Arcane Energy or Clarion Energy… they were like ink in a pen, and while a pen could be used by anyone, the handwriting of each person would always be different from one another, no matter what.
That was why, even though everyone was using Arcane Energy, the way they wielded it, shaped it, and expressed it was entirely unique to them, forming their own signature output.
“What? You want me to pour Mother’s Energy into this?” Helena asked, her tone filled with surprise and uncertainty as she held the apple in her palm.
Victor nodded at her with a calm expression.
Helena hesitated for a moment before shifting her gaze toward the Archpriestess, silently seeking confirmation. The Archpriestess looked at the others for a brief second before finally giving a small nod in approval.
Taking a deep breath, Helena slowly injected her Clarion Energy into the apple.
BUFF!
The apple suddenly burst apart with an abrupt explosion, sending tiny pieces flying.
Everyone flinched at the unexpected result, their eyes widening in shock as they gulped inwardly.
Even an ordinary apple had been unable to withstand the sheer force of the energy!!
Victor let out a sigh and rubbed his forehead before speaking, “Just do it slowly this time… there’s no need to rush it, okay? Let it flow at its own pace.”
Helena pursed her lips before nodding. Closing her eyes, she steadied herself and carefully injected the Clarion Energy again, this time allowing it to flow gently, like a single drop of water merging with a vast ocean.
Victor’s eyes flickered with a sharp glint as, for a brief moment, everything in his vision turned black and white. He could see the white energy gradually seeping into the apple, moving in delicate waves. However, just then, something caught his attention—the energy inside suddenly trembled, reacting to an outside energy… Arcane!
“STOP!”
Helena flinched slightly before stopping the flow of energy. She blinked in confusion before glancing at Victor. “That’s it? Are you sure?”
Victor gave a small nod as he carefully took the apple from Helena’s hands, his eyes scanning it with deep focus before turning toward the child in front of him.
The child did not take his eyes off Victor, staring at him with an unwavering gaze, as if Victor was the only thing in the world that truly mattered to him at that moment.
Victor let out a soft sigh before slowly bringing the apple closer to the child’s face. For a few seconds, the child simply stared at Victor before his nose twitched slightly.
His small body stiffened as his head finally turned toward the apple. He stared at it with silent curiosity before leaning in and sniffing it several times, his expression shifting as if he was trying to process something unfamiliar. Then, after a brief hesitation, he finally took a small bite.
The instant the sweet, foreign taste touched his tongue, the child’s eyes widened in shock, as if he had just experienced something entirely new. Without another moment of doubt, he eagerly bit into the apple again, this time devouring it without hesitation.
It was his first proper meal after an agonizingly long period of hunger.
“Hmmm…” The boy hummed softly, his voice carrying a hint of astonishment as if he was unable to believe what he was tasting.
Dora and Aqualina raised their eyebrows in surprise.
Victor nodded slightly before explaining in a calm but firm voice. “Do you see now? The reason these children refused to eat anything before was because every single thing around them—every fruit, every piece of vegetation—was completely infused with Arcane Energy. Everything here grew alongside Arcane Energy, much like how our own bodies adapted to it over time.
But these children are different… their bodies require something else. They need food infused with Clarion Energy too. That is why they didn’t eat the food we offered them. Instead, they consumed the flesh of their dead parents… because their bodies contained both energies, making them the only source of sustenance these children could accept.”
A wave of silence washed over the group as realization sank in, their expressions filled with a mixture of shock and horror.
Victor continued, his voice taking on a slightly heavier tone, “As you can see, these children… They are not ordinary. He was created by Snape, the ex-Sovereign, who was conducting experiments in an attempt to create a new race of people—individuals capable of surviving the inevitable arrival of ‘The Beginning’.”
The moment those words left Victor’s lips, the entire group stiffened.
“So… the Ex-Sovereign was actually trying to save us?” Leon asked hesitantly, his voice tinged with disbelief and uncertainty.
Victor’s gaze shifted toward Dora, who let out a deep sigh before responding. “Well, we cannot be sur—”
“Sure?” Kai suddenly interrupted, his brows furrowed deeply as he clenched his fists. His voice carried frustration, anger, and a sense of betrayal as he spoke. “He was trying to save us! And yet… you guys killed him for that?”
