Chapter 230 A Warmth of Domesticity, a Surprise, and a Blade of Light

Chapter 230

A Warmth of Domesticity, a Surprise, and a Blade of Light

Date : Day 15 of Deepwinter 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.

The sixth day of rest had arrived quietly.

Yesterday also marked the end of Elise’s five-day recovery. The illness had left her bedridden for several days, forcing her to remain in her room while Hyoren carefully monitored her condition. 

Two days ago, Elise's fever had finally broken, and she had regained enough strength to leave her bed. She was still taking things slowly, but the worst of the illness had passed.

Outside the windows, Akela remained covered in snow. Inside Wyvern Street Manor’s dining room, however, the atmosphere was warm.

A large plate of fluffy sun-melon pancakes sat in the middle of the table in their dining room, each one soft and thick, with honey drizzled generously across the top. 

Hyoren sat with a cup of freshly brewed coffee in front of him.

Across the table, Elise, Arianna, and Ina had chosen tea instead. Jackey, meanwhile, had a large glass of milk.

Lena and Vina had initially remained standing to make sure everyone had what they needed, but once the breakfast was properly served, they finally took their own seats.

Hyoren took a slow sip of his coffee and glanced around the table. His dark eyes landed on the silver-haired elf on his left.

“So, you're finally back to normal.”

Elise smiled as she held her teacup.

“Thankfully. My fever is gone, and my head doesn't feel like it's filled with mud anymore.”

Hyoren nodded.

“That's good. You gave everyone quite a scare.”

Elise lowered her eyes slightly.

“I know. I'm sorry for causing so much trouble.”

Lena gently shook her head. Her drooping fox ears swayed gently with the motion.

“There is no need to apologize, Mistress Elise. Taking care of you was hardly a problem.”

Vina nodded beside her. Her bushy fox tail swished once.

“Everyone was worried about you, Sister Elise. I'm just happy that you're feeling better now.”

Elise smiled warmly at the two Fox-clan Beastkin.

“Thank you. I really appreciate everything you both did for me.”

Ina took a sip of her tea before smiling.

“Nyahaha. I'm just glad you're healthy again. You were sleeping so much that the manor felt unusually quiet.”

Elise tilted her head. Her silver hair cascaded around one of her shoulders.

“Was I really that quiet?”

Hyoren nodded.

“You barely spoke for several days. Most of the time, you were asleep.”

Elise sighed. She tucked a strand of her silver hair behind her pointed ear.

“I don't remember much of it. I only remember waking up, drinking medicine, and then falling asleep again.”

Arianna calmly placed her teacup down.

“Mentor, you also complained about the medicine every time you woke up.”

Elise looked at her.

“I did?”

Arianna covered her mouth with one hand.

“Yes. You said it tasted terrible, Mentor. Ohoho.”

Elise thought for a moment before taking another sip of tea.

“Then at least I still had enough strength to complain.”

Jackey suddenly laughed. His tabby cat ears twitched.

“HAHAHA! Elise really hated the medicine!”

Elise turned toward him. Her eyebrows furrowed.

“You would hate it too if you had to drink it.”

Jackey shook his head confidently.

“I wouldn't! I never get sick!”

Arianna clasped her hand on top of the table while giving him a dry look.

“You were nearly killed by a Guardian, Jackey.”

Jackey's tabby cat ears drooped.

“That's different.”

Ina burst into laughter. Her cat tails shook with the motion.

“Nyahaha! How is that different?”

Jackey crossed his arms.

“Because that wasn't sickness, Big Sis!”

Hyoren shook his head with a faint smile.

“Somehow, I don't think that's a very convincing argument, Jackey.”

The conversation continued naturally from there.

They talked about the snow outside, the food they wanted for dinner, and what they had been doing during their six days of rest.

Nothing particularly important.

Just ordinary conversation between people who had finally been given time to relax.

Hyoren glanced toward the window.

“We're going back to the dungeon tomorrow.”

Jackey immediately stood and raised his fist. His tail spiraled widely behind him.

