Thanks to Little Eu's efforts, Lord Azure finally restored his powers. He completely recuperated, and he is back to his usual self again.
Freya and Rean are beyond thankful. If it wasn't for Eu, they don't know how they would convince Jin to undergo the said treatment.
He has lost all hope and stubbornly rejected them for ages. Without Lord Azure, they have no means to save Lord Turtle.
Meeting Little Eu is such a miracle to them. He's been in a difficult period, and Eu came in to give him hope.
Weeks have passed. Freya has started to undergo training with Eu and learn the spells that she needed to counter Themis' restrictions.
Meanwhile, Jin decided to stay with Eu and her friends. They need to plan Lord Turtle's extraction carefully from the city, at the same, monitor his health.
He still stays in his room, lounging near the window while watching the crowd. He is casually drinking his tea as he waits for Little Eu to visit and checks on him.
Sometimes, he sounds overdramatic and demanding to get the girl's attention. Then again, he just can't help teasing her and indulging himself.
Eu is starting to find it troublesome. How did he become so attached to her? She can only smile at him in resignation.
It is another cloudy, chilly day. Eu sets up the Themis Formation to familiarize Freya with its structure. Jin and Di'Anon watch her progress.
Freya is a very talented Sorceress. She didn't have a problem learning the spells, but she is having trouble regulating her powers. Themis formation will activate upon sensing hostile activities, and she is on the verge of giving up.
A shattering sound overwhelms the magical space. Freya has once again tripped the sensor's spell.
"Freya, you have to control your strength..." Eu once again advises the little Lord.
"Easier said than done, Sister Eu. This spell is so modulated and precise. How can someone be so in control? Oracles are such control freaks..." Freya complains.
Their ability to foresee the future has made them see the steps to overcome events or prepare themselves. Though, they are still inevitable circumstances like the Fall of Themis.
"I can craft a modulating accessory to assist you. It's a temporary solution for your predicament." Eu suggested.
"You also know how to craft magical accessories? What else can you do, Little Eu? You are extremely talented and adorable." Lord Azure chime into their conversation.
He can't help but pinch her cheek adoringly. He never met anyone as amazing as this little girl.
Eu looks away, and helplessly sighs. She can't help wondering which one she should prefer-the depressed Brother Jin or this attached, doting one.
"Brother Azure, aren't you being a little too…Ermmm… friendly with Eu?" Freya scratches her head as she bashfully commented.
She silently thought that the Divine Lord Foeni would surely resent him. How can he try stealing the girl from him?
Lord Azure is always a reserved person. He is indifferent and unfriendly to most people. He only shows this side of him to his closest friends.
"What is wrong with that? I adore her. I can do this my whole life." he casually said.
He drinks his tea nonchalantly. Little Eu lowers her head in embarrassment while Freya is flabbergasted by his straightforward response.
Freya can't find a refute to counter him. She just decided to shut up and let the Divine Lord handle it in the future.
She thought that he should learn to be more direct like Lord Azure regarding his feelings after all. She shrugs as she recalls the incident.
She decided to drop the subject and concentrate on much-pressing matters. Time is of the essence, and they have to save Lord Turtle as soon as they can.
"I don't want to trouble you..." Freya began, but she nodded in agreement and accepted her suggestion.
"No trouble at all." Eu said with a gentle smile.
She took out rare metal, precious stones, and a small furnace from her storage. She cast blue fire magic and ignited the furnace.
Little Eu placed all the ingredients to the blazing flame. She cast an incantation while she manipulated everything in perfect precision.
Freya and Jin are amazed by Eu's control. Her practiced movements resemble a master's craftsmen, and her techniques are genuinely close to perfection.
She took out several vials and poured it to the sizzling, hot liquid metal. It started glistening in different colors as it takes form.
Her hand movements are careful as she molded it to the final shape. Not long, the magic item starts to shimmer before the flames disappear entirely.
She pulled out a pair of beautiful silver cuff bracelets out of the furnace. It has a unique, colorful glimmer every time light touches them.
After inspection, she can't help marvel at her craftsmanship. It has a delicate design comparable to a master's work.
Freya's blazing scarlet eyes can't hide their astonishment. She can't believe how much she improved. It wasn't long ago since the Divine Lord taught her.
"Let's try again and see if this works. Of course, you still have to control your powers. The bracelet will break it you put too much strain on it." She taps her shoulder as urges Freya to try again.
"The Divine Lord has truly taught you well. These are truly well made, thank you." Freya can feel her powers are being restraint by the bracelets.
"The Divine Lord Foeni was her mentor? That is a surprise. I never knew that snobbish Lord had a soft spot. Little Eu, you are truly blessed." Jin chuckles.
