Alone and Infinite.

Chapter 465 How did you figure that out?
"Grandpa Gerrard! It's been a long time!"

Aliya excitedly opened her arms and rushed into the white-robed old man's embrace. For some reason, the moment they touched, Aliya couldn't help but shiver.

Fortunately, Gerald quickly released her, turned around with a smile, and gestured for Aria to enter the gate with him.

This made Aria wonder if she had just imagined it.

"Alia, it's been so long since you last came to see me, hasn't it?"

Gerald sat on the soft sofa in the living room, the firewood crackling in the fireplace.

The warm firelight shone out, but even so, Aliya still felt that the whole building seemed unusually cold.

It's exactly the same building as the one I remember, but the warmth and coziness it once held have vanished.

It even gave her the urge to leave as soon as possible.

She forced down her unease. Gerald was not only the dean of the university, but also her teacher and the 'Grandpa Gerald' who loved her the most.

"That's like going on an adventure outside, Grandpa. Let me tell you, I met a group of really interesting friends, and they're all really nice people."

I also went to many, many places and met many, many people.

Aliya spoke excitedly, waving her arms as if she were in a pub, freely expressing her feelings.

She changed out of the princess robe that was so tight it made it hard for her to breathe, and left the huge, magnificent, yet oppressive palace.

Aria truly seemed like a free-spirited girl, laughing with boundless joy:
"The real citizens of the empire are completely different from what you hear in books and in the palace!"

They have many worries: they complain about the inaction of officials, they are happy to have gained more companions, and they resent the oppression of some nobles.
They are living, breathing people, not just numbers or symbols!

Gerald listened with a smile, nodding repeatedly. After Aria finished speaking, he looked at her kindly and said:
“Good, it seems you have learned a lot on your journey. It was the right decision to send you on this trip.”

Aliya scratched her head sheepishly and chuckled.

At that time, she was tired of the formalities of the palace and the malicious attempts of many people to get close to her, and she longed for freedom.

But her father, Byron III, the supreme emperor of the Tresia Empire, told her coldly.

These emotions are nothing more than useless affectation, pretentiousness, and whining without cause, typical of young girls.

If she were just an ordinary family's daughter, she wouldn't have these wild thoughts at this point; she would only be thinking about life and how to make money.

Aria couldn't refute her father's words. He undoubtedly loved his children, but he was always so cold and rational, and he always approached every issue from a purely rational perspective.

It was Gerald's grandfather who stepped in and told the Emperor:

"These confusions are caused by her identity, so we shouldn't be too harsh on the child, since Aria wants to go out and see the world."

"Then go. Be prepared; no one within the Empire can harm Aria."

So the emperor agreed to let Aria do whatever she wanted within the empire.

This is the last bit of freedom the imperial princess has before she takes on responsibilities.

"So, thank you, Grandpa Gerrard!"

Arya's mouth was dry from talking, and she couldn't help but look around:
"Where's Aunt Sharon? Aunt Sharon!"

She knew everyone in that building intimately; she had spent at least half of the first ten years of her life in graduate school.

Sharon is the head maid here, and to her, she's like a kind auntie. Every time she comes, she smiles and serves her favorite black tea and desserts.

“Oh? Sharon? She was here before.” Gerald paused and looked to the side.

"Da da da"

The sound of heels tapping on the floor was followed by a figure carrying a tray.

With a somewhat stiff smile on her face, she walked to the coffee table and put down the items on the tray.

"Miss Aria, please enjoy your meal."

Aria looked at the tea and desserts on the table, her smile froze for a moment, and she looked at Sharon, about to say something.

But then Gerrard's voice was heard:
"Alia, is your...mark alright?"

Aliya suppressed her doubts and unease, turned to look at Gerald, and suddenly felt that the smile on the Dean's face was particularly fake, as if he were wearing a mask.

She hesitated for a moment, then said cautiously:
"It's alright, it's quite stable."

Gerrard stood up and raised an old hand:
"Let me check you out. After all, it's been several years since I last checked you. The magic power of eighteen Saint-level Grand Mages is an enormous force."

If the mark becomes loose or flawed, that would be bad news.

As the dean's student, he was the favorite disciple of Eurysipras, the Imperial Royal Guard and the court's Grand Mage.

Aria is incredibly talented, and her affinity and compatibility with magic are rare in this world.

Many high-ranking mages, when they felt their lives were nearing their end, chose to leave their magical power to this lovable imperial princess in some way.

Dean Gerald and the court sorcerer Placiplus jointly designed the 'Trickle Imprint'.

The magic is contained within the 'Opal Magic Crystal' treasured by the royal family, and then the magic is guided out of the crystal like a trickle through the intricate patterns.

It continuously nourishes Aria's body, expanding her source of magical power.

According to Eulerciplatz's calculations, this will continue until Aria has fully accepted the trickle.

She will become the strongest mage in the entire world, without exception, and possibly even the strongest mage in the entire history of the Tresia Empire.

Looking at Gerard's gentle smile, Aria felt as if her stomach was starting to cramp, and her fingers unconsciously pinched the tips of her hair.

If Moon Wolf's companions were here, they would already know that this was a sign that Aria was in a state of tension.

That's strange. This request is perfectly normal; Grandpa Gerald always checked my mark like this before.
Alya's breathing became increasingly rapid due to her emotions.

But why don't I just not want to agree and want to run away?

She opened her mouth, her voice even sounding a little hoarse:
"Um, Grandpa Gerard... I... I'm not feeling well right now. The mark is on my back. Could you show it to me after I change into my backless dress?"

Gerrard's smile froze for a moment, and he also stood up:
"Really? That's a pity, I can't wait that long."

He looked at the pale-faced Aria and asked with interest:

"How did you tell?"

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1. Monthly pass 2. Recommendation vote

(End of this chapter)