"It's not a path easily taken," Elowen added, noticing Theo's escalating impatience.

"Why not?" Theo inquired, curiosity threading through his voice.

Elowen began, her voice adopting a grave tone, "Because, it involves finding the very heart of the Abyss. Aether Nightbloom, the first wielder of the Abyssal element, dared to explore its deepest reaches in his quest, yet he returned empty-handed. His writings are sparse, but he alone is known to have touched the abyss region. The realm he mentioned is nearly inaccessible, and the notion of obtaining its heart... it's a task deemed insurmountable. The entrance to this abyss remains a mystery to us all."

Theo was taken aback by the mention of the Abyss's heart, realizing it was key to preventing his corruption from the Abyssal element.

Misinterpreting his silence for distress, Elowen hastened to reassure him. "But that doesn't mean you're without hope. With the Origin Master's support, we'll ensure your safety, Theo."

Theo raised his gaze to meet hers once more. "Is this the sole reason I was brought here? Is there nothing else?"

Elowen's eyes flickered with a brief hesitancy. "That's a secondary motive... There is another reason," she admitted, yet withheld further explanation.

Exhaling deeply, Theo replied. "So, you still refuse to disclose why I was cast into the Silverblade family without any say in the matter?"

"After you learn the full story, you'll understand why it was done. But for now, you must wait for the Origin Master to unveil the complete truth," Elowen counseled.

"How much longer must I wait?" Theo asked. The unwanted delay to the truth was a source of frustration, yet he reserved judgment or blaming the lady until the truth was laid bare.

Elowen's gaze held a hint of mystery as she proposed, "Until you’re ready to control your power. As for now, train under my supervision, allowing me to monitor your progression."

Hearing Elowen's explanation, Theo began to grasp the depth of her intentions. Her initial request for him to assist her student was a well thought move to monitor his development closely without revealing her genuine concern for him.

Elowen aimed to give the impression that she wasn't overly concerned about him, all the while ensuring he remained under her close watch. However, her approach didn't quite succeed as intended—Theo saw through her facade, grasping the real reason she had brought him to the academy.

Her choice to withhold certain truths stemmed from her belief that Theo was not yet ready to confront the full scope of his situation, necessitating a wait for some Origin Master.

For the time being, Theo accepted that his role was to remain within Elowen's radar, facilitating her observation of his progress. This arrangement suited him fine, considering he had a quest to complete at the academy, which was essential for lifting the strength cap imposed by the Origin Master.

As the day drew to a close, with the orange sun dipping towards the horizon and birds charting their return paths, two silhouettes passed by the library.

Soon, a uniquely designed, tube-like building came into view. Its white exterior differed from the black gates, through which students with tired expressions were exiting. This was the Aether Gate Hall, set to transport them to their first mission's location.

Upon entering, Lorian and Theo were greeted by the sight of multiple ascended platforms and a central tube that ferried people between floors.

Spotting a group receiving a blue stone from an elderly man, Lorian gestured towards them. As the students moved to catch a tube to another floor, Lorian approached the old man at the counter desk.

"We're first-year students," he informed.

"You're the last to arrive, kids. Most students headed out around noon. Aren't you concerned about them getting a head start?" The old man chortled with a hint of mockery.

Lorian responded thoughtfully, "The Crimson Dunes is on the opposite side of the continent. It should be morning there by now. Heading out earlier would have meant battling through the night there..."

The old man's gaze sharpened, yet he refrained from further inquiry. Placing two blue stones, each intricately engraved, on the reception desk, he watched the pair intently.

Theo silently watched Lorian's confident handling of the situation, appreciating the growth and development he had undergone in his absence. It seemed Rowan's training had effectively prepared Lorian well for the academic challenges and personal growth expected at the academy. His adeptness in interacting with others showed a significant transformation.

Lorian picked up the blue stones, passing one to Theo, then led the way to an unoccupied ascending platform.

They approached the platform, climbing three black stone steps to reach it. The platform itself was etched with twelve glowing lines, pulsating with energy as if alive.

