The Iron Matron, whose true name was Mariel Farlon, had been a legend in her prime—a formidable adventurer who had traversed the most dangerous corners of the world.
Her reputation had been built on more than just her combat prowess; she was known for her sharp instincts and uncanny ability to sense danger before it struck.
Her skills had been polished through countless battles, and her expertise in navigating perilous situations had allowed her to retire safely—a rare feat for adventurers of her caliber.
Now, she ran this inn, far removed from the excitement of her adventuring days. But despite the peaceful facade of her life in Andelheim, she had never truly left behind the experiences that had shaped her.
There were things from her past that she carried with her—things she had never shared, not even with the regular patrons who frequented her establishment.
As Mariel watched the faint flicker of purple light in the young man’s eyes, something deep within her stirred. It was a sight she had not seen in years, but the memory of it was burned into her soul.
That ethereal glow, soft yet commanding, was unmistakable.
Her thoughts wandered back to the past, to a time when she had been just a young adventurer, filled with the kind of ambition and recklessness that often led others to ruin.
But she hadn’t been ruined. In fact, she had flourished, and much of that had to do with a guiding force she had once encountered.
A figure from her past—one she had never fully understood—had appeared in her life when she had needed it most.
A being of starlight, whose eyes had glowed with the same color as the young man’s had just now. The starlight had lit her path, guiding her through a treacherous journey that had shaped her into the adventurer she eventually became.
That purple light had been more than just a trick of mana. It had been a symbol, a mark of something otherworldly, something far greater than herself. It was because of that mysterious presence that she had survived, thrived, and eventually retired from the dangerous life of an adventurer.
Now, standing behind the counter of her inn, Mariel couldn’t help but wonder: who was this young man before her?
‘Could be his disciple?’
Maybe?
That could be a possible case. After all, never, in all her years since had Mariel encountered anyone with that kind of mana. It had been unique, and the fact that the young man had revealed it now, in front of her, sent a shiver down her spine.
It seemed likely, considering how closely the glow of his eyes mirrored the starlight she had once known.
If that were true, there was one obvious conclusion: this young man knew about her. And the only way he could have known was if that person—the being of starlight—had mentioned her to him.
A quiet warmth bloomed in Mariel’s chest, a feeling she hadn’t experienced in a long time. If that remarkable figure had remembered her enough to speak of her to a disciple, then it was an honor beyond anything she had ever expected.
She had always felt a deep respect for that being, a gratitude she could never fully express. To know that she had been remembered, even after all these years, filled her with a strange happiness.
‘If possible, I would like to talk to him.’
Mariel stood quietly behind the counter, her eyes lingering on the young man, her mind swirling with thoughts of her past and the mysterious figure of starlight. The warmth in her chest grew as the idea of speaking to the young man became more appealing. If he truly is the disciple of the one who saved me, she thought, I’d love to hear more about that person… to know how he is doing.
The thought of reconnecting in some small way with the person who had changed her life filled her with a sense of nostalgia she hadn’t expected. She had carried those memories alone for so long, but perhaps now she had the chance to learn more. It felt almost like fate had brought this young man into her inn.
But then, her gaze shifted to the young girl standing beside him. She seemed composed, determined even, but something was odd about their dynamic. Although they had entered the inn together, the young man had not shown any particular closeness to her. More importantly, he hadn’t revealed his starlight mana to the girl at all.
Why? Mariel asked herself, her years of experience as an adventurer kicking in. It was clear that the young man was keeping something back, and with her sharp instincts, she quickly pieced it together. He doesn’t want her to know, at least not yet.
Mariel had seen this kind of situation many times before—people hiding parts of themselves for various reasons. Whether it was to protect someone, to avoid drawing attention, or simply because they weren’t ready to reveal everything, she knew the signs well. The young man’s restraint was intentional, and the girl was none the wiser.
‘It wouldn’t do to reveal anything just yet,’ she thought, her mind quickly adjusting. If this young man didn’t want to expose his connection to the figure of starlight, then she would respect that. She would wait for the right moment, perhaps a time when they were alone. Until then, she wouldn’t press.
The young girl, for her part, seemed confident and focused, though Mariel could tell she was a bit on edge—likely due to the presence of the young man and whatever unresolved tension lingered between them. Mariel didn’t know their names, but in her mind, she thought of them simply as the young man and the young girl.
For now, Mariel decided she would wait. If there’s a chance to speak to him privately, I’ll take it, she thought. But for now, I’ll respect his decision. The last thing she wanted was to cause unnecessary tension between the two. The mystery of the young man could unravel in time, and she would be patient.
With a quiet smile, she turned her attention back to the rest of the inn, her mind still lingering on the starlight that had once illuminated her life.
********
As Valeria sat down across from Lucavion, she couldn’t help but observe him more closely. For once, he wasn’t grinning or teasing her. Instead, he was quietly looking around the inn, his eyes calm, and a faint, serene smile rested on his lips. There was something about his expression that made him look… different, more genuine than she was used to seeing.
Her gaze drifted to the scar running across his right eye. It wasn’t a fresh wound—far from it. The scar looked old as if it had been there for years. Yet Lucavion was still young, perhaps only a few years older than her.
No, not even older. From how he looked, they appeared to be around the same age, though outward appearance could be misleading.
But for some reason, maybe because of his childish actions or how he energetically did things, he looked quite young in her eyes.
That was why, it was more odd.
‘How did he get that scar?’ Valeria wondered. ‘What kind of life has he lived to have a mark like that at his age?’
The scar felt like a mystery, much like everything else about him. It hinted at a past that didn’t fit with his laid-back, carefree attitude. For all his teasing and casual demeanor, there was something more beneath the surface—something she couldn’t quite figure out yet.
Lucavion, still unaware of her scrutiny, looked around the room, his smile soft but distant, as if he was lost in a memory. Finally, he turned back to her, catching her staring. However, this time his teasing face did not make its appearance immediately.
“Is there something on my face?”
He just asked, looking at her.
She narrowed her eyes. “I was just wondering how you got that scar.”
“Ah….” Lucavion raised an eyebrow, his hand instinctively brushing the edge of the scar. “This?” He paused for a moment as if considering whether to answer. Then, with a playful smirk, he leaned back in his chair.
“Why so curious, Valeria?” he asked, his voice light and teasing. “Do you find it charming? I’ve heard some girls think scars make a guy look cool. Maybe you’re one of them?”
Valeria clenched her fists under the table, irritation flaring in her chest. ‘Of course, he would turn this into something like that,’ she thought, trying to hold back her rising frustration. He was really good at deflecting any serious question with his ridiculous teasing.
“I don’t have time for your nonsense,” she snapped, turning her head sharply to avoid his gaze. “It was my own fault for even being curious in the first place.”
Lucavion chuckled softly, clearly enjoying her reaction. “Ah, come on now, no need to get all worked up. I’m just having a little fun.”
“Your idea of fun is infuriating,” Valeria muttered, still refusing to look at him.
Lucavion shrugged, his smirk never fading. “You know, you’re pretty cute when you’re annoyed.”
“Huh?”
And that remark….
It was a first.