Alisha gave healing potions to Leah and Yelena as they watched from afar the epic clash between Aizel and Tommy.

The destruction wrought by their battle left debris scattered, houses in ruins, and countless wounded and dead in its wake.

"Is it over?" Alisha inquired, supporting Leah, who struggled to walk with her wounded legs.

"Someone's coming; be ready," Yelena warned.

In the distance, they saw a figure dragging another by the leg, moving closer to their location.

As the figure drew near, they recognized Aizel hauling Tommy's body behind him. With a sudden motion, Aizel flung the limp body towards them.

Leah's voice trembled as she spoke, "He's dead, isn't he?"

Aizel hobbled over to a half-collapsed pillar, taking a seat on the ground, and wincing in pain from his injuries.

*Argh* A painful grunt escaped from his mouth as he slowly sat on the ground and breathed slowly, trying to relieve the pain.

Aizel surveyed his surroundings, taking in the sight of devastated homes and mournful people. The sounds of clashing swords and spells echoed in the distance as hunters and mages fought.

He looked down at his hands, stained with blood from the battle.

AIIIZELLLLLL........

All of a sudden, shouts echoed in the air, and Aizel turned his head to see a group of children rushing towards him, accompanied by Harry and Daisy.

"I tried to keep them at the castle, but they didn't listen," Harry said.

As they approached Aizel, the children paused, taking in the destruction surrounding them. The ruins of buildings and the sight of bloodied bodies caused them to shudder in terror.

When they finally looked up at Aizel, they saw his body covered in blood, and his dark, piercing eyes seemed to glow with otherworldly energy, making him appear monstrous.

The children froze in place, too afraid to move closer.

Aizel noticed their fear and let out a heavy sigh, knowing that the events of the day had forever changed him.

"It's better to leave them; living with me will only hurt them and put them in danger. I don't think things would be the same as before." he thought, a small tear falling in the process.

Aizel's head drooped slowly, drained of mental and physical energy.

"It appears I was meant to be alone forever," he whispered to himself.

In an instant, a young girl's footsteps rang out through the desolate area, and Harry, Daisy, and the other children gazed as she sprinted toward Aizel.

"I need a good sleep. I think I should go back..Aizel thought to himself, but before he could react, the girl wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace.

As he sat amidst the chaos of the battlefield, he caught a whiff of her scent, like that of a delicate jasmine flower blooming in the midst of destruction.

The girl was none other than Emma. She leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.

That one kiss did the magic as no other could.

The weight of his remorse, despair, exhaustion, and fury lifted, leaving him feeling renewed and alive once more. He gazed into Emma's eyes, his hand gently caressing her hair, and felt a sense of peace wash over him.

Other kids also ran in his direction and hugged him while crying.

"We were not scared; we were just afraid that you were injured," Oliver said in guilt.

"Emma took the first place again," Lily said while joining with others.

"Guys, I'm still injured," Aizel said with a chuckle.

"Come on, kids, let's take him back home," Daisy said, the kids stood up quickly while helping Aizel stand.

Leah, Alisha, and Yelena watched them go back on their way quietly without disturbing them.

Roar....

Leah's uncle also came with Yelena's father; they appeared to be in good condition.

"Did you kill the old man?" Yelena asked.

"Hoho, I would say it was pretty easy. What about you?"

She showed the body of Tommy lying in the corner.

Leah's uncle changed back to his human form; he approached the body and stored it in his storage ring.

Yelena's father stroked his beard and spoke, "How did you do it?"

"Why don't we head back to caste first?" Leah said as everyone nodded and went back to the castle.

Though they had managed to defeat their enemies, the task was far from over. The conflict between the mages and hunters still raged on, and the destruction wrought upon the Paul family's lands needed to be addressed.

The weight of their obligation fell hard on them as they stood among the debris. They were the last remaining noble family in town.

*****

At Daisy's home...

After taking a much-needed bath, Aizel lay sprawled out on the sofa, listening to the sound of children's voices chattering away around him. Their home had been destroyed, and they were forced to seek refuge with Daisy for the time being.

As they settled into their temporary lodgings, Daisy entered the room, carrying a tray with tea for Aizel and herself.

*Slurrp*

Aizel slowly sipped the tea, slowly enjoying the warmth and taste of it.

"Daisy I will be leaving this town after two days with kids," Aizel said.

Everyone looked at him with surprise.

"You already reminded me not to trust anyone from the start, but I still made the mistake, and because of that, I almost lost the kids."

"Not only do I want to get away from here, but I also want to explore Xelgar more."

Daisy didn't say anything as she sipped her tea slowly, and after listening to Aizel, she finally spoke.

"That's good for you and the kids."

"And I'd like you and Lily to accompany me."

She stared at Aizel with her eyes wide in surprise; she hadn't expected Aizel to be so calm after asking that.

"You will be in danger too; they might use Lily and you to get me; who knows, it would be better if you came with me," Aizele explained himself.

"Ohh,"

"Why do I feel dissatisfied with that type of explanation?" She thought in her mind.

"Please, mom, let's go with Aizel; I don't want to leave Emma and others," Lily said as she hugged her mom.

historical

The other kids followed her lead and hugged Daisy.

She started chuckling and said, "Okay, okay, we will come with you."

*****

The carriage rattled and swayed with each bump and jolt as the horses' hooves hammered on the luscious grass of the open fields. The breeze blew over the passengers' hair, carrying with it the lovely scent of wildflowers and the earthy aroma of the countryside.

A man sat between those passengers, his face hidden below the hood.

" I am finally here, Katherine."

-------xxxxx---------

End of Volume 1, Part 1—The Beginning

Part 2 - The Rise of a Common Man

Will start tomorrow.