Silent Destiny and Approaching Darkness

Eisole Forest.

It was one of the continent's most famous great forests. Only a small portion belonged to the Kingdom of Luther and the Duchy of Ansendil, respectively; the rest was unclaimed territory. Tall Eisole beech trees clustered together, having grown here for over ten, decades, or even centuries. The sea of trees rolled like green waves in the wind, layer upon layer, sweeping past sparkling streams and nameless hills—a truly magnificent sight.

Of course, the forest harbored countless dangers. However, it wasn't impossible for people to live here. In one part of Eisole Forest, a small wooden cabin had stood for some time, its weathered wooden walls bearing the marks of time.

Outside the cabin was a small yard enclosed by a fence. Within the yard was a vegetable patch, where an old man was currently planting vegetables. The old man's hair and beard were streaked with gray. He seemed somewhat unfamiliar with the task, yet, as if by magic, he performed it better each time, unconcerned that he looked too old for farm labor.

This month was not a suitable season for farming; the Month of Wisdom was, in fact, the harvest season.

"Good afternoon, Master." The old man stopped his work as he saw someone emerge from the house. It was a girl with white-gold hair, her face pale and beaded with sweat, a sword still in her hand. The relationship between the two was quite surprising.

An old man called a girl "Master," and this girl appeared to be no more than eleven or twelve years old.

"Good afternoon, Darwin." The girl was Fatenai. She greeted him naturally, sheathed her sword, and looked around. "Where's Little White?"

Little White was the hound. Hearing Fatenai's words, Darwin thought for a moment and said, "He just went out. Perhaps he wants to fetch some cat's tail grass again?"

Fatenai nodded, then walked over to Darwin and asked, "Just call me Lonai... Have your research made any progress?"

"Of course, this is a wondrous world," Darwin replied. "Lonai, this world is covered by magic, but the magic is very thin. This creates a very delicate balance, causing the plants and animals here to develop unique traits. As a result, they are unlike any animals or plants I've ever seen... Perhaps I can write a new book!"

Fatenai smiled. Although Darwin, as a summon, was an old man, his fixed lifespan meant he suffered no illness and his mind was at its peak of activity, with no physical exhaustion. Thus, this renowned biologist was incredibly useful here.

However, writing a book was impossible. Summoned beings could only exist for one month.

"I've organized some material yesterday, though it's not much," Darwin said excitedly. "I plan to leave here this afternoon and explore further. Perhaps your hypothesis from last time is true..."

"I'm very happy to see you so enthusiastic," Fatenai said.

If they were simply living in the forest, Darwin was actually more useful than summoners with combat abilities. During his time here, he had investigated a vast number of plants and animals, and he had filled in many gaps in Fatenai's knowledge.

"I'm also happy to see you smile. I don't know what you've been through, but I hope you can be happier," Darwin said sincerely upon hearing Fatenai's words.

Fatenai froze for a moment.

It had been half a month.

The only thing Fatenai was certain of was that Wickel was dead—he had died saving her from being controlled by Ed. She couldn't understand why Wickel would sacrifice his life for a friend she had only known for a few days and who was of little use, but she also knew that, in a way, she had caused his death.

The immense blow had plunged her into a slump for several days.

"Thank you," Fatenai forced a smile. "It's a pity the equipment here is too crude, otherwise I think your abilities could accomplish much more."

"You're mistaken if you think that," Darwin's words made Fatenai pause again. "No matter where you are, a passionate heart is enough. I can see many things and remember many things. Equipment is merely for convenience."

"You're right," Fatenai said.

She had come to understand these fervent scientists over the past few days. In their pursuit of truth, they would defy everyone's will.

"Oh, look, our adventurer is back." Darwin, not noticing Fatenai's subtly changing expression, waved towards the outside. Following his gaze, Fatenai saw a figure happily bounding into the cabin's yard. Little White ran over, wagging its tail at Fatenai, a plant they had never seen before held in its mouth.

"Look what our Little White brought back, good boy." Darwin looked at Little White, watching it happily. Unfortunately, Little White couldn't see him, so Fatenai crouched down, took the plant, and handed it to Darwin.

"Thank you for your hard work." Darwin happily took the plant back into the cabin. Fatenai remained crouched, stroking Little White's head, silent.

