Chapter Sixty: The Eldest Princess

After experiencing the awe of the starship, Andy had to admit that, as a transmigrator, he was truly a frog in the well. He understood this was a matter of perspective, shaped by his background, experiences, and ability. He believed that someday he would clearly comprehend and witness this strange new world.

For now, however, Andy set his sights on Bill, who seemed to know quite a lot. Thus, for the next half day, Andy shamelessly fished for information, with Catherine occasionally playing the adorable companion beside him. Jera watched in silence, eyes betraying an understanding that went beyond.

Andy’s efforts yielded substantial results. At the very least, he learned in detail about the world’s system of power levels. He discovered that the ranks of wizards were as follows:

Apprentice Level—three stages: Junior Wizard Apprentice, Intermediate Wizard Apprentice, Senior Wizard Apprentice.
Transcendent Level—three stages: Bronze Wizard, Silver Wizard, Gold Wizard.
Epic Level—three stages: Dawn Wizard, Radiant Wizard, Dusk Wizard.

It was rumored that above the Dusk Wizard there existed the terrifying Calamity Wizard, but that belonged to the realm of myth.

Bill’s explanations were really about the ranks of arcanists, but Andy cleverly mapped them onto the wizard hierarchy.

Corresponding to the wizard ranks were those for knights:

Knight Level: Junior Knight Squire, Senior Knight Squire, Knight.
Transcendent Level: Grand Knight, Silver Knight, Gold Knight.
Epic Level: Glory Knight, Brilliant Knight, Magnificent Knight.

Supposedly, there were even the legendary Apocalypse Knights, able to move mountains and overturn seas. Andy, who didn’t even possess Grand Knight-level battle skills or breathing techniques, envied them greatly.

Having further learned about planes and the star realm, Andy was satisfied enough to let Bill go. After all, if one couldn’t experience things firsthand, learning too much lofty knowledge was meaningless.

So he declared he had business to attend to and left with Catherine, while Bill stood torn, casting hesitant glances at Jera.

Andy truly did have things to do. The sights he’d seen in recent days made him impatient to leave Dallas City, to go to the capital, to witness the broader world beyond. He was now heading back to the small courtyard where he used to live to gather some clothes and personal items. With his spatial pouch, it would be easy to carry them.

Returning to the courtyard felt like stepping into another life. Dust had settled thickly inside the house. Though he doubted he’d have much chance to return, Andy still fetched a damp cloth and carefully wiped everything down.

While packing some everyday clothes, three letters suddenly fell out. The envelopes were pink, one even adorned with a childishly drawn heart.

Andy remembered these were the letters written to Edward by three noble girls he’d met in front of the wizard tower’s plaza just after his arrival. He had tucked them away, then forgotten them amidst subsequent events.

He recalled having a fleeting interest in the big-eyed girl at the time.

Now, with Edward gone, Andy felt no pressure reading these letters. He opened them one by one and read.

To his surprise, only one letter expressed affection for Edward, written by a girl named Lucy. Andy matched the name to a petite girl in his memory.

Another letter, written in the tone of Lucy’s confidante, sternly warned Edward to treat Lucy well. The author, Flora Barov, claimed to be the second daughter of the Barov family from the capital. Andy recalled her as the long-legged girl.

But the last letter caught Andy’s attention. It was filled with advice, urging Edward not to waste his magical talent in the remote Dallas City but to seek the wider world. She offered to help him enter the inner court of Grim Academy, assuring him that if he came to the capital, he could contact her at a certain address for arrangements.

Andy hadn’t expected the big-eyed beauty, who seemed so gentle and delicate, to write with such grandeur and determination. It wasn’t until he saw the signature at the end that he understood.

Linda Elan.

Even the most oblivious would know what the surname Elan meant—it was the royal name. That big-eyed girl must be a member of the royal family.

Realizing this, Andy immediately turned to Catherine with a look of despair, beating his chest for missing the chance to latch onto someone powerful.

As Andy wallowed in regret, the very person he wished to rely upon, Linda Elan, had just returned to the palace in Prondra, the capital.

“You’re back!” An elderly man, white-haired and bearded, appeared soundlessly beside Linda. He was Rossman, the current head of Grim Academy and the only Gold Wizard in the Elan Kingdom.

“Yes, teacher. The journey was worthwhile,” Linda replied with a bow.

“Your safety is tied to the kingdom’s future. You shouldn’t risk yourself so recklessly. Even with your Silver-level strength, you can handle most dangers, but there’s no guarantee,” the elder said, glancing toward a corner.

Linda looked up at him, her expression resolute. “I believe my journey was essential. If I hadn’t personally traveled throughout the Elan Kingdom, how would I know how deeply it has decayed? Had I not ventured into Sain, how could I see that nation growing stronger each day?”

“If I hadn’t gone to the Silverwing Fortress front lines, how would I know Marshal Vaughn’s tireless devotion to the kingdom’s war effort, and how my brother and the nobles dragged him down?”

“If things continue like this, the kingdom faces only one fate: destruction! From the moment I set foot in the capital, I swore to myself that I must seize control of this nation, enact laws and reforms, and strive for its revival!”

The old man looked at the once carefree apprentice who had become the resolute, decisive princess before him and sighed softly.

“Perhaps it’s for the best. I fear my time is running short…”

His voice lingered, but his figure had already faded into the void.

Linda gazed at the empty hall before her and suddenly clapped her hands.

A woman dressed in tight black appeared, bowing. “Your Highness, Princess.”

“How is Father?” Linda asked, hope mingling in her voice.

“Just as when he was first confined. Today, he spent the whole time cursing you and Wizard Rossman.”

Linda was silent for a long while, then tears fell silently from her eyes. She exhaled deeply and spoke in a low voice, “Send him on his way…”

The woman in black was stunned, then looked at Linda with complex emotions. At last, she nodded.

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

After the woman vanished, Linda no longer restrained herself. She went to her chambers and wept bitterly upon her bed.

Eventually, her sobs quieted. Linda walked to the dressing table and gazed at her reflection in the half-length mirror.

Her large eyes were gentle as water, her pale skin now stained with tears, so pitiful that one could not help but feel compassion.

Suddenly, her watery eyes grew sharp, like a newly forged sword, impossible to meet directly.

Crash! The mirror seemed unable to withstand the pressure and shattered, fragments flying toward Linda’s delicate face.

With a flick, a protective field of radiant energy flared from the princess, shielding her from the shards. Its color was a dazzling gold…