Three days later, Caelrisu was almost fully recovered, with only a faint cut left on her neck as a reminder of her near-death experience and various scars that have mapped her body.
When the doctors saw her completely healed that morning, their jaws nearly hit the floor in shock, eyes wide with disbelief. They were so stunned they almost started having a panic attack.
With a calmness that was both reassuring and slightly amused, Caelrisu had to explain to them that it was likely due to the residual energy from the Silent Judge Level Soul Core she devoured before, a phenomenon that was rare but possible.
She assured them it probably wouldn't happen again, though she wasn't entirely sure herself.
'Well, I'll be away for at least three years,' she thought, 'so even if it does when I come back, I'll just blame it on something else.'
While she couldn't say for certain, she felt it was most likely tied to her Penumbral Body, an ancient and enigmatic aspect of her being she had yet to fully understand.
After leaving the hospital, Caelrisu made her way back to her manor. The air was crisp, and her steps and presence were so low that pretty much no one sensed her as she walked around.
After a while, she ordered the maids to prepare a hot, relaxing bath and to make a spread of her favorite dishes. It was time to indulge.
She had decided to treat herself, heeding Namgoong Gyo's advice when they'd met earlier in the hospital courtyard.
"You may not have the luxury of a proper bath or good food for a long while, young lady," he'd said, his tone both serious and gentle. "So, I suggest you take today to spoil yourself."
Caelrisu had smiled at the advice.
And, being a good girl who listened well, she had every intention of enjoying the day. She could feel a rare sense of peace settling in as she prepared to enjoy the comforts that she ignored.
As Caelrisu luxuriated in her hot bath, Namgoong Gyo sat across from the Clan Head, relaying the list of things she'd requested. The conversation was as practical as it was unexpected.
"Everything makes sense... but why the specific colors?" the Clan Head asked, his brow furrowed in mild confusion.
"Young Lady said it's for fashion," Namgoong Gyo replied without missing a beat.
The Clan Head's gaze turned to him with a look that clearly asked, 'Are you serious?'
Namgoong Gyo met the look and gave a solemn, thoughtful nod, as if this was the most logical thing in the world.
The Clan Head sighed, his sigh a mix of frustration and amusement. "When will you be leaving with her?"
"Tomorrow morning, most likely at dawn," Namgoong Gyo answered.
The Clan Head paused, jotting something down in his notes, then looked up. "Do you know measurements for her clothes?"
Namgoong Gyo seemed prepared for the question. "Ah, yes, she gave them to me. Her height is 161 cm, her chest..."
The Clan Head continued writing. After a few moments, he looked up again. "Anything else?"
Namgoong Gyo hesitated for a brief moment, his expression unreadable. "Ah, yes. Although she didn't say it, I'd like the collar to reach all the way to her ears and the sleeves to her fingers. It'll help protect her from the cold."
The Clan Head raised an eyebrow, but he nodded approvingly. "Understood."
After the exchange, the Clan Head stood up, stretching his shoulders and lower back with a slight grunt of satisfaction. Then, he casually raised his hands, and in an instant, Namgoong Gyo was lifted off his feet, suspended in the air with no way to resist. His breath caught in his throat.
"Telekinesis!? You're a Transcended Master! How… how is this possible!?" Namgoong Gyo's eyes widened in shock, his body frozen mid-air.
The Clan Head gazed at him with cool, steady eyes, almost as if the display of power was no more than a trivial gesture.
"Don't you have something new to say?" the Clan Head asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Last time I reset your personality, you said the exact same thing. Well, I suppose it makes sense, considering how far the Namgoong family has fallen. Someone like you is the strongest left. So, you keep searching for Transcended Masters wishing to know their secrets. How laughable."
Namgoong Gyo's mind raced as he processed the words, his confusion deepening. "H-how!? Wait, what do you mean by... 'resetting my personality'?"
The Clan Head gave a faint smile, as though the matter was of little importance. "Don't worry. I'll just input this memory here, remove the current memory of this incident, and alter this one here. Yes, this should work perfectly."
With that, he turned and walked back toward his desk, snapping his fingers as if to signal the end of the conversation.
The air around Namgoong Gyo shifted, and he was gently lowered back to the ground, his posture returning to normal. His expression, however, was subtly different.
The Clan Head, still seated at his desk, clapped his hands together with a satisfied sound.
"Why are you spacing out, Namgoong? Are you alright?"
Namgoong Gyo blinked, shaking his head as if coming out of a daze. "Yes, yes. Clan Head."
The Clan Head gave a brief nod, signaling the end of the conversation. "You may go."
"Yes." Namgoong Gyo's voice was the same as before without any change.
Seeing that he had walked away, Clan Head closed the door and slumped back to his chair.
'Penumbral Body, huh.'
The Clan Head lifted his gaze and called out to the Raven.
"Summon Caelrisu. It's time for both the punishment and the reward for my dear niece."
"Yes," the Raven replied.
***
At the break of dawn, Caelrisu and Namgoong Gyo stood before the imposing main gate of Clan Aurelis; the world around them was just starting to wake up.
Caelrisu's figure was striking, draped in a long, flowing white robe that bore intricate black floral embroidery along the edges. The robe billowed loosely around her, a deliberate design to conceal hidden weapons beneath its elegant folds.
Beneath the robe, she wore a tight-fitting black full bodysuit, enchanted with the ability to stretch by at least 50 cm, a design meant to accommodate her growth as she grew older.
Her accessories were minimal—on her wrist, a loose bracelet that served little purpose beyond style, a small token of elegance.
A mask rested beside her face, crafted by the Clan Head himself. This mask had an enchantment capable of blurring the memories of anyone she wished, making the memory of her appearance forgotten. However, it was incredibly draining on her essence, and just a single use could deplete her completely.
On her back, the familiar weight of her broadsword rested, identical in form to the one she'd used in countless spars against Namgoong Gyo.
Her raven-black hair was tied high in a ponytail with a crimson ribbon matching her eyes. There was a beautiful golden ear cuff on her left ear with three beautiful butterflies on it.
Beside her, Namgoong Gyo stood as ever, unchanging and ever-smiling. His robes were identical to the ones he always wore, simple yet elegant in their own right. A sword was fastened at his waist, its blade a quiet reminder of his power.
His gaze lingered for a moment on the figure of Caelrisu, the daughter of his savior, before he turned his attention back to the road ahead.
"Why don't you say a final goodbye to them, young lady?"
"I already did yesterday. And if I see their faces again, I'm afraid I'll end up crying."
"Understood."