Wolfwood Castle, ten years after the Demon King's rebirth.
In the courtyard of the Wolf Knights, the Captain and the Lieutenant walked toward the training grounds accompanied by a young girl. Beside Arpad and Janos strode Andrea Wolf, the youngest of the Wolf Knights, her steps filled with excitement. She was the most talented young member of the Wolf knightly family, and now at last the moment had come for her to meet the Young Wolf.
"Don't be nervous, my dear granddaughter," Arpad said encouragingly. "You are a gifted swordswoman. One day you will surpass both me and your father if you continue your hard and persistent work. And the Young Wolf will be a very good lord to you. You couldn't have wished for better. Between us, he is the finest Wolfwood I have ever served."
Janos nodded, then added in a serious tone:
"He is not only friendly, but also incredibly strong. His magic is exceptional: he can wield two elements, which is unique in the entire Kingdom. And he trains with the knights every day. His swordsmanship is average, but that doesn't matter—he is a mage. What is truly frightening is that, as a talented mage, he actually knows how to handle a sword. I once saw him training with Master Florian: he shattered a wooden dummy with his magic so completely that nothing remained of it. I would not want to face him one‑on‑one. And he is only ten years old."
Andrea lowered her eyes, then spoke softly:
"I'm not… very nervous. I just don't want to ruin my first day and leave a bad impression on him."
"Don't worry about that!" Arpad reassured her. "If anyone can be understanding, it's the Young Wolf. Even Noelle, the half‑elf girl, didn't manage the short sword and dagger right away. But with perseverance and patience, in two years she has learned to handle those weapons quite well—despite being more of a mage herself."
Andrea looked at him in surprise.
"A mage… and a maidservant?"
"His personal maidservant," Janos explained. "He personally chose her from the orphanage. Clearly because of her elven blood, since she is a talented mage. I heard this directly from Master Florian."
Andrea looked hesitantly at her grandfather, then spoke softly:
"If Noelle is both a mage and a maidservant, then will I be both a mage and a maidservant alongside the Wolf Knight?"
Arpad shook his head sternly.
"Don't speak nonsense. You are a Wolf Knight. Knights do not become maidservants, and you have no talent for magic. Just focus on being a good Wolf Knight—the best! Noelle is Noelle. All elves have a natural gift for magic. Perhaps in the Elven Kingdom every maidservant can cast spells. That is their strength. Yours is swordsmanship."
But Andrea did not give up.
"Still… alongside swordsmanship, maybe I could be a good maidservant too…"
Janos stepped forward and spoke to her in a serious tone:
"Listen, girl. Maidservants cook, clean, and… gossip. If knights had time for such things, then who would protect Wolfwood from monsters and bandits? Who would defend the entire Kingdom? Perhaps you could manage maidservant work, but you are a proud knight, a true Wolf Knight. Our family has served the House of Wolfwood for a century. We have always been knights, and we will continue to be knights. Because we are strong! Do you understand? Put this foolish maidservant idea out of your head. Why does it even concern you?"
Andrea lowered her eyes, then admitted quietly:
"Well… because if Noelle can serve as both mage and maidservant, then the Young Wolf will love her more than me."
Arpad laughed.
"Hahaha! Don't tell me you're jealous of that half‑elf girl?"
Andrea's eyes shone with determination.
"My whole life I have trained and prepared to become Lord Andras Wolfwood's personal knight. But Noelle has already served him for two years, and she is only ten years old. I am twelve."
Janos sighed, then answered calmly:
"Noelle was originally meant to be nothing more than a maidservant. Who could have guessed they would find a half‑elf in the orphanage? That was pure chance, and there's nothing we can do about it."
"And nothing we need to do," Arpad added with a smile. "The Young Wolf has two hands. You'll hold one, and Noelle the other. Hahaha!"
But Janos remained serious.
"Just be yourself, and prove that you are worthy of being a Wolf Knight. And do not bring shame upon our family. Am I understood?"
The Wolf knightly family arrived at the knights' courtyard. The Captain of the Wolf Knights immediately stepped up to the Young Wolf to introduce his granddaughter, who from this day forward would serve as Andras's personal knight.
"Young Wolf, it is a fine day!" Arpad greeted him with a smile.
"A fine day for training," Andras replied shortly, his tone firm.
"Noelle isn't here?" Arpad asked.
"Noelle is trying out a new gingerbread recipe in the kitchen," Andras explained. "I got it recently from a traveling merchant. Now that she handles the short sword and daggers fairly well, I plan to reduce her sword training to three days a week. That way she'll have more time for cooking and baking. Her scones are already delicious. I can't wait to taste her gingerbread too."
At that moment, jealousy boiled in the air. And for once, it wasn't dark energy seeping from Anita's heart, but from Andrea Wolf, the young female knight who now stood before the Young Wolf for the first time.
Arpad stepped proudly before Andras.
"I see. Well, today I have a surprise for you, Young Wolf. I am pleased to announce that I have trained my granddaughter, Andrea Wolf, who is a very talented swordswoman. Together with your father, Lord Bandorn Wolfwood, we have decided that from this day onward Andrea will be your personal Wolf Knight."
Anita's eyes widened, and she cried out in outrage:
"What the hell?! I am the Young Wolf's female knight!"
Janos answered coolly:
"It was Lord Wolfwood's decision to follow tradition and choose a personal knight from a knightly family, not the daughter of a blacksmith."
Anita stepped forward angrily.
"In battle, what does your father's name matter?! Fine, you asked for it! I demand a duel!"