I reign supreme in the Western fantasy world for eternity.

Eastern Territory, Viscount of Pompeii, Manor.

The sunlight turned the bluish-gray stone wall into a warm gold, and the flowers in the corner were in full bloom, cascading down like a golden waterfall.

Elena leaned against the window, her light golden hair loosely tied back, with a few stray strands falling beside her ears. Her slender figure was wrapped in a dark blue loungewear dress, making her look serene and gentle.

She was holding a half-read book in her hands, but her gaze was fixed on the crooked old oak tree outside the window.

The marks left by spring thunder are still there, and new buds have already sprouted from the cracks, their tender green color dazzling.

A maid's voice rang out from outside the door: "Miss, there was just a letter from the capital, from the Viscount."

"Put it on the table."

The maid entered the room, put the letter away, and then said, "The kitchen said this year's new tea has arrived. Would you like me to brew you a pot?"

"it is good."

The maid responded, bowed, and left the study.

The footsteps faded into the distance.

Elena closed the book, placed it on her lap, and gently stroked the gold-embossed words on the cover with her fingertips.

She didn't open the letter from the capital; her gaze remained fixed on the old oak tree until the maid came in with a tea tray, gently placed the white porcelain teapot and a teacup on the small table, and then quietly withdrew.

The steam rises gently, carrying the unique, slightly bitter aroma of freshly brewed tea.

Elena finally looked away, picked up the letter, tore off the wax seal, and pulled out the letter paper.

The letter paper was thick, with dark gold patterns embossed along the edges. The handwriting was neat and rigid, each stroke appearing as if carefully considered before being written.

She unfolded the letter and began reading it from the beginning.

My daughter Elena:

See the word as the face.

The situation in the capital has changed dramatically recently. Prime Minister William was impeached in Parliament by the faction led by Augustus, Earl of the North, and officially resigned two days ago. He and his family have moved back to their southern territories and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, will not return to the capital for at least ten years.

Count Augustus has been appointed by His Majesty the King as Prime Minister. Unlike Prime Minister William's smooth-talking style, he is known for his iron fist and decisive actions.

Officials from William's faction were either demoted or dismissed, and the court structure collapsed overnight.

Those nobles who had previously sent people to propose marriage have now all given up.

With William's downfall, his nephew is preoccupied with his own affairs, and the cardinals of the church have been transferred to the southern diocese. For the time being, you no longer need to worry about those forced marriages. Your father has been dealing with things in the capital for many years, and finally, you can catch your breath.

But there is one thing you need to decide for yourself.

You've probably heard the news that the Hero Squad has disbanded.

The holy sword shattered, the hero retreated into seclusion, and the entire capital was shaken. The Royal Magic Academy announced that it would open enrollment to all magicians under the age of twenty-five from across the continent, regardless of their background or social status.

Those who pass the assessment can be admitted to the hospital for further study.

Most importantly, the academy, the church, and the kingdom jointly announced that the student with the best academic performance in this cohort will be legally qualified to become a "Grand Magister" without being hindered by any force.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and also the result of compromises made by various forces.

As your father, I know that your ambitions lie elsewhere. From a young age, you have shown little interest in those formalities and rituals. However, your talent is so great that even the Dean of the Royal Magic Academy has personally praised it.

If you wish, this might be a path that doesn't require marriage alliances or dependence on others, and could allow your family to advance further.

Enclosed with the letter is an invitation to the inner court of the Royal Capital Magic Academy, personally signed by the academy's dean.

As your father, I will not make the decision for you. Whether you go or not is up to you.

Whatever choice you make, I will support you.

P.S.: I've already given those dried flower bookmarks you asked someone to bring back last time to your mother, and she was very happy.

If that crooked tree really can't hold on any longer, then cut it down. Don't keep sitting on it.

父字

——Today"

Sure enough, tucked beneath the letter was a gold-embossed invitation. The cover was inscribed with "Inner Court of the Royal Capital Magic Academy" in ancient magical script. Inside, neat handwriting invited Elena von Pompeii to attend the Inner Court entrance examination before the start of the semester.

