At the sa ti, another eting was held in the shadows.
Several figures—Academy instructors and so others, gathered in a dim, secluded chamber. One of them stood with a respectful bow toward the others. This was the sa Grand Magus who had caused trouble within Ery’s twin halls earlier. He looked anxious as questions were thrown his way.
"Is it really him? Are you certain?" one voice demanded.
"Yes... it’s him," the man replied hesitantly. "That’s Ery Ambrose, the missing Academy instructor. He’s back—and he... He has reached the Grand Magus realm. He’s... strong." His words faded into a whisper.
The news drew a wave of uneasy murmurs.
"Did he return to compete again for the top halls?"
"If he’s truly broken through to the Grand Magus realm, he won’t be easy to deal with," another said grimly. "I still rember how he defeated Adam the Apostle back when he was only a Magus."
"Hah! What are you afraid of?" a sneer cut through the room. "Even if he can match a two-cosmos instructor, he’ll never stand against our strongest three cosmos master!"
"We should crush him before he causes trouble again," soone suggested coldly.
But the leading figure of the group raised a hand for silence. After a mont’s pause, he spoke in a low, asured tone.
"No one will do such a thing. We can’t afford unnecessary risks. Even if we defeat him, that half-breed has many allies. We don’t need any complications that might jeopardize our plans."
The others exchanged looks and nodded in reluctant agreent.
Only one remained silent, a faint smile curling his lips.
"My lady Ishtar must hear about this,"
###
After finishing his discussion with Heorgar, Ery took so ti to wander through Utopia City, observing how much had changed since his long absence. The city still carried its familiar charm. Yet what caught his attention most was not the scenery, but the people.
Everywhere he looked, halfbloods and hybrids of all kinds walked side by side — even beastkin rchants can be seen trading with human scholars. There was laughter in the streets, children running between market stalls, and a sense of ease that ward Ery’s heart. For a mont, he allowed himself a small smile. This was a city where those born of mixed blood could stand as equals, free from the scorn of lineage or birth.
His steps eventually led him to the Utopia branch of the rlin Apothecary Shop. Fortunately, this branch hadn’t suffered the sa fate as the one in Centauri. Though it wasn’t bustling, there were still custors coming and going — magus apprentices purchasing potions, traders checking supplies — proof that business, though quiet, was still alive.
The main reason for its survival was its location. This particular branch had been built beside the Gene Center, a renowned facility jointly managed by several half-blood factions. Its reputation had helped keep the area alive despite the recent turmoil.
Curious, Ery stepped into the Gene Center — only to find it eerily quiet. The once-busy halls were now almost empty. He passed a few researchers bent over their instrunts and one familiar face — a female apothecary master, soone he rembered as one of Grandmaster Reikun’s assistants from the Wolf Apex facility.
"Senior Ery, I am Ayee," the woman greeted him, smiling faintly despite the weariness in her eyes. "All the others were pulled back to continue the main research about a decade ago. I’m just here to keep the place running."
Her words explained much. After Ery’s disappearance, the Gene Center had endured a string of internal and external challenges. To protect their research, the higher-ups eventually decided to transfer the entire team — and all critical data — back to Ouroboros.
Ery nodded in understanding. It was a sensible move. Still, he couldn’t help but feel a growing excitent. He was eager to see how far the research had advanced in his absence. With all the new materials and ingredients he had gathered from the Tartarus Realm, he was certain another breakthrough was within reach.
He couldn’t wait to return to Ouroboros to see it for himself — but for now, he decided to wait. His daughter, Shinta, was due to arrive soon.
After leaving the Gene Center, Ery set his next destination: to find Annara.
Heorgar had told him she was currently based in a mountain range a few thousand miles from Centauri City. Annara had apparently spent more ti around Centauri than Utopia lately. Her exact activities remained a mystery even to Heorgar, but she had always been resourceful, often providing critical intelligence and aiding both Zodiac and Utopia over the years.
Ery chose not to bring Gwen, Glita, or his Void Wolf crew. Sothing about the situation gave him a bad feeling—and knowing Annara’s secretive nature, she would likely prefer to et alone.
Activating his concealnt technique, Ery left Centauri City and soared across the snow-covered peaks. After three hours of flight, he reached the vast, frigid wilderness. Towering mountain ranges stretched endlessly before him, until he finally found the designate hideout deep within one of the slopes.
But as he approached, his divine sense detected a dozen magus figures hidden nearby. They were using high-grade concealnt techniques, so refined that even Ery could barely perceive them.
"Who are they...?" he muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing.
Not sure whether they were friend or foe, Ery chose to descend into the cave as though unaware of their presence. He moved through the icy tunnels until he reached a small wooden hut built within. To his disappointnt, the place was deserted — the dust and thin layer of snow inside made it clear that no one had been here for weeks.
Unwilling to leave without answers, Ery turned to confront the hidden watchers outside. But before he could act, they moved first—a dozen figures stepped out, surrounding him in the snow.
They wore dark, uniford cloaks, their faces concealed by masks. Their leader, emanating the unmistakable aura of a Grand Magus, stepped forward.
"Knowing this place ans you know her. Now.. tell —where is she?"
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