Chapter 331 All in One Place
[Ding! Mission completed. You have received: Goldly Rank Forging Hammer!] He didn't bother checking his inventory. Instead, he carefully stowed the Symbiotic Blood Armor away. The pulsating orb dimmed slightly as it vanished into his storage.@@novelbin@@
His teacher was still staring, her expression unreadable as she processed what they had just created. Finally, she let out a shaky laugh. "You're something else, kid. I taught you the basics, but you…" She shook her head. "You've taken forging to a whole new level."
Pyris simply shrugged, the corner of his mouth tugging into a tired smirk. "You gave me the foundation. I just built on it."
As she continued admiring the Blood Armor meant for Dracula, Pyris was focused on something else, what had brought them here was done only Elsa's prototype remained unfinished, needing a few more rare materials to reach its full potential.
Pyris glanced at the schematics spread out on the nearby table, and the prototype she'd created, the intricate designs showcasing the brilliance of the young elf. It was something that will change the mortal realm.
Even among geniuses, Elsa's talent stood out. "The kid's a damn prodigy," Pyris muttered to himself, shaking his head in quiet admiration.
His teacher let out a dry laugh, wiping sweat from her brow. "Proves my point—surround yourself with talent, and even your craziest ideas start looking possible. Now look me admiring the work I just did with my student. Something I couldn't ever imagine."
Pyris didn't respond, focused instead on storing the pieces of the Blood Armor into its reinforced carrier box. Each segment gleamed with a dark crimson sheen, radiating a faint, almost sinister energy that pulsed with quiet intensity. He worked quickly, securing the armor piece by piece, sealing the box shut with precision.
When it was done, he turned to Elsa, who stood beside the forge, still inspecting her blueprints. The faint glow from the forge's embers reflected off her armor, giving her an almost ethereal appearance. She didn't even notice Pyris approaching until he scooped her up in one swift motion.
"Hey!" she protested, squirming slightly in his arms. "I can walk, you know!"
"Yeah, but you've been running around nonstop since we got here," Pyris said with a smirk. "Take it as a reward for being the smartest one in the room."
Elsa feighed huffed but didn't argue, her arms wrapping around his neck as he carried her toward the exit. She liked the treatment. Behind them, the forge room dimmed, its powerful hum quieting as they left.
The weight of their work lingered in the air, but Pyris felt a strange sense of satisfaction. They weren't done—not by a long shot—but they were closer than ever to creating something that would shake the mortal realm to its core.
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The convoy pulled up to the gates of the Obsidian estate with practiced precision. No flashes of power, no dramatic displays—just the quiet efficiency of people who commanded authority without the need for showmanship. The estate gates opened smoothly, enchanted to respond to the bloodline of the Obsidians, allowing the vehicles to glide into the sprawling grounds.
Anastasia stood waiting at the entrance, her green hair cascading down her back, her form draped in a flowing dress that was both elegant and understated. Her gaze fixed on the convoy as the doors opened and her mother, Emberly, stepped out first, followed by Astrid.
The air seemed to shift as the three women's gazes met. Anastasia's expression was calm but sharp, her eyes briefly locking onto Astrid before flicking back to her mother. She wasn't surprised that Astrid was here.
"Mother," Anastasia greeted with a nod, her tone formal yet warm. Then her attention returned to Astrid, a flicker of understanding passing through her features. "And Lady Astrid… Here for Seraphina, I presume?"
Astrid's posture stiffened slightly, her lips pressing into a thin line, but she gave a curt nod. "That's right."
Emberly chuckled, placing a hand on Astrid's shoulder. "Anastasia, don't make her feel so cornered. Let's go inside."
Zara appeared from one of the side hallways, her arms folded casually across her chest. Her deep dark eyes glinted with amusement as she took in the scene. Zara and Anastasia were dressed in new outfits, clearly the result of their earlier preparations for the upcoming event, and the change in their attire gave them an air of effortless poise.
"Emberly," Zara said, inclining her head with a small smirk. "And Astrid… It's been a while."
Astrid's eyes narrowed slightly as her gaze fixed on Zara. "I didn't expect to see you here, Zara."
Zara shrugged lightly, her tone playful. "And yet, here I am. You could say this place draws us all in."
