Duke Edger retrieved the permission to obtain the Genesis Stone. He entered the palace and made his way toward the treasury vault.
The golden-armored guards stationed at the vault bowed respectfully as he passed. He opened the grand treasury door.
Edger stepped into the vault. His footsteps echoed as he walked alone, passing by countless invaluable treasures. Suddenly, a spirit-like being materialized before him, appearing from thin air.
"Edger, it's you. I almost didn't recognize you," it said.
Edger bowed slightly. "It's my pleasure to meet you again, Master."
The spirit seemed surprised by the title. A gentle smile formed as it spoke warmly.
"You're still the polite child I remember. Just call me Guardian—that's enough." After a brief pause, the spirit asked, "Why are you here?"
Edger explained the situation in Trisen, and the old man's approval to use the Genesis Stone. Hearing his words, the great spirit's expression softened with sorrow. She nodded, understanding the gravity of the matter.
"Very well, Edger. You may retrieve the stone. I will assist you to the best of my ability."
"Thank you, Guardian Spirit Ophelia."
The duke advanced toward the deeper chamber of the treasury. He stopped before a majestic, cryptic door—royal and ancient. With a wave of his hand, a soft blue mist emanated from his palm and reached toward the locked gate. The door responded immediately, as though alive. It absorbed the mist, recognized Edger's mana signature, and slowly opened.
Edger walked past several chimeras and golems—statue-like creatures made of stone. But as he neared the innermost sanctum, their eyes began to glow brightly and the statues stirred to life.
Before they could react, Ophelia raised her hand. Her spirit energy surged through the chamber, instantly demobilizing the ancient guardians.
Edger sighed in silent relief and gave her a grateful glance.
He finally reached the high altar where the Genesis Stone lay—a crystalline formation shaped like a six-edged diamond, glowing with a green hue. A protective barrier shimmered around it. Edger channeled his mist power to weaken the seal, with Ophelia lending her strength.
After some time, he gently touched the Genesis Stone—glowing with nature's green mist—and took it in his hand. Instantly, it flared with an intense green light, reacting violently to Edger's blue mist, as if repelling it.
Ophelia quickly intervened, wrapping a temporary barrier around the stone to prevent a full rejection.
"Green Mist is Nature's Mist," she explained calmly. "It always seeks freedom. It cannot be bound to a single place. It doesn't clash with other mist powers, but it does repel them—like opposing magnets."
Edger nodded silently, gazing at the stone floating above his palm.
"It cannot be used by someone who has already awakened their mist powers," Ophelia added. "Which means… Trisen may be compatible with it."
"Yes," Edger finally spoke, his voice tight with concern. "That's what I suspect too."
"But Edger," Ophelia warned, "absorbing the essence of a Genesis Stone is no simple task. It can destroy the body… even the soul."
"I know," the duke said solemnly. "But I must take the risk… to save my newborn son, Trisen."
"You are persistent, Edger," Ophelia said, a soft sadness in her voice. "But I respect your resolve."
She looked down. A part of her heart ached. She had been the guardian of the Genesis Stone for generations. Never had it been used—not even by the many patriarchs of House Vaelros. Some tried, but they were never granted recognition or permission.
She didn't know whether Trisen was merely the son of a patriarch, or someone far more. But perhaps… his life depended on this.
And the only feeling she could offer him—was pity.
******
They had just left the treasury when Edger froze in place, his gaze falling on the boy lying before him.
Trisen's skin had turned deathly pale, his lips drained of all color. No breath stirred his chest, no heartbeat thrummed within him. He looked less like a sleeping child and more like a lifeless shell.
Edger's chest tightened. For a fleeting moment, his father's heart screamed in anguish, but he forced himself to harden his face. His voice trembled, yet he spoke with resolve:
"Master… I will begin the assimilation process."
"Wait, Edger."
The voice was calm, monotone, yet carried a weight that made him stop instantly. He turned, and his eyes met hers.
Opellia's expression was unreadable, her silver gaze fixed on the boy. "You cannot handle the process. Let me do it."
Edger hesitated. A storm of emotions swirled inside him—relief, doubt, fear. At last, he exhaled heavily, his hand tightening around the glowing stone before he surrendered it to her.
"Yes… you are right. Your knowledge is unparalleled in this." His voice was low, heavy.
Still, the question he had buried for so long clawed its way out. He couldn't hold it back any longer."But, Master… do you have that much strength left in you?"
For a long, heavy silence, Opellia said nothing. She merely looked down at Trisen, her lips curving—not in kindness, but in a hollow, fleeting chuckle.
"Perhaps I do."
Edger's heart sank. He clenched his fists, his voice breaking."Master, you should not force yourself. If you use too much of the Mist now… your life force will burn away."
Opellia inhaled deeply, her chest rising with a deliberate calm. A faint smile ghosted across her lips, though her eyes remained cold.
"Do not worry, Edger. It will be fine. I exist to guard the Genesis Stone. If it ceases to exist, then so shall I. Better that I pour the remnants of my life into your son, than waste away with nothing."
The words pierced him. Emotionless, spoken as though they were inevitable. Yet, Edger knew her resolve. He wanted to speak, to beg her not to do it, but the words died in his throat. His love for his son chained him in silence.
And then—without warning—the chamber was swallowed by an overwhelming brilliance. A surge of green light burst forth, so fierce it burned against Edger's eyes, threatening to blind him. The very air trembled with power.
Within that brilliance, a voice whispered, steady and fading, yet filled with a strange warmth:
"It was… a pleasure to teach you, my only disciple."
Edger's eyes widened, his lips trembling. "Master…"