Chapter 484: The Upper Realm (X)

He had noticed something unusual.

The three mirrors were not merely showing their reflections or possible desires.

Their frames were connected through a shared formation, and the energy flowing between them was creating an invisible link.

He examined the floor.

Three circular markings were arranged in front of the mirrors.

"Scarlett, Elira. Come here."

The princesses approached.

Gray pointed toward the circles.

"Stand on those markings."

Elira tilted her head.

"Why?"

"I believe the mirrors are connected to a formation that requires three participants."

Scarlett examined the markings.

"And what happens when we activate it?"

"Hopefully, something useful."

"That’s reassuring."

Despite her complaint, she stepped onto the first marking.

Elira took the second.

Gray stood on the third.

The moment all three circles were occupied, the mirrors began glowing.

VMMMMM!

The reflections disappeared.

Their surfaces turned completely silver before three beams of light shot toward the center of the room.

The beams connected above a circular stone pedestal.

Then a small box appeared.

Gray approached it.

"...Now we’re talking."

He opened the lid.

Inside rested three small pendants, each one having a different color.

Each pendant had a different gemstone embedded in its center, and a small amount of energy circulated through them.

Elira picked up the silver one.

"What are these?"

Gray examined the inscriptions beneath the box.

"According to the writing, they’re called Heartbound Pendants."

Scarlett raised an eyebrow.

"Heartbound?"

"They’re apparently designed to strengthen the connection between three individuals who enter a formation together. The pendants allow them to sense each other’s general location and share a small portion of their energy during emergencies."

Elira looked at the three pendants, and suddenly smiled.

"Oh? So we’re becoming a little team?"

"Something like that." Gray nodded.

Scarlett examined the crimson pendant.

"Are there any disadvantages?"

"Not according to the inscription. The link is voluntary, and each participant has to accept the connection."

Elira immediately held out her hand.

"I want one!"

Gray laughed.

"You’re rather enthusiastic."

"Of course. It’s a useful artifact, and I like the idea of having something that reminds us of this expedition."

Scarlett looked at her pendant.

After a moment, she nodded.

"I’ll take one as well."

Gray picked up the remaining pendant.

"Then it’s settled."

The three pendants began glowing.

A faint silver thread connected their centers before disappearing.

For a brief moment, Gray felt the presence of the two princesses through the artifact.

Their emotions were not fully exposed, but he could sense their general condition and location.

It was a useful little treasure.

More importantly, it had cost them nothing.

’Not bad, I guess... I can copy its format and make one for the others later on...’ Gray smiled.

They left the mirror room several minutes later.

Scarlett was walking beside Gray, occasionally glancing at the crimson pendant resting against her chest.

Elira, on the other hand, seemed particularly pleased with hers.

"Gray."

"Hm?"

"Do you think we should take a picture together?"

He blinked.

"A picture?"

"Yes. To remember our first expedition together."

Scarlett immediately looked over.

"Why would we do that?"

"Because it’s a memory!"

"We’re exploring an ancient ruin, not attending a family gathering."

Elira smiled.

"You’re welcome to stay out of it, then. Gray and I will take one ourselves."

Scarlett stopped walking.

"...Who said I’m staying out of it?"

Elira’s smile widened.

"Oh? So you do want a picture?"

Scarlett’s expression became stiff.

"I never said that."

Gray looked at both princesses and smiled lightly, shaking his head.

"Why don’t we take one together? There’s no reason to exclude anyone."

Elira immediately nodded.

"Perfect!"

Scarlett hesitated before giving a small nod.

Gray reached into his storage ring and retrieved a small recording crystal. He placed it on a nearby stone ledge and activated its formation.

The crystal began glowing.

He walked back toward the two princesses.

Elira immediately moved beside him, placing one hand against his arm.

Scarlett watched her, and immediately moved to Gray’s other side.

Atrinae raised her head from his wrist.

Gray looked down.

"Come on, little one. You too."

The nine-colored serpent lifted her head proudly.

FLASH!

The crystal captured the scene.

Gray stood in the middle with a relaxed smile, Elira holding his arm on one side, Scarlett standing close on the other, and Atrinae raising her head between them.

The result was surprisingly lovely.

Gray examined the recording.

"Not bad."

Elira leaned closer.

"Let me see!"

He showed her.

"It’s wonderful!" She smiled.

Scarlett also looked at the recording.

For a moment, she remained silent.

Then she quietly said:

"...Send me a copy."

Gray glanced at her.

"Of course."

Elira immediately turned toward Scarlett.

"Ah? You want one too?"

Scarlett’s cheeks turned faintly red.

"Why wouldn’t I?"

"Nothing. I only thought you weren’t interested in memories."

Scarlett looked away.

"Stop talking."

’Cute...’

