Episode 5
I shrugged on my coat and slung it over my shoulder."I'm heading downstairs. You coming?"
"Of course," Grandthaleous said with a grin. "Honestly, I can't stand being in this room a second longer."
I chuckled as he started gathering up the papers on his desk, putting everything back exactly the way it was meant to be.
It wasn't long before he came over to where I was waiting by the door.He slid his finger across the floating holographic bar beside him, and the room lights began to dim.The two of us stepped out, and the moment the door clicked shut, the room went completely dark.
The lounge wasn't nearly as soundproof as the inner chambers, so the sound of rain and wind pounding against the windows echoed more sharply here.
I pulled my coat fully on and ran both hands over my arms, trying to warm myself up.
"This room's freezing without the heater... feels like we're standing in the middle of a snowfield."
"Not surprising," Grandthaleous said, pulling on his own coat. "It's -17 degrees outside—and that's not even counting the rain and the wind."
"So, what are you planning to do next?" Grandthaleous asked.
"Just finished work, and with the rain pouring like this, honestly, there's nothing better than rolling around in bed.Besides, I want to spend this rare free time with my family."
"Looks like you and I are thinking along the same lines."But then, a spark of excitement lit up his face.
"Actually, since we've got the chance, why don't we call everyone over?It's been ages since we were all together. Eralis would be thrilled."
"Sounds good... but are you sure everyone's free? Lynde's still over in Qualux, isn't she?"
"I'll ask in the group chat.We'll figure out who's available and set up a schedule that works for everyone."
Grandthaleous sent a message into the group chat, but no one had seen it yet.He pocketed his device and kept walking alongside me.Meanwhile, I couldn't shake the unease gnawing at me—the mysteries surrounding the Eraria bloodline, and the fact that I was about to become a father myself.
"Hey, Grandthaleous... just how hard is it to be a father?"
"What's with the sudden question?Didn't you help me raise all three of my kids?"
"Yeah, but... raising someone else's kids isn't the same as raising your own," I answered hesitantly, the pressure starting to build in my chest.
"Man... now I get how stressed you must've felt when you had your first kid," I muttered.
"Honestly? It's tough," he said, giving a small laugh. "I never really thought of myself as a good father.The day my first child was born—it was the happiest day of my life, but also the most terrifying.The problems, the expectations, the fear... it all hit me at once, and I had no idea what to do."
He smiled warmly."But I got through it, thanks to my wife, my mentors, and good friends like you.When problems come, you piece things together little by little.Believe me, everything falls into place in the end.And you're not carrying this burden alone, you know.The mother of your child is Lady Eirlys, after all.There's no better partner you could ask for."
He tapped a finger gently against my chest, right over my heart.
"Have a little more faith in yourself, Insiren—and trust in Lady Eirlys too."
Then he smirked mischievously.
"But whatever you do, don't ever teach your kid to dive into a dungeon with just a single staff, got it?"
"Ugh—! Come on, don't bring that up! I finally managed to forget about it!" I groaned.
As we kept talking, it felt like we had been walking for ages—even though the lounge really wasn't that big.Were we seriously only halfway across?
!!
"Whoa!"We both exclaimed at the same time when Grandthaleous's phone suddenly rang out, startling us.He answered the call and started speaking.
"Lynde.Hey, any chance you can make it?"
...
"Yeah? Really?"
...
"Got it. I'll book the usual spot, then."A small smile tugged at the corner of Grandthaleous's lips, and his voice grew more animated.
...
"Hm? No, it's just me and Insiren.No one else's around."
...
"Alright, understood."
After ending the call, Grandthaleous slid his finger across the screen, switching from voice call to video.A holographic screen materialized in the air, projecting the live feed from Lynde's camera.
There she was—a woman with mahogany-red hair cut to her chin, and eyes the color of lime green mixed with faint shades of blue and yellow.She wore a simple long coat and appeared to be in her office.
"Lucky me, catching you two together," she said the moment she spotted me.
"Hey, Lynde. Looks like you're doing well."
She nodded before continuing.
"How's the storm situation? Everything under control?It's super windy over here, but the rain's not supposed to hit for another 4 hours."Her eyes darted around slightly as she spoke.
