In the 198th year of the Litrian Empire.

  Westdark was a barren semi-desert region west of Karanos. With every sting of sand-laden wind against the skin, one felt the harshness of this land. Once prosperous, the region had been assigned to House Strider as its new rulers a year after Duke Ballard's rebellion was suppressed.

  Duke Kesillius Strider stood atop the castle walls, gazing out at his domain. The hot wind dried the sweat on his forehead, and his golden hair shone like desert sand. His blue eyes held unwavering determination.

  The acrid smell of ochre rose from the cracks between the stones of the wall.

  "How can life be breathed back into this place, Your Grace?" asked his close knight Rainel, his voice tinged with doubt. His armor reflected the sunlight, almost blinding.

  Kesillius remained silent for a moment. From the distance came the murmurs of villagers carried on the wind, and his gaze swept across the desolate land. Beyond the collapsed buildings and dried-up wells, he glimpsed the faint echoes of this place's former glory.

  Yet his eyes saw possibilities beyond all this.

  "Westdark will rise again."

  His voice did not waver. His words contained a promise, and even the wind seemed to pause in agreement.

  In the 199th year of the Litrian Empire.

  Over the course of a year, Westdark had changed. Kesillius had labored alongside his people, and calluses had formed on his hands. Fallen walls had been rebuilt, and new buildings stood in the once-burned streets.

  "Your Grace, we've found a new well in the western region!"

  The young knight's voice was filled with excitement. His eyes shone with hope.

  "Excellent. Begin development immediately."

  A smile spread across Kesillius's face for the first time in many months.

  As time passed, green life sprouted from the sand, and water began to flow through once-parched lands. With the sound of farmers' hoes, hope grew on the faces of the people.

  "The Duchess is with child!"

  At this news, the castle was filled with an atmosphere of blessing. Flowers decorated every corridor, and new hope took root in Kesillius's heart.

  Year 200 of the Litrian Empire. Year One of the New Imperial Calendar.

  But happiness did not last long.

  People began to disappear from the western region of Westdark.

  Kesillius stood on the castle wall, gazing toward the western territories, lost in deep thought. The muscles of his jaw tensed with strain, and a cold wind blew. The air carried the scent of metal.

  "What will you do, Your Grace?" asked Lord Petriert, captain of the knights. His hand unconsciously gripped the hilt of his sword.

  "We can no longer stand by. We march at dawn tomorrow. Fifty of our finest knights will accompany me."

  Kesillius's voice carried resolve. His gaze was firm.

  "As you command, Your Grace."

  Kesillius's eyes once more turned toward the western horizon. The wind from that direction carried a repulsive stench of rotting flesh and sulfur.

  He would protect his domain and his people.

  But fate would not grant them opportunity.

  On the night before their departure, the sky split open and blue lightning flashed. Thunder shook the earth, and monstrous howls echoed from the ravine.

  Black mist crawled up the castle walls. It writhed like a living creature, leaving frost wherever it touched, and red eyes of monsters appeared within it.

  Flames spread throughout the city.

  "Your Grace! Take refuge within the castle!" shouted Petriert, drenched in blood. His armor was torn, and a deep wound marked his face.

  "I cannot retreat and abandon Westdark."

  As Kesillius raised his sword, blue light flashed.

  From the chaos emerged a man in a black robe. His pale face and burning blood-red eyes were distinctive. The ground he walked upon burned and turned to black ash.

  "A dark mage!"

  The battle cries of the knights erupted. Arrows rained down, but the dark mage wiped away the black blood flowing from his hand with a laugh. The blood fell to the ground, smoking and corroding the earth.

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  "If not for the Knights, this castle would already be mine!"

  His voice seemed to echo with many voices at once. A massive black raven cut through the night sky and swooped down.

  On the castle wall appeared Duchess Elena, heavy with child. Her golden hair sparkled in the moonlight, and fear shadowed her blue eyes.

  The dark mage's eyes flashed at the sight of her.

  "In the name of Desmos! I lay a curse upon the bloodline of House Strider!"

  Black mist shot like an arrow toward Elena. Kesillius's feet felt as heavy as lead.

  "Aaargh!"

  A scream cut through the night sky, seeming to tear Kesillius's heart apart. Kesillius ran to her, but it was too late. Elena's face was pale, and black energy swirled around her belly.

  The dark mage disappeared into the darkness, riding the raven. Only his laughter echoed through the night air.

