Elaine Von Angru’s POV

I sat exhausted in a wooden rocking chair that was adjacent to the entrance of my cottage. Laying lazily in my lap between my arms laid a wooden sheath with a greenish tint. One simple simple glance at it, if one was unaware, would mistake it as a smooth, hollow plank with an exquisite metal edge. And if they looked even closer, they would be able see flawless patterns and drawings. But they still would think that this piece of wood was a professional work of art, and nothing more.

However, my enemies would never dare think that this frail looking wooden sheath is merely a ‘work of art’ as countless examples on many battlefields prove otherwise. It was my most prized possession, until very recently…

Vrrrrb..

The wooden sheath vibrated slightly, as if signaling its discontent. I formed a faint smile and murmured,

“Well he is my son after all…”

Upon thinking about my very recent newborn son, and what’s going on now, I let out a sigh and gently moved my hands up and down the sheath’s smooth surface. Ever since it was bestowed to me, whenever I felt negative emotions like sadness and uneasiness, all I had to do was gently stroke the perfectly polished surface of the sheath and those awful feelings would wash away.

But this time when I rubbed it, those feelings could not be washed away; like the stickly, slightly dried blood of a cold-hearted enemy whose last breath was a curse, to haunt you forever. It was because of the skin-piercing cold, pure renergy being emitted from behind me through the wooden walls of the cottage.

The source of it being my very cute newborn, Johan.

I thought back to when he was sweetly crying, I used the simple nursery spell on him in my arms….

——

The strange phenomena began when the energy suddenly awakened soon after I lulled him to sleep. It seemed to burst out of him as if he had unlocked a vault with raging power behind. Abruptly from behind I heard a door slam open along with light, quick footsteps. I did not even need to alert her as she already felt the raging ren's presence.

“I-I’ve never felt such Ice pure renergy, not even back while in Thorini… What Happened? Where did this pure renergy emerge from?”

Sasha, the young girl with a teeming intellect, fearfully spoke and looked up at me after intently staring at Johan silently for a few moments. Already, her lips were blue as she spoke those words and a very thin layer of frost was starting to congeal on her glasses. It was already apparent that this anomaly was negatively affecting Sasha.

Although Sasha’s eyes allow her to view a different perspective of renergy, she was still only a young child with a weak physique. She was not properly prepared to endure such conditions as it took only a couple of seconds for her ren reserves to reach critical levels from fending off against the relentless ice ren.

I quickly placed my hand on Sasha’s shoulder and diligently circulated my ren into her body, giving her more ren energy to make it easier to shield her from this severe ice ren element. The effects were rapid and her condition was already improving.

“... I-I sung one of the family lullabies to lull him asleep… after he closed his eyes, The renergy came out of nowhere, but it doesn’t seem like it’s harming him…”

“So is the ritual still not completed?”

She worriedly murmured my thoughts. I was unconformably nervous. Although the amount of Renergy bursting from him was massive, there were no signs of discomfort on my baby’s face. I did not know the cause, but I seriously did not want this to continue. For situations like this to occur after a birthing ritual could be considered a grand omen, and for those involved primarily were to be forever forsaken by karma…

Plus this was extremely pure ice renergy, a rare type of ren that sedomly exists in these parts of the southern continent because of the harsh environmental conditions that are required to harbor this type of Renergy element.

Was I… wrong for doing this?

My breathing started to hurry as my intruding, dark thoughts were taking over.

“I… don’t see any remaining traces of sinister ren from the Monteclair family’s curse techniques anymore. However I feel like it had been replaced with something highly unordinary. The renergy signatures don't match with anything recorded in the Monteclair Canon. It really doesn’t add up, ”

I saw from the corner of my eye Sasha take off her thin wood glasses that obstructed Renergy. Her clear face was lined with slight baby fat but bestowed a solemn look, a look one that should have never had at such a young age.

