“So, Princess Valarith said I should go explore the world or something. Travel, study more magic, and go on adventures. She said that even though my talent is ‘as pure as a crystal found by the greediest of Teiko’s inhabitants,’ I should go and have my way or something. They really have some beef with those people, don’t they?” I tell Lucinda.

“The Vanedenis come from Teiko. Their migration to Kome is shrouded in legends. Some even argue they were never on Teiko and that they always only inhabited Kome. That’s why they despise them so much. Anyway, are you going to follow Valarith’s advice?”

“I’m not sure. They even proposed I go to Kome because some great stuff is bound to happen there in the near future. They don’t know how near, though.”

“You are going to Kome?” Lucinda asks me in disbelief.

We are sitting at a table in the kitchen, having a private conversation after my meet-and-greet with Valarith and Levener. Lucinda’s been asking questions about the future and what will happen now. She’s been trying to ignore it as much as possible, but she has been labeled a traitor too. Her being rescued by me was apparently enough to decree, with a push from [Archmage] Titus, that she’s in cahoots with the evil Human.

“Going to the continent full of madmen? The people who pride themselves in starting civil wars when someone insults them? Hell no. I love living, and I don’t like being beaten up.”

Lucinda sighs in relief, but the doubt is still thick in the air.

“So?”

“I don’t know. I have a couple of ideas, but nothing too good for now. What about you?”

“Princess Valarith asked me if I want to study here under her. I won’t be a disciple, just a common student. There are many details to define, though. I wouldn’t be able to come and go freely. We are still at the Nine Towers Academy, and if anyone saw me, my life would be at risk. But I’m not sure I’m ready to stay years alone with Valarith and Levener for years and years until I become strong enough to protect myself. I don’t want to be locked in a cage.”

I look at Lucinda’s hard features for a second. She has a special coldness about her, something deep and cautious. She always talks with a hint of dismissal, even though her eyes often betray her and light up in excitement. This woman is a walking contradiction with a massive set of curves.

“Well, at least you don’t have a huge bakery under construction over in Amorium. From what I heard, construction has already started, and Lakaris has already completed some of it. His team is fast; I have to admit.”

“Lakaris? As in the famous [Architect]?”

“Yep. I got him to build me a huge-ass bakery. Actually, it’s more like a castle. But I’m not sure it will do me any good. I can’t return to my normal life in Amorium, or I’ll be hunted. I could try to rally up the people around me and build resistance. Hell, I could even use the bakery as my fortress. But I’m not in the mood for a civil war.”

“You’ve done a lot of things since I left Amorium.”

“Since you left me.”

An awkward silence falls between us as an invisible wall and cuts off our feelings of empathy for each other. But soon, the wall will come down again.

“I don’t know, Lucy. I’m not going to war with a country just because they are being douchebags. I’ll just act stealthily. I have a couple of ideas for the future, and Valarith has already confirmed she can help. Those three will study some weird abstract stuff to uncover what will happen on Kome. Again, very mysterious and esoteric, so don’t ask me. But that means I’ll be on my own. Lord Juler has to take care of his people. I’ll be practicing with the Omnium Compendium, but the thing has a very practical focus, and I doubt I’ll learn the theory I’m supposed to know already. Right now, magic is the only thing I have left. I can’t go back to baking. Not now.”

“What about Laura?” Lucinda suddenly asks. “You were engaged to the Elven Princess.”

“You have bigger boo—”

She kicks me under the table so strongly she almost splits my shin.

“Ouch!”

“Pig.”

I flash her my signature wink.

“Answer the question.”

“Whatever… I think that I was bouncing back from our relationship and made a few errors of judgement there. I confused her reluctance with wisdom. She’s not that bad. But she’s not good either. And when you are in a position of great power, not being good means you are evil. So, I don’t know. I might decide to overthrow the kingdom of Lucerna if I get bored enough.”

“Bored of what?”

“Of that a—OUCH!”

I slide my chair back and hug my tender shin.

“You are a brute!”

She just stares daggers at me.

“My dad always said not to mess with Southern Italian women, but that’s because he didn’t know Elves, apparently. He was worried I’d get shot by an overprotective father, but Elves can be even nastier, huh?”

Before she can say anything, I continue.

“I have no idea what’s going down. The people I thought were my friends bailed. Domitilla is too weak, and if I reach out to her, she might also be charged with treason. Same for Lucillus. I have some business to take care of in Amorium, but that will be it. Once I’m done over there, I’ll figure out what to do next. Anyway, I’ll need a good couple of days before I completely recover from the fight. My Mana is still a wreck.”

“All the [Archmages] are after you. And now, the nobles too.”

“It’s only a matter of time before I get powerful enough that I won’t be the worried one anymore. If they have even the slightest idea of what I can do, they will be shitting themselves.”

“Lord Juler mentioned your radiation,” Lucinda says with a level face.

“Cool, huh?”

“Terrifying.”

“I’d say cool, but whatever. I need to develop something to assess how much of a dose I got. Same for you. We risk organ failure, thyroid problems, and a whole lot of nasty stuff. Not that a couple of indirect injections would be enough to cause too much damage. But I have to see how much radiation is released into the environment. Lord Juler and I had to hurry up with the research, and we cut some corners, to be honest.”

Lucinda sighs and gets up.

“I’m tired. I’ll see you later. It’s still late. Get some more rest, and we’ll talk again tomorrow.”