TVTHGDTHEN 14

Episode 14

“Yes, yes!”

Céline answered in a hurry, like someone drowning who had just found a lifeboat. Relief flickered across Karl’s face.

“Then I’ll report to His Grace. If I can adjust my schedule, I’ll have time to teach you.”

Céline had no idea what exactly Karl told the Archduke, but by the next day, the entire castle was abuzz with talk about her.

“Céline! Did you hear? That old man said your mana is too much for him to handle!”

Natasha grabbed both of Céline’s hands and spun her around once in excitement.

“I was wondering why you kept showing up in Leonhardt’s dreams—maybe there’s some connection between extraordinary people. Don’t you think?”

Céline just laughed at Natasha’s wild imagination.

“That can’t be. I can’t be the only mage with strong mana.”

“That’s true. Anyway, congratulations!”

Natasha hugged her tightly, her red hair brushing and tickling Céline all over.

“When you get used to it, you have to show me your magic, okay? Karl Luthe always says magic should only be used for missions—he never shows me anything!”

“Of course.”

Natasha’s eyes sparkled with curiosity and admiration.

“My lady, Sir Karl Luthe is asking for you,” said El.

“Can I come watch?” Natasha asked eagerly.

Céline shook her head, afraid the same thing as before might happen again.

“It’s my first lesson today. It might be dangerous. Once I’m stable, I’ll invite you to see.”

“Okay. Do your best!”

With nervous anticipation, Céline followed El—expecting to go back up the tower. But instead, El led her down, into the underground levels.

Karl stood waiting in an empty stone chamber, holding a single lamp.

“Are you feeling better?”

“Yes.”

“If you start to feel even slightly unwell, you must tell me.”

“Understood.”

Céline felt her heartbeat pounding again. The first time she had touched a mana stone, the power had been intoxicating; the second time, it had nearly killed her.

“You’re frightened,” Karl said quietly.

“…I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize. But fear makes mana slip out of our control. You already know how dangerous unrestrained mana can be.”

Céline steadied her breathing.

“This is your own power, Céline Luthe. One doesn’t fear one’s own arm or leg, do they? Think of it the same way.”

“…I think I’m all right now.”

She imagined her magic as if it were an extra hand—one that might strangle her if she lost focus.

“Good. Then let’s begin.”

Karl blew out the lamp. Darkness crushed down on them.

“Observe your surroundings,” he said.

“Sir Karl, should I close my eyes?” Céline asked hesitantly.

“Forget that man’s instructions.”

Céline obeyed.

She looked at the darkness itself—and realized that no matter how accustomed her eyes became, there was nothing here but the dark. No sound. No movement. Only stillness.

“What do you perceive?”

“There’s truly… nothing. I can’t feel a thing. Only darkness.”

Karl gave a satisfied chuckle.

“Then now, create something in the dark.”

“What should I create?”

“Anything. But in this situation, fire would be the most suitable.”

Fire.

Céline froze at the word.

Sensing her reaction, Karl’s calm voice reassured her, “It’s all right. I’m here. If anything goes wrong, I’ll take care of it.”

Her heart began to race again.

“Hurry now.”

Karl urged her.

Céline slowly reached for the power inside her. After being overwhelmed twice already, she could feel the mana filling her body easily.

The image that rose in her mind was the flame burning on Rashir’s blade.

In an instant, the entire chamber filled with blue light.

Céline stared around, entranced. The light was so bright that she couldn’t even tell where it came from.

“Ahh…”

Karl let out a low, astonished sound.

“So this is what it was. Now I understand why that man ran away.”

The heat made Céline wince.

“Am I… okay right now? It’s so hot…”

“Céline Luthe, as long as you keep a firm grip on the reins of this heat, it can’t harm you.”

She nodded.

“Now, dispel it.”

“H-how?”

“It’s simple. Think of the darkness again. You’ll see.”

He was right.

The moment Céline imagined the pitch-black chamber again, the blue light vanished, swallowed by the dark.

“Now repeat that. Until you feel you can’t anymore.”

Céline smiled.

“That’s easier than I thought.”

“It won’t be.”

Karl was wrong—about that, at least.

It was easy.

By the time Céline collapsed to the floor, utterly exhausted, she had repeated it 214 times.

“My goodness…”

Karl, who had been counting, looked completely dazed.

“Your mana capacity puts you among the top few mages I’ve ever met.”

“R-really?”

“Even I struggle after 150 repetitions.”

“…”

Céline blinked in surprise, then remembered why she was there in the first place.

