The night was deep. In a narrow room of the Heldnau inn, Arenlio Serifis stared at the ceiling, alone. Darkness dominated every corner of the ceiling beyond the reach of lamplight. Within that darkness, Arenlio Serifis traced memories from his past life. Japan. A salaryman. Three years into his assignment in the sales department. He'd handled contracts with a major construction company. The client's sales representative always wore a smile. He seemed kind, sincere, trustworthy. They'd spoken openly at drinking parties. They'd even shared stories about their families. And then—— "I'm sorry. Actually, our cash flow..." Those words shattered everything. The contract was a deception. The money had been embezzled. By the time he realized it, millions in losses. Reporting to the company was hell. "Why didn't you notice?" His boss's interrogating voice still echoed in his ears. The answer was simple. He couldn't see through the man's lies. He couldn't sense his true intentions when looking into his eyes. (If the people of this world possessed the ability to read others' true hearts...) Arenlio Serifis gazed at his own arms. The jet-black soul marks floating on his skin. They were proof of his innate magical power. The helplessness of his past life. That had been his wish at the moment of reincarnation. Give me overwhelming power. The strength to solve everything alone, without relying on anyone. That wish had been granted. According to the knowledge he'd gained at reincarnation, his magical power exceeded that of a normal mage by over two hundred times. It was off the scale. But—— (What was the price?) He'd realized it only after coming to this world. While observing the people of Heldnau, he'd noticed something. Those around him read others' moods from subtle changes in expression and tone of voice. It was what the reincarnation knowledge called "higher sense"——the ability to recognize emotions. Arenlio Serifis lacked that ability completely. Was Caspar's kindness simple compassion? Or was he trying to exploit Arenlio's power? He couldn't tell. Did Leila approach him out of genuine interest? Or did she have some other agenda? He couldn't tell. When Estia said she trusted him, was it her true heart? Or merely surface courtesy? He couldn't tell. What he'd lost in exchange for the strongest power was—— "I can never fully understand another person again." Arenlio Serifis's voice was swallowed by the darkness. --- The next morning. Sunlight gently illuminated the city of Heldnau. In front of the Black Fang Tavern, Estia was waiting. Behind her stood five soldiers. Men in full armor, the oldest barely in his thirties. Their faces were weathered by the sun, marked with several sword scars. The faces of those who lived on the frontier. "You're early." Arenlio Serifis spoke flatly. "Of course." Estia puffed out her chest. "This is the investigation you promised. Everything is prepared. I'll guide you." Moments later, another sound of hoofbeats echoed. Looking up, a princess with golden hair gleaming in the morning sun appeared, followed by her guards. It was Leila. "I'm here!" She spoke with a bouncing voice. "You promised, right? We'd go on an adventure together." Arenlio Serifis stared at Leila with an expressionless face. His eyes held no emotion. But something was being calculated within them. "Why would a princess come to the frontier?" "An inspection, I suppose. From the imperial capital." Leila answered in a clear voice. It seemed to be the truth. But what was the real reason? "Understood. We depart." Arenlio Serifis nodded. The group crossed the city walls of Heldnau and headed toward the outer edges of the Miasma Wasteland. --- Purple-tinged mist drifted low across the wasteland. Scorched earth with sparse, withered shrubs. The air was heavy. The density of magical power could be felt on the skin. "That's the investigation site ahead." Estia pointed forward. The area where the mist grew thicker. Arenlio Serifis observed the soldiers. All five gripped their spears. But their grips differed. Three seemed to be gripping from fear. The spear tips trembled faintly. But was that truly fear? Or merely tension? He couldn't tell. Two seemed to be gripping out of habit alone. Their faces showed composure. Movements ingrained through training. He gazed at Estia. Her expression was sincere. But what was her true intention? Did she truly trust them? Or was it simply the calculation of "wanting a strong ally"? "Stop here." Arenlio Serifis halted. "I'll advance. You fall back one step and wait." "Understood." Arenlio Serifis moved toward the mist. Leila and the guards accompanied him. Then—— "ッ!!" More than ten beast shadows burst from the mist. Purple-fanged wolves. Their bodies were as tall as a human's shoulders. Their fur was pale purple. Their fangs gleamed silver. High danger level. Normally, five soldiers would be needed to handle such monsters. "Fall back!" Arenlio Serifis commanded sharply. The soldiers raised their spears. But their movements were slow. Fear? Diminished judgment? Arenlio Serifis couldn't discern the reason. Arenlio Serifis raised his hand. The jet-black soul marks on his body surface began to glow pale blue. Light concentrated. Power compressed. And then—— "ッ!" A torrent of magical force was unleashed, tearing through the wasteland. A band of light streaked across. The purple-fanged wolves were sent flying in an instant. Some soared through the air, crashing to the ground. Blood sprayed. A deep groove was carved into the earth. Its length was thirty meters. Its width was five meters. The wasteland's bedrock was exposed. Silence enveloped the surroundings. Estia's soldiers stood in shock. Their spears still pointed at empty air. The battle had ended before they had a chance to use them. "Is this...your power?" Estia forced out the words. Awe was reflected in her eyes. But what lay beyond that? Gratitude? Fear? Arenlio Serifis couldn't tell. "Amazing..." Leila's eyes sparkled. "I've never seen magic like this. In an instant...you defeated them all." Was that genuine wonder? Or merely momentary excitement? Arenlio Serifis didn't know. On the way back, Estia spoke to him. "Thank you." Her voice was filled with gratitude. But—— "I'll take payment later." Arenlio Serifis replied coldly. "I understand." Estia nodded. But something was reflected in her expression. Disappointment? Or something else? He couldn't tell. --- The Black Fang Tavern. Caspar watched the group's return from behind the counter. His single gray eye observed quietly. "That kid really is a monster." Caspar muttered. His voice mixed amazement with caution. But at the same time—— "But...he has lonely eyes." Caspar spoke those words. They said everything. --- Night. As Arenlio Serifis sat at a desk in his room, Caspar brought him a letter. "Kid, you've got mail." The sender was the Imperial Magic Bureau. A summons from the imperial capital, Zelkain. "Arenlio Serifis is summoned to the imperial capital Zelkain. Detailed investigation to be conducted regarding the special nature of soul marks. ——Prime Minister Dorvan Gale." A faint change crossed Arenlio Serifis's expression. (The imperial capital.) It was a place where countless mysteries and dangers converged. The emperor was sickly, and the prime minister held real power. And that prime minister was summoning him. The reason given was "soul mark investigation." But what was the true reason? Did they want to use his power as a weapon? Or was there some other intention? He couldn't tell. But one thing was certain. (I have no choice but to go.) Arenlio Serifis placed the summons on the desk. There, he let his thoughts wander. His way of living in this world. The path of solitude. A life of trusting no one. That was the only correct answer. But—— Something caught in the depths of his heart. Leila's innocent smile. Estia's sincere gaze. Caspar's words. Could those things truly not be trusted? Arenlio Serifis couldn't answer that question. Stars twinkled in the night sky visible through the window. From the direction of the Miasma Wasteland in the distance, the distant howl of monsters could be heard. That sound seemed to herald the beginning of something next.