⸻
Before going to the door, I paused and looked out the window.
A silhouette stood under the cool night sky.
It was Kai.
But…
His face was tense with worry, his eyes wide with panic.
That usual charismatic, confident aura—gone.
I quickly opened the door.
Kai stepped in without hesitation.
His footsteps were heavy, and as he approached, I instinctively took a step back.
"Elysia, what happened?!"
His voice cracked, thick with anger and worry.
I raised my hand in surprise.
"Calm down… What's with this reaction?"
"Garon told me you went into a cave, left him waiting, and then disappeared!"
"He was so worried… and I—"
Ah.
Everything had spiraled out of control.
I hadn't thought Kai would come looking for me.
Along with guilt, I felt an unexpected warmth inside.
Someone caring this much about me…
I had to admit—it felt nice.
I took a deep breath.
I needed to calm him down.
"Yes, I entered the cave. I couldn't find the way out. Luckily, I ran into a friend who helped me."
Kai's brows furrowed.
His lips twisted in frustration.
"This 'friend'… was it that damned mage?"
I kept my tone neutral.
"Lucian? Yes. I was lucky to run into him."
Kai ran his hands over his head and leaned back.
He was fuming.
"Unbelievable. That guy shows up everywhere! Elysia, stay away from men like him! Don't even go near him!"
Honestly, if it weren't for Lucian, I wouldn't even be here right now.
But saying that would only set Kai off.
I stayed quiet.
I gave him a gentle smile.
"Look, Kai… I'm here, and I'm okay. Isn't that what really matters?"
His eyes scanned me—my bruised arm, the scratches on my neck.
He clearly had more to say, but held back.
With a deep breath, he finally said:
"Yes. You being safe… is everything to me."
"Come on, have a seat."
⸻
I started telling Kai what happened.
Of course, I carefully censored most of the details involving Lucian.
"You… killed a trapfang?!"
I smiled faintly.
"Used a bit of strategy. Trapped it in the cave and took it down. I had no choice."
Kai's deep blue eyes widened in amazement.
"You're incredible, Elysia."
"When Garon told me, I was in the middle of a Crown Prince mission. But I left everything and ran straight to the cave.
When I heard the mages were there too… my mind went to the worst possible places."
His voice trembled.
He was trying to hide how scared he had been.
But there was something I still didn't understand.
"Kai, why do you hate mages so much?"
Kai's gaze hardened.
His shoulders squared.
"Mages… can never be trusted.
No matter how much they help—what if one day they stab the crown in the back?
We've all seen what dark magic can do.
Good or bad doesn't matter. They're all a risk."
I thought to myself:
Probably not the best time to tell him I want to become one.
⸻
We talked for a bit more.
Once Kai was sure I was okay, he finally left.
⸻
I threw myself onto the bed with a deep sigh.
I opened my system panel.
⸻
Status Window — Elysia
* Level: 5
* Class: None
* Combat Skill: 6/100
* Magic Skill: 0/100
* Charm: 98/100
* Gold: 320
⸻
"Even a simple daily quest nearly got me killed…"
There was no such thing as simple here.
I had to grow stronger.
There was no other way to survive.
Kai would never forgive mages.
But me?
If I wanted to survive—if I wanted to protect myself—I had to learn magic.
Lucian wasn't exactly eager to train me, especially after what he said about the risk.
But… I would convince him.
I tried to recall forum posts and videos I'd seen back when I played the game.
A massive bird…
Comments filled with complaints from failed candidates…
They all buzzed in my mind.
Even in a game world, there's no peace.
Just endless battles.
Tomorrow, I'd go find Lucian.
But for now…
All I wanted was a deep sleep.
⸻
Morning light spilled into the room as I opened my eyes.
My heart was beating faster than usual.
Today was important.
I had to convince Lucian to teach me magic.
And he wasn't someone easily swayed.
I dressed in a soft, elegant pale rose gown.
Delicate embroidery traced down from the shoulders.
The waist was fitted perfectly with a subtle belt.
I brushed my long silver hair and let it fall naturally.
The smooth strands draped over my shoulders and down my back like silk.
I glanced into the mirror.
"At least I look serious," I muttered.
With a deep breath, I set out for Lucian's tower.
⸻
The massive stone doors were already open when I arrived.
Almost like they'd been expecting me.
As soon as I stepped inside, familiar mana pulsed against my skin.
The air smelled of old books, dried herbs, and that sharp spice scent I'd come to associate with Lucian.
I climbed the stairs slowly.
My heart beat a little faster with every step.
When I entered the study, Lucian was there—
standing before the wide window, his silhouette drawn in the morning light.
Perfect, as always.
His white robes flowed down from his shoulders.
His platinum-blond hair shimmered like threads of gold in the sunlight.
He turned a page in an ancient book with long, graceful fingers.
He slowly lifted his head.
His deep navy eyes locked onto me.
Calm… but endlessly unreadable.
"You're early."
"I have a proposal," I said directly.
Lucian tilted his head slightly.
His brow arched just a little.
That usual calm, composed tone.
"I'm listening."
I stepped closer.
Closed the distance to just a few feet.
"Train me."
Lucian's eyes fixed on mine.
He studied me quietly.
"We discussed this yesterday, Elysia."
"Yes," I said.
"But today is different."
He tapped the edge of the table with his fingers—his thinking habit.
"And you believe you can convince me."
I drew a deep breath.
This time, I was determined.
"Lucian… you saw what happened in that cave.
Even a basic creature nearly took me out.
If I can't defend myself… there might not be a next time."
His gaze softened slightly.
But there was still tension in it.
"This path is dangerous.
If you fail… your soul could shatter.
Do you understand the risk?"
I nodded without breaking eye contact.
"I understand."
A short silence hung between us.
My heartbeat thundered in my chest.
"I don't want to be protected anymore," I said.
"I want to walk my own path."
Lucian stared at me.
His gaze was layered—cold calculation, buried concern… and something else I couldn't name.
He slowly walked toward me.
With every step, my heart raced faster.
His voice dropped low—
rich and intimate in a way that sent shivers down my spine:
"If you take this path… I'll be responsible for all of it."
His words echoed in my mind.
I hadn't expected something that possessive.
I whispered:
"And?"
Lucian gave a faint smile.
"Then I'll be the one to train you."
"But my rules. And there's no turning back."
A rush of excitement and unease surged inside me.
Lucian's gaze seemed to pierce through my soul.
"I accept."
He closed his eyes briefly.
Took a deep breath.
"Then…"
"We begin."
Lucian gave a slight nod.
His eyes lingered on mine for just a moment longer.
"Your first lesson… is today."
"Wait for me upstairs. I'll be there shortly."
Inside me, a storm was rising.
Excitement.
Fear.
Hope.