“So, what should I do next?”

“Normally, any other mage would go home and fall asleep after that much.”

“I am going to sleep—just tell me how to practice on my own first.”

“Repeat the exercise. Make only a small flame—the brightness of a single lamp. No bigger, no smaller.”

Céline nodded. That much, she could do.

Karl opened the door, and El, waiting outside, caught her half-falling body in his arms.

Karl left Bernui Castle the very next day. Céline spent the entire day shut in the basement, practicing.

But keeping the flame as small as a lamp’s glow proved difficult. No matter how careful she was, the fire would flare up and blaze around her.

Fortunately, she at least knew how to extinguish it now.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Startled by the loud knocking, Céline ran to the door.

El peeked in with an apologetic look.

“Forgive me, my lady. I knocked softly at first, but you didn’t respond…”

“It’s fine. Is something wrong?”

“I asked him to.”

A familiar handsome face appeared behind El.

“Leonhardt!”

Céline greeted him brightly. She suddenly realized she hadn’t even heard his voice for days, too absorbed in magic training.

“You look exhausted,” he said.

“I’m fine.”

She smiled. “I’m doing this because I want to.”

“I’m not interrupting, am I?”

“I could use a little break.”

Céline extinguished the lights and stepped fully out of the basement. Leonhardt held out a small box to her.

Her eyes lit up—the box was filled with colorful candies that looked almost too pretty to eat.

“I figured you’d be craving something sweet around now.”

“Thank you so much!”

Leonhardt gazed quietly at her beaming face.

As Céline savored the blissful sweetness, she noticed a faint shadow of worry in his expression.

“Something’s bothering you, isn’t it?”

“…Have you become a mind-reader instead of a mage?”

“It’s written all over your face.”

Leonhardt sighed heavily.

“I have to leave to deal with a dark mage. It’ll take at least three days—maybe a week.”

“Oh…”

Céline’s face fell, and Leonhardt hurried to add,

“Your attendants will arrive soon, and you’ve been fine without me so far.”

There was one thing he didn’t say aloud, but everyone there—including El—understood the meaning.

‘You’ve survived.’

Céline nodded.

“That’s true. All right. I’ll stay alive, so you’d better be careful too.”

Leonhardt forced a small smile, then murmured so softly only she could hear:

“…I dread the night.”

“What?”

“When I’m gone, I won’t know if you’re safe. Night will tell me the truth…”

He couldn’t continue. His usually steadfast gaze trembled, unfocused.

“Then think of it this way.”

Céline’s gentle voice echoed through the corridor.

“You’ll sleep peacefully every night. That means I’m safe and sound. You’ll know it by your dreams.”

Leonhardt opened his mouth to reply, but no sound came.

His body moved on instinct—

He pulled Céline into his arms.

“…!”

She was startled at first, then relaxed and hugged him back.

After a while, Leonhardt steadied himself enough to whisper in her ear.

“Please, be safe.”

“I promise.”

Céline murmured softly in his embrace.

Leonhardt rode at full speed.

His horse, Black, had spent the past week carrying Céline gently at a walk, so the sudden sprint was difficult at first—but it soon adapted.

He tried to ignore the fragile figure that kept surfacing in his mind.

Focus, Leonhardt.

The faster he dealt with the dark mage, the sooner he could return to Bernui Castle.

After a day and a half of relentless riding, he reached the Orion County, which had already suffered great damage.

“Leonhardt!”

“Uncle.”

Leonhardt bowed to Count Orion, the Archduchess’s younger brother.

The count rubbed his hands together nervously.

“Thank you for coming. How are your parents?”

“They’re well.”

Leonhardt exchanged a few formalities before getting straight to the point.

“There’s no time. My horse is exhausted—please lend me your fastest, smartest one.”

Without a word of complaint, the count called for his servant and ordered it done.

Leonhardt leapt onto the new horse.

“Hyah!”

He didn’t need to ask for directions—the dark mage’s vile aura guided him.

Beasts born of magic thought only of slaughter and destruction.

But a dark mage… was a star swallowed by darkness.

One that had once shone brilliantly.

Leonhardt remembered years ago, when he had arrived too late to save the fortress of Renoir, devoured by a dark mage.

Those who hadn’t fled lay drained of all vitality, barely conscious, weakly writhing on the floor.

Nothing could save them.

Here.

Though the sun shone high above, a fog of darkness rolled thick over the forest.

Leonhardt dismounted, drew Rashir, and stepped into the gloom.

<I’ve been waiting for you, Wolf.>