Elena folded the letter and placed it on the table.

She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and found the new tea to be slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste.

After an unknown amount of time, a sudden gust of wind rose outside the window, scattering the flower petals everywhere.

She looked up and saw a figure in white stepping out of the void, his robes fluttering, his features unchanged.

Elena's pupils contracted sharply, and her fingers instinctively tightened around the teacup. It wasn't until the figure stood outside the window, the tea smoke blurring his outline, that she could see his face clearly.

"Ji Tian?!"

Her voice was a little unsteady, and the teacup in her hand wobbled, spilling a few drops of tea onto the back of her hand. She didn't even bother to wipe it off, and just stared at him blankly.

The first thing the other person said was, "I received the cloak you sent. But with my current level of cultivation, I don't need any more clothes."

Elena paused for a moment, then slowly curled the corners of her lips into a smile. "Then why did you come back?"

Ji Tian glanced at the old oak tree that had been struck by lightning. "Look at that crooked tree."

"It hasn't fallen yet."

"Um."

After Ji Tian finished speaking, he actually walked around the window to the tree, reached out and touched the charred crack on the trunk, and then looked up at the newly sprouted green buds.

"How long are you going to watch?" Elena's voice drifted from the window, carrying a hint of amusement that she herself didn't realize.

"Let's see when it collapses."

"Then take your time looking at it. I'll go get you a cup of tea."

Elena stood up, placed the book on the windowsill, and straightened her skirt.

She took two steps toward the door, then stopped without turning back.

"Ji Tian, ​​welcome home."

Ji Tian actually wanted to say "This is not home", but the atmosphere had already reached this point, so he didn't want to upset the other person.

Elena pushed open the door, steadied herself in the hallway, buried her surprise in her heart, and then started walking downstairs.

The tea should be freshly brewed; the pot the maid just brought has gone cold.

She personally took the tea leaves, warmed the teapot with hot water, put the tea leaves in, poured in hot water, and watched the leaves slowly unfurl and float in the water.

She was already very familiar with these movements, but today she felt a little rusty, her hands were clumsy and her heart was pounding.

Only after the aroma of the tea had settled did she steady the tea tray, stand outside the door for a moment to make sure her expression had returned to calm, and then push the door open to go in.

Ji Tian was no longer outside the window. Elena walked into the study and saw him sitting in the chair next to the bookshelf, flipping through the book "Geography of the Western Frontier" that she had previously placed on the windowsill. He was on the chapter about the "West Ridge Mountains".

"You wrote in your last letter that there was a dragon in that mountain," Ji Tian said calmly, turning another page. "I've been there, and there really is one."

Elena placed the tea tray on the coffee table, sat down opposite him, poured herself a cup of tea, and asked, "And then?"

"Then I beat up that dragon, and now it's a guest elder in my sect."

Elena paused, holding her teacup, and looked up at him. "When did you learn to brag?"

Ji Tian looked up from the book and glanced at her.

Elena saw a rare, almost aggrieved look in his eyes—he was actually taking it seriously.

She suppressed a laugh and handed him the teacup. "Okay, I believe you. Drink the tea while it's hot; it's freshly brewed."

Ji Tian took the teacup, but didn't drink it. He just held it in his hand, feeling the warmth emanating from the ceramic.

Elena also picked up her teacup and took a sip. The aroma of the tea spread between her lips and teeth, slightly bitter, with a sweet aftertaste.

She pushed the letter over.

"My father wrote that the Royal Capital Magic Academy is going to openly recruit students, and the best candidate can directly become a Grand Magus, free from the constraints of any power."

Ji Tian put down his book, picked up the letter and quickly scanned it, his gaze lingering for a moment on the words "no restrictions on background or social status" and "Grand Magister".

He gently placed the letter back on the table and pondered, "A rare opportunity. Are you tempted?"

Elena didn't answer immediately, but instead stroked the rim of her teacup for a long time before replying:

"I need to think about it... So, do you want me to go?"