After the events in the kitchen, the party continued normally until all the guests had left. In the living room, it was just Lysa, Aria, Thalor, and Zephyr. The latter two were already considered family due to their deep connection with Aria and Lysa. As we cleaned up after the celebration, Aria broke the silence.
“Mother, can you explain more about Kaion’s eyes and the King of the Abyss?” she asked with curiosity.
Lysa sighed, clearly concerned. “We need to keep this a secret,” she began. “These eyes are one of the reasons why the Graves are no longer royal advisors. The power of the Eyes of Infinity brought the Abyss throne into a state of uncertainty over who should rule among the king’s followers.”
Aria frowned, still confused. “What do you mean by that?”
“Klavier, the first ancestor of the Graves, possessed those eyes,” Lysa explained. “He could see across great distances and find what no one else could. His followers were loyal to him not just because of his eyes’ influence, but because Klavier had a vision that gave them hope. The King of the Abyss envied that devotion—not just the loyalty but also the power with which they protected him. They were almost as powerful as the king himself, and would only follow the king’s orders if Klavier approved them.”
We all fell silent, processing this information. I had never heard this story before, and it left me thinking about the implications of having these eyes.
After a moment, Lysa turned to me. “Kaion, have you had any more of those strange dreams?”
Aria was immediately interested. “Strange dreams? What are you talking about?”
I sighed and sat on the edge of a chair. “I’ve been having some dreams lately. Strange and vivid. In one of them, I found myself in a dark, desolate place, and a woman appeared to me. She was imposing, her presence filling the entire space. She spoke to me about my destiny and warned me of future dangers. She had hair as black as night, red eyes, and a voice that resonated with power. There was something about her gaze that was… relentless.”
Thalor, who had been listening in silence, raised an eyebrow. “Can you describe her in more detail, Kaion?”
“She was tall and slender, with graceful movements that held a contained strength. Her red eyes seemed to glow in the darkness, and there was a kind of dark claws around her hands when she spoke.”
Thalor suddenly straightened up. “I think I know who she is. Your description sounds very familiar. Did you mention that she had some kind of dark mana?”
“Yes, actually. She seemed to radiate pure power. Her dark claws seemed to move as if they were an extension of her own will.”
“That must be Orphelia,” Thalor said seriously. “She’s famous in the upper floors of Profundia. Her reputation is that of a relentless warrior, someone who shows no mercy to her enemies. Kaion, you should keep your distance from her. Let me tell you a story about her exploits.”
Everyone in the room leaned in, eager to hear Thalor’s tale; storytelling was a gift of his people.
“Orphelia is known throughout Profundia for her cruelty and power. They say that once, a band of bandits had taken over one of the wealthiest villages on the upper floors. No one dared to confront them—not only because of their numbers but because they were backed by a dark mage who terrified everyone with his shadow magic.”
Thalor paused, making sure everyone was following the story. He continued in a lower, tenser voice.
“One day, Orphelia arrived in the village. She was nothing more than a shadow moving with stealth and precision. The bandits didn’t know what hit them. Within minutes, she had neutralized the guards with terrifying efficiency. Her movements were so quick and deadly they appeared as a blur. No one could stop her.”
Zephyr swallowed nervously. “And the dark mage?”
“Ah, yes, the dark mage,” Thalor said with a grim smile. “He thought his magic would give him an advantage over Orphelia. But she didn’t even flinch. With chilling calm and precision, she deflected each of his spells. Then, with a swift move, she summoned her dark claws, which shattered the mage’s defenses. Finally, she struck a blow that not only defeated him but broke his will to fight.”
“What happened next?” Lysa asked, completely absorbed in the story.
“Orphelia left the village after securing its freedom, claiming no reward. Her only purpose seemed to be justice… or perhaps revenge. No one is certain. But from that day, the village remembers her as a mythical figure, someone they dare not cross.”
The room fell silent, everyone processing the incredible story. I was thrilled; I couldn’t believe that such an epic character existed in this world. She was like a dark avenger or a heroine of the shadows.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Incredible!” I said without thinking, awestruck by the story that sounded like something out of a film.
Aria, visibly annoyed, retorted, “You shouldn’t admire her, Kaion! You should fear her.”
Zephyr, who had been silent until now, spoke up. “There’s another story about Orphelia that you may not know. It happened during a raid on one of the most dangerous underground fortresses in Profundia. A group of mercenaries was hired to capture her, underestimating her power. The battle was legendary.”
We all turned to Zephyr, intrigued. “Go on,” Aria urged impatiently.
“They say the mercenaries surrounded her, confident in their numbers. But Orphelia was unfazed. With a single movement of her hands, she summoned her dark claws. What followed was a spectacle of speed and precision. The mercenaries, known for their skill, couldn’t keep up. She moved among them like a phantom, and her claws seemed to have a life of their own, unleashing lethal attacks.”
