Ansley returned to the Grandmaster's quarters after completing his previous task. Inside, preparations for the evening banquet were already underway, with servants moving around Zhangxuan.
One adjusted the layers of his crimson robe so it fell neatly over his frame. Another arranged his long black hair over his shoulders, while a third held out jeweled accessories for him to choose from.
Zhangxuan stood dressed in a layered ceremonial gown befitting high nobility. The deep crimson outer robe shimmered under the light, its gold-threaded sleeves shifting with his movement. Beneath it, darker inner layers showed at the collar and cuffs. A wide embroidered belt secured the outfit, giving him an unmistakably commanding presence.
The room was busy, with people moving about in careful coordination, though an uneasy feeling hung in the air. No one spoke unless it was absolutely necessary.
Zhangxuan noticed Ansley immediately. With only a glance, the servants understood and quietly withdrew, closing the door behind them. Now alone, Ansley stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Grandmaster, the arrangements have been completed. The young lady has obtained her soul weapon."
Zhangxuan's expression did not change as he adjusted his sleeve.
"Has she?" he said calmly. "Of the five relics presented, which one answered her?"
Ansley answered carefully.
"She did not choose, Grandmaster. The Blade of Accsentia responded to her."
For the first time, Zhangxuan paused.
"Accsentia…" he repeated. "It chose her?"
"Yes," Ansley confirmed. "The other relics remained silent."
"That is… unexpected."
Ansley remained kneeling for a moment before hesitating.
"Grandmaster… forgive my question, but why allow such an artifact to acknowledge her? You are well aware of the young lady's previous disposition."
Zhangxuan walked toward the window, hands resting behind his back.
"Alfor," he said.
The name caught Ansley off guard. It had been years since he heard it spoken so casually by Zhangxuan.
"We both know Alteraz harbors resentment toward me," Zhangxuan continued. "Do you believe resentment disappears overnight?"
Ansley frowned slightly, clearly confused by what he was saying.
"Grandmaster… I do not understand."
Zhangxuan turned to face him.
"Do you think Alteraz has lost her memories?"
"Lost… her memories?" Ansley repeated.
No one had told him she had lost her memories. He had assumed her recent behavior was due to restraint, self-control, or perhaps even another scheme. Then something surfaced in his mind.
"Grandmaster…" he said slowly. "Earlier today… she also called me Alfor."
Zhangxuan did not respond. He only looked at him.
If she remembers it…
Then, she had never truly forgotten...
Ansley's thoughts grew heavier as the pieces slowly fell into place. He looked at Zhangxuan with a worried expression, uncertainty coiling in his chest.
"Now you understand."
The instant Zhangxuan's words settled in the air, Ansley's mind was pulled back into his past, memories rising unbidden and clear.
Alfor Elreo Dasnava was a name Ansley had long buried.
He had once been a skilled craftsman, but his talent caught the attention of the Montefeliass family. They did not offer him patronage, only force. He was taken, stripped of his freedom, and made to work as their servant, his skill exploited without reward. Years passed before he could no longer endure it. He escaped, and in the process, blood was spilled within the Montefeliass household, marking him as a fugitive in their eyes.
It was during that time, when he was hunted and branded, that Zhangxuan found him. He freed him from ruin, gave him refuge, and saw value in him when others only saw a tool. To help him disappear, Zhangxuan changed his appearance and gave him a new name: Ansley.
Alteraz had known him in those earlier years as Alfor, because Zhangxuan was still unused to his new name and often called Ansley "Alfor" out of habit. Back then, as she grew up, their relationship had been warm and familiar, built on trust. But everything changed after Zhangxuan became Grandmaster and the truth about her parents' deaths was revealed. From that moment, what once bound them together broke apart, leaving only distance and unresolved pain between them.
Ansley still remembered that day when Alteraz finally cut ties with them. The rain had been heavy, falling without pause, as if mirroring the weight between them.
"You must stop this," Ansley said, grabbing her arm. "You don't understand what you're doing."
"And you do?!" she snapped back.
"The grandmaster has protected you countless times."
"And who asked him to?"
"Alteraz!" he said, impatience creeping into his voice.
"Just leave me alone! You and him are no longer anything to me!"
She shook off his grip and walked away. Before leaving, she looked at him one last time.
"Alfor, as gratitude for what you once did for me, I will keep my silence about you. But do not expect anything more."
The image of her vanishing beneath the downpour still held in his mind, but it faded as reality pressed back in. Ansley drew himself out of the memory and returned fully to the present.
"Grandmaster… if she ever becomes a threat," he said, his tone turning cold.
"She is my disciple," Zhangxuan said, interrupting him.
Ansley bowed his head, but his resolve remained.
Zhangxuan poured wine into a glass and took a slow sip before setting it down.
"If she wishes to act, then I will let her take the stage," he said calmly. "A master does not fear his disciple's performance… he merely steps back and lets it unfold, revealing what the person believes is hidden."
"Let's see how far she'll go."
Ansley looked at his master, his expression unreadable at first, as he slowly found it hard to ignore just how unpredictable this man truly was.
"This servant understands," he said, bowing deeply before withdrawing to prepare the carriage.
—
In her chamber, Alteraz stood before the mirror while Atila adjusted the final details of her gown.
The deep red dress fit her perfectly, its layered silk flowing like ancient imperial robes. Wide sleeves and silver embroidery formed delicate floral and cloud-like patterns, while the fitted bodice shaped it elegantly. Long trailing panels moved softly with her, giving her a regal yet graceful presence.
Alteraz studied her reflection with a strange expression. She was undeniably beautiful. It was strong and striking, with a presence that felt both fierce and feminine.
In her past life, she would have considered herself average. Compared to this reflection, that version of her now felt almost plain.
She simply stood there, staring as if trying to recognize the person looking back at her.
"My lady," Atila said softly, "the grandmaster is waiting."
Alteraz was pulled out of her thoughts, the fascination with her reflection fading instantly. She glanced at Atila with a slight awkwardness before turning away from the mirror and leaving the room.
Outside, Ansley was already waiting in formal knight attire. As she stepped out, he naturally fell into step beside her as her escort, while Atila followed behind. Together, they headed downstairs.
At the bottom, Zhangxuan was already waiting beside the carriage. His outfit matched hers in color, but standing next to him made her feel slightly overshadowed.
"Good evening, Master."
He gave a slight nod and entered the carriage, and she followed him inside as well.
They sat facing each other as the carriage began to move, neither of them speaking. Alteraz tried to remain composed, but the silence pressed in on her. She was never comfortable in moments like this, and little by little, she began to fidget. Unable to hold it any longer, she finally spoke.
"Master… may I ask something?"
"You already are."
His matter-of-fact reply made Alteraz a little annoyed. She let out a soft exhale before continuing.
"I am your direct disciple, correct?"
"You are."
"Then tell me," She continued, "What separates my position from the others?"
Zhangxuan turned his gaze toward her.
"You already know the answer."
"I do," she said. "But I want to hear it from you."
His eyes narrowed slightly as he asked, "And why is that necessary?"
"Because words matter," she replied. "Especially yours."
"Alteraz," he said quietly, "what do you truly seek?" Zhangxuan could tell she was circling around something without saying it plainly, so he didn't let it drag on and asked her directly instead.
She met his gaze head-on.
"I want them to know who I am"
She spoke softly, but her meaning was clear. It was not a request for attention, but a quiet declaration that, as the Grandmaster's disciple, she would no longer be ignored or treated as insignificant.
Zhangxuan understood immediately. After a moment of silence, a faint knowing smile formed on his lips, as if he had seen more in her words than she had said.
"If that is your wish, leave them no room to forget."