In the shadows stood a child with her golden-blonde hair. Her expression remained unchanged—a cold, distant look, with eyes that seemed to sink into darkness.0

“Sylvia.”0

As I looked at the young child before me, I imagined the Sylvia of the distant future. This child was a central named character in the world—a prodigy destined to become an archmage who would one day lead the continent. Between her and Epherene, I couldn’t say who would reach that future first, but it was certain that they would.0

“It has been quite some time,” I stated.0

Sylvia said nothing, standing as still as a doll. Rising from my seat, I took a step toward her, and immediately, a ripple of mana flowed around her, carrying a trace of murderous intent.0

“Don’t come closer,” Sylvia warned.0

I stopped briefly, watching her in the darkness of the cavern, faintly illuminated by the glow of the crystal tree. She seemed lost in thought—though I neither knew nor cared to ask how or why she had come to be there.0

Thud— Thud—0

Step by step, I moved forward. The air around us felt heavy, though it wasn’t due to her presence.0

Thud— Thud—0

As my footsteps echoed and I approached, Sylvia raised her hand to stop me and said, "Stop."0

Disregarding her words, I pressed on and said, "It is you who should stop."0

Whirrrrrrr—!0

The Wood Steel blades responded, nineteen of them orbiting me as their mana started to build up. Sylvia glared, her eyes filled with hostility. But she wasn’t the problem. It was the Death variable—the deadly crimson aura looming behind her.0

“Shh.”0

At first, I thought Sylvia’s murderous...1