After the incredible experience with the Heralds, Ian and his group returned together, still processing what they had witnessed.
Ian glanced at the delicate flower in his hand, the Zephar Petals. It seemed like an ordinary bloom, yet something about it unsettled him. The way it shimmered under the light, the faint energy it emitted, it was different.
Back home, Ian spent some time examining the flower. He decided to use Mindbloom. As he activated it, a circle of ancient symbols formed over his eye, pulsing with energy. But nothing happened. Even Mindbloom couldn't unravel its mystery. It wasn't that the flower was beyond its abilities, but rather, Mindbloom was a growth-type ability, its power would expand as he did. With that realization, he set the mystery aside for now and moved on.
His attention turned to the strange structure he had discovered earlier. Ian had encountered various puzzle-like mechanisms in the past, particularly when working with archaic circuitry. He recalled how, during his first major excavation, he had deciphered a similar circuit system for opening the door and in addition has been working on it for past few months, this gave him a clearer picture of things. Using that knowledge, he began analyzing the structure before him.
Each section had intricate markings that resonated with a familiar pattern. As he touched the surface, small luminescent symbols lit up, forming sequences that required alignment. Ian recognized the logic behind the system, it was a modular lock, dependent on specific inputs. Carefully adjusting the patterns using a combination of calculations and intuition, he activated the final sequence.
A faint glow flickered across its surface. A rush of fragmented thoughts surged into his mind -
"Dear seeker... You have managed to unlock the inheritance. Please choose whether you wish to proceed..."
Ian's heart pounded. This was not just any ordinary discovery, this was an inheritance of knowledge left behind. He took a deep breath and made his choice: he would accept it.
Boom!
His mind was suddenly flooded with memories, it was overwhelming, almost unbearable, but Mindbloom acted instantly, isolating the entire segment, shielding his brain. It was the first time he had seen it do something like this. So it could protect his mind as well...
Once he steadied himself, Ian began filtering through the information. This was the inheritance related to archaic circuitry. He quickly accepted it and tried to relate it to what he had learned before.
He also received additional information, the ruins contained multiple inheritances, each providing different knowledge. The artifact he had found was a key, capable of unlocking various inheritances. Ian was drawn to the study of archaic circuitry, so he sought out the circular structure where it was stored. The ruins were divided into multiple regions, each housing a different type of inheritance, and there were multiple keys as well.
"Did the higher-ups known about this?" he muttered.
"I guess I'll have to visit that place in much greater detail to know more..."
Ian had already received information on different types of inheritances; he just had to examine them in detail, find potential locations, and activate the keys to unlock them.
Additionally, he had received historical records about the civilization that once thrived here. They called themselves the Cerok, an ancient people native to this planet. Through relentless exploration, they had reached the level of Solar Sovereign, meaning they had expanded beyond their home planet and were able to utilize resources in their solar system.
But then they hit a bottleneck. They couldn't progress further.
One day, a visitor arrived from outside their solar system, not overwhelmingly powerful, but on par with their leaders. He claimed to belong to an immensely powerful civilization and offered them a path forward. Though initially cautious, the Cerok leaders found his methods fascinating. With his guidance, they quickly took full control of their solar system.
But their core problem remained, they couldn't elevate their life level. The visitor suggested they update their ascension path, collaborating with scholars and leaders to push forward. However, it was all a trap. The ascension path was a test, an experiment where the Cerok were merely pawns. Before they realized what was wrong, they had already become his mindless army, fighting for him, until they were completely destroyed.
Ian exhaled sharply.
"Shh..." He sighed. The fragility of life. How many civilizations were wiped out daily, unnoticed? The vastness of the universe ensured an endless cycle of evolution and destruction.
But Ian wasn't one to judge. The Cerok had been dominant once in their solar system. Surely, they had spilled their share of blood, crushed countless others in their pursuit of power. The cycle continued, always the same.
"Well... as long as I keep growing stronger, I suppose it doesn't matter."
The next day, Ian woke up and went to the workshop. At the end of day, Lirian was waiting for him.
"Ian, are you ready?" Lirian asked. Oryn stood beside him.
"Yeah, let's go," Ian nodded.
They were heading to Lirian's plant. Lirian had taken the reward money from the ruins exploration to start his own venture. He planned to set up a food and medicine processing facility and had approached Oryn and Ian for help designing the structure, including the implementation of archaic circuitry. In return, they would receive compensation. They both agreed, and today, they were heading to the location to examine it in detail and make a plan.
Most people in their circle were contributing in some way, whether in construction, planning, or resources. It was a community effort.
When they arrived, Myrra and Holone were already there, along with Kara. Myrra was assisting with logistics, while Holone had just come to observe and joke around.
The group gathered to discuss the factory's layout, particularly the circuitry for arcing energy systems. They debated the best designs, made adjustments, and carefully planned how to distribute energy efficiently.
After a long day, they sat together, discussing their futures.
"So, Ian," Kara said. "Are you thinking about higher studies? I mean, you've got a lot going for you."
Ian hesitated. "Master Ordan did suggest it."
"Yeah. If not for everything that happened, you'd probably already be there," Oryn said.
Most of them had completed a good level of education and were satisfied with their paths. They knew that further studies required more resources and effort, and they had chosen stability over endless pursuit. Oryn, being the eldest, was already managing the workshop and hoped to start his own one day.
Lirian and Kara were launching their venture. Once it was up and running, they would leave the workshop to focus on it. Holone, on the other hand, still wanted to continue his sword training.
Myrra remained quiet for a moment. She never had the chance. After her parents died, she had shut herself off from the world. Her aunt and uncle tried to get her into school, but it didn't work, not for a long time. By the time she could face the world again, she was already too old for normal schooling and ended up in the Adult Academy, where she met Ian. She had been reflecting on it a lot recently.
Ian glanced at her, seeing the distant look in her eyes. He understood. Silence settled between them, each lost in thought.
Would they part ways one day? Would their paths diverge? Ian found himself wondering.
For now, though, they had work to do.
As evening settled in, the group began to disperse. Ian and Myrra walked side by side, their steps quiet against the pavement. Neither spoke for a while, the silence stretching between them until Myrra finally broke it.
"You might leave, right?" Her voice was even, but there was something careful about the way she said it.
Ian glanced at her. "What do you mean?"
"For higher studies." She kept her gaze ahead, hands tucked into her jacket pockets. "If you go, you might not come back." She exhaled, as if trying to brush the thought away. "It's a great opportunity, though. You should take it."
Ian frowned slightly. "So that's what's been on your mind."
Myrra let out a short breath. "It's not a big deal, Ian. Just something I've been thinking about."
They walked a few more steps in silence before Ian stopped. "Then let's prepare together," he said simply.
Myrra turned to him, brows knitting together. "What?"
"Let's go together."
She blinked, searching his face. "You actually mean that?"
Ian nodded. "I wouldn't say it if I didn't. You're smart, Myrra. You could get in anywhere if you wanted to."
She scoffed. "That's a stretch."
"It's not." He tilted his head slightly. "You know it too."
Myrra looked away, rubbing the back of her hand. Then, after a pause, she let out a quiet chuckle. "You're ridiculous."
"I've been told."
She sighed, but there was something lighter in it this time. Then, without thinking too much, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. Ian stiffened for half a second before his arms found their way around her, resting securely at her back.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, against his shoulder, she murmured, "Alright… together."
Ian smiled, resting his chin lightly atop her head. "Together."