One Request

The central Knights’ office was silent. Only the wall clock spoke: tick… tock… tick… tock…

Aurellia stood behind her desk, gaze fixed on the young man before her—jet-black hair with three stray strands that stood out: a blue lock slanting right, a red lock slanting left, and a white lock falling straight down the middle of his bangs.

”As your reward for these four months… I’ll grant you one request. Whatever it may be.”

Her tone was flat, but Ayato knew: Aurellia Kraise didn’t speak in jokes.

She called me in just to grant me a reward? Why go to the trouble of doing it here?

“Your face looks like someone deep in confusion.”

“Ah, no.”

“It’s fine. I understand why. I called you here partly to give a little ‘warning’ to certain nobles.”

I see. She wants to leave an impression so those troublesome nobles don’t try anything with me. I’ll take that as a bonus prize.

“Go on. Don’t be shy—say it. I’ll grant whatever you ask, so long as it’s within my power.”

Ayato touched a finger to his chin, eyes unfocused while he weighed the choice.

Anything… is it? If that’s true, I can’t choose lightly.

Aurellia was the Commander of the Lanteracian Order of Knights. Strong, yes—but more than that, she had an authority and presence far beyond her predecessors.

Even now, Ayato felt the intelligence he’d amassed still didn’t measure up to hers.

For example: back when he was still in Lunareth, Aurellia already knew about the Tenneth troops in Fenlareth Forest—and the oddities surrounding them.

If so… she should also know something about that place. All right, I’ve made my choice.”

He clenched the edge of his cloak.

“If possible,” his voice wavered slightly, “I want to... go to the Land of Knowledge.”

Silence. The air in the room seemed to stop.

Aurellia’s silver eyes narrowed, one brow lifting. “You… what?”

“I want to know how to get there.”

“Why…?” Her voice dropped a register, turning cool.

Ayato lowered his gaze and set his jaw.

I can’t say the reason. Not yet.

“That’s my request. You said ‘anything,’ didn’t you?”

Aurellia’s stare sharpened. “Ayato, do you understand the risk? That place… isn’t something you simply walk into.”

“I’m asking anyway.”

Pressure gathered in his chest. They locked eyes; the tension thickened.

…A long beat. Through her stare, Ayato could tell Aurellia was weighing many things. Finally, she broke the quiet with a slow, heavy breath.

“Very well. I’ll grant it. But I don’t know the access myself. I can send you to someone who does.”

Ayato stiffened. “Someone else?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t want to say this, but… can that person be trusted?”

The air tightened again. Ayato gripped the hem of his cloak, eyes flickering with unease.

Even trusting Aurellia… I’m still cautious. And now a stranger…

Aurellia stepped closer, voice low but firm. “Listen, Vin.” She stressed each word. “I understand your concern—so I swear this to you. Whatever happens, I’ll ensure your safety. Before and after you meet her.”

Ayato looked up. Aurellia’s gaze was steady, without the slightest hint of deceit. He knew she wasn’t someone who needed tricks.

Just this once… I’ll trust her.

“All right. I’ll go.”

“Good.”

He gave a small bow and left the room. Clack. The door shut.

Aurellia moved to the window. Morning light glinted off the royal crest in the distance. Under her breath, almost like talking to herself, she murmured:

“Is there still time left…?”

Chirp, chirp. Birds broke the quiet of morning.

...

The next day, Aurellia summoned Ayato again.

She set a small, rune-carved stone on her palm. “Hold my shoulder.”

He did. Zriiing… wumm—

Blue light shrouded their feet, space folded, and for a split second the floor seemed to vanish.

Plop. They appeared in the depths of a forest southwest of the capital. Humid air rose from great roots; the smell of moss and wet earth mingled together. In the distance, wild birds called—fiit… fiit…—over and over.

Between the trees rose a structure—Magic Tower—a black quill stabbed into the sky, its walls veined by runes that pulsed a dim blue in rhythm with the forest’s “breathing.”

“This is the Magic Tower. A place for arcane research. You’ve at least heard the name, haven’t you?”

“Y-Yeah… I only knew the magic stones used everywhere came from here… this is my first time seeing it in person.”

“Heh. Not just anyone can enter, you know.”

“R-Right.”

They stepped over moss-slick flagstones and past ancient monoliths half-swallowed by roots. A breath of magic rode the wind from the tower—wumm… wumm…

A stone door unlatched when Aurellia slid her teleport stone into a slim slot. Krek… A cool corridor opened, smelling faintly of mineral ink and light metal.

