Don was reviewing a list with a frown when he saw Max approaching.
The carriage was already waiting by the castle’s side entrance. Two dark horses pawed at the ground impatiently while guards loaded crates into the back.
“If you’re going to ask for sweets again, no,” Don said without looking up.
“They’re not sweets.”
Don raised an eyebrow.
“That worries me more.”
Max stopped beside the carriage.
“You’re heading into town, right?”
“Like every day.”
“I need you to buy me something.”
Don sighed theatrically.
“Tell me it’s not another strange artifact you saw at some shady stall.”
“An Illusory Echo Necklace.”
Don blinked.
“That little toy merchants sell so kids can scare each other?”
“That’s the one.”
Don stared at him in silence.
“May I ask why the royal pet wants a carnival toy?”
Max shrugged.
“I think it’s fun.”
Don narrowed his eyes.
“You’re not convincing.”
“Buy it anyway. Remember, I have information about you.”
Don snorted.
“Fine. If they have it, I’ll bring it.”
He climbed into the carriage quickly.
“But if you end up in trouble playing with that thing, don’t involve me.”
“Promise.”
Don clicked his tongue, gave the order, and the carriage began moving toward the castle gates.
Max watched it disappear.
A translucent window appeared before his eyes.
[ New Main Quest ]
[ Win the duel for the princess’s hand without your companions dying. ]
[ Reward: Ultra Rare Item. ]
[ Estimated Difficulty: Extremely High. ]
Max stood still.
‘…great. “Without your companions dying.”’
He let the air out slowly.
“Ultra Rare Item…”
That meant even the system recognized this wasn’t a normal quest.
This was a big gamble.
He ran a hand through his hair. He’d rather be in his room. Calm. Playing something. Anything.
Since arriving in this world, not a single day had passed without something absurd, dangerous, or outright deadly happening.
Fires.
Poisonings.
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Intrigue.
Now a three-versus-three duel where everything was allowed.
He looked up at the clear sky.
“My luck sucks.”
But there was no turning back. If even the system was pushing him in that direction… then it was official.
He was going to fight Taniel.
And he couldn’t afford to lose.
He closed the window with a mental gesture.
Exhaled.
“First, the ring. Second, the necklace. Third…”
He turned toward the wing where the training halls were located.
“…see how Moon’s doing.”
If she was going to be in that fight, he needed to make sure she was ready.
And deep down, he also needed to see her.
Because if something went wrong…
He didn’t want his last image to be a blue window saying “Failure.”
He started walking.
***
The double doors to the magic classroom were half-open, as usual.
Max stopped before pushing them.
From inside, he heard Elanor’s clear voice.
“Focus on the flow. Don’t force the core.”
A current of air slipped through the crack… lifting strands of his hair.
Max peeked inside.
And blinked.
Moon was suspended in midair.
Her small white wings moved slightly, as if assisting the motion… but they weren’t what was holding her up.
It was wind.
A gentle vortex spun beneath her feet, lifting her with surprising stability. Her violet hair floated around her face as she kept her eyes closed in concentration.
Elanor watched her closely, clearly impressed.
“That’s it. Keep the pressure steady.”
Moon extended one hand.
Small flames appeared.
Not one.
Five.
They orbited around her unevenly, dancing like fiery fireflies.
Max felt a chill.
Yesterday she could barely spit out a stable spark.
Today she was floating… and manipulating multiple elements at the same time.
Moon opened her eyes.
The flames began to spin faster.
Then, with a quick gesture from her other hand, small bubbles of water formed in front of her.
She launched them.
Each bubble collided with a flame.
Fsssh—
Steam.
The flames extinguished in a white cloud that dissipated into the air.
The wind faded gently, and Moon descended lightly until her feet touched the floor.
Elanor began clapping, pride shining in her eyes.
“Excellent! That was true simultaneous control! In a single class!”
Moon was breathing hard… but smiling brightly.
That’s when she saw him.
Her eyes lit up.
“Daddy!”
She ran toward the door and practically threw herself at him.
Max barely had time to open his arms before she hugged him tightly.
“Did you see? Did you see what I can do?”
Max stayed silent for a few seconds.
He was still processing what he had witnessed.
“…I’m amazed.”
And it was true.
Moon puffed out her chest proudly.
“I’m going to get strong! So I can cover you in the duel!”
Max felt a small knot in his stomach.
He hugged her a little tighter.
“Easy. You don’t have to cover anyone.”
Moon shook her head firmly.
“Yes! I’ll protect you!”
Elanor approached, still smiling.
“I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve never seen someone progress like this in a single day.”
Max looked up at her.
“Not even you?”
Elanor shook her head softly.
“Not even me.”
That was saying a lot.
At that moment, Max decided to check Moon’s new stats.
[ Moonlight – Level 4 ]
[ HP: 22 ]
[ Strength: 40 ]
[ Endurance: 20 ]
[ Agility: 25 ]
[ Magic: 40 ]
[ Luck: 16 ]
Max smiled.
‘She leveled up again…’
Forty strength. Forty magic. In three levels. It was absurd.
“Then… I think you’re ready.”
Moon tilted her head.
“Ready?”
Max reached into his backpack.
“For your gift.”
He pulled out the sword.
The blade shone with a dual glow: a pale blue edge like frost… and red veins that seemed to pulse with inner heat.
The Sword of Frozen Flame.
Moon’s eyes widened.
Elanor fell silent as well.
Max held it out in front of her.
“If you’re going to fight… at least do it with this.”
Moon took the sword with both hands.
A magical pulse swept through the classroom.
The torch flames flickered and shrank.
Elanor murmured, almost to herself,
“That’s no ordinary weapon…”
Max watched Moon.
Her grip was natural.
Her stance steady.
As if the weapon had been made for her.
The moment was interrupted by Sophie and Abby calling them to go take a bath before dinner.
