We resumed our climb up the tower. The air grew cooler as we ascended, and each step felt lighter as if some unseen force was lifting us. I could sense a strange energy coursing through my body—calm and refreshing, almost like a gentle breeze flowing inside me.

“Can you feel it?” Sebas asked, already watching me with those sharp, green eyes. “Can you feel the mana flowing inside of you?”

“You mean this is mana?” I asked, looking around in wonder.

“Yes. As we climb higher, our bodies absorb the mana produced by this tower. The Arch Magic Tower stands on land where mana flows abundantly,” he explained, pointing down to where we had started our ascent.

“What happens if this land runs out of mana? Is that even possible?”

“In ancient times, it wasn’t a concern,” Sebas replied. “But there was an era when mages and warriors became greedy. Devices that could absorb mana endlessly were invented, leading to the destruction of many Arch Magic Towers. Emperor of Helinia banned these devices during his reign, but some still try to exploit mana for their gain.”

“So there are still people greedy for mana?” I asked, frowning.

“That’s where the dark mages, the ‘CRAIGS,’ come in, my lady,” Sebas continued, his voice lowering as if their very mention demanded caution. “They aren’t like ordinary mages. They’re more like monsters—never satisfied, always craving more power. They thrive on chaos and destruction, inventing forbidden devices to push beyond their natural mana limits.”

My heart clenched at the mention of the Craigs. This wasn’t just some whispered rumor or ghost story to me—I knew them well. They were the ones who had hunted me down, lurking in the shadows, their twisted ambitions tied to whatever mystery my existence held. I took a deep breath, masking the fear that threatened to rise. “Why would they do that? What could they possibly gain from such madness?”

Sebas glanced at me, his expression serious as if gauging whether I truly wanted to know. “For them, it’s not just about power. It’s about control—dominating the weak, crushing anyone who stands in their way. They want a world where only the strongest survive.”

Fear churned in my stomach, but it mingled with a sharper emotion: resolve. I wasn’t going to let them continue their reign of terror. They had come after me once before, and I had barely escaped with my life. Now, I was determined to find them and expose their dark intentions. Also, they had some unknown connections with the Grand Duchess before the accident. “Are they still around?” I asked, my voice steady with a hint of defiance.

“They never truly disappeared,” Sebas replied grimly. “They’re always lurking, hidden in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to resurface.”

“They sound like mad scientists,” I muttered under my breath.

“A mad what?” Sebas asked, tilting his head in confusion.

I waved my hand dismissively. “It’s nothing, don’t mind me.”

Before I could say anything more, a sudden loud noise echoed through the tower, like the sharp crack of gunfire. Sebas reacted instantly, lunging forward and pulling me into his arms. His black cape enveloped me, shielding me from the unknown threat. I squeezed my eyes shut, covering my ears as fear surged.

“Are you alright, my lady?” Sebas asked, his voice muffled but edged with genuine concern.

“I-I’m fine. But what about you?” I whispered, peeking out from behind his cape.

The walls were marked with fresh bullet holes, the stone chipped and cracked from the impact. My gaze dropped to the ground, where dark red blood dripped steadily. It was from Sebas’ left arm.

“Sebas! Your arm is wounded!” I exclaimed, grabbing his sleeve and pulling it up to inspect the injury. Blood seeped through the fabric, staining it crimson.

He gave me a lopsided grin, looking almost amused despite the situation. “Oops. It seems my mana shield wasn’t strong enough this time.”

“It’s not time to joke around!” I scolded, pressing my hands firmly against the wound in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

“It’s alright,” he said calmly, though his voice was softer now. “I can use my mana to heal it.”

“You’re crazy!” I shot back, the panic evident in my tone. “You said yourself your mana hasn’t fully recovered yet. Don’t go dying in front of me, you numbskull!”

He chuckled, wincing slightly at the pain. “Did you just call me a numbskull?”

“Compress the wound,” I ordered, ripping a strip of fabric from the hem of my dress without hesitation. The delicate gown tore easily, leaving me with a makeshift bandage. “I’m going to tie it off.”

Sebas raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. “My lady, there’s no need to ruin your gown—”

“If you don’t stop talking, I’ll shove this bandage in your mouth,” I warned, glaring at him. A strange sense of determination fueled my actions despite the fear gripping my heart.

