“This voice….”
Oz finally remembered and her face stiffened. She had heard a similar voice years ago. She had ignored it then, and it naturally faded from her memory. She had lived quietly since then, so why was it resurfacing now?
“The eighth Magic Sword was born for peace and balance. It must seal away the other Magic Swords.”
“Why do they need to be sealed?”
“They must not exist. Long ago, the Light Magic Sword and the Dark Magic Sword destroyed their enemies, but that only created new enemies. Do you understand what that means?”
“Can’t we just use the Magic Sword to defeat the enemies?”
“If you do that, new enemies will appear again. It's a never-ending cycle. That’s why the Magic Swords must be sealed.”
“Can’t someone else do it?”
“No, the owners of the Magic Swords are already in motion. They will soon face their enemies. The same results will repeat, and the end will be near.”
“What does the Magic Sword have to do with enemies?”
Oz shouted, pulling at her hair. Her head throbbed, and a feverish heat surged through her body. She wanted to run outside, but her body wouldn’t obey. She felt like she would die if this continued.
“The demon left three undead behind, and four dragons were grotesquely resurrected. Along with them, five Magic Swords appeared and scattered across the Caronbellas continent. Do I need to explain more?”
“What do you want… Aah….”
Oz felt her strength drain, and she slumped. Her body convulsed with each spasm, her voice weakening, and even breathing became a struggle.
“The Magic Swords and the enemies are connected. If the Magic Swords disappear, the enemies will vanish forever.”
“Ah… Ugh….”
“Draw the eighth Magic Sword. You must become the savior. It is your destiny.”
Hearing the word “savior,” Oz clung to her fading consciousness. If she became a savior, wouldn’t she achieve great things? If she could prove her strength and achievements, no one would dare interfere with her.
“I can… become a hero?”
“If you seal all the Magic Swords, the enemies will vanish. Only you can do this.”
“If I seal the Magic Swords… I can do as I please?”
“The eighth Magic Sword is meant to seal the other Magic Swords… but you can use it as you wish.”
“Ah… Ugh….”
The headache subsided, and the heat diminished. Her body felt lighter, and something seemed to surge from within her. Her hands were enveloped in a white aura.
“Have you awakened your magic? However… that is not enough to wield the eighth Magic Sword.”
Oz instinctively controlled the white aura. It expanded and contracted according to her will, and she could direct its movement. Perhaps she had indeed awakened and mastered her magic.
“What should I do?”
“Draw the eighth Magic Sword. Wield it until you can fully control it. That’s all.”
“Where is the Magic Sword?”
“Have you accepted your destiny?”
Oz rummaged through her wardrobe and pulled out a hidden suit. She tore open the bottom of her desk’s third drawer, revealing a stash of money and jewels she had saved to escape.
“I can tell you the location of the Magic Sword. You can reach it immediately.”
“If this is a lie, you’re dead.”
Oz quickly changed clothes, her eyes cold and determined. Emotions she had long suppressed now surfaced. Her hesitation and fear were gone, replaced by a newfound resolve. Awakening her magic seemed to have profoundly changed her.
“I’ll make it appear before you once all the Magic Swords are sealed.”
“What’s the next step?”
“I will guide you to the location of the eighth Magic Sword. You just need to draw it and become familiar with it.”
As soon as the words were spoken, a blue aura appeared, forming an oval-shaped portal. Oz instinctively stepped back, releasing the white aura.
“You’ve already reached this level.”
The mysterious voice knew exactly what Oz needed: a small trigger, a clear resolve, the courage to move forward, and pure desire. But Oz had lived under pressure from a young age, binding herself and unable to surpass her limits.
“What are you?”
“I am nothing. I am merely a guide to your destiny and the location of the Magic Sword.”
“I’ll trust you this once.”
Oz placed her hand inside her coat and stepped into the oval portal. She had a dagger hidden in her coat and was prepared to fight if necessary. She didn’t fully believe in the Magic Sword or the enemies, but she had awakened her magic and reluctantly decided to cooperate.
“There are seven Magic Swords to be sealed. The ninth and tenth have yet to find their owners.”
The mysterious voice hoped for the sealing or destruction of the seven Magic Swords. The Light and Dark Magic Swords alone were threatening enough, and the remaining five Magic Swords could create various possibilities based on their use. Hence, the voice sought to recreate the power of the Magic Swords and use another Magic Sword to contain the seven.
