Amronde, the original founder of the Bloodsail Alliance, once known as the wielder of the Light Sword, and now one of the thirteen elders of the alliance, was recognized as the top talent on Black Tower Wizard Academy's ranking of newcomers. He was the first apprentice to be acknowledged by a wizard this year.

Everything about Amronde spoke to his refusal to be ordinary. Holding a glass, he stood quietly, gazing at the person he once viewed as unreachable aboard the sea wheel—the one he had to look up to—Solam.

"I am no longer the weakling I once was. Over these three years, I've grown so much. I now have the right to look you in the eye! Moreover, with all the Bloodsail Alliance members present, if he dares do anything outrageous, I need only give the order..."

Feeling the presence of those around him, Amronde finally felt confident. With a smile, he approached Solam.

Amronde looked Solam straight in the eye and confidently extended his hand.

If Solam dared to act out of line, Amronde wouldn't hesitate to show him disrespect. The Bloodsail Alliance members were no longer the children from the sea wheel!

Amronde locked eyes with Solam, waiting for his next move.

Smack!

Solam grasped Amronde’s hand, smiling gracefully, “Amronde, I remember you.”

Uh...

For a moment, Amronde was at a loss for words. He hadn't realized that he had developed a sense of antagonism towards Solam. Was it born from his past fears?

Silently shaking his head, Amronde steadied his emotions and said calmly, “Solam, over these three years, none of the Bloodsail Alliance has forgotten you.”

His words were double-edged. On one hand, they acknowledged Solam's strength; on the other, they alluded to Solam bringing the Faceless Mask to intercept the ship originally heading to Ilysse Cabin Wizard Academy, altering their destinies.

Solam did not try to justify his actions but admitted openly, “I was the reason the Faceless Mask instructor hijacked the ship to Ilysse Cabin Wizard Academy. There's nothing to hide. I came here today to do one thing... I wish to join the Bloodsail Alliance.”

Amidst the stunned silence, Solam continued, “Although I didn't think much of you at first, the fact that you formed an alliance and defeated the sailors on the ship reminded me of something significant. It deeply moved me. For three years, I've regretted not asking to join the Bloodsail Alliance as soon as I returned to the wizard continent.”

Amronde was momentarily dumbfounded, as were the other spellcasters. Nina, Astara, and the others stood frozen.

No one expected Solam to request joining the Bloodsail Alliance at this moment!

“Who?”

Suddenly, Solam turned with a surge of formidable presence, only then noticing a figure with a white mask standing close by at the hall's entrance.

Who was this person? When did the Bloodsail Alliance get someone like this?

Or was he an apprentice from previous years at the Wizard Academy?

With Solam's turn, everyone else noticed too—a masked apprentice had arrived at the entrance unnoticed, sparking the same question in everyone's mind: who was this person?

This figure was none other than Nidhogg!

Feeling slightly awkward, Nidhogg realized that, days earlier, he had used his potion and scent mapping knowledge to create a concoction that eliminated his natural scent.

Having grown used to solitary endeavors and silence, Nidhogg moved like a soundless ghost, often unnoticed until suddenly discovered, startling those around him.

"I'm..."

"Nidhogg! Haha, you bastard, it's not a masquerade party. What are you doing with a mask on?" Binhansen interrupted Nidhogg, being the first to recognize him and approached jokingly.

"Nidhogg?"

Nina, Yorkris, Yorkliana, and the girl beside Binhansen approached in disbelief.

Astara's face darkened. He took a deep breath to calm himself, maintaining composure as he followed.

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Solam, turning back to Nidhogg with a moment of recollection, said, “Nidhogg? I remember now. I know you.”

He extended his hand proactively.

Nidhogg was puzzled. Had this guy changed his attitude, or had he been pretending all along?

Nidhogg clearly remembered when Solam, disguised as Giram, was arrogant and dismissive, acting like the main character of a novel.

However, since Solam had extended a hand, Nidhogg didn’t dwell on it and shook his hand.

“Hello, Solam.”

His voice sounded a bit stiff, having spoken little over the past months.

Yorkris apologized to Amronde and Solam, “Sorry to interrupt. You two continue your discussion; we’ll move aside.”

With that, the group led Nidhogg away.

Astara hesitated, then apologized to Amronde and Solam before following.

“Come on, Nidhogg, let me introduce you to your sister-in-law. Robin, or as she’s known by her nickname, Moon,” Binhansen said, putting an arm around the pretty girl with curly brown hair.

"I haven't agreed to call you brother," Nidhogg joked, turning to Robin, “Moon Sister-in-law.”

Binhansen laughed heartily while Robin tugged his ear, “Idiot, I haven’t agreed to marry you.”

Elsewhere, Yorkris gestured to his sister, Yorkliana, and laughed, “Nidhogg, you wouldn’t believe it, but my sister talks about you non-stop. I can barely stand it. And you’ve only been out of contact for half a year, and she already suggested you might be dead, haha.”

