Sovereign of the Ashes

The varying hues of light that danced across the crystal ball indicated Sein’s elemental affinities.

Among them, the prominent fiery red color indicated Sein’s great talent and affinity for the pyro element.

Alongside fiery red, there was also white, representing the lumen element, as well as black, symbolizing the umbra element.

Additionally, there were various other colors such as cyan for the aero element, green for dendro element, and blue for hydro element.

The presence of these other colors hinted at Sein’s potential to grasp these types of magic spells. However, he might not be able to master them as quickly as pyro magic spells.

Sein wandered through the public library of the academy, but he was unable to find any lumen or umbra magic spells that he could afford with his remaining academy merit points.

On top of that, these two types of magic spells seemed to be relatively rare.

Although his girlfriend, Leena, possessed certain knowledge of the umbra element, Sein primarily focused on studying the pyro knowledge. He did not want to rush into exploring the umbra element due to his limited focus.

Furthermore, Sein’s focus and mana as a junior initiate limited his ability to wield a broader range of magic spells.

Only upon becoming an intermediate or senior initiate would he possess the capacity to wield more spells and delve into deeper arcane knowledge.

***

After leaving the public library, Sein resumed his routine of dedicated study. His injuries had slowly healed during this period, especially after Master Morsidor cast two additional Flesh Regeneration spells on him to accelerate his speed of recovery.

As the academy’s assessment approached, Sein’s busy yet fulfilling life began to slow down.

The Black Magic Academy held assessments every year, but not all initiates were eligible to participate.

From fresh to senior initiates, each level had its own assessments. Only the most outstanding exceptional candidates from each category would participate and potentially catch the attention of full-fledged mages.

Sein had taken part in a total of six assessments over the past ten years, with his best achievement being sixth place among the junior initiates the previous year.

However, in the annual assessments, only the top three initiates in each category would receive the academy awards. Those ranked lower gained merely a sense of participation, and they had to bear the risk of potential injury.

Unlike Sein, who had ranked sixth, Leena had managed to secure a spot in the top three twice in the past eight years. While achieving such a feat once could be attributed to luck, her consecutive successes pointed to her exceptional performance.

Through her impressive performances in these assessments, Leena had earned the reputation of a “genius” and a “crazy bitch”.

As the annual assessment drew nearer, Sein finally had the opportunity to meet Leena again.

Ever since becoming Master Fareena’s apprentice, Leena seldom returned to their dorm room.

Leena explained that she had been assisting Master Fareena in various experiments. She was also kept busy with learning the umbra magic spells that were passed down in Master Fareena’s faction.

After catching up on their respective lives, the two retired to their bed.

Due to a magic experiment accident, Leena’s appearance remained that of a young, petite girl.

Despite the perfect atmosphere, Sein refrained from jumping into action immediately. Instead, he held Leena’s hands and began sharing stories from his past.

“My name is Sein, Sein Grantt,” he began.

“I hail from a noble lineage, but I remember very little about my past. I was still too young when I first came to Gloomhaven. I remember that my mother had long, silvery hair and blue eyes that shone like sapphires. She was always dressed in pristine white.

“I take after my father, though his face is already a blur in my memory. I recall he was a stern-looking man with short blond hair, much like mine...”

As Sein delved into the limited fragments of his childhood memories, he unearthed a treasure trove of moments that had long been dormant in the depths of his mind.

He told Leena that he frequently saw an abundant wheat field from his youth, where he and his mother had once shared moments of laughter and played beneath the warm golden sun.

There were times he would wake up from those dreams, only to find the visage of his gentle and beautiful mother replaced by the dark ceiling of their room.

Unlike his vague recollections of his father, Sein had more vivid memories associated with his mother. It was likely because she had spent more time with him during his early years.

It was understandable that his father, being a member of the nobility, would have been occupied with his duties.

As Sein recounted his childhood, Leena leaned against him, listening intently.

Once Sein had exhausted his childhood memories, Leena began to share her own story.

“My name is Leena,” she began. The absence of a last name suggested her humble origins.

“I’ve forgotten everything about my childhood over my twenty-seven years of surviving in Gloomhaven, but I remember I came from a relatively desolate village. My mentor saved me from the clutches of famine and bestowed upon me the name Leena. She was not only my mentor, but also my savior,” she shared.

The mentor Leena had mentioned earlier was the black mage who tragically passed away during a magic experiment mishap.

While there was not much to delve into Leena’s childhood or origins, Sein garnered some insights into her early days upon arriving in Gloomhaven and the circumstances surrounding her late mentor.

Eight years ago, shortly after losing her mentor, Leena selected Sein as her little lab assistant. Perhaps her decision was guided by the yearning to stave off loneliness, and Sein’s adorable appearance certainly caught her eye too.

These newfound revelations allowed Sein to connect with Leena on a deeper level, erasing the final vestiges of distance between them.

After listening to Leena’s story, Sein spent some time in contemplation before posing the question he had longed to ask her.

“How old are you?”

He never regarded Leena as a teenager simply because of her youthful appearance.

Besides, Leena had also mentioned earlier that she had arrived in Gloomhaven twenty-seven years ago, implying that she was at least a decade older than Sein.

Leena lowered her head for a moment, as if deep in thought. She was not one to keep secrets, so after a brief pause, she answered, “I’m thirty-two years old.”

Leena and Sein had done the deed two years ago, this meant Leena was thirty back then.

Sein felt a sense of relief upon hearing her age, though he could not quite pinpoint why. Regardless of whether Leena had said she was in her forties or fifties, Sein would have accepted her wholeheartedly.

Yet, learning that she was only thirty-two this year put his mind at ease.

With this, there were no more secrets between them.

Although the magic crystal lamp in the room had gone out, their superior focus allowed them to see each other clearly even in the darkness.

Sein drew closer to Leena while gazing at her delicate and icy countenance.

Leena, seemingly anticipating his advance, breathed a sigh of relief. She welcomed his approach and willingly leaned in closer too.

“Please... be gentle,” Leena whispered, her small hands intertwining with Sein’s.

The night continued on in quiet intimacy.