For 35 years, Leni wandered through the villages scattered across the country of Serot. Early in her journey, she decided that her primary goal was to abolish the ban on the use of magic by demons. To achieve this, she needed to visit both small settlements and larger ones. At first, her methods were poorly thought out—she introduced herself as a mage right away, which sparked fear and hostility among the villagers, who immediately drove her away. This strategy quickly left her without any supplies, but Leni wasn't too concerned since Serot was abundant with monsters that could serve as a source of food.
Over time, Leni adjusted her approach. She began entering villages as an ordinary traveler, concealing her magical abilities. Only in critical moments, such as threats or urgent needs for assistance, did she reveal her powers. This allowed her to demonstrate to the villagers that magic was not evil but could actually be beneficial and helpful. She developed a clear plan: in each village, she would spend roughly a year, using her magic exclusively for practical purposes, such as healing or making daily tasks easier. At the same time, she tried to show that she was just an ordinary girl and that her abilities did not make her a threat.
Her efforts yielded unexpected results. Although many villages initially treated her with distrust, some began to appreciate her assistance. In certain places, the villagers even asked her to teach them the basics of magic. In such villages, Leni stayed longer, instructing those interested in the fundamentals of the craft. The process was lengthy and demanding but effective. Over the years, more and more villages in Serot began viewing magic in a more positive light. Water magic, in particular, became popular due to its healing properties. By the end of her 35-year journey, magic in Serot, while still evoking some unease, had become more common and accepted.
Achieving this goal was a monumental success for Leni. Although it was only the first step, it meant a great deal to her. The next and far more challenging task would be to improve the image of magic-using demons beyond the borders of Serot and to alter the general perception of demons altogether. The first stage of this mission was to improve their reputation in the border villages of the kingdom of Ero. Although these villages were still part of Serot, they differed significantly from the rest. They were places where various races—demons, humans, half-humans, elves, and others—mingled, drawn together by the presence of adventurers' guilds and the numerous dangers lurking in the nearby caves and forests.
Leni, having read about guilds in the books she studied, decided that joining one herself was a logical step in her mission to change the perception of demons. Joining adventurer teams as a demon wielding magic could effectively demonstrate that demons were not a threat and that their abilities could be a valuable asset in challenging situations. Embarking on this new path filled her with determination and hope that her efforts would bring about change not only in Serot but beyond its borders as well.
In this region of Serot, magic was already commonplace, though it was not practiced by demons. The very presence of magic in this area opened doors for Leni to a world full of new, fascinating discoveries. One of the first things to catch her attention was the classification of magic into levels of advancement. She had always known that her magical abilities were growing, granting her access to increasingly advanced spells, but it was only after visiting a local guild that she learned about the formal system of magical classification. She discovered that there were five levels of magical advancement, each with its own unique features and degree of difficulty.
At that time, Leni had achieved:
- **Level III in Air Magic**,
- **Level II in Earth Magic**,
- **Level II in Water Magic**,
- **Level I in Fire Magic**.
These skills allowed her to effectively join adventurer teams with ranks as high as B, and even A.
For over five years, Leni worked as an adventurer in settlements near the border with Ero. It was an excellent way for her to earn money, which she invested in further studies, upgrading her equipment, and building a positive image for demons. Being an adventurer also gave her the opportunity to continuously hone her magical skills, a crucial preparation before deciding to embark on even farther journeys.
She did not belong to a permanent team—instead, she joined groups in urgent need of a mage. Initially, many adventurers were hesitant about having a demon in their ranks, but their attitudes quickly shifted when they witnessed how much value Leni brought with her abilities and calm demeanor. Through her actions and talents, she earned the nickname "The Black-Haired Mage," a name that garnered admiration throughout the region. She was easy to recognize, as she always carried a long wand topped with a green crystal at its tip.
After five years of intense work and practice, Leni had significantly improved her magical skills:
- **Level III in Air Magic**,
- **Level III in Water Magic**,
- **Level III in Earth Magic**,
- **Level I in Fire Magic**.
