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On the second floor of Kaska’s alchemist workshop, Velle scanned through a report from the distant western city of Goda. According to the report, the girl there had a Mana wave that matched Helena’s with a 65% similarity, confirming her as Helena’s descendant. With Ray’s addition, there were now five of the seven legendary descendants on the continent.
Velle contacted Goda’s workshop to confirm details about Helena’s descendant. Once they informed her that the girl was a resident of the city, Velle planned to take the mana train to meet her once she finished her business in Kaska.
“Thanks for the report,” she said to the other alchemist, handing the paper back.
Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded from behind. “Well, well, well! If it isn’t our little prodigy!”
Velle sighed, already knowing who it was. She turned to see Aster.
He was a tall young man in his mid-twenties, with medium, wavy black hair, yellow eyes, and a faint mole under his left eye that some would find charming. His alchemist attire was modified to double as a green winter coat, and he wore black glasses.
“Finally paying your brother a visit, huh?” he teased, leaning forward to meet her eye level.
“You’re dreaming if you think that,” Velle replied flatly.
Her irritation with Aster wasn’t serious; it stemmed more from years of relentless teasing than actual resentment. After her mother’s passing and her merchant father’s death to a wanted monster, it was Aster—a close friend of her father’s—who took her in. For those next few years, he became her parent and older brother, teaching her alchemy and discovering her natural talent with Mana.
By the time she turned fifteen, Velle was already recognized as an alchemist prodigy.
“Come on, think about all the good times we shared,” Aster replied, patting her head. She didn’t move, just stared at him with a blank expression.
Seeing her disinterest, Aster lowered his hand. “If you’re looking for Delphine’s Mana, you’ll probably have to dig a bit in all this snow. Got the coordinates from headquarters?”
“Yes, and I’ll be on my way now,” she replied simply, brushing past him toward the stairs.
But just as she reached the steps, he leaned in with a grin. “I’ll come with you.”
“I’m sure you have enough work to keep you busy here.” She side-eyed him.
“Oh, we have plenty of alchemists here,” he said with a smirk, winking at a few female alchemists nearby, who squealed in delight.
Realizing he was going to follow her whether she liked it or not, Velle heaved a sigh before heading out of the workshop with a portable Mana extracter, Aster trailing close behind with a grin.
Delphine had once been Kaska Palace’s head scholar. Following her victory over the three ancient beasts—by transferring their Mana into Neona’s body—she returned to Kaska to resume her scholarly life. Honored as one of the seven heroes, Delphine was laid to rest in the palace graveyard alongside the royal family members. Fittingly, given her legacy, Delphine had also been renowned as a scholar of rare genius.
As Velle and Aster arrived at the palace entrance, they informed the guards of their business at Delphine’s grave. Recognizing Aster, the guards allowed them through without hesitation.
Unlike Veledot, whose palace lay at the heart of the kingdom, Kaska’s palace sat at the kingdom’s edge, its back against a towering, snow-laden mountain. The outer wall curved like a half-circle, meeting the mountain’s base and embracing the palace grounds.
The two walked around the palace grounds until they reached the graveyard, where rows of gravestones marked the resting places of Kaska’s royal lineage. Among these was one larger headstone, set apart: Delphine’s.
In front of it stood a slender girl with fiery red hair flowing down her back in a long, wavy ponytail. She held a golden spear adorned with intricate designs strapped across her back, and she wore black and gold light armor with a short skirt.
Aster took the lead, moving past Velle to greet her. “Visiting her grave again, Your Highness?” He bowed his head.
The girl turned, revealing her fair skin and golden eyes. She was strikingly beautiful, and though young, had the dignified presence of royalty. This was Ember Kaska, princess of Kaska.
“Good day, Aster,” she greeted him warmly, before glancing toward Velle. “And to you, Velle.”
Velle, holding a rectangular case that contained a portable Mana extractor, dipped into a small curtsy. “Good day to you as well, Your Highness.”
Velle had met Ember a few times while assisting Aster, who frequently came to discuss matters with the queen.
Ember’s smile turned into a playful frown. “Didn’t I ask you both to just call me Ember? We’re practically friends, aren’t we?”
Aster straightened up with a hint of formality. “It wouldn’t look right in front of others, Your Highness.”
“But there’s no one else here,” Ember countered, scanning the graveyard.
