Real life is always more bizarre, more strange, and more unbelievable than any story. If Asa had heard a story where a woman like Talice suddenly, inexplicably, and almost naturally ended up with a man like him, and while everyone else was desperately rushing about, these two were tangled up and entangled in a small inn, he would have thought the story was entirely fabricated. But in reality, the two of them spent over ten days together in an inn in the capital.
During these ten or so days, they lost track of time, confused and disoriented, as if it wasn't real, yet vivid enough to remember every detail, every moment of excitement.
These were two young people who were utterly empty inside. One was taking too much burden—the responsibilities he carried were overwhelming, to the point where, from a certain perspective, he didn't have enough strength or power to bear that weight. No matter how much he struggled or resisted, in the end, he could only stand by like an onlooker, powerless, and under the immense pressure, he only found emptiness and frustration.
The other was taking no burden, zero responsiblity, because she had lost all the beliefs and convictions she once held. She could no longer find anything to support herself. Even the few emotions she once had dissipated like dust in the collision with her beliefs. It was as if, in her life, there was nothing left—no direction, no warmth to hold onto.
Whether too much or zero, the intense emptiness had eroded all of their pasts. They were simply a man and a woman, together, doing everything two people in such a relationship could do. They communicated in every way they could, seeking comfort and warmth in each other.
Seventeen days had passed quickly, and now it was the dawn of the seventeenth day. Feeling the waves of energy emanating from the Magic Academy, Asa knew that it was time for him to leave.
"I have to go," Asa said, leaning down to gently pat Talice, the soft sensation of her golden hair and smooth skin blending together in an inseparable embrace.
"Is there really a chance you can come back?" Talice asked after a long pause. Anyone who could see her now would no longer doubt her femininity. Naked, she was more womanly than any woman.
"I'll try. I'll do my best," Asa replied, thinking for a moment and nodding.
"I'll go with you," Talice suddenly said.
"I'll be distracted," Asa shook his head.
It was just about dawn, and the capital had not fully woken up, but the Magic Academy was already filled with people.
Though there were a few pedestrians on the street, none ventured close to the Magic Academy. They couldn't see what was happening behind the high walls, but the air emanating from it, so different from the morning atmosphere of the capital, was undeniable. It wasn't the usual bloodlust; instead, it was an oppressive, heavy atmosphere, like that of red-hot iron in the air.
On the square, all the members of the Holy Knights and the priests and mages of the Magic Academy had gathered together, with Captain Roland standing in front, observing them. Beside him were Edwina and Granden, leading hundreds of mages from the Tower of Teeth.
The members of the Holy Knights showed no visible signs of emotion. They were battle-hardened elites, not only warriors who were ready to face death, but also soldiers with iron wills and discipline. Yet, despite their experience, they were still human, and they all understood the daunting and deadly nature of the upcoming battle. The natural surge of fighting spirit in the face of death was already palpable.
Around them, the mages and priests had already been affected by the atmosphere. Their breathing was heavy, like that of cattle, and many had bloodshot eyes.
"I have already told you all that the enemy we are about to face is unprecedented," Captain Roland spoke from the statue in the center of the square, looking down at the people below. His appearance was exceptionally refined, not like that of a warrior, and his words were neither grand nor booming. But there was something deeper and more moving in the simplicity of his words, a quiet resolve that poured into the hearts of every listener.
"Everyone will die. Everyone will fail. No one is without fear. Even I am no exception. Our only option is to face it—to face everything in front of us and overcome it, then survive. Our ancestors and predecessors walked this path, and that is why we exist today. And we will continue to walk this path."
No one cheered. This was never meant to be an inspiring speech to stir excitement. The words only conveyed the most primal, deeply buried concept in the hearts of everyone: survive.
The faint and gentle first light of dawn broke over the horizon. It was soft and subtle, but as it fell on everyone, it felt like sharp needles piercing through, causing pain but also awakening them, making them want to fight, to survive.
As for Asa, he didn't disturb the warriors. He quietly walked to the entrance of the cathedral where the Pope, Lancelotee, and Grutt were waiting.
