Sen and Nivera were sent to recover. Leonas and Risa insisted that they stay and look after them.
When Shieda asked Dust when he would start Sen's Mana extraction, Dust told him that he already has, while Shieda was battling Sen to keep his form stable, he has already started doing the two procedures at the same time and that it was successful.
Meanwhile, while everyone was doing their own thing. Dust was flying around the mansion thinking about that large piece of his memories that were missing.
He had definitely called out the name Licht. Just who is Licht and why does he feel immense happiness and sadness whenever he mentioned it.
He knows about the Fanalis and he previously mistook Sen for this Licht. It was safe to assume that a hundred years ago, he knew a Fanalis that was very important to him who is called Licht.
As Dust continued flying aimlessly, he found himself in a secluded part of the mansion that was pretty far from the main buildings.
He went in deeper until he stumbled upon an old thatched cottage
From there, he felt a sinister aura that made him flinch.
He arrived at the hut and entered through the door. The thick smell of blood assaulted his small nose.
There was a small open door on the floor which led to a staircase. He heard some sounds and made his way towards them.
There were a lot of stairs, but Dust had no use for them since he can fly and his body is only one foot long.
At the end of the stairs, there was a room. Two sounds could be heard from inside.
"Mother! How much longer?!"
A crackling shrill voice said. Dust looked over and saw that it actually came from a talking skull.
"Soon my love. This body is special, and it needs some time to get ripe and then, you wouldn't have to switch bodies every time that one decays."
The skull eerily laughed.
"Mother, you had to find this body on your own why didn't that lander bring you the body he promised?"
"Tsk" the old lady spat. "He is probably screwing his slaves again. Whatever, it's good that mommy went out and got one for you. Mommy was lucky to find this body to make a permanent vessel to your soul sweetheart."
Dust looked at the exchange and understood everything from that one conversation. Even if that was not enough, the tens of dismembered bodies hanging from the ceiling were enough to let him know that this woman is a necromancer trying to bring whoever's soul is in that skull.
His eyes grew colder and colder the more he heard and looked. At last, he smirked and a glass flower appeared in his hand. It was a beautiful red and pink orchid that gave an orange luster when touched by the light from the torch hanging on the wall.
Complex feelings arose in his heart when he saw the flower. Memories of it were also blocked, but he knew two things. First: this weapon is his and his alone, attached to his body and soul. Second: its name is Bloodthirster.
Just from the name alone, Dust had an inkling as to what needs to be done. It needs blood. And he can feel it as well. A hundred years without blood made this weapon into a salivating wolf.
"Well, since you want to be fed" he stroked the flower lovingly before an evil smile was plastered on his face, "you don't mind scum blood do you?"
He entered the room and with no greetings and pleasantries, he waved the glass orchid at the old lady. Tens of vines spread from between its petals.
Three seconds!
That's all it took for the old necromancer to turn into a puddle of dried bones.
"Mother!" don whose soul was stuck in the skull screamed.
"Annoying," Dust threw the flower like a dart. It hit the skull right between the eye sockets.
'Crack.
Crack'
The skull shattered and the only thing that remained was Don's ball-shaped green soul
This kind of soul wasn't the same as the ones who would pass on a while after death. It can linger around, waiting for the opportunity to possess a dead body.
Dust knew that deep down, he was not a compassionate pixy but he certainly did not want this kind of filth to roam free. Who knows what damage to innocent souls could he do?
And Dust knew exactly how to get rid of this kind of souls
He waved his hands and purple mist once again emerged from his body; reaching the soul ball, it completely covered it. The soul let out a screech as it got eroded by the mist.
'This would take a while' he let the mist eat the soul while he turned his attention towards the body that the old woman kept calling special.
It was a young man of about sixteen to seventeen years. Quite handsome with short, auburn hair.
And this young man, he was actually still alive.
Dust approached him to see what was so special about him. To his surprise, it was actually a human with a longevity physique. This kind of body was suitable for training brute force. They heal fast and develop much faster than normal people.
No wonder the old lady wanted to put that soul in here. Had she succeeded, that soul wouldn't need a change of bodies for dozens of years as when a soul like that possesses a body, the letter deteriorates in just a year or two and the soul would need a new one. Yet this body is able to withstand the deterioration for a lot longer.
"This boy is still alive…well, let's take him to the vallas, he'll know what to do with him."
The mist carried the boy as Dust headed outside.
.
.
Shieda was surprised as well when he saw the boy. But that kind of physique was actually quite common in his time. Of course, he needs to probe the boy's attitude and whether he had any intentions of joining his group or he would rather go back to his home.
But that had to be put till alter because Sen and Nivera woke up.
When he came to consciousness, Sen felt reborn. His mind was especially clear, and his body felt like his.
He wasn't surprised by anything that had happened and he remembers it all clearly. He remembers how he was bewitched by his Fanalis bloodline memories, how it felt like years had passed in there. And most importantly, he remembers how Nivera saved him and pulled him from the depths of gloom.
