Twenty-eight years ago, a boy was born into the House of Remsophia.
He entered the world without even a cry, and was given the name Ivanka.
Moments after his birth, his mother Minerva died from a mysterious electrocution.
A mother who perished at the hands of her own son, and a boy born into silence—Ivanka's existence was branded accursed from the very start. Within his family, he was treated as an aberration, forever under cold and hostile gazes.
At that time, the head of the House of Remsophia and ruler of the Yudra Empire, Leitis, imposed rigorous training and harsh imperial education upon his children—three sons and two daughters.
But the youngest, Ivanka, was the exception.
Leitis showed him neither affection nor guidance, entrusting all child-rearing to his subordinates. Ivanka was confined to a barren chamber, little more than a solitary cell, day and night.
When Ivanka turned six, a chilling incident occurred. Eleven elite soldiers, chosen from the Yudra Empire's military police, were found brutally slaughtered.
The cause of death for all: electrocution.
Terrified of rebellion, Leitis ordered an exhaustive investigation, but the perpetrator was never found.
It was then, while watching his father grow frantic with fear, that Ivanka was said to have smiled for the first time in his life.
"Father, are you sad because your men have died?"
That innocent question sent an icy shudder down Leitis' spine.
From then on, Ivanka was branded a "threat to the Empire" and strictly imprisoned.
The prison was sealed with powerful sorcery to make escape impossible. The seal was cast by the House of Julius—a family of magicians, counted among the Yudra Empire's noble lines alongside the Houses of Urmeit and Melrose.
Yet even the Julius family eventually met its end at Ivanka's hands, with only a single girl left alive.
After eighteen years of confinement, it was none other than Cain—just twelve years old at the time—who released Ivanka from his prison.
Once freed, Ivanka slew his own father, his brothers, his sisters—every bearer of Remsophia blood.
And then, he turned upon the three families who had served his bloodline for five centuries with unwavering loyalty… and annihilated them as well.
Hearing all this from the old man, Endi was struck dumb, aghast, while Rabesta sat frozen in shock at his side.
"After freeing Ivanka, Cain fled abroad at once and vanished. Abel, devoted to Ivanka, was spared—his loyalty bought him life. And I… I took you, Endi, when Ivanka nearly killed you, and fled to the Kingdom of Nakatam…"
The old man's voice was thick with sorrow.
He continued softly, as though speaking directly into Endi's heart.
"After that, I moved to the royal capital of Baleralc, living in the shadows, hiding from prying eyes. One day, I saw you with Prince Rose—and Cain at your side. I could hardly believe my eyes. Fear struck me, and I fled at once…"
The memory carried him back to that day when Endi and Cain had first descended upon Baleralc aboard Rose's private jet.
"Old man, why did Cain release Ivanka? Why were Endi's and Cain's families slaughtered?" Rabesta asked.
The old man was about to answer when—
"Hold it right there!!"
Endi's shout cut through his words.
Startled, both the old man and Rabesta turned to him.
"No more… I don't want to hear it. I'll remember on my own."
In Endi's eyes, fear and determination warred.
"You're right… that may be best," the old man said.
"Yes. If that's what Endi wants, then I agree," Rabesta nodded.
"Old man, take me to the Yudra Empire. I'll piece my memories back together slowly. I'll face my past. I'll save Lamia—and bring Cain back!"
"I'll come too. I have to save Nova," Rabesta added.
In their eyes burned flames of unshakable resolve. Their gaze was that of warriors defying destiny itself.
"Gahaha! Just as I thought you'd say. Very well… but it's too soon."
The old man roared with laughter, his words firm yet brimming with vigor.
His laughter caught Endi and Rabesta off guard, and despite themselves, they nearly smiled at the unexpected sight.
"Too soon? Why? I want to go right now! Even while we stand here—"
Endi's impatience was cut off by the old man's raised palm.
"Calm yourself. To march into the Yudra Empire as you are now would be suicide. Their power is monstrous—far beyond reason. That's why… starting today, for one full month, I shall train you myself!"
The declaration left Endi and Rabesta reeling.
"T-Train us!? For a month!?"
Their gaping faces, silly in their shock, broke the tension and nearly drew laughter instead.