“It’d only be worse if I accidentally slipped up and called you that in public—” Aster started, but Ember cut him off.
“No more excuses! I’m ordering you to call me by my name,” she said, raising her index finger in a commanding gesture.
“Y-you can’t just…” Aster stammered.
“Oh, come on, Aster. Just listen to the lady and stop arguing,” Velle interjected, stepping forward. She turned to Ember with an apologetic nod. “Princess Ember, I’m here to collect Delphine’s Mana from the ground beneath you.”
Ember’s eyes widened. “You’re Delphine’s descendant?”
Since the identities of descendants were kept confidential outside of the alchemist community, most people—including royalty—didn’t know who they were.
“Yes. The confirmation came through about a month ago,” Velle said, crouching down in the snow, placing the Mana extractor on the ground, and pressing her hand into the snow to gauge its depth.
“We’ll need to dig down to reach the earth,” Aster said as he watched Velle’s examination.
“Let me help.” Ember offered, taking the golden spear from her back.
Seeing Ember ready her spear, Velle stood up, holding the Mana extractor as she and Aster stepped back to give Ember space.
With a soft flick of her finger, Ember activated her spear’s fire core. The spearhead ignited, melting away the snow wherever she pointed it. Soon, the ground in front of Delphine’s grave lay bare, the dark soil revealed beneath.
“Thank you, Princess,” Velle said, moving to the cleared area. She placed down the Mana extractor and began setting it up, while Ember stepped back slightly to keep watch alongside Aster.
In a short time, Velle successfully extracted a small, glowing mass of Delphine’s Mana from the soil. The orange-tinted Mana cloud swirled with a captivating glow, its weight seemingly holding it in place.
“Wow…” Ember murmured, leaning closer to admire the raw Mana’s beauty.
Without wasting time, Velle pulled a Mana potion from her pocket, popped off the cap, and drank.
Watching her, Aster raised an eyebrow with a smirk. “So, what does a 20,000-gold bottle of condensed Mana taste like?”
Velle lowered the empty bottle, meeting his gaze. “It tastes like nothing—just a thicker water.”
“Doesn’t sound worth the price,” Aster chuckled.
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“So, that potion… it helps you absorb Delphine’s Mana?” Ember asked.
“Yes,” Velle replied as she crouched down, reaching out to let the orange Mana seep into her body. “It helps us absorb the Mana directly into our bodies instead of needing a container. Plus, it speeds up the process—”
Suddenly, a distant howl interrupted her explanation. Muffled by the falling snow, the sound wasn’t too loud, but it was distinct enough to catch their attention.
“What was that?” Velle asked, her hand hovering over the Mana cloud, her breath quickening.
“The Wintry Wolves, most likely,” Aster replied, glancing around to pinpoint the sound.
“Wolves? As in, more than one?” Velle’s brow furrowed.
“Yes,” Ember said, joining in. “They’ve been appearing around here for months, moving in packs and even hunting other monsters near the palace.”
As Ember spoke, she caught sight of Velle’s face and her eyes widened in surprise.
“Is something wrong?” Velle tilted her head, panting slightly.
“Your eyes… they’re glowing,” Aster observed, watching her with a faintly worried expression. “You okay?”
“Oh, right… I’m fine. Nothing to worry about,” Velle assured them, though her focus returned to her hand. She remembered witnessing the same effect on Renn after she absorbed Garland’s Mana.
After a few more moments, she absorbed all the Mana from the soil. Closing the Mana extractor and rising to her feet, Velle nodded as Aster approached.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Good,” Velle replied, flexing her fingers. “I can definitely feel the Mana. Let’s head back to the workshop—I’m curious about these Wintry Wolves.”
“Allow me to join you,” Ember said, placing a hand over her chest. “I’m actually hunting them myself, along with some other local hunters.”
Nodding, Velle led the way back to Kaska’s alchemist workshop, the portable Mana extractor secured in her hand as Aster and Ember followed closely.
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After reaching the workshop and returning the portable Mana extractor to the second floor, Velle headed back to the first-floor hub, where she met Aster and Ember to learn more about the Wintry Wolves roaming around Kaska.
The Wintry Wolves were a pack that had recently transformed into monsters. Strangely, unlike most monsters that became solitary and unpredictable, these wolves retained their pack instincts, operating with coordination and obedience to a leader.
