remodeling the ruins. It was fine when she entered it because she was guided by Ash, but she was at a loss to come out. She had no choice but to look at the flow of mana with her dragon eye. Since the flow of composition mana was the most compacted in the center of a building, it would be the outer part if it became thinner.


    As Azriel was going outside examining mana, she found something. It was a group of light like a nebula that shined exceptionally in the soft night sky. It did not compare to Rhema¡¯s mana which was like the galaxy, but it was the most powerful mana she had ever seen except for his. ¡®It¡¯s shining so much. What could it be¡­?¡¯


    The mana was not of an object. Since it was flowing, it must be a living thing. Azriel approached it as if she was being led. The nebula grew closer. Light red stars were swirling like a blast furnace or a whirlwind. ¡®It¡¯s very wild.¡¯


    She saw a person when she turned the round corner. Azriel relaxed her concentration and identified the person¡¯s figure. In a small underground garden where flowers and trees were planted and a magic lamp was lit, there was a little girl squatting next to a flower bed. ¡®It¡¯s a living person¡­ right?¡¯


    The girl with long, platinum blond hair was in a white nightgown. Because of her ashen face, she looked like a ghost. She turned her head suddenly as if she felt Azriel¡¯s presence. Their eyes met. She had red eyes.


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    The girl jumped up in fright. Then, she stepped back falteringly, covering her mouth. She looked terrified.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m¡­,¡± Azriel spoke.


    ¡°¡­!¡± As soon as Azriel opened her mouth, the girl trembled. She turned around and began to run. Azriel saw scars on her arms and legs through her fluttering nightgown and long hair.

 CH 101

    ¡®Why is she full of scars? She¡¯s so thin, too¡­ She must be an abused child,¡¯ Azriel thought and remembered her childhood. Even the girl¡¯s running steps seemed extremely tottering. At last, the girl fell after walking only a few steps.


    ¡°Ar¡­!¡± The girl stopped screaming and covered her mouth. She did not grab where she hurt when she fell but was covering her mouth first. Azriel could not help to be bothered. She was going to approach the girl and help her stand up. Then, the girl was taken aback and struggled to get up. Azriel rushed to explain to the girl who was stepping back like a cat raising its fur. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m a wizard who came to join the society. I¡¯m not a stranger.¡±


    The girl shook her head. She was still covering her mouth with her hands. When Azriel tried to approach her, the girl trembled convulsively and shook her head more strongly.


    ¡°Do you not want me to come close to you?¡± Azriel asked.


    The girl nodded. She, then, slowly stepped back, looking at Azriel¡¯s eyes, and when their distance grew to some degree, she turned around and ran away. Azriel could only watch the fluttering platinum blonde disappear into the hallways.


    *


    Rhema was waiting for Azriel by the lakeside. Marthicoras was lying on his belly in front of him and got up quickly to find Azriel returning.


    ¡°Master, welcome! I¡¯ve been waiting for you!¡±


    It was a passionate welcome. As if he had forgotten about his size, Marthi rubbed his body against hers and murmured. ¡°It was a hard time, master. I don¡¯t care for the greatest wizard or anything. I just like you, master. I missed you, master¡­¡±


    ¡°Were you scared? Rhema is a kind person, so you don¡¯t have to be scared,¡± Azriel responded. Rhema merely was not interested in other people, but he was more kind than anyone to Azriel whom he cared for. ¡®He just acts strangely sometimes because he is so powerful to the point that he is different from anybody and something is restricting him. Rhema must¡¯ve been a very kind person before he became the Wizard of the Horizon.¡¯


    She did not forget his cruelty. However, her perception towards him had to change while watching him for the past three years. Rhema was also kind to Maylie¡¯s family. He conversed with Maria well if she talked to him about the garden or cooking and did not get upset even if Maylie¡¯s siblings made mistakes while playing together. Moreover, Robel, the third child of Maylie¡¯s family, even begged Rhema to teach him magic and learned a little, though he quit not long after because he did not have much mana inside his body. Even though Rhema did not like a clamorous place like a party and did not get along with people openly, his attitude was always respectful and gentle. He was fine as long as Azriel was safe. The affairs when he acted mercilessly were all related to her. ¡®It¡¯ll be alright as long as I make him worried. Except for the affairs related to me, he rather helps people a lot of times.¡¯


    Azriel had never seen him being cruel to anyone ever since she left Colte. Instead, she saw him clearing up the flood that occurred in Modjankle last year, without a word. His reason was that he did not want to see the streets splashing with water, but it was a big help to people.


    ¡°¡­A kind person? Who do you mean, master?¡± Marthi asked as if he could not believe it.


    ¡°It¡¯s about Rhema, Marthi. He¡¯s fine,¡± Azriel brushed Marthi¡¯s forehead, who was making a weird facial expression, and looked back at Rhema. ¡°I¡¯m sorry that I¡¯m late, Rhema.¡±


    Rhema Reshith thought while hearing her comforting her familiar spirit. He thought that his efforts were worthwhile after all. He did not want to see her cry again. He also did not want to make any more mistakes. He answered her with a kind smile. ¡°You are not too late. How was your trip? Did you get any good results?¡±


    ¡°Umm, yes,¡± Azriel continued, patting Marthi. ¡°I met someone unexpectedly.¡±


    ¡°Who is it?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Charles. The king of this country. Do you remember? Uh, he was kidnapped together when I was kidnapped¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­I remember,¡± Rhema¡¯s voice was slightly lowered. His eyes became cold. Azriel did not notice his reaction as she was answering Marthi¡¯s question asking who it was. ¡°He thanked me for the past event and he said he¡¯ll help. Do you want to meet him, too, Rhema? I will thank you so much.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Rhema answered sternly and pointed at Marthicoras. ¡°I found out several things about your familiar spirit. Would you like to hear it?¡±


    ¡°Oh, sure!¡±Azriel listened to his explanation about Marthi¡¯s abilities and characteristics. She also learned some more skills to supply mana and control familiar spirits. She tried moving with Marthi on her own a few times, and the sun was setting. Leaving Marthi outside who loved the lake, she returned to the castle with Rhema. Before entering, Azriel asked a question that she had been thinking about since yesterday. ¡°Rhema.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Azriel,¡± he answered.


    ¡°Rhema, you have a familiar spirit called Ofeq, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Rhema hesitated for a moment and said as he began walking again. ¡°You¡¯ve heard it from Marthicoras.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Well, was it the bird on the roof of your house?¡±


    ¡°¡­You are right.¡±


    ¡°Blanchet, Noir, and Largo did not ever mention that bird. Is it a familiar spirit that I shouldn¡¯t know?¡±


    ¡°Ofeq is a little different from other familiar spirits.¡±


    ¡°Is it because he is guarding the watchman¡¯s seal?¡±


    Rhema looked back at her to hear her question. Grey eyes looked dry as glass beads. Azriel continued. ¡°If it¡¯s a question that you can¡¯t answer, you don¡¯t have to answer.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Rhema turned his gaze and answered slowly. ¡°Ofeq is a being I created to guard my seal.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why you didn¡¯t introduce it to me.¡±


    A familiar spirit that was guarding the heart that a watchman cut out in order to fight a dragon¡­ Was the heart a real heart, or was it a metaphor? ¡®Rhema said he can¡¯t answer this because he is a watchman.¡¯


    While Azriel was deep in thoughts, he said quietly as he opened the gate of the castle. ¡°You¡¯ll learn about the watchman naturally if you pass the new test.¡±


    ¡°The new test is finding out what the contents of the Aurora Disc, isn¡¯t it? Wasn¡¯t that related to dragon eye magic?¡±


    ¡°A dragon eye wizard will eventually end up becoming a watchman.¡±


    ¡°¡­What?¡±


    Rhema looked down at her with a mysterious look. He did  not want her to become the same being as himself but wanted her to be, at the same time.


    ¡®What do I really want from you?¡¯ He was not sure. His desire was increasing and he became more confused. The more he stayed with her, she grew, and she grew as a wizard, the more he wished these days would last forever. He wished that he would see her smiling face a little longer and that she would reach his mastery. No, he wished that she would not. He wished that she would just live a happy and peaceful life. He also wished that other people¡¯s names would not come out of her mouth, and she would not care about anyone other than him. Sometimes, he wanted to get rid of all the people around her, but he endured because that would make Azriel miserable, and the egg might crack and break if he did so. Such chaos in his mind was not revealed on his face. Rhema led her softly. ¡°Brownie must be waiting. Let¡¯s go eat supper.¡±

 CH 102

    Charles led Azriel to a restaurant near the Aurora Society¡¯s underground tower. It was a place with a sign written ¡®Golden Garden.¡¯ Under the sign, it wrote that it specialized in Robas food. Robas was a famous dish made by cooking a valuable mushroom that only grew in Aucandor and the tenderest meat of a calf with a special sauce.


    ¡°This is a place where you can eat the second best Robas in Modjankle,¡± Charles commented.


    ¡°The second best?¡± asked Azriel.


    ¡°The best dish comes from the hands of a royal cook. If you want, I¡¯d invite you to the royal palace¡­¡±


    ¡°No, no, that¡¯s fine. The second best is enough for me.¡±


    King¡¯s every action was about to be on people¡¯s lips. Azriel did not want to be rumored by unnecessarily being invited to the palace. As Azriel shook her head hard, Charles laughed briefly. He was wearing his hood to hide his identity as a king. The restaurant, Golden Garden, where he invited her consisted of small divided rooms so that customers would not run into each other.


    ¡®Since Charles¡¯ face is well known to the public, it must be difficult for him to do things outside his palace. But why did he come to the underground tower on his own in spite of that?¡¯ Azriel thought.


    A restaurant staff led them to a room across the hallway. Ash, who was accompanying Charles, did not follow them to the room again today. ¡°I¡¯ll stand outside.¡±


    He saluted in a modest way. Azriel asked as if it was strange. ¡°Sir Ash, are you not going to eat with us?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already eaten. Also, please call me without the honorifics. I shouldn¡¯t be called with a title from someone who¡¯s a friend of my lord,¡± Ash replied to Azriel.


    ¡°Oh, I see. Then, I¡¯ll call you Ash,¡± as Azriel responded with a big smile, Ash zoned out for a brief moment. He quickly bowed and stepped out as if to run away. Charles clicked his tongue, watching it. Ash von Madriol had a little sister who was called the greatest beauty of the capital, Lexina von Madriol. For such a reason, he did not consider most beauties beautiful, but it seemed Azriel Esthera looked certainly beautiful to him.


    ¡®Well, it¡¯s understandable,¡¯ thought Charles, examining Azriel. Her long, black hair made her, who had bright skin, look like a person made out of milk. She had small and delicate but vivid facial features, blushed lips and clear golden eyes.


    ¡°Wow, this is a pretty place. A room decorated as a garden¡­,¡± Azriel exclaimed.


    Besides, when she smiled like that, her eyes made pretty arches like the half moon and her slight dimples were exposed, that looked so lovely¡ª


    ¡°Charles?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± he hastily took off his eyes. Azriel was admiring the interior of the room. There was a rug made of silk threads looking like grass fields on the flower bed decorated with paper flowers, which made her feel like she was in a model garden. They sat face to face and ate. As Charles confidently said, the food was great even to Azriel¡¯s taste which was accustomed to the dishes that the spirit made. While eating, Charles explained about the two people who would write her letters of recommendation. ¡°You should know one person. The director of magic, Pendelok Palaios.¡±


    ¡°Was he a member of Aurora?¡±


    ¡°Yes. He¡¯s a senior member. I already spoke to him. He is usually at the Chamber of Magic, so you¡¯ll be able to meet him if you visit there anytime and say your name.¡±


    ¡°Anytime? Wouldn¡¯t that disturb him?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous. He¡¯ll be happy to see you if you visit him. He might be too excited that you might be bothered,¡± Charles chuckled. Soon after, he began talking about the other person. ¡°The other one is the Duchess of Rudimna. She is my aunt.¡±


    ¡°Is the Duchess a wizard as well?¡± she asked.


    ¡°No, she¡¯s not a wizard. She wasn¡¯t originally interested in magic that much. But now, she¡¯s become a prestigious magic civilization expert,¡± saying so, his face turned bitter. Azriel rolled her eyes and asked carefully. ¡°It sounds like there¡¯s a story behind it¡­ Can I ask what happened?¡±


    Charles seemed to hesitate a little. ¡°This is a closely guarded secret.¡±


    ¡°Oh, no. If that¡¯s the case, it¡¯s fine. You don¡¯t have to tell me.¡±


    ¡°No, if it¡¯s to you¡­ You might know something,¡± he put down his fork and looked at her with serious eyes. ¡°Azriel, have you heard of nameless wizards?¡±


    ¡°Oh, yes. To some degree. You are talking about the patients suffering from the excessive mana disorder, right?¡±


    The excessive mana disorder was a rare illness. The correct terminology was ¡®Unnamable Excessive Mana Disorder.¡¯ The mana inside a wizard¡¯s body moved according to his will, and the simplest way to reveal one¡¯s will strongly was speaking. Thus, the more excellent a wizard was, the more the cases in which mana inside of his body would react automatically whenever he spoke. Usually, it was called rampant mana. A wizard¡¯s spell was a method to put a leash on his rampant mana. In other words, it was a ¡®spell¡¯ to make mana respond to the name of mana instead of other words. But there were some people who could not define their spell. No matter how much they named their spell, the mana inside their body would not accept it as their name. Such a case was called unnamable.


    Surprisingly, there were quite a lot of people who had unnamable mana. Despite that, it would not be a big deal. It was not revealed unless they were analyzed one at a time. They merely could not become wizards, but they did not have other problems. Even if the mana inside of their body would rampage whenever they spoke, it just thrashed a little inside of their body. It would not be revealed as magic. Commoners who did not receive mana-sensing training properly would generally not even feel their mana responding to their words.

 CH 103

    However, in an extremely rare case, some people had mana which was violent enough for its rampant mana to be visible. It was the case for those with excessive mana, who inherited an enormous amount of legacy. These people had too much mana that every time their mana went rampant, it would affect their body that it was nonnegligible. Their mana even invoked magic involuntarily when they spoke.


    Such a problem would disappear if they named their mana and became a wizard. Hence, those with excessive mana generally became wizards, being called that they were talented in magic. However, what if that excessive mana was unnamable? Since becoming a stable wizard was impossible, they would become a disaster who would randomly shoot magic that was unpredictable even to themselves. That was ¡®nameless wizard¡¯ who had mana without name and was a patient of the unnamable excessive mana disorder. Azriel saw this in the latest magic-related book. The books in Rhema¡¯s studies did not even mention the excessive mana disorder.


    ¡®It might not have existed in ancient times,¡¯ Azriel thought.


    When she seemed to know about it, Charles said, sighing deeply. ¡°Lady Rudimna¡­ in other words, the child who is my cousin, is that nameless wizard, an extreme case of that.¡±


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    ¡°She was born that way. Thus, my aunt is doing anything she can do to cure her,¡± he added.


    Azriel said in a regrettable voice. ¡°Goodness, then she must¡¯ve become a magic civilization expert while looking for a cure¡­¡±


    ¡°Indeed, you must know that that excessive mana disorder didn¡¯t exist in ancient times,¡± Charles¡¯ eyes widened and then narrowed. He asked, calming himself with effort. ¡°By, by any chance, do you know how to cure excessive mana disorder?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I only know very basic information about that illness,¡± Azriel said perplexedly. She hesitated for a moment and added. ¡°The reason that I know that it didn¡¯t exist in ancient times is¡­ that I haven¡¯t heard about nameless wizards from Rhe¡­ my master.¡±


    ¡°¡­I see. I¡¯m sorry for asking an unnecessary question. Don¡¯t mind it. I just asked just to be sure,¡± he said regrettably.


    Azriel noticed that Charles had just swallowed what he was going to say. She could guess what it was. Her master was Rhema Reshith, the Wizard of the Horizon, the one close to omnipotent. Charles wanted to ask if she could ask him about the excessive mana disorder, but he did not.


    ¡°It is I, who told you when you said you didn¡¯t have to know. You really don¡¯t need to mind it. It¡¯s also a closely guarded secret, so just forget all about it,¡± Charles studied her face and continued in a calm manner. ¡°And don¡¯t let the Duchess know that you are aware of it. I just introduced you as an extraordinary wizard who treated me in the past.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you mention about my master?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Of course not. I didn¡¯t tell Pendelok who your master is, either. He just knows that you are a genius who mastered communication, repair, and heal magic at the age of ten.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because it¡¯ll bother you.¡±


    ¡°But wouldn¡¯t it be useful in many ways if you inform others that my master is the Wizard of the Horizon, Charles?¡± Azriel knew well about the extent of the Wizard of the Horizon¡¯s status. She asked bluntly in spite of herself. It was her habit she developed as a result of staying with Rhema for a long time. Charles looked at her with a mysterious look on his face. Azriel did a double take and was about to explain it. ¡°Wait, umm, I wasn¡¯t trying to suspect you or question you¡­¡±


    ¡°I know that,¡± he smiled. ¡°You must¡¯ve asked out of innocent curiosity, thinking that I can use you to some degree and take some advantage, and that¡¯ll be fine since we became friends.¡±


    ¡°How do you know that?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯ve been a king for nine years, you can see through such things very well,¡± Charles shrugged before directly gazing at her. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask you to be my friend because you¡¯d be of help, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°Well, I wasn¡¯t trying to misunderstand you as such a person. I¡¯m sorry,¡± she apologized.


    ¡°No, I wasn¡¯t blaming you for that¡­ I¡¯m saying, I¡¯d like to start as friends with you,¡± he said hesitantly.


    ¡°¡­Pardon?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t intend to rush it like this, but I can¡¯t help it. It¡¯s my first time doing this, and I¡¯m not very competent,¡± he scratched his cheek awkwardly. His cheek was slightly blushed.


    ¡°Charles?¡±


    ¡°I am interested in you,¡± he confessed.


    Azriel was stupefied to hear it. Charles said, smiling with a bit of a flushed face. ¡°It means I am in the middle of falling for you.¡±


    ¡°Y, y, you¡¯re in the middle of falling for me, instead of falling for me? What do you mean by that?¡± embarrassed, she asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, what do you think?¡± he spoke in a mischievous tone and searched his pocket. He took out well-sealed envelopes of letters of introduction and pushed them to her. ¡°These are letters of introduction. Their locations are written on the envelopes.¡±


    ¡°Oh, th, thank you.¡±


    ¡°I hope you don¡¯t get too pressured by it. I¡¯m not saying that you should decide now. It hasn¡¯t been very long since we met, has it?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ assume so?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like you to think of it lightly as making a new friend and see if I am a person who deserves to earn your liking,¡± he got up from his seat and came towards Azriel. Then, he gracefully bent his waist to Azriel who was stiffened. ¡°Because it¡¯s not too late to respond after learning a little more about each other.¡±


    His bright blonde hair flowed down softly. Raising her hand according to the noble¡¯s etiquette, he kissed the back of her hand lightly and lifted his head. His blue eyes bent, making arches. It was a prince-like smile. ¡°For that reason, I¡¯d like to meet you more often. Can you allow me a chance?¡± he asked.

 CH 104

    Azriel felt her head spin. She could not think of anything because she had never imagined that this would happen to her before.


    ¡°Well, umm, I mean, I¡­,¡± she stammered.


    ¡°I will wait here next time,¡± Charles said as he let go of her hand and slipped a small card in her hand.


    ¡°This is¡­,¡± she looked down at the card blankly. It was an invitation with edges delicately dipped like a lace. Large gold-plated letters caught her attention first.


    ¡®Masquerade¡¯


    ¡°I will attend it, wearing a blue wave-patterned mask. You don¡¯t have to come if you don¡¯t feel comfortable, but at least think about it,¡± Charles spoke.


    Azriel sat there for a long while even after Charles left the room first.


    *


    Azriel did not know what kind of mind she was in on the way back home. She sprinkled salt in the tea that Brownie served instead of sugar.


    ¡°Argh! Esthera! What are you doing? Salt! What nonsense! Salt in Brownie¡¯s tea! It¡¯s spoiled! How could you! You ruined Brownie¡¯s tea!¡±


    The spirit flew around, throwing a fit. Startled, she put down the salt shaker she was holding. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Brownie. I¡¯ll drink it another time.¡±


    ¡°What? What? Are you leaving? I¡¯ll make you another one! Brownie¡¯s tea is ruined, but it¡¯s fine if it¡¯s Esthera! Brownie can use magic and make it tasty again!¡±


    ¡°No, I just don¡¯t want to drink it now,¡± she got up staggeringly and headed to the corridor. Largo came to her with a bright face. He wagged his tail, asking to play with her. ¡°Sorry, Largo. Later¡­¡±


    Azriel patted Largo¡¯s head and passed by him. The dog drooped his tail. Noir and Blanchet, who were lying down on the bench in the central garden, looked at each other¡¯s eyes. Blanchet jumped down and followed behind Azriel. Noir, who also followed her after, carefully asked. ¡°Did something¡­ happen?¡±


    ¡°What? No,¡± Azriel replied.


    Noir¡¯s green eyes narrowed tightly. ¡°You surely don¡¯t look like nothing has happened.¡±


    ¡°What about my face?¡± she asked.


    ¡°You have a very complicated look on your face.¡±


    ¡°¡­I just have something to think about.¡±


    ¡°Really, what is it? Did someone bother you? Do you want me to go teach him a lesson?¡±


    ¡°I said, it¡¯s nothing,¡± Azriel responded a little irritably before running to her room and shutting the door. Noir looked back at Blanchet with a disturbed look. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with her?¡±


    ¡°Umm, she might be going through puberty¡­,¡± Blanchet guessed.


    ¡°She¡¯s already 19. She¡¯s already had her coming-of-age celebration, and you think she¡¯s going through puberty now?¡± Noir suspected.


    ¡°Azriel grew up too early¡­ Yeah, you don¡¯t grow up automatically only because you reach the age. I mean, look at you.¡±


    ¡°Did you just make fun of me?¡± Noir grumbled. Blanchet snorted and turned around.


    *


    Azriel untied the knot on her robe as she approached her bed. She, who was about to drop the robe she just took off randomly on the floor, hesitated and hung it on the armchair. It was because the robe was Rhema¡¯s gift. Now in a light dress, she directly fell into the bed.


    ¡°Keck!¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Azriel said in surprise.


    ¡°Cough, cough. Keck, master!¡±


    ¡°Marthi?¡±


    Her familiar spirit was struggling, being squeezed under her. Azriel lifted a lion cub that was fluttering its wings. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°Keck, yes. This is not a problem for an excellent familiar spirit like me,¡± Marthi stretched out his chest as if he had forgotten about all the coughing. Azriel chuckled and let go of him. ¡°What were you doing here?¡±


    ¡°I was taking a nap,¡± he answered.


    ¡°In my bed?¡±


    As her face turned strange, Marthi drooped his ears and studied her face. ¡°I feel comfortable and sleepy when I smell your scent, master¡­ Can¡¯t I do it?¡±


    ¡°No, well, it¡¯s fine,¡± she replied absentmindedly and buried her face in her pillow. She could hear his wings fluttering above her head. ¡°Are you sleeping? Should I turn off the light?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sleeping,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Then what are you doing? Are you not feeling well?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, so play outside, Marthi.¡±


    ¡°Master,¡± her pillow was squashed a little. Marthi sat down right next to her head and looked at her. ¡°You must be very disturbed. I can feel your emotion, master.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°If you have any concerns, please consult me. After all, I am your familiar spirit who¡¯s loyal only to you, master,¡± Marthi said.


    Azriel suddenly realized something. Even though Noir, Blanchet, and Largo all genuinely cared for her, they were Rhema¡¯s familiar spirit. On the other hand, Marthicoras was her familiar spirit who listened to her words as a priority, rather than Rhema¡¯s. Azriel turned her head and looked to the side, still lying down. A lion cub, who was sitting down calmly, blinked his eyes that looked like red beads.


    ¡°Marthi,¡± she called.


    ¡°Yes, master.¡±


    ¡°Have you ever received a confession of love?¡±


    ¡°Whhaat?¡± Marthi dropped his jaw. His reaction turned Azriel¡¯s face red. She buried her face back in the pillow.


    ¡°Master?¡±


    ¡°No, no, never mind.¡±


    ¡°Well, master.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t hear it. Just forget about it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that¡­¡±


    ¡°Marthi, it¡¯s fine. I didn¡¯t say anything about confession, okay? Forget it. It¡¯s a command!¡±


    ¡°A confession? Azriel, did you receive a confession? Really? From who?¡±


    It was Maylie¡¯s excited voice. Startled, Azriel lifted her face. Maylie was in her room without her knowledge.


    ¡°¡­I was calling you to inform you that your friend is here, master,¡± Marthi said, sighing. Azriel sat up hastily. ¡°Wh, when did you come?¡±


    ¡°Just now. You know, I knocked,¡± Maylie pulled a chair and sat down. She pulled out something from her chest and held it out proudly. ¡°Ta-da! I wanted to show it to you first before anyone else.¡±


    ¡°Wow. It¡¯s a business card!¡± Azriel accepted it welcomingly. It was written ¡®Modjanklian cub reporter, Maylie Brown¡¯ on the simple business card. The surname ¡®Brown¡¯ was made by necessity when Maylie and her siblings enrolled at school. It was named after Brownie Castle. ¡°A cub reporter¡­! You did it, Maylie! You¡¯re amazing!¡±

 CH 105

    ¡°I¡¯m only a trainee. They said that they¡¯ll watch me work until I graduate and hire me only if I do well.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s still amazing! Congratulations!¡± Azriel smiled brightly and hugged Maylie. Maylie, as well, beamed and hugged Azriel back. ¡°Then, are you going to be working at the newspaper company from now on? Will you also write articles?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I have a long way to go until I can write. I was told to follow a senior reporter when they collect news and learn from observing them.¡±


    ¡°What is your senior reporter covering?¡±


    ¡°This is less known information¡­,¡± Maylie glanced around. She met Marthi¡¯s eyes, who was sitting in an absentminded manner, put a finger over her mouth, saying ¡®hush.¡¯ Marthi blinked and covered his mouth with his front paw. Only then, Maylie opened her mouth. ¡°He said that strange disappearance cases are occurring all over the country these days. He¡¯s collecting information about that.¡±


    ¡°Disappearance case?¡±


    ¡°People are disappearing all of a sudden regardless of their age or gender. There are no signs of resistance or witnesses. It¡¯s like they¡¯ve evaporated.¡±


    ¡°Urgh, isn¡¯t that dangerous?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. They won¡¯t bring a cub reporter around for a dangerous investigation. As a matter of fact, it¡¯s only a rumor that¡¯s like an urban myth.¡±


    ¡°An urban myth? Just like in those stories where people went missing without a trace, but later they turned out to have run away from home?¡±


    ¡°Yes, mostly it is like that. So, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°Then, why are you being careful not to let anyone hear it?¡±


    ¡°Umm, we thought most of the stories were such cases¡­ but there are some suspicious circumstances.¡±


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    ¡°You know what, allegedly, the royal family is investigating this case.¡±


    ¡°What? The royal family? The Modjankle royal family?¡±


    ¡°Yes. My senior reporter thought it was nothing special, but because of that he is quite excited. Please keep it a secret until the article is published, okay?¡±


    ¡®The royal family?¡¯ Azriel, who had met the king of Aucandor just today, felt strange. ¡®No way¡­ Could this be what Charles was working on himself?¡¯


    ¡°Azriel, so who on earth made a confession to you?¡±


    ¡°Wh, wh, what?¡± Maylie¡¯s sudden question blew away what was on Azriel¡¯s mind briefly. ¡°You heard it wrong, Maylie! It¡¯s nothing like that!¡±


    Azriel shook her head strongly, with a reddened face that was obvious to anyone. Maylie cupped her chin in her hands. ¡°You are so bad at hiding these kinds of things.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°What kind of a person is he? What did he say when he confessed? Did you give an answer?¡±


    Azriel shook her head silently and drew up her knees. Then she leaned her forehead against her knees and said in a small voice. ¡°I don¡¯t know. My head is blank and I can¡¯t think of anything.¡±


    ¡°I guess he wasn¡¯t a weird person after all. You¡¯d just feel bad when you receive a confession from someone you don¡¯t like.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s not such a person.¡±


    ¡°A good person?¡±


    ¡°A good person.¡±


    ¡°Are you fond of him?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fond of him. But if you asked me if I like him in that way, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s the case¡­,¡± Azriel blurred the end of her sentence.


    ¡°That¡¯s complicated,¡± Maylie said as she looked at her disturbed-looking friend. She thought about the white wizard. There were things that became clearer when you looked at them a step away. The relationship between her friend and the Wizard of the Horizon was also like that. There was a peculiar bond between Azriel Esthera and Rhema Reshith that could not be disturbed by others. Azriel, who was a mere precious and intimate friend when she was with Maylie, suddenly looked like a completely different being when she was with Rhema.


    ¡®Come to think of it, doesn¡¯t Azriel have any feelings for Mr. wizard?¡¯ Maylie, who was retracing Azriel¡¯s actions, shook her head in the back of her mind. ¡®I don¡¯t think she¡¯s thought of it that way. She¡¯s probably not interested in him at all¡­ Then which side is Mr. Wizard?¡¯


    Maylie had lived with him for the past three years but still did not know what the white wizard was thinking. ¡®If Azriel finds a lover, how will Mr. Wizard react?¡¯


    He might be a little saddened since he cherished Azriel so much. But on the other hand, he might celebrate it  calmly. He might just nod and say, ¡®I see. It¡¯s about time she finds someone,¡¯ before taking his attention to somewhere else. Her experience with him so far was predicting so, and it was natural if they were just in a usual master and pupil relationship. But Maylie¡¯s intuition was pointing in a different direction. ¡®What if this causes trouble? Phew, no way¡­ There¡¯s no way.¡¯


    While Maylie was having such worries, Azriel was struggling.


    ¡°It hasn¡¯t been that long since I met him in the first place. I don¡¯t really know what kind of person he is. There¡¯s no doubt that he is a good person, and I like him a lot but¡­,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s natural to feel disconcerted when you receive a confession from someone you met recently,¡± Maylie consoled her.


    ¡°Right? Urrgh, what do I do, Maylie?¡±


    ¡°Hmmm. Does he want you to give an answer soon?¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not true¡­,¡± Azriel took out a card, making a rustling sound. ¡°He told me to think about him over time and invited me here.¡±


    ¡°Masquerade?¡± Maylie¡¯s eyes widened as she received the card. ¡°Oh my, this is the masquerade of the family of the Duke of Madriol!¡±


    ¡°What? It¡¯s held at the Madriol¡¯s?¡±


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you looked at it carefully? Look. It¡¯s written here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been all over the place¡­,¡± Azriel read the part where Maylie was pointing. ¡°Masquerade location, the mansion of the Duke of Madriol.¡±


    ¡°The masquerade held around this time at the Duke of Madriol¡¯s must be ¡®the Night of May Flower¡¯,¡± Maylie flipped the card and pushed it below Azriel¡¯s nose. On the backside of it, there was a silver-plated drawing of detailed may flower design.


    ¡°The Night of May Flower? Is it a famous ball?¡± Azriel asked.

 CH 106

    ¡°It¡¯s indeed famous. It¡¯s a noble version of the May Flower Festival,¡± Maylie explained.


    May Flower Festival was a festival held in the season when white flowers of may trees were in full bloom. It also marked the end of spring and the beginning of summer. On the day of the festival, people made a huge bonfire in their village¡¯s lot and decorated their doors with broken may tree branches. Women wore a may flower around their ear and men wore it on their chest and attended the festival. They gave the flower to the person they were interested in. For that reason, many couples would be born when the May Flower Festival was over.


    ¡°It¡¯s unlikely for nobles to attend the may flower festival held in the town square. They can¡¯t save their face if they follow and enjoy the commoners¡¯ festival in public. That¡¯s why they gather together, wearing masks, and this is that ball,¡± Maylie added.


    ¡°How do you know that?¡±Azriel asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s famous in Modjankle. I should know this since I¡¯ve decided to become a reporter,¡± Maylie shrugged.


    The May Flower Festival, famous as lovers¡¯ festival? Azriel looked down at the card with a more confused look. ¡°Then, shouldn¡¯t I not attend this?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Maylie asked.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t decided anything yet,¡± Azriel replied.


    ¡°Did he say that he¡¯ll take it as a positive answer if you come?¡±


    ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t that. He just asked to give him a chance since we don¡¯t know each other well yet¡­¡±


    Maylie looked at her struggling friend quietly. She thought about her most precious friend, the Wizard of the Horizon who cherished that friend more than anyone, and their ambiguous relationship. She spoke all of a sudden. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go there?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°This is where nobles lightly have fun. Besides, it¡¯s a masquerade. You don¡¯t have to reveal who you are,¡± Maylie placed the invitation on Azriel¡¯s hand. ¡°And maybe you¡¯ll make up your mind if you spend more time with him.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    Maylie was right. Azriel would only be able to reject or accept Charles without doubt only if she learned more about him. The fact that he was the king was something she could worry about after she made up her mind.


    ¡°And a masquerade, don¡¯t you think you have to attend at least once? It¡¯s interesting. It must be completely different from what you¡¯ve heard. Aren¡¯t you curious?¡± Maylie added with a slightly excited tone.


    ¡°¡­Honestly, I¡¯m curious.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a rare opportunity. I will help you with the dress and preening. I¡¯ve always wanted to properly adorn you.¡±


    Azriel sighed lightly and nodded. ¡°Alright. I should go there.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good decision! Then, let¡¯s go pick out a dress right now!¡± Maylie sprang up and pulled Azriel. At least dozens of various dresses inside the dress room of the castle. Even though Azriel seldomly wore them because she liked clothes that were comfortable to move around in, the boutique that Rhema hired used to bring all kinds of clothes in bulk. Azriel barely spoke while almost being dragged by Maylie. ¡°Wait, Maylie.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to the ball together.¡±


    ¡°What are you saying? I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious about masquerade? If we go together¡­¡±


    ¡°Tell me about it after you come back. I¡¯m busy preparing for my graduation and working as a cub reporter at the same time. Come!¡± Maylie opened the door to the dress room wide. She picked up the dress nearby with sparkling eyes. ¡°Try this on, Azriel!¡±


    ¡°What? Now?¡±


    ¡°Did you think you were going to pick one without trying them on?¡±


    ¡°But we still have a lot of time left.¡±


    ¡°We should pick one since we¡¯re here. I¡¯ve always wanted to dress you like this! ¡­This, this, and this, too!¡±


    ¡°Urgh, that¡¯s too many!¡±


    ¡°Hey, hey, quickly!¡±


    The dress room became boisterous. Marthi, who followed them, soon fell asleep leaning on a cushion.


    *


    It was around supper time when Rhema Reshith, who had been out, came back. As soon as he arrived, he ran into a spirit who was pouting.


    ¡°They¡¯re not coming out, keep saying, ¡®just a minute, just a minute¡¯! They said they¡¯ll eat later! It¡¯s healthy for you when you eat on time! Brownie¡¯s dishes are tasty and healthy for you!¡± Brownie pouted.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Rhema asked.


    ¡°Esthera is not coming out! She¡¯s in there all day long! Brownie will make supper all over again! Something that she can hold and eat! A sandwich! Tasty sandwich! I will surely feed her!¡± Brownie flew away, whining. Rhema stood there for a moment and headed to the dress room where the spirit pointed. He could hear girls¡¯ giggling sounds as he became nearer.


    ¡°Wow, you look good in this, too. What do we do? I can¡¯t choose,¡± said Maylie.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this one better? That one¡¯s a little too much,¡± said Azriel.


    ¡°What¡¯s too much about it? That dress will think the same when it sees it¡¯s you who it¡¯ll be put on! Now, let¡¯s try this one, too.¡±


    ¡°Maylie, can¡¯t we stop now and decide now?¡±


    ¡°No! Try this one last!¡±


    ¡°You said that earlier. Hey, we can¡¯t wear all of the dresses here today. Brownie will get upset waiting for us.¡±


    ¡°Uhh. It¡¯s because you look good with everything! It¡¯d be easier to decide if there¡¯s one that¡¯s way better than others¡­¡±


    Why is Azriel choosing a dress all of a sudden? Rhema tilted his head and knocked on the door. Inside became noisy before Maylie and Azriel popped up.


    ¡°Azriel,¡± Rhema called her.


    ¡°Rh, Rhema! Didn¡¯t you say you won¡¯t be home for supper? You are early.¡±


    ¡°I got it done earlier than I expected. Is everything okay?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ Umm¡­,¡± Azriel hesitated, brushing her disheveled hair with her hand. Maylie interrupted. ¡°Azriel was invited to a masquerade, so we were choosing a dress that she¡¯ll wear to it.¡±


    ¡°Masquerade?¡± One of Rhema¡¯s eye brows was raised slightly. He asked, looking back at Maylie. ¡°What kind of ball is it? Who invited¡­?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a masquerade named the night of may flower held at the Duchy of Madriol,¡± Maylie answered him.

 CH 107

    Azriel hurriedly interrupted her. She gave a look beyond Rhema¡¯s shoulders. ¡®Please keep it a secret about receiving a confession for now.¡¯


    ¡®Okay,¡¯ Maylie quick-wittedly understood Azriel and nodded. ¡°Then, I¡¯ll go back to the outhouse, Mr. Wizard. Azriel, I¡¯ll come back later. Wait for me in the dress room.¡±


    ¡°Eek, again?¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t choose your dress yet! You have to pick a dress to pick jewelry pieces and decide what to do with your hair.¡±


    ¡°We still have more than two weeks left.¡±


    ¡°Two weeks is short! Have you already forgotten about preparing parties at Colte? Oh¡­¡±


    Ever since the incident in which Azriel was accused of stealing the earrings,  she was excluded from any grooming-related work. It would be accurate to say that she could not even go near the dress room. Maylie swallowed her words and waved her hand. ¡°Anywho, I¡¯ll see you later!¡±


    After Maylie left, Azriel and Rhema headed to the cafeteria. He asked her quietly. ¡°Who invited you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Charles. I met him again today because I needed his help.¡±


    Rhema faintly knitted his brows. The name he did not want to hear came out again. It seemed that she had added a new person on ¡®the list of people she knew.¡¯ ¡°Are you saying he invited you to a masquerade?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯d like to go for once,¡± Azriel nodded and studied his face. ¡°Rhema¡­ Are you against it?¡±


    He did not like it. He did not like the idea of her going into other people¡¯s company. He wished that she would continue to stay here, next to him only. Was it not enough for her to flow together with the people in the outhouse? He looked at her with such a feeling in his mind. Golden eyes were blinking and looking up at him. His twisted feeling subsided. Rhema reflectively answered her softly. ¡°Why would I be against it? If you want to go, anytime.¡±


    ¡°Thank you!¡± Azriel beamed. The corners of Rhema¡¯s mouth were also raised involuntarily.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me. Of course, it¡¯s up to you,¡± Rhema said.


    ¡°I still thank you.¡±


    Azriel seemed happy. Rhema was quite satisfied about that. His satisfaction was more than enough to crush his displeasure. So, he recalled the conversation she had with her friend not long ago. ¡°It will be the first ball you attend, like a debutante.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing like that. I don¡¯t even have to reveal who I am because it¡¯s a masquerade. I¡¯m just going there to have fun.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯ll be better to prepare properly. I¡¯ll get the dress and jewelry.¡±


    ¡°What? Why would you buy a new dress? There are plenty of dresses that I haven¡¯t even tried on. Please don¡¯t buy any more,¡± Azriel said, taken aback. Rhema tilted his head and asked. ¡°Isn¡¯t it hard to choose? It sounded like you were having trouble a little while ago. Your friend also sounded like she was having a hard time too.¡±


    ¡°There are just too many. I will choose one soon.¡±


    ¡°You are choosing one by trying on all of them?¡±


    ¡°Rhema, why did you buy so many? I don¡¯t even wear them often.¡±


    ¡°Since you don¡¯t ask for anything, I have to fill anything up for you.¡±


    ¡°Is it my fault, then?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s your fault. You should¡¯ve asked more.¡±


    ¡°No. If I tell you I want a blue dress, you¡¯ll make a room full of all kinds of blue dresses. It¡¯ll get worse.¡±


    ¡°A room is not enough. It¡¯s better to build a new tower. Wouldn¡¯t it be better to have more things you like?¡±


    Azriel looked at him with a tired look. ¡°¡­I think you¡¯ll spoil me soon.¡±


    He let out a brief laugh. ¡°It¡¯s okay for me even if you get spoiled.¡±


    Rhema thought for a brief moment that it might be better if she got a little out of character and could not get along with other people. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯ll get your dress for the masquerade along with a mask and jewelry. Since you won¡¯t have to go through the trouble of choosing, it¡¯ll also be convenient for you.¡±


    Judging by his doggedness, she was sure that he would buy them even if she refused. Azriel sighed. ¡°Don¡¯t get me anything too flashy.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°I really don¡¯t want an overly flashy dress. It¡¯ll draw people¡¯s attention.¡±


    ¡°I will take that into consideration.¡±


    Even though Rhema answered meekly, Azriel could not help but look at him suspiciously. She felt uneasy because he had a long history.


    *


    Generally, trends in the countries near the Backbone Mountain Range began in San Triae, the capital of the Talasin Empire. Hence, Rhema requested Azriel¡¯s dress and jewelry there. He had received Azriel¡¯s measurements from the boutique where her clothes had been made all along. A breath was all it took for him to get to the capital of the empire. As for money, there was a mountain of money piled up in the underground storage of the castle. But Rhema felt too lazy to pack it in large quantities, so he went to San Triae with empty hands. Then he picked up a chipped brick in an alley, which caught his eye just at the time, turned it into pure gold, and paid the price. Changing a material into another was way easier for him than carrying a crate of gold coins.


    The designer and seamstresses who received a brick-sized pure gold out of nowhere began making a dress all day and night, pouring their heart and soul into it. A similar phenomenon occurred in a craftsmanship workshop. There was a more surprising event to craftworkers. It was because what a silver-haired man handed them to jewelry was a pocket of diamonds. Inside of a fist-sized pocket, priceless diamonds in a variety of fancy colors were loaded carelessly as if they were pebbles. What the man stated as a condition as he handed them was groundlessly absurd. Paying a tremendous amount of money and exorbitant materials, he ridiculously asked them to design not to draw too much attention. His request became a legend among the master artisans in San Triae in many ways.

 CH 108

    Azriel visited Pendelok Palaios first among the people Charles introduced her to. It felt less burdensome for her to visit the Chamber of Magic than to visit the Duchy of Rudimna. She was very different from the wizards of the Chamber of Magic, but she was also a wizard anyway. The Chamber of Magic was the headquarters of the wizards hired by the kingdom and the magic research institution of the nation. The director of magic generally held an additional position as the chief court wizard and even served as a counsel of the king. She disclosed her name and waited at the lobby of the huge dome-shaped Chamber of Magic. Since it was her first time meeting an outstanding wizard besides Rhema, she was a little nervous and eager at the same time. Soon after, a boy in a cub wizard¡¯s robe returned with a regrettable face.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. The director of magic is not available at the moment. He went to the Aurora Society,¡± the boy explained.


    ¡°He went to the underground tower?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he answered.


    ¡°When is he coming back?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. He didn¡¯t leave any note.¡±


    Azriel considered coming back another day for a moment and decided to visit the tower herself since it was not far away. ¡°Then, I will visit there. Thank you for letting me know.¡±


    The weather was nice. Azriel headed to the underground tower as if she was taking a relaxing walk. The streets of Modjankle were peaceful as always. However, she could feel something was going wrong as she got closer to the underground tower. ¡°¡­Fire?¡±


    Heavy smoke was rising from the roofs. She saw lumpy, dark-colored smoke. She hurried her steps. Soon, she found the underground tower covered in smoke. People were busily taking stuff out of the building. She also spotted someone throwing out something that looked like a cabinet for files out the window. Azriel pulled a man who ran out of the building, holding a huge box. ¡°Is there a fire underground?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you see it?¡± the man replied in frustration and tried to shake her off. She asked hastily. ¡°Are there people inside? Is it a dangerous situation?¡±


    ¡°Why do you want to know in this¡­,¡± the man, who was about to lose his temper, suddenly changed the subject after looking at her robe. ¡°Are you a wizard? Are you good at water-related magic? What about air-related?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am. Do you need help?¡±


    ¡°Yes, we need lots of help. So, water or Air?¡±


    ¡°Both.¡±


    ¡°Both? You look young, but that¡¯s amazing. You will see wizards if you go downstairs. You can join them.¡±


    ¡°Okay!¡±


    ¡°Thank you! I¡¯ll repay later!¡±


    Azriel could hear him shout behind her back as she ran. She went inside the building. The inside was mayhem. Several wizards in robes were inducing the flow of air. Thanks to them, the smoke that was surging up from underground went outside through the window instead of filling inside. Meanwhile, people were moving important objects and evacuating. The underground stairs were covered in black smoke, which made the inside almost invisible. She pushed her way through people and headed to the stairs. A wizard who was inducing the smoke tried to stop her and stopped.


    ¡°You can¡¯t go insi¡­ You are a wizard. Can you hold out in the smoke?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yes. Are people putting out fire underneath?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°The president of the society is putting out the fire with mgic committee members. The director of magic is also assisting them. You¡¯ll see them as soon as you go down.¡±


    ¡°Did everyone else come out?¡±


    ¡°Almost everyone came out but¡­,¡± the wizard had an ambiguous look on his face. ¡°Anyway, if you can assist, please go ahead. We need as many hands as we can get.¡±


    ¡°I will. Esthera,¡± Azriel recited her spell as soon as she finished answering him. She wrapped her whole body with a shield barrier and stepped into the smoke. While going downstairs, she studied the flow of mana.


