Ten Years

Asher, now sixteen years old, stood before the mirror, gazing at his reflection. His piercing ruby-red eyes and long white hair framed a face that had matured far beyond his years.

"Hm, today's the day Catherine will be released," he mumbled to himself, his voice carrying a mix of anticipation and unease.

Reaching for a band, he tied his hair back, securing it neatly before taking another long look at his reflection. This was a day he had been waiting for.

"Finally, the ban will be lifted," he mumbled, his tone carrying a hint of satisfaction.

The punishment Yulia had imposed on him for bringing Catherine from a dungeon—a complete prohibition from participating in any dungeon dives—was finally coming to an end.

Though the ban didn't affect him significantly, as he had his own personal dungeon to train in, he had accepted the punishment silently, refraining from causing any trouble.