The door softly swings open, its creak echoing through the expansive chamber where a solitary, slender figure stands by the towering windows. Though the curtains dance around him, not a sound escapes the glass panes.
His gaze has settled sowhere in the view beyond the windows. Long silver wavy hair cascaded down his back. Moulin had already removed all the ornants, leaving his hair plain and loose. He had changed into sothing comfortable, relieving him from the glamorous garb he had worn several minutes ago. Yet, bathed in the gentle light of the lamps, he remains captivating.
Ordan stared at his back while quietly introducing his presence within the room with each soft step. The man's tall stature seed to dwarf everything around him.
"Have you cald down?"
Moulin expressionlessly spoke, "What is there for to be not calm about?"
"..."
Ordan silently gazed at him. Based on the youth's tone and his choice of words, it seed he had almost settled his emotions. He was relieved.
"You are strong, Moulin..." Ordan spoke. "I trust you won't let the words of the crown prince sway you. You will act according to your conscience."
Moulin's eyes flickered as he listened. It was strange to hear Ordan address him as Tessley would. He was used to hearing him chide and inform in a monotonous voice.
When he felt the youth's mood ease, Ordan continued. "The mages will arrive soon."
"For what reason? Under whose orders?"
"The High Priestess Celeste wanted to assess your soul and mana herself." Replied Ordan.
Moulin stared at his impassive reflection on the glass. Was she questioning my magical power still? Maybe it was unsettling for the esteed high priestess of a deity to see soone else bestowed with divine essence instead of herself. Or could it be that she's beginning to offer her assistance in helping better manage my magic?
Although Moulin had so assumptions, the only way to confirm was to surrender to their hands. He hoped there wouldn't be anything inhumane in the process.
While he was dwelling in his thought, he heard Ordan speak once more.
"Our soldiers from Helios have arrived. The Crown will be holding a feast to welco them tonight."
Moulin paused. This ti, he turned and t the man's fiery red eyes.
Ordan nodded. "Your brother, the Captain of the Pathfinders, has arrived, and your friends as well."
Moulin almost wanted to barge out of the room and find them. However, he held himself back. There were more pressing things to do in his stay today. And he doubts the royal knights, Tessley and Ordan, would let him leave.
He could only nod and sigh.
Shortly thereafter, just as Ordan had said, the mages arrived at his doorstep. Cloaked in their pristine white garnts, they entered and surveyed the room, searching for the individual they had co to retrieve.
Their eyes fell upon Moulin, and widened. Ah! What an exquisite person!
Lady Celeste erged from the group and exchanged greetings with the three people residing in the grand quarters. Like the two priestesses with her, she looked lovely and graceful in heavenly white robes.
"Shall we, My Lord?" Lady Celeste's eyes were emotionless. One could not determine what she was thinking about. It was sowhat unnerving.
The entourage, with High Priestess Celeste in the lead, escorted Moulin into the hallways. Ordan and Tessley, calm but vigilant, dutifully walked behind him.
Although he kept his gaze ahead, he could feel the priests and mage's discreet glances upon him. Unperturbed, he allowed them to observe his profile to their satisfaction.
The walk was silent, and they t no soul on their journey. Co to think of it. Moulin didn't really see anyone in the hallways the whole ti during his stay. He hadn't seen any servants or knights wandering around.
Suddenly, Moulin felt a familiar presence approaching them. The mont it filled his senses, the bond inside him tingled tenderly.
The others were late to notice, but they caught on and gradually slowed their steps to a stop. Heavy footsteps approached them, and the commanding presence slightly intimidated them.
The prominent lord stopped and lifted his golden gaze until they fell upon a certain Aphrodite Maeruthan in the group. Lord Hercullio's handso and expressionless face filled their views, srizing them despite being intimidated by his oppressive aura.
"Your Excellency..." Lady Celeste and the others bowed with a hand on their chest. Tessley and Ordan did as well.
Hadrian acknowledged them briefly before casting a curious look at Moulin. "Where are you going?"
"Taking to inspect and assess my soul and mana," Moulin responded with eyebrows raised.
"Then, I shall accompany you."
The mages and priestess flinched the mont his words entered their ears. Lady Celeste's eyes were slightly wide.
Moulin stared at him briefly before speaking, "And why not?"
When he cast a look at Celeste, the woman accidentally t his gaze before looking away and faced the High Lord with a mutter, "Of course, it is no problem."
Moulin blinked. He caught a change in the lady's features. A tinge of red caressed her cheeks.
The next second, Moulin found himself walking beside Hadrian and entering a dark passage he didn't recall entering.
The high ceiling had stones embedded upon them, twinkling like stars. Against the dancing light from the wall torches. The flas were a vibrant gold, sizzling with powerful magic. And with each step on the polished floor, it felt as though he had crossed a barrier. The energy around him grew thicker as they approached their destination.
While the mages and priestesses appeared unfazed, as if they had encountered it countless tis before, the unfamiliar individuals found themselves weighed down by the magical security of the area, slowing their movents considerably.
Fortunately, Moulin and the others were trained warriors. And with their mana aptitude, they could withstand the harshest gravity of the sacred ground.
They paused before a large stone door carved with the magnificent visage of the Goddess Nithialauna. With a shield in one hand and a sword in the other, her hair billowed around her as she banished the darkness that sought to consu all existence.
