Chapter 40: Purple by the Bonfire

According to Uncle Kus, this inky black energy might be either temporal or spatial in nature, but as for how to cultivate it, he was unsure. Rowland had searched through the extensive archives of Potter Academy’s library, but found no useful information. Throughout his year of training at the academy, Rowland had tried to use dark, lightning, and fire magic to "stimulate" that thread of black energy within his core, but none of his attempts bore fruit. Yet now, it had suddenly stirred!

He hurried back and wandered through the cave once more, finally stopping in front of that swirling, multicolored current. If there were anything in the cave capable of awakening the black energy, it would undoubtedly be this miraculous stream. Yet after circling it a dozen times, the black energy within him remained unresponsive, lying dormant in his core with not the slightest sign of movement. Helpless, Rowland had to give up. He couldn’t afford to waste all his time here, so he followed Little Black out of the cave.

Rowland was convinced that the black energy within him was intricately connected to this place, and that after advancing his cultivation, he would return one day to unravel its mysteries.

With this thought, he didn’t linger any longer. Led by the donkey, they climbed once more to the mountaintop. Rowland mounted the donkey’s back, and Little Black sped down the mountainside; this time, it took only a little over ten minutes to reach the foot of the mountain.

Then the donkey broke into a gallop, dashing toward Potter Academy like an arrow loosed from a bow.

It was late winter, the north wind biting to the bone, yet atop a mountain behind Potter Academy, a figure clad in violet stood tall and unmoving. She did not shiver in the cold wind but stood quietly, gazing into the distant sky where fireworks blossomed faintly in the direction of the imperial capital.

She knew those fireworks were set off to celebrate the Martial God Festival. Images of the distant, festive scenes in her homeland—the Aragon Empire—floated through her mind. It was her first time missing the festival at home; for the sake of her training, she had given up the chance to reunite with her family, remaining here in solitude. The night wind lifted the hem of her cloak and tossed her golden hair; beneath the moonlight, her peerlessly beautiful eyes brimmed with longing.

By the time Rowland arrived at Potter Academy, dusk was falling. He didn’t go to the dining hall but headed straight for his training spot on the mountain behind the academy. There, he summoned his little skeleton, Brian, and instructed it to gather firewood, while he and Little Black teamed up to hunt wild game.

Most beasts lay dormant in their dens during winter, making them hard to find, but Little Black’s nose was exceptionally keen. In no time, he would root out some animal wintering in a burrow or hidden nook. Little Black would swiftly hunt it down, and if any escaped, Rowland would finish the job with a bolt of lightning or a fireball.

Soon, they had caught six or seven wild animals. By then, Brian had returned with a large pile of firewood, dividing it into two stacks: a small heap for kindling, and a larger one for reserve. Having such a helper saved Rowland a great deal of effort. With a wave, he sent Brian back into the undead space, then conjured a fireball to ignite the wood. In no time, flames were crackling merrily.

After cleaning the rabbits and pheasants, Rowland skewered them on sticks and set them over the fire to roast.

Suddenly, a gust of cold wind carrying a faint scent swept past, causing the flames to dance. Rowland looked up, and his eyes lit with astonishment.

Not far away stood a slender figure in violet, her golden hair shining, her garments and face ethereal beneath the moon and firelight—a beauty so exquisite she seemed an elf out of legend.

“Miss Victoria, what brings you here? If you don’t mind, please join me,” Rowland said, regaining his composure after a brief daze.

“It’s you. Didn’t you return home for the Martial God Festival?” Victoria approached gracefully from the shadows, a gentle fragrance in her wake.

Rowland turned his attention back to the half-cooked meat in his hands and replied casually, “I did go home to celebrate with my family, but I rushed back today to focus on my training.” He recalled that on the day before break, Victoria had told her brother Bill that she wouldn’t be going home this time, choosing instead to stay at the academy and prepare for the upcoming expedition to the Maya Mountains in half a year.

