"Have you decided which continent you're going to?" asked Reyhan One, floating lazily in the Absolute Dimension space.
"Yeah. I'm heading to the southeastern continent—Redbloyes. The land of humans," answered Reyhan Two firmly.
Reyhan One nodded slowly. "Alright. It's decided then."
He looked upward into the empty space and said, "System."
[Ding!]
[Opening two dimensional portals...]
[Portal 1: Destination—Capital City of Whilfora, Eastern Continent.]
[Portal 2: Destination—Continent of Redbloyes, Southeast.]
Two swirling winds appeared—small and calm at first, then gradually growing. They shone bright, stable, and inviting.
"Alright… let's go."
Reyhan One began to move, but Reyhan Two's voice stopped him.
"Wait."
"What now?"
"Which one of us will the system follow? You or me?"
They both turned to the floating system panel, still wearing its usual annoyingly calm demeanor.
[System...]
They waited, like two kids awaiting test results.
[Will follow...]
"Hurry up!" they shouted in unison.
[Patience.]
"Ah, right. Sorry," they both mumbled, heads bowed.
[The system will follow both.]
They glanced at each other. "How's that possible?"
[The system is created to support the Host. No matter how many Hosts there are, the system will adapt.]
They exchanged looks, then raised their brows at the same time—silent gesture of "Not bad."
Without another word, they turned to their respective portals.
"Good luck, Two."
"You too, One."
A cliché line, but still warm.
They stepped into the portals, each off to fulfill their mission.
[…]
In the real world, Verin and Gardon were nearing the capital of Whilfora.
Joni, the giant PINK Garuda, landed with a rumble before the city gates. The breeze carried the scent of wet earth and dusty roads.
Once they dismounted, Joni flew off into the distance. Just as they were about to enter, two guards who recognized Gardon stepped forward to block them.
"Gardon?" one of the guards asked, eyes sharp on Verin beside him.
The second added, "Who's this? Haven't seen him before."
Gardon shrugged nonchalantly. "This is Verin. He was kidnapped before, but I'm bringing him back now."
The first guard eyed Verin suspiciously. "Where did you live before?"
Verin hesitated for a second, then answered, "An orphanage…"
"What's the name of the orphanage?" pressed the second guard, intensifying the pressure.
Verin's eyes went blank for a moment before murmuring, "I... don't remember."
The guards exchanged glances. Their suspicion deepened.
"We'll have to detain you for further inspection," said the first guard, reaching for Verin's arm.
Gardon immediately stepped forward, his eyes sharp—and in an instant, a killing aura surged from his body. Both guards suddenly found it hard to breathe and couldn't move.
"Stop," Gardon said in a low, cold tone. "I know you're planning more than just a simple inspection."
"We're just doing our duty," one guard managed to say, struggling.
Gardon raised his aura again, pushing them to the brink of collapse.
Suddenly, a powerful yet calm aura canceled Gardon's pressure. A soft but commanding voice rang out.
"That's enough, Gardon."
The figure that emerged was Sirton Wardmoon, a renowned professor from Lumenvale Academy, wearing deep blue academic robes and a gaze full of authority.
Gardon and Sirton locked eyes.
Gardon's cold, piercing stare met Sirton's relaxed but dangerous one.
"What's an academy professor doing here?" asked Gardon flatly, eyes never leaving Sirton.
Sirton smirked. "I happened to be strolling near the gates and… well, your noisy aura called me over."
He folded his arms, then added playfully, "By the way, where's Daisy? Haven't seen that pretty face in a while."
Gardon's expression hardened. "Watch your mouth."
"Haha, relax. I'm here to help," Sirton chuckled, then glanced at Verin. "The kid doesn't look like a criminal."
"He's not," Gardon muttered.
Sirton patted Gardon's shoulder lightly. "Come on. I'll take you both inside."
They began walking toward the gate. But after just five steps, a hesitant voice called from behind.
"S-Sirton…" one of the guards spoke nervously.
Sirton stopped and turned slowly.
His gaze turned cold. Icy. "What?"
The guard trembled and bowed deeply, almost to the ground. "W-we're sorry. We were just… doing our duty…"
"And I will take responsibility for whatever happens," Sirton cut in, his voice calm but razor-sharp.
Without waiting for a reply, he resumed walking, Gardon and Verin following behind.
The gates slowly opened. The breeze from within the city welcomed them. For the first time, Verin laid eyes on Whilfora—the capital of the Eastern Continent.
After some walking, they stopped in front of a modest but clean inn. A wooden sign that read The Rusted Moon swayed gently above the door in the wind.