"No worries. Everything's under control," Grandthaleous replied, making her visibly relax.
But somehow... something still seemed a little off about her.I couldn't help but ask.
"Is something wrong, Lynde?"
She let out a sigh.
"Just some annoying problems cropping up... but before that, congrats, Inz-chan!"She smiled warmly at me.
"Ahh~ You're making me blush..."
I tried to act embarrassed, but honestly, I really was blushing.I was going to be a father, after all.
"Thanks, Lynde."
"So, what's the headache about?" I asked.
Lynde leaned back against her chair.
"Two weeks ago, the authorities in Qualux detected a surge of intense arcane energy near the base of Mount Tamana.When the investigation team went to check it out, they found two anomalies."
She raised one finger.
"First—The arcane traces left behind were so faint that the detectors couldn't even pick them up.But we got lucky and managed to scrape together some data, and that led us to the second anomaly."
She lifted another finger.
"The arcane element detected was fire-based.But the aura's color was pitch black.The value measured was exactly #000000."
!!!
When someone uses the arcane arts, a flow of aura usually manifests around their body—each person's aura glowing in a unique color.Mine, for example, is a deep pine green, while Eirlys's is a near-white pale blue.It's extremely rare for two people to have the same aura color, which is why a arcaner's aura is often used as a form of personal identification.
And as far as we know, there's only one person whose arcane aura is pitch black—Kaya Netharans.
He used to be one of us...But 30 years ago, he nearly brought about the collapse of Lyl'neyya.
I had thought he was dead all these years.But if that's true, then why—
"No way..."My eyes widened in shock.
"Looks like that bastard survived the last incident after all," Lynde said, pressing her fingers to her temple.Grandthaleous and I weren't any better—we both looked just as grim.
A damn problem popping up now of all times.Especially with Grandthaleous's theory looming over us...Damn it!
"That arcane surge you detected was from two weeks ago, right?By now, he could be anywhere."
Lynde nodded in agreement.
"Inz-chan, I want you to come here—to Qualux."
"What?"I blinked in surprise.
"Aren't you at least a little suspicious?Someone like Kaya… he knows full well that using arcane arts would set off the detectors.And he still did it anyway. Doesn't that seem strange to you?"
"It's not hard to guess.Either it's bait—luring us into a trap—or it's his way of saying, 'I'm right here. Come find me.'Either way, it reeks of an ambush.And in this kind of weather, no plane's getting off the ground anyway."
"But Inz-chan... if he's planning something in Qualux,even if we threw the entire nation's forces at him, it wouldn't be enough to stop it."
Her face tightened, almost pleading.I couldn't tell if I was just imagining it,but it felt like she was fighting back tears.
What Kaya had done 30 years ago…The scars it left were still bleeding even now.
"Inz-chan... you and Max-chan are the only ones who can handle him.I know it's selfish of me to ask this, especially when you should be spending time with your family...but I've lived in Qualux for almost 10 years now.The people here are like a second family to me.I don't want anything to happen to them.If Kaya shows up now, I'll have to face him alone—and honestly, I probably wouldn't last more than a few hours.I'll be honest... I'm scared."
I took a deep breath."How sure are you that Kaya's still around Tamana?"
"After we detected that black fire aura, Qualux tightened its security protocols considerably.But so far, there haven't been any unusual reports.I'm fairly certain he's still somewhere around Tamana."
I let out a heavy sigh.
"Lynde... honestly, I really don't like this request.But fine.If something terrible happens just because I let fear paralyze me, I'd never forgive myself.But promise me this—once you come back to Zhervennia, you're staying for a full month.No running off immediately."
Lynde smiled and nodded.
"Promise!
We'll make the most of it—go somewhere fun, relax a little."
"Good.Go get yourself ready.If anything feels off, let me know immediately.As for traveling... I'll figure something out."
I turned to Grandthaleous.
"Grandthaleous,I'll take May and four other arcaners with me.Have Soltaren manage the military in my absence.Tell Max to stay on standby too—this could easily just be a trap to lure me out of Zhervennia."
"Understood.I'll handle it.Stay safe out there, Insiren.And you too, Lynde."