According to the founding myth of the Solatis Empire, the one true god Kaberdamn sent down four children to cultivate the earth.

Without their parent’s restraint on earth, the children acted like gods and behaved recklessly. They used animals as slaves, spent all day seeking alcohol and food, and repeatedly destroyed and revived nature according to their moods.

Their daily routine consisted of getting drunk, dancing, singing, and then sleeping until the sun descended along the mountainside. Kaberdamn, watching with a heavy heart, sent messengers to coax and persuade his children, but they, deeply immersed in pleasure, tormented the god’s representatives and sickened the earth.

Only when the enraged Kaberdamn descended to earth himself did the children regain their senses, either fleeing far away or hiding in remote places, trembling. However, no one could escape the parent’s eyes. Kaberdamn captured all his children and split each one in two with an axe.

The divine power, now split into eight pieces, seeped into the ground, and at last, tranquility came to earth. Kaberdamn, consumed by grief, created beings that closely resembled his children and then left the earth.

Though vastly slower than the children who had inherited divine power, humans gradually built civilization as he had wanted. Buildings were erected and destroyed repeatedly on the land, and over time, golden wheat fields rippled where blood had been spilled.

The power structure of the Quoren continent was reorganized countless times. Amid incessant wars across various regions, one warrior rose rapidly, sounding victory drums in succession.

The young man called Evander distinguished himself with the continent’s most excellent swordsmanship. He and his eight loyal followers unified surrounding tribes as if backed by divine power.

The forests concealed allies so they could rest, rough waves prevented enemies from approaching, and when enemies fled from fierce flames, sudden gusts of wind swept them away without a trace.

Finally, when Evander established Solatis and ascended to the throne, the identity of his loyal followers was revealed. Consisting of four men and four women of varying origins and ages, they shared the common trait of wielding mysterious magic.

The first emperor of the Solatis Empire called them “Divine Power Holders,” claiming that his loyal followers had inherited the power of the four children who had been split in two by the judgment axe.

* * *

In the noisy classroom, Chloe was absentmindedly looking down at her fidgeting toes bulging through her shoes. The area below her ear felt itchy, and her left instep seemed hot.

“Hey, witch. What are you doing there all gloomy by yourself?”

“Hehehe. Chanting a spell to summon the devil?”

Two boys made a sharp sound as they passed by Chloe. They were Van and Randy, the village’s worst troublemakers.

With tears welling up, Chloe rubbed the back of her head where Van had flicked her with his finger. Ronald, who was approaching his friend at that moment, jumped up in anger.

“I told you not to hit Chloe!”

“Idiot, if you don’t want to die like Aunt Ann, you’d better run away quickly.”

“The witch said she eats the tastiest things last.”

“Chloe is not a witch! Apologize!”

As Ronald, the biggest boy in school, came running while shouting loudly, Van and Randy dashed outside in a hurry.

“Ro, Ronald… I…”

‘I deserve to hear such things. After all, I caused my parents’ deaths and couldn’t even protect Aunt Ann.’

Chloe swallowed her words, staring at the wide-open door. The children, who had briefly quieted down due to the sudden commotion, began chattering among themselves again.

“Stop talking and return to your seats.”

The short break ended as Teacher Gerald returned. The teacher’s wrinkles deepened upon discovering three empty seats without their owners.

“Van and Randy, those rascals are skipping class again even with bruises on their bottoms? And where has Ronald gone?”

“He went to catch Van and Randy!”

At the spirited answer from a seven-year-old child, Teacher Gerald raised his eyebrows.

“Why did Ronald go to catch Van and Randy?”

Instead of an answer, the children’s eyes rolled toward the window seat. Chloe hunched her shoulders as she became the focus of everyone’s gaze.

Having immediately deduced what had happened, Teacher Gerald tapped his bent back and casually opened his book. The children, tense from the uncomfortable atmosphere, hurriedly took out their books without waiting for the teacher’s instructions.

All of this felt like her fault. Chloe pressed her lips together and hoped that her only friend would return quickly. Otherwise, he would be severely scolded by the teacher.

Although Ronald had a righteous and straightforward personality, once he became fixated on something, he completely failed to notice his surroundings. No wonder Gilbert called his son someone who wouldn’t live out his natural lifespan.

