Iridescent Black

Ciri's life in Nolan had not been easy when she was young. She had grown tired of the rigid teaching system at Nolan Elementary Magic Academy, as well as the students who were always picking fights with her.

Fortunately, Ciri had a remarkable talent for fighting and could thoroughly beat her opponents into submission every time. But afterward, it was always her mother who had to apologize to everyone at the academy.

Now, whenever Ciri thought back on it, she felt nothing but guilt toward her mother. Yet by the time she had become sensible enough to apologize, it was already too late.

"Now I'm the Purple-robed One's apprentice."

Ciri took out her Fourth Level Illusionist badge. Having a fourth-level badge at her age already put her far ahead of most people her age.

So Ciri believed this was something her mother could be proud of.

"And there's someone I like..."

Ciri knelt on one knee before the gravestone, her knee sinking deep into the snow.

She spent a long time telling her mother about what had happened recently in Nolan, and about everything she had gone through—Joshua, movies, the magic web... everything.

By the time Ciri finally finished, the leg she had been kneeling on had gone numb from the Frost and Snow.

Ciri tried to straighten up and use heating magic to restore feeling to her leg, but at that instant... she vaguely felt something gently embrace her from behind.

The sensation felt both illusory and real. A strange warmth stirred awake within Ciri's body.

"Mother?"

Ciri called out tentatively, but received no answer. Only the howling wind replied.

When she reached out again and touched the name on the gravestone, Ciri saw pale blue Runes light up across her arm.

She jerked her hand back as if