Grace Concerns

Jeremy Werner, with the practiced ease of one familiar with the intricacies of Shunri Paradise, handed Atrixus a set of preservatives. "Sprinkle these on the Tunril Frogs," he instructed, his voice carrying the weight of experience.

Atrixus complied, a sense of relief washing over him as he realized the critical oversight he had almost made. Without the preservatives, the valuable corpses would have deteriorated the moment they left the unique environment of Shunri Paradise. This newfound knowledge underscored the serendipity of Jeremy's intervention.

Next, Jeremy presented Atrixus with a rectangular bag, an item that seemed too small for the task at hand.

Yet, as Atrixus began to place the frog corpses inside, he was met with a marvel of spatial manipulation. No matter how many he inserted, the bag's capacity seemed unending. It was a depiction of the technological wonders that System Bearers sometimes took for granted.

Atrixus was astonished with a mix of gratitude and awe at the utility of such an item.

With the immediate concern of preservation and transport addressed, Jeremy signaled that it was time to move on to their primary objective—the elusive Evo that had piqued his interest.

Atrixus, expecting another lengthy trek on foot, braced himself for the journey ahead. His expectations were upended when Jeremy summoned a massive creature that defied easy description.

Resembling a cat in its elegance and grace but the size of a buffalo, the creature was an Assimilated Evo summon, its presence commanding and awe-inspiring.

Climbing atop the colossal feline with Jeremy, Atrixus felt a rush of exhilaration as the creature sprang into motion.

The experience of journeying on an Evo summon was entirely new to him, a thrilling ride that offered a unique perspective on the landscape of Shunri Paradise. The red sands blurred beneath them as they traversed the terrain, the wind whipping through Atrixus's hair, each breath filled with the untamed essence of this otherworldly realm.

The scenery unfurled in a display of alien beauty as they sped across the land. Towering rock formations rose like sentinels against the sky, their surfaces glowing faintly with mineral luminescence.

In the distance, forests of towering flora swayed gently, their leaves shimmering with colors that seemed to shift with the angle of the light. Here and there, rivers of crystal-clear water cut through the landscape, their banks adorned with the vibrant hues of Shunri Paradise's unique plant life.

All this could be spotted in the distance despite the surroundings still being a red sandy region.

For Atrixus, the journey was a revelation. The exhilaration of speed, the wind caressing his face, and the panoramic view of Shunri Paradise's wonders imbued him with a sense of freedom and adventure he had never known. Beneath him, the massive cat-like Evo moved with a swiftness that contradicted its size, its paws barely disturbing the sands as it navigated the terrain with supernatural agility.

Twenty minutes passed in a blur of wonder and adrenaline. As they approached the edge of the red sandy region, the environment began to shift, signaling their arrival at a new and potentially more perilous area of Shunri Paradise. Jeremy signaled for the creature to slow down. Its pace decelerated until they came to a gentle stop at the threshold of a landscape that promised new challenges.

Dismounting from the Evo, Atrixus took a moment to steady himself, the sensation of solid ground a stark contrast to the swift journey they had just undertaken.

As Atrixus and Jeremy dismounted from Libalm, the colossal cat-like Assimilated Evo, the air took on a noticeable chill, a stark contrast to the warmth they had grown accustomed to during their journey.

Jeremy cast a concerned glance at Libalm, his voice laced with a hint of regret as he explained, "Ice is bad for Libalm." The bond between a System Bearer and their Assimilated Evo was profound, and Jeremy's attentiveness to Libalm's well-being spoke volumes of their connection.

The world that unfolded before them was a domain of frost, a stark, unforgiving landscape that seemed alien even within the diverse ecosystems of Shunri Paradise.

The ground beneath their feet crunched with every step, the sound echoing in the silence that enveloped the frost-covered terrain. It was a disturbing sight, where the concept of normalcy had no foothold. The land was a patchwork of contradictions—some areas caved in, creating deep, treacherous pits, while others rose majestically, their spire-like formations piercing the multicolored skies above.

In the distance, a few Evos scurried across the frostbitten ground, seemingly undeterred by the cold that seeped into every crevice of the landscape.

Jeremy pointed toward a structure that loomed in the distance, its appearance both mesmerizing and foreboding. "We're headed there," he announced, his gaze fixed on what appeared to be a frosted structure.

One couldn't tell if it was natural or Evo made but it bore slight similarities with a tower.

However, calling it a tower did little justice to the eerie aura it exuded. The structure was riddled with holes, creating a Swiss cheese-like appearance that suggested entryways or perhaps, traps.

Without hesitation, they began their approach, each step deliberate, mindful of the icy ground beneath them. The closer they got to the frosted tower, the more its otherworldly nature became apparent.

The structure seemed to hum with quiet energy, its surface glistening under the alien sun, reflecting light in a kaleidoscope of icy blues and whites.

Every exhaled breath materialized in the frigid air, and the crunching sound of their steps became a constant companion, breaking the overwhelming silence that dominated the landscape.

As they navigated the treacherous terrain, Atrixus couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and apprehension. The frost world of Shunri Paradise was unlike anything he had imagined, a place where beauty and danger were inextricably intertwined.

The holes that marred the surface of the frosted structure beckoned them forward, promising secrets and challenges hidden within its icy depths.

Reaching the base of the structure, Atrixus and Jeremy paused, taking a moment to survey their surroundings.

The frost-laden air seemed to thicken, anticipation and uncertainty hanging heavily between them. The entrance, one of the many holes dotting its structure, loomed before them like a gateway to the unknown.

With a nod of mutual understanding, they stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the structure.

■■

In the hallowed halls of Sacred Heights High School, the absence of Atrixus Timothy was becoming a topic of quiet speculation among the students, especially within the elite circles of Class Three.

Grace, the captain of the class, known for her cool demeanor and sharp intellect, was particularly attuned to the comings and goings of her classmates. Atrixus's recent disappearances had not escaped her notice, prompting her to seek answers.

Approaching their homeroom teacher with a blend of curiosity and concern, Grace inquired, "Miss Bennett, Atrixus has been missing from class a lot recently. Do you know why?"

Miss Bennett, adjusting her glasses, sighed softly. "Yes, Grace. Atrixus left a message for the school explaining that he needed to care for his ill mother. It's a difficult time for him."

Grace nodded, a flicker of understanding passing through her eyes. "I see. Thank you, Miss Bennett. " Despite the explanation, a thread of skepticism wove through her thoughts. Atrixus's situation warranted sympathy, but something about his frequent absences piqued her interest.

Grace made her way to the students' computer room which was where she was headed initially.

As she logged onto one of the holographic monitors, intending to conduct her own research, she noticed something on the history list. The monitor displayed a former search related to SBO and SBO cards—terms associated with System Bearers.

Her curiosity piqued, Grace leaned in, squinting at the screen. "Hmm?" she murmured to herself, her fingers deftly navigating through the search history.

After clicking on the searches related to SBO, SBO cards, and System Bearers, Grace could tell that whoever made such searches wasn't privileged enough to access some of these things since it would come easy for students with backgrounds like herself.

It didn't take long for her to connect the dots—the searches had been made by Atrixus.

"A SBO card? Is that what you're after, Atrixus?" Grace spoke softly, almost to herself, as she scanned through.

Each entry painted a clearer picture of Atrixus's possible intentions, suggesting a pursuit far beyond the scope of simple school absences.

The revelation stirred a whirlpool of thoughts in Grace's mind. "Could this be the real reason he's missing school?" Her monologue, though whispered in the solitude of the computer room, echoed the confusion and intrigue that Atrixus's actions had sparked within her.