Right now, he was more thankful than ever that he had made the right choice by saving her at that time. True, when you do something good, you will be repaid.
Now, Nivera officially became his friend. Forget about the deal they had before. When it's time for her to leave for the demon continent, he would definitely lend her his help.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Nivera tilted her head in her bed when she saw Sen's gaze. "I love my husband you know? Although you did become more handsome, you wouldn't take advantage of a sad widow right?" she teased. When she woke up. She too had remembered what happened and the gains that she acquired.
She can feel it, new energy pulsing through her veins. it was Mana!
She is now one step closer to her goal. And it's because of Sen over there. She didn't want to thank him since now she considers him a very close friend. That's why she lightened up the mood by teasing him.
"Cough" Sen choked at her words before he saw her burst out laughing. Soon, he too laughed. It's the first time he did since coming here.
"well aren't you in a good mood?"
Shieda's loud voice sounded as he pushed the door and entered. The sunlight hit him in the face, illuminating his handsome features. He now changed into more practical clothes that fit him perfectly, making him appear more handsome than he is.
Even Nivera, couldn't help but stare for a while.
Sen, however, just clicked his tongue and cursed him for being a 'pretty boy' in his heart.
Shieda turned his gaze over, "hey, 'pretty boy' sounds nice, but why does it feel like an insult coming from you?"
"Would you stop reading my mind?!"
Laughter sounded once more and a joyous atmosphere filled the room as Leonas, Risa, Dust, Nivel, Romeo, and Perrin joined in. they brought food and smiles
But alas, that atmosphere will be short-lived as Sen made a decision in his heart, soon shall be the day of their departure to the congress of magic.
He looked over at the people he's met so far and he was really reluctant to part with them but this was something necessary. Sects, Ifrits, and who knows what else are coming for him.
Nivel gave Sen a crown of flowers she's made with Perrin and Romeo. Sen loved the gesture and promised to take good care of it. He tried putting it inside his void space. But something was wrong.
He couldn't do it!
Something was blocking him from bringing the flower crown indie.
His confusion was visibly so the rest asked him and he answered truthfully.
"Let me take a look" shied stepped forward and put his hand against Sen's chest.
A minute later he retracted his hands and frowned, letting Dust do the same.
The two looked at each other, then at Sen.
"Try taking something out," Shieda said.
Sen nodded and took out the potion.
"Now put it back inside"
Sen tried and felt the blockage again.
"What going on?"
"If I'm right, then during the process of extracting the Mana to cover the fused energy core, something went wrong and it affected the input channel of your space. Now it seems that you can only take things out but cannot store things in"
Sen was dejected. Space was one of the things that made life in this world much easier. But, with a new mindset, he quickly accepted the change and asked a more serious question.
"So the procedure was a success?"
"Yes. Now, your energy core is made of fused energy on the inside and Mana on the outside. Sadly, this also means that you cannot use internal energy moves very efficiently. You are now seven parts mage and three parts warrior."
Shieda interjected, "by the way, this is called a permanent form for a reason. It is permanent and you wouldn't be able to change it back again. So be careful not to make trouble you can't get out of."
Sen wasn't too disappointed by this as he still had the Mimic orb. And there are always space rings for storing items. So nothing will change as much. Although, his ability to use the two internal energy arts has diminished by a lot and he was grumpy over it.
Next, Dust shared the news of Nivera awakening the ancient magic of takeover.
The gang was thrilled for her but even she herself did not understand it quite well. So Dust explained to her that is basically letting a stronger being take over her body. Normally the being would not relinquish control, but it seems that Grot did and now Nivera is fully able to control her Grot Takeover body.
Compared to Sen who won some and lost some, Nivera emerged a full winner.
Leonas and Risa looked at each other. They both understood what the other's eyes wanted to say. Determination shone though as they sincerely congratulated Sen and Nivera.
Shieda, how noticed the silent exchange smirked and thought to himself. 'Just wait you two. I have quite the plans for you.'
Naturally, Shieda wanted to take over not only Grandor but all surrounding kingdom that treat the dotas as slaves. He shall reform every one of them and create a haven for all races. To do that, he shall need strong people by his side. And who better would be than these two who he knows has the potential to grow stronger? ...maybe he'll even throw in the three little radish heads to get some experience.
The three innocent children laughed and had no idea just what the big bad vallas had in store for them.
.
.
One week later, it was finally time for Sen and Nivera to leave. Accompanying them was also Dust, who said that he has something to do at the congress of magic.
Sen didn't want to leave the people who followed him empty-handed, so he put a few items, dragon coins, and a lot of Frostiz bread and some healing potions in space rings, as well as healing potion recipes, and other useful items, and left it for Risa, Leonas, and Shieda. They would need it in what's to come.
And that day, Sen made his step towards an uncertain tomorrow.