Chapter 44

044.

*Crack.*

In the dim chamber, an old altar lay in ruins.

During the hustle and bustle, it went unnoticed, but in broad daylight, one could see things that were otherwise invisible.

The altar was even more dilapidated than expected, and the dust and dirt within the chamber spoke volumes about how long it had been neglected and abandoned.

Within this chamber,

a shadowy eye rolled.

It was something Kalen had noticed when entering the cave where the chamber resided.

The pattern engraved at the entrance bore a striking resemblance to what Sinat possessed.

“Indeed, a seal.”

As Kalen inspected the collapsed altar and straightened his back, his thoughts turned to the spirits.

The peculiar spirit named by Sinat was what they called a ‘Sovereign,’ an enigmatic existence now only faintly understood through ancient documents.

While not identical, it seemed unlikely that there would be such a complex and strange pattern serving another purpose.

When Blamia had spoken of the spirit called the ‘Sovereign,’ it was mentioned that there was more than one, which would make this another ‘Sovereign’s’ seal.

The role of a Sovereign spirit was to block something.

It also seemed fitting to describe the monster that had attacked Kalen and Sinat within the chamber.

During the moment with Serasie where life and death were on the line, he had once again entrusted his body to magic in order to uncover a mental impression, which followed the same reasoning.

Spirits and monsters.

The Spirit Realm and mana.

Even Kalen’s own mental impression.

Truthfully, he hadn’t hoped for survival.

It was a caution Blamia had also advised on; embedding magic into the body required great resolve.

However, survival came first.

Since staying there would likely cost him his life, there was no choice.

But the strange sensation at the nape of his neck was noticeable, and with it, his body felt inexplicably lighter—not that he would have withstood the ensuing attack otherwise.

With a long pause of observation, it soon became clear there was little else to be learned.

Any hopes of gaining insight into his mysterious constitution or mental impressions through this visit were gradually fading.

In the end, the only thing he gained was a small confidence in his assumptions.

Not having learned anything worthwhile brought worry, and Kalen leaned back against a corner of the chamber.

‘Was it a waste of effort?’

Following Eliana, now Serasie.

The crimson-hued horizon of his mental impression revealed an image of beauty akin to Eliana’s Winter Island.

For his own mental impression to be like this, yet for everyone he was intertwined with to possess such remarkable ones, was a perplexing phenomenon.

Given how clearly the faces were imprinted, the repercussions would surely be significant.

Ultimately, risks paid off only if one was willing to stake their very life.

As Kalen tried to alleviate the lingering bitterness, he stood up.

Understanding Blamia was easy, but parting from them was not. It was premature, as the ties were still unresolved.

The Dranunus Family’s revival.

Perhaps it was intertwined with resolving Sinat’s obsession from when small journeys began with Lactatus. Kalen found himself wishing to help conclude this chapter.

Thus, whether as what or who,

the time had come to return to Blamia and Sinat’s side.

As for what came next,

he wasn’t ready to think about it yet.

*

A month had passed since Kalen returned to the small cottage.

The days had been as normal as one could expect, marked by no extraordinary events.

Of course, on the very day he returned, Blamia gently patted him on the back, expressing gratitude for his efforts, and Sinat greeted him with a cheerful “Kal!”.

Still, he was exhausted.

After the ordeal with Lactatus and Hiart, enduring what most would find unimaginable, his focus was now on enjoying peaceful days with Sinat.

“Kal is spoiling KalDragon more. What is all this about?”

“… I suppose.”

Sinat remained bright, yet she had changed subtly.

It was as if…

Until now, what Kalen had perceived as obsession towards him had evolved into something deeper.

It reminded him of the moments when Eliana and Serasie were at their most vulnerable.

Seeking greater companionship…

Wanting more affection…

Sitting by Kalen, leaning back against him, had reached a level bordering on obsession.

He naturally assumed that with less time together, the emotional distance would grow.

However, Sinat seemed only to deepen her connection with Kalen.

Understanding someone’s heart is an impossible task. One can’t judge by one’s own standards.

Inevitably, Sinat’s feelings for Kalen transcended simple obsession.

Just then, a voice called out from outside in search of Kalen.

*

“We’re about to start reclaiming what we’ve lost, starting with the Dranunus Family.”

Blamia’s opening line was thus after seating Kalen.

Stroking his salt-and-pepper beard, he turned his gaze between Kalen and Sinat.

“You need to be ready, Sinat. I believe you’re prepared?”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

The Dranunus Family, a lineage of greatness above the Great Duke, demands more than just regular resolve to be its head.

Sinat was embarking on this thorny path willingly.

To Kalen, Sinat was a young girl who dreamt of her family’s revival, yet her world was filled with naivety and romantic notions.

She preferred simple tasks over complex ones and liked leisure over anything strenuous.

Could the family mean so much that it made her change so drastically?

After witnessing Eliana and Serasie’s stories, Kalen now perceived Sinat’s determination differently.

“Is it not the time, rather than the family, that’s precious?”

The question came abruptly, out of context, and from the boy to the girl.

“Kal?”

The girl froze at the unexpected question and hesitantly turned her head.

Under her chin, her dark eyes met his.

“Hmm, no, never mind.”

Words left unsaid could not be known.

