"From a perspective beyond humanity, this universe really was vast enough, and exploring the Star Sea was fascinating enough to captivate anyone.
No wonder so many people wanted to embark on an endless journey through the Star Sea after ascending."
"Yes. Legendary Mages were always beings who belonged to the whole universe, not confined to any one world.
Back then, my friends, family, and beloved were still around. I couldn't bear to leave, so the senior mages entrusted me with staying behind.
I thought, what a wonderful opportunity, and agreed.
I never imagined everything would change. In just a few decades, I was left all alone, with no one to turn to.
To be honest, I've grown tired of living like this. I'm just waiting for my term to end so I can leave Atrelin.
But you're different, Roland. You've only just ascended. You have plenty of time ahead of you."
Antonia was still trying to persuade Roland to take on the duty of protecting Atrelin, sincerely sharing how his feelings had developed and changed over the years.
Roland smiled without answering.
He did not really have many feelings about the future, but there was one thing: he disliked being bound by an excessively long pact.
He was a responsible man, but that was precisely why he considered it a restraint.
Now that Atrelin might also be engulfed in war, governing it would involve all sorts of headaches. He might as well leave those to Antonia.
As the saying went, if you did not hold the office, its affairs were not your concern. He had no desire to deal with all that nonsense yet.
By comparison, he had invested far more emotion and effort in the Seris School he had founded himself, as well as New Leiner, his base of