Noticing Gin's name upon her notification screen, Yirene froze for a second. Without any words, she rose from her seat and left the dining hall.
Seeing her daughter hurriedly dashing out of the dining hall, Orion and Herra looked at each other with a knowing look.
In fact, both of them know their daughter and a young man named Gin have affection for each other. As a couple who married after facing many tribulations, they are not against Yirene's love.
It's just that person has to be well qualified and pass some of their tests. Smiling a little, both of them once again continued to eat while little Prince Adon curiously gazed at the direction her sister disappeared.
Shutting her bedroom door, Yirene sat on her bed and attended Gin's call. She was expecting his call for a long time but Gin disappointed her greatly.
Yes, she could have called him but she didn't. As for the reason, she doesn't know.
Thankfully, he finally called.
"Hello..." Yirene spoke. But soon blushed, surprised by her own voice.
Unlike her usual indifferent tone, her voice was soft and mellow – the different tone made her doubt whether it's her voice or someone else's.
--
Hearing the voice stirred Gin's heart. The first thing that came to his mind is, 'am I speaking with Yirene?' and he even checked whether he called the right person.
To be sure, Gin spoke, "Yirene..."
"Yes," Hearing the familiar aloof and emotionless voice once again, he knew it's Yirene.
He doesn't know why, he was disappointed a little. Even so, knowing the owner of the magical voice is Yirene made him beam a little.
"How're you doing, Yirene?" Gin asked.
"Good"
Hearing her short reply, Gin thought: 'She's still the same, not expressing her true thoughts.'
"Tell me Yirene, how many times did you miss me in this past four months?" Gin suddenly asked. He knows he has to be proactive with Yirene, the girl who perfectly hides her emotions.
On the other side of the call, Yirene's entire face turned crimson red. She didn't expect Gin would openly ask such a stupid question.
Of course, she missed him(a little) and she's definitely not going to tell him that.
"I didn't," She emotionlessly replied.
Expecting such a reply, Gin grinned, "Ohh! But I missed you every day."
There was a short silence from Yirene's side, as she didn't anticipate Gin would openly state his feelings.
Relishing the silence, Gin imagined what would the Yirene's current expression be?; Blushing cheeks or crimson ears or face buried in a pillow.
Using this opportunity he could tease her more, but he didn't know what her reaction would be, so he thought otherwise. A wise man knows when to stop.
He casually diverted the topic by saying, "I am in Starlight Domain, where are you? can we meet?"
"When did you come to Starlight Domain, how?" Yirene asked.
Gin narrated everything that happened after they parted; about Heaven Fall academy, combat arena, Windspear ruin, and how he ended up joining the Blue Orchid academy.
Of course, he didn't mention the Windspear inheritance he received and the agreement he made with Reyna.
Yirene listened to everything he said in silence, but killing intent flashed in her eyes and her face turned frosty when Gin mentioned the Silver Dragon domain and how he was targeted by them.
"Can we meet?" Gin asked again.
"No," Yirene replied. She knew better than others about the situation of her domains and why the Phoenix valley is closed for outsiders.
She very much wanted to meet Gin, but her parents won't permit her to leave the Phoenix city, considering the present circumstances.
Gin was disappointed hearing her reply. "Why? You don't want to see me!"
"Nothing like that, some trouble in the family so I can't leave." Yirene paused for a second and said: "I will visit the Eternal flame domain to get my Alchemy certificate three months from now, so if you come there we can meet."
"Good! We will meet in the Eternal flame domain after three months." Gin smiled, hearing her words.
Discerning how happy he became after her words, her lips curved a little. Even though it's not considered a smile in normal people's dictionary, it was to everyone who knew Yirene.
"Ok. I will inform you a few days before I visit the Eternal Flame domain."
"Wonderful! I will be expecting your call then. Don't forget."
After ending the call, Gin grinned a little and understood one thing. The long separation didn't weaken their feelings for each other, it only made them stronger than ever.
On the other side, Yirene's cheek turned crimson and her ears reddened. She found Gin became more shameless and bold, he even teased her openly which is something new.
She liked the feeling but afraid of expressing it in her face. She portrays an aloof and cold face before everyone, but her heart is like others yearning for love and affection from her family and loved ones.
Gin didn't do any major things after the call, he read the book 'Herbal encyclopedia Rank-1' and searched some of the things he was curious about from childhood in the treasure--'Soul Strand'.
He also found solutions to cure Dean Alfin's condition. Unfortunately, the materials mentioned in it can only be found in the Deity realm, not in mortal worlds.
Even if he finds the materials, he doesn't know the way as it wasn't mentioned in it.
It didn't come as a surprise to Gin since the 'Windspear thought' already mentioned the soul strand only holds information, not techniques, skills, and other important knowledge.
He can only wait, for now.
Apart from memorizing the different herbs, he also read the 'Alchemy basics' book and studied some of the complex inscription symbols and potion-making formulas.
The knowledge contained in this book is the key that would help him in discovering more hidden seals.
---
Next day,
Gin woke up at dawn and practiced his breathing technique and Physique stances.
After having a bath and a nice breakfast, Gin sprinted toward the direction Reyna's residence is located. She already informed him two days before, that he should come and meet at her residence, today morning.
Reyna's residence was located at the far edge of the valley, away from most of the academy buildings. Gin felt like he was entering a restricted zone.
After running for 15 minutes, he reached a two-story wooden home that had an antique feel to it.
Her home was surrounded by a breathtaking view; the garden-like area at the back, 100-meter clear blue pond at left and training courtyard at the front and tall trees covered the right side.
Just as he was appreciating the beauty and quietness of the place, a tall shadow approached him from the tall trees covered region.
Noticing the huge shadow and electric blue-eyes that shined in the shadows of the trees, Gin took a step back.
The huge silhouette came out of the shadow, displaying his snow-white fur mottled with dark blue. It had wings that were folded and hidden in the back.
It's a Ghost-white winged Jaguar, a rare kind of magical beast with the pure bloodline. They have a nickname, a beast that kills with a leap.
The beast announced its presence by issuing a low 'Grrrr' sound and exposing its two sharp fangs that glistened with a metallic luster.
The unique part about the beast is its tail which had four to five blue rings that glowed. It was huge, at the least ten times bigger than the normal jaguar type wild beasts.
Gin stood still without moving his muscle as he sensed the warning from its intelligent eyes. The danger radiating from the beast is no less than what he experienced from the Old man Mesryth.
"Good Girl, did he frighten you?" Reyna suddenly appeared beside it and stroked the fur below her head.
Hearing her words, Gin was speechless. 'Come on Madam, I am the one who was frightened by it, not the other way around.'
Brushing her head affectionately against Reyna, she dashed away and once again disappeared into the shadows of the tall trees.
"Come with me," Reyna said and walked towards the training courtyard.
"You have already discovered 8 hidden Physique seals on your own, it's impressive. I think you won't have any problem discovering 10 hidden seals even without my help, so what you expect from me?" Reyna asked.
Even though the question may seem simple, his answer will determine how Reyna's going to treat him in the future.
A person without a goal is simply deadwood. He will go nowhere. So yes, Reyna's trying to find Gin's ambition.
If he set his sights low, his achievement will also be limited.
"I want to discover all thirteen hidden Physique seals; if possible, help me with that, Miss Reyna." Gin honestly stated.
Since she knows most of his secrets, he didn't mind telling her what his goal is. As for whether she knows about the 13th hidden seal or not, he didn't know.
Hearing his answer, Reyna's eyes narrowed and soon a smile emerged on her beautiful pink lips.