A New Shadow, A New Bond

Chapter 125 — A New Shadow, A New Bond

The mountain battle had attracted attention.

A Stage 9 Origin Beast dying in the wilderness was not something that happened without consequences.

Aether sensed several cultivators approaching from the distance.

He didn't know who they were.

He didn't care.

If they weren't hostile, they had nothing to fear from him.

If they were—

His shadows were already waiting.

Vaelira looked toward the approaching figures.

"More people."

Aether nodded.

"We leave."

They traveled north until they reached a secluded valley.

There, Aether finally stopped.

The Stage 9 beast's imprint was still inside his Origin Energy.

Its compatibility was high.

91%.

Aether opened the Origin Shadow Authority.

[Origin Shadow Authority: Advanced Resonance State]

[Origin Shadows: 3]

[Shadow Resonance: 55%]

[Stable Manifestation Capacity: 3]

[Fourth manifestation slot: Locked.]

Aether frowned.

Even though he had reached Stage 9 and acquired a powerful new imprint, the Authority still refused to allow another shadow.

The System displayed another notification.

[Additional manifestation requires further Shadow Resonance.]

[Current resonance: 55%.]

Aether nodded.

"Not yet."

He didn't force it.

The shadow army didn't need to grow every day.

Quality mattered.

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He looked at the three shadows standing before him.

Blackfang.

Ironhide.

Grimhorn.

They had already become considerably stronger.

Now he had a Stage 9 imprint waiting.

Eventually, when the Authority advanced again, that imprint would become his fourth shadow.

Aether stored it.

Then he looked at Vaelira.

"You can stay with us if you want."

Vaelira smiled.

"I was planning to."

"Then you're welcome."

She walked closer.

"You said you have several companions."

"I do."

"Are they all women?"

Aether paused.

Vaelira raised an eyebrow.

"That pause answered the question."

Aether chuckled.

"Yes."

"And they all know about each other?"

"Not everything yet."

Vaelira considered this.

"And where exactly do I fit?"

Aether looked at her.

"You don't need to fit anywhere immediately."

She seemed surprised by that answer.

"You really don't like forcing things."

"No."

He looked toward the distant horizon.

"People aren't possessions."

Vaelira smiled.

"That's a surprisingly good answer."

Aether gave her a sideways glance.

"Surprisingly?"

"You're difficult to read."

"So are you."

"Then I suppose we're even."

She laughed.

The conversation ended there.

Neither called it romance.

Neither needed to.

Something had begun naturally between them, and that was enough.

Several days later, Aether finally returned to the settlement.

The moment he entered, Blackfang disappeared into his shadow.

Ironhide and Grimhorn followed.

Aether walked through the gates.

He didn't get far.

Aria saw him first.

Her eyes widened.

"Aether!"

She ran toward him.

Aether barely had time to react before she reached him.

He smiled and caught her gently.

"I was gone for a while."

"A while?"

Aria looked up at him.

"You disappeared for days."

"I was busy."

"I know."

She didn't let go immediately.

Aether's expression softened.

"I missed you too."

That was enough to make Aria smile.

Lyra approached next.

She tried to maintain her usual composure.

She failed.

"You could have sent word."

"I should have."

Seris arrived behind her.

She looked Aether over carefully.

"You're injured."

"Nothing serious."

"That's not the point."

Aether smiled.

"I know."

Sylvara crossed her arms.

"You've gotten stronger again."

"Stage 9."

Her eyes widened.

"Already?"

Evelyn immediately became interested.

"Explain."

Aether laughed.

"I'll explain later."

Elara stood nearby, quietly smiling.

She hadn't realized how much she had been waiting for his return until that moment.

Then Vaelira walked through the gates behind him.

Silence fell.

Every girl's eyes moved toward her.

Vaelira stopped.

Aether looked around.

He immediately understood the situation.

Aria was still beside him.

Lyra's expression had become curious.

Seris was studying Vaelira carefully.

Sylvara raised an eyebrow.

Evelyn looked analytical.

Elara simply blinked.

Vaelira smiled.

"So these are your companions."

Aether nodded.

"Yes."

Aria looked at him.

"And who is she?"

Aether calmly answered.

"Her name is Vaelira. We met while investigating Blackridge."

Vaelira stepped forward.

"Nice to meet you."

The tension eased slightly.

Aria smiled politely.

"Nice to meet you too."

Aether looked at the people around him.

For the first time, he felt something he hadn't expected.

He had been away hunting.

Growing stronger.

Building his shadows.

Investigating Blackridge.

Developing a new physique integration path.

Yet the moment he returned, he realized how much he had actually missed this.

Their voices.

Their presence.

The familiar arguments.

The quiet moments.

The people who waited for him.

Aether's gaze softened.

He had always wanted freedom.

But perhaps freedom didn't mean walking alone.

Perhaps it meant being strong enough to choose who could walk beside him.

And now, there was one more person standing among them.

Vaelira.

The woman with the Voidmoon Physique.

The future wielder of a power that Aether would eventually integrate into his Infinite Origin Physique.

And perhaps, in time, something much more important.

For now, however, she was simply someone new.

Someone he had chosen to allow into his path.

And that was enough.