Emberly stepped forward with a grin, her golden eyes sparkling with mischief. "Or perhaps you've been drawn here by my son. Has Pyris charmed you too, Zara?"
Zara laughed softly, shaking her head. "If he has, I'm sure you'd be the first to know. But I'll admit, he does have a way of leaving an impression."
The three women exchanged knowing smiles, the kind that came with mutual respect and years of shared history. Despite the teasing, there was a clear camaraderie between them.
"Shall we?" Anastasia said, motioning toward the entrance.
They stepped inside, the grand hall bathed in warm light from the chandeliers above. The faint hum of runic energy along the walls gave the space an otherworldly feel, a reminder of the ancient power that ran through the veins of the Obsidians. But it was mostly missed by others but Astrid ever observant saw them.
The sound of voices drifted from further inside, and as they entered the main sitting room, they were met with the sight of several familiar faces. Alera, Aurelia, Emilia, and Julienne stood in quiet conversation, their postures straightening slightly as Emberly and Astrid entered.
Julienne, accompanied by Jasper and Zaranrel, stepped forward. The three of them bowed deeply to Emberly, their gestures filled with respect.
"Lady Emberly," Julienne said, her voice steady and reverent. "It is an honor to finally meet you in person."
Emberly regarded Julienne for a moment, her sharp gaze assessing but not unkind. "And you must be Julienne," she said, her tone thoughtful. "I've seen and heard much about you from Emilia."
Julienne straightened, her expression calm despite the weight of Emberly's presence. "The honor is mine."
Jasper and Zaranrel followed suit, their bows just as deep. "Mistress of House Obsidian," Jasper said, his voice tinged with pride. "It is always a privilege to stand in your presence."
"And Lady Emberly," Zaranrel added, bowing again. "Empress of the Dragon Empire."
Astrid nodded in acknowledgment, her regal demeanor slipping back into place. "Thank you," she said simply, though her gaze lingered briefly on Julienne, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
The room was a blend of past and present, of old alliances and new faces.
Emberly's presence carried the weight of generations, and as she surveyed the gathering before her, there was a sense that the balance of power in the room had subtly shifted.
For now, they would exchange pleasantries and maintain the peace, but the undercurrent of tension and anticipation was impossible to ignore.
The room was lively with chatter and the occasional bout of laughter as everyone mingled.
Jasper stood near the corner, holding a glass of wine and trying to keep a low profile, though that never worked when Emberly was around. Her sharp gaze landed on him, and a sly smile spread across her face.
"Jasper, look at you," Emberly teased, standing up from her seat and walking over. "You've grown so much, but you still blush like the little boy who used to run away from tutors during lessons with my little son."
Jasper turned a deep shade of red, scratching the back of his neck. "Lady Emberly, I was a child then—"
"You're like family here don't be so formal," she interrupted, playfully ruffling his hair, much to his dismay. "And you've done well for yourself. The academy suits you. Maybe too well, seeing how your position now rivals some nobles."
Jasper let out a nervous laugh, clearly unsure how to respond.
Emberly glanced at Zaranrel, her golden eyes sparkling with amusement. "And you, the great Zaranrel, Argos' most adored idol. I must admit, you're even more handsome in person."
Zaranrel, ever composed, gave a small bow. "Lady Emberly, the honor is mine. I've heard much about you."
"Flattery won't get you anywhere, dear," she teased. "But it's nice to see that your charm isn't just an act."
Before the banter could continue, Madeline and Arabella arrived into the room together, the half-elf stepped forward, introducing herself with a calm confidence. "Lady Emberly, I'm Madeline."
Before she could say more, Emilia chimed in with a grin. "She's Pyris' woman."
Emberly burst out laughing, holding her sides. "Oh, really now? And here I thought you were his woman too, Emilia. Should I prepare a registry?"
Emilia's face turned red, but she tried to keep her composure. "Well, maybe I am," she replied, feigning nonchalance.
Another voice broke through the teasing. "Arabella," said a tall, elegant woman as she stepped forward. "I'm Pyris' teacher. I've been training him at the academy."
Emberly raised a brow, her smile knowing. "Oh, a teacher, are you? And here I thought my son never needed one. I wonder what lessons you've been teaching him. " Enjoy new stories from My Virtual Library Empire
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