Mary stood still, her eyes wide with surprise as Kaiser offered to help her train her illusions. She hadn't expected him to be so willing to assist her, especially since they hadn't known each other for long
Amelia stood beside them, arms crossed, a flicker of irritation passing through her expression. She didn't say anything right away, but her demeanor made it clear that she wasn't entirely pleased with Kaiser spending his time helping Mary
"Sounds good, right?" Kaiser turned to Amelia with a slight smile.
Amelia stared at him for a moment before sighing
"Do whatever you want"
Seeing that Amelia had no objections, Kaiser turned back to Mary, his gaze firm with determination
"Then there's no problem. I'll help you train"
Mary blinked, still struggling to believe his offer
"You're really willing to help me?"
"It's not that difficult" He smiled, his voice brimming with confidence.
Mary clenched her hands, the lingering shame from their earlier defeat still weighing on her. If she had the chance to improve, she definitely didn't want to waste it
Suddenly, Kaiser clapped his hands together
"But hey, let's save the training for later. Right now, the more important thing is refueling. Let's go eat"
Mary flinched slightly, caught off guard by the unexpected suggestion
"I… can come along?"
Kaiser tilted his head, as if he couldn't understand why she would even ask that
"Of course. Why wouldn't you?"
Mary hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod
"Then… I'll go."
—
As the group sat down for their meal, the atmosphere subtly shifted. Even though there was an additional person, that person was Mary - someone even quieter than both Kaiser and Amelia. If their meals had never been particularly lively before, the silence now felt even more pronounced
Mary kept her head down, unsure of what to say. Even though she had decided to join them, she still felt out of place, like an uninvited guest intruding on a group that was already familiar with each other
Fortunately, Merias didn't let the awkwardness dampen the group's mood. As the most outgoing of them, she always knew how to liven up the atmosphere, and today was no exception
"Mary, what's your favorite food?" Merias asked with a bright smile, her eyes gleaming with curiosity
Mary flinched slightly, caught off guard by the question
"Uh… I don't really have a favorite…"
"Really? But if you had to choose?"
Mary fell silent, thinking for a moment before softly replying
"Maybe… sweet things?"
Merias clapped her hands together
"Oh! Then we should visit the bakery in town next time. They have an amazing strawberry shortcake!"
Mary was a bit surprised by Merias's enthusiasm. Not many people had ever taken the initiative to talk to her like this, let alone invite her somewhere. Although a little flustered, she could sense the sincerity in Merias's words
"Um… That sounds nice…" She gave a small nod
Merias beamed and continued chatting with everyone about various topics. Thanks to her, the tension at the table gradually eased, and the atmosphere became much more natural, no longer distant or awkward like before.
As everyone enjoyed their meal, Merias lowered her voice slightly, as if she was about to share an important secret
"Guys, I heard something really interesting."
Kaiser raised an eyebrow
"What is it?"
Merias leaned in slightly, her tone filled with excitement
"We're going on a field trip to the Calystria continent"
This time, the entire table was surprised. Amelia set her chopsticks down, her gaze sharpening
"Calystria? Why there?" Kaiser asks
Merias shrugged
"I don't know, but I heard that the royal family of Calystria personally sent an invitation to our academy"
Kaiser narrowed his eyes slightly
"The royal family of Calystria?"
Calystria wasn't just any continent. It was known for its complex politics and hidden factions lurking in the shadows. For its royal family to directly invite their academy was highly unusual
Kaiser turned to Amelia
"Do you know anything about this?"
Amelia crossed her arms, thinking for a moment before shaking her head
"No. But I'll ask my father"
Everyone knew that Amelia's family held significant influence in the noble circles, and her father had close ties to various governments across different continents. If anyone could uncover the true reason behind Calystria's invitation, it was him
Mary silently listened to the conversation. She didn't know much about Calystria beyond what she had read in books, but she could already sense that this wasn't going to be an ordinary field trip
"I don't know if this rumor is true, but it sounds like it'll be fun" Kaiser said, leaning back in his chair
—
Two people - a man and a woman - walking down a vast hallway, the sound of their shoes echoing against the marble floor. Towering pillars lined both sides, engraved with ancient depictions of a long-lost era
The woman, her long hair neatly tied back, glanced at the man beside her. Her voice was low yet filled with anticipation
"When will we meet him, brother?"
The man, tall and exuding an air of quiet authority, responded calmly
"In about a month. The invitation has already been sent"
"Good" She smiled slightly, a sharp gleam of interest flashing in her eyes "I'm looking forward to it"
They continued walking, following the seemingly endless hallway toward a massive door intricately crafted with gold and silver. As they approached, the guards standing before it swiftly moved aside, pushing the doors open for them. The light from within spilled outward, reflecting off the delicate carvings on the door's surface
Without hesitation, they stepped inside. Rows of people stood in formation, each one lowering their heads in deep bows, making way for the two figures advancing toward the center
The man resumed speaking, his tone as composed as if he were discussing something completely mundane
"What do you think I should give him when we meet?"
The woman paused, considering his words before replying
"I'm not sure. But if you choose something too valuable, he might feel pressured. The best gift would be something simple yet meaningful"
A man hurried past them, his presence brief and unnoticed by either of them. They remained unfazed, continuing their steady stride forward.
Finally, they came to a stop before a golden throne, its intricate engravings a symbol of absolute power. The man lowered himself onto the seat, leaning back with a composed yet piercing gaze
"That makes sense" He gave a small nod
"Then I'll give him the Aoz necklace. I have no use for it anymore, and leaving it in storage would be a waste"
The woman stood beside him, arms crossed, her expression filled with observation and calculation
At the base of the throne, the man from before knelt, his head bowed low. A silver crown gleamed atop his hair, yet despite its grandeur, he bore the posture of absolute submission
The ember-colored eyes of the two figures on the throne bore down on him - eyes belonging to those who stood at the very pinnacle of power