"It seemed that everything had changed."
The boy turned to look out the window, his gaze passing over the sill and settling on the blooming Moon Red Flower.
Pure moonlight streamed down, illuminating the flower and casting an illusory shadow inside the room.
He silently stared at that phantom, as though he could see the distant future through it.
"That Black-haired Youth, and that blond young man..."
Their faces repeatedly surfaced in the boy's mind, filling him with confusion and bewilderment.
His entire family had been ordinary merchants. He truly could not think of anything special about them that would warrant anyone's attention.
"Lien, it's my turn to keep watch."
Hearing his sister's gentle voice, the boy came back to his senses. He nodded to her, then lay flat on the bed and fell asleep peacefully.
The girl lowered her head to look at her younger brother, a relieved smile appearing on her face.
Her father was still alive, the merchant guild had returned, and her younger brother had not left her. This life was truly wonderful.
Sunlight bathed the land. Velin climbed out of bed, rubbed his slightly swollen head, and muttered, "I need to drink one less bottle next time."
Logically speaking, the stronger he became, the better his tolerance for alcohol ought to have been.
Yet the reality was the exact opposite of what he had imagined. Without using Battle Qi to dispel the intoxication, his tolerance had only increased a little—by about half a bottle. It was truly rather embarrassing.
After leaving his room and entering the courtyard, Velin saw Kyle striding toward him.
"My lord, there's an unexpected development."
Upon hearing that, Velin was full of question marks. Could Viscount Eli be planning to harm him? But with merely the strength of a Low-Gold mage,