Chapter 03

Ten years ago, overnight, the Magic Empire that had ruled the continent for over five centuries collapsed! Skyward Cities plummeted like meteors. Countless Sorcerers perished.

No one knew how this catastrophe began. A natural disaster? Divine punishment, as the Church claimed? Or had the Sorcerers simply overplayed their hand?

No one knew.

It was a night darker than any before. Magic-powered lights died out… Every artifact tied to magic failed… Amid the ruins where Skyward Cities fell, Naya’s survival was nothing short of a miracle. Her brother, clinging to life, had whispered to her—*“Live.”*

Naya jolted awake from the nightmare—her brother’s words echoing relentlessly in her mind. Bare-legged, she slipped out of bed and walked quietly to the dressing table. She studied her reflection… Ten years had passed, yet that pure face still held traces of youthful innocence. She silently vowed never to let anyone mistake her weakness again based on looks alone.

Dawn was just breaking. Naya washed up methodically, dressed, and combed her hair. By the time she finished, others were only beginning to rise.

*Should I wake Leon for breakfast?* she wondered.

She walked to the door opposite hers and tapped lightly. No answer. Pushing it open, she found the room empty. Wind swept through the open window, fluttering the curtains. Sword swings echoed from outside—she leaned out and saw Leon had already started training.

*So this guy isn’t as carefree as he looks.*

Meanwhile, Leon found the Light Roar Sword even better than he’d imagined. Forged from Roaring Mountain Town’s unique metal, it was both lightweight and razor-sharp. Far superior to his old, battered iron blade.

When he finally paused, he noticed Naya waiting nearby.

“You’re up early?”

“For you.”

Naya handed him a warm cup of milk.

“My Healing Art can mend wounds, but lost nourishment must be restored through food. So, your first priority is to regain your strength.”

“Thanks.” Leon took the milk. Just seeing her like this felt warm. “You’re amazing, Naya. You can actually use Healing Art?”

A faint blush colored the girl’s cheeks. “I—I am! A Priestess! Healing Art is my professional skill. Of course I can use it.”

“I wish I had some cool professional skills too!” Leon mused, hefting his sword. “Like, making my sword giant-sized or something.”

“That…恐怕 only magic could do that.”

“Unfortunately, my benefactor told me the catastrophe ten years ago killed all Sorcerers. Nearly all magic was lost with them—uh, sorry. I shouldn’t have brought that up.” Leon suddenly recalled Naya’s own family had perished in the disaster.

“It’s alright. I’m used to hearing about it. The catastrophe affected everyone… changed the world. You can mention it around me anytime. No need to avoid it. No apologies needed.”

“You’re stronger than you look,” Leon said after sipping his milk. “By the way… you still had money for milk?”

“I only have two copper coins left. If we don’t take on some quests today, we’ll sleep in the stables tonight.”

Hearing this, Leon gulped down the milk without hesitation. “Okay, let’s go now!” He felt an unshakable duty—no way would he let Naya sleep in a stable.

They arrived at the Adventurer Guild in Roaring Mountain Town. Famous for its nearby mountain ores, it was the largest, most prosperous town in the region—and the only one with an Adventurer Guild. For Leon, stepping out on his first adventure, this place was practically his starting zone.

“Excuse me,” Naya said, leaning across the counter to speak with the guild clerk.

“I know you, little Priestess.” He glanced up at her but didn’t stop writing. “You and your companions were here days ago—huh?” His eyes flicked to Leon, then narrowed in question. Clearly, a new face.

“Please give me a new Adventurer Team registration form,” Naya requested.

Across the continent, every newly formed team had to register at the Adventurer Guild. Standard procedure.

“You’re registering for this young man?” The clerk pulled a form from his desk drawer and handed it over.

“Huh? It’s this complicated?” Leon leaned in curiously.

“If you want to accept quests and earn rewards, this paperwork is mandatory. Plus, adventurer teams follow a strict ranking system. Teams with proven strength earn star-rated medals from the guild—from one to four stars. Higher stars mean higher rank. Like this Priestess here—her former team was a one-star team. Quite impressive.”

Silently, Naya wrote Leon’s name in the Team Leader field. “I… have one more thing.” She unclasped her one-star medal and slid it across the counter.

“What’s this mean?” the clerk asked, puzzled.

“I… wish to disband the Star Cross Lancers.”

“Disbanding requires signatures from all members. You can’t do it alone.”

“But… what if… I’m the only one left? They’re all…” Naya paused, then forced the word out—“*Dead.*” Her face darkened. Beneath her bangs, her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

The clerk understood instantly. He sighed, pulled their team roster from a drawer, and stamped “CONFIRMED DECEASED” in crimson over the names—Ciso, Rohl, Jier, Kulin—one after another.

Death reduced to ink on paper.

“I’ll send this to headquarters shortly. Are you truly certain about disbanding? Honestly… one star! Such a waste.”

“I’m certain,” Naya replied. “I… can’t stay.”

*Fair enough,* he thought. *Keeping this girl in a team where everyone else is gone would be torture.*

Afterward, Naya wrote her own name below Leon’s on the new form.

“What should we name the team?” She turned to him. “You’re the leader. You decide.”

“Well… there’s only two of us. You’re a Priestess, I’m a swordsman. How about… ‘Light and Blade Adventurers’?”

“That works.” She filled in the name. Leon noticed her handwriting was exceptionally elegant.

In that moment, a brand-new team was born. And Naya was ready to start over with Leon.