    ¡®As expected. This is not a common fire.¡¯

 CH 109

    In common fire, mana would flow in the direction in which the smoke flowed out. But now, mana was heading inside as if it was pulled by something. As soon as she reached the area where the ruins were remodeled after going downstairs, she could hear people shouting breathlessly.


    ¡°You pigs! Don¡¯t say that you¡¯re wizards if you can¡¯t do this much!¡±


    ¡°Argh! Right! Right side!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve reached my limit! Please relieve me of my position!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve called the guys from the Chamber of Magic, but what¡¯s taking them so long? Urgh!¡±


    ¡°Director of Magic!¡±


    Blaze was filling one side of the hallway, darting its tongue in and out like a snake. It was a strange fire that was surging like a living creature. Wizards were blocking the flames from proceeding, standing in a semicircle. Some were going back and forth in the opposite side of the hallway restlessly, putting out fire that was spread and taking out documents. The fire on that side seemed to be a common fire. Azriel saw a wizard with white beard in a blue robe in the middle of the wizards who were blocking the strange fire. He had mana that was as much as all the mana of other wizards there added together.


    ¡®That must be Pendelok Palaios,¡¯ she thought.


    Pendelok looked exhausted. Azriel approached him right away. ¡°You must be the Director of Magic.¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Who are you?¡± Pendelok asked.


    ¡°Char, no. You must¡¯ve heard from His Majesty. I am Azriel Esthera,¡± she replied.


    Pendelok¡¯s eyes were widened. Before he could say something, Azriel quickly said. ¡°This fire. It seems to have a magic-related cause, doesn¡¯t it? It started from inside, right?¡±


    ¡°That, that¡¯s right but¡­,¡±he hesitated.


    Esthera. Azriel added another shield barrier and formed a mana barrier. When she was about to step into the surging fire, screams and shouts burst out from people around.


    ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s danger¡­!¡± they could not finish their words.


    A round space centered around her was formed in the middle of the flames. The fire that was raking wildly could not even drop a spark inside her space.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try going in. Keep blocking it,¡± Azriel bowed to Pendelok Palaios and stepped into the fire. Pendelok, who had been stupefied, hurriedly shouted. ¡°There¡¯s, there¡¯s Lady Sophie, Sophinea von Rudimna inside!¡±


    Lady Rudimna? No way. Is it the child who¡¯s a nameless wizard? Azriel looked back at him in surprise. Pendeok saw her face and opened his mouth with a bitter face. ¡°This is¡­ a fire she made. Please¡­¡±


    Be careful. help her. He blurred the end of his sentence that could have been either way. Azriel saw that the old man¡¯s wrinkled eyes were slightly wet. She nodded without a word and headed to the flames. It was not her first time waking in flames. In fact, she had walked in lava while learning defense-related magic from Rhema. The colors of yellow, orange, and red mixed up and swirled around her like a vortex. The heat was blocked by the barrier and could not enter, but it distorted the surroundings like haze. Instead of her distorted vision, she looked at mana.


    ¡®To the direction where the mana is being dragged to.¡¯


    The cause of this fire must be there. Not wandering for long, she reached the cause soon. A girl with long straw-like platinum blonde hair was standing in a pool of underground water. Sophinea von Rudimna. ¡®That child¡­¡¯


    It was the girl she ran into while roaming around the maze-like inside on the day she first visited the society. The fire seemed to have started from a doll that was rolling around the pool. It was a big teddy bear that had a bow on it like the one Azriel had received from Rhema. Because the teddy bear was wrapping the mana it drew in around its body, it did not get burned even though it was outpouring flames. The water of the pool splashed around Sophinea¡¯s waist. In the water, the girl covered her mouth with one hand and grabbed a dagger with the other and aimed at her chest.

 CH 110

    There were burns all over her body. Some parts of her hair were also singed. Her face was covered in tears. The dagger that was pointed at her chest shook heavily. With her eyes closed, the girl was repeating to stab herself and stop.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do it,¡± Azriel spoke in the softest way possible. The girl was startled and dropped the dagger. The dagger sank in the water with a plop.


    ¡°Uh¡­,¡± Sophinea, who tried to say something upon seeing Azriel, was taken aback and covered her mouth with both hands. Azriel now knew why that girl kept covering her mouth. It was because she was a ¡®nameless wizard¡¯ who invoked magic randomly like a disaster  whenever she opened her mouth.


    ¡®The magic that¡¯s invoked recklessly must be the cause of the scars all over her body.¡¯


    A nameless wizard could not regulate the magic that was invoked. Therefore, it would be easy to hurt people around her. And the person who was always the closest to the invoked magic would be herself. Azriel saw that Sophinea¡¯s chest had been burned black as Sophinea was looking back at Azriel. The burns on her both arms were the most severe.


    ¡®Perhaps she made fire while holding the teddy in her arms.¡¯


    She would have barely survived by abandoning the burning teddy and jumping into the water. Luckily, the fire that was spreading from the teddy did not go near the pool. If she was slightly unlucky, she could have died by the fire she caused. Sophinea looked at Azriel with widened eyes, still covering her mouth.


    ¡°Hi. We¡¯ve met before, haven¡¯t we?¡± Azriel spoke with a smile. The girl glanced through the invisible barrier surrounding Azriel with surprised eyes and nodded little.


    ¡°Wait for a moment. I¡¯ll put out the fire first,¡± Azriel approached the teddy that was spurting fire. She could hear a stuffy scream from the direction of the girl. Not minding that, Azriel scooched down in front of the teddy. Despite the raging flames below her nose, they could not penetrate her barrier. Azriel identified the magic only by examining for a short moment. ¡®It¡¯s incredible magic.¡¯


    The mana that was poured in the teddy invoked gravitation and recklessly swallowed mana from the surroundings before turning that into fire and gushing it out. Hence, this was not ¡®conjuring¡¯ but ¡®magic¡¯ for certain. The magic that Rhema said disappeared after ancient times. Azriel had guessed that it was magic, judging by the size of the flames, but she became curious after realizing it clearly. Rhema clearly  said that there were no true wizards in age, but there was magic of ancient times before her eyes.


    ¡®How did it¡­ Oh,¡¯ she remembered the conversation about the Colte ruins she had with Rhema. When she asked if nobody could open the door of the ruins since there were no wizards like ancient times, he said:


    ¡°Of course, there aren¡¯t, but there are people ¡®who could become a wizard.¡¯ The ones that would¡¯ve become outstanding wizards if they were born in ancient times.¡±


    ¡°The wizard who came to Colte wanted to use you for such a purpose. Was it Tarbo Tameion?¡±


    ¡®Did that ¡®people who could become a wizard¡¯ indicate the people who were called ¡®nameless wizards¡¯ today? Then, the nameless wizards were originally the people who could become great wizards, but they can¡¯t become proper wizards because ancient magic is extinct? Is that why there was no illness like excessive mana disorder in ancient times?¡¯ she thought.


    Azriel looked back at the girl in the pool. The young girl was shriveled, pale, and covered all over with wounds as if she was abused. Her eyes were sunken and dark, her cheeks were wet with tears, and her hands were covering her mouth. The fire had swept everywhere and even hurt her. Sophinea certainly tried to take her own life a moment ago. She barely looked 12. The suicide rate in nameless wizards was extremely high. Many also died from accidents, and often they were murdered, mostly by their families. Thus, even with light symptoms, it was hard for them to live over 20 years of age. ¡®¡­This is too much.¡¯

 CH 111

    Azriel felt bad for the girl who was shrunk into herself, not even being able to speak up. She somehow looked like young Azriel herself who had not yet met Rhema.


    ¡°I will help you for certain,¡± Azriel murmured unconsciously.


    Sophinea flinched and trembled as if she heard Azriel¡¯s voice over the noise of burning flames. Azriel reached for the teddy that was spurting fire. When she learned ¡®magic¡¯ from Rhema, she also learned ¡®release of magic.¡¯ It was a way to disperse already invoked magic by interfering with it and arranging its mana in the reverse order. At the same time, she learned how to arrange mana intricately so that her magic would not get released by someone. The success rate of release of magic was in proportion to the level difference between the person who invoked magic and the person who was releasing the magic. She remembered what he said.


    ¡°You can release almost all magic,¡± said Rhema.


    ¡°Almost¡­ all?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be difficult for even you to release the magic that I invoked and a few spells that were cast on some of the ancient relics.¡±


    ¡°I can release all magic except for them? Can I?¡± Azriel repeated in surprise.


    ¡°It¡¯s possible for you. Moreover, if you keep improving like this¡­,¡± at that point, Rhema Reshith paused for a moment. And he continued with a somehow bitter tone. ¡°¡­You will be able to release all magic some day.¡±


    Azriel calmly arranged mana. Next, she laid the mana she arranged over the teddy. She whispered her spell. ¡°Esthera.¡±


    Sophinea saw a truly magical sight spreading as soon as the black-haired wizard recited the spell. As if the time was going backwards, the flames that were gushing out moved backwards. The blaze that filled the hallway of the underground tower returned, swirling. The flames were sucked into the teddy, spinning. Yellow sparks scattered, and a heavy wind rose. Inside the wind and sparks, Azriel lifted the teddy. Even the last flames subsided. Azriel saw the red stars scattering and returning to Sophinea. Still holding the teddy, she approached the girl, following the march of the stars. Sophinea covered her mouth hard to the point where her hands turned pale and stepped back falteringly.


    ¡°Sophinea von Rudimna, right? I am Azriel Esthera,¡± putting down the teddy near the pool, Azriel held out her hand. The girl fanatically shook her head, trying to run away. The red eyes moved uneasily.


    ¡°You can speak in front of me,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°¡­?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s true. Did you see me putting out fire just now? I will stop whatever happens,¡± she said.


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    ¡°Come over here. I¡¯ll treat you.¡±


    Sophinea looked at Azriel, with a frightened face. Azriel stretched her arm even more. ¡°Nobody will get hurt even if you make sounds. You don¡¯t have to run.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Sophinea.¡±


    The girl shut her eyes tightly and approached Azriel very slowly. The water quietly swayed. The girl¡¯s tiny hand touched Azriel¡¯s palm. Azriel grabbed Sophinea¡¯s hand and smiled big. ¡°Thank you for trusting me.¡±


    The girl looked at Azriel as if she was possessed. Azriel helped the girl out of the pool. Looking closely, her burns were severe. She had been soaked in water with such injuries. Azriel frowned. ¡°It must¡¯ve hurt very badly.¡±


    Esthera. With her whisper, burns around Sophinea¡¯s body visibly healed. Sophinea looked down at her cleared body with widened eyes like.


    ¡°I will erase your scars later. People must be waiting outside,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°e, erase, s-cars¡­!¡± Sophinea, who was about to ask in surprise, became pale and covered her mouth. Her voice was split and small like the sound of quiet wind, which seemed to represent the long time she had not been able to speak. She was also stammering. Yet, the mana inside of her surged up violently as if it had been waiting for this opportunity. It was like an unleashed savage beast. Azriel witnessed red stars pouring out of the tiny body and drawing a constellation in the air at its will.

 CH 112

    ¡®How dare you,¡¯ Azriel¡¯s mana moved quickly. Before the constellation was complete, she interfered and suppressed Sophinea¡¯s mana as if she was pressing down on the neck of an ill-mannered beast. Compared to Azriel¡¯s mana, Sophinea¡¯s mana was a puppy. Not able to resist for once, it was fixed. Sophinea could not see that process. However, she could feel her devilish mana which slipped out of her body, jolting, becoming quiet, suppressed by something. ¡°¡­?¡±


    ¡°I said, you can speak,¡± Azriel said with a smile to the girl who was looking at her vacantly. Sophinea took her hand that covered her mouth off a little.


    ¡°I¡­,¡± the tip of Sophinea¡¯s tongue twitched. Azriel¡¯s golden eyes kindly looked at her.


    ¡°I, I can, s-speak¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, you can. In front of me,¡± Azriel said.


    Tears welled up in her eyes. Sophinea grasped Azriel¡¯s hem with a shaking hand. ¡°Is¡­ it, o-okay, if, if I speak? I-n fr, front of, you? R, really?¡±


    ¡°Of course. Look. Nothing happens. Right?¡±


    ¡°H, h, how, how¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m suppressing it with my mana, so it won¡¯t become magic.¡±


    ¡°Th, that¡¯s, p-possible¡­,¡± Sophinea could not continue. Her sobbing choked her throat. ¡°Ah, ah, ahh¡­¡±


    The girl burst into tears loudly, hanging on to Azriel¡¯s arms. She cried out loud, screaming. It had been ten years since Sophinea von Rudimna cried out loud. It was a cry that came out like the water that burst out from a collapsed dike. Azriel hugged the girl who was crying desperately and looked down at the girl¡¯s hands that were clasping her to the point of hurting. It was because she did not want to shake them off.


    *


    The first level of the underground tower was stirring. Azriel headed there, holding Sophinea¡¯s hand. As soon as she appeared, all conversations stopped and every eye was directed to her. Suddenly, a fancy noble woman popped out among wizards.


    ¡°Sophinea! Oh, oh! Sophie!¡± she yelled. She ran to the girl anxiously and hugged her. She burst into tears. ¡°Goodness. Sophie, Sophie. Mom thought she was really going to lose you¡­¡±


    That must be the Duchess of Rudimna. Azriel was going to sofly let go of Sophinea¡¯s hand and step back.


    ¡°¡­! N, no!¡± as soon as Azriel let go of her, Sophinea, who was held in her mother¡¯s arms, grabbed it again in a fright. When the girl spoke, there was an uproar around them. Wizards either recited a spell or stepped back. The Duchess hurriedly shrunk her body and came off her daughter. It was a reflective reaction because Sophinea became gravely sad every time she hurt her mom. However, nothing happened. Sophinea clung to Azriel like an ivy, not caring the reactions around her. Among the startled people, only Pendelok Palaios realized the situation. The old man groaned. ¡°That can¡¯t be¡­¡±


    The Duchess of Rudimna looked at Sophinea and Azriel in turn with a shocked look. Azriel smiled awkwardly. ¡°Well, this is¡­¡±


    ¡°You, you! You! How did you do it? How? You made a mana interference phenomenon just now, right? To other¡¯s mana? How on earth?¡± Penelok poured out questions with a squealing voice. The Duchess grabbed her chest before taking a deep breath and opening her mouth.


    ¡°Let¡¯s move to another place, first. This is not a proper place to talk. And you¡­,¡± the Duchess hesitated and stared at Azriel. She had blue eyes that resembled Charles. Did he say she was his aunt?


    ¡°I am Azriel Esthera,¡± Azriel introduced herself.


    ¡°¡­Miss Esthera. Can I speak to you for a short while?¡± the Duchess asked.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s alright,¡± Azriel replied.


    The principle of the society took charge of the disordered atmosphere and the settlement of the building after the fire. Azriel, Sophinea, the Duchess of Rudimna, and Pendelok Palaios went to the reception room on the second floor, which was comparatively intact. Sophinea was exhausted and fell asleep as if she had collapsed. All the while she did not want to be separated from Azriel, so Azriel laid the girl on the seat next to hers and let her head rest on her lap. As soon as they sat down, Pendelok rushed to speak. ¡°How on earth did you do it?¡±

 CH 113

    Azriel thought for a moment and answered him plainly. It was not a secret and she did not intend to hide it. ¡°It¡¯s mana interference. I suppressed Sophinea¡¯s, Lady Rudimna¡¯s mana with my mana.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying that¡¯s possible? How? Good gracious! Do you know what kind of miracle you¡¯ve made now? The magic academia will be flipped!¡± thrilled, the old man thrusted his face close to Azriel. Feeling uncomfortable, Azriel responded as she leaned back her upper body.


    ¡°Its basic fundamentals are the same as the release of magic. The properties of mana¡­,¡± she momentarily paused. After that was the domain of ¡®magic.¡¯-assigning gravitation to mana. She had merely interfered with another person¡¯s mana the same way as she interfered with mana in nature. It was basic knowledge in the ancient magic civilization, but  it was a content that was bound to be shocking for wizards of today.


    ¡®Rhema never said I should keep it a secret¡­ but can I just say this thoughtlessly?¡¯


    What could be the reason that the true ¡®magic¡¯ had become extinct? As Azriel fell into deep thought, Pendelok became anxious. ¡°The properties of mana, what? How can you interfere with other¡¯s mana? Please explain its fundamentals! That might change the paradigm of magic!¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry. This is a little difficult to understand. I, I just did it and it worked,¡± Azriel decided to put off telling him, thinking that she needed to speak with Rhema first. Hearing her remarks, Pendelok¡¯s face turned as if the sky fell. The Duchess, who had been quiet, lifted her head. ¡°You said your name is Azriel Esthera.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Azriel answered.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± the Duchess asked.


    Azriel took out two letters of introduction that Charles wrote and held them out to them.


    ¡°This is¡­?¡± the Duchess looked at Azriel.


    ¡°It is the letter of introduction King Charlene wrote. I am a wizard who came to join the Aurora Society,¡± Azriel explained.


    The Duchess opened the envelope and began to read the letter. Pendelok put it in his chest pocket, not even reading it.


    ¡°I heard about who you are already. Moreover, you and I have communicated before, nine years ago. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± he asked.


    ¡°You are right,¡± Azriel replied.


    Pendelok looked at her with deepened eyes. The old man abruptly said. ¡°The Wizard of the Horizon.¡±


    Azriel barely managed not to show her surprised face. Pendelok continued. ¡°At the time, when the rebel forces were annihilated out of nowhere by a natural disaster.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Everyone made a fuss, saying that it was God¡¯s will, but I thought it did not make sense unless the Wizard of the Horizon had appeared,¡± he brushed his beard several times as if to calm his excitement. ¡°His Majesty only said that he could escape because of the master of the girl who was kidnapped with him. He hasn¡¯t told me the details, but¡­¡±


    His effort to subdue his excitement was of no avail. Pendelok involuntarily plucked out a few strands of his beard. At last, his voice was raised. ¡°That, that, person who was your master! Your master! He must be the Wizard of the Horizon! Right? Isn¡¯t it? Only a person of such degree can raise a wizard like you! You are a pupil of the Horizon, right?¡±


    Azriel sighed in a small voice. It was not something she needed to hide by making up a lie.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she answered.


    ¡°¡­What does that answer mean?¡± Pendeok urged her.


    ¡°It means that the person who¡¯s called the Wizard of the Horizon taught me magic,¡± she explained

 CH 114

    Pendelok¡¯s jaw dropped.


    ¡°Really?¡± the old man asked like a fool.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Azriel answered.


    ¡°Really?¡± he repeated.


    ¡°It¡¯s true. I don¡¯t intend to blab it around, but it¡¯s not something to hide either.¡±


    ¡°Is the Wizard of the Horizon really your master?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°The one with long silver hair and white robe? The wizard who turned mountains into wilderness?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°Oh, God,¡± Pendelok sought God absentmindedly and then froze just like that. The Duchess, who had turned pale, opened her mouth.


    ¡°Miss Esthera, can you prove it?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Do I need to prove it?¡± Azriel asked back.


    ¡°I can¡¯t just believe it. I mean, the Wizard of the Horizon! Such a legendary being¡ª¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to believe it, you don¡¯t need to. I didn¡¯t come here to prove that I am a pupil of the Wizard of the Horizon,¡± Azriel tilted her head. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be a pupil of the Horizon to join the aAurora Society, do you?¡±


    The Duchess closed her mouth. As if she was trying to recover her calmness, she patted her forehead with her hand in a lace glove. And she turned her attention to her daughter who had fallen asleep on Azriel¡¯s lap. ¡°¡­Right. That¡¯s actually not an important matter.¡±


    She stared at Azriel directly and continued. ¡°Can you stop the occurrence of magic even if my daughter speaks? With mana interference?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I can,¡± Azriel replied.


    The Duchess sprang up from her seat. She grasped the skirt of her dress with both hands and bent her waist deeply towards Azriel to the point the necklace on her face also hung below. She then slightly bent her knees. Azriel was startled. Having had worked for nobles, she knew what such a gesture from a noble lady meant. It was an extreme respect that was shown in front of a king. Such a salutation was never meant for common people. Not minding whether Azriel was surprised, the Duchess of Rudimna opened her mouth in the same posture, not straightening her waist. ¡°I am Edith Modjankle von Rudimna, and the Duchess of Rudimna. Miss Azriel Esthera, I ardently ask of you. Please help my daughter.¡±


    ¡°Umm, well, please get up first¡ª¡±


    ¡°I will do whatever I can do. I will give you anything that we can provide from the family of the Duke of Rudimna. So, please¡­,¡± a tear dropped from her lowered face. Azriel vacantly looked at the tear stain left on the floor. ¡°Please, please, please save my poor child.¡±


    She sounded like she was barely fighting back tears. Just in the hope that she could help her daughter, the Duchess from the royal family was pleading with an unknown commoner wizard. Azriel was lost for words. That¡¯s how a mother loves her daughter. She tried to stand up to stop the Duchess but paused. She could not get up because of Sophinea who had fallen asleep on her lap. ¡°I don¡¯t actually know the cure. I can neither guarantee that I¡¯ll be of help nor continue to be by her side and suppress her mana.¡±


    The Duchess lifted her head. Her eyes were filled with tears, affection, and pleas. Azriel remembered her mother¡¯s eyes that looked down at her as if looking at filth.


    ¡®It¡¯s too¡­ different.¡¯


    Not every parent loved her child unconditionally. Such did not form automatically, and not everyone could have it. Azriel knew it well because she had never received it. Parental love was truly cherishable and valuable. Thus, she did not want to see those eyes turn sad just like how she did not want to let go of the scar-filled hand that was clasping her hem.


    ¡°¡­Don¡¯t expect too much from me,¡± Azriel opened her mouth.


    ¡°That means¡­,¡± the Duchess asked.


    ¡°I can¡¯t promise that I can help with anything.¡±


    The Duchess¡¯ face slowly brightened. Azriel smiled slightly and continued. ¡°But I will help to my best ability.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Miss Esthera. I, I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart¡­!¡± the Duchess dabbed her tears with her gloved hand. Even though she dabbed several times, her tears did not stop. ¡°Oh, no. This¡­ doesn¡¯t stop¡­¡±

 CH 115

    At last, they overflowed. She burst into a flood of tears like a child. She flushed and hurriedly got up as she took out a handkerchief. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. How embarrassing¡­ E, excuse me for a moment.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I understand. Please go ahead,¡± Azriel said.


    The Duchess covered her face and left the room, sobbing. There were only Sophinea, Azriel, and bewitched Pendelok left in the room. The old man was staring at her piercingly, but it seemed his mind was somewhere else.


    ¡°Director of Magic,¡± Azriel called.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Sir Pendelok Palaios?¡± she called again.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry,¡± Pendelok blinked. He grabbed his beard, groaning. ¡°It¡¯s just unbelievable.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to believe it.¡±


    ¡°No. I can¡¯t help but believe it. It¡¯s just too shocking. The Horizon¡­ the Horizon¡­ I never thought I¡¯d see a legend in my old age¡­ It¡¯s worth living for a long time. Yes. Of course. Man has to live for a long time¡ª¡±


    Azriel interrupted the old man¡¯s continuing gibberish. ¡°Uh, why was Sophinea¡­ Umm, Lady Rudimna at the society, not at the Duke¡¯s mansion? I know for a fact that the society doesn¡¯t take minors as members.¡±


    ¡°Sophinea? Oh, right. Sophie. Goodness. Do you know how artistic your movement was at the moment she spoke? It was like you didn¡¯t want to allow an inch of gap. Yet, you were not violent. What can I say?  Elegant? Yes! Elegant!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I never thought I¡¯d feel such mana in my entire life! Interfering with other¡¯s mana! It¡¯s something that¡¯s enough to throw out all of the already existing papers. It¡¯s historic and also legendary! The academia will be turned upside down!¡± Pendelok Palaios, who made a speech so passionate that Azriel was afraid that he might faint, had an enraptured look on his face.


    ¡°Sir Palaios? Well¡­,¡± Azriel spoke.


    ¡°There¡¯s no way someone like you is not the pupil of the Horizon, of course. I can¡¯t believe it even though I said it! I can¡¯t! The wizard that the Wizard of the Horizon taught! The legend is before me! The Legend, gasp!¡± Pendelok, who got too excited, grabbed his chest and wavered.


    ¡°Grandpa!¡± shocked, Azriel got up and ran to him, forgetting about Sophinea. She narrowly caught the old man who was about to fall backward.


    ¡°Whew, whea¡­,¡± Pendelok breathed heavily.


    ¡°Please calm down. I¡¯m not going anywhere,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°I, I¡¯m sorry. I became too excited,¡± Pendelok cleared his throat and straightened his body with a reddened face. Then, he smiled suddenly. ¡°But grandpa? It reminds me of the time when you communicated with me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was in such a rush that I acted rudely¡­¡±


    ¡°No, no. It¡¯s fine. I don¡¯t mind you calling me that. I just remember how surprised I was back then,¡± the old man waved his hand as he spoke. Even though Azriel stood up, Sophinea did not wake up. It seemed that she had been exhausted. Azriel asked as she went back to Sophinea¡¯s side and sat down. ¡°What were you surprised about? Was it because of the news about the Crown Prince?¡±


    ¡°Further from the message itself, how can I not be surprised when a voice of a child communicated with me? I thought maybe it was just the voice that sounded young, but the way of calling me a ¡®grandpa¡¯ was indeed a child. How old were you then?¡±


    ¡°I was ten. But receiving communication that surprising? Any wizard can do it.¡±


    ¡°Just because any wizard can do it, it doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s common for a ten-year-old to spread the signal in a wide range from such a long distance. Of course, not. The communication condition was very clean, too.¡±


    ¡°¡­That¡¯s something unbelievable?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know well about ordinary wizards, do you?¡± Pendelok asked with an interested look on his face. To this day, Azriel had only learned recent wizards¡¯ news from books. Even so, she only paid attention to theories or academic ideas and was indifferent about wizards or their cultures. The only wizard she knew except for Rhema was Tarbo Tameion. She had not even been familiar with Pendelok Palaios¡¯s name, who was the best wizard of Aucandor. There were many things that she could not learn only through texts. She could not deny it. Azriel agreed, feeling embarrassed. ¡°Yes, I usually spend my time learning magic from Rhem¡­ my master. I¡¯m not so familiar with other wizards¡­¡±

 CH 116

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s understandable from you. You said you came to join the society, didn¡¯t you? You¡¯ll learn about them naturally when you visit the underground tower often,¡± Pendelok smiled and looked at Sophinea, who was asleep. His eyes blurred as if he was looking at a precious granddaughter. ¡°A great wizard like you¡¯d help that child, I sincerely thank you. It¡¯s like a miracle. No wonder Edith burst into tears.¡±


    ¡°You must know the Duchess very well.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I know her well. She¡¯s my close friend¡¯s daughter who he used to consider the apple of his eye. Being Edith¡¯s daughter, Sophie is like my granddaughter. Since I haven¡¯t married and my friend has passed away early, I should be the one to look after them-both Sophie and His Majesty,¡± the old man had a longing look as he said.


    ¡®He must¡¯ve been a friend of Charles¡¯ grandfather. That¡¯s why Charles contacted him when he was left alone.¡¯


    Since the Duchess, Edith Modjankle von Rudimna, was a little sister of the former king and Charlene, the current king¡¯s aunt, Pendelok Palaios must have been a close friend of the king before the former king.


    ¡°So, the reason why Lady Rudimna is staying in the underground tower, instead of the Duchy of Rudimna, is for you to take care of her? I saw her in the underground tower last time as well.¡±


    ¡°Just call her Sophinea as you like. She¡¯d like it better that way. Mere class wouldn¡¯t matter to you who¡¯s the pupil of the Horizon,¡± Pendelok waved his hand and continued. ¡°She used to be in the Duke¡¯s mansion. Since Sophie was an unprecedentedly powerful nameless wizard from birth, the Duke of Rudimna built a separate building for her.¡±


    ¡°Then, why in the society¡­¡±


    ¡°There are some grave incidents happening these days, so we did it for her safety.¡±


    ¡°Incidents?¡±


    Is it related to Charles¡¯ frequent visit to the society with his identity as a king? Instead of answering Azriel¡¯s question, Pendelok asked another question. ¡°Why are you trying to join the Aurora Society?¡±


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s something I want to look into.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be way more accurate to ask your master instead of joining the society and researching it. If the members of the society find out who you are, they¡¯ll all come to you with their research topics since the Wizard of the Horizon is a living witness of the magic civilization.¡±


    ¡°Finding out about it myself is a test that my master gave me.¡±


    ¡°Whoa,¡± Pendelok had a very intrigued look. ¡°What on earth is it that you need to find out that it became a test?¡±


    ¡°If you tell me about the incidents related to Sophinea¡¯s safety, I¡¯ll also tell you.¡±


    ¡°Ehem,¡± Pendelok gave a dry cough as if she had him going. Azriel asked again. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I know about it now that I¡¯m helping Sophinea? You said those incidents are related to safety.¡±


    ¡°Technically, it¡¯s not related to Sophinea herself. She¡¯s just related because she¡¯s a nameless wizard.¡±


    ¡°Is being a nameless wizard a problem?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but this is not a matter I can speak of at my will. I will talk to you after discussing it.¡±


    It seemed to be related to something big and complex that she did not know of. Pendelok added, with a regretful face. ¡°Except for that problem, I will support you with anything I can do at my personal expense. Not only for the cure of excessive mana disorder but also anything you need for your test. The family of the Duke of Rudimna will also support you to their best, not to mention the recommendation letter required for joining the society.¡±


    *


    The Duchess of Rudimna and Pendelok wrote a letter of recommendation right away in the room. The joining process of the society was not long. When she completed all steps, she received a silver badge in the form of a semicircle. It was a badge that certified her membership.


    ¡®It¡¯s made in the form of a half Aurora Disc.¡¯


    As soon as she received the badge, Azriel returned to Brownie Castle. She had a hard time since Sophinea did not want to be separated from her after waking up, but Azriel comforted her by promising that she would visit her again tomorrow.

 CH 117

    Azriel and Rhema usually played chess after supper. The room with an open terrace towards the lake and a fireplace was the chess room. It naturally became a room dedicated for chess as they placed the chess set in the beginning. Rhema was staring at delicately carved chess pieces. He was on the brink of being defeated today as well. Azriel quietly looked into his face shaded by the light of the fireplace. When playing chess, Rhema somehow felt comfortable and cute, especially his slightly knitted brows from thinking hard. It might be because he continued to lose to her even though they played every day. His chess skills did not improve much somehow. He moved his knight carefully. Azriel pierced into the gap where the knight vacated. Rhema¡¯s king, who was stuck in-between her rook and bishop, now could not move a bit. Rhema slightly sighed.


    ¡°I lost. What did you bet on, this time?¡± he asked.


    ¡°A box of gold coins. Rhema, by any chance, are you doing this because you want to give me allowance?¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°I can request what I want from you if I win, so why would I lose on purpose?¡±


    ¡°What do you want to request if you win?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll let you know after I win.¡±


    ¡°I might just lose because I¡¯m so curious.¡±


    ¡°Azriel, losing on purpose is cheating.¡±


    ¡°Why, because it¡¯ll take away the fun?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because if you gain something so easily, it¡¯s difficult to know it¡¯s worth, not to mention it¡¯ll take away the fun,¡± Rhema laughed in a low voice. Azriel liked his smile. Even if it was not a bright smile, when he smiled loosely like that, she sometimes felt her heart sink. It might be because of the fear that she might end up being killed by Rhema one day, ending days like these. She concluded it this way whenever it happened.


    ¡®What will happen. to Rhema after killing me? Will he forget in a few hundred years, saying such a thing once happened? Like he can¡¯t recall how close he used to be with his twin sister, or¡­¡¯


    No. I won¡¯t die. I will find the case that I don¡¯t have to die. She opened her mouth, organizing chess pieces. ¡°Rhema, I met a nameless wizard today.¡±


    Rhema¡¯s hands, which were organizing pieces with her, paused. Azriel continued. ¡°I mean someone suffering from the unnamable excessive mana disorder. You know about it, Rhema, right?¡±


    ¡°¡­I am aware of it,¡± he said.


    ¡°There was no such illness in ancient times, wasn¡¯t it? Nameless wizards would¡¯ve become real ¡®wizards in ancient times, right?¡¯


    Rhema looked at her with his grey eyes, which made it hard to guess what he was thinking. And he slowly nodded. ¡°You are right. People who were born with such mana generally became outstanding wizards.¡±


    ¡°Then, will their symptoms be resolved if they learn magic, not conjuring?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Naming their mana should come first. After that, you let them learn magic. That¡¯s what they did as soon as such a child was discovered in ancient times.¡±


    ¡°How simple¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not too simple. Since it¡¯s not easy to name such children¡¯s mana, there were even specific procedures to name their mana.¡±


    ¡°Why did such procedures¡­ I mean the ancient magic, disappear?¡±


    Rhema closed his mouth. He lowered his eyes and seemed somehow sad. Even though his face was calm, it felt that way to Azriel.


    ¡°Is it a question you can¡¯t answer?¡± she asked.


    ¡°No. It¡¯s just¡­,¡± he hesitated and kept silent for some time. Azriel asked in a different way. ¡°What I learned, it¡¯s ancient magic, isn¡¯t it? Can I teach it to other people?¡±


    ¡°Is it because you want to cure the nameless wizard?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I want to help her.¡±


    Rhema agonized over something with his mouth shut. Slightly nervous, Azriel waited. Suddenly, questions sprang up in her mind.


    ¡®Will I be able to turn a blind eye to the Duchess who was moved to tears and Sophinea who attempted to take her life? Or will I end up helping them regardless of what he says?¡¯

 CH 118

    Azriel could not answer the questions she asked herself. Not long after, he calmly spoke in his ordinary low and slow tone. ¡°Azriel, I don¡¯t care if ¡®magic¡¯ becomes known again. If you want, you can share what you learned as much as you want.¡±


    She instantly felt relieved to think that she would not be in a difficult situation to choose. At the same time, she thought that Rhema might be allowing it because he noticed how she felt. She cautiously asked. ¡°Can I really do that? There must be a reason why magic has disappeared. Shouldn¡¯t we not supposed to try to restore it recklessly?¡±


    ¡°Learning magic won¡¯t put people in danger. The reason why ancient magic disappeared was not because magic itself was dangerous. Only dragon eye magic will put you in danger,¡± Rhema said.


    The more one used dragon eye magic, which did not use a spell, the more he would go against the laws of God¡¯s created world which did not use a spell. She was aware of it as she heard it from him. ¡°So, was there another reason for the disappearance of magic, if it didn¡¯t disappear because of itself?¡±


    ¡°Yes. The ancient magic disappeared because people had come to hate the wizards who worked miracles.¡±


    Azriel¡¯s eyes widened. Rhema continued calmly. ¡°Fear is an emotion that can easily turn into hate.¡±


    ¡°So, are you saying they eventually got rid of magic because they feared it and hated it for that?¡±


    ¡°Correct,¡± Rhema said as he made a faint sneer on his face. ¡°The reason why almost all knowledge of the ancient magic civilization was not passed down was because people of that period massacred wizards and buried all knowledge about magic.¡±


    Azriel¡¯s hand flinched in shock and tipped over a chess piece. A white bishop fell on the floor and rolled away. ¡°Did you say a massacre? People¡­ slaughtered wizards?¡±


    ¡°Even wizards killed each other. And that wasn¡¯t wrong, Azriel.¡±


    She felt her hair stand on end with terror. Rhema, whom she thought cute just a little while ago, looked like a monster for that moment. ¡°It wasn¡¯t wrong? A massacre? Wizards killing each other? What on earth¡­ happened?¡±


    He lowered his waist. He picked up the white chess piece rolling on the floor and put it in its place. Then he got up from his seat. ¡°Anyway, there is no problem with ¡®magic¡¯. So, you can do as you like.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°But, Azriel,¡± he came close to her. In a state of confusion, Azriel looked up at him.


    ¡°Including the nameless wizard who you want to cure,¡± his tender hand patted her hair. He said kindly. ¡°Don¡¯t set your affection on wizards.¡±


    She suddenly remembered what he promised right after she was reunited with Rhema.


    ¡°Yes, without your permission, I won¡¯t harm anyone you know. However, I can¡¯t promise that if that person is a wizard.¡±


    She spoke vacantly. ¡°Rhema and I are both¡­ wizards, aren¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°I am a watchman before a wizard.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°And you are a dragon eye wizard.¡±


    ¡°A dragon eye wizard will eventually end up becoming a watchman.¡±


    It was what he said when he said that she would learn about watchman when she found out about the contents of the Aurora Disc. Then, no way. Rhema, who took his hand off of her, turned around. Azriel hurriedly got up and grabbed the hem of his clothes. ¡°Rhema, you said there is a way that I won¡¯t die even if I learn magic, but I will become miserable even if that¡¯s possible.¡±


    He looked back at her. His eyes looking down were strangely cold compared to his usual eyes towards her. Azriel took a deep breath and said. ¡°That, did that mean that I¡¯ll be miserable if I become a watchman¡­ and that I¡¯ll die in your hands if I don¡¯t become a watchman?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    She paused her breath. Rhema grabbed her hand, which was holding his hand. Then, he gently took her hand off the hem. ¡°I hoped that you wouldn¡¯t realize that. And, I also hoped that you¡¯d realize it.¡±

 CH 119

    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t understand what you are saying about, Rhema.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t force you to live an eternal and miserable life for me just because I don¡¯t want to kill you.¡±


    Azriel unknowingly stepped back, falteringly. Her hand was still held by him. Rhema murmured like a whisper, still grasping her hand and looking down at it. ¡°You¡¯ve become too precious to do that.¡±


    ¡°¡­You, you are already a watchman, Rhema. Is it miserable to live as a watchman?¡±


    ¡°I am alright,¡± Rhema indifferently responded. Azriel¡¯s hand was aching from his grip, so she twisted it in an effort to withdraw. Then he looked down at her. Azriel suddenly realized that his shadow was covering her entirely. As if her trauma which had disappeared was returning, she felt nauseous despite the fact it was Rhema¡¯s. The fact that he was a bigger man felt stronger than the fact that he was Rhema Reshith. Her face turned pale. Seeing that, Rhema released his grip. Azriel withdrew her hand and took a few steps back. Rhema said, with his eyes on the distance between them. ¡°It¡¯s not too late, Azriel. You can choose the other way anytime.¡±


    ¡°The other¡­ way?¡±


    ¡°I mean the way you didn¡¯t choose three years ago.¡±


    It was the way to live as an ordinary person, forgetting about Rhema and magic. She remembered the day her memory was erased. She replied like a scream. ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°¡­If you want to choose that way, tell me anytime. I will prepare a life for you without a mistake this time.¡± He said mildly like a whisper and left the chess room. Azriel plopped down on the spot. Her body was trembling.


    *


    The next morning, Azriel could not see Rhema even though it was the time for her usual magic.


    ¡°Largo, have you seen Rhema?¡± she asked after waking up the yellow dog who had been dozing off in the corridor. Largo shook his head and yawned. Then she heard a noise coming from the direction of the garden. Noir and Marthi were standing face to face, glaring at each other.


    ¡°¡­What are you two doing?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Hey, Azriel. Don¡¯t you think your familiar spirit is too rude? I mean, he¡¯s a junior here!¡± Noir yelled.


    ¡°I am my master¡¯s familiar spirit, not your master¡¯s. We have different masters, but why are we differentiating who got here first?¡± the little lion cub snorted and growled. Azriel turned back, leaving them alone. ¡°I don¡¯t care if you fight over some useless reasons, but don¡¯t get hurt.¡±


    She heard small animals getting tangled up behind her back. Brownie flew past her, screaming. ¡°No! Brownie¡¯s garden! The garden that Brownie has been taking care of preciously! Noooo!¡±


    Azriel sighed and went upstairs. Rhema¡¯s bedroom was on the second floor of the castle. It was at the end of the opposite side of the hallway from her bedroom which was at the end of the other side. Halfway up the stairs, she ran into Blanchet who was coming down the stairs. Blanchet said as soon as she saw Azriel. ¡°Azriel, Rhema said he¡¯ll be out for a while because he has somewhere to visit.¡±


    ¡°¡­Is that right? For how long?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°He said he¡¯d come back within a week.¡±


    ¡°Blanchet, you don¡¯t know where he went, do you?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Rhema has too many secrets¡­,¡± Azriel murmured in an exhausted tone. Blanchet swayed her tail and looked up at her still. Her blue eyes blinked.


    ¡°Azriel, I¡¯m Rhema¡¯s familiar spirit, and I think of Rhema as my primary importance,¡± Blanceht said.


    ¡°Why are you saying that all of a sudden? That¡¯s natural.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but since I like you, just one thing, I¡¯ll tell you this one thing, for my cute human cub.¡±


    ¡°Blanchet?¡±


    The cat jumped up on the railing and whispered in Azriel¡¯s ears. ¡°Don¡¯t believe everything Rhema says.¡±


    ¡°¡­What?¡±

 CH 120

    [Meow]


    Blanchet rubbed her forehead against Azriel¡¯s cheek, crying in a thin voice and walked away on the railing. Azriel stood there vacantly for a short while. Then, she wiped her face with her hands and ran to her room. Not long after, she came out with a packed bag. And she went to the garden and called Marthi. ¡°Marthi!¡±


    ¡°Master?¡± Marthi responded.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Pardon? Where are you going?¡± he asked.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be staying at the Aurora Society for a while. Come on,¡± she urged.


    ¡°Can I come, too? I thought I shouldn¡¯t be seen by people¡ª¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll stay in the underground tower only, so it¡¯ll be fine. Just get in here first,¡± she opened her bag towards him. Marthi was bewildered but soon obeyed his master. Noir asked in surprise. ¡°Huh? Azriel, are you going to stay out?¡±


    ¡°Rhema is staying out, too,¡± Azriel shouted.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back in a few days,¡± Azriel shut the bag where Marthi went in and left quickly. Stupefied, Noir murmured. ¡°What¡¯s going on¡­ is she really going through puberty? Now?¡±


    *


    There was a lodging place for members in the underground tower of the Aurora Society. It was where members could stay while conducting a research or investigation. As soon as she arrived at the society, Azriel rented a room as a member. An office clerk said as she gave her a room. ¡°There are two messages left under your name.¡±


    ¡°Messages? Can I have them, please?¡±


    The office clerk gave her two notes. One was from the Duchess of Rudimna. It was a request to visit her any time Azriel came to the underground tower as she was staying in Sophinea¡¯s room with Sophinea together. The other one was from Pendelok Palaios. He asked her to send him a message at the Chamber of Magic once she came to the society. First, she sent a message to Pendelok Palaios. Then she went to her room and unpacked her bag. As soon as she opened the bag, Marthi jumped out. The lion cub coughed noisily as soon as coming out. ¡°Cough, cough. Master, I¡¯d rather move by flying at a height that¡¯s invisible to others than hiding in your bag from now on.¡±


    ¡°Was it too stuffy? I¡¯m sorry,¡± Azriel apologized.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not something you need to be sorry, master. It¡¯s my fault for not having invisibility ability.¡±


    ¡°Oh, there was such a way.¡±


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°Invisibility magic, like this. Esthera.¡±


    Marthi¡¯s body, which was wrapped around by Azriel¡¯s mana, turned completely transparent. He looked only translucent to Azriel, who put the spell on him. With his eyes widened, Marthi looked down at his body and turned to Azriel with a very unfair look on his face.


    ¡°¡­Sorry, I¡¯ve forgotten about it,¡± she said.


    ¡°¡­No, master. It¡¯s my fault for not considering the fact that my master is an amazing wizard who can even do invisibility magic.¡±


    Is he sarcastically blaming me? Azriel chuckled and patted Marthi¡¯s head which was covered in feathers. ¡°We can go to places together without drawing people¡¯s attention this way. I need to go somewhere now. Do you want to come along?¡±


    His tail, which looked like a ball of wool, wagged strongly from side to side. It wagged so strongly that it slightly exposed the scorpion stinger hidden inside his fur. Marthi said in a deliberately mature manner unlike his tail. ¡°I am honored to accompany you, master. May I sit on your shoulder?¡±


    ¡°Of course, come here,¡± she said and left the room with Marthi, who was invisible. She felt her familiar spirit fluttering near her and sitting on her shoulder. She felt good as his warm body felt reassuring. Referring to the map drawn on the Duchess¡¯ note, she went across the winding inside of the underground tower. Soon, she saw the little underground garden where she first met Sophinea. She walked a little past the garden and found Sophinea¡¯s room. She knocked on the door. ¡°This is Azriel Esthera.¡±

 CH 121

    ¡°Welcome!¡±


    It was the Duchess who pleasurably opened the door. Inside was unexpectedly beautiful as it was decorated with a light cream carpet and a colorful tapestry, even though it was a remodelled underground ruins. Cushions and dolls were placed everywhere. As soon as she stepped in the room, she heard Sophinea¡¯s small footsteps approaching, and Sophinea fell into Azriel¡¯s arms. Her earnest eyes looked up at Azriel.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay to talk, Sophinea,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°¡­Oh, oh, h, hel-lo!¡± Sophinea greeted her.


    Azriel had spread her mana beforehand. So, she pushed down Sophinea¡¯s mana which went rampant as soon as she spoke.