With regular animals and monsters dwindling in numbers, the Wintry Wolves were now some of the only wanted monsters left around Kaska.
“Technically, they’re doing us a favor by hunting other monsters,” Aster remarked, sipping his hot coffee.
“Maybe,” Ember added, her hands cradling a cup of hot chocolate, “but when the other prey are gone, they’ll turn on us soon enough. And we don’t want them hunting local wildlife.”
“And they’re accumulating the Mana of other monsters in the process,” Velle noted thoughtfully. She turned to Aster. “So, how many are in the pack?”
“Hunters report seeing six or seven,” Aster replied. “The seventh might be the leader, but no one’s gotten a clear look—just a large silhouette seen through snowstorms.”
“How big are we talking here?” Velle continued.
Ember nodded toward the workshop entrance. “If two of them stacked up, they’d probably reach the top of that door frame.”
Velle studied the doorway, estimating. These wolves were a bit larger than the Spike Wolf she and Renn had encountered near Lumio—and if the pack leader was even larger…
“Let’s go find them,” Velle suggested, looking at Aster and Ember.
“But you’re an alchemist, Velle,” Aster reminded her.
“We can let Princess Ember take the credit. She has a mana weapon to claim the bounty.”
“Then I’ll split the reward with you afterward,” Ember said with a smile.
“I wasn’t planning on taking the bounty in the first place, but I have a feeling you’d still send some my way, wouldn’t you?”
“Exactly.” Ember finished her drink and stood up. “It’s settled, then. Velle and I will hunt the Wintry Wolves tomorrow morning. Get plenty of rest tonight.”
With that, Velle and Aster bid Ember farewell as she left the workshop to return to the palace and inform her mother, the Queen of Kaska, about their plan for the next day.
As they stood by the table, Aster turned to Velle. “Are you sure you’ll be alright with just the two of you?”
“More people just means more casualties,” Velle replied, matter-of-fact. “The only reason Princess Ember’s coming with me is to take the bounty so headquarters doesn’t dock my pay. Again.”
“Wait, again?” Aster raised an eyebrow.
“It’s nothing,” Velle muttered, looking away. “Anyway, I’ll be going now. Don’t follow me this time.”
As she started to walk away, Aster called after her, “Our place is still there if you want to crash!”
Without a reply, Velle left, leaving Aster alone with two empty cups on the table.
Outside, it was hard to tell what time it was; Kaska’s sky was blanketed in a snowy haze that made the sun’s position almost invisible. Velle grabbed a quick bite to eat before heading to the kingdom’s outskirts to test Delphine’s powers, practicing with the new feeling of Mana coursing through her.
As evening fell, the streets started clearing of people. Though the alchemist workshop had sleeping quarters on the third floor, Aster preferred to stay at his own place nearby.
When he finally reached home, Aster swung open the door, flicked on the lights, and hung his alchemist robe on the hook. As he turned toward the kitchen, he stopped, surprised to find Velle at the dining table, casually munching on a spread of hot homemade dishes.
“Oh hey, right on time,” Velle said with a casual wave. “Eat up, then go take a shower.”
“You made all this?” A grin spread across Aster’s face as he pulled up a chair.
“A fellow alchemist from Alma taught me the recipes,” Velle replied, not even glancing up as she kept eating.
“You could just say friend, you know?” Aster chuckled, trying a bite. His eyes widened as he chewed, surprised by the flavor. The food might not be restaurant-quality, but it was undeniably good. “Whoa, look at you, actually cooking. Didn’t know you had it in you!”
“It’s just about adding the right amounts. With more practice, I could get the timing, heat, and ingredient ratios even better.”
“Wrong. It’s about the love you put into cooking,” Aster teased, taking another big bite and then patting her on the head.
Velle frowned, but let him do it without comment, continuing to eat. Though Aster’s playful side could be annoying, she knew he was happy to play the older brother role. She’d never admit it out loud, but there was something comforting about this place, too—the warmth of a real home.
Despite his still-developing culinary skills, Aster was far from a bad guardian. Velle could attest to that any day.
After dinner, they took turns showering before heading to their rooms for the night. Velle was surprised to find her room spotless and well-kept, even though she’d been out working at Alma for so long. Had Aster really kept it clean all this time?
Sitting on the edge of her bed, she felt the familiar softness beneath her, bringing back a flood of memories. How long had it been? she wondered.
