1:41 a.m.

Through a side door beside the tightly locked main gate of Winterer Fortress, Theo stepped out.

“Cold night.”

He pulled up the fox fur scarf Cecilia had given him, covering his face against the biting winter air, which felt especially harsh on this first winter’s night since his return.

“Oh, finally, you’re here, our youngest!”

Waiting for Theo were Selford and Arin. These two were the senior knights that Julius had assigned as Theo’s support.

Evelyn must be busy preparing for her Swordmaster promotion exam.

He felt a slight pang of disappointment, but he hoped things would go …