The Third Nail

"I understand."

Iluna looked eager to try.

"Last time, I could only defeat Daknis with your help. This time, I have to prove that I can do it too."

This meaningless "competition" was really because Iluna felt Shade had done too much. Much like how Luvia often joked that she was useless, the seventeen-year-old girl also wanted to prove that among the three of them, she had an irreplaceable role.

"Your safety is what matters most."

Shade reminded her. Iluna smiled and nodded.

"Oh, there's one more thing. One of the Three Great Arcane Academies has sent a Thirteenth Ring Warlock."

Grandma Cassandra had mentioned this before.

"Who is it?"

"Someone from your Saint Byron's."

"Hm?"

Shade was quite surprised. Saint Byron's only had two Thirteenth Ring Warlocks in this era.

"Miss Danist is here? Then I'd better be careful."

"No, it's your principal, Professor Andre Pigman, the 'Silver Warden.'"

"The principal came himself?"

That was by far the most surprising news.

"But how would the Five Gods Church allow something like that?"

Though the Church and the academies were partners, under normal circumstances, a Thirteenth Ring Warlock from an academy would not casually set foot in a Church's core diocese. Middlesburg, for instance, was the core diocese of the Nature Church.

"To deal with the Interstice, the Church also needs the Academy's help. Besides, during the incident involving the second Chosen One, Miss Feliana, one of Saint Byron's founders, actually appeared. Saint Byron's believes that since it happened once, it might happen a second time."

"Though that reasoning isn't entirely unreasonable, it definitely won't happen this time. I can be certain of that."

Shade said at once. Iluna smiled as she turned the cup in hand. She had also been present when Miss Feliana appeared.

"You can be sure,