A Marriage That Knows Its Bounds

Judith had once seen a living dragon.

His name was Serpion. A legendary archmage who, despite being born with ominous red eyes, had clawed his way to the top of Lumentia’s magical world through sheer ability. He stood as the shining master of the Ivory Tower, ranked No.1 among all magi. People praised him as though a mythical dragon had returned to life.

Just like that pristine tower that never lost its brilliance, everyone believed his name would shine forever. And oh, how that made her stomach twist with envy.

[Serpion Mirnoia. Dismissed by unanimous vote.]

But at last, the myth came to an end. Not just ended, completely and utterly collapsed.

[The criminal Serpion is hereby classified as a Tier 1 Threat. He is permanently expelled from all Lumentia institutions.]

The man who had once been Lumentia’s brightest star became a disgraced criminal overnight. Despite all his achievements, despite once being hailed a hero, Judith didn’t feel the slightest bit sorry for him.

If only he hadn’t cast forbidden magic. Or if, after doing it, he had shown even a shred of remorse. Or at the very least, if he hadn’t treated people like dirt his whole life. Then maybe people wouldn’t have been so eager to cut him off the moment he fell.

If not for all that, someone like Serpion, a man of such immense power, might never have fallen this far.

He had it coming. And he got what he deserved.

Judith, who knew better than anyone how insufferable he had been, laughed out loud at the news of his downfall.

“Hey there, Judith. Long time no see.”

She never imagined he would come looking for her himself. After eight years, he appeared, still brazen, still unashamed, and made her an outrageous offer.

“I’ll make you an archmage.”

He, a man who had lost everything, promised to turn her, a woman born without magical power and thus never even considered a mage, into a master of the arcane.

“But… you’re broke now, aren’t you?”

He had nothing left. And yet, he dared to make that promise.