Raven's POV
I looked at him calmly.
"So. What is it that you want to talk to me about?"
Serapgiel Valenne smiled faintly.
"Won't you invite me inside?"
"No," I replied without hesitation. "I won't."
His eyebrow lifted slightly.
"Why?"
He gestured lightly toward the left side of his face — the faint distortion in his features, the mark many whispered about.
"Is it because my face is disfigured? Because the children would be afraid?"
I stepped closer, meeting his eyes directly.
"No. It's because I don't trust you enough to let you enter a place filled with children."
My voice cooled.
"I can feel the dark aura coming from you."I took one more deliberate step forward. "So it would be best for you to stay away from this place."
For a moment, silence.
Then he said quietly, almost amused,
"I see the rumors were not exaggerated. You truly are on another level."
"I assume you didn't come here to compliment me."
"I came to talk," he replied smoothly.
He stepped closer.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he examined me.
"I see you've fully recovered. How?"
"The healer treated me," I answered evenly.
He smiled — a thin, knowing smile.
"Is that so?"
He tilted his head.
"But I know healing magic does not work on you."
The air shifted.
"Did you truly think you could deceive me as you did the others? I know healing magic does not function on your body. And I know why."
His gaze sharpened.
"When I attempted to heal you before, the spell did not dissipate. It entered you."
He paused deliberately.
"There is only one conclusion. You are an absorption-type."
I said nothing.
He continued.
"I spoke briefly with the King. He mentioned you saved the princess from an ancient curse."
He stepped closer again, seriousness replacing the smile.
"What did you do with that curse after you pulled it from her?"
There was no point lying Not to someone like him.
"It dissipated," I said calmly. "The moment I absorbed it."
His eyes locked onto mine. "So you won't deny that your magic is absorption-based."
"It's not as though I could hide that from a Supreme Mage," I replied coolly, "especially one known as among the strongest across the Four Kingdoms."
A faint curve touched his lips.
"Then you won't deny that you also killed the boss of the black gate."
"I don't know what you're talking about," I said evenly. "I wasn't the one who killed it."
He smirked.
"You cannot deceive me. Your mana signature… does not behave like ordinary human mana and I saw your mana on the boss corps ."
He stepped forward again.
I did not move.
"I am curious, Raven," he said softly. "What exactly are you?"
The birds had stopped singing.
The morning felt unnaturally still.
"I am someone," I replied evenly, "who prefers to stay away from attention and the spotlight."
"So you admit you killed the boss?"
"I admitted nothing." I held his gaze and said, "Now tell me why you're here."
He studied me for several seconds.
Then—
"I simply wish to offer you something."
Of course.
He continued, voice smooth and deliberate.
"I know how talented you are. How powerful. I know you refused the King's offer to become a royal knight. I don't know what drove you to reject such status… but I want you at my side."
"And what would that be?" I asked.
"A place," he said. "Within the Arcane Council. Guidance. Resources. Knowledge few in this kingdom are allowed to access."
For a fraction of a second—I considered it, Access to forbidden archives, Ancient records. Hidden truths, Perhaps answers.
But there is always a price.
"And in return?" I asked.
He looked directly into my eyes.
"Loyalty."
There it is The chain.
Behind me—Inside the orphanage I could feel Mother Mary's anxiety trembling faintly through the air, And from an upstairs window—Small presences watching.
Children.
Listening.
I shifted slightly, positioning myself fully between him and the gate.
"You chose the wrong place to negotiate," I said calmly.
His eyes dropped briefly to my movement. He understood This isn't about me alone. He smiled again, Colder this time.
"I see you are protective."
"I am."
He observed me carefully, Then, unexpectedly, he chuckled.
"Very well. I will not pressure you today."
Today.
"So this isn't the last time," I said flatly.
"No," he agreed lightly. "It is not."
Silence stretched between us.
Then he leaned slightly closer — not crossing the invisible boundary I had drawn, but near enough that his voice lowered.
"There are forces moving within this kingdom, Raven. Forces darker than the monsters you hunt."
