A New Beginning
Arhen carried the collapsed Yuna to Curas's chamber in Arcana and laid her down to rest, then explained to Curas everything that had happened, from beginning to end.
"So Yuna's parents... they're really gone, then..."
"Yes. By the time I arrived, the demons had been destroyed, but Yuna was unconscious from complete mana exhaustion."
"Then you and I are the only guardians Yuna has left."
"Right. Now the two of us... wait, hold on. Why did I become one of Yuna's guardians?"
At that, Curas looked at Arhen with a thoroughly unimpressed expression.
"Are you seriously asking that right now? You spent two years teaching and raising Yuna with your own hands. What else would you call that, if not a guardian?"
"Haah... fair enough. I suppose I am her guardian. So what do we do with Yuna from here?"
"I've given that some thought. Arhen, raise her yourself. I am, after all, a fairy — I can teach Yuna magic, but I can't teach her how to live a human life. You may be an elf, but you've lived alongside humans for centuries now."
At Curas's words, Arhen gazed at the sleeping Yuna, lost in thought.
She's right. Yuna's talent is undeniable. If I raise her myself, I can make sure she never falls down the wrong path.
"Understood. I'll raise her myself. We'll talk more once Yuna wakes up."
"Yes, of course."
Two hours later, Yuna stirred awake.
"Hahh! Where am I? I was definitely... in the village, right? Huh?... Huh?! KYAAAAAAAAH!!!" She burst into heaving sobs. "Mama... Papa? Where are you... why did you leave me behind, Mama!! Papa!! Where are you!!!"
Just then the door opened, and Yurien and Curas came to her side. Curas pulled Yuna into her arms and soothed her.
"Yuna, it's all right... you're okay... we're here with you, aren't we?"
"Curas... Mama... Papa... I couldn't protect them... It's my fault. Everyone in the village died because I wasn't there..."
"No. It is absolutely not your fault! So please, calm down. If you go on like this, you'll only hurt yourself too."
"But... everyone is dead. There's no one left beside me now..."
In that instant, Arhen shoved past Curas and seized Yuna by the collar.
"What did you just say? No one beside you, you say?"
"Arhen, calm down — Yuna isn't in her right mind right now!"
Curas clung to Arhen's arm, pleading with him.
"Let go, Curas. This child isn't thinking straight. Look at her — there isn't a spark of life in those eyes. A nine-year-old brat wailing as if she's seen the whole world... don't you find that laughable?"
Curas had no answer to that.
"Listen well, brat. The one who summoned that demon was someone else entirely. When I arrived, nothing remained — but the residual miasma was thick enough to choke on. A demon carrying that much miasma should have been wiped out a thousand years ago, every last one."
At Arhen's words, Yuna lifted her eyes to him.
"You mean... someone summoned it on purpose?"
"That's right. Even now, there is without question a person out there summoning demons, absorbing spirits and fairies to strengthen them. What do you want to do to that someone?"
"I'm going to make them suffer the same way. I'll kill them exactly like they killed the villagers. Exactly like they killed my mama and papa."
The bright, lively girl Yuna had once been was gone. In her place stood an avenger, her heart consumed with hatred for the one who had taken her family.
"Listen carefully, little one. Simply being able to summon a demon at all makes that person a mage of terrifying power. As you are now, you couldn't so much as scratch them, let alone kill them. So I will help you."
"You...? How would you help me, Teacher?"
"Come with me. I will give you a home, a bed, food — everything you could ever need. So come with me to the Magic Tower."
Yuna's eyes wavered at those words.
"Why?... I have nothing. And I have nothing to give you in return. Why are you being so kind to me?"
"You ask the most obvious questions. You are my disciple. What exactly is the problem with a master looking after her disciple?"
Stirred by Arhen's sincerity, Yuna wept as she spoke.
"Teacher... may I really accept it?"
"Yes, of course you may. From this day forward, I will be your mother, your teacher, and your friend. No more crying, now."
"Waaaah... Teacher!"
Yuna threw herself into Arhen's arms, sobbing.
"Teacher, I'm going to become a truly great mage. And then I will find the one who killed my mama and papa — and I will have my revenge. I swear it."
"Yes. That is enough for me. From now on, I will open every road before you."
And so Arhen and Yuna became family.
"A-hem. Sorry to interrupt, but do try to remember that I'm here too."
At those words, Yuna ran to Curas and hugged her.
"Curas... thank you so much, Curas. You're family to me too. I love you."
Tears welled up in Curas's eyes.
"I love you too, Yuna. So please, accept my heart as well."
Curas took Yuna's hand and poured her mana into it.
"This is the Fairy's Crest. I've placed my own mana within it, so Yuna has become stronger than she ever was before. With this power, please — see your revenge through to the end."
The moment Curas set the Fairy's Crest into Yuna's soul, her golden eyes shifted to a brilliant blue — azure orbs, unmistakably changed.
