One day before the Hell Fortress expedition's departure.

  The temporary quarters for external expedition volunteers within Selestata Castle were shrouded in silence. On this night where moonlight cast faint shadows by the window, cold air seeped into the room. The smell of old dampness emanating from the stone walls tickled the nostrils.

  Elina slowly looked down at the staff in her hand. Her fingers trembled slightly on the magical wooden surface. The cold touch of the staff's surface felt unfamiliar.

  Faust's staff.

  It was not a simple magical instrument but a dangerous object imbued with the dark sorcerer's legacy. The waves of magical energy flowing through her fingertips were rough and sharp. Something inside the staff seemed to awaken, as if trying to amplify its power on its own.

  Elina took a deep breath. Cold air filtered between her lips, but it failed to calm her tense body.

  A test was needed.

  She gazed at the chair placed in the middle of the room and whispered softly. Though she felt her voice trembling, she cast the spell.

  "Spirits of wind, grant me the power of wind. Wind Strike!"

  In an instant, a white light flashed from the tip of the staff. The dazzling radiance filled the room. The light was cold like ice, yet it made her skin tingle.

  WHIIIIING!

  Sharp wind condensed like a vortex and struck the chair. The sound of air splitting tore at her ears.

  BANG!

  The chair flew into the air, crashed against the wall, and shattered into pieces. Wooden fragments scattered in all directions, and the smell of burning wood spread through the air.

  Elina froze. The staff vibrated subtly between her fingers, and the sweat forming on her palm made her grip the staff even tighter.

  "Ah... Oh no... That was too powerful!"

  She had only meant to push it away, but she had completely shattered it. And it was furniture provided by the imperial household. Her heart pounded as if it would burst through her chest.

  'If anyone finds out about this... I might be punished.'

  Elina broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly looked around.

  At that moment,

  "Elina, what was that sound?"

  Hallis entered with the familiar voice. Her face showed a mixture of wariness and curiosity. The cool air from the corridor seeping through the door gap scattered the traces of magic in the room.

  But another person appeared behind her. A woman wearing a black robe. The peculiar scent of old books and magical potions seeped into the room with her.

  Elina felt as if her breath had stopped. Her throat suddenly became dry and constricted. She gripped the staff so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

  "Professor Patricia?!"

  Professor Patricia slowly surveyed the room. Her sharp gaze assessed the situation, examining everything. However, beneath that stern expression, a flash of understanding briefly crossed her face.

  The chair, miserably shattered against the wall. Wooden fragments scattered across the floor. Traces of magical energy lingering in the air.

  She let out a gentle sigh.

  "What's all this commotion?"

  Elina tried to find an excuse with an awkward expression, but Professor Patricia smiled as if she had already seen through everything. That smile contained both understanding and concern. The deep wrinkles around her eyes seemed to speak of her long experience.

  "Faust's staff... As expected, its magical amplification power is remarkable. It must be difficult to control."

  Elina bit her lip.

  "Yes... I only meant to push it away, but I couldn't control the power."

  Professor Patricia nodded as she slowly examined the staff in her hand. With each brush of her fingers across the surface of the staff, a subtle magical vibration could be felt.

  "The basics of being a mage is learning how to control power. Having great magical energy isn't unconditionally good. You might think you're handling magic, but if you're not careful, magic might end up handling you."

  Elina bowed her head deeply at those words. Her shoulders drooped as if weighed down.

  At that moment, Professor Patricia took something out from the bundle she had brought. As the cloth unfolded, the smell of ancient time spread throughout the room.

  "And, Hallis."

  Hallis looked up. Expectation frosted in her eyes, and her expression, tense and contorted, suddenly brightened.

  Professor Patricia carefully took out an old staff and handed it to her. Ancient patterns carved on the wooden surface glowed faintly, and the power emanating from the staff warmed the surrounding air.

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  "This is...?"

  "This is the staff that Headmaster Sart used when fighting against the Dominator 20 years ago. It contains powerful magical energy, just like the one Elina has."

  "The Headmaster's staff..."

  Hallis examined the staff with reverence. While sharp and rough waves were felt from Elina's staff, a warm and stable energy spread from the staff in Hallis's hand.

  Hallis's eyes widened. She received the staff with trembling hands. The moment the staff touched her hand, subtle waves of magical energy filled the room.

  "Really... for me?"

  Professor Patricia nodded. The deep compassion in her eyes was conveyed to Hallis.

  "The Headmaster cares for you. He must have known you would feel disappointed that only Elina received a staff."

  Hallis's face reddened. An expression mixed with gratitude and embarrassment colored her face.