My expression did not change.
"When they rise," he continued softly, "you will not be strong enough alone."
My eyes did not waver.
"I have never been alone."
Something flickered in his gaze, Interest. Calculation, Perhaps even approval.
Then he straightened.
"I look forward to your answer."
And just like that—
He was gone, No flash , no spell circle no distortion, simply absence
But the residue of his mana remained in the air Like ink spilled into water.
I stood there for several seconds longer Then I exhaled slowly.
An Arcane Council seat.
Knowledge.
Power.
Chains disguised as opportunity.
He thinks I will eventually accept.
He thinks I will need him, thin he is wrong.
I turned toward the orphanage, From the window upstairs , A small shadow quickly disappeared, They were watching.
That same day, before heading to the palace to train the princess, I went to my teacher's residence.
Elyra was in the courtyard, surrounded by floating glyphs of light — dismantling and reconstructing a spell formation as if it were a simple puzzle.
She glanced at me once.
"You're distracted."
"I had a visitor this morning," I replied.
Her hands stilled.
I told her everything.
From the moment Seraphiel Valenne appeared at the orphanage gate…
To his offer.
To the word loyalty.
When I finished, Elyra remained silent for several seconds.
Then she said calmly,
"To become part of the Arcane Council, there are strict conditions. The first and most obvious — one must be over thirty years old. And beyond that, there are severe psychological evaluations. Trials meant to test stability, allegiance, and moral alignment."
She turned fully toward me.
"Why would he offer you a position he knows the other Council members would never approve?"
I answered without hesitation.
"He didn't offer because he acknowledges my strength."
I met her gaze.
"He offered because he sees me as a threat. He wants me where he can see me."
Elyra's eyes sharpened slightly.
"So what will you do?"
"I'll refuse."
There was no doubt in my voice.
"I don't have time for political games. Nothing good comes from standing in the center of power. Only complications."
I paused briefly.
"But he won't give up easily."
Elyra crossed her arms.
"If what you're saying is true, then no — he won't accept rejection quietly."
I fell silent for a while.
She studied me carefully.
"Why are you quiet? What are you thinking?"
I looked away for a moment.
"I just hope he doesn't involve the children in this mess."
Her expression softened slightly.
"Don't worry," she said firmly. " nothing ganna happen and If anything happens, I'll stand beside you and help you ."
A faint smile formed on my lips.
"Thank you."
She smacked my shoulder lightly.
"No need to thank me. Now go. You're already late for the princess."
She was right I had lost track of time , I left immediately, heading toward the palace.
But even while training the princess…
Even while correcting posture and refining spell flow…
My mind was elsewhere, Watching. Calculating , Waiting.
Several days passed, He didn't appear again.
But silence from someone like him is never absence.
It's preparation.
That afternoon, I was in the back garden training Ren and Lira.
"Again," I instructed. "Focus your breathing before striking."
They moved in sync, far better than before.
Then I heard hurried footsteps.
"Raven! Raven!"
Zane ran toward us, waving an envelope in his hand.
"There's a letter for you!"
I dropped to one knee in front of him and accepted it.
"Thank you."
I ruffled his hair gently, He laughed proudly and ran back inside.
Ren and Lira approached immediately.
"A letter?" Ren asked. "From who?"
"I don't know," I replied calmly.
But when I turned the envelope over—
I saw the seal, a silver crest, intricate, refined recognizable.
Lira inhaled sharply.
"Isn't that the Arcane Council's seal?"
"What would they want from you?"
I already knew I opened it The letter was short.
Direct.
Lady Raven Nightthron,
Since you prefer that I not approach the orphanage, I extend to you a formal invitation to the Arcane Palace tomorrow . I look forward to seeing you and hearing your answer.
— Supreme Mage Seraphiel
Inside me, Morivane's voice echoed quietly.
"He is determined to claim you."
My jaw tightened slightly, Without a word—I tore the letter in half.
And let the pieces fall to the ground.
Ren frowned.
"What's wrong? What does he want? Is there a problem?"
I looked at them calmly.
