"Alright, good night."
I waved at Cassandra as she closed the door. Then I entered our own room, where Seren and Vance were talking... Or more like were trying to.
<Friend!>
<Senior!>
They turned toward me quickly, causing me to chuckle.
"I’m back, guys."
I said as I sat down on my bed.
<What happened, senior?> Vance was also quick to ask. <What did his highness say?>
There was a chance the crown prince was listening to us, so I kept the act.
"Oh, nothing much. He just asked me about how our journey went, that’s all." I smiled at him. "He really lives up to his reputation. A true heir, indeed." Of course, I didn’t forget to add a compliment. Though I doubted it would work on him.
<There’s really nothing to worry about.> I then added via mental link.
<...I see. Then it’s good.> Only then did Vance relax his tense shoulders.
"Alright, go to sleep now. We have to wake up early tomorrow." I turned off the lights and lay down.
’Hmmm. It’s been a while since I checked personal info...’ While thinking to myself, I opened the interface and focused on it.
━━━◇◆◇━━━
[Personal Info]
Name: Amaniel Von Luthaire
Age: 17
Rank: Peak 2nd Tier*
Locus Types: Body, Energy, Mind
Loci Stabilization Art: Nexus Equilibrium (Complete)
Loci Harmonization Art: Infinite Loop (*)
Affinities: Ice(Water), Fire, Darkness, Void
Resonance Gift: ???
Path: Unknown (*Visit the Pathways tab for detailed info.)
....
━━━◇◆◇━━━
’Hmm... I think I’m ready to break through now.’
Actually, I could’ve done it a while ago, but the system recommended that I should complete the first stage of the pathway cohesion and integrate other nodes as well. And then stabilize my foundation, get used to Infinite Loop more, and so on.
In fact, I’ve already become a peak Tier 3 Resonator in the Warrior and Healer Pathways, with official titles being a Junior Mender, Apprentice Swordmaster, Apprentice Archer, and so on. However, I was only recently able to integrate my mental nodes and become a Junior Illusionist/Mentalist/ Mystic or whatever you call it.
So yeah, my path was OP like that, allowing me to walk multiple ones together, on the condition that I could put in enough effort and endure the failure and the pain that came along with it. And let me tell you, the pain was no joke. Trying to balance the fiery focus of a warrior, the gentle precision of a healer, and the intricate, mind-bending patterns of a mystic all at once... it was like trying to juggle three different songs in my head while also solving a complex equation. One wrong move, and everything would short-circuit in a seriously unpleasant way.
The mystic path, in particular, was a real headache. It required an insane amount of mental control and patience. Had it not been for my... let’s call it my ’unique’ life experiences and the rock-solid mentality they forced me to build, I’d probably still be stuck on the first lesson, trying to light a candle with my mind instead of accidentally giving myself a migraine.
But I’d managed it. I’d woven those different threads of power together into a stable foundation. The Nexus Equilibrium art was the core, the loom that kept everything from unraveling. Now, with my mind finally integrated into the mix, I could feel all the pieces clicking into place. The energy within me felt dense, stable, and ready to be compressed into the next Tier.
’Tomorrow,’ I decided, closing the interface and letting the faint glow fade from my vision. ’After they’ve all left and I’m on my own, I’ll find a quiet spot on the way back and break through to Tier 3.’
The thought was equal parts thrilling and daunting. It was a big step. But lying there in the dark, listening to Vance’s steady breathing and feeling Seren’s quiet presence, I felt ready. I had built this foundation piece by painful piece. It was time to see what I could build on top of it.
’I have already wasted enough time. And I can’t afford to waste more.’
If my theories about the final trial of the crown being connected to the Hollowlands were true, then I would have to train even harder. Thankfully, I’d have more time to myself soon — a perfect opportunity to speed up my progress even further. And...
’I have to at least be a Tier 4 Resonator by then.’
Only then would I have a chance, albeit a tiny one. And even then, I’d still have to rely heavily on Glacia Sinfonia and Virion’s Blessing to bridge the gap. The only truly reassuring thing in all of this was Lady Nisha’s promise to protect my family. At least I didn’t have to carry that fear with me.
Then, suddenly, that vivid scene overlapped my vision for a moment — the Architect’s chilling presence, the crushing weight of absolute powerlessness.
I went silent in the darkness, the memory a cold splash of reality.
’No...’
I couldn’t just rely on the blessings of others or borrowed power.
’I have to get stronger myself...’
With that renewed resolve settling in my chest, I closed my eyes, shutting out the physical world to enter my mental space, ready to train with Seren through the night. Every moment counted.
______ __ _
Meanwhile, in another room on the floor above, Crown Prince Bane swirled a glass of deep red wine. He took a final sip, the rich flavor lingering on his tongue as he set the empty glass aside. His gaze drifted to the window, watching the quiet, lantern-lit streets of the night city.
Just then, the shadows in the corner of the room coalesced. A sleek black cat materialized from the darkness, its movements utterly silent. It padded across the floor in a few graceful leaps, landing lightly on the windowsill before stepping into his waiting embrace.
The prince smiled, a soft expression that rarely saw the light of day, and began to stroke the cat’s fur gently.
"I see..." he murmured a few seconds later. "So, there’s nothing to worry about with him, huh? I suppose I was worried over nothing. I just thought he would be something since he was a fellow half-blood."
His hand stilled for a moment as he looked out the window again, his expression turning thoughtful.
"But..." he continued, the word hanging in the quiet air. "There’s something... mysterious about that guy. Something I can’t quite put my finger on."
He chuckled softly, the sound dry and amused. He resumed petting the cat, which purred in contentment.
"Well," he said with a faint shrug. "Who isn’t without their secrets?"