Legacy of the Dark Sage

The information Auto-one got from the Solis representative was not much, but enough for them to glean what the Solis Clan was up to.

As they had speculated, the Solis Clan was indeed in pursuit of the Lacus Clan. But rather than looking for the record in Anahia's possession, they were after an unknown item that the Dragon Clan bestowed upon them.

Auto-one tried to make the Solis representative fess up information about the unknown item. However, the latter did not know as well and was only told that he would know which item it was when he saw it.

From this, Kyran guessed that the unknown item likely carried a particular type of aura that would make the Solis representatives know its value. It might even have the Dragon Clan's seal or something.

Either way, Anahia did not have it in her possession.

"Who is stupid enough to bring such an important item with them in the tower?" Kyran mused incredulously. "Everyone here is looking for treasures, and with the portal opening ahead of time, every clan's preparation got reduced— their supplies barely met the minimum. Fights over supplies and treasures are expected.

Considering all this, would anyone bring a valuable item if the chances of being robbed by other representatives are high?"

Aki and Auto-one agreed, but they also felt that it was still possible depending on what the item could do.

Seemingly sensing their doubt, Kyran sighed and said, "I get what you're both thinking."

He looked at them with a wry smile, "They can bring items that can help them successfully venture the tower or save them in dire situations. But think about it: if the item the Dragon Clan gave the Lacus Clan is indeed such an item, would the Solis Clan be interested? They are an old clan. Would they rob another clan for an item they probably have tons of? If yes, why?

Just because the item came from the Dragon Clan? I don't think the Solis Clan is that petty.

"In any case, the unknown item the Solis Clan is after may be something else. It may not even be an item per se, but..."

Kyran's voice trailed off as he considered another possibility— something only the Dragon Clan possessed and would benefit the Lacus Clan, Dragon Blood.

The Lacus Clan would benefit significantly from receiving pure dragon blood because, as sea serpents, they were related to sea dragons. They might no longer possess any dragon blood, but if they came in contact with it, their dormant sea dragon bloodline might awaken, allowing them to become stronger or even evolve into a full-fledged sea dragon.

If the latter happened, they could also use Draconic magic, which would allow them to become more attuned to Water-based magic.

"No," Kyran shook his head, pushing the thought to the back of his mind. "Let's have this discussion another time. We have to continue."

Aki and Auto-one nodded, "Yes, master."

Kyran then looked at the two unconscious figures on the floor and sighed, "We can't carry them around while we wander around the tower. I want to create a separate space to put them in, but..."

Aki and Auto-one understood their master's hesitation. The Void's capability to create separate spaces was different from Space magic. Though the amount of magic energy was the least of his worries, the problem was making such a space inside the tower.

Kyran had no problems creating one where he dumped the Lacus Clan representatives, but they were still outside the tower then. Usually, he could open any separate space he created whenever and wherever he wanted, but for some reason, he could not do that inside the tower. In fact, he could not open his Void World, which was supposed to be a passive domain he carried everywhere.

This proved that the tower was unique and that even a space created from Void was sealed.

No. Rather than the Void World being sealed, Kyran temporarily lost his connection. This made him wonder if it was indeed a passive domain or something else.

"I can put them in the tower's cell, master," Auto-one suggested. Seeing the stumped look on Kyran and Aki's faces, Auto-one hastily explained, "We call it a cell, but it is nothing like a prison. Participants may use an isolated chamber if they are about to receive enlightenment."

He gave them a wry smile and added, "As you already know, if mages on the verge of enlightenment are disturbed, they would be hard-pressed to have another one, and their breakthrough to the next level would suffer a huge blow. To avoid this, the tower prepared the isolated chambers. Unfortunately, only a few managed to learn how to open them."

"Can people who have yet to receive enlightenment use the chamber?" Aki asked Auto-one incredulously.

"Good question," Auto-one smiled as he looked at him. "Yes, they can. Albeit, the time they can stay will be limited."

"Alright," Kyran nodded. "Let's hide them there for now. We'll get them out once we find the others."

The others he meant were Cyneah's group and the remaining two representatives from the Solis Clan.

"Hopefully, no other clans got teleported in this level, or else..." Kyran sighed and shook his head, "I don't want to deal with every clan we meet on the way."

"I may be able to find information on how many groups managed to enter the seventh floor, master," Auto-one said but sounded hesitant.

Kyran sensed this and shook his head. "It's fine. Your clearance is probably not high enough to see all that information, right?"

"Regretfully so..."

"Then don't waste time. We'll deal with whatever comes our way as it happens," Kyran told him.

"Understood."

Auto-one then led the way to one corner of the library and summoned a device that looked like a panel. He input a few runes in until two doors appeared on the wall to their left.

"They can stay in the chamber for two days at most, but I would advise against it," Auto-one told Kyran. "It is best to get them out before then, or else the chamber's defense mechanism might kick them out when it realizes that they were only there to rest."

He smiled bitterly and added, "The tower is designed for learning and teaching mages. It will not allow any slackers."

"The Ancients used this tower to improve themselves, huh."

"Yes... and well... the treasures here... are inventions created by the Ancients who had just received enlightenment."

Kyran had been interested in the Ancients ever since he read the tablets Axil and her faction discovered in the Lower Realm. The moment he started to understand the type of influence and strength they possessed back in ancient times, he wanted to learn more about them.

When he arrived in the Higher Realm, he tried to find information about them. Unfortunately, all information about them was removed or considered taboo and, thus, not allowed to be circulated.

Ironically, however, the big clans in the Higher Realm knew quite a lot about them and were even fighting over treasures that they once possessed. Clans entering the tower were proof of the latter.

"I already told you this, master," Auto-one started, sensing Kyran's interest in learning more about the Ancients. "But you are the Realm Scion. Everything here belongs to you if you so want it."

"I am not the Realm Scion," Kyran told him with a wry smile. "Someone said I can become one... but..."

[You are the one. I did not say you can become one.]

Kyran ignored Shaiha's side commentary in his sea of consciousness.

"I don't think I can handle such a grand... identity."

Kyran referred to being a Realm Scion as a mere identity, but he knew the responsibility one would have to carry for being one.

Auto-one sensed his master's hesitation and no longer pursued the matter. He more or less understood why his master refused to accept his identity as the Realm Scion.

After placing Leif and the Solis representative in the chambers, Kyran and his group continued on their way.

The library was so huge that even after walking for another half an hour, they had yet to reach its center.

"Hm?" Kyran stopped in his tracks as he felt vibrations from somewhere in the distance. He tried to pinpoint the exact location but failed.

Aki and Auto-one also scanned their surroundings as soon as they sensed the vibrations. But, like their master, they had a problem locating where it came from.

"It doesn't seem like those vibrations are near..." Aki remarked.

Auto-one nodded his head in agreement. He looked at Kyran and said, "If you will allow it, master. I can connect to the central data bank and—."

BOOM!

"!"

Kyran, Aki, and Auto-one were taken aback by the explosion following the continuous blast. But because of it, they gleaned that the vibrations came from above the library.

Kyran's mind seemed to turn into a map as he recalled the details of the seventh floor that Auto-one had told them about. But before he could pinpoint where the explosion might have happened, he heard a soft, gentle voice calling his name.

"Kyran."