"You've arrived," Grutt said, looking at him and nodding. He seemed unconcerned with where Asa had been these past few days.
"I've arrived," Asa nodded back, also acknowledging Lancelote and the Pope standing beside him.
Lancelotee suddenly asked, "How have you been these days?"
Asa glanced at him, feeling a mixture of surprise and not-so-surprised at the unexpected question. He answered honestly, "Good."
"That's good," the paladin responded indifferently. Nothing showed on his face.
"Just thought I should report to you, the nominal leader," the Pope said coldly, "Everything is arranged. The western forces have gathered in the Fly Dragon desert, just waiting for us, for Orford, and for you."
Asa nodded, instinctively bowing slightly, "Thank you for your hard work."
The Pope, speaking while hunched over, gently coughed, each time covering his mouth with a red-and-white handkerchief. In the few days since Asa had last seen him, the Pope seemed to have aged decades. Though his face still bore the features of Adra, anyone could immediately tell that his body was rapidly deteriorating, the life force draining away.
To Asa, it was clear. He could see the Pope was slowly dying. His body's functions were twisting and unbalancing in a strange, irreversible way. In reality, the Pope's body had started to exist somewhere between a living being and an undead creature, but the elderly man was desperately using his profound mastery of white magic to maintain his body's fragile balance.
"So, shall we head out?" Asa asked.
"There are still others, but they should be arriving soon."
Before long, two figures emerged from the direction of the teleportation magic circle—Ruya and the elven patrol officer, Kaylin.
"As for the elves, you're only sending these two?" Asa asked.
Lancelote shook his head. "Of course not. They don't need to go. In that kind of situation, their bows and nature magic would be useless. They're here to deliver something."
The two elves walked straight toward them. When Ruya saw Asa, her eyes instantly reddened, the large, bright eyes shimmering with tears, though she was holding them back. Kaylin still carried the massive black longbow in her hands, but it was now held carefully in her arms instead of being slung over her shoulder like before.
"After the council's deliberations, Elder Lloyd decided to agree to give you the bow once used by Queen Isabelle," Kaylin explained. "As compensation for our elves' inability to directly participate in the battle. This Phantom Divine Bow was once a treasure used by the royal family of the Elven Empire. It has protected the Turaleone Forest and our people countless times. We hope you'll return it to us once you're done with it. I honestly don't know how the Elders could allow such a treasure to be..."
Kaylin was speaking almost reluctantly as she held the bow with both hands. But before she could finish, Grutt snatched the bow from her.
"It should've been brought to us sooner," Grutt said. "At least Lloyd finally came to his senses. Otherwise, I would have had to go to Whispering Forest myself to retrieve it."
Holding the black longbow, Grutt's demeanor seemed to shift. The eyes that had once appeared indifferent now sparkled with a hint of joy and excitement. His words were few, but enough to express his meaning. "Good."
Ruya looked at Asa, her expression a mix of reluctance and sorrow, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything. This elven girl had never learned how to express her emotions.
Asa gave a gentle smile, reached out, and patted Ruya's head before turning to Lancelote. "Well, then we can set off now, right?"
"Wait," the Pope suddenly spoke. He reached into his robe, pulling out something and handing it to Asa. "I can't go, but this should still be yours."
The Pope's hand trembled like that of a man over a hundred years old. In his palm lay a ring that seemed plain at first glance—no patterns, no decorations, no engravings—just a slight scratch in one spot. Asa recognized it immediately. This was a ring he had worn for quite some time.
"This thing's power has already been exhausted, hasn't it?" Asa asked.
"Of course, or else I wouldn't give it to you," the Pope coughed twice, wiping the blood from his lips. "But this should still be used to touch the Dark Star. That was its original purpose, and in a way, it's fulfilling a wish for an old friend of mine. Also, from a certain perspective, this was always meant to be yours."
"Mm," Asa nodded and slipped the ring back onto his finger. He lingered on the sensation for a moment, took a deep breath, and then said, "Alright, let's go."
At dawn, with a resounding bang, the residents of the capital city saw a massive blue light curtain flash over the Magic Academy. Shortly after, with the disappearance of the light, all the sounds and energies from within the academy faded into silence.