Echoes Across the Kingdom
News of Elara's victory at the Colosseum of Caelora quickly spread throughout every corner of the Kingdom of Urtz through the Urtz Tribune and the Urtz Journal.
In Voltryn, the elders of the Aegerin Clan took pride in seeing Arven join Elara in order to learn how to become "lightning that protects."
In Kozto, the villagers celebrated the success of Elara and Kael, who had now become important pillars within the capital.
Despite her defeat, Lyra of Venthir Academy felt that joining Elara was the path toward discovering empathy within magic.
The Old Office Brought Back to Life
Elara did not open a new office.
Instead, she chose to occupy the old office where Ardan once stayed when he had first become a Sage.
In front of the sturdy oak door, she was welcomed by Aunt Martha, Ardan's loyal servant, who handed over the office key symbolically with tears of emotion in her eyes.
While the human staff had chosen retirement because of their age, several Elf and Dwarf staff members requested permission to continue working, as their long lifespans allowed them to witness several generations of Sages.
Elara gladly accepted them and asked about their job responsibilities as well as how Ardan used to work in the past.
Aunt Martha explained that Ardan had been supported by executive staff responsible for managing forbidden magic archives and regional coordination.
Sylveras, Brant, Rossie, and the others listened attentively while reorganizing the office tables, combining fresh energy with the experience of Ardan's veteran staff.
Hellish Training in the Demon Dominion
Far from the light of Urtz, Lurk—now the Third Nekragonkin—underwent brutal training under the supervision of Draken and Vorgas.
Without Numrath's intervention, the two senior Nekragonkin forced Lurk to begin with basic training: learning to distinguish the mana of his demon body from the mana of Exterminium that continuously tore at his soul.
If he failed to stabilize the essence of the ancient dragon, the power would devour his consciousness and transform him into a mindless monster.
Zorzax's Confession and the Secret of Mavet Valley
In a hidden corner of Caelora, Gorion and Fenrath Moongrim finally confronted Zorzax directly regarding what he had been doing in Mavet Valley, a divine blind spot where his secret laboratory was located.
"Tell us the truth, Zorzax. What are you hiding inside that laboratory?" Gorion asked heavily.
Zorzax remained silent for a long moment before finally lowering his head, his shoulders trembling.
"I did it in secret... for my sibling," he whispered.
He explained that he once suffered from a rare and deadly disease.
Out of overwhelming love, his sibling made a forbidden contract with a demon—trading away their soul in exchange for curing Zorzax.
"Now I'm healed, but my sibling is the one who became cursed and is slowly rotting away for violating that contract. Ironical, isn't it?"
Zorzax looked at Fenrath with tearful eyes.
"That's why I immediately killed the demon you brought back then, Fenrath. I truly hate them. And the blood from that giant serpent—the thirty-headed serpent... I took it to extract samples from it, hoping I could create a serum for my sibling."
Hearing this, Fenrath—who had always disliked Zorzax's arrogant personality—fell silent.
He stepped forward and placed a hand on the alchemist's shoulder.
"Forgive me, Zorzax. I didn't know your burden was that heavy," Fenrath said sincerely.
At last, Zorzax broke down in tears, pouring out all of his despair.
Gorion embraced his old friend in an attempt to calm him.
"Don't worry. We'll find a solution together. We'll keep this hidden from the Council."
Fenrath nodded, though he added with a slightly annoyed tone,
"Yeah, but stop acting recklessly during meetings. You're giving me high blood pressure."
Zorzax only gave a faint smile through his tears, feeling slightly relieved now that he no longer carried the secret alone.