"So," Xueluo murmured, lifting his head and glancing around.
Irina had brought him to what looked unmistakably like a deep forest—dense trees surrounding them from every angle. With his keen observation, Xueluo quickly noted the complete absence of any buildings.
"Yes, right here," Irina whispered, stepping forward. She pushed aside a low-hanging branch as she continued, "I searched for this academy for a long time. It was just a legend back then."
"Rumor has it that after the last Holy War, Zerich Hornheim—the strongest lone-wolf Mage besides the Hymn Guild—retired here and founded a private school."
*Zerich?*
*You know him?* Xueluo asked silently in his mind.
*Ah, yes. Zerich Hornheim. Known as the Sovereign of the Holy Sea Void. Even among us Blood Kin, he’s legendary. They say his magic could slaughter thousands of Blood Kin in an instant.* Guya’s voice carried a trace of unease. *He developed his own magic system—claiming mastery over time and space. They say he survived standing right where a meteor struck.*
*Then why would someone like that hide in a place like this?*
Before Xueluo could dwell on it, Irina parted another cluster of branches. They stepped through.
"We’re here, little sister."
"*Brother*," Xueluo grumbled, lifting his head with a sigh. "Please just call me ‘brother.’ I’d even accept ‘onii-chan.’"
Ahead stood a humble wooden hut, clearly built from local timber.
*Careful.* Guya’s warning shot through his mind the moment Xueluo neared the hut. *There’s an intense magical resonance inside.*
"..." Irina, oblivious to his expression, added softly, "Once we’re in, don’t do anything reckless, little sister. Master Zerich is extremely picky with disciples. Countless people have begged to study under him—only to be turned away." She lifted her chin proudly. "So, I’m quite the catch myself~"
"Yeah, yeah," Xueluo replied flatly, following her inside.
The first thing he saw was a hunched old man sweeping the floor.
"Uncle Heim, I’m back," Irina called out lightly, guiding Xueluo forward. A crow perched on a roof beam cawed loudly at the newcomers.
After weaving past tables and chairs, they stopped before a room veiled by a large curtain.
"Master Zerich, it’s Irina," she announced, bowing slightly. Light flickered behind the curtain, revealing the silhouette of an elderly figure.
"Irina? What is it?"
"Master, this girl is my little sister."
*Brother*, Xueluo corrected silently but stepped forward anyway.
"She wishes to learn magic. I’ve brought her to you."
"I see..."
Xueluo lifted his head slightly at Zerich’s voice—but his brow furrowed as he studied the silhouette.
This man’s magical presence...
Was weaker than Edward’s from that night.
*This* was the legendary Sovereign of the Holy Sea Void?
*You feel it too?* Guya’s voice cut in. *Trust your instincts, Contractor. I sense the same dissonance.*
Xueluo turned his head—
His gaze landed on the hunched old man sweeping nearby.
...
"Hey, Xueluo!" Irina’s voice snapped him back. "What are you doing? Face Master properly!"
...
Xueluo remained silent.
*Follow through, Contractor.*
*I know.*
He stood abruptly and strode toward the curtain.
"Eh? Sister? Xueluo?"
Before Irina could react, Xueluo yanked the curtain aside.
Behind it sat only a golden-haired girl, her eyes wide with shock—as if witnessing plum blossoms unfurling midair. Her astonishment soon melted into a sly, amused smile.
"Sorry, Master, my sister she—" Irina froze mid-apology, gaping. "W-what? Why is there a woman behind there?!"
"Master Zerich never leaves the curtain during lessons," Xueluo said quietly, turning away.
"Eh? Well, yes, but—"
"But he *does* leave. A Mage of his caliber can easily mask his presence from beginners." Ignoring Irina, Xueluo walked straight to the old sweeper. "Isn’t that right, Sovereign of the Holy Sea Void—Zerich Hornheim?"
The old man lifted his head, cupping a hand to his ear. "Eh? What’s that? Sorry, I’m hard of hearing!"
...
"*Stop it*," Xueluo muttered, rubbing his temples. "Your magical aura—it’s hidden well, but—"
The old man’s magical presence vanished instantly. Completely. Like a stone.
...
*Uh...*
*...Uh.*
"Eh? What did you say?" the old man bellowed again. "I can’t hear you!"
Xueluo felt Irina’s burning stare.
The silence was excruciating.
...
"*Pfft!*"
The golden-haired girl burst into laughter from the podium. Wiping tears, she finally gasped, "Come out, Grandpa! You finally got someone to fall for it. Your next disciple’s about to walk away!"
"*Squawk!*"
*Squawk?* Xueluo stiffened, looking up.
The crow glided down from the beam—
And in a puff of smoke, transformed into a silver-haired elder.
Handsome. Mature.
And wearing a grin of pure delight.
"Hahahaha! Joy! After all this waiting, someone finally saw through my disguise—even if it was just my magically-imbued broom-sweeper!" Zerich (presumably) roared with laughter. Patting Xueluo’s shoulder, he beamed: "Little one, you passed my inner-disciple trial! No one’s cleared it in decades~" He extended a hand. "Congratulations. I recognize you as the inheritor of my Spatial Magic. I’ll teach you everything I know."
...
Xueluo stared at Zerich’s hand.
Then at his ecstatic face.
...
*Thwack!*
In one fluid motion, Xueluo’s foot shot up—landing squarely between the old man’s legs.
"*Oof—!*"
Zerich’s grin froze. He crumpled to the floor, writhing. Xueluo exhaled.
"Dunno. Just really wanted to kick you."
*Ah.*
Guya’s whisper was soft.
*I felt the same urge.*
