Bilan Stone was eighteen years old this year. As the second daughter of a noble family, she was also an apprentice-level mage. Most noble children like her were married off by sixteen or seventeen, but Bilan had managed to escape that fate—at least for now.
Thanks to her talent in magic, she avoided being trapped in the aristocratic social web. Under the guidance of an old mage, she had stepped onto the path of magic at an early age. However, her family—eager for short-term gains—sought to control what they believed to be a promising magical seedling. Under their manipulation, Bilan was pushed onto the path of alchemy.
Yet the reality of alchemy training was far beyond the Stone family's expectations. Without proper guidance or sufficient resources, Bilan struggled despite her talent.
It wasn't long before she found the road ahead increasingly difficult. Stuck at the peak of the apprentice level, years of effort failed to bring her any closer to a breakthrough. Most of her family had already written her off, believing she had no potential.
As an alchemy apprentice, she remained trapped in an awkward stage—too weak to contribute, yet unable to refine anything truly valuable. Seeing no return on their investment, the Stone family made their stance clear: they would no longer waste resources on a talentless mage.
Soon, she would be reduced to nothing more than a bargaining chip in another arranged marriage.
But Bilan refused to accept such a fate.
Just as despair began to take hold, a sudden piece of news gave her hope.
Recently, an official-level mage from the Kingdom of Camos had taken up residence in a small town near Dolazi, dedicating himself entirely to magical research. Under his influence, the Minohorn family—his chosen patrons—had risen rapidly in the alchemy business. Their firm, Minohorn Alchemy Company, had become an unstoppable force within Dolazi's alchemy trade.
At a noble gathering, Bilan had even caught a glimpse of Luo Taran, the powerful businesswoman backed by this legendary mage. The woman's confident and commanding presence had left a deep impression on her.
And now, Luo Taran had returned to Dolazi City, bringing back not only a chest full of potions, but also an extraordinary piece of news—
The reclusive mage of Niailan was looking for an apprentice.
Though every aspiring mage in Dolazi dreamed of studying under an official-level spellcaster, there was one condition—he would only accept apprentices skilled in alchemy.
That requirement alone eliminated most competitors.
Yet just as many alchemists were preparing to seize the opportunity, another revelation surfaced—casting a shadow over the golden prospect.
Rumors spread that this mage had casually opened a portal to an evil plane within Niailan, showing complete disregard for the safety of the townspeople.
Such an act was a blatant violation of law and order.
And yet, because he was an official mage, the lord of Dolazi City had done little more than offer a few weak condemnations before quietly letting the matter drop.
For many, this was a clear warning.
What kind of mage would recklessly tamper with forbidden magic?
Was he a madman?
A villain?
Most young mages—no matter how ambitious—withdrew immediately. Who would risk becoming an apprentice under a master who might incinerate them over a minor mistake?
But Bilan hesitated.
She was tired—tired of the endless noble suitors, tired of the suffocating hypocrisy of high society. She knew that if she remained, her fate was already sealed.
She would become just another caged bird, another pawn in a political game.
This apprenticeship was her only escape.
Perhaps it was fate.
Perhaps it was simply because so many others had backed away in fear.
Whatever the reason, her talent in alchemy won her a place.
Even as she boarded the carriage bound for Niailan, she still felt as though she were dreaming.
Had she really… escaped Dolazi City?
The carriage rumbled forward, its wheels creaking softly against the road. Bilan leaned against the window, letting the wind brush through her long, light-green hair.
Her phoenix-like brows framed a pair of brilliant aquamarine eyes, clear as the night sky. A delicate nose, softly flushed cheeks, and lips the color of fresh cherries completed her porcelain features.
She was beauty and elegance incarnate—like a flower blooming in the silence of dawn.
Far away from the noise and intrigue of Dolazi, she closed her eyes and breathed in the cool morning air.
For the first time in years, she felt something she had almost forgotten.
Freedom.
Yes, she was traveling toward an unknown fate.
Yes, she was heading straight toward the tower of a mage whose reputation was anything but reassuring.
But beautiful girls were born to believe in hope, weren't they?
The fear in her heart slowly began to fade.
Outside, the wilderness stretched endlessly.
Rolling hills spread across the horizon, their green slopes rising and falling in the distance. Tender shoots of grass pushed through the soil, clusters of emerald blades swaying gently on steep hillsides. The joy trees unfurled their fresh branches, their drooping leaves like delicate green threads woven by nature.
Bright yellow wildflowers dotted the fields, flickering like golden stars in a sea of green.
It was breathtaking.
And for this moment—just this single moment—
Bilan felt nothing but the simple joy of being alive.