“WOHOO! Finally! Dungeon again! Time to whack more skulkers!”

Arianna sighed.

“You sound as though you've been imprisoned here for six days.”

Jackey looked around the dining room.

“But there's nothing to do!”

Everyone laughed.

Hyoren looked at everyone around the table.

Lena and Vina were quietly enjoying their breakfast. Arianna and Ina were drinking tea. Jackey was already reaching for another pancake. And Elise was sitting there with them again, completely recovered.

A small smile appeared on Hyoren's face.

It was just an ordinary morning. But after everything they had gone through, he found himself appreciating it.

Elise noticed his expression and smiled.

“You look content this morning, Hyoren. Fufufu.”

Hyoren took another sip of coffee.

“Why would I not? Everyone is healthy, we're all together, and nobody is in a hurry to leave.”

Elise's smile widened. Her emerald eyes glittered.

“Then let's enjoy our last day of rest.”

Hyoren nodded.

“Yeah... Tomorrow, our routine continues.”

***

As they continued eating, the morning remained peaceful.

The conversation had settled into the comfortable rhythm of a family breakfast. The plates were slowly being emptied, the tea in several cups was gradually disappearing, and Jackey had already started eyeing the remaining pancakes as though he were planning his next attack.

Then—a clear bell chime echoed from the front door.

Everyone paused.

Hyoren looked toward the hallway, his coffee cup stopping halfway to his mouth.

“That’s the bell indicating mail, right?”

Several heads turned toward the entrance before everyone nodded.

Vina was already pushing her chair back.

“Let me get it!”

She hurried out of the dining room.

The others exchanged curious glances, but nobody followed. A few moments later, the sound of Vina's quick footsteps returned.

She scurried into the dining room carrying a large, flat package wrapped in plain brown paper. The package had been sealed carefully, and stamped across its surface was a familiar crest. The crest of the Aethellium Arcanum Academy.

Vina immediately made her way toward Arianna.

"It's for you, Lady Arianna!"

Arianna looked up.

Her expression changed the moment she saw the academy crest.

“From the Academy? Why?”

She placed her teacup down and accepted the package from Vina.

There was a hint of excitement in her movements as she tore away the brown wrapping.

Inside was a thick, leather-bound tome. The cover was completely bare. Black leather covered the entire surface, without a symbol, title, author's name, or even the slightest indication of what was written inside.

Arianna stared at it for several seconds.

Then two letters slipped from between the pages. One was sealed, the other wasn't.

Her eyes widened.

She picked them immediately.

As she read, her light blue eyes moved quickly across the page. Her fingers tightened slightly around the paper, and a small tremor passed through her hands.

“No way… No way…”

The words were quiet, but the excitement in her voice was impossible to miss.

Everyone at the table noticed.

Elise stopped halfway through lifting her teacup. Ina leaned slightly closer. Even Jackey forgot about the pancakes.

Hyoren rested his elbow on the table and looked at Arianna with open curiosity.

“What did you get, Arianna? And who sent it?”

Arianna slowly lowered the letter.

The smile on her face had grown wider.

“This is from my teacher…”

Hyoren raised his eyebrows.

“The headmistress of your academy? Headmistress Thavenessia? You still keep in contact with her?”

Arianna pressed the letter lightly against her chest for a moment.

“Yes, Leader. She always wants to know how I'm doing.”

She looked down at the letter again, and there was something almost fond in her expression.

“She asked about my studies, my magic, and whether I was keeping up with my runic theory. Ohoho.”

Hyoren could already imagine the kind of teacher who would send such a letter.

“So she's still keeping an eye on you even after you graduate.”

Arianna gave a small laugh.

“She considers graduation to be the beginning of proper study, not the end of it.”

She set the letter carefully on the table.

Then, perhaps remembering exactly how her teacher would speak, Arianna straightened her back. Her shoulders became rigid. She lifted her chin slightly and composed her expression into one of absolute seriousness.

Even her manner of holding the teacup changed.

Elise immediately noticed.

