Suddenly, anger surged to the point of trembling hands at the Duke’s mention of her family. Even the people he mentioned were all either dead or unable to lead normal lives.

However, the reason she didn’t spew out the curses that rose to her throat was because she realized that not everything he said was nonsense.

‘To deny outright… there are already those targeting our family.’

Marquis Lycaon. She still didn’t know their true intentions.

And what if they’re not all who are involved?

Suddenly, a rift seemed to appear in the world Rosha knew. She continued her thoughts, ignoring the sound.

‘Could his words, suggesting that my parents’ fire accident and my grandfather’s comatose state weren’t all coincidental, be true?’

It seemed unlikely, but then, what could be the reason against it?

Doubts arose with all that she had experienced so far. Looking at her situation from a step aside, the questions became clearer.

In fact, she didn’t know why Marquis Lycaon was insisting on an engagement with her, nor why there was a man-made cave connected to the basement of the mansion.

Even after witnessing the final trial, there was still too much she didn’t know.

‘…Damn.’

Suddenly reflecting on her situation, Rosha sighed deeply. It seems Duke Echerzen was indeed a brilliant strategist as said.

The proposal he made was something she couldn’t refuse.

In order to reveal the secrets of the family and protect them, she had to cooperate with the Duke.

In the end, the answer that came out after a long silence was set.

“…You will have to take responsibility for all the remarks you just made.”

At Rosha’s gritted words, the Duke calmly looked down and responded.

“Of course. It was a very rash statement, but I am genuinely glad that you understood my intentions.”

He first offered a handshake as an apology. His hand, long and beautiful as if a ring would suit it well, was surprisingly firm.

And somehow, it felt like she had held this hand somewhere before.

* * *

Thanks to Duke Echerzen taking her by carriage, Rosha could safely return home. Moreover, after getting her permission, he even transported her directly to her room using his ability.

Although the treatment had helped her recover a bit, Rosha, who had virtually stayed up all night, thanked him despite being tired.

“Thank you for taking me home. I was able to avoid people’s eyes thanks to you.”

“That’s fortunate. May I ask you something?”

The Duke, whose demeanor hadn’t flinched at all, asked.

“The one who manipulates blue flames, is that your ability?”

“Well…”

He might have guessed so because he saw the blue flames twice when he encountered her, but…

He was entirely wrong.

The blue flames were merely a result of Koko’s Phoenix power being projected, it wasn’t her ability. Actually, the [Guide’s Lantern] is a low-key ability, so it was bound to be misunderstood.

‘My ability only changes my pupils to gold.’

She had just been dragged around by the Duke until now, but looking at him seriously waiting for an answer, she unknowingly relaxed.

Rosha snickered and responded.

“Think as you wish.”

Just because he told her about his ability didn’t mean she was going to tell him about hers. Admittedly, she had quite a long fuse.

For a moment, the man who fixed his gaze on Rosha’s smile, stroked his mouth and spoke.

“…A vague answer. Well, rest well for today, and let’s meet again soon.”

Whether he postponed finding out about the ability for later, with a nod, he disappeared into the ground as if he sank. He had a space-related ability, indeed an elusive man.

Perhaps the next time they meet, he would bring concrete evidence regarding today’s statements.

‘I too, should prepare myself for that…’

But already, her mind was too tired to worry about that. Looking out the window, she saw the sun rising—it was morning.

‘…Let’s sleep for now.’

In attempting a covert quest, she somehow managed to defeat a demonic beast, her brother awakened some special abilities, and unexpectedly, she has even exchanged promises of cooperation with Duke Echerzen she met along the way. It was an extremely long day.

But judging by the sound of the brisk footsteps echoing down the corridor, it seems her day isn’t over just yet.

Suddenly-

The door swings open unceremoniously.

A very bewildered Cassis spoke as he stared at her.

“You, come see me for a moment after training.”

* * *

Unlike Rosha, who told Berri she’d get up late and even scolded her a bit for today, Cassis, who didn’t take any precautions, had no choice but to skip his morning training.

After catching up on some sleep and coming out to the training ground lazily, she glanced at Cassis, who was receiving supplementary training (which was nearly a punishment for his absence) from Marian.

“What are you going to say to that guy?”

The energetic Koko flew by and circled around, asking.

Koko seemed to be in the best physical condition among all the beings in this world they had seen. The magical power obtained from the crevices was surely much better than the fragments of magic they had been scraping together until now.

Now accustomed to light hopping, Rosha mentioned while circling the training ground at a steady pace:

“I have to tell him everything now that it has come to this. Even his abilities have awakened.”

“Hmm.”

“Once you have the special abilities, the gods will approach as soon as the trials open. It’s better to tell him what he needs to know before that.”

It was a little different in her case, but generally, that’s how it was.

When the trials open, ‘the power to change the world,’ magical energy, pours in, allowing gods to move freely as well.

Gods usually formed bonds with those who awakened special abilities or those who acquired their sacred relics, aiding them to successfully navigate through the trials.

She didn’t understand why they did such things, but…

‘Even gods must have their own reasons.’

Like her, who had been diligently training to have more options.

Just then.

A long shadow cast in front of Rosha, who was on her way to completing three laps.

“Stop for a moment.”

It was Cassis who approached immediately after finishing Marian’s supplementary training.

He glanced around and led her to the back of the weapon storage area in the corner of the training ground. Then, sweeping back his sweat-soaked hair, he asked very quietly:

“Do you remember what happened last night?”

The moment had arrived.

He tried to keep his voice steady, but seeing his hands trembling slightly, it seemed he had already failed.

With a slight curse, Cassis urged her.

“Don’t remember? You remember. Say you remember quickly.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Damn… It was real. Of course, I thought I wanted to kill them all, but how could something like that jump out and kill people…”

He muttered with a pale face. The shock at the time seemed to have been great, as he was blurting out thoughts without a filter.

‘…Was I like that at first? It doesn’t feel like anything now.’

Rosha thought quietly, listening to Cassis’s rambling. It was too long ago, so her memory was hazy.

However, it was a tremendous tenacity for Cassis to come to the training ground today even after going through such an event.

At that moment.

Suddenly, he who had been gazing at her face pointed out a blind spot.

“Aren’t you affected at all? Why is your reaction like that? It wasn’t just me who went through it.”

Just as he said, in fact, Rosha wasn’t trembling with fear like Cassis. It was because she had been slicing through beasts for the past decade or so.

“Come to think of it, you suddenly spewed flames from your hands back then. What are you? Did you suddenly… can use strange… abilities like me? Or…”

Gradually, doubt crept over Cassis as he stared piercingly at her.

She realized that now was the time to spill the truth.

“…About that.”

Ahem, Rosha cleared her throat cautiously and began,

“There’s something you need to know, brother.”