Having graduated from the world’s top academy, Colette had known from the moment she first met Hulim Heyerar that her talent was A-Rank Aptitude or higher.

  Although even top academies rarely had the chance to use talent-detecting magical artifacts, over the years, educators had long worked out a set of standards for how talents of each rank manifested.

  To reach Second-Tier power at just seven or eight years old, as Hulim had—there was no doubt she possessed peak-tier talent, at minimum A-Rank.

  Colette had set her mind on recommending Hulim for admission back then.

  She finally sent a recommendation letter to the academy during Hulim’s fourth year. When the academy received Colette’s letter, its staff were rather surprised by her description: after all, a talent starting at A-Rank was a genius among geniuses even at Manacos Magic Academy, the kind of student that demanded special attention.

  Naturally, the academy could not take Colette’s word alone. For B-Rank talents, the academy would not worry much—they would verify the student’s ability upon enrollment, and revoke their spot if the reality fell far short of the recommendation.

  But A-Rank talents were a different matter; the academy could not afford to miss such a prodigy.

  Thus, the academy immediately sent a professor to deliver the official letter of admission and conduct a review. If the claims proved true, the professor would hand over the letter; if not, he would take it back.

  The person Colette had referenced when she stopped Kuno to arrange the duel between him and Hulim was none other than that professor from Manacos Magic Academy.

  Upon arriving in Mentor Town, the professor had kept a low profile. After learning more from Colette and Kuno, he observed Hulim from the shadows.

  The moment Hulim had crushed Ander with an overwhelming, unmatchable display, the seasoned professor judged at once that Colette had spoken the truth: Hulim’s talent was indeed at least A-Rank!

  He promptly gave the letter to Colette, stressing that she must ensure the girl enrolled. As for why he had not revealed himself directly—

  the academy feared such a direct approach would foster arrogance in the student, hindering her growth. They would never use such a method. Even if there was a chance the student might not attend, they would only guide her subtly, not extend a formal invitation.

  “Enrollment next year……”

  At the Heyerar residence, Hulim sat on the sofa, flipping through the letter of admission Colette had given her again and again.

  The entire envelope was enchanted with anti-counterfeit magic circles; forgery was impossible.

  All she needed to do was report for enrollment in the specified year at Langard, the Royal Capital, and she would become a student of Manacos Magic Academy.

  And her enrollment date was set for next year.

  The delay was tied to Manacos’s recruitment system: since it accepted students from all across the continent, many could not reach Langard quickly due to distance or other issues.

  If a recommendation letter was issued for the same year, the recipient might miss the enrollment window entirely before even receiving it.

  For that reason, Manacos typically sent out recommendation letters one to two years in advance.

  It made no difference to Hulim. If anything, the extra year let her learn more about Manacos in detail—and

  it was time to start preparing for life on the road ahead.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  ……

  Time passed quickly. With help from Colette, a native of the capital, Hulim gained a thorough understanding of Langard, the magic academy, and its culture.

  Additionally, with Kuno’s guidance, she mastered all kinds of common sense for traveling and living alone.

  She did not know why Teacher Kuno had offered his help so willingly, but she resolved to accept his kindness graciously.

  One day, shortly before her departure,

  her father Rezelian called Hulim to his study.

  “Father, did you need me for something?”

  Hulim bowed slightly and asked.

  Rezelian sat at his desk, gazing at his overly sensible daughter, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

  “Hulim, among my seven children, you are the youngest—but you are the one I worry about least. Sometimes I think you’ve matured far too young; you barely even fussed for affection after the age of seven……”

  Hulim: “……”

  “Sigh, my apologies. I suppose I’m growing old and rambling lately.”

  Rezelian sighed and turned to the matter at hand.

  “I called you here today to give you a gift.”

  “A gift? For me?”

  Hulim blinked in confusion.

  “Indeed. This.”

  Rezelian nodded, pulling a sword from beneath his desk. It was of moderate length, with a plain, unadorned scabbard that gave no hint of its true worth.

  But when Rezelian drew the blade, its surface shimmered with starlike silver light, catching Hulim’s gaze at once.

  “Your brothers and sisters have all left home. Except for Armen, the others all have proper protection. But you are different: the journey to Langard is long, and you will travel alone. The dangers are obvious. You already have a wand, but you lack a proper sword. So I give you this blade, forged from Mythril.”

  Hulim took the Mythril sword, running her hand over it fondly. The edge was razor-sharp; the mere brush of her fingertip against it brought a faint sting—one light press, and her skin would surely break.

  She channeled a wisp of mana into it, and the energy flowed unimpeded, thanks to the high Mythril content. In battle, the blade could function as a magical sword at any moment.

  Even with limited knowledge of weaponcraft, Hulim could tell this sword was the work of a master.

  “How do you like it?” Rezelian asked with a smile, watching his daughter’s delighted reaction.

  “I love it!”

  Hulim nodded, then lifted her head as if remembering something.

  “Father, this sword must be very expensive. What about our family’s finances……”

  Rezelian’s smile froze instantly.

  “Ahem……”

  He coughed twice, his smile turning awkward.

  “It’s…… not that expensive. Don’t worry—our family can afford it easily.”

  “Still…… to be safe, try not to draw the blade in public. You wouldn’t want to draw the attention of those with ill intent.”

  No wonder the scabbard was so plain……

  Hulim did not call out his lie about the price. A Heyerar would never spurn another’s kindness out of petty honesty. Likewise, Rezelian would never worry his daughter by overstating the cost. The sword had surely drained a great deal of the family’s wealth, but it was far from a crippling burden.

  She nodded.

  “I understand, Father.”

  Hulim slid the sword back into its scabbard and held it, planning to find a strap later to fasten it at her waist or over her back.

  Rezelian felt deep pride in his daughter’s thoughtful demeanor. After a moment’s hesitation, he spoke again.

  “There is one more thing.”

  His tone grew solemn as he said it.

  “Hulim, you know my greatest wish is to restore the Heyerar family to its former glory, to revive our ancestors’ legacy.”

  Hulim nodded.

  Rezelian went on.

  “You have earned a recommendation to Manacos Magic Academy, the finest academy in the world. That means your talent is the greatest the Heyerar family has seen in generations—”

  “So!”

  Rezelian paused, then spoke with utter sincerity.

  “I want you to forget about the Heyerar family’s affairs from this day forward!”

  Hulim’s eyes widened, staring at her father in confusion.

  “Sigh——”

  Rezelian let out a long breath.

  “My wish is mine, not yours. You have your own life to live. If your talent were the same as an ordinary Heyerar, I would not stop you from fighting for the family. But your gift is extraordinary—and that means your future is boundless. I do not want you chained down by a single family. I only want you to spread your wings freely, to live a brilliant life of your own. That…… matters more than anything.”

  “Father, I……”

  Rezelian shook his head.

  “Hulim, you need not tell me what you think. Let me be selfish for once……”

  Hulim stared silently at her father for a long while, then replied softly.

  “……I understand, Father.”

  Ps：This chapter is updated for Aeon_A