Ten years passed, and the world's inhabitants had grown accustomed to living without magic. The mermen were once again able to walk on land; they no longer wore helmets, but instead used a type of headset around their necks to supply air to their gills. Since they actually possessed legs that were normally covered by scales on the surface, special shoes were developed so they wouldn't stumble while walking on land. Furthermore, the location of the Soratopia Kingdom was finally discovered; it turned out they were on a small island situated between the western, northern, and southern continents, eventually serving as a communication hub and a trading bridge between the landmasses.
After seeing the technological advancements and the peaceful state of life, Ard—now twenty-six years old—gathered Eva, Alicia, Milia, Beatrice, Rosalind, Claudia, Mirea, and Pyria in his study at the Liberta Imperial Palace.
"What is it, Ard? Why did you call us here?" Eva asked.
