Those who were considered half-bloods weren't people who could naturally appear on Gaia.

Besides the four 'Anomalies' born through extremely special circumstances, there was absolutely no way for Mystic Races of two bloodlines to be 'birthed' naturally.

That just wasn't possible...

Though despite saying that, it wasn't like there weren't 'other methods' to create a half-blood Humanoid Beasts or Gaia Humans... This thought process became a subject of research for the heartless scientist only known only as 'Dr Frank'.

He spliced together the bloodlines of Humans and other magical races together in violation of nature's laws. This method in defiance of Gaia created clones of those with an Imperial Lineage.

This formed a series of 'perfected' specimens he considered part of his research to reach 'The Truth'. Though only those Researchers who worked for him knew what those experiments were.

Alex was well-aware of Dr Frank's past experiments. He also knew of the 'Half-Bloods' artificially created in Lancia. They were part of the mad scientist's secretive yet small-scale army.

Well, it was a 'secret' from everyone other than him. The Arcanist wasn't renowned for nothing.

Anyway, that was the reason why he didn't welcome the very suspicious masked girl much...

His 'Runic Insight' identified as someone with a mixed heritage. She seemed like trouble.

"I..." After hearing scholarly young man's overbearing tone, Fear (who ironically had many 'fears') felt her traumas resurfacing. The ones she had hidden from her time at the Prison Laboratory.

Her eyes darted around. She took a step back, and the person in front of her overlapped with the image of her 'siblings'. His eyes reminded her of those who tormented her throughout childhood.

"I'm sorry, I knocked on the wrong door." She avoided making eye-contact with the magic user in front of her. However, Alex didn't seem happy at her response. He grabbed Fear's arm to stop her.

"Don't leave so quickly. If you have business with me, then you better take that mask off." The scholarly young man before her spoke in a 'gentle tone'... while making sure she couldn't escape.

She was unable to understand why she couldn't escape his grasp. Regardless of her struggles.

Even with her strength she was so proud of.

He didn't look particularly strong, but she didn't know why she couldn't pull herself out his grip...

A strange power was sapping her strength...

A Rune of grey hue was hidden on his palm. He wasn't about to let this suspicious person go...

"Let go of me...!" Fear warned while putting more strength in her arm to escape his grip, but her muscles somehow seemed to be locked in place without any signs of movement. She was frozen...

Vhalen, who was at the side, felt nervous, but knew now wasn't the time to act rash and thoughtlessly.

There was no way he'd be able to beat someone who the masked Priestess couldn't handle herself.

Although their interaction seemed like they were close to coming to blows, he knew Fear would have to compromise a little if she wanted to survive with her identity hidden. There was no backing out...

The reports he read about Alex spoke of how he was tolerant towards Humanoid Beasts. He wasn't the type to start fights without reason... that's why Vhalen decided to not interfere at this moment.

Even when things were looking bad for her.

Alex didn't seem to hear Fear's words as moved his free hand towards her face, attempting to unmask her. He had never trusted those who weren't even willing to show their face, and his impression wasn't good considering her ties to Dr Frank...

'Even though I never considered her my real mother, that Arachne ghost woman I met was still the mother who gave birth to me... She was also the one who raised me me with that damn Necron.

I didn't know I'd feel this bad meeting one of that guy's pawns in person...' The scholarly young man thought with almost dead eyes. He thought that he had already forgotten about that incident...

His actions were swift and without any excess movements, causing her to have no time to react.

It was only when his fingers finally touched the skin underneath her scary mask, did she seem to panic.

"Please let go of her...! You're overstepping your bounds!" A hand grabbed the scholarly young man and stopped him from invading her privacy. Vhalen felt exasperated since he really couldn't watch the person he had gotten to know be treated this way.

However, what Alex felt after being stopped was only shock! He eyed the 'short merchant' curiously.

The speed the Second Prince showed was something he couldn't even react to at all...

It was as if this 'merchant' had moved himself at the speed of sound. Then appeared before him.

A thoughtful expression appeared on his face. He let the former Priestess of the Mirror Cult go. If he was aware of her identity, then perhaps he would regret not sending her 'back home' immediately.

"Just state your business." The young man narrowed his eyes. He still used Runic Insight while looking at the prince, who seemed to be hiding his identity. He couldn't understand why someone like a Royal would come to his home so suddenly.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

{Spirit Essence- Timelight Staff:

• Innate Ability- Gaia Affinity

• Innate Ability- Force Formulation

Spell Slots- (Foundational Attributes- Time (Partially Sealed), Light)

Rare Class- Healer:

• Class Skill- Healing Touch

• Class Skill- Medicine Concoction}

"..." Vhalen found it hard to ask the scholarly young man a favour. This wasn't the right time for that.

His personality didn't seem to match the reports he got. This made him want to come back later...

There was even a small thought of wanting to bring Fear to his castle. He could disguising her as a maid rather than asking for help, but immediately decided against it after some deep thought.

The Royal Palace was its own battleground...

Although his younger siblings didn't seem to contend for rulership, Drake was someone who was a little paranoid towards them.

Even though he already accepted as the future Imperial Ruler, the 'Ascenders' that appeared years ago made him fearful of their schemes. Now he could come to the conclusion that his siblings might hide Ascenders. Even use them as tools...

There was now the possibility of using them as steppingstones to gain an advantage...

He couldn't take any chances.

"I wanted to ask for the favour of letting this girl stay here for a few days. She has nowhere else to go." He spoke with sincerity. Even as a prince, he didn't feel entitled enough to order him to help...

Though this world was filled with those 'entitled' to different thing like his brother, he felt it was better to appeal to a person's heart rather than Role. This was the reason why he could speak with humility.

