After Edward left, Xueluo slowly walked through a dense forest. She then reached a grassy field.

Brushing dust off her clothes, she lifted her head and coughed a few times.

"Come out, Zerich."

As soon as she called, a crow shot out from the trees and landed on the ground.

Thick smoke billowed around it. When the smoke cleared, Zerich slowly rose from the earth.

"Oh dear," Zerich said, lightly clapping his hands with a smile. "When I saw Edward bringing those people over, my heart nearly stopped."

"But I'm glad you're unharmed."

"Well, one thing at a time," Xueluo murmured softly. She clasped her hands behind her back and faced Zerich. "But Zerich, tell me about that name you had me call—Sif Frosteren. What's her story?"

...

Unexpectedly, Zerich fell silent.

Xueluo tilted her head slightly at his odd reaction.

"What's wrong?" She stepped forward quickly. "Is there something you can't share?"

...

Only silence answered her.

After a long pause, Zerich spoke. "I truly want to tell you, but..." He extended his arm and rolled up his sleeve.

Xueluo saw a golden pentagram seal, woven from runes, on his wrist.

[That's a magical death oath.] Guya's voice came slowly. [A vow magically reinforced, with a wedge driven into both parties' bodies. Break it, and magic explodes—tearing the oath-breaker apart from within.]

...

"I see you recognize it," Zerich said, lowering his sleeve. "Sif was my student, Edward's contemporary. But I can only say this: Edward wasn't always like this. One incident involving Sif changed him completely." He lifted his head, lost in bitter memory. "I was the sole witness afterward. Edward forced me to swear a death oath—never to reveal Sif's identity or that event. I never expected betrayal from my best student... so I took the oath."

Zerich's face darkened with distress. He sighed and paced lazily across the grass. "I wish I could explain why Edward cares so much about Sif. But I can't. This wedge is buried deep in my magic. Unless my power is stripped away, even I can't break it."

...

Seeing Xueluo's disappointed expression, Zerich gave a bitter smile. He placed a hand on her shoulder and patted it gently. "But I recall you're taking that exam soon—the Hymn Guild's entrance test?"

"Huh? Ah, yes."

(Though it's just to retrieve something...)

As Xueluo thought this, Zerich withdrew his hand. "If you interact with Edward, you might glimpse the Forestern Family's dark side."

"The Hymn Guild's great families are filthy yet orthodox Mages. You can't imagine what they'd do for glory."

...

Noticing Xueluo's hesitation, Zerich sighed again. He spread his hands with a smile. "Anyway, let's begin the lesson. I'll teach you that technique I showed last time—the one that pierces through an enemy's body." He kept smiling. "Trust me, these skills will be incredibly useful later."