Meanwhile, the First Celestial Magic University's proximity with the heart of Firecast and the Asaparagon Tree created a denser concentration of World Energy. It was a small improvement, but it sped up the progress toward Core Levels nonetheless. If it could shave off a minute every day, the accumulation over years would be startling! No one was like Nassandra, who could climb to Low Condensed Drop as easy as breathing. It was a long and tedious process that took many years. That was one of many reasons why the university was hailed as a holy land for Arcanists!
Freon was sitting quietly in an empty room on campus. It was furnished exquisitely, but the main purpose of this room was not comfort. It was to help accelerate the accumulation of Magic Energy! He had his eyes closed as he tried absorbing the energy around him. Slowly but surely, tiny tendrils of World Energy as thin as hairs emerged. Without a sharp eye, it would have been impossible to notice. They sparkled under the sunlight like crystals. The tendrils were drawn towards Freon, passing through his body and into his Core.
He shivered and focused his Magic Perception. Before one reached Condensed Drop, their Magic Perception was confined to their body. They could only sense their Core and the energy internally. Freon could feel the energy revolving around his Channels, transforming the wisps of World Energy into Magic Energy! Unlike martial artists who strengthened their body, Arcanists strengthened their Core. However, it was not as easy as it sounds. Introducing foreign energy into one's body was extremely dangerous. One slip-up would cause catastrophic damage to the body. In the worst case, it would outright kill the Arcanist immediately.
Beads of sweat rolled down Freon's forehead and drenched his shirt. After an hour of this arduous process, he stopped. Disappointment was written across his face. He could barely sense an improvement in his Core Level. It remained at Low Gaseous Fog. He sighed. By his estimates, reaching Medium Condensed Fog would take another year at the minimum. In that case, he would certainly be expelled from the university. The mere thought made him gloomy.
He walked out of the room and found Gunther and Yuna chatting. It was unclear what they were talking about, but it was easy to sense the awkwardness. Yuna came running over while Gunther narrowed his venom-filled eyes. Freon was so tired that he failed to register Gunther at all. His skin had paled by several shades, and his clothes were covered in sweat. The training was so tiring, but the fruits of his labor never felt bitterer. He stumbled, letting Yuna help him stand.
"You pushed yourself so much," she said with concern.
"It's fine," Freon murmured.
"Come, I'll bring you home. Gunther, you help too."
Gunther washed away his hostility and dressed on a smile. "Yes, of course."
The three walked along the same path to Freon's home. From the university to Freon's home, they passed through many districts. The average wealth gradually deceased as well. As the suns began to set, Freon recognized someone walking toward him. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"Shirley?" Freon asked incredulously.
"Oh!" she shouted from afar as she sprinted over. "I was wondering where you lived but I couldn't find your house at all. Firecast is really too big!"
"And this is?" Freon stared at the man behind Shirley before a dumbfounded expression emerged. "Uncle Avin? Is that you?"
"Uncle? I thought your family was…" she started awkwardly. From what she knew, Freon's family was all gone except for his sister. He never mentioned anyone else. Even Yuna and Gunther turned to look at them. The two looked nothing like uncle and nephew at all.
"I also thought he was dead," Freon said wryly. "Uncle, is that really you? What happened to you?"
Avin laughed energetically. "As long as you're fine, everything is fine! Come, let's head to your place before we talk. We have plenty to discuss."
Like this, the five piled into Freon's small flat. It quickly became crowded as they clambered around the small table. Freon had to drag random chairs around until everyone could be seated. Yuna was staring at Shirley intensely while Gunther remained stoic. Freon handed everyone a cup of hot water before he sat down, staring at his uncle then at Shirley.
"Shirley… Why are you with my uncle?" he asked slowly. "In the first place, why are you even here? I thought you went home?" The last time they met each other was Presharvo Port several months ago. He never thought they would see her again so soon.
Shirley scratched her head. "To be honest, I met him on the street. I didn't know he was your uncle. We were both searching for you, so we decided to search together."
"You're searching for me? How come?"
The girl sighed. "To tell you the truth, my mother is sick and we're running out of medication. I came to Firecast to get your help."
"That shouldn't be a problem…"
"Freon, aren't you going to introduce us properly?" Gunther smirked.
Freon nodded. "These two are Shirley and my uncle. You must remember I've talked about her before along with Princess Elizabeth and Sir Benedict." He gestured to his other friends. "These two are Yuna and Gunther, my close friends from the university." Saying all that, he turned to his uncle with a frown. "Uncle, can you explain everything now?"
Avin swirled the hot water in his cup absentmindedly. "Where is your sister? She should hear this as well."
"She's still working in the Celestial Court. She won't be back for some time," Freon explained.
"Do you know the truth behind your family's heritage?" Avin wondered.
"Truth?" Freon frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I see…" the man replied. An awkward silence loomed over the table before he slowly asked, "Do you trust your friends? What I'm about to say is something very important. It shouldn't be revealed to anyone."
"I trust them, but... Uncle, what are you talking about?"
Avin glanced up as his gaze turned as sharp as a needle. Gone was the fatigued and impoverished man, replaced with a haughty and powerful figure! His invisible aura surged from within him, burst out, and enveloped the room. Freon was stunned. Although this was the same uncle he knew and grew up with, he had never seen this side of Avin. It was like an entirely different person was standing before him.
On the side, Shirley became alert, Gunther felt his Core quiver while Yuna was deeply shocked. Yuna was the closest to Half-Condensed Drop among everyone, so her Magic Perception was the strongest. In that instant, she could feel the vast strength of Avin! It was completely unlike anything she felt before. She reckoned it was at least Condensed Drop level, if not stronger! She wore an incredulous face. Both Freon's sister and uncle were Ten Dawn-level… How ridiculous was that?
Avin's hard gaze landed on Shirley, Yuna, and Gunther. "You three understand not to share this, right?" His tone was soft but carried unsurmountable pressure. Yuna's face paled as Shirley and Gunther became tense. Slowly but surely, the three nodded. Avin then turned to Freon and asked, "Have you heard of the Arcellius Family?"
"The Arcellius Family?" Freon, Yuna, and Gunther repeated in amazement.
"What is it?" Shirley asked, confused by everyone's reactions.
Freon smiled wryly and started to explain. Decades ago, during the founding of the Zino Kingdom, there stood three great families. They were the pillars of the kingdom! In fact, the Three Sages were a representation of their power. Each of the Three Sages hailed from one of these families. Even before the kingdom was created and magic was outlawed, the Alzar Kingdom could not squash these three great families. Many considered them as far above the current Engelsheft Families. They were the First Sage, Pannark Winhelm and patriarch of the Winhelm Family, the Second Sage, Alana Lanark, matriarch of the Lanark Family, and finally, the Third Sage, Serana Arcellius and matriarch of the Arcellius Family!
Of these three great families, the Arcellius Family was even stronger than the Winhelm Family and the Lanark Family combined. They were a legendary family with a deep and long history! At the height of the Arcellius Family's power, Sage Serana was the First Sage, directly overseeing the Three Sages. Her mighty status was complimented by her immense Core Level. Prior to Nassandra's monstrous debut, Sage Serana was the person with the greatest Magic Potential. She stood shoulder-to-shoulder to the Conquestian!
However, due to some unknown incident, the family had fallen overnight. Sage Serana had disappeared, the position on the Three Sages became vacant, and the Arcellius Family was gone. No trace of them remained. No one knew what happened and the kingdom was silent. It was as if they were erased from the world entirely… Over time, the Arcellius Family faded from people's minds until today.