Chapter 224: The Beginning

Chapter 224: The Beginning

Zoya’s heart sank bit by bit. The study became empty and desolate. Everything around her shifted from familiar to strange, as if seen through a veil.

What was happening? Did they not know her anymore?

Her expression gradually tightened, and her gaze began to sharpen, making her look very much like Danny. She turned her head slightly, fixing her eyes on her brother, and her presence grew imposing.

Under her gaze, her brother gradually lowered his head and hunched down.

Then, she shifted her gaze to her father, who was hiding behind the desk. She wanted to smile, to tell him not to be nervous or afraid. But when the words reached her lips, they completely changed.

It was a strange, commanding, irresistible voice filled with authority. “Return to your fief. Without my permission, you are not to take a single step outside.”

Her father’s voice, filled with panic and unease, seemed to come from the distant horizon. “As you command.”

…

Hearing this now unfamiliar voice, Zhuoma felt immensely lost. He felt a blockage in his chest, making it hard to breathe. Subconsciously, he raised his head and looked toward her.

Along with the unfamiliar voice, all warmth and familiarity vanished. Only a completely strange Knight sat there, like a Statue weathered by time, mottled and heavy.

Familiarity…

This wasn’t right. How could he feel familiar with Danny? All the children were afraid of Danny back then, afraid to see her.

Just as he wanted to say something, a disturbance in the air blocked all his words.

…

Zoya sat quietly. She had always wanted to become a true Northlander. She liked Bran, she liked Danny, she liked the safety and freedom they brought, and the power that maintained it all.

She could have gone further, but there was always something she couldn’t give up, couldn’t forget.

None of that mattered now. Her home here, the people here, no longer remembered her. They no longer remembered her voice, no longer wanted to mention her past. They had already sent her away, hadn’t they?

They feared her, and also—hated her…

There was nothing left to cling to…

Some invisible shackles on her began to break, and the restrained power was released along with them. Her hair danced lightly in the air, accompanied by the sound of shifting bones within her body, and her presence slowly grew.

A whisper echoed in the study, firm and commanding—I am Zoya of the Northlands!

She stood up and walked out, ignoring everything around her. There were no longer familiar people or familiar things here. She couldn’t even remember why she had come here.

She only knew that her Trial was complete. She could peacefully return to Northland City, return to Danny’s side, return to her people.

Bran had told her: there are gains and losses. While gaining power, you will inevitably lose a lot, sometimes even more than you gain.

But what if you forget? What if you forget what you once had, what you lost. What if all I remember is—I am Zoya of the Northlands?

Mana does not come from nothing. It simply responds to our expectations and accelerates certain processes.

Zoya was like a butterfly breaking free from its cocoon. She discarded the past, forgot what once was, flapped her wings, and began to struggle towards the sky.

…

As Zoya left, Niels’s manor became busy. People started packing their belongings and preparing supplies needed for the journey.

This unusual activity soon drew attention. The news that the Niels Family was ordered to return to their fief and not go out was leaked.

Some were envious, some sneered. Northland City had finally reached its hand here. Whether as a reward or a punishment, Northland City was dealing with a Noble here as the master.

Those with clear eyes could see that Northland City wanted to protect the Niels family. Since Northland City ordered them back to their fief, it meant recognition. It was also a warning, not just to the Niels family, but to other Nobles who stirred up trouble without cause.

Niels left the Royal Capital with sighs. No matter how much he longed to stay, he dared not disobey the will of Northland City. He even felt some regret for his cowardice. If he had pretended she was his daughter then, putting on a kind father’s face, would everything have been different?

But that suddenly authoritative voice was truly frightening, truly hard to resist.

“Zhuoma, was that really your sister?”

“No. Not anymore.”

…

The world was full of troubles. Sighing were not just the Niels family. The Delegations that had now arrived in Northland City were also frowning with worry. The Northlanders were very busy now, with no time to deal with a bunch of useless people.

Northland City was also very busy. Much construction was ongoing, and when it would be finished seemed a long way off. The current City Lord, Danny, seemed too young in the eyes of these outsiders. If it were Bran, out of respect for power, they would have put on an act. Facing Danny, they couldn’t even muster interest in conversation. It was just routine greetings, announcements, and requests to convey their purpose.

Danny truthfully relayed their purposes to the Castle, to Adam. Adam, bored out of his mind, immediately became interested. So he eagerly packed his things and hurried towards Northland City.

…

Among the visitors, the only one who showed proper respect was the old Scholar—Baz. Unlike those Delegations troubled by state affairs, he acted decisively. He directly delivered the gifts he brought to the City Manor, holding nothing back, including the sea charts and other materials he had taken.

He understood the Northlanders’ way of doing things. The more straightforward you were, the easier it was to win their favor. Whether his goal for this trip succeeded depended entirely on the whim of the Great Wizard.

For him now, he could only do his best and leave the rest to fate. Where Bran was currently, nobody knew. After stirring up trouble in the Anya Royal Capital, he had vanished without a trace.

He only hoped to see Bran before his Flame of Life was completely extinguished.

The environment of Northland City was very special. Maybe in others’ eyes, it seemed crude and chaotic. Aside from the City Manor, there were no other impressive buildings. But he saw something different in the details.

Every plant and tree in the city was more robust than elsewhere, and the corresponding insects and birds were more energetic. A certain power had seeped into every corner here and was beginning to affect all living beings.

Out of long habit, he began trying to trace the source and the boundaries of the influence. The area of influence was not a circle as he first guessed, but was defined by the daily activity ranges of the residents.

He felt this place was like a huge pasture, where the owner was trying to fatten the herd through some method. Wizards, Mortals, all sorts of people were gathered here, unwittingly becoming someone’s test subjects.

Baz couldn’t help but shiver, but at the same time, he saw hope for his own Immortality. He might be exactly what was needed—a test subject who willingly came forward and was willing to cooperate.