    ¡°Hi. Did you have good sleep, Sophinea?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°P, plea-se, ca, call me, So-Sophie. Miss E, E, Esthera,¡± the girl fumbled her words, trembling. Azriel smiled and held the girl¡¯s hand. ¡°Just call me sister.¡±


    Sophinea¡¯s face was reddened. She smiled with a blushed face. ¡°Okay, sis¡­ ter.¡±


    The girl said shyly and buried her face in the hem of Azriel¡¯s robe. The Duchess who was watching her daughter, teared up a little. It had been so long since she saw her daughter contacting other people while talking and smiling. She had not seen her doing that once Sophinea grew up and learned that she was a nameless wizard. The Duchess led them to the table, fighting back her tears. She then personally served some tea.


    ¡°Oh, I can¡¯t believe the Duchess is personally serving tea,¡± Azriel said in surprise.


    ¡°Non-members can¡¯t stay in the society in principle. You have to do everything yourself, although Sophinea is an exception because she¡¯s a special case,¡± the Duchess replied.


    Warm tea was served in front of Azriel in no time. The Duchess while taking out some cookies to go with the tea. ¡°Please call me Edith, instead of the Duchess, Miss Esthera. Members call each other by their names inside the society. We are now equal members, after all.¡±


    Edith smiled charmingly, pointing at the badge she put on her dress. Even though she was a fancy noble lady in her mid 30¡¯s, she was still lovely and unconstrained like a teenage girl. Azriel also smiled and replied. ¡°Okay, Edith. Please call me by my name, too.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Azriel,¡± Edith, who sat down after serving cookies, took out a document. ¡°Azriel, this is a certificate promising a complete sponsorship of the Duke of Rudimna. The support budget detail is also attached. It also serves as the guarantee of status.¡±


    The gold-plated certificate looked fancy. What was written on it was even fancier. Startled, Azriel shook her head. ¡°No, well, you don¡¯t have to do this much for me.¡±


    ¡°The Rudimna usually sponsors people who study about the excessive mana disorder. It¡¯s just a basic aid, so please take it,¡± Edith almost pushed the certificate in Azriel¡¯s hands. This is only the basics? The Rudimna must¡¯ve been looking hard for the Lady¡¯ cure. Azriel took it at last. ¡°Then, I¡¯ll take it with gratitude.¡±


    ¡°If you need anything other than this, please tell me anytime. We are always ready to try our best. If you find a cure, we¡¯ll also reward you as much as we can,¡± Edith said.


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s something I¡¯d like to ask. It is not a matter related to the excessive mana disorder though,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Yes, ask me anything.¡±


    ¡°Do you know about the wizard named Tarbo Tameion? He must be among the wizards who received Rudimna¡¯s sponsorship.¡±


    This was what Azriel learned about Tarbo Tameion, with Maylie¡¯s help. The Duchess had enough connection with him to write him a letter of introduction because he received Rudimna¡¯s sponsorship. However, she could not figure out what kind of sponsorship it was. Edith candidly answered her. ¡°Of course, he had the same sponsorship.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t say, do you mean a study of the excessive mana disorder?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Yes. Though he has gone missing since he went to investigate ruins three years ago¡­,¡± Edith sighed. Knowing how he went ¡®missing,¡¯ Azriel tried hard to keep her face still.

 CH 122

    ¡°He was the most expected person sponsored by the family of Rudimna until he went missing. He used to be a nameless wizard himself,¡± Edith added.


    ¡°Pardon?¡± Azriel was astonished. Seeing her face, Edith smiled bitterly. ¡°Isn¡¯t it amazing? You have no idea how much hope I had when I first found out about him.¡±


    ¡°How did he become a wizard if he was a nameless wizard? Was there a cure?¡±


    ¡°No, there wasn¡¯t. He was a special case.¡±


    ¡°Then, how did he¡­¡±


    ¡°I brought this. I thought it might help,¡± Edith took out a book with a thick cover. ¡°It¡¯s a book of reports sent to Rudimna by the people who researched about the excessive mana disorder. There is one by Tarbo Tameion, too. Here.¡±


    Azriel looked into the page that Edith opened. It was the very first page. ¡°About the innate nature change of internal mana?¡±


    ¡°All people are born with different mana. Do you know the theory about that?¡± Edith asked.


    ¡°I know about it. It¡¯s the Theory of Mana Individuality. Isn¡¯t unnamable mana also a kind of individuality?¡± Azriel replied.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. You know it well. It is known to be impossible to change such innate nature. However, the nature of Tarbo¡¯s mana changed in the middle. It was a very special case,¡± Edith explained.


    It had always been possible to change the nature of mana because it was the beginning point of magic. However, Azriel kept quiet and listened to her carefully instead of correcting that part. Edith continued. ¡°Tarbo had a big accident caused by his magic which was randomly invoked. The nature of his mana changed after that.¡±


    ¡°Did it become possible to name his mana after it changed?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Yes. But because his magic was randomly invoked, he did not know which magic caused such a phenomenon and led to his cure. So, he studied that all his life,¡± Edith replied.


    Azriel scanned the report. She read it roughly but still could grasp the content. ¡°¡­It looks like he didn¡¯t make much progress.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Edith¡¯s face darkened as she said. ¡°We searched his house after he went missing and¡­ found that he even bought people with unnamable mana and tried human experiments on them.¡±


    ¡°Human experiments? With slaves?¡±


    This was something she did not know about. The scope of information Maylie could acquire by inquiring around was limited. Looking at Azriel¡¯s face which turned pale, Edith said bitterly. ¡°There are quite a lot of people with unnamable mana, if not excessive mana. It seems he found them by visiting slavers personally.¡±


    ¡°How can he? Then what happened to those people?¡±


    Edith quietly shook her head. Azriel groaned. She shuddered in horror to recall Tarbo Tameion¡¯s eyes which stared at her piercingly when he grabbed her in Colte.


    ¡°He couldn¡¯t find out even with such a horrific deed,¡± Edith added.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I thought there might be no such thing as a cure for nameless wizards. Not just my daughter, but there must be countless kids who are suffering now.¡±


    Sophinea, who had been sitting down quietly, lowered her head and clasped the hem of Azriel¡¯s robe.


    ¡°Because this is the case, how miraculous is it that someone like you exist¡­,¡± Edith murmured in a shaking voice and took a deep breath. She seemed to be holding back her tears. At the same time Azriel felt grave pity, she was suffocated by an assumption that suddenly came to her mind. Rhema killed Tarbo. Him killing Tarbo was related to the duty of a watchman. Tarbo Tameion was a nameless wizard. Rhema had never attempted to kill other wizards as far as she knew.


    ¡®Could the duty of a watchman possibly be killing nameless wizards? Why¡­?¡¯


    He said that he could harm wizards among the people she knew. He also told her not to give affection to wizards. Did he mean nameless wizards when he said ¡®wizards¡¯? Azriel unknowingly looked back at Sophinea. Sophinea, who was grasping the hem of Azriel¡¯s robe like a lifeline, noticed her gaze and lifted her head. The girl beamed shyly. If the presumption Azriel thought of was true, Rhema might try to kill this child.

 CH 123

    Azriel felt dizzy. At that instant, a few more facts were combined in her head. Maylie was assisting her senior reporter to gather information about some missing incidents that were happening all over the country. She said the royal family seemed to be investigating that. Sophinea was staying in the underground tower for safety reasons because of recent serious incidents, and they were related to nameless wizards. Pendelok said that he could not share that at his will. It was something that even Charles, who was the king, investigated by personally visiting the underground tower.


    ¡®If they are all connected.¡¯


    If nameless wizards, or more embracingly, people with unnamable mana were missing all around the country, and if Sophinea was staying in the underground tower in case of missing and the royal family was investigating it¡­


    ¡®And if Rhema is really killing nameless wizards because of his duty as a watchman¡­¡¯


    Rhema often went out not disclosing his purpose. He could manipulate memories, pause time, and turn humans into dust, making them disappear without a trace. Azriel felt dizzy. She pressed her forehead. No, I¡¯ve gone too far. That can¡¯t be. If, by a chance in a million, he¡¯s been killing people, he must¡¯ve killed only bad wizards. Think about Tarbo Tameion. He¡¯s even done human experiments. There must be a reason¡­ If it¡¯s really a watchman¡¯s duty, if he has to do it¡­


    ¡®Will I have to do such things if I become a watchman like Rhema?¡¯


    Eternal and miserable life-Rhema had described the decision to become a watchman that way. Inside her chest became cold as if a piece of ice was stuck. Suddenly, a warm and soft touch tapped her cheek. When she turned her head vacantly, Marthi, who had been sitting on her shoulder in his translucent form, tilted his head as if to ask what was wrong.


    ¡°Azriel?¡±


    Edith called her in a worrisome voice. Sophinea was looking up at her still. Azriel shook her head and smiled. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    She pushed aside her assumptions and guesses to one corner as they were hovering dizzily in her head. And she opened her mouth calmly. ¡°I will be staying in the underground tower for a while from now on. While I¡¯m here, I will try to name Sophinea¡¯s mana.¡±


    Edith and Sophinea¡¯s eyes were widened at the same time. Looking at them this way together, she could easily tell that they were mother and daughter. Edith asked falteringly. ¡°Is, is that possible? Naming unnamable mana¡­¡±


    ¡°I have something in my mind, but I don¡¯t know if it¡¯ll work. I will try it first and tell you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, God¡­¡±


    ¡°But don¡¯t expect too much. I can¡¯t guarantee it¡¯s success.¡±


    Rhema said that there were even specific procedures for naming such children¡¯s mana. She could not ask Rhema about the cure for nameless wizards in detail, at least for now. Even though she did not know about detailed steps, there was something she could vaguely guess by combining what she had learned and heard.


    ¡°It¡¯s, al-right,¡± Sophinea suddenly opened her mouth. When Azriel looked back, the girl continued with a calm face. ¡°I¡¯m, use, used to hearing, that, that, this can, can be fixed. So, I, I¡¯m fine. I, I am, ha-happy, enough, that I, I get to talk, talk like this.¡±


    Sophinea said in a deeply harsh and stuttering voice with effort and smiled like she was really happy. ¡°Th-ank you.¡±


    Azriel stroked the girl¡¯s head without thinking. Sophinea narrowed her eyes as if she liked it. Her smile was a little more brightened like Azriel used to do whenever Rhema stroked her head in the past.


    *


    Azriel returned to the room and opened the bundle of reporters that Edith handed her. Looking closely, it was quite a large amount. She turned the pages, speed-reading it and began picking out useless information. She usually could not hear sounds very well once she began concentrating. So, she did not hear someone knocking on her door. At last, Marthi, who was rolling on the bed, got up and pulled his master.


    ¡°Someone is here, master,¡± Marthi said.


    ¡°What¡­? Oh, thank you,¡± Azriel said.


    When Azriel got up, Marthi quickly hid under a blanket. She then opened the door right away. Pendelok Palaios was waiting at the door.


    ¡°I came upon receiving your message,¡± Pendelok said.


    ¡°Welcome, Sir Palaios,¡± Azriel greeted.


    ¡°It¡¯s a little awkward to hear you call me with such respect. Just call me grandpa freely.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s more comfortable for you.¡±


    ¡°Can I come in?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± when Azriel stepped aside, Pendelok came in. She led the old man to the table and said. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I just unpacked, so I have nothing to serve.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. I heard that you were renting a room in the underground tower starting today.¡±


    ¡°For what occasion did you leave me a message?¡±


    ¡°I discussed it with His Majesty. He wanted to tell you this directly¡­,¡± suddenly, Pendelok looked at her with meaningful eyes. ¡°Come to think of it, His Majesty wanted to see you very much. He couldn¡¯t come out because there was an urgent matter. He was trying to sneak out but was caught by Sir Ash.¡±


    ¡°D, Did he?¡± Azriel suddenly remembered Charles¡¯ confession that he was in the middle of falling for her and the ball in a few days. She had completely forgotten about it. Azriel flustered a little and changed the subject. ¡°By the way, what did you discuss with His Majesty?¡±

 CH 124

    ¡°About the matter you asked. The incident related to Sophie¡¯s safety. I asked if I could share it with you.¡±


    Her heart sank. The assumptions that she had pushed aside with effort tried to occupy her head.


    ¡°Can you tell me about it now?¡±


    ¡°Yes. His Majesty agreed to the decision that you should know about this, too. Of course, we can¡¯t share everything we know. It¡¯s highly classified.¡±


    ¡°I understand that.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for understanding,¡± Pendelok had a dry cough and said quietly. ¡°Currently, there is a relay of strange missing incidents happening in the Aucandor Kingdom. Do you know about it by any chance?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve heard the rumors.¡±


    ¡°The missing people vary in age and gender. But they have one thing in common.¡±


    Was my assumption right? Azriel asked with a mixed feeling. ¡°Do they all have unnamable mana?¡±


    ¡°Yes. You know about it. Indeed, the situations are¡­ Anyway, from apparent nameless wizards like Sophinea to those who don¡¯t show symptoms because of their little mana capacity, everyone has unnamable mana,¡± the old man sighed deeply as he said. ¡°We were late to identify the situation because it wasn¡¯t obvious except for nameless wizards. We haven¡¯t identified some of them, but all of the missing people probably have unnamable mana.¡±


    ¡°¡­Did you find out who is doing such a thing and why?¡±


    Could it really be Rhema? Her mouth became dry as she asked him. Pendelok brushed his beard. ¡°We can¡¯t be certain, but there is a suspectful force.¡±


    ¡°A force? Is the suspect not one person?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too extensive and systematic to think that there¡¯s only one person. It certainly is an organized group.¡±


    ¡°A group¡­ it is.¡±


    ¡°Yes. We have a good idea about who the head of this group is. So, now, we are trying to catch the tail and get the evidence. Please forgive me for not sharing what group it is. It¡¯s a complex matter.¡±


    Azriel felt a deep relief in an instant. If it was a group and an organization of some force, it was not Rhema. Moreover, Pendelok said that they had a good idea about who they were. If ¡®the Wizard of the Horizon¡¯ was in his mind, he would not have shared such a story to her and entrusted Sophinea, either. It wasn¡¯t Rhema. It¡¯s not Rhema. She almost breathed a sigh of relief. A hook that was stuck on one side of her mind fell off. Only a question like a hook mark remained.


    ¡®If it was Rhema, what was I going to do? Will I choose him whatever he does?¡¯


    ¡°Miss Esthera?¡± Pendelok called her strangely. Azriel quickly responded. ¡°Oh, I was thinking about the rumors about the missing incidents. It¡¯s nice that you have a good idea about who they are.¡±


    ¡°We are tracing them with our best ability, so you don¡¯t need to worry about it too much. Anywho, looking at the pattern they showed so far, there¡¯s a high probability that Sophinea will be a target soon.¡±


    ¡°A pattern?¡±


    ¡°In the beginning, the crime happened around ordinary people, so it won¡¯t be too obvious. Since nameless wizards are prominent, people around them would know about them.¡±


    ¡°Then, are you saying mostly, nameless wizards are disappearing now?¡±


    ¡°Yes. The victims of missing incidents that happened recently were all nameless wizards. The fact that Sophie is a nameless wizard is known only among upper nobles, but it¡¯s still spread through some acquaintances.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why Sophie is staying in the underground tower for a while. Is this a safe place?¡±


    ¡°The underground tower is hard to break in compared to the mansion of the Duke of Rudimna, where there are many visitors, and it is always resided by wizards and swordsmen,¡± Pendelok shrugged and cautiously said. ¡°But please watch after her just in case.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s reassuring. No one can be your match with your magic ability. By the way, the shield barrier you made when you entered the flames, I haven¡¯t seen such an exquisite barrier in my entire life! Ohh, that had a truly beautiful and bold structure, indeed! The way you constructed mana efficiently using cohesiveness¡­¡±


    ¡°Please calm down. What if you really pass out?¡± Azriel hurriedly stopped Pendelok who was about to get excited again. The old man embarrassedly scratched his cheek. ¡°Ehem. I¡¯ll be careful. Very well. Now, can you tell me about your test?¡±


    Pendelok¡¯s eyes brightened like a child. Azriel thought for a moment. If she wanted to investigate it quietly, it was better not to expose her purpose, which was the disc. However, now the situation had changed. She was determined to intervene in Sophinea¡¯s cure and revealed that she was a pupil of the Wizard of the Horizon in addition. She had already decided to expose some knowledge related to ancient magic. Rhema told her that she could do as she liked, and that there was no problem in magic itself. Moreover, she had to expose it to some degree, in order to cure a nameless wizard. She answered him carefully. ¡°Interpreting the Aurora Disc is my test.¡±


    ¡°Hmm? The Aurora Disc?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s a pass if I find out the contents in the disc.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the test that the Wizard of the Horizon gave you? Th, then you! Can you interpret that disc? Goodness gracious!¡±


    ¡°No, I am not sure yet. It¡¯s a test.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t give a test that¡¯s impossible to solve. The Aurora Disc! Is the secret that has been in the dark for hundreds of years finally being revealed? Oh, ohhh, ohhhh!¡± Pendelok became excited again. Worried about the old man, Azriel quickly cut to the chase. ¡°So, I have a favor to ask. Could I rent the Aurora Disc?¡±


    ¡°The copy version is usually provided to members. Are you talking about the original disc?¡±


    ¡°Yes, the original disc. I won¡¯t take it out of the underground tower. I¡¯ll just investigate it inside this room.¡±


    Pendelok knitted his brows and brushed his beard. ¡°Hmm¡­ Renting the original¡­ That¡¯s impossible since it¡¯s the most valuable relic in the society.¡±


    ¡°Would it be hard?¡±


    ¡°They will probably allow it if you can publicly prove that you are a pupil of the Horizon. They¡¯ll do anything since there¡¯s a high chance that the secret of the disc will be unlocked.¡±

 CH 125

    There was a difference between telling a few people and publicly revealing her identity. Azriel had a troubled look on her face.


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel comfortable showing myself publicly,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°I understand. If you did, you won¡¯t be able to take a step out of your room because of the crowd. Everyone will frantically cling to you,¡± Pendelok chuckled and looked at her with a smile on his face. ¡°That¡¯s our principle, but I should reward you since you helped us first. Edith and I will try to pull strings for you. His Majesty will cooperate as well, so you will get permission soon.¡±


    Azriel¡¯s face brightened. She bowed her head and thanked him. ¡°I know that it¡¯s a lot to ask. I appreciate your help very much.¡±


    ¡°Compared to what you are doing for us, this is nothing. But by any chance, can you¡­ let us know if you find out what is in it?¡± Pendelok asked like a child who was expecting a gift.


    ¡°If I succeed, I will let you know,¡± Azriel replied to him willingly. As long as it is something that can be known. She did not say the last words. Pendelok sprang up excitedly and grasped her both hands.


    ¡°Thank you, thank you! Ask me if there¡¯s anything you need!¡± exhilarated, he chattered for a long while and went back. Marthi stuck his head from the blanket when Pendelok left the room.


    ¡°You decided to stay in the underground tower because of the disc rental, not out of a fit of anger. I dared to misunderstand you, master,¡± Marthi said.


    ¡°Oh, yeah. Right,¡± Azriel answered, avoiding Marthi¡¯s eyes. It was because a piece of her mind had an intention to run away from the house in a fit of anger.


    *


    Rhema Reshith was looking down at a nest on a roof. A grey egg was neatly laid covered in unknown magic, but the bird that was protecting it could not be found. It was his first time seeing the nest without Ofeq in a period of hundreds of years. Rhema pulled a thin thread of mana which connected the familiar spirit and the wizard. The space before his eyes was distorted and a colorful bird popped out.


    ¡°Ofeq, where have you been?¡± Rhema asked.


    [Caw?] the bird tilted his head with innocent eyes as if he was asking what was going on. Then Rhema wagged his finger.


    [Squel!] as if it was being grasped by an invisible hand, the bird was thrown next to its nest. His feathers dizzily scattered in the air.


    ¡°I asked where you have been,¡± Rhema said firmly.


    ¡°Hey, can¡¯t I take a flight?¡± Ofeq squealed in a boy¡¯s voice. Rhema looked down at the bird with cold eyes. Then the bird¡¯s neck was pressed down. He frantically struggled, scattering his feathers and groaning loudly that its sound rang around penetratingly. When his shaking wings drooped down, the force that had been strangling the bird¡¯s neck disappeared.


    ¡°A familiar spirit that lies- Do you want to die?¡± Rhema asked.


    ¡°Kek, cough! You, crazy, lunatic, it¡¯s not a lie!¡± Ofeq yelled.


    ¡°You¡¯ve never taken a flight by yourself since you were born, but a flight? I don¡¯t remember making you such a being.¡±


    ¡°Is it too much to ask when I just want to go out after being stuck for some hundreds of years? It¡¯s not like I neglected the seal, so can¡¯t I just take a little breath?¡±


    ¡°Your priority is to protect the seal. If you¡¯ve neglected it, that means there¡¯s something wrong with you,¡± Rhema said and held out his hand. His hand seemed to intend to kill and make Ofeq again. Startled, Ofeq took off and shouted hysterically. ¡°Oh, like you said, I¡¯d never neglect that freaking egg! All my actions and thoughts are to protect you! Can¡¯t you trust me when it¡¯s you who made me that way?¡±


    ¡°So, where have you been?¡± Rhema asked again.


    Ofeq¡¯s beak shut tightly. The bird landed on his nest in a slow manner and sat on the cracked egg. After that, he replied reluctantly. ¡°I just went to see it for a moment.¡±

 CH 126

    ¡°What?¡± Rhema asked.


    ¡°The cause that endangers the egg,¡± Ofeq replied.


    Rhema¡¯s face stiffened. He said sternly. ¡°I told you I¡¯ll take care of the problem relating to Azriel Esthera.¡±


    ¡°So, when are you going to settle it? You said you were going to leave after taking care of her a little. Are you even going to leave at all? She is staying with you, not having a clue!¡± Ofeq yelled.


    Rhema shut his mouth and said quietly, lowering his eyes. ¡°She¡¯s finding out more and more.¡±


    ¡°So, do you think the situation will change if she learns everything? Oh, something might change. She might leave you on her own. Rhema Reshith, don¡¯t say you will stop her when she leaves on her own!¡± Ofeq said irritably.


    ¡°There¡¯s no guarantee that will be the case,¡± Rhema said.


    ¡°What? You don¡¯t say that you are genuinely trusting in what the girl said, who doesn¡¯t even know who you are and what your duty is!¡± the bird burst into laughter frantically. ¡°She¡¯ll neither die in your hands nor become miserable by your side? And she will stay by your side? Do you trust that?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°When she was young, she could swear because most of her world is you, but she¡¯s not a child now. She¡¯s become very pretty.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°People around her will increase as time goes by unless you lock her in. And she might fall in love with someone, too.¡±


    Rhema involuntarily grasped his hands. Ofeq whispered mildly. ¡°You know it, right? People get blinded when they fall in love. Will she choose you, regardless of what happens to the people around her?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t make a situation where she has to make such a decision. I want to cherish the people she cherishes.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t genuinely believe that¡¯s possible, do you? You think you can love the person she loves¡­,¡± the bird snapped as if he was dumbfounded and stopped talking all of a sudden. He looked up at his master¡¯s dry face and looked back at the cracked egg.


    ¡®His emotion has no clear form yet. Let¡¯s not stir up a hornet¡¯s nest,¡¯ Ofeq concluded that way and poured out other words. ¡°Hey, she¡¯s already gotten so close to the seed that she wants to help it. She even asked about the cure. Do you think she can smile in front of you like before if you pluck that seed out? You do remember what happened in that village, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°I do. So, I¡¯m trying not to make that happen again¡­¡±


    ¡°You stupid, whether you try or not, the same thing will happen unless you¡¯re going to abandon your duty. You tried to leave her because you know that too!¡±


    Rhema looked down at the bird with vacant eyes. Ofeq made clicking sounds with his beak. ¡°So, I told you to break and lock her in and raise like a pet if you don¡¯t want to kill her. Then, she won¡¯t get attached to the wrong people.¡±


    ¡°¡­I can¡¯t do that.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t like this or that. There¡¯s no answer. Do whatever you like. You can fall to ruin romantically together,¡± Ofeq irritably retorted and shut his beak.


    Rhema stayed silent for a while and said like he was tossing some words. ¡°I will be in the lab for a while. Protect it well.¡±


    [Craw,] the bird apathetically cried and buried his head in his wings.


    Rhema murmured before turning around. ¡°And¡­ I will take care of that seed before Azriel gets too attached to it.¡±


    The bird did not respond. Rhema turned around and headed to the lab in the basement.


    *


    Azriel shut herself up in the underground tower for several days, occasionally letting out Marthi, who had been bored, after casting an invisibility spell. Then, she drew a conclusion on her own.


    ¡°Sophie,¡± she called.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Sophie answered.


    Every afternoon, Azriel had tea time with Sophinea. Edith, who was staying in the mansion of the Duke of Rudimna, occasionally joined. But there was only Sophinea who was sharing tea with Azriel today.


    ¡°I can¡¯t be certain, but there¡¯s something I have in mind. Do you want to try?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°What, is it?¡± Sophinea asked.


    ¡°I want to name your mana,¡± Azriel said.

 CH 127

    Sophinea widened herred eyes like a surprised rabbit. Stiffened, the girl stared at Azriel and rigidly nodded her head.


    Azriel got up from her seat. ¡°Then, let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°To, where?¡±


    ¡°I think we¡¯ll need a bigger space.¡±


    There was a wide void called ¡®the room of moss¡¯ in the underground tower. It was a space where the distant ceiling was full of stalactites and the underground water flowed like a stream. As luminous bluish moss covered the room from the ceiling to the floor, it was dimly bright without a lamp. It was always empty because of the high humidity, and because of that wizards in the society used it to practice their spells from time to time. Azriel entered the room of moss with Sophie. Whenever she stepped on the soft bed of moss, pieces of moss that radiated in blue floated and hovered in the air like dust.


    ¡°Just a moment,¡± Azriel left Sophie standing and began building mana walls around them. She secured as much space as possible.


    ¡®Unnamable mana is the mana that uses gravitation in the first place.¡¯


    It was the mana that naturally attracted surrounding mana in the first place, without having to go through a deliberate process of conversion. It was Azriel¡¯s conclusion after reading various reports and observing Sophinea¡¯s mana directly. It would have been a blessing in ancient times. Unlike other wizards, the one with such mana did not need to go through the process of assigning graviation to mana when using magic.


    ¡®That¡¯s why it was a talent that was easy to become an outstanding wizard in ancient times.¡¯


    When gravitation was assigned to mana, it became difficult to control. It was the first obstacle one would face when stepping up from conjuring to magic. It was a natural occurrence as one was drawing in the external mana, not only moving one¡¯s own internal mana. It could be compared to a young child who was grabbing a pencil for the first time. It would be difficult for a child to draw a line, when he had just become accustomed to moving his own hands, if a pencil was given to him. Mana with gravitation was like a baby who had an invisible pencil attached to his hand since he was born. Teaching him how to utilize the pencil well would resolve it if he knew that there was an invisible pencil attached. If he would become used to it, he would be able to take out the pencil and put it back freely. However, people of today did not know that they had ¡®an invisible pencil¡¯ attached to their hands now that only conjuring was left. If such a child was told to move his hand like an ordinary person, naturally, there would be an odd result. Moreover, if what was attached was not as small as a pencil but as big as a spear, he would become a disaster called a nameless wizard. In addition, mana was not tangible as a pencil and simple tool with a fixed form. It was a force that changed like a living creature from time to time.


    ¡®Of course, it¡¯s difficult to name such mana.¡¯


    It would not be easy to tame it like a wild animal. Unlike a dog that would understand only if humans named it at their will and called it, there was no way for a wolf to understand the name that humans called at their will.


    ¡®Unlike other mana, it might need training to make it understand the name we make. Maybe, the process of naming the mana that Rhema talked about was it.¡¯


    It was also important to make a name that was suitable and easy to understand. That was the conclusion she made. Azriel went to Sophinea after she finished installing mana walls.


    ¡°Sophie, can you try releasing your mana?¡± Azriel asked.


    Sophinea tilted her head. Azriel gave a more detailed explanation. ¡°Sophie, you are always suppressing your mana, aren¡¯t you? Saying, ¡®Don¡¯t run out of my body!¡¯¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Sophie replied.


    ¡°I¡¯m asking you to stop that and let it run out freely. Can you do it?¡± Azriel asked.

 CH 128

    Sophinea falteringly stepped back. To her, mana had been the devil inside her body and a force that popped out recklessly, clawing herself and people around her. Azriel could understand Sophinea¡¯s heart. She approached her and held her hand. The girl¡¯s hand felt small and fragile. Azriel slipped her mana through the connected hands. Sophinea flinched in surprise and slowly relaxed to the soft and warm feeling.


    ¡°Are you scared? Are you worried that you¡¯ll get hurt?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°No, not at all. It¡¯s, warm,¡± Sophinea answered.


    ¡°This is my mana. It¡¯s a fundamentally same force as your mana,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°But, mi-mine is¡­,¡± Sophinea¡¯s face darkened. Azriel withdrew her mana and said as she took a few steps back. ¡°Your mana is only wild because it doesn¡¯t have a leash.¡±


    ¡°Can, my mana, be good¡­ like, yours?¡± Sophie asked.


    ¡°If you succeed in naming it. So, let¡¯s try it,¡± Azriel convinced her.


    ¡°But if, if we can¡¯t, name it, it¡¯ll be a problem¡­,¡± Sophie said in a worrisome voice.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m here. I¡¯ll block it, so don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t let anyone get hurt,¡± Azriel said as if it was nothing. Sophinea looked up at Azriel like a god and said as she shut her eyes tightly. ¡°I will, try it.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Let it all loose. Don¡¯t hold back anything. If it¡¯s hard, screaming might help,¡± Azriel encouraged Sophinea.


    Sophinea inhaled deeply and loosened everything she had been suppressing all along like a habit. Azriel saw stars pouring out from the tiny body of the girl. The flow of mana that had gravitation automatically stimulated surrounding mana. Stars stormed groups after groups. A whirl of stars was forming around the girl¡¯s body. It affected the flow of actual air. A severe wind clawed everywhere. The girl¡¯s platinum blonde hair fluttered randomly. Bluish moss under their feet was swept up.


    ¡®Come to think of it, the magic that a nameless wizard invokes is similar to dragon eye magic, not ordinary magic. She¡¯s not moving the external mana directly, but it automatically becomes magic like this¡­¡¯


    When the wind stormed, Sophinea opened her eyes in surprise. It was so severe that it was even difficult to open her eyes. The ringing sound that filled the void was horrifying like a howling of a beast. Overwhelmed by fear, Sophinea tried to stop her mana. However, the man that gained momentum poured out ceaselessly. The girl looked at Azriel, trembling. ¡°Az, Azriel!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. Don¡¯t hold back,¡± Azriel reassured Sophinea.


    Sophinea was in tears. The whirl turned bigger and reached Azriel who was a little further away. Her hair and hem of robe also began fluttering frantically. Azriel observed Sophinea¡¯s mana with narrowly opened eyes. As the blue luminescent moss was swept into the whirl, the girl was now being wrapped in blue light. Since mana looked like stars to Azriel, the scene looked like a glary star group in which red stars and blue moss mixed and spinned together. She murmured, staring at it. ¡°Sophie¡¯s mana takes this kind of form when it¡¯s released.¡±


    ¡°What, what kind¡­?¡± Sophie asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s quite splendid and pretty, too,¡± Azriel said.


    Sophinea¡¯s face turned vacant. The girl stammered as she pushed her hair back which blew in the wind and covered her face. ¡°Wh, what, is?¡±


    ¡°Your mana, Sophie. It¡¯s like a whirlwind, strong and free,¡± Azriel approached Sophinea, straightly crossing the whirlwind. ¡®Rhema named my mana Esthera because he saw stars from me. Then.¡¯


    ¡°Seara,¡± Azriel siad.


    ¡°What?¡± Sophinea asked.


    ¡°It means whirlwind in Lemm,¡± Azriel explained.


    ¡°That¡¯s, my¡­,¡± Sophie said with uncertainty.


    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s your spell. Let¡¯s try it,¡± Azriel put her hand over Sophinea¡¯s hand and lifted it up and moved mana. ¡°Sophie, try focusing on moving your mana.¡±


    Azriel¡¯s mana caught Sophinea¡¯s mana which was pouring out randomly without any arrangement. She pressed it down and twisted it to shape it. When she was done arranging it, she whispered to the girl. ¡°Can you feel that your mana has been arranged? It¡¯s magic that makes a little whirlwind.¡±


    ¡°¡­!¡±

 CH 129

    ¡°Now, let¡¯s call your mana name. Say ¡®Seara¡¯,¡± Azriel said.


    Sophie hesitated and opened her mouth. ¡°Seara.¡±


    Her mana thrashed and flounced like a rebellious beast. Sophinea¡¯s body abruptly shook. ¡°Ugh, Uhh, Urgh¡­¡­.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, don¡¯t fear it,¡± Azriel backed the girl¡¯s body from behind and poured in some more mana, suppressing Sophie¡¯s mana. ¡®Just I thought, it doesn¡¯t readily obey in this condition. Should I change the nature of mana first?¡¯


    It was just as Tarbo Tameion did, but Azriel did not want to do it that way. ¡®That was a coincidence. A wizard, who hasn¡¯t even confirmed his spell, learns how to change the nature of mana? That¡¯s too complicated.¡¯


    There used to be procedures for all children like Sophinea to name their mana, which was not at all simple. Azriel decided to push on the thought she first had in mind. She whispered quickly, holding trembling Sophie tightly. ¡°Sophie, let¡¯s try to keep reciting your spell until your mana understands it.¡±


    ¡°Un, understand, it?¡± Sophie repeated.


    ¡°If only we can invoke magic once, it¡¯ll get easier afterwards. Forming magic means your mana has recognized the spell,¡± Azriel described.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    ¡°If it doesn¡¯t listen when you call its name, draw in your mana back to your body. After letting it realize that it¡¯s cleared, you can try pouring it out again.¡±


    ¡°I, I can¡¯t, draw, a-all of it, in, so, well¡­¡±


    ¡°I will help you. It can be difficult, though, and even hurts a little. Can you do it?¡±


    Sophinea felt Azriel who was backing her up strongly from behind and saw Azriel¡¯s hands that were laid on top of her hands and stretched out. The girl tightened her lips. ¡°I, I will, try, it.¡±


    ¡°Yes, let¡¯s try it together,¡± Azriel pushed down and arranged Sophinea¡¯s mana again as it was about to splash everywhere. ¡°Now.¡±


    ¡°Se, Seara!¡± Sophie yelled.


    Red stars splashed everywhere like oil. Azriel¡¯s mana blocked them. ¡°Let¡¯s draw it in, slowly.¡±


    ¡°Ugh¡­,¡± Sophinea¡¯s arms trembled. The red stars that went wild recklessly did not follow their owner¡¯s control. Then, Azriel¡¯s mana drove Sophinea¡¯s mana like a herding dog. ¡°Urgh¡­¡±


    Sophinea¡¯s mana was a great amount. This amount of mana could break one¡¯s body if it was poured incorrectly. Its owner¡¯s body was not an exception. This was especially true when such mana was nameless like now. Sophinea felt pain as if her whole body was going to break. The mana leaped wildly, not wanting to come back, and beat her body. Her shoulders heaved up and down violently. A cold sweat broke out of her body in an instant. Seeing that, Azriel held the girl¡¯s shoulder and whispered softly. ¡°Esthera.¡±


    Suddenly, the pain was surely reduced. Sophinea looked up at Azriel, with sweat drops on her eyelashes.


    ¡°It¡¯s healing magic that relieves pain. You¡¯re almost there. Hold on a little longer,¡± Azriel said.


    Every last star returned to Sophinea¡¯s body. Azriel saw the mana that was seething like an angry beast inside the girl¡¯s body and said. ¡°Good job. Hold on a little like this¡­ until it stabilizes¡­ Good. Let¡¯s pour it out again. But this time, not everything. You do remember what we arranged earlier, don¡¯t you? Just that much.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Sophinea¡¯s hand grasped Azriel¡¯s hand tightly as if she was scared. Azriel grabbed the girl¡¯s hand back. Sophinea inhaled deeply and released her mana. When the loosened mana was about to pour down like a torrent, Azriel interrupted in the middle. ¡°We can¡¯t do it any more than this.¡±


    ¡°Gasp,¡± Sophinea¡¯s body shook from that shock. The girl¡¯s face turned pale.


    Azriel looked down at the girl, concerned. ¡°Are you alright? If it¡¯s too hard¡­¡±


    ¡°N, no!¡± Sophinea violently shook her head. ¡°Let, let me try. Please, help, me.¡±


    Her desperate eyes were shown through her platinum blond hair which was wet from her sweat and stuck on her face. It was as if they were crying, ¡®I want to be healed. I want to live. I¡¯ll do anything to do that. I trust you.¡¯ All of a sudden, Azriel recalled her young self who wailed and shouted that she would try harder so that she could stay in Rhema¡¯s house. Azriel used healing magic one more time. ¡°Okay. I will help you to the end.¡±

 CH 130

    They failed a few times. The mana did not obey easily, but meanwhile, its reaction changed a little for once. It was a difference that only Azriel could tell as she could see mana. She, soon, realized where the cause for the difference was. Then. ¡°Sophie, can you do it again?¡±


    Sophinea nodded silently. The girl was too exhausted to even open her mouth.


    ¡°We¡¯ll do it the same way, and this time,¡± Azriel hesitated for a moment and said with an assuring tone not to worry the girl. ¡°Call it with mana in your mouth.¡±


    ¡°¡­?¡±


    ¡°Like this¡­ No,¡± Azriel paused. Sophinea could not see mana. She would not be able to repeat Azriel even if she showed it. Azriel thought for a short while and touched the girl¡¯s mouth. ¡°Just a second, don¡¯t be surprised.¡±


    Azriel assigned gravitation to her mana that she collected in her hands. Sophinea¡¯s internal mana that was drawn to Azriel¡¯s mana gathered around Sophinea¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    ¡°Arranging the mana this way¡­ Well, call its name, Sophinea,¡± Azriel said.


    Sophinea felt that something was different. She enunciated it as if she was belching out a fire from her mouth. ¡°Se-a-ra.¡±


    When she said the spell, she felt a shudder. It was a feeling of her mana responding to her call. It was her first time feeling such a sensation, and magic was invoked. A small whirlwind was formed before Sophinea¡¯s hand which was holding Azriel¡¯s hand. The mana that used to spread everywhere was focused only on that whirlwind. Sophinea widened her eyes and looked at the wind that was gusting only in front of her. Her hair fluttered and covered her sight. It was the first magic that Sophinea invoked at her will.


    ¡°You did it!¡± Azriel shouted.


    Sophinea heard a joyful voice ringing around her ears. She vacantly looked up at Azriel.


    ¡°You did it! Goodness, you succeeded! Look, Sophie! It¡¯s magic you invoked! Congratulations!¡± Azriel continued.


    The sparkling golden eyes that were looking at the whirlwind looked down at Sophinea. The girl finally realized that her mana just turned to magic. Sophinea lost strength in her body and kept wavering. Azriel held her up. Because she lost strength, her mana, which had been forming a small whirlwind, scattered. Blue moss that were freed from the gusting wind fell like snow.


    ¡°It was hard, wasn¡¯t it? You did a good job,¡± Azriel roughly pushed back her messed-up hair and roughly brushed Sophinea¡¯s hair with her hand as well. ¡°Say anything, Sophie.¡±


    ¡°What? What should I¡­ say¡­,¡± Sophinea paused and looked down at her body. The mana that ran out whenever she opened her mouth thrashed but remained within her body, even though Azriel was not suppressing it. Sophinea¡¯s face looked surprised as if she could not believe it. Azriel said, brushing off bluish moss all over the girl¡¯s hair. ¡°It doesn¡¯t run out, but doesn¡¯t calm down right away either. But it¡¯ll get better after some training.¡±


    ¡°Some, training? What, kind of, training?¡± Sophie asked.


    ¡°A training to use magic like what we did just now. Let¡¯s keep trying to use your magic with the spell ¡®Seara¡¯. If you try a little more, you¡¯ll be able to do it by yourself even if I don¡¯t help you.¡±


    ¡°I, can, use, magic, myself?¡±


    ¡°You just succeeded, didn¡¯t you? Now, all you have to do is to repeat that and get used to it.¡±


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    ¡°When you get completely used to it, you won¡¯t have trouble because of randomly invoked magic anymore. You¡¯ll be able to use the magic you want whenever you want to.¡±


    Sophinea¡¯s lips moved. Realizing what Azriel meant, her face was slowly filled with hope. Her pale became full of color and blushed. The girl tearfully stuttered. ¡°Th, then, I¡¯m not, a, name-less, wizard, or disaster, or patient, anymore¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes. You are no longer a nameless wizard now,¡± Azriel smiled brightly. ¡°Congratulations on becoming a wizard, Sophinea Seara.¡±

 CH 131

    Sophinea reached out her hand in spite of herself to Azriel, the person who retrieved her speech and made her a wizard. She hung on to Azriel and burst into pent-up tears.


    ¡°Sophie?¡± Azriel called.


    ¡°You, you, don¡¯t, know, ho-how much, you¡¯ve done, for me¡­ No, you, you, are not, just a, sister¡­,¡± Sophie poured out random words, sobbing. Even though she spoke, her mana did not go wild. Feeling such a sensation made her cry even more. She inhaled deeply and slowly enunciated words, trying not to stutter. ¡°Thank you, master Azriel Esthera.¡±


    Sophinea¡¯s tearful smile was bright. Looking at her face, Azriel was relieved of all her tiredness which had been built up while staying up several nights running through theories.


    ¡®It was a good thing I decided to help,¡¯ she thought. Instead of replying to Sophie, she held her with all her strength.


    *


    Since then, Azriel trained Sophinea in the room of moss every other day. Sophinea wanted to train everyday, but it was unreasonable because it put a lot of strain on her body. They decided to keep the fact that she now had a name as a wizard a secret until Sophinea could use magic without Azriel¡¯s help. It was Sophinea¡¯s request that she wanted to show herself to her mom when she was completely healed. Azriel made a report about the excessive mana disorder, in which she focused on naming mana, minimizing the theories relating to ancient magic. Even when she completed the report, she did not yet receive the permission to rent the disc. So, she had some idle time. She began to investigate something else by visiting the society¡¯s data storage room. It was about the ancient magic civilization and the wizard massacre which Rhema mentioned. Time flew by. ¡®The Night of May Flower¡¯ that Charles invited her to was only a day away.


    Maylie visited Azriel in the afternoon of that day. Azriel came out of the underground tower after a long while. She met Maylie who had been waiting for her in a park near the society. Maylie had set up a picnic in a basket with pretty checkered cloth laid in it. The basket was full of foods that Azriel liked-orange juice with a thin layer of ice, a sandwich with fresh ham and cheese, a crispy chicken dish deep-fried with herb, a chocolate cake with a generous amount of whipped cream on top, and even a lemon tart with a thin layer of sugar baked in golden brown.


    ¡°How¡¯s your runaway life?¡± Maylie asked mischievously, holding out a cup of juice.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a runaway. I¡¯ve got something to investigate in the society. Did Brownie pack this?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Oh, my mom made the sandwich.¡±


    ¡°Looks so delicious! Tell her I said thank you and tell Brownie that, too.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you tell him directly? Brownie is whining twice as much because you¡¯re not there. He talked all the way while packing this, too. I almost went deaf.¡±


    ¡°What did he say?¡±


    ¡°I miss Esthera. Why isn¡¯t¡¯ Esthera coming? Brownie must¡¯ve made home more comfortable! So comfortable that she wouldn¡¯t want to go out! What could¡¯ve been uncomfortable? Human, do you know?¡± Maylie said, mimicking Brownie¡¯s chaty voice.


    Azriel smiled and replied. ¡°It¡¯s not because of Brownie. Tell him that I¡¯m very satisfied with the house. I¡¯m only staying here for work.¡±


    ¡°Hey, is that really all? Is it not because you¡¯re angry at Mr. Wizard? Are you sure you don¡¯t feel that way at all?¡± Maylie looked at Azriel as if she already knew her mind. Azriel sighed. ¡°¡­Not completely.¡±


    ¡°I thought so,¡± Maylie said.


    ¡°I feel more hurt than angry.¡±


    ¡°Why? What happened?¡±


    At her question, Azriel at last looked back at her heart to see what made her so sad. She recalled what Rhema had said.


    ¡°¡­If you want to choose that way, tell me anytime. I will prepare a life for you without a mistake this time.¡±


    Why would Rhema keep trying to keep me apart? ¡®¡­No, I know the reason.¡¯ He probably thought that it would be better for her that way. I know.


    ¡°You¡¯ve become too precious to do that.¡±

 CH 132

    But, even so, Azriel wished that he would hold on to her even if she said that she would leave, and he would tell her to remember him instead of erasing her memory. She did not want to give up being with him, but he always seemed so ready to give it up.


    ¡®That was hurtful to me.¡¯


    Azriel vacantly looked inside her cup. Her face was reflected on the surface of vivid orange liquid. She looked discouraged. It was also hurtful that he left the house without a word again after saying such things. Blanchet¡¯s words not to believe everything Rhema said also bothered her. By any chance, was it a lie when he told her that she was the most precious to him? If she was that precious, would he not try to hold on to her at any cost? It was also strange that he felt like a huge man, when he cast his shadow over her, not the same Rhema Reshith she had known,


    ¡®I¡¯ve never felt that way until now.¡¯


    She could not think straight. As Azriel sighed repetitively, Maylie raised her brow.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did Mr. Wizard bother you?¡± Maylie asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that,¡± Azriel replied.


