At the academy the sun was already down and it was becoming night at the same time people had started to leave the all the portal because no one can be inside them after dark, Lennox who came out the portal dashed through the academy narrow alleyways, his breath ragged and slow. The narrow escape from left him with a deep gash along his neck, had it not been for he quick thinking to flee early and the protection of a scorching mirror maze the outcome would have been different cause even when it was destroyed it gave enough time to escape.
Arriving at the doorstep of house of ignitis', Lennox's disheveled appearance caused a stir among the members. Some gasped in shock at the extent of his injuries, while others rushed forward with concern etched upon their faces. With a weary nod, Lennox accepted their assistance, grateful for any help to rest from the pain that gnawed at him every step he took.
Inside the infirmary, the nurse quickly but carefully tended to his wounds, meanwhile, word of Lennox's return spread like wildfire, sparking a mixture of panic and worry among those who knew him what he did for the academy. Roran, hearing of the gravity of the situation, rushed to the infirmary, as he really wanted answers to the questions swirling in his mind. What had happened in the grove to bring Lennox to such a state? And Was it because he choose the wrong tasks?
With a bang of the infirmary door, Roran entered, his eyes scanning Lennox's body. "L-Lennox, I heard you came in severely injured. Are you okay?" his voice trembled with his own body even reacting with a slight tremor.
Lennox shifted uncomfortably, trying to conceal the extent of his pain as he met Roran's gaze. "Yeah, I'm good now," he replied slowly, but a sharp twinge shot through his side as he spoke, the reason he lied was because he didn't want Roran to focus in him he want his full focus on the house cause its need rebuilding right now.
"I'm sorry for choosing the wrong tasks. If I hadn't, this wouldn't have happened," Roran apologized.
Lennox with despite the pain radiating from his injuries, he managed a reassuring smile. "Roran, don't blame yourself," he said.
Roran took in Lennox's words, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. However, he still couldn't shake the feeling that it was his fault for sending Lennox into danger. "Still, I'm sorry for sending you to the grove," he reiterated.
Lennox simply nodded, wincing slightly from the cut on his neck as he pulled out his task from the creature's he had killed collecting there cores. Roran's was surprised, realizing that Lennox had gone above and beyond what was asked of him killing a lot more than needed.
As Roran took in the sight of Lennox's impressive cores he collected, "You can rest. I'll leave your reward for you here," he said, his voice more composed now as he began to gather the cores into his gemstone. After Roran left Lennox exhaled slowly, allowing himself to relax into the comfort of the infirmary bed, his body finally succumbing to the exhaustion of his injuries.
...
One Day Later
As the morning sunlight shone through the window, Lennox stirred awake, greeted by its warm embrace. Yawning, he rose from the bed with ease, no longer troubled by the pain that he had the day before. Removing his bandages, he inspected his wounds, finding that most had healed, except for the claw mark on his ribs from the lightning tiger. Nonetheless, he felt a surge of energy coursing through him, ready to for another day of growth and discovery.
Looking around the infirmary his gaze fell upon the table nearby, covered with an assortment of medical materials and other items. Recognizing some from his readings, Lennox couldn't help but feel grateful for the resources at his disposal.
"These will come in handy," he remarked to himself, a sense of determination in his voice. "Especially for my trip to the Alchemy Pavilion."
With a swift motion, Lennox stored the materials into his storage gemstone before setting off towards the Alchemy Pavilion, recalling the summons from the two elders aria and alaric and the sense of urgency conveyed by Roran. Though hopeful for positive news, a lingering unease tugged at his thoughts, knowing that Gabriel's subordinate is still after him and with there perception of 500 meter he will easily find him if he don't make it to the Pavilion quickly but cautiously.
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out from behind, and Lennox's heart skipped a beat as he recognized it as Kira's. Swiftly ducking into a nearby alleyway, he evaded her, the reason why was because he was unwilling to reveal his injuries and risk causing her undue worry there another possibility he worry that Gabriel and Lysandra could do something her . Kira's watched on where Lennox just was in confusion from afar, relief washed over him, knowing he had spared her from unnecessary concern.
"Sorry but I can't let you see me like this," Lennox mused, after he ventured deeper into the alleyway, his curiosity piqued by an old molded and rotten wooded, forgotten shop at its end.
Before him stood a weathered sign, covered in layers of dust. Brushing the dust off, It revealed the words "Ruby Dragon Forging Hall," a name that stirred his curiosity as he never heard of such hall. What secrets are inside this shop that it no longer can keep up with the academy standards?.
