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Roma turned to him, her eyes widening slightly. She pointed to herself.

"…Me?"

Northern nodded.

"Of course. You."

She scrunched up her face, then threw her hands up.

"Uh? Why would a Sage like you care?"

Northern sighed, a slight frown tugging at his brows.

"You've been making some ruthless assumptions just because I'm a Sage. While it doesn't really bother me, it does tend to get… disgusting."

Roma blinked.

"I only asked because I'm curious," Northern continued, his gaze steady. "How does a non-Drifter like you fight monsters that well?"

She froze for a moment, taken aback.

That…

That was a compliment.

A strange one. An indirect one. But coming from him? It was unexpected.

And she hadn't realized how much she needed to hear it. Especially from a Sage.

Her eyes dropped for a moment, a pleasant smile lingering on her lips.

Then, softly, she spoke.

"My childhood… I'd call it a grateful one."

She paused, then let out a small chuckle.

"Contrary to my pathetic self, my brothers are all Drifters. My eldest brother is a Savant. My second and third brothers are Masters. My third brother recently became a Master. And my parents…"

Her voice softened.

"They're both Sages."

Northern's eyes widened slightly.

'That's not something I was expecting.'

Her entire family were Drifters. She was the odd one out.

But it explained a lot—her radiant weaponry, her skillful combat. She had either worked herself to the bone or had been drilled into it by them.

Northern could imagine how overprotective they must have been… especially if she was the only female.

"That means… you were the only girl."

Roma chuckled, but something about it was sad.

"Yeah. The last one."

She paused, gazing at the horizon. The beast of burden carried them forward with steady steps, the orange glow of the descending Day Star casting its light over her face.

She took a breath.

"You know, a lot of ordinary humans are actually grateful they're not Drifters. When they see the horrific things you guys go through, how many of you die every day, they feel lucky."

Her fingers curled slightly around her cloak.

"…But for me, it wasn't like that. I cursed my fate from a young age for not being one."

Her voice wavered.

The pain in her words was sharp—biting at the edges of her tongue. She almost gritted her teeth, but instead, she softened her gaze, her golden eyes carrying a strange mix of beauty and despondency.

"I wanted nothing but strength since the day I saw my father protect me from a horde of field monsters."

Her lips pressed together.

"I wanted to awaken as a Drifter. I was so hopeful. The entire family was sure I would awaken. For that reason, I trained harder than anyone. My brothers took turns pushing me to my limits, engraving everything they learned into my muscles. It was both enjoyable and excruciating."

She swallowed.

"Then, two years ago… I didn't awaken."

A heavy silence settled.

Northern glanced at her.

'That must have been a crushing blow.'

"My parents and siblings were fine with it. They saw it as a blessing."

Her tone grew bitter.

"But I was desperate. So I started throwing myself into dangerous situations. I was young, stupid, reckless. They knew it too, so they got very protective of me. Too protective."

Northern furrowed his brows slightly.

He understood.

Awakenings were often triggered by near-death experiences. His own had been no different.

But deliberately seeking death…? That was idiotic.

At least, she knew that now.

Then, suddenly—his eyes widened.

His expression darkened.

"…Don't tell me—"

"No!"

Roma cut him off sharply.

"I promise, this isn't me trying to throw myself into death's maw."

Northern narrowed his eyes.

"Then why are you here?"

Roma looked away.

Her voice was quieter when she spoke.

"…The reasons are personal. I'll tell you. Just… not now."

Northern's eyes lingered on her for a few seconds before he sighed.

"Fine by me."

Roma hesitated, then frowned.

"And I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone, either. I just… need to investigate something."

She shook her head vigorously, as if trying to rid herself of lingering doubts.

"Either way… that's how I grew up. Pampered and protected by five powerful Drifters."

Northern nodded.

He hesitated for a moment.

Then, after some thought, he said—

"You're lucky."

Roma's expression immediately twisted into anger. Stay updated via My Virtual Library Empire

"What? Lucky? You call this luck? Please."

She rolled her eyes, turning away sharply.

Northern's voice continued.

"My mother never wanted me to become a Drifter. They never trained me for it. I only had light sparring sessions with my dad—more as a hobby than anything."

His fingers tightened slightly.

"When I became a Drifter, I made the difficult decision to enroll in the Academy against their wishes. They didn't stop me. But because of that decision, I was sent to the Dark Continent.

He scoffed.

"And because I was never properly trained, I paid for it. Dearly."

Roma's frown and anger dissipated as soon as she heard his words.

Northern's expression remained unreadable.

Then, after a moment, Roma spoke, frowning as she did.

"I've heard of parents sheltering their kids, but isn't that all the more reason to at least put them through excessive lessons at public citadels? So they don't die?"

Northern chuckled lightly.

"Mine were… unique."

She chuckled too.

"Unique indeed."

But then, her expression softened. A light of pity flickered in her golden eyes.

"…The experience must have been harrowing for you."

Northern shrugged.

"It was. But I didn't die."

He paused.

Then, as if reconsidering—

"…Actually, I almost died. Once."

Roma blinked. "Wait, really?"

"Yeah. If the other students hadn't shown up in time, I wouldn't be here."

Her brows furrowed.

Then—

"Oh! Cool! I'm glad you made it! I mean, thanks to you I am riding on a six legged creature!"

Northern's pale smile faltered.

'…Of all things to be thankful for, that is what she chooses?'

He shook his head.

'What a weird girl.'

And then—

Northern suddenly froze.

His entire body tensed, his eyes turning grim.

Roma noticed and tilted her head slightly.

"…What is it?"

Northern's gaze sharpened.

Then, with cool indifference, he looked at her and said:

"I've found it."