    ¡°Then what?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t say it because it¡¯s embarrassing.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s embarrassing between you and me?¡±


    ¡°Still, it is embarrassing. I will go back home when I¡¯m roughly done with what I¡¯m investigating, so don¡¯t worry,¡± Azriel reached for the sandwich. Maylie, who was looking at her friend with suspicious eyes, finally gave up and lifted a fork. ¡°Are you not going to come home at all until you¡¯re done with that?¡±


    ¡°Umm, I should drop by if I need to.¡±


    ¡°Then, what are you going to do about the ball? It¡¯s tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    Azriel had forgotten about it again. She was so surprised and concerned right after she was invited, but now that she was occupied by other things, it disappeared from her memory like a lie, even Charle¡¯s confession, too. When Azriel seemed startled, Maylie clicked her tongue as if she had expected it already. ¡°Your new dress and jewelry have already arrived in the castle.¡±


    ¡°What dress?¡±


    ¡°You said Mr. Wizard ordered them.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right.¡±


    ¡°Why are you so all over the place? What on earth are you investigating?¡±


    Azriel smiled awkwardly and changed the topic. ¡°It¡¯s a small thing. Hey, Maylie. What about you? How do you like being a cub reporter?¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t get me started, I¡¯ve been all over the place, too. I think I should graduate as soon as possible so that I can have a moment to breathe.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re busy. Are you still following around to cover those missing incidents?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I only go to school to confirm my attendance and go around to inquire if there are any more missing people all afternoon. In the evening, I organize all the data that my senior reporter gave me. Then, it¡¯s dawn already.¡±


    Azriel considered telling her what she knew about the missing incidents but quit. She should not mention about the incident in which the royal family was secretly tracking the culprit recklessly. Besides, it was not like Maylie asked for her help.


    ¡°Are you sleeping enough?¡±


    ¡°In my spare moments. Well, it¡¯s something I want to do! I¡¯m complaining like this, but I¡¯m actually happy,¡± Maylie smiled actively. Her bright face made Azriel feel better, too.


    ¡°So, you don¡¯t have to worry about me¡­ Azriel, do you have plans in the afternoon?¡± Maylie asked.


    ¡°No, not really? I¡¯m doing the investigation at my own convenience.¡±


    ¡°Then, let¡¯s go to the castle. Tomorrow is the masquerade. You¡¯re not going there, not even trying on the dress, are you?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯re busy?¡±


    ¡°No matter how busy I am, there is a priority in work. Then, let¡¯s go after you¡¯re done eating that. Okay?¡±


    ¡°Is putting the dress on me your priority?¡±


    ¡°Of course, it is. Eat up, quickly,¡± Maylie said sternly and put a piece of lemon tart about the size of one¡¯s palm in Azriel¡¯s mouth. Azriel laughed, remembering the time they shared a piece of chocolate pie that was smaller than this.

 CH 133

    Azriel could not tell if it was good or bad, but Rhema had not come back home yet. He had not come back once after she left.


    ¡°So, Rhema doesn¡¯t know that you¡¯re staying out.¡±


    It was Noir. Azriel felt strange. She did not stay out to protest, but him having no idea did not make her feel good either.


    ¡°He¡¯s been out for long. Do you know where he went?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know, either,¡± Noir wrinkled his nose. Azriel could return to her room only after patting Largo who rubbed himself all over her and comforting the whining spirit. There were neatly wrapped boxes on the bed that had turned cold as it had been empty for several days.


    ¡°Have you opened them?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°No, they are yours,¡± Maylie responded.


    Azriel opened each box with Maylie. There was a dress, a jewelry set that matched the dress, and a mask.


    ¡°¡­How amazing. I expected it, but it¡¯s overwhelming. I can guarantee that they will look so good on you,¡± Maylie, who admired in a low voice, added as if she was bewildered. ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve never seen a dress that¡¯s trying so hard to look plain like this.¡±


    ¡°¡­Rhema is really¡­,¡± Azriel could not finish her sentence. A result of an effort to somehow accommodate a client¡¯s confusing request to make the dress that would not stand out, while providing the cost of materials to build a castle was in front of her. Azriel did not know such a background, but she could tell that Rhema tried to meet her request. Nevertheless, he could not let go of his habit of trying to load her with the best things to the brim.


    ¡°Let¡¯s try them first. We should decide how to adorn you ahead of time, so that we can prepare in a timely manner tomorrow!¡± Maylie excitedly pulled Azriel.


    *


    After finishing up her ball preparation, Azriel returned to the underground tower late at night. Throughout her way back, she was deep in thought. It was a continuation of what she thought about in the afternoon.


    ¡®Let¡¯s just say it honestly.¡¯


    She was determined to just say what was hurtful and ask Rhema not to push her to choose to part ways. Then, something rose like an awl inside her and struck a chord in her head. It was a conversation she had with him before.


    ¡°Did that mean that I¡¯ll be miserable if I become a watchman¡­ and that I¡¯ll die in your hands if I don¡¯t become a watchman?¡±


    ¡°¡­Yes.¡±


    ¡°¡­What on earth is the watchman¡¯s life like?¡± she mumbled like a groan. What was pulling out and sealing a heart? Was it really a duty of a watchman to kill a nameless wizard? If so, why?


    ¡°An eternal and miserable life.¡±


    It was Rhema¡¯s expression. Azriel bit her lip and walked in a fast manner. As soon as she arrived at her room, Marthi gladly welcomed her.


    ¡°You are back, master?¡± Marthi asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Azriel absentmindedly nodded at the lion cub and took off the robe that she had been wearing. Now in a simple dress, she took a deep breath.


    ¡°Master?¡± Marthi called.


    ¡°Wait, I have some communication to do,¡± she said.


    ¡°Why are you preparing for communication so seriously?¡±


    ¡°I have to,¡± she plopped down on the couch and breathed evenly, putting her hands on her lap. She saw the trace of magic still remaining on the back of her hand. White stars-it was the proof of her promise with Rhema that she would not use dragon eye magic. Azriel shut her eyes tightly and spoke. ¡°Esthera, Reshith.¡±


    When Rhema was in his lab, he could not be reached by communication. But this time, the communication was being connected, which meant he was not in the lab. However, Rhema Reshith cut off the mana that was being connected. He refused communication. ¡°Rhema¡­?¡±


    Azriel was greatly shocked. It was Rhema¡¯s first time to reject Azriel¡¯s communication. He had never rejected her before. There were times that he could not be reached, but there was never a case when he did not receive it. Azriel, who had been stupefied, rubbed her face with her hands. ¡°It¡­ might have been a mistake.¡±


    The Wizard of the Horizon rejected communication by a mistake? No way. Even knowing so, Azriel mumbled as if to convince herself and tried again. ¡°Esthera, Reshith.¡±

 CH 134

    Rhema rejected Azriel¡¯s communication again. Azriel sat vacantly and felt very leery. It was an extremely ominous hunch as if something was going wrong. She got up like she was possessed. As she was about to go outside without even putting on her robe, Marthi asked in a flurry. ¡°Master?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll accompany you. Please take me,¡± Marthi said sternly as he flew to her and blocked her. Azriel looked at her familiar spirit with absent eyes and lightly tapped his nose.


    ¡°Esthera,¡± she said. An invisibility spell was cast on him. It was a silent permission. She went out to the hallway. She took big strides as if she was running. Marthi, who had now become translucent, busily followed her, fluttering. A small underground garden could be seen if she walked a little more after going across the hallway and going downstairs. It was where Sophie¡¯s room was. When she turned her face towards that direction, she saw a galaxy in her eyes. It was an infinite gathering of white and dense stars, Rhema Reshith.


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    Azriel ran in that instant. She frantically galloped and grabbed Sophinea¡¯s doorknob. It did not open. It was enchanted. White stars lingered around it. It was not a very strong spell.


    ¡°Esthera!¡± clearing the spell instantly, she opened the door. Sophinea was fast asleep, buried in between cushions and dolls. There was a big and long hand over the girl¡¯s neck which was slender like a bird¡¯s neck. Azriel was frozen, holding the door. The hand that was about to grasp the girl¡¯s neck paused, and the owner of the hand slowly turned around. A beautiful, colorless man with long flowing silver hair, white face, white robe, and light grey eyes lifted his chin and looked at her. Rhema Reshith was there. At the moment their eyes met, Marthi jumped out from behind her. As he turned back to his original form, the invisibility magic was lifted. A giant lion with a scorpion tail, hawk¡¯s wings, and feathers instead of a mane blocked Azriel¡¯s front.


    [Grrr,] the familiar spirit revealed its teeth according to his instinct to protect his master and roared towards Rhema. Azriel came to her senses to listen to that roar.


    ¡°¡­Rhe¡­ma,¡± her voice calling him split. Rhema did not answer. She could not see him because of her familiar spirit who blocked her. ¡°Marthi, step aside, please.¡±


    ¡°Master,¡± Marthi said.


    ¡°Move,¡± Azriel said sternly.


    ¡°But there¡¯s a murderous spirit,¡± he explained.


    ¡°I said, move,¡± she repeated.


    Marthi¡¯s feathers that had been raised drooped down. Marthicoras went back to his small form and moved off to the rear. Rhema Reshith was standing still in the same place, slightly tilting his head. His face was still.


    ¡°Rhema,¡± Azriel called his name, approaching him, as if reciting a spell. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°What were you going to do just now?¡±


    He lowered his eyes. His white lashes were drawing delicate shadows. He was looking down at his hand. Azirel stepped backwards as soon as she saw his shaded eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t try to erase my memory,¡± she yelled.


    He had tried to erase her memory to resolve what he did in the Village of Hanora.


    ¡°Don¡¯t try to make this like it never happened by erasing my memory,¡± she added. Her body shook. Azriel barely managed to move her shaky legs and stepped further away from him. Until she grabbed the doorknob, Rhema stared at her, not moving an inch. Azriel grabbed the doorknob and stood there briefly, feeling her racing heart, before closing the open door. There were only Sophinea who was sound asleep, Rhema, her, and Marthicoras left inside the closed door.


    ¡°Rhema,¡± Azriel bit her lip and breathed consciously. She was gasping. She narrowly asked again. ¡°What¡­ were you going to do to Sophie?¡±


    Rhema looked at Azriel quietly. He gazed at her eyes that had been turned dark in fear. He answered in a lower voice. ¡°I was going to kill her.¡±

 CH 135

    Azriel¡¯s face turned pale.


    ¡°Azriel,¡± Rhema slowly said her name and knitted his brows faintly. ¡°Did you already give your affection?¡±


    ¡°What, what do you mean?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I told you not to give affection,¡± he replied.


    ¡°I, I mean, I mean, now,¡± she could not speak well. She falteringly made a sentence. ¡°Wh-why are you trying to kill Sophie?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because she¡¯s a wizard,¡± he said.


    It was a simple answer. Azriel staggeringly moved towards him. ¡°Is it because I made her a wizard? Is that why you¡¯re killing her? Is it because of me?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the reason,¡± he said.


    ¡°Then why, why do you? Why?¡± she asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s my duty,¡± he replied.


    ¡°What is that freaking duty then?¡± she yelled like a scream and held Rhema¡¯s arm. Rhema looked down at Azriel¡¯s hand that grabbed him, with a lifeless face as if it was made out of beeswax.


    ¡°Azriel, do you remember that I said wizards were exceptions among the people you know?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Rhema,¡± she called him.


    ¡°Now, it has been just several days. It¡¯ll be better for you to end this before you become too attached,¡± he continued.


    ¡°Rhema, wait.¡±


    He pulled her, holding her inside his robe so that she could not see it. She remembered that knights were crushed and their blood splashed while she was trembling in his arms when she was young. Azriel desperately pushed him away. ¡°Rhema, Rhema, wait for a minute. Just, just a second, let¡¯s talk for just a second.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°No! Please!¡± At last she burst into tears. Azriel clung to his arm, wailing. Rhema¡¯s hand that was reaching out to Sophinea paused. ¡°Please, for a moment, just a talk, please¡­¡±


    Azriel¡¯s tears dropped in his arm. Rhema looked at them vacantly. In that instant, Sophinea tossed as if she was awake. The girl slowly opened her eyes. ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    Azriel  stopped her mouth with her hands. Even though she was trembling, she did not let go of Rhema¡¯s arm. Rhema saw Sophinea¡¯s yet focusless eyes and Azriel who was grasping him in turn and sighed in a low voice. He stretched out his hand. Marthicoras, who was still reading the atmosphere, was grabbed in his hand and lifted as if the back of his neck was caught by an invisible hand. Rhema traveled through space directly. Sophinea, who woke up from her sleep, tilted her head strangely, looking at her empty room, and lied again with a doll in her arms. The girl went back to sleep in peace.


    Rhema and Azriel arrived at the lakeside where they could see Brownie Castle. The surrounding was quiet and the night sky was being reflected on a quiet surface of water. As soon as passing the space, Rhema let go of Marthicoras. Marthi soared, making fluttering sounds with his wings, and went to the lakeside. He then sat on a rock and glared at him in an alerted position. Not paying attention to the familiar spirit, Rhema looked down at Azriel who was still clinging in his arms. He could feel her shaking.


    ¡°Azriel,¡± he called her.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Azriel,¡± he called again.


    Azriel lifted her face only after he called her twice. Her tears dropping silently and reddened eyes seemed to pierce his eyes. Rhema opened and closed his mouth several times and said in a creaking voice as if he was broken. ¡°Don¡¯t cry.¡±


    He wiped her eyes with his fingers. Azriel did not avoid it. She received his touch with her mouth shut tightly because she thought that she would burst into tears if she opened her mouth. His touch was too gentle even at this moment. ¡°Don¡¯t cry, Azriel. I made a mistake.¡±


    To her resentment, his anxiously whispering voice sounded soft. ¡°Like I said before, it is hard for me to judge the scope to which you¡¯d be sad. So, I made a mistake. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

 CH 136

    ¡°It¡¯s, not, a mistake,¡± Azriel barely said. Her words were all crumbled together as if she was going to cry at any moment. ¡°You said it¡¯s your duty. You said wizards are an exception from your promise not to harm the people I know. You already warned me not to give affection. So, it can¡¯t be a mistake.¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s a mistake.¡±


    ¡°What? Getting caught by me?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s also true, but,¡± Rhema, who meekly agreed to her, carefully organized her hair, which was wet in tears and sticking together, and brushed it back. He, then, continued slowly. ¡°I didn¡¯t know that you¡¯d be this sad. So, it¡¯s a mistake.¡±


    She was frightened by his remark. Azriel struggled and escaped his arms. Rhema instantaneously grasped her and immediately released his strength. Azriel, who stepped away from him, held her own body. ¡°Just because I¡¯m sad now, don¡¯t, don¡¯t try to leave me again like when I was ten. Don¡¯t do that.¡±


    ¡°¡­Wouldn¡¯t that be better if I do that? I can prepare it well so that your life won¡¯t be as hard as before¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not about that!¡± Azriel raised her voice. ¡°Don¡¯t try to resolve everything by making things like they never happened. You¡¯re not resolving anything but covering them up. Nothing will change that way!¡±


    Rhema turned blank to hear Azriel¡¯s remarks. Then he asked quietly. ¡°Then, what do you want me to do?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk,¡± Azriel held back her tears and said as calmly as possible. ¡°Not everything will be resolved by talking, and some things can even get worse, but I think it¡¯s better than not talking about it.¡±


    She was still sobbing while saying that. Then, she barely stopped crying. ¡°That¡¯s the beginning of everything. You said that even this world was created by the conversations between God and the primal dragon.¡±


    She wiped her tears clean and approached him, with her reddened eyes. ¡°If we don¡¯t talk, nothing begins. So, let¡¯s not shut down the possibility, but talk.¡±


    She stopped at a distance where she could touch him if she stretched her arm out and looked up at him. Rhema slightly avoided her eyes and said. ¡°There are a lot of things that I can¡¯t say, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°I know, but that¡¯s alright. If you can¡¯t say it, I will find it out,¡± she said.


    ¡°Even if there is no guarantee that finding out will be better for you? Many things in this world are better off not knowing.¡±


    ¡°But I have to know them.¡±


    ¡°There is another way for you. The way you can choose anytime, much more convenient and happier for you.¡±


    While saying so, he did not make eye contact with her. When he said it earlier in the room of chess, he was not looking at her eyes. Suddenly, she remembered what Blanchet said, ¡°Don¡¯t believe everything Rhema says.¡±


    ¡°Rhema, you are a liar,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°¡­?¡±


    ¡°You say that there¡¯s another way, but don¡¯t you want me not to choose that in fact, do you?¡± Azriel did not miss him flinching very slightly. She continued. ¡°I don¡¯t want to forget you. I don¡¯t want to exclude you from my life, either. Is it only me who feels that way? Is it truly okay for you to make this like it never happened, Rhema?¡±


    There was no way. Azriel was certain. She took a step closer to him. ¡°In reality, you don¡¯t want to do that, do you?¡±


    ¡°Azriel,¡± Rhema finally made eye contact with her. His eyes had been blurred like the clouded sky. He said in a low voice. ¡°Please don¡¯t shake me anymore.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It will put you in danger.¡±


    ¡°How is it going to put me in danger?¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t be able to take it.¡±


    ¡°Take what?¡±


    ¡°My desire.¡±


    Azriel was startled. Desire? It was a word that seemed really far from Rhema. Because he could have everything, he did not want anything. Rhema, whom Azriel had seen so far, was such a being.


    ¡°What kind of desire is it?¡±


    ¡°Azriel, do you know what I wanted to ask if I beat you in the game of chess?¡±


    Why is he speaking about chess all of a sudden? She shook her head absentmindedly. Rhema slightly raised a corner of his mouth. It looked like a made-up smile.

 CH 137

    ¡°Since what I truly want would be impossible, I was going to ask you the second best,¡± Rhema said.


    ¡°The second best? What is¡­,¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°To ask you not to talk about other people when you¡¯re with me.¡±


    It was a request that Azriel had never imagined. She asked another question she squeezed out of her brain. ¡°If that¡¯s the second best, what is it that you really want, Rhema?¡±


    ¡°It is that you don¡¯t care about other people and abandon all the people in your fence,¡± he said.


    Azriel¡¯s face turned pale. A smile that did not seem real disappeared from Rhema. He calmly added. ¡°I wanna have you to myself, Azriel.¡±


    It sounded like a confession. Nonetheless, fear was the first thing that came to Azriel¡¯s mind.


    ¡°¡­Rhema, that means¡­,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°But that must be something you won¡¯t be able to bear,¡± he made an assertion towards bewildered Azriel. His assertion was as firm as ice. ¡°Even if I don¡¯t make a pig of myself, you won¡¯t be able to bear being by my side someday.¡±


    Azriel reflectively protested. ¡°Why do you always say that I will be miserable? How do you know when you haven¡¯t even tried? I clearly said that I prefer to be by your side¡­¡±


    ¡°Azriel,¡± Rhema¡¯s expression disappeared from his face. The color of his eyes that turned cold was similar to that of a frosted blade. ¡°Can you not hate me even if I kill every person in the outhouse?¡±


    She was lost for words. It was not an empty talk. She could not say that it was just a supposition. Even though Rhema had been kind to them, had not taken any cruel action, and acted to help others, he was someone who could kill others if it was necessary. And if he willed, no one could stop him. Azriel looked back at the outhouse in spite of herself. Warm orange lights were coming out of there. Could she not hate Rhema even if he killed Maylie¡¯s family? She did not want to imagine it. She felt faint. His familiar voice continued from behind. ¡°Even if I kill the girl you defended earlier, can you not be miserable by my side?¡±


    Azriel felt as if questions turned ice and poured down. Chill came down from the nape of her neck to her back. Getting an answer from her facial expression, Rhema quietly continued. ¡°I can give you anything. I can also suppress my desire. If you can be happy, you can get close to any person as much as you want.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Even so, you¡¯ll be miserable if you stay by my side,¡± he added.


    It was what he said before. It reached her more heavily and deeply. He continued. ¡°I need to fulfill my duty, and you won¡¯t be able to stand me.¡±


    Azriel felt as if the Rhema Reshith right before her was awfully far away-like the inside and outside of a fence.


    ¡°It will be so as long as you won¡¯t give up on all other people except me. And I don¡¯t want to force you such a choice,¡± his facial expression while saying so, looked terribly sorrowful for a moment. His lips twitched. ¡°It would¡¯ve been better if you were a more selfish and greedy person.¡±


    Azriel could not hear his last words well because they were too small like the sound of wind. When she blinked, Rhema had already turned back to his usual, dry self.


    ¡°Can you¡­,¡± Azriel barely spoke. ¡°Can you not do such things? Is there no way to avoid that duty?¡±


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t avoid it.¡±


    He should not avoid it, not that he could not avoid it. ¡®Couldn¡¯t¡¯ and ¡®shouldn¡¯t¡¯ had completely different meanings. Azriel understood that in spite of her confused mind and laid that to her heart. And continued on asking. ¡°Are you trying to¡­ kill Sophinea because she¡¯s a nameless wizard?¡±

 CH 138

    ¡°You¡¯ve found out a lot.¡±


    It was a positive answer. She swallowed. ¡°What is the reason that you have to kill nameless wizards? Do you have to kill her right now?¡±


    ¡°Not right now.¡±


    He did not explain the reason-another question, again. ¡°Then, when do you have to kill her?¡±


    Silence. She slightly bit inside her mouth to keep her calm-then another question. ¡°Have you been killing nameless wizards, Rhema?¡±


    ¡°¡­Yes.¡±


    There was a slight delay before his reply. He quietly stared at Azriel.


    ¡°How many have you killed?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t count them.¡±


    ¡°Since when?¡±


    ¡°Since a thousand years ago to this day.¡±


    ¡°You have been killing them continuously? Only because they were nameless wizards?¡±


    Wasn¡¯t it because of accidents or suicides that nameless wizards usually did not make it to the age of 20? No way, is it because of Rhema? Could he have been killing nameless wizards whenever he left the house without disclosing his destination? All the time? Azriel began feeling nauseous. All of a sudden, Rhema had a strange look on his face. It was close to a bitter smile if one asked.


    ¡°Azriel, I didn¡¯t kill only nameless wizards.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Exceeding God¡¯s fence is only allowed to watchmen. Even watchmen can¡¯t go beyond the distance where the fence is out of sight.¡±


    He said it out of the blue. However, Azriel understood to some extent. She replied. ¡°Do you mean that you killed those who were about to exceed the fence that God made?¡±


    ¡°The legacy of the primal dragon enables people to approach the fence.¡±


    Instead of answering, he made a riddle-like statement. He was giving her a clue, avoiding the words he could not say. Realizing that, Azriel repeated his words inside her mouth.


    ¡®So, he¡¯s saying that wizards can approach the law of the world that God had set. Is it because that the power of the primal dragon that was against God is mana? Does approaching mean that they get to learn about the law or change it¡­?¡¯


    Quietly looking at her, who was deep in thought, said in a low voice. ¡°I won¡¯t kill that girl.¡±


    Startled, Azriel lifted her chin. ¡°C, can you do that? Didn¡¯t you say it¡¯s your duty?¡±


    ¡°For the meantime¡­ I¡¯ll postpone it to the hilt.¡±


    I don¡¯t want to be hated by you. Swallowing the words he could not say, Rhema reached for Azriel. Touching her eye rim where it was still watery and stroking her cheek, he quietly whispered. ¡°I wish that you don¡¯t know all these, even at this moment.¡±


    At his words, Azriel reflectively avoided his hand. She was afraid that her memory would be erased. Rhema¡¯s face looked as if he was stabbed by a sword for a brief moment. However, such an expression quickly disappeared. Azriel watched his hand being retrieved in the air and bit her lip. ¡°Rhema, can you promise not to touch my memory without my permission?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Azriel,¡± he refused immediately and added, looking down at his empty hand. ¡°If you don¡¯t seem like you can bear it, I will erase your memory.¡±


    ¡°Even if it becomes unbearably miserable, let me choose. It¡¯s my memory!¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t do that.¡±


    ¡°How come?¡±


    ¡°If you become miserable, then I¡­,¡± Rhema did not finish his sentence and closed his mouth. He turned around and began walking towards the castle. ¡°It¡¯s late. Let¡¯s call it a day.¡±


    His fastidiously white appearance from behind grew away. Azriel did not move. As she did not follow him, he looked back. Her head was down.


    ¡°Azriel? Let¡¯s go home¡­,¡± he called her.


    ¡°I¡¯m not coming,¡± she lifted her head. ¡°I won¡¯t come back until I find out about the watchman and interpret the disc.¡±


    ¡°¡­Azriel,¡± Rhema was disconcerted. His facial expression showed that he was lost for words. He hesitantly held out his hand toward her. Ignoring him, who was about to say something, Azriel called Marthi, who was sitting by the lake. ¡°Marthi! Come on!¡±

 CH 139

    Her first familiar spirit quickly read his master¡¯s intention. He immediately took off and went back to his original form. Azriel grabbed his feathers and climbed up on the lion¡¯s back. Marthi flapped his wings greatly and soared. In an instant, Rhema¡¯s figure became small like a doll. He was looking up at her, not moving a bit. She could not see his expression because she was getting farther away. She took her eyes off of him and buried her face in the back of Marthi¡¯s neck. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Although it was a small whisper, he clearly understood her. Marthicoras crossed the cypress woods and flew towards the Aurora Society.


    Azriel could not sleep all night. As soon as it became morning, she headed to Sophinea¡¯s room. Sophinea smiled naively, not having any idea about what happened over night, and slipped something into Azriel¡¯s hand.


    ¡°It¡¯s a gift, master,¡± Sophinea said.


    Sophie had been calling Azriel ¡®master¡¯ after Azriel made her spell. Not feeling easy about her title, Azriel asked to just call her ¡®sister,¡¯ but Sophie did not budge.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°I, I made, made it,¡± Sophie stammeringly said.


    It was a tiny teddy about the size of a palm. There was a red bow made out of a red thread tied on its neck. It was similar to the teddy that caught fire while Sophie was holding it. There was a ring attached, so that it could be used as a decoration.


    ¡°I made it, s-small, because I thought, you wouldn¡¯t need a doll, since you are, an a-adult, master,¡± Sophie added.


    Her stammering had been reduced since she began talking. Her split voice also turned into a child¡¯s clean tone. Her expression had changed the most dramatically. Sophinea¡¯s face turned much brighter now.


    ¡°Did you make it yourself? For me?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Yes. I, I like, making, dolls. It¡¯s my, only, skill,¡± Sophinea said and explained it hard. It turned out that she had made the dolls all over her room herself. Sophinea was raised in a separate building because she hurt her mother with her first cry when she was born, with cushions, carpets, and dolls that were not dangerous even if they were damaged. She said that she began making dolls while spending time there. She added. ¡°I didn¡¯t like, drawings, or, books, because they kept, making me, want to, go outside. Making dolls, was the most fun.¡±


    ¡°¡­I see,¡± Azriel replied.


    It was a hobby that did not require speaking, associating with somebody, and stirring one¡¯s emotions. Dolls would have piled up as much as the extent of her loneliness. Azriel looked around the dolls in Sophie¡¯s room. The dolls either did not have a mouth or facial expressions. However, the teddy in her hand had a smile on. Azriel quietly grasped it. ¡°Thank you so much. I will take care of it well.¡±


    Sophinea smiled shyly and very happily. Then she said in a dreamy voice. ¡°When, I¡¯m done, with my training, can I, go for a walk, freely? And, talk to, other people, too?¡±


    ¡°¡­Yes, you probably can,¡± Azriel answered.


    ¡°I, will work hard. Really, hard. So, can¡¯t I, train everyday if, master is, not busy? It¡¯s, not, hard for me.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t do that. What if you get hurt?¡±


    ¡°I, can, get hurt. I¡¯ve, been, hurt a lot, so it¡¯s, okay, to get hurt.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no one around the world who is okay to get hurt, Sophie.¡±


    ¡°But, I¡¯m happy with anything, to think, that I¡¯m being cured,¡± the girl said with an extremely joyful face. Her face was flushed with thrill.


    ¡°I won¡¯t kill that girl¡±


    ¡°For the meantime¡­ I¡¯ll postpone it to the hilt.¡±


    Rhema¡¯s words overlapped over Sophinea. Azriel barely put on a smile and said. ¡°If you overdo it, it might get delayed. You¡¯re continuously getting better, so don¡¯t be anxious.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­ I¡¯m, sorry, master.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re fine. Let¡¯s do it together, slowly,¡± Azriel patted the girl¡¯s hair. Sophinea¡¯s bright smile pricked the inner part of Azriel¡¯s heart sharply.

 CH 140

    After she was done training Sophinea, Azriel stopped by the data storage room on the way back to her room. The data that she picked out randomly made a tall pile above her height. Azriel floated them in the air with magic and carried them to her room. Marthi, who was waiting for her, was shocked.


    ¡°What is all this, master?¡± Marthi asked.


    ¡°Things that weren¡¯t in Rhema¡¯s study. The data about the Great War and the fall of the magic civilization and the data that have ¡®dragon¡¯ in their names or table of contents and¡ª You should help me too, Marthi,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Pardon?¡± Marthi.


    ¡°You do know how to write letters, don¡¯t you?¡± Azriel


    ¡°I know how to write, but¡­,¡± Marthi was at a loss, lifting up his bushy front paw. Azriel said as she sorted out books, documents, and scrolls. ¡°You can turn into a person like Noir or Blanchet.¡±


    ¡°I, I apologize, master, but I have never tried it before,¡± Marthi replied.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you done it? Do you not know how to do it?¡± Azriel looked back at Marthi in surprise. The lion cub¡¯s ears drooped. ¡°Well, I have knowledge that was indoctrinated in me¡­¡±


    ¡°Then, let¡¯s try it this time,¡± Azriel put down a scroll she was holding and dragged a chair. She settled down in front of the lion cub, who was sitting blankly on the bed, and said. ¡°Well, try changing your form now.¡±


    ¡°I, I¡¯ll practice it privately at another time. Please give me some time.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it better to try together? We can also work it out together when something doesn¡¯t go right.¡±


    ¡°Is that a command?¡± Marthi asked.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not. But¡­ Do you not want to do it together? Why?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s?¡±


    Marthi covered his eyes with his paws. He rolled his body round and covered his front with his small wings. With his tail rounded as well, he became round like a ball and said in a tiny voice. ¡°It¡¯s embarrassing¡­¡±


    ¡°Huh? What is?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t let you see me fail, master. I was made to be a perfect familiar spirit!¡±


    Dumbfounded, Azriel dropped her jaw. ¡°No person is, no, no familiar spirit is perfect from the beginning. It¡¯s okay to make mistakes.¡±


    Marthi, who stuck out his eyes through his front paws, cried very seriously. ¡°No, I can¡¯t live with such a slackened attitude, more so because your enemy is powerful.¡±


    ¡°My enemy? Who?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m talking about Rhema Reshith. I need to try harder to protect you from him.¡±


    ¡°W-wait, why is Rhema my enemy?¡±


    ¡°Master, you said that you learned magic from him and told me that he is a kind person, but I can¡¯t trust him,¡± Marthi said in a stern manner. He straightened his body that was rolled in a circle and sat down. Azriel vacantly looked at the familiar spirit and asked. ¡°Why do you think so?¡±


    ¡°Master, I can sense hostility towards you acutely because I¡¯m your familiar spirit,¡± Marthi pointed outside the window with his wing. It was the direction of Sophinea¡¯s room. ¡°He wondered if he should kill you last night there. It was only a brief moment, but he definitely had a violent temper.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    In Sophinea¡¯s room, Marthi suddenly became bigger and did not budge after blocking her from her front. As Azriel was touching around her mouth without saying anything, the familiar spirit added. ¡°As a familiar spirit, your safety is my prior goal. Even if you don¡¯t doubt him, I will consider him a potential enemy.¡±


    ¡°No, I know that.¡±


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°I know that Rhema can kill me someday. I heard it directly from him.¡±


    ¡°¡­What did you hear?¡±


    ¡°He said that I¡¯ll be killed in his hands if I become a wizard.¡±


    Marthi blinked his eyes. Azriel explained in a calm tone, hoping that it would not sound too shocking. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear it yesterday? He is trying to erase my memory and leave me because of the fear that he might end up killing me. It¡¯s me, who¡¯s refusing it. So, Rhema is not an enemy.¡±


    ¡°Why are you refusing it?¡±


    ¡°Because I want to know.¡±


    ¡°What do you want to know about, putting your life at risk?¡±


    ¡°The secrets that Rhema can¡¯t say.¡±

 CH 141

    Marthi¡¯s face turned weird. Azriel added, smiling. ¡°And also magic itself.¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t understand you, master. Is that something that¡¯s worth your life?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not doing this to die. There is definitely a way in which I don¡¯t have to die.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. So, I have to find out,¡± Azriel shrugged and pointed to the back. There was a bag laid on one side and data that was piled up like a mountain. At the bottom of that bag was half of the Aurora Disc that was wrapped in a cloth and hidden by magic. Marthi looked at them with a disturbed look on his face and shook his head. ¡°I know what you mean. However, the idea that he is an enemy remains unchanged.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true. Rhema is¡­¡±


    ¡°Anyway, you¡¯re saying that he will kill you if you don¡¯t find out the way. Who is he if he¡¯s not an enemy?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a situation I chose.¡±


    ¡°You said that he would erase your memory if you didn¡¯t choose that situation. Isn¡¯t it the same as threatening?¡±


    She was lost for words for a second. However, words to defend him came to her mind soon. ¡°No, Rhema is trying to erase my memory for my sake¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s something you hate, master. So what good is it if he¡¯s doing it for you?¡±


    ¡°Rhema knows things I don¡¯t know. So, he knows what¡¯s better for me more accurately.¡±


    Marthi tilted his head and looked up at her very strangely. ¡°Master, you were clearly upset with him with the same problem last night. But why do you keep trying to defend him?¡±


    She felt as if she was hit in the back of her head. It was as Marthi said. Did she not return to the underground tower by calling Marthi because she was angry with Rhema as he stubbornly insisted on erasing her memory? Would he know what was better for her? Then what were those six years in which she kept being sold as a slave and suffered as a whipping child?


    ¡®Nevertheless, why am I trying to convince my familiar spirit that Rhema is not bad at all?¡¯


    Moreover, he had been killing countless people because of his watchman¡¯s duty. He admitted it himself. Many children like Sophinea must have been killed. It was horrific and an unforgivable sin. Even so, why was she still¡ª


    ¡°Master, someone is coming,¡± Marthi said, wiggling himself into the blanket. Soon, there was a knock on the door. Azriel stayed there for a short while, pressing her forehead, and got up after taking a deep breath. It was a staff member of the society who knocked on the door. ¡°Miss Esthera, there¡¯s a guest waiting who¡¯s looking for you.¡±


    ¡°What did that person identify himself as?¡±


    ¡°She asked to tell you that her name is Maylie Brown.¡±


    ¡°Oh, can you tell her to wait a little? I will be out soon.¡±


    The staff member scanned her with curious eyes, trying to talk to Azriel but left with regret when Azriel just thanked him with a smiley face. It was understandable to be curious as a member as young as Azriel was rare even though it was said that anyone who was over age 18 could join the society. There were also complicated steps for someone to have the qualifications to rent a room in the society or use the data storage room, but as she passed those qualifications with ease, he was bound to wonder about her identity. Little was known about the fact that she had put out the fire in the underground tower and she was helping Sophinea¡¯s treatment within the society. It was all thanks to the president of the society who ordered members not to speak about them upon Pendelok and Edith¡¯s request. It was a grateful thing for Azriel. When she returned to her room and put on her robe, Marthi flew to her and said. ¡°I will come with you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just meeting a friend. You can take a rest.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s familiar spirit¡¯s law and pride to be by his master¡¯s side. Please, allow me to accompany you,¡± Marthi was stern. It was usually common for familiar spirits not to leave their master¡¯s side for protection. However, if their master was overwhelmingly powerful as Azriel, familiar spirits would focus more on serving and running errands rather than guarding. For such a reason, Marthi had not been insisting on being his master¡¯s side until now.

 CH 142

    ¡®It must be because of what happened yesterday.¡¯


    It was because Rhema was her enemy. Even though she thought it was a silly concern, she put an invisibility spell on Marthi at last.


    ¡®I should make him a relic with invisibility magic later.¡¯


    The wizards of the current era could not make semi-permanent and rechargeable magical artifacts like in ancient times. All nondisposable magical artifacts were relics. Thus, the expression ¡®relics¡¯ were more commonly used than ¡®magical artifacts.¡¯ Azriel could make relics just like mana stones with the method Rhema taught her directly. Maylie was waiting for Azriel  in the inn near the underground tower. There was a pile of boxes in her room. They were the boxes Azriel saw yesterday, which had a dress and jewelry pieces for the ball.


    ¡°Mr. Wizard brought these here. He said that you would need them,¡± Maylie said.


    ¡°Rhema brought them here himself?¡± Azriel asked.


    He must have remembered that the masquerade was today. It was natural since Rhema had always been carefully taking care of the things related to her. Azriel looked down at the beautiful things quietly. The white dress with a wide skirt was gradually dyed in rosy a color towards the end of the its hem. Unlike the simple upper part, the bottom part was fancy as it was embroidered with gold threads and jewels which intertwined together. Jewelry pieces that he ordered to match the dress were made with platinum and red diamonds. The red diamonds that were as pure and clear as pomegranates matched her white skin well. The mask that covered up to the nose bridge had a white background with tiny and colorful jewels like sand grains embedded on it, forming an image of a butterfly. Around the ear, there was a feather that was fixed with a flower-shaped jewel about the size of a thumb nail. The white and puffy feather had red color only at its tip. They were the best, flawless pieces just like everything he always gave her. It felt like a long time ago when she thought about going to the ball wearing them even though it had just been a day. The day she was disconcerted by Charles¡¯ confession felt even further away.


    ¡°Maylie,¡± Azriel called.


    ¡°Yeah?¡± Maylie replied.


    ¡°You helped me prepare, but I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°What? Are you not going to the ball? Why?¡± Maylie, who was putting down makeup tools, looked back at Azriel in surprise.


    ¡°No, I¡¯d better not go,¡± Azriel replied.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you wonder about the ball? Besides, if you need to give your answer to the person who made a confession to you, you have to meet him. Wasn¡¯t that your decision?¡± Maylie asked strangely. Azriel answered like nothing, perching on her. bed. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s time to take it easy like that.¡±


    How long would be Rhema¡¯s ¡®for the meantime¡¯? How long had Sophinea¡¯s death been suspended? If he tried to kill Sophinea at last, what should I do? Can I figure it out before then? What should I find out in the first place? The duty of the watchman? How to get out of that duty? No, Rhema said that he shouldn¡¯t avoid the duty, not that he can¡¯t avoid it. Then, is Sophinea¡¯s death unstoppable even if I find out about the watchman? Shouldn¡¯t I stop it? Why? She felt dizzy. In the meantime, his words crossed her mind.


    ¡°I wish to have you to myself, Azriel.¡±


    She knew that she was the most special person to him than anyone. She also knew that Rhema cherished her and treated her in a very precious way to the point that it was impossible to notice it. However, Rhema cherishing her and wishing to have her to himself felt somehow fundamentally different. She felt strange. Things were getting entangled and confusing. Even she did not know how her mind was changing.


    ¡°You can¡¯t take it easy¡­? What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Maylie¡¯s question woke Azriel from her thoughts.

 CH 143

    When Azriel lifted her head, her friend was looking down at her with her hand on her waist.


    ¡°Now that I look at you, you have huge bags under your eyes. Are you sick? Or, did you stay up all night?¡± Maylie asked. She suddenly grabbed Azriel¡¯s cheeks with her hands and turned her head to both sides. Azriel smiled, not resisting Maylie¡¯s hands.


    ¡°It¡¯s not something like that. I just have some things to figure out in a hurry,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°What is it? Let me do it together. Now that I¡¯m a cub reporter, I can investigate things even better than before!¡± Maylie said enthusiastically. Azriel took Maylie¡¯s hands off of her and said. ¡°I appreciate your thoughts, but that¡¯s fine. This is related to magic, so I need to do it my¡­!¡±


    Something suddenly came to her Azriel¡¯s mind when she looked at Maylie¡¯s face looking down at her worriedly.


    ¡®Those missing incidents¡­ Could Rhema be responsible for them? He said that he has been killing countless people since a thousand years ago. How many ¡®wizards who approached God¡¯s fence,¡¯ including nameless wizards, could have been killed by him?¡¯


    Azriel¡¯s mouth tasted awfully bitter. Forcing her agitation to calm down, she thought over and over again. The royal family was suspecting another force that was behind the missing incidents. Could they be investigating the wrong people, not noticing that it was Rhema¡¯s doing?


    ¡®But those incidents occurred recently. Did they suddenly notice what Rhema has been doing for nearly a thousand years? That¡¯s strange.¡¯


    As far as she knew, there was no rumor or gossip that the Wizard of the Horizon was going around and killing people.


    ¡®Then, is it possible that Rhema¡¯s behavior recently changed all of a sudden, letting others notice it¡­?¡¯


    Another force that was causing missing incidents could really exist. Azriel was leaning towards the possibility of the latter. Pendelok, who was the director of magic, pointed out the Wizard of the Horizon as Azriel¡¯s master. Charles had even met Rhema in person. It was true that the Wizard of the Horizon was an unfathomable being, but they were not fools. If they suspected him, they would have kept him in mind as a suspect.


    ¡®There must be some grounds for pointing out another group as its behind force. Then, why is that unknown group targeting people with nameless mana? Would they have a similar purpose as Rhema? What meaning on earth does unnamable have?¡¯


    ¡°¡­Azriel? Are you alright?¡± Maylie asked.


    ¡°Oh, yeah. I¡¯m sorry,¡± Azriel thought for a moment and carefully asked. ¡°Maylie, are you still helping your senior reporter investigate the missing incidents? Can I ask what kind of data you are asked to organize?¡±


    ¡°Why are you asking about them all of a sudden? They¡¯re nothing special,¡± Maylie, who blinked her eyes curiously candidly explained. ¡°When a new missing incident occurs, I search and organize any data in the newspaper company that¡¯s even slightly related to the incident. Then my senior would look at the data that I¡¯ve sorted out and pick out meaningful information. What I¡¯m doing is just simple labor.¡±


    ¡°The data stored in the newspaper company? What kind are they?¡±


    ¡°You know, data in the newspaper company is quite predictable. They¡¯re piled-up articles. I gather all the articles and the original data used to write the articles and give them to him. Any incidents occurred nearby, articles published around the similar time, a list of people who could be related to missing people, the news related to the occupations of the missing people or their family¡­,¡± Maylie who was mumbling as she counted with her fingers suddenly lowered her eyebrows. ¡°Come to think of it, I had something to ask you if you attended the Night of May Flower¡­ Umm, I don¡¯t need it so badly anyway.¡±


    ¡°A favor? Did you want to find out about something at that ball?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I want to find out badly¡­ Do you know about Lexina von Madriol?¡±


    ¡°The esteemed daughter of the Duke of Madriol? I don¡¯t know her so well.¡±


    The only person Azriel knew from the Duke of Madirol¡¯s family was Ash von Madriol. The person who accompanied Charles as his guardian knight. Maylie nodded her head as if she had expected Azriel¡¯s response and said. ¡°Lady Madriol is called the best beauty of Modjankle. She¡¯s also the one who¡¯s most likely to become a queen.¡±

 CH 144

    ¡°A queen? Is she engaged?¡± Did Charles have a fiance? And he made a confession to me? At the moment when Charles¡¯ reputation was about to fall to rock bottom inside Azriel, Maylie denied it. ¡°No, she¡¯s not engaged. I¡¯m saying she¡¯s the most suitable person to be the spouse of His Majesty if we weigh various aspects of her like her family, sophistication, beauty, and even age.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­,¡± Azriel apologized to Charles inside her. I¡¯m sorry that I misunderstood you for a moment. And she suddenly realized. Charles told her to take his confession lightly, and he, in fact, confessed lightly, but it could never be a light confession as long as he was the king. Azriel asked. ¡°But what about her?¡±


    ¡°I noticed this while putting together the information about the recent missing incident, there is a commercial guild that secretly sponsors missing people¡¯s families.¡±


    ¡°A guild is sponsoring the families of missing people, not the country?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s distinct from state support. It¡¯s a very small guild, but later I found out that it was a practice guild established by the family of Madriol.¡±


    ¡°What is a practice guild?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a small scale commercial guild established by high aristocrats for the purpose of their children¡¯s education. It¡¯s where they learn management and skills to deal with people in real life. Those guilds will merge back into each of their family¡¯s guilds at the end of the practice period.¡±


    ¡°I see. You mean that the sponsor guild is Lady Madriol¡¯s practice guild?¡±


    ¡°Right. It was the guild that the Duke of Madriol made for Lady Lexina von Madriol.¡±


    ¡°That means the Lady is sponsoring the victims of the missing incidents. Did you need to interview the Lady by any chance, Maylie? The Lady must be attending the ball since it¡¯s hosted by the Duke of Madriol.¡±


    ¡°An interview? No. I can¡¯t dare to ask for an interview from such a high aristocrat like Lady Madriol. Umm, this is what I personally researched because I ran into something strange while researching for data¡­,¡± Maylie covertly looked around. There were only Marthi and them as before. As soon as Marthi met Maylie¡¯s eyes, he pretended to cover his mouth again. Maylie laughed briefly and patted him. Only then, she continued. ¡°Most of the people that the guild sponsors are related to the missing incidents, but their sponsorship didn¡¯t begin because they were related to the missing incidents.¡±


    ¡°¡­Wait, no way.¡±


    ¡°Can you tell what this means? While investigating, I found out that quite a lot of people who went missing were sponsored by the practice guild, the Topaz Guild.¡±


    ¡°So, it means that the guild is not sponsoring the victims of the missing incidents, but people who were sponsored went missing.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fishy, isn¡¯t it?¡± Maylie¡¯s had a significant look on her face. Azriel thought of three possibilities. First, it was a mere coincidence. Second, the force behind the missing incidents and the Topaz Guild were related. Third, as the guild found people with unnamable mana and sponsored them, naturally, missing people increased from its members. It could have happened naturally or intentionally.


