[First-person POV: Eden]
"This place is ruined",
I mumbled as I walked along the city walls, my eyes scanning the beautiful city now left in ruins by Kraken's devastating attack.
The buildings lay crumbling, the streets were filled with debris and flooding, and the city itself bore the scars of the unleashed monster.
As I moved around, the weight of the destruction pressed on me.
I looked Beyond the city walls on the edge of the forest, a makeshift shelter has been made there, a refuge for the people who have lost their homes.
It was like a small haven in the midst of chaos. Here, the survivors gathered, seeking solace and support as they faced an uncertain future.
Aid had arrived from a nearby city. Medical teams and people from different churches have arrived to tend to the injured, providing care and comfort to those in need.
The cold wind hit my body as I looked at the shelter from above, the distant hum of conversations, and the occasional clatter of rebuilding.
I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions as I witnessed the aftermath of Kraken's rampage.
But in the end, I did what I wanted to do.
"I did lose something, though," I mumbled, placing my hand over my chest, thinking about the last attack I executed to eliminate the dark church assailant.
A significant portion of the star energy that I had meticulously collected over the course of a year had been depleted, leaving me with a distinct sense of emptiness.
'I need to find a way to replenish it without wasting too much time,' I contemplated as I leaned against the wall.
The only method I currently knew for replenishing star energy was by traversing through a teleportation portal, but that process was time-consuming. I need to find a more effective way.
"It's time to meet her", I mumbled as I jumped down the city wall.
{Wing's of the Phoenix}
A beautiful and mesmerizing wing's made of white flames erupted from my back, engulfing and burning the shirt I was wearing.
Gliding through the air, I descended to the front of the makeshift shelter.
By stopping the mana supply, I caused the wings of flames to dissipate.
I took out a shirt from the inventory and wore it as I moved inside, making my way through the sea of people.
Soon enough, I reached the center of the shelter, where a larger tent stood, surpassing the others in size and significance.
Next to the tent, an array of items adorned the space: flowers, gold, slivers, and various other treasures were carefully arranged outside.
This is the way the people of the city show their gratitude.
After observing enough, I entered the tent. Inside, I found Sylvia seated on a leaning chair, holding a cup of coffee in her hands, her eyes closed.
"Sit down", she said without looking at me, and I listened and sat down on the chair beside her.
"What happened to the kraken", I asked as I moved closer towards her. After saving Nadya, I had to rest because of the stress star energy caused to my body, so I wasn't about to know what happened to it.
"It ran away", she replied while taking a sip of her coffee.
"Is that so", I said as I moved towards the chair.
"You have a Phoenix bloodline, don't you?", she asked as soon as I sat down.
"Kinda", I replied vaguely, not giving her specific details. I am not going to tell anyone about my bloodline until I have a way to keep their mouth shut.
There are lots of crazy people who would want to use me in their crazy experiments if they ever got to know that I have a bloodline that can copy other bloodlines.
"You're going to come with me to the Phoenix clan," she declared, moving her face closer to mine. "You need to register as one of us."
"About that, I have a request," I interjected, locking eyes with her.
"What is it?" she replied, leaning in.
"I need a new identity as your disciple," I stated, taking a deep breath. "One that isn't connected to Eden Morton in any way."
"Granted," she replied immediately, without hesitation.
"And—" I began, but she cut me off.
"I've already erased your traces; no one knows Eden Morton was here," she replied with a smirk. I nodded in acknowledgment.
"Good to know that, and when are we going there?" I asked. I am in a pretty tight spot right now. The more time I have before the start of the first game, the better. After all, I need to plunder a lot of items from the heroes.
"Tomorrow morning. I don't want to deal with all those nobles that will arrive after knowing I am here," she grumbled, taking a sip of her coffee.
"Is that so," I replied, leaning back in the chair.
"And I will be leaving for the forgotten continent just after that, so you will be free for quite a while," she added, prompting a frown from me.
"It's starting, huh?" I mumbled, closing my eyes, realizing the multitude of tasks awaiting me in the coming two years.
"When are you going home?" she asked after a minute of silence between us.
"In 2 years," I replied.
"If you want, I can help you with your mother's condition," she offered, locking eyes with me.
"I have something in mind for that, but if that doesn't work, I will ask you," I replied with a nod.
"Hmm," she hummed, leaning back and closing her eyes.
I silently started to exit the tent, but as I reached the end, Sylvia called out, "Eden."
Turning back, I asked, "Yes?"
"I won't question the method you use, but thank you for saving Nadya; I wouldn't have been able to face her grandmother if anything had happened to her," she expressed, her voice carrying a weight of emotions.
"No problem, Master," I replied with a smile, moving out of her tent. I made my way toward the tent beside hers, where everyone else was present.
As soon as I entered the tent, I was greeted by three people. Linda, who was sitting on the chair; Elysia, who was standing beside a bed; and Nadya, who was lying on the bed.
"Neil!", As I closed in towards her, Nadya tried to sit down on the bed.
"Go back to sleep", I said, placing my hand over her eyes as I gently made her lay down on the bed.
"What about both of those guys", I asked about those attackers, looking at Elysia as I gently patted Nadya's head.
"Dead", she replied simply, and I nodded my head in understanding. Honestly, it was to be expected; after all, they were on a suicide mission.
"Are you guys going back home now", I asked because I needed their confirmation about this.
"No," Nadya responded before Elysia could reply, removing my hand from her head.
"But—" Elysia tried to interject, only to be interrupted by Nadya.
"I do not want to go there, Elysia; I need some time alone," Nadya declared, making Elysia frown.
"Academy will start in six months; you need to prepare for that," Linda interjected, offering her opinion.
"I do not want your opinion on this; I will do what I say," Nadya retorted, closing the conversation.
"How about you come with me?" I suggested redirecting the conversation, which sparked a glimmer of hope in Nadya's eyes.
"Where are you going", Before Nadya could reply, Elysia interrupted.
"I don't know", I replied, because I honestly don't know where I am going to go first.
"I will go!", Nadya replied, and I totally understand her desperation.
I am the only one with whom her ability doesn't work, and being with me is far better than being with someone and feeling their emotions.
"Then I will come too", Elysia chimed in, and I looked at her with surprise. Though I only wanted to have some alone time with Nadya, her presence might affect my plans.
"Hey, I said I needed alone―", Nadya grumbled, but I quickly stopped her and placed my hand over her eyes.
"You sleep first", I said, making her lay on the bed again while I nodded towards Elysia. I could use her to get the draupiner spear of the Norse gods.
After talking with them for a while, I started to move outside of the tent. I needed Sylvia's permission before bringing them with me, or else they would have to wait until I came back.
"Sir Neil!", As soon as I moved out, Elysia came out and called my name.
"Yes?" I asked as I looked at her.
"Thank you for saving my sister," she said with a deep breath as she bowed down at 90°.
'hmmm, that's new', instead of thinking about her grateful words, I focused on the fact that despite her bloodline, which makes her never bow down to anyone, she is bowing down in front of me.
"No problem", I replied, not thinking too much about it, not like her bowing to me was that important.