That was over five years ago. It was when Wraith had just become Lurimes' apprentice. Wraith hadn't yet realized Lurimes' true nature, and it was already with an innocent heart that she was trying to learn alchemy.

　After all, Wraith knew Rulimes' abilities and was interested in her alchemy when he saw her alchemy.

''Ray-kun, what do you think is the most important thing in alchemy?
Uh, knowledge?
'Yeah, yeah, that's important too! But there's something more important than that.

　With a soft smile, Lurimes pins up his index finger.

''The important thing in alchemy is 'hands-on experience.' It's about learning by watching!''
What does that mean...?
Well, I guess it's quicker to get them to actually do it than to tell them in words.

　I'm not sure, but if that's what my master says, then I'm sure it's true. With that in mind, the Wraiths, who arrived at Lurimes without a doubt, will have plenty of regrets.

　--The fact that I had chosen the person called Lurimes as my master.

　His first 'hands-on experience' could be called hell. What was the objective was the fruit in the vicinity of the dragon's nest. Of course, the dragon could not be ignored in order to take the fruit.

　As a result, Wraith had to be chased around by the dragon.

　The dragon's flames that snatched her cheeks brought tears to her eyes, and the storm that arose from the giant wings robbed her of her body's stability. Wraith was understandably impatient with his first experience of his life in danger.

　The distance between him and the dragon closes, and his large mouth pops open. Inside, sharp fangs grew in a tight line. It would be easy to eat a single person.

''Ahh!!!!!

　Wraith screamed in terror...



　*****



Uhhhhh...!

　With a pitiful voice, Wraith's consciousness was awakened.
　She was sleeping with her body on the chair, but her body was thrown to the ground, probably because she had too much momentum in waking up.

''Itte........''

　Wraith gets up, her aching body rising to her feet.

"...A dream, huh?

　I thought back to the cause of the screaming.

　It had been a long time since I'd had a dream. But still, it was the worst thing I've ever had, though. It's one of the top three scenes in my life that I don't want to remember.

　If I had to say it, it was the beginning of hell.

'Utterly and utterly the worst feeling I've had all morning...'

　When it comes to bad dreaming, it's definitely a first class thing.
　Wraith, with a stony look on his face, sighs. He goes to the front of the fridge while unraveling his aching body. I think about today's breakfast.

'Bread is fine?'

　Maybe it was the dream, but I didn't have much of an appetite. Normally, I eat my food, but today I decided not to.

　He poured some milk into a cup and sat down in a chair with a piece of bread. Then, in a daze, I looked around the room.

　It was comfortable for Wraith to live in this place, a combination of living space and workshop. It was an idea to fall asleep more often while working on alchemy, but it was still a wonderful place to be.

　When I think of the days when I was under the care of my master, I can call it heaven. Wraith inwardly consoled himself with the thought that I, I'm doing my best, and chewed on his bread.

''That doesn't mean I don't have my troubles, though.

　Wraith glanced at the letter that was placed on one of the desks. The sender of the letter was, unexpectedly, the royal family. It was handed to the Wraith as a request for nomination.

　It was yesterday that I received the letter. Naturally, I've already read through the contents. To summarize what was written, it's to come to the royal castle in three days' time.

　In other words, Wraith must go to the royal castle in two days' time. It sounds good if you call it a nomination request, but for Wraith, it's like he has no choice.

　Wraith can't refuse a request from the royal family because he's afraid of the consequences. The truth is that there would be few people who could refuse it.

　So it's confirmed that I'm going to the royal castle.

　However, there is one problem.

''I'm afraid that it doesn't say what's important...''

　The letter doesn't say why he sent the request to the Wraith. All it says is that they should come to the royal castle.

　So we are trepidatious about what they will actually say when we go there. It's fine if what is demanded is an elixir or something that the Wraiths can hand over, but if they say something reckless, it's bad.

''Huh........''

　The depression is only accelerated by the dream.

　Lace finished her breakfast and went to the bathroom. A cold morning breeze was blowing noisily through the small open window.

　Lace felt some cold, but turned out the water to wash her face. The water made a pleasant sound as it flowed, soothing Lace's mind.

　As she washes her face to switch her mood, she brushes her teeth as well.

　Wraith finished getting ready in the morning and began her routine.

'Alright, let's raise them well...'

　Saying that, Wraith waters the plants in the flower beds.

　Daily routine for Wraith is a term that refers to the management of the entire workshop. When it comes to plants, the amount of alchemy used to promote their growth requires careful management.

　Check and control the temperature, humidity, and the amount of water and light. This is something I do thoroughly every day.

'Unusual shittiness'

　There are no problems and the plants are growing well. At this, Wraith's expression also breaks down. Emotionally, I feel like a parent watching my child grow up.

''Well,''

　Next, Wraith headed to the room where bottles, magic tools and other items used in alchemy are kept. Unlike his master, Wraith is a person who organizes the things he uses properly.

　The tools he used yesterday are divided into different types and stored in the room. This kind of careful sorting is important.

　That's how Wraith finished what he had to do in the morning. After sweating a little bit from walking around the workshop, he heads for the bath.

　I also have an appointment to meet Raffy and Sylvia at noon today. I can't meet them while I'm sweating.

　As Lace was mindlessly taking a shower, a blur of dreams that came to her mind were the ones she had this morning. Among them, for some reason, the face of his master comes to mind.

　I wonder if I should call it a premonition.

　An inexplicable, vague uneasiness goes through my chest.

''What is this feeling...?

　I don't know.

　I don't know, but I think - I think something bad (...) is going to happen.

No, no, no, you're thinking too much!

　He washed his head with a rustle as he made his voice to erase his anxiety. However, contrary to Wraith's will, his master's laughter was echoing in his head.

''Kook........I didn't know that the influence of my dream was this big......!

　I groan to myself in the bath, reaffirming the extent of my trauma. From the side, it's quite a ridiculous sight. Without realizing it herself, Wraith gets out of the bath with a bitter expression on her face.

　Wiping herself off, she gets dressed and walks out to the front of the house and checks the inside of the mailbox. Then, a letter was inside.

'A letter?　Who's that from?

　Casually, I check the sender's name.

"...?

　Wraith rubbed his eyes with a gurgle and slowly checked his name again.

'That's funny...'

　The sender's name was indeed marked as Lurimes. Even without being aware of it, Wraith's hand holding the letter trembled.

''No, wait, wait, wait. Don't panic yet, it's not like Master is here for anything...!

　Wraith dashed back to the workshop with the letter and carefully reviewed the contents.

　And--.

We've got to go. We've got to go now.

　He blurted out with a look of despair.

　The letter said that Lurimes was on his way to the royal capital. Faced with the worst situation, the solution that Wraith came up with was a choice of escape.