Yesterday, after returning home, Lizzy told Morgana everything that had happened. About her encounter with Prince Orangel, and about the offer he had given her — to join the Kavaliro of Glorious Training Camp.
Upon hearing it, Morgana's eyes lit up with excitement, far more than Lizzy's own. To her, Lizzy's talent in combat was something that should never be wasted.
"Your combat ability is truly remarkable, Lizzy. Even though I haven't witnessed it myself, anyone would believe it if Revanio is the one who said so." Morgana gently patted Lizzy's head, pride clear in her touch.
Lizzy's eyes widened. "Revanio said that?"
That alone was astonishing. Lizzy had always thought of Revanio as the type who would never praise another person so easily.
Morgana smiled warmly. "Yes. I was surprised as well when he said you were incredibly strong—stronger than himself, even."
…Eh?
Lizzy truly hadn't expected that. She was startled by her own strength too, ever since she arrived in this world. She had been thinking about it for a long time now — perhaps she really had grown stronger since coming here.
Something about Planet Laurel Zero Five felt different. Something in the air itself seemed to seep into her body.
Could it be magical energy?
"To be honest, I wasn't this strong on my home planet. I mean… my punches never sent people flying like that. Is it because of the magical energy that fills this planet?" Lizzy asked, her gaze fixed on Morgana with curiosity.
Hearing that, Morgana fell silent for a moment, as though piecing something together. Her eyes swept over Lizzy — from head to toe — before she finally nodded, as if she had come to an understanding.
"People who are influenced by magical energy usually emit white mana. But Lizzy… your mana is golden. And it's extraordinarily powerful."
Once again, Lizzy's eyes widened. Unconsciously, she stared down at her own palms, but she couldn't see anything at all — no golden aura, no light.
"Mana cannot be seen with the naked eye," Morgana explained gently. "Only highly skilled mages can perceive it. And you're still unfamiliar with magic, Lizzy."
"I see…" Lizzy murmured, nodding slowly.
Though she couldn't see mana, she could feel it — an overwhelming current flowing through her entire body. That flow had grown stronger ever since she came to this place.
"If you can control your mana and turn it into an aura, you'll be able to use an Ignition Weapon," Morgana said.
Lizzy blinked. "What's an Ignition Weapon?"
"It's a weapon that channels magical energy once activated. A weapon infused with magic becomes sharper, stronger, and far more precise. Unfortunately, not everyone can use one."
This time, Morgana looked at Lizzy with absolute confidence. "But I believe you can."
"That sounds amazing. I want to try it," Lizzy said, excitement blooming within her before she even realized it.
Seeing Lizzy finally cast aside her hesitation, Morgana smiled. In truth, she had already prepared a plan.
"Oh, Lizzy. If you manage to become a member of the Kavaliro under Prince Orangel's command, you might even be promoted to the Elite Kavaliro—those clad in golden armor. That would mean you'd be assigned to guard the Royal Family… and granted access to the Palace."
So that was it.
Lizzy finally understood why the Kavaliro she had seen with Prince Orangel yesterday wore golden armor. They were the elite.
Still, she didn't quite grasp Morgana's intention. "But why is having access to the Palace so important?"
At that moment, Morgana's smile turned mysterious.
"If you can enter the Palace, you can access its library. There may be books there about the Silver Sibling Moon and the Spiral Gate. Or perhaps even magical instruments capable of detecting the Silver Sibling Moon."
No further explanation was needed. Lizzy understood instantly.
The only way for her to return to Earth was through the Spiral Gate — during the phenomenon known as the Silver Sibling Moon. Her heart began to race uncontrollably. She couldn't deny it anymore.
She missed Earth. Deeply.
"I'll become an Elite Kavaliro, no matter what," Lizzy declared with unwavering determination.
Then, suddenly, her brows knitted together. "But why is something like that kept in the Palace? Shouldn't it be in the Magic Tower?"
"All matters concerning the Silver Sibling Moon and the Altar of the Sky are considered highly confidential," Morgana replied. "That's why they're stored within the Palace."
Lizzy nodded in understanding. At least now, they had a clear goal.
⊱⋅ ────◇✦◇──── ⋅⊰
That morning, after escorting Milliane to the Academy, Lizzy and Morgana headed for the Kavaliro of Glorious Training Camp. By coincidence, Prince Orangel's letter of recommendation arrived at their home just before they left.
Lizzy was nervous. Revanio had warned her — there were many nobles in the Camp Training. But her determination to return to Earth far outweighed her fear.
And that was how Lizzy found herself standing in the center of the arena now.
After submitting the necessary documents, she was informed that she had to undergo several tests before being accepted. One of them was combat. She had to demonstrate her martial ability — an essential requirement for any knight.
"I'm sorry, Lady Calyx. Even with a recommendation from the General, she must still take this test," said one of the Kavaliro instructors at the registration desk, his tone apologetic.
Morgana shook her head calmly. She trusted Lizzy completely. That was enough for her. Thanks to the recommendation letter, Lizzy was exempted from the other examinations.
"It's fine. My niece will pass this test without issue," Morgana said confidently.
Despite those reassuring words, Lizzy herself was trembling inside.
She didn't want to send someone flying again — especially not a man who looked about the same age as Revanio. If she made a mistake here, her chance to join the Training Camp would be gone.
They're judging technique, Lizzy. Don't use your full strength. That would be dangerous. Just a light strike is enough.
She repeated those words in her mind.
She knew it well — whenever she unleashed her full power, people went flying. She had to restrain herself.
