It had already been nearly three years since Doomstone and I stayed at the villa of Duke Arthemius in the capital. I turned 21 and Doomstone 20.

Three years ago, the legendary great madosa, Elder Mirpa-nim, came here to treat my curse and had been staying in the capital ever since. She did not specialize in curse magic and it would be a disaster if she tried to treat the curse in Olympus Forest so she chose to stay back instead.

After turning 21, I drank tea and had refreshments with Elder Mirpa-nim on the plains a little away from the capital.

"Oho, I'm surprised that the little kid has gotten so strong," Elder Mirpa-nim commented as she admired Doomstone. In the distance, the Crow was immersed in a spar.

"Really? To me, it doesn’t seem that different from when I first saw him," I said.

She smiled lightly and remarked, "It's hard to know unless you develop an eye for martial arts."

"Is that so? Oh, I heard that Doomstone hid his skills."

"Even if that brat uses his head, he still has a rock for a head. He hid his skills because he didn't want to be the chief, but he can't fool the eyes of the chief and I. Three years ago, he was stronger than the elders, but he was not equal to that monster."

Elder Mirpa pointed to Guardian Knight Marsen of...