Darkness walked down the long corridor of the Second Department of Sorcery, followed closely by Two Universes.
After a long, heavy silence, Two Universes finally spoke in a slow, measured tone.
“Darkness, is this the person?”
“Lord Two Universes, I believe we made a mistake. He’s not the destined one we’re searching for.”
“But strangely enough, he possesses a rather strong aura of destiny.”
“In other words?”
“The one we’re looking for must be someone close to him—someone with a very strong connection.”
Darkness responded anxiously to Two Universes’ probing, sincerely troubled despite being from a long line of seers.
Though he usually had full confidence in his divinations, this unexpected error unsettled him.
Still, it wouldn’t hinder their broader plans.
“It matters not. We’ve been searching for the destined one for over a decade. A little more time won’t hurt.”
Two Universes appeared unbothered, even graceful in acceptance.
“Narrowing it down to this degree is already a testament to your dedication.”
“Besides, today’s visit isn’t about finding the destined one.”
“Thank you, Lord Two Universes, for your understanding.”
Darkness bowed respectfully, though the tension in his expression remained—clearly, he wasn’t satisfied with the outcome.
“I never blamed you in the first place.”
Two Universes turned her gaze forward again and added with a sharp tone, “Besides, rather than dwell on the mistake just now, you should be thinking about how we’re going to deal with that damned old woman.”
At the mere mention of the woman they were about to meet, for the first time, a troubled look crossed Two Universes’ usually cool and collected face.
“That damned old woman… Lord Two Universes, referring to her like that… isn’t it a bit much? If she hears you…”
“If she hears?”
Two Universes couldn’t help but chuckle at the look of panic on Darkness’ face.
Despite his strength and loyalty—qualities that made him stand out among her followers—his narrow perspective and constant servitude had made him timid.
“From the moment we stepped into Jadecrest, everything we do has been within that woman’s sight.”
Her gaze swept the dim shadows flanking the corridor, a glint of cold disdain in her eyes.
“Anywhere there’s ‘darkness,’ she sees. She never learned the meaning of privacy.”
“Is that so? Forgive me, Lord Two Universes—I was too short-sighted.”
Realizing the level of their opponent, Darkness looked mortified and quickly apologized.
He had already anticipated this meeting would be with a powerful figure, but it was now clear that this enemy far exceeded his expectations.
“It’s alright. Darkness, you’re young and strong, but your view of the world is still too narrow. That’s a fault time and experience can fix.”
Two Universes halted.
Though her expression didn’t shift, her tone grew uncharacteristically gentle.
“So from now on, look at the world with fresh eyes. Grow quickly into the sharp, peerless blade I can wield.”
“Yes!”
Darkness straightened his back, his voice brimming with devotion and excitement.
To him, this girl standing before him was the reason for his existence.
Just as he was born to serve her, now that she had recognized him—how could he not be thrilled?
“Very good. Let’s go.”
Two Universes nodded in approval, seeing his eyes shine with purpose.
She resumed walking toward their destination, and like a loyal hound, Darkness followed close behind.
The disappointment from earlier had vanished, replaced by the joy of being acknowledged.
Aside from a few superficial design differences, the structure of the Second Department of Sorcery was essentially identical to the main Sorcery Academy.
The Dean’s office was located at the end of the first-floor corridor.
Unlike the Archmage of Crystal, this Dean didn’t bother disguising her door as a wall or anything unnecessarily mysterious.
The two stopped outside the door and took a deep breath.
Beyond it stood the reason for their visit: the ruler of the Second Department of Sorcery—the Witch of Dusk and Twilight.
One of Jadecrest’s three legendary figures.
A terrifying woman.
And she was right behind this door.
“Darkness. Knock,” commanded Two Universes, arms folded.
Darkness nodded knowingly and reached out to knock.
But no sound came.
Not for any magical reason—rather, his hand had sunk into the shadow cast by his own outstretched fingers…?
“Not good!”
Sensing something was wrong, Darkness tried to pull back, but in an instant, the black-gray shadow spread from his hand and engulfed him.
Before his magic could react, his entire body was sucked into the door’s shadow.
“Well, well. Look who it is—meow~”
A dreamy, echoing voice flowed in from all directions.
Two Universes narrowed her eyes, trying to pinpoint its source.
She had suspected the door might be trapped, but she hadn’t expected Darkness to be captured so effortlessly.
“So it was…”
“Behind me?”
Two Universes spun around.
A slender hand appeared out of nowhere, tilting her chin up.
Hanging upside-down from the ceiling shadows, a woman with flowing pink hair that reached past her waist gazed down with eyes like spring water, shimmering and deep.
“A little kitty breaking into someone’s territory—meow~”