"Mm. Thank you, Curas. I'll get my revenge, I promise."
After that, Yuna left Arcana together with Arhen and traveled to the capital, Arhen.
Meanwhile, Noah had buried herself in her laboratory in the Sliph Mountain Range, able to do nothing at all.
This can't be happening. That was my last chance. I used every trick I had left... How am I supposed to get Erich back...? I miss him. I miss Erich so much...
And so Noah dwelled on thoughts of Erich for a long, long while.
I miss Erich... wait. Yes! If I miss him, then I should just go see him! It's been ten years since I last saw his face! He might still be searching for me right now — no, he must still be searching for me. I'll meet Erich and ask him to wait just a little longer. I'm coming soon, Erich!
Noah began preparing her journey to the Secree family estate.
At the same time, Iris was off playing with Albert.
"Albert, what do you usually do for fun?"
"Normally I do sword training and study magic."
"And when you're not training? What then?"
"Oh, I just read books or go for walks. Why do you ask?"
"No reason. I was just wondering if there was any girl besides me that you were close with. Just curious."
"Ah~ I don't have any friends my own age. You're the first."
"Really? ...That's a relief."
"Hm?"
"It's nothing. Never mind."
Albert felt something faintly off about Iris, but decided to let it go.
Truly... what a relief... This time, there's no one but me, is there...? Yes, that's fine. That's enough. She doesn't seem to have found her yet — so I'll have to find her first. And kill her myself.
Three days later, the time came for the Secree family to depart from the Shadow estate.
"Sarah, Isaac — we owe you so much this time. I'll be sure to send word before we visit again."
"We'll let it slide just this once, Shiina. But next time, no free passes. Send word before you come."
"Yes, yes, got it. I'll keep that in mind. Well then, we'll visit again. And if any of you ever come to our estate, you'll welcome us properly, won't you?"
"Matriarch, thank you for your hospitality. We look forward to seeing you again. Take care, Albert — I'll write to you."
"Yeah... safe travels, Iris. I'll write too."
With those parting words, the Secree family left the estate. Soon after, Sarah summoned Albert to her office.
"Al, the reason your fiancée's family called you here this time was, of course, about your betrothal. What do you think of Iris?"
"Iris is kind, and I like her. But I'm honestly not sure about getting engaged yet."
"Then what if Iris were the one you ended up betrothed to?"
"That wouldn't be bad, I suppose. But I think I should meet more people first."
That's right — I have Yujin. I can't marry anyone else before I find Yujin!
"Very well. It's your will, so I'll respect it. Unless... is there some girl you already like?"
Albert froze at the question.
"What? No! Nothing like that! I barely know anyone to begin with!"
"Really? Good. Then you may go."
"Okay. See you at dinner, Mother."
And with that, Albert slipped out of the office.
"Effie, in your eyes — does Albert have someone he likes?"
At her question, Effie materialized out of thin air.
"Yes. Truthfully, I sense the young master does carry feelings for another."
"Haah..."
Effie's words only deepened Sarah's worry.
Albert has someone he likes... but there's no girl around him, so who could it—? Wait. Lara? Absolutely not! Just because Lara is a commoner, just because she has no power — I will never hand our Albert over to someone like that!
"Effie, if you ask me, the girl Albert likes is Lara."
"Wh—???? Lara? I... um, Boss? Surely that can't be right."
"I know it's a stretch, but think about it. Aside from Lara, there isn't another person his age anywhere near Albert, is there?"
"Now that you mention it... no, there isn't. Could it really be? Could the young master truly have fallen for Lara?"
Unable to contain herself, Sarah slammed her fist on the desk.
"Effie — this stays strictly between the two of us. Shadow Albert in secret. Find out exactly who any woman in contact with him is, and report back."
"Yes, Boss!"
And so began a mother's surveillance of her own son.
Elsewhere, Yuna arrived in the capital of Arhen alongside her teacher.
"Wow... Teacher, is this really the capital, Arhen?"
"It is. This is the capital, Arhen."
"Um... Teacher? Your name and the capital's name are the same. Is there a reason for that?"
Arhen flinched at the question.
"A thousand years ago, after the Demon God was destroyed and peace was restored, the people decided they wanted to leave behind a symbol of that peace. The heroes objected with everything they had — and somehow, the objection backfired, and a symbol got left behind anyway. Back then I had only just become a disciple, and it was decided that in place of the heroes' monument, my name would become the capital's name."
"Isn't that... a bit of a stretch?"
"I thought so too, but my own master found the story so hilarious that she insisted the capital keep my name."
"I see... Well then, I've decided I'm going to love this city! It was named after you, after all, Teacher. I like this city!"
"Really? I'm glad you're so taken with it. This will be your home from now on. For now, let's head to the Magic Tower — I happen to be its Lord."
"Yes, Teacher!"
And so began Yuna's life in the Magic Tower.