Chapter 119
The hall fell into silence. Then, the Archmage entered, and all the wizards rose from their seats, bowing their heads. She smiled as she stood before them, and Karen lifted her hands high. Red petals began to fall from above, and soon after, Elena entered the hall.
Clad in her pure white robe, she received reverent gazes from the gathered mages. Elena stopped in front of Karen, and Jeremy, who had been waiting nearby, stepped forward. Steeling himself, he began his speech.
“Today, we are witnesses to history.” He stumbled over a few words, but his speech flowed smoothly. “To the new Archmage, may the light always be with you.” As he uttered the last sentence, Elena’s eyes grew misty.
“Thank you, teacher,” she said, embracing Jeremy. Then she bowed to Karen, who placed her hand on Elena’s head. Golden energy flowed from Karen’s fingers, extending toward Elena—the final and most powerful spell from Karen as Archmage, blessing and shielding the new Archmage’s future.
“Elena Respell, may your power bring light to the tower and to the world beyond.”
When Karen finished, Elena looked up. “Thank you, Master.” She turned to face the crowd, and the hall burst into cheers.
“Congratulations!”
“Wow!”
“Hail to the new Archmage!”
Thus, the youngest and most powerful Archmage in history was born.
*****
After the succession ceremony, a three-day celebration was held in the tower. Elena didn’t participate much in the festivities, but the other wizards enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Meanwhile, she focused on learning her new responsibilities. Luckily, the workload didn’t immediately overwhelm her since there was a transition period for her to take over and adapt.
“Elena, you can ignore most invitations and requests from the imperial family,” Karen explained, providing guidance. The handover period for the Archmage role would last about a year, giving Elena, who was a bit anxious about starting, a relaxed pace to settle in.
“I see,” Elena replied.
“The imperial family will likely bombard you with invitations, as you’ve experienced at parties before.”
“Ah, yes, that’s true.”
“In these situations, it’s best to make a good impression so you don’t get bothered for centuries,” Karen added with a smile, floating lazily in the air.
“Yes, Master. I’ll remember that,” Elena nodded enthusiastically, making Karen smile at her cute appearance. Watching her student now seated in the Archmage’s office, where she herself once sat, brought Karen deep satisfaction. So, she extended the usual one-month handover period to a full year.
‘Moreover, this child wants to spend time with her lover.’
Besides, Karen wasn’t ready to leave the tower just yet.
‘… And now, I don’t want to ignore his feelings anymore,’ she thought, considering the young man who had admired her ever since he joined the tower.
“Archmage,” the person Karen was thinking of entered the office.
“Teacher!” Elena greeted cheerfully.
“This is the West Tower’s monthly research report,” Jeremy said, handing the documents to Elena with a polite smile.
“Wow, you’re so organized—thank you!” she replied.
“Oh, it’s nothing,” Jeremy said, smiling brightly.
As Elena reviewed the report, he glanced up, his cheeks reddening slightly as he met Karen’s gaze. Finding his flustered reaction cute, Karen called to him impulsively.
“Jeremy.”
“Yes, Archm—Miss Karen.”
Since Karen was no longer the Archmage, calling her by name felt natural, though it made his heart race just to say it. Karen could tell easily how nervous he was.
“Tonight, make some time for me,” she said softly, vanishing an instant later.
For a moment, Jeremy thought he had misheard. When he turned to Elena, she broke into a smile.
“Congratulations, Teacher! It looks like your feelings have finally reached her!”
At Elena’s words, realization struck him, and he began tearing up.
“Hic!”
In the end, Elena had to comfort him.
****
“So, I think those two are finally getting along! Isn’t that wonderful?” Elena shared the day’s events at the tower with Lexion, her joy especially evident as she talked about Jeremy and Karen’s budding relationship as if it were her own. Lexion found her enthusiasm adorable.
“It is. Please give them my congratulations too.”
“Yes, yes! I definitely will,” Elena replied eagerly.
Since becoming the Archmage, Elena’s days had been fulfilling, and Lexion’s even happier.
Thanks to her mentor and the former Archmage’s thoughtfulness, the two now had double the time together. Previously, Elena’s training and trials limited their time to brief moments at night, but now, they could spend leisurely evenings together. She even had some free time in the mornings, with Karen even granting her one day off each week.
‘Even if it’s only for the first year.’
And once Elena adjusted to the Archmage’s duties, her schedule would allow them even more time together. Looking forward to those days, Lexion couldn’t help but feel happy.
Now, there was only one thing left he truly wanted.
‘… I want us to get married.’
*****
Elena beamed with joy.
“I guess this way is better.”
“Hmm, I see. You might be right.”
As she looked around, she saw Jeremy and Karen engaged in lively conversation. Their bond had deepened significantly over the past few days.
‘Even if they hadn’t become a couple yet.’—they certainly seemed closer; and Elena felt a surge of happiness about it. After her years entangled with Henus, Karen was finally allowing herself to find her own path to happiness.
‘And that’s what Henus would have wanted.’ His spirit had yearned for Karen’s happiness until his final moments.
Elena couldn’t hold back her smile, feeling joy for her mentor and contentment seeing everyone around her thriving. The day ended on a warm note, and Elena left the office early in the evening.
‘Tomorrow is my day off—I’ll spend it with Lexion!’
Having adjusted more to the responsibilities of being Archmage, she now enjoyed the occasional break. Karen had even insisted on it, saying she needed time off to keep going strong.
Elena listened and made up her mind to take the day off.
Tomorrow marked her long-awaited holiday.
As she crossed through the portal, she contemplated how she would spend it with Lexion. She expected to end up in his bedroom, but instead, she found herself in an unexpected location. Her eyes widened in surprise. The portal had transported her to the center of the Halos family greenhouse, the very place where she and Lexion had privately gotten engaged.
“This is…” she began to say, feeling a sense of panic rising within her. Just then, Lexion appeared before her.
Dressed in a crisp white tailcoat, Lexion held a bouquet of roses, his cheeks flushing as he knelt before Elena.
“Lexion? What… is all this?” Elena asked, quickly noticing how different he seemed tonight.
Around them, small magical lamps cast a soft, colorful glow across the greenhouse, transforming it into a beautiful, dreamlike setting.
“Elena, I’ve always wanted to give you a wonderful proposal,” he began. “But the more I thought about it, the more unsure I became about how to make it special.”
“Lexion…”
“So I decided the most important thing was simply showing you my heart,” he said, his sincerity evident in his voice.
The words warmed Elena’s heart. As Archmage and Duke, they lacked for nothing—grand gestures, expensive jewels, or luxurious locations were all within reach. But sincerity meant more to her than anything.
“Elena, since the moment we met, I’ve been waiting for this day. Because you’re in my life, I’ve found light and purpose,” he said, handing her the bouquet. As she took the flowers, he brought out a small jewelry box from his pocket.
“I want you to be free to live as you wish; that is my happiness. So, please, don’t feel pressured by my proposal.”
This was a recurring theme in Lexion’s words.
Even if he married Elena, he wouldn’t impose the responsibilities of a Duchess on her.
Elena truly appreciated his attentiveness toward her.
Because of this, she was able to accomplish everything she aimed for.
“Will you marry me?” he asked, his expression filled with nervous anticipation.
Looking at him warmly, Elena smiled.
“Yes.”