After taking a deep breath, Lizzy assumed her stance and focused on the man standing before her — a man with spiked hair pulled into a crest.
His expression clearly said, "I don't like fighting a woman. I'll finish this quickly."
Lizzy offered him a faint, bitter smile.
The world around her slowed as he charged.
His punch aimed at her left shoulder was easily dodged. In the same motion, Lizzy countered — her fist striking his right cheek, sending him stumbling backward.
Before he could recover, Lizzy bent her knee and delivered a decisive kick to his chin.
Thud.
The spiked-haired man collapsed instantly.
Though he didn't go flying like before, he still lost consciousness. Medics rushed in to check his condition.
Meanwhile, Lizzy stood frozen, her heart pounding. She had barely used any strength at all — and yet it was still too much.
"How is it, Colonel Perkins? The one I recommended is quite impressive, isn't she?"
Out of nowhere, Prince Orangel appeared, clad in his elegant Kavaliro uniform. His presence was nothing like yesterday's. With his arms crossed and a proud smile on his face, his authority was unmistakable.
Everyone immediately saluted.
Colonel Perkins had no choice but to agree. "Miss Hawtorn truly lives up to your words, Your Highness. She exceeded my expectations."
Prince Orangel's chest rose and fell with pride. "Didn't I tell you? What other beginner could defeat a Kavaliro Captain besides Miss Hawtorn?"
Lizzy's eyes flew wide open. She glanced at the unconscious man on the ground. "He's a Captain?!"
She shot Prince Orangel an indignant glare. This had clearly been his doing.
Unfazed, Prince Orangel strode toward her confidently. "Congratulations, Miss Lizzy Hawtorn. From this moment onward, you are officially a Trainee of the Kavaliro of Glorious."
He applauded.
Lizzy had no choice but to salute. "I will do my best, Your Highness."
⊱⋅ ────◇✦◇──── ⋅⊰
After the entrance exam concluded, Lizzy was allowed to return home. Her training would begin the following day.
On the way back, Morgana reminded her of several things.
"Lizzy, training at the Camp may require you to stay overnight for several days once you reach the examination period. During that time, don't forget to reapply your hair dye."
Ah—right.
Lizzy remembered. The hair dye Morgana had made lasted only five days. On the fifth day, the color would fade, and by the sixth, it would disappear completely. She had to reapply it every four days.
The eye dye, on the other hand, only lasted a single day.
Fortunately, Morgana's hair dye was waterproof. Still, living under constant disguise was exhausting. One careless mistake — and her identity would be exposed.
"Living in disguise is so tiring," Lizzy complained softly.
If only black hair wasn't considered a curse, perhaps she could live more freely on this planet. Especially when its beauty was so breathtaking.
"What you should truly be wary of are mages," Morgana warned. "A skilled mage may realize that your hair and eye color are artificial."
As a former archmage herself, Morgana understood this danger better than anyone.
Lizzy swallowed hard. "How can I recognize them?"
"A skilled mage is usually a recluse. They dislike going out or socializing. That's why you've never encountered one despite frequently visiting the Magic Academy to pick up Milliane."
Lizzy nearly choked.
H—Had she been walking into a lion's den all this time?
"D-did they notice me already?"
Morgana smiled calmly. "Don't worry. Even for a skilled mage, it takes time to notice artificial coloration. It can't be detected from afar. Just keep your distance."
At last, Lizzy exhaled in relief. She had truly thought her exposure was only a matter of time.
"Most mages wear pointed hats or cloaks that cover their entire bodies. Many work as researchers in the Magic Tower, while others teach at the Academy. That's why they're rarely seen."
Lizzy engraved every word into her memory. This was a matter of life and death. She didn't want to die meaninglessly — especially not as someone branded a criminal.
"I'll be careful. Thank you, Madame Morgana," Lizzy said sincerely.
Morgana smiled. "If there's anything else you want to know, don't hesitate to ask."
Lizzy shook her head, though there was something she wanted to ask.
Why had someone as powerful as Morgana left the Magic Tower — when she was still so young?
But she was afraid it might hurt Morgana, so she kept it to herself.
Drizzle...
Rain suddenly began to fall.
Just like on Earth, the clouds here turned gray, while the pale sky faded into white. Lizzy looked up at the overcast heavens of Planet Laurel Zero Five for the first time.
Against that white sky, she could clearly see the magical energy emitted by the Altar of the Sky.
It glowed gold.
"It looks like the rain's getting heavier. How about we take shelter in that restaurant and have lunch?" Morgana suggested, pointing toward a lively establishment nearby.
She always knew how to read the situation. Lizzy was starving after the long walk from the Training Camp — nearly three and a half kilometers from the Calyx residence.
At this rate, her calves would grow even stronger from walking back and forth every day.
They ran through the rain and entered the restaurant. The aroma of food greeted them instantly. After placing their order, they searched for seats.
"How about over there?" Lizzy suggested, pointing to a corner seat adorned with potted plants.
Morgana agreed without hesitation.
But just as Lizzy sat down, voices from the table beside them reached her ears.
"Hey, hey. Have you heard?"
Lizzy glanced at the three middle-aged men sitting nearby. Judging by their appearance, they seemed to be craftsmen.
"I heard it from the market traders. There's a terrifying rumor spreading in a neighboring country."
Lizzy instinctively distrusted any story that began with I heard. Most were nothing more than exaggerated gossip.
"They say a remote village was completely massacred… by an unknown creature."