Inside, the black stone walls were lined with a soft glow of runes—thin blue lines tracing, living. Whenever the forest breeze slipped through the vents, a silvery chime rang: ting… ting…

Aurellia entered with Ayato. “Lys, I’m coming in.”

“Come on in,” a breezy voice answered.

A woman with long, deep-blue hair emerged, a wide-brimmed witch’s hat crowned with blue flowers shading sharp, playful eyes. Pointed ears peeked through. A black dress trimmed with ashen lace hugged her form; long gloves matched, dotted with blossoms. She carried a staff tipped by a violet orb that glinted as if amused. A teasing smile curved her lips.

“So this is Vin, hm…” Magic gleamed in her pupils as they rotated—kriiiing.

Her smile tilted. “You’ve got ice, clearly. But there’s something else in you. Curious… If my eyes won’t do, perhaps I should… dissect.”

Thud! Ayato dropped into a guarded stance.

Aurellia slid half a step forward, her gaze hardening. A chill rolled outward.

“H-heeey, easy, easy!” Lys lifted both hands. “Haha… changing topics, changing topics!”

Aurellia gave a small nod. “Refrain from jokes like that going forward,” she said, eyes flicking to Ayato’s still-tense posture. “Especially since the two of you don’t know each other yet.”

“Sorry, sorry. I’m just a little too curious about this one, so it slipped out. Anyway, what brings you here? You surprised me, asking me to clear my schedule so suddenly.”

“We discussed this, didn’t we? About the reward for my exemplary subordinate.”

“Right—and? Need my help preparing it? You could’ve just said the word yesterday; I’d have it ready by now.”

“...”

Lys stiffened at Aurellia’s unreadable expression, tilting her head in puzzlement. “So… what exactly are you giving him?”

“Access to the Sanctuary—the Land of Knowledge.”

“...!”

Lys’s expression changed at once. The smile vanished. Her magic-lit eyes sharpened.

“Sanctuary…? Why?”

“Because that’s his wish.”

“Why does he want to enter?”

Aurellia glanced at Ayato, echoing Lys’s question with her eyes.

“I’m not telling,” he replied, cool—and tensed enough to sweat.

Lys turned fully to him; her warmth cooled to steel. “Answer.”

“No.”

Fwuup! A portal circle flared to life in Lys’s palm. Air spiraled.

Swoosh! Aurellia vanished in a blink; her hand caught Lys’s wrist. Crack! The portal shattered.

“What did you intend to do?” Aurellia asked, voice glacial.

Lys blinked. “…Okay. I overstepped.” She inhaled, then forced a small, stiff smile. “Aurellia, we should talk. Privately. Now.”

Aurellia looked to Ayato, then back to Lys with a cold stare. “If you try anything… you know the consequences.” The temperature seemed to dip; Lys shivered.

“Of course. I’ve no intention of laying a finger on Vin-chan.”

“Vin-chan?” Ayato echoed, baffled.

“Ara, do you mind? It suits someone as cute as you.”

“Me? Cute?”

“Cute enough to keep in a cage—kidding, kidding. Don’t glare at me like that, Aurel.”

“Enough jokes. Keep this up and I can’t trust anything you say.”

“Goodness, you’re always so stiff, Aurel.”

Aurellia’s eyes lingered, unimpressed; Lys’s levity made her hard to pin down.

Elpharia Lys Reinn—founder of the Magic Tower and creator of countless arcane devices that pushed human civilization forward. A genius witch, gifted not only in magic, but in craft; she forged her own armaments.

Rumor said she supplied legendary weapons—unique effects, unmatched durability. The glittering stones set in her necklace, bracelets, and rings weren’t decoration; they were proof.

Drop your guard around her, and Aurellia wouldn’t have time to shield Ayato. So before they spoke in private…

“Strip off every single enchanted tool you’re wearing. Put them in front of Vin.”

“Eh? What are you—”

“All of them.”

“Is that really nec—”

“No disarming, no private talk.”

Lys hissed through her teeth. Frustration crossed her face—but Aurellia, once decided, wouldn’t budge.

“Tch—fine! I’ll take off everything! Happy?”

Clack! Shink! Thud! Clack! Rune bracelets, gemstone necklace, a jeweled belt, hairpins—and even her enchanted stockings—came off one after another. A small mountain of gear piled up before Ayato. What remained… was underwear.

