Lord Devian couldn’t believe Vera’s decision to join the Choosing period to become one of the Sages. He was troubled, standing in front of Vera, who was covering Esma with a blanket as she slept soundly.

  Vera: "Don’t you want me to stay by your side? That's why I'm joining the Choosing period, so we can be together in the Sage Mountains. Aren’t you happy with my decision? There’s still much we need to discuss and accomplish, so I need to become one of your followers to fulfill my ambitions."

  Devian: "Why don’t you just take your throne to accomplish your goals? Why do you need to make things harder for yourself? The tasks during the Choosing period are not easy."

  Vera stood up and approached Lord Devian, causing him to step back from his position.

  Vera: "Are you saying I can’t pretend to be weak and ordinary?"

  Devian: "You are the most powerful being in all of Alexandria. You don’t need to pretend to be weak to achieve your goals in this world."

  Vera: "I may be powerful, and no one can match my strength, but I’d rather struggle to earn the throne that rightfully belongs to me. I will start from the bottom, and as I do this, I want to get to know the new Alexandria and the new beings that live here. I hope you understand my reasoning."

  Suddenly, Lord Devian clutched his chest, trying to control the curse that Vera had placed on him. Vera walked over to check on him, but he avoided her gaze, chuckling at his condition.

  Vera: "Are you still suffering from the curse I placed on you?"

  Devian: "I can control the curse you gave me, no matter how much stronger you make it. I am not weak, and I can bear the most powerful curse you give. I heard everything you said in front of her."

  Vera laughed at Lord Devian's words, causing him to feel irritated.

  Vera: "Esma told me I shouldn’t hurt you because you are my closest friend, but she doesn’t know that you actually enjoy being hurt and punished. Your body craves this because of your Ardenian nature. The black power within you grows with the curse I’ve placed, but it also suppresses your strength when you can’t control yourself."

  Lord Devian fell silent at Vera’s words, and they exchanged a long look.

  Vera: "By the way, I’ll bring Esma with me to guide me during this new time. I still need to learn about the new Alexandria, so she’ll accompany me to the marketplace to gather the things we need for the Choosing period. But she said she would just steal what we need, and I disagreed with her. Could you lend me some silver?"

  Devian: "Why don’t you use your power?"

  Vera: "I don’t want to. I want to learn how to be an ordinary being starting now, so no one will be suspicious of me."

  From Lord Devian’s left hand, a container of silver appeared, full of pieces. Vera was delighted and quickly took it, but Lord Devian grabbed her hand, and they locked eyes.

  Devian: "Tell me why you are punishing the Terranians. I know they are selfish beings and deserve punishment, but what you gave them is too severe."

  Vera: "It’s not just the Terranians I’m punishing, my friend. I’m punishing all those who are evil and have bad intentions."

  Devian: "What you’re doing will cause chaos, Vera."

  Vera: "I want them to cause chaos so they will all come out of their holes. I want to see how far the creatures here in Alexandria will go—whether in the plains, the seas, or even the sky. Are you worried, my friend?"

  Devian: "The Terranians rule the plains while the Avisanians haven’t come out of the seas for thousands of years. They don’t even consider me an Emperor, not even the Hestians. It’s not just them; many of the ancient beings still can’t accept me. Much has changed in Alexandria since you disappeared."

  Vera: "I want to know the condition of the beings here, so those who don’t deserve to live will suffer the punishment I’ve given them. If they change, their food will no longer spoil. Let’s meet again during the Choosing period. We must leave now."

  Vera took the silver, and with a snap of her fingers, Esma vanished, then she departed the area. Lord Devian looked toward the black flames as she disappeared.

  In the marketplace of Terra—considered the largest in the eastern empire—countless beings were shopping, including foreigners who had come from various places to join the Choosing period.

  Esma: "I slept so well, I didn’t even notice I’d fallen asleep. Just wait here, I’ll go grab the things we need."

  Vera: "We’re going to buy what we need, so you don’t have to steal anything."

  Vera showed her a silver-filled container, and Esma stared at it in surprise.

