"Have you ever thought... you’d leave Veldora someday?" Lumine asked, her voice softer as they walked along the road lit by the fading sun. There was something distant in her expression, almost nostalgic.

Her hand rested in his as they walked, the moment quieter than before.

Cassian didn’t need to think.

"Never," he said, shaking his head. "I figured I’d just... stay there. Maybe get married, live out my life in Veldora and that’d be it."

He let out a small breath.

"I wasn’t exactly gifted... not physically, not mentally either."

Lumine glanced at him, curious.

"Then what changed?"

Cassian gave a small shrug.

"I got beaten unconscious," he said plainly. "Next thing I knew, I woke up in front of the Scarlet Castle."

He let out a faint breath.

"Lucky for me, I’ve got a bit of Ven Dyke blood... and I ran into the right people. Ended up getting assigned as Lady Katherine’s servant..."

A slight smirk touched his lips.

"And yeah... here I am."

He glanced at her.

"What about you?"

Lumine smiled faintly.

"I’ve been on the road for as long as I can remember," she said. "But most of my teenage years... I spent them here, in Magisteria."

Her gaze drifted ahead.

"So it kind of became home. I figured I’d just stay here... it’s not exactly peaceful, but not too violent either. Good place for training... for growing as a Circle Warrior."

Then she exhaled softly.

"But the war changed that. Had to drop those plans."

A pause.

"Though... in a way, it’s better," she added, a hint of determination returning. "Breakthrough rates for Circle Warriors have almost doubled... might even triple in the next few months."

Her grip on his hand tightened just slightly.

"So I’ll have more chances."

"Yeah..." Cassian said quietly. "I’ve almost finished my mana circulation... and my circle’s already absorbed the material for the next stage..."

His gaze drifted slightly, checking his status after a long time.

[Name : Senior Trainee Cassian ven Dyke

Warrior level : Adept

Attributes:

Strength: 39

Agility: 39

Endurance: 67

Intelligence: 19

Dexterity: 33

Vitality: 100

System Function:

Training Field (Status: Available)

Skills:

Cleaning: Adept

Sword Mastery: Adept Lv3 (Gale Whisper Sword Style: Lv28)

Full Body Massage Mastery: Lv2 (619/1000)

Passive Skills:

Self Healing

Pain Immunity

Mana Rotation and Sealing Techniques: Blood Fire Tempering

Total Seals: ??

Completed Seals: 1

Rotations for Second Seal: 100/100

Resources Required:

Fire Mana Crystal: 1kg

Heart of 3-Star Monster: (5/5)

Accepted Tasks: The Skilled Masseur: (Completed)

Completed Tasks: Mage Slayer (Completed)

Silent Execution (Completed)

Path of the Gladiator (Completed)

Training Points: 1501]

"Really?" Lumine asked, clearly surprised, a wide smile spreading across her face. "What kind of circulation technique are you using to progress that fast? It hasn’t even been a year since you became a First Circle Warrior, right?"

Cassian smiled a little at her reaction and nodded.

"I’m using one from the Ven Dykes—Blood Fire Tempering," he said. "It kind of reinforces the blood... boosts vitality. Makes healing a lot stronger too."

Lumine nodded, impressed. "That’s a good one. My sister said she’s kept a few techniques aside for me too... for when I reach that level."

Her expression dipped slightly near the end.

Cassian noticed and pulled her a little closer.

"You’ll get there soon," he said.

That made her smile at him—but there was still a hint of sadness in it.

Cassian couldn’t really do much about that.

Becoming a Circle Warrior was something you achieved on your own. No one else could walk that path for you.

By the time they reached the front of her house, both of them slowed... then stopped.

Neither stepped inside.

"I’m... a little scared," Lumine said quietly.

Cassian looked at her, a bit confused at first, though a faint smile still lingered. "Of what?"

"...Leaving tomorrow," she admitted, her grip on his arm tightening slightly.

That made her smile at him—but there was still a hint of sadness in it.

Cassian couldn’t really do much about that.

Becoming a Circle Warrior was something you achieved on your own. No one else could walk that path for you.

By the time they reached the front of her house, both of them slowed... then stopped.

Neither stepped inside.

"I’m... a little scared," Lumine said quietly.

Cassian looked at her, a bit confused at first, though a faint smile still lingered. "Of what?"

"...Leaving tomorrow," she admitted, her grip on his arm tightening slightly.

"Don’t worry... I won’t let anything happen to us," Cassian said, trying to reassure her.

But Lumine still looked uneasy.

"I know... but I’m scared I won’t get to see my sister again if I leave tomorrow..." she admitted, her voice quieter.

"Hey..." Cassian’s tone sharpened slightly, a hint of irritation slipping in. "Don’t say things like that."

He looked at her firmly.

"She’ll be fine. And so will we."

He almost added more—but stopped himself.

With that, they stepped inside, and not long after, dinner was ready.

—

"That was some spicy fish, Lucy..." Cassian muttered as he walked toward his room, still feeling the heat lingering on his lips. Then, with a faint smirk, he added, "My lips are still burning... feels like I need something sweet to fix that..."

"Well... my lady might have some fruit in her room," Lucy replied, a teasing smile playing on her lips.

"I was hoping for something a little softer than fruit..." Cassian said as he stepped inside, glancing around the empty room. "...but I guess that’ll do. And looks like our lady still isn’t back."

Ravees followed in behind him, a faint hint of disappointment in her expression.

Lucy noticed it and quickly spoke up, "Then how about we play something while we wait?"

Cassian nodded, picking up a bowl as he replied, "Yeah... sounds good."

Then Lucy turned to Ravees, her eyes bright with excitement. "You should join us too—I picked up a game from the market today. Let’s try it."

Ravees hesitated, clearly reluctant. But Lucy’s hopeful eyes lingered on her—and Cassian, already leaning back and casually eating fruit, didn’t seem to care either way.

Her own lips still burned faintly from the spices.

With a quiet sigh, she gave in.

"...Fine. But only until my lady gets back."