“Lomin is back!” Rufus's loud voice sounded outside Adion’s door. “You up, Adion?”

Adion immediately got up from bed and dressed himself.

Finally.

“He’s okay?” Adion asked as he opened the door.

“Bah, he looks a little too okay if you ask me,” Rufus said, “Least he could do to show a little regret after disappearing like that for almost two weeks.”

It had been five days since Rufus and Adion had visited Little Jiggot to gather information. Everyone had basically been locked up in their rooms, focused on training during the week. They still met for meals, but Adion thought it would be nice to have everyone gathered again.

Adion joined Rufus and walked downstairs, where he saw Lomin engaged in a conversation with Sahra and Benji. Adion smiled at the sight.

“I’m glad you’re back, Lomin,” Adion said as he and Rufus sat down, “What exactly happened? You can teleport?”

“I’m sorry for disappearing like that, and I wouldn’t call it teleporting like what I’ve heard you can do,” Lomin said in his usual calm manner, “After I’m done telling you of my events, I hope to hear more about your stories and abilities that I’ve missed.”

“Of course,” Adion nodded.

“Now tell us,” Sahra said excitedly, “What are Words of Truth exactly? No one understood what you were talking about at all!”

“Well, I only just realized what they were recently myself. And I’m sure it’s just the surface,” Lomin said, “But I believe Words of Truth to be Deep Concepts.”

“Deep Concepts?” Benji asked, “Never heard of them.”

“I call them Deep Concepts, but they are just concepts in a way, just more… complicated, deeper,” Lomin said slowly.

“There he goes, not explaining things properly again,” Rufus muttered.

“You know of the concept ‘hot,’ right? It’s something very useful for fire mages, after all.” Lomin asked.

“Of course,” Sahra nodded impatiently.

“The concept that I have slowly understood is not that much different. It is simply that we have no word to describe it. Only by using the Words of Truth can I get close. My Words of Truth are ‘One step, a thousand miles. A thousand steps, one mile.’ That is not literal, but the words I believe give the best feeling of the concept I’ve grasped. Just like it would be impossible to explain ‘hot’ to a child that had grown without ever experiencing anything hot, it is impossible to explain my concept to those who have not experienced my journey.” Lomin explained.

“So you mean that normal concepts like ‘hot’ and ‘sharp’ are no different from your concept, but since everyone knows those things so well already, they can be explained?” Adion asked.

“Hmm,” Lomin thought for a while before answering, “I’m not sure that is entirely true either. Can you really explain the concepts of ‘hot’ and ‘sharp’? If so, shouldn’t everyone have grasped those concepts perfectly? But they can’t. Because it is actually not so simple to explain, you have to experience it for yourself, and deeply think about it for years to begin grasping the concepts. My concept is much the same. The difference, I guess, would be that my concept doesn’t have a simpler form. There is no version of it that is not a concept. Therefore, there is no normal word to describe it, and we have to use Words of Truth.”

“Am I the only one not getting it?” Rufus asked.

“I think I get it,” Adion said.

“Me too,” Sahra and Benji said at the same time.

“Then explain it better than Lomin so I can understand it too!” Rufus said, annoyed.

“Well,” Benji slowly said, “If I understood things correctly, Lomin has a concept that is different in that there is no pillar to begin understanding it from. You don’t actually understand the concept ‘hot’ any more than you understand the concept ‘One step, a thousand miles. A thousand steps, one mile.’ It is just that ‘hot’ has a version that is not a concept that you can understand. Sort of? Did I get it right, Lomin?”

“Mm, that’s seems about right.” Lomin nodded.

“I think I get it,” Rufus slowly nodded, “So, you can teleport now?”

“In a way,” Lomin shrugged, “But it’s more like I can get carried by the wind a very long distance, very quickly. Unfortunately, I then have to move a very short distance, very slowly. That is why it took me so long to return despite only being a few miles away.”

Everyone looked to Lomin so he could explain what he meant, but Lomin only shook his head in response.

“I’m afraid not even I understand that part very well. Hopefully, I’ll be able to grasp my concept more in the future, or perhaps change it slightly, so that it won’t have any side-effects.” Lomin said.

