As the sun sets on a dusky evening,

Hyle sat quietly, looking out the window at twilight.

‘So time is passing like this again.’

Moments of struggle when time slipped away flashed through his mind.

He didn’t wish for it. To remain young. But he was cursed by the dark mages, so he ended up trapped in a world without death.

For decades, he struggled in agony of having to send off his loved ones first.

But now he was finally free from that misery.

When Liese Wellington awakened her holy power, all curses lost their power.

Lost in reminiscence, he heard footsteps beyond the door.

Though it sounded like voices from the corridor, his keen ears vividly caught the sound of footsteps.

When the sound approached, he felt a stronger mana.

Hyle recognized the person exuding this imposing presence and a gentle smile crept on his lips.

It was his only disciple, Ariel.

‘I heard she woke up today, but I didn’t expect her to come so soon.’

Perhaps with her mana fully restored, all her energy had rapidly recovered. Hyle guessed.

Knock-knock-

At the sound of knocking on the door, Hyle stood up.

“Master, it’s me.”

It was Ariel’s voice.

‘My prediction was right. My skills haven’t rusted yet.’

Although his physical age matched his age now, both outwardly and inwardly becoming that of an old man, he liked his current appearance since he’s aging naturally according to the laws of nature.

Hyle opened the door with a satisfied face.

“You’ve awakened, Ariel.”

At her master’s trembling voice, Ariel noticed a strange look.

White hair still covering his face.

‘Why does it look like it’s lacking shine and looks frizzy? It seems like there’s less volume too.’

Furrowing her brow, Ariel entered the room.

“Master, please show your face.”

“You’re sharp as ever. Let’s sit down first. It’s hard to stand because my legs are weak.”

Ariel noticed Hyle’s wobbly legs as he moved towards the chair.

‘What’s going on? This unfamiliarity.’

Perhaps it was because they hadn’t seen each other in a long time.

Her emerald eyes trembled slightly.

“What happened to you?”

Ariel supported Hyle and helped him sit in the chair. Feeling strange bumps under his palm on his strange arms, she looked at his hands.

Although they should have been the healthy skin of a young man due to the curse, instead they were wrinkled hands with sparse black spots scattered over them.

“Master! What on earth happened?”

Ariel shouted as she sat across from him.

“Sure. I’ve finally faced the passing of time head-on. Having to face aging that had been avoiding me all at once until now, I’m not used to it either. From my trembling legs to my wrinkled skin. Ariel, I have finally regained the appearance that suits me.”

Hyle brushed aside the hair covering his face.

Ariel, who was looking at the eyes of her master with sagging eyelids due to aging, didn’t dare to speak and sat quietly, not knowing what to say.

To avoid being rude, she remained calm. She paid attention to his appearance and actions.

But Hyle’s eyes couldn’t be deceived.

“You don’t have to pity me like that, Ariel. That’s what I’ve always wanted. For this curse to be lifted. I too will taste death someday.”

“…You came to Helmir Forest because you were worried about me.”

She knew. She knew what her master wanted. But why does her chest feel heavy? Ariel, feeling her eyes moistening, changed the subject to shift the mood.

“Yes. I did well by coming. If I hadn’t come, I would have regretted it all the time. Blaming myself for losing you.”

“Thank you, Master…”

“I’m grateful for you coming back alive.”

Ariel reached out and grabbed Hyle’s hand. She felt a rough texture in his palm.

***

Due to the news of the hunting festival, the Atlan Empire was in disarray.

Dark mages appeared, breaking through the imperial mages’ barrier and kidnapping Her Majesty the Empress, spreading rapidly throughout the empire without restraint.

Fortunately, the fact that Empress Ariel Diaz fell into an unconscious state was kept strictly confidential, and the confusing situation quickly recovered.

Thanks to the elimination of dark mages Diaton and Bill, the demonic beasts that were causing chaos in the border areas between Atlan and Kolnman concealed their traces.

