Chapter 111
Elena felt a surge of tension as she awaited her first training session. A wave of excitement coursed through her.
‘What kind of training will I be doing?’
Thump, thump
As her heart raced with anticipation, Karen spoke up:
“The first class is mana management.”
Elena was taken aback, as she had expected something different. Mana management, after all, was a fundamental skill for any wizard.
“Looking at your face, you’re probably wondering why we’re starting with something so basic.”
“… Yes,” Elena admitted.
“That’s fair. But remember, mana is crucial to a wizard’s existence.”
With a chuckle, Karen stepped back from Elena. “Close your eyes and exhale slowly.”
Elena followed the instructions.
“Now, focus on the mana within your body.”
She complied, gradually becoming aware of the mana as the Archmage had directed.
*****
Training with the Archmage proved to be more challenging than her usual routine.
The past few days had focused entirely on mana management, and she found that staying still while moving only mana was more difficult than she had anticipated.
What might have seemed simple before was now harder due to the increased amount of magical power in her body. After several days of practice, Elena found that she could control mana much more effectively.
‘I can definitely feel that the amount of mana used when casting spells has decreased compared to before.’
Elena left for home with a contented smile.
‘Tomorrow, she mentioned introducing a new magic. It’s gonna be fun.’
The days of mana training had finally concluded, and she eagerly anticipated the next day as she entered the dormitory.
Since starting her training with the Archmage, Elena had made a habit of crossing the portal to her quarters as soon as her sessions ended. Upon arriving at the office, Lexion greeted her warmly, as if he had been waiting for her.
“Elena, you’ve worked hard today,” he said, immediately wrapping her in a hug.
“You had a tough day too,” Elena replied.
They both smiled and, hand in hand, left the office together.
Since starting her training, Elena has been visiting Lexion through the portal after each session. With their time together becoming shorter, their meetings had primarily become a chance to sleep together. Lexion respected Elena’s choice and, despite his initial concerns about her fatigue, she remained adamant.
“Elena, aren’t you tired?” he asked.
“It’s fine,” she reassured him.
After a light meal and freshening up, Lexion held her close. With today’s training ending earlier than usual, Elena nestled into Lexion and gently touched him.
“Lexion,” she murmured.
Lexion understood her intent from the soft call of his name. He then carefully took her into his arms.
“Just enough so you’re not overwhelmed,” he said with a smile, and Elena nodded in response.
*****
The training was challenging, but Elena found it very enjoyable. While learning and mastering new magic was daunting, the process itself brought her happiness.
Between her training and meeting with Lexion, everything eventually led to the engagement ceremony.
Lexion had initially expected the ceremony might be postponed due to Elena’s busy schedule. However, Elena requested a single day off from the Archmage.
On that day, they held their engagement ceremony, with Lexion handling all the arrangements.
Elena made this choice to reassure Lexion of her commitment.
‘We spend every night together, but the time apart is longer…’
Despite this, Elena felt deeply regretful, especially since Lexion had handled all the arrangements. Lexion, pleased with his role in organizing the engagement ceremony, reassured her that she had no reason to feel sorry. This comforted Elena slightly.
Finally, the day of the engagement arrived.
Elena, dressed in a white gown that accentuated her figure, gazed at herself in the mirror. The jewels on her dress sparkled with every movement.
‘It’s almost blinding,’ she thought with a soft smile, recalling the late night she had first tried on the dress when it hadn’t yet been fitted.
Back then, it was just an engagement dress, but when Elena wore it, Lexion was moved to tears.
‘It was truly adorable,’ she thought.
When Elena smiled, the waiting room door opened.
“Elena,” Lexion called, entering in a pure white tailcoat. He blushed deeply upon seeing her, his eyes also reddening.
“Lexion, please don’t cry today,” Elena said urgently, helping him regain composure. He extended his hand to her.
“You look so beautiful today,” he said.
“You too, Lexion,” Elena replied.
Hand in hand, they left the waiting room. The engagement ceremony was kept small due to Elena’s busy schedule.
While it would have been simple to host a grand event, doing so would attract too many guests. This would take up much of Elena’s time, leaving her with less time to spend with Lexion. To avoid this, Elena preferred a ceremony that was just for the two of them.
Thus, the engagement was held privately at the Duchy of Halos, with only the couple in attendance. Despite the intimate setting, many people offered their congratulations. Gifts poured in from everywhere, including the imperial family, magic towers, various kingdoms, and nobles of the empire.
Many people offered their blessings for the union between the continent’s hero and future Archmage and the Duke of Halos.
Among the many gifts received, Lexion returned several, especially those with questionable intentions.
As they walked out of the mansion hand in hand, Elena asked, “Lexion, are you nervous?”
“No,” Lexion replied, though his tense expression betrayed him. Elena couldn’t help but laugh.
“Don’t be too nervous,” she encouraged him, and they continued on.
The engagement ceremony took place in the garden’s greenhouse, with a white carpet leading to it. As they approached the beautifully decorated greenhouse, Elena felt a sense of nostalgia.
‘So many things have happened here,’ she thought. She remembered having tea with Jane and Lexion, sending Killian to hell, and frequently witnessing Lexion’s endearing moments, as well as the wonderful times they enjoyed together.
A smile spread across Elena’s lips.
The outside of the greenhouse was elegantly decorated for the engagement ceremony. A sheer, white cloth draped over the entrance, surrounded by vibrant roses.
‘It’s beautiful…’ Elena sighed in admiration.
Lexion, standing beside her, remained visibly tense. Together, they entered the greenhouse.
While the greenhouse was always lovely, it looked especially stunning today. The attention to detail from the gardeners was evident.
As they reached the center of the greenhouse, Elena’s smile widened. In place of the usual tea table stood a wedding arch designed for two.
Seeing the arch, Elena was suddenly reminded that only two of them were in the greenhouse.
Both she and Lexion blushed at the thought.
Being less nervous than him, she approached the wedding arch first.
She extended her hand to the fidgeting man.
“Lexion,” she said.
Lexion took her hand and moved to stand in front of the wedding arch. They held each other’s hands and gazed into each other’s eyes.
With a smile, Elena said, “Thank you for always waiting for me.”
Lexion, cheeks flushed, responded, “I should be the one thanking you for being by my side.”
He then took out the ring box from his pocket. Inside were a pair of rings crafted by one of the finest artisans in the Empire. The rings featured red jewels that mirrored the color of Lexion’s eyes and Elena’s hair.
Lexion slid one of the rings onto Elena’s finger, and Elena placed the other ring onto his hand.
Their eyes met, and soon, the corners of both Elena’s and Lexion’s lips turned up in smiles.
Just then, a familiar voice broke the moment.
“So beautiful.”
Elena and Lexion simultaneously turned their heads to see Karen hovering above the wedding arch. She floated in the air, looking down at them with a calm demeanor.
“Ar-Archmage?!” Elena’s eyes widened in surprise.
“How are you…?” Lexion asked, equally stunned.
But Karen was all alone.
She flashed a grin and addressed the couple gazing up at her.
“On such a fine day, shouldn’t there be at least one witness?”
She then extended her right hand towards the couple. A golden light cascaded from Karen’s hand, enveloping them both.
“Congratulations on your engagement,” she said.
This was the Archmage’s Blessing—a form of luck magic. However, the luck magic directly wielded by the Archmage was twice as potent as ordinary luck magic.
Elena clasped Lexion’s hand and looked up at Karen.
“Thank you, Archmage.”
After receiving their thanks, Karen transformed into light and gradually faded away.
