"I heard everything you did in the ruin, Erik. I was truly pleasantly surprised by your actions. You are a very brave and intelligent man." Once Erik sat down, Brigid commented with a calm smile. Erik quickly replied in a formal tone.
"Thank you for the compliment, Your Excellency. I simply did what I could to minimize the damage, but ultimately, it was thanks to your efforts that I am here."
"Don't be so humble; you did very well. Especially with all those jade slips you retrieved and that bio-mystic technique, your merits will not go unnoticed." Brigid commented calmly, prompting Erik to ask curiously.
"Your Excellency, was anything obtained from those jade slips?"
"Yes, several bio-mystic techniques and research notes about the ruin and the basilisk. But undoubtedly, the most valuable was the method to create subspaces to replicate the properties of the ruin, modifying the environment to cultivate different magical plants in the same place. Thanks to you, humanity will undoubtedly enter another phase of rapid development." Brigid explained with a calm smile, surprising Erik as well as Sigrún and Eleonora, who were unaware of this.
"I didn't do it alone, Your Excellency."
"Don't worry, I know. Everyone will receive the recognition they deserve." Brigid replied, visibly satisfied, before casually looking at Erik and asking.
"Leaving that aside, since you are a victim, I would like to hear your opinion on how far the war with the Virelians should escalate. Do you think we should start a total war?"
Hearing the casual yet unimaginably significant question, Erik couldn't help but pause for a moment and discreetly glance at his masters, who nodded subtly. After reflecting for a few moments, Erik spoke seriously.
"…I don't think that's the best decision, Your Excellency. While it's certainly necessary to show strength and strike a hard blow, if it's not possible to conquer the Virelian's galaxy in one fell swoop, it's better not to prolong the war. Ultimately, humanity is divided, so anything could happen, and our Arcane Order would be greatly affected if a total war breaks out.
"Unlike the other factions, our prosperity comes from trade, and war, contrary to what many say, is not good for business. After all, in wars, only a few get rich while the rest suffer. Meanwhile, now that we have the chance to develop such revolutionary technology as the subspaces you mentioned, it's best to focus on that and build our strength."
"An interesting opinion. I thought hatred would blind you and make you want to destroy the Virelians for what they did to you." Brigid commented with a smile, analyzing Erik closely, who replied calmly.
"The culprits must certainly die, but that doesn't mean we should jump into a pit of fire. They say revenge is a dish best served cold, and given how things are progressing, it's only a matter of time before we can overwhelm the Virelians. Those guys are like the other factions, stuck with no possibility of advancement, while we improve every day."
Erik's response made Brigid's smile widen slightly, and she quickly commented, somewhat amused.
"Are you suggesting that our Order will become the dominant faction of humanity?"
"We won't become it, Your Excellency; we already are. Though we have the smallest population and inhabited territory, we surpass the other factions in every possible aspect. We are the leading economic and military power in the galaxy. The only reason the major factions still hold some power is because of their Legend levels." Erik commented with a small smile, then subtly glanced at his beautiful masters and maid before adding.
"But it's only a matter of time before that changes…"
"Hahaha, well said!" Brigid commented, cheerful and satisfied, at which point Erik couldn't help but frown and look Brigid up and down with an expression of confusion and curiosity.
"What's wrong?" Brigid couldn't help but ask upon seeing Erik's strange expression, who soon commented somewhat uncertainly.
"…It's nothing, Your Excellency. It's just that the Myst suddenly behaved strangely around you for a moment."
"Oh, you noticed? What did you feel?" Brigid asked with an interested look. Erik nodded and commented thoughtfully.
"Yes, for a moment, the Myst became quite restless… It felt somehow angry and strict… It was a strange sensation."
"Angry and strict? What an interesting description…" Brigid murmured curiously, at which point Erik muttered while reflecting deeply.
"Perhaps I could help with that…"
"You can help? What do you mean?"
Brigid couldn't help but ask, both confused and curious, while Sigrún, Eleonora, and Seraphina visibly tensed. Erik quickly pulled out an old-looking gas lamp from his storage ring and commented.
"I believe this artifact I obtained in the ruin will be of great help."
The moment the artifact appeared, the Myst in the area immediately changed, greatly facilitating a connection with it. Brigid studied the shift in the Myst for a bit but soon shook her head and commented with a calm smile.