"There's no problem. Don't worry."
That was not entirely true, But they didn't need the weight of it, I stepped back and picked up my wooden sword.
" Back to training."
They exchanged worried glances, But they obeyed, We resumed practice, But my thoughts remained sharp, An invitation to the Arcane Palace That wasn't a casual gesture That was escalation, He moved the game from my gate To his territory.
Which means he expects me to come, The question is not whether I refuse, The question is—What does he plan if I don't?
As Ren lunged toward me, I sidestepped effortlessly and tapped his shoulder with the wooden blade.
"Focus," I said calmly.
But inside—I was already calculating possibilities, If I ignore the invitation, he may interpret it as defiance, If I attend, I step directly into his domain , Neither path is safe.
one gives me information, And information is power, and the other will hold me back.
The torn pieces of the letter fluttered slightly in the breeze behind us.
The next day, after finishing my training session with Princess Lyria, I headed toward the market district and hired a carriage for ten silver coins.
"Arcane Palace," I told the driver.
It stood beyond the western borders of the city — isolated, elevated, deliberately distant.
Fifteen minutes passed in silence.
When the carriage finally stopped, I stepped down before a massive iron gate. Tall. Imposing. Sealed with layered enchantments I could feel pressing faintly against my senses.
"Wait for me," I told the driver. "I won't be long."
I approached the gate.
Two armored guards crossed their halberds in front of me.
"State your name and purpose."
"I'm here to see the Supreme Mage, Seraphiel Valenne."
Before I could say anything further—
The air distorted.
And Seraphiel Valenne appeared from nothingness.
A small, practiced smile rested on his lips.
"It's fine," he told the guards smoothly. "She is my guest. Open the gate."
The guards obeyed immediately.
The iron doors parted.
We entered the front garden — vast, perfectly maintained, surrounded by towering walls that sealed the Arcane Palace from the outside world.
"I didn't expect you to actually come," he said lightly. "I thought you might avoid me."
"I came because if I didn't," I replied without looking at him, "you wouldn't leave me alone."
I met his gaze briefly.
"I'm here to give you my answer."
He raised a hand.
"Before I hear it, allow me to show you around ."
He opened the grand front doors.
"Welcome to the Arcane Palace," he said with faint pride. "Where the most powerful mages of Aurelia gather. Where the brightest minds reside. From here, the most critical decisions for the kingdom's stability are made. Decisions even the King cannot overturn."
His smile deepened slightly.
"You could say… we rule from the shadows."
Inside my mind, Morivane sighed.
"He talks too much. How tedious."
I ignored her.
The entrance hall was enormous. Marble floors. High ceilings. Multiple doors lining both sides. At the far end, a massive staircase split into two ascending paths toward the upper level.
Seraphiel gestured toward a door.
"This way."
We entered a chamber even larger than the reception hall.
Its ceiling seemed endless.
Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves filled the space — manuscripts, tomes, scrolls of every age.
"This library contains knowledge from across the world," he said.
I walked slowly between the shelves.
Silently.
Absorbing.
Observing.
Then I saw it.
A section marked: Restricted — Forbidden.
Books sealed behind enchanted glass. Protective barriers woven tightly around them.
Seraphiel spoke calmly.
"That section is accessible only to the Supreme Mage and the King. It contains knowledge of what lies beyond this world's borders. Of other realms. Of gods."
I stopped in front of it.
Without turning, I asked,
"What do you think Of gods?"
He paused.
"What do you mean?"
I turned slowly, meeting his eyes.
"People worship gods blindly. Without knowing anything about them. Do those books contain truth? Or just stories?"
Silence.
"Tell me," I continued, voice steady, "what have the gods truly done for you? For humanity? That deserves blind devotion?"
He studied me carefully.
"I see," he said. "You are not a believer."
" No I'm not."
He stepped closer.
"They gave us magic. The power to protect ourselves."
I met his gaze directly.
"Protect yourselves from what?"
I didn't blink.
"From monsters?"
My voice cooled.
"And where do you think those monsters came from?"
The air shifted.
