Days had passed in cold isolation—the silence of the ruined streets palpable with every shift in the dense, cave fog… During that time, Soren simply kept to himself as he had always promised—keeping the guards monitoring his activities from ever suspecting a thing.

In fact, he had gained a reputation of a recluse hermit—someone who's only desire in the world was obtaining more knowledge. And in a way, they were not wrong. One book after the next, Soren had already managed to read half of the scrolls and tomes left behind in the estate library. Most of it was information regarding managerial tasks within the city, written by both scholars and civil servants alike. Though, scattered in between were crumbs of information about that distant era that he had never known about.

For one, nobility back then seemed to hold meaningful power… As in, most in such positions once possessed Soul Weapons or something equivalent… Possibly Holy Phantasms of the three Old Gods. Divinity itself seemed to be more engaged as well—interactions between believers and their patron deities were much more numerous and profoundly deep. The Gods truly answered most of the prayers sent their way...

There were even depictions of delegated holy sons and daughters, not so different from the Holy Maiden Herself, though their statuses seemed to be of lesser importance.

All of this intrigued him deeply. Although he did hear from Myrin that the Flower Maiden also used to appear directly before Her believers, such a tradition seemed to have always been a part of Yarian societies… It seemed that the Avalon Empire's politics was deeply intertwined in its theocratic tendencies and traditions.

Regardless, the knowledge he had obtained was truly worth the time spent. Most of his preparations were already complete, aside from him researching his new spellform. With the fact that the Blood Amulet was currently maintaining the peace inside the Safe Zone, it was important for him to chronicle everything left behind in these ruins while he still can… After all, that was the job of a scribe, was it not? Once his tasks were accomplished here, the chances of returning back to this place in the future seemed rather slim.

Although he had a very bleak outlook on what will happen after successfully stealing the amulet, the best case scenario would be that the Safe Zone remains hidden from the roaming monsters who have been conditioned over the past milenia to avoid encroaching upon its domain until most of the civilians were allowed to leave safely…

Though, he wasn't that hopeful.

And as much as he wanted to believe he fully didn't care, a part of him still felt pity for those who may remain… It was during times like these that he was reminded of his humanity—and the path that he must walk on which was slowly shedding that identity… He had been busy during this time maintaining the same routine—reading and studying books, roaming the commerce district for interesting food stalls and the occasional souvenir that could be purchased cheaply…

All to ease the suspicion of the guards watching over him. But it was during these moments that he had truly seen and connected with those who remain in the city… Many of them were hoping to strike it big once the expedition returns. Eager to feed their families and live a more lavish life. None of them were aware of what this young magi's plans were, and how detrimental it would be to their futures very soon.

The world is going to end, Soren. There is no point in dwelling on such thoughts.

He eased himself into his chair once again as a long and exhaust-filled sigh rolled out of his lips. The frown on his face was visible from any angle as the candle flame flickered unevenly across his desk.

Today was finally the day to conduct the first test of his new spellform. One that he has been researching and designing for the past few days. The spellform which was simply repurposed from his original Fairy Barrier spell was close to completion… Though, many of the more important finishing touches—like stabilizing the shape and geometry of the blades or the maintenance of its illusory properties, would take a bit longer to complete.

Still, the very basics of it were now ready to be tested. While glancing back at the distant wooden door of his room, his lips curled into a slight smile as his thoughts commanded his Soul Weapon to activate his skill:

[The Faerie Court].

Soon, a small vortex engulfed the room, as his body disintegrated once again into a swarm of golden butterflies that swiftly entered inside… Once more, silence returned to the ancient bedroom that once housed the nobles of old….

Within the enigmatic space, Soren wasted no time at getting his experiments started. Experiment Log after Experiment Log piled up as the radiant flame within the stone canopy watched him curiously.

"How long do you believe it will take you this time?" It said in a rather mellow tone.

For a while, Soren ignored it. His focus was drawn on the spellform manifesting before him. Its anima ratios were slightly adjusted from his previous trial as the three axioms within its distinct geometry were morphed into a rather distinct shape compared to the original Fairy Barrier spell.

"Not long." He answered casually. Before him, the spell activated once again. Soren watched as a tiny crystalized flake began to form… Slowly growing in shape and size, before condensing into the figure of a sharp blade. One that continuously flickered from invisibility to clarity. Inside of its glittering violet-colored form, reflections of what was around him could be seen. Its mirror-like finish exuded both an eerie coldness and a dense layer of mystery.

