"Are you sure about this, Alessia?" Raizel inquired, arms crossed as he leaned against a post in the training yard. His amber eyes were piercing but filled with anxiety. "Ten knights plus three of us. That is not an easy fight." Alessia adjusted the straps on her gauntlets, her dazzling, fiery red hair pulled back into a high ponytail. Her handmade knight's uniform fit tightly, allowing for both mobility and protection. She tightened the belt that held the Blade of Lumina, its hilt glittering faintly in the sunshine. "I have to do this," she said, her voice firm while her heart raced. She glanced at Raizel, responding to his gaze. "I won't always have the option of choosing my battles. If I can't manage this, I'm not prepared for what lies ahead." Raizel sighed and nodded. "You make a fair point. Just make sure your stubbornness doesn't lead to your demise." Sirena, standing nearby, chuckled. "She is too stubborn to die, Raizel. Furthermore, this is a controlled trial." Duke And
"Cheers to Lady Alessia!" Sirena's voice boomed out above the happy chatter, her cup held high. "The one who survived our test and proved she's more than ready for the battlefield!" The knights gathered in the large dining hall let up a chorus of shouts. Alessia stood towards the head of the long wood table, her cheeks flushed—not from the wine in her hand, but from the overwhelming sense of community that surrounded her. She looked down at her black gown, simple yet exquisite, with silver embroidery outlining the hem and cuffs. It was designed for ease, with a high neckline and long sleeves, but it nonetheless exuded the subtle elegance of royal dress. A tiny pendant shimmered softly around her neck, a gift from her uncle, Duke Andro, who stood next to her. The Duke looked magnificent in a dark velvet tunic emblazoned with the Carrios Dukedom's silver emblem. His towering stature and severe expression softened only a little amid the warmth of the evening's festivities. The kni
"You can't stay here, Alessia." Aera's voice was forceful, yet her expression was a mix of concern and eagerness. "It is not safe anymore. Endymion will come after you, and they will not hesitate to convert this dukedom into a war." Alessia sat stiffly in a plush chair in her uncle's large office. The warm sunlight streaming through the tall windows did little to relieve the weight in the air. She looked to Duke Andro, who was sitting behind his mahogany desk, his countenance unreadable. "And not just for you," Aera added. "They will pursue your uncle, his knights, and anybody they suspect of helping you. Their approaches are ruthless." Alessia's hands gripped the armrests of her chair. "I know," she muttered. "I've been thinking about it for a while. Staying here... is selfish. I can't bring everyone into my battles." "And it's not just about protecting them," Aera explained, her tone softening. "Alessia, you need to grow. Your brilliance and abilities are insufficient at this
"You're telling me months of searching, and still nothing?" Priam's voice sounded harsh and threatening as it echoed across the great hall. His piercing red eyes, colder than the marble floors beneath him, stared into his two sons, Eryx and Olimpio. Eryx, tall and broad-shouldered, stood stiffly in a crimson tunic embroidered with the imperial insignia. Despite his noble bearing, his face revealed the strain that gripped him. Besides him, Olimpio, the younger of the two, nervously adjusted his sword belt, his thinner build and gentler features making him appear like a shadow in his brother's commanding presence. "Father," Eryx started, his tone calm but tinged with impatience, "we have been looking ceaselessly, but the marshlands, forests, and ruins have produced nothing. I still know she's dead. I witnessed it with my own eyes. Olimpio was also there. The knight struck her down." Priam's expression hardened. "Then why have you not brought me her body?" His voice was low and nas
"Alessia, where exactly are we going?" Raizel asked, his tone frustrated and curious. He drew his dark brown cloak closer to his body as the cool morning air brushed against him. Alessia adjusted the hood of her own cloak, her now blue hair showing out slightly beneath its edges, thanks to the aqua luminous she had applied earlier. She looked back at Raizel, who was riding a powerful gray horse, and said calmly, "Pollux." Raizel gave forth a loud grunt and scratched his head. "Pollux? Do you realize how far it is? If we just travel on horseback, it may take us more than two months—if we don't have any problems!" Sirena stood beside them, silently observing Raizel's tone. Her dark cloak swung gently in the breeze as her black pony galloped beside Alessia's. Sirena's hair was tucked behind her hood, and her piercing green eyes scanned the surroundings. "I know," Alessia conceded, her voice firm, "but we don't have any other options. Pollux is my final destination, and I must get th
"Have you two noticed something strange?" Alessia's voice broke the rhythm of their horses' steps as she reined in her mount. Raizel groaned, pulling his horse to a halt beside hers. "Strange? If you mean riding through endless trees and dirt for days, then yes, I've noticed." Sirena's brows knitted as she slowed her horse. "Wait, Alessia, what do you mean by strange?" Alessia gestured to their surroundings, her voice tinged with frustration. "Look around. The terrain hasn't changed in three days. No landmarks, no progress—we should've reached the Forest of Nyssor two days ago." Raizel glanced around, his frown deepening. "You're right. It's like we're stuck in a loop." Sirena looked uneasy. "That can't be possible, can it? We've been moving forward this whole time!" Alessia exhaled sharply. "We're not stuck. Someone—or something—is doing this. We're being played with." Raizel threw his head back with a groan. "Great. Another magical headache. Just what we needed." "This is
