Morning has a strange habit of arriving with gentle light, even for those whose nights were anything but peaceful.

When Luis opened his eyes, he didn't feel rested.

Instead, he felt hollow.

He lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling. The faint light coming through the window painted soft patterns across the room, but it did nothing to lift the weight lingering in his chest.

Too bad even the Hypnosis spell had no control over dreams.

Luis exhaled slowly.

'Maybe Teacher Hena has a solution.'

She was far more knowledgeable about mental spells and consciousness than he was. If anyone could help with something like dream interference, it would probably be her.

Anyway, once he returned to the academy, he planned to ask her about it.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Luis sat up and swung his legs off the bed.

"Lily," he spoke calmly, his voice slightly hoarse from sleep. "What was Cobert's reply to the message I asked you to send yesterday?"

A faint blue glow flickered in the air, and Lily's small holographic figure appeared beside the bed.

{He said he would help, Master. However, the other assassins must be paid appropriately.}

Luis nodded.

"Well, that's expected."

Cobert was a moody, lazy-ass, but the people under him were professionals. Asking them to take part in an operation without proper payment would only damage future cooperation.

"Well, that's good," Luis continued. "Ask him to gather everyone in Selvas City by tonight. His mission will start tomorrow."

{Yes, Master.}

Lily gave a small nod.

Luis stretched his arms slightly before standing up fully.

Noticing that Lily hadn't disappeared yet, he glanced toward her.

"…Is there anything else to report?"

{Yes, Master. The core targets, Sera Dennis and Alex Stain, have left the academy campus.}

Luis paused.

"Oh?"

That was interesting.

"Where are they going?" he asked, lifting an eyebrow.

{From Tuxel City, they used a transport circle to travel to the city of Almast.}

"Almast, huh…"

Luis leaned slightly against the side of the bed.

Then a small chuckle escaped his lips.

"Hehehe…"

"Let me guess," he said. "They went there at Sera's suggestion, didn't they?"

{Indeed. According to their conversation, Sera intends to help Alex improve his strength more quickly.}

Luis nodded slowly.

"Alright."

"Send some button drones to monitor the drunkard half-dwarf in Almast."

"I want their conversation recorded. I'll listen to it later."

{Understood, Master.}

With that, Lily's hologram flickered and disappeared from the room.

Luis went through his morning routine quickly before heading downstairs.

---

When he arrived at the dining hall, breakfast had already been prepared.

Luis sat down and began eating calmly, though his mind was still half occupied with the various plans running through his head.

After a few bites, he glanced toward one of the nearby maids.

"Where is everyone?" he asked.

The maid immediately stepped forward and bowed slightly.

"Young Master Luis, Master Ronald hasn't returned yet."

She continued politely,

"Lady Lumine and Lady Alicia are currently at the training grounds with the guest."

Luis paused mid-bite.

"Guest?"

He frowned slightly.

"Who?"

He didn't expect anyone to visit the estate so early in the morning.

Even if it was already around a quarter past nine.

"I'm afraid I don't recognise her, Young Master," the maid replied respectfully with another small bow.

Luis waved his hand casually.

"Alright. Go do your job."

"Yes, young master."

The maid quietly left.

Luis resumed eating, though his thoughts were no longer focused on breakfast.

According to his plan, he intended to work on his research after finishing his meal.

But now…

A mysterious guest had appeared!

Naturally, that piqued his curiosity.

He swallowed the last piece of food before speaking again.

"Lily, who's here?"

Her voice echoed softly inside his mind.

{Your cousin, Aurelia Ragnar, Master.}

Luis blinked.

"Huh?"

"She's already here?"

He had heard from his mother that Aurelia might visit soon, but he assumed it would take a few more days.

Apparently not.

Luis leaned back slightly in his chair.

'So the storm has arrived early.'

Aurelia Ragnar.

Even in the original storyline, she was not someone easy to deal with.

Luis grabbed the remaining bread on the plate and stood up.

'In that case…'

He casually stuffed the last bite into his mouth.

'Let's go see this so-called cousin of mine.'

Not wasting any more time, he headed toward the training grounds.

At a distance, the maid who had spoken to him earlier watched him leave.

She clasped her hands together in admiration.

"As expected of Young Master…"

She murmured softly.

"Even when eating so quickly, his manners are still full of elegance."

***

When Luis arrived near the training ground, the loud sounds of crashing and colliding forces echoed across the estate long before the battlefield came into view.

Wind howled through the trees, carrying the sharp crack of ice breaking apart and the distant rumble of thunder.

'Huh… wait? Thunder? Is Alicia using the Magnus gloves?' He wondered.

As he stepped closer, he noticed Lumine standing calmly near the edge of the field with her arms folded, watching the fight unfold.

"Morning, Mom."

"Oh, you are up," Lumine replied without turning her head. "Watch the battle. It's getting interesting."

"Really…?"

Curious, Luis shifted his gaze toward the training ground.

For a brief moment, the violent magic dominating the field made it difficult to see clearly. A thick veil of swirling mist covered the entire area, the fog twisting and shifting unnaturally under the influence of powerful wind currents. Ice spikes littered the frozen ground, while shards of shattered frost glittered like scattered glass.

Luis opened his perception. Then saw her.

Standing quietly within the storm was a young woman with long silver hair that flowed like moonlight under the flashing sky. A small braid ran along the side of her head, keeping part of her hair neatly tucked while the rest drifted behind her in the restless wind.

Her calm blue eyes reflected the lightning above as if the storm itself belonged to her. Despite the chaotic battlefield, her expression remained composed, almost serene.

Aurelia Ragnar.

***

[Quiz Time:]

Q) Guess which element Aurelia has affinity with?

A): ???