He mimed zipping his lips and obediently pressed down on the wound while I carefully wrapped the fabric around his arm. His eyes softened as he watched me, the teasing smile fading into something warmer, almost fond.

“You’re surprisingly good at this,” he remarked, inspecting the firm knot I tied to secure the bandage.

“I’ve picked up a few skills along the way,” I replied with a grin. “We need to keep moving. The Arch Mage can heal this properly when we reach the top.”

Sebas nodded, allowing me to help him to his feet. As we resumed our climb, the tension from the attack slowly ebbed away, replaced by an unexpected camaraderie. We joked and bantered, the lightness in our voices masking the gravity of what had just happened. He shared more about the Arch Magic Tower, the mages, and the CRAIGS, and I listened intently, absorbing every word.

Despite the fear I felt whenever the Craigs were mentioned, I was more determined than ever to hunt them down. They had targeted me once, and I knew they wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. But this time, I wasn’t going to be a helpless victim. I felt a new resolve burning inside me. This journey was far from over, but I was ready for whatever lay ahead.

    As we conversed, I didn't notice that we had reached the top of the tower. A massive door greeted us, its intricate design covered in glowing symbols that shimmered softly in the dim light. Without warning, the door opened on its own with a resounding creak, as though inviting us into the unknown.

"Looks like Arch Mage Aris is already here," Sebas murmured.

When the door fully opened, a blinding flash of light erupted from within, like a gateway to heaven itself. Sebas stepped inside first, and I followed, shielding my eyes from the light.

Once the brightness faded, I opened my eyes to find myself in a vast, open room. Shelves of ancient books lined the walls, and old artifacts lay scattered around in neat piles. Ethereal animal spirits floated lazily in the air, glowing faintly in hues I couldn't quite place. Smoke rose from small pots set atop blue flames, and the air was thick with the soothing scent of lavender, enveloping the entire space.

At the far side of the room, a man in a white cloak sat casually on a plush sofa, sipping from a cup of tea. His golden hair cascaded down his back like liquid sunlight, and his eyes, the color of molten gold, sparkled with a mischievous gleam. He looked up at us as we entered, his lips curving into a playful smile.

"You've finally made it to the top! Welcome to my humble abode. I am Arch Mage Aris!" His voice was warm and inviting, with a playful edge that didn't match the grandeur of the room.

He glanced at Sebas, and for a moment, it seemed as if Aris was about to bow. But Sebas merely shook his head, a gesture that made Aris chuckle softly.

Then Aris turned to me, his smile never fading. He rose to his feet and crossed the room with effortless grace. As he reached me, he clasped my hand in his, his golden eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.

"My Lady," he said, his voice soft but sincere, "I believe this isn't the first time that we've met, so how's the scene after the chaotic dinner party last time? Did that mistress and your fake biological father face punishments?"

I pulled my hand away gently, looking him in the eye. "You were the Mage that time," I said with amusement.

But Aris didn't let go of my hand, though. Instead, he smiled and held it again, this time his touch lighter, more intimate. His gaze was unyielding, as though he were studying me, trying to understand something hidden beneath the surface.

Sebas settled onto a nearby sofa, watching with mild amusement as Aris continued his examination. I glanced at him, silently pleading for help, but he only shrugged, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"My Lady," Aris began, his voice lowering, "I understand you've lost your memories. Can you tell me more about that?"

I nodded, still feeling the weight of my fractured recollections. "Yes, especially the day the accident happened. It’s all a blur, fragmented memories that come to me only when something familiar triggers them. But when I try to remember, it’s like a sharp pain in my head, and sometimes I faint and black out for a few days."

Aris nodded thoughtfully, his gaze never leaving mine. "I'm not an expert in memory retrieval or alteration, but I've seen something interesting inside your mind. It’s difficult to believe, but after considering it for several days, I think it's possible."

"What is possible?" Sebas suddenly interrupted, his voice muffled by a mouthful of cake, which I don't know where he gets the cake from. I raised an eyebrow at him, but Aris continued undeterred.

