Call Me "Big Sister"

Listening to Rose Marquis's words, Wayne did not feel warmed. Instead, he felt inexplicably afraid.

Because—

Those words did not sound like blessings one could offer upon meeting someone for the first time, or even after merely getting acquainted.

They sounded more like the words of an elder.

But Wayne knew clearly that this was his first meeting with Rose Marquis. In all the time before this—

It had only ever been—

Wayne knew Rose Marquis, while she did not know Wayne.

Before Wayne could think further—

He floated into the air again.

A moment later—

Wayne and Rose Marquis landed atop the head of an ice dragon whose entire body gleamed like crystal ice.

"Ivy, sorry to trouble you!"

As soon as the words fell—

A young girl's voice came from the dragon's mouth, sounding somewhat excited.

"Haha, Anne, this is no trouble at all.

Decades from now—

This genius will remember me because of today!"

After saying that—

The giant dragon flapped its enormous wings and soared into the sky.

After releasing a roar into the heavens—

It began flying low through the air—

Circling the entirety of Rose City in a grand procession.

Standing atop the dragon's head—

Wayne gazed at the astonished crowd below.

At that moment—

Rose Marquis's voice rang out. "Little Wayne—

Is there a girl you like?

Or perhaps someone who bullies you?

Want to ride in on a dragon and put on a show while we have the chance?"

As soon as she said this—

Wayne could clearly sense the seriousness in her words.

He rubbed his forehead. "My Lady Marquis, I'm not some descendant of a noble family.

I'm Xun Lie's descendant.

Who would be blind enough to bully me? As for girls I like, that's even less necessary.

Back then, I was still worried about awakening my talent.

How could I have had the mind for that?"

Upon hearing this—

Rose Marquis spoke with a regretful tone.

"I nearly forgot that you are Xun Lie's descendant.

What a pity."

Hearing that—

Wayne was secretly speechless. You're a fifth-level Full Moon Lord Wizard, and you can forget things?

Who would believe that?

She was clearly trying her luck to see whether anyone really was foolish enough to offend him. The regret in her tone—

Did not sound like teasing at all.

Although, from the dragon's words and Rose Marquis's own remarks—

Wayne had guessed part of the reason—

He still asked curiously.

"My Lady Marquis..."

Before he could finish, Rose Marquis interrupted him.

"Call me Big Sister!"

As soon as she said that—

Wayne nearly lost his composure. The look he gave Rose Marquis became even stranger. If he remembered correctly—

Rose Marquis—

Was at least a hundred years old by now, wasn't she?

As he pondered this, Rose Marquis spoke in a somewhat chilly voice.

"Little Wayne—

I have a feeling you're thinking something improper!"

Wayne hurriedly shook his head.

Then he declared firmly, "Big Sister!"

"Hehe, at least you know what's good for you!"

Looking at Rose Marquis's beaming smile, Wayne considered things for a moment before continuing his earlier question.

"Big Sister, why... why are you treating me so well?"

Upon hearing this—

Rose Marquis chuckled. "You call this treating you well?

Little Wayne, you really are starved for affection!"

Hearing that—

Wayne's little face darkened ^_^. Why am I starved for affection?

Don't you know that yourself?

Before he could think more about it, Rose Marquis spoke again.

"To me, it is merely a small effort. I haven't even spent half a gold coin. You must remember—

Words and smiles—

Are the cheapest things in this world. You may remember them, but do not be moved by them!"

As she spoke, her smile slowly faded.

With a trace of reminiscence in her voice, she said—

"Do you know what qualifications I had when I awakened my talent?"

Before Wayne could respond—

Rose Marquis continued.

"Spirit and ice element—two top-tier talents.

And now—

Your talents are the same as mine, two top-tier talents. Though I was not born a commoner, I was not far from one either. That means—

Given some time—

You can also reach my current status and realm."

Wayne inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she did not have ulterior motives, it was fine.

After all—

Free things were the most expensive.

Especially sugar-coated bullets like these. Before he knew her purpose—

There was nowhere for him to hide.

"So, can I take it that Big Sister is investing in me?"

He paused before continuing.

"But as far as I know—

People with dual top-tier talents like mine have appeared before.

Why am I the only one—

Receiving the treatment of riding a dragon?"

Hearing Wayne's question—

Rose Marquis shook her head slightly. "There have been such people.

But at the time—

They would not have been assigned to me, so naturally they were not worth much of my investment."

She explained—

"The Atlantis Empire is expanding outward in all four directions—

East, south, west, and north.

And Lord Wizards are the protagonists of this era.

Seventy-five years ago—

I graduated from the Lord Wizard Academy at the Imperial Central Academy and was assigned to the south, where I opened up what is now the Rose Marquisate.

As for the Lord Wizard Academy's assignments—

Every twenty-five years, Lord Wizards are assigned in one direction—

To expand and establish territories of their own."

Hearing this—

Wayne began to understand.

"In other words, when I am assigned twenty-five years from now—

It will be the south, where the current Rose Territory lies.

Is that right?"

Rose Marquis smiled sweetly.

"You're fairly clever!

That is why I treat you this way.

With the same talents—

I know better than you how far you can go."

After thinking it over briefly—

Wayne nodded slightly. "If that is the case—

Then, Big Sister—

Please take care of me in the future!!"

Rose Marquis chuckled. "I would have done so even if you had not asked.

Having one more helper—

And a friendly neighbor, is a wonderful thing for me."

Hearing this, Wayne relaxed completely.

He sat down.

Tilting his head back, he looked at Rose Marquis.

"Can you tell me about studying at the academy?

What should I pay attention to?"

Rose Marquis pondered for a moment, seeming to search through her distant memories—

For the relevant information.

Only after a long while did she begin to explain.

"The Imperial Central Academy is actually a collective term.

It is divided into three major types of academies.

First, the Knight Academy.

Second, the Elemental Wizard Academy.

Third, the protagonist of this era—the Lord Wizard Academy."

"Lord Wizards?

I've heard that term many times already. What is different about them?

And why are they the protagonists of this era?"

Rose Marquis smiled faintly and asked in return—

"Since you are Xun Lie's descendant—

You should have seen the document given to wizards and knights as a memento upon graduating from the Central Academy—

The one that ends with 'the Great Expansion Era blessed by fate,' correct?"

When Wayne nodded, Rose Marquis continued—

"The reason—

Lord Wizards are called the protagonists of this era is related to that. After thirty thousand years of the Great Expansion Era—

Because a great deal of world origin had fused in—

After the world ascended,

it began to continually absorb and expand.

Take the Myriad Clans Continent beneath our feet—the landmass is still constantly growing even now.

That is one reason.

The second reason is that the myriad clans prayed for peace and recovery.

The Sanctuary Will heard their pleas.

Humans, elves, and dragons—

as the main forces of the Great Expansion Era, the three races had seen their populations dwindle after thirty thousand years of warfare.

Thus, the Sanctuary World's will

bestowed upon them humanity's "lord wizards," the elves' "sprites," and the dragons' "companion treasures."

That was the second reason.

There was one final reason: when a level-eight rule lord wizard appeared,

they would bring

enormous benefits to the Sanctuary World. That was why lord wizards

were hailed as the protagonists of this era."

Wayne nodded slightly, before he could think further,

the Rose Marquis said,

"You only need a basic understanding of all this.

Once you enroll,

there will be specialized courses covering it. If I say too much now, you might not be able to take it in when the time comes.

What I'm about to tell you next

is the real key.

You must remember it firmly."