“Is this… death?” Alreis drifted weightlessly through endless void, floating without direction, as if the journey would never end. Everything felt released—the longing to grow stronger, the bitterness of defeat—none of it mattered anymore.

From the emptiness, a voice echoed: “Are you willing?”

“Willing for what? To go to heaven?” Her consciousness blurred. “I… I am willing.”

But then—*thump… thump…*—the sound grew louder, vibrating through her numb heart. Awareness sharpened.

Suddenly, Alreis opened her eyes. A beam of light pierced the room through the window. Her heart leapt. *Captured? Is this an Ascendant Sovereign’s lair?* Unlikely… but in her shattered state, caution was all she had.

She almost tried gathering magic—but stopped. If this *was* a Sovereign’s domain, channeling power would scream hostility. And right now? She couldn’t beat even one.

*Thump… thump…* Metal clashing. *Training?* she wondered. Her mind throbbed; mental energy was still off-limits.

The clanging ceased. Footsteps approached. Alreis closed her eyes—but left a narrow slit open.

*Creak!* The wooden door swung inward. A bare-chested youth stepped in, black hair damp, muscles lean yet coiled with quiet strength. Barely fifteen or sixteen. He grabbed a wet cloth and wiped sweat from his skin.

Relief washed over Alreis. *Not a Sovereign.* His magic? Level three. Practically nothing. (Though she had even less right now.) She’d survived. The Ascendant Sovereigns surely thought her dead. They never realized—the wielder of Darkness hadn’t aimed to kill her. And then *they* killed him… A pity.

*Black hair?* Rare here. Related to the Darkness user? Magic doesn’t change hair color… A curse? Her thoughts wandered—a habit to ease tension.

While she pondered, the youth lifted a bowl of black liquid. Scooped a spoonful. Brought it to her lips.

Alreis stiffened. *Being fed suspicious sludge?* Her pride stung. Time to “wake up.”

*Cough… cough.* She fluttered her eyes open.

“You’re awake?” His voice trembled with excitement as he set the spoon down.

“Where…?” she murmured weakly.

“My home. A blacksmith’s forge. Currently under Lord Blessing of Life’s territory,” he added unnecessarily. Alreis didn’t care. The Sovereigns were likely healing too—too busy for trivialities.

“And you are?” If he saved her, she owed him dignity enough to learn his name. Even if he was weak.

“Wude. No surname—I’m just a commoner.” He smiled, utterly unashamed.

“Wude…” Alreis offered a faint, self-mocking smile. “Call me Alreis.” *Might as well play the fallen princess.* Then she froze. *Did he… change my clothes?* Bandages pressed against her skin. Her gaze turned wary.

“Miss Alreis? Your name sounds… boyish.” Wude blinked. “Why are you staring like that?”

“Did you change my clothes?”

“Uh… No one else was around!” His cheeks flushed. He glanced away—then flickered back, eyes darting before he snapped upright. “Ah! Forgive me, Miss Alreis. That was rude.”

“No… it’s fine. Thank you for saving me,” she said sincerely.

“Really? You don’t mind?” A hopeful glint sparked in his eyes.

“Of course.” A chill prickled her spine. *Don’t ask for anything weird… He saved a stranger. He’s good… right?*

“Then I’m relieved…” Wude pressed a hand to his chest.

“Relieved… about *what*?” Alreis asked carefully. *Wait—does he have ideas? I’ve never… and I used to be a guy!*

“Well…” He scratched his head. “When I found you near the forest… I tested a family heirloom magic on you.”

“What magic?” Confused. *Magic? I can handle magic.*

“…Slave magic.”

“Huh?” Alreis froze.

“What did you *say*?”

“I… tested my inherited magic on you…” He rubbed his hands, flustered.

“What’s it called again?”

“Slave… magic.”

“ARE YOU KIDDING?!” Her shriek shot skyward. “Aaah—!” Pain flared from her wounds. “What did you do to me—a *wounded patient*?!”

*Almost slipped…* She forced calm. *It’s just slave magic. Once healed, a level-three spell means nothing.* But the shame burned. *Invincible my whole life… now a slave? How can I face the Ascendant Sovereigns again?*

“Eh, no big deal,” Wude shrugged, leaning close to her ear. “I don’t know how to break it… but *you* do, right? Respected Ascendant Sovereign.”

“Hahaha! What are you talking about? I don’t understand!” Her laugh cracked. Panic bled through.

*How…? How could this level-three mage possibly know I’m an Ascendant Sovereign?!*