“I will rise again. I won’t be defeated so easily this time.”
Duke Adelaira’s mansion, indoor training hall.
Zion and Hanette were seated, undergoing magic enhancement. Magic enhancement typically started from a comfortable position, but the criteria varied for each individual. Regardless of the position, one had to circulate magic and withstand the resulting heat to increase their magic capacity. Increasing the circulation speed also boosted magic concentration and casting speed, making magic enhancement essential training.
“Have you heard the rumors?”
Hanette slowly opened her eyes and spoke first. Talking during magic enhancement wasn’t easy, but Hanette’s innate talent and sudden growth allowed her to hold light conversations.
“Sigh… What rumors?”
Zion answered with difficulty, slowing his magic circulation. Though he had been enhancing his magic regularly, he couldn’t keep up with Hanette. Hanette had exceptional magical aptitude, while Zion relied on Exceed Rain to train his swordsmanship and magic. Considering the difference between a mage and a swordsman, it was natural for him to lag behind.
“They say Duke Ternein’s daughter is missing.”
“Yeah, I heard. Sigh…”
Zion took deep breaths, further slowing his magic circulation. Hanette maintained her pace, but he couldn’t match her. It seemed he needed additional magic enhancement training from Hanette.
“This is tough for you, huh?”
“Phew… Not everyone can do it. I know you’re amazing, but can’t you consider my situation?”
“I wasn’t trying to brag. It just feels that way.”
Hanette stopped her magic enhancement and calmed her breathing. Zion always showed an exceptional and composed demeanor, and now there were even rumors of him becoming a Settinos Quasar. However, his weakness in magic and magic enhancement raised suspicions. Zion might excel in other areas, but he was clearly behind in magic.
“Were you trying to show off?”
“I had no intention of that. I’m not better than you.”
“Why not? You’re better at magic.”
“But you’re better overall. I was just lucky.”
“Hanette, have confidence. I wouldn’t say you’d become a mage in six months without reason.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I believe in you. You could do it in three months.”
“That’s unrealistic. Six months is already challenging…”
Hanette replied curtly, turning her head slowly. Zion’s violet eyes gazed back, serene yet compelling.
“It’d be nice, but even if it doesn’t happen, it’s okay. What matters is you’re learning magic.”
“But… I don’t want to be a burden.”
“You’re not a burden. We can take it slow. I set the six-month condition arbitrarily. I’m sorry for that.”
“You must have your reasons.”
Hanette wiped her sweat, resolving to work harder. If Zion believed in her, there must be a good reason. Though it might take longer, she didn’t want to disappoint him.
“What were we talking about? Oh, Duke Ternein’s daughter went missing.”
“They say she was kidnapped… or maybe she ran away.”
“That’s odd. How did she get out of the mansion?”
Zion pondered as he drank water. Oz Ternein’s escape was a predetermined event. But with so many guests, maids, and knights around during the anniversary, escaping seemed nearly impossible without being caught.
“Maybe she hid her skills like you.”
“I’ve never hidden my skills.”
“You used your sword aura after joining our family, so you did hide it.”
“How does that make sense? I explained it before.”
“Well… I don’t get it.”
“You’re being unreasonable.”
“Why is it unreasonable? It’s strange for a nineteen-year-old to use sword aura.”
“Why not?”
“The current king used sword aura at twenty. What about you? What makes you so special to use it at nineteen?”
“Is that a compliment or an insult?”
“Both. You’re too talented, it’s annoying.”
Zion chuckled, though Hanette’s words carried a hint of truth. Hanette was naturally more gifted, and with the Flame Magic Sword, the gap would widen further.
“Once you become a mage, we can discuss the knight order…”
Zion had shared his plans for establishing a knight order with Hanette. She was positive but suggested taking more time. They needed to elevate their skills significantly and avoid injuries before venturing into the borderlands.
“Proper preparation is essential. I need solid grounds to convince the families.”
It wasn’t just about money or troops. A knight order under the Duke and Marquis would be highly esteemed, and no one would dare oppose them. Even the soldiers of Alain Kingdom would recognize them, and in battle, they would receive official support.
“Rebellion forces remain in other regions. We need to be ready to crush them.”