This might have been Kael's first time treating others since arriving in this world.
The group—Kael, Amelia, Finn, and Princess Grace—settled in a tucked-away tavern. They gathered around a hearth, roasting meat and passing ale. Nearby patrons chattered about Yanhua Academy's tournament, oblivious that its brightest star sat among them.
"To Kael!" Finn raised his tankard high. "Tonight, we drink till dawn!"
Grace joined the toast, unaccustomed to such harsh liquor. A single swig sent her into a coughing fit, cheeks flushing crimson. Finn, usually eager to charm, oddly avoided glancing her way—perhaps sensing her noble bearing.
Kael smiled, savoring the genuine camaraderie absent from the earlier frenzy.
As they clinked cups, his hand found Amelia's under the table. She blushed, tugged halfheartedly, then relented with a mock glare.
"So… the top three get sent to the Ancient Relics by the Sacred Assembly?" Finn leaned in.
Kael nodded. The arrangement wasn't secret—soon, the whole academy would know.
"Damn fate! Why's it always you chosen ones?" Finn groaned, striking a dramatic pose. "A future continent's greatest warrior like me, overlooked!"
Kael resisted the urge to smack him.
Post-tournament, Kael's newfound fame grew overwhelming. Admirers swarmed him everywhere—thrilling at first, now exhausting.
Kael withdrew into a secluded life, returning immediately to his courtyard after daily classes and consulting Evelyn whenever he encountered magical conundrums. His leisure time became devoted to private moments with Amelia, creating rare days of contentment. This tranquil interlude ended when invitations from the Sacred Council finally arrived.
Three identical letters were delivered to Kael, Ethan, and Amelia respectively, formally inviting them to join the Sacred Council. Though Kael had previously been inducted secretly, this public acknowledgment caused another sensation at Yanhua Academy. Being recruited by the continent's foremost power sparked envy among countless others, though none could deny the trio had truly earned their qualifications.
With Council membership came new assignments. Kael had anticipated this development, and Amelia showed equal readiness. "We're to form a three-person team from the Academy - you, me, and Ethan entering ancient ruins," Kael explained, clasping Amelia's hand.
"Uncharted ancient ruins... and seventh-tier Shadowwing Mages..." Amelia's eyes glinted with anticipation. Ancient ruins promised extraordinary opportunities, though high risk came with high reward.
Though eager, Kael understood the dangers. He procured detailed intelligence from Sophia "Tulip", a Five-Star Executive, regarding this particular ruin. The site proved extraordinary - a demiplane operating under fundamentally different rules than the southern continent. Most notably, it imposed strict level restrictions, capping entrants at seventh-tier.
Yet the indigenous creatures faced no such limitations. These primordial beasts, many bearing extinct bloodlines and bizarre abilities, posed lethal threats. While massive rewards awaited, the risks demanded meticulous preparation.
Kael shared all intelligence with Amelia as they strategized. With their expedition date approaching, the alchemist embarked on frenzied potion crafting - mana replenishers, vigor tonics, stamina elixirs, mental clarity brews. Every flask might prove vital in that alien demiplane.
As Kael busied himself preparing potions, he received welcome news - the old rogue Vesper had begun instructing Finn in combat techniques!
The lecherous Vesper proved an oddly perfect match for Finn. Though Kael had long sensed Vesper's extraordinary background, he'd never pried into the matter. That the eccentric master took initiative to train Finn delighted Kael. Having been Kael's first friend in this world, Finn's growth would undoubtedly prove mutually beneficial.
Yet within days of training, Finn started lamenting bitterly. "Vesper's running me through hellish drills!" the youth complained, collapsing each evening with every ounce of strength drained. Paradoxically, this brutal regimen steadily enhanced Finn's capabilities.
"Damn you, old pervert! I'll defeat you today!" Finn roared with renewed determination. Vesper's teaching methodology proved brutally straightforward - live combat. Each session left the youth bruised and battered, Vesper maintaining precisely one level above Finn's current capability. Multiple times Finn threatened to quit, only to drag himself back for more punishment.
Kael watched these exchanges with amused detachment, though privately reassessing Vesper's true power. The old man's capabilities clearly surpassed eighth-tier, his exact rank unfathomable - truly a hidden master of profound depths. As Finn's latest wails signaled training's end, Kael and Amelia exchanged knowing smiles at the youth's pitiful state.
...
The appointed day arrived when Sacred Council members would enter the ancient ruins alongside counterparts from the Sanctum. Each of four great academies - Yanhua, Nanka, Shengshi, and Helu - contributed three students, forming twelve Council recruits. Complementing them came twelve Sanctum representatives, all converging upon Yanhua Island for the expedition.
The ancient ruins existed as a demiplane governed by unique spatial laws - effectively a miniature continent. Access required one of two methods:
First, locating the demiplane's 'keypoint', equivalent to entering through a building's main door. Shadowwing Mage Leif had employed this approach, discovering and accessing the ruins through their inherent gateway.
Second, leveraging raw power from one or multiple high-tier practitioners to tear open spatial rifts - essentially kicking down the dimensional door. This method served the Sacred Council and Sanctum's purposes. Though both factions knew of the ruins' existence, their failure to identify the keypoint left forced entry as the only option.
However, brute-force entry demanded more than mere strength. Practitioners first needed to identify dimensional conduits - natural weak points where the southern continent's fabric connected to the demiplane. One such conduit happened to converge beneath Yanhua Island itself.
When Kael and Amelia arrived at the designated assembly point, they found numerous early arrivals. Scanning the crowd, Kael's eyes narrowed as he spotted familiar figures among the gathering...