The old woman was freaking out on the inside...
Despite having lived long and seeing many things in her life, Ashton was an existence that she couldn't easily fathom.
Sure, the child was calm and composed. It's as if he's a sage that had long since freed himself from mortal fetters and is calmly observing the world beneath his feet.
For someone so young, such air shouldn't be easily cultivated, much less displayed. Yet this young man didn't look like he was faking it. It's as if he truly exists in a different plane compared to them.
'I have lived for so long and seen all kinds of personalities...I even discovered and raised Heroes myself, yet none of them gave me this kind of intimidation at first glance.'
'Who in the world is this child?' The old woman thought to herself.
In their brief exchange of glances, the old woman saw a visage of a long and seemingly endless river next to an incomparably tall tree.
The river was crimson red like it was a river of blood instead. She saw countless arms emerging out of it as if they were drowning. She heard the pained and desperate gurgles from its depths. The sounds were harrowing, it gave her chills that seeped directly into her soul.
The roots of the tree were submerged in that water like its using it to promote its growth. In stark contrast with the river of blood though, the tree was incomparably majestic.
Its roots were thick and solid, seemingly expanding in a never-ending network. Its trunk was massive, it painted an unshakeable sturdiness and foundations that couldn't get any more solid.
It stretched out as far as the eye can see, it was so big that it was seemingly enshrouding or replacing the heavens themselves. Each branch stretched far and each leaf seemingly contained endless vitality.
Sat at the very top of it, was Ashton with Aria right next to her. His position painted him as the God in this image, and when his heterochromatic eyes met the old woman's measuring gaze, her mind seemingly exploded which caused her to harshly return to reality.
'I should tread carefully around him. A person who successfully clawed his way back from hell isn't someone that can easily be offended.'
The old woman might never truly understand just how to sound the decision she made just now.
"You all, join us." She hollered at the unmoving people beyond the walls. "Bring in food as well. Our guest here had a long day, don't be impolite."
Despite her initial freak-out, she managed to recover and maintain her seniority. She sat on the table, still wearing an amicable smile on her face as she waited for the rest.
Ashton, seeing the old woman acting this way, refused to say anything. He doesn't mind. He already knows what this woman was here for anyway.
Name: Felicia Seres
Age: 843
Race: Human
Bloodline: None
Cultivation Rank: Lv.5 World Sage
Specialization: Oracle
Aptitude:
Physique: Heavenly Weaver Fiend Body (Legendary Adamantium)
Battle Spirit: Oracle's Heavenly Eye (Legendary)
Providence: Nanny of Heroes (Heavenly Emperor)
Remarks:
: She is considered one of the pillars of humanity. Despite her misgivings and her questionable actions, her influence and contribution towards humanity as a whole cannot be denied. She came here at the behest of her youngest disciple and it just so happens that the visions she received from her patron happen to match with this child as well.
: 'Patron, why do want to meet with this child? Who is he and what does his return mean for you? I hope that nothing bad happens.'
Ashton could guess some things on his own but right now, he just wants to take it easy. Hell, this was his first day back home! His jubilant mood shall not be disturbed too much by work stuff.
"Pardon my sudden intrusion, Young Man." The old woman said: "My name is Felicia Seras, I am Alice's Teacher."
"Nice to meet you, Ma'am. My name's Ashton West, and this is my girlfriend Aria. As you probably made aware by now, I just returned from a long journey from the Outside World so pardon me if I seem too stand-offish. I've been under constant pressure you see."
"Ah, no. I don't mind. I'm sure that anybody in your position would feel the same."
The two of them exchanged pleasantries. And if Felicia was being completely honest, she was expecting him to be more snobbish than this since that was her first impression of him, especially after what she just saw when she peered into his soul.
But no, he remained calm and polite. He respected her seniority and treated her with respect. Whether this is him faking it or not, she can't tell. This child is a bit difficult to read, and that's coming from an Oracle like herself.
Shortly after that, several men came to the room, bringing in food.
Under Felicia's orders, they sat down and began a small feast. Ashton and Aria didn't shy away from the food.
Dinner was awkward though. Only Felicia, Ashton, and Aria were eating while the others sat in front of the table stiffly, looking so out of place. They were ignored by the three as they casually talked about the most random things as if they'd known each other for so long.
Once dinner was finished. The others used this chance to leave the three of them alone in the disguise of cleaning up dishes. Ashton didn't comment about this, and neither did Felicia. Both of them knew that what happened just now was just some kind of a pretense.
The real purpose of her visit happens now that the nuisances were out...
"...alright, now that it's just us, I think it's about time we talk about the real important stuff here." Ashton unceremoniously dropped as soon as the others went beyond his senses. "Will you tell me the real reason behind your visit, Ma'am?"
Felicia nodded and released a sigh, then she said: "My Patron wants to see you, Child. That's why I am here."
"Patron?" Ashton tilted his head, acting as if he doesn't have an idea what she was talking about.
"It's...complicated. Alice told me that you're a scholar, yes? Then you must've heard about Oracles before."
"Oracles..." Ashton sounded nostalgic here, "They're people who can 'see the future'. They follow the movement of the stars and peer through the veil of Heavenly Secrets to contribute to Humanity's longevity."
"Textbook definition, not entirely false but it's very pompous. In summary, they're people who wanted to be 'spoiled' about everything about their particular interest." Ashton concluded.
Felicia laughed after hearing his description: "Indeed. That's an accurate way of describing us."
"You're Oracle!?" Ashton feigned shock.
"Indeed. But don't worry. I don't mind you describing us that way. As I said, it's accurate." Felicia waved her hand. "Though, you see, Oracles have different ways to do what they do."
"Let's say Oracles are news reporters; I have a superior who gives me a call and hands me an assignment, then I research that particular subject and do a news report about it."
"This superior of mine is my Patron. And my Patron wants to see you. For what purpose, I have no clue. She just sent me here to invite you to see her. Coincidentally, my youngest disciple also wanted to see you in person which lead us to now."
"Ah, I see..." Ashton nodded.
He was somewhat expecting this. And frankly, he had no qualms about it. Also, this might expedite his clearance from this inspection so he might as well take the bait.
"I understand. I'll come with you. When do we leave?" He asked.
"Tomorrow if that's fine with you."
"No problem." Ashton readily agreed, "I am well rested anyways."
"Very good. Then I shall come back tomorrow and take you to see my Patron. Don't worry, she can come too." She referred to Aria in the last part.
At least she's polite enough to not slight her existence...
"I'll leave you two here for now. If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to tell the staff around here. They should be able to accommodate you."
After saying that, Felicia then started walking out of the room, leaving Ashton and Aria behind.
Once she left, she appeared in front of the staff of this place and said:
"Ashton West, the one held and the Blank White Room, do not and I mean 'DO NOT' offend him. Try to accommodate him as much as you could for this night. I'll be taking him away tomorrow."
"Again, I am reminding you. Do not offend him or the girl with him. I will not be held responsible for the sheer destruction he will cause if you all decided to test his patience. You won't die if you don't court death. Consider yourself warned."
After saying her piece, she disappeared like smoke, leaving the dumbfounded people behind to grasp the weight of her words. And after looking at each other in dismay they all thought...
'Great! This is bound to be the longest night shift ever...'
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