“It’s possible that someone took your memories,” Aris said, his tone serious now. "The pain and fainting are signs that your memories were stolen by magic. Someone, or something, locked those memories away inside you. That’s why your body can’t retrieve them—it's like your mind has turned off that access point, which explains the episodes of pain, fainting, and blacking out for a few days."

I looked at him, my mind reeling. "But… that doesn’t explain everything."

Aris’s golden eyes glinted with a knowing look as he gently squeezed my hands. "There’s more. I also noticed something unusual. Your mana…" He paused, his playful demeanor shifting, becoming more intense, like the calm before a storm.

I frowned. "What do you mean by my 'mana'?"

Aris tightened his grip on my hands, his voice dropping even further. "You have two kinds of mana inside you."

Sebas nearly choked on his cake at those words, his eyes wide with disbelief. "T-TWO kinds of mana? How is that possible, Aris?"

I turned to Aris, my curiosity piqued. "What do you mean, two kinds?"

Aris released my hands but kept his gaze focused on me as he stood. "In this world, every mage or person has a single type of mana—an aura, an essence, if you will—that fuels their magic and powers. But you, my Lady, have two. I don't know why or how, but it's the first time in history I’ve witnessed anything like it. Somehow, it's only me who can notice the abnormality because the other mana is hidden well."

He took a step back, as though preparing for something. "Let me show you," he said, raising one hand. A soft, dark blue flame flickered to life, casting an eerie glow in the room. "This is my mana."

Sebas, ever the eager one, stood and extended his hand. Golden flames flickered from his palm, casting a warm glow on the walls. "And this is mine."

Aris stepped closer to Sebas, his blue flame mingling with Sebas's golden one. The moment their flames touched, there was a violent burst of energy, and the flames exploded in a flash of light, sending a shockwave through the room.

Aris smiled wryly, his playful nature returning. "As you can see, when two types of unfamiliar mana come into contact, they explode. But your mana, my Lady… is different."

I stared at him, still processing everything. "So you’re saying my mana coexists, rather than clashes?"

Aris nodded, his smile deepening. "Exactly. It’s as though the two types of mana are meant to complement each other as if they recognize one another. It's an anomaly, and yet, it's harmonious."

A chill ran down my spine as I connected the dots. "If this is so rare, someone could target me, couldn't they? Like the CRAIGS."

Aris’s expression grew serious once again. "Yes, my Lady. If the wrong people found out, they might try to exploit this unique power inside you or worse."

He reached for my hands, placing something small and delicate into my palm. I looked down to see a thin, gold bracelet, studded with vibrant, colorful stones.

"Please wear this always," he said. "This bracelet will signal me if anything goes wrong with your mana. If it begins to destabilize, I’ll come immediately to help mediate it. I hope that will never happen."

I stared at the bracelet, its elegance and simplicity stunning me. It was both beautiful and powerful, a subtle reminder of the dangers that lay ahead.

"Thank you, Arch Mage Aris," I said softly. "But what does it do exactly?"

"It protects you and mediates your mana if when the time comes they'll clash or somehow they don't coexist anymore. Nothing is still certain whether this situation is permanent or temporary," he replied, his voice serious now. "And it will protect you from yourself if need be. It’s the only way I can ensure your safety."

I slid the bracelet onto my wrist, the cool metal resting gently against my skin. Sebas and Aris continued to talk, but I was no longer listening. I was lost in thought, trying to piece together the fragments of my memories.

But then, as I sat there, a faint voice echoed in my head—Sophie’s voice, as though calling to me from a faraway place.

I tried to focus, but my vision began to blur, and a wave of dizziness hit me. My hands pressed to my head as I stumbled from my seat.

"My Lady!" Sebas’s voice pierced through the fog, but I couldn’t make out his words. The voices in my head were growing louder, drowning out everything else. The pressure was unbearable.

"My Lady!" Aris’s voice, sharp and filled with urgency, reached my ears, but it felt so distant.

I heard a snippet of a conversation, words that sent a chill through my spine:  

"Tell the Grand Duke, I'm leaving first. I'll use his carriage to go home, tell him I'm not feeling well..."

The voices were repeating in a haunting loop, and I couldn’t take it any longer. My body gave way, and everything went black.