After the massive incident at the Tower of Magic—the attack, the cultists, Evelyn, nearly dying, all of it—I took a step back.
For the first time in a long time, I restrained myself from jumping into more madness.
I still had to recruit for Ouroboros, my future guild. I still had plans, ambitions that needed groundwork.
But that could wait.
For now, I just wanted to breathe.
To relax.
And, of course, to train.
Summer break passed in a blur of quiet days and steady growth.
The one event I couldn't avoid, however, was Seraphina's Sweet Sixteen at Mount Hua Sect.
It was a grand affair, as expected from a princess of one of the strongest sects in the world. Lanterns lined the courtyards, casting golden light against the twilight sky. Musicians played soft melodies on traditional instruments enhanced by mana, their notes floating through the night air.
And, of course, all four of them were there.
Rose. Cecilia. Rachel. And Seraphina—the birthday girl.
