Chapter 142: A Return and a Revelation

Andras stood before the portal for a short while longer.

The circular tear pulsed steadily, its blue-violet edges rotating with slow, deliberate motion. Mana continued to leak from it in thin threads, and the withered grass at its base had already begun to darken further. The air near the portal carried a faint metallic chill that settled against the skin. He had no intention of entering. There was no reason to test an unknown dungeon without preparation.

Andras reached into his storage ring and withdrew the Crystal Orb.

The smooth sphere rested cool against his palm as he fed a thin stream of mana into it. The crystal brightened gradually, then stabilized. After several seconds, the surface cleared and Evelyne’s face appeared.

"Andras?"

"I’ve reached Darkmoor."

Evelyne’s expression softened at once.

"You arrived safely, then. Good. How was the journey?"

"Uneventful," Andras replied. "Until now."

He adjusted the orb so the portal came into clear view behind him. The faint violet light from the tear reflected across the crystal’s surface, casting a soft glow against the edges of the image.

Evelyne’s blue eyes sharpened the moment she saw it.

"A portal."

"It appeared near the boundary road," Andras said. "Not far from the estate."

A short silence followed on her end. When Evelyne spoke again, her voice had turned firm.

"I’ll send soldiers immediately. They’ll establish a perimeter and keep anyone from approaching it." She paused, studying his face through the orb. "Andras. Do not enter that dungeon."

"I called you because I had no intention of entering," he answered. "If I planned to go inside, I would already be there."

A faint breath of relief crossed her expression.

"Good. That’s the answer I wanted to hear."

Andras held her gaze for another second before giving a small nod.

"We’ll continue to the estate."

"I’ll be waiting."

The connection faded. Andras stored the Crystal Orb and returned to the carriage. Lyra glanced at him once as he climbed inside, but she asked no questions. The driver received the signal, and the wheels began turning once more.

The remaining distance was short. The road smoothed as they left the outer forest behind and entered the managed lands of Darkmoor. The carriage moved steadily under the darkening sky, the rhythmic sound of the wheels filling the quiet interior.

By the time they reached the main gates of the Darkmoor estate, the sky had deepened into evening. The heavy iron doors opened at their approach, and torches along the walls cast steady light across the courtyard as the carriage rolled to a stop.

Andras stepped down.

Evelyne was already there.

She stood near the entrance steps, her hair loosely tied behind her shoulders. She wore a simple but elegant robe, and the moment she saw him, something in her posture eased. She crossed the short distance between them without hesitation and pulled him into a brief, firm embrace.

"I missed you."

Andras remained still for a second before resting one hand lightly against her back.

"You’re acting as though you haven’t seen me in years."

Evelyne pulled back just enough to look at him. A small, tired smile touched her lips.

"It feels like years. This is the first time you’ve been away for more than a month since the day you were born."

Andras studied her face for a moment. There was genuine relief there, mixed with something closer to quiet exhaustion. The intensity of her reaction was greater than he had expected. A month of absence had clearly weighed on her more than the practical concerns of the estate.

"I’m back now."

"Yes." She released him and stepped aside. "Come inside."

They entered the estate together. The halls were familiar—polished stone underfoot, soft light from mana lamps along the walls, and the faint scent of the oils the staff used on the woodwork. Servants bowed as they passed, but Evelyne gave a small gesture that kept them from following. The quiet of the house settled around them as they walked. By the time they reached her private study, the doors closed behind them and the two of them were alone.

Andras took a seat. Evelyne remained standing for a moment longer.

Her expression had changed. The warmth from their reunion was still present, but sharper attention had settled over it as her eyes moved across his clothes. She stepped closer and lightly touched the collar of his coat. A faint, dried trace of blood remained on the fabric.

"Explain this."

Andras did not pretend surprise.

He reached into his storage ring and withdrew the dark sword. Eclipse Edge rested in his hand, its dark surface reflecting the soft light of the room. No residual aura leaked from it. Evelyne’s gaze locked onto the weapon. She didn’t speak immediately.

Andras placed the sword on the table between them.

"After I left the academy, I made a detour to Mount Vaelros. I found a tomb related to the First Sword Saint. There was a residual will inside. It tested me. I defeated it and took the sword."

Evelyne stared at the blade for several seconds. The quiet in the study deepened.

"A Legendary weapon."

"Yes."

She exhaled slowly, rubbing the bridge of her nose. For a moment she seemed caught between disapproval and reluctant acceptance. Then she looked directly at him.

"You could have died."

"I calculated the risk. The residual will was strong, but not beyond what I could handle."

"That is not a reassuring answer."

"It is an accurate one."

Evelyne held his gaze for a long moment before finally pulling a chair closer and sitting. She gestured for him to do the same. Andras took the seat opposite her. The sword remained on the table between them, quiet and dark under the mana lamp’s glow.

Evelyne looked at it again.

"I’ve read about the First Sword Saint. There aren’t many reliable records about him anymore. Most of what remains is scattered through old historical texts and books on swordsmanship. According to those records, he was considered one of the greatest swordsmen of his era. His techniques influenced generations after him." She glanced at Eclipse Edge. "I never knew his tomb was still intact."

"It wasn’t easy to find."

Evelyne shook her head slightly. "You’re impossible."

The tension in the room gradually eased. They continued talking about the dungeon portal near the estate and the broader situation across the empire. Evelyne told him about the reports she had received from other territories. Several portals had already appeared, and some noble houses were becoming uneasy. The imperial authorities were investigating, while local forces had been ordered to secure newly discovered portals. The tone of the reports, she said, was growing more urgent with each passing day.

Andras listened carefully.

"People will enter them," he said. "Once word spreads that dungeons contain rewards—mana crystals, artifacts, rare materials—greed will outweigh caution. There will always be those willing to risk death for the chance of sudden wealth or power."

Evelyne’s expression tightened slightly.

"That is what concerns me. The more reports circulate, the more difficult it becomes to keep people away. Even with soldiers posted, curiosity and greed are difficult to control."

"Which is why securing the portal near Darkmoor is necessary," Andras said. "At least here, you can limit who approaches it."

"Yes. I’ve already given the orders. No one is to enter without authorization."

A short silence settled between them. Outside the study windows, the last traces of evening had disappeared completely. Mana lamps illuminated the room with a soft golden glow, casting long, steady shadows across the floor.

Evelyne’s expression softened a little as she changed the subject.

"The Dreamweaver’s Labyrinth moving picture play is being released the day after tomorrow. I’m very much looking forward to seeing it with you."

Andras observed her for a moment. The quiet excitement in her eyes was unusual—clearer and more open than her usual composure.

"You look as though you want to see it right now."

Evelyne gave a small, almost self-conscious smile.

"I suppose I do. It’s made by my son. That alone is enough to make me look forward to it more than anything else in a long time."

Andras gave a small nod.

"Very well."

The quiet between them felt lighter for a moment before her expression grew more serious again.

"Andras...the world is becoming less stable." Her voice lowered slightly. "I worry about you. I don’t want you taking unnecessary risks."

Andras met her eyes calmly.

"I understand."

Evelyne studied him for a moment longer, as if measuring how much weight those words carried. Then she finally relaxed a fraction.

"Good. Rest tonight."

Andras nodded, but he did not stand.

There was one more matter he wanted to address.

"Mother."

"Yes?"

"There’s something else."

Evelyne raised an eyebrow.

"You never told me you were a student of Headmistress Calista."

Evelyne’s expression froze for a brief moment. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Andras.