Sasha’s emerald green eyes shone brightly as her eyes intelligently observed the intense Renergy storm. Her feet moved as she started walking, slowly circling the cradle. I could feel her eyes scanning the intricacies of it.

Her eyes possess special bloodline abilities only accessible to the Monteclair family; but due to certain incompatibilities and circumstances, she was ostracized. But because of her mother, I promised her to keep Sasha by my side always. After a few more moments, I saw Sasha’s face tighten.

“But that doesn’t mean that it’s fine, actually it's quite the opposite, it means the Renergy from the Dimensional Soul-swap Ritual from Johan is leaking.”

After hearing all of Sasha’s words, my face immediately darkened. Thinking of the consequences again, I started to shudder faintly.

“Could this have been an unforeseen consequence?” I responded bleaky, I now no longer could see my little infant through the snowy fog projected by the renergy phenomena…

“No, no, no it has not failed… I’m sure of it…”

Sasha became silent again for a few moments before declaring, her eyes darting from corner to corner across the room. The turbulence created by the renergy storm only affected our clothes that were blowing wildly.

“The dimension that the renergy is leaking from Johan’s soul seems to be connected to him… So Using that giant source of renergy bursting from Johan… I could maybe- no I will convert it into a renergy seal that would serve as a sever between his dimension and ours…”

“Where is all this going to take place?” I responded questioningly, Ignoring any foolish doubts…

“His… Uhh… soul field…” Sasha sputtered out those words. She seemed to be formulating a plan on the fly. We had half a year of preparation, along with the notes from Sasha’s parents: who had extensive knowledge in the ways of soul molding… But this was an extreme occurrence that was not in our preparations. I saw a flickering light in the corner of my eye and turned my vision to see Sasha’s left hand’s index finger start to glow intensely; specifically the ring that was on it. The ring shone brightly for a split second after dimming down. Upon dimming down, a green-colored, molded book with very faded yellow pages appeared floating in air above her left hand. It appeared to be shining faintly… A grimoire, one with a long history.

“…Are you sure you can attempt such extreme level spells so soon after the ritual?”

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I worriedly told her as I felt my grip loosen on her shoulder when she took a couple steps in front me, putting herself between me and the baby cradle my sweet little Johan was in. I could no longer supply her renergy from this position. However, she did not need it anymore, as the faintly shining grimoire floating beside absorbed the rich renergy, it grew brighter. Her inherited techniques had finally started to activate as her eyes shone with more intensity.

“Please Lady Elaine… Put faith in my mother and I…. I promise I will wash away the sins of my family…”

Sasha proclaimed seriously as she turned her head back and looked up to me, her eyes extremely eye-catching….

—-

I opened my eyes, moving my consciousness back to the present. Did I truly believe all the words Sasha had spoken? I released a very deep sigh…

Am I always destined for adversity?

My eyes drifted upwards towards the sky. The stars were beautiful as always, twinkling without any worries, blissfully dancing in the pool of darkness.

I blinked a couple more times before turning my attention to what was in front of me. A slender figure came into view from the shadows of the distant trees. A visitor has arrived, and not a normal one. Although it was under the cloak of the night sky, the stars provided enough visibility. She walked casually, draped in a long green dress that seemed to be made of very soft leaves and vines. A very thin veil was covering her undoubtedly alluring face. With every step she made, the grass made way for her, as if she was one with the environment. She grasped in her hand a very twisted dark-colored wooden staff. I recognized it as briarwood, an extremely rare renergy conductive material found deep in the northern forests.

I immediately sat up with my right hand curled tightly around the hilt of my weapon.

“Why would a member of the Beastali be so far out here?”

My brows curved menacingly, I said with my words dripped with dangerous caution. I was not expecting this kind of interruption. But to my surprise, her response was unexpectedly calm,

“Hmmm… To have just reared a child and to already be so on guard… One should be peacefully resting with her newborn…”

The voice of a unhurried, feminine voice rang through the silent, forest air. But her first words clapped like thunder into my ears.

