The commotion gradually subsided, though its aftermath lingered in the air. What had once been a radiant hall of music and polished laughter now bore faint traces of chaos. Fine cracks ran across the floor, and a chandelier hung slightly askew, its crystals still trembling from residual mana.
The damage was not catastrophic, but enough to disrupt the palace's carefully maintained illusion of perfection. Palace mages moved in immediately, chanting restoration spells. Broken floors sealed itself with threads of light, scorch marks faded, and the chandelier slowly realigned. Within minutes, the hall looked as though nothing had happened. Only the atmosphere remained unchanged.
Laughter returned in fragments as nobles straightened themselves, though their eyes still drifted toward Zhangxuan and Alteraz. Curiosity and unease remained in every glance.
Exhaustion hit Alteraz all at once. Her body grew heavy, and her vision tilted as her knees weakened. However, she did not fall. Zhangxuan caught her before she hit the ground, steadying her in a single motion. His expression stayed composed, but eyes stayed longer as he assessed her condition, adjusting his hold to support her more securely.
Ansley quickly stepped forward.
"My lord, allow me," he said.
Zhangxuan gave a slight nod and handed her over.
The warmth in his expression disappeared the moment Ansley and Alteraz left the hall. His usual detachment returned as his gaze swept across the room.
At the far end, the noblewoman responsible for the chaos was already surrounded by officials and being escorted out. No chains bound her, and no harsh reprimands followed. She remained composed, as though the incident had barely troubled her. Whispers spread quickly through the hall, growing louder as guests recognized her identity. The murmurs deepened when members of a powerful faction arrived.
House Hevenforde.
The noblewoman was one of its members. It was a lineage deeply tied to the kingdom's power structure, one few dared openly oppose. Even those who disapproved kept their thoughts buried. Zhangxuan's eyes settled on the insignia on her attire as she departed, the crest of House Hevenforde glinting beneath the chandelier's light. His expression did not change, but his gaze narrowed slightly, as though noting more than what was visible. Before the atmosphere could settle, the air shifted.
Elshmir Rouden entered. The Celestial Mage of the kingdom. His presence bent the space around him not through aggression, but through absolute control, like an unseen sky pressing down upon all within the hall. His gaze immediately found Zhangxuan as he approached.
"It has been some time since you attended such gatherings," Elshmir said.
"I did not expect the Celestial Mage himself to appear for a minor incident," Zhangxuan replied.
A ripple passed through the hall at his words. Elshmir's voice turned colder. "Minor? After what occurred within royal grounds?"
"I will take responsibility," Zhangxuan answered evenly.
Elshmir let his gaze rest on him for a moment before speaking again. "What do you mean you? Your disciple should be the one held accountable she's the one who started this mess"
"A matter of this magnitude cannot be dismissed, especially when it risks diminishing the authority of the royal family." he continued.
The words were framed as duty, but the undercurrent of personal intent was difficult to ignore.
"Elshmir, why do you always talk too much?"
Zhangxuan's remark cut through the hall, and Elshmir's expression darkened instantly.
He understood exactly what Elshmir was plotting. Beneath the formal words lay personal hatred, and a willingness to exploit anyone if it meant gaining leverage over him, including Alteraz.
Zhangxuan's mana gathered around him, enough to make the air itself feel suffocating. The hall stiffened as guards shifted into formation, mages took position, and nobles quickly stepped back, unwilling to remain between two forces that no longer concealed their intent.
Zhangxuan spoke in a low voice, though it carried clearly across the hall.
"I am her master and only I can punish her."
___
Alteraz awoke in a softly lit room, bandages wrapped around her arms and torso. She wore a loose night robe, and the scent of medicinal herbs are evident in the air. As awareness returned, one thought stayed in her mind.
Her master had saved her.
The door opened quietly, and Atila stepped in, carrying bottles of potion. Alteraz's eyes widened, trying to process how she had appeared here. She had been left behind at their residence, but now she stood in front of her.
"Why are you here? Where are we?" she asked, curiosity threading through her voice as she scanned the room.
"We remain in the Kanzakh Kingdom, inside an inn not far from the palace," Atila replied. "The Grandmaster rented this room for you to rest, and I was summoned magically to attend you."
"Summoned?" The word caught in Alteraz's mind, trying to grasp something.
If she could be transported instantly, what had been the point of the carriage earlier? The memory of the ride suddenly felt trivial against everything that had happened since.
Atila met her gaze, answering the unspoken question. "Teleportation isn't something to take lightly. It requires skill and precision. A mistake can leave the soul behind in one place while the body arrives elsewhere—or worse, trap someone between worlds."
Alteraz only managed an "oh," finally understanding the dizziness she felt when they had first arrived. Then her expression shifted slightly as another thought surfaced.
"Where is my master?" Her voice carried concern, though it remained steady.
Atila hesitated. "The Grandmaster… for what I know, he is being held by the palace authorities, specifically by the celestial mage himself"
Celestial mages..
Celestial Mages were considered the third highest rank in the eight stages of magic, while Zhangxuan, still an Archmage, stood two stages below them.
Only a handful had ever reached that level, including Elshmir Rouden of the Kanzakh Kingdom, Testarossa Hamburghn of the North, and Lucila Montefeliass of House Montefeliass.
One name struck Alteraz like a blow.
Elshmir Rouden.
The name brought back what she had almost forgotten. He was driven by deep hatred toward Zhangxuan, whose ambition was reshaped the moment the Northern Expedition was taken from him and granted to Zhangxuan instead.
A thought struck Alteraz immediately.
The earlier commotion would be used by Elshmir to target Zhangxuan, and she would likely be used to hurt him as well. All because of a simple slip in heels, events had shifted in ways she could never have anticipated, and now Elshmir had the upper hand. To her, Zhangxuan, who is still an Archmage at this time, would stand little chance against someone of Elshmir's power if anything went wrong. Without a second thought, she bolted at the door.
"My lady!" Atila exclaimed, but Alteraz did not stop.
When the door opens, she collides with Ansley.
"M-my lady, why are you running?"
"How can you call me your lady when you did nothing to help me!" she said, openly voicing her grudge over what had happened earlier.
"I—am, uh—" Ansley stammered, he couldn't find the right words.
"Forget it," she interrupted. "Take me to my master"
Ansley's expression suddenly turned serious. "The Grandmaster… he's busy with his work right now... he's talking to some people in the palace."
Noticing the doubt in Alteraz's expression, he continued, "My lady… you are overthinking this. The Grandmaster will be fine. He is just doing what he usually does as the Head of House De Florencia after all."
Alteraz knew he was lying. Atila had already told her everything. Then, the ground shook violently as dust fell from the ceiling. As if her deepest fear had begun to take shape, Alteraz seized Ansley's sleeve.
"Take me to him. Now!" she snapped, pulling him into a sprint.
Ansley was pulled along by her, not resisting in case stopping too suddenly might hurt her. As they run through the halls, his master's name flashed in Alteraz's mind
Zhangxuan… don't you dare die. I haven't even lived my life yet.
He was the key to everything she planned for this world. Therefore, losing him was definitely not an option.