"It's certainly a remarkable artifact, but something like this isn't enough to help me, though it will be very useful for less severe situations than mine…"
As she spoke, Brigid noticed the concentration of Myst beginning to increase significantly, and by the end of her words, all the Myst started organizing itself around Erik. Brigid couldn't help but marvel at how the Myst arranged itself like a disciplined soldier around Erik, who commented with a smile.
"I think there's a chance. Is there any issue if I run a test?"
"Go ahead, then." Brigid commented, visibly curious, and relaxed her control over her mind and mana, causing significant changes in the Myst.
Filled with surprise, Erik felt the Myst beginning to struggle to break free from his control, seeming quite angry in his senses, as if it had been insulted somehow. Managing to control his emotions, Erik sharpened his gaze, and his hair soon began to rise while the glow of stars and galaxies in it intensified several times over.
"Will Imposition?!"
Noticing that the 'killing intent' she usually felt from the Myst almost completely vanished, Brigid couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. At that moment, Erik's hair returned to normal, and he murmured with a hint of disappointment.
"It's really complicated… In my current state, it's not viable."
"You're truly impressive… How did you manage to impose your will through the Myst?" Brigid asked with a solemn expression, prompting Erik to murmur in surprise.
"Impose my will…? I see, it certainly feels like that… Taking control by force."
"Was it something you obtained in the ruin?" Brigid asked with a glint in her eyes, as there was nothing like it in what had been submitted from the ruin. Erik nodded and explained.
"Yes, in a complicated situation, the Myst guided me toward this strange technique. It's quite complex and puts a significant strain on my mana system. It was the use of this technique combined with another I developed myself that allowed me to use all my mana at once while regenerating it with the Myst, which enabled me to survive, though the damage was quite severe."
Hearing the explanation, Sigrún, Eleonora, and Seraphina frowned and quickly placed their hands on Erik to examine him while casting reproachful looks. Brigid widened her eyes in surprise, finally finding the answer to a mystery she had wanted to resolve later in the conversation.
According to the testimonies, Erik had somehow managed to face an Illuminated-Peak and deflect his attacks on his own, while over a hundred young geniuses could barely weaken them. Though the rescued youths had concluded that Erik had resorted to a forbidden technique to temporarily boost his power, she knew it wasn't that simple. No ordinary technique would allow an Ascended to confront an Illuminated.
"The Myst guided you…?" Brigid asked with a heavy voice, to which Erik nodded.
"Yes, it was the same for the bio-mystic technique I practice."
"…You're truly a monster, Erik Verne."
Brigid couldn't help but comment with a heavy voice, causing Sigrún and Eleonora's expressions to fill with pride as they even looked at Brigid with slight arrogance, who soon added in a serious tone.
"I recommend you avoid using that technique at least until the Revealed level, preferably not attempting it until the Illuminated level. Imposing your will through the Myst is not something your current body and spirit can withstand. It would even be a heavy burden for an Illuminated, let alone for you."
"I see… I'll keep that in mind. My apologies for not being of help, Your Excellency." Erik nodded with a calm expression before storing the lamp. Brigid shook her head and commented with a smile.
"Your method actually has good potential to work. If you could hold steady for at least a month without stopping, I could overcome my current situation."
"In the ruin, I could barely sustain it for a few minutes before suffering severe damage… A full month won't be possible for me for a long time…" Erik commented with a disappointed expression, prompting Brigid to smile calmly and say.
"But your lamp and the way you can increase the concentration of Myst can be of great help to me. If you're willing, I may call upon you in the near future to assist me, as I have a treatment method, and you'll be of great help. Of course, you'll be generously rewarded for your efforts."
"You can count on me, Your Excellency. I still owe you my life, so my intention is to help with whatever I can."
Erik replied in a serious and formal tone, giving a small bow. Brigid nodded, visibly satisfied, before looking at Eleonora and Sigrún with an expression of disdain and reproach. Truly, the disciple had surpassed his masters in terms of manners and composure, nothing like that troublesome pair.
Receiving Brigid's piercing gaze, Eleonora and Sigrún quickly looked away, refusing to meet her eyes. Brigid could only sigh before looking at Erik with satisfaction and commenting.
"Then I'll count on you, Erik Verne. For now, you may return. You still need to prepare for the awards ceremony for your achievements."
Erik quickly stood up and bid farewell with a formal bow before leaving the place with his beautiful masters and maid. Meanwhile, Brigid couldn't help but smile as she watched Erik's back leave the room.