Everything was going according to plan for Leni until one day unexpectedly changed her trajectory.
It was an ordinary morning. Leni, staying on the second floor of the guild building, woke up early as usual. After quickly getting ready, having breakfast, and dressing in her long robes, she grabbed her wand and headed downstairs to check the available missions. She exclusively took on team-based assignments, joining random groups. Thanks to her skills, she often ended up in teams ranked A, and occasionally even S. Although she was well-regarded in the area, there were still people who resented the fact that she was a demon.
That day, she joined a highly-rated A-rank team that had taken on a mission to eliminate a monster haunting a nearby forest. The team was diverse: three warriors, three defenders, eight archers, and one mage. Leni was the only woman, which was fairly common in the adventuring world. By joining, Leni became the team's second mage. After a brief strategy discussion, the group gathered their equipment and set off toward the forest to confront the threat.
As Leni and the team made their way through the dense, dark forest, the only sound breaking the silence was her conversation with Goron, the team leader. Goron, a tall man with a physique shaped by years on the battlefield, carried a large shield that seemed almost inseparable from him. His small, lightweight sword was designed to allow for agile movement during combat, reducing fatigue in prolonged fights.
"So, Leni, right?" he said, turning his head toward her. "You're the black-haired mage everyone's been talking about lately."
Leni looked at him intently before replying with a hint of curiosity in her voice:
"Yes, that's me. Why do you ask?"
Goron smiled faintly, though his gaze remained sharp.
"Well, you've been pretty popular around these parts recently. Not that it's surprising—this is the first time I've seen a demon with a wand. It's... a rather unusual sight."
Leni didn't respond to the comment, leaving the question hanging in the air. Together, they delved deeper into the dark interior of the forest. Over an hour had passed, and they still hadn't come across any traces of the creature they were searching for.
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Despite the early hour, the forest was shrouded in darkness, giving the impression that time had stopped in the grim hour of twilight. Leni began to feel uneasy—something was definitely wrong. Monsters usually sensed humans from a considerable distance and instinctively moved toward them. Despite being a demon herself, this group consisted of ten humans and just her—a demon. It should have been enough to lure any predator, yet the forest remained unnaturally silent.
"Something doesn't feel right…" she said quietly, her voice tinged with tension.
"Why?" Goron asked, furrowing his brow.
Leni looked at him seriously.
"I just feel it…" she replied briefly.
Mere moments later, the silence was broken by the hiss of arrows. From four directions, eight arrows shot toward her, aimed directly at her. Leni reacted instantly. Her wand glowed green, and a violent gust of wind she conjured altered the arrows' trajectory, causing them to miss. But before she could catch her breath, Goron, standing right next to her, swung his shield directly at her chest.
Leni jumped back at the last second, narrowly avoiding the blow. Unfortunately, this move brought her closer to three warriors who immediately charged at her with swords in hand. She dodged their attacks gracefully, though a few strikes grazed her skin, leaving thin cuts and tearing her robes. Determined, she aimed her wand at the attackers, conjuring stone projectiles that pushed them back several meters as they blocked the projectiles with their swords.
However, there was no time to rest. As she turned, she saw the group's mage forming a massive fireball, which shot toward her at breakneck speed. Leni instinctively thrust her wand forward, and a stream of water erupted from its tip, hissing as it extinguished the fiery projectile. But before she could brace herself for the next attack, Goron charged at her again, aiming his shield directly at her head.
This time, Leni couldn't completely avoid the attack. The blow struck her right arm, the one holding her wand. With a loud clatter, the wand fell to the ground, rolling several meters away. Leni winced in pain, though the attack hadn't caused severe injuries. However, she had lost her most vital weapon—her wand. Surrounded by enemies and without support, she found herself in grave danger.
"Alright, without your wand, you're not so tough anymore," Goron said, his dark smile making it clear he had been waiting for this moment. His voice carried a note of satisfaction as he looked at Leni, who stood tall with her head held high.
