Valença looked at a serious Elaris. After asking her to follow, the two walked toward somewhere that she herself wanted to reach. Elaris was curious about where she was being taken, especially since it was quite late at night.
"Where are we going?"
"If you want my authorization, then you have to pass my test before the others arrive"
"They're coming? Right, Enrico said they would come to help"
Serenya and the others would arrive later, mainly because they were training to increase their power before coming, as Enrico asked them to become as strong as possible. With that, they began their own training and planned to arrive in a few days, but since Enrico made a plan to end the war quickly, they were coming to see how he was.
'If this is a test, then the others will also have one'
The two arrived outside the base in a few minutes. Since the castle was being rebuilt last by Elaris's own order—she preferred to focus on the cities first—once everything was fixed, she would focus on rebuilding her parents' home.
'The only thing I won't rebuild is Elithia's room'
"My test is simple"
A sphere of fire appeared in Valença's hand. As she condensed it into a point at the center, her fire magic combined with magma until it transformed into a physical sphere with no trace of magic. What Valença had created was a red ball with fire markings; there was no trace of magic inside it.
"You have to break this sphere using only magic"
"That's all?"
"Yes, but you can't use any magic other than your own, and no items"
Looking at the sphere, Elaris used her ice magic to try to crystallize it and then destroy it. The problem was that even though she crystallized the outer part, she couldn't do the same inside. Creating her ice claw, she struck the sphere, but it didn't even crack.
"This magic isn't meant for attacking or causing effects, I simply use it for my business"
"Business?"
Elaris looked at Valença with surprise on her face, which made the fire mage frown—another girl who didn't need to struggle much to earn money. It was already annoying with Serenya spending all that money in front of her to please Enrico.
"Did you forget I'm a commoner?"
"That's not it, you're going to marry Enrico now, right? His family has a lot of money"
"He offered, but I want to earn my own money... and buy things for him with what comes from my own pocket"
At the last part, Valença blushed slightly while looking away. A proud commoner—Elaris had seen some like that before, so she wasn't very surprised. Although, knowing Enrico, he would still help her in some way, since he wouldn't just stand by doing nothing while watching Valença work.
"Even so, he must be helping you, right?"
"He works with me at the shop sometimes"
While Elaris kept trying to break the sphere, the two talked calmly about Valença's work. Apparently, she used this magic to create durable jewelry to sell, which became popular among nobles. In addition, she made some lower-resistance jewelry for those who couldn't afford the more expensive ones, which also became popular among those with less money. Since she was just a mage doing this for so many people, Enrico helped her—especially in the beginning—which allowed her to adapt well to the business she had created.
"After a month, I managed to hire some mages with fire magic."
Since she was searching for mages with good ideas for creating jewelry, it was a bit difficult. She had hired five people so far, including Enrico, who came to help from time to time—the only one who didn't receive anything, since he himself said a phrase that moved her heart.
'You're my future wife, so of course I'll help'
"He made that cute cat-like expression when he said that"
While Valença blushed slightly with a small proud smile, Elaris imagined that curious cat-like face Enrico showed at times. As she imagined him saying the same to her, her cheeks flushed strongly, and her next strike with the ice claw cracked from the sudden force she used.
'Maybe I also want to start a business'
"I know what you're thinking, and don't even try. That damn Serenya did the same when she saw him helping me and Seraphina"
Disguising her expression a bit, she pretended she hadn't thought about it while focusing on the sphere, trying not to look at the threatening Valença. It was already difficult dealing with a noble who tried to get Enrico's attention by creating a job without even needing one, since she already had her mother's business—something she started on the very first day after graduation.
"This sphere is really hard to break"
"If you want to be his wife, then you have to demonstrate great power, because he only likes powerful girls"
"And don't forget the part about being beautiful"
While the two spoke, a shadow began to approach them. Both looked at it and saw the large orc staring at the sphere with curiosity. Judging by the state of her body, it was very likely she had been training. That was because she had some injuries and looked quite tired.
"So this is one of the trials to become one of his beloveds"
"Yes... but why are you asking, Grakka?"
"Let me try too"
Seeing that sphere, it would be a good challenge for her and good training. Besides, she had been thinking for some time about talking to Enrico about advancing their relationship. Because even though he was small, he proved to be the strongest of the generation and the one who helped her grow both mentally and physically—something she always wanted her husband to be.
"You'll have to pass the others' trials too"
"If this is a challenge, I accept—and without a doubt it will be good training"
"If you want good training, you just have to ask, and I would create a sphere for you"
"I like him too, it's not just for training"
While Valença looked at Grakka without expression, Elaris began to hurry to break the sphere before the orc, because that way she would enter first and could create her own challenge for the big woman in front of her. The reason was simple—it would be fun to make trials like these for anyone who dared desire her future husband.
'I wonder what their reaction will be when they see that my challenge will be the hardest? Hehe'
"Why is that elf smiling?"
"She just discovered one of the pleasures of making trials for new girls"