The next morning.
The warm winter sun shone gently over the Central Royal City.
Lynn walked along the street, lazily letting out a yawn.
If Livia hadn’t dragged him out of bed by force, he’d probably have slept in again today until the sun was high in the sky.
“Honestly, Mr. Lynn, it’s the first day of the semester—shouldn’t you pay a little more attention to your appearance?”
Livia produced a small wooden comb from who-knows-where, and busied herself tidying up Lynn’s messy hair.
The little white flower Lynn had tucked into her hair last night had been made into a hairpin, and worn in her hair, it made her look especially cute and lively—brimming with youthful charm.
“See? Looking fresh and clean is much more pleasing to the eye.”
Livia put her hands on her hips and looked at the neat and tidy Lynn before her, full of satisfaction.
Ever since she realized Mr. Lynn had no interest in Sophie whatsoever, her mood had gradually brightened, returning to how cheerful she used to be.
Hmph!
She was the virtuous wife and loving mother here—what could that group of little fox spirits outside possibly use to compete with her?
“Hurry up, Mr. Lynn, we’ll be late.”
Livia took Lynn’s hand.
Seeing Lynn didn’t refuse, Livia’s heart couldn’t help but beat a little faster.
“Hey, Livia, slow down…”
Lynn followed behind, a little helpless.
To be honest, if circumstances hadn’t forced him, he really wasn’t keen on attending Stekarei Magic Academy for further studies.
He rather disliked studying.
Because, in his impression, the stuff taught at school… it seemed like it was meant for cultists to hear.
During class, teachers always muttered things like “the past present tense… the present future tense…”
Then followed it up with, “The Lord will return.”
Surely some kind of long-winded incantation.
Just thinking about it made Lynn’s back break out in a cold sweat.
Cultists are right beside me.
“Out of the way, out of the way! Damn it, don’t block the path of the Royal Guards!”
Harsh cursing and the sound of galloping hooves rang out behind Lynn, interrupting his train of thought.
“Careful.”
Lynn gave a gentle tug, and Livia, unsteady, fell straight into his arms.
Tall warhorses paraded past Lynn’s eyes in rows, their hooves pounding the flagstone road so hard the ground vibrated for ages before it finally stilled.
“Are you alright?”
Lynn looked at Livia in his arms.
At that moment, Livia’s pretty face was already bright red.
Lynn frowned.
Seeing Livia like this, he seriously suspected that when he’d pulled her just now, he might have accidentally made her stumble and twist her ankle.
Look how much it hurt her—the whole face was red.
That really hadn’t been his intention.
“Let me have a look.”
As he spoke, Lynn slowly crouched down.
He noticed Livia was wearing black leather shoes today, not the usual black knee-high boots that came with her witch’s outfit.
It seemed that ever since they left Atz Royal City, Livia had deliberately changed out of her usual witch attire, opting for normal clothes instead.
But Lynn hadn’t paid it much mind.
He gently removed Livia’s shoes and socks, and the next moment, a pair of soft, delicate pink feet appeared right before his eyes.
Livia’s feet were small, fragrant, and tender—Lynn could nearly hold one completely in one hand.
“Mr… Mr. Lynn…”
Livia’s face grew even redder. She wanted to tell Lynn she was fine, but the warmth and tingling from her foot—something she’d never felt before—made her reluctant to speak up.
Mr. Lynn, when he’s so focused… he’s really handsome…
She stared dazedly at Lynn, who was checking her condition so carefully.
“Does it hurt here?”
Lynn gently squeezed Livia’s ankle.
Livia shook her head.
“I… I’m fine, just a little startled, that’s all.”
Livia slowly drew back her foot and put her shoes and socks back on.
Lynn nodded.
“As long as you’re alright.”
“By the way, what’s going on, anyway, for the army to be mobilized on such a large scale?”
Lynn was a little confused.
“It’s because the Inscribed Stone at the outer edge of Central Royal City is about to start projecting again.”
A clear, crisp voice cut off Livia, who was just about to enthusiastically explain things to Lynn.
Livia puffed her cheeks, her expression instantly turning a little displeased.
She could recognize the owner of that voice even if she’d been burned to ashes.
“Faleka, why are you following us?”
Livia’s tone was full of vigilance.
A silver-haired girl, dressed in a black mage’s robe and wearing a wide-brimmed witch hat, slowly walked up to the two of them.
Her silver hair flowed over her shoulders like water, and her doll-like, cute face looked even more lively in the sunlight.
Faleka had been her archrival ever since their days studying at the Witch Institute.
Both of them were exceptionally talented, so although people often compared them, it was always impossible to say who was better.
As time went on, every time the two met, sparks would inevitably fly.
“Me?”
Faleka tilted her head, expressionless, and pointed to herself.
“I just came from reporting in at the Witch Institute.”
“Reporting in?”
Livia was taken aback.
“You haven’t forgotten, have you?”
“I… of course I haven’t.”
Livia answered, a little stammering.
According to regulations, every outstanding graduate of the Witch Institute had to be exiled to the border for two years of practical training.
Only after two years could they return to Central Royal City to report in and then be entrusted with important duties.
Livia felt her right eyelid twitching nonstop.
How could she have forgotten something so important…
“If you still want to seize the last opportunity, you have one hour left.”
Faleka glanced at her watch and said slowly.
“Hmph! I’ll thank you this time, but next time, I’ll be sure to settle the score!”
Livia clenched her small fists, a little indignant.
Watching Livia’s departing figure, Lynn frowned.
He knew that in the game, the Inscribed Stone was a collection of dungeons—places for players to repeatedly challenge stages and farm experience and materials.
But, what was the projection of the Inscribed Stone?
Perhaps seeing Lynn’s confusion, Faleka smiled faintly and continued, “The Inscribed Stone contains the memories of many great events from the past, and can reproduce them, one-to-one.”
“Even certain important materials can be copied the same way.”
“That’s why adventure teams often go into the Inscribed Stone, overcoming difficulties to seize materials, giving us the capital to contend with the Dragon Clan from Beyond.”
“But sometimes, the Inscribed Stone can lose control for unknown reasons, and reproduce those great events one-to-one in reality as projections, causing unnecessary disasters.”
“That’s why the Royal Guards are mobilizing on such a large scale.”
After listening, Lynn nodded thoughtfully.
It seemed that in certain details, this world was not exactly the same as the game.
Still, this happened to give Lynn an opportunity to grow stronger.
Since advancing to Second-Tier Magus, the most noticeable change Lynn had experienced—aside from the increase in his internal magic reservoir—was that he had gained an extra chess slot.
This meant he could now bind another “Purple Epic” or higher-level Chesspiece.
To be honest, it was just too hard for Lynn at this stage to keep Ayan summoned for long periods.
If even dealing with a few small fry required expending tons of magic through the “Dragon’s Heart,” it would be like using a cannon to kill a mosquito.
A “Purple Epic” grade Chesspiece didn’t have these problems.
Though weaker and lacking a Chess Spirit, the amount of magic required to use it was much lower.
Once he could enter the Inscribed Stone and farm materials to craft a “Purple Epic” Chesspiece, wouldn’t his strength rise to the next level?
Thinking of this, Lynn couldn’t help but get a little excited.
But right now, he had to go report in at Stekarei Magic Academy first.
He didn’t want to be late on the very first day and give the teachers a bad impression.
“Would you like me to escort you, Mr. Lynn?”
Faleka reached out her hand, a gentle smile on her face.
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