The crimson sun rose as a gentle breeze blew—a perfect day.

Wude glanced back at the locked blacksmith shop, a faint sadness tugging at his heart. He’d lived here three years, filled with memories. Leaving truly felt bittersweet.

"Lingyue must be brought back—I’ll give it my all!" Wude reaffirmed his resolve.

"Alreis, Elisa, let’s go!" he called to Alreis leading a Duck Mount and Elisa guiding the other mount named "Roaring Rabbit."

"Got it!" came two energetic replies in unison.

Their cheerfulness radiated warmth. Elisa’s joy made sense—but why was Alreis so upbeat? *Could there be a scheme?* Wude wondered silently.

"Big Brother Wude, ride my 'Roaring Rabbit'! It’s way comfier than the Duck Mount," Elisa said with a bright smile.

"Huh? But I’ve got this Duck Mount. You and Alreis can share your rabbit!" Wude replied.

Elisa frowned slightly. "Mmm… Sister Alreis also wants to repay Big Brother Wude’s kindness, right?" She turned to Alreis.

"Ah… y-yes, that’s right," Alreis murmured, recalling her supposed role.

"So… sacrificing a little for Big Brother Wude is fine, right?"

*So blunt…* Wude sighed inwardly. He wasn’t interested in Elisa… *Or was he?*

Honestly, he knew she might like him—but likely just as a kind next-door big brother, not real romance. Once she saw more of the world, she’d realize a guy like him—no magic talent, no standout skills, just average looks—held little charm. He wouldn’t hold her back.

Admittedly, the little-sister type had its charm. But Alreis was undeniably cute too. Even with lingering resentment over Lingyue’s death, *cute was cute*—he couldn’t deny sometimes feeling drawn to her. *If she hadn’t killed Lingyue… I might’ve already used the Slave Contract…*

"Alreis rides with me. She doesn’t know how to handle the duck mount," Wude decided before Alreis could answer.

"...Fine," Elisa mumbled, her twin tails drooping limply.

"Wait—Alreis, why the new hairstyle today?" Wude had noticed earlier. Straight bangs versus a ponytail gave completely different vibes: lively versus serene.

"Ah… since we’re going out, I wanted a fresh look…" Alreis blushed, too shy to admit she didn’t want to match Elisa.

"I’ve heard some regions have customs like this…" Wude mused.

"Then hop on!" Wude swung onto the duck mount and offered his hand.

Alreis took it. With a gentle pull, he settled her in front, then reached around her to grasp the reins.

"Elisa, why aren’t you up yet?" Wude glanced at the dazed girl.

"Okay…" Elisa climbed onto her rabbit mount like a zombie, muttering, "So smooth… must be an improper relationship…"—words Wude deliberately ignored.

Once Elisa regained composure, Wude exchanged a glance with both girls.

"Let’s go!"

"Roger!" came two voices in unison.

Journeys, however, were rarely simple. Elisa usually rode the academy’s "magical airship" between village and school—a creation of a famed Sage. Designed for military mobility in the new era, it was fast, high-capacity, and profitable despite heavy magic consumption. To Wude, it was basically an airplane. Unlike planes, though, mounts could board—and since airships rarely filled up, few traveled this way.

Traveling on foot meant facing real danger. Beyond settled paths, the wilderness held no guarantees.

Their route headed southeast toward the Blessing of Life’s territory. Alreis was certain the battle with the Ascendant Sovereigns happened there; the Blessing of Life couldn’t have fled far. She doubted it wielded spatial magic like Lingyue—but if it did, they’d chosen the most plausible path anyway.

They didn’t explain this to Elisa. Hearing "Big Brother Wude chose it," she instantly agreed: *"He’s always right."*

Alreis extended her spiritual energy across a twenty-meter radius. Scanning wider would risk detection—powerful creatures might see it as provocation. With her strength restricted, she dared not. Twenty meters was ideal: precise control, undetectable below Ascendant Sovereign level, and a clear signal of non-aggression. Only Seventh Rank and above could project spiritual energy like this—so Wude and Elisa sensed nothing.

Wude relaxed, trusting Alreis’s vigilance. Elisa, however, was tense.

Through her spiritual sense, Alreis felt Elisa’s hand hidden in the Roaring Rabbit’s fur, tightly gripping her wand, ready to cast at any moment.

*She believes it’s her duty to protect Big Brother Wude—he came just for her quest,* Alreis understood. *His strength may be lacking, but his intent is enough.* Elisa’s entire focus was on Wude, leaving no room for Alreis.

Alreis knew Elisa likely liked Wude. Though socially inexperienced, she wasn’t naive. Wude was her "friend"—logically, she should feel happy someone liked him.

Yet… why this faint unease? *My imagination?* Reflection was vital for an Ascendant Sovereign.

*Ah.* She concluded: having never had a friend before, she feared losing him. In her worldview, friendship ranked slightly below romance.

Relieved, she leaned back almost imperceptibly into Wude’s chest, feeling his warmth.

Wude assumed the mount’s motion caused it. He caught her subtle fragrance—his thoughts flickered. *Seasoned rider can’t zone out. And Elisa’s watching… or I’d tease her.*

Wilderness travel was perilous. Beasts rivaling Ascendant Sovereigns existed—and they commanded lesser minions. High-level threats lurked off-path. Fortunately, they followed a traveled route, not deep wilderness.

*For ordinary people*, anyway. Wude, quietly trusting his protagonist aura, never expected smooth sailing.

And he was right.

Ahead, a beast emerged—one Wude stood no chance against, and Elisa could only barely handle.