Over the next few days, Elurian heard that several guides had left the Violet Sanctuary—the sanctuary created by Rex Violet himself. Additionally, those who had tricked and framed him had mysteriously disappeared without a trace. It was unsettling, but Elurian knew his Master wasn't the type to let such people live. It was cruel, but in this world, being naive was a deadly mistake.
From what Elurian had learned, there were twelve sanctuaries, each overseen by a lead guide with about five subordinates. However, the number of guides wasn't very large; since their emergence, only around ten had revealed themselves, while the rest chose to remain anonymous.
His Master was one of those ten, but as the strongest of them, Rex Violet held the highest authority. That's why he didn't bother hiding his identity.
In this world—or what was left of it, where humanity barely survived in shelters—everyone knew the name Rex Violet. What made it even more mysterious was that those with immense power chose to remain passive, silently observing as the Tower of Desire grew stronger.
Is it because they're just guides? Are they unable to fight the Tower of Desire directly? Elurian's thoughts wandered as he pondered the question, unable to focus on his training.
Rex Violet, who had been watching him, finally spoke up. "Your training is useless if you don't focus. Keep practicing until you can sense the aether."
With that stern instruction as punishment, Rex Violet left to attend to other matters. He was already busy, and his undisciplined disciple only made things worse.
"Master..." Elurian whispered, his face pale with guilt. He had disappointed his Master over something so trivial. That wasn't good. He had to make up for it!
The task was clear: practice until he could sense aether—a special form of energy that could awaken hidden abilities within him. Easier said than done. He had been trying for days, and nothing had changed. He didn't even know what he was supposed to feel.
The concept of aether was completely foreign to him. He had no idea how to sense it, and his Master had only given him a few brief tips before leaving him to practice alone. This felt like a test—if Elurian couldn't sense aether, then maybe he wasn't worthy of being Rex Violet's disciple.
My mission is to save this world. How can I do that if I can't even sense aether? Elurian found the situation bitterly ironic.
Determined, he returned to the tips his Master had given him. He sat down to meditate, regulating his breathing and calming his spirit to stillness.
The training grounds had been designed specifically for him to ensure no one would disturb his practice. They were rich with aether, drawn from the open air, the nearby trees, and the flowing river behind the Crescent Manor.
Ahn Seohyun—his former self—had been just a regular modern person. He had no experience with magic or the supernatural, aside from a contract with a mysterious entity. Still, that didn't mean he was unfamiliar with the concept of power.
His gray eyes gazed up at the dawn-lit sky, the sight bringing a wave of nostalgia. Then, Elurian closed his eyes, meditating to distance himself from his goals and simply feel his surroundings.
The gentle breeze caressed him, carrying the refreshing scent of nature. The warmth of the sunlight, the soothing sounds of the river—there was something else, something mysterious, swirling around him.
Hours passed from morning to evening, yet Elurian remained in the same meditative position. Surprisingly, he didn't feel tired. In fact, he felt more energized.
As the morning star faded and the blue moon rose to replace it, Elurian finally opened his eyes. For a brief moment, a violet glow flickered in his pupils before they returned to their original gray.
Even if I can't fully sense it yet, something inside me is starting to change.
He checked his body for any noticeable differences. His vision had sharpened, and his other senses had grown more acute. Meditation had dulled his hunger and thirst, but now that he was out of his trance, those needs came rushing back.
Elurian's stomach growled, pulling him from his thoughts. As he stared up at the blue moon, he knew he couldn't stay outside all night.
Though Rex Violet had told him to keep practicing until he could sense the aether, he hadn't forbidden Elurian from resting.
As he attempted to stand, Elurian realized how weak and stiff his body had become after sitting still all day. Just as he was about to fall, a pair of cold hands caught him.
Elurian looked up, startled, to see his Master had returned and was now carrying him.
"Master..."
Rex Violet looked down at him and said, "You've done well. You can rest now." His tone was soft, and Elurian could sense that his Master had been watching him all along. He had only pretended to leave but had been observing from afar.
Rex Violet felt conflicted. He didn't want to be too harsh on his young disciple, forcing him to train endlessly. Seeing Elurian's frail body stirred feelings of guilt within him.
Ever since taking on this little disciple, Rex had experienced more emotions than ever before. It made him more attentive, more involved.
Without saying another word, Rex carried Elurian into the Manor, where dinner had already been prepared. While Rex didn't need food, his disciple certainly did.
---
The dinner had been prepared by a skilled chef, one of Rex Violet's loyal servants. Each guide had their own trusted aides.
On the table was a delicious spread: lamb steak, potato soup, salad, and a cake for dessert. Elurian was always amazed by the quality of the food—the chef's skills were impeccable. The lamb steak was tender and juicy, and he found himself completely focused on his meal, temporarily forgetting everything else.
As he ate, Rex Violet watched quietly, sipping a glass of wine.
"It's almost winter," Rex Violet said, tapping the table with his finger. "You won't need to train outside anymore. I'll take you to a new training ground. But for now, just rest."
Elurian nodded and then asked, "Master, what date is it today?"
Since arriving in this world, he hadn't had time to ask about the current date. He had been too busy training and adjusting. He figured they hadn't reached a critical plot point yet, but he wasn't entirely sure.
Rex Violet answered calmly, "It's the 9th day of the 10th month, the 40th year since the Tower of Desire appeared."
Humanity's calendar had been reset when the Tower of Desire emerged, so it was now Year 40.
*Clatter!*
Elurian's fork slipped from his fingers, falling to the floor.
Rex Violet noticed his disciple's shocked expression. "Little rabbit, what's wrong?"
Elurian masked his horror as best he could. He regretted not asking about the date sooner. The main plot event was happening tonight!
I was too relaxed and forgot about the gravity of the situation!
The main plot involved a catastrophic mutation that would wipe out three of the twelve Sanctuaries.
***