Moulin stared for a few seconds, fascinated by the sight.
"I ask that only , my sisters, and lord Moulin, would enter the White chamber." Lady Celeste spoke with deep eyes.
She gestured to the doors and spoke heavily, "These chambers cannot bear to house more than five people, or they will shatter. The spells required to construct this mana-sensitive chamber are incredibly complex, requiring three years to recreate if tampered with."
Moulin furrowed his brows. There was such a thing?
"Would it be troubling if I accompany you and others into the chambers?" Hadrian spoke with a deep tone, standing in close proximity to Moulin, highlighting the noticeable contrast in their height and build.
Lady Celeste shook her head, "No, My Lord. You are most welco to join us."
Moulin watched their interactions quietly.
Hadrian instructed Moulin's guards and the mages to wait outside the stone doors. The mages grumbled discreetly but obeyed the powerful man. They took out their stone artifacts and began to analyze the movent of mana within the chambers.
"Please enter..." Lady Celeste turned to face Moulin and gestured to the doors.
Before opening the door, Moulin glanced at her. He then calmly pressed his bare palms against the coarse stone surface and pushed the door open. In an instant, a rush of cool air enveloped his body, gently brushing against his face and limbs.
The strong essence of mana was so concentrated for a second until it vanished into nothingness. Confused, Moulin blinked and continued to step into the room.
It was a vast, endless expanse of white. He could not see the end of the room at all. There were no walls and furniture—only... white nothingness.
Moulin felt sothing heavy weighing his heart. This felt like one would see when they passed.
Am... I in the right room?
Thud!
Moulin turned and saw the door now closed. Four people approached him, comprising Lady Celeste, a mage, one of her priestesses, and Lord Hadrian Hercullio. Hadrian looked unimpressed while he ambled towards Moulin's side.
"What is this place?" Moulin asked. His eyes scanned the area curiously, but no matter where he looked, everything looked the sa.
The mage replied enthusiastically, "This is White Chamber, my lord! Lady Celeste and the prominent sisters of the temple created this space to reveal the true form of a maeruthan's mana. It is one of the greatest creations of the Temple of Nithialauna!"
The man's eyes were sparkling as he praised the chamber endlessly.
Silver eyes deepened. From the man's words, it sounded quaint and unserious. However, there really was sothing off about this place. Moulin could not feel an ounce of mana within. Perhaps the spells cast within the domain could neutralize foreign mana.
"Shall we begin?" Lady Celeste asked while she handed her long robe to the priestess beside her. Her pale pink hair glistened. The waves frad her face perfectly, making her look gentle and innocent.
If he were to compare the two sisters, Klaria embodies the vibrant beauty, whereas Lady Celeste represents a more reserved, cold beauty.
Moulin nodded. "What must I do?"
"There is nothing strenuous to do, My Lord. You only have to release your mana so we may be able to comprehend the nature of your essence." Explained Celeste.
Moulin was about to speak when the woman suddenly closed her eyes. She opened her palms.
There was a sudden change in the air, and before Moulin could wonder, soothing mana engulfed him and the others. Bountiful energy surrounded him. It felt powerful and divine. He wasn't sure what she was doing.
"The chambers remove the impurities within one's body. However, since we only want you to interact with the spells within the chamber, I have modified it to magnify your mana." Celeste spoke once her mana settled.
The priestess's clear eyes gazed at the white-haired maeruthan before her. "You may begin, my lord."
Moulin furrowed his brows. The task sounded easy, but he wasn't certain of their process of assessing his mana. He glanced at Hadrian, who only gave him a raised brow.
"..."
Well, what was the harm?
Moulin stood motionlessly and released the accumulated energy in his body.
WHOOSH!
"...!"
A strong force abruptly surrounded him. Bone-chilling energy surged throughout the chamber. Celeste and those with her braced against the sudden surge of power as they felt the icy cold penetrate their bodies, causing them to tremble.
What strange power was this? It felt akin to being trapped in a fierce snowstorm, with ice crystals already starting to form at their feet.
Moulin was caught off guard and steadied himself. Even he was confused. Seeing the struggling state of the priestesses, he hurriedly slowed the release of his mana.
On the other hand, Lord Hadrian looked unperturbed. His golden eyes slightly narrowed while he witnessed the chaotic surge of the youth's energy. It was almost similar to the manic episodes of his riotous mana.
"Are you alright?..." Moulin spoke and looked at them with worry. "Forgive ; I didn't expect my energy to lose control."
It was not this strong before. Was it because of the magnifying spell?
The rest of the group assisted Lady Celeste in regaining her balance, but she rely furrowed her brow and turned towards Moulin. "It's... alright. Try again, but this ti, focus on releasing your energy gradually..."
Her eyes deepened. It was the first ti she had felt the youth's mana. It was violent yet untroubled. However, Prince Vascilicus's words had been true. The maeruthan's mana was as pure as those filling temple altars. But it was not like the heavenly mana she was always exposed to.
It was vibrant and dangerous. It throbbed with a vigor that appeared difficult to control, a powerful force that could benefit those with noble intentions but pose a threat to those with malicious aims.
Indeed, it was a profound realization for Lady Celeste, one that hinted at the potential for both great salvation and grave peril inherent within the depths of Moulin's formidable power.
Her eyes deepened. 'He could be a great foe if provoked.'
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