The winter after his master died, the Demon Lord's army had swept through his village and killed almost everyone. While he was out training.

He stayed alert, tracking down every piece of news about the Demon Lord's movements, about the army's movements.

He went to the library and studied spatial magic, time magic, anything he could get his hands on.

Lottie, who dutifully searched the archives for every grimoire she could find, watched over him.

" You've changed," she said quietly.

Lottie had died a long time ago, too.

" I learned a lot of things from my master," Henry said.

" You act... a lot quieter," she said. " You seem older now... and very sad."