After a few moments of silence, Rufus let out a sigh. ''Aaah… it’s truly astonishing. Since the war, I haven’t felt the presence of a true god—not like that. I witnessed cities crumble like sandcastles beneath their wrath, and demons flee with the bitter taste of defeat and humiliation still clinging to them.


    His nostalgic expression was interrupted by Athena’s dry remark. “Are you insulting the gods of Ausra Naeveh?”


    Rufus shrugged carelessly. “If you consider those half-baked deities as true gods, then you’re mistaken, kid. They’re nothing more than glorified immortals—just slightly better than the strongest mortals. If even one of them had to face a war on the scale I’ve seen, this dimension—and every realm connected to it—would be wiped out in the blink of an eye. ”


    Athena considered his words. “If what you’re saying is true, then why aren’t those kinds of beings running rampant like they did during the war?”


    This time, it was Alexander who answered. “Because of the Ruler’s exclusive skill—Book of Rules. It enforced a law that prevents any being stronger than the highest-ranked mortal in this dimension from entering it with their full power.”


    He turned toward his daughter, whose face had paled from exhaustion. “You shouldn’t think about that now. Just rest for a while. Once you’re recovered, we’ll figure out how to hide your spirit mark.”


    Alexander could still see the spirit mark—faintly glowing like moonlight etched into her skin, subtle yet impossible to ignore.


    Athena could feel the fatigue weighing down her limbs. Just a few minutes in the company of those once-omnipotent gods had drained her. She didn’t know how, but she was sure—without her mental strength, just being near them might’ve broken her.


    With heavy steps, she returned to her room, her father and Rufus following behind. At the doorway, she paused and looked back at Alexander. “Dad… don’t leave yet. I have so much I want to tell you.”


    He reached out and gently patted her head. “Don’t worry, cupcake. I’m right here.”


    Her mind still churned with thoughts and half-formed questions, but as soon as her head hit the pillow, they quieted, and sleep claimed her quickly.


    Meanwhile, Rufus and Alexander remained in the hall, their expressions grave.


    “A soul-bound spirit,” Rufus muttered, “means she must’ve been someone significant in her past life… but I can’t recall anyone who matches that description.”


    Alexander nodded, equally puzzled. “I’ve tried going through my own memories, but I’ve come up empty too. If she was chosen by the Ruler, then she must’ve been someone extraordinary. So why does no one remember her?”


    They exchanged a look—an unspoken agreement passing between them. They needed to uncover who Athena had been in her past life. But for now, the more immediate concern was:


    “How do we hide the spirit mark?” Alexander asked.


    “Old man,” he added with a grin, “do you know how?”


    Rufus bristled. “What is it with you and that daughter of yours calling me ‘old man’ all the time?”


    Alexander shrugged, voice casual. “You’re a few centuries old, aren’t you? So… you are old.”


    “You arrogant brat,” Rufus grumbled. “Ever since I met your kid, I’ve been getting insulted every day.”


    “Temper, temper,” Alexander teased. “If your tantrum is over, maybe you can help me protect my daughter?”


    Rufus glared, then sighed deeply. “It’s unheard of for a spirit queen to bind herself to a mortal. It’s just as rare as a Beast King choosing a human companion. But we have to find a solution. No matter how powerful she is, Athena is still a ten-year-old child. Letting that mark remain visible could put her in serious danger—especially with enemies hiding right under our noses.”


    For nearly an hour and a half, the two continued brainstorming, trying to come up with a way to shield the spirit mark—without success.


    Meanwhile, Athena stirred from her rest. She felt refreshed and more grounded than she had in days. The first thing on her mind was her father. Fearing he might’ve left, she rushed toward the grand hall.


    What she saw made her stop in her tracks.


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    Rufus was flailing his arms in the air, baring his teeth like an angry wildcat, while her father calmly tried to ruffle his hair as if he were a misbehaving kitten.


    Athena couldn’t help the snort that escaped her lips. It was the funniest—and strangest—thing she’d seen all day.


    Rufus and Alexander turned toward the source of the snort. Alexander stood from his seat and walked over to his daughter.


    “Cupcake, you’re awake. Do you need anything?” he asked gently.


    Athena shook her head and took his outstretched hand. He led her to a nearby seat and sat beside her. To their surprise, the spirit mark that had been glowing on her forehead was gone.


    “Kid, where did the mark go?” Rufus asked, his eyes narrowing in confusion.


