Chapter 231: She... Feels Familiar
On their way inside, Ren hurriedly transformed into a small bunny and jumped on Bahamut’s shoulder. The kind of aura he currently projected showed that something was really bugging him. He was worried, and... unsure. Bahamut noticed it, but kept quiet. Ren was his first friend in this world, Terra-Mythos. A world where myths from worlds he’d lived in came to reality. Gods, demons, elves, fairies, spirits, dwarves... they were all real in this world. He was a perfect example of this: a chimera.
Bahamut’s group headed towards their residences, as the evaluation wasn’t over yet. But before that, they had to submit their blue orbs and the mission scroll to the Evaluation Hall. As for the main mission points, they would only know about them after the evaluation contest time limit ended. For now, they could only submit the necessary stuff, rest, and wait for everyone to complete theirs.
The Evaluation Hall wasn’t really far from the main courtyard, which they’d appeared in. That was the first place the moment you passed through the gates of the sect. After Sel explained the illusion and spatial security measures of the sect, Bahamut found himself wondering if the sect gates were also illusions.
Passing through the eastern section of the courtyard, they realized that the place was quieter than usual. The sect was already empty because of the evaluation contest, but this particular place was unusually quiet. They followed Aerith’s team, who followed the veiled girl and her darkness elemental that was seated as a small spirit on her shoulder. Tall trees were planted on opposite sides, forming a clean, shady road. The only sound from the place was the sound of their footsteps and birds singing.
Coming through the opening, they appeared in a place that seemed out of place in such a harsh sect like the Shadow Fang Sect. Three colossal buildings stood before them in a triangular formation, separated by wide stone paths, gardens, statues, and streams of flowing water that glimmered beneath the setting sun. The atmosphere there felt... ancient... Sacred. It was quiet in a different way from the rest of the sect. The air felt heavier there.
The first building, directly ahead of them, was the Evaluation Hall. It was the smallest among the three, but only by comparison. The structure was built from smooth black stone mixed with silver-veined marble. Massive pillars lined the front entrance, each carved with different beasts, disciples, and battles from the sect’s history. Above the entrance floated countless glowing runes arranged in circles that rotated slowly like mechanisms. The roof curved upward sharply at the edges like claws reaching toward the sky, while gigantic black banners bearing the symbol of the Shadow Fang Sect hung from its sides.
The place radiated authority. It looked less like a hall and more like a court where destinies were judged. Disciples entering and leaving would instinctively lower their voices. But currently, they were the only disciples...
To the right stood the Main Library, and calling it a library almost felt insulting. The building towered high into the sky, disappearing partially into mist near its upper levels. Unlike the dark architecture common throughout the sect, this structure was pale grey with glowing blue lines running across its walls like rivers of light. Massive windows stretched from floor to ceiling, revealing endless shelves within. Floating lanterns drifted around the building slowly, while thousands upon thousands of glowing script symbols moved across the outer walls like living words. The library was alive. Several bridges connected different upper sections of the structure, and disciples could occasionally be seen flying between them using wings, artifacts, or elemental platforms.
Bahamut could even feel formation energy emanating from the building itself.
"That’s not a library," Ren muttered quietly from Bahamut’s shoulder.
Sel scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Honestly... you’re not wrong."
Finally, to the left stood the Techniques Hall. And unlike the elegant library or authoritative Evaluation Hall, the Techniques Hall looked dangerous. The entire structure resembled a gigantic weapon stabbed into the earth.
Its dark metallic walls were covered in scars, slash marks, burn marks, claw dents, and ancient carvings. Chains thicker than tree trunks wrapped around parts of the building while enormous statues of armored warriors stood guard at the entrance. Some wielded swords, others spears, bows, staffs, or strange weapons that Bahamut couldn’t recognize. The aura there was overwhelming and aggressive. The moment Bahamut looked at it, he felt countless traces of intent pressing against him. Sword intent, killing intent, battle intent, and even a faint trace of death intent. The air around the hall vibrated faintly.
"That place stores combat techniques, elemental arts, cultivation methods, battle manuals, and forbidden arts," Exildra explained softly. "Inner disciples and above are allowed to enter freely depending on contribution points and ranking."
She had learnt of this at home. Her family was one that believed knowledge was power. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that they were part of the few families that had knowledge of everything going on in the world, and as the heiress to the Esteria bloodline, she had access to a good level of information. They were still a very powerful family even after they lost their noble status... Something they would be getting back soon.
"Forbidden arts?" Bahamut repeated.
"I learnt the truly dangerous ones are sealed underground," Sel nodded.
"That sounds fun," Ren commented immediately.
"That sounds stupid," Gabi corrected.
"It can be both," Alana added.
Meanwhile, Aerith’s team had already stopped walking. The veiled girl stood silently ahead of them, her mismatched hair swaying lightly beneath the wind while the small darkness elemental on her shoulder stared directly toward Bahamut’s group, or more specifically, toward Ren.
The bunny froze slightly, his ears twitching. The elemental tilted its head and smiled. A very human smile. Bahamut noticed instantly as his eyes narrowed beneath the blindfold. Something about the elemental felt wrong, or maybe he thought wrong.
"She... feels familiar," Ren suddenly muttered. Bahamut looked at his friend from the corner of his eyes, a reflex action despite the blindfold.
"You know her?" Bahamut asked.
"I don’t know, but she sounds like the girl who kissed me before..."
"You must be thinking too much."
"Maybe."
