Chapter 116
‘I’m glad it ended more smoothly than I expected,’ Elena smiled as she stepped through the portal. The familiar scent of the Magic Tower quickly filled her senses.
‘It’s only been a day, so why do I feel this way?’ she mused, smiling as she continued forward. With the first trial completed, it was time to report to the Archmage.
She headed straight to the Archmage’s office.
Though dawn had just broken, Elena knew the Archmage would be awake.
‘The Archmage has always been like that.’
The Archmage always seemed to anticipate her visits, waiting in the office just as she arrived.
And today was no exception—when Elena reached the door, it opened on its own.
Inside, Karen greeted her cheerfully. “You’re back!”
“Yes, Master,” Elena replied.
“You were fast,” Karen noted.
“Luckily, it was resolved quickly,” Elena answered, smiling as she approached the Archmage.
Before setting out, she handed her the video sphere she’d packed earlier. The Archmage received it, infused it lightly with magic, and reviewed its contents in an instant despite its length.
“Master, did you know Finnigan was involved?” Elena asked.
Karen answered with a gentle smile. “Yes. An Archmage must have a broader perspective than anyone else.”
This was something she wished to impart to her beloved disciple. “Magic Tower does not belong to any single nation, but it’s home to wizards of unparalleled ability. In other words, we are custodians of the world.”
Elena nodded thoughtfully.
Karen continued, “As Archmage, the leader of the tower, you need to be aware of happenings across the world. It doesn’t mean knowing every detail, but understanding enough about ‘people’ to protect them.”
Karen’s words resonated with Elena; she clearly understood the deeper message.
“Yes, Master.”
“The first trial was a challenge, but you handled it well. The second trial will take place in three days, so rest until then.”
“Understood,” Elena replied, bowing respectfully. She left the office with a bright expression.
‘Still, I’m relieved I made it through the first trial safely,’ she thought as she headed directly home.
With three days remaining before the second trial, Elena planned to train like before—but first, she wanted to see Lexion.
Arriving at the dormitory, she crossed the portal and realized it was still early; Lexion might still be asleep.
“Ah…”
But he was already awake. Fresh from a shower, he emerged from the bathroom, half-naked.
“Elena?” he said, surprised, water dripping from his damp hair.
He looked unusually sexy today.
“L-Lexion, were you up?” Elena asked, feeling her cheeks warm as she managed an awkward smile.
Beaming, Lexion rushed over. “Yes. Without you here, I couldn’t sleep. Did it go well?”
“Yes, I completed the first trial successfully. The next one is in three days.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I knew you’d do great, Elena.”
He reached out, then paused, hesitating. As Elena glanced up curiously, he blushed and murmured, “I just got out of the shower… still a bit wet.”
“That’s fine. It’s been too long since we’ve seen each other.” Smiling, she embraced him warmly.
Her clothes became slightly damp from his still-wet skin, but she didn’t mind. She nestled her face against Lexion’s firm chest.
“I missed you, Lexion.”
At those words, Lexion hardened in an instant.
Caught off guard by her unsteady voice and the feel of her breath against his chest, deep emotions began to stir.
“Elena, I missed you so much, too.” Unable to hold back, he embraced her tightly, then gently laid her on the bed.
“Elena…”
“Yes, Lexion.”
“If you’re alright with it, I’d like to spend this moment with you.”
Lexion’s serious gaze made her heart skip. She nodded, smiling.
“That’s why I came. So yes, I’d like that.”
“Thank you, Elena.”
He leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a tender kiss. Their time together, which began with that kiss, lasted until midday.
****
The day of the second trial arrived.
After a light breakfast and a wash, Elena made her way to the Archmage’s office at the appointed time.
“Elena.”
“Good morning, Master.”
“Yes. Did you get some rest?”
“Yes, I did.” Elena replied with a smile, which Karen returned with a gentle one of her own.
After a moment’s pause, Karen took out a video sphere, just as she had before. “Here, take this with you for the trial.”
“Yes, Master.” Elena tucked the sphere securely into her cloak.
“The task for your second trial is simple: Bring me the heart of Cavenus.”
“Cavenus’s heart…” Elena murmured.
“Yes. The dragon that dwells at the edge of the world.”
Elena clenched her fists tightly.
Dragons.
The creature most people thought was only a legend. But some wizards knew better, and Elena was one of them.
She’d heard tales from the Archmage in class and read about them in ancient texts: dragons were fiercely proud of their kind and harbored a deep disdain for other races. Cavenus, the Dragon Lord, was the proud king of them all.
“Are you feeling uncertain?” Karen asked with a smile, noticing Elena lost in thought.
“No, I am confident,” Elena replied.
Karen’s smile grew. “That’s my student.”
“Then I’ll be on my way,” Elena said, thanking Karen before leaving the office.
Back in her quarters, Elena pondered her mission. ‘The heart of Cavenus…’ How could she retrieve it from such a proud, arrogant creature?
‘The simplest way is to kill him,’ she thought, but the idea of slaying the Dragon Lord troubled her. No matter their arrogance, dragons were revered beings. ‘That leaves only persuasion…’
She sighed, wondering if she could manage it, but quickly steadied herself.
‘No point in feeling intimidated from the start,’ Elena clenched her fists with renewed resolve. She went straight to her lab, gathered the necessary items, and moved them to storage. After leaving a note for Lexion in his room, she headed for the portal.
The dragons’ domain, where Cavenus resided, lay near the edge of the White Continent. Unfortunately, the tower’s portal didn’t extend that far. ‘But it would bring me close to the continent’s end,’ she reminded herself.
Pulling her robe close, Elena cast a protection spell against the intense cold and stepped through the portal. Harsh winds whipped around her, and delicate snowflakes drifted down.
This was the edge of the White Continent.
“Whew…”
She gazed at the swirling snow and cast another spell.
‘Cold protection magic is not enough.’
A shield formed around her, its interior filling with a thin mist.
‘Now…’
With another movement of her hand, Elena lifted herself off the ground, gazing down at the vast, snowy expanse below. The edge of the White Continent was empty and desolate, inhospitable due to the extreme cold—just an endless view of snow as far as she could see.
Elena glanced down at the ground before turning her gaze toward the horizon. At the edge of the White Continent lay the sea, its waters frozen solid under the bitter cold.
‘Crossing the sea leads to the world’s end,’ she mused, chuckling softly.
Moving forward, she gazed out over the frozen expanse. Though teleportation was an option, it was hardly practical.
‘If things went wrong, she might have to fight the Dragon Lord.’ And teleporting would drain a lot of her magic.
As she continued, she took in her surroundings. Despite the sun being up, the air was frigid.
‘Without the cold protection spell, I’d probably be frozen by now.’
The landscape, though harsh, was breathtaking. She stood alone, the sole living being in this endless white world.
‘Should I bring Lexion next time?’ she thought, smiling at the idea. He would love it here.
‘I already miss you, Lexion,’ feeling his absence keenly, though she’d only left hours ago.
‘Once I become an Archmage, my time with Lexion will become even scarcer,’ she reflected. As Archmage, she’d not only guard the tower but protect all beings across the world,
Hence the time they spent together would inevitably be reduced.
‘It’s disappointing, but… this is the path I chose.’ There was no turning back.
‘But if I become stronger than I am now, maybe I can still carve out more time for him,’ Elena thought, determination settling within her.
Just then, the edge of the world came into view.
