Chapter 58

058.

“Sorry… I’m sorry…”

“It’s all right…”

As soon as Kalen and Tia-se returned safely, they were greeted by Blamia’s embrace, her eyes darkened with worry.

Especially toward Tia-se, she continuously apologized, even shedding tears.

This clearly illustrated how significant this event was for Blamia.

However, they had ultimately returned, hadn’t they?

There were numerous events that couldn’t be celebrated, nor easily forgotten, but the fact remained.

“It’s not because of Grandfather. I pushed myself too hard, but this incident wasn’t something that happened just because of that, right?”

Blamia was told about everything that happened thus far, but erasing the guilt of nearly repeating a past tragedy isn’t an easy task.

The tragedy that befell Sitram was due to Blamia’s greed.

In truth, Blamia had tried her best to ensure that it wouldn’t happen again,

and it was Tia-se who endured the immense physical strain to the best of her ability.

Indeed, from a purely objective standpoint, it could be said there was nothing for Blamia to apologize for.

Still, those who understood her feelings and recognized that Tia-se often acted independently saw things differently.

But regardless, none of that mattered.

Because Tia-se had safely returned, and that was what truly mattered.

After consoling each other for quite some time,

Blamia turned her attention to Kalen.

Back when she first found him, she hadn’t thought much of the boy.

She had only considered him slightly gifted in certain ways,

but it seems she had completely misjudged this young boy.

Somewhere along the line, he started showing empathy for her struggles.

And somewhere along the line, he blossomed with talents, solving what could almost be called her lifelong dream.

And with this latest incident, it became clear just how extraordinary he was.

Though she might never have admitted it before, this Archmage title is no small feat.

She was someone praised unanimously by the world.

Yet here was a child who hadn’t even undergone his coming-of-age ceremony, defying every impossibility.

He always questioned the impossible and overcame it.

There might be those who dismiss him as reckless, but everything in his life happened for a reason.

Tia-se, Eliana, Serasie—

If you were to ask if their actions were all deliberate judgments, you might shake your head.

Still, they managed to bring forth their best when it truly mattered.

Kalen, the young boy—he was someone like that.

A fool shouting hope against impossibility.

Blamia herself once worried about his recklessness, but not anymore.

After all, great world-changers were often fools.

Change never found its way in stability.

It surged with upheaval and birth.

Watching Kalen’s journey unfold from the sidelines, it was impossible to dismiss him as merely reckless.

Who else could stake their own life against the moment, willing to gamble everything?

Kalen had triumphed in every one of those gambles.

So, it was with deep gratitude that Blamia declared,

“Thank you. If anything, I owe you a great debt, young one.”

A commanding presence exuded from him.

Clearly, it was the mark of someone nearing the top end of the third rank.

How long had it been since he’d even started learning magic, and yet he had already reached the peak of the third rank?

Endless trials of life and death had tempered this boy into something indomitable.

And that wasn’t all.

This event held deep meaning for Blamia as well.

Even though she didn’t consider Tia-se her granddaughter, the outcome was eerily similar to events from the past.

Blamia lost her only grandson to greed, and in its aftermath, also lost her son and daughter-in-law.

Tia-se’s ordeal had all the makings of repeating that dreadful nightmare.

But,

The young boy who showed her what was truly possible,

saved Tia-se once more right before her eyes.

When Blamia wasn’t there.

Again, when she was unable to interfere.

For Blamia, Tia-se was everything in the world.

Kalen, in effect, saved everything she held dear—not once, but twice.

The debt for nurturing and raising him had long been repaid, not lacking in any way.

And now, he had prevented the recurrence of a dreadful nightmare, shattering its grip entirely.

When Blamia confirmed that Tia-se was safe and had returned, she felt an overwhelming sense of relief.

Beyond that moment, liberation from the terrible nightmare that had haunted her for so long.

Terrible memories,

could be overwritten by happy ones.

And if the circumstances were similar, that effect would shine all the brighter.

Blamia’s haunting nightmare of Sitram?

It was thus overshadowed.

‘Kalen’s presence ensures Tia-se’s safety.’

Even Archmages like her couldn’t have managed it on her own in both instances.

Thus, this translated into a statement: no one but Kalen could safeguard Tia-se.

And the comfort that comes with the notion that Kalen would always be nearby, should anything similar happen, was immense.

Kalen had saved Tia-se,

and he had also erased Blamia’s nightmare.

Understanding now that this wasn’t a result of reckless actions,

what remained was utterly clear.

The revival of Dranunus.

That dream was no longer just a dream.

