A few days later…

In the entrance hall, Merlin and Luna stood side by side.

Before them stood Ardhis, Livia, Maya, and several servants of the mansion.

"Be careful, both of you. Although the academy has guaranteed that the trip will be safe, no one knows what the situation will be like there," Ardhis said with a serious expression.

The Sky Wing Crack had indeed been neutralized by the three kingdoms and Saint Freya Academy.

Even so, monsters still frequently emerged from the crack, and most of them were above level five.

In fact, according to the news, the wave of monsters that attacked Droswen City consisted of creatures that had escaped from the Sky Wing Crack.

Although the truth of the report could not be confirmed, Ardhis was quite sure it was real.

"Thank you for the reminder, Father. Don't worry, Luna and I will take care of ourselves," Merlin said confidently.

"Um! Merlin is right, Uncle! I'll take care of Merlin while we're there. You can be sure of that," Luna chimed in with a smirk, patting her chest confidently.

"Pfft!" Livia couldn't hold back her laughter. "Merlin should be the one protecting you, dear. Why is it the other way around?"

Luna stuck out her tongue and replied playfully, "We're a couple, so we should protect each other, not just one side. Isn't that right, dear?"

She gave Merlin a charming, flirtatious wink.

Merlin chuckled softly at her boldness. He didn't refuse and nodded in agreement.

"Luna is right. Whether it's me or Luna, we'll protect each other from any danger."

Luna's power had already reached the Fifth Spirit Core stage—the same as his.

Moreover, Luna was a spear specialist, so her strength was unquestionable.

As long as no expert at the Fourth Spirit Core stage or above intervened, almost no one could threaten either Luna or Merlin.

Ardhis and Livia exchanged glances, smiles appearing on their faces.

The closer and more intimate Merlin's relationship with Luna became, the closer the bond between the Clay and Tharot families grew.

After that, Merlin and Luna exchanged a few more words with Ardhis and Livia.

Of course, Merlin also spoke with Maya. After all, his departure for the academy meant he wouldn't be able to return home except during holidays or in case of something important.

Until he turned sixteen, he and Luna would live there—a period that felt incredibly long.

Soon after, the two stepped into the horse-drawn carriage.

James pulled the reins of the two horses in front, and the carriage immediately began to move.

Ardhis let out a deep sigh and turned to Livia beside him, who was already in tears.

"Are you sad?" he asked softly.

Livia nodded and buried her face against his chest.

"Yes, I'm very sad. My son has been by my side for so many years, and it's hard to let him go like this. Not to mention Catrine, who is still missing. I feel heartbroken and unwilling," she sobbed, her voice trembling with emotion.

Maya and the maids around them quickly turned away. They understood that, at a moment like this, it was inappropriate to disturb the two of them.

Ardhis didn't try to comfort her with words. He simply patted her back gently, offering silent reassurance.

"It's okay, my dear. Cry as much as you want—no one will stop you," he said softly.

Livia's crying only grew stronger after hearing his words.

Her voice was shrill, as if she were trying to release all the sadness she had been holding back for years.

After fifteen minutes, she finally calmed down and loosened her embrace around Ardhis.

"I'm sorry, dear. I showed you my weak side," she said shyly.

Ardhis chuckled softly and gently pinched her cheek.

"Why are you apologizing? We're husband and wife, aren't we? It's only natural that we share both joy and sorrow."

Warmth spread through Livia's heart, and she nodded faintly.

"Don't worry too much about Catrine. Merlin said the one who took her away isn't a bad person but someone kind who wants to train her to become stronger," Ardhis reassured her. "All right. Let's go back inside."

Ardhis took her hand and led her into the mansion.

...

Boom!

An ice arrow shot out at high speed, shattering two trees in the distance.

Moments later, two more arrows followed, striking a giant rock nearly four meters tall.

The rock froze instantly, then exploded into countless shards of ice that scattered in all directions.

'The results are much better than before,' a ten-year-old girl muttered indifferently.

She leaped and vanished. In the next second, she appeared at the edge of a stream with crystal-clear water.

She walked up to an old woman wearing a mask and said calmly, "Master, I have completed the mission you gave me. May I return to my family now?"

The masked woman opened her eyes and glanced at the girl before nodding slightly.

"You have grown much stronger than before. Since you have completed the mission I assigned to you, I will honor my promise. You may return to your place," she said as she slowly stood up.

A flicker of joy crossed the girl's indifferent face, though she quickly hid it.

"When can I go back?" she asked.

The masked woman pondered for a moment before replying, "Tomorrow. Don't worry. I will prepare supplies for you and ensure your safe return."

The girl nodded slightly, then turned and left.

Watching her figure slowly fade into the distance, the woman let out a deep sigh and muttered, "Time really flies. It has been two years since I took her away and trained her. I never imagined she would reach the Fourth Spirit Core at such a young age. The prophecy was indeed correct—the people on the child's side of the prophecy possess extraordinarily terrifying talent…"

***

The next day…

"Did you bring everything I asked for earlier?" the woman asked.

The girl nodded slightly. "Yes, Master. You don't need to worry."

"Good." The woman nodded in satisfaction. "By the way, remember this—don't tell anyone my identity, not even your parents or your brother. Do you understand?"

Her voice grew serious and deep.

The girl felt slightly confused, but understanding her master's nature, she didn't ask further questions.

"I understand, Master."

"I'm glad you do. And don't forget to keep up with your training routine, and also—"

The woman continued to give her advice, and the girl listened carefully without arguing a single word.

After five minutes, the woman stopped and said, "Alright. That's all I have to say. Now, go back."

With that, she waved her right hand, and a portal appeared to the girl's right.

The girl bowed her head and said softly, "Thank you for your teachings over the past two years, Master. I will remember all your words and the lessons you have given me."

The woman was stunned for a moment before smiling.

"You're welcome. Be careful on your way, my dear student, Catrine Clay…"

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