Sylvara's Choice

Chapter 85 — Sylvara's Choice

They left Verdantia the following morning.

The elder provided them with a map of the underground network.

The map showed three major routes.

One led toward Blackridge territory.

Another toward the Crown Region.

The third connected to several smaller underground settlements.

Aether studied it.

"We'll take the Crown route."

Evelyn nodded.

"The final key might be there."

Sylvara remained silent.

Aether noticed.

"You want to say something?"

She looked at him.

"Yes."

She held the Verdant Key.

"I want to come with you."

Lyra smiled.

"She finally said it."

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Sylvara looked embarrassed.

Aether didn't tease her.

"Why?"

"Because Blackridge is after me."

She tightened her grip.

"If I stay here, they'll keep coming."

Aether nodded.

"That's true."

Sylvara looked at him.

"And I don't want to spend my life running."

Aether studied her for a moment.

Then smiled.

"Then don't."

Sylvara blinked.

"What?"

"Come with us."

Her eyes widened.

"Really?"

"You can fight?"

She immediately nodded.

"Yes."

"Then prove it."

Aether tossed her a weapon.

Sylvara caught it.

A group of training constructs suddenly emerged from the tunnel wall.

Sylvara stared.

"You planned this?"

"No."

Aether stepped aside.

"They were already here."

The constructs attacked.

Sylvara moved.

Her first strike was clumsy.

The second was faster.

By the third exchange, she had found her rhythm.

She defeated the first construct.

Then the second.

The third forced her backward.

Sylvara gritted her teeth.

She remembered running.

Blackridge.

The mountains.

The fear.

She didn't want to run anymore.

She stepped forward.

Her Origin Energy surged.

The construct's blade came down.

Sylvara blocked.

Then countered.

The construct shattered.

Lyra smiled.

"Not bad."

Sylvara breathed heavily.

"Thank you."

Aether nodded.

"You'll survive."

Sylvara smiled.

That simple statement meant more to her than he realized.

Later, while the others rested, Seris approached Aether.

"You've been watching Sylvara."

Aether looked at her.

"She's inexperienced."

"That's not what I meant."

He smiled slightly.

"You noticed?"

Seris nodded.

"I notice more than you think."

Aether looked at her.

"Then what did you notice?"

Seris smiled.

"That you don't treat people like tools."

Aether was quiet.

"I don't need tools."

Seris's expression softened.

"Exactly."

She walked away.

Aether watched her for a moment.

Then Lyra suddenly appeared beside him.

"You two looked serious."

"We were talking."

"About what?"

"Nothing important."

Lyra narrowed her eyes.

"You always say that."

Aether laughed.

The atmosphere became lighter.

For the first time since entering the underground network, the journey felt almost peaceful.

But far ahead—

a black flag appeared in the distance.

Blackridge had reached the Crown route first.