"Are you sure this is the right way?" Raizel complained and looked uncomfortably at the Pathweaver, who was sitting on his horse. The small, glowing thing chirped softly, and its vine-like arms and legs wrapped around the saddle firmly. As Sirena spoke, "Relax, Raizel," but her voice didn't sound like she really meant it. "This is supposed to lead us. You agree, Pathweaver?" The Pathweaver nodded in a strange way, and its small, blank face tilted forward. Alessia, who was riding ahead, felt tense all the time. It felt like they were going into a dark maze in the Forest of Nyssor because of its thick canopy. Every sound of leaves rustling made her heart beat faster, and she clenched her horse's reins even tighter. Alessia said, "I don't like this place. Every step feels like we're going around and around." Raizel looked back over his shoulder and searched the dark forest with his sharp eyes. "You're not wrong. Our journey has been going on for hours, but we still don't feel lik
While pulling his horse forward, Raizel mumbled, "This is hopeless." His voice was rough from being so tired. The thick leaves of the trees blocked out any view of the sky, making them look like silent watchers. "Are we sure we're going the right way?" Alessia said, "We don't," with her jaw clenched. She gripped the reins even tighter, and the effort made her knuckles white. "I'm to blame for our loss. We're in this situation because I put my trust in Mimic." Sirena gave her a quick look, her forehead wet with sweat. "Alessia, don't blame yourself right now. Our main goal should be to escape alive." Even though Alessia didn't say anything, her silence said a lot. She kept replaying over and over in her mind the warnings from her uncle and even Goddess Nova. Their words kept reminding her of her biggest flaw: she trusted others too quickly. It had cost them a lot, and now that they were weaker, the weight of her mistake crushed her spirit. The forest did not seem to end. There did
While pulling his horse forward, Raizel mumbled, "This is hopeless." His voice was rough from being so tired. The thick leaves of the trees blocked out any view of the sky, making them look like silent watchers. "Are we sure we're going the right way?" Alessia said, "We don't," with her jaw clenched. She gripped the reins even tighter, and the effort made her knuckles white. "I'm to blame for our loss. We're in this situation because I put my trust in Mimic." Sirena gave her a quick look, her forehead wet with sweat. "Alessia, don't blame yourself right now. Our main goal should be to escape alive." Even though Alessia didn't say anything, her silence said a lot. She kept replaying over and over in her mind the warnings from her uncle and even Goddess Nova. Their words kept reminding her of her biggest flaw: she trusted others too quickly. It had cost them a lot, and now that they were weaker, the weight of her mistake crushed her spirit. The forest did not seem to end. There did
"Are you sure this is the right way?" Raizel complained and looked uncomfortably at the Pathweaver, who was sitting on his horse. The small, glowing thing chirped softly, and its vine-like arms and legs wrapped around the saddle firmly. As Sirena spoke, "Relax, Raizel," but her voice didn't sound like she really meant it. "This is supposed to lead us. You agree, Pathweaver?" The Pathweaver nodded in a strange way, and its small, blank face tilted forward. Alessia, who was riding ahead, felt tense all the time. It felt like they were going into a dark maze in the Forest of Nyssor because of its thick canopy. Every sound of leaves rustling made her heart beat faster, and she clenched her horse's reins even tighter. Alessia said, "I don't like this place. Every step feels like we're going around and around." Raizel looked back over his shoulder and searched the dark forest with his sharp eyes. "You're not wrong. Our journey has been going on for hours, but we still don't feel lik
"Have you two noticed something strange?" Alessia's voice broke the rhythm of their horses' steps as she reined in her mount. Raizel groaned, pulling his horse to a halt beside hers. "Strange? If you mean riding through endless trees and dirt for days, then yes, I've noticed." Sirena's brows knitted as she slowed her horse. "Wait, Alessia, what do you mean by strange?" Alessia gestured to their surroundings, her voice tinged with frustration. "Look around. The terrain hasn't changed in three days. No landmarks, no progress—we should've reached the Forest of Nyssor two days ago." Raizel glanced around, his frown deepening. "You're right. It's like we're stuck in a loop." Sirena looked uneasy. "That can't be possible, can it? We've been moving forward this whole time!" Alessia exhaled sharply. "We're not stuck. Someone—or something—is doing this. We're being played with." Raizel threw his head back with a groan. "Great. Another magical headache. Just what we needed." "This is
