Sixteen Years (1)

"Next... next, let's talk about the story of the Master of the Castle of Origin!"

"The Master of the Castle of Origin? Who's that?"

In the summer of Year 1368, sixteen-year-old Alice Moretti stood atop the artificial rockery in the back garden of the Church of Light monastery. Looking at the more than ten children gathered in a half circle below, she revealed a mysterious smile.

"The Master of the Castle of Origin... I should probably begin with what the Castle of Origin is, right?

"Legend says that the Castle of Origin is located in the Spirit World of legends. Have you heard of the Seven Lights of the Spirit World? You haven't learned that yet? Hmm, it's fine. They're the seven administrators of the Spirit World. You should have already learned what the Spirit World is, right? Yes, you can regard them as the strongest beings in the Spirit World...

"And yet, the Seven Lights of the Spirit World are merely servants of the Castle of Origin!"

"Wow!" The children exclaimed in unison, discussing animatedly. "Then the Master of the Castle of Origin must be incredibly powerful!"

"Of course." The silver-haired, silver-eyed young girl curled her lips. She wore a hooded robe of the same color and was barefoot. Her facial features came with an inherent sense of compassion, and the red mole between her eyebrows made her seem as if she had just walked out of some religious painting. "Then do you know why He was so powerful, enough to become the Master of the Castle of Origin?"

"We don't know!" The children shook their heads in unison.

"Hmm... because..." The young girl lightly blinked and glanced toward the garden entrance. "The Master of the Castle of Origin once ascended to the Astral World and visited the Lord