People on the ground were dazed and confused. Most had no idea what was happening—after all, the sudden appearance of an Ascendant Sovereign and a Sage felt utterly surreal to ordinary folks.

But Wude was different. The moment Chris appeared, he understood everything. Yet Chris’s overwhelming power left no room for resistance.

Never before had Wude felt so powerless—as if he didn’t even deserve to cheer from the sidelines in a Sage’s presence.

Yet he wasn’t the only one who knew. Elisa did too.

Elisa slowly stepped toward Wude, who stared fixedly at the airship above. Her expression was complex.

“Brother Wude… what… what’s going on?” Elisa bit her lip.

Hearing her voice, Wude snapped back. *Oh no—she knows.* Of course she would. She was a student of the Academy of Life Magic.

“…Brother Wude, please tell me. What happened?” A single tear traced down the corner of Elisa’s eye. “Why… why did the Sage, Alreis, and Tini stay on the airship?”

“Ah… well…” Wude faltered. That tear pierced his heart.

Elisa wiped it away quickly, fighting to steady her voice.

“You’ve been hiding things from me, haven’t you!”

Betrayal flooded her. Memories flashed: Alreis appearing suddenly in Wude’s room; Brother Wude—who never traveled far with her—insisting they take a mission together; little Tini being chased by Alreis after they were separated in that city…

*He was using me.*

She didn’t mind helping him. Truly, she’d been happy to. But why keep it secret? When she’d been so genuinely joyful?

“Why! What are you hiding from me!” Elisa grabbed his arm, shaking it. Her voice grew hoarse.

“Elisa…” Wude’s chest tightened. He knew he shouldn’t have hidden the truth. But matters between Ascendant Sovereigns—she must not be dragged in.

**BOOM!!!**

A deafening blast jolted everyone upward. The airship hung pierced by a massive, golden-glowing spear. Though still airborne, shattered fragments began raining down.

The vessel was enormous—entertainment halls, lounges—all now deadly debris plummeting toward them.

“RUN!!!” someone screamed. Those fragments fell fast. Even slightly weaker mages wouldn’t survive.

Panic erupted. People activated magic, fleeing desperately. Even the strong hesitated to stay—though they might not recognize Alreis or Tini, the Sage’s authority in this nation was absolute.

In seconds, only Wude and Elisa remained.

Wude glanced skyward. *No time.* He gripped Elisa’s shoulders, locking eyes with her tear-clouded gaze.

“Elisa! Listen—I can’t explain now. But trust me. I *will* tell you the truth.”

His unwavering stare made her flustered. She didn’t know why. His will felt unshakable.

“I know this makes me a jerk. I lied. But Elisa—right now, I need you. I need your help.” He had to reach the sky. Even as a burden, he had to say it.

“Brother Wude…” Elisa paused. “Ugh, fine. You really are a jerk! Deceive a girl one second, ask for help the next…”

Then she smiled. “But… I’m willing.” She took his hand.

“You want to reach the airship, right?” she asked gently.

“Elisa, how?” Wude’s voice was urgent.

“Life Magic can’t fly us up… yet.” She paused. “But I have a little friend!”

Emerald light swirled in her palms. She looked skyward. Wude followed her gaze.

“Is that… a little wyvern?!” he gasped. *How?*

“Don’t worry about it, Brother Wude!” Elisa’s cheeks flushed. (She’d used Life Magic earlier to befriend it—planning to have it ‘open up’ for him. He never came.)

“It’ll help us.” As the wyvern landed, kicking up wind, she added with a smirk, “And it’s strong—stronger than you, Brother Wude!”

Wude smiled wryly. She was still upset… yet still helping him.

“Get on, Brother Wude!” Elisa mounted first. Seeing his surprise: “It won’t listen to *you*.”

“Elisa…” Wude hesitated, then leaped up. “Thank you.”

“Explain everything properly when we get back!” Elisa slammed the emerald orb onto the wyvern.

**ROAR!!!**

The creature shrieked, its body swelling with renewed power.

With one mighty flap, it shot skyward like lightning.

“Whoa!!” Both yelped, clutching its fur to avoid being thrown off. Wude soared upward.

---

Aboard the shattered airship:

Alreis’s arm hung limp, pierced by golden light, blood dripping steadily. She glared at Chris standing atop the spear. Beneath it, little Tini’s small form was pinned to the deck, body nearly torn apart.

“HAHAHA!!!” Chris laughed wildly. “No wonder you’re the Blessing of Life! Even wounded, your vitality refuses to fade—you *are* my hope! Cough… cough!”

He caught his breath, eyes gleaming. “And an unexpected prize—the space-wielding Ascendant Sovereign? The most invincible of them all?”

“No wonder someone defeated all Ascendant Sovereigns… *you* were broken too. The world’s will demands *I* become the Ascendant Sovereign—the one and only in history!!! HAHAHA!!!” He laughed toward the heavens, as if the throne already awaited him.

Alreis remained outwardly calm, inwardly urgent. That strike avoided her vitals—non-fatal, so the restraints held.

*Should’ve known.* A nation sustained by a single Sage? He stood at the peak of Sagehood.

She flicked her uninjured hand. A crystal emerged—within it, a miniature starfield glittered, breathtaking.

“This again?” Chris frowned, wary. “You Ascendant Sovereigns… always pulling out gadgets that actually *hurt* me. Annoying.”

Alreis stayed silent, wrist flicking to launch the crystal. Chris formed a glowing spear—the very one that impaled Tini.

**Whoosh!** A sword flew toward Chris.

**CLANG!!!** It shattered against an invisible barrier. Both froze.

Wude and Elisa arrived atop the little wyvern.

“WUDE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!” Alreis’s voice cracked with fear. “You’ll die! Get away!”

A spear of light shot toward them.

“Starry Sky!” Alreis activated the crystal.

Darkness bloomed, glittering with stars. The spear struck Wude—then he reappeared beside Alreis. Where he’d stood, a single star twinkled.

“Alreis…”

“WHY DID YOU COME UP HERE?!” she screamed, cutting him off. Terror gripped her—*what if I’d been a second too late?* “I sent you down to keep you safe! You’re just a burden up here! Don’t you understand?!”

Wude showed no anger. He simply gazed at her wounded arm with quiet sorrow.

He stepped closer, crouching until their eyes met. Noses nearly touching.

“Alreis… I know I’m weak. I know I’m a burden.” His voice was soft, firm. “But I have something I *must* say to you.”