Lennox pushed open the softly creaking door, his voice a mere whisper as he called out into the dimly lit room. "Hello is there any one here" he called out. His eyes scanned the room, taking in the array of weapons displayed before him. Swords, axes, spears, and shields on the walls, each one bearing the mark of skilled craftsmanship. Most appeared to be of standard or heroic grade, their practical designs hinting at their were made by top weapon forgers.
Curiosity piqued, Lennox couldn't help but wonder why such a diverse collection of weapons was housed in this forgotten corner of the academy. Unbeknownst to him, this shop had once been a bustling weapon forging hall, its significance lost to time as the academy changed because of its old master.
...
Lennox knew in this world, weapons were classified into various grades based on their forger, magical properties and bloodline. Standard-grade weapons were the norms of combat, reliable and functional. Heroic-grade weapons, on the other hand, were better artifacts imbued with magical prowess, crafted by master forgers with the bloodline sometime infused into them.
Epic-grade weapons held even greater power, revered for their good status and the awe they inspired in those who wielded them. Ethereal-grade weapons, however, transcended mortal realms, possessing abilities that defied comprehension, forged by the hands of the strongest Nexarcs, infused with the essence of Nexus energy, there are possibilities of spirit, soul and more but there are only a couple in the world and only powerful Nexarc can have them based on there status and strength.
...
Amidst the impressive display, one weapon caught Lennox's eye a sword shrouded in completely blackness, held aloft by a metal mantle at the center of the room. Approaching cautiously, Lennox reached out to grasp the hilt, his fingers brushing against the cold, black metal. Despite its ominous appearance, he sensed no Nexus energy emanating from it, as if it were devoid of any magical properties even bloodline...He question why would it be placed in best spot if there wasn't something special about it.
Intrigued by the sword, Lennox couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it than met the eye. he then gripped the hilt firmly, trying to scan it more.
"You actually pick it up!"
Lennox's heart raced as the deep voice echoed through the room, his senses on high alert. Startled, he spun around to face the source of the sound, only to find himself confronted by an imposing figure a man unlike any he had ever seen before.
Standing at an imposing height of 6'6", the man exuded an aura of strength and mystery. His features were a blend of the human and the draconic, with skin as dark as obsidian with gray hair flowing in a long braid down his back and eyes that shimmered with unearthly brilliance one ruby red, the other a vibrant crystal blue. Intricate tattoos of dragons adorned his body, while his hands bore the resemblance of dragon claws, one adorned with crystal scales and talons, the other hand as black as charcoal, his lower body morphs into dragon-like legs, sinewy and powerful, ending in sharp claws, one side of his mouth bears the fearsome fangs of a dragon, razor-sharp and deadly, while the other side displays the more human-like teeth,
But it was not just his appearance that set him apart. Long scars marred his chest and head half of his chest is transparent, revealing the pulsating, fiery and cold core of his dragon heart with slowly beating each time with the loud of a boom, the man wore old tattered black and grey clothing pants.
"Where did you come from?" Lennox blurted out, his voice had a bit of fear and curiosity.
"You picked up that sword," the man replied, his smile brightening.
Lennox hesitated, a sense of unease creeping over him. "Is there something wrong?" he asked, his hand instinctively moving to return the sword to its resting place.
"No, this is great!" the man exclaimed, suddenly appearing before Lennox and engulfing him in a bear hug.
Pain shot through Lennox's body as the man's powerful grip squeezed him tightly. He cried out in agony, feeling as though his bones might shatter under the pressure. As the wounds from his previous fight also reopened, blood began to trickle down his side, his breath quickens, and he may feel lightheaded from the sudden onslaught of pain. While he had also felt a cold and hot feeling on his body.
"Stop! You're going to kill me!" Lennox gasped, struggling to break free from the man's grasp.
"S-sorry, sorry," the man stammered, releasing Lennox with an apologetic expression.
As Lennox recoiled while calming down, his mind raced with questions. 'Who is this old man and why was he so incredibly strong?'. Scanning the the man's dragon-like appearance properly he was surprised thinking is he a dragon a creature of legend that doesn't belong in this realm.
"Can you tell me who you are and why you're so excited that I picked up this sword?" Lennox demanded.
The old man's smile widened, but before he could respond, a deafening explosion rocked the room, sending flames and smoke billowing through the air. In the chaos that ensued, Lennox found himself enveloped in a protective globe, shielded from the raging flames. And amidst the roar of the flames, a primal growl of anger reverberated through the shop, setting his nerves on edge.