Chapter 40: Farewell

The sea breeze carried a faintly salty chill as it swept across the faces of the four companions.

The waters of the Northern Abyss were as black as ink. Aino crouched down, scooping some into her palm for closer examination.

Though it resembled ink, the water left no stains. It slid off her hand, leaving her pale palm unblemished. However, it felt heavier than ordinary water, even a small amount sitting noticeably in her palm.

The black sea merged with the gray, overcast sky, forming a boundless, oppressive canvas.

In this region, the sky was perpetually gloomy, mirroring the oppressive waters. Living here year-round would undoubtedly gnaw away at anyone’s sanity.

While the scene was undoubtedly majestic, Aino found it far from beautiful.

It even stirred an unsettling feeling of fear and unease—a rarity for her.

Turning to look at the others, she saw their expressions filled with awe and reverence, captivated by the bleak spectacle before them.

Aino shook her head, a wry smile on her lips.

She’d always disliked stormy skies and heavy rains. Whenever dark clouds loomed, pressing down with an almost suffocating weight, her mood would plummet.

Perhaps it was because such scenes reminded her of humanity’s insignificance, the powerlessness of being no more than an ant against forces far beyond its control.

The chaotic, primordial aura of the Northern Abyss evoked a similar unease in her. Yet, paradoxically, it made today’s events all the more memorable.

After all, today marked a significant farewell.

On this lengthy journey, they had agreed that reaching the Northern Abyss would signify the dissolution of their party. Alea and Parker each had goals to pursue within human society, while Zola intended to “ascend.”

Yes, literally ascend.

After they had marveled at the vastness of the Northern Abyss, Zola’s body dissolved into countless green particles under their gaze, scattering into the air.

Her physical form, constructed from magic, had long been on the brink of collapse. Aino had repaired it several times throughout their travels, but it could hold no longer.

Far away, deep within a moss-covered forest, a massive ancient tree shuddered. Countless vines rose from the ground, coiling into a spherical shape.

From within emerged a green-haired maiden, her delicate face as serene as a jade carving. She gazed thoughtfully into the distance.

The group watched silently as Zola’s figure faded away, until nothing remained. They exchanged glances.

“You’ll take Alea to a large, orderly city where she can live safely,” Aino said solemnly, addressing the two remaining companions.

Without magic and with her striking beauty, Alea was especially vulnerable. If not for Parker’s strength, Aino wouldn’t have felt comfortable letting her leave her side.

“Parker, your power has grown significantly, but you still need to remain low-key. There are many strong beings in this world, and you only have one life.”

“I understand, Master,” Parker replied.

The tall mage and the golden-haired young woman stood obediently before the petite black-haired girl, listening to her guidance.

“Alea, remember that you don’t have magic. Stay out of trouble when necessary. Don’t provoke unnecessary problems.”

“I understand…” Alea said softly.

Aino hesitated, looking at Parker again, but she realized there was nothing more to say. He had already surpassed her expectations, embodying everything she envisioned in a true mage.

Throughout their journey, Parker had handled most of the external negotiations and logistical arrangements. Aino’s role had been limited to making key decisions and engaging in combat.

Toward the end, even those moments had grown rare.

“That’s that, then. Thirty years from now, we’ll meet again—don’t forget,” Aino said, stretching her arms to dispel the lingering melancholy.

As agreed, they would reunite at the location of Zola’s original form in thirty years.

She watched them leave, her senses following their departure until they disappeared entirely. Only then did she turn back to face the ocean.

A faint ache lingered in her chest.

It was nothing. This was the best possible outcome. Thanks to her unparalleled strength, the nearly decade-long journey had concluded without significant misfortune.

In a world where life was as fragile as paper, such an achievement was remarkable.

The man who had once been no more than a street thug was now a capable mage. Alea, too, had stepped out of the shadows, learning to embrace life.

There was little left to regret.

Now, she was truly alone. Beyond the faint loneliness, there was an abrupt sense of freedom—a lightness she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Perhaps it’s time to live for myself.

Aino’s petite frame vanished, replaced by the towering form of a massive black dragon. Her crimson, slit-pupiled eyes opened slowly. With a powerful sweep of her spiked wings, she soared into the sky.

She climbed higher and higher, becoming an imperceptible dot in the heavens before halting. From that height, she gazed down at the world below.

Her view was of endless mountains, forests, and waters. Most creatures lived in these places.

Few with social structures built settlements, but even those were rudimentary—small, crude houses. Cities like the dwarven stronghold of Grantham were likely rare across the entire world.

Boring. So boring.

Scanning the ground below, her gaze fell on Parker and Alea, moving rapidly. It was clear Parker had cast a spell to enhance their speed.

Sensing her gaze, Parker glanced skyward.

A faint smile flickered in her slit pupils. Aino shifted her attention away, realizing she had nowhere in particular to go.

And truthfully, she was tired of traveling.

Ah… if only I could skip straight to thirty years from now…

She recalled their casual conversations. Parker had once shared his ambitions.

“I want to spread magic across this world. I want the common folk, those who struggle to survive in this chaotic world, to have a chance to join the game.”

“I’ve been incredibly lucky, but I feel this world shouldn’t be like this. There should be more people like me.”

Alea had agreed with him, expressing her desire for magic to be accessible to all, not something hoarded by the powerful or relegated to legend.

What would that world look like? Every town and village filled with mages?

Unlikely. Many people lack the sensitivity to magic. They’d never learn, no matter how hard they tried.

Still, even if only the simplest magic became widespread, it could change the world.

“I look forward to it. That kind of world would be far more interesting,” Aino thought.

Such a world would resemble the stories she had read in her previous life, rather than the barren, desolate reality she now inhabited.

Shaking off her thoughts, Aino cast a detection spell, locating a particularly desolate, sparsely populated region. She dove sharply toward it.

Her massive form darkened the sky as she descended. The local creatures scattered in panic, the once-silent wasteland suddenly alive with frantic activity.