Before her, ten men had gathered, their faces grim and hostile. Not long ago, they had been her allies, but now their demeanor was entirely different—hostility radiated from their eyes.
"What do you want from me?" Leni asked, her voice calm and measured, though she felt tension coiling inside her. Every word was carefully chosen to mask her fear.
Goron stepped forward, clearly taking the role of their leader. He adjusted the weapon at his belt before speaking.
"You see, not everyone likes the idea of *you*... a demon... wielding magic. What you do crosses boundaries that the human world doesn't accept. After all, demon and magic—it just screams danger, doesn't it? So, well... we adventurers take on all sorts of jobs. And it so happens that a certain wealthy individual isn't too pleased with your career in magic. Don't take it personally; we've got nothing against you, but..."
Goron paused as if deciding whether to continue, though his smile revealed everything.
"But he is paying a lot… a *lot* of money."
Leni narrowed her eyes, a mix of irony and disbelief flashing across her face.
"Heh, so let me guess—there's no monster? This was just a setup?"
Goron nodded, his grin growing even darker.
"Yep… smart girl. For someone with that kind of wealth, setting up a fake mission is child's play. No one will even suspect we had you in the group when we report back about a job that… well, doesn't exist."
Leni let out a heavy sigh, as though trying to suppress her mounting frustration. She looked at the gathered men, her gaze hardening with steely resolve.
"I'm guessing you want my head?" she said coldly.
"Exactly..." Goron replied, his voice laced with a hint of triumph.
Before she could say anything else, the group began advancing toward her slowly. Ten seasoned adventurers, each at least an A-rank.
Leni sighed quietly, almost resigned.
"Ten against one. A fair fight, huh? Each of you is a skilled warrior, so yeah, I'm in real trouble here. I probably won't survive this fight… but know this..."
She raised her head, her piercing gaze cutting through her opponents. Their steps faltered for the briefest of moments.
"I won't go down without a fight!"
In the next instant, Leni leapt into the air, hurling shards of stone toward the archers. Her attacks were swift and precise, but ineffective—the enemies were too well-prepared. Their formation held strong, each one covering the other, and none of her strikes found their mark.
The fight continued. Leni dodged bullets, spells, and sword blows, moving with almost superhuman agility. However, every second of the fight took away her strength. With every minute she felt more and more tired, and her movements became slower.
After five minutes of exhausting combat, she was hit with a shield by Goron. The blow was so strong that Leni fell to the ground, no longer having the strength to get up. Two warriors grabbed her by the arms, blocking her escape.
She was dragged before Goron, who looked at her with a mixture of triumph and contempt.
"And what now?" Leni asked, her voice noticeably weaker, as if she had lost all hope. "You'll kill me, right?"
"Yes, we need to confirm that we killed you," Goron said with a strange tone in his voice, then added: "But... it would be a shame not to take advantage of the opportunity... After all... You're quite a pretty lady."
He came closer and grabbed her clothes, starting to tear them to shreds.
Leni had expected this turn of events. She knew they wouldn't kill her right away - they wanted to humiliate her, to take away the last of her dignity. Although she had no strength to fight anymore, she wasn't going to make it easy for them. She struggled, tried to break free from their grip, using the last bit of strength she had left.
"Why are you squirming so much? Don't you want to have a little fun before you die?" - one of the men sneered.
Goron ripped off most of her clothes, leaving only her underwear. There was silence for a moment as they saw the scars and burns on her body - traces of the painful memories she was aware of every day. However, the men quickly ignored it because Leni was a truly beautiful woman with significant charms that attracted men.
The scars were a painful memory, but Leni gritted her teeth, her eyes blazing with anger. She wasn't going to give them the satisfaction. However, she couldn't do anything on her own, the guys were already pushing at her underwear, Leni, resigned, stopped resisting, she had no strength, she had already lost hope. She just wanted them to finish *their fun* as soon as possible and then kill her.
"LET HER GO, YOU BASTARDS!" – a loud, furious voice shattered the eerie silence of the forest. The sound echoed among the trees, as if nature itself held its breath in anticipation. The men, startled, immediately turned toward the source of the voice.
