Shouts and Cheers resounded from the training field of the Aeon's mansion, a group of maids, guards and other workers from the mansion had gathered to a crowd, excitedly spectating the intense spar happening at the moment.

of the two figures fighting, the first was rather a familiar person to everyone who works in the mansion, she was the close friend of the 2nd prince and the known prodigy of the Great Cyrus family, Seraphina Cyrus.

While the latter was a young woman with ashen-blonde hair. She looked much the same as the empress of the Celestial empire, but a younger version.

The younger-looking Davina was wearing a light golden armour with a sun drawn in it, flaming golden crows were vividly inscribed through the armour, and on her shoulder was a small fiery golden bird coaming its feathers.

With the pace of the spar it was already a stretch calling it a spar, as it looked akin to an epic life or death fight, even though either side was using wooden weapons, the tension in the air was suffocating.

Sera's movements were quick, sharp and carried strong momentum, on the other side Davina's clone was steadily standing in the same spot, her movements were simple, precise and always keeping her in a superior position, her pace was relaxed yet unshakable, heavy yet ethereal, like a vague mountain behind the clouds. no matter what Sera did she couldn't gain any type of advantage against her.

Beads of perspiration appeared on Sera's forehead, and exhaustion was consuming Seraphina's stamina, after a while of high-intensity fighting, a barely noticeable flaw appeared in one of Sera's stances.

A spear went through the gap in defence, targeting Sera's heart guard, a flustered Sera took a step to the side nearly stumbling but surviving the sudden attack, however, she wasn't out of danger yet.

In hopes of turning the tables, a bright glint appeared in Seraphina's eyes, counter-attacking, she bent down as she started sprinting, her spear's tip pointed to the ground, intending to put an end to the spar.

Suddenly, coldness spread through Seraphina's body a sensation of doom grasped her heart, her spear moved quickly, but the danger had already arrived, a spear's tip was inches away from her throat.

with a thud, Sera's spear fell to the ground, tilting her head down " I've lost "Biting her lips in disappointment, she stood, as the wooden spear tip was moved away, she kept looking at her feet, her expression couldn't be seen.

planting the wooden spear on the ground, Davina's clone looked at Sera and smiled encouragingly " Your spear-manship progress is marvellous, with your current level you are definitely the top of your generation in the five great families " While talking Davina's clone took a few steps towards Sera it started glowing.

grasping the air, the spear flew from the ground to her hand, raising her hand Davina's clone handed the spear to Seraphina " Sera... stand straight, you should be proud of yourself and remember..." While talking the clone's body started breaking out into light fragments as they turned to small flaming flowers, dispersing to the air;

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A voice resounded in Seraphina's ears " The harder you work, the higher you rise ".

The surrounding crowd were startled for a moment but soon they resumed cheering and clapping, Seraphina raised her head, eyes reddening, she took the wooden Spear floating before her and stood straight, her eyes glowed with determination.

on the side near the training field, under the shadow of the mansion, Alaric's mother, Davina was standing under a shade while observing Seraphina fight with the clone she made;

As she looked to the side " Mary, what's your opinion on Sera's performance? ",

slightly behind Davina, stood a middle-aged woman, contemplating for a moment she replied, " Miss Seraphina is truly talented in the path of the spear, she almost reminds me of when the first prince was learning swordsmanship they both have that unmatched battle sense, I believe all she lacks is experience".

Nodding in agreement Davina asked again " What do you say about her personality? ".

A strange expression came on Mary's as she replied "She is a bit rash but overall she is a good person with a pure heart ".

a moment later Davina said in a low voice that only she and Mary could hear " I'm thinking of making her my disciple ", on the side Mary's eyes were wide open in shock.

.....

In his room, Alaric stood in front of his desk, where multiple big-sized cases were spread in front of his, behind him on the bed filled with a wardrobe worth of clothes.

On the tables on the desk's sides, on the right, three black crystal bank cards and one golden card which meant three anonymous untraceable bank accounts that can be accessed anywhere in the Myriad Dao realm, a fake identity card and multiple books discussing knowledge about secret grounds and ancient ruins through the Myriad Dao realm, three identification tokens were on the beside a communication device, and two spatial storage Equipments.

On the left side was a Dark grey Cloak with black runic inscriptions spread all over the cloak, a hand guard and other parts of soft armour.

on the side a specially made metallic case sat, and three mysterious words were written in ancient runic languages the metallic case was sealed using runic seals.

looking at both Alaric had a satisfied smile on his face, taking a deep breath, he focused all his attention on the desk again specifically at the long black cases, which were his most priced collections, his eyes glowing and a weasel-like smile in his face, with unconcealed excitement he opened them one by one.

A sharp aura erupted from each case once opened, the cases were weapons Alaric had bought through the last two years, there was a Halberd, a pair of swords, a bow and a pair of daggers, each and any one of them emitted an intense sharp aura showing their high grade.

Suddenly an old man's voice rang out of nowhere as a miniature dwarf made of blue light was floating around the room, "what a waste of money, if I had half of the materials spent on these useless things I could've made a true masterpiece, not some low-level trash like what you have!".

The dwarf's tone was irritating and his voice was like the rubbing of metal parts even though he wasn't of flesh and blood he surely had a vivid life-like expression of disdain and earnest disappointment on his face, holding a smoking pipe twice his size, the dwarf was a master at ruining anyone's mood.

Alaric was having a headache from dealing with the Dwarf spirit, frowning with a sacrist tone "Well in case you forgot you are a spirit, not a real dwarf, I highly suspect your weapon crafts ".

Unconvinced, " Spirit or not I'm a dwarf, even my worst work is of a higher grade than....".

Annoyed, Alaric cut the dwarf off " And what will I do with a high-grade weapon that I can't use ? Look at it? ".

with an innocent expression "Isn't that what you do normally, collecting shiny things kind of runs in the family".

As if thinking of something a bright glint flashed in his eyes, " Novath let us make a deal, you keep your silence, and you will get a package of that high-quality tobacco you got last time".

his eyes lighting up " I want four packages ",

" You get two " Alaric,

" Three " Novath,

" One " Alaric,

" Two " Novath,

" Deal " Alaric looked at Novath with a smile as he took two packages from a bag on the side and said, " Here you go! ".