Arianna spoke again, but this time she deliberately deepened her voice and adopted an exaggeratedly formal, stern tone.

“Arianna. For a scholar, there is no end to learning. Study for life.”

She paused. Her light blue eyes narrowed with the severity of a strict noblewoman addressing an unruly student.

“So I will never cease to be your teacher. I will continue to monitor your progress in magic and runic theory. Do not mistake distance for freedom from your academic obligations.”

The imitation was so convincing that everyone around the table stared at her for a moment.

Then Elise covered her mouth, unable to hold back her giggle.

“Fufu. Arianna, you even changed your face.”

Arianna immediately relaxed her posture.

“Did I?”

Elise nodded.

“You looked like you were about to punish someone for getting their spell formula wrong.”

Ina leaned forward, her cat ears twitching with amusement.

“She really does sound strict. Nyahaha. I can almost imagine her standing in front of Arianna with a book in one hand.”

Arianna gave her a slightly embarrassed look.

“She is a very serious teacher, indeed.”

Jackey leaned back in his chair.

“Then I definitely don't want to meet her.”

Arianna glanced at him.

“You haven't even met her, Jackey…”

Jackey crossed his arms firmly.

“That doesn't matter. If she's that scary, I don't want her looking at me.”

Lena quietly covered a smile with her hand while Vina giggled beside her.

Hyoren couldn't help smiling as well.

“She does sound strict.”

He looked at Arianna's expression.

“But judging from that letter, I think she cares about you quite a lot.”

Arianna's smile softened.

“Yeah.”

She looked down at the letter again.

“She has always been like that.”

Hyoren picked up his coffee.

“So what did she say this time?”

His gaze shifted toward the black tome.

“And what exactly is that book?”

Arianna glanced at the tome before answering.

“The last time I sent her my periodic letter, I told her about you, Leader. She asked whether I had managed to find a good party after leaving the academy.”

She rested one hand lightly on the black cover.

“I told her I had. I wrote about everyone, too. I told her about Elise, Ina, Jackey, and the others.”

Her eyes moved toward Hyoren.

“And I mentioned that you were especially interested in learning dark magic.”

Hyoren's eyebrows rose slightly.

“You told your teacher about me?”

Arianna smiled.

“Of course, you are my party leader. There was quite a lot to write about.”

She picked up the letter again.

“And apparently, my teacher became interested.”

Hyoren looked at the letter in her hand.

“Interested enough to send me something?”

Arianna nodded.

“She has some words for you, Leader.”

Hyoren tilted his head.

“For me?”

Instead of answering, Arianna extended the letter across the table.

“Read it yourself. There's nothing private in it. We were mostly discussing my studies and the party.”

She gave him the letter with a small smile.

“And more than half of it is addressed to you anyway.”

Hyoren accepted it.

Everyone's attention immediately shifted toward him.

He unfolded the paper and began reading.

To My Exceptionally Gifted, Yet Intolerably Reckless Pupil,

I trust this missive finds you in good health and sound mind, though knowing your penchant for chaos, I hold my breath until I receive your reply.

Pray tell, how fares your arcane constitution? Have you succeeded in expanding your Aethell Reserve, or perhaps codified any novel spell matrices during your travels? Most importantly, I expect a thorough update on your progress regarding runic theory in your next correspondence. Do not suffer the delusion that distance grants you leave from your scholarly obligations.

Never forget: true learning is the noble pursuit of a lifetime, not a sprint toward early ruin.

As for your current circumstances, word has reached me that you have aligned yourself with a rather capable party. You would do well to remember that steadfast companions are worth infinitely more than any gilded crest or ancient hoard. Treasure them, temper your foolish impulses for their sake, and learn the grace of relying on those who walk beside you.

Lastly, I request that you hand the enclosed, sealed letter directly to your Party Leader. I trust you possess enough decorum and self-preservation to deliver it unopened.

I await your prompt response.

Thavenessia Qwentinus

Headmistress of the Aethellium Arcanum Academy

Hyoren lowered the letter. For a moment, he simply stared at it.