  Esma: "Where did this come from?"

  Vera: "It was lent to me by my closest friend, so let’s go buy what we need—and find a place to stay so we can rest properly and prepare for tomorrow."

  Esma: "Your closest friend? Lord Devian?!"

  Vera quickly covered Esma’s mouth and dragged her toward a large shop. They were happily browsing for beautiful clothes when the shopkeeper stopped them.

  Shopkeeper (Being 1): "You can’t shop here. Only the rich are allowed to buy from this store—not beings like you Eiranians."

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  Vera: "Why not? We’re paying customers."

  Shopkeeper: "It doesn’t matter. Leave—you’re disturbing us. Go!"

  With a snap of Vera’s fingers, the shopkeeper fell into a trance and started gathering the items they needed.

  Esma: "What did you do to him, Vera?"

  Vera: "Just made him do what he’s supposed to. Pick out what you need too."

  Vera suddenly paused when she sensed the power of the Avisanians. She looked outside and saw a group of Avisanian warriors disguising themselves as other beings to avoid recognition. One among them possessed a particularly strong energy.

  Vera: "The Pearl of Careous? Who is this being carrying a powerful relic from the ancient kingdom of Careous?"

  She also noticed a group of Hestians nearby—fierce warriors who were second only to the Avisanians in combat and wielded fire-based powers.

  Vera: "Their races truly have changed. Could chaos break out during the Choosing period? It seems this opportunity is important to everyone. I can’t wait for what’s going to happen tomorrow night."

  Vera smiled as she watched the passing crowds of creatures.

  At the Sage Mountains, in its grand hall, Lord Vardan stood before the three Ministers awaiting his arrival.

  Arion: "Welcome to the Sage Mountains, Lord Vardan. Was your journey here a peaceful one?"

  Vardan: "It was, Lord Arion. I apologize if I’m disturbing your preparations for the Choosing period."

  Amirah: "There’s no need to apologize, Lord Vardan. It’s an honor to have you as a guest during this time."

  Vardan: "Thank you for accepting me. I also came to learn who your chosen disciples will be and to discuss the situation in Terra. I bring a letter from His Majesty."

  Lord Vardan handed over the letter, and Lord Arion read it—then paused, stunned.

  Arion: "Lord Vardan, did you know that His Majesty has chosen you as the empire’s representative for the Choosing period?"

  Lord Vardan was surprised by the letter’s contents and looked toward Lord Devian, who showed no reaction.

  Arion: "What are your thoughts on this, Lord Devian?"

  Devian: "If that is King Kazimir’s will, then it must be followed. As for what’s happening in Terra—no one will starve from food rot. Only those with pure hearts and good intentions will be able to consume nature’s bounty, not those with evil desires or selfish souls."

  Everyone fell silent at Lord Devian’s words.

  Vardan: "How can you be sure of this, Lord Devian?"

  Lord Devian did not respond.

  Arion: "Lord Vardan, we will send a messenger to inform King Kazimir of Lord Devian’s response. My aide will also escort you to your lodging."

  Lord Vardan observed Lord Devian curiously, but Devian did not meet his gaze.

  Meanwhile, Lord Arion and Lord Devian were walking in the garden, discussing the upcoming Choosing period.

  Arion: "Different noble families have sent their finest warriors or heirs this time—like Lord Vardan."

  Devian: "Lord Vardan is an heir to the throne?"

  Arion: "Even though King Kazimir has many women, he still has no children. So he reluctantly named Lord Vardan as heir to keep the throne within the family. Also, Lord Javaid of Avisania will arrive soon. This is his first time here, and from what I’ve heard, he’s a great warrior. I was hoping to take him as one of my disciples—if you and Lady Amirah don’t object."

  Devian: "If he passes, he’s yours. I won’t oppose it."

  Arion: "I’ve also heard that Lord Evren of Hestia is participating—a skilled warrior as well, often compared to Lord Javaid. It seems this Choosing period might not go smoothly with these royals involved."

  Lord Devian pondered this revelation.

  Arion: "By the way, are you planning to choose Lord Vardan as one of your disciples?"

