The Next Day, Fray was in his grandfather's laboratory room. Before him, on a table, rested a solution of vibrant green liquid contained within a syringe.
On the table in besides Fray, were tens of open books, several volumes delved into the intricacies of bizarre-looking insects, their peculiar forms captured in detailed illustrations.
Fray's gaze fixated on the syringe, observing the green solution, in a hushed tone, he mumbled, "Finally."
Having prepared the solution in small glass containers, Fray meticulously arranged them on the table. The circular portal materialized by his side, and through it emerged Adam, eyes closed, weariness etched on his face.
"Ready to go?" Adam asked, his voice carrying a hint of sleepiness, accompanied by a subtle yawn.
Fray nodded, "Yes, I'm ready. Just need to swing by the armory and grab a shield." He gestured towards the direction of the armory.
Surprised, Adam questioned, "Why? I thought you were all about hand-to-hand combat."
Fray paused, his focus on gathering glass containers, "No, I don't exclusively use hand combat. In addition to that I feel like having a shield will come in handy." He shrugged slightly.
Adam raised an eyebrow, processing the information, "Alright. So, where are we headed?"
Fray, exuding calm certainty, met his gaze and replied, "Veridara City. You got a portal to that place?"
Adam possesses a unique energy imbued with characteristics of space magic, enabling him to traverse vast distances in an instant.
However, this magical ability comes with two significant limitations. Firstly, it demands a substantial amount of energy, and as the distance to be traveled increases, so does the energy consumption.
Secondly, he can only utilize his existing portals, preventing him from reaching any location he hasn't visited before.
Adam's eyes widened in surprise, voiced his concern, "yes, but as you said before it's very far. I'm not as I once was; I can't open a portal for such a long distance multiple times. Best I can manage is twice a week, so you should use them wisely."
Veridara city...
In the cozy, dimly lit bar, a heavy tension hung in the air. Conversations had faded, and every pair of eyes subtly—or not so subtly—turned toward one table.
At that table sat two young women, both striking in their own right. But it was the girl with the golden hair who truly captivated the room. Her long, flowing locks shimmered under the lantern light, and her piercing green eyes held a sharp, almost otherworldly clarity. Clad in elegant silver armor that hugged her figure with a knightly grace, she looked like someone pulled from a legend.
There was something untouchable about her—something cold, regal, and entirely mesmerizing.
No one in the bar could look away.
The other girl, with her brown hair elegantly gathered in a bond, observed her companion with concern. "Are you alright, young lady? You seem distant," she inquired, her voice carrying a soothing melody.
The girl with golden hair responded with calm poise, her voice resonating with an air of mystery. " I have this strange feeling, it's like something bad is going to happened"
Abruptly, the atmosphere shifted as a middle-aged man clad in hefty armor with a distinct emblem entered the bar.
With a sense of purpose, he made his way towards the captivating duo. Addressing the girl with golden hair with a tone of respect, " Hello young lady,"
"James, did you find anything?" inquired the girl with the golden hair, her green eyes fixed on the knight who had entered the bar.
James, with a respectful expression, began to share his findings. "there are rumors circulating about peculiar occurrences in the Lord's mansion. People speak of feeling a dark energy emanating from it. It's disconcerting, especially considering the Lord has dismissed numerous servants. And the citizens claim he didn't left his mansion for months now."
As James spoke, the girl listened in silence, her sharp eyes locked on him.
'So it's true… if what he says is real, then the Lord really is practicing black magic,' she thought, her expression calm but her mind racing. 'This might be easier than I expected. Gathering proof won't be hard.'
But despite that realization, a strange feeling still tugged at her chest—an unease that wouldn't go away.
'Then why do I still feel like something's wrong?' she wondered, the discomfort creeping in like a shadow at the back of her mind.
James cleared his throat. "There's something else, young lady," he said, pulling an envelope from his coat. The golden seal of the Lionar Kingdom gleamed on the front. "This came from the palace this morning."
Her eyes narrowed as they fell on the envelope. A small flicker of tension crossed her face. She took the letter and opened it with care. As she read, her expression grew colder.
"They've changed the orders," she said flatly. "We're to arrest the one responsible and bring them back."
Across from her, the maid gasped. "What? But… the mission was just to investigate. How are we supposed to arrest a city Lord protected by knights? There are dozens of them!"
The girl's jaw clenched slightly. Damn it… I knew they'd pull something like this. But now? Her eyes dropped to the letter again, as if hoping it would change.
Are they trying to slow me down? Stop me from preparing to enter the Old Continent?
Frustration flickered in her eyes, but she quickly buried it. Her mind was already moving again, faster than her fear. There was no room for panic now—only planning.
..
Meanwhile, Two figures, shrouded in dark, form-fitting attire, silently perched on the heretical poles of the magic lamps that lined the opposite wall of the bar. From their concealed vantage point, they observed the girl with golden hair and her companions.
Despite being in plain view of the bustling street, an uncanny power veiled their presence. It was as if an invisible cloak shielded them from the notice of the passersby, rendering them unnoticed amidst the city's rhythmic flow.
..
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the city's rooftops, the girl with golden-blonde hair walked alongside her two companions toward a quaint, ivy-clad hotel. The day's long hours of gathering information weighed on them, fatigue evident in their measured steps.
Later that evening, they found themselves seated on the first floor of the hotel, where a warm, inviting dining area buzzed with the soft clink of cutlery and murmured conversations. Candles flickered atop wooden tables, casting gentle light across the room.
Even in such a homely place, the golden-haired girl stood out like a blade among spoons. Her radiant presence drew the eyes of nearly every man in the room, their gazes flicking between admiration and caution.
At the front counter, her maid approached the hotel owner, a kindly man with laugh lines and a gentle demeanor.
"Good evening," the maid said with a polite smile. "We'll need three rooms for the night."
The hotel owner nodded, returning her smile. "Of course. May I have your names, please?"
Across the room, the golden-haired woman—Zina—stood silently, her expression calm but unreadable as she waited for the arrangements to be completed. The quiet rustle of voices and dinnerware filled the background… until a sudden, familiar presence made the hair on her neck rise.
Her eyes narrowed, and though she hadn't turned yet, her whole body tensed.
She spun on her heel just as a tall, broad-shouldered man with long, dark hair stepped forward.
"Hello, Zina," Fray said, his voice notably softer than usual.
Zina's expression didn't waver. Her voice came low and flat.
"Die."
With that single word, a massive magical circle bloomed into existence above her shoulder—glowing with ancient runes and deadly intent. A sharp hum pierced the air as a gleaming metallic blade began to materialize from within the circle. In the blink of an eye, it launched toward Fray like a bolt of divine wrath, the air cracking around its path.
A deafening clang! rang out as light exploded at the point of impact, momentarily blinding everyone in the room.
When the brilliance faded, Fray stood unharmed, one arm raised, a gleaming metal shield braced before him.
"I deserve that," he said calmly, lowering the shield. His eyes met Zina's, but her expression remained like ice—unforgiving, unmoved.
Then Fray turned his head toward a figure in the corner, an old man Zina hadn't noticed until now.
"Adam. Stop," Fray commanded.
A flicker of confusion crossed Zina's face—just before her instincts screamed at her. She whipped her head to the side—and there it was.
Hovering inches from her temple, a coin-sized, faintly glowing dimensional portal pulsed with eerie light. From within its black center, the tip of a needle-like projectile shimmered, ready to fire.