Hyoren glanced at Arianna.

“She sounds strict, but actually caring, Arianna.”

Arianna's expression softened.

“Yeah. She is always like that.”

Hyoren nodded.

She sounds like a tsundere…

The thought came naturally to him and it almost made him chuckle.

From the way Thavenessia wrote, it was obvious that she cared deeply about Arianna. She simply seemed determined to bury that concern beneath strict lectures, formal words, and constant reminders about studying.

She cares about her so much, but doesn't want to show it…

Hyoren almost smiled at the thought.

To him, it was a familiar character archetype from Earth—one he had encountered countless times in manga, anime, and novels. Yet seeing it appear in an actual person was strangely amusing.

Of course, he had no intention of telling Arianna that.

He simply took another sip of his coffee.

“Your teacher seems to care about you quite a lot.”

Arianna smiled.

“Yeah. That's why I love her too.”

Hyoren nodded.

Then his eyes moved toward the second letter.

“There was another one inside, right?”

Arianna nodded.

“The sealed letter.”

Hyoren carefully opened it. He glanced around the table. Everyone was already watching him.

“Looks like this one really is for me.”

He unfolded the paper. Then he began reading aloud.

To Hyoren Enjo, Leader of the Freedom Party,

I heard about you from my reckless pupil. She mentioned your keen interest in learning dark magic and spoke highly of your creativity in constructing spells, describing your runic arrays as uncommon and exquisite.

You have my praise. In an era where dark magic is looked down upon and feared by everyone, very few choose to walk this path.

Thus, I have sent a tome to you through my pupil. Inside is a compilation of unique and ancient dark magic runes to assist you in forming your spells. I compiled these myself, drawing from my own experience, knowledge, and my unique skill, Akashic Record.

May you find the tome useful, fellow Noctynara’s Embraced.

May Her embrace always protect you, even in the darkest night.

Thavenessia Qwentinus

Noctynara’s Truth Seeker

P.S. Whenever you have time, please visit me at the academy. I wish to speak with a fellow receiver of Goddess Noctynara’s Divine Protection who is also a Spirited Away.

Hyoren stopped reading.

The dining room became completely silent. His eyes remained fixed on the final line.

Arianna's expression slowly changed. She had clearly not expected her teacher to write that.

Elise's emerald eyes widened. Ina's cat ears stood straight up. Jackey had gone completely still. Even Lena and Vina exchanged a startled glance.

Nobody spoke.

The revelation had landed far harder than the rest of the letter. 

***

Hyoren narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Arianna.

“Arianna, did you tell her about it?”

Arianna's light blue eyes widened. She immediately waved both hands in front of her, her refined composure breaking for a moment.

“No, Leader! I would never reveal our party's secret that easily, even if it were my esteemed teacher!”

She quickly straightened herself again, smoothing the front of her purple robe as though regaining her dignity.

“I swear, I only told her about your interest in dark magic. And I told her how well you lead our party!”

Hyoren watched her for another moment.

Arianna's expression was unusually serious.

He knew she understood how important the secret was. She had been with him long enough to know that revealing his origin carelessly could cause problems far beyond anything they could easily handle.

“I trust you, Arianna.”

Hyoren's gaze returned to the letter resting in his hand.

“But then... how did she know?”

The question brought the conversation to a halt.

Elise, who had been quietly listening with her teacup between both hands, leaned slightly forward. Her emerald eyes moved between Hyoren and the letter.

“What if Goddess Noctynara told her?”

She tilted her head.

“Headmistress Thavenessia is a Truth Seeker, right? If that title has something to do with communicating with the goddess, couldn't she have learned about you directly from Noctynara?”

Hyoren thought about that for a moment. Then he slowly shook his head.

“I don't think so.”

He rested the letter against the table.

“When I met Noctynara, she didn't seem like the type who talked much. At least, not about things like this.”

His expression became slightly wry. He remembered the warm but clumsy Goddess of Light.

“Luminara was much more talkative.”

Elise giggled softly.

