I lay on the trampled grass, just catching my breath, feeling the cool evening air soothe my aching muscles. Storm hopped onto my chest and nuzzled my cheek with a soft, worried chirp. Giving him a reassuring pat, I focused inward as the system screen changed at my command:
[Skill Menu]
[Appraisal Lv.1]
[King Level Martial Arts Lv.1]
[New Skill: Inventory]
Curiosity piqued, I mentally selected *Inventory*. New text shimmered into view:
[Inventory Lv.1]
*Dimensional storage for user's items. Capacity increases with skill level.*
As a little strength returned to my limbs, I pushed myself up and set to work. Using a sharp stone, I carefully harvested 14 iridescent cores and a matching set of sharp, curved claws from the fallen Molediles. Holding the first core in my palm, I focused on the idea of storing it. With a faint, almost imperceptible *shimmer*, the core vanished from my hand. A new line appeared in my mental view: [Moledile Core x1]. One by one, the rest of the cores and claws followed, disappearing into my personal, extradimensional space. The sunset was painting the hills in shades of crimson and gold as I finally started the walk home, my body weary but my spirit lighter.
Elowen greeted me at the door, her relief palpable. "There you are! Cassian just returned!" she said, her voice warm with excitement. Inside, the cozy cottage was filled with the rich, comforting smell of simmering vegetable-and-meat porridge. While helping her set the wooden table, she asked about my new friends at the academy.
I couldn't help but smile. "Raven's the serious one – always patching everyone up. His brother Wren's all energy and jokes, never stops talking." I stirred my bowl absently. "Kael's quiet, keeps to himself, but he's incredibly sharp. And Lira..." I felt my ears grow warm and I focused a little too intently on my spoon. "She's fearless. Strong. Keeps our spirits up during the toughest drills."
The cottage door swung open then, cutting off any further description. Cassian filled the doorway, his travel-stained but polished armor gleaming in the firelight, the hilt of his greatsword rising over his shoulder. His eyes, sharp and assessing, found me immediately. "Heard about the Ravager," he said, his deep voice resonating through the small room. A note of fierce pride warmed his tone. He walked over and unslung a bundle from his back – a smaller, expertly crafted armor set of interlocking dark steel plates engraved with subtle, fiery patterns. "Borin owed me a favor. Made this from the spare Darkuk materials I had left. For you."
My hands trembled slightly as I took the gift. It was far finer than anything I'd ever owned. My vision flashed blue as I focused on it:
[Appraisal: Darksteel Chestplate]
[Materials: Tier C Darkuk Skull, Darkuk Core, Steel]
[Affinity: +20 DEF | +10% All Stats]
A ten percent boost to *everything*? My heart hammered against my ribs. With Cassian's help, I fastened the armor over my tunic. The moment the last strap was secure, a wave of power surged through me – not just physical strength, but speed, a sharper mental clarity, even my senses seemed heightened. It was intoxicating. I carefully removed it before joining them for the meal, placing it reverently on a stool beside me.
***
The Wordin mansion's marble towers glowed a deep amber in the setting sun, a banner with a stylized, roaring lion snapping in the evening breeze above its wrought iron gates. Lira stepped gracefully from her lacquered carriage, instinctively cradling her bandaged arm. The stern-faced butler, Corvus, was there instantly, offering a steadying hand. "Welcome home, Miss Lira."
Inside the grand, echoing foyer, a maid silently approached with a crystal glass filled with a faintly blue, shimmering juice. Lira drank it gratefully, feeling a immediate, cooling relief seep into her tired muscles. She then approached a pair of towering, carved oak doors. She entered the study to find her mother standing by a large window, her sunset-orange dress flowing around her like liquid fire. She turned, and genuine warmth filled her eyes at the sight of her daughter.
"Lira! Come here, dear." She opened her arms, embracing Lira gently, being careful of the injured arm. "Sit, sit. Tell me about your assessment. I want to hear everything."
Lira's face lit up, the fatigue momentarily forgotten. "It was incredible, Mother. My group defeated a Tier S Frostclaw Ravager!" She gestured with her good hand to the bandage. "I got this during the final attack, holding it off."
Her mother's warm smile faded slightly, replaced by a more calculating look. She nodded almost imperceptibly to Corvus, who had followed silently. "Corvus? Your report?"
The butler bowed. "It is true, ma'am. I observed from the perimeter as per your instructions. The beast was indeed terminated. A cadet struck the killing blow with a standard-issue sword before my intervention was required." He hesitated for a fraction of a second. "A remarkable feat, given the confirmed tier of the creature."
"Which cadet?" Lira's mother asked, her voice smooth but intent.
Corvus produced a slim file from within his jacket. She took it and read aloud, her voice neutral.
"Adam Ashblade.
Age: 15.
Affinity: Fire.
Parents:
Cassian (Hunter).
Elowen (Florist)."
A thoughtful, unreadable expression crossed her face as she dismissed Corvus with a wave of her hand. "Rest now, Lira. We will talk more tomorrow." She smiled again, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
Exhaustion finally crashing down on her, Lira retreated to her room – a spacious chamber where walls lined with training weapons and detailed maps stood beside elegant furniture. She unpacked her knapsack mechanically before collapsing into the soft embrace of her bed, asleep almost instantly.
Hours later, a gentle knock woke her. "Miss? Dinner is ready."
***
Back in the humble cottage, firelight danced on the surface of my new darksteel chestplate where it rested beside me. Cassian explained between bites of stew, "Darkuk cores bond with the steel on a molecular level – makes it lighter and far tougher than normal plate." Elowen placed a small vase of fragrant night-blooming jasmine on the table, her florist's touch effortlessly brightening the rustic room.
I ran my fingers over the armor's cool, engraved surface, the promise of a +10% stat boost humming just beneath my touch like a sleeping dragon. Outside the small window, stars emerged in the vast black sky, like scattered crystals. I glanced at my mother lovingly arranging her flowers, then at Cassian methodically polishing the blade of his greatsword by the hearth. The system's quiet, glowing lines were a constant presence in the back of my mind:
[Aether Shards: 50]
[Inventory: Moledile Core x14, Moledile Claw x14]
Tomorrow's challenges – the interrogation, the secrets, the need to get stronger – they could all wait. Tonight was for the warmth of hearthlight and the quiet gratitude for being home, safe and whole.