Ivy struggled against the strange creatures resembling a cross between wild boars and bulls. They weren't huge, but their numbers were significant. Ivy kept using her magic to fight off the creatures. Meanwhile, Race and Winter followed Ivy's instructions to evacuate all the guards at the base camp. Winter returned to the base camp once they ensured the guards' safety. Race followed Winter and tried holding Winter's hand to prevent them from entering.

"Let me handle it, Winter."
Winter looked at Race and forcefully brushed off their cousin's hand.

"It's not the time to argue whether I can go in or not. Ivy is inside, she's a woman, and she's fighting against those strange creatures, and their numbers are overwhelming."

After saying that, Winter ran into the base camp, heading towards the training field without wasting more time debating with Race. Race sighed in frustration and then ran after Winter. When they reached the area, Winter grew increasingly worried seeing Ivy fighting the bizarre creatures with a wooden stick she had somehow acquired. Winter quickened their pace and joined Ivy in fighting off the animals. Race also joined in, and the three finally fought against the strange creatures.

Ivy took a deep breath as she was running out of energy. Utilizing both physical strength and magic simultaneously drained her. Ivy briefly glanced at Winter and Race.

"If I use more powerful magic, they might discover I'm a witch. But if I keep fighting like this, my prediction might come true," Ivy thought, pondering what to do.

Ivy let her guard down and received a decisive blow from one of the creatures, sending her flying and falling to the ground.
"Ivy!" Race shouted, eyes widening in shock as he saw his wife collapse.

Winter looked at Ivy and didn't hesitate to run toward Race's wife. Winter tried to help Ivy get up.
"I'm fine. Move aside, Winter!"

Ivy pushed Winter away and prepared to fight the creatures again.
"Stubborn woman," Winter muttered, baffled by Ivy's behavior.

Race, who had defeated the creature he was fighting, ran towards Ivy and held her back, preventing her from fighting the creatures any longer.
"Ivy! Get out of here. Winter and I will take care of them."

Ivy looked at Race and shook her head, refusing.
"No, I have to help you both. Otherwise, you and Winter might get hurt."

"If you're this stubborn, you're the one who will get hurt!"
Race was losing his patience with Ivy.

Meanwhile, Ivy stared at Race, seeing how worried he looked. She smiled and forcefully let go of Race's hand.
"At least I can be useful here," she said, then ran back to fight the creatures.

Race groaned in frustration and joined his wife in fighting the strange creatures, with Winter also assisting. After battling the creatures, Ivy managed to eliminate the last one. Completely exhausted, Ivy collapsed after defeating all the animals she fought against. Race ran to Ivy and helped her up.

"Iv, Ivy! Wake up!" Race said, trying to get Ivy to open her eyes.

Ivy wasn't unconscious, so she quickly opened her eyes and looked at Race.
"I'm fine, Race. Just tired," Ivy said, smiling sweetly at Race. However, Race was genuinely concerned about Ivy now.

Winter ran towards both of them and helped Ivy to stand.
"You can stand, right?" Winter asked.

"I'm okay. Don't worry!" Ivy reassured them as she stood up, slightly unsteady on her feet.
Race and Winter both supported Ivy by holding her hands. Being given such attention from both men made Ivy smile with joy.

Before Ivy could fully recover from her fatigue and body pain, the strange creature that Winter believed had been eradicated ran towards them with a face filled with hatred. Ivy saw it and remembered her prediction about Winter and Race getting injured. Ivy quickly let go of Race and Winter's hands and forcefully pushed them away. She then chanted a magical incantation and shouted. Ultimately, Ivy unleashed her magic with full force, using whatever energy she had left. A bright light struck the creature forcefully, followed by a loud cry of pain from the beast.

Winter and Race were shocked to see Ivy do such a thing, especially Winter, who had no idea that Ivy was descended from witches. The bright light vanished after the creature was destroyed, and Ivy fell to the ground heavily.

"Ivy!" Race and Winter shouted in unison.
***
"Have you heard about the commotion at the guard training base camp?" Mrs. Maria asked her husband, Mr. Milano.

"Yes, I've heard about it. Apparently, there are a lot of ruby and enchantment stones in the base camp," Mr. Milano replied while having dinner with his wife.

"I hope Race will resolve all those issues this time," Mrs. Maria said, looking enthusiastic.

"Why is that?" Mr. Milano asked, confused.

"Oh, come on, dear. If Race succeeds, Winter will trust him even more. After Winter is crowned as king, Race will surely be appointed as his right-hand man. Isn't that a prestigious position?" Mrs. Maria explained, slightly exasperated.

"Isn't Race already Winter's trusted companion now, and they're always together? What more is needed?" Mr. Milano said, not fully understanding his wife's perspective.

"That's not enough, my dear. Race has to become the king's right-hand man first. You were already appointed as the right-hand man of the current king. Therefore, when Winter becomes the next king, he should choose Race. You're the younger brother of King Micel, you should have inherited the throne in the first place. Because of your refusal, we ended up being mere noble relatives of the king," Mrs. Maria expressed, a bit annoyed as she recalled her husband's rejection of becoming a king.

Mr. Milano sighed deeply and took a slow sip of his drink.
"I have no interest in ruling a kingdom. For me, being a father who has to lead our family is already challenging enough," he stated.

Mrs. Maria glared at Mr. Milano angrily, huffed in frustration, and roughly placed her spoon on the plate.
"Well, I will make Race the king's right-hand man if he can't become a king here," Mrs. Maria angrily asserted, leaving the dining room abruptly.

Mr. Milano watched his wife leave with a heavy sigh.
"Her ambition still hasn't diminished," Mr. Milano muttered.

He continued his meal and remembered the ruby and enchantment stones abundant in the base camp.
"The base camp needs to be relocated. That place can become the next ruby and enchantment stone mine. The eastern region won't experience any shortages if we utilize it properly," Mr. Milano remarked, starting to think about business again.

"I can seek assistance from the Marionet family to market the ruby stones," he added after getting a brilliant idea for the smooth running of his business.
***
In the pavilion, Race was waiting outside Ivy's room with Winter. Ivy was being treated inside by the pavilion's healthcare expert. Winter could see that Race was genuinely worried about Ivy now. Winter approached Race and gently patted his shoulder.

"Ivy will be fine," Winter said reassuringly.

Race looked at Winter and nodded in agreement, although deep down, he was highly concerned about Ivy, who seemed to have lost a lot of energy. Ivy also had a head injury from the fall earlier. Winter gently held Race's hand shortly after, causing Ivy's husband to look at Winter.

"There's something I want to ask you, Race."

"What is it?"

"How can Ivy possess that kind of power? Who is Ivy, really?"

Race's facial expression didn't show surprise at all; he had expected Winter to ask him about this. Race took a deep breath and looked away.

"Is Ivy a descendant of witches? And how did she end up in the Marionet family?" Winter guessed, having been pondering over this since earlier. Only a witch could possess such power and energy as Ivy did.

Race still didn't answer; looking at his face, Winter could tell his guess was correct.
"So, Ivy is indeed a witch," Winter stated.

"Yes, I am a descendant of witches and possess magical abilities. Will you hate me as Race does?" Ivy's voice suddenly came from behind her bedroom door, successfully making Winter and Race both turn their gaze toward the door.
***