    ¡®If it¡¯s the third case, the guild might be finding and sponsoring them on purpose. Is it because they¡¯re trying to catch the force behind the missing incidents? It may be cooperating with the royal family¡¯s investigation. But if it¡¯s the second case, the guild could be related to the behind force¡­ Now I get why Grandpa Pendelok said that he couldn¡¯t reveal the suspect force. If it¡¯s related to Madriol, one of the two greatest Duke families, it¡¯s a huge problem. Can it also be related to the reason why Charles has a Madriol as his guardian knight?¡¯


    Azriel agreed with Maylie. ¡°That¡¯s extremely fishy.¡±


    ¡°Yes. So, I was wondering if you can see what Lady Lexina von Madriol is like if you are planning to go to the masquerade.¡±


    ¡°Maylie.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s too dangerous.¡±


    ¡°What? No! I wasn¡¯t going to ask you to investigate her or sound her out. I just wanted you to tell me what she was like¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not talking about myself, it¡¯s you.¡±


    ¡°Me?¡± Maylie widened her eyes, pointing at herself.

 CH 145

    ¡°This case, it¡¯s bigger than we think. The Duke and the royal family are related to it! You¡¯d better be careful not to get caught up in it.¡±


    ¡°Why would I get caught up in it? I¡¯m only doing repetitive labor like indirect inquiry investigation and data organization as my senior asked.¡±


    ¡°You are not stopping there. You found out about the Topaz Guild and you¡¯re trying to get more information. Is that what your senior reporter asked, too?¡±


    Maylie subtly avoided Azriel¡¯s eyes. Since it was as she had expected, Azriel let out a sigh and grabbed Maylie¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°Maylie,¡± Azriel called.


    ¡°Oh, oh, what?¡± Maylie replied.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do anything dangerous. Think about Mrs. Maria and your siblings.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t take too much interest in the missing incidents or dig too deep into them, either. It¡¯s related to the Duke and the royal family.¡±


    ¡°You have a point¡­ I think I¡¯ve gotten too carried away because it¡¯s my first job as a cub reporter. I¡¯ll be careful,¡± Maylie replied, sullenly. Azriel was relieved inwardly.


    ¡®It¡¯ll be fine if the Duke or the royal family is responsible for it, but¡­ Rhema might be related to this case.¡¯


    Azriel was the only wizard who could use ancient magic today, except for Rhema. She could protect Maylie easily without Rhema¡¯s help. However, if Rhema was related to the missing incidents by any possibility and he ran into Maylie because of that¡­ she could lose her friend. It would be the safest for Maylie not to be related to it.


    ¡®I believe that Rhema wouldn¡¯t harm anyone who¡¯s not related to his duty, but¡­¡¯


    ¡°Can you not hate me even if I kill every person in the outhouse?¡±


    Rhema had said those words. She knew that he was only using it as an example. Despite that, she could not assure that it would not happen. If he decided to do so, she would have no choice but to just watch him. What was worse, she could end up not even aware that such a thing had happened. For him, it was possible to erase memories about Maylie from her. She became fearful.


    ¡®No, I shouldn¡¯t fear Rhema. At least I shouldn¡¯t. Besides, how am I going to find out about him if I fear him?¡¯


    Azriel bit her lip and suppressed dark thoughts that were slowly crawling up.


    ¡°By the way, Azriel, why did you ask about the missing incidents?¡± Maylie asked.


    ¡°I, I just got curious because you are investigating them¡­,¡± Azriel who was roughly making up an excuse paused for a moment as something suddenly crossed her mind. ¡°¡­Maylie, do you still have some time?¡±


    ¡°Time to do what?¡±


    ¡°I should go to the masquerade.¡±


    ¡°What? You just said you didn¡¯t have time!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. On second thought, it¡¯d be better for me to go there to refresh.¡±


    Maylie¡¯s face turned dumbfounded. ¡°Please don¡¯t say it¡¯s because of what I was going to ask you to do.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not because of that. I just think I should meet the person who confessed to me at least once,¡± Azriel said. It was a complete lie.


    ¡®Let¡¯s meet Charles first. It¡¯ll also be nice if I can meet Lexina von Madriol.¡¯


    There was a common ground of nameless wizards between the missing incidents and the watchman¡¯s duty. It might be much faster for Azriel to inquire about the missing incidents, instead of vaguely searching old documents until she received permission to rent the Aurora Disc.


    ¡®I should find out if Rhema is the cause or not at least. The best would be finding out the ones that are responsible for the incidents and why they are after nameless wizards though.¡¯


    Their purpose could be a clue for the reason why the watchman had to kill nameless wizards.


    ¡®Let¡¯s find out whether the Topaz Guild is helping the royal family or against it. I should be able to talk about it naturally at the masquerade. It¡¯s a chance.¡¯


    While Azriel was deciding what to do, Maylie screamed after checking the time. ¡°Oh my! Look at the time! We barely have time to get ready for the ball even if we begin now! Azriel, sit down now!¡±

 CH 146

    Maylie began adorning Azriel in a speedy and competent manner. It had been three years since she quit working as a maid, but ingrained habits were not easily forgotten. It was because she had planned how to embellish her ahead of time yesterday. Azriel was worrying about a different matter than earlier while receiving makeup.


    ¡®In fact, Rhema doesn¡¯t like it when I get along with other people.¡¯


    Then why did he order her dress, instead of stopping her from going to the ball? She left, saying that she would not come back home for a while, but he even sent her the boxes she needed for the ball, not only just remembering its date. As soon as she had a question, she thought of its answer. It was obvious.


    ¡®It must be because I wanted to go.¡¯


    Just like how he insisted on fulfilling his duty but took his hand off of Sophinea when he was going to kill her as Azriel stopped him, Rhema was weak before her. She realized that afresh again. He let out words that were no better than threatening according to Marthi¡¯s expression, but he was always backing down in reality. She remembered Rhema¡¯s eyes that did not reflect any emotion like glass beads when she first met him. He could not even make an expression similar to a smile. However, there was warmth in his eyes towards her now. He became soft, faintly smiled, and even made some things similar to jokes. Suddenly aware of such a gap, Azriel felt a strange sensation. She felt as if something that should not happen had happened. It was an intuition that he was never welcome to be human. It was mere vague and groundless insecurity. However, it was strangely intense. Her mana slightly agitated.


    ¡°Azriel, straighten your face. No matter how great my makeup skills are, they are useless on a frowny face. We¡¯re running out of time,¡± Maylie complained.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­,¡± Azriel replied.


    ¡°Close your eyes,¡± Maylie asked.


    Azriel quietly closed her eyes. The insecurity she just had disappeared without a trace. Not long after that, Azriel even forgot the fact that she felt such insecurity.


    ¡°But, do I really need makeup when I will be covered in a mask?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°People can still see under your nose. And masks are there for you to unmask. Its key is to mesmerize others with admiration when you unmask yourself like this, ta-da!¡± Maylie said excitedly.


    ¡°What is that? Which fairytale book did you read this time?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a fairytale. It¡¯s my dream. Now, it¡¯s time to do your lips, so close your lips,¡± Maylie said.


    Azriel closed her lips. Maylie finished her makeup with astonishing concentration. She yelled. ¡°Done! Now, look.¡±


    Azriel was a little surprised to look into the mirror. ¡°Wow.¡±


    ¡°How is it? Don¡¯t you look pretty?¡± Maylie proudly said. Azriel blankly nodded and said. ¡°It¡¯s amazing. I look like an adult.¡±


    ¡°You are an adult. Don¡¯t you remember having a coming-of-age ceremony? You usually have good memories. What¡¯s gotten into you these days?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a figurative language,¡± Azriel replied. There was a mature and strange woman in the mirror. It was because her baby face and gentle eyes were covered under makeup. ¡°It doesn¡¯t feel like myself.¡±


    ¡°It is you. Marthi, how do you like your master?¡± Marthi, who was looking out the window as he became bored, looked back and became startled. ¡°Master¡­? You were always beautiful, but¡­ Holy moly! Is that magic?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s technique, not magic, and also art. You don¡¯t know how long I¡¯ve been waiting for this,¡± Maylie said with a very satisfied look and lifted a mask. Then she sighed. ¡°And I need to hide my art piece.¡±


    Azriel laughed in a low voice and received the mask. ¡°Thank you, Maylie.¡±


    ¡°If you mean it, you need to tell me what happened after you reveal your face like ta-da!¡±


    ¡°Like I said, I don¡¯t think that¡¯ll happen.¡±


    ¡°Why not? Aren¡¯t you going to take off the mask at least in front of the person who invited you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    Should I? But Azriel did not have the luxury to think about Charles¡¯ interest in her now. Things about Rhema were already overwhelming her. She did not even know how long the grace period granted to Sophinea was. She thought that she should candidly tell Charles this time that she appreciated his confession and she was flattered, but she did not have time for such stuff.


    ¡°You might be late! I did my best to finish early! Agh! Azriel, let¡¯s hurry!¡± Maylie was startled to look at the clock and pulled Azriel. Marthi also followed them. ¡°Master, I, too!¡±

 CH 147

    ¡°Esthera,¡± Azriel put an invisibility spell on Marthi again, who followed her behind, thinking that she should make him a relic for certain. The carriage that they had rented beforehand was waiting in front of the inn. As soon as Azriel and Maylie got on it, it set off. The mansion of the Duke of Madriol was not too far away. The carriage arrived at the mansion very soon. The guard who checked her invitation at the entrance stepped aside. A servant who was in charge of greeting guests opened the door of the carriage. The servant, who was going to escort the lady with a kind smile, was stiffened for a moment as he saw Azriel.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Azriel held the servant¡¯s stiffened hand and stepped out of the carriage. Looking at the reaction of the servant inside the carriage, Maylie¡¯s face turned even more satisfied. She thought. ¡®He would¡¯ve been completely blown away if she didn¡¯t cover half of her face with a mask. Well, I¡¯m sometimes surprised even though I see her everyday, but now she¡¯s all made up,¡¯


    ¡°Enjoy your time, My lady,¡± Maylie yelled.


    ¡°Oh¡­ Okay. I¡¯ll be back,¡± Azriel almost asked why Maylie was calling her a lady out of nowhere. Recalling Deborah Colte¡¯s attitude, Azriel said goodbye as if she was an ordinary noble lady. The carriage Maylie was riding went back. Azriel headed to the ballroom, guided by the servant. The servant¡¯s steps were slow. He kept glancing at her. Bothered by him, she frowned a little, and the servant, who was walking ahead of her, suddenly fell with a loud noise. ¡°Urgh!¡±


    ¡®Agh! Marthi!¡¯


    At the same time the servant screamed, Azriel screamed inwardly. Marthi, who followed her in his invisible form that was only visible to her, tripped the servan¡¯t foot as if it was nothing. Marthi looked back at her with eyes that seemed to be saying, ¡®I did well, didn¡¯t I, master?¡¯ Azriel pressed her temple with a gloved hand. It seemed that it was not a good choice to bring Marthi along. The ballroom was a garden house on one side of the garden of the mansion of the Duke of Madriol, which was bigger than a decent second-story house. It seemed an outdoor ballroom was chosen as it was a nice spring day. The garden was full of small lamps, ribbons, and Mayflowers that were generously set up. The garden house that was standing in-between them looked like it was buried in fireflies gleaming with white lights. Layers of curtains that were fixed with Mayflower brooches were drawn in-between the pillars of the garden house, which was normally empty. Beyond light-colored curtains, shadows of people were shown through. Cheerful and elegant music flowed out. The servant escorted her to the entrance of the ballroom and held out an intricate Mayflower decoration consisting of satin. ¡°You may put this around your ear, lady.¡±


    It was used to hand over to a favorable person just like the commonor¡¯s festival. The servant politely bowed and returned. Azriel saw the servant¡¯s chin was reddened from the impact of hitting the ground, as he turned back. She sighed again and said, fixing the Mayflower decoration on her ear. ¡°Marthi, enjoy yourself in the garden and try not to get caught.¡±


    ¡°Enjoy myself? I can¡¯t do that. It¡¯s the time to fulfill my duty as a familiar spirit when you are taking a break, master,¡± Marthi refused.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for a fire-spitting familiar spirit at a ball.¡±


    ¡°But just in case¡­¡±


    ¡°I will call you if anything happens, so just enjoy yourself and don¡¯t worry about me. It¡¯s close by.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too late if you call after something happens.¡±


    ¡°Marthi, can¡¯t you trust me? Do you think my magic is inadequate?¡±


    Marathi shook his head quickly at Azriel¡¯s remark. ¡°No, you are strong, master. I didn¡¯t mean to ignore you, master. I apologize.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not angry with you. I¡¯m just saying that you shouldn¡¯t be too worried, so just relax.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­,¡± Marthi sulkily replied and fluttered away. Azriel saw the translucent lion cub hiding inside some bush and entered the ballroom. As soon as she entered, there was an invisible stir. Although it was a masquerade, the range of attendees was very limited as the invitation was sent only to a certain level of nobility. Thus, the people who were attending ¡®the Night of Mayflower¡¯ held at the mansion of the Duke of Madriol were all high-ranking nobles or their acquaintances.

 CH 148

    Due to the nature of the Mayflower festival, there were more strangers than ordinary balls of high-ranking nobles, but people could roughly guess which side each other was on. Acquaintances naturally recognized each other and as for strangers, people did not know who they were but could tell whose family had introduced them to the ball. Even if they recognized people, it was mere courtesy to pretend not to recognize them at the ball. In such a space, a woman that no one knew appeared. In addition, she was certainly a great beauty just by the jawline and mouth that were shown below the mask. After her appearance, people focused on her clothes. Just by a glance, nobles realized the things she was wearing were at a level that was beyond a decent family¡¯s financial capability. There was a short silence followed by a low buzz.


    ¡°Which family is that lady from?¡±


    ¡°Was there any esteemed daughter who was making her debut at this masquerade?¡±


    ¡°Oh my,  how can no one possibly know about such a beautiful woman? Who is she?¡±


    ¡°She must be an esteemed daughter of a tremendously influential family. Is she a foreigner?¡±


    Everyone could only ask a question without an answer. Azriel could feel their eyes. She pointlessly fiddled with her mask. She was well aware of the fact that she was pretty. However, she did not know that she stood out among the nobles, even with a mask on.


    ¡®Is my mask too fancy? Or is it because of my dress? Where on earth did Rhema order these?¡¯


    Her guess was not completely wrong as there was definitely an influence of her attire.


    ¡®Seriously¡­ I asked him I don¡¯t want to draw people¡¯s attention.¡¯


    As a matter of fact, it was partly her fault for not rejecting the dress Rhema had prepared, roughly guessing that it would draw people¡¯s eyes. She was aware of that even though she was complaining.


    ¡®But this is what Rhema prepared for my first ball. He went through trouble to prepare this. I don¡¯t want to disappoint him.¡¯


    It would be another story if she decided not to go to the ball, but if she wore something else to the ball, Rhema would be sad. Apart from her anger towards him, she did not want to make him sad with this because her wish that he would be happy remained the same. She wanted to make him happy at least as much as he made her happy.


    ¡®¡­Oh.¡¯


    Is this what it was? It might be because her heart did not shake at all even after seeing what happened yesterday, even after hearing that Rhema had been doing horrific things, and even though he would not promise not to meddle with her memory, that she did not want to criticize him. Is that why I want to believe that he wasn¡¯t a bad person and keep refuting Marthi? Such a thought suddenly came across her mind. It felt a little empty to think that was the only reason. She slipped back to the corner where finger food was prepared. Even so, people¡¯s attention did not leave her.


    ¡®I need to look for Lady Madriol or Charles, but I can¡¯t get around like this.¡¯


    There were a lot of people loitering around her. She was avoiding their eyes on purpose, but one person plucked up the courage and approached her. ¡°Lady, you are like the spirit of Mayflower. Would you give me the honor to have Catlett with you?¡±


    It was a man in a mask with a pointy nose. Azriel was bewildered to hear his request.


    ¡®What is Catlett?¡¯


    She did not know such a thing as the dance that was popular among the nobles in Modjankle. All she knew of the noble culture was what she saw in the dominion of Colte, which was in the countryside. When she was at a loss, someone gently interrupted. ¡°Pardon. I have a prior engagement with this lady.¡±


    It was a blonde man. He was in a blue mask with wave patterns embroidered with silver threads on it. He cut in between Azriel and the man with a pointy nosed mask and held out a Mayflower decoration that he had on his chest. ¡°Please accept this.¡±


    His bright blue eyes showing through his mask were looking at Azriel. His eyes made arches. Recognizing him, joy automatically spread on Azriel¡¯s face.

 CH 149

    ¡®Charles!¡¯


    Azriel received the Mayflower that Charles held out to her and took the Mayflower that she put around her ear as an exchange. Her Mayflower was hung on his chest. His Mayflower was also set around her ear as well. Watching that scene, the man with a pointy mask drew back, clicking his tongue. Soon, those who were studying the situation also gave up as Azriel¡¯s partner was decided. When people nearby went away, Charles whispered softly. ¡°Thank you for coming, Azriel. I am very glad to see you in a long while.¡±


    ¡°How did you recognize me at a glance? I didn¡¯t let you know what kind of mask I¡¯ll be wearing,¡± Azriel asked as if she was amazed. The corners of Charles¡¯ mouth were raised below his mask. ¡°It¡¯ll be more strange not to recognize you. Oh, this is a Catlett song.¡±


    New music was beginning. It was a rhythmical tune. He slightly bent his waist and reached out his hand. ¡°Shall we dance to a song first?¡±


    ¡°Forgive me. I can¡¯t dance,¡± Azriel hesitantly shook her head. Bewildered a little, Charles carefully asked. ¡°Can you tell me the reason for your rejection? Do you not like to dance by any chance?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that¡­ It¡¯s because I don¡¯t know what kind of dance Catlett is,¡± Azriel answered.


    Charles¡¯ mouth was slightly distorted as if he had not expected it. However, he quickly loosened up his facial expression and held his hand out, lifting her hand. ¡°If that¡¯s the only problem, it doesn¡¯t matter. I will lead you. All you have to do is follow me.¡±


    ¡°Umm, I really don¡¯t know anything. I might step on your foot,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Feel free to do it,¡± he chuckled and led her to the center of the room. The music was light and cheerful. Nobles changed partners while dancing and hems of dresses fluttered above the floor like flower petals. Azriel put one hand on Charles¡¯ shoulder and held his hand with the other to his guidance. He slightly wrapped his arm around her waist. Hugging tightly was a rude gesture between people who were not lovers, so his hand was merely placed above her, almost touching her. Charles came very close to her and whispered to Azriel¡¯s ear. ¡°I¡¯ll start with my left leg. Leave your body to me as I lead.¡±


    ¡°Ugh, o, okay,¡± she awkwardly answered.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You can just enjoy moving to the music. After all, that¡¯s what dance is for,¡± Charles said with a smile on his face and began leading her. Azriel nervously moved and looked up at him. His blond hair under a chandelier shined like pure gold. Noticing her glance, he made eye contact. Then his blue eyes sparkled and bent. Music bounced lively around her ears and the rosy skirt of her dress was wrapped around her legs and loosened due to the swirling movement. It was a strangely sweet feeling. Is this what getting swept up in the moment feels like? Catlett was not a difficult dance. Even though it was Azriel¡¯s first time, she soon got used to it. In addition, thanks to Charles¡¯ competent lead, she did not step on his foot once. When the song ended, he let go of her hand and took a half step back.


    ¡°Now, we¡¯re finished when we make a vow,¡± Charles elegantly bent his waist with one hand on one side of his chest. Azriel, who was vacantly watching it, was startled and bent her knees with the hem of her dress in her hand. It felt like she had dreamed for a moment, forgetting everything else. He straightened his waist and led her out of the center.


    ¡°How do you feel about your first dance? Did you enjoy it?¡± Charles asked.


    ¡°¡­Yes, it was more pleasant than I thought. Thank you,¡± Azriel  softly replied.


    Charles slightly opened one of the curtains of the garden house that were placed instead of the walls and escorted her to a place between curtains. There was a small sofa and a table. It seemed to be a resting area. He let her sit down and said with a smile on his face. ¡°I¡¯m glad that you enjoyed it, to the point that I want to think that you are considering me positively.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°Wait, don¡¯t answer it. I¡¯d like to enjoy this feeling for now. I¡¯ll bring us some drinks,¡± Charles stopped her and leaned his face toward her mischievously. ¡°Alcohol? Juice?¡±

 CH 150

    ¡°I¡¯ve never drunk alcohol properly.¡±


    ¡°Then, juice it is. Which fruit do you prefer?¡±


    ¡°I like anything when it comes to fruits.¡±


    ¡°I see. I¡¯ll be back,¡± he slipped out of the curtains. Azriel leaned her back on the sofa and collected her both hands.


    ¡®I now know why balls are held so often and also why main characters of storybooks often meet at a ball.¡¯


    She did not know that dancing to cheerful music in a beautifully decorated hall, wearing pretty clothes, would feel like this. She felt elated automatically. Her heart even fluttered a little. She could not distinguish well if it was because of Charles or the mood of the ball.


    ¡°No. It¡¯s not a time to be swept up in a moment like this,¡± Azriel murmured to herself and lightly tapped her cheek. Then, she inhaled deeply and exhaled. She calmed down slightly. She slightly pushed the curtain aside and looked outside. Where could Lady Madriol be? On the way to the mansion riding on a carriage, she heard a little about the Lady from Maylie. She said that the Lady had rare blue hair and was a beauty like a mermaid.


    ¡°She has blue hair, so you should be able to recognize her at once even though it¡¯s a masquerade. That¡¯s why I was going to ask you to see what she¡¯s like,¡± Maylie asked.


    ¡°Maylie¡­ If you can tell who she is by her hair, wouldn¡¯t she wear a wig? I mean, it¡¯s a masquerade,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Oh¡­ You¡¯re right,¡± Maylie said, awkwardly scratching the back of her head.


    She was always like this, but Maylie was sometimes silly like this. That was why Azriel did not want her to get involved in the missing incidents.


    ¡®Like I thought, I don¡¯t think I can find someone I have never seen at a masquerade. I should ask Charles.¡¯


    If the Topaz Guild was cooperating with the royal family anyway, she would not have to meet the Lady. Azriel just closed the curtain. Charles returned, not long after that. He had a glass on each hand.


    ¡°Here,¡± he said.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Azriel said.


    He sat a little further away from her and tilted his glass. Azriel sipped her apple juice and thought about how she should talk about it.


    ¡°Azriel,¡± Charles called her first. When she looked at him, he fiddled with his mask. ¡°You came here, planning to reject me?¡±


    She almost choked. Azriel narrowly managed to swallow the juice and put down her glass on the table. ¡°Why do you think so?¡±


    ¡°You are not denying it,¡± he said.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that you don¡¯t like me, but you must have some other reason that you can¡¯t accept me,¡± he guessed.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Hmm, my position as the king can be a problem, but more than that, it must be because you can¡¯t afford to think about this, isn¡¯t it?¡± Charles laughed mischievously. Azriel looked up at him dumbfoundedly and asked. ¡°I was taught that mind reading is impossible magic. Are you a mind reader, Charles?¡±


    He burst into laughter. Then, he took off his mask as if it was uncomfortable. ¡°Azriel, it looks like it won¡¯t be easy for you to be in politics.¡±


    ¡°Is it that obvious? I am even wearing a mask,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°To the point of being cute,¡± Charles looked at her, cupping his chin. His eyes were so sweet that Azriel almost flushed. She turned her head to avoid his eyes and said. ¡°Anyway¡­ You told me to give you an answer after we get to know a little more about each other, but I¡¯ll answer now.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t I hear that later?¡± he asked.


    ¡°If I do that, it¡¯ll be more rude. In the situation I¡¯m in right now, it¡¯ll be no different than neglecting.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not rude. You can just leave it and think about it when you feel like it. Think lightly of it, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Charles. I don¡¯t know how to think lightly of another person¡¯s interest. Frankly, I don¡¯t want to do so, either,¡± Azriel took a deep breath and looked back at him. ¡°It is a precious and grateful thing that someone likes me. Regardless of its depth, it¡¯s someone¡¯s heart towards me. I can¡¯t treat that thoughtlessly.¡±

 CH 151

    Charles¡¯ face turned disorderly. He covered his mouth with his hand. ¡°Darn it. I think I fell for you a little more just now.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°¡­So, is your answer a rejection?¡±


    Azriel, who was about to agree, paused and touched her mask. It would be bad manners if she kept her mask on when she would be rejecting him, who took off his mask. She took off the mask and politely lowered her head. ¡°Yes, Charlene. I appreciate your favor, but I can¡¯t afford to think about your heart right now. I am sorry.¡±


    Charles was silent. He gazed at her as if he was possessed. When Azriel lifted her head and looked at his eyes, he blushed. ¡°Oh.¡±


    ¡°Charles?¡±


    ¡°Oh, God.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me for now,¡± he turned his face away from her in his seat and buried his face in his hand. His shoulders heaved a little and he asked quietly in that position. ¡°Is that the only reason you are rejecting me? Is it not because you don¡¯t like me?¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be friends with someone I don¡¯t like. Don¡¯t you remember what we said on the day we met again?¡±


    ¡°¡­No, there¡¯s no way I would,¡± Charles faced her again in his seat. His face had cleared with just a little flush left. ¡°Azriel, can you tell me what¡¯s troubling you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a private matter. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    As if he had expected her response, Charles asked another question like it was nothing. ¡°Then, is there anything I can help you with? As a friend.¡±


    He had an emphasis on his last words. It seemed that he had accepted her rejection.


    ¡°Actually, there¡¯s one thing I¡¯d like to ask your favor,¡± she said.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Charles actively asked. Azriel hesitated for a moment. How should I tell him? She was going to sound him out, but she lost confidence while talking to him. She was not good at deceiving others. It was better not to say anything than a clumsy lie.  She preferred to be honest, although she might not tell everything to him.¡°I¡¯d like to¡­ participate in the investigation of nameless wizard missing incidents.¡±


    ¡°¡­What?¡± His eyes widened as if he had not even expected that. He rubbed around his mouth ¡°This is¡­ what I didn¡¯t expect from you.¡±


    ¡°I know it is a secret investigation because I heard it from the director of magic. I¡¯d appreciate it if you just let me know the necessary information. I can be of help regarding things related to magic.¡±


    ¡°Your aid will absolutely be a huge help. There¡¯s no doubt about that, but,¡± Charles¡¯ expression changed a little. His eyes looking at Azriel turned sharp. ¡°I¡¯d like to know why you want to participate in the investigation.¡±


    There was tension in the air. Friendliness or ease from a moment ago were nowhere to be found. She automatically became nervous. Thinking that this must be Charles as the king who ruled Aucandor. Azriel answered candidly. ¡°I want to know who is doing this, why and for what purpose?¡±


    ¡°Is that the only reason?¡±


    ¡°Knowing that is very important for me,¡± she hesitated a little and added in a quiet voice. ¡°It¡¯s also for Sophinea.¡±


    All she said was truth without any lies. Charles was silent for a while and then chuckled all of a sudden. ¡°How foolish of me.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°International matters probably mean nothing to you. Shame on me, I¡¯ve forgotten what I experienced nine years ago and was calculating a nonsensical probability.¡±


    ¡°What were you calculating?¡±


    ¡°The probability that you approached intentionally because you are a spy of a foreign country.¡±


    ¡°That can never be true. Uh, umm, how can I prove it?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°No, that¡¯s fine. The pupil of the Wizard of the Horizon acting as a spy of a foreign country? It¡¯s nonsense. An intentional contact? What would you lack that you would do such a thing?¡±


    ¡®You are a great wizard who can put out the fire in the underground tower all alone. And you even have a master who can raise a natural disaster and annihilate the rebel forces just because they touched you,¡¯ Charles murmured inwardly and smirked to himself.


    Azriel tilted her head and said. ¡°No, of course, you can have a doubt. You are the king of this country, Charles. It¡¯s expected for you to be cautious because your position carries so much responsibility.¡±


    Azriel earnestly asked. ¡°What can I do to assure you?¡±

 CH 152

    Charles put on a mysterious face.


    ¡°You are really¡­,¡± he stared at Azriel piercingly, blurring his sentence, and shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s fine. It was a nonsensical doubt from the beginning.¡±


    He leaned back on his sofa with a glass in his hand and said. ¡°Moreover, your help is something to be welcomed with open arms. Now, I have to think about what I should do for you.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do anything for me. I am the one who¡¯s asking your favor in the first place,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t do that since I didn¡¯t even get to repay you. It¡¯s easy to forget your gratitude if you continue to receive help without cost,¡± he said.


    ¡°You are not someone like that, Charles,¡± she said.


    He glanced at her and clicked his tongue. ¡°What if I become a friend who keeps asking for your help shamelessly?¡±


    ¡°I believe you won¡¯t do so since you already know that,¡± she replied.


    It was a similar context to what Rhema often said to Azriel. Seeing her saying it with a smile on her face, Charles let out something similar to a bitter smile. ¡®Oh no, I want her more. It¡¯s a problem,¡¯ he thought. He wetted his dry throat with the drink in his hand and cleared his throat. ¡°Very well. I will prepare the cost myself as an effort not to do that. As for participating in the investigation, it¡¯s practically difficult to promise that I will disclose the whole process to you.¡±


    He quickly changed the topic on purpose, in fear that she might refuse it. Azriel nodded. ¡°Of course. I don¡¯t want to go that far.¡±


    ¡°First, the ultimate force behind the incidents that we suspect is¡­,¡± Charles hesitated for a moment and said in a lower voice. ¡°Talasin.¡±


    ¡°¡­Pardon?¡± Azriel asked. She had expected that Charles would mention another country when he talked about international matters a little ago, but it was surprising that he mentioned Talasin. It was the most powerful empire that conquered half of the continent and an abundant and warlike country. It was also the Talasin Empire that conquered the village of the northern minority before where Azriel was born and raised. However, such a suspicious and covert action did not seem to match the empire, not declaring war and forcing its way through with military forces. It was too big to think that it was the force behind the serial disappearance incidents happening in the kingdom.


    ¡°Why on earth is Talasin doing such things? It¡¯d be faster for the empire to diplomatically pressure Aucandor if it wanted something.¡±


    Charles looked at her as if it was unexpected. ¡°You know about the political landscape pretty well. You are right. Its scale is too small for the imperial family of the empire, not to mention that there¡¯s not much to gain from it. The emperor probably is not involved in this.¡±


    ¡°Then?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you the details another time. It¡¯s not something I should say here,¡± Charles pointed beyond the curtain with his chin. She could see that the number of people in the hall had been reduced from the shadows reflected on the curtain. As the ball went on, people met partners and left to the garden couple by couple. ¡°Although it¡¯s a masquerade, there must be some people who recognized me. If we continue to stay together like this, there will be a quite interesting rumor even though it won¡¯t be sn open gossip as it¡¯s ¡®the Night of Mayflower.¡¯¡±


    Charles said with a smile and put the mask back on. Azriel also grabbed her mask.


    ¡°This case can¡¯t be investigated openly because of the empire¡¯s involvement. So, the headquarters that is leading it outside the royal castle. Since the person who can guide you there is at this ball, I will introduce you,¡± he said.


    The headquarters of the investigation outside the royal castle and the person concerned with this ball?¡ª ¡®The Topaz Guild was the third case after all.¡¯


    Azriel could guess whom Charles wanted to introduce to her but did not show it to him since it would be troublesome if he asked about the source of her information. When she stepped out of the curtain, she could see a person in a wolf mask, who was standing as if he was looking at the scenery of the ball from a little bit far away. Charles let Azriel wait before approaching and whispering to him in a low voice.  ¡°Ash.¡±

 CH 153

    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty,¡± Ash responded.


    ¡°Introduce Azriel Esthera to the owner of Topaz. She will lend a hand to us from now on.¡±


    Ash von Madriol did not raise a question even at his master¡¯s sudden decision. He nodded slightly. Charles went back to Azriel and said. ¡°Sir Ash will guide you. You can hear about what kind of help we need from you and the situations of the investigation from the person you¡¯ll meet.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Charles.¡±


    ¡°I told you, it¡¯s me who should be thankful,¡± he smiled widely as he said. Then he lowered his body and held Azriel¡¯s hand. He kissed her hand goodbye according to etiquette and said softly. ¡°I¡¯ll meet you soon. I¡¯ll come to you this time.¡±


    Charles casually left among masks. Soon after that, a person with a wolf mask approached her and said. ¡°Ash von Madriol at your service, Miss Esthera.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Sir Ash,¡± Azriel greeted.


    ¡°The person I¡¯ll be introducing to you is my little sister. Her name is Lexina von Madriol,¡± he explained.


    It was as she expected. Azriel nodded and Ash went on. ¡°She must be in one of the garden houses. She left a moment ago, saying that she needs fresh air. I will escort¡ª¡±


    Suddenly, there was a commotion on one side of the room. It seemed that two men in masks were scuffling and one had punched the other. A servant, who was trying to stop them, was pushed down on the floor. Ash frowned and looked at them. A servant approached him quickly and reported something.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you go?¡± Azriel asked.


    As it was a ball hosted by the family of Madriol, Azriel figured that Ash would need to take action if there was an accident. As if what she had guessed was right, Ash clicked his tongue and said. ¡°No, my Lord¡¯s order is my priori¡ª¡±


    ¡°You dog!¡±


    ¡°Aghhh!¡±


    One of the men who was causing the commotion drew a sword. People around them screamed. Ash cussed in spite of himself. ¡°That lunatic¡­!¡±


    ¡°Please go ahead, Sir Ash. If you tell me the location of the garden house, I¡¯ll find it myself,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t¡ª,¡±


    ¡°Young master! I think you should come,¡± another servant ran to Ash, interrupting him, and rushed him. Ash gnawed his teeth and asked. ¡°Where¡¯s my big brother?¡±


    ¡°Lord went to the garden with his partner, but I can¡¯t find¡ª¡±


    ¡°Darn it. Okay. Go and stop them for now,¡± Ash ordered as he complained and looked back at Azriel. ¡°Forgive me, it¡¯s a shame.¡±


    ¡°No, that is fine. Where is the garden house that she¡¯s in?¡±


    ¡°If you head out to the direction of 11 o¡¯clock and enter the maze in the garden, you¡¯ll meet a fountain with a statue of goddess holding a jar. Turn to the right from there and go straight, then there will be a garden house with rose vines. Would you be really okay if I don¡¯t escort you there?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I can find my way,¡± she said.


    ¡°Give this to my sister when you find her. She will understand,¡± Ash handed her a little key. It was a key with a head decorated with a topaz smaller than a little fingernail.


    ¡°Aargh!¡±


    When a scream echoed loudly, the servant¡¯s face turned pale and yelled, forgetting about the mask. ¡°Young master!¡±


    Ash quickly whispered ¡®excuse me¡¯ and ran to the scene of fighting, taking off his mask. Azriel looked at the direction of the fuss briefly and headed to the curtain in the direction of 11 o¡¯clock with the key in her hand.

 CH 154

    Rhema Reshith was quietly watching Azriel opening the curtains and going out to the garden. He neither attended the ball nor put on a mask. He just entered in his regular robe, but no one noticed his presence. It was advanced magic. He wondered what Azriel¡¯s first ball would be like. He also wanted to know whether the dress he picked would match her well. It was a kind of excuse. Even though he had allowed her to come, he still attended on impulse. He had been watching her since she entered the ballroom. From a distance, he also watched her dancing with a blond man. However, he did not follow her to the other side of the curtains.


    Usually, he would have done so out of his respect for her private life, but this time, it was purely because he was afraid that Azriel would notice if he approached her. Azriel had a keen sense for mana. Even if she was not paying attention to her dragon eye and he was hiding with advanced magic, she would notice his presence by intuition if he approached her that closely. If Azriel had not been so keen, he would have followed her inside the curtains. Even though she would definitely be disappointed in him if he did such a crazy thing, he could not wait to know what kind of conversation she was having with that man at the moment. ¡®Why?¡¯


    Rhema could not explain his current state. He had felt similarly whenever Azriel paid attention to other people, but he had never felt extreme distress until now. This was way more unpleasant than her cherishing others and treating and giving affection to the seed. The person who danced with her, the one who invited her to the ball, must be Charlene. He was the person who was recently added to the list of people Azriel knew and the person Rhema did not kill nine years ago at Azriel¡¯s request. Rhema Reshith tried to think rationally.


    It was a positive thing that Azriel loved someone; it would increase the chance of her choosing a normal life in pursuit of love rather than digging into the dangerous truth. Then, there would be no reason for him to kill her. The king was a wealthy and powerful person. If he was earnest, he would make her happy enough. Rhema would only have to verify he was a good person, come up with more safety devices not to repeat the same mistake from nine years ago, erase her memories, and leave her.


    That was it. Azriel would forget about him and live a peaceful and happy life, and he would return to the daily life that he had been maintaining for a thousand years. The egg would not crack anymore. Ofeq would also be quiet. Everything would be resolved cleanly. It was something that he should welcome. It was for her. But why was he feeling so unpleasant? Why was he feeling that something would flood inside? Charlene was neither a wizard nor someone harmful to Azriel, but Rhema now wanted to kill the man who grabbed her hand and led her.


    At that moment, from far away on the roof of Rhema¡¯s house, the crack that formed on the egg before became bigger again. Instead of going to his master and warning him, the bird swaddled the egg even more fiercely as if to suppress it. Violent things leaked from the enlarged crack. Emotions that had been locked up for too long were very thick. They wetted his inside, which had been dry for so long. They did not make a rapid stream¡­ yet. Rhema did not know the name of the feeling that he was having. Since he would not be able to turn back when he learned it, he subconsciously pretended not to know it. He stood there for a while because his mana would go on a rampage if he moved even slightly.


    *


    Azriel soon found the garden house that Ash told her about. In the garden decorated in white, a garden house that was intertwined with red rose vines stood out easily. The inside of the building was not visible due to the intricately patterned windows and dense rose vines. Azriel raised her voice in front of the garden house. ¡°Lady Lexina von Madriol? Are you there?¡±


    A mumbling reply returned, but Azriel could not hear it well. She thought for a moment and pushed the door slightly. It opened with ease.


    ¡°Lady Madriol¡­!¡± As soon as she stepped inside, something flew by. As it zoomed past her ear, she did not even try to dodge it. She was only a little surprised. After hitting the wall of the garden house, the thing fell and rolled on the floor. Confirming what it was, Azriel raised her eyebrow. It was a flashy woman¡¯s dress shoe made with white leather.


    ¡°Why is this¡­¡± Looking around, Azriel was stupefied by the scene before her eyes. ¡°¡­L-Lady Madriol?¡±

 CH 155

    There was a woman about Azriel¡¯s age sitting on a bench at an angle. A mask sprinkled with pearl dust was rolling on the floor beneath her. The woman was pure beauty, adorned with pearls and a blue mermaid dress. She had long, flowing blonde hair. Since it was slightly crooked, it seemed to be a wig. The beauty was kneeling and taking off her other shoe. Her elegant dress was crumpled badly because of her posture.


    ¡°Darn it, Phillip! I¡¯ve ordered so often, but you can¡¯t even make proper dress shoes for your regular customer.¡± She ground her teeth after struggling as it did not come off easily. ¡°I will teach him a lesson after the ball.¡±


    Lexina von Madriol carelessly threw away the shoe she took off with difficulty. Her white shoe rolled away on the floor. She grabbed and massaged her exposed foot and glanced at Azriel.


    ¡°What is it? Who allowed you to come in?¡± Lexina asked.


    ¡°L-Lady Lexina von Madriol¡­ right?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°So?¡± she asked, looking up at Azriel at an angle. Her deep navy eyes were filled with hostility. ¡°You need to introduce yourself first before asking about another person. If you don¡¯t, you¡¯ll have a very rude attitude that says ¡®I don¡¯t know you, but I¡¯m sure you know me.¡¯¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to¡ª¡±


    ¡°Of course, you didn¡¯t! I saw you dance earlier, and you didn¡¯t seem to know how to dance, either.¡± Lexina raised the corners of her nicely painted lips. ¡°You can¡¯t be a noble, right? Who are you?¡±


    Her breath slightly smelled like alcohol. Upon closer inspection, Lexina¡¯s face was flushed. There was a wine glass on the bench, and empty bottles were laid beneath it.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you answer me? Can¡¯t you speak? No, that shouldn¡¯t be. Then, I made a terrible mistake. No, you spoke before! Don¡¯t tease me! You are so rude!¡± she yelled.


    Even though what she was saying did not make sense, she was speaking with accurate pronunciation and a graceful accent as if she was not drunk at all. Azriel was convinced that she was completely drunk. While she was agonizing over what to do, Lexina scratched her head, disheveling her hair. Her blonde hair was caught in one of her manicured fingernails.


    ¡°Oh, darn it.¡± She irritably snatched it. As her wig was pulled down, her blue hair flowed down. She threw away the wig and glared at Azriel with fierce eyes. ¡°Who are you anyway? Aren¡¯t you going to answer me? I said my name!¡±


    Azriel sighed and answered, ¡°My name is Azriel Esthera, Lady.¡±


    ¡°What? Are you a wizard by any chance? Your name sounds like a wizard¡¯s name,¡± Lexina observed.


    ¡°Yes, I am. I¡¯m also a member of the Aurora Society,¡± Azriel responded.


    ¡°The society? You look like you are about my age, but that¡¯s incredible.¡± Lexina widened her eyes and asked with a child-like voice, ¡°Are you good at magic?¡±


    ¡°Pardon?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Are you good at it? You must be, right? That¡¯s why His Majesty danced with you, right? I hate you,¡± Lexina said.


    Azriel could not follow the flow of her speech. She chose her words carefully. ¡°Well, you seem to be really drunk¡ª¡±


    ¡°Show me, quickly,¡± Lexina interrupted.


    ¡°Show what?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Magic! I need to see how good you are! I need to see it to know how much of a wizard you are!¡± Lexina angrily snapped at Azriel.


    ¡®Is she trying to test my skills?¡¯ Azriel thought, thrown off. ¡°Um, then what kind of magic do you want me to show you?¡±


    ¡°Anything you¡¯re good at! Do I have to tell you that too? Just think for yourself!¡± Lexina glared at Azriel and then hiccuped. Azriel had to stop herself from giggling out loud.


    ¡®What I¡¯m good at¡­¡¯


    In fact, she was good in all fields of magic. Since she was equally excellent in all areas, there was no category she was especially bad or good at, but there was magic she especially liked. Closing the door behind her back, she moved mana. Stars spread from her and drew a complicated constellation. ¡°Esthera.¡±

 CH 156

    From the marble floor, grass sprouted, leaves opened, and flower buds bloomed one by one. While she blinked a few times, the inside of the narrow garden house became a wide field full of little flowers. The area was permeated by a sweet floral scent. The wind that one could never feel indoors whistled by her skin, shaking the flowers.


    ¡°Huh? What?¡± Lexina said as she staggered and slid down the bench. She felt the soft texture of grass touching her bare feet and legs. Butterflies flew around slowly.


    Azriel smiled and explained, ¡°It¡¯s illusionary magic. Is this enough?¡±


    ¡°Are you telling me this is magic?¡± Lexina asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Azriel answered.


    ¡°That¡¯s a lie,¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a lie. Look.¡± Azriel withdrew her magic. The illusion of flowers turned into light, crumbled, and scattered. The rest of the light dust faintly lingered and vanished.


    Lexina hazily looked at them. Her flushed face turned even redder. ¡°What? This can¡¯t be!¡±


    ¡°What can¡¯t be?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen this kind of magic. It¡¯s fantastical. It¡¯s so wonderful. Then, I have to admit defeat. How old are you?¡± Lexina asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m 19,¡± Azriel answered.


    ¡°We are the same age! My word, but you can use such magic? You are an incredible person, aren¡¯t you? Such a great wizard must be more valuable than my rank. Oh, no, I wasn¡¯t trying to say this¡­¡± Lexina blabbered and became tearful. ¡°¡­No, not this. I can¡¯t admit that. I hate you, but you¡¯re still amazing, no! I don¡¯t want to praise you! I don¡¯t want to¡­ but¡­ you¡¯re amazing¡­ You are a great wizard after all¡­¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ thank you for the compliment¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a compliment! It¡¯s not! This won¡¯t do. Take off your mask!¡± Lexina yelled.


    ¡°M-my mask?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°I need to see your face. Right now,¡± Lexina said.


    If Azriel was going to join the investigation, it was natural to show her face.


    ¡®Magic check and face check. Well, they¡¯re certainly necessary, but she seems to be drunk¡­ Hmm¡­ Maybe she works better while under the influence.¡¯


    At last, Azriel put down her mask, crouching down before Lexina who was plopped down on the floor. The lady¡¯s navy eyes widened right under Azriel¡¯s nose. ¡°Goodness. Oh my. What¡¯s this? Whoa. Wow.¡±


    ¡°Is this good, now?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°What are you? If you are such a great wizard at that age, don¡¯t you think you should be a little plain, untidy, wearing glasses for bad eyesight, or something? It¡¯s too much! It¡¯s cheating! The world is unfair!¡± Lexina, who lost her temper, looked Azriel up and down. ¡°¡­By the way, where did you order that dress? Also, your necklace, earrings, and bracelet are all custom-made from Florin Workshop in San Triae, aren¡¯t they? I like that place. I noticed it at a glance. I am Lady Madriol¡­ Even I only have one set because their prices are so expensive. Ugh, I would¡¯ve laughed at you, but I can¡¯t do that because you look so good¡­¡±


    Azriel could not tell if she was criticizing or admiring her. She looked down at Lexina and sat down next to her. Then, with a frown, Lexina looked at Azriel and wriggled away from her, still sitting down. She only stopped after she was far enough to have one person between them.