He had given her a way to overcome her nightmare,

and provided her the assurance to trust her beloved granddaughter with someone.

Once the Dranunus family was revived, and Tia-se claimed her position as the head,

“Grandfather is crying again?”

“Ha ha…”

There was no longer any reason to part with the young boy.

Not only had Tia-se grown fond of him,

but there was ample reason to take him as her prospective son-in-law.

Blamia smiled kindly, having decided that it was high time to start making arrangements.

“Let’s rest for now. We should also bring back the one who went to gather the ingredients and entertain him properly.”

“Alright.”

“Yes, sir.”

With that in mind,

Blamia experienced a pure, unburdened smile for the first time in a long while.

***

“I wanted to talk more with Kal-dragon…”

“It can’t be helped.”

Tia-se gathered her energy, focusing on gathering mana.

This was an action to call Felicious forth into the human world.

Kalen had not yet severed the contract with Tia-se.

Though he had moved the sigil from his back to his wrist, calling forth the spirit would still show that all was well.

“…Would communicating not be possible?”

“I suppose so.”

Speaking to a spirit while they’re manifested in the human world places a severe strain on both parties.

Only someone at an inheritor level, like Felicious, could attempt something like that,

and such an act was explicitly discouraged by their rules.

Realizing anew, it was clear just how much Felicious had endured for Tia-se.

“Kal-dragon!”

A dark mass wriggling and stretching its limbs appeared.

Was it because the affectionate figure of Lady Felicious from the Spirit Realm was still so vivid in his memory?

Her tone came to mind as well, and he struggled to adjust to seeing her in the form of a dragon.

The memory of their beautiful farewell surfaced next.

Felicious had spoken with the grace befitting a royal princess.

And that’s why their parting had been so special.

Kalen too found it regrettable that a conversation wasn’t possible—but,

“Could you hear me? I hope you can…”

“What?”

“What’s with the look? It’s like you heard something and widened your eyes—”

Kalen circulated his magical hearing.

Because he just heard something he shouldn’t have.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for a voice resembling Felicious’ to so naturally reach his ears.

“Can anyone—possibly hear me?”

“…”

Kalen felt as though he’d been struck on the head with a spell.

Could a spirit truly communicate so casually?

Just moments ago he’d confirmed it was impossible.

But if that were true, the current situation made no sense at all.

“How can you…”

“Ah! My words really are reaching you!”

That was unmistakably Felicious’ voice.

Seeing the wings flap, there was no mistaking it, no matter how much he tried to.

“Kal?”

Perplexed by the situation, Tia-se questioned Kalen, who was caught off guard.

It was then that Kalen fully grasped the situation.

Looking back and forth between Felicious and Kalen,

it was clear that Tia-se couldn’t hear Felicious’ voice.

“Kalen. May I have your hand for a moment?”

At that moment, Felicious alighted on Kalen’s hand.

“Ah. Tia-se, can you hear me?”

“Uh? Uh? Felicious, is that you?”

Tia-se was startled that she could suddenly hear Felicious’ voice.

As if hearing through Kalen.

“Using the power of Kalen’s family lineage, it seems to have worked quite nicely.”

“Felicious…”

“Hmm, anyway, it’s good to see you again, Tia-se.”

It appeared Felicious had decided to share an affectionate nickname with Tia-se right before they parted.

Since Tia-se’s name wasn’t easily shortenable, she called it as is.

“I thought we wouldn’t be able to talk again…”

“I did too.”

“Ah, is Tia around?”

“I think Kalen might be able to call her.”

“Just wait.”

Listening silently to their conversation, Kalen focused on the sigil.

Though without mana, the orthodox method, Kalen was still capable of magic effortlessly.

A bit of time passed, and as the sigil began to shine, a soft purple light emerged.

“Cough, cough.”

“Tia…!”

“Wh-what is it? Felicious? Tia-se?”

“It’s me, Kalen.”

“Ah…! Kalen!”

Felicious and Tia-se.

All those who shared adventures in the Spirit Realm had gathered.

Something they thought they couldn’t talk again.

The miracle happened, centered on Kalen as the focal point.

Though their time together might have been short, it was of a different density.

And since it wasn’t their first meeting in the Spirit Realm, it naturally turned into an emotional reunion.

Tia-se squealed with excitement,

and Felicious and Tia-se mingled in their unique ways.

If the two spirits weren’t in the form of dragons, they might have been likened to socialites at a party.

Kalen didn’t try to interject into their conversation but quietly observed the three elegant figures.

Even without joining the conversation,

it was comforting enough to watch them,

making his heart feel at ease.