In the middle of a peaceful and quiet garden, filled with beautiful flowers of all shapes and sizes, there stood a simple rustic wooden cabin, roughly 60 square ters in size. Inside, the director sat cross-legged on a simple cushion—the only "furniture" in the cabin—his eyes closed in ditation. But at that mont, out of nowhere and without warning, a humanoid figure materialized in the room.
The figure soon revealed itself to be a woman of divine beauty, with pale skin and facial features so finely sculpted that she looked more like a masterfully carved statue than a living being. The impression she gave was that of standing before a true warrior empress—or perhaps even a goddess. But undoubtedly, the most striking detail about her was her long crimson hair and her bright orange eyes.
"Lysander."
With a lodious voice, one that seed to carry an unmatched majesty, the woman called out as a simple black cushion appeared in her hands. This caused the director to open his eyes abruptly, visibly startled. But upon seeing the woman sitting calmly in front of him with a relaxed expression, a bitter smile inevitably ford on his face.
"Brigid, stop scaring like that. It's not good for my heart. I'm getting old—you're going to make yourself a widow if you keep this up." The director said in a sowhat playful tone, which made the beautiful woman roll her eyes before replying with sarcasm.
"What a delicate flower. Next ti I'll send you a formal announcent a decade in advance to see if that helps."
"Hehe, it's good to see that you're finally able to co out." The director said with amusent, to which the woman calmly nodded.
"Although it won't be for long—maybe one or two years. I still haven't fully stabilized." Brigid replied as she turned her head to the left and added.
"But that's not important. What matters is that I want to see that boy."
"Hehe, I figured as much."
The director comnted while looking in the sa direction as Brigid, where he could see Erik, dressed only in his underwear, being thoroughly massaged by Sigrún, Eleonora, and Seraphina. But just then, Seraphina suddenly turned and 'looked' directly at them, murderous intent practically written across her face, causing Sigrún and Eleonora to glance in the sa direction, slightly confused—only for their expressions to quickly fill with rage.
"Oops, we've been spotted." The director said with a chuckle as he withdrew his gaze and turned to face Brigid, who now wore an expression full of fury.
"What the hell are those three doing..." Brigid muttered in a cold, visibly furious voice, nearly gritting her teeth. The director, still amused, comnted.
"Hahaha, those three just love little Erik a bit too much."
"I'm going to have to remind them what decency looks like... with a little 'tough love'..."
Brigid replied coldly as a simple, unadorned spear materialized in her hand—the shaft made of black wood, the tip a deep crimson tal. The director, however, spoke cheerfully and completely relaxed, since the problem wasn't his.
"Let them be happy—they're not hurting anyone."
"What, do you want sothing like that too?" Brigid quickly turned to look at the director with a sharp gaze, causing the great leader of the Arcane Order to shake his head furiously and speak hastily.
"No, no, no, of course not! I've always been a creature of a single nest—you know that."
"Hmph, you better be."
Brigid replied in a voice full of warning as she laid her spear across her lap, allowing the director to let out a discreet sigh of relief. But at that mont, the beautiful crimson-haired woman spoke in a thoughtful tone.
"But it's just as you said. That boy—although similar to Tal'veren—is also different. The Myst around him behaves strangely."
"Like a mother watching over her chick, right?" the director asked in a serious tone, to which Brigid quickly nodded and replied contemplatively.
"It certainly feels that way... really strange. I don't recall ever reading anything like this in the ancestral records..."
"So it wasn't like this with Tal'veren. For a mont, I thought maybe I just hadn't been able to sense it back then and that it was the sa." The director comnted calmly, prompting the beautiful, crimson-haired woman to shake her head and explain.
"No, with Tal'veren, it was as if the Myst were an extension of his being. He could impose his will through it, enhancing his four affinities and his five 'perfect synergies' to the extre—defeating enemies several tis stronger than himself with ease. But with this boy, it's different. It's as if the Myst itself is actively trying to stay by his side and follow his will—more like a subordinate..."
"Or an overly indulgent mother." The director finished his beautiful wife's thought, to which she nodded with a pensive expression, before looking him in the eyes and asking.
"What's his personality like?"
