As expected, we were caught by Buster and his pursuers just hours after hitting the national highway.

“I told you not to take the highway! You wouldn’t listen!!!!” I shouted at Buster ahead.

“Master Pupil, stay calm! We’re only here to bring the young lady back. We won’t pursue charges for your... elopement,” Buster said with a smile.

“What do you mean ‘elopement’?! This is mutual consent!”

“Exactly! It’s an elopement,” Tia chimed in.

“If it’s an elopement, why bring another person?” Buster glanced at Aerin.

“She’s my husband’s concubine,” Tia replied seriously.

“Are you trying to make things worse?!” I shoved Tia aside.

“Who’s his concubine?!” Aerin protested, face flushed.

“By the master’s orders, we must take Miss Tia back! Resist, and we’ll use force,” Buster smiled slightly, eyes glinting dangerously.

“Damn it! Must we fight?!” I raised my Magic Staff, ready.

“Fight then! Who’s afraid?!” Aerin charged with her spear. Buster’s servants rushed forward. Aerin swept her spear wide, but they dodged. Unarmed yet skilled, they avoided her deliberate non-lethal strikes.

“So your little concubine has skills too!” Buster mocked me.

“Who’s his concubine?!” Aerin yelled while sparring.

“Husband! Careful!! Water elements, solidify into a sturdy wall! Ice Wall!!” An ice barrier rose before me. An ice spike slammed into it a second later.

“You said you wouldn’t pursue me! Why did that feel like a kill shot?” I peeked out.

“Heh~ If that killed you, you’d be unworthy of Miss Tia.” He fired countless ice spikes. The wall strained under the barrage.

“Your butler’s quite skilled!”

“He was an instructor at the Kingdom’s Magic Academy! He became my butler to care for me,” Tia explained, straining to maintain the ice wall.

I peeked past the barrier at Buster:

Name: Buster

Class: Ice Mage

Level: 57

Equipment: Mystic Ice Staff (Modified)

Butler’s Uniform

“Why wasn’t he with us against the bandits?!” I asked Tia. Hank was only level 60.

“He said young people need training!”

“A teacher’s instinct?!”

“Pupil~~ Help me~~” Aerin’s cry cut through. She was pinned by servants.

“Game over. Come quietly,” Buster halted his attack.

“Husband! What now?!” Tia looked to me.

Attacking risked hurting Aerin or Buster. Wait—the Archmage’s basic skill: Little Snowmen. Given its track record, it might summon many! Create chaos, rescue Aerin.

“Here I go!! My turn to shine!!” I dashed out, staff raised.

“Little Snowmen~~~~~~~”

“???????????????”

Everyone stared blankly.

“Uh... what did you say?” Buster fought a laugh.

“Is this guy crazy?” Servants snickered.

“Husband.... what is this?” Only Tia watched with faith.

Nothing happened. Where were the snowmen? Then the ground trembled slightly.

“Let me go... quickly............” Aerin thrashed wildly.

“Hey... what’s happening?!” The mocking servants now looked scared.

“..................” Buster’s eyes widened at my back.

“What do you see?!” I glanced back.

An avalanche of little snowmen crashed toward us—like a snowslide, but made of tiny, grinning figures.

“You said ‘little’ snowmen!!!!!!”

“But it is many little snowmen!” Tia insisted earnestly.

Before we could move, the wave swallowed us whole. The snowmen melted into ordinary snow, burying the highway and forest.

“Ah!! Finally out!!!!” I climbed free, sweating heavily.

“Thought I’d never make it!!!” Tia emerged beside me.

“Find Aerin!” I yelled.

“I’m here~~~~ Pull me up!” A hand waved from the snow.

I yanked Aerin out.

“Scared me to death!! Such cute snowmen turned terrifying. Thought I’d die!!!!” She lay gasping on the snow.

“Sorry~~ I didn’t know so many would come,” I apologized.

“Find Butler Buster. He raised me—he can’t be hurt,” Tia said anxiously.

“No need. I’m here!” A black-sleeved arm thrust up. Buster pulled himself free, brushing off snow. “I never imagined magic that alters climate and environment.”

“Aerin, behind me!” I dragged her close.

“Relax. I won’t take Miss Tia back,” Buster said.

“Huh?? Why?!” We three exchanged skeptical looks.

“I opposed her marriage to the Empire. Her parents died by Imperial hands. I was ordered to pursue you—but only if found. I expected back roads, not the highway.”

“You could’ve pretended not to see us.”

“I planned to! But I wanted to test your abilities. I worry about her.”

“Test? That attack nearly killed me!!!”

“How else to gauge your resolve?”

“What did you learn?!”

“That you can protect Miss Tia.” A faint smile touched his lips.

“How did you cast that alone? Without chanting?!” Buster leaned in, serious.

“Uh... secret.” I know nothing about magic—just tossed a skill.

“This magic changed climate and terrain. Teach me someday!” His eyes sparkled with childlike curiosity.

“Someday... someday.” I had no idea when I’d return.

“Go now. I’ll rescue the servants.” He waved us off before they surfaced.

“Butler Buster.” Tia approached.

“Young lady?” He gazed fondly.

“Take care~~~~” She hugged him.

“You too. Don’t overexert yourself. Learn to care for yourself without me.” He gently stroked her brown hair.

“I’m leaving! To become stronger.”

“Take care~~~~~~” His voice softened.

“Hey! Care for Miss Tia well! Concubine is fine, but no third wife!” Buster suddenly glared at me.

“I’m not his concubine!!!” Aerin huffed and stomped off.

“Feels like a win, but why no joy...” I trudged after her, exhausted.

“I’m off~~~” Tia reluctantly turned away.

“Sigh~~~ Now to dig out these servants.” Buster’s weary voice faded behind us.