Little White seemed to like her, wagging its tail and nuzzling Fatenai's hand—this only made her feel more ashamed.

If it weren't for her...

"Lonai, come quickly! It's amazing!" Fatenai suddenly heard Darwin's call. She responded, patted Little White's head, and walked into the cabin. Darwin was standing by the table—the only table in the cabin, piled high with bark used for recording.

Darwin held a magnifying glass, carefully examining the plant. The flower on the plant was ice blue, possessing a peculiar beauty.

"Looks like another magic-absorbing plant?" Fatenai remarked.

She had helped Darwin collect and organize materials quite a bit these past few days. Darwin's joy in his work had been infectious, and she was no longer as ignorant as she had been when she first arrived in the forest.

"Yes, the magic-absorbing part is still very powerful. It's no longer receiving nutrient supply, yet it remains vibrant—it can be judged to survive on magic. My goodness... this seems to be the plant with the highest magic absorption rate we've encountered..." Darwin muttered, becoming increasingly excited.

Fatenai also sensed the plant's peculiarity and couldn't help but ask, "So, through this, even people who can't use magic could accumulate and process magic?"

"Theoretically, yes," Darwin said.

Fatenai's eyes lit up. In addition to her greatly improved understanding of plants, her knowledge of magic had also grown. Manipulating magic was one aspect, and converting magic through incantations was another; these roughly constituted the forms of magic usage.

Most people couldn't even mobilize magic, and Fatenai was one of them. However, it wasn't an absolute rule; for example, one could mobilize magic through other channels.

Unfortunately, Fatenai couldn't find anyone familiar with magic to discuss this matter with. Even Darwin knew nothing about the use of magic in this world.

"Let me examine other aspects..." Darwin rambled on, and Fatenai carefully captured his words, recording them. "...That's about it. Other reactions need further observation. It would be great if we could collect more; perhaps we could even cultivate it."

Fatenai suggested, "Why don't you write down the steps for me? I might be able to try it."

"Are you interested in this, Lonai?" Now it was Darwin's turn to be surprised. In his opinion, Fatenai, who spent most of her days practicing swordsmanship, didn't seem like someone interested in these things.

Fatenai smiled. "I can't just let them go uncared for."

At this moment, Fatenai believed her swordmaster's assessment of her flaws. She only wanted to protect herself with swordsmanship; to truly defeat everyone... She couldn't help but gaze into the distance, her eyes filled with a hint of worry.

"That would be wonderful. You are very intelligent, and I believe you will do well. At least after I disappear, I won't have to worry about some of this science dying with me," Darwin said.

Ever since the incident with Hermes, Fatenai had been well aware that these summoned beings wouldn't stay with her for long. However, Darwin had refreshed her perception of summoned beings—he seemed unconcerned about parting, dedicating each day to the things he wished to do.

"Not really, it's just that if I don't take it seriously, I'll definitely be abandoned by my family." Fatenai, while flipping through the materials, couldn't help but recall her days in the Wisdom Family.

When she opened her eyes, she saw her mother, but her mother's expression was one of disappointment—a disappointment that was etched into her memory.

If it were just a newborn child, that expression wouldn't leave any impression, but Fatenai had lived another twenty years.

So she worked hard to become an outstanding noble in their eyes, but all her efforts turned to nothing during an awakening ceremony.

"Then you should find something you like," Darwin said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Fatenai smiled, but in her heart, she didn't know what she liked.

"I'll go cook. Let me know if you need any help," Darwin said to Fatenai, talking about his recent discoveries. As they spoke, dusk fell, and the day passed just like that. Fatenai listened with great satisfaction, but her stomach also growled. So she said, walking out of the wooden house.

The third improvement was perhaps that she had finally learned to cook.

Lately, the nights had been coming earlier and the days shorter—if it were before, she wouldn't have so many worries, but now she had to consider the safety of the wooden house.

The clouds in the sky gathered, dyed a deep orange by the twilight, and Fatenai's view of the sky was framed by the forest, incomplete, yet still breathtaking.

"The Rose Month... is almost here..." she murmured, seemingly already considering the remaining days. At the same time, her increasingly sharp senses detected something.

With the Month of Destiny approaching, she welcomed two special guests.