Ina nodded while stirring her tea.

“Yeah. And from what I've heard, the gods and goddesses don't usually reveal much about the people who receive their Divine Protection.”

Her cat ears twitched as she thought about it.

“Sometimes they even seem to want those identities kept secret.”

Hyoren tapped one finger lightly against the table.

“Exactly.”

His gaze drifted toward the ceiling for a moment.

“Take Mikail Smirnov, the old Dark Saint. He never revealed that he was the one.”

Jackey, who had been quietly listening while eating another piece of pancake, glanced toward Hyoren.

“And the current Dark Saint is still hiding too, right?”

Arianna nodded.

“Yeah.”

She picked up her teacup but didn't drink from it.

“Headmistress told me all Dark Saints have been hiding their identity since the Heretics Era. They had to do it to avoid persecution and capture by the Voided Covenant.”

Her fingers rested around the cup.

“They still act as Noctynara's saint, but they never openly reveal that they are the Dark Saint.”

Jackey's ears drooped slightly.

“That's sad.”

Arianna's expression became thoughtful.

“It is… That's why the identity of the Dark Saint is still treated as a secret.”

Hyoren nodded.

“And Noctynara definitely doesn't seem like someone who would just go around telling other people secrets.”

A faint smile appeared on his face.

“Especially something like this.”

He looked at the letter again. Then his eyes shifted toward Arianna.

“You know your teacher better than we do.”

Arianna gave him a small nod.

Hyoren leaned back slightly.

“What about her unique skill?”

Arianna blinked.

“Akashic Record?”

Hyoren rubbed his chin.

“Yeah. If I remember correctly, it can access any knowledge that exists within the world.”

Arianna nodded.

“That's what she told me, yes.”

Hyoren's gaze sharpened as he tried to recall the details.

“But there's a limitation, right? She can't search for something if she doesn't know it exists in the first place.”

Arianna placed her teacup down.

“That's right. She needs some awareness of the subject before Akashic Record can retrieve information about it.”

Hyoren looked toward the letter again.

“So, could she use it to look into me?”

Arianna didn't answer immediately. She shifted slightly in her seat, thinking.

“Maybe…”

Her fingers came up to her chin.

“But I've never heard of her using Akashic Record to search for someone's personal information.”

Hyoren raised an eyebrow.

“Never?”

Arianna nodded.

“As far as I know.”

Her expression became more serious.

“Actually, there was one time when she tried it.”

Everyone's attention returned to her.

Arianna continued.

“She told me that she tried using Akashic Record to find the current Dark Saint.”

Hyoren's expression changed.

“The current Dark Saint?”

Arianna nodded.

“Yeah. She wanted to help them. Headmistress wanted to offer protection, but she couldn't find their name or location.”

She gave a small shake of her head.

“She said Akashic Record simply couldn't give her the answer.”

Hyoren leaned back.

“So even Akashic Record couldn't find them.”

Arianna looked at him. She shook her head lightly.

“Apparently not. That's why I don't think she could simply use it to search for you.”

Hyoren fell silent for a moment.

He tapped his finger against the table again. The mystery was becoming stranger rather than simpler.

“So she can't just search for a person’s information whenever she wants…”

He glanced toward Elise. She had been listening quietly, her expression thoughtful. 

Then Hyoren looked back at Arianna.

“Then maybe it really was Goddess Noctynara who told her about me.”

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“But for what reason?”

Nobody answered. The question simply remained there between them.

Ina lowered her teacup.

“Maybe there is a reason.”

She glanced toward Hyoren.

“Something we don't know yet.”

Hyoren nodded.

“Probably.”

He didn't particularly like the uncertainty.

Still, there was no point pretending they had an answer when they didn't. 

Maybe Noctynara really did tell her… Or maybe there's something else about Thavenessia's skill that we don't know…

His eyes returned to the letter.

Either way, I probably won't get the answer sitting here guessing.

Hyoren folded the letter carefully.

“I'll ask Her when we get the chance to meet.”

Arianna nodded.

