After the village chief finished explaining everything, Ellen was quickly told what Isaac and the others wanted from her.
But before they could even finish laying it out, she gave them a firm, cold answer.
"No."
She didn't even need to think about it. Ellen wasn't interested in becoming a teacher to train humans into artificial mages. That meant nothing to her.
All she wanted was to stay by Rin Yuki's side.
Simple as that.
When she shut them down so bluntly, the two Britannian generals exchanged a quick, almost unnoticeable look.
Isaac and Elliot couldn't hide their disappointment.
They had hoped she'd say yes. Ellen wasn't just strong—she was the strongest person in the entire village, without question. If someone like her personally trained the new generation of artificial mages, they would've become an unstoppable force.
Now that dream was crushed.
But Isaac wasn't ready to give up yet. Desperate to change her mind, he leaned in with a grin, as if offering her a golden ticket.
"Ellen, we've developed something new—a high-tech piece of gear called the CR-UNIT," he said eagerly. "It's way more powerful than the older models. And with your skill level, wearing one would make you nearly invincible."
He looked her straight in the eyes.
"If you agree to become an instructor for our company, you can pick any CR-UNIT you like."
Isaac really thought that would tempt her. He was offering the best of what they had—gear that could turn a fighter into a walking army.
But Ellen didn't even bother to look at him.
"No need," she said flatly. "I already have the best."
She turned her head slightly, eyes softening just a little as they landed on Rin Yuki, who stood not far behind her.
Isaac froze.
"Uh…"
She had dismissed everything he offered like it was worthless.
With nothing left to say, he gave a stiff nod.
"Very well… We'll respect your decision."
Isaac, the generals, and Elliot turned to leave.
But as they walked off, Isaac turned back for one last glance—only to see Rin Yuki already watching him.
Yuki didn't speak. He didn't even move. He just smiled faintly.
That smile wasn't friendly—it was calm, but cold. It made Isaac's skin crawl. It felt like Yuki was looking right through him.
Like he knew everything.
And worse… like he didn't even care enough to be bothered by it.
Isaac looked away quickly, the back of his neck prickling as unease settled deep in his gut.
As they walked through the village streets, Isaac stayed quiet, brooding.
He was sure Ellen's rejection had everything to do with that man—Rin Yuki.
There was something unnatural about him.
Even though Yuki didn't say a word, his presence was overwhelming. It was like walking beside a sleeping predator—you didn't want to look too long or move too suddenly.
Isaac felt like if he stared into those calm eyes for even a second longer, all his secrets would be laid bare.
On the Way Back
Isaac and Elliot walked with the village chief for a while, eventually saying their goodbyes.
The chief warned them gently, reminding them of the dangers of getting too close to outsiders. But neither of the men paid it much attention.
Elliot, however, looked genuinely troubled.
"If Ellen's not doing it… then who's going to train the artificial mages?" he asked.
Their entire plan was already set in motion—create a company that produced advanced weapons and trained artificial mages to act as high-level mercenaries for hire.
But not just any mercenaries.
These would be elite soldiers equipped with CR-UNITS—superhuman warriors.
Isaac just grinned and slapped Elliot on the back.
"No worries. If we don't have Ellen… we still have you!"
"Me?!" Elliot blinked in surprise.
"You want me to be the instructor?"
"Exactly," Isaac nodded. "You might not be on Ellen's level, but your skills are good enough."
Elliot sighed in resignation. "Well… guess I don't have a choice, huh?"
They parted ways with the village chief and caught up with the generals near the village outskirts.
There, they noticed something strange.
Their soldiers had gathered near a group of mage children—barely five years old, yet already conjuring bursts of magic that shattered tree trunks like they were made of paper.
The generals narrowed their eyes at the sight.
They didn't speak. But wordlessly, they nodded to each other and quietly pulled out their miniature recording devices.
Click.
They filmed everything in silence—children wielding enough power to level buildings if they wished.
Once done, they slipped the cameras away and walked back to their armored vehicles, faces cold and unreadable.
A Day Passes
Isaac and Elliot left the village with the Britannian team.
Back in the village, when Rin Yuki heard they were gone, his mind was already working.
He knew the world wouldn't leave them alone now.
The moment the outside world realized magic was real—and learned the exact location of a village full of mages—there would be fear.
And when people fear what they don't understand?
They destroy it.
Yuki had seen it all before.
That was why the mage ancestors had hidden themselves away in the first place.
But men like Isaac and Elliot didn't understand. Their ambition made them reckless. In their rush to make something great, they had invited danger right to the village's doorstep.
It was only a matter of time now.
Two Days Later
Rin Yuki went to the village chief.
"We need to move them," he said simply.
The chief was startled. "Move them? But where? We don't have a place—"
"That's not a problem."
Yuki already had a solution in mind.
He found a small island deep in the Nordic region. Isolated, hard to reach, but full of natural resources and easy enough to supply with outside shipments.
Perfect for survival.
Then, with nothing more than a snap of his fingers—
Everything changed.
The entire village was gone from the forest.
Instantly, every person, home, and belonging was relocated to the island. The homes were already rebuilt there, identical to the old ones. The villagers just had to carry their things inside.
It all happened in a blink.
But Yuki didn't stay.
Neither did Ellen or her sister.
The three of them left together—returning to the outside world.
One Week Later – London, Britannia
In a luxury villa nestled in one of London's richest neighborhoods, Rin Yuki reclined on a lounge chair in the sunlight, staring at his phone.
He was chatting in a private group.
Raiden: "My luck's amazing today! I got 100 points from the daily check-in!"
Huaizhu: "Lady Raiden, you're unstoppable!"
Saeko: "True. But Yuki-kun still wins every time. (smile)"
Artemis: "Ugh! This system is rigged! How does he always get full points?!"
Yuki: "Don't worry, Artemis. Maybe you'll get lucky next time."
Artemis: "Aww~ You always say the sweetest things, Yuki~ Mwah!"
Raiden: "Okay… Artemis is acting weird."
Saeko: "Agreed. She's showing emotions. Human ones. What happened?"
Artemis: "It's Yuki, of course! (serious face)"
Artemis: "Just kidding~! …Maybe it's from observing humans so much. They keep talking about this thing called 'love.'"
Yuki: "Then congratulations, Artemis. Sounds like you've learned what a 'heart' is."
Artemis: "Hehe~ It's all thanks to you, Yuki. Without you, I wouldn't understand any of it. That's why I'll always love you~~~"
Raiden: "Ugh! You're so cheesy!!"
Huaizhu: "But it's romantic…"
Saeko: "I feel the same, Lady Artemis. (smile)"
Rin Yuki let out a soft laugh at Artemis' overly affectionate message. Her words were sweet, and maybe a little childish—but it was real emotion.
He leaned back in the reclining chair, eyes closed, soaking in the warm sun on his skin. The villa was quiet. Peaceful.
Click.
The study door creaked open behind him.
Footsteps—quick, sharp, urgent.
Two figures rushed inside.