Yorkliana quickly and nervously said, “I didn’t…”

Just then, Astara stepped forward, laughing loudly, “Nidhogg, welcome back!”

He moved as if to give Nidhogg an embrace.

But Nina and Binhansen's smiles faltered, leaving only Yorkris, his sister, and Robin smiling cluelessly.

Nidhogg’s expression shifted beneath his mask, unobservable by others. Astara addressed Nidhogg as if he were the leader of a small group.

If Nina had said those words, it would be understandable, but to hear them from Astara?

The atmosphere grew tense.

“Enough!”

Nina shouted, startling everyone. They turned to her in surprise.

Nina, known for her sharp tongue, was usually amiable with them. They were puzzled by her sudden outburst.

Nina stood and pointed at Astara, coldly saying, “Enough. This is a gathering of our original sea wheel team. Please leave.”

“Nina, you know I…”

Astara tried to explain.

“I won't repeat myself. Get out!”

Nina shouted, breathing heavily, clearly enraged by Astara’s behavior.

Her sudden outburst caused some at the ball to glance over, but seeing Nina, they quickly looked away.

No one in the Bloodsail Alliance wanted to provoke the venomous queen.

Astara breathed deeply, seeing Nina treat him like this. He couldn’t stay calm, feeling as if his heart was breaking.

Red-faced, Astara pointed at Nidhogg and roared, “I challenge you to a duel, man to man, for Nina’s affection!”

Watching the scene unfold, Nidhogg felt a surge of disbelief at how someone could let trivial conflicts distract them from pursuing higher wizardry knowledge. It seemed so childish and pointless.

Was this conflict over mating rights?

It was laughable. His goals were worlds apart from such trivial concerns.

As Nidhogg was about to speak, Nina stepped in front of him, reminiscent of the sea wheel days when she would handle things for Nidhogg.

In Nina's eyes, perhaps Nidhogg was still the one who needed protection.

“Do you want me to take action, Astara? Or are you confident that you can beat me?”

Nina's eyes narrowed, her voice cold. Green tendrils appeared beneath her skin—an unknown spell.

Astara stared at Nina, feeling as if he was seeing a stranger.

Three years together, and she had never acted this way. Was it all wishful thinking on his part?

Astara took one last look at the cold-eyed Nina, closed his eyes, and left.

“Come with me.”

Nina dragged Nidhogg away, not allowing him to resist, her domineering nature evident.

Yorkris, Binhansen, and the others shrugged helplessly. The headstrong Nina left no room for protest.

With a loud thud, Nidhogg was pushed against a wall by Nina.

“Where have you been this past half year? You ignore gatherings and don’t answer crystal ball messages! Have you gone rogue, or found someone new in the academy?”

Nidhogg was taken aback by Nina's boldness, instinctively responding, “Of course, I've been preparing for the trials.”

“Is that so?”

Nidhogg suddenly felt a weight against him—Nina’s full, ample chest pressed against him, her gaze hazy. The strong scent of wine hit his face, startling him. “Are you crazy?”

Startled, Nidhogg had never been so close to a girl. He instinctively tried to evade, but Nina had him pinned, her body pressing him against the wall.

Nina looked up at Nidhogg, her gaze focused amid drunkenness.

“Crazy... Haha, no, Nidhogg, I think I’ve fallen in love with you.”

Nina whispered, gently removing Nidhogg’s mask, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“From the moment you saved me on the sea wheel, from the brink of despair, I realized I believed in love. No one else has ever made me feel like this, like they were my everything, that I’d give them all of me. I believe this is love.”

Nidhogg stared blankly at Nina, astounded by her confession.

“Ah... It feels good to say it. I feared you’d die in the trials before I had the chance.”

Nina gazed at Nidhogg lovingly, seemingly wanting to melt into him.

“You’re drunk.”

Nidhogg blushed at the forceful confession, a strange warmth spreading through him.

Nina ignored his words, looking up at him, “You’ve grown so much these years. I have to look up at you now. I remember when we were the same height.”

"I... I seek endless knowledge; there’s no possibility for us."

Nina's wine-laden breath filled Nidhogg's senses as he turned his face away, struggling.

Nina glanced downward, teasing, “Your body tells me otherwise.”

Nidhogg nearly wanted to disappear from embarrassment, struggling to maintain a stoic demeanor befitting a man.

“You already have someone in Becer City. You can’t betray him. Love shouldn’t fade with time!”

“That was just an excuse to avoid coming to the wizard continent. Baron was just someone I met at a party, nothing serious.”

Nina's eyes lit up, hearing Nidhogg knew even this about her. How could he say he didn’t like her?

“But my pursuit is...”

Nidhogg felt the coolness on his lips, the restless tongue in his mouth, the feverish heat and the pressure on his chest. His body was a powder keg exploding in a blaze!

Mind blank, Nidhogg wrapped his arms around Nina’s slender waist, pulling her seductive figure against him, passionately engaging, wanting to merge with her.

Breathless and hot, they instinctively rubbed against each other.