After some time, in the headquarters of the Storm Guild...
"Commander, we tried to investigate the boy, but there are no records of him. We even performed some tests on his body to learn anything about him, but we got no results."
"Moreover, we summoned one of the most important members of the Illuminated Order in the kingdom of Arthens—the sorceress known as 'The Ruler's Eye,' Lady Catherine."
"Oh, how fascinating. It has been a long time since I last met her. I hope she is in full health, both mentally and physically."
"But, sir, isn't it a bit strange for her to come? We know she holds significant value to the Illuminated Order, and her presence is only permitted in the most critical situations."
"Don't worry about it. Just carry out the order and inform me when she arrives."
"As you command, Lord Grace." The guard stood at military attention, raising his hand to his leader before being dismissed to leave.
"Haaah..." Grace sighed as he pondered, filled with countless unanswered questions like an old book covered in dust.
"I truly don't understand this boy. It's very strange. How could someone like him reach the second level of the Monster Shrine without having awakened his tattoo's abilities yet? He didn't even know what a tattoo was."
"The matter seemed very suspicious to me at first, but I confirmed his sincerity and that he truly doesn't know what's happening. Is it possible he lost his memory due to injury? Or did he hit something that made him lose consciousness?"
"But even if that happened, his tattoo abilities should still be with him. That leaves only one possibility: the boy awakened his tattoo recently, so he hasn't fully realized it yet. There really is a lot of mystery surrounding him."
"What amazes me most is that the saintess, 'The Ruler's Eye,' is coming herself to see him. This is something I would never have expected, even if I heard it directly from her."
"But I've never seen anyone with an hourglass tattoo in my life. What is its significance? I must learn everything about this boy, no matter the cost."
Amid Grace's deep thoughts, the sound of the Order's carriages arriving interrupted him. Everyone stood up, astonished to see Lady Catherine—one of the most important and greatest figures in the kingdom, or even the entire continent.
Grace stepped forward to receive her with full respect and humility. "All hail the saintess, 'The Ruler's Eye,' Lady Catherine!" announced one of the Order's messengers.
"No need for all this commotion. I'm just here to see an old friend."
"Hahahahaha (loud laughter). If I didn't know you before, I would have believed your polite words immediately."
The curtains opened to reveal a woman with black hair tinged with purple, blue eyes, and black clothes covering most of her face. She was so beautifully crafted that people described her as the embodiment of an angel.
Grace stepped forward to greet Catherine and helped her down from the carriage.
"How kind you are, just as I remember you. Still noble in your manner despite time passing so quickly—you still look young even though you've aged, you old man."
"You're still heavy with jokes as I remember you, my noble lady. Don't forget I'm in my thirties. Anyway, please come inside so we can have some tea and talk. It's been a long time since we last met."
Grace pulled out the chair for Catherine to sit.
"Oh, what a noble man who understands how to treat ladies. Tell me about yourself and how the guild affairs are going."
"Catherine, you and I both know you came for an important and necessary purpose. We shouldn't waste time on trivial conversation."
"Truly, you're still as sharp-witted and cunning as ever. I thought time might have changed you, but I'm glad to see you as you are. Well, you know I'm here to see the young man you brought with you."
"Yes, I know. But under normal circumstances, they wouldn't send someone of your importance to meet an ordinary boy like this. So what has changed?"
"Sometimes the will of fate... sometimes human ignorance is better than knowing everything. But I saw a prophecy about a dark person who possesses an endless cycle of suffering and sorrow. And if darkness ever descends, he will be the light that kills the darkness... or he will be the darkness itself."
(Shock) Expressions of shock spread across Grace's face—he didn't expect the matter to be of this level of importance. "Could you explain your words further?"
"Well, look, Grace. A while ago, I had a vision of a strange light in an endless, vast void. I couldn't move or do anything, as if I were falling into a bottomless abyss. I heard nothing but a strange voice; even someone of my power couldn't understand a single word of it. But after a while, I heard the whispers of the voice and they became very clear. What I heard was: 'No matter how many times it returns, fate has only one end... and it is—'"
"But I couldn't hear what the voice said. Whenever I remember, the light formed into the shape of an hourglass."
Grace was deeply shocked. Could this be...?
---
Going back in time, before Catherine's arrival, in the treatment room of the Storm Guild...
"What's wrong, lad? Why did you suddenly fall silent?"
"Lord Grace, there's something I didn't tell you. Actually, two things."
"First: I have no name. I can't even remember my own name, and this is strange. I feel like I'm in an endless whirlpool of questions."
"Second: When I was in the forest, I dreamed I was in intense darkness. I couldn't move, but I heard a voice whispering. It sounded sad yet strong, resolute yet weak. I felt like the voice was everything and nothing at the same time."
"But what woke me was its final sentence. The only thing I heard from it was: 'No matter how many times you return, fate has only one end... and it is—'"
"Death..."
---
Back to the present time...
"This happened not long before you arrived."
Catherine grew worried—this was strange, as it was never like her to show such signs of anxiety and astonishment.
"What's wrong, Catherine?" Grace asked.
"I don't know. For the first time, I feel like I'm ignorant of something, as if there's a missing stone I cannot find. Grace, please take me to the boy. I want to meet him immediately, under any circumstances."
"For even my eyes that see reality have... stopped..."