As we resumed our tour of the castle, Calvin continued guiding me through the grand halls, pointing out the areas where only nobles were allowed to enter. Though the tour was enjoyable, I could tell he was holding back, keeping certain places off-limits.
Eventually, we returned to the main gate, where we found Liam deep in conversation with one of the guards. His usual composed demeanor was tinged with something unusual—concern. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his arms were crossed, as if he were contemplating something troubling.
Sensing the shift in atmosphere, I asked, "What's going on?"
Liam turned toward me, his sharp eyes studying my face before he answered, "Oh, you're back. It's nothing too urgent. We were just discussing the Syler Forest." He paused briefly before continuing, "Two days ago, an unusually strong aura wave was detected coming from deep within the forest. The fluctuations were far greater than anything we've recorded before."
I kept my expression neutral, but inwardly, I already knew the cause. 'Yeah… that was probably from when I was sparring with Master.'
Feigning ignorance, I replied, "Oh? Is that so?"
Aurora's voice rang in my mind, laced with worry, 'I was afraid of this when you two were fighting back then…'
I chuckled inwardly, 'Heh. Well, what's done is done.'
Before the conversation could continue, a carriage pulled up to the entrance, its golden crest gleaming under the dim evening light. The sun had long since set, casting elongated shadows over the castle grounds. It was time to return to the manor.
...
That night, we gathered around the dining table, a warm ambiance settling over the meal. The clinking of silverware against plates filled the room as the conversation shifted toward the kingdom's affairs.
Liam looked toward my Dad, his tone serious, "The King has ordered me to assemble a party of high-ranked knights and mages for an expedition."
My Dad raised an eyebrow, setting down his fork, "An expedition? For what purpose?"
Liam's gaze darkened slightly, "It's regarding the aura wave in Syler Forest. The King wants us to investigate the source of it."
I could feel my Dad's sharp gaze flicker toward me for the briefest moment before he replied, "An investigation, huh? Sounds dangerous." Then, a slow grin formed on his lips. "Count me in."
Liam nodded in approval. "Good. I'll be selecting the rest of the party tomorrow."
As the conversation continued, I suddenly felt a familiar, firm grip on my shoulder. Master, who had been quietly eating next to me, leaned in and whispered, "You should join them, brat."
I frowned slightly, muttering back, "I'd rather enjoy my time here. They'll be fine on their own."
Master smirked, "Come to my room after dinner. We need to talk."
I exhaled in resignation, "Fine."
Meanwhile, across the table, Canya perked up, looking toward my Mom and me, "We need to go shopping tomorrow. So, be ready in the morning."
My Mom nodded, turning toward me with a warm smile, "Rayon, I need to buy you new clothes, too."
I groaned internally. Shopping wasn't exactly my idea of fun.
...
...
The next afternoon, after finishing lunch, I made my way to Master's room as instructed. His door was slightly ajar, and inside, he was seated cross-legged on the floor, deep in meditation. The room was quiet, save for the subtle hum of energy radiating from him.
I knocked lightly on the doorframe, breaking his concentration, "Hey, why were you meditating with the door open?"
His eyes fluttered open, a flicker of amusement in them, "Oh. I forgot to lock it."
I sighed, stepping inside and closing the door behind me, "Alright, what's so important?"
Master's expression shifted into something more serious, his golden eyes narrowing, "Today, while roaming the capital, I sensed something... unsettling."
I frowned, "Unsettling?"
He nodded, "A Supreme Being's presence."
A chill crawled up my spine, "What? A Supreme Being? Here? In the capital?"
Master's expression remained unreadable as he leaned back against the wall, "Yes. Their presence was faint, but unmistakable."
I clenched my fists. 'Supreme Beings, creatures of legend, what they are doing in the city? Master told me that they can transform into humanoid.'
I swallowed hard, "How could a Supreme Being just... walk into the capital without anyone noticing?"
Master's gaze darkened, "That's the scary part, kid. They know how to conceal themselves."
I felt Aurora's presence flicker in my mind, her voice hesitant. 'Does that mean they've been watching us?'
Master folded his arms, "Gods are getting involved now and it's probably because of you."
My breath hitched, "Because of me?"
He nodded, smirking slightly, "Remember when you used the Source during our spar?"
I hesitated, the memory flashing in my mind. The raw, untamed energy that surged through me that day. The sheer destruction it caused.
Master continued, "I also use the Source, but I know how to conceal it. You, on the other hand, used it at full force. That kind of power is like a beacon, it calls out to things better left undisturbed."
A shiver ran down my spine, "So, they sensed the source and are now in the city instead of the forest."
Master nodded. "And now, they're finding you."
Silence hung between us, thick and suffocating.
After a moment, I forced out, "But… how? How do Supreme Beings know."
He said, "I think it is because of gods. They are the one who ordered them to find the person who used source – you."
I said with a serious tone, "But how does it get to another continent?"
He said, " Brat, They hold the power to destroy the galaxy and they are the ones who maintain their given realm."
I said, "Given? Who gave them?"
Master's expression shifted into something unreadable. A hint of fear.
Then, in a hushed voice, he said, "The one who created them and given them a body."
I stiffened, "God, are created? By whom?"
Master exhaled slowly, "You don't think gods are the highest beings, do you?"
My heartbeat quickened, "You mean… someone more powerful than them."
Master chuckled bitterly, "Oh, kid. If gods weren't created, they wouldn't be able to die. It's obvious, isn't it?"
My throat went dry, "Then… who created them?"
For the first time, I saw something in Master's eyes I never thought I'd see. It was pure fear.
I took a step back instinctively, "Master…?"
His voice was barely a whisper.
"I don't know what it is. I don't know its form, its will, or its purpose." He swallowed, "But I know one thing."
He turned his gaze to me, and in that moment, the weight of ancient knowledge settled onto his shoulders.
"It is absolute."
A cold chill spread through my veins.
"It made us all. All realms. Every god." His voice was quieter now, almost reverent, "And when gods die… they return to it."
A suffocating silence filled the room.
I swallowed, my voice barely above a whisper, "Have… have you ever seen it?"
Master's jaw tightened, "Once."
I stiffened.
He shook his head. "From a great distance." Then, abruptly, he stood up, brushing off the tension, "Anyway, enough about that. You should get some rest. I'll be patrolling the capital tomorrow."
I barely heard him. My mind was still spinning.
Something greater than gods?
And… it knew I existed.