"By the way, I heard that the most renowned prodigy of the Plantagenet Kingdom—what's her na, Alice?—seems to be in the imperial capital!"
"Hmph! When there are no tigers in the mountains, monkeys call themselves kings! Let her be arrogant for a few more days. Next ti I et her, I'll stomp her underfoot and show her what I'm made of!!"
Alan couldn't help but chuckle.
Gayle covered his face with his hand, finding Francis's suicidal arrogance hard to comnt on.
Just then, dazzling flashes of lightning cracked through the air like a frenzy of silver serpents, descending from the sky above.
The previously low-profile Alice finally made her move.
Francis didn't even have ti to react before his entire body was enveloped in blinding lightning. The searing pain of the thunder tearing through his body nearly caused him to pass out, black smoke rising from his charred skin.
And that was just the beginning. As Francis finally realized what was happening and tried to retaliate, an even more terrifying bolt of lightning descended from above. The frenzied elents flayed his skin, and his screams grew even louder.
"Ahhh!"
"AHHHH!"
Outside the valley, Francis looked like a human lightning rod, absorbing every bolt that struck from the sky. His skin was almost entirely carbonized, black as if he'd just crawled out of a mine, dark smoke pouring from his mouth and nose.
Then ca what looked like a wrestling match from hell.
Alice treated Francis's body like a punching bag, slamming him repeatedly into the ground. He was tossed around like a ragdoll, stretched out like a noodle.
After a full half hour, Francis was left coughing up black smoke, lying limp on the ground, unable to utter a single word.
Alice calmly wiped her hands with a handkerchief, then turned to Alan.
"Shall we go for a walk?"
Alan nodded with a smile.
Lying on the ground, Francis stared at Alice's departing figure. His fists clenched tightly, his eyes burning with unwillingness.
He had just been utterly crushed, and he couldn't accept it!
"I was just careless! I didn't dodge in ti! I'll rember this grudge. One day, I'll repay it tenfold!"
He gritted his teeth and struggled to stand, determination burning in his expression.
Seeing this, Gayle couldn't help but shake his head.
"I suggest you let it go."
Francis snapped, "Let it go? I don't care who she is or what kind of powerful background she has—this grudge will only be settled by death!"
Gayle smiled, "Alright then. I'll be your witness. Just rember, her na is Alice—the very sa 'number one prodigy' of the Plantagenet Kingdom you were just talking about."
Francis's mouth twitched. Then, eyes rolling back, he collapsed into unconsciousness.
"What happened to all that tough talk? Why're you pretending to faint now? Weren't you the one who said you'd stomp her underfoot and show her your might?"
Since Francis didn't respond, Gayle said no more and simply grabbed his legs, dragging him off into the valley.
—
On a forest trail.
Alice and Alan walked side by side, bathed in the glow of the rising sun.
Alice seed gilded in golden light, radiant and divine, like an angel descending to the mortal world.
Alan couldn't help but steal a few glances.
Suddenly, Alice spoke. "Originally, I thought it was certain that you'd join Lioncrest Academy. I didn't expect all of this to happen."
Alan sighed. "Yeah, life is unpredictable. Fate plays strange gas. But it's all in the past now."
Alice nodded. Her bright eyes gazed into the distance. "I'm leaving the Plantagenet Kingdom."
Leaving the Plantagenet Kingdom?!
A ripple of emotion stirred in Alan's otherwise calm heart.
"I ca to say goodbye."
She took a small step closer to Alan.
He could see her flawless, porcelain skin and even catch a faint whiff of the light fragrance that clung to her.
His mind began to drift slightly.
"A lot of people probably think I place too much importance on you," Alice said as she looked at him, standing just inches away.
"But I'm quite certain everyone else underestimates you. Maybe I've underestimated you, too. I don't know why, but from the mont I t you, I sensed a kind of danger I've never felt before."
"In the Plantagenet Kingdom, it's nearly impossible for soone to make feel threatened. But you did. And it's not a kind of danger I can easily describe."
Alan listened in silence, growing more aware of how extraordinary Alice truly was.
"With your talent and nature, I believe it won't be long after I leave before you beco the nightmare of every other prodigy."
"And you love boldly, hate fiercely. In this kingdom that values smooth diplomacy above all, I worry that you might bring chaos to the Plantagenet Kingdom."
"But perhaps… you might also bring about a level of prosperity never seen before."
"I hope that after I leave, you can watch over the Plantagenet Kingdom for ."
She looked at Alan.
He raised his hands. "That's a lot to expect from , don't you think?"
Alice smiled faintly. "So, is that a yes?"
Thinking back on everything they'd been through, Alan felt a strong conviction rise in his heart.
"As long as it's within my ability… I'll do everything I can for the Plantagenet Kingdom."
Alice's smile deepened. "These days, many mages see promises as foolish things, but I've always believed a promise should be worth its weight in gold. To love and to hate, with clarity."
"Also, do you know what else I like about you?"
…??
Alan stood frozen in place.
Alice let out a soft laugh and walked ahead.
After a beat, Alan snapped out of it and hurried after her.
Alice stopped and pulled a scroll from her storage ring, handing it to Alan.
"Near Ironblood City, so ancient noble factions discovered a secret realm—an independent world created by a forbidden magus."
"They've been stabilizing it, and in about a month, this scroll will grant you access to that realm."
"I'm not a magus, so it doesn't an much to . But you are. You might gain a lot from it."
"Also, I received confird reports—it's located on an ancient battlefield. Years of scattered soul energy have likely nurtured many rare materials that could enhance the soul. They could be extrely helpful to you—and to Isabella's strange illness."
"But this isn't a free gift. The secret realm is dangerous, and top talents from other kingdoms will be competing as well. It will be perilous."
Alan accepted the scroll, knowing full well that it could greatly impact his future.
"If fate allows, we'll et again," Alice said simply. Once Alan took the scroll, she prepared to leave.
"Will we et again?" Alan called after her.
Alice paused. "My rank will continue to rise, and the places I go will beco increasingly dangerous…"
Before she could finish, Alan firmly declared, "I'll catch up to you—then surpass you!"
Alice's eyes glimred. "I hope that when we et again, you're still this confident—and we can fight once more."
With that, she turned and walked away.
Watching her figure grow smaller in the distance, Alan pulled out the ring she'd given him and looked down at the scroll in his other hand, smiling foolishly to himself.
Thinking back on all the monts he shared with Alice—from their first battle to her attention and care now—his heart stirred.
Such an extraordinary woman… how many like her exist in this world?
And sohow, he was one of the lucky few.
Now that she was gone, who knew when they'd et again? Alan couldn't help but feel a pang of loss.
Could it be… that he liked her?
The thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
He'd never been in love before and didn't know what it felt like, but being around Alice had always brought him an unprecedented sense of ease.
With that thought, he clenched the ring and scroll even tighter.
Just then, a figure appeared before him.
Alan looked up—it was a dignified noblewoman in a golden mage's robe, exuding imnse pressure.
She was a powerful mage!
It seed she had been Alice's servant all along.
Alan's expression grew cautious.
The noblewoman looked him over and calmly introduced herself.
"My na is Barbara. I am the lady's protector."
Alan nodded. "Is there sothing you need, senior?"
Barbara hesitated for a mont, then spoke.
"What I'm about to say might hurt you… but it's the truth."
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