"Where were your gods thirteen centuries ago? When monsters first appeared and there was no magic in the world? When humanity was slaughtered for years ? When half the population died and the survivors fled from west to east, abandoning behind everything they loved , You are nothing but toys in the hands of a gods you worship.
I exhaled quietly.
"You already know this. Yet you still cling to faith."
His eyes hardened slightly.
I turned back toward the books.
"I don't know why I'm telling you this."
Then I spoke clearly.
"I came here to inform you that I will not accept your offer. Not the Arcane Council. Not any position."
For a moment—
Something flickered across his face, His left eye darkened, His jaw tightened.
A tremor ran through the air.
Dark mana began to seep from him — slow, unstable, He stepped back suddenly, breathing unevenly.
I frowned slightly.
"Are you alright?"
He pulled a small red vial from his pocket and drank it quickly.
His breathing steadied gradually.
The dark aura receded.
"I apologize," he said, voice still slightly strained. "I delayed my dose."
I watched him carefully.
"Since returning from the Black Gate," he continued, "if I don't take this daily, the dark mana attempts to consume me."
"You can't heal yourself," I said quietly.
He gave a faint smile.
"You truly are sharp. No. I cannot. The dark mana rejects and dispels any healing that approaches it."
He paused.
"It is similar to your absorption. But not the same."
"How did it happen?" I asked.
"It was the Black Gate boss's ability," he replied. "Its mana invades through even the smallest wound. It attempts to control the host like a puppet."
His gaze lowered briefly.
"The ability did not vanish when the boss died. I managed to resist full control thanks to my healing proficiency… but the corruption remains."
Silence lingered between us.
Then I said,
"I've given you my answer. I'm leaving."
"And may I know why you refuse?" he asked.
"Because our goals are fundamentally different. And we do not believe in the same things."
He looked at me seriously. "My goal is to protect Aurelia from any threat to its future."
Morivane laughed inside my mind. "I think he means you."
I kept my expression neutral.
"I will never endanger this city," I said evenly.
He studied me.
"What you say," he replied slowly, "does not match the danger I feel from you."
His eyes sharpened.
"You defeated a Black Gate boss alone. A person with that level of power cannot simply wander freely in a city without oversight."
My eyes narrowed.
"Without oversight," I repeated coldly. "Or without chains?"
The temperature around us dropped sharply, Frost crept along the marble beneath my feet.
He stepped back instinctively.
Morivane's voice cut through my anger.
"Calm down Raven . This is not the place nor the time to get angry."
I exhaled slowly.
The cold receded.
"I gave you my answer," I said calmly. "Stay out of my life and out of my way."
I turned to leave.
But his voice followed me.
"I'm afraid I cannot do that," he said quietly. "Not until I am certain you are not a threat to this city."
"We will see each other often in the coming days."
I didn't respond, I walked out of the Arcane Palace Through the iron gates Back to the waiting carriage.
As we rode toward the orphanage, I stared out the window.
So that's his position, Not recruitment, but Surveillance, he doesn't trust me.
Several days had passed since my visit to the Arcane Palace.
And yet…
My mind kept returning there.
To the conversation.
To his eyes.
To the feeling that something had shifted in ways I still couldn't fully see.
I was so deep in thought that I didn't notice the strike until it landed squarely on my back.
Thwack.
I turned quickly.
Standing behind me was kara holding a wooden training sword and wearing a mischievous grin.
"What's wrong with you today?" she asked. "You look like your mind is somewhere else."
I smiled lightly.
"It's nothing. You can take a break for now."
Then I turned to Princess Lyria.
"Are you ready to continue? Or do you need more rest?"
Lyria stood up immediately.
"I'm ready."
So we continued.
Hours passed in the training yard behind the palace.
The sun climbed high above us, and the air grew warmer with each passing moment. Wooden blades clashed again and again. Footwork drills. Defensive stances. Timing exercises.
At last, I lowered my sword.
"That's enough for today."
They both stopped.
I studied them carefully.
