The radiant light of the morning sun filtered through the lush canopy, providing warmth to the small group of Magi gathered in the grove by Marian Lake.

On a sturdy boulder, an old man wearing dark robes and a cape that seemed to be made up of countless raven feathers looked at the three young teenagers before him with a gentle smile.

These three were the most promising Mana Foundation-level students at Saratoga Castle, so Marcus had taken it upon himself to personally guide them. The three were also born and brought up in Ravenfell, their families bound to the city by a long and storied lineage.

An elven boy, a human girl, and finally a human boy.

Hmm, now how should I begin? Marcus closed his eyes and stroked his beard, pondering.

Today was their first day of training. So, the Headmaster thought of starting with something simple. However, before he had the chance to, the young elf with ash blond hair suddenly shot him an intense glance.

"Mentor," he said, "are you strong?"

Marcus couldn't help but chuckle at that question. He raised his one eyebrow in amusement and said, "Oh, I'm fairly strong, I suppose. I'm the Headmaster of Saratgoa, after all."

The elf lowered his head, thinking deeply. Several moments later, he looked at Marcus and asked another question:

"Do you think… one day I can be as strong as you?"

Marcus smiled faintly, thinking to himself, The boy has ambition. Good!

But before he could reply, the girl standing next to the elf scoffed. "Do you think just anyone could become strong like Mentor? Hmph! My mother said he's a Mana Core Magus and one of the strongest in the Empire! Do you even know what that means? Only the truly talented can reach that realm!"

The elf's eyes narrowed as he looked at the girl. "Sabrina, do you think I'm not talented enough?"

The little girl with dark brown hair wanted to retort, but seeing Nylian's deep frown, she quickly turned away. "Hmph! Why are you asking me? I've only known you for a couple of days, idiot!"

Nylian frowned even more. Apparently, he was dissatisfied with not receiving any validation from his fellow students. He then turned to the other boy, standing beside Sabrina, and asked with sparkling eyes.

"What about you, Daniel?" He asked with barely surprised eagerness. "Surely you think I'm talented, right?"

Daniel, the boy with short, dark hair, fidgeted with his fingers and spoke shyly, "I-I think you're very talented, Nylian."

Suddenly feeling Sabrina's piercing gaze, Daniel hurriedly added, "A-and I think Sabrina is very talented, too!"

Seeing his three students interacting with one another in such a wholesome manner, Marcus felt his heart caressed by gentle warmth.

He loved teaching little children, guiding them on the path of Magi. And these three would one day grow up to be the future of Saratoga and Ravenfell. He knew it in his heart.

His lips parted, and he gently said, "Children, I'm going to ask you all a very serious question, okay?"

Nylian immediately straightened his back. His expression radiated confidence, but deep down he was feeling hints of nervousness.

Sabrina tried to mirror the elf's posture, trying to show the same confident demeanour. But she wasn't as successful.

Daniel, on the other hand, started fidgeting with his fingers even more. His posture was clumsy, and his eyes darted all around the grove. Clearly, he was the most nervous out of the bunch.

Marcus silently studied their faces with a faint smile, then asked:

"What is your dream?"

The three young Magi were, needless to say, caught off guard. They had expected questions about the spell model applications of Rank 1 Spells or the underlying principles of arcane spell-casting, but the question turned out to be almost… too simple.

Wanting to be the first to answer, Nylian took a step forward and proudly patted his chest. "My dream is to be a powerful Magus! Just like you!"

Marcus nodded with a warm smile. "That's a worthy goal."

He then turned to the young girl, waiting for her answer. Sabrina thought for a long time, then answered, "My mother says that the Benton Family has always protected Ravenfell since it was founded… so, I think I'll do the same?"

"Very admirable." Marcus nodded. Finally, he turned to his last student. "And you, Daniel?"

"Uhm…" Daniel fidgeted with his fingers, his gaze glued to his feet. "Uhm, I don't know…"

He cast a secretive glance at his fellow students—his only friends—and meekly added, "I don't have any lofty goals. I just… I just want to live a decent life and protect the things I value, I guess."

"That's more than enough," said the Headmaster, his voice gentle. "Knowing what you want to protect gives you strength, and living a decent life takes more courage than most people realize."

"Really?!" Daniel beamed with happiness.

"Yes." Marcus nodded with a light chuckle.

He rose to his feet and slowly walked toward Marian Lake, gazing at its depths with a distant look in his eyes.

"I hope the three of you grow into splendid Magi," he said gently. "And more than that, I hope that you protect Ravenfell and Saratoga, and someday... become the ones to guide the next generation."

Sabrina ran up to Marcus. She looked up to him and said with bright, shining eyes:

"You can count on me, Mentor! I will protect my home just like my parents did, and their parents before them! I promise!"

***

Those bright, shining eyes had now lost their luster.

Marcus knelt on the marble floor, gently holding on to his student's cold, lifeless body. His expression was devoid of any emotions, but his eyes… they contained a storm of agony.

He looked directly into Sabrina's eyes. They told a story of shock, fear, sorrow, and heartbreak. Tears were still streaming down her lifeless eyes as they stared back at Marcus.

The old Headmaster's heart trembled. He then raised his hand and lowered her eyelids. He gently caressed her head and whispered:

"Rest now, my dear child…"

Then, he carefully laid her back down on the blood-stained marble floor and slowly rose to his feet. For the briefest moment, his gaze lingered on her clasped hand. He then inhaled deeply, then shifted his gaze to the heinous perpetrator.

The masked man was calmly standing with his hands clasped behing his back. Through the slits in the wooden mask, one could see his brown eyes gleaming with hints of madness.

His lips parted, and he spoke in a welcoming tone, "Hello, Headmas—"

But he never got to finish his words.

Marcus had already appeared before him. His hand was like a vice, viciously clamping down on the masked man's face.

Cracks spiderwebbed across the wooden mask as the Heasmaster shot forward, dragging him along and blasting through the manor in a violent eruption of stone and splinters.

Silence fell over the Benton Manor.

Surrounded by the ones she loved…

Sabrina slept peacefully.

Forevermore.

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