Sirton clapped his hands as if brushing off dust. "Alright, my debt's paid," he said, turning to Gardon.
Gardon said nothing, standing firm and letting him speak.
"I'll take my leave now," said Sirton, about to walk away.
But before he did, he glanced at Verin. Gardon instantly moved to block him like a human shield.
Sirton raised both hands casually. "Hey, calm down. You know I wouldn't hurt him, right?"
"I know…" Gardon eased his posture slightly. "But you're weird. I just want to protect him."
Sirton grinned. "Well, I'm not weirder than you."
Verin watched silently, eyes moving back and forth between the two.
Then Sirton pulled something from his pocket—a white envelope sealed with a silver sun emblem.
Before he could hand it over, Gardon raised a brow. "Why are you giving him that?"
Sirton turned with a small, unreadable smile. "Because I know he's special," he said calmly, then handed the letter to Verin. "A personal recommendation from me. If you want, you can apply to Lumenvale Academy."
Verin slowly took the letter, eyes fixed on the emblem.
Then, without warning, a soft blue light enveloped Sirton's body. The wind around him shifted, and in the next instant, he vanished—no sound, no trace. Only faint footprints on the ground remained, quickly swept away by the breeze.
Gardon let out a deep sigh. "Finally…"
Verin looked at the spot where Sirton once stood. "Who was he?" he asked softly.
Gardon turned, his voice calm now. "One of the strongest High Elves in the kingdom. And also a gifted professor at Lumenvale Academy."
He folded his arms, eyes gazing into the distance. "Even though he acts like a villain… he's still better than the noble High Elves around here."
Verin stayed quiet, listening closely. He opened his mouth to speak, but Gardon spoke first.
"Oh yeah…" Gardon looked directly at Verin. "When is your adoptive father coming?"
Verin answered softly, "I don't know. He didn't say when… Just that he'll come today."
Before Gardon could respond, a whisper brushed Verin's ear—soft as a spring breeze.
"SYLPHIA… FATHER IS HERE."
Verin—or rather, Sylphia—shivered slightly. She turned her face to the side… and there, floating gently in the air, was the graceful 'windform' of Rayhan Alther.
Without hesitation, Sylphia embraced the air-spirit figure, smiling with bright eyes.
But from Gardon's point of view… it looked entirely different.
All he saw was Verin hugging... nothing. No figure. No shadow. Only the wind swirling strongly around them. And a tender hug to empty air.
Gardon blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then his face stiffened.
'Don't tell me… his adoptive father is… a ghost!? But he said he'd meet his father today! That means they planned this!? Ghosts can schedule appointments now?!' his thoughts raced.
His head suddenly felt hot.
But a few seconds later, logic took back control.
'No… it can't be that simple. A child that strong wouldn't just hug a ghost. This must be—it has to be—an incredibly powerful being using illusion magic or some kind of concealment artifact!'
Gardon's eyes widened. His breath caught. The only thing he could do was… kneel. Reflexively. Automatically. Without a second thought. His knees slammed into the ground with ninja-like speed.
"I... I cannot see your form, Sir, but your aura... your aura is truly... silent!"
Silent? Yes, Gardon knew it sounded strange. But that was the only word that popped into his mind.
'Bald uncle'…?
Reyhan glanced toward Gardon, who was still kneeling with extreme formality, almost like a knight awaiting execution.
"Who is he, Phia?" Reyhan asked softly.
"That's Uncle Gardon," Sylphia replied with a smile. "He was the one who brought me here."
Reyhan fell silent for a moment. The wind around him subtly intensified, like an emotional reflex he couldn't suppress. He spoke inwardly.
'System, scan that man.'
[Status check initiated…]
[Divine Spirit System: Target Status]
[Name: Gardon Wolfter]
[Rank: High Spirant stage 9]
[Race: Wood Elf]
[Primary Element: Flower]
[System Contract Status: Unbound]
[Spirit Name: Daisy]
[Spirit Grade: High Rare]
[Spirit Sync Rate: 72%]
[Age: 42 years]
[Gender: Male]
[Stats]
[Vitality : 910 / 1000]
[Strength : 845]
[Agility : 420]
[Spirit Control : 698]
[Focus : 610]
[Affinity (Earth) : 87%]
[Active Skills]
Tectonic Wrath Lv.3
Verdant Rampart Lv.2
Garden of Life Lv.4
Pink Domination Ritual Lv.1
[Passive Skills]
Nature's Body
Battle Humorist
Weight of Earth
"Damn bro, that bald guy's OP."
"What is it, Father?" Sylphia asked, puzzled by her father's strange expression.
"It's nothing."