“Alright, I guess that’s-” Rufus was cut off as a boy a year or two older than Adion approached their table.

“Are you Adion?” The teenager asked with a hopeful look.

“Yes, why?” Adion asked.

“Thank Hellemi, I’d be in trouble if I couldn’t find you. My name’s Konfed. Diam-” Konfed stopped himself and asked in a little lower voice, “Can we talk privately?”

“Oh?” Adion looked at Konfed for a while before nodding and getting up from his seat, “Let’s go to my room then.”

He then turned to his teammates, “I’ll come back soon. It’s probably about the organization. You can fill Lomin in.”

“Alright,” Benji said with a nod.

Adion led the Konfed to his room and closed the door behind them once they were inside.

“So?” Adion asked.

“Diamond Eulen has called for you,” Konfed said. Adion thought he could see some envy in his eyes.

So it really is a Diamond mage. I’m glad I put all that effort into hiding my strength for the past week.

“Diamond Eulen?” Adion asked, “Is he that superior that Gold Hettim talked about? He’s returned?”

“Yes. He’s in charge of the entire Silver Wall and has been up in Dorbarta for weeks,” Konfed confided, “What did you do to get summoned by him?”

Adion looked questioningly at the boy. Even if he was a few years older than him, Adion didn’t think of him that way. “I don’t know. Gold Hettim just told me his superior probably wanted to see me when he gets back.”

“Probably because you’re a Bronze mage so young, you might get pulled in under his wing,” Konfed sighed, “You’ll get so many resources if that’s the case. I’m jealous. Don’t forget me when you make it big, alright?”

“We just met, though?” Adion was a little dumbfounded by Konfed’s attitude.

“We’ve talked for minutes. Just how bad is your memory to actually forget me?” Konfed asked seriously.

Adion just stared at Konfed for a few seconds before sighing.

“Where do I go?” Adion asked.

“I’ll take you there,” Konfed answered and headed for the door, “I’m Konfed, by the way, in case you already forgot me.”

What‘s with this guy? Does Heavenly Light accept just about anyone willing to join?

“I didn’t forget you,” Adion said tiredly, “Just lead the way.”

The two then headed outside after Adion told his teammates that he was leaving for a while. Everyone except Lomin had already been told about the potential meeting with a Diamond mage, so they were visibly nervous when Adion left.

He followed Konfed for about 15 minutes before arriving outside a large manor located in the central part of the city. Two guards were standing outside the main entrance, but they seemed to recognize Konfed as they let the two enter without issue.

“It’s that building over there,” Konfed said and pointed to a mansion a hundred feet away surrounded by a beautiful garden.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

“Heavenly Light seems to be doing alright,” Adion commented.

“This is just the manor that Diamond Eulen and the Golds under him have in Wender. The one in Dorbarta is at least five times bigger.” Konfed commented.

I shouldn’t forget to focus some attention on making money. Then again, just one pill from my collection is enough to buy this entire city. But even if I wanted to sell one of them, I couldn’t do so without getting myself in deep trouble.

Konfed knocked on the door to the mansion where Diamond Eulen supposedly lived. It didn’t take long for a Silver mage in a butler’s attire to open the door.

“This is Adion,” Konfed told the middle-aged man on the other side of the doorway.

“I see. Well done,” the butler nodded. “I’ll take it from here.”

Konfed saluted the man and left without looking back.

“Follow me,” The butler told Adion.

Adion followed the man and greedily absorbed information about the mansion's layout, not only with his eyes, but his sphere of space mana as well.

Seems like my sphere can cover almost the entire mansion. There is a Diamond upstairs, probably the one I’m going to meet. Two Gold mages in another room, seemingly in a heated debate. 18 Silver mages, counting the butler, and 8 Bronze mages, working around the mansion, presumably servants for Diamond Eulen.

What’s this? Some treasure room? Adion thought to himself as he could feel a room on the basement floor. It seemed to be filled with shelves and an array of items. Unfortunately, Adion’s senses weren’t sharp enough to feel any details. But the fact that two Silver mages were standing outside the room acting like guards spoke of something important being in the room.