"...It's strange. In a sense, he's like a 'light' version of Tal'veren." the director replied after thinking for a second, then quickly continued explaining in a serious tone.
"He's individualistic and values freedom above all else, just like Tal'veren himself. But unlike him, Erik doesn't resort to violence easily. He's solitary, calm, and focused—always working on sothing different—and seems to avoid trouble whenever he can. But once he's forced to be violent, he's capable of killing without even blinking.
"In the duel he was cornered into, the mont his opponent attacked him with murderous intent, Erik killed him without hesitation, without even changing his expression. It was as if, in his mind, killing wasn't registered as sothing wrong or shaful—he simply chose the fastest and most effective thod: beheading him with a single strike. So it wouldn't be surprising if he launched a full-scale war if he ever felt his freedom was being restricted, just like Tal'veren.
"But at the sa ti, Erik seems to harbor a certain disdain for power and governance. Although he doesn't say it explicitly, it seems that, to him, the act of ruling is sothing shaful or disgraceful—especially regarding taxes. From ti to ti, he sends letters to the tax office and the governnt proposing tax reductions, suggesting alternative thods of funding—letters in which he occasionally hints subtly at just how much he despises them."
"A strange boy..." Brigid comnted thoughtfully. But at that mont, a smile inevitably ford on her lips as she glanced at her husband and added.
"Though I suppose those letters didn't sit very well with Selene."
"She read one out of curiosity after I ordered them to be sent directly to my office the mont they arrived—and she almost ran out to punch him. She only stopped when she found out that Seraphina was his personal maid, hehe." The director replied with amusent, which brought a sowhat odd smile to Brigid's face. She couldn't help but comnt in a contemplative tone.
"But truly, that boy seems to have a special kind of charm. Not just Seraphina—according to what you told , even Her Excellency Ebonique Nox chose to stay by his side. I still find it hard to believe..."
"Is the dragon spirit really that impressive?" The director asked, a bit curious, prompting Brigid to fix her gaze on him and warn him in a serious tone.
"Watch your words, Lysander. Her Excellency Ebonique Nox is one of the Eternals—beings said to have been born even before the universe itself was ford. Moreover, she is one of the most powerful and elusive among them. There's barely any information about her in the ancestral records, but one thing is very clearly emphasized.
"She, along with Her Excellency Ignis Caelestis, are the closest things to invincibility. They may not win every battle—but they will never lose one. Not even my ancestors would have dared to disrespect her. So be very careful when you're in her presence."
"I understand..." The director replied in a serious tone, gazing off into the distance, trying to rationalize what kind of monster it was that now accompanied Erik.
...
...
...
In the middle of the main port of the city atop the space elevator, Erik stood dressed in leather armor that not only offered great protection but also allowed for ease of movent. Over it, he wore a long coat made of the sa leather as his armor, giving him a mystical and mysterious air.
The base color of Erik's armor set was a deep dark blue, blending seamlessly with the void of space, while intricate golden details in various geotric patterns adorned the suit, lending it an elegant and sophisticated appearance. These designs highlighted the intricate runes that glowed faintly with a soft golden hue across its surface.
Although his armor appeared more aesthetic than functional, the truth was that it was a specialized magical artifact personally crafted by Eleonora. As such, the armor contained everything Erik could possibly imagine—and more. With just a single thought, Erik could see various screens positioned strategically within his field of vision, providing real-ti information about his surroundings, along with data on his physical condition, the armor's integrity, his mana reserves, and more.
Sweeping his gaze over the ninety-nine young individuals perfectly lined up around him—each wearing different suits and armors of various shapes, sizes, and colors, so with excited expressions, others looking worried, and many bearing serious, emotionless faces—Erik could see that, in his vision, small screens appeared above each of them, displaying relevant information about them.
Then, Erik turned his gaze forward, where the director stood accompanied by Adrian, Ryoma, Ngozi, Eleonora, Sigrún, Thalia, Jessica, and two other n. One with dark blue hair and fair skin, and the other with greenish hair and tan skin. Whom Erik didn't recognize at first, though the small screens floating above their heads quickly inford him who they were.
