Raven had more or less grasped the difference. If Originals were truly this powerful, finding just one of them would be enough to exact his entire revenge.
“So, can’t even Edward Hunter reach an Original using all his connections?” he asked.
Miles replied, “Originals don’t have most of the flaws that other symbiotes do. For instance, except for elite Semi-Originals and Originals themselves, almost no symbiote can permanently separate from its host once bonded because a magical connection forms. But this doesn’t apply to special symbiotes. Even if everyone in the universe decided to hunt down an Original, it could merge with a chicken and escape forever. If the chicken died, it would just find another host immediately. Their eternal lives blessed with such abilities make them invincible. So, unless an Original willingly chooses, it cannot be bonded with any being. In fact, there are cults that worship all four known Originals.”
Thanks to this conversation, Raven’s understanding had deepened significantly. Originals weren’t looking for partners or companions; it was clear they had no real purpose either. They were supreme beings who sought hosts only out of sheer boredom or for extraordinarily specific reasons. Their invulnerability and superiority were beyond anything Raven could define in the world—or even in his own mind.
With Raven falling silent and the conversation coming to an end, they arrived at the entrance to their room. Once inside, they sat down by the desks next to their beds, turning their chairs to face each other. While waiting for the map to arrive, they chatted about random things for a while. After 5-10 minutes, a steward brought the map. Setting it aside for a moment, they pushed their desks together, finally opening the map to reveal the layout of the hideout. It appeared to be a cave, sparsely divided yet expansive, with the two Chaos Stones placed in different sections. To avoid drawing attention, there was minimal lighting, which worked to their advantage for sneaking around.
Miles and Raven silently studied the map for a while before Miles spoke first.
“If we’re going to stay stealthy, we shouldn’t waste time doing anything that might draw attention. If we mess up, all 24 of them will go on high alert simultaneously. And if everyone panics, there’s no way we’ll get those stones.”
Raven nodded and added,
“It looks like even the nearest guards are only five meters apart. Despite their numbers, they’ve had to spread out due to the large area. We don’t need an incredible plan; we just need the physical capability. If we’re fast and quiet enough, we can get this done quickly.”
Miles nodded but began to rub his head, looking worried.
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“You might be fast and quiet enough to be an assassin, but I’m not. I could use magic to muffle my movements and make myself at least three times faster, but judging by the size of the area, my mana wouldn’t last long enough to get us out after we grab the stones. This means you might have to take the lead.”
Raven agreed. No matter how much more training Miles had or how naturally talented he was, Raven’s experience in real combat was greater. Miles, as skilled as he was, was still an untested teenager. Even the smallest mistake in a panic could ruin the entire operation.
“I’ve got an idea,” Raven said, “but it’ll require you to use your mana again. Can you enhance my speed instead?”
Miles understood but wasn’t sure how effective it would be.
“Yes, but by the time you come back, the mana I used to boost you will wear off. You won’t be able to move at the same speed while carrying the stones.”
Raven studied the map for a bit longer before responding,
“I need to go to the smith, Edric, to get a basic dagger.”
Miles frowned.
“Hey, hey, we’re supposed to complete this mission without drawing attention. If you kill anyone, one of us could get caught—me at the entrance or you inside. If either of us gets caught, the mission is over.”
Raven felt disappointed because, unlike inside, the entrance was narrow, guarded by two cult members. They couldn’t bypass them without either killing or incapacitating them. If they simply knocked them out, there was a chance they’d wake up during the mission. Suddenly, Raven thought of what he believed to be a brilliant plan.
“If I knock them out and you freeze them with your ice magic, they won’t thaw until we leave, right?”
Miles nodded and listened as Raven elaborated.
“Once we freeze the first two, you cast a speed spell on me, and I’ll grab the stones immediately.”
Miles liked the plan but explained further by shaking his head.
“At first glance, it seems reasonable, but there’s a big flaw. If I cast ice magic strong enough to freeze two people for minutes and also boost your speed twice as much, your enhancement will only last ten minutes. At best, I can make you 1.5 times faster. Even so, I won’t have enough mana left to refreeze the guards. That leaves you with only 15-20 minutes.”
Raven was deeply frustrated. Judging by the area’s size, it would take at least 40 minutes to retrieve both Chaos Stones, even with the speed spell, and about 25-30 minutes if he moved non-stop. But he wouldn’t be able to run straight through; there were points where he’d have to stop. Even if they could gain just five more minutes, with Raven moving at his limit, he might barely make it at the last second. Yet after all this planning, they didn’t want to back down.
Frowning, Raven spoke,
“Dude, why do I have to think of everything? You should come up with some ideas too.”
As soon as he finished his sentence, Miles shouted,
“I’ve got it!”
Raven raised an eyebrow, waiting to hear.
“Normal ice magic would require constant refreshing and burn through mana. But if I use Everfrost Magic just once, I can freeze them until you return and thaw them whenever I want. This way, we’d save enough mana to buy around 10 extra minutes. Even though it’ll still be a close call, it’s our only option.”
Without saying anything, Raven extended his hand, and they shook on it. Now, all they had to do was wait for nightfall.