"Alessia, where exactly are we going?" Raizel asked, his tone frustrated and curious. He drew his dark brown cloak closer to his body as the cool morning air brushed against him. Alessia adjusted the hood of her own cloak, her now blue hair showing out slightly beneath its edges, thanks to the aqua luminous she had applied earlier. She looked back at Raizel, who was riding a powerful gray horse, and said calmly, "Pollux." Raizel gave forth a loud grunt and scratched his head. "Pollux? Do you realize how far it is? If we just travel on horseback, it may take us more than two months—if we don't have any problems!" Sirena stood beside them, silently observing Raizel's tone. Her dark cloak swung gently in the breeze as her black pony galloped beside Alessia's. Sirena's hair was tucked behind her hood, and her piercing green eyes scanned the surroundings. "I know," Alessia conceded, her voice firm, "but we don't have any other options. Pollux is my final destination, and I must get th
"You're telling me months of searching, and still nothing?" Priam's voice sounded harsh and threatening as it echoed across the great hall. His piercing red eyes, colder than the marble floors beneath him, stared into his two sons, Eryx and Olimpio. Eryx, tall and broad-shouldered, stood stiffly in a crimson tunic embroidered with the imperial insignia. Despite his noble bearing, his face revealed the strain that gripped him. Besides him, Olimpio, the younger of the two, nervously adjusted his sword belt, his thinner build and gentler features making him appear like a shadow in his brother's commanding presence. "Father," Eryx started, his tone calm but tinged with impatience, "we have been looking ceaselessly, but the marshlands, forests, and ruins have produced nothing. I still know she's dead. I witnessed it with my own eyes. Olimpio was also there. The knight struck her down." Priam's expression hardened. "Then why have you not brought me her body?" His voice was low and nas
"You can't stay here, Alessia." Aera's voice was forceful, yet her expression was a mix of concern and eagerness. "It is not safe anymore. Endymion will come after you, and they will not hesitate to convert this dukedom into a war." Alessia sat stiffly in a plush chair in her uncle's large office. The warm sunlight streaming through the tall windows did little to relieve the weight in the air. She looked to Duke Andro, who was sitting behind his mahogany desk, his countenance unreadable. "And not just for you," Aera added. "They will pursue your uncle, his knights, and anybody they suspect of helping you. Their approaches are ruthless." Alessia's hands gripped the armrests of her chair. "I know," she muttered. "I've been thinking about it for a while. Staying here... is selfish. I can't bring everyone into my battles." "And it's not just about protecting them," Aera explained, her tone softening. "Alessia, you need to grow. Your brilliance and abilities are insufficient at this
"Cheers to Lady Alessia!" Sirena's voice boomed out above the happy chatter, her cup held high. "The one who survived our test and proved she's more than ready for the battlefield!" The knights gathered in the large dining hall let up a chorus of shouts. Alessia stood towards the head of the long wood table, her cheeks flushed—not from the wine in her hand, but from the overwhelming sense of community that surrounded her. She looked down at her black gown, simple yet exquisite, with silver embroidery outlining the hem and cuffs. It was designed for ease, with a high neckline and long sleeves, but it nonetheless exuded the subtle elegance of royal dress. A tiny pendant shimmered softly around her neck, a gift from her uncle, Duke Andro, who stood next to her. The Duke looked magnificent in a dark velvet tunic emblazoned with the Carrios Dukedom's silver emblem. His towering stature and severe expression softened only a little amid the warmth of the evening's festivities. The kni
"Are you sure about this, Alessia?" Raizel inquired, arms crossed as he leaned against a post in the training yard. His amber eyes were piercing but filled with anxiety. "Ten knights plus three of us. That is not an easy fight." Alessia adjusted the straps on her gauntlets, her dazzling, fiery red hair pulled back into a high ponytail. Her handmade knight's uniform fit tightly, allowing for both mobility and protection. She tightened the belt that held the Blade of Lumina, its hilt glittering faintly in the sunshine. "I have to do this," she said, her voice firm while her heart raced. She glanced at Raizel, responding to his gaze. "I won't always have the option of choosing my battles. If I can't manage this, I'm not prepared for what lies ahead." Raizel sighed and nodded. "You make a fair point. Just make sure your stubbornness doesn't lead to your demise." Sirena, standing nearby, chuckled. "She is too stubborn to die, Raizel. Furthermore, this is a controlled trial." Duke And
"You've been avoiding me, Raizel," Alessia murmured as she entered the garden. Raizel sat alone on a stone seat beneath the shadow of a towering oak tree. Her voice was quiet but full of determination. Raizel tensed at the sound of her words. He stood hastily, his customary stoic face fading. "I have duties to attend to," he murmured, averting her stare. "Stop," Alessia said firmly, stepping forward. Her voice softened as she said, "Please. I just want to talk." Raizel paused, his jaw hardening as he looked aside. "There's nothing to talk about." "That's not true,"Alessia said, moving in front of him to prevent his escape. Her vivid turquoise hair, which she had recently dyed to conceal her identity, glowed in the morning light. Alessia keeps on changing her hair color to avoid getting caught by the Endymion empire. "You have avoided me ever since Aera said... what she said. Raizel, I am not here to judge you. I want to understand." Raizel flinched, his hands tightening into