Even though everyone stood with serious, solemn expressions that conveyed their power and authority, Erik had to struggle not to laugh in amusent. After all, the displays that appeared in his vision above and around Eleonora and Sigrún contained information that was very far from serious.
...
[Na: Sigrún Eldurdóttir (Sweetheart, if you're Erik.)]
[Titles: Number One Alchemist of the Galaxy, ..., Beloved Master of Erik.]
[Species: Human.]
[Known Strength Level: Master-level.]
[Combat Type: Long-range.]
[Known Strengths: Perfect Synergy (Phoenix Forest), 'Immortality', ..., Super soft arms perfect for hugging her beloved disciple.]
[Known Affinities: Wood, Fire.]
[Profession: Alchemist.]
[Additional Data:
[*Contractor of an ancestral blue phoenix spirit.
[*Auric Award winner.
[*...
[*Madly in love with her first and only disciple.]
[Recomnded Approach:
[*If you're Erik: lots of kisses and hugs. If not: stay away.]
...
[Na: Eleonora Silverwood (My love, if you're Erik.)]
[Titles: Empress of Lightning, ..., Secretly number one in her Erik's heart.]
[Species: Human.]
[Known Strength Level: Master-level.]
[Combat Type: Mixed.]
[Known Strengths: Perfect Synergy (Conductive Tempest), ..., Soft and elastic lap for her Erik to use as a pillow.]
[Known Affinities: tal, Electricity.]
[Profession: Artificer.]
[Additional Data:
[*Contractor of an ancestral golden electric tiger spirit.
[*Auric Award winner.
[*...
[*Madly in love with her Erik.]
[Recomnded Approach:
[*If you're Erik: one kiss every half hour. If not: stay away.]
...
"Young ones, you are about to embark on a journey to investigate an ancient ruin, and without a doubt, it will be a journey full of dangers. But as you well know, danger and opportunity go hand in hand. That's why I expect you, as representatives of the Arcane Order, to seek out your own opportunities while upholding the honor of the Order."
While Erik silently amused himself with his playful master's antics, the Director's voice suddenly echoed through the place, stirring all sorts of emotions among the young listeners, who imdiately responded in unison and loudly:
"YES, DIRECTOR!!!"
"That's what I like to see. Soon we'll begin boarding the cruiser. You may say your goodbyes—we'll et on the ship."
With those words, the director disappeared in a flash of light along with all the Masters level who had accompanied him, leaving the young ones behind. After a mont, they began walking toward the rear area, where hundreds of people surrounded the entrance to the port.
Seeing everyone saying goodbye to their families, Erik quietly moved to a corner, pulling a table and a chair out of his storage ring. On the table, a plate of cookies, a porcelain cup, and a black-covered book with golden embroidery appeared, and he sat to wait in silence. After all, no one would be coming to see him off—he had already left the siblings with their respective tutors, and his masters were with the director.
With a calm expression, Erik picked up the book from the table and reached for the porcelain cup, over which a beautiful teapot floated gently. But just before he could serve himself, a delicate and beautiful hand took hold of the teapot. Erik turned to find Seraphina, who had appeared out of nowhere in front of him, gracefully serving the tea with a lovely smile on her face.
"Thank you, Seraphina."
"It is always a pleasure to be by your side and serve you, Young Master,"
Seraphina, as the perfect maid she was, quickly replied with a respectful bow, causing the star-haired young man to smile warmly. However, curious about what information the armor would display regarding his ever-reliable personal maid, Erik focused his attention on her, prompting several information screens to appear around her.
[Na: Seraphina Ravenspell.]
[Titles: Perfect Maid (exclusive to her Young Master), Demon Dressed as a Maid, Queen of Shadows, ...]
[Species: Human.]
[Known Strength Level: ????, Arcane-Peak.]
[Combat Type: Mixed, with a preference for stealth.]
[Known Strengths: Hips that always catch her Young Master's gaze.]
[Known Affinities: Darkness.]
[Profession: Personal Maid to her Young Master, Erik.]
[Additional Data:
[*Devoted in body and soul to her Young Master, Erik.]
[Recomnded Approach:
[*If you are her Young Master, anything is fine. If not, watch every word and action in her presence.]
***
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