Death... and me

No one knew what happened to Frandin's group after the Imperial Guardians got involved. For the Portin Clan, they thought that Fandin and the others were probably captured even though they didn't know why. The Asume Clan was also informed by the Imperial Guardians that they would be looking into Frandin's case.

However, the fact was that no one knew for sure if there really was a problem with Frandin's group or not. The fact that they got no other news from them was also a reason for them to not hastily jump to conclusions.

At the Asume Clan, Xiria's parents heard about that and insisted that she should take the healing pill. After all, it was too strange for the Imperial Guardians to get involved. They thought that she was being fooled. Well, in a certain way, they weren't wrong. Nevertheless, Xiria insisted that until they obtained concrete information from the Imperial Guardians, stating that Frandin was not who he said, she would not take it. She convinced them by simply saying that she can wait until the pill that kept the poison at bay was gone. If Frandin was not back by then, she could simply take the healing pill.

In the end, Xiria was just way too unwilling to give up that chance. She was obviously worried that everything might have all been a fraud. However, the power that Frandin displayed, even though his talent was worse than his five opponents, was the real deal. No one, Ancestor Sumeri included, could deny that. Well, Xiria's patience paid off in the end...

In the meeting hall, Laun talked with a few elders of the Asume Clan when out of nowhere, a subordinate came in a rush as he shouted.

"Clan Head, It's Gian Torio! He came back!"

"What?!"

Everyone looked at the guy in dismay. Wasn't Gian Torio being investigated by the Imperial Guardians? How come he's here right now? What happened?

Laun was obviously the one with the worst expression. After all, he hoped that Gian(Frandin) wouldn't come back so that his daughter would be set free.

"Let's go and see him. I want to know exactly what he's up to. If he doesn't explain himself regarding the incident involving the Imperial Guardians, then he can dream about bringing my daughter away."

The subordinate let out a bit of sweat before continuing.

"That's not all. Gian Torio and his humans are also being accompanied by an Imperial Guardian. Not only that, but the Imperial Guardian seems to be very respectful to Gian."

Those words fell like a lightning bolt in Laun's head. Didn't that mean that the Imperial Guardians had already confirmed his identity? They didn't know if Gian was really part of a Celestial Land or not. However, the fact the Imperial Guardians were acting like that very much confirmed that Gian had a very high status.

Laun, Xiria, and a few other elders soon arrived at the hall and saw Frandin walking over. On his side, one could really see an Imperial Guardian. To be more specific, that was none other than Clad Palif, Firmel's son. 

Roan knew that after the incident at the auction house, the Portin and Asume Clan would be suspicious of them. That being said, he needed to reassure them of their 'identities.' That's why they went to see Firmel first and asked for an Imperial Guardian to follow them. Clad was also part of the Imperial Guardian of the Trial Grounds, so he immediately volunteered himself.

Frandin saw Laun on the other side and laughed out loud as he said.

"Oh, long time no see, senior. I hope I didn't make you wait too long. As you can see, we had to go through a few procedures with the Imperial Guardians of the Trial Grounds."

Clad then came forward as he looked at Laun and the others with a serious expression, saying.

"I'm just here to confirm that we finished our investigation about young master Gian. Due to the difficulties of the situation, we can't reveal more than that. However, there's no need for your clan or the Portin Clan to worry about it. I just hope you will treat young master Gian with respect."

Laun bitterly smiled as he nodded, replying.

"Of-Of course...we treated Gian very well during his stay here, and we don't intend to do any different now."

Clad nodded before looking back at Gian as he said.

"Young Master Gian, I have concluded my part here. I'm going to inform the Portin Clan as well so that no misunderstandings remain. For some reason, those idiots thought that you were doing something wrong."

Frandin laughed as if he didn't care about it, saying.

"Hahaha! That's fine, that's fine. If I were in their shoes, I would be a little suspicious as well. That's what a clan should do if they want to exist for a long time. Well, Clad, thank you for your help. Give my regards to Imperial Guardian Firmel. His hospitality was very welcome during this time."