Earlier, too, he had rushed out claiming to defend Chloe’s honor, but in his pursuit of the insulting children, he had likely completely forgotten about his friend and school. Having lost their mothers at birth and being born two years earlier, he seemed to act like an older brother to her.

“Researchers have dismissed extinction theories, claiming that feathers presumed to be from griffins continue to be discovered. If we let our guard down thinking the number of monsters has decreased…”

Teacher Gerald paused his pacing near the podium at the sound of the door opening.

Expecting the troublemakers or Ronald, the students turned around without much expression. But contrary to expectations, the figure that appeared through the doorway was an extremely large-built man.

The children gaped with their mouths wide open, as if they had encountered a grizzly bear, unable to take their eyes off him. Only Chloe noticed from the beginning the boy leaning against the man’s waist.

“I apologize. You were in the middle of class.”

“It’s fine, please come in. It’s been a while.”

The stiff boy followed his father, scanning the classroom until his eyes met those of the girl sitting by the window. Only then did the children begin to murmur, noticing a boy around their age, but the boy’s gaze remained fixed on one spot.

“Quiet! This is Mr. Ranbir, the owner of the Windalune Trading Company. It’s thanks to Mr. Ranbir’s generosity that we have a school in this rural area.”

“I only meant to greet the teacher quietly.”

“You’ve come at a good time. Even country children should know about the ways of the world.”

Mr. Ranbir smiled awkwardly, but his eyes looked sad. He returned a warm smile to the children who were staring up at him.

“Nice to meet you all. This is my son, Sylvenus. Call him Sylven. He turned eleven last week.”

Mr. Ranbir embraced his son’s shoulders, who had been standing back, and pushed him forward. Though displeasure appeared on Sylven’s face, he stumbled forward, unable to resist his father’s strength.

His fine black hair swayed gracefully. Unlike other boys, his pale skin was beautiful, and his eyelashes were long. He was such a pretty boy that he could be mistaken for a girl if dressed up.

“My child is shy, so if you happen to meet him, would you greet him warmly?”

“Yes!”

The response burst forth immediately. Except for a minority of boys who were needlessly sulking, most of the children showed quite a favorable attitude.

Teacher Gerald had said that children needed to know about the ways of the world, but the children of Eb, who grew up helping with family businesses from a young age, were quick to understand practical matters.

The Windalune Trading Company, based in the port c ity of Bercherie, was one of the major financial pillars of the Solatis Empire with its considerable business scale. Despite its remote location and small population, Eb’s relatively comfortable living was largely due to the contribution of Bercherie, a two-hour carriage ride away.

The Windalune Trading Company was generous in spending money on surrounding villages. Of course, this was accompanied by expressions of respect and gratitude to the lords of the respective territories.

It was a method of maintaining friendly relations with the nobility while also winning the favor of local residents. Eb’s school and Teacher Gerald were also benefits bestowed by the Windalune Trading Company.

For ordinary commoners, the existence of a wealthy person with excellent character was more tangible than the imperial family, whom they might see once or twice in their lifetime, if at all.

“And…”

Mr. Ranbir’s eyes paused as he carefully looked around at the children. His gloomy gaze lingered for a while on the girl sitting by the window.

Soon, he looked down at his son, and they exchanged a meaningful glance. When Sylven nodded slightly, Mr. Ranbir’s gaze turned back to Chloe.

“Child, what’s your name?”

“…C, Chloe.”

Though stammering was a daily occurrence for her, she felt newly embarrassed. It felt as if her history of living with relatives who would hit her regardless of any excuse had been exposed.

Chloe lowered her flushed face. The children’s eyes, which had been sparkling with anticipation, rolled around.

“She’s a witch.”

“The teacher said we shouldn’t speak ill of friends with nonsensical talk.”

“But it’s true! My dad said the epidemic spread because that orphan came to Eb.”

At the protest of a child sitting in the front row, some added their words while others nodded. No one took Chloe’s side.

Teacher Gerald was about to lose his temper when—

“Did Chloe spread the disease?”

The boy, who had been hiding behind his father, suddenly stepped forward.

“Yes!”

“Then why is Chloe still alive? I heard everyone who caught the epidemic died.”

“W-well, that’s because she’s the devil’s daughter. She brings death.”