    ¡°Don¡¯t sit next to me like you¡¯re my friend. I said I hate you,¡± Lexina said sharply and pouted. She looked elegant and pure, but acting this way made her seem like a little child.


    Even though she said that she hated Azriel to her face, Azriel did not feel bad. Rather, laughter was bubbling up inside Azriel. Being careful not to let her laughter slip out, Azriel asked, ¡°Why do you hate me?¡±


    ¡°You danced!¡± Lexina yelled.


    ¡°What dance?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°You danced with His Majesty! Did you think I didn¡¯t know because it was a masquerade? I know everything! I really, really wanted that¡­¡± Lexina pointed at the mayflower around Azriel¡¯s ear.


    ¡°Did you want to have this? The mayflower decoration?¡± Azriel asked.

 CH 157

    ¡°Yes! You exchanged that with His Majesty! I didn¡¯t show my mine because I couldn¡¯t pester him gracelessly¡­ because His Majesty doesn¡¯t exchange it with anybody anyway¡­ So, I was fine, but¡­¡± Lexina added in a tearful voice, ¡°I¡¯ve never seen him exchange his mayflower with someone.¡±


    ¡®A dance and the mayflower decoration¡ªdoes this lady have an unrequited love for Charles? Goodness.¡¯


    Lexina sobbed. Disconcerted, Azriel comforted her, sitting close to her. When she got closer, she could smell liquor on Lexina¡¯s breath. ¡°Lady, please don¡¯t cry¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not crying! I hate you! I will hate you! Eek!¡± Lexina said, glaring at Azriel. Her eyes were teary. ¡°You know who I am, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Sure. You are Lady Lexina von Madriol,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Yes, I am Lady Madriol, the one with a pretty face, a suitable position, outstanding refinement, and a good reputation because I try hard to put on an innocent air. So, I thought, I¡¯d be the one if His Majesty didn¡¯t choose anyone. I mean, I¡¯d be the queen. Isn¡¯t it right? Everyone says so,¡± Lexina gushed proudly as she straightened her back. ¡°I really did my best. People tell me that I¡¯m the perfect candidate for queen. I tried so hard like that, but His Majesty doesn¡¯t even glance at me. He just focuses on his work, but now he even¡­ likes¡­ someone¡­ else.¡±


    Her confidence from just a moment ago shriveled in an instant and teardrops fell from her eyes. Azriel hurriedly searched her chest and found a handkerchief that Maylie prepared for her. ¡°Hey, here¡­¡±


    When she held it out, Lexina snatched it from her hand and sobbed. ¡°Thank you. By the way, where was I?¡±


    ¡°So, well, does it look like His Majesty¡­ likes me?¡± Azriel asked. She was reluctant to deny it. She fanned her face with her hand as it was getting warm.


    Lexina nodded in a large motion, holding on to the handkerchief. ¡°Yes! Of course! Do you think my eyes are just decorations? Where did you get the flower decoration around your ear? You¡­ you are going to marry His Majesty!¡±


    ¡°Does everyone get married because they exchanged their mayflowers? That¡¯s not true,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make an excuse! I know it all!¡± Lexina yelled.


    ¡°No, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s unfair that the wizard who came out of nowhere is loved by His Majesty, and she¡¯s even a pretty and extraordinary wizard¡­ The only thing I can put forward before him is my position, but you have his heart and capability as a wizard. I can¡¯t help but be pushed back by you¡­ I have to give him up¡­¡± Lexina whined.


    ¡°Lady, that¡¯s not¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll become the queen, now. It has been my wish for years, but I have to lose it. I felt bitter, so I drank a little,¡± Lexina grumbled in a sad tone. Groping around the floor, she grasped one of the bottles. ¡°I usually never let it touch my lips. I never even go close to it because I don¡¯t want to get drunk and make a fool of myself.¡± She murmured in a serious tone, ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll live as I please from now on.¡±


    Azriel vacantly watched as Lady Madriol opened the bottle animatedly. Then, she asked. ¡°Lady, did you start liking His Majesty a long time ago?¡±


    Lexina, who was drinking from the bottle, choked and coughed hard. With a flushed face, she yelled, ¡°I don¡¯t like him!¡±


    ¡°You just said it¡¯s been your wish for years.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say such words! I don¡¯t like His Majesty! Because I won¡¯t like him from now on!¡± the lady screamed with her face reddened as if it would burst soon, which looked very cute in Azriel¡¯s eyes.


    Azriel sneakily took away the drink from the lady¡¯s hand. ¡°Lady, I won¡¯t become a queen.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me? Why? What does His Majesty lack? He¡¯s perfect! It¡¯s a flaw that he is kind to everyone, but except that, he¡¯s a really fine man,¡± Lexina cried.


    ¡°I don¡¯t hate Charles,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Then, what is it?¡± Lexina asked, staring at Azriel.

 CH 158

    ¡°I have no room for such a thing,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°What does having no room have to do with your heart? Does your affection for someone disappear when you¡¯re busy? Is it such an emotion that can be swayed by such a thing?¡± Lexina asked as if it was strange.


    Azriel was briefly lost for words and barely answered, ¡°It¡¯s not that, but Charles and I don¡¯t know each other very well yet. I don¡¯t have enough time to get to know him. I have no choice but to refuse.¡±


    Lexina shook her body, knitting her brow, and asked, ¡°Do your feelings not develop when you don¡¯t have time? Then, do you get to like someone no matter what if you see that person for a long time? And you never fall in love at first sight? What¡¯s that? So strange. Isn¡¯t it the lack of a heart, not time?¡±


    ¡°My¡­ heart?¡± Azriel repeated.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it that your whole heart belongs to someone else that you don¡¯t have enough time to spare for His Majesty? You must have someone you love,¡± Lexina said.


    Azriel¡¯s inner heart was shaken by the careless remarks that the drunk lady made. It was not what she had expected. With a shaken face, Azriel said in a broken voice, ¡°It¡¯s right that I did it for another person, but that doesn¡¯t mean I love him.¡±


    ¡°Is he your family?¡± Lexina asked.


    ¡°He¡¯s not,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Then, are you busy hating him?¡± Lexina asked again.


    ¡°Absolutely not!¡± Azriel yelled.


    ¡°Why do you not have room in your heart for another person if you don¡¯t like him or hate him. You are funny. What¡¯s that?¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°It¡¯s not so simple between people. Things about him are very complicated,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°What¡¯s so complicated?¡± Lexina asked sullenly. Azriel stared at the lady¡¯s eyes which were half-closed. She surely did not seem to be of sound mind.


    Thus, Azriel shared some of the worries that she had been suppressing and could not share with anyone. ¡°¡­The person who is precious to me might be doing wrong.¡±


    ¡°Then you should stop him,¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know if he¡¯s doing wrong. Maybe, it is a very important thing,¡± Azriel explained.


    ¡°What is that supposed to mean? If it¡¯s wrong, it¡¯s wrong. Is it a wrong thing if you can make an excuse?¡± Lexina refuted.


    ¡°Right,¡± Azriel smiled weakly.


    Lexina stretched her hand out and snatched the bottle from Azriel¡¯s hand while she was distracted. Lexina continued asking, ¡°So, you don¡¯t have time because you¡¯re trying to figure out whether he¡¯s bad or not?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps. Stop drinking,¡± Azriel tried to take the bottle back, but the lady turned her back and hid it. Lexina slowly backed off, still sitting down and avoiding Azriel¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Well, you must be really troubled, especially if that person is precious to you. If you confirm that person is really bad, what are you going to do?¡± Lexina asked.


    What was she going to do if she confirmed that Rhema was bad? When she was young, Rhema was like a kind god to her. He promised that he would be on her side even if she did wrong. He said that he would try to speak so that she would not misunderstand him. He smiled as he agreed with her that magic was beautiful. He remembered the picture book she used to like and acquired the same castle for her. To comfort her, he told her what his twin sister told him. He waited all day long, standing and wishing that she would come back safely as she had her first test. He joked, looked at her with soft eyes, spent time reading a book that was not even interesting, and frowned looking down at a chessboard. What was she going to do about the man who consumed most of her life?


    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know,¡± Azriel answered with a groan and buried her face in her hands.


    Lexina drank the wine from the bottle and said coldly, ¡°Y-you must have never liked anybody, right?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I thought so. Do you even know what liking someone feels like?¡± Lexina laughed sardonically.

 CH 159

    Azriel got upset and shot back, ¡°I know what it feels like. Your heart pounds. It¡¯s sweet and fluttering. That¡¯s what it¡¯s like, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s not wrong. You clearly feel that way in the beginning. It¡¯s light and fluttery. But do you know what happens when such emotions deepen?¡± Lexina waved her hand, chuckling. ¡°Nothing goes your way. What you thought was yourself until now changes recklessly. That person enters your heart without permission and takes everything, not allowing you to do anything else. Such a bad man!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Even if you want to, you can¡¯t stop it. If I could do that, I would¡¯ve given up His Majesty a long time ago.¡± Lexina gulped down the wine again. She looked in the air and wept. Then, she roughly rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand as if showing her tears hurt her pride. ¡°If I could, I would¡¯ve given up! That man didn¡¯t even look at me, but why did he give his mayflower to you, who just appeared out of nowhere? Looking at that made me really, really sad. Waah!¡±


    At last, the lady burst into laughter. Azriel removed the mayflower decoration behind her ear in a flurry. ¡°Well, I refused, so¡­¡±


    ¡°Who do you think you are that you can refuse him? I know you are an amazing wizard! I know you are such a beauty, but¡­!¡± Lexina cried.


    ¡°Umm, Lady. I refused anyway, and Charles also understood. So, you don¡¯t have to be concerned about¡ª¡±


    ¡°Lies! You will marry him!¡± Lexina yelled.


    ¡°I said that I won¡¯t,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°How can you be sure? The reason for your refusal is also strange! How can I trust your refusal when you don¡¯t even know your heart? You will marry him and become queen!¡± Lexina accused her.


    ¡°Lady, you are very drunk. Stop drinking,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°You¡¯ll marry him and you won¡¯t even let me drink? I hate you,¡± Lexina sobbed.


    It was her fault that she attempted to have a conversation with a drunk. Lexina began crying out loud at last. Being at a loss for what to do, Azriel looked at her, sat closer, and patted her. As someone was comforting her, Lexina now began crying in Azriel¡¯s arms. ¡°I-I¡¯ve lived¡­ all my life¡­¡± She choked on another sob. ¡°¡­only looking at him. Ugh, you just popped out of nowhere.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes. I¡¯m sorry,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Why do you apologize? Are you pitying me now? Ugh, I-I¡¯m not someone to be¡­ pitied. Do you see it?¡± Lexina cried.


    ¡°I¡¯m not pitying you¡­ I¡¯m sorry,¡± Azriel replied.


    ¡°Again, you apologized! Don¡¯t! Don¡¯t do it!¡± Lexina continued sobbing. ¡°It¡¯s like saying, ¡®I¡¯m sorry I got him instead of you.¡¯ Wow. You are so full of yourself.¡±


    ¡°Well, I did refuse him. I said His Majesty also accepted it,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°How can I trust that? There¡¯s no way you could refuse him! Waah¡­ You are a liar¡­¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°How can I make you trust me?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Then, you drink, too! I¡¯m the only one who¡¯s being a mess! It¡¯s unfair!¡± Lexina, who had been wetting the front of Azriel¡¯s dress, suddenly held out the wine bottle she was holding.


    Dumbfounded, Azriel looked at the bottle and Lexina in turn and sighed. ¡°Excuse me, Lady. This has nothing to do with that.¡±


    ¡°Look at that! You won¡¯t drink it! It was a lie after all! Waah¡­¡± Lexina wept.


    Trying to convince a drunk with words was meaningless. Azriel stared at Lexina, who seemed to be sorrowful, and finally received the bottle because she somehow felt sorry. ¡°I will drink only one sip. Will you trust me, then?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Let¡¯s drink and forget about everything!¡± Lexina yelled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what we need to forget¡­¡± Azriel sighed, taking the glass on the bench and pouring wine into it. It smelled strong. It seemed to be an alcohol of high concentration. Azriel, who had never drunk before, did not know her drinking capacity, just like Lexina. She would have only pretended to drink if she knew that she would be drunk with just a sip. However, Azriel did not know that and drank the wine. A sip was enough to make her flush.

 CH 160

    ¡°¡­This is bitter,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Is it bitter? It¡¯s rather sweet,¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°It¡¯s bitter,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Give me that,¡± Lexina, who had stopped crying, took the bottle from Azriel. She chugged it directly from the bottle and tilted her head. ¡°It¡¯s tasty. Try it again. I¡¯ll pour some for you.¡±


    Lexina poured some wine into the glass Azriel was holding. Purple, translucent liquid sloshed around. Azriel drank it all at once and frowned. ¡°It¡¯s bitter!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not bitter!¡± Lexina insisted.


    ¡°It¡¯s not good¡­¡± Azriel complained.


    ¡°It¡¯ll get better if you drink more. It tasted better as I drank more,¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°Is that true?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Yes. Let¡¯s drink it together,¡± Lexina suggested.


    ¡°But there¡¯s only one glass,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°I can drink it like this.¡± Lexina drank it from the bottle again. She gulped it down at once and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.


    ¡°Whoa,¡± Azriel exclaimed.


    Lexina shrugged, engrossed with a groundless sense of victory. Even though her makeup was all smeared from her tears, she did not even feel embarrassed as she was still not of sound mind. She pleasantly poured wine into Azriel¡¯s glass. ¡°Well, well, I said it was good.¡±


    Azriel obediently received it, grabbed it with both hands, and drank it. Lexina kept filling her glass as soon as it was empty. They shared a bottle in that manner. Azriel joyfully smiled and clung to Lexina. Lexina burst into laughter. They exchanged a conversation that could only be understood between drunk people.


    ¡°I ha-hate¡­ you. I do!¡±


    ¡°You hate me?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°I like you a lot, Lady.¡±


    ¡°I hate you!¡±


    ¡°Stop saying ¡®you.¡¯ Don¡¯t you know my name?¡±


    ¡°What? What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Azriel Esthera! Isn¡¯t my name pretty? Rhema gave me that name.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s Rhema?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you know Rhema? You¡¯re a fool.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know him! Then, do you know Charles?¡±


    ¡°I know him! The prince!¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know him! He¡¯s a king, not a prince! You are a fool.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so¡­ Is he? Hey, but why is this all empty?¡±


    ¡°You emptied it all.¡±


    ¡°No, you drank more than me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s you, I said. Hey, I¡¯ve got more. I¡¯ve got a lot!¡±


    Both of them were not in their right minds. As they staggered and giggled, the door of the garden house slightly opened behind them. Still invisible, Marthicoras stuck his head inside. Noticing his master¡¯s condition, he flew in, but he was lost for words upon witnessing the scene inside the garden house.


    ¡°¡­Master?¡± Marthi said.


    ¡°Marthi!¡± Azriel called out.


    ¡°Who¡¯s Marthi?¡± Lexina asked with inaccurate pronunciation. Azriel beamed and made a gesture at Marthi. Because of the hand gesture, his invisibility spell was lifted.


    ¡°This is my familiar. Look!¡± Azriel yelled.


    ¡°M-m-master!¡± Marthi squealed.


    ¡°My Marthi, isn¡¯t he cute?¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°What¡¯s this? A doll?¡± Lexina murmured and grabbed Marthi¡¯s tale.


    Startled, Marthi jumped. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me, human!¡±


    ¡°He even speaks,¡± Lexina observed.


    ¡°My Marthi. He speaks well!¡± Azriel yelled joyfully.


    Lexina kept touching and rubbing Marthi, and Azriel just smiled brightly with her face reddened.


    ¡°Master, you are drunk¡­¡± Marthi seriously considered whether he should knock her out and drag her away. Then, his fur suddenly stood on end, and he escaped from Lexina¡¯s grasp, baring his teeth toward the door. Soon, Rhema Reshith appeared, opening the door without making any sound. Marthi blocked Azriel to protect her and growled, ¡°Rhema Reshith. Why are you here?¡±


    Rhema looked down at the familiar with cold eyes. ¡°I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s Rhema!¡± Azriel pointed her finger as soon as she saw him and cried. Then, she pulled Lexina. ¡°Look! That person is Rhema!¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s Rhema?¡± Lexina asked.


    ¡°He¡¯s the most important person to me!¡± Azriel yelled.


    ¡°What? He¡¯s important? Why?¡± Lexina asked.


    ¡°He¡¯s the most precious person to me,¡± Azriel replied.


    Stiffened, Rhema forgot what he was going to say. Lexina frowned and cried out suddenly, ¡°You can¡¯t do that. The person who¡¯s most important to you should be His Majesty! You will be a queen!¡±

 CH 161

    ¡°What¡­? What are you saying?¡±


    Azriel shook her head and laughed meaninglessly. Then, she buried herself in Lexina¡¯s arms and rubbed her cheeks against her.


    ¡°M-master¡­¡±


    Marthi was disconcerted and studied the atmosphere. Rhema, who had stiffened, took a few steps forward. When he tried to approach her, Marthi blocked him. ¡°Don¡¯t get close to my master.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t leave her like this, so I am going to take her to a safe place,¡± Rhema said.


    ¡°That¡¯s a familiar¡¯s job,¡± Marthi said.


    ¡°Can you move her without being seen?¡± Rhema asked in a calm tone, but it sounded mocking.


    Marthi raised his feathers and growled.


    ¡°Get out of my way,¡± Rhema said coldly and approached Azriel. When Marthi blocked him again, he gave the familiar a look. Upon that, Marthi could not move at all. It felt like he was being bound by invisible chains.


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    Rhema passed by the struggling Marthi, snatched Azriel, and lifted her into his arms.


    ¡°Huh? Where are you going?¡± Lexina asked, blinking in confusion. Ignoring her, Rhema gestured to Marthi.


    An invisible hand caught the nape of Marthi¡¯s neck. He let out a muffled cry. ¡°Kek!¡±


    Rhema disappeared beyond space with Azriel and Marthi. There was only Lexina left in the garden house. She grumbled and drank wine alone. Not long after that, someone approached from outside.


    ¡°Lady Madriol, Azriel, are you still here?¡±


    It was Charles. He danced with other noble ladies adequately so that gossip about him would not become serious. Then, he slipped out to get to the garden house after Ash told him that the lady and Azriel were in there.


    ¡°Is there no one?¡± he asked, but as there was no response, he pushed the door open. ¡°What?¡±


    As soon as he entered the garden house, he tripped over something. He bent his waist and picked up a fancy-looking woman¡¯s shoe made out of white leather.


    ¡°Why is this¡­¡± Curious, he lifted his face with the shoe in his hand and was stupefied by the scene before his eyes. ¡°¡­Lady?¡±


    The blue shade of the disheveled hair looked familiar. Charles realized it was Lady Madriol. However, he was not familiar with her current appearance at all. She had lifted her dress above her knees, sinking to the floor with her bare feet stretched out freely. There were a couple of empty bottles rolling beside her. She lifted her head upon hearing his voice, and her reddened face was splotchy with tears and smeared makeup.


    Lexina was always perfect and elegant. In addition, she was a remarkable talent. Using her practice guild made it easy to conceal the mobilization of a great deal of money and people. For such a reason, the investigation headquarters was disguised as the Topaz Guild. However, the reason that Lexina¡¯s guild was chosen among many was that Charles acknowledged her considerably. For her age, Lady Madriol was cool-headed and handled matters in outstanding ways. She also had assertiveness. It was rare for the children of high nobles to be admitted to a royal college by themselves and establish fine records. Above all, she was trustworthy. Madriol and Rudimna were the families that Charles trusted the most as king. Thus, Charlene had never imagined Lexina to be in such a state. He was so surprised that he even forgot the fact that he had come to find Azriel. Lexina frowned as soon as she saw his shiny blond hair.


    ¡°Your Majesty?¡± she asked.


    ¡°¡­Lady Madriol, did something happen?¡±


    ¡°Well, something happened indeed.¡± Lexina groped around the floor and grabbed a bottle, glaring at him. With his mouth agape, Charles vacantly watched her while she drank from the bottle. The bottle was empty. Lexina annoyedly shook the bottle and threw it carelessly to one side when nothing came out. The bottle surprisingly did not break. ¡°Geez. There¡¯s none.¡±

 CH 162

    ¡°L-Lady?¡± Charles called her awkwardly.


    ¡°Your Majesty, you know what? There¡¯s something I¡¯ve been really, really meaning to say to you. Can I speak my mind just for once?¡± Lexina asked.


    ¡°About what?¡± Charles asked.


    Lexina sprang up and staggered. Charles helped her up reflectively. When he supported her back, he could smell the pungent stench of alcohol wafting from her. He slightly knitted his brow and asked, ¡°Are you drunk, Lady Madriol?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I drank a little. I tried and it was not bad. Anyway!¡± she yelled.


    Charles was startled by her glaring eyes. After wavering and standing up on her own, Lexina grabbed him by the collar and clung to him. She stared at him piercingly and murmured, ¡°I¡¯m glad that you trust me. When you let me participate in this mission, saying that you trusted my ability, I almost fell for you once more. But do you really see me only as one of your vassals, Your Majesty?¡±


    ¡°W-wait, Lady, I think you¡¯ve had enou¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes! I am drunk! I drank a little because I was frustrated because of you! Anyway! Indeed, it is true that I am just one of your vassals! I couldn¡¯t even sleep because I was so happy when you said that you believed that I could do it! But¡­ but¡­ isn¡¯t it unfair if that continues to be all?¡± she gushed.


    ¡°Lady, first, let this go and¡ª¡±


    ¡°Was I too subtle? I think I made it obvious enough. Was it not obvious to you, Your Majesty? Or are you ignoring it because you don¡¯t like me? Is that really it?¡± Lexina cried, grabbing Charles by his collar and shaking him. ¡°Is it a problem that I didn¡¯t confess my feelings in your presence? But it¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s you¡­ Your Highness. How dare I do that before you? No, honestly, I didn¡¯t have enough courage¡­¡±


    Charles was confused and did not know if he should shut her down or help her. He grasped her arm to remove it from his collar first. Then, he suddenly realized that her forearm, which he could grab in his hand, was too thin. It seemed that he could hurt her if he held her in the wrong way. Inevitably, he attempted to convince the drunkard. ¡°Lady, why don¡¯t you calm down, first?¡±


    ¡°I am very calm. I¡¯m perfectly fine,¡± she replied.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so at all,¡± Charles said.


    ¡°Where was I? Oh, so you don¡¯t have any feelings for me at all, right, Your Highness? And treating me kindly was just a way to treat a vassal as a king, right?¡± she asked, shaking him.


    ¡°D-don¡¯t shake me, Lady,¡± Charles said.


    ¡°Of course, that¡¯s right. It¡¯s just that I had false hope. I will give up, Your Highness. I apologize for everything,¡± Lexina said.


    Lexina was too drunk to articulate properly. Charles could not understand half of what she murmured. He asked, ¡°What on earth are you giving up?¡±


    ¡°I will find a better person than you from now on. It¡¯s not like you are the only man in the world. I will wish you happiness, Your Highness. She was a very fine lady. So, Your Highness, the last word I want to say is¡­¡± Suddenly her face distorted. Despite the stains from crying on her face, tears welled up in her eyes. Charles stiffened upon seeing her tears, and she pushed him hard and shouted, ¡°Don¡¯t treat anyone kindly, you scoundrel!¡±


    After throwing those words, she turned around and ran. To be exact, she was going to run. However, Lexina was bare-footed, and her sense of balance was lost due to the wine. After taking only three steps, she stepped on the shoe she had thrown away and slid. There was a loud sound. Charles, who had been stupefied, was startled and approached her.


    ¡°Lady Madriol, are you all right?¡± he asked.


    There was no response. Bewildered, he lifted Lexina. As if she had passed out, her body drooped.

 CH 163

    ¡°Oh dear¡­¡± Charles clicked his tongue and lifted her in his arms. He tried to rush out but suddenly stopped. He looked down at Lexina¡¯s messy appearance. ¡®If she goes out like this, other nobles will see her.¡¯ Lexina von Madriol would not be able to stand such embarrassment. Although he felt like he just witnessed what could be the worst humiliation of Lexina¡¯s life, something which was way worse than showing her unkempt appearance to nobles, he ignored that fact. He took off his jacket and covered her body. Lifting her in his arms only after making her invisible by covering her, he belatedly burst into laughter. His shoulders shook from laughing. He could hardly catch his breath. ¡®What did I just see?¡¯ He had known Lexina von Madriol for years. Thinking that, in fact, the one he had known might have been a very small part of her, Charles found a cheer in his step.


    *


    Rhema Reshith teleported to an inn room. It was the place he made Maylie rent when he sent Azriel¡¯s dress with her. After being thrown to one side of the room as soon as they arrived at the room, Marthi gnashed his teeth. He could not do anything other than that since Rhema did not release him from the binding magic. Ignoring the lion cub that puffed his whole body, Rhema tried to place Azriel on the bed.


    ¡°Mm, Rhema?¡±


    Azriel rubbed her flushed cheeks against his chest, lifted her arms, and wrapped them around his neck. Excited, she was smiling. Judging by the fact that she had done the same thing to the blue-haired woman earlier, it seemed that clinging to other people was her drinking habit. Rhema stood still, not moving an inch, and looked down at her in his arms. There was no expression on his face, but his gray eyes turned murky like an overcast sky.


    ¡°Azriel, it¡¯d be good if you didn¡¯t drink alcohol from now on,¡± he said.


    In her current condition, there was no way for her to understand him. Still, he left a warning mixed with a sigh. When he was going to lay her on the bed again, Azriel shook her head and clung to him, grabbing the hem of his robe.


    ¡°Rhema¡­ you know what?¡± Her hazy eyes looked up at him. ¡°Don¡¯t leave me. My memories, don¡¯t erase them.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t do that again, please?¡± she asked.


    Rhema put his hand over her eyes, covering them as if fearful. As he gently laid her down, Azriel writhed a little.


    ¡°Take some rest.¡± He was going to use magic but paused for a moment. ¡°¡­Azriel.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­?¡± Azriel replied in a daze.


    ¡°Do you want to be queen?¡± he asked.


    Her lips flinched under his hand. Before those lips could make words, before he could hear her answer, Rhema used magic without making any sound. It was sleep magic. Usually, Azriel¡¯s mana would have refuted, but as he used dragon eye magic, she fell asleep shortly after that. He slowly removed his hand. Her golden eyes were covered by lids and no longer visible. Her sleeping lips also did not try to make any more answers. He felt relieved. He could hear her breathing lightly. She looked uncomfortable as she still had makeup, dress, and jewelry on. He had helped Azriel put on a complicated dress when she was young. However, what about now? Rhema steadily looked down at her long, black hair and the hem of her dress, which was dyed a rose color. Her face was not that of a girl with star-like eyes; rather, it was close to that of a mature woman.


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    Realizing that, he suddenly stepped back. His eyes became vacant and shook, not knowing where to look. Soon, the white wizard¡¯s figure disappeared beyond the space as if to run away, forgetting to lift the binding spell he put on the familiar. Marthi struggled all night long.

 CH 164

    Ofeq left his nest and soared. Soon, the bird¡¯s colorful feathers were covered in black. He turned into something akin to a huge crow, flew across the sky, and then leaped through space. Beneath the bird¡¯s feet, a magnificent city spread out. It was San Triae, the capital of the Talasin Empire. At the center of it was an imperial castle. The crow flew to the window of the highest tower of the palace, pecking at the window with his beak. Upon hearing the tapping sound, a person came near and opened the window. It was someone who looked upon the cusp of manhood. His thin hair was pitch-black, and his eyes were flecked with gold.


    ¡°Ofeq.¡± He stretched out his hand to the bird. The crow obediently climbed on that arm. Closing the door, he headed to the main room with the bird on his arm. ¡°For what occasion did you come?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve found a great seed. Undoubtedly, this one will bud properly,¡± Ofeq answered.


    ¡°It¡¯s your first time describing a seed as great. Should I trust that?¡± The person smiled and descended the stairs.


    Ofeq fixed his wings, fluttering, and casually said, ¡°But it¡¯s hard to take it out.¡±


    ¡°Does it have a high position?¡± Does it have a high rank?¡± the man asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s the daughter of a duke,¡± Ofeq answered.


    ¡°Man, then I should go do it myself.¡± The man lightly clicked his tongue.


    Ofeq cawed, ¡°Even you¡¯ll have a hard time.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± he said.


    ¡°The watchman¡¯s pupil is around it,¡± Ofeq said.


    The man¡¯s feet stopped. He looked down at the bird on his arm. Ofeq tilted his head as if unsure of what to make of the man¡¯s hesitation. The man slowly asked back, ¡°¡­That child?¡±


    ¡°Yes. That girl who trusts and follows the watchman so naively,¡± Ofeq said. The man returned to walking. Ofeq asked harshly, ¡°You will run into her. What are you going to do?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. What should I do?¡± he murmured.


    As if they reached their destination, the man and the bird stood before a large and fancy door. The man smiled. ¡°I merely follow my master¡¯s will.¡±


    ¡°About that child, too?¡± Ofeq asked.


    Not answering the question, he knocked on the door. ¡°It is Benhiram Bana.¡±


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    It was a luxurious room. As soon as they entered, there was the thick smell of perfume.


    ¡°Welcome, Ben.¡± Reading a parchment scroll, a woman lounged in a large chair. Her curly hair was the color of flames, a shade that most direct Talasin imperial family members inherited. The woman¡¯s name was Huibris Khan Talasin San Triae, the second imperial princess of the empire. With her piercing blue eyes, she gazed at the smiling man who just entered.


    ¡°Your Highness.¡± He knelt by her chair and politely bowed. Discovering the crow sitting on his arm, she put down the scroll and raised her body.


    ¡°Ofeq is here. What did you bring this time, crow?¡± she asked.


    ¡°He claims that he found a great seed,¡± the man answered.


    ¡°Is that so? How great is it?¡± interested, Princess Huibris asked.


    As he flew up and landed on the back of her chair, Ofeq whispered, ¡°It¡¯s a seed that can wipe out a city¡ªas long as it buds successfully.¡±


    The princess¡¯s eyes widened, and then she smiled. ¡°Can you guarantee it?¡±


    ¡°I guarantee,¡± Ofeq replied.


    ¡°My, I¡¯ve never seen this picky crow being so sure of a seed like this.¡±


    ¡°This is rare. It¡¯ll be completely different from the low-quality seeds we¡¯ve seen so far. What do you think? Do you want it?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I want it.¡± The princess¡¯ smile deepened. She tenderly patted the man who was bowing below her chair as if to humor a dog. ¡°Can you bring it, Ben?¡±


    ¡°If you command, with pleasure.¡± Benhiram quietly added, ¡°But he said that the watchman¡¯s pupil is near the seed.¡±


    ¡°Oh, the watchman¡¯s pupil¡­¡± The princess cupped her chin in her hands. ¡°That is difficult. We can¡¯t touch the Wizard of the Horizon. That¡¯s why we¡¯ve been laying low and only preying on the seeds that he hasn¡¯t seen yet. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± She rolled her eyes to look at the crow. ¡°Since it¡¯s your master, you¡¯d know best. Isn¡¯t that right, you evil crow who¡¯s trying to betray your master?¡±

 CH 165

    ¡°Betrayal? I¡¯m only trying to find a way to live because my master is going crazy,¡± Ofeq cawed like he was snorting.


    The princess laughed in a low voice. ¡°So, what do you think we should do about the watchman¡¯s pupil next to the seed, crow?¡±


    ¡°Well, if you mess with the watchman¡¯s pupil in the wrong way, your empire will be destroyed.¡±


    ¡°How scary.¡± The princess pretended to quiver.


    With his wing, Ofeq pointed at Benhiram, who was kneeling. ¡°But if it¡¯s him, it will be fine.¡±


    ¡°Do you think so?¡± She lifted Benhiram¡¯s chin with her finger. Her blue eyes lit as if pleased. ¡°My precious dog has many uses.¡±


    ¡°I am honored.¡± Benhiram kissed the princess¡¯ palm.


    She asked, ¡°Will you be all right if I decide on my own?¡±


    ¡°Yes, as you please,¡± he replied.


    ¡°The watchman¡¯s pupil is that child. Even so?¡± she asked again.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing I put before your will,¡± he answered.


    ¡°How lovely you are.¡± She ran her finger down his neck from his chin. Her red nails that went down and scratched his neck stopped around his left shoulder. ¡°You can probably do it, right? With the relic on this arm.¡±


    Ofeq burst into laughter and said, ¡°Hey, you must all be mistaken.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Do you think the watchman¡¯s pupil will be easy? She¡¯s a dragon eye wizard,¡± Ofeq said.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say that child is only 19?¡± she asked.


    ¡°You must be mistaken because you haven¡¯t experienced wizards from the era of magic civilization, but she alone is more than enough to destroy a country,¡± Ofeq said.


    ¡°¡­Didn¡¯t you say that girl didn¡¯t even learn dragon eye magic?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Do you have a way to fight a wizard who raises a typhoon from a distant sky and an earthquake? You don¡¯t even have a proper wizard, do you? Are you going to shoot an arrow? Would it even touch her?¡± The crow giggled as if it was too funny. ¡°Do you know what¡¯s worse? A dragon eye wizard can use dragon eye magic from birth. She didn¡¯t learn it? That means she didn¡¯t learn how to control her power. From the beginning, she was born a monster.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Even if you corner her with some kind of a trick, you will die the moment she realizes that she¡¯s in danger. Every bit of surrounding mana will tear you to shreds,¡± Ofeq said.


    The princess¡¯ eyes turned cold. She asked in a low voice, ¡°Then, what are you suggesting?¡±


    ¡°We need to fight a dragon eye wizard with a dragon eye wizard,¡± Ofeq suggested.


    ¡°The watchman? Didn¡¯t you say he cares deeply about his pupil?¡± she asked.


    ¡°This is possible because he cares about her,¡± Ofeq said.


    ¡°I heard she is quite amenable to the watchman.¡±


    ¡°She trusts and follows him because she¡¯s ignorant,¡± Ofeq replied.


    ¡°Hmmm?¡± she said.


    ¡°She¡¯s an ordinary and kind child, someone who tries to save a sobbing child even though she can¡¯t sacrifice herself for all people.¡±


    ¡°So, what do you want us to do, crow?¡± she asked.


    Ofeq moved and sat on the princess¡¯ shoulder, dropping his black feathers. There was a long whisper. The princess laughed. Benhiram only smiled, pretending that he did not hear anything even though he did.


    ¡°You wicked crow,¡± she said.


    ¡°Good luck. My life depends on how you do,¡± Ofeq said.


    ¡°Looking at you, the Wizard of the Horizon who has lived for a thousand years is also a human just like us since he raised a bird that bites its owner,¡± she said.


    ¡°Do you think anyone can deceive him? I¡¯ve lived for a thousand years, you petty humans. Just don¡¯t make a mistake. It¡¯s all over if it goes wrong even slightly.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. We¡¯ll be careful,¡± she said.


    ¡°Do your best. I will bring something that can be of help next time, too,¡± Ofeq sullenly said and soared. He went outside through the window that Benhiram opened. He soared high to the point that he looked like a dot in the bright blue sky. Returning to his original colorful feathers, Ofeq laughed, looking down at the Talasin castle, now small like a toy. ¡°A familiar betraying its owner? There¡¯s no way such a thing could be possible, fools.¡±


    The bird went beyond space and returned to his nest. He sat on the gray egg and buried his beak in his wing.

 CH 166

    Azriel woke up only in the middle of the day when the sun was high. As soon as she opened her eyes, she grabbed her head in pain.


    ¡°Ouch¡­ My head,¡± she groaned.


    ¡°Master.¡±


    ¡°Mm?¡±


    She heard a weak voice. When she looked around, a strange man was crouching down below her bed. He had a very big build and black, shaggy hair like a dog. His forelock was so bushy that his face was not very visible, and he was wearing something like a pelt of black feathers. Azriel was startled. ¡°Wh-who are you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s me, Master. I¡¯ve been trying all night long¡­¡± The glum man murmured and repeatedly hit the floor with his tail.


    ¡®A tail?¡¯


    ¡°This is as much as I can mimic, and I can¡¯t loosen the binding either,¡± he said.


    ¡°No way, is it you, Marthi?¡± she asked in astonishment.


    ¡°I am an incapable familiar after all¡­ I am ashamed¡­¡± the man said, sobbing. His long tail, which did not match a human¡¯s body at all, curled. For a moment, Azriel was lost for words and recognized white stars wrapped around Marthi¡¯s whole body.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this Rhema¡¯s binding magic?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you remember?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Remember what?¡± she asked.


    ¡°The masquerade last night,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Uh¡­¡± She grabbed her forehead, unable to recall much due to the throbbing. Her memory before drinking was vivid, but it was blurry after she had her first sip. ¡°¡­I don¡¯t remember much. I am terrible at drinking,¡±


    ¡°You might get drunk just by smelling alcohol. It¡¯d be better if you don¡¯t drink at all from now on,¡± Marthi said.


    ¡°I won¡¯t even go near it, ever.¡± Azriel falteringly perched on the bed and stretched her hand toward Marthi. She arranged mana while pressing her temple. ¡°Esthera.¡±


    Marthi¡¯s body was freed. He shook his head and looked down at his body as if he was surprised. ¡°What? This is Rhema Reshith¡¯s magic. Can you lift it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a complicated spell. I can do this much,¡± Azriel explained.


    ¡°You are indeed amazing, Master,¡± he said.


    ¡°By the way, what happened? How did I get here? And why are you under Rhema¡¯s magic?¡± Azriel asked.


    Marthi trembled and turned back into the form of a lion cub. His red eyes hesitantly looked up at her. ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, wait a second. I need to wash and change first,¡± she said.


    Still in her uncomfortable dress and makeup, she looked quite disheveled. Combined with a hangover, she could not think straight. Azriel staggered to the bathroom. While she was taking a shower, Marthi repeatedly turned into a human and a lion cub. No matter how much he tried, his tail did not disappear. He sighed deeply, but when there were signs of Azriel coming out, he quickly returned to the form of a lion cub and pretended that he did not do anything. Drying her hair with magic, Azriel sank into the bed.


    ¡°Marthi, now you can explain¡ª¡±


    Her mana shook. It was a sign of communication. She was a little surprised because she was unfamiliar with the mana she was feeling and the spell she was hearing. She had almost no experience with communicating with other wizards except for Rhema.


    ¡°Master?¡± he called.


    ¡°Wait a minute. Someone is trying to talk with me.¡± Azriel thought for a short while and accepted the communication. ¡°Esthera, Naham.¡±


    ¡®Hello, Miss Azriel Esthera.¡¯ It was a slightly tired-sounding young man¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Yes, hello. But, who are you?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡®I am Nak Naham, a wizard of Madriol. I¡¯m contacting you because Lady Lexina von Madriol requests a meeting,¡¯ he said.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Azriel said.


    ¡®The lady would like to meet you as soon as possible. If that¡¯s okay, I¡¯ll send you a carriage right away,¡¯ he said.


    Azriel recalled when she met the lady. In spite of herself, she asked, ¡°Is she sober now?¡±


    ¡®¡­¡¯


    ¡°¡­Nevermind, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Azriel apologized.


    ¡®¡­May I send you a carriage? We¡¯ll escort you to the duke¡¯s mansion,¡¯ he asked.


    ¡°Sure. I will wait at the entrance of the underground tower,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡®Thank you,¡¯ he said.


    The communication ended. Azriel sighed deeply and prepared to leave. She also took the key that she received from Ash von Madriol at the masquerade.

 CH 167

    A carriage came not long after Azriel started waiting in front of the Aurora Society. Along with Marthi, she headed to the mansion of the duke of Madriol. Inside the carriage, she heard roughly what had happened last night. She almost fainted when she heard that Rhema came and brought her back.


    ¡°How did Rhema know to come?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­ Isn¡¯t it suspicious? As I thought, he seems to be your enemy,¡± Marthi speculated.


    ¡°¡­No. He probably came to see me in worry because it was my first ball.¡± She denied Marthi¡¯s speculation.


    ¡°Master, you¡¯re defending him again,¡± Marthi said.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Azriel closed her mouth.


    ¡®I shouldn¡¯t have drunk. I must¡¯ve been hideous.¡¯


    ¡®I would have shown a properly adorned look with the things he gifted me. If he praised me, saying that I looked beautiful, I would¡¯ve been so happy¡­¡¯ Absently thinking such thoughts, she was astonished by herself.


    ¡®What am I saying when I¡¯m the one who left the house like that¡ªnot to mention what happened earlier?¡¯


    ¡®Am I still drunk?¡¯ There was no magic to heal a hangover among the spells she knew. Azriel slammed her forehead into the carriage window.


    ¡°M-master?¡± Marthi called.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡­¡± she said.


    Soon, the carriage arrived at the Madriol¡¯s mansion. Lexina von Madriol received her in the reception room.


    ¡°Welcome, Miss Azriel Esthera. I am Lexina von Madriol.¡±


    Lexina, who sat in an upright posture with her blue hair neatly flowing down, was the very picture of a dignified duke¡¯s daughter. It was hard to recall what Azriel saw in the garden house. After exchanging greetings and having tea, there was a long and embarrassing silence. Eventually, Lexina, who had been looking down, opened her mouth first.


    ¡°Do you remember?¡± she asked.


    ¡°¡­Yes,¡± Azriel replied.


    ¡°All of it?¡± Lexina asked.


    ¡°Everything before I drank¡­¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°¡­What about after drinking?¡± Lexina asked.


    ¡°Barely anything¡­ Well, what about you, Lady? Do you remember?¡± Azriel asked back.


    ¡°¡­Yes,¡± Lexina answered.


    ¡°Everything?¡± Azriel asked again.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    There was a long and awkward silence again. A strange bond flowed between them. It was natural to feel intimate in a short period of time if people shared an embarrassing memory that they wished to forget. After a long while, Lexina murmured with a pale face, ¡°If only I didn¡¯t remember¡­¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± Azriel replied.


    ¡°No, you are in a much better place than I am,¡± Lexina argued.


    ¡°That is also right,¡± Azriel agreed.


    ¡°¡­That is true, but it saddens me to hear you say it,¡± Lexina grunted.


    ¡°Oh, umm¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Azriel apologized.


    ¡°No. You don¡¯t have to apologize. It is my fault after all.¡±


    Lexina, who had been sitting straight up, suddenly lost her posture and pressed her forehead. Seeing her appearance as if she was carrying all the troubles of the world, Azriel hastily said, ¡°Don¡¯t you worry, Lady. I won¡¯t tell anyone about what I saw and heard.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t mean anything even if you don¡¯t say anything,¡± Lexina replied.


    ¡°Pardon? Why is that so?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°His Majesty saw it,¡± Lexina said.


    It was a fact that made even a listener feel faint. Azriel became absent-minded for a moment and quickly fixed her expression. ¡°It-it¡¯s going to be all right. His Majesty is a kind person.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to comfort me.¡± Lexina¡¯s face was downcast.


    Azriel looked at her pitifully and carefully said, ¡°Then, you must remember what I said as well, Lady.¡±


    Azriel was concerned about the things that she subtly shared with Leixna the night before. Moreover, she showed Marthi how she acted when she was drunk¡ªnot to mention the fact that Rhema escaped there using teleportation openly in front of Lexina. She had not been exposing it only because she did not want to be bothered, but if Lexina saw them, there would be a lot to explain.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Lexina¡¯s face suddenly turned red. ¡°Can you please pretend that you didn¡¯t hear it?¡±


    ¡°Pardon? About what?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°About how I feel about His¡­ His Majesty,¡± Lexina stammered.


    Since the lady did not continue, Azriel asked, ¡°You mean that you like him?¡±


    ¡°Please forget about that, please¡­¡± Lexina buried her face in both hands. Her face turned red up to her ears. ¡°I-I am not really head over heels i-in love with him. It was my first time drinking yesterday. So, I¡¯m saying, I kind of exaggerated a bit. It was nonsense.¡±


    ¡°Were you not being earnest?¡±

 CH 168

    ¡°It¡¯s not that I wasn¡¯t earnest, but it was a little exaggerated¡­ Ugh¡­ Anyway, it wasn¡¯t true. Please, pretend that you didn¡¯t hear it. I plead,¡± she said in desperation. It seemed that she did not care about other things at all because of what she said while she was drunk.


    ¡®Maybe she thinks she saw things because she was drunk. I guess I won¡¯t have to mention it anyway.¡¯


    Tilting her head, Azriel answered, ¡°You didn¡¯t say anything strange at all. And like I said, I don¡¯t plan on having such a relationship with Charles.¡±


    Lexina¡¯s expression turned mysterious. She asked calmly with some redness still on her face, ¡°Come to think of it, did Charles make a love confession to you?¡±


    This time, Azriel¡¯s face turned red. She hesitantly answered, ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°And you refused it because you don¡¯t have time for such?¡± Lexina asked.


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± Azriel replied.


    ¡°And you said His Majesty accepted it?¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°Yes, we decided to remain friends,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Hmm, friends? With His Majesty?¡± the lady asked with her eyes narrowed.