When we first began training, they would collapse to the ground after a single hour — gasping, exhausted, barely able to hold their swords.
Now…
Neither of them was even breathing heavily.
"How do you feel?" I asked.
Lyria wiped sweat from her forehead and smiled.
"I'm tired," she admitted. "But only a little. I feel like I could keep going longer."
I nodded.
"That's good."
Then I looked at Kara.
"And you?"
Kara rolled her shoulders.
"I can block attacks much easier now," she said proudly. "Even when the strikes are heavy. And… I think I've gotten faster too."
A small smile appeared on my face.
"I'm glad to hear that."
Then I added,
"Starting tomorrow, the training will become harsher. We're also changing the style."
Both of them straightened immediately.
"So far you've only focused on defense," I continued. "Tomorrow we start learning how to counterattack."
Kara grinned.
"I'm actually excited for that."
Before I could respond, Lyria suddenly grabbed my hand.
"Wait."
I looked down at her.
"I assume you're leaving already," she said.
I tried gently pulling my hand away.
But she held it tighter.
"Yes," I said calmly. "Training is finished. Did you need something?"
She hesitated.
Her voice became quieter.
"A while ago… after training… I asked if you could stay for coffee. You said you were busy and that maybe next time."
She glanced up at me carefully.
"If you're not busy today… would you stay for a little while?"
For a moment, I simply looked at her.
Inside my mind, Morivane burst out laughing.
"Oh, why don't you stay? Look at her. She's practically begging you."
Her voice turned teasing.
"And those eyes… I swear if you refuse she might start crying."
Her laughter echoed loudly in my head.
I pressed my fingers against my temple slightly.
"Could you lower your voice?" I told her internally. "You're giving me a headache."
Then I looked back at Lyria and smiled.
"I suppose I can stay for a little while."
Her face brightened instantly.
"I'll go tell the kitchen to prepare coffee and sweets," Kara said, already heading toward the palace doors.
As she left the training yard, Lyria glanced around the garden.
"It's getting a bit warm out here," she said. "Why don't we sit in my room?"
I nodded and followed her inside.
We walked through several corridors until she stopped in front of a door and opened it.
"Please," she said with a small smile. "Come in."
Her room was spacious but comfortable. A long sofa sat beside a low table, and sunlight filtered through tall windows.
I sat down.
Lyria sat beside me — closer than I expected.
"You seem very busy these days," she said. "You leave immediately after training every day."
"I have a lot of things to take care of," I replied.
I leaned back slightly.
"I train with my master. I help mother Mary manage the orphanage. I look after the children."
I continued speaking as the door opened and Kara entered with a maid carrying a tray of cups and pastries.
"And in the evenings, I train Rin and Lira," I said.
"They recently joined the Hunters Guild, so I want them prepared for whatever they might face."
The maid placed the tray on the table.
Kara sat across from us, listening.
"And lately," I added, "I've been searching for a large house."
Kara blinked in surprise.
"Why? Are you moving out of the orphanage?"
"No," I said calmly.
"We all are."
Both of them looked stunned.
"The number of children keeps increasing," I explained. "The orphanage is becoming too small for them. So I started looking for a bigger place."
Lyria poured a cup of coffee and handed it to me.
"Do you need help with that?" she asked. "I know several people who deal with property. I could ask them to search for suitable locations."
I smiled slightly.
"Thank you, but I've already taken care of it. A friend of mine works in that field and has already found several houses."
I took a sip of coffee.
"I'm going to see them tomorrow."
Suddenly both Lyria and Kara spoke at the same time.
"Can we come with you?"
They looked at each other — then back at me.
"We could help you choose the best place," Kara added.
I hesitated slightly.
"I'd like that," I admitted. "But I don't want to interrupt your duties. you have meetings and responsibilities and whatever Princesses do in their life ."
Lyria laughed softly.
"I'm not that busy."
Then she added with surprising sincerity,
"And even if I were… I'd make time if you needed it."
Morivane's voice slid into my thoughts again, amused.
"Look at her. She isn't even trying to hide it anymore."
"What are you talking about?" I replied mentally.
