Like Flowing Through a River

Fatenai understood that Hermes was telling the truth—no one had ever accurately calculated how many people could be summoned from the Grand History, and even if she summoned him continuously, the chance of summoning Hermes again was extremely low.

Ever since she arrived in this world, she had occasionally summoned characters. Sometimes it was out of boredom, but more often it was to remind herself of where she came from, holding onto some hope for a place called "home." Selfishness played a large part, and she had never been particularly impressed by any of her summoners.

However, Hermes was different.

Fatenai had unconsciously grown accustomed to, and even trusted, the boy who had helped her escape the noble circles. Even if he had done something to the wild boars in Eisole Forest...

She could summon him, and she could dismiss him, but she hadn't.

"Even though I might have done some not-so-good things? But considering I'm about to disappear anyway, Miss Fatenai, please don't hold it against me, okay?" Hermes seemed to know this, speaking with utter confidence.

"I still want to know the truth," Fatenai looked at him, her question firm.

"Eh? Alright... such a persistent young lady." Hermes was taken aback, thinking he wouldn't have to bother Fatenai with this issue after saying that. He scratched his head. "You're not a noble anymore."

"I know," Fatenai replied.

"So you can't drink black tea every day, wear dresses, pile books around casually waiting for servants to tidy them up, or play with jewels whenever you please," Hermes tilted his head as he spoke. "I hope you realize you're no longer a noble... though I originally thought you were more suited to being a noble."

Fatenai was surprised. "Why?"

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Hermes whispered a few words to her. Fatenai was even more astonished and didn't know what to say. She was surprised that Hermes had specifically gone and made the wild boars berserk because of this? That was truly...

Hermes smiled. "You need to find someone to rely on, but I am a summoner. I cannot stay with you forever... but this way, Miss, is better. You can do what you like."

Fatenai remained silent. She watched Hermes become even more transparent; he seemed as if he would vanish into thin air the next second.

"I did make the wild boars berserk, but not entirely by myself. The magic here is very strange. Perhaps some 'things' are hidden in the darkness, but I couldn't find them—Miss, you must be careful." Hermes suddenly became serious.

Fatenai nodded. She had never doubted Hermes. This, in turn, made Hermes feel a bit embarrassed and unable to speak.

In the fresh air, mixed with the scent of grass, the two stood there.

"This is goodbye, Miss Fatenai," Hermes couldn't help but smile again, saying finally, "I'm very happy to have met you."

After speaking, he vanished into the air without leaving a trace.

Perhaps the reason he had made the wild boars berserk and deliberately angered her was partly to make their parting less sad. It was hard to imagine that someone who looked like a child could possess such a mature heart. However, he had still run up to her and said goodbye.

He was still a child, after all.

Fatenai thought this, smiled, but a tear slipped from the corner of her eye. She softly said, "Me too. Thank you."

At that moment, she didn't want to do anything but stand quietly.

And when she looked down, she saw a faint glimmer in front of her, at the very spot where Hermes had been standing.

Feeling curious, she bent down and pushed aside the grass, discovering a blue-purple gemstone—the very gemstone the Arrenieu Family had given her.

Fatenai suddenly remembered that she had lost this item not long ago. But she had been too busy during her time with the Wisdom Family to remember it.

But now... Fatenai gently picked up the gemstone, suddenly nostalgic for its color...

Thump!

Thump-thump-thump!

Fatenai was still lost in memories of the past when the ground began to tremble. She couldn't help but be surprised—was this an earthquake?

But what happened next told her it wasn't.

The forest not far away was suddenly blasted by something, and a ball of fire erupted. Even though the wooden cabin was some distance away, she could feel the heat.

What happened?

Fatenai suddenly recalled Hermes' and Wickel's words, as well as the mages she had seen not long ago. What was the purpose of those mages who came to the forest? Was this their doing?

And... where was Wickel?

Fatenai wasn't worried about her own safety; instead, she worried about Wickel. But as if on cue, the sound of barking echoed in her ears. Then, a wounded hound appeared in Fatenai's sight. Its glossy fur bore several burn marks.

Seeing the hound so injured, Fatenai understood that Wickel had engaged in combat.

"What do you want?" Fatenai tried to run towards the forest, but the hound bit her calf and pulled her in the opposite direction. She couldn't help but frown, but she soon realized something.