“I didn’t expect you to be so diligent,” Victoria said, sitting down across the fire from him.

“Compared to you, my efforts hardly count for anything,” Rowland replied as he tended the roasting meat.

They fell into a comfortable silence, broken only by the occasional crackle of the fire. Soon, the aroma of grilled meat filled the air; golden juices sizzled and dripped from the roasting flesh.

Suddenly, a low rumble echoed from across the fire—Victoria’s stomach, betraying her hunger. A flush appeared on her fair, creamy cheeks. She hadn’t eaten, and the scent of roasting meat was irresistible. Unable to control her hunger, her stomach growled—in front of a boy she’d barely spoken to before, a boy no older than her brother Bill. It was her first time feeling so embarrassed.

“This one’s done. If you don’t mind, have some to fill your stomach,” Rowland said, handing her half of a fragrant, roasted rabbit.

Victoria hesitated briefly, then reached out with her delicate hand. Just then, the donkey’s head stretched forward, drooling, trying to snatch the rabbit.

“Shoo, Little Black! That’s rude, snatching the guest’s food!” Rowland quickly pushed the donkey aside, though it continued to eye the meat in Victoria’s hand longingly.

Victoria couldn’t help but laugh at the donkey’s greedy antics, her earlier awkwardness forgotten. She offered the rabbit forward. “He looks starving. Let him have it first.”

Rowland waved her off. “No need to worry about him, Miss Victoria. He’s always greedy—no matter how much he eats, he’ll still try to steal your food. I’ve got another one roasting for him.” With that, he handed a roasted pheasant to Little Black.

The donkey’s eyes lit up as it began devouring the bird, all the while glancing covetously at the other meats turning on the fire, making Victoria stifle another laugh.

Rowland roasted two more rabbits, tossing one to the donkey before taking the other for himself.

Victoria carefully tore off a small piece of rabbit, blew on it, and, satisfied it wasn’t too hot, placed it in her mouth.

Wild animals fatten themselves for the winter, and their meat was especially delicious. Rowland had roasted countless animals since childhood, and his skill showed.

As she chewed, Victoria was immediately struck by the crisp tenderness and rich flavor filling her mouth, a wave of comfort washing through her.

“I never imagined your roasting would taste so good!” Victoria praised, her beautiful eyes meeting Rowland’s.

“If you like it, have some more. As the sister of my dorm mate, I’d be in trouble if I didn’t take good care of you—Bill would never forgive me once term starts,” Rowland joked.

Victoria laughed, surprised at how relaxed she felt. Usually so aloof, she found herself letting her guard down in front of someone other than her family for the first time.

Despite the cold night, the two of them and the donkey felt no chill as they sat by the fire, chatting and laughing. Thanks to the donkey’s hearty appetite, the roasted meat soon dwindled, but the flavor was so exceptional that even Victoria, who normally ate little, managed to finish nearly half a rabbit. Her lips glistened with grease, and she took out a handkerchief to wipe them clean. Seeing that Rowland had finished as well, she smiled and handed him another white handkerchief.

Rowland scratched his head and accepted it at last. Normally, he and the donkey didn’t bother with such refinements—after eating, a quick wipe with the back of a hand sufficed. He’d never expected such treatment. The handkerchief carried a faint, pleasant scent as he dabbed at his mouth.

Just then, more fireworks burst in the distant direction of the imperial capital, their lights twinkling faintly across the sky.

“How beautiful the fireworks are!” Victoria exclaimed without thinking.

Seeing the longing in her eyes as she watched, Rowland grinned. “Miss Victoria, would you like to see them up close?”

Victoria shook her head with a sigh. “The capital is too far from here. Who knows when we’d arrive if we tried?”

“Actually, Miss Victoria, we can enjoy fireworks up close—right now!”

“Right now?” Victoria looked at him in surprise. Rowland turned his hands, and several large fireworks suddenly appeared between his palms!