"She's practically saying you matter more than royal duties."
I ignored her.
Instead I looked at both of them.
"Thank you, Princess. And you too, Kara."
A small smile appeared on my face.
"I'd actually appreciate another opinion when choosing the house."
The conversation continued for some time.
We talked about training.
About the increasing monster sightings near the outer regions of the kingdom.
About the changes happening within the city.
For a while…
It almost felt peaceful.
Eventually I stood up.
"I should go."
They both walked me to the corridor.
After saying goodbye, I left the palace and stepped back into the crowded streets of the market district.
The noise of the city surrounded me once again.
But my thoughts had already moved to tomorrow.
The bell above the door rang softly when I stepped inside the weapon shop.
The familiar smell of steel, oil, and charcoal filled the air. It was a scent I had grown used to over the years — sharp, honest, uncomplicated.
Behind the counter stood Ayla and Aurora .
They were so deeply absorbed in their conversation that neither of them noticed me entering.
"…I'm telling you," Ayla was saying with excitement, leaning against the counter, "Azeria is beautiful this time of year. Beaches, music, night markets—"
Aurora's eyes sparkled. "You promised we would go there someday."
"I did," Ayla replied confidently. "And I keep my promises."
I walked closer.
Still no reaction.
So I knocked twice on the wooden counter with my knuckles.
Knock. Knock.
"Sorry to interrupt such an exciting conversation," I said with a small smile, "but could I get some help here?"
Both of them jumped.
Ayla pressed a hand to her chest dramatically.
"Raven! You scared me!" she exclaimed. "Since when have you been standing there?"
"I just arrived," I replied calmly.
Then I turned to Aurora.
"Hi, Aurora. I'm glad to see you again."
Aurora immediately came around the counter and wrapped me in a warm hug.
"I'm glad to see you too," she said. "I thought we'd meet more often after that night at the tavern. But you disappeared."
I returned the small smile.
"I'm sorry. I've been very busy lately. There are many things I need to take care of."
Ayla leaned against the counter with a teasing smirk.
"Oh really? Is the princess one of those things you're taking care of?"
Aurora blinked in confusion.
"The princess? What does the princess have to do with Raven?"
Ayla waved a hand casually.
"Oh, didn't I tell you? Raven here is on very good relation with the princess. She goes to the palace every day to see her."
Aurora slowly turned toward me, eyes wide.
"Raven… are you involved with the future queen of Aurelia?"
"I'm not sure what you mean by involved," I said calmly. "But I go to the palace to train her."
Ayla chuckled.
"You could have refused the offer, you know. But you accepted."
"I didn't accept without compensation," I said.
Aurora tilted her head.
"And what did you ask for in return?"
"Monthly support for the orphanage."
Aurora's expression softened immediately.
"That's a good deal," she said warmly. "It must help Sister Mary carry some of the burden."
I smiled faintly.
"Come sit with us for a while," Aurora said. "I'll make you some tea."
"Thank you," I replied, "but maybe another time."
Ayla stepped out from behind the counter.
"Raven doesn't like tea," she said, then looked at me. "So — what do you need?"
"I'm looking for swords."
Ayla blinked.
"What happened to the sword you bought here last time?"
I examined several blades hanging on the wall as I answered.
"I'm about to start training with my master again. I can't use my sword Soul Siphon against her."
I paused.
"I'd rather not accidentally kill my master."
Aurora raised an eyebrow slightly.
"So you need practice weapons?"
"Not exactly," I said.
"I need strong swords. Ones that won't break easily."
Ayla crossed her arms thoughtfully.
"I'm not sure what kind of training you're about to undergo if you need more than one sword," she said. "But wait here."
She disappeared into the back room.
Aurora leaned on the counter while watching me inspect the blades around the shop.
After a few minutes Ayla returned, carrying several swords wrapped in cloth.
"These are the best ones we have," she said, placing them on the counter. "Take a look."
I inspected them one by one.
Weight. Balance. Steel quality.
One blade caught my attention.
I lifted it.
