After enjoying the luxurious lunch and the end of the banquet, Baron Arthur left Marquis Lawrence's palace. He was the last noble to depart, along with Marquis Lucien Valtamore and the mysterious Duchess Rohélia van Astrian. He headed toward his private carriage and spoke to the coachman:
"Take me to Viscount Robert Valtieri's estate."
The carriage rolled steadily through the streets of Zeldarium. The city was located in the northwest of the Drakolin Kingdom, bordering the coasts and ports of both the Sea of Ash and the Sea of Gold. It was far from the border dividing the northern and southern halves of the Eastern Continent—where battles constantly erupted. The southern side, namely the Kingdoms of Phoenix and Jormugand, were in perpetual conflict with the north: the Kingdom of Drakolin and the Celestial Orbs Kingdom. In short, Zeldarium—Arthur's current residence—was one of the most important cities in Drakolin, and even the entire Eastern Continent.
Arthur had received his title of Baron after insistence on his father, the Viscount. "Father" Robert relinquished some of his fiefs and small lands so his son could hold the title of Baron.
Of course, not without considering the honorary tax offered to the king.
Still, granting his son the title was also in the father's interest.
It served as early training for governance and preparation for future inheritance, and it also strengthened the family's status among the kingdom's nobility.
It should be said—his father was a rather clever man.
Though, admittedly, too lenient with his son.
"Sir, we've arrived."
Arthur Valtieri stepped down before his father's grand estate, surrounded by neatly trimmed green gardens. The walls were gray-white stone, and the sloped roof bore a deep crimson hue.
The mansion's façade was adorned with arched windows and balconies overlooking the gate and elegant front garden.
A servant opened the dark oak-carved door, leading into the main hall. It was elegant, yet not overly decorated.
"Where is Lady Lorina?" Arthur asked the maid standing at the side.
"She's in her room, my lord. Would you like me to call the young lady?"
After a nod from the baron and as he sat on the hall's sofa, the maid headed toward Lady Lorina's room. She descended the main arched staircase a few minutes later, wearing a long yet simple green linen dress with a fabric belt. Her black hair was tied into a braid hanging over her shoulder. She sat beside Arthur and spoke kindly:
"You look elegant, Arthur—Baron. Were you at some party?"
"Yes, sister. I attended the fifth anniversary banquet for Marquis Lawrence's marriage. I spoke with some barons and viscounts and I believe there are good investment opportunities in a few projects.
I'm currently considering a premium printing house project in the eastern part of the city. I noticed a shortage in religious prints for the Church of the Twin Moons, and I also want to help spread and expand literary works."
Lorina listened with a slightly surprised expression.
"Did the effect of the relic I gave you take this long to show? I've never seen you like this before."
"I'd say... I've become a new Arthur. A different person."
"Oh? And what's new about this 'new Arthur,' hmm?"
"You'll see soon enough."
A soft laugh escaped Lorina as she saw her brother's serious expression.
"Anyway, tell me—where did you get the Insight Potion? I mean, what's its source?"
"You mean the Rank IV relic? A friend of mine bought it for me from a relic market in Astralon, capital of the Celestial Orbs Kingdom."
She leaned in and whispered:
"To be honest, I'm not sure about the nature of that market—or its legality."
'Lorina... I didn't know you dealt with black markets... Was I really that indifferent before?'
Arthur spoke:
"You shouldn't take such risks for me. What about the family's reputation? What if it's a banned relic in the kingdom?"
"Arthur... you really are serious about this 'new Arthur' thing, huh?"
"Anyway, how much did the relic cost?"
"I'm not entirely sure... around 3,600 Roni."
Arthur thought without showing emotion:
'That's quite a bit... I've got about 15,000 Roni in total. I'll use around 9,000 for the printing project and keep half the rest for emergencies. I need to find a way to generate income quickly—the printing press will take a while to bring returns, even if it's lucrative long-term. My apologies, Doskovitch and Shakespeare... I'll be borrowing some of your works under my name.'
Lorina interrupted Arthur's thoughts:
"Why? Planning to buy the potion again? Did its effect already wear off?"
"No. In fact, I liked its effect. I'm planning to search for a permanent version of it."
"Well... in that case, I'll give you my friend's address—the one who bought the relic from Astralon. He's experienced with relics and might be able to help you later."
"Thank you, sister."
A maid entered with a large tray carrying a glass pot of golden mint tea—a noble favorite—alongside small pastries made from white lemon, sweet and tart in flavor.
After a light snack with his sister, Arthur asked:
"By the way, haven't our parents returned from the capital yet?"
Lorina replied after swallowing a bite of the fine pastry:
"Not yet. It seems they'll stay longer in the capital—they're looking for a suitable gift for Aunt Rosvin's birthday."
"Ah, right, you're correct."
'A few weeks are all I need to catch up to you, Viscount Robert...'
Arthur thought as he sipped the golden mint tea with a smile.
…
Nevermore – The Cursed Lands. Krenthal Forest
Among dense, gloomy black trees and damp brown grass around small swamps where yellow and black frogs swam and jumped in the mist, stood Renala Arxyn, the apprentice who had lost her master. She was in front of a small, slanted stone hut.
She knocked four hard knocks, followed by two soft ones. This was the knock her mentor used when visiting this hut.
Behind the partially opened door appeared a woman wearing a long black robe and hood that concealed half her face. After staring for a moment, she opened the door fully and removed her hood, revealing a pale but dirtied face, with black and brown stains.
She had long, curly black hair and held a medium-length gray staff.
"Little Renala. Did you come alone? How did you breach the concealment spell around this place? Did Helka finally give you your own wand?"
The woman spoke as she walked inside. Renala responded in a sorrowful tone:
"Master Helka... has been executed."
