Chapter 112
The Archmage departed, leaving only Elena and Lexion in the greenhouse.
They had unknowingly received the Archmage’s blessing, and their hearts swelled with joy.
“The Archmage is truly a great person,” Lexion remarked, his gaze lingering where the Archmage had stood moments earlier.
Elena’s smile softened as she agreed, “Yes, she really is. The Archmage is a really nice person.”
She has always been like that.
The thought carried her into memories of the Archmage’s constant support. ‘Whenever I’m unwell or in trouble, she’s always there.’ Elena felt deeply indebted.
“She’s the reason I didn’t lose you,” Lexion added, kissing the back of Elena’s hand, their faces bright with happiness.
*****
After their brief engagement ceremony, the two returned to the mansion.
“Duke and Lady Elena, congratulations on your engagement!”
“Congratulations!” The servants showered them with well wishes and a sprinkle of pollen. Their joy was contagious, and smiles spread throughout the household.
“Thank you for your kind words,” Elena responded, Lexion mirroring her rare smile as they headed upstairs. Today, unlike most days, Elena had some free time, and they planned to spend the entire day together.
‘A whole day with Elena…’ Lexion thought, unable to suppress his growing smile. As he admired her from behind, standing on the balcony and taking in the view, his heart felt full just being near her.
“Lexion?” Elena turned around, noticing the intensity of his gaze.
Lexion, his face flushed, stared at her, lost in thought. His bashfulness made Elena chuckle as she approached him with a smile.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked, taking his hand and peering up at him.
Lexion’s face grew even redder, and he stammered, “That, that…” Yet he couldn’t find the words to finish.
Elena tilted her head, puzzled by Lexion’s hesitation. Finally, he managed to stammer out, avoiding her gaze, “E-Elena… I can’t believe I’m engaged to you.”
To Lexion, she had always been someone he admired—Elena Respell was his childhood heroine, the center of his world. He had longed to stand beside her, always striving to be worthy. Life had been difficult, but now, she was his fiancée, and the realization overwhelmed him.
“Haha! Really?” Elena chuckled, taking Lexion’s hands. But soon, her own cheeks reddened as she admitted, “…Actually, I feel the same. I still can’t believe I’m engaged to you, Lexion.”
It was a twist of fate she hadn’t expected, to be involved with Lexion Halos. There had been a time when her only wish was to escape the story and live peacefully.
‘But…’ she couldn’t turn a blind eye to Lexion’s suffering at the hands of his brother.
What began as an unexpected bond had grown into something deeper over time.
‘You really don’t understand people’s hearts,’ she mused with a gentle smile.
Like Lexion, she too was deeply moved by the thought of spending her life with him.
“Elena.” Lexion, still blushing, tightened his grip on her hand. His eyes gleamed with determination as he said, “I will always make you happy.”
“Lexion…” she whispered.
“I’m yours forever,” he vowed, causing her cheeks to flush even more. Her heart raced—it always did when it came to Lexion.
‘He’s the only one who can make my heart flutter like this,’ she thought, smiling warmly as she nodded.
“Yes, Lexion.”
With him, she would always be happy.
*****
Time flew by quickly. A year had passed since Elena and Lexion’s engagement.
The year had been filled with responsibilities—Lexion, as Duke of Halos, was constantly occupied, and Elena was immersed in her training as the Archmage’s successor. Despite the challenges, the nights they spent together washed away the day’s fatigue.
At that time, Elena had learned a lot from the Archmage.
“Hah, hah…” Elena gasped for breath, exhaustion weighing heavily on her.
“Well done.”
Karen descended from the air, having observed the entire training session. As soon as Elena heard the Archmage’s praise, she collapsed onto the ground.
‘I thought I was going to die…’ It had been grueling, but the day’s training was finally over.
Karen watched her struggling for breath and smiled. ‘It’s only been a year since I started training her, yet her progress is remarkable,’ she thought, a hint of pride showing on her face. Walking over to Elena, she said, “Elena, the training is complete.”
“Haha. Yes, Master. I’ll rest now,” Elena replied, lifting her head. Over time, their bond had grown much closer.
“That’s not what I meant,” Karen teased.
Elena shot upright, her disbelief evident. “You can’t be serious…”
Karen nodded, a playful glint in her eyes. “You’ve worked hard.”
“I… Really?” Elena asked, hope bubbling up inside her.
“Yes, you’ve grown significantly in just one year.”
At those words, Elena leaped to her feet, excitement lighting her up. “Yes!” She bounced around in celebration like a child, memories of her tough training flashing through her mind.
However, Karen’s tone turned slightly stern as she interrupted Elena’s joyful moment. “This isn’t the time to celebrate.”
Elena, who had been so overwhelmed with emotion that tears welled in her eyes, immediately stopped. Her face tightened, and her eyes widened. “Then… no way—”
“Yes. Don’t forget, you still need to face the three trials,” Karen said.
The three trials—an unavoidable challenge on the path to becoming an Archmage. Elena gulped nervously.
Karen patted her on the head, adding, “In one week, I’ll present you with the first trial. Until then, rest well.” With a gentle smile, Karen walked past her.
Left alone, Elena’s hands trembled with nervous anticipation. ‘…No!’
*****
With only a week before her first trial, Elena couldn’t bring herself to feel excited about the time off. Normally, she would’ve looked forward to a week’s break from training, but now, all she could think about were the upcoming trials.
‘The trials… I can’t believe I’ll already go through them,’ she thought as she left the training grounds, wandering quietly through the tower. Without realizing it, her steps led her to the garden.
The sun had already set, casting a soft glow over the evening, though it wasn’t as late as she usually stayed out.
There were several wizards strolling through the garden. As Elena wandered aimlessly, they greeted her, and she returned the gestures with a light nod.
Then, from across the way, one of them spotted her and hurried over.
“Elena!”
The familiar, cheerful voice snapped her out of her thoughts. It was Jeremy, running toward her with a wide smile.
“Teacher!”
Elena, who had been lost in thought, brightened at the sight of him.
“Where are you headed?” Jeremy asked, his smile still beaming.
“Ah, I wasn’t really going anywhere,” Elena replied with a soft laugh.
“Really? You don’t seem as lively today,” Jeremy remarked, immediately noticing her mood shift, his face falling into concern.
“Teacher, actually…” Elena hesitated for a moment before sharing what she had learned from the Archmage earlier that day.
“Trials?!” Jeremy’s eyes widened in surprise, letting out a soft exclamation of admiration.
“I already knew you were strong, but completing all your training in just a year…!” His tone was filled with awe. Even the current Archmage, head of the Magic Tower, hadn’t completed training that quickly.
‘I thought, like the current Archmage, it would take 10 years…’ Jeremy mused. It must have been due to Elena’s unique combination of spirit power and magic.
“She told me my first trial would be next week, and I’m nervous,” Elena sighed, her anxiety showing.
Jeremy gazed at her thoughtfully before speaking slowly, “If it’s you, Elena, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. But… I think I can offer some help.”
“Really?!” Elena’s face lit up with hope.
Jeremy chuckled softly. “Yes. I know about the trials the current Archmage went through when she ascended to her position.”