  "I... without knowing all this, I was unnecessarily whining to Elina. I'm sorry, Elina."

  Elina nodded with a quiet smile. A warm atmosphere of mutual understanding surrounded the two mages.

  Professor Patricia spoke, looking at the two of them in turn. Her voice contained firm determination.

  "Now, tomorrow will be the departure ceremony. Before that, I have magic to teach you both. Let's meet at the central plaza of the castle."

  And she added with a faint smile. The tension hidden in that smile made the two disciples tense. Though her lips were smiling, her eyes were not.

  "Tonight will be long, so prepare yourselves well."

  ##############

  Tristan was conducting final checks for the Hell Fortress expedition with his fellow novice knights Paolo and Ederin. The sound of metal clashing and leather creaking filled the space.

  Gathered at the Fortress of Protection, they checked the seams of armor, tested the sharpness of weapons, and carefully examined even the wheels of the carts loaded with rations and supplies. Each time Tristan's fingers moved along the metal seams, the rough texture was vividly conveyed.

  As novice knights, it was natural for them to be assigned such inspection duties rather than standing at the forefront of battle. However, Tristan gave his best, considering even this moment as an important process for the success and survival of the expedition.

  His goal was just one.

  To fulfill his responsibility and ensure that all his companions could return safely. Especially not to miss the opportunity to break Elina's curse.

  "Tris, I heard you're close with the mages from Luminarian. If you get the chance, introduce us."

  Paolo said in a relaxed voice. A mischievous smile lingered at the corners of his mouth, and his anticipation for meeting the female mages was evident.

  Though it was unclear where he had picked up such information, this friend's intelligence gathering was often surprisingly good. Tristan merely furrowed his brow and replied.

  "You'll meet them soon anyway. But don't act recklessly. We need to trust and rely on each other during the expedition, so don't ruin relationships with disrespectful behavior, Paolo."

  Paolo shrugged and gave a playful smile.

  "Seems like your personality has gotten a bit more agreeable since becoming a novice knight. Isn't that right, Paolo?"

  Ederin added a comment. Paolo laughed lightly and waved his hand. His laughter echoed as it bounced off the stone walls.

  They moved their steps toward the central plaza of Selestata Castle. The stone floor beneath their feet made a solid sound under their weight, and the sound of iron boots hitting the stone echoed against the castle walls.

  In the vibrant plaza, knights practicing swordsmanship and archers adjusting their bowstrings could be seen. A stream flowed in the center of the plaza, and beside it, the blue cloaks of mages fluttered in the wind.

  The scene of the plaza reminded them once again of the heavy responsibility of the expedition. Tristan's gaze immediately turned toward Elina, Hallis, and one female mage. It was because he could see their magic training.

  "Ah, I can see Professor Patricia, Mage Elina, and Mage Hallis over there."

  As Tristan spoke, Paolo and Ederin also turned their eyes toward the mages. Curiosity flashed in their eyes.

  Tristan positioned himself at a distance that would not disturb the mages' lesson. Deep respect could be felt from his attitude of observing the world of magic.

  However, Paolo, unable to suppress his curiosity, whispered. His breath tickled Tristan's ear.

  "It wouldn't be bad to learn a bit of magic on this occasion, would it?"

  Tristan sighed lightly and turned his gaze to the mages. Concern for Elina was etched in his eyes.

  Professor Patricia stood by the stream, holding her staff. Power and authority could be felt from her posture. The surrounding air responded to her magical energy, moving subtly.

  "Hallis, Elina. Listen carefully. The Dominator's magic is mostly based on powerful flames. What magic would there be to counter this flame magic?"

  Hallis answered. Passion and confidence were evident in her voice.

  "Water! Because water extinguishes fire!"

  Professor Patricia nodded, but soon asked again. A testing sharpness flashed in her eyes.

  "If it's powerful flame magic, simple water would be difficult to block it, wouldn't it? Then what should be done? Elina?"

  Elina frowned, lost in thought for a moment. Her fingers fiddled with the staff, searching for an answer.

  'Something that can extinguish fire... a stronger force than simple water...'

  "Perhaps... ice?"

  Elina answered with an uncertain voice. Anxiety and expectation crossed in her eyes.

  Professor Patricia smiled. That smile melted away Elina's anxiety.

  "Yes, that's correct. Handling water and handling ice are completely different. Ice magic requires more powerful magical control, and if the wielder doesn't pay attention, it can be dangerous. Remember also that magic should maintain a balance between destruction and creation. Natural restoration magic, in particular, can also become the most powerful shield against the destructive power of dark sorcerers. Now, watch carefully."

  Professor Patricia extended her staff toward the stream. The tendons in her wrist prominently protruded.