The hound wouldn't leave Wickel easily. If Wickel had sent the hound back, it was likely to tell her to escape. Thinking this, Wickel's situation must not be good.

"Alright, I know you want to help me, or maybe you're following your master's orders," Fatenai was being dragged away by the hound, but she didn't intend to go. She tried to persuade the hound, "But I can't abandon my friend..."

The hound continued to drag her aside. Fatenai was very helpless, almost dragged away completely. Fortunately, the hound wasn't actually very strong.

"Don't be agitated," the hound, seeing it couldn't drag Fatenai, began to pace anxiously. Fatenai had no choice but to say, "I have a way. Trust me."

The hound was remarkably intelligent. Hearing Fatenai's words, it stopped, its eyes blinking as if trying to confirm if what she said was true.

"Trust me." Fatenai took a deep breath, extended her hand, and familiar patterns appeared on her hand. A beautiful magic circle soon appeared beneath her feet. This was the first time she had summoned so hastily, and she hoped she could summon someone useful this time.

The situation was more urgent than Fatenai had imagined. Just as she completed the ritual, a small fireball landed beside her. She dodged to the side, confirming she hadn't been hit, but her leg still felt a searing pain that almost made her unable to stand.

As the smoke and dust cleared, she saw who it was—a woman wearing a black cloak. Her hood had been pulled off during the fight, and her beautiful face was etched with surprise.

"Little girl?" Her tone implied disbelief that she would have to fight a little girl, leaning more towards underestimating her.

Fatenai recognized the voice. She had been among the mages who appeared in the forest earlier. Quietly activating her Eye of Connection, she once again saw the flow of magic, and it was flowing at high speed, quickly gathering around the woman. The next attack was clearly being prepared.

Perhaps she could interpret it as some kind of energy bar. For a mage of this caliber, replenishment seemed effortless.

"So... who is the master who summoned me?" A somewhat aged voice sounded beside her.

Fatenai felt even more despair.

An old man, wearing a thick coat and leaning on a cane, with a completely white beard, stood steadily beside Fatenai, creating a strange contrast with her lying on the ground.

"Charles Robert Darwin..." Fatenai no longer needed to ask who this person was. She had seen this face countless times in textbooks, but this was the first time she was meeting the "real person"—though she didn't know if she should be surprised or...

The famous British biologist who wrote On the Origin of Species, the founder of evolutionary theory.

She had finally summoned a well-known summoner, which brought Fatenai some comfort. However, Darwin's appearance couldn't change what was happening before her. It was obvious at a glance that he wasn't a combat-type. Even just looking at his aged appearance, Fatenai couldn't bear to have him participate in the battle.

"What are you looking at, little girl? Are you scared?" Only Fatenai could see Darwin. As Fatenai looked at Darwin in surprise and despair, the woman was also staring at Fatenai. She thought the little girl was frightened. "Wickel has been hiding for over a decade, and this time he specifically sent his little dog to help others escape. I thought it was 'that one'..."

"Do you have some kind of grudge?" Fatenai cautiously looked at the female mage.

"Oh, a grudge? Of course not, I'm a pacifist," the female mage denied.

Fatenai was a bit confused. When did this word appear in this world?

"Alright, I want to know if I'm going to be killed," Fatenai said.

"Of course, you will. Hmm, a fireball should do. It won't hurt too much anyway—after all, those who know Wickel's whereabouts cannot be kept alive," the female mage said matter-of-factly.

This is a pacifist?

Fatenai was shocked. Seeing her expression, the female mage seemed to pity her. "This is the best way to die. Should I make it a bit more potent? That way, you won't even leave an ugly corpse. However, I might not be able to control my magic well, or my aim might deviate..."

"Okay," Fatenai was first stunned, then sighed as if accepting the reality.

The female mage was also a bit surprised, seemingly not expecting her words to truly "move" the little girl. But she wasn't one to waste her "good luck." The fireball in her hand had already begun to change. Unfortunately, Fatenai couldn't observe closely how these flames were transforming from magic at this moment.

"Mr. Darwin, do you have any combat abilities?" Fatenai asked in a low voice, feeling the air getting hotter.

"Of course not, Master," Darwin replied rigorously. "My ability is..."

"Alright, don't say it, there's no time," Fatenai interrupted him, raising her hand as the patterns on it glowed. "Run!"