Red-haired Failure

Zelda slowly opened her eyes.

She was lying in her bed.

Sitting beside her was Dieter.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“I’m fine,” Zelda replied.

She grabbed her sheets and pulled them over herself, leaving only the top of her head and her eyes visible.

“Good to hear,” Dieter said. “I told David not to come today. You can take the day off.”

Zelda looked at him.

“Your training will continue tomorrow with a new trainer.”

“A new trainer?” Zelda asked. “But why...?”

Before Dieter could answer, there was a knock at the door.

A moment later, Ms. Charlsen entered the room.

“Master Dieter,” she said. “Master Hilter is calling for you.”

Dieter stood up.

“I'll be back later.”

He left the room.

Zelda remained in bed, staring at the door.

A new trainer?

Her mind began to race.

Did David get fired because I wasn't teachable?

David had trained some of the greatest Sorcerers in Fredendore. If he couldn't teach her, what would people say?

Maybe I'm just hopeless.

She pulled the sheets completely over herself.

Then she kicked them in embarrassment.

The Heinhard Estate — Living Room

Hilter sat across from his father.

“There is a war coming,” he said.

Dieter listened quietly.

“I want the Heinhard Guild—the Golden Croaks—to join the other guilds traveling to stop Neiju.”

Dieter frowned.

“Do you think the guild is in the right state to go fight a war right now?”

“We're lacking in numbers, Father,” Hilter replied. “The state of the guild doesn't matter right now. We need to stop them before they reach Zenoa.”

Dieter took a sip of his tea.

“I will not stand in your way, Hilter. I have enough things to deal with as it is.”

He placed the cup down.

“If you're planning on taking the Golden Croaks with you, then so be it. Just know that if they suffer major casualties, this is all on you.”

Dieter stood up and walked toward the window.

He stared outside for a moment.

“Neiju...” he muttered.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

“She was just a spineless brat a decade ago.”

His expression became more serious.

“I wonder how she has come to possess so much power.”

Later That Day

A young man arrived at the Heinhard Estate.

His name was Karl Heinhard, leader of the Golden Croaks and Zelda's cousin.

At only seventeen years old, Karl was already a master Fire Sorcerer.

He had been summoned to the estate to speak with Hilter.

After Hilter explained everything, Karl went looking for Zelda.

He eventually found her.

“How is my little future leader doing?” Karl asked with a smile.

“Karl!!”

Zelda's face lit up.

“What are you doing here? It's been so long since I've seen you!”

She ran toward him and jumped into his arms.

Karl laughed as he caught her.

“Your father called me over. There's something going on that we need to fix.”

“Is it something big?”

“Yes.”

Zelda's expression dropped.

“But it's nothing we can't deal with, so don't worry.”

Karl smiled.

“I'm more interested in you, though. How has your training been?”

“Well...” Zelda looked down.

“Not so good, actually.”

She frowned.

“My trainer was fired by Grandfather.”

“Master David was fired?”

Karl's eyes widened in shock.

He quickly composed himself.

“I'm sure there must be a good reason for it. What did Grandfather say?”

Zelda didn't answer.

Karl noticed the tears beginning to form in her eyes.

His expression softened.

He pulled her into a tight embrace.

“I know you're strong, Zelda.”

He gently patted her back.

“You're going to pull through. I believe in you.”

Karl smiled.

“You're going to be my leader, after all.”