The long, harsh winter had finally passed.
With the warmth of revival, tender green shoots sprouted all across the Valley, their fresh and sweet scent tinged with warmth announcing the arrival of spring’s dawn.
The thick layers of ice and snow from the past years did not melt away in an instant. Morning dew dripped, drop by drop, onto the earth, composing a melody that belonged to life itself.
Mary walked excitedly across this soil, feeling the rough texture beneath her feet.
“Spring flowers are truly beautiful.”
Gazing at the scenery before her, the young girl in an exquisitely tailored dress had a look of pure joy on her face.
“Sister Sophie didn’t lie to me. Flowers in the greenhouse may be beautiful, but compared to the treasures of nature, they still lack a certain vitality.”
Looking at the buds blooming among the messy wild grass by the roadside, Mary reached out and carefully picked a perfectly preserved violet.
“I just wonder if Brother Green would like this?”
She murmured uncertainly.
Although these few violets before her were just common varieties, even bundled with exquisite decorations, they wouldn’t fetch much at the market.
But Mary knew that, to the Lord—her great lord who led Fallen Leaf Town to unify the entire wasteland—
These flowers carried another meaning.
The scent of home.
“Big brother is about to go off to war.”
Mary took a deep breath, the sparkle in her eyes hiding a deep sense of attachment. “I hope these flowers can bring big brother good luck on the battlefield.”
Tying up the bouquet, Mary stepped out of the Valley with a spring in her step.
The once muddy path was now paved with stone slabs. Neatly arranged street lamps on either side illuminated the surroundings with a brilliant glow.
Travelers coming and going, carriages packed with goods rushing past, and a considerable number of exotic races with unusual appearances crowded the once spacious avenue until it was packed to the brim.
“Fallen Leaf Town has changed so much.”
Mary could still vaguely remember when she first arrived in town with her mother; Fallen Leaf Town was truly an ordinary little town back then.
Perhaps it was lively and prosperous, perhaps it was rich in resources, but at its core, it was still just a small town with a population of only tens of thousands.
But now…
“I heard the latest census announcement—the whole city’s population of Registered Citizens is about to break a million.”
Mary muttered to herself, “Could it be that everyone from the whole wasteland—ah, no, big brother lord has renamed it Hope’s Land—has gathered here?”
A hint of confusion showed in the girl’s eyes.
“I don’t know why, but big brother lord seems to really like seeing people from other places gather in the city. He calls it… oh, what was it… Scale Effect?”
Mary shook her head hard.
“So strange. Clearly, Sister Sophie’s research is also very profound, but I can still understand it. But some of big brother lord’s odd terms—I just can’t grasp them at all.”
But, that was fine.
Mary quickly stopped dwelling on it.
Because she understood in her heart, no matter what happened, Fallen Leaf Town—Hope’s Land—always had a strong and reliable support behind it.
A memory from years ago surfaced in the girl’s mind.
The savage and overbearing bandits, the townsfolk incited to violence, the suffering Sister Sophie, and—
That figure who appeared in a flash of hope at the darkest hour.
Mary felt a wave of emotion surge up inside her.
Her delicate little face flushed hot.
“No, no, what am I thinking?”
Mary shook her head hard, walking straight to the outskirts, still some distance from Hope City, and to the underground laboratory located there.
Unlike the humble workshop building from a few years ago, the laboratory belonging to the witch Sophie had grown into a colossal structure.
Heavily armed guards were stationed at all hours, with direct access down into the depths below. Representing Hope City’s future, this laboratory now had a brand new name—the Magic Council.
And Mary, to her honor, was one of its members.
“Miss Mary!”
Several guards saw her approaching and immediately saluted.
Swish!
It wasn’t just because of Mary’s close relationship with Sophie and the lord, but also for the shining Second Ring badge on her chest.
“Second Ring Mage.”
A younger guard, after Mary passed by, quietly asked the more experienced one beside him, “That little girl looks only a teenager. How can she be a Second Ring Mage at such a young age?”
The veteran guard smiled, “You must be new here, huh? Miss Mary is quite famous—she’s Lady Sophie’s beloved student.”
“Lady Sophie?”