That seemed to settle the question for the moment.

Hyoren then looked at her again.

“So... should we go to the academy soon?”

Arianna blinked.

“To the academy?”

Hyoren gestured toward the letter.

“Yeah. She wants to meet me, doesn't she?”

Arianna thought about it. Then she gave a small, uncertain smile.

“From the way she wrote it, I don't think you need to meet her immediately.”

She picked up her teacup again.

“She sounds curious about you more than anything else.”

Hyoren nodded slowly.

“That makes sense.”

Arianna took a sip of tea before adding another detail.

“There's also the distance.”

Hyoren looked at her.

“How far is it?”

Arianna lowered the cup.

“Very far, Leader. Even with fast carriages, it would take at least a month to reach the academy.”

Hyoren's eyes widened.

“A month?”

Arianna nodded.

“Yeah, Leader. That's why I never went back to Akela while I was studying there.”

She rested one hand on the table.

“My holidays were less than two months long. If I spent a month traveling home, I would have to turn around almost immediately just to return to the academy.”

Jackey stared at her.

“You really stayed there that whole time?”

Arianna smiled.

“I didn't have much choice.”

Ina's ears twitched.

“That explains why you hadn't visited home for so long.”

Arianna nodded. She smiled weakly.

“It was simply too far.”

She glanced toward the letter again.

“I'll send another letter to my teacher and ask her about it. We can ask whether she wants us to visit soon or if she's simply interested in meeting Leader someday.”

Hyoren nodded.

“Thanks, Arianna. I appreciate it.”

Arianna smiled.

The subject gradually settled after that.

There were still too many unanswered questions. But for now, none of them could be answered. But Hyoren had learned long ago that not every mystery needed to be solved immediately. Sometimes, the answer could wait.

The rest could come later. For now, there were more important things waiting for Freedom Party—the dungeon.

***

With everything settled, the members of Freedom Party gradually began leaving the dining room.

Lena and Vina were the first to move.

The moment everyone had finished eating, the two Fox-clan Beastkin stood almost simultaneously and began clearing the table with practiced efficiency. Empty plates were collected one after another, cups were gathered, and the remaining utensils were neatly stacked.

Within moments, most of the table had been cleared. Lena wiped the surface clean while Vina carried the dishes toward the kitchen. 

Once the dining room had been restored to order, the two disappeared into the kitchen again, where the sounds of running water and dishes being washed soon followed.

Elise stood from her chair.

“I think I'll go back to my room.”

She stretched lightly before giving Hyoren a warm smile.

“I'm more or less recovered now, but we're going back to the dungeon tomorrow. I want to be fully rested before we go in. Fufufu.”

Hyoren nodded.

“Rest well, Elise.”

Elise gave him a small nod.

“I will.”

She then left the dining room and made her way upstairs toward her room.

Not long after, Jackey also stood.

“I want to sleep too! The cold makes my fur stiff! HAHA!”

Before anyone could even respond, the Cat-clan Beastkin had already bolted from the dining room. His footsteps quickly disappeared down the hallway.

Hyoren watched him leave with a faint smile before standing himself.

He turned toward Arianna.

“Arianna, just as we planned, help me, will you?”

The crimson-haired mage slowly rose from her seat.

There was still a trace of uncertainty in her light-blue eyes. The strange revelation from Headmistress Thavenessia had not simply disappeared from her thoughts. There were still questions surrounding how her teacher had learned about Hyoren's secrets.

But Arianna also understood that there was little point in dwelling on something they couldn't currently answer.

She smiled back at Hyoren.

“Understood, Leader.”

Hyoren nodded.

The two of them left the dining room together. They crossed the main hall before continuing toward the rear of the manor. When Hyoren opened the back door, a cold breeze immediately slipped inside.

Beyond it was the backyard. Snow covered the ground in a thin white blanket.

The household regularly cleared the yard whenever they had free time, preventing the snow from accumulating too deeply. Even so, the surrounding winter landscape remained unmistakable.

Hyoren and Arianna stepped outside.

