Theo's heart sank as he read the description of the Yggdrasil seed, his gaze meeting Lilith's hopeful eyes.

Suddenly, a familiar voice intruded, "Food," disrupting the moment. They both turned to see Abyssal Eternal Bloom standing beside them. This was the first time Lilith encountered the creature since her awakening, given her weakened state hadn't allowed for much exploration of the farm.

Theo had nearly forgotten about the guardian beast amidst his concern for Lilith. He corrected the creature, "This is not food."

"Food..." Abyssal Eternal Bloom repeated, her eyes wide and pleading like those of a hopeful puppy.

Before they could react further, a vine swiftly shot out, snatching the seed from Lilith’s open palm.

The surrounding temperature plummeted instantly. Theo turned to see Lilith, her expression chilling with a murderous intent in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Abyssal Eternal Bloom seemed unfazed by the tension. She inspected the seed closely, then knelt on the ground among the debris of the withered tree, gently placing the seed among the remnants.

She closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, and began to chant in a rhythmic tone, "Rise… Rise… Rise… Rise…"

Lilith's initial anger faded as she watched the creature’s earnest ritual. Theo was puzzled but slightly amused by Abyssal Eternal Bloom’s actions, which seemed almost childlike in their sincerity.

Time passed without any sign of change. Theo and Lilith watched for over half an hour, but as nothing happened, they eventually retreated back to the bedside. The gentle, persistent muttering of “Rise… Rise… Rise…” continued in the background.

“What is she?” Lilith finally asked, curiosity piqued by the odd creature’s actions.

Theo then took the opportunity to explain to Lilith about the Abyssal Eternal Bloom, detailing how he had encountered and formed a contract with the creature. As he narrated the story, Lilith listened intently, but exhaustion soon overtook her, and she drifted off to sleep. Theo watched her quietly, not wanting to disturb her rest; she was still not fully recovered and needed the peace.

Meanwhile, Abyssal Eternal Bloom continued her whimsical chant by the remains of the Yggdrasil tree. “Rise… Rise… Rise…”

Theo sat there, pondering the odd yet hopeful efforts of his unusual companion, wondering if her persistent chants could somehow breathe life back into the Yggdrasil seed. However, it seemed unlikely that it would actually work.

Remembering the purple diary, he retrieved it from his golden vault. The diary was encased in a frozen block of ice.

'I need fire...' he thought. The first name that came to his mind was Violet, but she was too far away to ask for her help, and he didn't want to show this mysterious diary to her either.

To solve this problem, he took out some Misthaven Hellfire Poppy, the enchanted version of an ordinary crop from Misthaven City. He gathered a bundle of the poppy on the ground and placed the frozen diary atop it. As he watched, the outer shell of the ice began to melt. In just ten minutes, the frozen block of ice was gone. He stored the Misthaven Hellfire Poppy back in his space and took the purple diary in his hands.

The cover was made of a rare material he hadn't seen before. Opening it, he found a name on the first page—one that was deeply etched into his memory.

[Lily's Soulful Diary]

‘Lily,’ he mused silently, recalling the portrait he had seen in the basement of the Baron’s mansion and the girl from his dream.

Theo turned the pages and began to read word by word, feeling as if he was being transported back in time, reliving the memories through Lily's perspective.

***

In the western reaches, Stormwatch City stood as the last bastion before the expansive desert that marked the boundary between the Demon race territories and the Human empire.

This city, under the vigilant stewardship of Horace Silverblade, served not only as a crucial military outpost but also as a symbol of the enduring might of the Silverblade family. Horace Silverblade, a indomitable commander and esteemed count, ensured the city's defenses were impenetrable.

Today, Silverblade Manor was abuzz with activity and splendidly decorated. The grand hall, where Horace Silverblade's 120th birthday was being celebrated, was adorned with glittering chandeliers. It was an event of significance, drawing dignitaries and nobles from across the empire.

Among the attendees was a ravishing young lady with white hair, about fourteen years old, dressed in a stunning gown. She arrived with Evander Whitemoon, her presence marked by a cold demeanor that effortlessly kept would-be suitors at bay.

Currently, she was seated next to Darius Stormforge, a figure renowned across the Varidian Continent as a legendary warrior. Their quiet conversation seemed to be a private affair amidst the surrounding festivities.

Nearby, a group of young nobles huddled together, their whispers filled with curiosity and awe.

"Did you know the Emperor had a daughter?"

"They've kept it well-hidden; she must have been undergoing some rigorous training under Darius Stormforge.”

"Understandable, given her striking appearance. It's like a goddess has descended among us.”

"I'm certain she cannot resist the charm of a Silverblade. Our family's reputation in defending against the Demon Race is unparalleled, and even the Emperor holds Grandpa Horace in high regard.”

"Brian, do you really think you can thaw her reserve with just your words?"

"Watch and learn."

With a deep breath to steady his resolve, Brian approached the princess. He bowed slightly with a practiced smile. "Greetings, Princess. Your presence here today graces us with honor," he said, hoping his approach conveyed the warmth of old friends reuniting.

However, the princess merely offered him a fleeting glance, her expression unreadable and decidedly cold. Beside her, Darius's stern gaze felt like a silent warning, further unsettling Brian.

