Emery stepped out of the portal and was immediately met by the murmuring crowd. The air was thick with conversation, excitement, and tension as dozens of spectators discussed the recent events within the secret realm. As expected, the Skyroot faction has a way to observe and show glimpses of what had transpired within—witnessing the struggles, triumphs, and tragedies of those who had entered.
Of the thirty groups and ninety participants who had stepped into the realm, only seventy-eight had returned. Five alchemists had been lost—swallowed by the treacherous realm. Among them was Kukujin, the noble scientist who had met a grisly end at the fangs of the monstrous spider beast. The weight of their absence should have been palpable, yet no one seemed to mourn.
No cries for justice rang out for those who had perished unfairly, nor did anyone challenge the ruthless nature of Galael of the Ember Sage, who had slain his own competitors without hesitation. The silence spoke volumes—such cruelty was simply part of this unspoken game.
Grand Master Calidorne, the patriarch of the Skyroot faction, stepped forward, his dignified presence commanding silence among the crowd. His gaze swept over the surviving participants before he spoke. “Congratulations to all who have returned. You have braved the trials of the secret realm and secured your materials. Now, you have twenty-four hours to make your final preparations for tomorrow’s main event.”
With those words, the gathering dispersed, and the participants, as well as the VIPs, returned to their designated residences to rest. However, Emery had little interest in resting. His mind was already focused on Kaelyn. There were too many unanswered questions surrounding her, and he intended to get to the bottom of them.
He spotted her among the crowd, her white-gold hair unmistakable even in the dimming light. He quickened his pace, weaving through the dispersing figures. But before he could reach her, a firm hand clapped his shoulder
“My friend,” Ivaris greeted, his expression eager yet serious. “I am glad you made it. Now, about my brother…”
Emery felt a pang of guilt. He had made a promise to him, and it was time to fulfill it. “Come with me,” he said. “To Azure Cloud Mansion”
The mansion perched on the edge of the Pandera city. Moonlight reflected off its polished stone surfaces, casting ethereal shadows along the walls. As they stepped inside, Emery extended his hand and summoned Baldoni from his domain. The disgraced alchemist appeared before them, his head hung low in shame.
Emery had expected a dramatic reaction—perhaps shock, anger, or even an attempt at vengeance. Instead, he watched as Ivaris turned to his brother, arms crossed, his expression a mixture of disappointment and authority.
“You fool,”. His words carried the kind of weight that came from years of guiding a younger sibling. Baldoni, who had stood stiffly at first, slowly dropped his head, his shoulders slumping.
Then, to Emery’s surprise, Ivaris grabbed his brother and forced him to apologize. And just like that, the tension dissolved.
Later that evening, they shared a meal together, seated around a long wooden table in the Azure Cloud Mansion. The space was warm with golden lantern light, the scent of roasted meats and spiced herbs filling the air. Plates clattered, cups clinked, and laughter gradually replaced the lingering weight of earlier conflicts.
“Mister Emery,” Ivaris said between bites of food. “Are you prepared for tomorrow’s event?”
Emery paused, considering his options. There were several promising recipes he could pursue, but he was still missing a few key ingredients.
Seeing his hesitation, Iavris offered, “The Skyroot faction will provide any ingredients below Tier 7. You may take what you need from their storeroom.”
Emery’s eyes lit up at this revelation. “That’s incredibly helpful,” he admitted.
Access to the Skyroot faction’s storeroom meant a wealth of rare ingredients at his disposal—an opportunity he couldn’t afford to waste. Already, his thoughts shifted, refining his approach for the trial ahead. Without wasting time, he decided to return to the Skyroot Palace to finalize his selection.
When he arrived at his designated residence, however, he found Kaelyn waiting for him. Arms crossed, expression unreadable. She had been patient long enough.
“No more delay,” she said firmly. “Explain. Who are you?”
Emery exhaled slowly, pressing a hand to his temple; there was no avoiding it any longer. Without a word, he stepped aside, motioning for Kaelyn to enter.
The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of enchanted lanterns casting long shadows against the wooden walls. Kaelyn moved with quiet purpose, her gaze never leaving him as she took a seat near the window. She had come for answers, and she would not leave without them.
Emery hesitated. The truth weighed heavily on his tongue, but revealing his identity as a traveler was dangerous. He knew the risks—exposure could jeopardize everything he had built here. But before he could craft a response, Kaelyn’s eyes sharpened with realization.
“You’re not from this realm.” The words were not a question but a quiet statement of certainty. “You’re a traveler.”
A tense silence filled the space between them. Emery felt the air grow heavy, his pulse quickening. How had she known?
Kaelyn’s expression softened, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips. “Dont worry… I won’t tell anyone.”
A beat passed before she spoke again, this time more carefully. “Actually… One of my reasons for coming to this event was to find you…. My elders predicted the arrival of a traveler with a connection to our bloodline,” she continued. “I am here to confirm whether that person was you.”
The claim was startling, but not beyond belief. Emery had encountered seers before, like the Oracle, who could glimpse into fate’s hidden threads. And he knew his bloodline had that kind of ability.
“And how do you intend to confirm that?”
Kaelyn hesitated. A flicker of uncertainty crossed her face before she met his gaze once more.
“We need to mate.”
“….”
The silence stretched between them, heavier than before.
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