H-How does she know?

I was surprised but I quickly regained control of my thoughts and emotions.

“My mother was called to arms hours after she birthed me. This is nothing compared to what she went through.”

I calmly answered back, feigning indifference.

“Ahh… Your mother was a strong woman, I see. But please be at ease, I bring no misfortune… ”

She replied calmly, continuing to walk towards me unperturbed, as if I were an old friend. I should have noticed her earlier but there was something more unusual about her as even I was looking at her - it was like she wasn’t even there.

What kind of technique is this?

I wondered vigilantly, but then she added.

“I assume the girl has already started the sealing spell… Why are you out here?”

How does she know?! How much does she know?! If she is here to stop the ritual… I can’t allow that to happen…

My eyes widened, I couldn’t help the shock running through my body. I tightly gripped the hilt of my sword, so tightly that my vein started to protrude above my hands. I was a hair away from unsheathing, but what stopped me was my very own weapon. For the very first time since my bestowal ceremony, my sword would not budge out of the sheath.

“You need to listen…”

The veiled woman smiled politely at my astonishment and explained.

“Where do you think the materials to make your armament came from? I’m here to help.”

---

I lead her into the room where Sasha and Johan were.

The room was in an even worse state than when I left Sasha. Everything within a few feet radius surrounding Sasha and Johan was frozen solid into ice. The bedsheets were frozen stiff. Sasha laid there on her knees with her head bent downwards with her hands clasped tightly against each other as if in a prayer. Her simple black maiden dress was deeply layered with snow. I’m sure that if Sasha wasn’t doing the spell as fast as possible, the situation here would be even dire.

“Attempting to challenge Karma? I thank you, as it seems that it's slowing down the devastation.”

The lady with the briarwood staff murmured gently with a smile carrying no malicious intent. Those words were not directed towards me, but towards Sasha. But Sasha was too deeply immersed in her to respond.

“She’s in soul sleep… Her soul is no longer in her body..”

I recognized Sasha’s condition and spoke quickly. The veiled lady simply nodded like she already knew and replied,

“I understand the predicament you two Sapiens are in… But Being able to use such profound techniques does not mean you can control them…”

“But She was only following her late mother’s notes and ideas… I f-forcibly guided her into helping me…”

I responded at her words, feeling guilty. She looked at me side-eyed, and continued her voice gradually growing as cold as the frost renergy that my baby was unleashing.,

“Hmmm… Interesting, but at this rate, this type of dimensional exposure will get only exponentially worse, and the girl will fail.”

My heart started to sink rapidly at those words.

“What happens if she fails?”

I responded with this question, trying to conceal the grief welling within me…

“She will obviously die, as will your newborn. Then you will follow… And then Sundurhria will be next…”

“…”

“But I won’t let that happen… It’s kind of my job… So watch over us, will you?”

The veiled lady regained her usual tone from earlier and added playfully as she sat on her knees next to Sasha, entering a meditative pose.

‘Watch over us…’ Hahaha…

I could help but inwardly laugh at the fact I’m putting all my hope into a child and an unknown Beasteli sage….

---

Johan’s POV

The welcomed darkness; the everlasting bliss; the neverending peace of solitude… These qualities of death actually felt quite refreshing - compared to the endless shivering and frostbite. It felt like I was floating in a liquid limbo. I did not sense any pain or pleasure, just the sense of nonexistent and complete stillness.

I could not perceive time, so I did not know how much time had passed and nor could I attempt to try, it was like I was stuck in a trance-like slumber. It seemed like an eternity.

“What an unbelievable soul field…”

But eventually I heard a voice ring into my ear - It was familiar, the young girl with glowing green eyes from earlier at my supposed rebirth. It slightly broke me free from that trance-like state.

What was she doing here? How was she here?

Questions popped up with no answers in sight.

