They say a young soul untouched by grandiose fantasy is a life half-lived. Yet, for Liam, that fleeting phase of youthful delusion had passed quickly. His worldview, meticulously built over eighteen years, was founded on the unyielding principles of science and reason. Thus, the very notion of a 'Conclave of Arcane Lore' filled him with a mixture of amusement and apprehension. "I must have been infected by these people," he thought, rubbing his temples. "Though their chat logs are endlessly entertaining, I should leave the group soon. Otherwise, I'll truly become one of them."
He felt a pang of concern. They were, after all, merely eccentric strangers. He'd been added by accident. He could simply ignore them. Yet, if he genuinely believed their "elixirs" were poisonous, his conscience dictated he speak up. Regardless of whether they heeded his warning, he needed to act in good faith. Yes, in good faith. Whether they listened was their choice; whether he warned them was his duty.
Back in his dorm, Liam logged onto his messaging app and sent his cousin, Anya Reed, the copied list of ingredients.
"Anya, hypothetical scenario: If all these ingredients were simmered together in a cauldron to form a paste, would the resulting concoction be lethal? If you have time, please help me analyze it."
He pressed Enter, sending the message. Liam leaned back in his chair, clearing his mind. Anya, unlike him, was already in her university internship phase and wasn't constantly online. Sometimes days would pass before she'd log on, and a week-long delay in replying was not uncommon. Ideally, Liam preferred not to ask such a question online. Some matters were best discussed in person, to avoid misunderstandings. What if Anya thought he intended to consume the concoction? He dreaded the thought of his mother flying in, filled with worry.
But today, he felt an increasing pull towards the group's bizarre reality – surely, he thought, it would be best to leave the Conclave soon, before he too became fully assimilated. Since he hadn't yet spoken in the group, and had no real ties to its members, leaving would be easy, without regret. Yet, his fingers, almost of their own accord, clicked on the 'Conclave of Arcane Lore' icon in the lower right corner of his screen. Habits, once formed, took root quickly; it had only taken him ten days to develop this daily ritual of checking the group.
The group chat showed members were online.
River North Wanderer: "Seven, has the lightning trial concluded? Has young Sixteen ascended?"
This message had been sent over ten minutes ago, but Seven of the Serpent Clan remained silent.
Fae Willow of the Spirit Isles: "Has something gone awry with the lightning trial?" Fae Willow interjected. This time, it was truly her, not her father. Though new to the group, the young woman's sweet disposition had already won over several regular chatters. She knew that every trial, no matter how minor, carried inherent risks; a single misstep could lead to grave consequences.
River North Wanderer: "Surely not. With Seven present, a mere Third Tier Mortal Ascension lightning trial poses no real threat; he could easily disperse it." Yet, Seven's continued silence gnawed at him.
At that moment, a new ID, unfamiliar to Liam, appeared: Copper Oracle. "Worry not, fellow cultivators. Allow this humble Oracle to cast a divination; then the outcome shall be known."
River North Wanderer paused, then replied, "Very well." It seemed this 'Copper Oracle' specialized in divination.
After merely two or three minutes, Copper Oracle reappeared: "Hahahaha, fear not. This Oracle's reading indicates a most auspicious outcome, great fortune awaits! Seven of the Serpent Clan and their junior are undoubtedly safe. Let us simply await young Sixteen's challenge to all of us!"
A most auspicious outcome? That should be reassuring, Liam thought. While divination might not be a precise science, it could offer a degree of comfort. Yet, upon hearing the divination's result, River North Wanderer felt no joy, only a wry smile.
A moment later, he sent a "bitter laugh" emoticon: "It seems young Sixteen truly is in trouble, which explains Seven's prolonged absence. Is there anyone near Haven City who can check on Seven, to see if they require assistance?"
Blade of the Madman surfaced, sighing, "If the Oracle's divination declared 'great fortune,' then something has indeed gone awry. But I am too far from Haven City; even if I were to rush there, it would take days."
Fae Willow of the Spirit Isles: "?" Fae Willow sent a question mark, perplexed.
Blade of the Madman: "Fae Willow, you are unaware of this Oracle's peculiar gift. His divinations are never accurate. If he foretells 'great fortune,' you had best prepare for imminent disaster. Conversely, if he predicts 'impending calamity,' you can breathe easy, for prosperity is surely at hand. Should he ever declare a 'world-ending cataclysm' and 'eternal damnation,' then you may immediately arrange a victory banquet, for it signifies the imminent acquisition of a celestial artifact!" Blade of the Madman explained.
River North Wanderer added, "In a way, the Oracle's divination skills are indeed formidable. For by simply reversing his predictions, one almost always arrives at the correct outcome."
Copper Oracle: "..." He longed to scream in protest, but his entire history was a litany of errors, leaving him in a tortured bind.
Blade of the Madman: "By the way, Miss Fae Willow, may I inquire when your esteemed father plans to return home? He has been a guest in my humble abode for far too long. Does he not yearn for his home, and for his adorable, beautiful daughter?" This time, Madman had learned his lesson, avoiding any risky flirtations.
Fae Willow of the Spirit Isles: "Certainly, Elder. I shall inquire of my father when I have the opportunity." Fae Willow replied politely, but it was merely a polite deflection. She offered no firm timeline for her inquiry, nor did she commit to urging her father's return.
Blade of the Madman, a seasoned veteran of life, immediately understood Fae Willow's evasiveness. And so, Madman's eyes welled up once more.
River North Wanderer: "Is there anyone lurking in Haven City?" He addressed the entire group.
The lurking members surfaced one by one, then collectively sent "shaking head" emoticons. The Dominion was vast, and the group's members were spread far and wide; it was unlikely they'd all be clustered in one city.
Liam's own city, Aethelburg, bordered Haven City, but he didn't know Seven of the Serpent Clan. And he considered himself rational enough not to go searching for a group member who'd "vanished during a lightning trial," only to be "found to be in trouble" by a faulty divination. He hadn't been completely assimilated yet.
At this juncture, Fae Willow of the Spirit Isles spoke again: "I am preparing to travel to Port City for some matters. I will first arrive at Aethelburg Airport by air, then transfer to Port City. Aethelburg borders Haven City. If anyone requires assistance, feel free to contact me… Though I am unfamiliar with Haven City, I will certainly do my utmost to help if needed."
River North Wanderer: "That is truly excellent news!" he replied.
Passing through Aethelburg? This young woman from the group was coming here? Liam blinked.
River North Wanderer: "I shall endeavor to contact Seven. If assistance is indeed required, I shall notify you, Fae Willow." He and Seven of the Serpent Clan shared a close bond, having been sworn allies even before joining the Conclave of Arcane Lore. Copper Oracle's divination now filled River North Wanderer with a growing unease.
At this point, Lord Obsidian appeared, offering reassurance: "River North, do not be overly concerned. With Seven present, not even a Fourth Tier Celestial Foundation lightning trial could harm him, let alone a mere Third Tier Mortal Ascension trial."
River North Wanderer: "You speak truly," River North Wanderer sighed. "I wasn't concerned initially, given it was merely a Third Tier Mortal Ascension lightning trial. But Copper Oracle's 'most auspicious' divination instantly filled me with dread."
Lord Obsidian: "..."
Blade of the Madman: "..."
River North Wanderer's reasoning was so impeccable that Lord Obsidian and Blade of the Madman found themselves speechless.