Inside the Emperor’s office, a smile appeared on Parmes’ lips as he received the report about what had happened at the Elementalist Association today.

He murmured to himself.

“So Arinel has taken over the Elementalist Association.”

Suddenly, memories of Heisen came to mind.

The conversations they shared on that bright moonlit night.

While Parmes had no interest in topics like the Elementalist Association or the Elemental Palace Lord, these were clearly areas that Heisen was passionate about.

“Taking advantage of most Elementalists’ innocence, the cunning ones try to use others from their position above. I wonder if promoting Elementalist newspapers would reduce the rate of exploitation by fellow practitioners.”

Heisen’s worried expression while talking about matters that didn’t concern him.

His tightly clenched fist had seemed adorable, like a child full of determination.

“……”

And so, he had been looking forward to seeing how Arinel would proceed.

While overturning the corrupt Elementalist Association could be done with just one gesture from Parmes, he was curious to see how Arinel would react after seeing its true nature.

He wasn’t worried about her being pushed around easily.

Like Heisen, Arinel had a personality that wouldn’t rest until she fixed any injustice she encountered.

“Since Arinel seems quite embarrassed about this, make sure this matter doesn’t leak out by keeping everyone’s mouths shut.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

***

“As the Elemental Palace Lord, and as the person with the greatest decision-making power in the Elementalist Association, I want the Association to be reformed.”

At my clear voice, Felix, standing beside me, replied with a faint smile.

“Tomorrow is the Association’s regular meeting, so your opinions will be fully reflected. Isn’t that right, Chairman?”

“Of course. You’ve been through a lot too.”

Felix, who had been doing others’ share of work simply because he had no backing, opened his mouth as he recalled his days at the Elementalist Association.

“I should tell you in advance – most of you here will either leave the Association or be assigned different tasks than just comfortably wasting money, so you’d better prepare yourselves.”

“……”

The Elementalists who had lived intoxicated even by the small power and money within the Association looked dumbfounded.

“This… can’t be…”

“…ugh…”

Well, such people exist everywhere, and the process of replacing stagnant water with fresh flowing water is always necessary.

“Thank you so much, Elemental Palace Lord.”

The Association Chairman looked at me with moist eyes as he spoke.

“It’s nothing. I couldn’t just watch as the Elementalist Association that Dad put so much effort into became corrupt.”

At my words, the Association Chairman bent his knees slightly to meet my eyes at my shorter height.

“Indeed, you are Marquis Mylar’s proud daughter.”

Whenever I heard such words, my heart always felt full.

The Association Chairman continued.

“Regarding talent recommendations for the Elemental Palace, we will send application forms to the Marquis household to make the screening process transparent.”

We’ll be able to recruit truly capable Elementalists, not just those with connections to the Association.

“The Elemental Palace wants Elementalists with skill and qualifications rather than connections and money.”

“Of course.”

The Chairman answered as if to say not to worry.

***

On the way home, Felix and the Association Chairman escorted me.

We had several conversations in the carriage.

“Um… actually, I’ve been feeling guilty about destroying the Elementalist exam site. How are the subsequent exams being conducted?”

I had heard that Elementalist exams had resumed afterward.

But I hadn’t heard about how they were being conducted.

The Association Chairman laughed heartily and said.

“They take small boats.”

“…Small boats?”

“Yes. They approach by rowing small boats and place their hands on the stone. Well, not much has changed from before, except that new Elementalists have to practice rowing.”

Imagining prospective Elementalists practicing rowing made me feel guilty, and I quietly wiped away my sweat with my small hand.

“Still, the hot springs that the Elemental Palace Lord created have become an incredible tourist attraction and greatly helped the Elementalist Association. Now that the useless ones have stepped down…”

The Association Chairman said, clearly pleased

“The money could be better used for the Elementalists’ welfare.”

I nodded.

Though unintended, it’s good if the hot springs I created are used for the right purposes.

“But I’d like to receive one promise from the Association Chairman as well.”

At my words, the Chairman’s eyebrows twitched.

“My Lord… Why so suddenly…”

Though Felix called out to me in slight confusion, I ignored it and looked straight at the Association Chairman with clear eyes.

“The reason I took your side this time wasn’t because of personal feelings, but because I believed your cause was right.”

My words made the Chairman’s eyes waver.

“Even people who originally had no desire for power often change once they obtain it.”

Though the Association Chairman was acquainted with Dad and worked to set the Association right, that’s the current situation.

There’s no guarantee that he won’t become like those who previously corrupted the Association.

“Please don’t ever change in the future.”

I demanded the promise I wanted from him.

The Association Chairman stared at me for a moment, then asked with a faint smile.

“What will you do if I do change?”

“Then I’ll have to use my rights to the hot springs to support someone who wants to overthrow you.”

“My Lord…!”

While Felix was startled again by my blunt words, I stared intently at the Association Chairman without backing down.

I’m not sure what was reflected in his wrinkled eyes, but there was definitely admiration mixed in.

“Indeed… Until the end, the Elemental Palace Lord continues to surprise this old man. Though young, at this rate, the late Marquis Mylar wouldn’t need to worry.”

Even Felix looked surprised at the Chairman’s gentle voice.

The Association Chairman nodded with a smile across his face.

“This old man will gladly make that promise. To be an Association Chairman solely for the Elementalists and the Empire.”

Only then did I relax my expression and smile brightly.

***

“Marquis Mylar gave me this stone to pass on when someone worthy of inheriting his will appeared. Please take it, Elemental Palace Lord.”

I received the triangular stone that the Association Chairman had been keeping.

“Even when I heard rumors about his daughter appearing, I wasn’t sure, but now I’m confident it’s right to pass this on to you.”

I could instinctively tell it was one of the stones that would be a key to the safe.

Unlike the first stone which felt cold, this stone from the Association Chairman had a lukewarm warmth to it, though the weight was similar.

“Phew…”

Returning to the study, I inserted that stone into the safe.

There was a clicking sound as it fit perfectly.

“Just as I thought!”

It feels like putting together a puzzle piece by piece.

The round stone Adam gave me, and the triangular stone from the Association Chairman.

Now I just need one square stone to open this safe.

The square stone must be…

Just as I was lost in thought about its whereabouts.

“My Lady.”

Adam entered the study hurriedly with something in his hands to report to me.

“News has come that they’ve found the missing message bird from the Mylar Grand Duke’s house.”

“The Grand Duke’s house?”

The location of the last stone.

My paternal family, the Mylar Grand Duke’s house.

“Here’s the letter.”

I took the crisp letter he was holding.

The paper quality was tough, different from the paper we usually use.

With a somewhat nervous heart, I opened the letter…

[Summer, I will come. My little one.]

…?

The letter contained just three words.