The cold air immediately brushed against their faces.

Arianna looked around the yard before turning toward Hyoren. The uncertainty that had lingered in her expression earlier was gone. Instead, excitement was beginning to show.

Her noble composure had not disappeared completely, but something else had certainly returned. The magic-freak brat.

Her eyes practically sparkled.

“Finally. It's time to see your new spell, Leader! Ohoho.”

She leaned slightly toward him.

“But you really won't tell me anything about the construct? Stingy!”

Hyoren scratched his cheek.

He had expected this.

“But this new spell of mine was constructed using many secret runes from Luminara's Church. Archbishop Sherine entrusted those church secrets to me, so I don't think it would be appropriate for me to simply reveal them.”

Arianna's cheeks puffed slightly.

“But I told you about my teacher's secrets!”

She clasped her hands together and leaned forward, her light-blue eyes fixed expectantly on him.

“And she even sent you a tome containing many ancient dark magic runes!”

Her expression became increasingly pleading.

“Please? I'm not asking you to show me the secret spellbook.”

She tilted her head.

“But could you at least tell me about the runes you used for your spell?”

Her crimson hair slipped over one shoulder as she looked up at him.

“Please?”

Hyoren scratched his cheek again.

She has a point….

Arianna had already taught him a great deal about magic and runic theory. And her curiosity wasn't something that would simply disappear because he refused to explain anything.

Besides...

Maybe Archbishop Sherine wouldn't mind that much…

Hyoren remembered the kind, motherly archbishop who had entrusted him with that spellbook in the first place.

After a moment of consideration, he smiled.

“Well, fine. I'll tell you about my spell construction.”

Arianna's expression immediately brightened. Her mouth curled into a delighted smile, and her light-blue eyes glittered with excitement.

“Yay! Thank you, Leader!”

Hyoren smiled at her reaction.

“Now, for the demonstration first, I want to test its power.”

He looked toward Arianna.

“Please create a sturdy Earth Wall, Arianna.”

Arianna immediately nodded.

She reached into her purple storage bag and pulled out her Quadraflux Weaver. The familiar staff appeared in her hands. She raised it toward the open yard.

“Earth Wall.”

A deep rumble sounded beneath their feet. Stone rapidly rose from the ground, forming a towering wall between them and the open space beyond. The newly formed barrier was thick and sturdy enough to protect the surrounding area from whatever spell Hyoren was about to unleash.

Arianna lowered her staff and looked toward him.

“There. Now you can go all out, Leader.”

Her eyes were already shining with anticipation.

“Now... Please show me! Show me!”

Hyoren stared at her for a moment.

Then he chuckled. Arianna was far too excited about seeing a new spell. Especially the one with a secret rune.

He shook his head in exasperation. Still, there was a small smile on his face.

***

Hyoren reached into his storage bag and quickly pulled out his conduit. The familiar grip of Dawn Breaker settled into his hand.

This was the first time he was going to use the spell. The third-tier Light Magic spell.

During their last dungeon dive, Hyoren had raised his Light Magic skill to Level 5, finally unlocking access to third-tier spells. He had spent the following days of rest thinking about what kind of spell he actually wanted.

He already had several useful tools at his disposal. Enchant Maledict allowed him to weaken his enemies. Healing Light allowed him to heal injuries. Accel Zone strengthened his physical performance. Shadow Bloom gave him an area-of-effect attack through Dark Magic.

His arsenal was becoming increasingly versatile.

But something was still missing—a trump card. A spell that could concentrate a tremendous amount of power into a single attack and inflict devastating damage on one target.

Hyoren had spent several days thinking about how to fill that gap.

Eventually, his inspiration had come from Elise. More specifically, from her trump card, Enchant Magic: Sacred Wind. He had studied the idea behind the skill and considered how he could adapt a similar concept to his own magic system.

After days of contemplation, he had finally settled on a design.

Hyoren raised Dawn Breaker high above his head, the blade pointing toward the sky.

He closed his eyes.

