Episode 6
“I was so surprised to hear you woke up. I guess I should say congratulations first.”
A man with long black hair, wearing a fancy robe and holding a beautiful staff, looked at Ridel with a mix of surprise and suspicion.
He took a few steps closer.
Ridel just stared at him silently.
His brain was working fast… but—
He just couldn’t remember.
“…Sorry, but… who are you?”
The man froze.
He forced a smile, trying to stay calm even though his face looked like it almost twitched.
“You’re still funny, Ridel. Even after coming back from the brink of death, you haven’t changed.”
Ridel corrected him.
“I didn’t die. I just had a long, healthy 4-year nap. My memory’s a bit fuzzy, though. Could you tell me your name again?”
“…”
There was a short silence.
Ridel sighed inwardly.
‘Don’t get too offended. You’re seeing me after 4 years, but during that time, I’ve gone from a baby to finishing school, the army, university, and even working. I barely remember the tower master’s face. Why would I remember you?’
Finally, the man spoke.
“I’m Cedric. Your fellow mage and former assistant. Ring a bell now?”
Ridel repeated the name.
‘Cedric…?’
Ah, he remembered.
Cedric used to be one of Ridel’s assistants—he’d sit in a lab corner and organize research results.
“It’s been a while, Cedric. Guess it’s been so long I didn’t recognize you. Hope you understand.”
“Of course. I mean, coming back from the dead and all… it’s hard to believe you’re alive.”
Cedric stepped closer again, carefully watching Ridel.
At that moment, Ridel felt a small hand holding his fingers tightly.
His daughter, Ellie, was staring at the stranger with a mix of fear and curiosity.
Ridel smiled gently at her.
“This is someone I used to work with. Don’t worry.”
“Okay…”
Ridel closed and reopened his eyes. A clear line of mana formed in his mind and stretched across to Cedric.
Through that thread, he silently spoke with magic—while his hands continued fixing Ellie’s cotton candy.
[What brings you here?]
[Isn’t it obvious? Lunch.]
[Still eating alone, huh?]
[“Lunching alone?” What’s that mean?]
[Look it up yourself. So, the tower knows I’m back? The master didn’t come, so I thought they forgot about me.]
Cedric chuckled.
[Everyone forgot. Your coworkers, the tower master, and… your ex-wife.]
Ridel inhaled quietly.
That last part hit him hard.
[Surprise! I’m alive. Bet they’re shocked.]
Ridel’s calm response made Cedric’s eye twitch.
[Think you can act this cool in front of the tower master too?]
[I won’t be meeting the tower master. I’m not going back to the tower.]
Cedric fell silent, surprised.
Ridel smiled slightly.
[Surprised, huh?]
Finally, Cedric responded again.
[You’re leaving the tower? The master will come looking for you the moment she’s back in the capital.]
[Why would she? After what she did to my daughter… Oh, right. She’s always been shameless. Only cares about her own interests.]
From Cedric’s words, Ridel confirmed the master was not in the capital.
Important figures like the tower master need permission from the emperor to leave.
‘Must be on a trip. Good. I’ll leave before she gets back.’
[Say what you will about her. But your research is still crucial to the tower. She won’t give up your magic talent so easily—]
Then, Ellie murmured softly while hugging Ridel’s leg.
“Tower… master?”
Ridel’s hand stopped.
Cedric’s eyes widened.
This was a private conversation shared through mana—not something anyone could hear.
But… Ellie had heard it?
Ridel looked down at Ellie.
Her mismatched eyes (one pink, one blue) shimmered faintly, like she was seeing something.
[That girl—is she the one the tower master said was useless…?]
[Enough.]
[…She made a big mistake.]
Ridel ignored Cedric and hugged Ellie tightly, protectively.
Ellie clutched his clothes even tighter.
Her shoulders trembled, but she slowly calmed under Ridel’s warmth.
Ridel lifted his eyes to Cedric again—his blue eyes now sharp and cold.
[It wasn’t a “mistake.” It was wrong. And no one’s going to fix it—because I’ll protect my daughter myself.]
A short but clear declaration.
Cedric’s gaze grew sharper.
[It’s not up to you, Ridel. The master decides.]
He scoffed and disappeared into the crowd.
Ridel stared in that direction for a moment, then looked down again.
Ellie’s fingers were pale from how tightly she was holding on.
