"Excuse me, Lord Arlotte."
The Professor glanced around the front yard, but neither Hana nor Lord Arlotte was anywhere in sight.
"Isn't Hana usually playing here?"
Just as the Professor was about to enter the villa, someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind.
"Professor, what are you doing here?"
"Lord Arlotte, what a coincidence. I came today to fulfill the promise I made earlier."
"Didn't I tell you it wasn't necessary, Professor?"
"It's no trouble. Besides, there's something I want to discuss with you, Lord Arlotte."
"And what might that be, Professor?"
"Could we go inside first?"
"Of course, please come in, Professor."
As they walked, the Professor glanced around the area.
"I don't see Hana. Isn't she usually playing in the front yard?"
"She's in her room. There was no one to play with her outside."
"Were you away somewhere, Lord Arlotte?"
"Yes, I just returned."
Eventually, they reached the villa. Lord Arlotte asked the Professor to wait in the living room.
"I think this is the first time I've been inside Lord Arlotte's villa. I'm sure she's been here many times, but she's never invited me in before."
The Professor surveyed the surroundings, not out of admiration for the villa, but because something felt off. From the moment he arrived, he sensed a strange presence, as if someone unusual was watching the villa.
Not long after, Lord Arlotte returned, this time with Hana.
"Brother FuPa, you came to visit!"
Hana waved cheerfully, a bright smile on her face.
"Hello, Hana. It's been a while."
Hana seemed to be looking for something.
"What are you searching for, Hana?"
"Where's Sister Meysa? Don't you always come with her?"
"Today, Sister Meysa couldn't join me."
"Oh, I see."
A hint of disappointment flashed in Hana's eyes.
"But she did ask me to pass along her regards to you."
Hana giggled sweetly and nodded.
"Alright, then please send my regards to her in return."
The Professor smiled and gently patted Hana's head.
"Are you going to play with me today, Brother?"
"Not today. I came to check on you."
Hana tilted her head, her confused expression as charming as ever.
"Check on me? Didn't you already examine me last time?"
"This time, I'd like to try a different method."
Hana looked at her father, who was sitting beside her, seeking his approval.
Lord Arlotte nodded at her silent question. "Go ahead, Professor."
Although Hana seemed hesitant, she respected the Professor's good intentions. "What should I do?"
"Just extend your hand and try to stay calm. Take deep, steady breaths."
Hana nodded slightly, following the Professor's instructions. She extended her hand and began to breathe in and out steadily.
The Professor wrapped his hand in Energie, channeling it into Hana's arm and allowing it to flow through her body.
Illustration on my Wattpad Page
The Professor initially thought his visit to Lord Arlotte's residence was just a casual courtesy. However, it soon became a reason for him to return, though what he discovered about Hana was far from what he had anticipated.
After closing his eyes briefly, the Professor opened them slowly, gazing into Hana's dark eyes.
"How was it, Brother?"
The Professor smiled and gently patted Hana's head again.
"I think I've figured out what's going on with you. I'll return here again later."
He then shifted his gaze toward Lord Arlotte. "Lord Arlotte, may I speak with you now?"
Lord Arlotte stood, leading Hana back to her room.
"Thank you, Brother," Hana said before leaving.
---
"Alright, what is it you wish to discuss, Professor?"
"First of all, I'd like to know how Hana's illness began. Would you mind sharing the details?"
Lord Arlotte didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stared deeply into the Professor's eyes before shaking his head.
"I'm not entirely sure why Hana suddenly became ill."
"I see. In that case, are you aware that my visit here is related to Hana's condition and... a sword?"
Lord Arlotte's brows furrowed slightly at the mention. "A sword? What do you mean, Professor?"
The Professor explained briefly about his encounter with someone who possessed a foreign Energie.
"I felt the same Energie within Hana as that person's. I believe Hana might have sensed it as well. Isn't that right, Lord Arlotte?"
Lord Arlotte maintained a neutral expression, but inwardly, his emotions were in turmoil.
It was true—Hana had felt the same thing. He knew this because—
---
"This is the sword."
Lord Arlotte led the Professor to a specialized room within the Research Council.
"It looks like an ordinary sword, but the Energie enveloping it is terrifying. What have you done to this sword?"
"We haven't done anything since it was sent here by Instructor Meysa, apart from observing it."
"May I see the observation results?"
Lord Arlotte ordered someone to bring the relevant documentation. The Professor examined it closely, seeking as much information as possible.
While the documents were filled with text and images, most were general knowledge possibly linked to Energie and the sword. The one thing that caught the Professor's attention was a section about the ViSa Sect. It noted that the Energie surrounding the sword bore a slight resemblance to that of ViSa Sect followers.
Illustration on my Wattpad Page
"The ViSa Sect... It seems they've begun to resurface. If this is connected to them, why didn't I sense this foreign Energie in the wizard I killed back then? Instead, I felt it in Lord Helcore," the Professor murmured.
Returning the documents to Lord Arlotte, the Professor said, "Thank you, Lord Arlotte. I'll visit again to follow up on this research into the foreign Energie."
---
When Lord Arlotte opened Hana's bedroom door, he saw someone standing beside her bed.
"What are you doing?" Arlotte asked in a heavy tone.
The figure didn't respond. Instead, they channeled a strand of Energie into Hana through their fingertip.
Hana stirred uncomfortably in her sleep. Her veins bulged, though she couldn't wake up.
This continued for several seconds before the figure finally spoke. "You know we're always watching. Don't do anything foolish, especially involving him again. We can't afford any mistakes or flaws in a plan we've prepared for centuries."
"I'm merely trying to divert his suspicions," Arlotte replied.
The figure said nothing more. They dissolved into a shadow and disappeared.
Arlotte immediately rushed to Hana's side, trying to calm her. "Papa's here, Hana. It's okay."
Slowly, Hana opened her eyes. Her entire body was drenched in sweat from the pain she had endured.
"Papa..."
"I'm sorry, Hana."
Hana weakly shook her head. "I should be the one apologizing, for always troubling Papa and making you worry."A
---
"That matter has been dealt with."
In the Kingdom of Vajce, a man clad in armor—Lord Helcore—was reporting to someone.
"Good. It seems you encountered some pests. Any issues?"
"None. They were insignificant."
Lord Helcore had worked with this person for quite some time, yet he still didn't know their true identity. Everything about them was shrouded in black, even their voice distorted like someone he had encountered before, Helcore mused.
"You may leave."
Upon returning to his residence, Lord Helcore went straight to a private chamber where someone awaited him.
A woman with long black hair sat on the bed, gazing out the window. Her white gown exuded neither beauty nor purity but instead despair.
Hearing the door open, she glanced briefly at him before turning back to the window.
Her face bore no expression, as though she lacked a soul. Her pale, smooth skin was frail and slightly wrinkled.
Lord Helcore approached her slowly and sat at the edge of the bed. Taking her hand, he held it gently—it was light and fragile. He handled her with utmost care, as though she might break.
"How are you feeling today?" Helcore knew she wouldn't answer, but speaking to her erased the darkness of everything he had endured.
"I promise I'll free you from this suffering soon. I swear, my love."