“You have talent, little one.”

To Evelin, Ylunisia was everything in the world. Ylunisia was the first person to acknowledge Ylunisia, who was ignored due to having no particular talents.

At that time, Ylunisia was almost like a kind grandmother. So, when Ylunisia said this, Evelin doubted whether she was a con artist.

“Will you be my disciple?”

“A disciple?”

Why would someone like Ylunisia need a disciple?

Seeing Evelin’s skeptical look, Ylunisia chuckled.

“I’m too old now, and I can’t make magical tools for others. So, I’m looking for someone to succeed me in making beautiful magical tools.”

What was she talking about? Ylunisia was a person who made magical tools that were rarely seen even in Evelin’s house. Evelin responded with a nonchalant voice.

“You mean the ones that make the rich happier.”

Ylunisia shook her head.

“Beautiful magical tools make everyone comfortable, not just the rich. Without that, we can’t call it a beautiful magical tool.”

Ylunisia said with a kind smile.

“If it’s you, you can make beautiful magical tools. That’s why I want to take you as my disciple.”

Those words struck young Evelin’s heart.

‘Wait, I was thinking about the past.’

Evelin let out a bitter smile. She was indulging in sentimentality even though the enemy had not yet fallen.

‘After all, I’m not a fighter.’

Even if it might have been more suitable for her, it was Ylunisia who took her as a disciple.

‘So, I have to avenge my master.’

Her two hands felt numb in the ice. She couldn’t withdraw her hands even if she wanted to.

‘Well, it’s better this way.’

Evelin shouted loudly to Hadel.

“Explode the flames towards this artifact!”

And Hadel was a diligent student. Without a moment’s hesitation, he shot the flames as Evelin instructed.

“Kraaagh!”

Espen screamed in agony. Evelin tightened her trembling hands.

‘It feels like my hands are burning. It’s too painful.’

If she couldn’t endure it now, the fight would be prolonged. Because the artifact she was holding was designed to destroy Espen’s heart directly.

‘I must not let go.’

Stabbing it to delve into the heart. If she achieved that, the one pierced by this artifact could not survive.

Normally, Espen wouldn’t show such an opening. However, Evelin, who was holding Espen, could stab him, but at the same time, there was also the possibility that the artifact could come off from the frozen Espen.

‘This is the first and the last chance.’

This artifact was Ylunisia’s final masterpiece.
Until the end, Ylunisia was a respected master. Even though there was almost no strength or will left, she moved herself only when creating this artifact. That was the reason.

“I can’t let you create such an ugly artifact.”

Beautiful artifacts were artifacts that helped others.

And ugly artifacts…

“There’s no need to name things like this.”

Were artifacts that harmed people.

Through the artifact, flames conveyed directly began to melt Espen’s heart. It was the most fatal attack for Espen, who had an ice attribute.

Upon realizing that Evelin was the one attacking him, Espen turned to her with bloodshot eyes and shouted.

“Evelin!”

Evelin closed her eyes.

With an artifact that contained her final will, she said to Evelin.

“I have to stop him, so I’m sorry to burden you with this.”

Until the end, she was a good master. It would have been fine even if she had commanded me to repay the favor I owed her.

“…”

Intermittently, Espen’s voice, calling the names of Marian, Evelin, and others, became less frequent.

The abnormal cold also disappeared.

Despite needing to witness Espen’s end, Evelin tightly closed her eyes. If she opened her eyes now and saw that final moment, tears would flow. It was because she would realize how her master had lived in agony because of such a worthless handful of ashes.

Instead, Evelin whispered in a small voice.

“I’ve kept all of Master’s wishes.”

Somewhere, it seemed like Ylunisia would smile at her.

Espen’s obsession burned away like that.

Even after Espen disappeared, the cold and ice he emitted did not vanish, making it difficult to escape from the White Jade Palace.

It was the same for me.

‘I might need a healer for this.’

My entire arm was spotted as if bruised. It was a trace of a statue I had seen a lot on the battlefield before.

‘I never imagined that being a statue would be my thing.’

I always lived wrapped in warm flames, and now I was experiencing so much. I examined my arm here and there. Hadel’s gentle lips touched my fingertips.

“Let’s get you treated quickly.”

Although it was my arm that was injured, Hadel seemed to be the one in pain. Hadel, with a heavily distorted face, looked at me with worried eyes.

It was quite strange. Facing him, I felt that it didn’t matter anymore. I smiled softly and asked Hadel.

“Is everyone in the family safe?”

When the topic of family came up, Hadel’s face darkened. Hadel turned his head to the side.