"Hm… this looks like a pirate's sword," I murmured.
Aurora frowned slightly.
"What's a pirate?"
"They're groups of thieves who live on the seas," I explained. "They attack ships, rob them, kill the crew, and take the vessels."
Aurora looked surprised.
"I've never heard of them before."
"That's because you've never left the kingdom," Ayla said with a smile.
Then she looked at Aurora more gently.
"But one day I'll take you anywhere you want to go. I promise."
The two of them drifted into their own little world for a moment.
So I quietly continued choosing.
Eventually I placed ten swords on the counter.
I cleared my throat lightly.
"I'll take these."
Ayla stared at the pile.
"All of them?"
I nodded.
She packed them into a large bag while I placed thirty gold coins on the counter.
"Anything else?" Ayla asked.
I thought for a moment.
"Do you have daggers? Actually… two identical ones."
Ayla rubbed her chin.
"…I think we might."
She reached up to a dusty shelf and pulled down a wooden box.
Setting it on the counter, she wiped away the dust.
"Hunters usually buy swords," she explained. "Daggers don't sell much. But I guarantee you'll like these."
She opened the box.
Inside lay two long, perfectly matched daggers.
They were beautiful.
Their silver blades gleamed under the sunlight coming through the shop windows. The hilts were black and deep crimson, decorated with intricate engravings. At the end of each hilt rested a small blue gem — clear and bright like the sky.
"These blades are extremely sharp," Ayla said. "And see these gems? They change color depending on your emotional state."
She picked up one dagger.
The gem turned green.
Ayla smiled.
"Green means happiness."
Aurora clapped her hands excitedly.
"I want to try!"
She grabbed the other dagger.
The gem immediately turned red.
Ayla chuckled.
"Red means love."
Then she looked at me.
"Your turn."
She handed me one of the daggers.
The moment my fingers touched the hilt—
The gem turned pitch black.
Aurora and Ayla froze.
"…What does black mean?" Aurora asked quietly.
Ayla hesitated.
"Black means rage," she said slowly.
"Hate. Anger. Death. Resentment."
Their voices sounded distant.
I wasn't listening anymore.
I was studying the dagger.
The blade was razor-thin, dangerously sharp, the tip almost needle-like.
Perfect.
Someone called my name.
I looked up.
Aurora and Ayla were staring at me with concern.
"Sorry," I said calmly. "Did you say something?"
Aurora frowned slightly.
"Raven… are you okay?"
"I'm fine," I said with a small smile that didn't reach my eyes.
I looked at Ayla.
"I'll take these daggers too. Do you have a back holster?"
Ayla silently placed one on the counter.
Before she could answer my question about the price, a rough voice spoke from behind me.
"You can take them. They're yours."
I turned.
Standing near the forge entrance was Dorian, holding several blacksmith tools.
"Good to see you again, Raven."
"Good to see you too, Mr. Dorian," I said.
"These daggers are a gift," he continued.
I raised an eyebrow.
"What's the occasion? I'm pretty sure it's not my birthday."
He stepped closer and placed a heavy hand on my shoulder.
"For saving my daughter's life."
I glanced at Ayla.
She simply shrugged with a smile.
Dorian laughed.
"Ayla told me what happened in the dungeon. Not every detail — but enough. I wanted to thank you properly."
I shook my head.
"I can't take them for free. They look expensive."
He shook his head firmly.
"There is nothing in this world more valuable than my daughter's life."
He pushed the box gently toward me.
"This is the least I can do."
For a moment I was silent.
Then I smiled.
"In that case… I'll accept them. Thank you."
I placed the box into my bag along with the swords.
After saying goodbye, I left the shop.
The afternoon sun had already begun to lower.
I walked into a quiet, empty alley.
With a small motion of my hand, the bag vanished into my infinite storage.
Then I stepped back onto the main road.
Heading toward the orphanage.
Slowly.
My mind filled with thoughts about the future.
About the children.
About the house I needed to find for them.
And somewhere in the back of my mind—The black gem of the dagger still lingered, Like a silent reminder.