Voli packed all his belongings and carried them outside, standing near the carriage. He spoke briefly with Aldwin while Rowan observed quietly. Over the past year, Rowan had pushed himself as a mage, learning to cast long-range attacks directly from his hands instead of relying solely on his sword. Being trained by one of the best had accelerated his growth.
Rowan’s body had grown stronger too. He was ten now, and while at six he had been able to use only about fifteen to twenty percent of his power, now he could wield nearly thirty-five percent. That alone was remarkable progress.
Voli’s father had tried teaching him swordsmanship in his own way. Even with a real blade, he could not have stood against Rowan. Yet so of those lessons had value—techniques refined by a Sword God that Rowan now understood better than anyone.
In two days, he would leave for the Royal Academy.
Just then, the carriage arrived, erging from the forest path.
Voli nodded toward Aldwin and shook his hand. Then he turned to Mira, bowing slightly. "Thank you for allowing to stay in your ho," he said.
"You’re welco anyti," Mira replied warmly.
Voli then turned back to Rowan. For a mont, neither spoke. Then he extended his hand. Rowan grasped it firmly.
"Thank you," Voli said. "For allowing the honor of training such a rare and pure talent."
"I should be the one thanking you," Rowan replied honestly.
Voli nodded, picked up his bag, and entered the carriage. As it began to move, he waved. Rowan and Aldwin waved back, silently watching as it disappeared into the forest.
As they watched him vanish from sight, everyone turned and entered the house. Rowan went to his room for a mont, then ca back downstairs to the dining area. He sat in his chair, and Elian moved forward, taking a seat beside him.
"Master, would you like to feed you?" Elian asked.
Rowan raised his hand and gently kissed Elian’s cheek. "No, I’m fine. I can feed myself," he said, beginning his al.
"Son," Aldwin said, smiling, "are you really excited? Only two days left before you leave for the academy. I just have to ask."
"I don’t know... I’m not really sure," Rowan admitted. "To be honest, but I’d like to actually experience it... maybe."
From across the table, Mira placed her hand gently on Rowan’s. "So... you’re going to miss Mama really badly, right? Are you going to miss ?" she asked.
Rowan smiled. "100%. I really am. But I’m not gone yet. I’m still here, so there’s no need to get all emotional."
Elian slowly stood up from her chair. She looked at them all,
Their eyes were on Rowan. As Aldwin spoke first.
"Is there anything you’d like to say?"
"I’ll just say it," Elian replied. "After a lot of thought... I’ve decided I want to follow Master Rowan to the Academy."
"What the hell? How is that possible? And why?" Aldwin exclaid. "I know you two have gotten close, but—please... you’re his big sister, but there’s no need for you to go there."
"Well... yes, that’s true. There’s no need," Rowan added, a hint of displeasure on his face. "I can go on my own. Anyti you want to visit, you can co."
Mira slamd her hand on the table. "Not only do I want to go, I will follow Rowan. In fact, let’s relocate to the city."
"Really?" Aldwin asked, surprised.
"Yes," Mira said firmly. "So there won’t be a need for Rowan to stay at a boarding school. He can go to the Academy and co back to us whenever he wants."
"Mira, I’m sure you understand why we stay deep in the forest," Aldwin said calmly. "Most of the people who were after Elian are dead, yes. But not all of them. There are still those who know she’s with us."
He continued, his voice firm. "They don’t dare co here. This forest is dangerous, and they won’t risk facing . But the city is different. In the city, she would be an easy target. They could watch my movents—know when I leave, when I’m gone. That’s why we stay here. You understand that, don’t you?"
Mira hesitated, then slowly nodded. "Yes... I think you’re right."
Aldwin turned slightly. "Elian, it ans there’s no need for you to follow Rowan."
Mira exhaled softly. "It looks like there’s no need after all."
But Elian didn’t back down. "Even so, I’ve already made up my mind. I’m still going to follow him."
Aldwin frowned. "But Elian, you’re not a student anymore. You graduated years ago. How exactly do you plan to enter the Academy? As a student... or sothing else?"
Elian t his gaze without hesitation. "I’ve thought about that too."
She straightened her posture. "I’ll apply as a teacher."
"What? There’s no need for you to do that," Rowan said imdiately.
Elian shook her head. "Master, like I said before, I want to go with you."
Rowan fell silent.
Damn it...
He clenched his jaw inwardly. She’s really serious about this.
The truth was, his resistance wasn’t anger—it was confusion.
Ever since coming here, he had grown up in this place. Even if it was completely different from his past life—better than that past, which had been nothing but ashes—it still felt strange. Back then, people were cruel. No one cared about him. He had been alone.
Now, he was ten. Still young.
Yet it felt as though he hadn’t truly grown at all.
Still carrying everything from before.
Moonbeam was gone—declared dead two years ago. His body had been found crushed beneath a mountain that had been cleaved apart. No one knew exactly how it happened, only that he was gone.
But Moonbeam wasn’t the only threat.
There were still others out there—people who wanted Elian dead," Aldwin thought.
"The Academy won’t be completely safe," Aldwin finally said.
Elian didn’t hesitate. "The forest is safe, yes. But don’t forget—if I apply as a teacher and enter the Academy grounds, I’ll be inside its barrier."
She looked around the room, her voice steady.
"That barrier is one of the strongest in the entire country. Even high‑ranking demons can’t penetrate it."
She t Rowan’s eyes.
"If I’m inside the Academy, I’ll be safe."
"But—" Aldwin started to say.
Before he could continue, Mira cut in.
"She’s right," Mira said calmly. "The Academy is safer for her. And not only that—at least she’ll be watching over Rowan. I’d honestly prefer it that way."
Mira continued, "Of course, if you don’t get accepted, then you won’t take the position. We’ll return imdiately."
Elian nodded. "Thank you."
One by one, everyone stood up from the dining table. Aldwin headed toward his work, and the conversation ended just like that.
Rowan remained seated for a mont longer.
So my opinion doesn’t even matter here, he thought bitterly.
They all see as just a kid.
But that wasn’t what truly bothered him.
He stood up and walked toward his room.
For four years now, nothing major had happened. No calamities. No demon invasions. Not even a trace of demonic activity anywhere in the country.
That silence worried him.
Sothing big is coming, Rowan thought.
His mind drifted back to the past.
The last ti he fought Valzaha, he had nearly killed him. An ancient demon king had intervened at the last mont, saving Valzaha’s life. Trey had been there too—and before retreating, he had sworn to return.
Rowan clenched his fist.
Even if they co back, he thought coldly, it won’t matter.
At this age, his body had grown strong—far stronger than it should have been. His mastery of the sword, sharpened by years of training and mories of his past life as a sword saint, was already terrifying.
With his raw strength alone, one clean slash would be enough.
Rowan entered his room, closed the door behind him, and sat down on his bed—silent, focused, and waiting.
I wonder what the Academy will really be like...
Rowan lay back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling.
Will I make friends?
In his previous world, he never had. There had been no ti for such things—only training. Endless training. Days spent beneath waterfalls, letting freezing water crash down on his body as he tempered his flesh and spirit. Nights without food. Months without rest. Hunger, pain, silence.
That had been his life.
Yet even then... there had been soone.
Soone who would co to see him, even in the dead of night.
Soone who believed in him.
Soone who was gone now—just like that world.
Rowan’s eyes slowly closed.
Was I ever ant to have fun? To laugh? To have friends?
Or was I only ever ant to walk alone?
The questions had followed him into this life as well.
His thoughts drifted further back, to a mory that still hurt no matter how much ti passed.
If she hadn’t co to see that day...
If she hadn’t been captured by the Demon Lord...
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