Could I find an opportunity to teleport inside and take a look?

Adion didn’t have time to formulate a plan, though. He and the butler had arrived in front of a large door where they stopped. Adion could feel that the Diamond mage was in the room behind the door, and it didn’t take long before a voice sounded from inside.

“Let the boy inside, Jakett.”

The butler opened the door for Adion and bowed deeply to the man inside. Adion entered the room and bowed the same way as the butler.

“Diamond Eulen, it’s an honor,” Adion said solemnly. Fortunately, empty words that carry no intent of deception don’t show off as lying in aura. Perhaps it could be noticed in some mysterious part of his aura. But if it did, he didn’t think many people, if any, could see through it.

“Haha!” Eulen laughed happily, “You have good manners, I see. That’s good, but no need to be so polite. I’ve been looking for a talented youth such as you to join us for some time now.”

Adion got up from his bowing position and looked at the man. He was sitting behind a big desk with a wide grin on his face, looking Adion up and down.

He can’t feel my actual strength, right? I have it hidden down to almost an inch off my body, after all.

“Take a seat, Adion,” Eulen said, gesturing to a luxurious chair in front of the desk.

“Thank you,” Adion nodded.

Eulen looked to be in his early forties, but Adion could feel that he was around 85 years old. He had black hair and a neatly trimmed beard. Blue, gentle eyes that seemed very intelligent to Adion.

Guess it’s not a position you can get to with luck. I shouldn’t underestimate him even if he can’t see through my aura. To assume I’m smarter than everyone can end badly.

“So, how are you liking our organization so far, Adion?” Eulen asked Adion with a smile.

“Well, it’s okay so far, I guess. I haven’t really gotten to do much, as I just joined. But trying to get information was really interesting.” Adion answered honestly.

“Haha,” Eulen chuckled and leaned back in his chair, “I guess that’s true. I hope your perception changes with time, and you’ll find Heavenly Light more than just ‘okay’ in the future. But it’s nothing that can be forced, all in good time.”

Adion nodded agreeably but didn’t comment.

“I’m sure Hettim told you that I was interested in sending someone to Cyalis Acadamy, right?” Eulen asked.

“That’s right,” Adion nodded.

“Well? What do you say?” Eulen pushed.

“I had always planned on going there once I turned 17, so it sounds good to me,” Adion responded.

“Hahaha,” Eulen laughed loudly, a different laugh this time. “I know I told you not to be polite, but I say that to everyone, and I’ve never seen anyone, let alone a Bronze, act so casually so quickly.”

“Oh, sorry-” Adion began but was cut off by Eulen waving his hand.

“Oh, it’s not bad. I’m happy. I asked for it, after all. I just thought it interesting. You used to Diamond mages, Adion?” Eulen asked, casually taking a sip of tea.

“Not exactly, but my granddad is a Diamond mage,” Adion responded.

“Oh?” Eulen raised an eyebrow, “So you’re from a family clan?”

“Mm,” Adion nodded, “Like I told Gold Hettim, most of my family is dead, but I was in the clan until I turned 12.”

“Any clan I would have heard about?” Eulen asked.

“I doubt it. My granddad was the only Diamond. We were only a 2nd tier family.” Adion responded, hoping he wasn’t going to be asked too much.

“A 2nd tier family is far from being beneath my notice. What’s your family name?” Eulen asked.

Damn. Can I get out of this? No, that would just raise suspicion. I’m sure he’s testing me for himself, despite Hettim clearing me to join.

“It’s Remori,” Adion answered.

Eulen’s forehead scrunched in thought, “‘Remori’? That sounds familiar. Very familiar. Where did I hear it?” Eulen asked out loud.

Adion’s heart was beating fiercely, and he tried to calm down to not cause alarm.

What’s going on? Why does he know the Remori name? Is this actually the organization behind the attack on my family? Or did our massacre cause bigger news than I expected?

“You might have just heard it from Gold Hettim, no?” Adion tried.

“No…” Eulen pondered, “I’ve read it somewhere.” Eulen started looking through some pieces of paper on his desk but didn’t seem to find anything.

