200 FOUND THE STONE
"It's hidden in one of the abandoned mines. Only Kabana has the key, and the mine is guarded by his brother, Gubana. He's a peak-tier Svad mage."
Leo's brow furrowed in thought. "What do you need us to do?"
"I'll get the key from Kabana," Hanna replied. "But you'll have to deal with Gubana. Can you take down a peak-tier mage? Or were those stories about you with the demons just legends?"
Leo's lips curled into a confident smile. "I've defeated one before when my magic was much weaker. Tell me more about Gubana and the defenses of this fortress."
"I don't have time," Hanna said abruptly. "I need to get back to Kabana before he notices I'm gone. Rabama can fill you in about his uncle."
"Keep in touch with trade messaging", Siphonia added.
With that, she turned and swept out of the room, her cloak trailing behind her like a shadow.
"We need a plan", Leo said.
"What can I do to help?" Rabama asked.
"You'll probably have to die for it", he said.
"What?"
-----
[Back at the Training Ground of Eoloth Fortress]
Rabama was moved aside as the medical team worked to heal him. His injuries weren't severe, but he winced to them as they attended to him.
"Where is Hanna? Why is she taking so long?" Lord Kabana growled, pacing with impatience.
"Don't worry about her," Rabama replied, his tone steady despite his condition. "She's doing her job. We should focus on the demon."
Kabana's brows furrowed. "How did he defeat you so easily?"
Rabama sighed. "He already beat me yesterday. It wasn't a draw then, and you know it."
"And why were you two even fighting?" Kabana pressed.
Rabama shrugged, wincing slightly. "You know how it is. A little of this, a little of that… then it became this. You already know the reason."
Lord Kabana's frustration boiled over. "I told you not to associate with outsiders! Now look at the mess you've caused!"
"I didn't invite them here!" Rabama shot back.
Kabana turned his attention toward the corner of the training grounds, where Leo stood calmly, untouched by the magic of the chains arraye. "Why is he just standing there?" Kabana asked.
Rabama frowned. "Probably because the magic array doesn't affect that spot."
Before Kabana could reply, a figure appeared in the distance, striding with such immense speed that he closed the gap in seconds.
"Gubana! Finally, you're here," Kabana said, relief evident in his voice.
Gubana stopped before them, his expression irritated. "Why call me here now? You know I have an important task."
Kabana pointed toward Leo. "It's that boy. He's about to bring ruin to our whole family."
Gubana raised an eyebrow. "That boy? A Tier 7 Svad? You call him a threat? Even Rabama is much stronger than him."
"Rabama lost to him," Kabana muttered.
Gubana scowled and turned to Kabana. "Useless. If you spent less time distracted by trivial matters like bride selections and more time training, you'd be able to handle this on your own."
"It's not my selection!" Kabana protested. "This time, it's for Rabama!"
"Enough!" Gubana snapped. "I'll deal with this boy myself."
Without another word, Gubana launched toward Leo, his arm outstretched. But to his shock, Leo dodged, missing by a mere inch.
"How can you move so fast for a high-tier Svad?" Gubana demanded, narrowing his eyes.
Leo smirked. "Ask your ancestors," he replied, shifting into an offensive strike.
Gubana barely dodged the counterstrike, surprised by the speed of his opponent.
The two began sparring across the training grounds, their movements a blur of precision and power.
"Use the magic chains to trap him!" Gubana barked at Kabana suddenly.
"He already broke free of them," Kabana protested.
Gubana's expression darkened. "Never mind the stupid chains. I'll kill you myself!"
Leo cracked his knuckles, his grin widening. "Alright then. Let the real fight begin."
-----
[In an abandoned mine in Eoloth]
Hanna and Siphonia ascended a narrow, winding path carved into the rugged mountainside. The trail led them to a cavern entrance, its dark maw illuminated by the faint glow of torchlight.
Subtle signs of human craftsmanship were visible—reinforced walls and carved pillars, blending with the natural contours of the mountain.
The cave had been transformed into a stronghold, its defenses hidden behind the guise of unassuming rock.
A soldier emerged from the shadows, his armor catching the flickering light. "Who dares approach this place?" he demanded, his tone sharp with suspicion.
Hanna stepped forward, calm but commanding. "I bear Lord Kabana's seal."
She produced the insignia, holding it up for inspection.
The guard eyed it warily, leaning closer to scrutinize the intricate markings. Satisfied, he nodded and stepped aside, motioning toward a large gate embedded in the rock face.
Hanna approached and placed the seal into a hidden mechanism. With a low rumble, the gate began to slide open, revealing the fortress within.
The interior was hauntingly silent.
Sparse activity suggested this was no ordinary stronghold. A few soldiers moved about lazily. The true defense wasn't in number of soldiers or weapons—it was the intricate magical array protecting the gates.
Other than that, Gubana's presence was defense enough. The lack of a large garrison minimized the risk of leaks, preserving the secrecy of the fortress.
"What are your orders, Lady Hanna?" the guard asked, stepping aside with a respectful bow.
Hanna's reply came swiftly and without warning. She raised her hand and muttered an incantation, her voice steady and commanding.
A searing beam of light erupted from her palm, striking the guard squarely in the chest. He collapsed without a sound, dead before he hit the ground.
The remaining guards froze, momentarily stunned by the sudden attack.
Siphonia wasted no time. Her blade flashed in the dim torchlight, moving with lethal precision as she dispatched the others in a matter of seconds.
"Let's move," Hanna ordered curtly.
The two women pressed deeper into the labyrinthine cave. Shadows stretched along the walls, the air thick with the faint hum of magic.
At the heart of the cavern, they found it: an enormous stone tome, its surface inscribed with glowing runes that pulsed faintly in the dim light. The structure resembled a monumental book, radiating an unmistakable aura of power and mystery.
"This is the Giga Codex," Hanna said, her voice laced with triumph as she gazed at the glowing stone before her.