  Devian: "I don’t know. We’ll find out during the Choosing period."

  Lord Arion was surprised by Devian’s response, and Devian immediately walked away.

  Arion: "Lord Devian, just tell me who you’ve already chosen."

  It was already deep into the night. Vera sat atop a tall tree in the forest, playing with a black rabbit.

  Vera: "Why are there so many of you in this part of the forest? Do you want me to bring you all to the Sage Mountains? I’m sure they’d be terrified of you."

  She suddenly paused, sensing something nearby. She flew to another tree and saw five creatures attacking a tall, well-built man with a gentle face—Lord Javaid of Avisania. He fought back skillfully, but even he couldn’t hold his ground against five enemies working together. The attackers drew their weapons, and Vera began to wonder how she could help.

  Vera: "Where are your companions?"

  She asked the black rabbit beside her. Lord Javaid was pushed back and wounded, coughing up green blood—the blood of the Avisanians. The creatures closed in, ready to finish him, when suddenly, a black rabbit leapt from above. The attackers froze in fear, especially as more black rabbits appeared.

  Creature 1: "Black rabbits! Let’s get out of here!"

  The creatures fled in panic, leaving Lord Javaid weak and slumped to the ground, ready to accept his end as the black rabbit approached him. A woman emerged and picked up the rabbit, returning it to the forest.

  Vera: "Go back to your burrows now. We’ll play some other time."

  Vera turned to the unconscious Lord Javaid. She healed his wounds and restored his strength.

  Vera: "The Pearl of Careous is powerful—guard it with your life. Train yourself further until you are truly worthy of its power. Show it that you deserve to be its guardian."

  The pearl appeared from Lord Javaid’s necklace.

  Vera: "Still don’t trust your future guardian? What do you want him to do to prove himself worthy?"

  The pearl glowed and changed colors, communicating with Vera telepathically.

  Vera: "I never thought we’d meet again. The last time I saw you, you were in the crown of the King of Careous, cherished by the royal bloodline. I never expected their entire kingdom to perish when the volcano beneath the sea erupted. We couldn’t do anything to save them. But the King saved you… he managed to cast you far from their realm."

  Tears welled up in Vera’s eyes as she recalled the past. The pearl floated toward her, and she held it gently.

  Vera: "It brings me joy to see you again. I hope you let Lord Javaid prove he is worthy to be your guardian and the rightful heir to the throne of Avisania. I see in him the determination to fulfill his duty and serve his people."

  She placed the pearl back in Lord Javaid’s hand, though the pearl resisted leaving her.

  Vera: "You know you can’t stay with me. My Amea would turn you to ash. You must return to your chosen guardian. I won’t help him next time, so it’s your duty to protect and guide him. Can you do that?"

  The pearl returned to Lord Javaid, who remained unconscious. Vera’s tears fell as she remembered the ancient kingdom of Careous—once a peaceful, beautiful realm beneath the sea. Lord Devian approached her and gently wiped her tears.

  Vera: "I wish I could’ve done something back then, but I was too young to use my Amea and the red staff to save the entire kingdom of Careous."

  She broke down, sobbing. Devian embraced her gently.

  Devian: "You’re still blaming yourself. The kingdom of Careous has long since vanished. It wasn’t your fault. We were both too young when that tragedy happened. Don’t carry that burden anymore."

  Vera: "It still hurts. They were so kind to me… the first beings to pledge their loyalty. And I did nothing to save them."

  Devian: "I’m here. I hear you. I understand what you feel."

  With a snap of his fingers, Devian engulfed them in black fire, vanishing from the forest with Lord Javaid.

  They reappeared in a house near a stream at the base of a mountain. Vera had fallen asleep on Devian’s shoulder, so he carried her gently inside and laid her on a bed, covering her with a warm blanket. He brushed her hair back as he watched her sleep peacefully.

  Devian: "Rest now. You’ll need your strength in the coming days. I know you’ll love staying in this place for a few years. I’ll be with you—wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do. I’ll always be here for you… my friend."