As a result, the people of Atlan praised the great achievements of the Emperor and Empress. They showed even more enthusiastic reactions than when they conquered the Kingdom of Macglier.

Hyle, who protected Empress Ariel Diaz in the fierce battle of Helmir Forest, became an honorary citizen of Atlan, and Evan also received the Emperor’s medal.

‘As our power grows stronger, there will be more who covet it…’

It seemed like she only had to protect her body from Leopold, but as time passed, it seemed like she had more and more things she needed to protect.

Ariel had rested her body somewhat and thought she should try using mana again. She changed into training attire she received from May and headed to the training grounds of the palace.

The training grounds of the palace were spacious with a flat grassy field spread out. The sunlight shone on the palace, filling the space with a brilliant light and a quiet solemnity.

A large tree stood on one side, casting a cool shade over Ariel.

“Your Majesty, are you alright?”

May was the only one she brought along, with all other maids stepping back.

“Yes. I wanted to relax my body a bit. You never know what might happen.”

Ariel smiled faintly at May’s worried gaze and drew his sword from its scabbard. Gripping the sword in her right hand, she closed her eyes and felt mana fill her body.

Clear and pure mana rippled with her movements.

‘It’s been a while since I felt this.’

Ariel let mana flow through her arm to gather in her sword. She gracefully drew a large circle and elegantly turned.

Her body moved flexibly. The sword in her hand became one with her movements, emitting a blade of energy that cut through the air.

The golden mana drew a large trajectory and cut down the tree. All this happened in an instant.

“I’m not completely satisfied, but well, considering I haven’t used mana for a while, it seems fine.”

As mana flowed endlessly and struck the tip of the sword, the sword hummed sharply.

“You’re still amazing.”

The worried expression on May’s face disappeared as she saw the golden mana swirling around Ariel’s sword.

“It used to be a daily occurrence until I returned to Atlan. I feel refreshed too, May.”

Ariel leaped into the air with mana in her legs and stabbed an imaginary enemy with her sword.

The attack was sharp and accurate.

But she felt a presence outside the training grounds.

Because her mana was activated, all her senses were heightened.

Ariel turned her head quickly towards the entrance of the training grounds while floating in midair. Leopold Diaz was standing there, looking at her with surprise in his eyes.

***

“Where is Her Majesty?”

“She said she’s going to the training grounds.”

He was about to invite her for lunch together, but he only saw a maid tidying up the bedroom; Ariel was nowhere to be seen.

Leopold immediately turned and headed towards the training grounds of the palace. Witnessing Ariel using her sword, he couldn’t move a step.

Ariel kicking off the ground and lightly rising into the air with flowing blonde hair and wielding her sword as one entity caught Leopold’s eyes in slow motion.

‘Impressive skills.’

He watched Ariel’s movements with admiration in his eyes. His lips were parted in astonishment and admiration.

His gaze was captivated by her graceful movements and the sharp blade she gracefully extended.

But as she turned her head to her shoulder, she quickly saw the place where he was standing.

Red and green eyes collided.

Startled by the sudden situation, Ariel blinked slowly and descended slowly.

Her feet finally touched the ground lightly.

Ariel approached Leopold.

“What’s wrong?”

“I came to invite you for lunch together. But I didn’t expect to see this scene. I really claimed an amazing person as mine.”

“Why are you embarrassed?”

Ariel said while awkwardly fixing her disheveled hair.

“I’d like to spar with you when I get a chance.”

“Is that so? What will you do if you lose?”

Ariel playfully stuck out her tongue. Seeing her like that, Leopold faintly smiled with admiration.

Even within the Imperial Knights, there was no one who could match his skill. Not even Evan could be a match for him.

But considering Ariel’s skill level, Leopold thought she would bring him quite a bit of enjoyment.

‘Of course, there may be a difference in physical strength.’

Until now, he had not realized that Ariel possessed the ability to overwhelm a man’s body. And that even if she used mana, it would be difficult for anyone to be her opponent.