The next day, as Evelyn returned to her office, she was called Lennox and Kira with a surprise.as they didn't expected her to call them in, informing them that they would be rewarded for their assistance. For months, there had been no signs of progress in ever catching Allice/Nightshade until they showed up. As a token of gratitude.
Evelyn unveiled the gear Alice had, a collection of remarkable items. Among them was a mysterious mask dubbed "A Rat's Mask," renowned for its ability to cloak one's presence and energy. Then she also introduced the "Glove of the Beast," a accessory she wielded for injections. Also everyone received a staggering 3000 thousand dollars, a sum that dwarfed any previous earnings they had before particularly for Lennox, whose past attempts at accumulating wealth had often yielded mere double digits, sometimes even less.
After at the academy, Lennox found himself at the House of Ignistris. Seeking to enhance his strength, as he aimed to achieve another 500 strength dots to advance to the next rank. Which he thought the facilities at the House of Ignistris were perfect for such training.
Upon arrival, Lennox noticed a shift in morale among the members. The recent football match victory had restored some of the house's reputation. Spotting Roran and Leonora together, Roran was surprised seeing lennox as. It had been a while since he last visited, and he usually only did so when necessary.
"Lennox, what brings you here today? It's been a while," Roran exclaimed with surprise.
"I've come to use the house's Pyrokinetic training ground. It's been too long since I've trained, and this place offers the best opportunity," Lennox replied.
Roran grinned. "That's great! Let me set it up for you."
Following Roran towards the training ground, Lennox learned that usually, emberbite blaze crystals were required to activate the ground for a certain duration. However, as a gesture of gratitude for his help in the match, Roran offered to pay the fee this time, pushing five crystals into a machine.
"Thanks, Roran," Lennox said gratefully.
With the crystals loaded, a door opened, and Roran turned to Lennox. "I'll see you in five days."
Lennox nodded and entered the door, finding himself surrounded by a sea of fire. Feeling the intense heat, he knew this was the perfect opportunity to push his limits. Choosing a spot already ablaze, he sought out the center, where the heat would challenge him even more. Roran had explained that thinking of any kind of enemy he wanted to face and their ranks would summon them, but being in the center would also test his endurance against the flames.
Thinking of all four elements fire, air, earth, and water all rank four they materialized before Lennox, each moving towards him with their specialized attacks. He wanted to practice and enhance his techniques with all the main elements, believing that mastering them was crucial for his journey to becoming stronger.
As the elements converged upon him, Lennox engaged in intense combat, refining his skills against each elemental force. He knew that encounters with these primary elements would be a constant in his pursuit of strength.
Five days later, the door to the Pyrokinetic training ground opened, and Lennox emerged, his eyes gleaming with intense energy. Roran was already waiting for him.
"How are you feeling? Did you get a good amount of practice in?" Roran inquired.
Lennox nodded. "Thanks to the training, I gained 100 strength dots," he replied.
"100!" Roran exclaimed, taken aback.
Lennox sensed Roran's surprise. "Is something wrong with the 100 dots?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.
"No, no, there's nothing wrong. That's very impressive, getting 100 dots," Roran reassured him, shaking his head.
Lennox couldn't help but wonder why Roran seemed perturbed by his achievement. Roran knew typically, other Nexarcs gained at most 15 to 30 points each month in the training ground. Lennox's sudden surge of 100 dots was unprecedented. Even Alexander, who had once gained 40 dots in a month, had been a topic of discussion. This feat seemed beyond the realm of possibility, and it left Roran baffled.
"There's something I want to discuss with you," Roran said, his tone serious.
"Okay..." Lennox said, unsure why Roran's demeanor had suddenly become so serious.
"First, Elder Alaric and Elder Aria want to speak with you about something very important," Roran began. "Second, you need to complete your weekly house tasks."
"Alright, I'll go see the elders after I finish the tasks. What do I need to do?" Lennox responded.
"I've handpicked three tasks for you, ones that align with your training and it should prove quite manageable. Nevertheless, they'll provide invaluable real-world experience." With a nod, he passed Lennox three tokens and badge tokens. "Your assignments await in the Enigma Grove, a challenging terrain teeming with peril. Remember, some Nexarcs can be way stronger that you and I some are even willing to get, lethal. Exercise caution at all times. I'm counting on you to maximize your potential without unnecessary risk to your well-being."
Lennox glanced down at the tokens and badge. "Thanks for the warning, but don't worry, I won't let anything happen to me."
Leaving the house, Lennox pondered what he might need for the Enigma Grove he went home to collect all the equipment he even had or gain before. As he made his way to the Grove, he heard someone calling out to him. Turning around, he saw it was Kira.
