After five years

On the streets of Fiora city, pedestrians paused momentarily as they saw two beautiful girls walking past them. One of the girls had long hair tied into a ponytail with side bangs, while the other had shoulder-length black hair with a flower-shaped hair clip pressing her fringe.

They both stopped for a moment, observing the field near the city streets where dozens of children were practicing martial arts. Clearly written at the gate was 'Training Class 7 Fiora City.'

"This must be the umpteenth time I've seen a training class, I saw it in Vollen, Rouven, Ellleucy. Katarina, your brother is truly amazing. I heard the Kingdom had to raise the recruitment threshold for the national forces because of him and his training class," the short-haired girl remarked.

"No matter how many there are, the power of the Mage Association remains paramount in the war against Arkmenom," Katarina replied dismissively.

Five years had passed since Alphonso's death. Katarina had left the Academy a year ago and had become active on the battlefield. She had earned a reputation as one of the new generation leaders among the mages in Florent.

"Uh, of course, you're right, but his efforts should be appreciated. I heard the Association has raised his mage talent to Class C," Wendy, aware of Katarina's tendency to belittle or avoid discussing her brother, commented.

"You praise him too much. Are you in love with him?" Katarina narrowed her eyes.

"Uh, of course not," Wendy shook her head.

"Instead of talking behind his back, let's go meet him."

Katarina pulled Wendy, heading towards the Brown family's residence on the outskirts of town. After walking for a while, they arrived in front of the Brown family's area. Katarina's eyebrows rose seeing several people dressed in black standing at the gate, a tall wall enclosing the Brown family's property.

Katarina approached the gate, but before she could say anything, they immediately opened it for her. Her initial intention to cause trouble faded, and with Wendy, they entered the Brown family's area.

The significant changes to her family's property didn't infuriate Katarina too much. Since her father's death, Adam had been managing their family's estate, and three years ago, after their mother's passing due to illness, Katarina had handed all of the Brown family's assets to her brother. She thought, as a mage, she wouldn't lack money, so it was better to give the family property to Adam.

However, Adam had never informed her about the changes that occurred on their family's property.

As Katarina and Wendy walked further, they saw a housing complex or perhaps a small town. All the streets in this small town had been paved with concrete, proper drainage, and neatly arranged sidewalks on both sides. The houses on both sides had a similar style, constructed with concrete materials.

Katarina then made way to her old residence, now situated in the heart of this small town. She was again surprised to see her former dwelling had been renovated so extensively that it was as luxurious as a palace.

"Does he consider himself a little king here?"

The gate then opened, and Katarina saw her brother flanked by two unfamiliar women.

"Are they your harem?" she asked Adam.

"Is that your first question after such a long time?" Adam replied with a smile.

Adam's attention then shifted to Wendy. He reached out his hand, saying, "I'm Adam, just call me Adam. Katarina told me about you; I'm sure your name is Wendy, right? Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," Wendy shook hands with Adam.

"By the way, why didn't you bring the cat I gave you?" 

"It died," Katarina replied shortly, suspecting that Adam might have done something to the cat, so she decided to let it go.

"Really? What a shame. Let's go inside then."

Katarina's hand raised, a crimson thunderbolt flew at an extreme speed towards Adam. A woman beside Adam leaped, waved her hand, and created a floating mirror. The mirror reflected Katarina's attack.

A cold expression dominated the girl's face as she stared at her brother and asked, "Are you gathering wild mages?"

Adam fell silent, instead, he countered, "Did the association send you?"

"Do you know that tampering with mage powers is not allowed? Do you know that using your powers to hypnotize ordinary people is a criminal act? Do you know that gathering mages is prohibited?" Katarina reprimanded Adam with a series of questions.

The situation became more critical, Wendy, witnessing it, also began to prepare for a potential conflict.

"I only wanted to protect myself. Do you remember five years ago when you went on a rampage and destroyed the forest in the Palvas mountains?" Adam walked towards Katarina until they were just half a meter apart.

"I feel this world is very unsafe. Even though there's no major conflict, I still sense that feeling of fear. You have no idea the fear I felt at that time surpassed my sadness over our father's death."

Katarina trembled, slowly raising her hand to cover her mouth. She always wanted to appear better than her brother; Adam's image as a great figure was always ingrained in Katarina. Thus, despite obtaining Class S mage power and gaining recognition from both her parents, it didn't diminish Katarina's opinion about Adam.

Years had passed; despite gaining recognition from the Academy, the Association, and the national defense forces, Katarina still believed Adam was a great person. She didn't think Adam was any worse than her. However, Adam's acknowledgment made Katarina think, 'Ah, so my brother also feels pressure?'

It was the biggest proof that Adam already recognized her strength, which was more important than all the recognition she had received.

"Katarina, you're my only family, so I hope our relationship can improve. What happened in the past was just a result of our parents' desires and aspirations. You've become a great mage, I support you to keep moving forward, that's why I want you to trust me too."

Katarina nodded, then replied, "You're right, I think it's time we repair our relationship. I'm sorry for suspecting you. However, I hope you'll stop drawing the association's attention."

A smile appeared on Adam's face, "Of course, I won't take it any further."

In times like these, Adam, who only gathered a few mages with Class C or D talents, had attracted the Association's attention. But based on the information Adam collected, there would be a drastic change in the central continent. At that time, the Florent Mage Association wouldn't have time to pay attention to Adam.