“Checheche - So freezing…”

Unknowingly I heard her voice again and somehow I gained my vision back. I saw her far in the distance through the blizzard, wearing a simple black maiden dress, freezing in a snowstorm.

It seemed like the weather conditions here were affecting her quite heavily. Her hair was already heavily mixed with snow. She fearfully looked around, as if she was trying to find something.

“There’s no way…This is what his soul looks like? A human’s soul should not be like this… the soul environment, the frequencies… It's all completely foreign and chaotic. Am I going to be able to handle this?”

I could hear the pressure in her voice starting taking over; I wanted to call out to her, tell her everything was going to be alright, but recognized that I could not form any words.

“B-but I-I really don’t have a choice.”

Sasha was gritting her teeth with her blonde hair flying wildly through the icy wind . Her bright green eye and her small, frost-bitten fingertips started simultaneously shining with vibrant intensity. Complicated hand signs were being woven as the ground around her started quaking. Then suddenly, I started to feel like I was painfully stretching, that my whole body was being pulled in the opposite directions by opposing forces.

What the hell? I thought she was on my side?

“Were you attempting to seal his soul here as well?”

Out of nowhere, a sanguine and calm voice flowed through the Chaotic air. Another figure appeared walking out from the snowy fog, this time a more mature, veiled woman. Fascinatingly, the icy cold snow that heavily precipitated from the gray sky couldn’t touch the pure skin of the veiled women , as there was a zone where the devastating elements could not reach her. Inside this zone, the surrounding area was completely different. The snow instantly vanished as bright grass sprouted in place just as fast When she came close to Sasha's position, her figure was also affected. All the snow that seemed to have weighed Sasha down disappeared instantly. Sasha stood up; stunned, she answered.

““H-his soul? Well ahh - there isn’t really much of a choice, if this continues, I don’t know how long this disaster could persist and how far it could spread…”

Sasha responded timidly,

“A-and I-I caused all of th-”

“You did not cause anything…”

The veiled lady shook her head and interrupted her while a blaring, multicolored light started appearing in the veiled lady’s smooth hand. The light grew in intensity so much that the snow falling from the intense snow storm started mixing with it, producing wonderful colors and creating an incredibly entrancing scene. She then spoke again.

“But what if you were to use this in place of a seal?”

“Th-Th-This is-”

But before Sasha could hestitely finish her sentence, she was shaking her head. But she was stopped with a pat on her head by the veiled women.

“ You’re just going to say ‘I cannot accept this’ even knowing the predicament you’re in?”

The veiled women smiled, her left hand still shining with multicolored light.

“Guessing from your reaction, you recognize what this power is - and from that - my identity… But don’t worry, I’m here to help.”

The veiled women had her lips curved upwards the entire time. Sasha became silent for a few moments. It was unknown what she was thinking,

“let’s do it…”

This time she was responding with an unwavering voice, there was no hesitation remaining in her expression.

“I like your decisiveness…”

The veiled lady with twisted wood staff complimented her. She stretched her hand that was glowing vibrantly with multicolored light towards Sasha. Sasha's eyes were glued to the multi-colored light.

“Just one more thing… Why?”

She couldn’t help but ask one question…

“Take my hand.. Ahh If it was another reality, I would've taken you as my disciple…”

That was the remaining bit of conversation I could hear, as the rest of their conversation suddenly became inaudible. The veiled woman looked warmly at Sasha who had her mouth slightly agape. Sasha then quickly reached for the hand and grabbed it tightly. The moment both their hands touched, the bright multicolored light started to largely swirl and engulfed both of them. Sasha immediately closed her eyes in reaction to the light, but the veiled women had her head turned through the turbulent snowstorm in a certain direction, in my direction…

She started to move her mouth, however I couldn't hear any more sound. But The light didn’t stop, it continued onwards until it completely bombarded me. When it hit me, I immediately experienced an intense wave of vertigo and it felt like I was falling endlessly. I was slowly becoming unable to perceive anything, until total blankness. Then I fell unconscious.