Pack It All Up and Take It Away

"Thor!!!!!"

The thunderstorm turned the entire Kema Royal Palace into a gloomy shade of gray.

In one of the palace's corner towers, candles were lit along the long corridor, yet the light remained dim.

Only Keli's flowing red hair shone with a soft luster, like satin.

Years had passed, and the girl who once wore two braids and had a smattering of freckles on her face had grown up.

Keli slammed into Thor's arms, tugging at his collar, "How did you get here? Didn't you promote to a Tier 3 Wizard? Aren't you unable to leave the Land of No Owner? Did you sneak out?"

Listening to Keli's rapid-fire questions, Thor smiled and tapped her forehead, "I was out on business and passing through Kema. If I didn't come to see you, I'd probably be held a grudge, right?"

Keli covered her head and jumped back, "Ha, do you know whose head you're tapping? You're tapping the head of the future Marchioness of the Kema Principality!"

The corridor was quiet, save for Keli's playful voice.

"A Marchioness? I remember you were the Count's daughter."

"The Count has already passed away. Grand Duke Kira intends for me to inherit the title and elevate it to a Marchioness."

Thor listened, silent for a moment, "You're close to promoting to a Tier 2 Wizard, aren't you?"

Keli pulled Thor toward the corner tower, "Yes, having been surpassed by you so much, how could I not strive to catch up?"

"Can you focus on your witchcraft research here?" Thor followed Keli into the laboratory that Grand Duke Kira had specifically prepared for her within the palace.

The laboratory was filled with many materials, bottles, jars, and a crucible roasting over a flame.

Yet, besides these, there were mountains of parchment, exquisite Flower Cup Paper,