Chapter 118
Elena exhaled heavily, her breaths coming in deep gasps.
‘How much time had passed since the final trial began?’
The exact duration was difficult to discern, but she knew it had been a while—she wouldn’t be in this much pain otherwise. She glanced at Karen, brows furrowed; thankfully, her master looked equally drained.
At the trial’s onset, the duel had been close combat. Elena and Karen clashed, magical energy surging in their hands. Not long ago, Elena would have been easily overpowered, but today was different. She blocked Karen’s attacks and even managed a few counterattacks.
Afterward, Karen distanced herself and unleashed large-scale magic, prompting Elena to respond with a meteor spell of her own. The training ground lay in ruins, yet neither paid it any mind. Karen had committed to attacking with full strength, as promised, and Elena had equally committed to challenging her. Now, both stood exhausted, watching each other closely.
‘I’m running low on magic,’ Elena thought, studying Karen’s movements and assessing her own power.
‘And I’m certain Master is as well.’
The year of rigorous training, the spirits’ power, and even Cavenus’s heart—all of it had brought Elena’s magic closer to that of the Archmage.
‘In other words, this is the final attack.’
Elena understood this instinctively. She murmured softly, “Lani, Toto, Vivi, Coco, Gor,” calling forth her strongest and most trusted spirits.
[Master!]
[Yes, Master.]
[Chirp, Master!]
Each spirit greeted her eagerly, but there was no time to waste—Karen was already preparing her final strike. “Everyone, we don’t have much time,” Elena urged.
The spirits understood fully, sensing what was at stake and what needed to be done. Some had already granted her their strength, and now they gathered their power and infused it into her. Intense magic began to radiate from Elena, a fiery red aura mirroring her hair.
Across from her, Karen had also gathered her full power. Then—
Crash!
Their powers collided once more, reverberating throughout the training ground.
‘So powerful…!’ Elena bit her lip hard. Her master’s strength was immense, stronger than she’d expected. But she wouldn’t yield. She would prevail, even if it took everything she had.
‘Because I am going to become an Archmage,’ she thought resolutely. Summoning every ounce of her power, Elena pushed forward.
BOOM!
An explosion erupted between them, and a cloud of dust filled the air as the glow of their magic faded.
Thud—
One of them fell to their knees. The other remained standing.
“Ha… ha…” Elena, arms braced on the floor, looked up at Karen. Her master’s lips curved into a faint smile.
‘I lost,’ she realized, her gaze softening.
At that moment, Karen’s body slumped to the ground.
Thud!
“Master…?!” Elena scrambled to her feet and rushed over. Thankfully, Karen was still conscious.
“Elena… my dear student,” Karen said weakly, looking at Elena’s tearful face. “I’m not dead yet, so don’t cry.”
“Hic, but…”
“No,” Karen said firmly, stopping her. Elena held back her tears, even as they threatened to spill over.
Then Karen gave a rare, wry laugh.
“Hahaha, really, you are too cute,” she said, looking at Elena. “From now on, you are the Archmage.”
With that, Karen clasped Elena’s hands, and golden magic flowed from her into Elena.
“I’m so proud of you.”
Elena burst into laughter at her master’s heartfelt words.
*****
The tower was bustling with activity.
Wizards gathered from the east, west, south, north, and the central tower. Today was the long-awaited day—a new Archmage would be named after centuries. Preparations for the succession ceremony were in full swing.
“Elena has ascended to the Archmage! And she’s the youngest one yet!” Jacob couldn’t hide his excitement.
Beside him, Jeremy stood with a tense expression.
“Jeremy, relax a little.”
“How can I?” Jeremy replied, visibly nervous. “I was chosen to give the congratulatory speech, out of everyone!”
The thought made his stomach twist. He was honored to speak on his disciple Elena’s behalf, but the fear of slipping up gnawed at him.
“If you’re that nervous, you’re more likely to mess up,” Jacob teased, a playful look on his face. Jeremy gave a small shrug.
“I can’t help it. Elena—no, the new Archmage—is my treasured disciple.”
To Jeremy, Elena was more than just a student; she was like a little sister and a close friend.
He’d always held deep admiration for her sincerity, dedication to her studies, and remarkable talent. This was why he was so determined not to make any mistakes on such an important day for her.
“Well, I owe thanks to the new Archmage too,” Jacob said with a soft smile. Elena had, after all, helped him find the two women who meant the world to him.
As the two thought of her, Elena – the protagonist of today’s succession ceremony – was in the waiting room. The ceremony was set in the banquet hall on the lower floor of the central tower, with a waiting room right behind it. Elena sat alone, feeling the weight of the upcoming event.
‘A succession ceremony just three days after the final trial…!’ she thought, feeling her nerves intensify.
‘Is it really okay? Am I ready to be Archmage already?’ Despite having passed the trials, it still didn’t feel real.
‘Will I manage my duties as well as Master…?’
Just then, a familiar voice broke through her anxious thoughts.
“You look very nervous,” Karen said.
The moment Elena spotted her, she rushed over, tears welling up.
“Master! I’m so nervous I feel like I’m losing my mind. Can I really handle this responsibility like you? Can I truly lead the tower?”
“Take a deep breath and calm down,” Karen said, guiding Elena to a chair to help her settle.
“Don’t worry too much, Elena.”
“But… I don’t feel confident,” Elena replied with a slight shrug, causing Karen to smile.
“Elena, I chose you for this role, no one else. It’s alright to feel a bit proud. If you weren’t capable of leading the tower, that would mean I’ve misjudged completely.”
“Master…”
“So, just relax a bit,” Karen reassured her.
“Thank you, Master,” Elena said, her nerves easing as she offered a faint smile.
Karen looked at her with a soft chuckle.
“Are you really going with a shirt and pants today?” she asked, noticing Elena’s typical outfit despite the ceremonial occasion.
“Well, Lexion picked out a dress and some jewelry for me, but… wizards aren’t really into that style, so I thought I’d just go like this.”
“Hmm. I see your point, but…” Karen gave her an amused look and made a small gesture.
Just then, a soft cloth draped over Elena’s clothes.
It was a long robe that swept the floor, but it was unlike any ordinary one. Thousands of tiny, transparent gems sparkled across its pure white fabric. Elena’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Master, is this…?”
“It’s my gift. Do you like it?”
“Yes! I love it.”
The robe was breathtaking, and though adorned with many jewels, it felt weightless.
‘It’s a gift from Master too.’ Elena smiled brightly.
Just then, a knock sounded.
“The succession ceremony is about to begin.”
At the announcement, Karen extended her hand to Elena.
“Let’s go.”
Elena took her hand.
“Yes, Master.”
*****
Thump, thump.
Lexion’s heart beat happily as he took in his surroundings. Everywhere he looked, he saw wizards. Today marked the succession ceremony for Elena, the woman he cherished deeply. As her partner, he was granted the rare honor of attending, despite being human.
The mages in the tower frequently stole glances his way. Fortunately, Lexion’s reputation among them was quite favorable.
“Is that the new Archmage’s lover?”
“Yes, the Duke of Halos. They really suit each other!”
The quiet murmur of compliments lifted Lexion’s spirits.
“The succession ceremony will now begin.”
A smile formed on Lexion’s lips.
Finally, the ceremony had begun.