Ayato looked away at once, face flushing.

“Hee~ so you do make faces like that,” Lys whispered, teasing.

Zt! A tiny whip of lightning from Aurellia tapped Lys between the shoulders.

“Hii! Okay, okay! I’ll behave!”

Ayato shrugged off his cloak and offered it. “Wear this.”

Lys took it and threw it on with unbothered ease. “Thank you.”

Aurellia jerked her chin. “Vin, stay here. I’ll be right back.”

She and Lys stepped into a side room.

...

Lys folded her arms. “How serious are you?”

“Serious,” Aurellia answered. “I promised my recruit one request. I intend to keep it.”

“There are still limits, Aurel. It’s the Sanctuary. You know how sacrosanct it is.”

“I do. But… I don’t fully know why, yet I’m convinced he at least deserves to learn about it. And our time is running thin.”

Lys dipped her head, visibly running scenarios through her mind.

“We still don’t know how thin,” she said at last, “but I’ll do everything I can to maintain the seal. Even so, handing out information lightly still feels…”

“You know as well as I do—ordinary people can’t open that place. Not easily. And you maintain full oversight.”

“…Fine. I still don’t understand why you insist on indulging him, but let me guess—this ties back to the question you asked me yesterday? About his mana depletion?”

“….”

“Bingo, then. Any other intel on the boy?”

“He goes by Vin. We first met… as enemies. He was the only one who understood why I did what I did. That’s why I hired him.”

Lys frowned thoughtfully.

“Since then, as I said, he’s been brilliant. He even uncovered ghouls infiltrating the slums of the capital.”

“Hoo… so he can tell a ghoul from a human? Interesting.”

“He also has remarkable stamina. But because of the mana depletion effect, he tires quickly if he uses too much magic. He keeps a stock of magic stones in his hip pack to compensate.”

“Always nice to see my inventions getting put to good use, hehe.”

Aurellia’s expression stayed flat—an eloquent, silent eye-roll.

“I hear they call him the Map Maker too—his maps are painstakingly detailed. Lots of complaints about his handwriting, though.”

“Oh—so he’s that one? The absurdly detailed cartographer!”

“It seems so.”

“Heh. Four months and he’s already that well-known, hm? He’s getting more interesting by the second. Maybe I really will dissect—”

“Lys.”

“Kidding, kidding. You know I can’t help myself.”

“With us, fine. But get close to him first before you joke like that.”

“All right. Glancing at him, he does look constantly on guard. I’m guessing he’s been through a lot.”

A shadow crossed Lys’s face—melancholy, just for a heartbeat. On Aurellia’s, a look that said: Anyone would be on guard if a stranger started with “dissection.”

“I suppose it’s fine if we share a little about the Sanctuary. Even knowing, he won’t be able to claim a key so easily.”

“…Will it really be that simple?” Aurellia murmured, almost to herself.

“Hm?”

“Nothing.”

...

Lys tugged Ayato’s cloak tighter and tapped its hem. “Listen closely, Vin-chan.”

She traced a circle in the air—sriiing.

“To enter the Sanctuary—the Land of Knowledge—you’ll need five black orbs. Those keys are held by five legendary figures who appeared decades ago. Without them, there’s no path in.”

Aurellia looked to him. “You heard her.”

Ayato nodded. “Where can I find the orbs?”

Lys smiled sidelong. “That part is yours to figure out. And whatever you’re hoping to find in there… may not match your wish.”

Ayato’s eyes narrowed. The note of mockery in her tone pricked him.

“Relax. Even if that place doesn’t give you the answer, I hope you’ll find another answer of your own while you hunt the five orbs.”

He filed the vague facts away. Five black orbs. Five legends.

“Thank you.”

“Good luck, Vin-chan.”

I wish she’d stop calling me that.

...

A Few Days Later

The middle district. The slums. A tiny diner. A spice stall. Ayato’s network moved.

A folded note slid beneath a glass—kring.

A whisper from a waitress.

A rumor from a thief gone straight.

Dots of information gathered on his map. Red lines. Small circles.

First night: two names.

Second night: one more.

Third night: the last knock.

Ayato stared at the map. A bold red circle ringed the western colosseum district.

First target…

He rose and straightened his cloak. His eyes flashed.

“Ragna Valtes. Champion of the colosseum.”

All right. Let’s start there.