    Azriel hastily explained, ¡°I-I helped His Majesty when he was still the crown prince. I met him again not long ago, and¡­¡±


    ¡°The young genius wizard,¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°I heard about it from Sir Palaios. That person was you,¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°Oh, yes.¡±


    Lexina gazed at her and smiled slightly. ¡°I see. To be honest, I am very delighted.¡±


    ¡°A-about what?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Just because. Well, I¡¯ll be rooting for you, Miss Esthera,¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to know. No, please stay that way. He should experience it, too, being in my shoes.¡± Lexina chuckled and lifted her teacup. Murmuring with a stern face, she seemed very delighted. Putting down her teacup, Lexina had turned back into the orderly and elegant lady in no time. ¡°I heard that you wanted to join the investigation, Miss Esthera.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Oh, Sir Ash gave this to me,¡± Azriel said as she put down the little key she received from Ash von Madriol on the table.


    Seeing the key with a topaz on it, Lexina nodded. ¡°Please keep it. It¡¯s a key that can open the door on the warehouse floor of the Topaz Guild.¡±


    ¡°Door on the warehouse floor?¡± Azriel repeated.


    ¡°The investigation headquarters is under it. How much did you hear? Since there¡¯s only you and me here, you can speak freely,¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°He only said that because Talasin was suspected to be behind it, the investigation headquarters was established outside the royal castle and that everything is being kept on the down-low,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Is that all?¡± Lexina asked.


    ¡°He also said that the emperor doesn¡¯t seem to be involved in this¡­ He said he would tell me about the details later,¡± Azriel answered.


    ¡°Do you know what the missing people have in common?¡± Lexina asked again.


    ¡°They are people with unnamable mana. Some are unaware of their nature, and others are those who only found out recently,¡± Azriel described.


    ¡°You know quite a lot. It¡¯ll speed up the conversation, then. If His Majesty informed you that much¡­¡± Lexina tapped the table with her fingertip a few times. When she was done thinking, she opened her mouth. ¡°First, there are two big branches of what we¡¯re doing: tracking and prevention.¡±


    ¡°Tracking must be investigating what has already happened, and¡­ is prevention about protecting people with unnamable mana?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°You think fast. Forgive me, but it¡¯ll be difficult for you to participate in the former. We need to keep it classified,¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°Of course. I¡¯m not even a citizen of Aucandor,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Oh, is that so? I thought you looked like you were from the north. If it doesn¡¯t bother you, can I ask where your hometown is?¡± Lexina asked with her eyes wide.


    Azriel candidly explained, ¡°I am from a village called Solam, which used to be near the Canine Mountains. You probably don¡¯t know it well. The village is already gone.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of a place called Solam for certain, but¡­ if it¡¯s near the Canine Mountains, isn¡¯t it where Talasin conquered years ago?¡± Lexina asked.


    ¡°You are right,¡± Azriel replied.

 CH 169

    ¡°Oh, goodness. I heard that was a very one-sided conquest¡­¡± the lady said, feeling sorry. The village where Azriel was born and raised was no different than Hell to her. In Solam, she did not even have a name and was considered a mere curse clinging to her brother. Azriel did not bear any affection for Solam. Nonetheless, it was her hometown¡ªthe land that fell, trampled by Talasin. The people who killed her brother were probably soldiers or knights of Talasin. She did not intend to find the murderers and take revenge. However, she could never like Talasin, either.


    ¡°My family was killed in a war that Talasin started. So, you won¡¯t have to worry if I might be related to Talasin,¡± Azriel explained.


    ¡°¡­I see,¡± Lexina¡¯s posture changed a little. She said in a calmer tone, ¡°As His Majesty said, we don¡¯t suspect that the Talasin emperor is behind it. There must be a direct imperial royal behind it.¡±


    ¡°Direct imperial royal¡­ Is it related to the fight for the imperial throne?¡± Azriel asked.


    Instead of answering, Lexina smiled bitterly.


    Azriel commented, frowning, ¡°What do people with unnamable mana have to do with the crown that they are doing such horrific things¡­?¡±


    ¡°We also want to know that the most. So, we are supporting research about unnamable mana, too. Oh, this is not done by the Topaz Guild. It¡¯s being done by another family,¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°By any chance, is it being led by the duke of Rudimna¡¯s family? Along with the treatment of Lady Rudimna?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Oh, you know about it. Now that I see it, you must be the wizard who is treating Lady Rudimna.¡± Lexina looked at her as if she was surprised and added in an admiring tone, ¡°You are truly an amazing person. It¡¯s hard to believe that we are the same age. I¡¯m a little jealous.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s an excessive compliment,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Hardly so. I am surprised that a wizard like you isn¡¯t well known,¡± Lexina sincerely admired. She remembered the illusion magic which was still vivid even though she saw it when she was drunk. ¡°The illusion magic you showed me was also shocking. The illusion magic I know makes a blurry flower at best. Is it a different type of magic somehow?¡±


    ¡°The principle is the same. Only the amount of mana is different,¡± Azriel explained.


    ¡°The difference in the amount of mana makes such different results? Can you show it to me again, if you please?¡± Lexina politely requested, thinking that she might have seen it wrong because she was drunk.


    Azriel responded right away, ¡°Of course. Esthera.¡±


    The same illusion filled the room. As if enchanted, Lexina stared with fascinated eyes. Witnessing it with a sober mind, the result was even more astonishing. Even the scents were more vivid. ¡°This¡­ is truly amazing¡­ to see it again. Thank you, Miss Esthera.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡± Azriel removed the illusion.


    With a slightly excited face, Lexina asked, ¡°Can you also use surveillance-related magic or warning-related magic by any chance?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s possible. What kind of magic do you need, precisely?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°As you guessed, we find people with unnamable mana and sponsor them as we watch them. It¡¯s to catch and track the people who approach them if possible as well as to prevent them from approaching,¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°Do you need alarm magic on them?¡± Azriel asked again.


    Lexina nodded enthusiastically. ¡°Yes, since we can¡¯t assign a wizard to all of the people. There¡¯s a high chance of missing it if we assign non-wizards. We¡¯re mobilizing swordsmen, but we¡¯re still short-handed,¡± Lexina explained.


    ¡°Well, if it¡¯s a group with an imperial royal behind it, they must have a wizard as well,¡± Azriel guessed.


    ¡°Yes. Most of the time, we discover it after people have gone missing, far from preventing it. Miss Esthera, you said you can use warning-related magic. You can probably take charge of multiple people, can¡¯t you?¡± Lexina asked.


    ¡°Umm¡­ Around how many are there?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°We have three hundred people in Modjankle. The number keeps increasing,¡± Lexina answered.


    Azriel calculated in her head briefly and nodded. ¡°I can cover all of them if it¡¯s that much.¡±


    ¡°¡­What? Everything?¡± astonished, Lexina asked.


    ¡°It may be difficult to use defensive magic, but I can cover a lot more people if it¡¯s just noticing someone approaching,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°D-defense? I¡¯ve never even thought about such¡­ Th-th-then, if it¡¯s just an alarm, how many people can you cover? How much is a lot more¡­¡± Lexina exclaimed.


    ¡°Umm, if it¡¯s just an alarm, about a thousand people,¡± Azriel replied.


    Lexina vacantly dropped her jaw. ¡°You must be joking, aren¡¯t you?¡±

 CH 170

    ¡°It¡¯s installation-type magic. It¡¯s automatically maintained until it goes off after the installation. If I have plenty of time, I can install more than that,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Maintained? Isn¡¯t m-magic not maintained when your concentration is broken?¡± startled, Lexina asked.


    As Lexina said, conjuring worked that way. However, the magic that Azriel learned was different. Azriel loosely made up a story. ¡°It¡¯s okay with me. You can test me if you want.¡±


    Lexina covered her mouth to calm her astonishment. Exclamations such as ¡°oh my¡± and ¡°goodness¡± slipped out in a low voice. She said in a broken voice, ¡°I was going to ask you to join the team that identifies potential targets. We need a lot of wizards, too.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it simple to identify unnamable mana? You can identify it by contact,¡± Azriel said.


    Any wizard who could sense mana could distinguish. They only needed to learn the characteristics of unnamable mana ahead of time.


    ¡°It¡¯s simple, but it wears out our members easily. There¡¯s a limit to their mana capacity,¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°Oh¡­¡±


    It was a story unrelated to Azriel as she barely felt the limit of her mana capacity even if she did not draw external mana to use it. Lexina sighed and continued, ¡°In any case, the more urgent matter is the stakeout. Furthermore, the installation of alarm magic on all of the target people in Modjankle would be extremely helpful.¡±


    Taking out a sheet of paper and a pen, she quickly jotted down something and stamped a seal. ¡°I will temporarily hire you as a wizard of the Topaz Guild, Miss Esthera. This is a letter of introduction. If you go to the guild, they¡¯ll give you an employment contract right away.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Lady,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°No, it looks like we are the ones who must thank you. Do you have anything that you need?¡± Lexina asked.


    ¡°There are materials necessary to install alarm magic. I need crystal, glass, marble processed into flat pieces, dyes, and so on,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°You can request it from the guild. They¡¯ll acquire all the necessities soon. Anything else?¡±


    Cautiously, Azriel asked, ¡°May I ask how you guessed that a member of the empire¡¯s direct royal family is behind this?¡±


    ¡°Hm¡­¡± Lexina thought for a second. ¡°When the people we¡¯ve been watching disappear, we can check where they went missing almost immediately. There¡¯s something we learned by gathering information.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s the common trace of mana that was left in the site,¡± Lexina explained.


    Azriel was startled. Since mana was individual, a trace of mana was no different than the fingerprint of a wizard. ¡°Then, you must be almost sure of who the culprit is. That¡¯s hard proof.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a little tricky because all of them are tied to external mana, not the internal mana of a specific person,¡± Lexina refuted with a darkened face. ¡°You would know what that means, Miss Esthera.¡±


    ¡®Traces of magic¡­ However, it¡¯s the mana from nature, not someone¡¯s internal mana¡­ Something that could leave such a trace is¡­¡¯


    ¡°¡­They must¡¯ve used an ancient relic,¡± Azriel observed. ¡®Someone who used the relic with ancient magic in it, or Rhema Reshith.¡¯ Azriel grasped her hands under the table. A chill ran down her spine.


    Lexina quietly continued, ¡°The ones who have relics the most are the Talasin royals.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it difficult to suspect them just because they hold a lot of relics? Is there any trackable trace left with a specific relic?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°You know it well. That¡¯s right,¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°Do you know what that relic is?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know what it is, but we know who uses it.¡± Lexina had a serious look on her face. ¡°By any chance, have you heard the rumor that has been going around San Triae for several years?¡±


    There was no way that Azriel knew a rumor going around the capital of Talasin.


    When Azriel shook her head, Lexina lowered her voice. ¡°There is a rumor that an evil spirit roams San Triae.¡±


    ¡°An evil¡­ spirit?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Yes. Among the high-ranking nobles of Talasin, there are a lot who have died or become disabled by accidents or illness,¡± Lexina explained.


    ¡°Are you saying that it¡¯s an evil spirit¡¯s doing?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Yes. People are saying that it¡¯s the deep-seated grudge of the victims of the wars that Talasin has started so far.¡± Lexina twisted and raised the corner of her mouth.

 CH 171

    Azriel murmured with a groan, ¡°There must be some people who benefited from ¡®that evil spirit¡¯s doing.¡¯ Is that the direct imperial royalty of Talasin?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Lexina answered.


    ¡°That¡¯s why you suspect that it¡¯s the power of a specific relic instead of the evil spirit¡¯s doing. Do the traces of the evil spirit and the trace shown in the missing incidents occurring in Aucandor match?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°¡­Right,¡± Lexina agreed slowly and added in a low voice, ¡°they don¡¯t match perfectly. We¡¯ve compared them according to the information we received from the people who infiltrated Talasin.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡± Azriel certainly understood why Charles or Pendelok did not doubt the Wizard of the Horizon as the culprit.


    Lexina continued, ¡°We can only secure proof if we catch the culprit in the act via stakeout. That¡¯s the only way we can protest Talasin, working under the table and giving a reason for His Majesty to make a move.¡±


    ¡°What about tracking the missing people¡­?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°There is no trace left at all. We are not making much progress in that field. They literally vanished,¡± Lexina answered bitterly.


    Azriel nodded and said, ¡°The stakeout is indeed important.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Please help us, Miss Esthera,¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°I will cooperate as much as I can, but I¡¯d appreciate it if you could share related information when you secure any clues.¡±


    ¡°Of course, we should do that for you. His Majesty will reward you greatly as well,¡± Lexina said.


    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll go to the guild now since it¡¯s an urgent matter,¡± Azriel said.


    As she got up right away, Lexina followed and got up. ¡°Please wait for a minute.¡±


    She rang a bell to call a servant and made an order. Soon, the servant brought in a man with a haggard appearance. It was a wizard wearing a robe. Surprised to see Azriel, he raised his glasses. Lexina introduced him, ¡°This is Nak Naham, the one who communicated with you, Miss Esthera. He is managing the wizards of the Topaz Guild.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you. I am Azriel Esthera,¡± Azriel greeted.


    ¡°¡­It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you.¡± Nak Naham unwillingly greeted back.


    Lexina commanded, ¡°Escort Miss Esthera to the Topaz Guild and arrange her temporary employment process.¡±


    ¡°Are you talking about the back door, Lady?¡± Nak asked.


    ¡°Yes. Give everything she needs, too,¡± Lexina flatly said and looked back at Azriel. ¡°You can follow Nak, Miss Esthera.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Lady.¡± Azriel bowed.


    ¡°I thank you as well. I¡¯ll be rooting for you¡ªabout the other thing, too.¡± The lady smiled. Azriel did not understand the latter words the lady added, but she had to rush out of the reception room because Nak began walking ahead of her already. While they were on the way to the Topaz Guild coming out of the duke¡¯s mansion, Nak Naham was silent. Meanwhile, he glanced at Azriel occasionally, but he did not seem to be pleased.


    ¡®He seems dissatisfied somehow.¡¯


    Looking at him suspiciously, Azriel asked directly, ¡°Mr. Naham, do you have anything to say to me?¡±


    ¡°¡­Which role are you going to take in Topaz, Miss Esthera?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m helping with the stakeout. I was asked to help with alarm magic,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Alarm magic?¡± Nak¡¯s mouth twitched. Raising his glasses abruptly, he murmured to himself. It was a murmur that she could hear. ¡°Does she think this is child¡¯s play? Jeez.¡±


    Marthi, who was staying silent next to her in an invisible state, revealed his teeth. Azriel rushed to catch the nape of Marthi¡¯s neck and push him down.


    ¡°Mr. Naham, that means¡ª¡± she said.


    ¡°We are here,¡± he cut her off.


    The carriage stopped. They had arrived at the Topaz Guild without her knowledge. The guild building looked plain. It seemed pretty big for a practice guild, but it was not surprising as it was a guild that belonged to the family of Madriol. Nak Naham handed over Azriel¡¯s letter of introduction to a staff member of the guild. Since it was only an employment contract on the surface, it was arranged in no time. Azriel received a small wooden tag that proved her membership in the Topaz Guild. Receiving the guild¡¯s wooden tag followed by the badge from the society, it felt like she was continually becoming a member of some group. She was only Azriel Esthera during the three years she stayed with Rhema, but as soon as she freed herself from him, she came to have many identities. The number of people she met in the recent month was way bigger than that of the past three years.

 CH 172

    ¡®Is it natural that my presence increases now that the number of people I meet has increased?¡¯


    Deep in thought, Azriel followed Nak. He headed to a warehouse inside the guild right away. When he pushed aside a rug that was placed on one side of the room, the door on the floor was exposed.


    ¡°Do you have the key?¡± Nak asked bluntly. Azriel took out the key that Ash gave her.


    ¡°You can open the door and enter,¡± Nak said.


    He took a step back. Azriel opened the door on the floor. The key turned very softly, but the door was heavy. As she wavered, trying to lift it, Nak interrupted and supported the door.


    ¡°Tsk,¡± looking at her and knitting his brow, he clicked his tongue. There were stairs leading down.


    Going down the stairs, Azriel called him, ¡°Mr. Naham?¡± Nak merely glanced back at her without a response. Not paying attention to that, she asked, ¡°Did I make some kind of a mistake?¡±


    ¡°¡­No. What mistake would you make since you haven¡¯t done anything yet,¡± Nak snorted.


    Azriel tilted her head and asked, ¡°Then, why do you dislike me when I haven¡¯t done anything yet?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Do I not look trustworthy?¡± she asked.


    Nak only grumbled in a low voice. There was a hall down the stairs. He opened one door without saying anything. It was a room filled with drawers from the floor to the ceiling. On the table at its center, something that looked like a map of the city of Modjankle was spread out. He stood in front of the map, looked back at her, and said, ¡°Since you are the talent the lady specially included, you can probably maintain five alarms, can¡¯t you?¡±


    It would be difficult for a common wizard to maintain one alarm. An outstanding wizard could maintain about three. Only someone with the mastery level of Pendelok Palaios, the director of magic, could maintain five. Thus, it was a question asked to mock her on purpose. However, Azriel did not know the level of common wizards. Of course, she could not notice his intention. Shaking her head, she tried to explain, ¡°No, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Hah, I guess I expected too much because the lady herself introduced you to me. How many people can you cover? I will make it convenient for you,¡± he said.


    Azriel stayed silent for a moment and said, looking up at him, ¡°All of them.¡±


    ¡°¡­?¡±


    ¡°I will be in charge of all the targets in the city of Modjankle,¡± she replied.


    His face was distorted. ¡°Give me a break. Do you even know what alarm magic is? Miss, this is not a child¡¯s playground¡ª¡±


    ¡°Are you an apprentice wizard, Mr. Naham?¡± she interrupted.


    ¡°What?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Your robe doesn¡¯t look like an apprentice¡¯s robe. Umm, I think you should train a lot more.¡± Nak¡¯s face turned red with anger. Before he could say something, Azriel added, ¡°I am not really hiding my mana, but you don¡¯t sense it at all.¡±


    He smirked as if she was being ridiculous. ¡°Miss, you really don¡¯t know anything. How can you know one¡¯s mana without conducting a palpation?¡±


    ¡°¡­Palpation? Do you have to make contact with someone to identify it?¡± she asked in surprise.


    ¡°What a pity! You don¡¯t even know the basics.¡± Nak truly felt spiritless.


    Azriel was disconcerted a little. ¡®But Tarbo Tameion and Grandpa Pendelok knew as soon as they saw me even though they didn¡¯t have dragon eyes. Were they special?¡¯ Genuinely curious, she asked, ¡°Do ordinary wizards need to conduct a palpation to sense another¡¯s mana?¡±


    ¡°Of course! Oh, now I need to explain the very basics¡­¡± he grumbled.


    ¡°Then, at which level of mastery can you feel mana without a palpation?¡± she asked.


    ¡°¡­Excuse me, did you even graduate from college?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t go to college. I learned magic from my master,¡± she answered.


    ¡°Good grief. You learned magic from a hillbilly quack?¡± He clicked his tongue and raised his glasses. He looked at her with a face full of pity.

 CH 173

    ¡°Miss, I heard you drank with the lady at the ball. It looks like she offered you a job on that occasion, but what we do here is not suitable for someone like you,¡± Nak said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you trust the lady¡¯s eye, Mr. Naham?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°The lady is an outstanding person, but she¡¯s not a wizard. I don¡¯t know how you convinced her, but if you take a job that¡¯s beyond your capabilities¡­¡±


    Realizing that palpations were naturally used by ordinary wizards, Azriel¡¯s anger subsided. She even felt slightly sorry as she unknowingly ignored him. While he was talking, Azriel rolled up her robe sleeve. She held out her wrist. ¡°Try it, Mr. Naham.¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m saying this because I genuinely feel bad and worry about you, young lady¡­ What?¡± surprised by her remark, he asked.


    ¡°Try a palpation on me,¡± Azriel replied.


    Nak frowned and sighed showily. Then, he grabbed her wrist. ¡°I guess you must have quite a large mana capacity, but no matter¡­ how much¡ª¡± He could not finish his sentence. He blankly looked down at her wrist and forced out words. ¡°What the¡­ What¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°I assume you understand now,¡± Azriel said, taking her wrist back.


    Nak stared at her with a dumbfounded face. ¡°There¡¯s no way.¡±


    Leaving him as he was, Azriel turned to the map. It was marked here and there. They seemed to be the targets that the Topaz Guild was sponsoring.


    ¡®It¡¯ll take some time to visit them individually. Hmm, as I thought, it¡¯ll work better to hand out portable relics than to install one on land¡­¡¯


    ¡°You!¡±


    As she was looking into the map, Nak grabbed Azriel¡¯s shoulder. His face pale, he yelled, ¡°Wh-who are you?¡±


    ¡°You already know. I am Azriel Esthera, a wizard,¡± she said.


    ¡°Th-that¡¯s¡­ I can¡¯t believe it. I can¡¯t. I couldn¡¯t feel the end. Your mana, it had no end!¡± he screamed.


    ¡°There is. Do you want to check again?¡± Azriel said, holding out her wrist again. Nak grasped her wrist with a quivering hand. Soon, he faltered and stepped back, groaning. ¡°Y-y-you, what are you?¡±


    ¡°I said I¡¯m a wizard,¡± she replied.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Nak rubbed his face roughly with his hands. Azriel focused on the map again. Roughly figuring out the numbers, she looked back at him and said, ¡°Can I borrow some paper and a pen?¡±


    Nak vacantly nodded.


    Azriel quickly wrote down a list of necessary things and handed it to him. ¡°I need these things. It¡¯d be great if you could get them as soon as possible. And, umm, is there a wide and empty space here?¡±


    ¡°A wide space? I can figure something out if I have to¡­¡± he said.


    ¡°If the necessary things arrive, you can put them there and contact me. I am staying in the underground tower.¡±


    ¡°The underground tower¡­? You are a member of the Aurora Society, umm, ma¡¯am?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am. Well then, I¡¯ll be waiting for your contact, Mr. Naham.¡± She courteously bowed to him and left the room. Nak watched her leave with a soulless face.


    *


    Azriel stopped by a store before returning to the underground tower. Marthi was still following her from behind in an invisible state.


    ¡°Which one do you like?¡± she asked in a very quiet voice so that the owner of the store would not hear her. She pointed at a variety of pendants.


    Confused, Marthi whispered, ¡°Among these?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m going to make you an invisibility relic with the one you like,¡± she answered.


    Marthi blinked and froze for a while, flying around in front of the pendants. Then, he put his translucent front paw on one of the pendants. ¡°I like this one.¡±


    ¡°All right. Then, I¡¯ll make it with this one,¡± she said.


    The pendant was made with an inch-long, round, and flat gold plate, and there were small crystals sprinkled on it like a galaxy spread across the night sky. As soon as Azriel returned to her room in the underground tower, she got to work. The pendant was wrapped in golden light, floating inside her hand. Azriel lowered her eyes and focused. Stars formed a complex pattern and swirled around the pendant. A tremendous amount of mana was poured into it.

 CH 174

    ¡°Esthera,¡± Azriel recited.


    As soon as she recited the spell, the mana arranged and moved. On the back of the pendant, etched lines began to appear, composed of Lemm letters and a constellation. The pendant absorbed the golden light that wrapped around it. A valuable relic was instantly made.


    Azriel put the pendant on the lion cub¡¯s neck and explained, ¡°I made the spell work when you press its back. You¡¯ll be invisible right away. You recharge it on your own, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes. ¡­Th-thank you,¡± Marthi hesitantly replied and looked at the pendant for a long while, holding it with his front paw. The lion cub, who was sitting in front of her, wagged his tail busily from side to side.


    ¡®I guess he likes it.¡¯


    Azriel quietly chuckled and fixed her robe. It was time to help Sophinea¡¯s training.


    *


    The very next day, Azriel received a message from Nak that all the things she requested were ready. In the Topaz Guild¡¯s empty warehouse, there were piles of marble pieces smaller than a palm that were flatly processed. Wizards in robes, including Nak Naham, were waiting for Azriel on one side of the warehouse. They were the wizards who were participating in the missing incidents.


    ¡°That¡¯s the wizard?¡±


    ¡°The one who said she would put an alarm spell on all of the targets¡­¡±


    ¡°What nonsense¡­¡±


    There was a low rumbling between them. Azriel did not pay attention to them. Instead, she was concerned about a bigger problem.


    ¡®Will it be okay if I show how I make relics?¡¯


    The principle of creating magical relics was well known. People just did not make them often because those relics were disposable and did not last even a day. Rhema said that she could share what she learned as much as she wanted and that there was no problem with magic itself. However, on the other hand, he said that there was a massacre of wizards. People came to hate ancient wizards who worked miracles, and that was why the legacy of magic was cut off.


    ¡®I don¡¯t know what¡¯s right.¡¯


    If she slipped even a little part of what she knew, the paradigm of magic could change, just like how Pendelok Palaios, who was known as the greatest wizard of this country, guaranteed. Rhema did not decide it for her but told her to do what she wanted. However, it was too big of a problem for her to decide alone. Thus, Azriel decided to begin with the fundamentals. Would it be the right thing to hide knowledge for fear of potential problems? It was not wrong but practical and helpful knowledge. Would it not be an arrogant thing if she hid it because she was afraid that people might handle it incorrectly?


    ¡®I don¡¯t want to hide it on purpose.¡¯


    She did not have a grandiose cause such as to enlighten or to spread ancient knowledge. She did not plan to become a flag bearer of the magic revolution. That was too much responsibility to bear. She just did not want to hide it; she was willing to become the small stone that caused ripples outward. She was just lucky that she was born as a dragon eye wizard, and because of that, she could learn that knowledge from the Wizard of the Horizon.


    ¡®If they realize it on their own just by seeing the magic I use, that would be the most natural. If they can¡¯t, I can drop some hints¡­¡¯


    As soon as she decided, her mana moved. Golden stars were embroidered in the empty air. A night sky that only she could see and that would realize the miracle she wanted was created. Those who were sensitive to mana flinched and trembled. Even though they could not see it, they could feel it. Her mana filled the warehouse and settled down. It was an unbelievable amount of mana for one wizard to pour out. It was magnificent and elaborate. Some were overwhelmed by fear, and others were mesmerized. Naham was the latter. He stopped breathing and paid attention to the wizard with a slender and delicate body. Azriel recited her spell, ¡°Esthera.¡±

 CH 175

    Guided by the stars, hundreds of marble pieces floated in the air one by one. The sleek slices oriented themselves vertically and surrounded Azriel. Then, golden stars were arranged again on those slices. Embodying the purpose of reacting when approached by those with hostility, hundreds of constellations manifested. She closed her eyes halfway. From now on was the territory of magic. Gravitation was assigned to all of the stars that composed the constellations. The stars emanated golden light and indiscriminately drew in natural mana. The rapid migration of mana caused the wind to stir. Her hair and robe fluttered. The gathered people were also surprised and grabbed their hems. With her dragon eye, Azriel scanned all of the pieces floating around with her and checked if all had enough mana. After she was done checking, she said, ¡°Esthera.¡±


    Low exclamations broke out among the wizards. They could also see the golden lines that formed in the air as the magic was invoked. The light began to move on the sleek surfaces of the marble stones. All at once, Lemm letters and patterns were engraved on hundreds of pieces. The completed relics carried dim golden light, which was soon absorbed by the relics. The completed pieces silently landed on the floor. Only the last relic fell with a clatter. Finally, Azriel loosened her focus and lifted her head. After catching her breath for a moment, she smiled at the wizards.


    ¡°You can distribute these to each targeted person. If they put it on their body, I¡¯ll receive a signal when someone hostile approaches them.¡± Nobody gave a response. Tilting her head, Azriel repeated, ¡°Umm, did you hear me? You can test these relics if you¡¯re worried about their performance.¡±


    Nak suddenly appeared among the mesmerized wizards. With a trembling hand, he picked up a relic that was close to him. Touching it, he stared at her. ¡°¡­Who are you?¡±


    ¡°I am a wizard just like you.¡± Azriel hesitated for a moment and added a few words, ¡°I am a wizard who merely received some more information than others and met a good teacher.¡±


    A variety of wizards of different genders and ages looked at Azriel with the same vacant eyes. Azriel felt awkward receiving such attention. She fiddled with the hem of her robe and carefully spoke. ¡°Do you have any questions by any chance? I can¡¯t teach you every little detail, but I can teach you to some degree¡ª¡±


    Even before she could finish her sentence, all of the wizards raised their hands with desperate eyes. Even though he dropped his glasses while raising his hand, he ardently looked at her without picking them up. Azriel, who did not expect everyone to raise a hand, was disconcerted and hesitated. At last, she called Nak, whom she was most familiar with. ¡°M-Mr. Naham? Do you have a question?¡±


    ¡°Miss Esthera, these magical relics seem to be semi-permanent and rechargeable like ancient relics. Is it true?¡± he said.


    It was a question that she could not answer easily. She lightly nodded. ¡°Yes, it is.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Nak piercingly stared at the relics. There was silence among the wizards. Then, they all raised their hands again as if to compete with each other. As if raising hands was not enough, some were even jumping.


    ¡®It¡¯s like I¡¯ve become a popular professor in college.¡¯


    Azriel had not been to college, but this was what it felt like according to what she saw in books. She was dazed. Since they raised their hands so passionately and desperately, she could not ignore them. She carefully raised her finger and pointed at a woman who was jumping to the point that her hair was fluttering.


    ¡°Umm, the woman in a navy robe?¡± she called.


    ¡°Thank you! Miss Esthera, the magic you just used¡ª¡±


    ¡°No, no. The one with the brown hair in the front¡­ Yes, her. I¡¯m sorry, she raised her hand first,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡®¡°Me? Yes!¡± she expressed joy with all of her body and hurriedly asked, ¡°Miss Esthera, are you the only one who can use the magic you just used?¡±


    It was a sharp and fundamental question.

 CH 176

    Azriel closed her mouth for a moment and went over the thoughts she had before making the relics in her head again. ¡°Yes. It would be hard to follow if you want to make multiples at once as I did.¡±


    ¡°I-I see¡­¡± the brown-haired wizard said.


    ¡°But if you make one, giving it some time, the answer is no,¡± Azriel added.


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    ¡°It will be possible for most of you in this place. You will need a lot of practice, though,¡± Azriel said.


    A silent astonishment swept the crowd of wizards. Azriel could feel their eyes, which became brighter than earlier, focusing on her. The eyes of wizards¡ªfull of curiosity, thirst for knowledge, and the spirit of inquiry¡ªalmost felt hot. She remembered when she first learned how to make relics from Rhema before.


    ***


    The production of magical artifacts was among the very last spells she learned. That day, Rhema waited for Azriel after putting down a box full of various jewels on the terrace table. Opening the terrace door, Azriel was startled to see the pile of jewels that were shining brightly under the afternoon sun.


    ¡°What are these, Rhema?¡± she asked.


    ¡°The materials for the practice of magical artifacts production,¡± he said.


    ¡°¡­Do you want me to practice with jewels?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Magical artifacts are more efficient when you make them with jewels,¡± he replied.


    ¡°What if I fail?¡± she asked.


    Rhema tilted his head and grabbed a pebble-sized sapphire. Then, he carelessly threw it behind his back. The blue jewel flew under the clear sky and fell into the lake.


    ¡°You can throw this away outside like this,¡± he said.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Since it¡¯s a kind of a rock, there won¡¯t be a problem even if you dispose of it randomly. The failed mana will mix with nature and scatter,¡± he added.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Azriel?¡± he called.


    ¡°No, nothing¡­ For you, rocks and those jewels are the same¡­¡± Narrowly managing to calm herself down from the shock, Azriel shook her head. She asked something that suddenly came across her mind, ¡°Is the magic you use to turn a stone into a jewel or a leaf to paper dragon eye magic?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it is,¡± he said.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought. I think that¡¯s a relief somehow.¡±


    If just anyone could use such magic, the world would have long since turned into a mess. Azriel took a deep breath and picked up a jewel. It was a diamond of all things. What was worse, it was about the size of a young child¡¯s fist.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Azriel? Is there a problem?¡± Rhema worriedly asked as Azriel took a deep breath, grabbing a diamond.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Something must be bothering you,¡± he said.


    He would ignore it if another person passed out right in front of him, but he acted quite sensitively if it was about her.


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m afraid of failure,¡± she said.


    ¡°Even if you fail, making a magical artifact is not dangerous. So, you can fail as much as you want. I¡¯ve got plenty of materials,¡± he said relaxedly, but Azriel felt like crying somehow.


    She replied, ¡°Okay¡­ I will try.¡±


    She tried her best to concentrate. Nevertheless, despite her talent for magic, it was difficult to succeed at once, especially when Azriel was nervous. After pouring mana into the diamond, it cracked and partially crumbled into dust. Azriel turned pale.


    ¡°That was close. This time, try it a little slower.¡± Rhema took the diamond piece from her hand and threw it away beyond the terrace. Brownie, who was lingering nearby, quickly flew in and wiped the dust from Azriel¡¯s hands.


    ¡°Esthera, cheer up! Esthera, you¡¯ll do well! Go Esthera!¡± Brownie naively cheered and stepped back after putting a huge ruby in her hand.


    ¡°Th-thank you¡­¡± Azriel said.

 CH 177

    She grasped the ruby with a trembling hand. Soon, the brilliant red jewel also turned into dust inside her hand. Just like that, several jewels were destroyed. Azriel could barely succeed only after convincing herself that those were not jewels but stones.


    ¡°You succeeded. Very wonderful.¡± Rhema looked at the emerald engraved with Lemm letters and nodded. Exhausted, she collapsed on the table.


    ¡°Are you tired? Then, let¡¯s do the next step tomorrow,¡± he said.


    ¡°No, rather than being tired¡­ By the way, what¡¯s the next step?¡± she asked.


    ¡°You just succeeded in engraving one spell. The next step is to engrave multiple spells,¡± he said.


    ¡°Multiple spells? Can you give me an example?¡± she asked.


    Rhema was struck at a crossroad. Azriel looked at him with a curious face. Sun shone down on Rhema as he leaned against the railing on the terrace in a relaxed manner. Behind his back, the sunshine that was reflected on the surface of the lake sparkled more beautifully than the pile of jewels. Thinking of a suitable example, he suddenly lifted his head. Automatically, his eyes met hers. Then, he faintly smiled. The shape of his eyes bent, and the corners of his mouth slightly deepened as he stared at her as if she was so lovely. At that instant, she saw human liveliness from him like a statue into which a soul was breathed.


    ¡°The train¡¯s mana engine is a classic complex magical artifact. In ancient times, various complex magical artifacts were widely used,¡± he said.


    His gentle and slow voice sounded like a melody. Azriel suddenly thought that he was beautiful. Her cheeks blushed, and at the same time, a sense of crisis sprang inside her mind. That person shouldn¡¯t be that way. That person, Rhema Reshith, the Wizard of the Horizon, couldn¡¯t be as human as that. It was a similar sensation to when one watched raindrops falling on a sandcastle. Now it was a little damp, but when the rain poured, the sandcastle would be destroyed. Her sensitive mana perceived such a crisis from him.


    ¡°Azriel?¡± Rhema approached her. His tender touch pushed her falling hair back. ¡°What are you thinking?¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    Azriel suddenly came to her senses. Instantly, the sense of crisis vanished. Only a faint flutter of her heart was left in that place.


    ¡°¡­It¡¯s because you smiled,¡± she said.


    He blinked and touched his mouth. ¡°Do I look strange when I smile? It might be because I haven¡¯t smiled a lot.¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not that. It¡¯s just, umm¡­¡± She tried to explain but paused because Rhema smiled again as if he was testing her. It was still not a proper smile. Nonetheless, it stood in stark contrast to his typically impassive face. That was probably why she could not continue. She thought that she wanted to see him smile brightly. Rhema lowered his body and studied her face.


    ¡°Azriel, you can¡¯t seem to focus well today. It¡¯s not like you,¡± he said.


    He was too close. His gray eyes as gentle as clouds were right before her nose, staring at her.


    ¡°Are you sick?¡± he asked.


    Azriel felt her face blushing slowly. ¡°Rh-Rhema.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he replied.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sick at all, so can you step back a little?¡± she asked.


    ¡°¡­Okay,¡± Rhema answered weakly and stepped back.


    Cooling down her cheek with her hand, Azriel hurriedly changed the subject. ¡°S-so, did you say the train engine was like a complicated magical artifact? What else was there in ancient times?¡±


    ¡°There used to be an object that enabled communication between non-wizards, something you could ride that was faster than a horse, a magical artifact that stored books that could make up a library, a magical artifact that showed another¡¯s memories with your eyes, and so on,¡± he described.

 CH 178

    Azriel¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°Oh my. So, you can make all of them, Rhema?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s hard for someone like me to re-create all the relics from that era. Such magical artifacts are generally made with layers of different spells, and you need a blueprint to make them,¡± he explained.


    ¡°There is something you can¡¯t do?¡± she asked.


    What he said was more surprising than the stories about amazing magical artifacts. Rhema flinched and explained, ¡°It¡¯s not that I can¡¯t do it; it¡¯s that it¡¯s difficult. It takes quite a lot of time and effort to recreate them without a blueprint.¡± It somehow felt similar to when he lost to her in the game of chess. Even before Azriel said something, he quickly added, ¡°Besides, I never needed such things. That¡¯s why I didn¡¯t learn it in depth.¡±


    Rhema seemed to be speaking at twice his usual speed. Holding herself back from bursting into laughter, Azriel barely nodded. ¡°I see. I understand, Rhema.¡±


    ¡°¡­Is there any ancient magical artifact you want? I will make one for you,¡± he said, crossing his arms.


    Azriel thought he was a little cute. In an effort not to smile, she looked in the direction where Brownie was idly hanging on the railing on the terrace and looked back at Rhema. ¡°Umm, I am very curious about the magical artifact that lets you see another¡¯s memories.¡±


    ¡°Okay. You¡¯ll be able to see it soon,¡± he said.


    Azriel had an urge to ask how long it would take but held back. Barely managing to hide a smile, she asked another question. ¡°Rhema, can I make such magical artifacts if I practice?


    ¡°Of course. You can even create a completely new magical artifact,¡± he replied.


    ¡°A new magical artifact¡­?¡± she said.


    ¡°The one equipped with the function you want.¡±


    ¡°Wow,¡± Azriel exclaimed.


    It was intriguing. Azriel¡¯s eyes sparkled ¡°Then, can you make a bag that has no weight no matter how many things you put in it?¡±


    ¡°If you want to engrave a spell on leather or cloth, very elaborate mana control is required, and they don¡¯t tend to last long. Stones, and even more so jewels, are the most efficient,¡± he explained.


    ¡°Are you saying it¡¯s impossible?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be possible if we make a decoration that can be attached to the bag as a magical artifact and set the range of magic to only affect the inside of the bag. We need the spell to invoke magic at all times, and¡­¡± Murmuring as he calculated something in his head, Rhema suddenly looked back at Azriel. He chuckled in a low voice. ¡°I can feel your eyes, Azriel. Do you want to make it?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± she shouted.


    ¡°It will be very complicated and bothersome work. If you need such a bag, I can make one for you,¡± he suggested.


    ¡°No, that¡¯s fine. I want to make it myself,¡± she said.


    ¡°By yourself?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yes. The process of making it will be the most fun part,¡± she replied.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Teach me, Rhema. What should I begin practicing first?¡± Azriel enthusiastically asked, putting her weight on the table and leaning over toward him. Rhema looked at her mesmerizingly. Going over the spells he had murmured earlier alone, Azriel lifted her head as the silence continued for some time. ¡°Rhema? What¡¯s wrong? Is it too hard for me to make?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± he said, covering his mouth.


    She tilted her head. ¡°Then what?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m happy,¡± he said. ¡°And you are so¡­¡± As he trailed off, he groaned and took a deep breath before turning around. ¡°Wait here for a moment, Azriel. I will bring the things we need for your training.¡±


    ¡°Okay. But why are you happy, Rhema?¡± Azriel asked.


    Rhema left the terrace without answering her.

 CH 179

    ¡®I think I know why Rhema was so happy,¡¯ Azriel thought, looking at the wizards¡¯ ardent eyes on her.


    She loved magic. To her, magic was a mysterious process by which she drew constellations that would change the world as she wanted on her own night sky. She was compelled to love it the more she learned. And it was a very pleasant thing that so many people like this were actively seeking to learn her beloved magic. Thus, she smiled happily and said, ¡°May I teach you how to make a relic? Does anyone want to learn?¡±


    As soon as she was done speaking, there was a hustle among the wizards in the warehouse, each scrambling to try and be first. After a round of chaos, Nak Naham came forward and organized the situation.


    ¡°It is an awful loss if an excellent wizard like Miss Esthera wastes her time to teach every one of us,¡± he said.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s all right,¡± she said.


    ¡°No. I¡¯ve already been disrespectful to you so far. I can¡¯t cause you any more inconvenience. I apologize for yesterday. I was foolish.¡± He bowed deeply. He was being quite polite, which stood in stark contrast to his initial attitude toward her.


    Azriel looked at him with surprise in her eyes. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s okay. I wasn¡¯t that upset, so you¡¯re fine. You don¡¯t have to apologize to me.¡±


    ¡°¡­You are very generous. Thank you,¡± Nak continued calmly, straightening his waist only then. ¡°Miss Azriel, it¡¯d be better if you teach only one of us first. Then, that person can teach the rest of us.¡±


    ¡°Do you think that¡¯ll be more convenient? Then, who will learn from me?¡± she asked.


    This time, the wizards exchanged intense looks. Despite the obvious fact that he wanted to recommend himself, Nak fixed his glasses with a trembling hand. ¡°Drawing¡­ lots will be the¡­ best, I think¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay. Then, let me know about the result later,¡± she said.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Oh, and these relics should be delivered to the targeted people as soon as possible. Which region should I be in charge of?¡±


    ¡°That is all right. We should be responsible for such things. You can just give me the location through communication when you receive a signal, Miss Esthera.¡± Nak waved his hand. Then, he almost pushed Azriel to send her off. ¡°You should go back and get a good rest, Miss Esthera.¡±


    ¡°Oh, okay¡­¡± Azriel left the warehouse without realizing it. She was about to go back to the underground tower but found that her familiar was not following her.


    ¡°Marthi?¡± She looked around, calling his name in a low voice. Soon, a lion cub popped out from a window on the upper levels of the warehouse.


    ¡°What were you doing, Marthi?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I watched them for a little while because I thought they might be up to something, Master. Those humans were preparing to draw lots as if putting their lives on the line.¡±


    ¡°Putting their lives on the line¡­¡± she echoed.


    ¡°That¡¯s only natural. They are choosing who will receive the honor of your teachings. I¡¯m relieved that the selection process seems to be fair.¡± After that boast, Marthi hopped on Azriel¡¯s shoulder, puffing out his chest proudly.


    ¡®Their response was more enthusiastic than I expected¡­ It looks like Grandpa Pendelok was not unique.¡¯ For no reason, a sense of nervousness came over her. ¡®I will finish making the thing for Sophie first and then organize the details to teach when I return.¡¯


    The underground tower and the Topaz Guild were a decent way apart. Walking slowly, Azriel organized her thoughts, noting the most important bits on relic production.


    ¡°Master,¡± suddenly, Marthi whispered in her ear, ¡°someone is watching us.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Azriel replied.


    ¡°We¡¯re being watched,¡± he repeated.


    Reflexively, Azriel nearly turned around but stopped herself. In a low voice, she asked, ¡°Is it a hostile stare?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a little ambiguous¡­¡± Marthi hesitated and glanced back. ¡°I don¡¯t know for sure. How about checking it out for yourself?¡±


    ¡°Where is that person?¡± she asked.


    ¡°In the back alley. Oh, darn it,¡± Marthi groaned.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she asked.


    ¡°They¡¯re gone.¡± Marthi had a very unpleasant look on his face.

 CH 180

    Finally, Azriel looked behind. It was an ordinary afternoon street with people walking up and down.


    ¡°You said it was ambiguous. How did it feel, exactly?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. There was neither hostility nor favor¡­ It was like the person was observing you,¡± he said.


    ¡®What was that?¡¯ Puzzled, Azriel knitted her brow and shook her head. ¡°The person will show up again if they need to, so let¡¯s not think about it for now.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Let me know immediately if you sense someone¡¯s attention on me like that,¡± she said.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Azriel continued walking. The man who had hidden in the shade stuck his head out only after she became distant. Beneath his hooded gaze, he smiled. ¡°She¡¯s really sharp. I should be more careful.¡±


    He briefly watched Azriel disappearing into the crowd. Then, soon, he left, not even making any sound.


    Azriel¡¯s days in the underground tower busily passed by, and she could not feel the absence of Rhema, with whom she had been for the past three years. It was natural as she did not know how much of a grace period was left for Sophinea. While continuing to train Sophinea, Azriel visited the Topaz Guild every day. As she waited to be allowed access to the Aurora Disc, she was also organizing the data she found in the Aurora Society.


    Meanwhile, Maylie graduated and became an official member of the Modjanklian. Despite her busy schedule, she persistently visited Azriel, delivering news from Brownie Castle. Maylie said that she had not seen Rhema for several days; since it was a common occurrence, no one questioned his absence. Azriel tried to communicate with him but stopped because she did not want to go back yet. Instead, she wrote a  short letter to thank him for the dress and to mention that she had a good time at the ball.


    ¡°Please leave this in Rhema¡¯s room,¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°Okay¡­¡± Maylie hesitated but took the letter without saying much. Despite her silence, it was obvious that she wanted to ask why Azriel wasn¡¯t delivering it herself.