Victor remained unfazed by Kai’s reaction, merely observing in silence. It was a normal thought process, after all.
Anyone in Kai’s position would be bound to feel the same way.
However, Aqualina immediately turned a sharp look at Kai, “Save us? Do you have any idea what those people had to go through? Do you have even the slightest clue?!” Her voice carried a sharp edge, filled with unfiltered bitterness. “Many of them died… right in front of our eyes! And now you’re sitting here, saying he was trying to save us?”
Kai gritted his teeth, his fists clenching at his sides. “B-But… he’s the one who created them all… right? That means—there’s a chance we might be able to save them! We can still do something!”
Dora shook her head, exhaling deeply as she stared at Kai with a sombre expression. “Kai… you’re only saying that because you never saw what he was truly capable of.” Her voice grew colder as she continued, “Save? Didn’t I already tell you? He killed millions of them before!”
The weight of her words crashed down on Kai… He totally forgot that part! His body tensed, his face stiffening as he flinched, before finally shutting his mouth, unable to argue any further.
Dora then reached out and pushed a glass tube forward. Inside, a crimson-red liquid shimmered under the dim light. “For now, this is our only lead…” she said before turning to Mary. Fixing her with a firm stare, she added, “With your help, we might be able to identify what’s inside this liquid… and find a way to save them all—without turning them into monsters.”
Mary remained silent for a moment, her eyes locked onto the swirling crimson liquid within the glass tube. Then, without warning, she smirked slightly. “What’s in it for me?”
“Huh?” Dora blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
Mary’s smirk widened into a grin as she leaned back with an almost playful expression. “I asked… what will you give me in return?” Her voice carried an unmistakable amusement, yet beneath it lurked something much more calculating.
Dora’s expression darkened as she furrowed her brows. “Mary… this isn’t a game. People’s lives are hanging by a thread here… and that includes your daughter. Don’t forget that.”
The moment those words left Dora’s lips, Mary’s crimson eyes flickered—no, burned—with a violent glow, an eerie intensity swirling within them, “Are you threatening me?”
Dora’s frown deepened, her muscles tensing, but before the tension could escalate further—
“What do you want?” Victor’s voice cut through the heavy silence.
Mary blinked, before turning her sharp gaze toward him.
Victor met her stare without hesitation, his expression unreadable. “I am the ruler of my empire. I have people to protect. I have a duty to save them… so tell me, what do you want?” His voice was blunt, firm—unwavering.
Mary’s lips curled into a slow, wicked smile. “Hmm… interesting…” Her voice was laced with something almost teasing, but then, with a tilt of her head, she added, “Well then… your life?”
Victor’s brows furrowed slightly.
Dora immediately stepped in, “Mary.”
Mary’s crimson eyes flicked to Dora… But it wasn’t just Dora—Sandra, the Archpriestess, and even Liora had already taken a defensive stance. It was subtle, but clear. They were ready to fight.
Ready to strike her down the moment she crossed a certain line.
Mary let out a small sigh before, to everyone’s surprise, she giggled softly. “No need to be so tense…” She waved her hand dismissively, “Of course, I’ll help you all. After all… we’re friends, aren’t we?” Her eyes lingered on Dora as she spoke as if daring her to say otherwise.
“I doubt that,” Dora muttered as she handed the glass tube to Mary.
Mary chuckled softly before taking the tube into her hands. She held it up to the light, observing the deep crimson liquid swirling inside. “It might take a few days… hope you don’t mind the wait,” she said with a small shrug.
Dora nodded. “Well, everything has been discussed. If you have any questions, ask me before you leave.”
But just as everyone thought the conversation was over—
“No, not yet,” Victor suddenly spoke, his voice carrying an amused undertone. A small, knowing smile spread across his lips—something sly, something calculated. Slowly, he rubbed his hands together in a way that was both professional and mischievous. Then, turning his gaze toward Liora, Mary, and the Archpriestess, he said, “How about we talk about the Thrusters’ price?”