''To achieve maximum power output, a direct and constant flow of mana from your heart is needed. This is why choosing where you are shooting the spell from is important.''

''I see...''

''In theory, shooting it from your chest is the most efficient since it is the closest to your heart, but it will be hard to control.''

''Mhm...''

On the hundredth floor of the Crimson Tower V2.0, Kierra and the disciples were training as usual. It had been a few days since the admission of Mie Xieren, and the abbess had seemingly blended in quite well.

Unlike her stern public image, she was an ordinary student here. As Kierra had predicted, Mie Xieren was a woman of talent—magic talent. She had awakened three elements—ice, fire, and darkness—on top of her top-tier water root.

Kierra had paid special attention to her... when she wanted to. Kierra's teachings were spontaneous yet certainly beneficial. Most of the archwizard's time was spent doing mundane things that could help her relax.

One such 'activity' was to find Yu Chen, who has been isolating herself to desperately master an advanced spell, and tease her.

With this speed, Kierra reckoned it would take the thirsty master of White Lotus around a month or two. She felt like a bride waiting for her destined spouse to take her away for some reason.

Nevertheless, Kierra sensed the time for her next cultivating session was imminent. By now, her body was almost entirely used to qi, and she was ready to step up her cultivation base.

''Well, try it some more.''

Kierra pat Mie Xieren's shoulder and walked away. This time, she walked up to Bai Qing.

''How is the progress?'' She asked.

''Phew... ah, it's going good, master.'' Bai Qing replied, wiping the sweat from her forehead. ''However... I think I'll be having a bottleneck soon.''

''Explain.''

''So—''

As Kierra intently listened to her disciple's worries, she inadvertently noticed something strange.

''Bai Qing.''

''Yes?''

''What is that on your hip?''

A flashy card was hanging on Bai Qing's belt. Upon closer inspection, the back of the card had a simple golden grid design etched on black material, while on the front was a logo of an orange cat drawn in a cartoonish style.

''Yesterday, I met an unusual orange cat with a stall.'' Bai Qing began her story, holding the card in her hand. ''It said that I was the first human it met in this world, so it gave me this as a gift.''

''A cat...'' Kierra quietly pondered. ''I see. Did it say what this card was used for?''

At first glance, Kierra didn't feel anything special from the item, but when she concentrated her senses, she could decipher that there was an unexplained power dwelling within it.

''Ah, it said that this could be used to create a dream in which the user's lost memories could be found once again.''

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

''How intriguing...''

''Um... you can have it, master. I don't really have a memory I want to recall even if this thing is not a scam in the first place.''

''I appreciate it.''

Kierra lightly took the card and put it aside for the moment.

For the rest of the day, she continued to teach her students like normal, but the card hadn't escaped her mind yet.

'Lost memories...'

Kierra was a genius. In addition to her pure intelligence, she also had an excellent memory. Spell formations, rituals, incarnations—she could remember them clearly, but...

There was one memory in particular that she couldn't recall, no matter what. When it happened, where it happened, why it happened—she didn't remember. She only knew that it was somehow incredibly dear to her and that it involved... that woman.

''...''

Holding the card in her hand, Kierra silently stared at the orange cat's eyes.

The light coming from the stars above was reflected by the shiny surface of the card, making it flash from time to time. Kierra Turned her head to the sky, sighing.

No good.

Kierra was too distracted. She was dying of curiosity at this moment. She wanted to know the truth.

So, with a fast beating heart, the archwizard poured some of her mana into the object in her hand. It quickly shone a dim blue across the exterior before lighting up violently.

Within seconds, Kierra was engulfed by the light.

When she opened her eyes again, she found herself standing in a hallway. Outside the window, a pure white space could be seen. Guided by instinct, Kierra moved her feet forward.

With each step of her heels, a new scene appeared on either of the sides.

The image of Kierra as an innocent child.

The image of Kierra as she celebrated her ninth birthday alone.

The image of Kierra as she worked in the field, exhausted.

The image of Kierra as she read a magic book in secret.

The image of Kierra as she slowly grew up.

The image of—

Kierra felt like her life was flashing before her eyes—five hundred years. These were all the memories she made on her long journey to the top. As good with memorization as she was, Kierra felt this was fresher than whatever she could recall.

After what seemed like an eternity, Kierra finally reached the end of the hallway. There, a sole memory stood out.

''...''

In it, a young Kierra could be spotted walking hand-in-hand with another girl of her age. The girl had a confident demeanor, with soft, light blue hair casting down to her waist and a pair of exquisite golden eyes.

August Von Lilienthal.

Sword Empress.

The woman who took care of Kierra when she lost her home, who discovered Kierra's talent for magic, and who wholeheartedly supported Kierra in her endeavors.

Kierra's ex-girlfriend.

Both August and Kierra grew up in the Lily Valley—an ordinary town above the valley entire of lilies—yet their dreams were drastically different. Kierra initially wanted a simple and happy life, while August wanted to be the top.

Both of them had undisputed, unparalleled talent.

As commoners, the two rose to fame and power over the next decade. Kierra then adopted the surname and last name 'Scarlett Aspenova' before establishing the Crimson Tower. At the same time, August adopted the last name 'Lilienthal' after the place she grew up in and established the Lilienthal Empire.

Judging from the clothes and attitude of the two in this memory, Kierra guessed this happened right before the Great War. Kierra and August then were similar to a newlywed couple, always having each other's back—they were happy together.

Suddenly, Kierra, in the memory, stopped in her tracks. She gazed at the sky and spoke.

''What if... what if we couldn't come back from this war?'' She naively questioned.

At this, the other person gently stroked Kierra's cheek with her hand.

''Silly. You and I both know. We will. No matter what.'' She said confidently.

''...I can't help but be worried, Au. I'm afraid of losing you.'' The young Kierra had a bitter face. ''What if we were to be lost on the battlefield? What if we were to be separated?''

The girl held her witch hat and her lover's hand dearly. August, on the other hand, was still smiling.

''How cute.'' She muttered. ''Listen, my adorable little kitten.''

August locked eyes with Kierra, with unreserved affection and love overflowing in her pupils.

''No matter how bleak the situation might be, no matter how hopeless you are, no matter where you are... I will, with all my might, find you.''

August leaned in under the hat and pressed her lips onto Kierra's.

CRACK—!!

Right then, the space, like glass, shattered. A light brighter than the sun fell through the cracks, enveloping the lone observer's vision.

Blink.

After Kierra opened her eyes again, she found herself standing at the top of her favorite peak in White Lotus—under the stars. The card in her hand slowly disintegrated into fine orange dust and was blown away by the wind.

''...''

Kierra blankly gazed at the starry sky.

'So that woman is already here...'