Time stood still as the monster leaned over Rose with its mace high in the air.Even if I saved her from that monster, she was already infected.She would become a monster and try to kill me as well. Was there a point? Suddenly, I heard a voice in the back of my mind.[I'm sorry. I've seen this event play out so many times but it always ends the same...]At that moment, I realized that time really was frozen. I couldn't move a muscle as a result, but I could still think."What's going on here? What happened!? Tell me, dammit!!!" I thought angrily at the voice.[This is her fate. She is a catalyst for your determination to destroy the Source. We thought you at least deserved to know. Not that it really matters that much, anymore.]Rage exploded within me."TO HELL WITH THAT SHIT!!! YOU THINK WATCHING THE WOMAN I LOVE DIE WILL HELP ME!? GO TO HELL!!!" [I knew you wouldn't accept it. I didn't want to either. To see you experience such anguish over and over... It beings us nothing but s

I couldn't believe what I had heard.The experience she went through was beyond terrifying. Far more than anything someone should have to endure."Who do you think was speaking to you?" I asked."I can't say for certain, but I'm sure it was the Source. The Oracle said that the Source was a person, correct? Maybe that was him," Isabella said.It seemed very likely, but the implications of his power being so vast and far-reaching only made the situation feel more dire.He claimed that the world already belonged to him.How much time did we have left? Was there any hope? Or were we already doomed?I might have hated a lot of things about this world, but it was still our home. I wanted to save it if it was still possible. It meant that I would have to try even harder to get stronger."Isabella, do you think you'll be able to recover completely?" I asked her."Good question. My arm feels like it was broken, but the bone mended somehow. Likely when you used your healing magic on me. Althoug

I entered the room and saw the Queen sitting by herself at a desk.Several stacks of documents were laid out on it and the room was kept well-lit by a few beautifully-made lamp stands that glowed with magic."Ah, so you've come. Have a seat," the Queen said almost dismissively.I walked over to the chair facing the Queen and sat down."Now then, I have a few questions for you, Mizik. May I call you Mizik? Or do you have some sort of title you wish for me to use?" She said.I simply stared at her with a blank expression. My posture and my eyes remained as neutral as possible."That was me giving you a turn to speak. Are you nervous?" I shook my head and continued staring into her eyes."Then what seems to be the problem?" She said."I desire your permission to speak freely. I want an open and honest talk," I said simplyEvryss rolled her eyes."Is it not enough that I have invited you to chat? You, a lowly commoner, should be grateful for the honor of speaking to me, the Queen of Alba

After those events, I began to truly settle into a new routine.The Queen still didn't like me, but I made a continuous effort to present myself as a gentleman.Walter actually helped me learn the basics.Over time, I would even attend certain classes upon Isabella's request and learned things about leadership and politics.Next, there was another glaring issue.Part of the problem that the other nobles and even the Queen had with me didn't have anything to do with my familyI was a half-noble with no formal education, no titles, and no proper upbringing. Even if the King was working on granting me a title, my childhood consisted of my father trying his best to raise and educate me himself.But my father mainly taught me practical things. How to survive, how to work, and how to fight.He always told me to remain as humble and uncorrupted by the high life as possible because one day I would be part of it.The result was that I lacked a proper education that most nobles received normal

The morning of our wedding day started very differently.Immediately after waking up, Isabella and I began getting ready for the day.By that, I mean the bridesmaids requested that I leave Isabella's room and get dressed by myself.I wasn't allowed to see Isabella again until the ceremonySince security was much tighter around the castle, today, Walter had several butlers help me get ready as well.After I was dressed, I headed over to the room where the ceremony would be taking place. Despite security being so strict, I was concerned about intrusions.The incident a couple of days prior had left us all a little shaken. Mainly Isabella and myself.I looked around the room at the expensive decorations and well-dressed nobles.I still felt out of place here, but that was alright. I was determined to enjoy this day to the fullest and wouldn't stand for anything bothering me.Walter was to be the best man at the wedding today. He stuck by my side at all times.This must be what Isabella f