A not tall, imposing man stepped forward. His short white hair caught the faint light filtering through the trees, and his emerald green eyes blazed with anger. His expression left no doubt – he was ready to fight. He wore a black cloak and pants, with a golden-stitched "4" embroidered on his left shoulder and the crest of the Ero Kingdom on his right.
Without a word, he drew a sword from the scabbard at his side. The blade gleamed menacingly, and his grip on the hilt was so firm that his muscles tensed visibly. Each step he took toward the attackers was slow yet deliberate, exuding unwavering confidence.
Leni, weakened and terrified, raised her gaze. The man appeared to be in his forties, his expression and posture radiating an overwhelming aura of strength that seemed to dominate the surroundings.
"Fire..." Goron ordered coldly, pointing at the man. His voice was icy, the command carrying the weight of finality.
Eight archers raised their bows without hesitation, drawing their strings taut and releasing a volley of arrows that hissed through the air.
The white-haired man didn't flinch. As the arrows came within range of his blade, he moved with lightning speed, slicing through them mid-flight. Wood and steel shattered into fragments, raining harmlessly to the ground. The archers stared in disbelief. Not only had their target survived – he hadn't even stepped back.
"Enough of this!" Goron roared, charging forward with his shield raised. His heavy steps crushed dry leaves beneath his feet, and his shield, appearing indestructible, gleamed ominously. But before he could strike, the white-haired man delivered a swift, precise slash.
The shield split cleanly in two, and the blade continued through, slicing Goron's throat. His head fell to the ground, rolling away, while his lifeless body crumpled next to it.
For a moment, the remaining men froze in stunned silence. None could believe their leader – renowned for his invincibility – had been felled in an instant. Panic set in. Shouting in terror, they turned to flee.
The two men holding Leni released her in their desperation to escape. She collapsed onto the forest floor, gasping for air.
The white-haired man, however, gave them no chance to escape. In the blink of an eye, he was upon the two nearest assailants. His sword cleaved through their bodies, slicing them cleanly in half. Blood sprayed across the surrounding trees as he turned to the third man, who cowered behind a trunk. With a single, precise thrust, he pierced the man's chest, driving the blade straight through his heart.
Not stopping, he dashed toward the archers. One by one, they fell before they could even nock their arrows. Eight heads rolled to the ground, their bodies collapsing in lifeless heaps, pooling blood staining the forest floor.
Only one remained – the mage, sprinting with all his might, desperate to escape the massacre.
The man calmly reached into his pocket, pulling out a dagger. With deadly accuracy, he hurled it at the fleeing mage, striking the back of his head. The mage dropped lifelessly to the ground.
In less than a minute, the entire group – a team of ten seasoned A-rank warriors – had been annihilated.
The white-haired man exhaled deeply, surveying the carnage around him. Leni, still lying on the ground, struggled to catch her breath. Her eyes, wide with a mix of gratitude and fear, locked onto him.
The man had taken down an entire team of ten A-rank warriors in less than twenty seconds. Leni, watching the events unfold, couldn't collect her thoughts. Her mind was filled with disbelief, admiration, and a certain kind of fear. Someone this powerful, who had so effortlessly defeated seasoned fighters, had to be more than just an ordinary human.
The stranger sheathed his sword, which was secured on his right side, and his expression changed instantly. The anger and determination vanished, replaced by gentleness. His green eyes, which had moments ago blazed like molten emeralds, now seemed calm and warm. He picked up Leni's wand from the ground and began walking toward her, slowly and without haste.
Leni, though instinctively retreating at first, realized that the man had no intention of harming her. His movements were careful, almost as if he was trying not to scare her. When he reached her, he extended a hand, his voice remarkably soft.
"Here, let me help you up," he said.
Leni glanced at his outstretched hand, then up at his face, trying to gauge his intentions. She hesitated briefly but eventually accepted his help. When her small hand touched his, she felt that, despite the brutal strength he had displayed moments earlier, his touch was gentle. He lifted her from the ground effortlessly, as if she were as light as a feather.
