"Looks like Elder Calder has brought back some little jewels," Aetherial Midrel said with a satisfied smile. The youth kept impressing her. Earlier, she had been so bored she wanted to sleep, but right now, her eyes were bright with anticipation.

"Our Arcana elders have all been trained by the headmaster. It's normal; they know how to spot talent," the Arcana elder added; he too was smiling.

"That is indeed the Frostmoor clan's daughter. Her abilities as a Rank One Rune Warrior's initial are definitely at the peak. I dare to say no one in the same rank would be her match," Kleid added. He could understand why Agris was so full of her. It wasn't only because of her prestigious family background.

The crowd stared at him but didn't refute his words. "Miss Lyra is really amazing indeed," many added. The crowd of students kept chatting. "The special test is indeed on another level," Joan said with a smile. He too was a Rune Sorcerer Initiate, that is, the first rank, but he didn't think he could win against her. He smiled bitterly; he wasn't as talented as them.

Amarok decided to get closer. The Luminous Silk was now motionless in front of Lyra; all she had to do was step and catch it.

Exactly as she stood up about to claim her reward, a shadow flashed. Out of instinct, she retreated.

A striking sound could be heard as something crashed into her previous spot. She frowned in anger.

"Thanks for the hard work," a happy voice echoed, a figure snatching the Luminous Silk. Lyra's face darkened. The figure wore a sleeveless shirt and trousers. The most striking part of his attire was what he wore at his waist. It had long fire-red threads with sharp ends that looked like diamonds, shining brightly in the water. "Do you really think you can steal my reward just like that?" she asked, stepping forward. She was really in a bad mood.

"Steal? No, no, I just seized the opportunity; it's different," he said with a smirk. "Opportunity? That's plain daylight robbery." Amarok arrived at the scene. Both Lyra and the figure were surprised.

"So stupid, do you even know what robbery means?" The figure turned to Amarok, his eyes incredulous. His body shook; he waved his hands forward. Like laying a tapestry, a fire-red rune bloomed.

Suddenly, the threads around his waist hummed to life. "Robbery means dead," he said, waving his hand. The threads shot like stars in the sky.

Amarok was dumbfounded; never did he expect a surprise attack. He leaned backward. A whooshing sound could be heard above his head.

Stolen novel; please report.

He stepped back, staring at the figure. "Understood now?" he asked nonchalantly. "Miss, thank you once more. See you all at the end," he smiled in Lyra's direction before vanishing at lightning speed.

Lyra tried to give chase but stumbled forward. She could only stare with a wronged expression. "We can't catch up." Amarok didn't try. He was burning with anger, but at the same time, drowning in frustration. His foot was still healing from the previous battle, and his dominant arm broken; it was useless.

"You were watching all this time?" Lyra asked with a slightly embarrassed face. "I didn't hear anything, promise," he quickly raised his hands. "Really?" She looked with a strange expression but shook her head; it was useless now. She turned to leave in the figure's direction, clearly having given up.

"Why are you following me?" she suddenly turned. "I'm not; we just happen to be going in the same direction," Amarok said with an awkward smile. How was he supposed to say he was glad to see her and wanted to chat a little longer? She would probably load arrows in his direction.

...

"Who is that?" Aetherial Midrel asked with a frown. Not only because the person he stole from was a woman like her, but also because she was the law in Lower Elysium; such things could not be allowed under her watch.

"It's Jorah Oren from the Fire Mountains," the Arcana elder said. He could feel sweat trickling down his face at Midrel's expression. Can't he behave better, he cursed. That was the person brought by another Arcana elder.

"He is still young, Honor Aetherial. Please overlook his actions," the Arcana elder added. She just leaned in her chair. He cast his gaze on her figure but found it impossible to decipher what age had in mind.

Most was becoming more and more worried. Another frightening figure had appeared. She wondered whether Amarok could make it. "What kind of person do you think Amarok is?" Joan asked by her side.

Mist blinked and opened her mouth, but no word came out. "The vibe I felt from him that day was very similar to yours," Joan said sincerely. "If he is like you, there is no need to worry," he continued. He was very confident in Mist's abilities. After all, she was the only one who had dared to do something no one in the entire Alden could at her age. Despite her aggressive nature, she was a kind person and really worried for her master.

"Shut up, Joan," Mist suddenly said, but a little smile shone on her face. "Okay, okay, I'm not as skilled. I'm not speaking anymore," Joan said in resignation. He smiled inwardly looking at her. She looked mesmerizing with a smile on her face, her lean figure always holding the commanding aura. Mist stared at Joan cautiously; he quickly diverted his gaze back to the water mirror. "I shouldn't think too much," he said to himself.

....

Amarok and Lyra walked for a few hours, taking rest from time to time. They were currently on top of a cliff. Underneath was completely dark all over the surrounding. A ring was formed with a dazzling light at the center. It looked like the light came from the surface.

Around the light, everything was dark; only its epicenter received light. That was very strange, he thought. "The Luminous Silk is all converging in that area," Lyra suddenly commented, pointing at the horizon. "I wonder what is causing this disturbance," Amarok stared with an apprehensive gaze. His skin was tingling this time not because of the cold water but because of what was inside the Abyss ring.