Awakened Talent: 10,000 Exp Converter!

If she were to be exterminated by the Eternal Spire, she would be erased completely—her soul lost forever, never to enter the cycle of reincarnation.

She would cease to exist.

A bittersweet smile touched Tayma's lips.

Vincent remained silent, observing her closely. Yet, in her eyes, he found nothing but determination.

Despite the sadness lingering in them, she had already accepted her fate.

He simply nodded as Aevara descended with Ara.

"I'm ready, Granny!" Aevara declared excitedly. A white cloth was strapped to her back like a makeshift backpack.

Tayma turned her attention to her.

Her bittersweet smile softened into something warm and kind.

She stepped forward and gently caressed Aevara's hair. "Remember what I told you, alright? Mind your manners in the presence of the Divine Lordship."

Aevara nodded earnestly.

"And listen carefully to everything the Divine Lordship says."

Aevara bobbed her head in agreement.

Tayma continued for a while, patiently reminding her of everything she needed to keep in mind.

"I understand, Granny! You don't have to keep repeating it," Aevara huffed, slightly exasperated by the constant reminders.

Tayma's voice softened. "Just promise me you'll take care of yourself, alright? I won't be there with you."

"What are you talking about, Granny?" Aevara tilted her head, puzzled. "I'll be back after I help the Divine Lordship fix the Temporal Core."

Tayma didn't respond. Instead, she gently repeated, "Always remember—your Granny loves you, okay?"

Aevara giggled. "Hehe, I love you too, Granny."

Tayma smiled, her expression tender, before pulling her into a warm embrace.

After talking with Aevara, Tayma shifted her attention to Vincent and bowed, "My Lord, I will leave her in your care."

Vincent responded with a silent nod. Words felt inadequate; it would be presumptuous to claim he understood her feelings when there was no way for him to experience her situation.

Aevara, following her grandmother's lead, bowed as well and spoke softly, "I'll be in your care, Divine Lordship."

Vincent acknowledged her with another nod, his expression calm and composed.

Noticing his gesture, Tayma gently urged Aevara forward.

"Go now, child. Remember to heed the Divine Lordship's guidance."

"I understand, Granny."

Aevara had an excited expression on her face. It was a natural reaction since it would be her first time travelling outside, apart from relocating to different villages and towns.

Tayma turned back to Vincent, her tone earnest. "My Lord, I advise you to depart soon. The Tomb of Eternal Echoes will open in two days and remain accessible for no more than a week. Time is of the essence. You must gather the keys from my kin, and Aevara will guide you with the map she carries."

"Thank you." Vincent replied seriously.

Tayma shook her head, a humble smile gracing her lips. "It is I who should thank you, My Lord. Your arrival has not only saved me but has given hope to the future of my people. For that, I am eternally grateful."

Vincent could feel that Tayma's words were all sincere.

Therefore, without further hesitation, he said, "We're leaving now."

At this moment, Tayma stood still, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

She smiled at Vincent, but the warmth didn't reach her eyes—they were distant, glistening with something she refused to let spill over.

"May the heavens guide your path, My Lord."

Her voice was steady, though it took effort; each word was measured, as if she were balancing on a fragile thread.

When she turned to Aevara, her movements were deliberate, almost too careful, like someone afraid of shattering.

She blinked quickly, her gaze lingering for a moment too long before she looked away, her jaw tightening as she swallowed whatever words she couldn't bring herself to say.

Aevara subtly tilted her head, wondering what was going through her grandmother's mind.

After a moment, Tayma spoke with the warmest smile she could make, "Take care, My dear."

Aevara's smile was bright and reassuring, a stark contrast to the heaviness in the air. "I will. You too, Granny. Please don't overexert yourself. I'll be back as soon as possible."

Tayma didn't reply this time. Instead, she simply smiled—a gentle, bittersweet expression—and watched as they turned to leave.

Her hands remained clasped, her posture unwavering, but her eyes followed them until they were out of sight.

At this moment, a tear rolled down to her cheek from her right eye as the same time she felt a mysterious power tugging into her core.

The next moment, a mirage of different scenes appeared in her surroundings.

They were the scenes she had witnessed with her own eyes in her entire lifetime.

One of them was a scene she could never forget ever since she was young.

A scene where a young version of her was being chased by slave traders. She was thin and fragile, she could vividly remember how she kept running and running despite her exhaustion while praying for someone to save her.

And the moment where her feet were no longer able to take another single step and when her world crumbled, a figure in long midnight purple hair appeared and saved her from the evil hands of the slave traders.

Albeit she could not clearly discern the figure's appearance, the figure's unique aura was etched into her young mind.

It was an ominous aura, however, instead of sensing any danger or hostility, the ominous aura emits the warmest and tranquil aura she had ever encountered.

And as a young phantolisk, she was very sensitive to temporal essence. It was the only individual she had ever encountered that seemed never affected by the Universe Time itself.

Even her ancestors were emitting a hint of temporal essence despite being the Guardian of Time, they were still affected by the temporal essence.

And the words that the figure had uttered, "Remember this, little one: even in the darkest night, a single spark can ignite the dawn. Hold onto hope, for it is the thread that binds us across time. One day, when shadows threaten to consume you, I will return—not as a memory, but as a promise kept."

Tayma could not help but smile and muttered, "You have fulfilled your promise, My Lord. It's now my turn to fulfill mine."

The mirage of scenarios continued as Tayma felt she was being freed from an invisible chain. Her hunched back straightened as the wrinkles in the corner of her eyes disappeared.

Her body became light, her mind became clear.

"I-I'm free…" She muttered with a yearning smile. She had been yearning for countless years to escape out of this tormenting time.

Finally… She's free.

However, it was only for a moment as her already semi-transparent form became even more hollow.

Yellow lights bubbled up from her body.

It was the action of the Eternal Spire deleting her existence.

Realizing this, a satisfied yet sorrowful smile appeared on her face as she turned to the direction where Vincent and her granddaughter had left.

"May the heaven bless you with the best life, My dear Aevara…"