"This is probably yours..." he said, handing her the wand. Then, as his eyes fell on her disheveled state, he seemed to notice her condition for the first time. "Ah... I'm sorry, you must feel so uncomfortable right now. Please, cover yourself."
Without a moment's hesitation, the man removed his black cloak and offered it to Leni, who was trembling from the cold, clad only in her tattered undergarments. Startled but grateful, she took the cloak and wrapped it around herself, feeling the warmth of the fabric and a sense of relief. Underneath, the man still wore a pristine white shirt.
"Um, thank you... No, I don't feel uncomfortable," she replied, trying to sound confident despite her confusion. "I'm truly grateful... but... I have to ask... who *are* you?"
The man appeared to hesitate, as though unsure how to introduce himself. Finally, with a hint of formality in his tone, he spoke:
"Forgive me, my manners. I am Nolan, the Fourth Court Knight of the Kingdom of Ero. It's a pleasure to meet you," he said, bowing slightly. "Actually... I also have a question."
Leni, noticing his unease, nodded and said, "Sure, what's your question? If I can, I'll answer."
Nolan was silent for a moment, seemingly debating whether it was appropriate to ask. Finally, he spoke: "Are you... the black-haired mage?"
Leni sighed heavily, then nodded with clear resignation. "Yes, that's me... Just please, if you have a problem with that, I don't want to fight right now. I don't have the strength..." Her voice was weary, almost pleading, and her gaze dropped to the ground.
Nolan quickly shook his head, as though to dispel her concerns. "No, no, quite the opposite! Ever since I heard about you – the rumors about the so-called Demon Mage spreading across the Kingdom of Ero – I've wanted to meet you in person. I've taken every solo mission in the Serot region just for a chance to cross paths with you."
Leni looked at him with mild surprise as Nolan continued: "When I was at the guild in the nearby village, renting a place to stay, I heard locals say that a black-haired girl with a wand had entered the forest. I had to check it out. As it turns out, they were right. I arrived just in time – a moment later, and it could have ended tragically."
Leni shuddered, recalling the bandits' words and their vile plans. Her voice trembled as she replied: "Yes, that gang of scum wanted to kill me, but... before they would, they intended to humiliate, disgrace, and sexually exploit me... I'm truly... truly grateful to you..."
As she spoke, Leni fought back tears that welled up in her eyes. Now that the tension had eased, the full gravity of her situation hit her. Nolan looked at her with a gentle smile, his voice filled with empathy.
"No need to thank me," he said. "Actually... I have a request. I've been searching for the black-haired mage to ask a few questions, but given your current state, I won't push. Take all the time you need. If you're not ready, we don't have to talk now. We're both staying at the guild, so I can escort you there. If you feel up to it, I'd appreciate a brief conversation later."
Leni looked at him and smiled faintly. "Sure, we can talk even today. But... I'll need to change first. My clothes are ruined, but I have spares in my room. Let me rest for a moment, change, and then we can talk over some coffee."
Nolan nodded appreciatively. "Of course, if you're sure you'll be rested, I'd be very grateful."
The two began walking toward the village, leaving the forest behind. Each step brought them closer to a place where they could finally rest and begin their conversation.
***
When they arrived at the guild, Nolan stayed downstairs, taking a seat at one of the tables in the main hall. He informed Leni he'd wait for her there. She nodded and headed upstairs to her quarters.
Once inside, she removed the black cloak Nolan had given her, carefully hanging it on a rack, and placed her wand on the desk. She then went to the bathroom, using water magic to heal the minor cuts and scrapes left from the recent fight. Once she felt better, she cleaned herself up and changed into fresh clothes that covered her scars and burns. Finally ready, she collapsed onto her bed, exhausted both physically and emotionally, and fell asleep almost instantly.