"Kira," Lennox acknowledged.
"Twinkle, where are you off to in such a hurry?" Kira asked.
"I've got a couple of tasks from the House of Ignistris. I'm heading out to take care of them," Lennox replied, showing Kira the tokens and badge.
"I didn't think you'd join a house. Since you're just like me preferring to be alone and not wanting to be held down," Kira remarked.
"I'm not being held down. I can choose which tasks I take on, and I'm given fewer than other members," Lennox explained.
'That's strange. I've never heard of house members having fewer tasks,' Kira pondered, noticing the badge in Lennox's hand. "Twinkle, are you going to the Grove? You know how dangerous it is. I suggest you quickly change those tasks."
Lennox felt a warmth in his heart at Kira's concern. "Kira, don't worry. I'll be fine. I've prepared myself for dangers," he reassured her, unconsciously patting her head. Both realized the intimacy of the gesture, prompting a moment of awkwardness.
'What did I just do...? I've only done that with my sister,' Lennox thought, puzzled.
'What is he doing? Only my grandpa used to do that... I miss it,' Kira thought, a small smile forming on her lips.
"Kira!"
Suddenly, amidst their awkwardness, their were jolted by the echo of a furious voice. Lennox instinctively withdrew his hand, both he and Kira turning towards the source of the commotion. There, stood a man of striking masculinity, his features chiseled, and his eyes a piercing shade of blue reminiscent of shimmering ice. His platinum blond hair cascaded in sleek waves, framing his but with an aura of arrogant.
Clad in a regal ensemble, he wore a long robe crafted from the finest silk, its hues reminiscent of icy depths and adorned with intricate embroidery depicting scenes of frost-kissed landscapes and majestic ice dragons. Luxurious fur lined the collar, providing both warmth and opulence, while a sash intricately embroidered with coiling ice dragons encircled his waist.
His billowy sleeves, bore patterns of swirling frost and delicate snowflakes, lending a mystical elegance to his garb. As he approached, a cold, arrogant demeanor emanated from him, his gaze fixating on Kira then he locked onto Lennox with an icy glare that would have sent shiver down other spine but not Lennox as he felt he had no reason to fear this unknown man..
Kira's face darkened, her smile evaporating as she pointed at the man. "Adrian, what's your problem?" she shouted, her voice tinged with frustration and anger.
Observing the tense exchange, Lennox couldn't help but wonder about the strained relationship between Kira and Adrian. 'What's wrong with everyone always not liking her?' he pondered silently.
With a chilling smirk, Adrian slowly advanced towards Kira, his gaze still cold as ice, sending a silent warning to Lennox.
Meanwhile, other Nexarchs passing by couldn't help but pause, their curiosity piqued by the unfolding drama, with whispers and gossip.
"Look, it's Kira and Adrian at it again," remarked a passerby, nodding towards the tense exchange between the two.
"Adrian seems relentless in his pursuit of Kira, but she's resolute in her refusal," another observer commented.
"I'm relieved I've never entertained the idea of being with Adrian, especially after hearing about what happens to the other girls," someone else chimed in.
"It's disturbing. Every girl he's been involved with ends up taking her own life, and yet he faces no consequences because of his father's influence in the weapon forging sect," murmured another onlooker.
Adrian stretched his hand towards Kira's face, but she deftly evaded his touch. "My dear Kira, you let others touch you but refuse me even when I try to help," he said with a hint of frustration.
"Don't ever come near me again, Adrian, or I'll report you to the law enforcement hall," Kira warned sternly knowing what Adrian meant in the pass when she was hurt after a battle on the dragon list Adrian wanted to help her but she didn't allow other to touch or talk to her.
"Fine, go embarrass yourself. A Nexus Spirt dares to threaten me just because she doesn't want to be my lover," Adrian retorted, attempting to reach for Kira's face before turning to leave. "I have many way to get you Kira...ohhh I love to tame women like you" he said.
"He's such a creep," Lennox remarked with disgust.
"He's more than that. For months, he's been harassing me, insisting I become his lover despite knowing his vile reputation," Kira said, her disgust evident.
"I've heard rumors from other Nexarc around," Lennox acknowledged. "Kira, please be careful. You never know when he might escalate things."
Kira's lips curved into a slight smile. "Thanks, but don't worry. He knows he can't push too far, or even his father won't be able to protect him."
"That's a relief," Lennox nodded. "I'll see you next time," he said before walking away.
As he started to walk away, he heard Kira calling out to him. He turned to see what she wanted.
"I forgot you might need this to collect whatever you gain in the grove," Kira said, holding out multifaceted gemstone, shimmering with iridescent hues.
Lennox nodded tightly. "Thanks."