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Soren watched the cold blade hover before him in silence for a while. Its edge seemed sharp enough to cut through most things, as long as the belief in that sharpness existed in large… But that as long as it could last. Without any interference, the glass-like blade began to crack on its own. Before he could even do anything, it finally shattered into pieces.

Seeing this, Soren sighed. "On second thought, it might take longer than anticipated."

The issue still remained the same. His anima ratios weren't tuned properly yet. With such instability, cracks within its form would begin to show after some time…

The radiant flame spoke again:

"Experiment Log #13,

"Hypothesis: Transformation of the Fairy Barrier spellform,

"Result: Experiment failed. Axiom instability within the geometric spellform is noticed. Further tweaking on the anima ratios is necessary."

He nodded back, "Let us begin Experiment Log #14."

Time passed slowly within the ancient space. The number of failures piled on more and more. Regardless, Soren didn't give up. There was no need to—the taste of success was just around the corner. He could feel it with every new experiment—that he would soon figure out what was necessary to keep the blades stable…

Eventually, he could even modify it further to include other effects, like creating illusory versions of the blade to deceive an enemy of an approaching attack, only for them to get stabbed from another angle—or perhaps even adding the bonus effect of putting the enemy to sleep if contact with the blades was made… All of these could be done rather easily—the axioms within his repertoire could effortlessly be repurposed.

The idea behind this spell had originally come to him after obtaining the magitech dagger inside the Hall of Death. As a magi who specializes in illusions and deception, tactics for assassination suited him best in battle. He could easily approach an enemy with Violet Mirage to close the gap between them then stab the person without them realizing a thing…

Of course, this also made him vulnerable to counter attacks. He was a glass-cannon after all. All magi were weak without enough distance between them and their enemy, and that was especially true for him. Only someone as crazy as him would ever think to use a melee weapon for close-range assassinations with the help of magecraft. That was why, to Soren, this strategy was simply a last resort.

Instead, he was able to think of something else entirely. Rather than close the distance to use the dagger, why not allow the daggers to travel toward the enemy on their own? This was the basis behind the Fairy Blades spell. With the added invisibility, the attack could become undetectable, allowing him to 'assassinate' his targets without the need of approaching them personally.

It was at first a very outlandish idea—one that he wasn't confident achieving at all. But with the progress he was able to pull off in just the past few days, even he was surprised at his own genius. The only missing rune he needed was one to control the shape of the glass-like surface of the barrier into deadly blades, but with the help of his connection to the Records of Enigma conduit, discovering something that basic was easily achievable. After all, runes belonging to the Wards affinity were rather easy to come by.

Another experiment log was recorded as the timing of the blade's shattering was once again observed to be longer. It was only a matter of time before he discovered the correct ratios…

Just as he was about to start the next trial, a shrewd yet child-like voice entered his mind…

"Soren… We must discuss something." Tazzith said casually, but the seriousness in His voice was obvious. Soren frowned then glanced at the radiant flame:

"Invite the demon here."

"By your orders," It said solemnly. Soon the anchor was called into the ancient space—his usual, dark smog-like figure manifesting across the round table.

"What did you want to discuss with me? I am kinda busy at the moment…" Soren said with a slight hinge of impatience. Though, he was still rather curious.

He heard a sigh from across the marble canopy. "Its in regards to this year's Runic Acquisition Festival."

"The festival? There's still about a week left until it begins…"

"Indeed," He answered back swiftly. "But that is besides the point. I have obtained a rather dire premonition through Dream Divination. Our mission of obtaining the Blood Amulet might become rather… difficult."

Soren's frown deepened after hearing this. "Elaborate," he replied back instantly.

The demon didn't hesitate to answer: "During the nights of twilight. An old enemy of mine might appear before us… Although the chances are low, It may be best to obtain the Blood Amulet now, before it is too late."

It took Soren only a few moments to connect the dots. The nights of twilight… That was how the mortals of this world described the events that take place during the Runic Acquisition Festival when countless fae spirits begin their mischief across the natural world.

Then going by that logic, his 'old enemy' should be one such spirit…

"Obtaining the Blood Amulet now is possible," he replied back while crossing his arms, "but you do realize what that entails right? With the expedition still out gathering what remains in the Hall of Death, my escape from the Safe Zone will have to happen without Myrin…"

"Indeed," he spoke back casually. "However, that may be the only way to safeguard the amulet…"

The silence between them stretched on for a while. The only sound that could be heard was the flickering embers of the radiant flame…

Eventually, Soren sighed. "Tell me more about this… enemy of yours. I will only consider my approach after hearing what you have to say."

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