A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Co in," he said.
The sa attendant who had guided him to his private room entered, holding a tray.
Resting atop the tray was the golden-colored book—the Eternal Flowing Steps.
"Here is your item, sir."
Alden wasted no ti making the paynt using a dummy account.
The attendant placed the book on the table near the couch before bowing and swiftly exiting.
Alden exhaled.
'Perks of being a VIP, I guess.'
Most of people had to wait till the auction is over to get their item. And here he was receiving it instantly.
His eyes went back to the book.
This was it.
The technique that could be connected to his mother.
Or a technique that might hold secrets to the forgotten era.
If this was truly a technique connected to his mother, there was a high chance sothing would happen.
Most of the technique didn't just vanish and get inherited.
They need to be learned unless they are at a higher rank like Primordial.
But sohow the Mythic rank sword art left by his mother had done that feat.
It was directly inherited by him.
Alden didn't think about that much at that ti.
But now?
Sothing about it felt… off.
Who exactly was my mother?
Alden didn't feel any attachnt to her. No emotions whatsoever.
But curiosity? That was a different story.
How could a mother just leave her child behind in that hellhole?
What was so important that she had to leave a small child to suffer?
He had bought this technique due to the sa curiosity as well.
He didn't care if she was alive or dead.
He checked the room with his [Eyes of Supre] to see if there were any hidden surveillance.
But none were present.
He reached out towards the technique book hesitantly.
There was a barrier covering the room, so whatever happens wouldn't be known by anyone outside.
He touched the book.
The book started floating.
It started releasing a golden light.
So it is related to my mother after all.
Alden quickly spread out the Shadow around him, incasing him and book inside a cocoon.
Just to be on a safe side.
The golden light didn't vanish inside his head last ti but its intensity started increasing.
Alden couldn't keep his eyes open anymore.
Only after a few seconds did the light vanish.
Alden slowly opened his eyes.
His surroundings have changed.
What the hell?
Where am I now?
Please don't tell this is another trial.
He looked around himself curiously.
He wasn't in the auction hall anymore.
Nope.
It was a beautiful and peaceful surrounding with no end. There was greenery all around.
Within the centre was a lake with water as white as milk.
But that was not everything that was there.
Soone else was present beside the lake.
Standing still as if in so kind of trance.
Alden took steps forward.
His pulse quickened, his heart was thumping.
The figure had green hair.
She was soone whom he had seen before.
It was his mother.
As soon as Alden arrived near her.
The space trembled as if it would break down.
The figure moved for the first ti.
She turned towards his direction.
Her golden pupils stared at him.
"Are you here, my baby? "
"Don't get started on how long I waited."
"Why are you so late? "
Alden's mind blanked.
He didn't know how to respond.
He had many things to ask her but he couldn't form a single word.
She smiled misheviously.
"I'm just kidding."
"This is just a shadow… a recording I left behind in this technique."
"It doesn't have any consciousness though. I could only leave a normal one behind… given my condition at the ti...."
How did she do that?
Shadows or recording could only be left behind by powerful beings.
So does that an she was strong?
Then why?
Why did she leave alone?
"I know you might have many questions."
"Where am I?
"Why did I leave you behind in that hell?"
"Why did I abandon you?"
"Why was my technique in ancient ruins? "
All of her questions were right on mark. He was curious about all of them.
He waited to hear the answer.
"But alas, I can't answer most of your questions."
She poured cold water on his expectations.
"Just rember one thing Alden, I didn't leave this world willingly."
"I wanted to stay with you, take care of you."
"To see you grow."
Alden could see emotions in her eyes they held a motherly sorrow.
Then–
She clenched her fist, her face twisted in anger.
"But those ▒▒▒▒▒ –"
Alden couldn't comprehend what she said.
So sound left her mouth but he couldn't understand anything. It was as if the world itself refused to let him hear them.
Like the censorship from the system.
She sighed, shaking her head.
As if that anger was never there to begin with.
"Oops sorry I can't say anything about that."
Her voice was light, but there was sothing beneath it.
Frustration?
Regret ?
"I wanted to leave this technique with Alaric as well, but I couldn't. I didn't trust the family."
"He is soone who cared more about reputation of Draven family … even more than his own son."
"I didn't trust him."
"So I scattered most of my traces in this world."
"Nobody else except you should even be able to understand my legacy in this world."
"I made it that way."
She continued to speak, but Alden didn't say anything. He just kept listening.
"I know this all sounds like an excuse to you."
"I know I am not a great mother."
"I never was– to you."
"But I love you the most."
"You are the most precious treasure I ever got."
"Rember this."
The world started trembling.
She was vanishing.
"Oh and one more thing."
"Before I forget."
"If you haven't t her yet, tell Gretta my hello."
Alden's breath froze for a mont.
"And If you t her already, she must've taught you that 'dance' right? "
"That dance was developed from this… so you will get this technique with ease and will be able to unlock the true technique hidden beneath it.."
"And yeah, the sword technique I left with Alaric was just a normal one."
"I knew you'd get that technique."
Alden's body shivered. His eyes started shaking visibly.
What did she say?
His mind blanked for a mont.
How..?
How..?
How is that possible?
How did she know about Gretta?
How did she know about weapon art?
Why was she sure I would get it?
There were many questions but still no answers.
"Wh–?"
For the first ti Alden tried to say sothing.
But her voice interrupted him.
"Don't think too much about 'how i know? 'what I know? '
"Just focus about getting stronger."
"You will get all your answers."
"I wish I could et you, Alden."
"To see how much you have grown."
Her voice softened
"But I can't."
"Not yet."
She let out a small, mischievous chuckle.
"Just get stronger, okay?"
"Strong enough to break fate itself."
"Fate isn't unchangeable as people think about it."
"Everything can be changed with enough power."
Before she could say anything else, her body completely vanished.
The peaceful world shattered.
Darkness swallowed everything.
And Alden…
Was alone once more.
Back inside the auction house as if he never even left the room.
He looked around himself taking a deep breath.
The announcer's voice was echoing in the hall explaining the final item of the auction.
But Alden's mind didn't process anything else.
His mind was storm of violent emotions and many thoughts.
Just then–
The ground trembled..
The whole floor shook violently.
Screams erupted.
Panic spread like wildfire throughout the whole auction.
The sound suppression barrier had been broken.
Alden's head snapped towards the stage.
Sothing Or soone—
Had just interrupted the event.
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