  "Elena! Elena!"

  Kesillius held his wife in his arms. Her body was cold as ice. Tears he had not shed even on the battlefield flowed from his eyes.

  "It's alright... please... just save the child..."

  Her voice, carrying her final wish, was as faint as a falling leaf. Her weak hand caressed Kesillius's cheek.

  That night, terror and sorrow enveloped Westdark. The castle was filled only with sounds of weeping.

  Not long after, the Duchess used her last strength to give birth to a child, but closed her eyes as the baby was born.

  The child born that day was Elina Strider.

  When she let out her first cry, all the candles in the room went out. A cold chill filled the chamber.

  While all members of House Strider had blonde hair and blue eyes, her hair was as black as pitch, and her eyes were as dark as the night sky. Black energy swirled around her like smoke.

  "I've never seen anything like this."

  The terrified court mage spoke. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

  "It's the dark mage's curse."

  At these words, the air in the room grew heavier. Servants refused to look at the child, and nobles whispered that "the child must be cast out."

  Kesillius slowly approached his daughter. His steps were heavy but resolute.

  He took the child in his arms. His eyes reflected both sorrow and determination.

  "She is my daughter."

  At his firm declaration, all whispers fell silent.

  The child raised her tiny hand to touch his face. When Kesillius's tears fell on the baby's forehead, the black energy briefly receded.

  From that day, Elina, shadowed by the curse, could not venture outside the castle. Kesillius summoned every mage in the empire to break the curse, but none succeeded.

  The shadow of the curse only grew darker with each passing day.

  ＃＃＃＃＃＃＃＃＃

  Year 7 of the New Litrian Empire

  Hot desert wind swirled around the spires of Westdark Castle. The flags of House Strider flapped rhythmically above the castle walls. It was the year Princess Elina turned seven.

  A minor nobleman from the capital of Karanos arrived at Westdark Castle. Elina watched the splendid procession passing beneath her window. The sounds of hooves and laughter filled the garden.

  As her pale fingers touched the glass window, they left traces like frost.

  "More visitors," Elina murmured in a small voice. "More eyes filled with fear."

  That afternoon, the nobleman's son accidentally entered Elina's room. The curious boy had been exploring the castle and opened the wrong door.

  When the door opened, Elina's heart beat rapidly. The boy stopped, surprised to see the black-haired girl standing alone by the window.

  "Who are you?" the boy asked. His voice was full of curiosity. "Why are you alone?"

  Elina turned slowly. As her black eyes met the boy's, her chest tightened.

  Suddenly, black flames flickered in Elina's eyes.

  "Aagh!"

  Three lines of wounds appeared on the boy's right cheek. It was as if invisible claws had torn his flesh. As blood trickled down, the boy screamed in terror and fled.

  Elina stood frozen, looking down at her own hands. Black mist-like energy swirled faintly around her fingertips before disappearing.

  Something cold and hard settled in her chest.

  "Father..." Her lips trembled. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

  After the incident, a heavy silence descended upon the castle. As the darkness of night filled her room, the black energy around her swirled more intensely.

  That night, Helamus, the castle's guardian mage, sought out Kesillius. His staff tapped against the stone floor with each step.

  "Your Grace, Lady Elina's curse can no longer be concealed."

  Helamus opened an old spellbook. The illustration on the page marked 'Curse of Darkness' closely resembled the black energy surrounding Elina.

  "If left as is, she will be consumed by darkness."

  Kesillius's face paled. Deep fear flashed in his blue eyes.

  "Then what am I to do? She is my daughter!" His voice mixed anger and despair.

  Helamus turned to another page. It showed a shining tower, and a faint scent of flowers emanated from it.

  "Send Lady Elina to Luminarian. It is the empire's finest magic school. The mages of Helios, God of Light, may be able to help her. By learning sacred magic, she might be able to drive out the darkness within her."

  Kesillius walked to the window. Moonlight dyed his golden hair silver.

  "Will she be happy there?"

  "Luminarian is a place for special children like Lady Elina," Helamus replied. "There, no one will fear her. She will meet others like herself."

  After much anguish, Kesillius decided to send Elina to Luminarian. He believed it was the best choice for his daughter, but his heart was heavy.

  On the day of departure, Elina stood before her father wearing a traveling dress and holding a small bag.

  "Father, must I... really go?"