Clad smiled and nodded, replying.

"I'm sure father will be glad to hear it."

Clad then turned around and left the building. He was already informed by Rean about the 'test' they were going through and that they would be using it to catch the Soul Rulers' attention.

Frandin then looked at Laun and was just about to talk when out of nowhere, someone else arrived in the hall.

"Young Master Gian, it's good to see you again."

Obviously, that was none other than Xiria. She had arrived some time ago, but she didn't come out before her father had finished talking with the Imperial Guardian. Naturally, she was relieved to see that there were no issues with Gian's group. Otherwise, the Imperial Guardians definitely wouldn't be that polite to them.

Laun narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything. In the end, he had no cards to use and stop Gian from coming here anymore.

Xiria's mother arrived right after. After all, she wanted to see what her daughter would choose. She and Laun tried to convince her many times to give up the idea. But in the end, she was an adult already. If she was determined to leave, they really couldn't stop her.

Frandin didn't seem to care about the extra Zasfins in the hall before asking, "Now then, I only came back to keep my part of the deal."

He then looked at Xiria with a solemn expression and continued, "I told you before, and I will repeat it once more. This journey will be dangerous. Chances are that you might die during training or during missions. Believe me, my elders are anything but easygoing when it comes to our development. Even I lost count of how many times I was almost sent to the next world. The pill I gave you isn't fake. As long as you take it, the poison, your body will be fully healed, and our deal will be over here. There's no need to worry about me holding a grudge or anything either."

Frandin put a lot of weight in his words, making sure that the message went through. Xiria's parents and the others already knew about it, but they couldn't help but feel impressed with Gian's lifestyle. Perhaps, only someone who lived on the edge day by day could reach a level like his. His talent was inferior, but he was stronger than their top geniuses.

Xiria then looked at her parents, who obviously seemed unwilling to let her take such a risk. However, everything that was supposed to be talked about had already been talked about. She then took a deep breath and passed Gian a bottle with a pill.

"Did you know my father tried to replicate this pill? That way, even if I gave this back to you, I could keep another one if I decided to leave on my own someday."

Laun was taken aback by his daughter's words. Why would she say that?

Roan couldn't help but mentally smirk. Copy his antidote pill? Sure, you just need to find someone with both Light and Dark Elemental Affinity. Good luck finding one.

Frandin, on the other hand, just laughed as he said.

"Hahaha! Obvious! Who else wouldn't try to examine my pill? However, I had never been afraid of someone copying it. His only chance was to talk with the alchemist who created it and ask him to do that. Otherwise, it would be near impossible to copy. You simply have no idea how peculiar this pill is."

Laun sighed after hearing that. Of course, he knew that. The clan's alchemists looked into the pill day and night. But in the end, they all gave up. They simply couldn't understand the principle behind the pill. The worst part was that they couldn't afford to break it for analysis. After all, if Gian didn't come back, that would be Xiria's only salvation. Well...even if they did, it wouldn't lead them anywhere.

Xiria smiled after hearing that. Somehow, she already expected that Gian wouldn't care about it. Nevertheless, if she was really embarking on this journey, she had to be straightforward with him and his group.

"I accept. I've also already prepared everything I needed, so we can leave at any time."

Frandin nodded with satisfaction. However, he also noticed something off.

"How come I can't see you carrying any luggage?"

Xiria giggled a little before she lifted her sleeve so that only Frandin would be able to see. In an instant, Frandin was taken aback. Xiria was using none other than the Spatial Bracelet that was acquired during the last auction! He did remember that the bracelet was won by the Lamal and Asume Clan. However, the two clans had to first reach a compromise to see who would have the bracelet in the end. After that, Laun would have to convince the others to let Xiria have it. One could just imagine how many hurdles Laun had to pass through to give it to her.

"Your father really loves you."

Xiria nodded as she replied.

"He truly does."