Her sleep was deep, though interrupted by memories of recent events. When she woke up, she noticed the dark night had already fallen outside. Wasting no time, she quickly grabbed Nolan's robe, draped it over her shoulders, and hurried down the stairs to check if he was still waiting for her.
When she reached the main hall, the place seemed almost deserted. Only a few people remained, and among them was Nolan, sitting at the same table where she had left him earlier.
As soon as he saw her, he raised his hand in greeting. Leni approached him briskly and sat down beside him.
"Good evening. I see you managed to get some rest?" Nolan asked with a smile, glancing at her face, which still bore the marks of deep sleep.
"Haha, very funny..." Leni replied with a touch of sarcasm, though a faint smile crossed her face.
"Hold on a moment, I'll get something. Coffee? Beer?" Nolan asked, raising an eyebrow.
Leni pondered for a moment before answering:
"Coffee... I don't handle alcohol well, so beer's out if you want an honest conversation."
Nolan nodded and went to the bar. A moment later, he returned with two steaming mugs of coffee and sat down across from her.
"So, Nolan? What do you want to talk about?" Leni asked, sipping the warm drink.
"Straight to the point, I see. Well, I have a lot of questions I'd like to ask the great black-haired mage," Nolan said with a hint of irony, taking a sip of his own coffee.
"Hehe, I see I've gained some popularity. Good, my plan is working. So, what are they saying about this 'black-haired mage'?" Leni asked curiously.
Nolan set his cup down on the table and looked at her intently.
"I've heard many rumors. Most were similar, but two words stood out: demon and magic. The most intriguing part, though, was that this demon was doing good. That's extraordinary, especially for humans. When I heard about it, I knew I had to find you and ask some questions."
Leni smiled with satisfaction, sensing that her efforts to improve the image of demons were paying off.
"Alright then, what do you want to know, Fourth Knight of the Court, Nolan?" she asked with a faint smile.
Nolan sighed and waved a hand dismissively.
"Just Nolan is fine. But alright, let's get to it. First question: why, as a demon, do you use magic?"
Leni remained silent for a moment before answering:
"Well... As a child, I was rather... troublesome. I learned things I shouldn't have. Besides, I was born with the element of wind, which was unusual in itself. Hand-to-hand combat was never my strong suit."
Nolan raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
"A demon with the element of wind instead of fire? That's new. I've never heard of such a thing."
"I know, I'm special," Leni laughed. "But now I have a greater goal. I intend to change the perception of magic-wielding demons among both humans and other demons. Already, the people of Serot are beginning to see that magic doesn't have to be a tool for evil. I want this change to happen worldwide."
Nolan looked at her with admiration.
"Ambitious plan, girl. However, I have a proposal that might help you with that."
Leni straightened up and looked at him seriously.
"If what you're saying makes sense, then I'm all ears," she said, smiling and taking another sip of her coffee.
Nolan's expression turned serious, his tone becoming more formal, as if he were introducing her to something of great importance.
"Alright, let's get to the point. Our kingdom currently needs a court mage. Technically, there should be ten, just like the court knights. Unfortunately, over four years ago, we lost one of our mages due to tragic events. Since then, we've had only nine, which is a significant weakness for us. The problem is, mages are reluctant to join the army. Many of them value their independence and magic, believing that dedicating it to the service of a country means losing freedom and certain ideals."
Nolan spoke with gravity, his gaze fixed on Leni.
Leni furrowed her brow and leaned slightly toward him.
"What are you getting at?" she asked, clearly intrigued.
Nolan looked at her seriously.
"I want you to join the Kingdom of Ero as a court mage."
Leni's eyes widened in surprise, and her reaction was immediate.
"That's impossible," she said, shaking her head. "At this stage, there's no way they'd accept me. I'm a demon! Especially in a country like Ero, which still remembers the attack by a demonic mage during the war with Serot. People there still hold grudges against demons, and you want me to become a court mage? That's absurd!"
Nolan didn't react to her skepticism. Instead, he continued in a calm but firm tone:
"Not entirely. Remember, you're speaking to the Fourth Knight of the Court. I have some influence, and I can put in a good word for you with the Council of Elders, which decides who joins the army."
