In front of the gates of the Duke of St. Clair’s estate.

“Mr. Eric, this package is for Lady Inanna.”

The speaker was a neatly dressed, well-mannered young man.

Eric recognized him. He was the new supervisor at the Guild’s post station this year, and every time correspondence came for the duke’s household, he personally delivered it.

Two guards followed behind him, their sword-and-shield crests marking them as official Guild personnel.

The young man held out a sealed little box with both hands. A corner bore a red seal—the highest-grade stamp used by the Guild’s couriers.

“For the young lady?” Eric asked, a touch of surprise in his tone.

“Yes, a package for Lady Inanna.” The young man smiled, holding the box steady, showing no hint of impatience.

That was odd. Who would send something to Lady Inanna at this time?

And with a red seal, no less.

Her social circle was limited, almost entirely confined to the kingdom’s nobility. In the past year, she had hardly corresponded with anyone outside.

If it were a formal letter between nobles, it would carry a sky-blue seal.

So perhaps… the private letter of some young noble’s child?

The son of Count Roland, perhaps?

Though Eric’s mind turned over the possibilities, he did not delay the courier.

He accepted the box. “Much obliged, Josh.”

Josh’s eyes lit up with excitement—Eric had remembered his name. But a moment later, he smoothed his expression, bowed, and excused himself.

“Serving the St. Clairs is my honor. Since the package is delivered, I’ll take my leave.”

With his two guards, he departed.

Eric did not bring the package to Inanna immediately.

Instead, he carried it back to his room and laid out several magical instruments.

First, he broke the red seal. A faint ripple of magic spread outward.

No surprise there—the seal’s sole purpose was to prove the package hadn’t been tampered with en route.

Opening the box, he found it divided into two compartments.

One held a sealed letter. The other, a magic crystal the size of a ring gem.

Eric recognized it instantly—an S-rank crystal.

That only deepened his confusion. It couldn’t possibly be from a young noble’s son.

No child would be extravagant enough to send such a gift.

Curiosity aside, Eric did not pry into the letter. His duty was to ensure the lady’s safety, not her secrets.

He subjected both items to every test in his arsenal of detection tools.

No curses, no traps, no concealed spells.

Satisfied, he replaced everything as it had been.

Then, carrying the box, he walked directly to the training grounds.

——

The obsidian-paved training ground was reinforced with enchantments.

Waves of magical force rippled outward from the duel taking place inside.

Two young mages were locked in combat.

Inanna’s instructor, Julian, stood at the edge, observing closely.

At the sound of approaching footsteps, he glanced back.

“Good day, Steward,” he greeted.

Eric inclined his head. “And to you, Scholar.”

“Steward, what brings you here to watch Lady Inanna’s lesson today?”

Julian knew this steward was always busy, though he never knew with what. The question was more courtesy than inquiry; Julian had no desire to pry into the duke’s household.

His interest lay only in the library.

Eric was forthright. “A package arrived for the young lady.”

Julian noticed the box in his hands. “Shall I call her over, then?”

“No need. Let them finish first,” Eric replied.

Julian nodded and turned back to the fight.

Several magic missiles streaked from Calvin’s hand, curving through the air toward Inanna.

She remained still, conjuring a Water Mirror in front of her.

The rippling sheet of water glided about her, intercepting each missile with uncanny precision.

Two of them even ricocheted back, forcing Calvin to break off his next spell and dodge aside.

But as soon as he found his footing, Inanna’s Water Serpent surged forward.

He tried to retreat, to move outside its range—but its cohesion was far stronger than he’d anticipated.

He had no choice but to throw up a Mana Shield to block it.

That delay gave Inanna time to prepare yet another spell.

The match quickly settled into a rhythm: Inanna calmly casting one spell after another, while Calvin dashed about frantically, scrambling to avoid them.

Any counterattacks he managed were often reflected back at him by her still-active Water Mirror.

By the end, he looked ready to cry.

At last, when Inanna sealed his movements with a Mud Swamp spell, Julian called a halt.

He glanced at his exhausted disciple, who dragged himself from the muck and collapsed like a dead dog. Julian did not think the boy had done poorly.

Constantly disrupted, he had managed far fewer spells than Inanna. Truthfully, Julian had expected him to collapse much sooner.

Instead, he had somehow held on—darting and scrambling about with almost comical agility.

Julian wasn’t sure whether to feel proud or exasperated.

As for Inanna…

Even Julian had to admit her 【Favor of the Elemental Spirits】 was enviable.

Sometimes heaven bestowed its blessings with cruel unfairness—granting not only noble birth, but top-tier talent as well.

Calvin had no grounds to complain.

“That will do for today. Both of you, rest.”

Calvin muttered under his breath, “If I could use my ring and potions, I wouldn’t have lost so easily…”

Julian gave him a sharp look. “And should Inanna not be allowed her staff, then?”

Calvin fell silent at once.

It was true—they’d fought without equipment.

If Inanna had wielded her staff, with its large A-rank crystal embedded, he knew he would have been crushed even faster.

Ignoring his sulking disciple, Julian addressed Inanna.

“Inanna, Eric has a package for you.”

Unlike Calvin, she was barely winded, as if she’d only just finished a warm-up exercise.

At Julian’s words, she looked to the side of the field and spotted Eric holding the box.

“My package?” she asked, puzzled.