Chapter 298 Chapter 70.3 - Award Ceremony
"Sigh….."
A heavy sigh occurred in the middle of the room.
The room exuded opulence, adorned with countless expensive ornaments that showcased the Emberheart family's wealth and status.
Intricately carved figurines, glistening gemstones, and rare magical artifacts adorned every surface.
The most recent technological devices seamlessly blended with antique furnishings, creating a unique juxtaposition of modernity and tradition.
This was her own way of designing her room, after all.
In the midst of this lavish setting, Irina reclined lazily on her bed. The crimson gown she wore cascaded around her like a cascade of flames, contrasting with the subdued hues of the room.
Her fiery hair spilled over the pillows as she released a heavy sigh, the sound echoing with a blend of weariness and frustration.
Her gaze lingered on the unopened box and the plaque resting in front of her. The box, a symbol of appreciation from the Matriarch, her mother, held the weight of familial expectations.
The plaque, a testament to her recent 'bravery,' served as a reminder of the path she was expected to tread.
"Sigh..." Irina sighed again, the sound resonating in the room filled with luxury. "If I knew that woman was going to contact me like this, I would never accept his request."
She couldn't help but mumble a little, thinking that the deal she made no longer benefited her. Of course, gaining the favor of that guy wasn't wrong, yet now these feelings that her decision resulted in no longer made the deal worthwhile, in her opinion.
'I don't even want to look into this plaque again.'
It was a useless gift. Of course, she knew that having such types of awards would naturally bring one higher in the social ladder of nobles and Awakeners, yet at the same time, she hated to be like those superficial bastards.
'Also, why did she give this to me?'
On paper, a mother giving a gift to her child seemed normal in a family, yet Irina knew her mother had never been a normal one, to begin with. Whatever she did in the past had always served a purpose, and her steps were calculated.
Therefore, she couldn't help but think that this gift, for some reason, also served a purpose aside from being a simple gift.
Irina's hand reached for the unopened box, her fingers delicately tracing its intricate design.
As she examined the box, Irina couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this seemingly innocuous gift than met the eye. The room, with its wealth and luxury, held secrets, and she was determined to uncover them.
'I wonder if I can do it too?'
In an attempt to imitate 'that guy,' whose perceptiveness often left her in awe, Irina focused her attention on the box.
'Of course, if he can do it, why can't I?'
She concentrated, searching for any subtle clues or anomalies. Her trained eyes scanned for mana fluctuations, a skill she had honed through years of magical study.
'It looks like a normal box.'
At first, she couldn't find anything, but she also didn't want to directly utilize her [Trait] as her pride didn't allow it.
She looked into it, again and again, trying to somehow naturally feel it.
'Hmm?'
Then, there it was – a faint shimmer, a small dance of mana around the box. It wasn't immediately apparent, but 'that guy's' influence had taught her to look beyond the surface. The box, she realized, was working as a seal of sorts.
'As expected, the thing inside is an artifact.'
A challenge presented itself, one that ignited the spark of curiosity within her. With a subtle shift in her posture, Irina delved deeper into the study of the mana surrounding the box. She observed its patterns, its nature, and the intricate dance it performed, trying to solve the equations she had created in her head.
She also didn't notice it, but at some point, the box started floating in the air rather than her hand holding it.
After a moment of concentration, she deciphered the mana psions surrounding the box. It wasn't just any mana; it was dark mana – a type of Psions that was associated with both the cosmos as well as the evil cults.
Though one may think that the dark mana was used only by evil people, this was inherently wrong. No power in this world was pure as at the start; it was up to the user how to wield it.
'Hmm….If the seal is using dark-attribute psions, that means the inside should have its countering attributes.'
Most of the time, to use seals with minimal energy, the seals would be made according to the type of the desired artifact to be sealed.
'But, can I eliminate it further than that?'
As she thought of trying to find more clues to narrow down the exact attribute, she started studying it once again immediately.
The box floated in the air, caught in an invisible dance of magical examination. Her efforts to imitate 'that guy' persisted, and her mind focused on unraveling the mysteries concealed within.
However, as time passed, she found herself unable to narrow down the exact attribute or nature of the seal. The equations in her mind remained unsolved, and the frustration built up.
'Maybe this is beyond me.'
With a sigh, Irina conceded defeat, letting the box return to her hand. Her gaze lingered on the unopened gift, a mix of curiosity and acceptance in her eyes.
'Enough of this. Let's see what's inside.'
Carefully, she opened the box, revealing a small, shiny bracelet within. The color of yellow emanated a warm glow, and a shiny blue jewel adorned its center.
'Wait?'
She couldn't help but gasp in surprise after seeing what it was. Who wouldn't be?
A wave of recognition swept over Irina as she beheld the heirloom.
"Solar Radiance?"
It was one of their family's cherished artifacts, a protective bracelet that could shield the wearer three times from significant harm. However, only two uses remained, as her mother had utilized it once when she was young and a prospective prodigy of their family.