Feeling the bitterness of their disapproval, Brian retreated with a forced smile.

As the evening's festivities swirled with laughter and music, Princess Liliana's attention was caught by something—or rather, someone—else entirely. Her gaze, usually so detached and observant, drifted across the grand hall and landed on a boy sitting alone in the corner, watching the festivities with a distant look in his gaze.

He seemed out of place amidst the lively celebration, his presence almost a shadow against the lively environment. His silver eyes, deep like an endless abyss, captivated her. Her heart began to beat frantically, feeling an inexplicable pull towards him.

‘Found you at last,’ she murmured to herself.

Darius, who was sitting nearby, watched as the princess’s cold face glow with some warmth for the first time in months. ‘Who is this boy that has so quickly drawn our princess's interest?’ he wondered silently.

Princess watched the boy intently, who appeared slightly younger than her. It was as if time slowed down, the chatter and music fading into the background. Unaware of the attention he was attracting, he sat there quietly, his ebony hair falling slightly over his forehead. He seemed both a part of and apart from the world around him.

Unable to resist the inexplicable pull, Liliana took a deep breath and navigated through the throng of people. Her steps were hesitant, her heart pounding in her chest. The closer she got, the more she felt the surge of emotions she held tightly within herself—those tearful nights all because of the major changes that had happened in their lives.

Reaching him, she paused, her nerves tingling. ‘I hope he doesn’t react like our first encounter…’ she thought, recalling the less than pleasant meeting from years past.

The boy looked up as she approached, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange. Liliana could notice a spark of recognition flicker in his eyes, his expression slightly puzzled, as if he was trying to place her in his memories.

"Hello," she greeted softly, her voice barely above a whisper to mask her nervousness.

The boy nodded slightly, acknowledging her presence with some hesitance but not saying a word. He didn’t know who she was.

“Why are you sitting here alone?” she asked, settling down beside him.

He gave a slight shrug, his eyes scanning the room before returning to meet hers. "Just... thinking," he replied.

Liliana smiled, feeling her heart race as she contemplated her motives. "Would you like to join the others?" she offered, though part of her hoped he would refuse, allowing them to continue their private conversation.

He shook his head slightly. "I prefer to watch."

"Me too," Liliana confessed, her voice tinged with surprise at her own admission. "Sometimes it’s better to observe from a distance."

The boy’s expression softened, "Yes, it is," he agreed, seeming to find comfort in the shared sentiment.

They sat together, the noise of the party fading into a soft murmur around them, feeling unexpectedly comfortable in each other's company. For Liliana, despite his unfamiliarity, it felt like reconnecting with a cherished part of her past.

“I’m Liliana,” she reintroduced herself, hoping to ignite some recognition.

He gave a slight nod in response. “I’m Theo.”

Liliana studied his detached demeanor, a smile touching her lips. “It seems we both share a love for the edges of a gathering rather than the center,” she said, hoping to weave a deeper connection.

Theo replied, his gaze distant but voice calm. “It’s quieter on the edges. Easier to think.”

"Do you think a lot about... everything?" Liliana asked gently, encouraging him to open up.

Theo paused, considering her question. “About why things are the way they are, mostly.”

Liliana nodded, understanding his introspective nature. “And what have you concluded about how things are?”

Theo’s lips twitched in a wry smile. “That often they’re unnecessarily complicated.”

“That’s very true,” Liliana agreed softly. She paused, then added, “You know, it’s strange. Despite being here, I don’t really know much about you.”

Theo’s gaze shifted slightly, a shadow passing over his face. “There’s not much to know.”

“But there must be something,” Liliana pressed gently. “What’s something about you that others might not know?”

Theo looked at her, his eyes flickering with a hint of bitterness. “I have no mana. Most likely, I won’t be able to awaken.”

Liliana’s expression softened, her voice filled with genuine concern. “Does being awakened matter to you?”

“It does,” Theo admitted quietly. “Because everyone in the family dislikes me, except Grandpa and Big Brother Ryan.”

Liliana spoke in a gentle tone. “Then they don’t see what’s important. Being awakened or not doesn’t define someone’s worth.”

Theo's eyes met Liliana's with a hint of surprise. This was the third time someone hadn't given him a mocking look or mistreated him due to his lack of mana. For a moment, he allowed himself to feel the comfort of her words, letting down his guard just a bit in the warmth of her understanding.

Liliana's gaze lingered on Theo's puzzled expression. "It’s odd, but it feels like we’re already friends, even though we just met. Or at least, it feels like we should be," she mused loudly.

Theo glanced at her, then back to the bustling room. “Should we?” he queried, hoping she would agree, though he didn’t want to be the first to ask.

"Maybe," Liliana replied with a light laugh, trying to ease the formality of their interaction. "Friendship can start in weird ways."

She held his hand lightly and continued, "So, let’s be friends who see each other for who we really are, not what powers we might or might not have."

A small, almost imperceptible smile touched Theo’s lips. "I’d like that," he admitted.

In that moment, an old friendship was reforged—a friendship based not on power or prestige, but on mutual understanding and respect. For Liliana, it was something indescribable in words. She felt as though she had conquered half the world. She had feared he might not like her or perhaps, reject her approach, but in the end, he became her friend.