“Strange indeed,” Alber murmured, sensing an unsettling shift in the air. The presence of the monster that had long tormented her with deceitful intentions had abruptly dissipated. Reflecting on the timeline, it became apparent that its disappearance coincided with Alber’s activation of the magic enabling her to glimpse into the future. With the creature having finally glimpsed the future it so fervently desired, there seemed to be no further need for it to torment Alber. Yet, an intuitive whisper nagged at Alber, suggesting there was more to this abrupt departure.


    “Come to think of it, its reaction was rather peculiar,” she mused aloud, her thoughts drifting back to the towering tree that loomed over a clearing in her vision of the future. The memory of that moment remained vivid in her mind.


    Upon witnessing that particr future, Alber’s emotions had been a tumultuous mix of relief and disquiet. Relief washed over her, knowing that the creature’s relentless pursuit might finally be at an end, yet she couldn’t shake the pang of unease at the realization that the creature had achieved its coveted foresight.


    However, the creature’s demeanor hadn’t matched what Alber anticipated. It had shown far more enthusiasm at the birth of two others in the past than at its own prophetic revtion.


    “What game are you ying?” Alber demanded, her hand tracing the intricate patterns on the floor as she concentrated her thoughts. The faint glow of the patterns intensified into a brilliant beam of light.


    “What are you doing?” A voice reverberated in her mind, and Alber’s eyes fluttered open. A translucent figure materialized, its form blurry and indistinct. It had been a considerable time since Alber had lost her sight, and she considered herself fortunate not to behold that loathsome face once more.


    “My ears are fully functional,” Alber retorted, noting the annoyance flickering in the apparition’s eyes. “What were you doing?”


    At the sound of the harsh voice, Alber eased the tension in her furrowed brows. Refusing to engage in telepathicmunication, she found sce in the rity of spoken words, despite the grating quality of the apparition’s attempt to mimic human speech.


    “I summoned you,” she stated inly, her voice steady.There was no immediate response, and Alber sensed a flicker of surprise from the apparition. She hadn’t summoned it before, always on edge, uncertain of when the monster would next intrude.


    “Why?” the apparition demanded, its tone edged with skepticism.


    “I’ve glimpsed the future you desire,” Alber replied calmly. “Isn’t it time you updated me on its progress?”


    The apparition scoffed dismissively. “You speak nonsense. The future you see is not imminent. How long has it been since youst beheld it?”


    “Time loses meaning in this ce,” Alber said, her impatience seeping through her words. “I’ve been trapped here for what feels like an eternity, guarding this magic. Now that the end is finally in sight, can you me me for feeling restless?”


    “If there’s any noteworthy progress, I’ll inform you. Do not disturb me needlessly,” the apparition snapped before vanishing abruptly, leaving Alber with a furrowed brow and a sense of dissatisfaction.


    “Something about this feels off,” she muttered to herself, her intuition prickling at her senses. Living for as long as she had, her intuition had sharpened to a remarkable degree. It was moments like these that made her feel as though she had transcended mere humanity.


    Previously, Alber had dedicated herself solely to the mastery of magic, but with the apparent resolution of her trials, a sense of ease washed over her. It was as if her senses expanded infinitely as she took in her surroundings, reveling in the newfound tranquility.


    “I won’t be fooled by whatever trickery is at y,” she dered, a smirk dancing upon her lips.


    The following day, Alber summoned the apparition once more. It was a simple task, a consequence of the magical connection between her and the creature. When she activated the magic, it sent a signal to the apparition, prompting its arrival to investigate her actions.


    “What is it now?” the apparition grumbled upon its arrival, irritation evident in its voice.


    “It seems you’re hiding something from me,” Alber observed casually.


    “Now you’re delusional. If you unnecessarily summon me again, I won’t let it go,” the apparition warned sharply before dissipating.


    Alber found herself rather amused by the apparition’s reaction and decided to repeat the act the following day. When the apparition materialized once more, it was greeted with an angry outburst.


    “Alber!”


    “Hmph. Did you think I would remain silent if you ignored me? With nothing else to upy my time, bothering you has be a delightful diversion,” Alber retorted, a smirk ying across her features.


    Sang-je glowered at her, his frustration palpable. He was preupied with overseeing thepletion of the temple and the fortification of the sanctuary’s defense spells, leaving little patience for Alber’s antics. This was undoubtedly the busiest period he had experienced in his long existence.


    Yet, despite its annoyance, Sang-je was powerless to act against Alber. He had yet to find a suitable recement for her, and if he desired to be rid of her, he would have to wait until after the sessful implementation of the defense spells and the stable operation of the magic was confirmed.


    Sang-je departed after confirming Alber’s innocence, leaving her to her own devices. Yet, Alber persisted in summoning him, increasing the frequency from once a day to twice, a ritual now ingrained in her daily routine. With each appearance, Sang-je seemed to grow increasingly agitated.


    Days melded into weeks, and Alber’s morning and evening summonings became a predictable pattern. Each encounter with Sang-je was met with heightened emotional responses, his demeanor resembling that of a person severed from their lifeline.


    Then, one fateful morning, Alber sensed a shift in the air—a subtle yet unmistakable energy that coursed through her veins. It was a sensation she struggled to articte, but she recognized it for what it was: witchcraft. A higher-level magic had been activated nearby.


    Had she been anyone else, she might have dismissed it as a fleeting mood swing. But thanks to Eugene’s teachings, Alber understood the truth—Sang-je was covertly siphoning magic to augment his knowledge.