Zephyr paused, his eyes shining with excitement. “But the most impressive part was when one of the mercenary leaders—a battle-hardened veteran—tried to confront her directly. He unsheathed his sword, infused with light magic, and attacked with all his strength. Orphelia, with almost supernatural calm, deflected each blow with her dark claws. Then, with one precise move, she broke his sword in two and brought him to his knees.”
“What did she do after that?” Thalor and I asked simultaneously, fascinated by the story.
“Orphelia leaned over the fallen leader and whispered something in his ear. No one knows what it was, but from that day on, the mercenary leader disappeared. Some say he renounced his life as a mercenary and sought redemption; others say he simply vanished into the darkness.”
Thalor, more excited than ever by this new tale, couldn’t contain his enthusiasm. “That was incredible! Orphelia is truly formidable.”
Aria nodded slowly. “I’ve heard of Orphelia, but I’ve never seen her in action. It’s something few have witnessed.”
Zephyr, who had been observing the conversation with a smile, let out a laugh. “It seems Thalor is a true fan of Orphelia,” he said, making everyone in the room burst into laughter.
Trying to defend himself, Thalor said, “It’s not that… well, maybe a little. But her power and presence are undeniable. And I can’t deny she’s very beautiful,” he added, blushing even more from everyone’s teasing.
Our grumpy dwarf blushed slightly. “Besides being fearsome, she’s extremely beautiful. Her beauty is so captivating that many underestimate her—until it’s too late.”
Aria raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Beautiful? Really?”
“Yes,” Thalor replied, still blushing. “I remember once, when I saw her in action. We were on a mission on the upper floors. I watched her take down a group of enemies with deadly grace. After the battle, she stood still, the torchlight illuminating her face. It was… almost hypnotic. But that beauty is just another weapon in her arsenal.”
Lysa, seeing a chance to ease the tension, intervened. “Yes, she is a formidable figure in our continent, but we must be cautious with her. These eyes—the Eyes of Infinity—have a mystical power. They allowed Klavier to see beyond the physical world. He could perceive the flow of mana, the true nature of people, even spirits. However, it was enough to cause a great conflict in the past. The Eyes of Infinity are a power that must not be known to the outside world.”
Everyone nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. As I reflected on everything that had happened, I couldn’t help but think of the dreams and the future that awaited. The words of the Neutral God echoed in my mind, and I knew my journey was only beginning.
After the commotion and interest in my new eyes, the room settled into relative calm. Aria, Thalor, and Zephyr returned to their training while Lysa and I stayed behind. My mother looked at me seriously, an expression I rarely saw on her face.
“Kaion, in a few months, you will need to attend the admission test for the Royal Academy as an aspirant,” she explained. “It’s crucial that you learn to control your eyes so they won’t be noticed. The king’s loyalists could report it to the capital and send agents to deal with you and our family. You must keep a low profile.”
The idea of being pursued by the king’s agents chilled me, but I knew my mother was right. If I wanted to protect my family and myself, I had to be careful.
“You’ll also need to learn the principles of a craft of your choice,” Lysa continued. “It’s important that you can support yourself in this world. In Draconia, there is an alchemist, a jeweler, and an enchanter. In other places, there are more trades you could learn.”
I reflected on her words, considering my options. I knew each of these crafts could be useful, but I needed to choose the most practical and profitable one.
“Mother, which of these trades do you think is most useful for earning money and surviving?” I asked, seeking her wisdom and experience.
Lysa took a moment to respond, as if carefully considering her answer.
“Each trade has its value and utility, Kaion,” she finally said. “Alchemy can provide potions and elixirs that could save your life or that of your companions in critical situations. Jewelry is not only lucrative; you could also create powerful amulets and talismans. Enchantment, on the other hand, would allow you to imbue objects with magic, which could be extremely useful in battle or daily life.”
I fell silent, contemplating her words. Each option seemed valuable, but I knew I needed to choose wisely.
“I think alchemy might be the best option,” I finally said. “Not just for the money but also for the survival and support possibilities it offers.”
Lysa smiled, her expression softening.
“I knew you’d choose wisely, Kaion. I’ll speak to the village alchemist to teach you the basics. Now, we must prepare for your training. You have much to learn in the coming months.”
I nodded, understanding her logic. Alchemy would not only allow me to make money but also give me an advantage in battle and my training as a mage.
I knew the next few months would be challenging, but I was ready to face any challenge that came my way. I was determined to master my new powers, learn alchemy, and protect my family from any threat.
As the training progressed, I couldn’t stop thinking about the floor slab in the living room that had glowed under my Eyes of Infinity. What secret did it hold? And how could I use this new ability to uncover it? Curiosity consumed me, and I knew that eventually, I would have to investigate that slab and its meaning further.