“Forget it, your family were killed by beasts, right? It might be I’ve read a report of it somewhere.” Eulen finally concluded.

Gods and spirits, thank you.

“That seems like a plausible explanation,” Adion nodded.

“So let me tell you a bit about Cyalis Academy,” Eulen began after dropping the subject of Adion’s family, “We don’t have many of our members there at the moment. They’re hard to infiltrate. Their headmaster is a Sage and powerful Soul mage, after all. But a few of our young seeds have managed to get in, and it’s always in our greatest interest to send more of us there. It’s the most powerful organization on the continent, so it’s a high priority. And I’ve not managed to send anyone from my branch there yet. You fit the bill perfectly. Do you think you could reach middle Bronze by the time you join?”

“Definitely,” Adion answered.

“Haha!” Eulen laughed happily, “The confidence of youth. I love it!”

“What would you have me do at the Academy?” Adion asked.

“Grow strong and gain as much knowledge and connections as you can. But there might also be specific missions at times. Such as spying or…well, we’ll get to that eventually.” Eulen said, shaking his head. “The reason for meeting you is that I want to make you mine.”

“Make me yours?” Adion asked, shocked.

“Heavenly Light is a big organization, with a lot of ambitious people. We all have the same goal in mind, of course. But a little rivalry amongst ourselves only pushes us to do better. I would gain a lot of merit if you managed to do well at Cyalis. But I wouldn’t want to help you grow strong just for you to betray me for the first colleague of mine to offer a few pills, would I?” Eulen leaned forward in his seat and asked.

“No,” Adion answered, “I understand that, but…what exactly does that entail?”

“I have it written down. It’s a common Oath of loyalty, nothing shady,” Eulen said as he handed a paper over to Adion. “If you agree, we can head to Gerrinswood in a week and take the Oath by the Moonlight Oak there.”

“Er,” Adion hesitated. He was definitely not taking any Oath of loyalty, but he didn’t want to outright reject the proposal.

“Remember that it will be a bright future for you in our organization if you have me as a backer. I’m not asking for your loyalty for nothing in return. I will give you pills and resources to make you stronger faster than you can believe. I control the entire Silver Wall section of our organization. There are a great number of things I can do for you.” Eulen tried to convince.

“It’s a big decision,” Adion hesitated, “Can I think about it for a while before deciding?”

Eulen’s face fell a little. He stared silently at Adion for a few seconds before nodding.

“Of course. It’s not a decision to rush into after all,” Eulen said, “But make up your mind quickly. Every day you go undecided is a day that you miss out on the resources I can offer.”

“Of course,” Adion nodded.

“You don’t have to think about those silly missions from Frent, by the way,” Eulen said, now with a friendly smile. “Focus on making your mind up, and then we will focus on making you stronger.”

Adion smiled back, “Thank you for being patient with me.”

“Of course, of course. Now go, take a walk, and clear your head. I hope to see you here soon.” Eulen said and waved Adion off.

Adion rose from his seat and gave a bow before leaving the room.

No one is here. Adion thought as he stepped out into the hallway.

Eulen can probably still feel my presence, though. Adion started walking back the way he had come.

He focused on his sphere of space mana and tried to figure out everyone’s position. He also slowly started grabbing hold of the space in the room in the basement with his Authority, infusing the space mana there with his Will.

No one should feel me from here, right? Silver mages wouldn’t be able to feel my presence if I hide my aura. I’ll have to be quick, though. But there is no doubt I have to leave the city now. And I'm not going to leave behind this final clue. He knew my name! I’m going to figure out why.

Adion got far enough away from any strong mages to feel safe and focused on the space he had taken control over in the guarded basement room.

I am there. I am there. I am there.

Five seconds later, Adion appeared in a dark room. He immediately conjured a small flame to see around him. The room had, as Adion suspected, tons of treasure. Gold coins, Vastro coins, beast cores, bottle after bottle with pills. Not only that, but stacks of paper were lying around, where Adion assumed many secrets were written.

But Adion didn’t have time to inspect those things, because his eyes fell on something he hadn’t seen for a long time. But dreamed about many times. It was the face of the men and women who had killed his family. White masks.