Chapter 417 - 412 — Room

Chapter 417: Chapter 412 — Room

The next few moments were spent ascending the hill and being shown around by one of the bastion masters. Each master carried a stern, imposing presence, and from the whispers around him, Zephyrion was able to liken them to the generals of the Ferran bastions, commanding large numbers of troops and shouldering considerable responsibilities within the region.

Zephyrion was also able to get a sense of the total number Wings. There were about a hundred Wings, all hailing from the four colonies of the Aerelith Empire.

From what he understood, the colonies were the equivalent of regions in the Ferran Empire. The Kusner Colony, where they currently were and which Nourald hailed from, was located in the east. There were also Olumden and Welmon, located in the south and west respectively. Lastly, there was the Gular Colony in the north, where many believed Zephyrion had come from.

Each colony had its own distinct characteristics that set it apart from the others, and though he’d yet to witness it himself, they apparently had unique ways of wielding the air element.

Between the whispers around him, Nourald’s endless ramblings, and the master’s explanations, Zephyrion absorbed information at a remarkable pace. He had no idea when any of it would prove useful, but he knew better than to underestimate the importance of such knowledge.

The interior of the temple was even more breathtaking. Grand pillars rose towards the high ceilings, while white-haired men and women in flowing robes moved through its spacious halls. A serene, almost sacred atmosphere seemed to permeate the entire place. It felt more like a monastery than a fortress built for war.

Once again, Zephyrion was reminded of just how different the Aerelith were from the Ferrans. The tour lasted several minutes, during which he made mental notes of several important structures and facilities within the bastion.

A short while later, Zephyrion found himself sitting cross-legged in an incredibly cramped room. It was barely large enough to accommodate a small bed, with hardly any space left to stand or move around.

Apparently, the Chief hadn’t been joking when he declared that their year of freedom was over. If anything, the cramped quarters were enough to drive that point home.

’Well, I suppose it’ll do.’

He wasn’t planning on staying long anyway. Besides, cramped as it was, he appreciated the privacy. At least here, he could take care of his own affairs without having to worry about prying eyes.

’Now then, let’s see...’

New but familiar runes flashed through his mind, and the next moment, a spherical ball of air formed above his palm. Zephyrion studied it for a moment, a slight frown appearing on his face.

’Hm? This feels different from metal.’

Metal possessed considerable weight and mass, and controlling it felt more like manipulating a heavy object than anything else. However, this ball of air felt as though he were controlling a feather. Light, incredibly light.

’Even the strain is different.’

Zephyrion could still remember when he first ascended into the Mark One Vessel rank of the metal element. Back then, maintaining even a small ball of metal had been difficult without first mastering Mark Two, Stability, and Mark Three, Flow. However, right now, he could barely feel any strain from keeping this ball of air in place.

’Wait... could it be...?’

Zephyrion narrowed his eyes, and after a moment of careful observation, quickly confirmed his suspicion.

’Ah, so that’s it.’

It wasn’t simply the difference in weight or the nature of the elements. Rather, the difference lay in himself. He was the one who had changed.

Back then, his mental and cognitive abilities had been considerably weaker, but now, after all his advancements in the metal element, his mental capacity had improved tremendously. He might not have learned Stability and Flow for the air element yet, but maintaining a small ball of air was practically child’s play.

’In that case, shouldn’t I be able to generate and sustain much larger amounts of air without putting too much strain on myself?’

Zephyrion felt a surge of excitement. If this was true for his air element, then wouldn’t the same principle apply to his other elements as well? In other words, the further he advanced in the metal element, the more his other elements would benefit from it.

’I really need to get my hands on those other scrolls.’

Once he was done with his investigation, that would become his sole priority.

"Phew."

Zephyrion exhaled, dismissing the ball of air. He glanced around his cramped room and frowned slightly.

’Now, how am I supposed to get out of this place?’

’My sweet, beautiful protégé, surely you haven’t forgotten something terribly important?’

’What—’

Zephyrion paused, then sighed as he suddenly remembered.

’Don’t tell me you’re still serious about that woman.’

’Of course I am! What sort of question is that? Did you honestly think this ancestor would change his mind about something so important?’

’And here I was, foolishly hoping you’d become a better person.’

’I am a better person! A much better person, in fact. You simply lack the wisdom to appreciate it.’

’Right. My mistake.’

’Anyway, protégé, you’re going to talk to Joy, aren’t you? Remember, a deal’s a deal!’

Zephyrion sighed. ’Fine. I’ll talk to her.’

Demorian failed to notice anything unusual in his tone and immediately burst into laughter. ’Hahaha! Finally! Brothers and sisters, rejoice! This ancestor is finally getting some action!’

’You’re beyond saving.’

Zephyrion rolled his eyes and was about to continue with his training when a sudden knock came from the door. He frowned.

’Who could that be?’

"Brother! You in there? It’s me, Nourald!"

Zephyrion opened the door to find a smiling Nourald standing on the other side. All traces of his earlier anger had vanished, and he was back to his usual cheerful, carefree self.

"Brother! There you are! How’s the room treating you? Settling in alright?"

"Quite well."

Nourald glanced past him into the room and immediately grimaced. "Breath... don’t tell me they’re all this small. What the hell are we supposed to do in these little holes? Can’t even invite a lady over without someone ending up on the floor."

’Hahaha! I like this fellow!’ Demorian remarked.

Nourald nudged Zephyrion playfully with his elbow, but when all he received was a blank stare, he awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Anyway, I actually came to apologize for what happened earlier. Honestly, I’ve always suspected Lariat was dropped off by a stork rather than born from a woman’s womb. I mean, can you imagine? You, a Ferran? Hahaha!"

Nourald burst into laughter, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"That would be ridiculous," Zephyrion agreed.

"Exactly! That’s what I said!" Nourald shook his head. "I mean, have you seen those Ferrans? Mean-looking, evil bastards, the lot of them! But you? You’re practically a saint! You even went out of your way to help people last night. The moment she opened her mouth and called you a Ferran, I knew she’d finally lost whatever little sense she had left."

"...She really must hate me. I wonder what I ever did to offend her."

Nourald gave him a reassuring smile. "Oh, don’t let that bother you, brother. Besides, after what happened today, I doubt she’ll be giving you any more trouble."

Seeing Nourald’s reassuring expression, Zephyrion nodded inwardly. If he’d harbored any doubts about Nourald’s identity before, they were all but gone now, especially after witnessing his earlier outburst of anger. If anyone knew how to leave the bastion, it would be him.

"Actually, Nourald, there’s something I wanted to—"

"Lord Nourald!"

Zephyrion looked past Nourald and found a few cheerful Aerelith approaching them.

"There you are! What are you still doing here? It’s already started! Don’t tell me you’re planning to miss it!"

"Miss it? Me? Hahaha! You must be joking!"

"Then what about your friend...?"

The group turned their inquisitive gazes towards Zephyrion. Before he could say anything, Nourald threw an arm around his shoulders and grinned.

"Him? Don’t worry about him! Of course he’s coming!"

Zephyrion frowned.

The group immediately broke into cheerful laughter, a few of them clapping excitedly. "Hahaha! That’s what we like to hear! See you there!"

As they hurried off, Zephyrion turned towards the still-grinning Nourald, his frown deepening.

"...Coming where, exactly?"

Nourald gave his shoulder a playful slap, his grin widening.

"Brother, what else? We’re going to a party!"