The first thing he needed was an image. He imagined the spell. A sword made entirely of Light Aethell. It would originate from Dawn Breaker, extending far beyond the physical blade. When the blade of light struck a target, it would cut through it. Then, once the blade touched its target, the spell would unleash a powerful shockwave of energy and end the spell.

That was the basic concept.

But the shape of the blade needed to be adjustable. Its length. Its width. Its thickness.

Hyoren continued refining the image inside his mind.

For now… I will go with this size… Five meters long... Half a meter wide... One-tenth of a meter thick…

He fixed the dimensions in his mind.

Then he began constructing the Runic Array.

Light.

The Aethell inside Hyoren's core transformed from its neutral state into Light Aethell. He felt the familiar energy shift within him.

Conduit.

The Light Aethell began flowing from his core toward Dawn Breaker.

Endow.

The Light Aethell enveloped the blade.

Schema.

The gathered Aethell began taking shape. A second sword formed around Dawn Breaker. It was no longer simply an aura surrounding the weapon—it was a blade.

A massive sword of condensed Light Aethell extending far beyond the physical Dawn Breaker.

Flux.

This rune made Hyoren able to adjust the shape. Five meters in length. Half a meter in width. One-tenth of a meter in thickness.

The dimensions settled exactly as he had imagined.

Focus.

The enormous blade of Light Aethell condensed further. Its brilliance intensified. The light became denser. Sharper. More concentrated.

Hyoren's eyebrows tightened as he poured more concentration into the spell.

Then came the seventh rune.

Sever.

The function was simple. The blade could cut. That was the purpose of the spell.

But the final rune was what allowed the attack to end properly.

Discharge.

Once the blade struck a target, the accumulated Light Aethell would be discharged. The blade would disappear rather than continuing to consume Aethell from Hyoren.

It also gave the rune another function.

If Hyoren deliberately supplied additional Aethell after the blade made contact, Discharge could instead trigger a powerful Light-element detonation.

That was the final part of his design. Cut first. Then explode.

The Runic Array was complete.

Hyoren opened his eyes.

Light erupted around Dawn Breaker.

“Luminara's Judgement - Lumen Severance!”

The sword in his hand was immediately enveloped in blinding radiance. Then the light extended outward. A massive sword of Light Aethell formed from Dawn Breaker's blade, its luminous edge stretching five meters into the air.

Arianna's eyes widened.

Now that she finally saw the completed spell, even her usual excitement was momentarily replaced by pure astonishment. She had expected Hyoren’s spell to be unique. But this was exceeding her expectations.

Hyoren tightened his grip.

Then he swung. The enormous blade of light followed the movement of Dawn Breaker. 

The edge touched the stone wall. There was almost no resistance. The towering wall split cleanly in two.

A moment later—the entire blade of light erupted.

BOOM!

A violent burst of radiance swallowed the remains of the Earth Wall.

Light flashed across the snowy backyard, forcing Arianna to raise an arm in front of her eyes.

The explosion thundered through the air. Fragments of stone were blasted outward before falling heavily into the snow.

For several seconds, neither of them moved.

Arianna slowly lowered her arm.

Her light blue eyes were wide. The towering Earth Wall she had created only moments ago had been sliced apart as though it were nothing more than a sheet of paper. And then the entire thing had exploded.

Arianna stared at the destroyed wall. Her mouth slowly opened.

“Leader…”

There was genuine awe in her voice.

“That wasn't just a sword of light.”

She stepped forward, staring at the scattered stone.

Her eyes began to sparkle again. She seemed to be at a loss for words on what to say.

“That's amazing.”

Behind her, Hyoren lowered Dawn Breaker.

His breathing was already heavy. The first use of the spell had taken considerably more Aethell than his other spell.

He looked at the destruction ahead of him. The spell had worked exactly as he had designed it.

Hyoren exhaled slowly.

He was panting now. But despite the exhaustion beginning to settle into his body, a small smile appeared on his face.

It worked… And… it cost almost half of my Aethell…

Hyoren chuckled.

But… it's a trump card for a reason…