She may not have understood everything, but she clearly felt the tension.
“It’s okay. Daddy will always be with you.”
“Okay. That bad man… he won’t come back, right?”
“Even if he does, I’ll make him go away.”
Ridel smiled and lifted Ellie in his arms.
‘We have to leave. Now.’
The capital city’s morning was busy as always.
Crowds of people, shouting merchants, and music from somewhere in the streets.
‘Today will be my last morning here.’
Ridel left the inn with Ellie and began walking.
Their destination—
An island not on any map.
It was where he once lived with his grandmother, before being sent to an orphanage.
‘The tower master won’t find us there easily.’
It was a place full of childhood memories.
Back then, there was no pain or discrimination—just peace, nature, and his grandma’s smile.
Ridel wanted to start a new life there.
He wanted Ellie to experience the same peaceful happiness he once had.
“Ellie, have you ever seen the ocean?”
Ellie looked up at him.
“What’s… the ocean?”
Ridel smiled.
“It’s a huge place filled with blue water. It’s wide, breezy, and the waves make pretty sounds. You’ll love it.”
Ellie’s eyes sparkled in the sunlight.
“I wanna see the ocean!”
“Let’s go. But… we’ll have to fly for a long time. Aren’t you scared?”
“Fly?”
“Yeah.”
Ellie tilted her head. She couldn’t imagine how.
But it didn’t matter.
“If I’m with Daddy, I can do anything.”
Ridel’s heart warmed, and he hugged her tighter.
“Me too, Ellie. I can do anything with you. Okay—let’s go!”
“Let’s gooo!”
Ridel couldn’t resist and rubbed his cheek against Ellie’s.
He left the crowded market behind and headed for a quieter road on the outskirts.
There, he saw a giant tower and a dome-shaped flight station—Arkin’s Station.
“That’s it, Ellie. That’s where we’ll fly from.”
Ellie peeked out from his arms, eyes full of wonder.
Ever since meeting her dad, her world had become full of new experiences.
Ridel wiped the sweat from his hand.
‘It’s been a while since I flew on an Arkin… kinda nervous. Ellie might be scared too.’
But it’s okay.
He’s a wizard.
He could use flying magic in an emergency.
Still… just because you have a parachute doesn’t mean falling isn’t scary.
Hopefully, they’d get a strong, smart bird.
Inside, the waiting room was busy. People chatted and moved around with their flight tickets.
Ridel took out the two tickets he bought the night before—for a very high price.
‘…’
It’s okay. I’m a capable wizard.
We’ll live off the land on the island… somehow…
‘It’ll work out.’
The 4 years of hospital fees were brutal.
He missed Korea’s healthcare system more than ever!
Still, thanks to life support, he got to meet Ellie again.
‘Money isn’t everything. And the past is the past. My only focus now is Ellie.’
“Next!”
Ridel stepped forward with Ellie.
The worker checked their tickets.
“No issues. Please go to Zone 34.”
“Okay!”
Ellie replied cheerfully.
The worker looked down and smiled—but when Ellie tried to hide her eyes with her bangs, she realized they were too short. So she hid behind her dad instead.
“She’s cute. Your little sister?”
Both Ridel and Ellie corrected him immediately.
“No, my daughter.”
“No! He’s my daddy!”
The worker stood still for a moment… then laughed again.
Arkins are huge, smart birds that fly all over the empire.
They’re mostly used by nobles, rich merchants, and travelers—because of the high cost, commoners rarely ride them.
For poor Ridel, using an Arkin was a big decision.
But it saved time and avoided the tower’s guards at the capital’s gate.
“Daddy, is that… a bird?”
“Huh?”
“A bird?”
“You mean that? Yes, that’s a bird. A really, really big one.”
“Woooow…”
When they reached their zone, a massive Arkin was waiting.
Its silver feathers shimmered, and its blue eyes were fierce.
It looked like a legendary creature from stories.
Even with its wings folded, it looked powerful.
Ridel gulped.
‘It’s bigger than I remember. One flap of its wings could knock people over!’
Then, the Arkin looked straight at Ellie.
It let out a soft cry.
Ellie, who usually lowered her head when people stared, didn’t look away this time.
She held her little hands tightly and looked straight into the Arkin’s eyes.
At that moment, Ellie’s mismatched eyes—cold sapphire and warm pink—shimmered together.
