A wave of familiar light spread out from Kaios as he rematerialized, his form was solidifying within his room in the Grimwold mansion of the planet Illuoid.
He exhaled softly, relief washing through him as the tension of the trial realm faded. "Home…Sweet Home..." he murmured, the words carrying both disbelief and comfort.
But then the very next moment, a flash of urgency flickered in the violet eyes of his as a realisation dawned upon him.
"Two days…" he whispered to himself. His master's words echoed in his mind — "While you were inside the trials, time outside passed differently."
For him, it had been only been hours. But for the world, forty-eight long hours had already slipped by.
The moment this crossed in his mind, he didn't waste another breath. His boots struck against the polished floor as he rushed his way through the decorated walls.
He approached the room of his parents, as an air of familiarity entered his nose. The air was filled with scent of jasmine that lingered on his mom.
After his dad left for the military and his mom endorsed herself with the hobby of gardening along with her cultivation. It was those fragrance of flowers, which now filled the room.
"Mom?" he called, his voice echoing faintly across the room, as well as the palace.
No response.
His brow furrowed slightly. "Strange…" She was usually in the training room attached with the room of her or in the east garden during this hour. And even when busy, she'd always answer his call.
After Kaios checked the living quarters first, he checked her study, the meditation room, then the garden. Every corner was perfectly arranged… yet empty.
"Where did she go?"
Just then, a figure entered from the opposite hallway— it was a young maid named Mira, holding a tray of folded linens. She was one of new maids that was arranged by the HQ after they settled here.
Mira the young maid,coming from opposite froze mid-step as she saw him.
"Young Master Kaios!" she exclaimed, nearly dropping the tray. "You're back!"
Kaios gave a small smile. "Yes. But where's my mom? I've been looking everywhere."
Mira blinked, "Ah… the Mistress— she's… um—" she stuttered in hesitation.
"Spit it out, Mira" Kaios said gently but firmly, when she saw the hesitation in her.
Before Mira could answer, a steady sound of footsteps echoed from the main stairway.
"Let me explain, Mira. You can leave."
The voice belonged to Winston Grave, the Grimwold family's long-serving butler— even accepted as a family by the Grimwolds.
The elderly man's gait was slow but elegant, each step reflecting the experience, refined by the year of his service.
A smile appeared on the face of Kaios, as he recognised the voice of Winston.
He turned to him instantly. "Hello Grandpa Winston! Its nice to see you again."
"I am also delighted to see you, young master." Winston said, with a smile on his slightly wrinkled face.
Hr stopped before him, his hands clasped neatly behind his back. His caring gaze scanned Kaios quietly for a few seconds, to quietly assess his state. "You look well Young Master," he said at last. "So, you've passed your master's trials?"
Kaios nodded, then asked impatiently. "Yes, but— Grandpa Winston. But Where is Mom?"
The old man sighed slightly, a faint flicker of regret passed through his eyes. "Lady Lyra has… gone for her advancement trial."
Kaios froze, blinking once as if he hadn't heard correctly. "What, already for the Advancement Trial?"
"Yes, she left early yesterday morning," Winston continued. "Under Enforcer Raion's order."
The words hit Kaios. "Wait, Master sent her?" His voice rose slightly with a tiny of fraustration. "Why would he send her now, when he knew I'd just be returning?"
Mira who was still retreating quietly, flinched when he heard the tone ofKaios.
Winston remained calm. "You know the rules of ascension, young master. Those who reach the threshold between Stage Ten and Terra Dominion cannot delay their advancement, by the order of Royal family of Solaria."
Winston took a pause, before continuing again "And you also know polarity of mutation."
Kaios's lips parted, then closed. He knew this already. As even when his dad advanced, his advancement only delayed because of the complication due to the their planet. "Still… Master could've told me."
Winston gave a knowing smile. "Perhaps he wanted you to learn patience, or didn't want you to be more stressed just after you faced the trial."
Kaios sighed deeply, as he walked toward the large window. The light spilling through painted his figure in gold. "I know it has been days, since she was in the threshold of stage ten," he muttered as his voice lowed. "But to think… the trial would begin now, of all times."
Winston's expression softened. "Do not worry too much. The Mistress is strong—stronger than most realize."
Kaios turned, his gaze distant but resolute. "I know." His voice dropped lower, carrying a quiet pride. "But it's not her strength I doubt… it's the nature of trials, master would have given her."
Winston nodded thoughtfully. "Ah, yes. The Enforcer of the Star Systems is not known for mercy."
Kaios's eyes narrowed slightly, when he heard this. "Well, he's not just my master," he said, his tone sharpening, "he's the one who oversees every Dominion ascension in our sector."
"That's right," Winston said again. "And you should remember— he treats all trials equally. Even if the mistress is mother of his only disciple."
The hall fell silent for a moment
Kaios stared out the window again. His reflection upon the glass looked calmer than he felt currently. "Two days late," he murmured. "I didn't even get to say goodbye."
Then he exhaled, shoulders relaxing slightly. "Alright. I'll wait for her return. But still…" His eyes lifted toward the ceiling as he whispered under his breath, Master Raion… you could've warned me.
Winston straightened, his tone shifting back to that of composed, professional butler. "Would you like something to eat, young master? You've been gone for quite a while."
Kaios shook his head, as he heard Winston. "Later. I think I'll rest for now."
He turned, then started to walk toward the grand staircase. But before climbing, he paused in mid-step.
"Winston."
"Yes, young master?"
"Notify me the moment there's any word from her trial."
The old butler smiled faintly, bowing his head. "Of course."
Kaios gave one last glance toward the sky through the high windows. He knew somewhere beyond these clouds, in the vast expanse of the stars his master governed, his mother was facing her own trial.
"Guess it's my turn to wait," he whispered, before walking upstairs to his room— as each of his step echoing softly through the quiet mansion.
In the same hall as Kaios was before he teleported, Raion sat there on his chair.
Unlike with Kaios, his face bore no expression— as a cold and judging glint flickered in his eyes.
He heard every thing that Kaios and Winston had talked about, from the fraustration of Kaios to his slight resent. He knew everything.
The entire planet of Illuoid lay under his dominion. From the flow of winds to the turning wheel of season, he controlled all. Within this planet, he was omnipotent and omniscient. It was the speciality of his Special Attribute, so nothing escaped his awareness.
Then after a while, his lips moved, breaking the stillness around him. "You have to bear this much, Kaios."
He continued again after slight pause, "To learn about future, to learn about power, and to learn about cruelty."
A/n: hello, readers I have decided to create a patreon for this novel, so if you want you could support me there. It will be ready in from Tuesday. The link is Author's thought and in the synopsis.