Foreboding

|Arthur|

The discussion among the four of us was crucial, but it left a sense of unease, foreshadowing the type of future we might be facing.

Rinia woke everyone up soon after, with the three of us pretending to have been asleep with them as well. Rinia made some excuse that she accidentally mixed in some herbs for relaxation that were a lot stronger than she anticipated. No one seemed to mind and we continued on with a light lunch that Rinia prepared out of edible plants and mushrooms. It tasted good despite the lack of meat, but by Sylvie's reaction, I'm sure she would disagree.

It was pretty late in the afternoon by the time we finished eating and had to get on our way. A bigger surprise than the fact that Rinia's home was in the center of a mountainside cliff was the fact that, through a secret door and passage, she had her own teleportation gate.

Since teleportation gates were made in ancient times, supposedly with the help of the deities, or Asuras, as I now know, it wasn't possible to make any more. Virion wasn't as surprised as everyone else, including me, but knowing Rinia's powers, I could only shrug and realise that this was something within her abilities.

After saying our goodbyes, Alistair, Tess, Sylvie, and I went through the gate. Along with the dizzy feeling after crossing, we were welcomed back to the edge of Xyrus City by guards that had their spears pointed at us.

After realizing that the unknown crossers were teenagers who had the Xyrus Academy uniforms on, they quickly lowered their weapons.

"We apologise, the portal you were coming from was read as an unknown gate, so we didn't know who or what would pop out from the other side. It's rare, but there have been times when mana beasts accidentally stumble through a teleportation gate somewhere deep in the Beast Glades," one of the guards, that seemed to be the leader, said, although his eyes still watched us with a studying gaze.

"It's fine. We came from one of the other cities of Elenoir and the guard did mention that he was having troubles with the gate from time to time," I shrugged.

With an understanding nod, the guards let us go and since there was no carriage waiting for us, the three of us walked to the nearest stop and found a carriage to take us. The sun was already setting and I could see the colour distortion in the sky as the Aurora Constellate was soon coming to its peak. It was a lot easier to see it from the floating city than through the dense trees in Elenoir.

'I have a good chance of breaking through to the next stage now,' I thought as I clenched my fist.

"Wow, the Aurora Constellate really is beautiful every time you see it," Tess said in awe.

"Kyu~" 'The sky is colourful!' Sylvie also sat at the edge of the carriage, her small head gazed up in appreciation.

When we made it back to the Helstea Manor, Sylvie scurried up the stairs leading to the door and scratched at it. As Tess, Al and I followed her up, the door opened, revealing a person that I didn't expect to see.

"Jasmine?!" I stopped where I stood and gasped.

"Long time no see," my mentor from my adventurer days replied, with the only visible sign on her expressionless face that she was happy to see me, the slight grin she had.

Before I had the chance to say anything more, the rest of the Twin Horns came, one by one, each with a big grin on their faces as they saw me with a girl they'd never seen before.

"You have grown," Durden said with a warm smile on his wide, tanned face.

"Wow, look how manly you have become." Helen Shard, the archer, still as charismatic as before, winked at me.

While they all stayed at the top of the stairs, waiting for us to come up, Angela hopped down the stairs herself and picked us up in a bear hug.

"Look how cute you've gotten!!" she squealed as she waved me around, my legs dragging helplessly on the cement stairs since she was too short to completely pick me up off the ground.

"Mmmfph mmmh!" Any hopes to articulate words failed as the abyss of her well-endowed bosom absorbed my face.

"I-I think you should let go..." I heard Tess stammer out as she tugged on the side of my uniform.

"Look who we have here! Aren't you the cutest little elf!" Angela Rose put me down like discarded waste and picked up Tess, who let out a squeal in surprise.

My family soon came out and greeted us with open arms with my sister, Eleanor, who already had Sylvie in her arms.

I was thrilled at the prospect of catching up with the Twin Horns over dinner after more than a year since we last saw each other. However, I could sense Tess and Al's unease in my home, particularly with the unexpected guests they had never met before. Even though my mother and sister tried to make them feel at ease, they still felt out of place.

Eventually, Tess and Al told us they had to return to school for work, apologising for having to leave so soon. "I'm afraid I've missed too much school already, and work has probably piled up by now. Thank you all for your hospitality, and I'm sorry I couldn't stay longer," Al said, bowing politely. Tess followed suit and they both headed out with the driver who had come to pick them up.

|Lancelot|

Anticipation bubbled within me as I steeled myself for the upcoming breakthrough. The Aurora Constellate was nearing its peak, and I could already sense its influence on me.

I regulated my breathing, drawing upon my silver mana core to purify the surrounding mana before circulating it through my body.

The process seemed to stretch on for days, but finally, it was complete.

With a resounding boom, a mini mana explosion shook my room. Thankfully, Sylph was quick to contain the blast with a protective barrier of wind.

In my trance-like state, I barely registered the explosion. I had successfully broken through to the mid-silver stage, the same as Gary.

Mana coursed through me, swift and responsive. I could perceive the mana around me with greater clarity than ever before.

Little did I know that this momentous occasion, meant to be a day of celebration, would instead turn into a day of massacre.

|Gary|

I reviewed the documents Beta had procured, my expression grim as I confirmed my suspicions. "So the dwarves have indeed betrayed us," I stated in a monotone voice.

"Yes, sir," replied Beta, his posture deferential as he knelt before me. Despite his efforts to conceal his mana, I could sense the power he possessed.

"Very well," I said, making a decision. "Initiate Plan D4. I will instruct Alpha to provide assistance. Deal with the treacherous dwarves quietly. We must avoid any conflict with the Lances."

I paused for a moment before adding, "Ensure that the operation is carried out with the utmost secrecy. We cannot afford any leaks."

As the Aurora Constellate reached its peak, the night sky lit up with colours of the four basic elements of mana. I gazed up, feeling the surge of energy within me as I prepared for the breakthrough to the high silver stage.

I took a deep breath, focusing my mind and body, as I channeled the ambient mana through my silver mana core, purifying it before circulating it throughout my body.

As I did this, I could sense a shadowy figure watching me from the corner of my eye. It was Beta, my subordinate, keeping watch over me as I underwent the breakthrough.

With a burst of energy, I felt the breakthrough occur. My silver mana core was now at the high silver stage, and I could sense a greater power coursing through me.

I turned to Beta, nodding in acknowledgment before he disappeared into the shadows using his beast will. I was now ready to face whatever challenges awaited me.

|Retainer|

"I'm afraid it's time, sir," Draneeve said as he bowed before me.

Letting out a heavy sigh, I rose from my seat and approached him. "Must I really go?"

Draneeve nodded solemnly. "The students of Xyrus Academy possess an unparalleled level of power. I cannot handle them alone, and we require your assistance."

I shook my head in frustration. "Very well, let's get this over with."

As I stepped forward, a dark thought crossed my mind. 'Perhaps I'll even enjoy burning down Xyrus City while I'm at it.'

|???|

"Agrona cautioned me against taking action," I muttered to myself, "But this urge coursing through me cannot be suppressed."

My eyes fixed on the levitating metropolis of Xyrus, the epicentre of Dicathen. I was aware of the level of devastation that lay in store for the city, courtesy of my comrades.

'Now, I bide my time,' I thought, 'I await their arrival.'