"I've been to the Crimson Dunes before with Teacher. He took Neria and me there for training. While Neria was carried by the energy balloon Teacher uses, it wasn't a pleasant experience for us," Lorian shared a memory, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

Acknowledging Lorian's comment with a light nod, Theo then focused on the stone in his hand. Together, they tapped the stone to activate, which released a bluish energy that swirled around the platform. The glowing lines sprang to life, eventually enveloping them in a blinding light.

This sensation was familiar to Theo; it reminded him of his first time using the teleporter at his farm to travel to Elwyn City. Suddenly, the sensation of gravity vanished, and they were propelled forward by the light.

When the scenery shifted, a fresh, crisp scent filled the air, and warm breezes caressed his skin. Theo squinted against the brightness of the newly risen sun.

A few meters ahead, Lorian lay sprawled on the ground, his face buried in white sand. Brushing off the sand, Lorian stood, ruefully commenting, "Ah, brother... I'll never get used to this."

Theo felt a silent agreement within him, though he had fared slightly better in their arrival than Lorian had.

As they adjusted to their new surroundings, the landscape of crimson dunes stretched out before them under the early morning sky, just as the sun prepared to make its ascent. It was a vast expanse of sand, with vegetation a rare sight in this arid expanse. Towards the east, a smattering of trees dotted the horizon, an oasis of life amidst the sandy sea.

Lorian, feeling the sudden change in temperature, peeled off his warm clothing quickly and stored it in his spatial ring, an item Theo recognized as one he had sent himself.

While Theo took a moment to survey the vast dunes around them, Lorian retrieved a piece of brown paper from his own spatial storage.

He handed it to Theo, who unfolded the brown paper to discover a map marked with lines that traced their path and destination.

Lorian leaned over, pointing to a location south of a green forest depicted on the map. "We are currently here," he indicated, their position just a breath away from the life-giving greenery in the midst of the sand.

With the sun as their guide, discerning the direction of the forest became an easy task; it lay to the north, directly ahead of them.

Turning to Theo, Lorian shared a memory. "The last time I was here with the teacher, he was on the hunt for a Searing Salamander. I couldn't even leave a scratch on that creature, so we focused on battling lower-ranked beings. We actually made quite a bit of progress."

Theo found Lorian's mention of 'We actually made quite a bit of progress' intriguing, implying that Neria, too, had advanced in circle rank. It was a surprising revelation, considering Theo's understanding of the restrictions on class acquisition before the age of twelve.

After their brief exchange, they set off in the direction away from the forest.

The relentless sun overhead and the hot sand underfoot made their journey increasingly challenging, particularly for Lorian, who visibly struggled with the heat.

Observing Lorian's discomfort, Theo reached into his Golden Vault, retrieving a handful of peculiar grains. He shared some with Lorian without explanation.

Upon inspection, Lorian noticed the grains' deep golden color and shiny exterior, reflecting the sunlight. Tasting them, he found the sweet flavor and the subsequent energy boost they provided surprisingly revitalizing, easing his discomfort from the heat.

"These are great," Lorian commented, his spirits lifted. "The heat bothers me less now."

<<<<

[Sorcerous Sorghum]

[~ Grown by the abyssal water, this sorghum exudes a faint, mystical glow. Its consumption offers a mild increase in heat tolerance, beneficial for those in warmer climates or dealing with fiery environments.]

>>>>

Pleased with the effect, Lorian consumed the rest of the grains, though the initial boost didn't increase; he still felt considerably more comfortable facing the Crimson Dunes' harsh conditions.

He was curious about the grains but chose not to question Theo, respecting his privacy. Besides, Lorian had noticed a shift in Theo since his arrival at the academy. Theo wasn't as communicative as he used to be.

While this change concerned Lorian, Aerin had shared with him that something had occurred to the white-haired lady who had been with Theo. Following her disappearance, Theo had become more reserved. Lorian hesitated to inquire further, partly because he feared the possibility that the lady might have met with a tragic end.