"That’s all? Are these luggage enough, Sieg?"

  In front of the Hayelar Manor’s main gate.

  Lilia looked at Sieg with a reluctant expression.

  "Mother, please don’t worry. This is more than enough—everything else is provided by the Knight Order."

  "Is that so......"

  Lilia lowered her head.

  "Sigh, even though the Knight Order’s mission is completed, Sieg, you could have come back to take over your father’s duties. Why do you still have to......"

  "Lilia, times are different now."

  Rezelian explained from the side.

  "The world needs people like Sieg right now. How could Sieg abandon his responsibilities for a rigid noble life?"

  "But......"

  "Mother."

  Sieg said with a smile.

  "I am a noble, and a knight—but most importantly, I possess strength. Though it may be modest, this era needs countless such modest strengths. So we have no choice but to answer the call."

  "Well said! Truly a member of the Hayelar family!"

  Rezelian patted Sieg heavily on the shoulder.

  "Sieg, follow your heart! But remember——"

  "——Don’t die casually!"

  Sieg nodded with a smile.

  He then mounted the Swiftbeast, with his luggage secured behind him.

  "Father, mother, little sister—I’m off!"

  "Goodbye, big brother."

  Hulim waved gently.

  Sieg smiled, then urged the reins.

  "Roar!"

  The Swiftbeast let out a low growl, and its two thick, powerful hind legs began moving forward rapidly.

  Watching Sieg’s lone figure fade into the distance, Lilia’s face remained filled with worry.

  "Alright, Lilia, don’t be too anxious. Sieg is very strong now. As long as he doesn’t encounter high-rank monsters, he’ll be fine!"

  "I know...... But I can never fully rest easy with these children......"

  "Come now, they’ve all grown up."

  "We shouldn’t stand outside any longer. Let’s go back. Hulim, let’s head in."

  "Yes, father."

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Hulim returned to the manor with her parents.

  The Hayelar Manor wasn’t particularly large, but it felt unusually empty now.

  And this wasn’t even its loneliest moment.

  Like Sieg, Hulim had places to go. This annual vacation was just a short break on her "journey."

  When the break ended, it would be time to set off again.

  ......

  Langard.

  Manacos Magic Academy.

  In the second-year special class classroom, more than twenty desks and chairs floated in the sky. Below lay a vast, broken land—shrouded in smoke, gray and desolate. Destruction stretched as far as the eye could see.

  "......This is the final fate of the Fifth Era."

  In the center of the floating desks, a podium hovered similarly. Grisa, dressed entirely in black, was giving a lecture there.

  "......The civilization created by the ancient Mogalians was nothing short of a miracle. They possessed unimaginable magical technology, and the depth of their magical research far surpassed ours today. Even vague relics unearthed from archaeological sites still benefit us immensely."

  "The magic power application techniques taught in previous classes were developed through archaeological research—and such things were common knowledge widely popularized in that era......"

  Grisa paused, then continued slowly:

  "While the achievements of the ancient civilization are admirable, there’s something more important to tell you in today’s class."

  "That is—you must master your power!"

  "Power beyond your capacity will not bring you benefits. It will only make you a prisoner of power. Your body will no longer belong to you, and you will no longer be able to act freely. What you see below——"

  Grisa pointed to the destroyed world beneath them.

  "——is the lesson of losing control of power!"

  The classroom fell silent. All the students stared thoughtfully at the scene of destruction below.

  "Professor Grisa."

  One student raised a question.

  "What if someone accidentally gains power beyond their capacity?"

  "Excellent question. Though I don’t know how one could ‘accidentally’ obtain such power, if you happen to be that unlucky person, you have only two choices!"

  "First: abandon everything—including the power you originally possessed!"

  "......"

  Grisa glanced around the classroom. No one responded.

  "......I can tell none of you would choose this option."

  "Then you have only one other way: bring the power back under control. Remember! A person’s will is their foundation. If your will is not strong enough to wield your current power—then grow until it is!"

  After saying this, the classroom fell silent once more.

  "......That’s all for today’s class."

  Grisa placed his hand on the podium.

  Hum!

  As the magical projection was turned off,

  the vast world unfolding before the students slowly faded away, returning to the classroom’s original appearance.

  "When you go back, practice the magic variation methods taught today. I will randomly test some of you in the next class."

  "In addition, this year’s study tour period is approaching. Those who did not participate in last year’s study tour project must formulate their topics. Once finalized, bring them to me for approval, and I will issue long-term leave permits based on the circumstances."

  Soon, the more than twenty desks and chairs descended to the ground. After Grisa left, the students also departed one after another.

  As usual, after class, Hulim went to a nearby dessert shop and ordered a sweet drink and a pastry.

  The shop was filled with other students there to enjoy desserts, most in small groups of two or three.

  Hulim sat alone at a table by the window, resting her chin on her left hand and holding her drink cup in her right, staring at the sky outside.

  Miko seemed to have something to take care of—she had applied for the study tour project in advance and left the academy. No one knew where she was now.

  "Study tour......"

  "I should go with that topic after all......"

  There were many rumors about the Hekadiza Mountains. Choosing an easily investigable one as her study tour topic would be fine.

  Most importantly, it would give her a chance to search for anything left behind by their ancestor, Olubet.

  "Alright, it’s decided!"

  She quickly finished her dessert, then left the shop.

  A few days later.

  Grisa’s laboratory.

  "Professor Grisa, this is my study tour topic application. Please review it."

  Grisa took the application from Hulim and flipped through it carefully, not making a single sound. Coupled with his usual cold expression, he unconsciously exuded an oppressive aura.

  "......Hekadiza Mountains?"

  Grisa frowned and set down the application.

  "Hulim Hayelar, are you certain about choosing this location?"

  "Yes, I’m certain."

  Hulim nodded.

  "Do you know the situation there?"

  "I know a little......"

  Hulim thought for a moment, then replied.

  "A little?"

  Grisa fell into thought.

  "May I ask...... Professor Grisa, is there any problem with this topic?"