Taking out her daggers, Zephyr and Eurus, she let them float in the air before her as she thought about the hunt with Ember the next day. Aster had filled her in about Ember’s mana spear, Helios, which had two cores—one for fire and another for enhancement. It made Ember a solid ally, especially since Velle’s catalysts required her to stay at a distance for long-range support.
But the Wintry Wolves posed a unique challenge. They were organized, moving in a coordinated pack, and if Ember were to take them head-on, she’d bear the brunt of the danger. Even with the boost from her spear’s enhancement core, the risk was high. In normal circumstances, Velle wouldn’t suggest a plan this risky, let alone with the princess involved.
But now, with Delphine’s Mana flowing through her, Velle felt certain they could handle it. Besides, she couldn’t leave Kaska at risk, not with the looming threats facing the kingdom.
Then there was the matter of finding Helena’s descendant, who might be untrained, unaware of her own powers, and defenseless if those mysterious hunters reappeared.
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The next morning, Velle and Ember stood before Queen Victoria in the palace, preparing to leave. Kneeling in respect, Ember spoke confidently. “Mother, we’ll depart as planned to face the Wintry Wolves.”
Queen Victoria, strikingly beautiful with the same red hair and golden eyes as her daughter, leaned forward on her throne. Draped in a fiery red dress with a crown upon her head, she radiated authority.
“Are you certain you want to lead this hunt, Ember?” she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
“Yes, Mother. As the princess of Kaska, it’s my duty to protect our kingdom.” Ember’s voice was steady, her usual relaxed demeanor replaced by a more formal resolve.
Victoria gave a slow nod of approval. “Then go forth and be vigilant.”
After thanking the queen and leaving the palace, Velle and Ember met Aster just outside the palace wall, waiting to see them off.
“I asked the local hunters, and they said they’ve seen or heard the wolves howling out east,” Aster informed, gesturing toward the eastern mountain ridges dusted with fresh snow.
“Thanks, Aster,” Ember replied, flashing a quick smile. Turning to Velle, she exchanged a nod, a silent promise that they were ready.
“Be careful, you two,” Aster called as they melted into the bustling crowd.
On their way out of the kingdom, they informed the hunters of their plan and requested their help in transporting the wolves’ bodies back to Kaska’s workshop.
As the capital’s walls faded in the distance, the wintry landscape seemed to tighten around them. Velle kept her winter coat close, while Ember periodically ignited her spear’s fire core to ward off the cold; thick winter layers would only slow her down in a fight.
To pass the time, they chatted lightly, discussing everything from combat strategies to training. Eventually, Ember turned to Velle, eyes widening slightly.
“I didn’t expect you to have your own mana weapons, Velle.”
Velle continued trudging through the snow. “They’re part of a test for the catalyst-dagger hybrids. And, apparently, ‘alchemist prodigy’ is fitting to be the tester.” She shrugged nonchalantly.
Ember chuckled. “It’s more than fitting! You know, Mother once told me she wished I could be as clever as you.”
“Really?”
“It’s true. I want to be smarter too, but… well, I’m hardly the kingdom’s brightest,” she admitted, her tone softened by a wry smile.
“You don’t need to be the sharpest to be a good ruler. You’d do the job well.” Velle’s quiet confidence rang through her voice as she resumed her pace.
Ember fell in step behind, smiling faintly at the reassurance.
Suddenly, the sky darkened, and a thick wall of snow swirled around them. Vision reduced to blurs of white, Velle signaled to a cluster of trees nearby.
Huddling against the tree trunks, they waited for the snowstorm to ease. Ember held her spear close, the fire core emitting gentle warmth as she held out her hands, palms open to the flickering light.
“This storm is part of why the wolves remain elusive,” Ember murmured, her voice almost swallowed by the wind.
“Doesn’t matter. We need to finish this. I have somewhere else to be—Goda, to be precise.”
“Something important?” Ember asked, looking over at her.
“Another descendant,” Velle began, but her words trailed off as the distant howl of a wolf echoed through the storm.
“You heard that too?” she asked, eyes sharpening.
“Yeah…” Ember’s voice was barely a whisper.
The howling was faint but unmistakable, cutting through the storm’s relentless noise. And strangely, it seemed to come from ahead of them, in the direction of the kingdom.
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