A mischievous smile plastered on Jin's face. He wanted to witness this unusual treatment and tease the Divine Lord. He can't believe missing such scenes from his years of isolation.
'Brother Azure, you won't believe it even if I tell you...' she really wanted to say before sighing helplessly. She shrugs and lets it go.
Freya's training commences after the short intermission. The cuffs greatly help with modulating her powers that aided on her success.
Eu decided to give her more pointers and reminders. Themis is currently unstable, and many irregularities might occur. It is best to expect the unexpected.
After practice, they continue to discuss Themis' situation. Lady Rean, Eirwen, and Haru send them updates every day. This gives them an overview and helps how the plan will proceed.
Seasons continue to change. Themis doesn't have evident activities aside from the Shadows gathering. Still, this might mean a fleeting tranquility.
Celesea seems like a peaceful place, but undeniably threat is silently brewing amidst its lands. Creatures are wary of an ominous being's arrival.
Lord Turtle's confinement has reached its limit. Little Eu suggests his immediate rescue and they can commence as soon as they are ready.
Lord Azure and Freya agreed with her suggestion. Lady Rean is currently monitoring Themis and only awaits her return.
The discussion ended, and they parted ways. Freya hovers back, sulking at the thought that no one escorted her back home.
Little Eu is walking in between Lord Azure and Di'Anon. She can't believe these two men insisted on walking her back together. She can only sigh in resignation.
Meanwhile, the surveillance team under Lady Rean is scouting Celesea. The City is situated in the middle of a vast meadow and flower field. They can't approach it without alerting the Shadows.
Their best option is the secret mountain pass. They are using their oversight ability to see what is happening in the supposedly abandoned city.
The increase in Shadows is evident. They might be discreet, but nothing can past Lady Rean and Eirwen's eyes.
Haru came back from doing his aerial survey. He joins a flock of Dragon Beasts to accomplish such a task.
Freya has given them one of her recorder crystal balls to help them gather information around Themis. It is indeed beneficial knowing they can't linger in one place most of the time.
"These are the images I gathered." he paused as he also sits with them and continues, "I noticed a magic mirror being secured on the premises. Not really sure if that is important."
Haru hands over the crystal ball to Lady Rean for analysis. She never heard of a magic mirror around Mystic Spirit or Celesea.
She assumes that the Shadows have managed to break the laws of restriction and enable them to cross between realms. She knits her brows and wonders about the item's origin.
They are discreetly causing disturbances across Astra. The restrictions have prevented them from gaining information about other Realms which disturbs her. Something is definitely brewing.
Lady Rean scans the images and checks the one that Haru has mentioned in his report. Magic mirrors can only be gateways. Where is it from, and who are they summoning?
"Let's return for now." Rean stood up and suddenly felt a hostile presence as she quickly throws a knife in its direction.
Eirwen transformed into his wolf form and follows the knife. When he arrived, someone is pinned on a tree and struggling to break free.
Lady Rean and Haru comes shortly. They seem rather calm as they stare at their captive.
"Who are you?" Lady Rean said indifferently.
"Sorry. I am just passing by… I don't mean any harm… I swear!"
"You followed my subordinate, eavesdrop on our conversation, and you mean no harm?" her eyes are sharp as if they could kill. Her voice is cold as she spoke, "Should I believe you?"
"No, please. I swear. It's pure coincidence. I am just a Witch from the Middle Realm! I am working under the direct orders of the Divine Witch Circe. Please don't kill me."
She looks at the young man in a brown cloak. He is uniquely dressed and could only assume he is really not from Celesea nor Mystic Spirit.
"A witch? What is a witch doing so far away across Realms?" Eirwen asked in surprise.
Typically, people from the Middle Realm has no right to cross the borders of Celesea. The border is heavily guarded and supervised by the Knights of Rossenkruez.
Someone who can cross between the Middle and Celesean borders must be highly likely working with the Divine Witch Circe. It must mean a crisis has occurred that made them do such drastic countermeasures.
"Those shadows stole my Mistress Magic Mirror. We are only here to retrieve it under the Divine Witch orders. Please, believe me. We can't get close to the City of Oracles. I just happened to pass by and overheard your conversation..." the strange lad rambles.
"We? There are more witches and casters from the Middle Realm?" Haru asked in disbelief.
Residents from the Middle Realm avoids crossing borders. They even bothered to make up stories to scare them off and discourage them.
Lady Rean took her knife while Haru and Eirwen secure him. They needed more information about the strange mirror from the Middle Realm. What exactly can the magic mirror really do?