Leni sighed deeply and leaned back in her chair.
"I doubt it would work," she said in a resigned tone, but Nolan wasn't ready to give up.
"You're wrong," he replied firmly. "Your actions have already stirred interest in Ero. People are hearing about the 'black-haired mage' who does good, and I've personally been leading a unit composed entirely of demons for years. I regularly visit Serot to recruit talented demons for my division. My work also helps improve the perception of demons worldwide. You could say we share a common goal."
Leni looked at him with disbelief, her eyes shining with a mixture of admiration and hope.
"Really? That's amazing that you're doing something like that. I didn't know Ero had a demon division. Do you really think I'd have a chance at becoming a court mage?"
Nolan smiled faintly, seeing her enthusiasm.
"I'm certain of it," he replied. "But I need to know your abilities. How advanced are you in magic?"
Leni straightened up and answered confidently:
"Level III in air magic, Level III in earth magic, Level III in water magic, and... Level I in fire magic."
Nolan looked at Leni with clear surprise, but there was also a hint of sadness in his eyes.
"Well, your proficiency in air, water, and earth magic is truly impressive. Three elements at Level III – that's something to admire. But… your fire magic is unfortunately lacking. To become a court mage, you need at least one element at Level III and the others at least at Level II. With fire at Level I, you don't currently meet the requirements." His words sounded like a verdict, and the sadness in his voice was unmistakable.
Leni lowered her gaze, biting her lip lightly. After a moment, however, Nolan continued, his tone softer now.
"Still… I can help you."
Leni looked at him in surprise.
"Help? How?" she asked, a hint of hope in her voice.
"I can arrange for you to live in the Kingdom of Ero," he said calmly. "I'll cover all the expenses. There, you can focus on training your fire magic and raising it to Level II. I think that's achievable in a relatively short time. However... I have one request in return."
Leni raised an eyebrow, clearly curious.
"A request? What is it?"
Nolan looked at her seriously.
"It's nothing too difficult—or at least, I hope not. If, during your stay in Ero, you encounter any demon, I'd like you to try and encourage them to join my unit. It's really important to me."
Leni looked at him, surprised, but quickly nodded.
"Of course, Nolan. If I meet someone suitable, I'll do my best to convince them."
Gratitude flickered in Nolan's eyes, and his face brightened with a faint smile.
"Thank you. That truly means a lot to me."
They talked for another hour, discussing the details of her upcoming journey and plans for training. When the conversation came to an end, Nolan stood, donned his black robe, and headed toward the door.
"Leni, so you're leaving for the Kingdom of Ero tomorrow?" Nolan asked.
" Yes, I plan to depart tomorrow," she confirmed.
Nolan nodded and pulled a small stone engraved with his name from his pocket.
" There's a room reserved under my name at the guild in the eastern part of Ero's capital. Show them this, – he handed her the stone, – and you'll get the room. It's already paid for, and it's yours from now on."
Leni accepted the stone with slight surprise but quickly smiled in gratitude.
"Thank you, Nolan. That really means a lot to me."
The knight opened the door but turned back before leaving.
" I have one last question."
"Yes?"Leni looked at him with slight apprehension.
"What do you think of humans?" he asked with unexpected seriousness.
The question surprised her, momentarily throwing her off balance. After a moment, she replied:
"Well, my trust in humans can be unstable. Like any race, they have both good and bad individuals. For now, I prefer not to get too attached to anyone."
Hearing her answer, Nolan's expression softened, and he nodded.
" I see. Well then, I'll be on my way. See you in Ero when you're ready. I hope you'll soon reach Level II proficiency in fire magic. See you at the castle."
With those words, he left the guild, leaving Leni lost in thought.
***
The next day, Leni woke up later than usual. She took her old backpack – the same one she had carried when she left her hometown – packed all her belongings from the room, and take her wand . After a brief preparation, she set off on her journey to the Kingdom of Ero, hopeful that she could achieve her plan.