They continued exploring.

The ancient academy seemed to have endless corridors, hidden rooms, and strange mechanisms, each one containing something different.

They found an old training chamber where the academy’s students had apparently practiced manipulating Mana.

Several stone figures remained positioned around the room, and one of them still carried a faint trace of an ancient sword technique.

Gray examined it for a while before quickly recording everything about it in his mind. He could easily deduce the rest of the technique if given the time.

Elira found a small collection of ancient books, most of them damaged beyond repair.

Scarlett discovered a hidden storage compartment containing several defensive talismans, although only two still retained their original energy.

And Atrinae...

Atrinae found food.

Or rather, what she believed was food.

A small crystal container had been left inside one of the storage rooms, containing several dark red beads.

The moment she smelled them, she slipped away from Gray’s wrist and slithered toward the container.

Gray noticed.

"Atrinae?"

The serpent ignored him.

She coiled around the container and began trying to open its lid.

Gray approached.

"Little one, wait. Let me check what’s inside first."

Atrinae raised her head and gave him the most innocent look imaginable.

Gray stared at her.

"...You really are my daughter."

Scarlett blinked.

"Your what?"

Gray picked up the container.

"Nothing."

He examined the beads through his [Spirit Eyes].

They were not food, but condensed energy crystals containing a mixture of spiritual vitality and ancient beast blood.

The energy within them was particularly suited to snake-type spiritual creatures.

Gray smiled.

"Well, this is convenient."

Atrinae immediately became excited.

He opened the container and allowed her to absorb one of the beads.

The little serpent swallowed it.

A faint glow appeared across her scales, making her curl happily around Gray’s wrist.

Elira smiled.

"She’s adorable."

Scarlett nodded.

"She seems particularly attached to you."

Gray gently stroked her.

"Of course. I’ve taken good care of her."

Elira leaned toward the snake.

"Does she like anyone else?"

Atrinae looked at her, and quickly turned her head away.

Elira froze.

"...Did she just ignore me?"

Gray laughed.

"She’s rather selective."

Scarlett looked satisfied.

"At least someone in this group has good judgment."

Elira turned toward her.

"Are you saying I don’t?"

Scarlett smiled.

"Did I say that?"

"You’re impossible!"

Gray watched their argument begin again.

Then he looked down at Atrinae.

"Well, little one, I think we’re the only reasonable ones here."

Atrinae flicked her tongue.

By the time they reached the next section of the academy, the three had become considerably more comfortable around one another.

Scarlett had stopped treating every conversation as an opportunity to question Gray, while Elira had grown increasingly bold with her teasing.

Gray, naturally, enjoyed both developments.

He had also begun to notice the little differences between them.

Scarlett was more attentive than she pretended.

Whenever the corridor became dangerous, she instinctively moved closer to him, and whenever Elira became too playful, she was quick to interrupt.

Elira, on the other hand, was much more direct.

She enjoyed physical affection, often linking arms with Gray whenever they walked together, and had no problem expressing her amusement whenever Scarlett became jealous.

Neither princess was willing to admit anything openly.

But Gray was beginning to suspect the Heartbound Pendants would prove useful for more than locating one another.

He looked ahead.

A large pair of doors stood at the end of the corridor.

Unlike the others, these doors were made of a strange silver-black material, with a massive star engraved at their center.

Gray stopped.

His expression became serious.

The Mana gathering beyond the doors was considerably denser than anything they had encountered so far.

And beneath that Mana...

There was something else.

Something that seemed to be responding to his presence.

Gray’s lips slowly curled upward.

’Now, this is interesting.’

Scarlett noticed his expression.

"What is it?"

He looked at the doors.

"I think we’ve finally found something worth investigating."

Elira approached and examined the star engraving.

"Is this related to the treasure you mentioned?"

Gray nodded.

"Possibly."

He placed his hand against the door.

A faint silver light appeared beneath his palm.

Then a voice echoed from beyond the ancient structure.

[WELCOME, SUCCESSOR.]

The three princesses froze.

Gray blinked.

"...Successor?"

The voice continued.

[IDENTIFICATION INCOMPLETE.]

[SOUL SIGNATURE: UNRECOGNIZED.]

[MANA SIGNATURE: RECOGNIZED.]

A pause followed.

Then...

[WARNING.]

[ANOMALOUS EXISTENCE DETECTED.]

Gray’s smile disappeared.

’...Oh?’

For the first time since entering the ancient academy, he found himself genuinely interested in what was about to happen.

Behind him, Scarlett slowly raised her sword.

Elira took a step closer to his side.

And inside Gray’s body, Jasmine suddenly fell silent.

Then she spoke.

[Gray...]

Her voice was considerably more serious than usual.

[Be careful. Something in there has noticed you.]