Three weeks had passed since the dungeon party had departed the city.
There was a solemn air in the city, especially at the outer wall. People were starting to worry if something bad had happened.
Spring-Autumn had just received his first fitting of his bespoke suit that Rainmist had designed for him.
They were currently outside the city, on a grassy field.
Rainmist sat below a tree and watched Spring-Autumn train.
Spring-Autumn stood with his arms spread apart. A vortex of mana swirled around him like a tornado. Slowly, the mana tornado decreased in size, seeping into his skin. Before long, Spring-Autumn had completely absorbed all the mana that surrounded him. It created a strange phenomenon. The air no longer felt as thick. Every movement felt light within this space. The space did not stay this way forever, but began to fill up with mana once again, causing the thick feeling in the air to return.
[Skill Acquired: Mana Control]
It was another skill to be added to his list. As of now, he had a total of six skills.
[Chrono Vision], a passive visual skill.
[Bullet Time], an active skill that slowed down his perception of time and also increased the speed of time on his body.
[One as Before], an active skill that rewinded his body back to a state within the past.
[Mana Sense], a passive skill that allowed him to perceive mana.
[Mana Control], as the name suggests, it allowed him to control the mana that he could perceive.
[Stealth], cloaking his presence with mana.
With the acquisition of [Mana Control], Spring-Autumn came to understand another aspect of his power. Mana was just one form of energy. His power would have its own form of energy as well.
Time.
How does one perceive time?
[Bullet Time]
Spring-Autumn began to try his hardest to perceive time. What was it that was allowing him to enter this state?
A better question would be, what was his ability exactly?
Spring-Autumn stood alone in his world. On the grassy field, only he was present. There was no sound, no wind, no movement.
At this moment, a sound disrupted this pause.
Whoosh!
It was the sound of water. The sound of a moving river.
As soon as he heard this sound, he was forcibly removed from his [Bullet Time].
He was puzzled. Why would there be the sound of water when perceiving time?
Meanwhile, at the Primo estate.
Sunglow moved back and forth restlessly. His hands were behind his back. Suddenly, his body came to a stop and he looked out the window.
He could see the towering walls that surrounded the city. It gave him a sense of security. He couldn't help but think about his son, Winter. His proudest creation.
He touched his wrinkled face. Time had taken his youth away from him. Sunglow recalled the last conversation he had with Winter.
"Have you seen Spring-Autumn?" Winter asked.
"No," Sunglow replied as it was of no concern to him.
"I see,"
"So he came back,"
"He did." Winter was at a loss.
"Is there something I need to know?"
"He became a [User],"
Sunglow paused before replying, "I see. He'll be useful,"
That day, Winter left the estate with a grim face. He was at a bit of a loss. If his brother was just a useful tool, what was he? A very useful tool?
Winter did not like the thought of it.
Back to the present.
It was night time.
Spring-Autumn's house was lit up. The sound of jovial laughter could be heard from the outside. It seemed like a happy household from an outsider's view.
Spring-Autumn was seated at the table. His eyes were focused on the figure in the kitchen, moving about.
Rainmist was cooking dinner for him today. Her black hair was tied up into a ponytail. Today, she was wearing an elegant navy dress that ended at her knee. The nip at the waist perfectly showed off her slim waists and perky butt. At the front, she wore a pink apron that contrasted her mature look.
Finally, the dish was served. The dish today was rabbit meat. The smell was enough to rouse one's appetite. Rainmist did not sit across from him, but next to him.
"This feels like home,��� Rainmist said sadly. Tears welled up in her eyes before she wiped them away.
Spring-Autumn was no idiot. He hugged her from the side and said, "Now, now, I'm here…"
There was a moment of silence.
"The food is getting cold…"
Rainmist lifted her head up. "Sorry, and thanks. Let's eat now!" She tried to end the sentence enthusiastically.
Spring-Autumn was glad to see her try to act jovial. "Right,"
They dined together with some jokes here and there. It was a good atmosphere to be in. Spring-Autumn and Rainmist felt warm in their hearts.
The meal ended with them in a good mood. While Rainmist was doing the dishes in the kitchen, there was a guest at the door.
There was a knocking sound at the door. It was an unfamiliar sound to a house with rarely any visitors.
Spring-Autumn went and opened the door to an elderly face. He was slightly shorter than Spring-Autumn with a head full of gray hair. There was an intense look in his eyes. His body was donned in a loose robe and his hands were behind his back.
"Have you finally decided to visit me?" Spring-Autumn greeted.
"Aren't you going to invite me inside?" Sunglow said.
"Why don't you just say what you need from me?" Spring-Autumn said smilingly.
It was an exchange with only questions asked.
"I heard you became an ability user," Sunglow said without changes in his voice.
"And?"
"Winter went into the dungeon recently…"
Spring-Autumn laughed loudly. "You want me to go check up on him?"
"Aren't you concerned about him?" Sunglow had no expression on his face.
Spring-Autumn laughed even more. "You couldn't ask anyone else for help now that your great son is gone so you have to ask the other one that you would only visit when you have no other options. How hilarious!"
"You…" Sunglow finally stuttered out of rage.
"Very well! I'll go!" Spring-Autumn agreed with a smile and closed the door.
In the cold night, the lone figure of Sunglow seemed exceptionally desolate. His face relaxed and he turned around back to his mansion.