"She gave this to me?"
Her initial skepticism and desire to decipher the seal immediately was satisfied after seeing the artifact. After all, it utilized the Light Psions and some unknown power. Therefore, it made sense that it was sealed by dark psions since it countered it.
Irina's fingers traced the intricate design of the bracelet. Its significance weighed heavily on her, a tangible connection to her family's legacy. The bracelet, capable of safeguarding against attacks even from an intermediate rank-9 Hunter, held both sentimental and practical value.
"Does that mean she suspects that I could somehow be in danger?"
She asked herself. If that woman gave her this bracelet, it probably also meant something. She knew her mother didn't always talk with her directly and sometimes left her with clues for her to understand on her own.
As she walked, memories of recent events flashed in her mind. The encounter with the demon in the Phantom's Land, the unsettling feeling from Captain Howell, and the hushed instructions to keep silent about certain occurrences all resurfaced.
'Those are not likely to be normal.'
Irina's instincts, finely tuned from a lifetime of navigating the complexities of her noble lineage, kicked into high gear.
"Something isn't right," she muttered to herself. "I feel like the things happening in the Phantom's Land was not a small matter, and the demon's identity wasn't normal either."
She had thought of it countless times and even asked Astron about it, yet he chose to keep it silent, saying he didn't know anything. Of course, she didn't believe him, yet she couldn't force him to talk either.
"In any case…I should be careful…Both for me and for those close to me."
For some reason, an annoying guy's face came into her mind, yet she refused to accept it.
"Tch."
In an attempt to shift her focus, Irina decided to open her smartwatch, a device that connected her to the latest news and trends.
As the holographic interface flickered to life, she entered the school forum. She hadn't been updating herself in the forums since she was busy with assignments and remembering the basics of magic to teach someone.
While she navigated through the forum, a post caught her attention – a post that highlighted her recent recognition at the ceremony.
'What? It instantly became popular?'
Irina's image adorned the post, capturing the moment she received the award for her bravery. The praises poured in from fellow students, hailing her as the savior of the students who had fallen into a dreamy state.
The post commended Irina not only for breaking the enchantment but also for showcasing an impressive progression in her magical abilities, allowing her to unravel the complexities of the magic that had ensnared them.
The comments overflowed with admiration, acknowledging Irina's skill and resilience. Some hailed her as a beacon of hope, while others speculated about the mysteries that surrounded her. The forum buzzed with discussions, and Irina found herself at the center of attention.
Of course, there were some haters hinting at her personality and her previous deeds but recently hyped students ignored those and shut them off with their fanatical remarks.
'It had this much effect? Wow.'
She had attended many banquets and social events, but this was the first time that she saw how dangerous social media was and how detrimental it was, as the numbers of people were basically too many.
'So, this is why he didn't want to use his name. Now it makes sense.'
If such a reaction came for her, she couldn't help but think what would have happened if it was Astron who was labeled as a hero.
Most people wouldn't believe it, and there wouldn't be many fans. Even now, there are still many haters hating her.
'But….This is not that bad…'
Yet, she smiled a little, seeing her reputation turning to normal.
*******
Inside a place with red lighting illuminating the room, a lone figure stood in front of a bunch of shadows, mere silhouettes suspended from above. The crimson glow cast an eerie ambiance, highlighting the grotesque shapes that danced upon the walls.
As the enigmatic figure moved, her silhouette seemed to embrace the dance of the shadows. She glided alluredly through the dimly lit space, her every movement captivating, like a seductive choreography that only she understood.
"Haaaa~"
The room echoed with an unsettling silence, broken only by the soft whispers of fabric as the figures gently swayed above her.
Approaching the suspended forms, her slender fingers gracefully caressed their 'lifeless' skin.
"I wish you could last a little more."
The red glow reflected off her dark, long hair, casting an ethereal halo around her pale face. The curves of her body, alluring and mysterious, were revealed in fleeting moments of illumination.
Suddenly, a flash of lightning cut through the darkness as if nature itself sought to unveil the secrets concealed within the red-lit room.
–RUMBLE!
The room lit up, exposing the figure's features in stark detail. Her long, dark locks cascaded down her shoulders, framing a face that bore an otherworldly allure. Pale skin that wasn't covered even the slightest bit of fabric seemed to absorb the crimson glow, making her appear both enchanting and unnerving,
Suddenly, the figure's eyes opened wide as she looked into the lighting and storm flashing in the sky.
"Belthazor is dead."
She mumbled.
"To think my pathetic brother died just like that…." as she licked her lips, her fingers moved, slowly caressing the neck of the 'young man' whose arms were tied.
"I wonder who it is….."
CLENCH!
Following that, she grabbed the man by his neck and forcefully brought his lips closer.
Follow current novℯls on f(r)eewebnov𝒆l