We three reached the training area. The Master was already standing there.
The Master said calmly, "You three, go and train. You—come with me." The three of them left, and I quietly followed the Master.
He led me to a quiet, deserted place. It was peaceful — almost too peaceful.
There, he took me inside an empty room and asked me to sit on a chair.
I silently sat down.
"Wellness," he said in a composed tone, "this place is created by my power. It's a secret space. Only those I wish can see it. No sound goes out from here, and no sound comes in."
I looked around in confusion. "What are you trying to say? I don't understand anything," I replied.
He smiled faintly. "You will, soon enough."
The Master sat down in front of me and said, "Now tell me everything you know about yourself — everything from the beginning."
"Why should I tell you all about me?" I asked, confused.
The Master smiled again. "That's fine, but answer every question I ask truthfully. I don't like lies. And respond quickly."
"Alright," I said reluctantly.
The Master's tone turned serious. "Tell me about your past."
"One minute, Master," I said boldly. "If I tell you everything about me, then you should also tell me everything about yourself."
The Master stood up and, with his magic, created a strange tool out of thin air.
"I told you," he said coldly, "you will only answer my questions. I need nothing else."
I went quiet. I knew that if I lied, the Master would find out — and with that weapon, I didn't know what he might do to me.
"Now tell me," he continued, "which kingdom are you from?"
I hesitated, my heart racing. "I… I'm from the Rose Kingdom," I stammered.
The Master's eyes darkened with anger, though his lips curved into a strange smile. He grabbed my hand and brought that weapon closer to my fingers.
"What… what are you doing?" I asked nervously.
"I just want to remove one of your nails," he said calmly.
"No! No, I'm sorry! Sorry, Master! I'm from the Crown Kingdom!" I cried out in panic.
"You should know now," he said sternly, "that if you give me a wrong answer again, this nail will be gone for real."
"So, you're from the Crown Kingdom," the Master said after a pause. "Then tell me about your entire past — your life before you met Phils."
I took a deep breath and began my story.
"When I was a child, I lived with my family. They never treated me kindly. They didn't know how to love. My brothers and sisters used to bully me too. One night, it was freezing outside — snow was falling heavily. I was sleeping when my mom came and dragged me out of the house, yelling at me. My dad came too… and together, they threw me out. They called me a monster."
I swallowed hard, tears forming. "I was just a helpless girl that night, standing alone in the cold. I walked away from home, but soon lightning struck our house — and my whole family died. My brothers and sisters too… gone. I thought maybe God was waiting for me to leave so He could punish them."
"After that night, I was completely alone. People in my village began calling me a monster — they said I was cursed, that I caused my family's death. I got tired of all the taunts, so I decided to leave everything behind. I went far away. Eventually, I reached a city. The people there seemed nice — at least that's what I thought on the first day."
I took another breath, my voice trembling. "Some people found me, gave me food, and spoke kindly. I thought my life was finally changing. But that night… they turned into monsters. They tried to hurt me… and they did. Somehow, I managed to escape. After that, I never talked to anyone again. But I didn't give up. I told myself that one day, I would be happy again."
"Things got better eventually, but people still called me a monster. Then I met Prince Phils — he was different. He gave me the love every person deserves. And that's how the story ends," I said, taking a deep breath.
"Why didn't you tell anyone about this?" the Master asked.
"Because I didn't want to. No one listens, and if I told someone in the palace, they'd just be sad."
The Master's tone was quiet. "Now tell me your weaknesses."
I glared at him. "No one should reveal their weaknesses," I said firmly.
"I am your Master," he replied sharply. "I must know your weaknesses. It helps me decide what punishment you deserve when you make mistakes."
"No!" I shouted.
The Master's face hardened. I looked down and changed my mind. "My weakness is love," I admitted. "If someone loves me — even if they're evil — I'll do anything for them."
I smiled faintly, then added, "I also love nature and animals… and one more thing — I hate cold water. It's terrifying."
"What about food?" he asked.
"I like meat," I said honestly. "But I don't like green vegetables — not at all."
"Tell me about the stone you carry," the Master said. "Everything you know."
"I don't know much," I admitted, "but whenever I'm alone in the water, it glows. The water starts heating up — almost boiling."
"How were your seven days in the forest?" the Master asked next.
"That was simple," I said proudly. "I've lived in forests before. I know what's safe and what's edible. I found food easily and survived comfortably."
"So you've told me everything," the Master said at last.
I gave an innocent smile. "You got answers to all your questions, Master. Now tell me your weaknesses."
The Master suddenly grabbed my hand and ripped off one of my nails.
I looked at my hand — blood dripping — tears filled my eyes, and I screamed, "Why did you do that? You're cruel! You enjoy this, don't you?"
I didn't let him speak. "You lied to me! You're no Master — you're a sinner!" I cried.
"You lied to me first," the Master shouted. "That's why I did it. And you will not speak to your Master this way."
I stopped crying, breathing heavily.
"You know," I said, my voice trembling but defiant, "I've wanted to say this for a long time. I can't hold it in anymore."
"Then speak," he said coldly.
I raised my middle finger at him. "Here's what I want to say," I said angrily, and turned to leave.
But before I could run, the Master appeared in front of me. He pushed me down — my face hit the ground. He placed his foot on my back, grabbed my hand, and ripped off three more nails.
I cried in agony — my fingers throbbed with unbearable pain. I couldn't move.
He pulled me up and threw me out of the room.
"I cannot make you my student," he said coldly. "Leave!."
I stood up, wiped my tears, and wrapped my bleeding fingers with my handkerchief. I had to find Prince Jack — he was the only one who could help me.
I saw him training alone with his sword. I walked toward him.
Jack looked at me and stopped.
I gave him a weak smile. "Prince Jack, I… I need to talk to you. It's important."
"Of course," he said gently. "Tell me."
"Can we talk in your room, please?"
He nodded. "Come with me." He took me to his room. "What is it?" he asked.
I couldn't hold it in anymore — tears streamed down my face.
Jack took my hand — the one I was hiding — and gently unwrapped the cloth. He smiled softly. "You must have said something wrong to the Master. He doesn't usually treat girls like this."
I looked into his eyes — those calm, familiar eyes. That smile… it was the same infinite smile I used to see before falling asleep. The one that felt like someone truly loved me deep inside. Jack's smile was exactly like that.
I looked down. "Yes… I said bad things to him. That's why he did this."
Jack stood up, brought some medicine, and began bandaging my fingers. His eyes were calm and kind.
He wrapped the bandage and looked at me warmly. "If you apologize, the Master will forgive you. To win someone's heart, you must speak the truth."
I said nervously, "No… if I go near him again, he'll kill me."
Jack smiled gently. "That won't happen."
"If he refuses to make me his student," I said fearfully, "then I'll have to return… and Prince Phils will never forgive me."
Jack chuckled softly. "You think too far ahead. You need to calm your mind."
After thinking for a while, I decided — I would apologize to the Master, no matter what.
I started following him everywhere, but he ignored me completely. He could hear me, but he didn't want to listen.
When he got tired, I offered him water — he took it silently and looked away.
After finishing his training, he went to his room. I followed quietly — this was my only chance to apologize.
He was sitting there, hands clasped, deep in thought.
He gestured silently — asking me to sit before him.
I sat quietly in front of him.
"There's one thing I like about you," he said softly. "You know how to be patient."
I lowered my head, blushing slightly. "Master… I'm sorry. I said bad things to you. Please forgive me."