  "Aqua Glacius!"

  A blue light rippled from the staff and spread to the stream. A coldness like frost falling hung in the air. In an instant, the water shot up and transformed into a transparent ice pillar.

  The ice pillar grew larger, crossing the stream like a huge column. Under the sun, the ice sparkled, creating rainbow colors.

  "The first stage is to turn water into ice."

  And she cast the spell again. Her voice reverberated through the air. The sound was more intense and confident than before.

  "Icicle!"

  The ice pillar shattered into pieces, becoming sharp ice awls that flew with the wind. The sound of ice fragments cutting through the air rang sharply.

  BANG!

  The ice fragments embedded into a distant tree, creating dozens of holes. Soon after, the tree collapsed with a crack.

  THUD!

  Tristan and his fellow knights watching let out exclamations. Paolo's mouth froze open.

  Professor Patricia approached the fallen tree and quietly placed her staff against it. Magical light swirled in her eyes. The spell she muttered as her lips moved slightly was inaudible.

  In an instant, the fallen tree rose back to its original position. A mysterious scene unfolded as if the tree was growing on its own. Ice fragments melted to fill the wounds, and the wood grain reconnected, as if time were being reversed.

  "Wow! Professor, will you teach us that restoration magic too?"

  Hallis asked with sparkling eyes.

  "Natural restoration magic is one of the noblest abilities of a mage. Healing is always more difficult than destroying,"

  Professor Patricia answered.

  "When the time comes, I will teach you both."

  "Wow...!"

  Tristan, Paolo, and Ederin simultaneously applauded and cheered. They shared their amazement as they looked at each other's faces.

  Elina was startled upon discovering Tristan. A blush spread across her cheeks.

  "Tris, were you watching?"

  Tristan answered with a somewhat shy smile. Warm welcome filled his eyes.

  "I was watching quietly to avoid disturbing the lesson."

  At that moment, Professor Patricia's gaze turned toward Tristan. Her eyes carefully examined Tristan's face. Her senses, honed by years of experience, had detected something special from Tristan's scar.

  "You must be Lord Valiant. I've heard much about you from Elina."

  Tristan replied with courtesy. His back straightened.

  "I am Tristan Valiant. I heard you will also be joining the expedition. I hope you haven't faced any inconveniences?"

  Professor Patricia answered with a gentle smile. Her smile remained only on her lips and did not reach her eyes.

  "As you can see, I'm doing well."

  However, at that moment, her expression changed. The smile disappeared, and deep wrinkles etched across her forehead.

  Suddenly, she approached Tristan's face. Magical light rippled in her pupils. It was as if she were looking beneath his skin.

  "Oh, Professor?"

  Tristan stepped back in surprise, but Professor Patricia brought her hand to his cheek. Her fingers brushed against Tristan's scar. At that touch, his face felt as hot as heated metal.

  Her eyes glowed subtly, and she wore an expression as if lost in deep thought. The surrounding noise seemed to suddenly fade away.

  "Perhaps... this scar. Does it emit a golden light in the dark night?"

  Tristan was shocked. His pupils suddenly dilated. His breath caught in his throat, and he couldn't continue speaking.

  "...How do you know?"

  Elina also looked at Professor Patricia with worried eyes. Her hand unconsciously reached toward Tristan's arm.

  "Professor, could this scar be having a negative effect on Tris?"

  Professor Patricia hesitated for a moment, then answered calmly. However, Tristan did not miss the shadow that crossed her eyes.

  "It's nothing like that. I asked unnecessarily. There's no need to worry."

  But before she turned away, Tristan did not miss the light of caution and shock that flashed in her eyes. He also noticed how Professor Patricia's hand unconsciously gripped her staff more tightly.

  She quietly gripped her staff again and hurriedly moved toward the quarters. Her cloak fluttered in the wind, leaving an anxious atmosphere.

  "Professor Patricia..."

  Elina looked at her retreating figure with worried eyes.

  "The professor seems to know something about Tris's scar."

  Tristan felt a strange uneasiness as he watched her walk away. His scarred cheek seemed to tingle. That scar that would glow golden again when darkness fell. What could it possibly mean?

  Elina let out a deep breath as she felt the weight of the new staff in her hand. The responsibility and fear of handling Faust's magical tool weighed on her chest, but at the same time, hope blossomed that she could break her curse with this power.

  Hallis also quietly nodded, feeling the sense of mission contained in the Headmaster's staff given to her. Their gazes met. The former rivals would now share the same fate.

  "Tomorrow will be a long day,"

  Tristan said.

  "Everyone should get plenty of rest."