The fire-attribute grand spell, ‘The Chastising Spear’.

Rosha, who had cast that spell, managed to land on the coastal cliff by slowing her descent speed with Froy’s ability, though she seemed a bit off-target from being out of practice using magic in midair.

Stumbling slightly, she poked the arm Froy had wrapped around her waist and chided him:

“Hey, there was no mention of being dangled in the air as soon as we left the mansion.”

“…Is that really what you want to say right now? Why did you recklessly go first?”

“That’s because…”

“I clearly told you that since it was my first time there, I wouldn’t know the exact exit point.”

…She ended up losing more than she gained by speaking up.

The recent situation could have been easily handled with magic.

The moment she realized the mansion’s exterior was in midair, thanks to Froy grabbing her from behind, she was able to unleash spells on the monsters she spotted.

And Froy had likely deduced as much – that Rosha was the most capable magician he had ever seen.

However…

‘Is it because of the mark above my head?’

There were surely ways for her to survive that fall, yet for some reason, he reacted sensitively regarding her life.

It was to the point where she found her own behavior strange.

…Perhaps after spending several days together in the mansion, he had seen many unfamiliar sides of her.

Contrary to her renowned daring and boldness, Rosha slept irregularly, frequently waking up, even in the comfortable room with a large window overlooking the night sky that he had provided.

-This is just how I’ve lived for a long time.

With a faint smile in response to his questioning, she would sometimes quietly sit by the sunlit window in his study, like a languid cat basking in the warmth.

Though giving the impression she might disappear if he averted his gaze.

‘…I’ve learned a lot about her.’

While concerned about growing too close, he didn’t particularly dislike it.

Newly realizing this contradiction, Froy let out a sigh as he watched Rosha roll her eyes in feigned contemplation.

What prompted his movement was a sudden awareness of someone’s gaze.

The combat forces gathered on the beach below the cliff.

Noticing the second prince of Atica at their vanguard glancing their way, the man pulled Rosha behind him.

“Let’s withdraw from here first. If our presence is discovered, the situation won’t unfold favorably.”

The distance was too great for the mark to be visible, but it was better to be cautious.

Human selfishness tended to manifest more strongly when dealing with unrelated strangers.

‘And if that’s a prince of a nation…’

He might even be willing to kill her for his country’s sake.

Of course, the Nardil they had met in the Empire didn’t seem that way, but humans could easily change when their goals were at stake.

Yet as she was pulled back by his force, Rosha gazed towards the shoreline.

And for good reason – a distinctively pink-haired woman had caught her eye there.

“No way… is that Lysithea?”

Why was someone who should be in the Empire here instead?

* * *

“Lady Roshanak! I’ve been wanting to see you!”

Lysithea came dashing over with a beaming expression and embraced Rosha tightly, letting out a flurry of mumbles about having expected her arrival and anxiously awaiting it.

Lysithea could find Rosha thanks to Joel’s ability.

“The moment I saw the fiery spear plunging into the sea, I knew you had come, Lady Roshanak. Joel can track someone’s location just by sensing their mana trail, so I followed that.”

“…But how did you end up in the Atica Kingdom?”

“I came along with the delegation, since I figured you would appear near the trial site. And my hunch was correct.”

“But what about your father, Marquis Belice?”

“I received his permission separately, so don’t worry.”

Behind her, Joel shook his head vigorously, implying she had either come secretly or unilaterally informed them. It was fortunate that the level-headed Joel had at least taken long-term leave to accompany her.

After staring speechlessly at the chattering Lysithea, Rosha tried to dissuade her.

“…Why don’t you just return home? This is too dangerous a place for a young lady. Your father must be terribly worried too.”

She did commend Lysithea’s resolve for coming this far, having witnessed death and screamed in terror last time.

However, unlike usual, Rosha was currently the target of the third trial.

Naturally, others would be after her life, endangering Lysithea by association.

‘And no matter how I look at it… nineteen is still too young.’

This thought came from the current seventeen-year-old Rosha.

While others might scoff at her perspective, she had after all spent 18 years in another world before returning, hadn’t she?

In contrast, Lysithea’s pink tresses and rosy, doll-like cheeks made her seem like a sheltered, bright-eyed maiden unacquainted with the world’s harshness.

Yet the wide-eyed Lysithea responded firmly:

“But Lady Roshanak, even though you were designated the third trial’s target, you came to the Atica Kingdom out of a sense of duty regarding this crisis, did you not?”

“That’s…”

“I too have that duty. From a very long time ago.”

Lysithea spoke of how old she was when she discovered her ability, how long she had pondered why she possessed such power, and the mindset that led her to develop it further.

“As the only daughter of the Belice Marquisate, I grew up wanting for nothing. While my father hopes I’ll marry a good young lord and live happily after bearing two or three children… would I truly be happy that way? Then why do I have this power?”

“…”

“As someone with an innate ability, I have an obligation to lend a hand during the world’s crises. The God who blessed me said as much, and I too wish for that.”

Her words were unwavering, the result of careful contemplation over a long period.

Lysithea’s eyes shone with clarity.

This seemingly naive girl had a well-defined goal after all.

Having listened intently to her statement, Froy remarked:

“Well… you’re the type of ability user the council would welcome with open arms. If Lady Belice wishes to join, I have no objections. As an imperial citizen, she has no particular motive to harm Rosha, despite her being the target.”

“What did you say? No, why would I ever harm Lady Roshanak?”

Watching Lysithea flare up at his words, Rosha thought.

She is a brave person.

Altruistically extending a hand to help strangers.

‘…I had failed to fully comprehend it. Even in the previous world, there were only a few who voluntarily tried to stop the trials solely because they possessed abilities.’

She had heard about the first trial that took place in Seoul’s Myeong-dong district. Despite the chaos from the sudden calamity, there were a few newly awakened ability users who went around rescuing people.

Barring those who died, they all eventually joined the vanguard unit without exception.

In the end, it was people like them who saved the world.

Saving the world stemmed from altruism.

“To treat me with such cold-heartedness. You go too far, Your Grace!”

Watching Lysithea grumble, Rosha couldn’t help but break into a bright smile.

Even Joel, who had initially disapproved of Lysithea’s actions, now wore a serene smile.

It was around then.

“Huh?”

Koko, who had been quietly observing, suddenly widened his eyes and looked up.

Far above in the sky, a falcon was circling.

The moment she realized it belonged to the warriors active near the desert region.

Swooosh-

An extremely thin object shot towards Rosha.