(He really was just as you described him, Lysander. He does have similarities to Tal'veren, but he's not as extreme… Besides, his love for the Arcane Order you and I created is evident… It seems we really did make the right decision back then and did a great job…)
…
…
…
In a massive auditorium, decorated with the most valuable materials showcasing unparalleled wealth and opulence, dozens of thousands of formally dressed individuals watched a group of 15 young people on the stage. The youths, under three hundred years old and possessing unmatched beauty and power for their age, sat proudly behind a long table as an elegant man listed their achievements.
"…For all these merits, these young individuals will be honored today with the Medal of Honor, one of the highest recognitions the Human Alliance has to offer, awarded by the supreme general of the Alliance army, Admiral General Cassius J. Rook."
With the announcement, a wave of applause echoed through the hall as a tall, thin man with short, neatly combed ash-gray hair and cold, analytical blue eyes, dressed in an elegant black military general's uniform, stepped onto the stage. With a bearing befitting his position, the man took medal after medal and began pinning them on the chests of the youths, who radiated pride.
"May your example light the path for an entire generation. Humanity will rest in hands like yours."
Once all the youths had their medals on their chests, filled with pride, General Cassius gave a few simple words before stepping aside, prompting another wave of applause. At that moment, the master of ceremonies stepped forward to speak in a serious tone.
"Such high honors demand an even greater truth. Behind every collective feat, there often beats the heart and mind of a single visionary. Today, we recognize the architect of this rescue. The youngest member of the expedition, whose leadership, unyielding ingenuity, and courage under fire were the beacon that brought more than half of the youths home. With the highest honor, I present to you Erik Verne."
With the master of ceremonies' announcement, a loud wave of applause began, and from a side entrance to the podium, a young man with green eyes and hair adorned with stars and galaxies entered. As the elegant youth walked with a firm and calm step to the center of the podium, one by one, the dozens of thousands of people began to stand while clapping. Soon, not a single person remained seated in the colossal auditorium, all giving a standing ovation to the brave young man.
In the front row, Sigrún, Eleonora, Seraphina, Liliana, Desmond, Laura, the López siblings, Valeria and her husband, along with Thalia and Jessica, applauded with pride, looking at the star-haired youth who stood before the audience and gave a small formal bow. Meanwhile, on stage, the youths clapped louder than anyone, filled with gratitude and relief as they looked at the star-haired young man.
This was especially true for the direct disciples of the Arcane Order and Chen Ming, who could barely hold back their tears upon finally seeing him again, standing tall, full of strength and vitality. Though in the case of Elara and Zoe, the tears were stronger, and they had to stop clapping to wipe them away.
Once Erik received his medal, he was guided to the main position to speak. As he scanned the front row, he could see his beautiful masters and his maid looking at him with pride, their eyes filled with tears. Taking a deep breath, Erik looked out at the entire auditorium and began to speak with a firm and determined voice.
"This honor was not born in the void of that desperate escape. It is the culmination of a collaborative effort. First, my team, whose courage and faith were the foundation of our escape. Without them, no plan, however ingenious, would have mattered. But even before them, there are those who planted the seed.
"My masters, Sigrún Eldurdóttir, Eleonora Silverwood, and my loyal maid, Seraphina Ravenspell, were the ones who had the heart and infinite patience to take in an illiterate orphan stranded on an island and guide him, culminating in who I am today. Without them and without every person along the way who supported, guided, and taught me, I would still be stranded on a remote island, unable to even read.
"That's why this merit belongs more to them than to me. To those who trusted when there was no reason to, who protected and pushed me forward. Today, I would like to ask you to honor, with your applause, the true architects of this moment. The heroines to whom I owe absolutely everything. Thank you. Only because of you am I here today."
As he finished speaking, Erik began to clap toward the front row, closely followed by the 15 decorated youths behind him and finally by the entire auditorium, causing tears to escape Eleonora's eyes. Sigrún lifted her chin with pride, trying to hold back her tears on the verge of falling, and Seraphina looked at her young master with a gaze full of pride and affection.
Meanwhile, without exception, all the prominent figures present couldn't help but look at the famous troublemaking duo of the Arcane Order with complicated expressions. It truly seemed that this pair of beauties were blessed by fate, not only possessing unparalleled talents, the best opportunities, and devastating power.
But now, even their shared disciple was a monster even more terrifying than them and someone grateful and filial enough to set himself aside, relinquishing all honor and attention from himself to honor his masters. Something they doubted their own disciples would be willing to do—after all, even they weren't sure they could do something similar. This inevitably left everyone with the same thought floating in their heads.
(The universe really does have its favorites…)