The young guard exclaimed in awe, then asked curiously, “Is that young lady also… a witch? Or does she have some noble spellcaster’s bloodline?”
“No, Miss Mary isn’t a witch.”
The veteran shook his head. “Her strength today comes purely from her own study of the brand-new system researched by Miss Sophie and the lord.”
“You mean the ‘Professionals’?”
The young guard’s eyes lit up. “So that rumor is true?”
He waved his arms excitedly, asking, “The lord really developed a way to gain extraordinary powers without relying on bloodline or divine favor—just by meeting certain conditions and tapping your own potential?”
The veteran guard just smiled and said nothing.
“Just wait and see. I hear Mr. Brown is following the lord’s orders to prepare a new organization to manage all of this.”
After a deliberate pause, the veteran looked left and right, then lowered his voice mysteriously. “Word is, this organization will open up the lord’s latest research, and any citizen of Hope’s Land who registers can get the relevant Secret Manual.”
“Wow!”
The young guard could hardly believe it. “A Secret Manual for extraordinary powers, open to all Registered Citizens without bloodline or divine favor restrictions?”
Though he didn’t get his hopes too high, the young guard was still very interested. “What’s the organization called? Any conditions for registration?”
“I heard from a friend at City Hall that it’s called the Adventurer’s Guild. As for registration… I’m not sure about the details…”
The veteran scratched his head in embarrassment. “After all, it’s just a rumor I heard.”
“Aww, I was so looking forward to it!”
The two continued their lively chatter.
Magic Council.
Sophie’s Underground Laboratory.
“Sister Sophie, big brother lord!”
Cradling the violets carefully, Mary hopped and skipped into the underground lab filled with precision instruments.
Beside the laboratory table, two figures stood closely together.
Her master, Sophie, and—
Big brother.
Green.
Mary’s gaze involuntarily drifted toward that figure.
After a few years, Green’s once handsome face had begun to show signs of age.
Yet, those lines and traces left by time didn’t diminish his appeal. On the contrary, paired with his thoughtful expression, they only highlighted a deeper sense of maturity.
Brother Green…
The girl found herself momentarily lost in thought.
“What’s the matter, Mary?” Green, who had been chatting happily with Sophie, noticed Mary’s arrival and came over with a smile. “Ah, are those violets in your hand for…?”
“Brother Green.” Mary solemnly presented the bouquet to Green. “May you be victorious in battle.”
She didn’t say, “Please don’t risk your life on the battlefield,” nor did she wish for world peace.
Mary was no longer that naïve child.
She understood well—peace can only stand firm on the foundation of swords and steel. Just as Green once said: “The strong do not represent justice, but only the strong can defend justice.”
So…
Mary gazed longingly at Green and whispered, “You must, you must come back safely to see Mary.”
“Alright.”
Green nodded gently and extended his finger. “I promise you. Let’s pinky swear.”
“Pfft, Green.” Sophie, standing to the side, couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Mary’s already so grown up, why are you still treating her like a child?”
“Ah, is that so?” Green looked a bit embarrassed, clearing his throat. “You’re right—before I realized it, Mary has grown into a beautiful young lady. I wonder which lucky boy will win her heart in the future.”
No.
Mary shook her head firmly.
“It’s alright, Sister Sophie.” Mary lowered her head, but beneath her seemingly calm voice, waves surged. “I still love pinky swears~”
With a naïve, innocent smile, Mary locked her finger tightly around Green’s.
Rough—almost stiff to the touch.
“Brother Green works so hard.” Taking the chance, Mary leaned into Green’s embrace, closing her eyes happily.
If… if Brother Green likes it—
Let me keep playing the role of an innocent little girl.
Glancing at Sophie standing beside Green, looking at him in exasperation, Mary’s feelings grew complicated.
As long as I can stay in Brother Green’s arms forever, I’ll be satisfied.
But, but why…
One is my respected master, the other my savior.
Shouldn’t it be a good thing for them to be together?
Why, then, can’t I feel happy about it?
Nestled in Green’s broad chest, Mary took a contented breath.
Never mind. At least for now, let me enjoy this moment.
Let me enjoy big brother lord’s embrace.
Before she knew it, the girl drifted off to sleep.