    Athena touched her forehead, feeling only smooth skin where the mark had been. “It’s gone?” She looked up at her father, who nodded slowly.


    “I... I don’t know,” she admitted.


    Rufus frowned, his expression unreadable.


    Sensing the confusion around her, Athena turned inward, reaching out to the fox spirit.


    Her mind drifted into that tranquil plane again—where twilight skies stretched endlessly and a silver moon hovered above, bathing everything in a gentle, dreamlike glow.


    “You there?” she called.


    A sleepy yawn echoed back. “Mmm… Master, what is it?” the fox spirit replied lazily.


    “The spirit mark disappeared,” Athena said, staring at the moon in puzzlement.


    “Oh, that?” The voice sounded amused. “It didn’t disappear. Your mind unconsciously hid it.”


    Athena blinked. “Hid it? How?”


    “Hmmm,” the fox spirit hummed thoughtfully. “Using your spiritual energy, of course.”


    She stared at the moon blankly. “Oh…”


    A gentle chuckle rang through her mind. “Haha, Master, you’re so cute.”


    Cute? That was definitely not a word Athena would ever use to describe herself.


    Even as she retreated from her mental space, she could still hear the fox’s elegant laughter fading into the background.


    Back in the real world, Rufus raised an eyebrow. “Kid, you zoned out there for a moment.”


    Athena straightened. “I asked my spirit. She said I unconsciously hid the mark using my spiritual energy.”


    Rufus crossed his arms, thinking. “And what if it happens again? Or if it reappears at the wrong moment?”


    Athena gave him a look that practically said, Are you serious?


    “I’m here at the Academy, aren’t I? I’ll learn how to control it. I heard Professor Leylani is skilled in spirit summoning.”


    Rufus nodded in approval. “Good. That’s the right approach.”


    Alexander leaned closer, his tone gentle but firm. “Cupcake, you have to promise not to let anyone else find out about this. It’s dangerous.”


    Athena tilted her head, confused. “Why? Isn’t having a spirit a good thing?”


    Alexander shook his head. “Have you ever wondered why there are no books on spirit studies in the royal library? Or even here at the Academy?”


    Athena stayed silent, thinking.


    “There’s a reason spirit studies are kept out of reach,” he continued. “Only a few exceptionally gifted people can access them. And it’s not just about talent—it’s about secrecy and risk.”


    Athena knew her father never said anything without good reason, so she nodded slowly, taking his words to heart.


    Later that day, as Alexander and Sir Morari prepared to leave, Athena stood beside Julian and Ayden, watching their parents with solemn expressions.


    “Don’t look so down,” Leylani tried to cheer them up. “You’ll see them again during the holidays.”


    “But when will that be?” Ayden asked, his voice trembling. His eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and it looked like the gentlest breeze could make them fall.


    “In a year,” Leylani answered softly.


    Ayden’s shocked little face turned to his master. The tears welled dangerously close to spilling.


    “You’re not helping,” Athena muttered.


    She leaned down slightly toward Ayden. “It’s okay. Don’t you have me here?”


    “What about me? I’m here too!” Julian chimed in with a grin.


    The three exchanged glances.


    “Let’s take care of each other, okay?” Athena said, her voice steady.


    Ayden pouted but nodded, his small head bobbing in agreement. For now, that was enough.


    Leylani watched the three kids as they tried to console one another. A small smile tugged at his lips before he raised an eyebrow.


    “Don’t your classes start tomorrow?”


    The trio instantly perked up at his words, as if electrified by the reminder.


    “Yes!” Ayden replied with a burst of enthusiasm. “We got our schedules right after the ceremony!”


    Alfred let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head at the boy who had been on the verge of tears moments ago. Good Lord, this kid has the attention span of a goldfish.


    Leylani crossed his arms. “Make sure you hand in your schedules before attending class. And please,”—he gave them a warning look—“try not to cause any trouble.”


    Ayden pouted, visibly offended. “We don’t do things called trouble,” he insisted with innocent indignation.


    Leylani pinched the bridge of his nose. Just watching the three of them gave him a headache. He could already picture the chaos they would bring to the Academy.


    Especially this one—the ever-so-adorable little prince with the uncanny ability to sway the most powerful women of the future with just one blink of those big, earnest eyes.


    And then there was the junior Morari—loyal to a fault and absolutely willing to start a war if it meant protecting his master.


    Yes… it was going to be a long year.