One Year Later
The steady creak of carriage wheels filled the quiet road as Fenric sat back against the cushioned seat, gazing out at the mist-veiled mountains in the distance. The city ahead—ancient, crumbling, yet steeped in power—waited like a slumbering beast.
It had been a full year since the day Mavis began forging him in fire and blood. Now, Fenric had climbed to the third stage of Low Master rank, his aura sharper, heavier—enough to make lesser knights step aside without a word.
Across from him sat Aria. Her presence had changed as well; she radiated a quiet, contained pressure that spoke of her own strength. She had reached first stage High Master rank, two levels above him.
Not because she was naturally stronger—though she was gifted—but because she didn't have an enormous mana sea like his.