"Is that so?" Alex turned his head in confusion. He started to feel that this 'Prince' wasn't that bad...

Vhalen then started explaining everything that happened truthfully. He even went as far as revealing his identity so that the scholarly Arcanist in front of him didn't get the wrong idea.

None of them had any idea that at this very moment, the three of them were being watched from a distance. Lily's 'luck' had infected Alex and caused an encounter that would benefit only her.

The very same spearman who saved Fear from the Mirror Cult could see that negotiations weren't going well for Vhalen. His body language made me guess that his plans were failing.

The man's eyes narrowed dangerously. The distinct purple glow of Dark Mana arose in his pupils.

Σ(･口･) Was he also a half-blood?!

That would make sense... but I felt like connecting him to Dr Frank and that 'prison' was too simple.

His eyes looked at Fear, who seemed disconnected from reality due to the post-traumatic stress.

Was he surprised that trauma was still lingering in her heart? Did he already know her tragic past?

Regardless, he signed before coming to a conclusion internally. He likely believed that NOT revealing himself might lead to consequences he couldn't predict. Which seemed a bit sudden.

But regardless of what I was thinking, he stepped off the roof he was on and ascended to the sky.

It was only now did he make his move...!

"You better help them. All the tragedies that have been happening to the people of this world is all YOUR FAULT, after all." The helmeted spearman instantaneously appeared behind Alex and spoke.

His speed was beyond anything the young man had ever seen. It was comparable to light speed...!

A sense of danger overcame the Arcanist..

He widened his eyes after being interrupted by the voice suddenly resounding behind him, but just before he could turn his head to look, his pupils constricted upon seeing a spear of light from afar.

From where the spearman originally stood...

The man threw a Light Spell from his previous position, before 'teleporting' behind his body!

Or was this Lightspeed Movement...?

[Light Spell- Noontime Javelin!]

Despite his scholarly appearance, Alex was still able to react fast enough to do a barrel roll forwards. This caused the 'javelin' to suddenly swerve in midair. It was in a way that allowed the helmeted spearman to grab the javelin's body.

He looked really dangerous!

'Am I actually slow?' The young Arcanist thought while confirming that the spearman wasn't going to attack further. His fully clothed body didn't seem like it, but underneath that scholarly outfit of his was a physique sculpted through experience.

That's why he shuddered...

This assailant was like a Beast Human. He didn't even seem to use magic to enhance his body.

Arthur, who was being tutored regarding the forces of nature by Lily upstairs, couldn't help but stick his head out the window of the second floor. The brawny Warrior also shuddered upon seeing him.

He felt the powerful presence of the mysterious individual that appeared in such a sudden manner.

It caused dread to seep into his bones...

The brawny youth instinctively wanted to keep his childhood friend safe, so he chose to ambush the spearman. His backsword was released without even thinking about other options he had.

Lily, on the other hand, had seen the mysterious spearman try to attack Alex with her own magical eyes, which was why she chose to do the same thing. Although she wasn't that close to Alex, her friendship with Arthur led her to follow his lead.

The two of them moved at great speeds by quickly applying 'Lighten' on their bodies in an instant.

Mostly because couldn't use Light Movement in an enclosed space, or else they might hit the walls!

Normally, the any experienced fighter would have made use of the time they had before the duo arrived. The spearman was weird since he was just nonchalantly waiting for them to meet him instead.

Though it seemed like the first attack towards him actually came from the scholarly using man, who had just escaped danger. It was at that moment he saw a metallic-looking fist already reach his face!

With a loud banging sound, he stumbled a step back. The eyes underneath his helmet surprised...

It was because Alex had almost cleanly hit his face.

"Urgh...!" The young man knelt over in pain. In that moment he struck the spearman, his neck was hit.

What kind of reflexes were needed to do this?!

Time seemed to slow down for only the two of them. The exchange of blows wasn't finished yet!

With a blinding speed, the Dragoon suddenly materialised in front of him like an chasing shadow.

A foot raised high in that short time Alex kelt over.

Another banging sound was heard, but the young man wasn't out in his most dire position just yet.

[Silver Art- Arcane Fingers!]

Even before the man started attacking, he had already prepared Runes of the other Attributes.

When he 'welcomed' his Mentor, he saved a Metal Rune from NACNAC Bat made of magical steel.

From the air around him, he formed and 'set' an emerald Wind Rune on another finger with ease.

From the ground beneath, one touch was all he needed to form an Earth Rune to set on his Art.

From his body heat, a Fire Rune was derived and formed fully before being set on another finger.

Even the tears that leaked out after experiencing a throat jab was formed into a Water Rune and set.

Lastly, the faint static from his clothes was set onto his thumb as a Lightning Rune. It completed one hand full of Runes. A purple thumb, red index, brown middle, green ring finger, and blue pinkie.

On his other was a nearly full set of runes, but only on everything other than the thumb of that hand.

The back of left hand was completely black, just like how the back of his right was fully white.

These were the Light and Dark Runes left...

I could tell the assailant was surprised by this.

The Metal Rune and Blood Rune could be explained, but what about Death and Wood?

How did he form those Runes in a millisecond...?

What the man didn't know was the two accessories on his neck and wrist were the reasons for this.

The skull necklace on his neck was a gift from Necron, while the bracelet on his wrist was a gift from Elves. He already had enough time over the years to cover the weaknesses he had in the past.

[Runic Skill- Trance Purple!]

It was only now did the spearman notice Alex's eyes. There was an amethyst glow within them.

{So that's how you're keeping up.} Was what the Dragoon seemed to speak with only eye-contact.

Their fight in the still world began...