In Damian's study.

Rylan tightened the last strap of his leather armor, letting the armor embrace his body. It was a familiar feeling. The fingers of his left hand brushed against the hilt of Silver Twilight on his waist, while the ones of his right hand touched the wand on the opposite side. He looked ahead, locking eyes with Damian. The man was sitting in his chair, as usual.

"…Are you sure that's all you need?" Damian asked, his tone making it clear that it wasn't a simple question.

Rylan only nodded at him and looked at the ring on his right ring finger.

"Yeah," he replied. "This Spatial Ring is small, but it's enough. I didn't know you had something like this."

Damian slightly frowned.

"Apart from that one, I only have the one I use myself. It's among my most precious treasures. I doubt you even understand the value of a Spatial Ring. Don't lose it."

Rylan shook his head slowly.

"No, I get it. Don't worry."

How could he fail to grasp the ring's worth? It was a treasure that tampered with the rules of space by creating a small, separate dimension within it, which could then be used to store items. A near-priceless treasure that, by all means, shouldn't be accessible to people as 'weak' as them. Damian even had another one.

I was right. This world does seem to be a bit more generous when it comes to treasures. Or maybe the standards are different.

He'd thought as much back when he first saw Damian's and Henry's staves, which were artifacts. It was a good thing, but at the same time, it filled him with dread for one simple reason.

If Damian has access to treasures like this, what can I expect from powerful imperial officers?

Rylan gritted his teeth. Things weren't looking good. He looked back at Damian.

"I've got enough food and drink here to last me for some time. I'll also be able to find my own stuff to eat in the Dungeons, so don't worry too much," he said. "The Communication Crystal you gave me will also help us keep in touch when I return and get close enough to Caer Rhelon. I'll be back soon."

Damian let out a small sigh.

"Only to leave soon after. Again."

Rylan readily nodded.

"Yeah. But we've already been through 'why' it has to be this way."

The study went silent. Rylan nodded at Damian. The moment when he was about to turn around, Damian spoke again.

"Rylan. I'm not proud of leaving so much in the hands of someone as young as you," he started with a frown. His eyes were filled with sadness. "But I understand your abilities and value. I can only hope you'll become strong enough to help this kingdom more than I can. I'm sorry for everything."

Rylan looked at his master. He could see the weight of the burden that Damian shouldered on his own. It had been some time since the man had started looking his age, but at this moment, it was even more apparent. Rylan simply smiled at him.

"Don't worry, Damian. Let's just see how things turn out. Then, I'm off."

Damian's frown deepened, but Rylan only turned around and left the study. Up until the point when the doors closed on their own, he could feel Damian's gaze on his back. Rylan shook his head with a bittersweet smile once they did.

It's not your fault. You did what you could.

Damian had simply been dealt a bad hand. As the strongest Mage in a kingdom in a terrible situation, his responsibilities were great by themselves. The fact that Henry still hadn't stopped supporting Mar, for whatever reason, only made Damian's burden even heavier. In this scenario, he also needed to take care of the Academy and its students, fostering a positive learning environment even as the flames of war crept ever closer. This was without mentioning the need to deal with the noble houses. Damian was simply overwhelmed. It was likely the main reason why he'd let Rylan go through with his plan.

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But it worked out for me.

Rylan descended the stairs quickly. After talking to Damian, they had already decided on his first destination.

Golem Haven.

***

Rylan stared through the carriage window. The vehicle moved quickly, but his eyes could still capture the shapes of the trees by the roadside with clarity. He absent-mindedly stroked the blade of Silver Twilight, which lay unsheathed in his lap.

At least finding a carriage was easy.

Of course, it had only been so because he had purposefully omitted that his destination was Golem Haven. Instead, he had asked for a ride to the town closest to it, one by the name of Redania. From there, he would head out on his own. Rylan looked down at the wand on his waist.

I need a way to cast effectively without you.

Wands and staves were tools that assisted one's spellcasting. Beyond that, well-made ones even increased the power and other characteristics of the spells cast through them. While any decent Mage could cast without a wand or staff, the effectiveness of the spell would pale in comparison to using even an ordinary magical tool. That was why, even though he'd cast spells using his fingers in the battle against Evenon, Rylan had stuck to using his wand afterward. He touched the wand and pulled it up, raising it in front of him. Its information appeared before him.

[Equipment

Wooden Wand (Common)

An ordinary piece of magic Equipment, designed with the intent to assist a Mage's spellcasting abilities. While its effectiveness is limited and its power is unremarkable, the wand is still a great tool for beginner Mages.

* Marginally improves spellcasting abilities when actively used.]

An unremarkable piece of Equipment, through and through. Still, it had been by his side for a long time now, from even before he remembered his past life. His oldest weapon. But now, it was time to surpass what it represented.

Rylan looked back at Silver Twilight. His face was clearly reflected in the silvery blade.

"And I should work on casting spells through you, too."

He didn't know if it was even possible, but if it wasn't, he would only need to make it so. Still, he wasn't sure how to do it properly. Casting spells was different from using Sword Arts; even though he'd managed to cast them through his fingers once, he didn't know if he could even replicate that feat.

Well, let's just work toward each goal slowly.

Apart from those, he still needed to acquire Passive Skills from his past life, as well as one or two sword styles that would supplement the Stormcaller Sword Style until he got Aura. Above all, the Dungeons also represented an opportunity to push him closer to awakening Aura, even if he'd already reached the tipping point.

All I need now is to reach the other side.

Rylan frowned to himself and drummed his fingers on his sword's blade. The problem was that he didn't know what the current life's 'trigger' would be. Regardless, it didn't seem like fighting endlessly would be it.

Deep in his thoughts, Rylan still left part of his awareness focused on his surroundings. After his conflict with Jason, he couldn't discard the possibility that there would be assassins waiting for him at any point during the road trip.

However, nothing happened. The carriage reached its first stopping point, a small town in the middle of the forest, without issue. Keeping his senses sharpened, Rylan left the vehicle and headed to the inn where he would sleep. The night was peaceful.

Such a pattern repeated itself over the course of three days before the carriage finally arrived in Redania.

Within the carriage, Rylan pulled out a simple mask from his Spatial Ring and put it on, then stepped out while looking at the modest city walls, which were patrolled by guards, after storing Silver Twilight within the Ring's space. Beyond the gate, the town extended itself, looking expectedly ordinary. Buildings made of wood and stone, a few larger than the others, with shops spread out throughout the streets. Right at the entrance of the town, on opposite sides of the main street, were two restaurants, both named very similarly. It was unknown whether they were owned by the same person or if they were rivals. Rylan chuckled to himself and walked toward the gate.

The guard closest to him raised his hand, making Rylan pause.

"Good morning, traveler," the guard started in a calm tone. He was a tall, brown-haired man with warm, dark brown eyes, and he was looking at Rylan with narrowed eyes. "What is your business in our town?"

"I'm here to find lodgings," Rylan replied. "Once I do so, I'll head to the Golem Haven Dungeon."

The guard widened his eyes as he flinched.

"I advise against it. It's a dangerous Dungeon. What is your name, traveler?"

Rylan held his stare.

"My name is Lai."

The guard stared at him with some suspicion. Feeling that the situation would soon become much more annoying to deal with, Rylan subtly released his mana. The guard didn't react, but a shout soon came from a bearded man who stood on top of the town walls.

"Let him through!"

Rylan looked at the man. He was tall and muscular, raven-haired and brown-eyed, and he was staring straight at Rylan.

Without another word, Rylan silently approached the city wall as the man got down from it.

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