One cannot judge a person’s heart based on personal speculations alone.

It was merely that the resolve shown by Sinat, the familiar glimmer in her eyes, reminded Kalen of the past when Eliana and Serasie reminisced about old times.

Realizing this unintentional inquiry, Kalen shook his head.

Sinat, too, gazed momentarily at Kalen before turning away.

“From today, magic lessons will be much tougher, so be prepared.”

Even Blamia had to ready himself.

The Dranunus Family was preparing to rise again, and Sinat had agreed to shoulder its burden.

The fragile child who should have been running through the fields was now ready to step forward.

It was also a declaration that one couldn’t continually tremble with remorse for a grandson forever.

Leading a clan is hard. Even moreso when it pertains to Dranunus.

Blamia couldn’t bear that weight, having taken the seat once and failed, he didn’t wish to sit again.

Thus, he taught.

Unsettled by the possibility of repeating past transgressions, anxious over revisiting the grandson’s mistake, yet resolved, he educated his granddaughter to carry on the name of Dranunus.

A young boy of capricious nature found and guided long ago had opened this path, so it was impossible to retract now, especially since Lactatus’ matter bore that same resolve.

If Sinat succeeds,

could this sadness he feels when seeing Kalen fade somewhat?

A giant who once erased himself due to the fear of the past,

had decided to reemerge.

The heart of the giant was that of a young girl, and this girl would re-inscribe the name of Dranunus to the world once again.

“Magic is one thing, but what remains is the social circle.”

The Dranunus Family had lost much with a single failure, including their once brilliant network.

Practically speaking, the best place to build new connections is through society.

With Blamia’s level of magical prowess, people would naturally flock to him even without effort.

Sinat, however, being merely a Second Rank contract attribute magician,

was undoubtedly talented for her age, but it was hard to expect automatic networking solely because of that.

Thus, they needed to enter high society.

They had less than two years before the coming-of-age ceremony.

They needed to expedite their timeline.

The structure was now in place.

“Try aiming for Third Rank within six months. Ambitious though it may be, we don’t have time. At your age, achieving that level shouldn’t be an issue for building connections.”

At the coming-of-age ceremony, most peers would only slightly manage First Rank magic. While Second Rank wouldn’t be inadequate, it wouldn’t be enough under the heavy weight of the Dranunus name.

Sinat quietly nodded.

“I’ll achieve Third Rank and debut in society, reviving the Dranunus name.”

“Understood, Grandfather.”

“And Kalen…”

Blamia, having seen Sinat firmly agree, turned his gaze to Kalen.

Facing him, a choice had to be made.

Would he send Kalen away due to fears of the past?

Or would he burden Kalen with tasks like Sitram, just as Sinat had done?

The answer was clear.

Kalen had more than repaid the debt of salvation.

The struggles with Lactatus and Hiart weren’t ones a single young boy should have had to endure.

Nevertheless, breaking through those trials and repaying the debt,

and with the decision already made to teach Sinat,

especially since what mattered most, Sinat, cherished it so,

the revival of the Dranunus Family at least required Kalen’s effort during this time.

“…Can you help Sinat?”

At fifteen years old, achieving Third Rank. Though unable to properly verify before with the busyness, from what Kalen had conveyed upon his return,

he wouldn’t starve anywhere.

Even if only proficient in First Rank magic, given the circumstances, a family not overly noble would likely employ him.

Wasn’t it, perhaps, wrong to hold on to him this way?

“I understand.”

Kalen’s response came as these thoughts crossed Blamia’s mind.

“Kal!”

Sinat cheered delightedly. To Blamia and Sinat, Kalen’s deep entanglement was unmistakable, despite not being of the Dranunus name.

Deciding to think thus, Blamia rose.

“Rest today. We’ll start tomorrow.”

What form would this deeply intertwined relationship take in its resolution?

Praying it wouldn’t end in sorrow and regret as before.

*

Knock.

A firmly closed door.

The familiar face outside knocking belonged to none other than Count Everchant of Lactatus, flanked by perplexed servants unsure of what to do.

No matter how much the door was knocked on, no answer came.

Though the daughter’s illness had been cured thanks to a young boy, some other issue had now arisen.

“…Eliana.”

Calling out her name similarly yielded no response.

Forcing the door open was an option but not desirable.

This was the Count Everchant who always chose retreat.

Yet, this time was different.

It could very well be the only way to reopen her heart.

“…I heard Kalen managed to deal with Hiart.”

The statement was cast into the air as Everchant addressed the unyielding door, his eyes closed.

What if this, too, failed? How would he proceed?

Just as that thought crossed his mind,

Squeak—

The tightly closed door, which had refused to budge, slightly opened.

Through the gap, a shaky voice escaped.

“Then…”

Inside, the room was shrouded in darkness.

There, peering out unmistakably, were eyes clouded like skies with veiled heavens.

“Will you…keep your promise now?”

Everchant quietly opened his eyes, letting out a sigh of relief.

After breaking the promise to Kalen, the one to whom the favor was owed, it was to be expected that his daughter would lock herself inside once more.

But now, she had chosen to speak to him face-to-face.

Repeating to himself the word ‘fortunately,

he asked,

“Do you wish to go?”

He was currently fulfilling his daughter’s greatest desire.