  Her voice was small, but filled with fear. Tears welled in her black eyes, and her small hands clutched the hem of her dress.

  Kesillius knelt to meet his daughter's eye level.

  "Elina, this is a journey for you to become stronger and live a better life. At Luminarian, you will learn to master the power within you."

  "Won't they call me a monster there?" Elina whispered.

  "Never," Kesillius said firmly. His voice was low and warm, yet carried steel-like conviction. "You are not a monster. You are special. At Luminarian, they will understand this."

  "But I'll miss you." Tears glistening in Elina's dark eyes sparkled in the moonlight.

  "And I will miss you." Kesillius stroked his daughter's black hair. "But remember, I am always with you."

  Kesillius took out a crystal pendant hanging from a golden chain and placed it around Elina's neck. The crystal emitted a faint light as it touched her skin.

  "This belonged to your mother," his fingers caressed the crystal, causing blue light to move within it. "This crystal is imbued with protective magic. When you feel lonely or afraid, hold it tight."

  As the carriage disappeared into the distance, Kesillius whispered from atop the castle wall.

  "I will watch over you, my daughter. Elina, may you never be consumed by darkness."

  A tear fell from his eye.

  "Elena, protect our daughter."

  Outside the window, the sun was setting. The red sunset bathed the desert in golden light.

  Kesillius fervently hoped that Elina would find her destiny at Luminarian and escape the curse of darkness.

  "When she returns," he promised himself, "she will be a strong mage who no longer trembles with fear."

  ＃＃＃＃＃＃＃＃＃

  In the season when spring's vitality awakened, the gardens of Luminarian Magic School were filled with the fragrance of flowers. Sunlight settled on the dew-covered grass, and birdsong filled the air.

  Elina, the black-haired girl, walked between flower beds with a watering can, giving water to the plants. Water droplets sparkled in the sunlight, shimmering with rainbow colors.

  She closed her eyes briefly, savoring the warmth on her pale skin.

  "Elina! A handsome young man is looking for you!"

  At Serena's sudden call, Elina's heart beat rapidly. Silver-haired Serena was waving from beyond the lawn.

  'Someone came to see me?'

  Elina's cheeks flushed. Emotions long forgotten surged within her. She unconsciously grasped the crystal pendant around her neck.

  After a moment of confusion, a face from her memories emerged. A memory from long ago in Westdark, a boy who had been her only friend.

  "Could it be..."

  Her lips trembled. Hope and fear mingled in her heart. Recalling the scars on the boy's right cheek, guilt washed over her again.

  Elina gave the flowers one last splash of water and hung her apron on a bench. With light steps, she crossed the garden and climbed the stone stairs.

  The stately buildings of Luminarian Magic School stretched before her. A knight stood at the main entrance, sunlight reflecting off his armor. Elina recognized the familiar silhouette at once.

  "Hello. How have you been?"

  At the sound of that voice, Elina began to run. As she leaned against the cold metal of his armor, she could feel his heartbeat.

  "Tristan...!"

  In that moment, even the darkness lurking within her seemed to retreat. The shadow of the curse that always followed her dimmed before Tristan's light.

  Tristan gently gripped Elina's shoulders and stepped back. His brown eyes were warm, and a smile played at the corners of his mouth.

  "I couldn't see you while training. It's been a long time, Elina."

  The image of the little boy was gone, replaced by a young knight with strong shoulders and resolute eyes. Elina's gaze traced his face, pausing at the faint scar lines crossing his right cheek.

  "It's still there..."

  Elina unconsciously reached out her hand but hesitated in mid-air. Her voice was small and tinged with regret.

  Tristan took her hand and placed it against his cheek. His skin was warm.

  "This? This is just my medal. The first gift you ever gave me."

  He winked playfully.

  Elina carefully touched the three thin scars. Tears welled in her eyes. Deep sorrow filled her black irises.

  "I'm sorry..."

  Tristan enclosed her hand in his. His hands had become strong from years of sword training.

  "No need to apologize. We became friends after that day."

  There was no resentment in his voice. Only affection and understanding filled it.

  Elina slowly nodded. A careful smile spread across her face. Tristan's smile seemed to push away the darkness in her heart.

  The spring breeze passed between them. In that moment, Elina felt true peace for the first time in a long while.

  Perhaps, she thought, the darkness lurking within her might someday vanish like the spring sunlight, and this hope began to grow in her heart.