    One day, Azriel received a bouquet and a hand-written letter from Charles out of the blue. He wrote that he would visit her when he was done with the job he was working on, so he would appreciate it if she would make time for him next week. Azriel sometimes had some tea with Lexina as well. They met under the pretense of the Topaz Guild, but it was mostly to build a friendship. Before Azriel mentioned it, Lexina already knew what Charles sent her.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t His Majesty send you flowers?¡± Lexina asked.


    ¡°¡­How did you know that?¡± Azriel asked.


    ¡°He asked me what kinds of things he could give a woman without becoming burdensome. I¡¯m the only woman close to him whom he can ask such a thing.¡± Lexina pouted with a strange look on her face. ¡°Would there be any other person than you, Miss Esthera, to whom he would send something like that?¡±


    The lady was saying it as if it was nothing special, but Azriel felt embarrassed and sorry. Suddenly, she remembered when Lexina said that it was Charles¡¯ flaw that he was kind to everyone.


    ¡®That might be true¡­¡¯ Thinking this, Azriel said, ¡°Charles must be very busy.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a trade dispute with the Torido Kingdom. He¡¯s busy taking care of it. So, he entrusted the missing incidents mostly to us,¡± Lexina explained.


    ¡°He entrusted the work to you because he trusts you, Lady Lexina,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°What am I that he would think of me that way? He just trusts the investigation quarters disguised as the Topaz Guild.¡± Lexina had a sour look on her face.


    ¡°But you are the owner of the Topaz Guild. Since he trusts you, he left it in your hands,¡± Azriel reassured.


    ¡°I-is that so¡­?¡± Lexina covered her mouth with a teacup. She seemed to be trying hard not to show her pride and satisfaction. Azriel could not help but laugh because the lady was acting cute. Ever since they got drunk together, they had been secretly growing closer.


    Edith, the duchess of Rudimna, also visited Azriel once in a while. Whenever she came, she would tear up upon witnessing Sophinea¡¯s speech become smoother little by little. Pendelok also visited Azriel whenever he came to the underground tower. He was especially interested in the production of alarm relics that she was teaching. As he did not have the heart to grill Azriel, it seemed that he planned to grill the wizard she was teaching.

 CH 181

    The winner of the lots was the brown-haired girl who asked a sharp question. Her name was Matilda Mathat. Matilda was a brilliant wizard who graduated from the College of Magic, but she was no genius. For Azriel, Matilda was the first ¡°ordinary¡± wizard she met. Even though Matilda was doing her best, by Azriel¡¯s standards, the girl¡¯s progress was very slow. Although she didn¡¯t voice it, Azriel was quite surprised by the pace. Still, Azriel enjoyed teaching Matilda. Matilda had a chatty and cheerful personality and she told Azriel many things whenever they met, such as the atmosphere of the College of Magic, the jargon and customs of wizards, how wizards of today became wizards, and so on. Through Matilda, Azriel learned the rumor about Rhema that was passed among wizards¡ªthe rumor that wizards disappear when they reach the horizon.


    *


    During such days, Azriel sensed a signal. She was returning to her room after helping Sophinea¡¯s training. One of her alarm relics had gone off. It was a similar sensation to receiving communication. The distance was not far from her. Running down the hallway, she contacted Nak.


    ¡°It¡¯s 29th Riverside Street. I¡¯ll also be there right away.¡±


    ¡®Thank you, Miss Esthera!¡¯


    With the urgent answer, the communication was cut off. Azriel rushed out of the underground tower with Marthi and went into a back alley.


    ¡°Marthi, give me a ride!¡± she yelled.


    The lion cub returned to his original form and lifted her onto his back by grabbing the hem of her robe with his mouth. As soon as Azriel clutched his feathers, he soared.


    ¡°To the Antara River! It¡¯s that direction!¡± she shouted.


    Marthi took off through the distant blue sky. Upon returning to his original form, the invisibility spell had been released, but the darkness of the night hid his black-feathered wings. People did not notice the winged lion flying above their heads. The streets had become tiny like a model garden beneath her feet.


    Spreading her mana on top of the familiar, Azriel sensed the location of the relic. At one point, she tugged Marthi¡¯s feathers. ¡°Marthi, stop here.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not near the place you mentioned yet,¡± he said.


    ¡°I know. Wait for a little bit,¡± she said.


    Marthi stopped, fluttering his wings. Then, Azriel explosively spread out her mana. Centered around her, stars poured down, drawing trajectories like meteors. The stars formed a giant semi-sphere and covered the streets.


    ¡°Esthera,¡± she said.


    Her mana responded to her call and made an invisible barrier. Marthi felt the invocation of magic and flinched in surprise.


    ¡°This is¡­¡± he said.


    ¡°I made a barrier so that the people with unnamable mana can¡¯t pass through,¡± she explained.


    ¡°Then, the target people won¡¯t go missing even if we don¡¯t catch the culprit,¡± he said.


    ¡°Right,¡± she replied.


    ¡°You are indeed my master,¡± Marthi praised.


    Leaning on Marthi, who was admiring her, Azriel caught her breath. She pictured what magic she should use in her head beforehand.


    ¡°¡­The relic keeps moving. It¡¯s extremely fast,¡± she observed.


    ¡°Which direction is it?¡± Marthi asked.


    ¡°Follow me, Marthi.¡± She jumped off the back of the lion. Reciting her spell, she invoked flying magic. Azriel sprouted wings that were only visible to the dragon eye and flew above complicatedly intertwined streets. Meanwhile, she followed the location of the relic with her mana. The streets in between buildings were completely dark without any streetlights. In the darkness, she saw a fast-moving shadow passing by. At a time like this, she did not need light. She looked into the darkness with her dragon eye. There was a lump of golden stars. It was a relic she made. There was also a faint and calm flow of green stars. It was mana that included gravitation. It was a person with unnamable mana.


    ¡®It¡¯s not a nameless wizard according to the amount and flow of mana.¡¯


    While flying and approaching the person, she studied what was wrapped around the group of stars.


    ¡®What¡¯s¡­ that?¡¯


    It was pitch-black like a deep, empty hole in the world full of stars. Not a single star shone from that area as if it were an abyss.

 CH 182

    Overall, the black hole was similar to a man¡¯s silhouette. Only the left arm of that figure was packed with stars of all colors as if it were shoved in forcefully. Azriel frowned.


    ¡®That part makes me feel awful. I feel nauseous¡­¡¯


    She stretched her hand out in the direction that the black hole was running.


    ¡°Esthera,¡± she said.


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    The earth surged up and formed a wall. Startled, the shadow paused and swung his arm. Then, the colorful stars that were scattered from his arm formed a constellation. The man whispered, ¡°Bana.¡±


    Floating higher than the roofs of buildings, Azriel could not hear him whispering a spell. Her earth wall burst into dust.


    ¡®A wizard? But why doesn¡¯t he have mana in his body? No, let¡¯s think about this later. Catching him is the priority.¡¯


    Descending, she repeatedly recited her spell. Meanwhile, she signaled with her chin. ¡°Marthi, catch that person! Be careful not to hurt the one being kidnapped!¡±


    Marthi growled in a low voice and darted out like an arrow. Following that, the walls of earth rose. Not reducing his speed, the man swung his arm. He took a position at the same time stars were scattered from it. Walls consecutively burst.


    ¡®His arrangement of mana is too fast. Also, his movements are as fast as Marthi¡­ Is he a swordsman?¡¯


    A swordsman only learned one or two spells related to swords all his life. Thus, if he had excellent skills, the speed of his spells was similar to the speed of his sword. For a wizard, Azriel had an extremely high speed when it came to arranging mana. Excluding Rhema, the only faster with magic than her were swordsmen. The man was breaking the walls as soon as she made a new one. Such speed was possible if he were a swordsman.


    ¡®But can a swordsman use a spell as explosive as a bomb like that? That can¡¯t be.¡¯


    It was strange in many ways. She could make walls more quickly if she stopped the flying magic, but she would lose the man if she did so. She decided to change her tactics.


    ¡°Esthera!¡± she yelled.


    The man¡¯s feet sank as the ground that had turned into a swamp pulled him down. He paused for a brief moment and dropped what he was carrying. She saw a group of green stars.


    ¡°Marthi! Save that person and stand by him!¡±


    The man touched the wall with his left arm and soared up into the air using only the rebound of his arm. Using his legs to kick off the walls, he reached the roof in a flash and took off in a dash. Confirming that Marthi had landed near the group of stars, Azriel flew past him. Moonlight shone on the man. She could finally see him. However, because of his hood, she could not see his face at all. Judging by the lean frame showing through his tight leather clothes, she could only tell that he was a well-trained, tall man.


    ¡°Stop right there!¡± she yelled. The man did not look back. She had to be careful a moment ago because he had a hostage, but it did not matter anymore. Azriel sped up and approached him. ¡°I¡¯ll attack if you don¡¯t stop!¡±


    Despite her order, she did not expect him to stop. She prepared an offensive spell, but to her surprise, he heeded her command.


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    Azriel nearly whizzed by him. She narrowly stopped flying and landed on the ground. Even so, she maintained her wings. The distance between them was about seven steps long. The man, who was facing away, turned around.


    ¡°Well, I stopped.¡± His smile showed beneath his hood. ¡°What are you going to do now?¡±


    His voice sounded relaxed. Azriel felt uneasy about that calmness. She prepared a few spells that were useful for overpowering an enemy. ¡°Lay down your arms and follow me. I¡¯ll take you in as the culprit of the missing incidents.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I can¡¯t do that.¡± The man tilted his head. His tone was strangely kind. Then, he took a step closer to her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move.¡± Azriel¡¯s mana filled the surroundings. Even though he must be feeling it clearly, the man was calm.

 CH 183

    ¡°I understand that you don¡¯t recognize me. My face is covered and my voice has changed. And the situation is this.¡± He sighed faintly, standing at an angle. ¡°But still, I¡¯m a little disappointed.¡±


    ¡°¡­?¡±


    ¡°Do you still not know who I am?¡± the man asked, slowly raising his hand. He took off his hood. His pale hand fixed his disheveled black hair, and his golden eyes softly bent as he called her former name that even Rhema did not know. ¡°Ramhita.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time.¡± Benhiramsmiled. Azriel stopped breathing. She could not think of anything or take any action. She used to look in the mirror and imagine what her dead twin brother would look like if he were alive. The man before her was a little taller and colder than the person in her imagination. Other than that, he was exactly the same. He had the same face, black hair, and golden eyes as her. Only their height, gender, and mana inside their bodies were different. She looked full of golden stars, and he looked hollow and pitch-black except for his left arm. At last, Azriel realized the meaning of the black hole she saw with her dragon eye. It looked hollow because Benhiram¡¯s mana was absorbed into her in their mother¡¯s womb. With that mana, she was born with her dragon eye open just as Rhema said that all dragon eye wizards were twins. It felt like everything around her was going fuzzy.


    Azriel called him with shaking lips, ¡°¡­Benhiram¡±


    It was her other half¡ªher only family, the one who named her for the first time, the one who died after hiding her, and the one who had all of his mana taken by her in their mother¡¯s womb. Her twin brother nodded with a kind face just like when they were young. ¡°Yes, Ramhita.¡±


    She hadn¡¯t heard that name in 12 years, and hearing it plunged her into the past. She recalled the cold arm that she grabbed from a pool of blood. Her eyes welled up. She babbled, ¡°Yo-you were alive¡­¡±


    ¡°You thought I was dead. I thought so.¡± Benhiram approached her. Azriel¡¯s mana that filled the surroundings had long since scattered and vanished. Standing defenselessly, she could only look up at him.


    Benhiram came close to her and patted her hair. ¡°I¡¯ve been looking for you. I found you only recently.¡±


    She felt like tearing up at his gentle touch. ¡®Is he really Benhiram? Really? Was my brother alive? Could it be an illusion or delusion?¡¯ It felt impossible, but she was so happy that she wanted to believe it unconditionally. And yet, that feeling made it seem too good to be true. She was confused.


    ¡®No. This can¡¯t be an illusion.¡¯


    Rhema was the only one who could use illusion magic so powerful. Above all, no one but Benhiram knew the name Ramhita. She had not even told Rhema that name. So, it truly, truly meant that her twin brother came back alive. Benhiram gave a smile¡ªone that reached his eyes¡ªas if confirming his existence.


    ¡°It was difficult to find you because you changed your name. You were using a different name,¡± he said.


    ¡°Ah¡­ That¡¯s¡ª¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you like the name I gave you?¡± he asked with a smile on his face. However, his words carried a subtle coldness.


    Azriel reflexively shook her head. ¡°No, Benhiram. It¡¯s not like that.¡±


    ¡°Did you hate me, Ramhita? Did you want to forget me? Is that why you changed your name?¡± he asked.


    ¡°No! You know that¡¯s not true!¡± she cried.


    ¡°Is that so? Then, why don¡¯t you look happy? I am so glad to meet you again.¡± Benhiram smiled brightly. It was a clear and beautiful smile. His warm, shining golden eyes resembled hers.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad that you seem well.¡± He stroked her cheek with his leather-gloved hand.


    Seeing his bright smile, Azriel felt as if she had been transported to her childhood. She wanted to burst into tears in her brother¡¯s embrace. Azriel closed her eyes as if to turn away. Only then, she could think.

 CH 184

    If she had run into him in a different situation, she would have only been filled with joy. She would cry as much as she wanted, thank him that he survived, tell him that she missed him and was glad to see him, act like a baby sister, listen to how he had been all along, and promise that she would protect him from now on. She wanted to do all of that. She just wanted to be engrossed in the fact that Benhiram was alive. However, in this situation, it was strange. She could not merely be happy now.


    ¡®The one I¡¯m after is the culprit of the missing incidents.¡¯


    Enduring emotions surging up inside her, Azriel called, ¡°Benhiram.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± he replied.


    ¡°Were you kidnapping people with unnamable mana?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he answered her lightly to the point that it sounded bright.


    Azriel swallowed her groan and opened her eyes. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my job,¡± he said.


    ¡°What kind of a job is this?¡± she asked.


    There was no response. Her twin brother only looked down at her with a neat smile on his face.


    ¡°You said¡­ you were looking for me. When did you find me?¡± she asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while,¡± he said.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you come to see me right away? Why did it have to be th-this way¡­?¡± She could not continue.


    ¡°You know, I¡¯m not in the position to meet you right away.¡± Benhiram shrugged and pointed behind her. It was where Marthi was protecting the target who could have been kidnapped.


    Azriel turned back and looked back at Benhiram. In a low voice, she asked, ¡°¡­What happened 12 years ago?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°How have you been living for the past 12 years?¡± she asked.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Why are you kidnapping people? Did you get caught up in a bad situation or are you being forced by chance?¡± she asked. Benhiram maintained his smile and did not respond. Feeling that her eyes were welling up, Azriel dabbed her eyes with her finger and continued, ¡°I became a wizard. Now, I can help you. So, please, tell me what¡¯s happening. Benhiram, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Another time.¡± He cut her off. ¡°People are coming, so let¡¯s talk later.¡±


    ¡°An-another time? When?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Let¡¯s meet at the top of the clock tower in the central square four days from now at midnight,¡± Benhiram added, pulling down his hood again. ¡°Don¡¯t tell anyone about me, especially the broken watchman.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± she said.


    She could not believe her ears. ¡®Why am I hearing the word watchman here?¡¯ She could not help but wonder why the expression watchman, which she had only learned recently, came out of her twin brother¡¯s mouth. What was worse, he called Rhema the ¡°broken watchman.¡±


    Benhiram slightly lifted his hood. Under the shade, his golden eyes sparkled like stars, boring into her. ¡°You know him, the Wizard of the Horizon, the one who gave the name you¡¯re using now.¡±


    ¡°How do you know him?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I know more things than you. I also know that he is very dangerous,¡± he said.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡ª¡±


    She could hear people coming from a distance. They were probably from the Topaz Guild, arriving after receiving her communication. After putting back his hood, Benhiram pointed in Marthi¡¯s direction.


    ¡°Since I couldn¡¯t bring him, that person will die soon by the hand of the watchman,¡± he said.


    ¡°Who? Are you talking about the one you were going to kidnap? Is he going to get killed by Rhema because you failed?¡± she asked.


    ¡°You are quick to understand. You¡¯ve always been smart,¡± he said.


    ¡°What do you know? What are you doing exactly?¡± she asked in desperation.


    Benhiram stepped back. ¡°Ramhita, I am your brother. A brother should protect his sister.¡±


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    She remembered what the seven-year-old Benhiram said as if to promise while hiding her first. He bitterly smiled. ¡°I want to protect you this time, too. That is why. So, please, I want you to believe me.¡±


    ¡°What¡­ do you want me to believe?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Me, not the watchman,¡± he replied.


    Her head became blank. She stared at him without even blinking.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting for you in four days. I¡¯ll tell you everything I know then.¡± Benhiram jumped off the roof, disappearing quickly. Azriel was frozen in the spot for a long time.

 CH 185

    Ofeq was crouched in front of the door to Rhema¡¯s lab in the basement of his house. His black eyes gazed at the lab door. How long had passed? The bronze dragon head-shaped doorknob twisted. Rhema came out of the lab with an exhausted face and discovered the bird. His brow expressed a little bit of irritation.


    ¡°Ofeq, what¡¯s going on?¡± Rhema asked.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I wanted to ask,¡± Ofeq replied sarcastically and soared. He landed on his master¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°The egg is in quite a mess. You must know the reason, don¡¯t you?¡± Ofeq asked.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t tell you to kill her immediately, but just don¡¯t meet her for a bit,¡± Ofeq urged.


    ¡°Do you¡­¡± Rhema stopped in the middle of the stairs. Not even looking at the bird on his shoulder, he asked, ¡°¡­know the name of the emotion I am feeling?¡±


    The bird made snapping sounds, opening and closing his beak. Then he sighed loudly and responded bluntly, ¡°I know, of course. I¡¯m doing this because I know. To you, it is the most dangerous emotion.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Rhema asked.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Ofeq repeated with a snarl. He had already assessed the condition of the seal on the egg. It was already cracking irrevocably. The speed of cracking was also increasing little by little. There was no point in giving a warning. Ofeq said in a sarcastic tone, ¡°It¡¯s love.¡±


    ¡°¡­Love?¡± Rhema asked in a dry and cracked voice. He suddenly remembered the warning his master gave him a long time ago.


    ¡°You¡­ shouldn¡¯t love anyone.¡±


    The emotion in his master¡¯s eyes at that moment was pity. Yes, it was pity. Rhema only realized now. His master pitied him for being a human who has to give up his humanity for the sake of humans. Crack. The moment he realized what his master¡¯s emotion was and why he showed such emotion, the crack on the egg became a little bigger. The bird felt that. It felt like walking on thin ice. However, knowing that he would definitely fall if left alone, the bird decided to take a chance.


    Ofeq chirped in a sing-song voice, ¡°Yes, Rhema Reshith. Don¡¯t you know yet?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°If you weren¡¯t so attached to her, you could¡¯ve killed her like taking care of the seeds. You would¡¯ve killed her already when you realized her existence was threatening your seal,¡± Ofeq said.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°If it was like parental love, it would be possible to leave her for her sake because that would put her happiness first compared to staying by her side. But you are still next to her, dawdling,¡± he continued.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°If it was only an obsession, you would break her to own her because owning her would be more important than her will,¡± Ofeq said.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Frankly, I expected you to fall down that rabbit hole, but you didn¡¯t somehow. Although unlike you, you tried to be nice to the people she cared for¡ªeven though you wanted to get rid of them. Aren¡¯t I right?¡± Ofeq asked.


    Rhema gritted his teeth.


    Ofeq smirked and continued, ¡°Even so, you can never like that man now that Azriel Esthera looks like she¡¯s in love with him, can¡¯t you? Doesn¡¯t it drive you crazy? Can you guess how few days it took for the egg to turn like this after that darn ball?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey, the answer is obvious.¡± Ofeq flew up, hovered in the air, and then shapeshifted into a beautiful, semi-transparent boy with short, silver hair and bead-like gray eyes. The boy who resembled Rhema concluded, ¡°You are in love.¡± Floating like a ghost in the air, the boy pushed his face under Rhema¡¯s nose. The face which was the same as Rhema¡¯s but much younger smiled coldly. ¡°This love will spell your end.¡±


    Rhema was quiet for a long while. The boy stepped back from him and remained in the air. As if sitting on a throne, his posture was arrogant.

 CH 186

    ¡°Don¡¯t you know what happened to the three wizards of the beginning? You¡¯d do well to remember why the magic civilization turned into hell.¡± Ofeq cupped his chin. ¡°They all ended up that way because they were blinded by darn love and went mad because of jealousy. Oh darn, that resembles your state right now, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°¡­Am I being jealous?¡± Rhema asked.


    Despite asking this question, Rhema already knew the answer. ¡®The blond man who danced with Azriel, the hand that grabbed hers, her eyes looking up at him, the long conversation they had behind the curtains, the blue-haired woman¡¯s remark, saying that Azriel was going to become a queen¡­ No.¡¯ Azriel said that Rhema was the most important person. She did not answer his question asking if she wanted to become a queen, either, even though he did not listen to her answer by making her fall asleep.


    ¡°Why, do you think it¡¯s not jealousy? If you¡¯re in doubt, why don¡¯t you meet her? I think she has grown quite close to that man,¡± Ofeq said.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°My, your condition will be worth seeing when you meet her. The already dangerous egg might just end up being crushed that day.¡± Ofeq giggled.


    Hearing that, Rhema covered his face with one hand. It was natural for Azriel to meet people that she valued more than him. He made her cry many times and made her suffer for years because he forcibly left her. Because of his duty, he couldn¡¯t always take action. Thus, he could not make her happy. Many people would be better for her. It was natural. However, it was hard to endure.


    Ofeq smirked and continued, ¡°Rhema Reshith, weren¡¯t you stuck in the lab because you knew your condition was not stable?¡±


    Rhema went upstairs, passing by Ofeq who was floating in the air. His staggering steps headed to his room on the second floor. There was an old, faded mirror on one side of the room. Silver threads like a spider web spread from his body as he approached the mirror. It was the mana reflected on his dragon eye. He touched the mirror with his hand that was wrapped in those threads. The surface of the mirror swayed like the surface of the water. It became transparent and showed something inside. Inside that, there laid a neatly folded wrapper and a pocket watch. Resting in the mirror and not being affected by time, the pocket watch shined like new. That watch was the first birthday gift Azriel gave him. Rhema vacantly looked at it. His finger that was placed on the glass was bent. He wanted to touch it but suppressed his desire. While he was apart from her, he never touched it because he did not want to wear it out, and also he might miss her if he did. After he reunited with her, he did not particularly miss it because Azriel was there. She smiled at him, asked questions with bright eyes, and fell deep in thought with a chess piece in her hand.


    Rhema Reshith was a very precious person to Azriel Esthera. She liked him to the point that she would not leave him even though he said that he might end up killing her¡ªand to the point that she would find ways not to be miserable even if she stayed next to him. Looking into his face reflected on the shiny surface of his pocket watch, Rhema inwardly chewed over that fact. She clearly valued him the most. So, it was fine even if he did not become her everything. He could be patient. However, if she found a person whom she valued more than him¡­ the blond man who could give her humanly happiness.


    ¡®Should I just get rid of him?¡¯


    ¡®Should I kill him and erase Azriel¡¯s memories of him? No, what if I get rid of all the people in the list of ¡°the people she knows¡± and leave only myself in her memory? Should I plant false memories so that she will shun others and avoid being among people? Should I fill her with betrayal and hurt to the point that she will only trust Rhema Reshith? Then, Azriel will only see me as precious even if I don¡¯t imprison her force. She won¡¯t give affection to other people or pity those I kill for my duty. If I do that, if she only looks at me, the egg might not crack anymore. Then, I can naturally help her to become a watchman. Then, we can live together forever in a life where only we exist.¡¯

 CH 187

    If she became a watchman after plucking out her heart, she would be a little different from the Azriel Esthera he knew so far, but he did not care. She would still be his perfect Azriel Esthera. It was a sweet prospect. Rhema fell into the daydream as if to escape. He tried making detailed plans. ¡®How should I do it? Even though she has suffered a lot so far, Azriel still likes people, wants to help them, and trusts them. So, to make her hate people, I should make up more horrific memories than she has experienced, and¡­¡¯


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡± Ofeq asked.


    Rhema looked back. Ofeq, who had approached without a sound, was looking at him with a knitted brow. Rhema took his hand off the mirror. The glass turned opaque and returned to its former state. At last, he came out of the delusion he had fallen into. He rubbed his face with his hand. His skin had turned cold. Just now, he had a thought that was no different from Ofeq¡¯s suggestion to break and raise her like a pet. No, it was a rather uglier delusion than that.


    ¡®He said the crack on the egg worsened. Is this because of its influence?¡¯


    Rhema looked down at his pale hands silently. As if finding that strange, Ofeq asked, ¡°What did you imagine that this kind of horrendously intense emotion is coming out? Is this because the crack became bigger?¡±


    ¡°¡­Is it bad enough to feel horrendous?¡± Rhema asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s indeed horrendous. These days, you are outdoing the level of emotions you¡¯ve had at once. It¡¯s more severe now,¡± Ofeq replied.


    Rhema wiped his face again and left the room, passing by the boy. Following him from behind, moving like a ghost, Ofeq asked, ¡°It¡¯s because of Azriel Esthera, isn¡¯t it?¡± Rhema went downstairs without a response. Ofeq sarcastically whispered, ¡°You can¡¯t stand her being in love with another person, can you? The heavy emotions rose in you earlier because you now hate her, right?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t assume what I think,¡± Rhema said with a voice that sounded like metal being scratched.


    Ofeq suddenly turned around in the air and blocked Rhema. ¡°Are you going to leave Azriel Esthera alone¡ªnow that she¡¯s in love with another person?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to leave her alone. That¡¯s for her good,¡± Rhema answered.


    ¡°Oh, like you¡¯re really going to leave her alone. Aren¡¯t you upset? Right? Just take it out on her! If you don¡¯t want to kill her, break her now, and¡­ Cough!¡±


    Rhema grabbed Ofeq¡¯s neck and threw him to the floor. When Rhema pressed on Ofeq¡¯s neck with his foot, the familiar returned to his bird form. Rhema looked down at the bird that was gasping under his foot.


    ¡°Do what to whom?¡± Rhema asked.


    ¡°Cough, kek, kek¡­ Hey! Kek¡­ you also had a¡­ similar thought! I know!¡± Ofeq yelled.


    ¡°A similar thought,¡± Rhema repeated.


    Ofeq was right. Making a horrific memory and planting it was not very different from making her suffer a horrific experience. He could not possibly do such a thing to Azriel. He should not since he would eventually regret it, no matter how sweet that imagination was.


    ¡°¡­Even if I had such a thought.¡± Rhema moved his foot and trampled on Ofeq¡¯s wing. The bird¡¯s wing was crushed with a loud noise. The bird silently screamed. ¡°¡­That can¡¯t be a reason to allow your insolence.¡±


    Rhema took off his foot only after one of Ofeq¡¯s wings was completely crushed. Ofeq struggled, dropping his feathers.


    ¡°Ofeq,¡± Rhema called.


    ¡°Gasp, gasp, gasp¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t try to make me do as you please. I¡¯m not going to be fooled by your instigations,¡± Rhema warned.

 CH 188

    Ofeq crouched as he cawed and looked up at his master with widened eyes. ¡°Instigation? You are the one who¡¯s acting impulsively! Rhema Reshith, are you going to abandon your duty at last?¡±


    Rhema glared at the bird and hastened his steps.


    Ofeq lashed out at Rhema¡¯s back, which was growing far. ¡°You keep postponing plucking out the seeds in Modjankle! Since three years ago! It¡¯s because that¡¯s where she lives, and you don¡¯t want it to affect her, isn¡¯t it?¡± Rhema stopped walking. Ofeq continued shouting, ¡°How long are you going to postpone it? Now, she already knows! You can leave alone the darn seed she blocked from you, but get rid of the others right now!¡±


    ¡°¡­Okay.¡± Although the reply was insincere, without looking back, Rhema disappeared.


    After Rhema left, Ofeq got up in a disorderly manner. He grumbled as he cured his wing with magic. ¡°Look at him losing his temper so easily. Is it because the seal has been leaking? Well, I achieved my goal anyway.¡± The bird fixed his messy feathers and looked at the door where his master left for a moment. ¡°I¡¯d rather be killed by my master than see him fall. I¡¯ve lived enough. It¡¯s about time I die.¡±


    Ofeq laughed with a croaking voice and returned to his nest.


    *


    The members of the Topaz Guild were very excited by the fact that they stopped a kidnapping of a person with unnamable mana.


    ¡°This is our first time preventing it. It¡¯s all thanks to you, Miss Azriel Esthera. You are so amazing.¡±


    Nak repeated similar phrases several times with an excited face. Azriel sent him off with a barely smiling face. When she was left alone, Marthi asked as if something was not right, ¡°Did something happen, Master?¡±


    She waveringly stood against Marthi¡¯s back and buried her nose in his soft fur that smelled like dried grass.


    ¡°M-master?¡± Marthi asked.


    ¡°¡­Just for a moment. Just a little bit,¡± Azriel said.


    Stiffening, Marthi hesitated as he looked down at his little master and covered her with his wings. Azriel heaved her shoulders as if she was about to cry but did not. She held it back well. After a moment, she stuck her head out in between his wings.


    ¡°Marthi,¡± she called.


    ¡°Yes, Master,¡± Marthi responded.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to a place where we can see the house of the person who was just rescued,¡± Azriel ordered.


    ¡°Pardon? Aren¡¯t you going to take a rest?¡± Marthi asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to watch that person tonight,¡± Azriel said.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t the guild people say they¡¯d be in charge of that?¡±


    Not answering the question, Azriel climbed on his back. Tilting his head, Marthi obediently took off. They settled atop the roof across the target person¡¯s house. Azriel hid their appearance with invisibility magic. She saw the swordsman and wizard of the guild crouching down near the back door. They seemed to plan to stay overnight in case of an unexpected situation.


    ¡°We have them, and there¡¯s also the relic you made. Won¡¯t that be enough?¡± Marthi asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s not.¡± Azriel lifted the familiar¡¯s wing and squirmed into his chest.


    Marthi was a little startled. ¡°What are you doing, Master?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be here until sunrise, so let me borrow your warmth,¡± she said.


    As she repeatedly changed her position, Marthi moved and helped her rest comfortably. Leaning in between the huge lion¡¯s chest and front paws, she covered herself with his wing. It was soft and warm. It was the warmth of the beast that never betrayed her and was loyal only to her. She felt comforted just by burying herself in his warmth.


    ¡®The one who invented the familiar contract might have been a very lonely person. He might have needed some comfort¡­ Oh.¡¯


    The person she was thinking of was Rhema Reshith. Belatedly recalling that, Azriel felt complicated. She gazed at the back of her hand. There were white stars that formed a knot. Rhema¡¯s mana was smeared there.


    ¡°Since you must be tired, it¡¯d be better for you to sleep. I¡¯ll stay awake and watch,¡± her loyal familiar whispered.


    Azriel shook her head. ¡°No. I need to stay up.¡±


    Rhema Reshith might come. If he came, no one except for her would notice it.

 CH 189

    ¡®I might¡­ not notice as well.¡¯


    She stretched her hand out and placed an intricate barrier around the target¡¯s house. It would be meaningless if Rhema truly came, but she still did it. The target lived in a two-story house, which was quite common in the downtown area of Modjnakle. Apparently, the target lived with their wife and children. Suddenly, the door opened and a little girl stuck her head out. The girl carefully looked around, trotted out, and picked up a watering can. Then, she watered a small sprout in the corner of the garden.


    Not long after, the target hastily opened the door. He looked exhausted and frightened. It was natural since he almost went missing. He busily looked around as if he was looking for his daughter and breathed freely to find the girl sitting in front of the sprout. As if nothing had happened, he opened his arms widely for his daughter, tenderly calling her name. The girl put down the watering can, ran toward her father, and fell into his arms. The target picked up his daughter. The father and daughter disappeared into the house, closing the door behind them. Azriel exhaled deeply.


    ¡®If Rhema tries to kill that person, I¡¯ll¡­¡¯


    ¡®Should I stop him? Or should I not interrupt because it¡¯s his duty? Is that person supposed to die? Why? Is Rhema¡¯s duty righteous?¡¯ There was no guarantee that duty was always a good thing. Even if it began with a good purpose, it might have lost its purpose throughout time.


    ¡®A broken watchman¡­¡¯


    The words Benhiram left messed with her head. Azriel never thought that the night she discovered that her twin brother was alive would be like this. If the duty Rhema had been fulfilling for a thousand years was a mere slaughter of innocent wizards¡­


    ¡®Then, what should I do? Will stopping him be for his sake? Has Rhema been doing it unknowingly? Or has he been killing innocent people knowingly? Benhiram might be wrong. Rhema¡¯s duty must be a necessary and inevitable job¡­¡¯


    Azriel suspected him and made an excuse for him herself. She thought about her brother and Rhema, causing a wave of tiredness to overcome her. However, not even sleeping a bit, she watched the target¡¯s house. That night was extremely long and disturbing. The night drew to a close, and a faint dawn came. The sky burned red, and slowly, morning arrived. The long and heavy night vanished as if banished by the rising sun. Nothing happened until then. Azriel sagged in Marthi¡¯s wings. Her entire body felt heavy. As she had been agonizing all night, she felt as if her head would burst.


    ¡°It¡¯s a normal morning with nothing special. Master, why don¡¯t you go back and get some rest? You look very tired,¡± Marthi said.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll sleep a little after going back, and¡ª¡±


    She received a communication. It was Nak Naham. She had a bad hunch. Grasping Marthi¡¯s wing like her lifeline, she received the communication. ¡°Esthera, Naham.¡±


    ¡®We are in trouble, Miss Esthera!¡¯ Not even saying a greeting, Nak yelled in a voice that was close to a scream, ¡®About one-third of the targets disappeared last night!¡¯


    ¡°¡­Pardon?¡± Azriel yelled.


    ¡®So far, we¡¯ve identified 87 people! What? That side, too? Shoot. It¡¯s 88 now!¡¯ Nak gnashed his teeth and yelled at someone, ¡®What? Check the location again! What about the targets in the northern district? Darn it. Does this make sense? And nobody noticed this throughout the night?¡¯


    Azriel clenched her hand until her joints turned pale. Because of that, Marthi¡¯s wing was painfully pulled, but he did not show it. After yelling at different people, Nak spoke again. ¡®Excuse me for my behavior while communicating, Miss Esthera. I¡¯m a little beside myself now¡­¡¯


    ¡°That, that¡¯s fine¡­¡± she responded.


    ¡®By the way, Miss Esthera. Did the relics not react, this time?¡¯


    ¡°That¡¯s right, nothing¡­ There was no signal at all¡­¡±


    ¡®Goodness. Did they find a countermeasure for the warning relics based on the failure last night? Is that possible? How many people did they mobilize? Those insane monsters¡­¡¯ Nak cussed about the Talasin Empire several times. Azriel was frozen with her face pale.


    ¡®What? Wait a minute, I¡¯ll look into that when I get there! Excuse me, Miss Esthera. I¡¯ll contact you again later.¡¯


    ¡°Okay¡­¡± she answered.

 CH 190

    The communication was cut off. Azriel absentmindedly looked down at the streets beneath her feet. There, a peaceful morning had begun. The target she saved last night was standing at the doorstep as if he was getting ready to go to work. He kissed his wife¡¯s cheek, stroked his children¡¯s heads, and walked out of the house.


    ¡°Master?¡± Marthi called.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Master? Are you all right?¡± he asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s Rhema,¡± she said.


    ¡°Pardon?¡± he asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s not the Talasins. Dozens of people disappeared over one night. If it was the Talasins, there¡¯s no way I didn¡¯t get a single signal. This is Rhema¡¯s doing,¡± Azriel murmured to herself and staggeringly got up. Then, she got on Marthi¡¯s back. ¡°To the castle¡­ Let¡¯s go to the Brownie Castle, Marthi.¡±


    Without asking why, the familiar obeyed her command.


    *


    When Azriel entered the castle all of a sudden, everyone was surprised. However, she did not talk for long with anybody.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Please, let me be alone for some time,¡± Azriel said.


    Leaving even Marthi, she went up the stairs of the castle. She headed to Rhema¡¯s bedroom, which was on the same floor as hers. She knocked. There was no response. Azriel just opened the door. The room was luxurious, but like a still-life painting, there was no liveliness. The room was lifelessly decorated. Walking across the room, she took off her robe. The black robe that Rhema gifted her rolled down and fell on the floor randomly.


    Now, in lighter clothes, she perched on the bed. She touched the center of the bed. It was cold as if it had been empty for a long time. Where would he be? She could not dare to communicate with him. She wanted to go to Rhema¡¯s house in the Tail Mountain Range and see if he was there, but she did not learn long-distance teleportation magic because it was dragon eye magic. Azriel drew up her knees and buried her face in between them. How long had it been? She heard the door open. She did not move. The footsteps grew near and stopped as if that person had found something. She heard a cloth brushing against something. It seemed that they picked up the robe. Then, there was the sound of swallowing.


    ¡°¡­Azriel?¡± Rhema asked.


    It was the low and soft voice that she liked. Only then did she lift her chin. Rhema Rheshith vacantly looked at her as she sat on his bed blankly.


    ¡°Where have you been, Rhema?¡±


    ¡°Why are you sitting here like that?¡±


    The two asked their questions at the same time. Azriel replied first, ¡°I was waiting for you, Rhema.¡±


    ¡°Here?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I hoped that you¡¯d been asleep here, not coming back from somewhere,¡± she said.


    His face turned strange.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you mean, Azriel,¡± he said.


    ¡°Where have you been?¡± she asked.


    Rhema closed his mouth. He competently began folding the robe she had taken off.


    ¡°Rhema, I want you to be honest. Is it something that you can¡¯t say?¡± she asked again.


    He put down the neatly folded robe on the table. Only after that did he speak. ¡°I saw many well-made relics. I hoped that they were newly excavated but¡­¡± he trailed off. Their eyes met. Rhema answered with a still face, ¡°I came back from fulfilling my duty.¡±


    ¡°I see. I waited here because I wanted to ask that.¡± Azriel got up.


    Rhema added quickly, ¡°The girl you wanted to save is still safe.¡±


    ¡°¡­That¡¯s great. Thank you, Rhema, for answering me honestly and keeping the promise.¡± She put on a forced smile. Avoiding eyes soon, she added, ¡°I will come back after finishing the second test you gave me. Take care, Rhema.¡±


    Azriel was going to leave the room right away. However, after she took only a few steps, he called, ¡°Azriel.¡±


    His voice was low. The gray eyes directed at her looked like stagnant mercury¡ªwhich was heavy, cold, and metal-like¡ªbut would melt and drop when touched.

 CH 191

    ¡°Why did you make relics for the seeds¡­ I mean the people with unnamable mana?¡±


    ¡®What does he mean by ¡°seeds¡±?¡¯ Azriel chewed that word over and over. Suddenly, she remembered the sprout the target¡¯s daughter was watering last night. A seed existed to sprout. Lost in such thought, she answered, ¡°I was lending a hand because missing incidents have been happening in Modjankle.¡±


    ¡°Missing incidents?¡± he repeated.


    ¡°People with unnamable mana, including nameless wizards, are repeatedly disappearing without a trace. So¡ª¡±


    ¡®It¡¯s because I want to be assured that it is not your doing. I thought I¡¯d be able to take a step closer to your secret if I found out why the culprits were kidnapping those people.¡¯


    Azriel was going to say so after, but Rhema interrupted, ¡°Who told you such a thing? Who drew you into the missing incidents?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± She could not continue. She was going to answer that she was not drawn into it but volunteered herself and that Charles helped her, but she suddenly closed her mouth. Rhema, who had come close without her knowledge, was looking down at her. His shadow covered her from above. Azriel felt uncomfortable out of the blue. Azriel stepped away from him. At that moment, Rhema¡¯s eyes shook. She did not notice that and asked back in a nervous voice, ¡°Rhema, why are you asking that?¡±


    Rhema stared at her vacantly. Looking at him, Azriel remembered what he asked her nine years ago, in the paused time.


    ¡°Azriel, who hurt you?¡±


    How did the marquis she pointed at with her eyes die back then? Azriel felt her hands getting wet with sweat.


    ¡°¡­If I tell you who it is, will you kill that person?¡± she asked.


    He was silent for some time. Azriel tried to read his face. Nonetheless, she could not figure out what was on his mind at all. Suddenly, Rhema smiled faintly. With a kind face as usual, he softly answered, ¡°That person is ¡®someone you know.¡¯ I won¡¯t break my promise.¡±


    She wondered why she felt unsettled even though he was smiling. Azriel grasped her hands which were slightly trembling. Rhema promised that he would never harm the people she knew and kept that promise all along. Charlene was not a wizard that was an exception to that promise. So, he must be fine. She carefully answered, ¡°First of all, I wasn¡¯t drawn into it. I volunteered myself.¡±


    ¡°Why did you do that?¡± he asked.


    ¡°It was necessary to find the answer to the test you gave me,¡± she said.


    Shutting his mouth, he looked at her.


    Azriel swallowed with a dry mouth. ¡°Rhema, I told you before. I met Charles again.¡± Charles¡ªas soon as that name came out, Rhema¡¯s face minutely stiffened. Not noticing that, Azriel continued, ¡°Charles is the king of this country, so he needs to investigate the missing incidents. The investigation headquarters made by his order was investigating it, so I asked him and participated in the¡ª¡±


    ¡°Did you ask him for a favor?¡± Rhema interrupted her again. A faint frown spread across his face. ¡°I told you to ask whatever if you wanted something. Why did you ask him for help, instead of me?¡±


    His question was sharp. He somehow looked a little upset. Azriel did not know why he was upset. Why? Was it because he was hurt that she asked for Charles¡¯ help, not his? But it was not her first time asking for someone else¡¯s help. It was the same as the time when she asked for Maylie¡¯s help with Tarbo Tameion¡¯s research. He had never been angry with her for that. No, Rhema had never been angry with her in the first place. She hesitantly said, ¡°Charles is the one who orders the investigation, so it¡¯s right to ask for his help. It¡¯s a fast and sure method as well.¡±

 CH 192

    ¡°Is that the whole reason? Isn¡¯t there another reason?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Another reason? What do you mean, Rhema?¡± she asked back.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it that you just wanted to help him?¡± he asked sharply.


    Startled, Azriel blinked. ¡°I didn¡¯t join for such a purpose, but I thought that it¡¯d be nice if I could be helpful to him¡­ That¡¯s not strange, is it?¡±


    Rhema opened and closed his mouth. As if he was suppressing and swallowing something by force, his chin stiffened. No matter how many times she looked, he seemed angry. It seemed that he was suppressing his anger. He did not look like that when he turned the Colte Castle into dust. Even though he said that he was angry and wiped out Colte as if to vent, his face looked calm. She had never seen him showing his anger like this. It was extremely strange to her.


    ¡°Rhema¡­ Are you upset?¡± she asked.


    Rhema paused, touched his face, and asked, ¡°Do I look like I¡¯m upset?¡±


    ¡°¡­Yes,¡± she replied.


    ¡°I see. I guess I look like this if I feel this way,¡± he said.


    ¡°What?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I know that it¡¯s not your fault, but I resent you. I¡¯d like you to know how I feel but don¡¯t want to expose it on one side. I want to gush to you about your nitpicking, but I don¡¯t want to give you a hard time by demanding such things. Because of these thoughts, I can¡¯t decide what to do.¡±


    Rhema was strange. Rambling in a low voice, he looked very strange. An unknown heat underlaid his voice.


    ¡°I guess you can see how I¡¯m feeling,¡± he continued.


    ¡°¡­Rhema?¡± she called.


    She did not understand what he was saying. Resentment? Nitpicking? Those words did not go along with the Rhema she knew. Azriel had never seen him this unstable. She falteringly stepped back in spite of herself. Then, Rhema came close to her. She reflexively stepped back even further. He kept coming close. When her back touched the wall, she realized that there was no more space to step back. Standing in front of her, Rhema asked with a still face, ¡°Azriel, why are you avoiding me?¡±


    ¡°Umm¡­ Well, Rhema. You seem a little¡­ strange¡­¡±


    ¡°Strange, what makes you think that?¡± he asked, smiling. It was a fake smile.


    Azriel looked away from him. ¡°Rhema, you feel a little strange now.¡±


    ¡°Is it because I was upset with you?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Were you really upset?¡±


    ¡°No, I am not angry with you. This is not rage.¡±


    ¡°Then why¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you sick of me now?¡± he asked.


    ¡°What? No, why do ask all of a sudden?¡± Bewildered, she looked up at him.


    He smiled slightly. ¡°You can come clean, Azriel.¡±


    ¡°About, about what?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you hate the things I did last night?¡± he said.


    ¡°Well¡­ I don¡¯t love them, but¡­ It¡¯s you Rhema. It¡¯s you, so I¡ª¡±


    ¡°To stop people¡¯s disappearance, you asked ¡®Charles¡¯ for a favor, made relics, and distributed them, but I wasted your efforts. Those people all died last night.¡±


    When he confirmed her suspicion, a faint feeling overcame her. She was at a loss for words.


    Looking down at her surprised golden eyes, Rhema let out cold words. ¡°Knowing that it¡¯s only me who can do that, you¡¯d hoped that it wasn¡¯t me. That¡¯s why you came back, breaking your decision not to return for some time, and checked if it was my doing. Is it not true?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±