The woman froze.
Her expression shifted from shock, to sadness... then to burning rage.
She completely forgot how Renala got here or how she breached the spell.
She asked in a low voice:
"Who?"
Renala answered just as quietly:
"Hunter Valrik. He ambushed us while we were collecting herbs and reptile blood on the forest's edge. He struck me down first to lure in Master Helka... I barely escaped, but..."
Renala couldn't continue. It was as if the words refused to come. Warm tears slipped from the woman's eyes.
"Lady Zaveria. Please allow me to become your apprentice... I want to learn magic, to master the arcane. And also... to avenge my mentor."
The witch Zaveria took a breath, wiped her face with her sleeve, and turned to Renala, answering:
"Taking you in as my apprentice is the least I can do for my old friend Helka. But—"
She added in a rough but clear voice:
"But I expect obedience and discipline. I've never taught witchcraft before, so don't get your hopes up."
"I understand... Master Zaveria."
Renala Arxyn entered the hut of her new teacher. Zaveria, her previous master Helka's friend, was the first person she thought of to continue her apprenticeship and rise to witch status, as the system described.
The hut was surprisingly spacious inside.
There were shelves and tables filled with bottles of variously colored liquids—some glowing, some dark. There were also eyes and body parts preserved in some fluids, alongside leather-bound books and strange drawings.
In a corner near the large fireplace with blue flames, the eastern floor was slightly lowered.
It was laid with an old, heavy, rough rug.
Black candles with glowing blue flames were set on it.
Witch Zaveria stood at her personal table, grinding herbs into a special bowl and organizing her tools.
She spoke to her apprentice without looking, occupied with her work:
"Help me make a Nectar of Tracking.
This morning I saw signs of a rare Red Dawn Fox while wandering. That kind of fox doesn't usually roam Krenthal Forest. At least, not near the edge.
Bring me from the storage room both the ash of the Blue Glow Mushroom and the blood of the White Mountain Hawk.
We leave at dawn—before it gets too far."
…
After sunset, beneath the twin blue moons, Renala Arxyn lay on a rough bed, thinking about this vast world, her friends who had vanished, and her family. Suzumi had a Japanese mother and an American father—from whom she inherited her blond hair. She was an only child, but deeply loved her parents.
'Are they okay? They must be worried sick about me… I want to reassure them, but… I don't know how to go back. I don't even know where the others are…'
During her internal monologue, she heard a voice in her mind:
"The public chat feature will open soon."
"Fate," she whispered to activate the system, checking for new updates. A clock sat at the top right of the system interface.
8:55 PM.
This world followed a unified global time. It was nearly 9 PM across all continents and seas.
At exactly 9:00 PM, a side window appeared next to the main system screen.
It resembled a group chat interface from social media platforms.
Renala tapped the writing bar, and a virtual English keyboard appeared.
Before she could type anything, a message popped up:
Leona Bloodmark: Yo!
Johan Murkov: Yoooh!
Edward Ravenmark: Hello everyone.
Renala Arxyn: I don't believe it. Guys—is that you?
Leona Bloodmark: Renala? It's you—Suzumi, right?
Renala Arxyn: Yes! Yes, it's me! Veronica—your name is Leona now?
Johan Murkov: Veronica. Renala. What luck! It's me—Leonid!
Leona Bloodmark: Leoooniiiid!!!
Edward Ravenmark: Is no one going to greet Andre?
Arthur Valtieri: Greetings, sailor Edward.
Johan Murkov: Arthur, you bastard!
Arthur Valtieri: Huh?
Fia Seren: Hello…
Leona Bloodmark: My little angel Sora! Where are you, you rascal?
Fia Seren: Me? I'm currently living in the Church of the Spiritual Mother. In the Empire of Light.
Leona Bloodmark: Elenor—the Kingdom of Light? Damn, that's far.
What about you, brother?
Johan Murkov: Celestial Orbs Kingdom. Life here is hell. I'm sleeping on the pavement, and beggars think I'm crazy for moving my fingers in the air to write!
Arthur Valtieri: That's why you called me a bastard, huh? Jealous of us nobles, you hobo~
Johan Murkov: I'll cut out your tongue, "Your Majesty."
Renala Arxyn: Wait… where are all these kingdoms?
Elios Myrn: The Celestial Orbs Kingdom and Drakolin Kingdom are in the northern part of Sefandriana Continent—or the Eastern Continent, as it's called. It's southeast of the continent you're currently in, Suzumi. The Empire of Light is in the southwest.
Renala Bloodmark: Right! I remember hearing about the continents from my mentor… or the previous owner of this body. Thank you—Kim Jihoon?
Elios Myrn: That's right. Happy to chat with you all again.
Fia Seren: Glad you're safe, Kim Jihoon.
And glad everyone else is, too.
The friends continued chatting happily. They exchanged various information, talked about their first day in this world, shared jokes, and recalled memories. They were grateful for the ability to connect, even from afar.
After many minutes of intense conversation, a system notification appeared on the main screen:
"Chat feature will end soon for today."
Everyone's faces dropped at the message. They wished for more time. But Arthur's message reassured them:
Arthur Valtieri: Don't worry. The system said the chat ends today. That likely means it'll open daily, probably the same time.
From 9 to 10 PM.
Edward Ravenmark: Makes sense.
Renala Arxyn: Alright then. We'll talk tomorrow? I hope you're right.
Via Seren: Me too... Good night, everyone.
Leona Bloodmark: Good night, brother.
Johan Murkov: Good night, adventurer.
Edward Bloodmark: Sweet dreams, all.
As the clock struck 9:00 PM, the chat window disappeared.
Renala Arxyn felt a sense of emptiness—but gathered herself.
She blew out the candle beside her and drifted to sleep.