As countless children continue to absorb the magical energy, numerous knights and healers stand watch, their eyes sharp for any signs of distress. Ready to act at a moment's notice, they are prepared to intervene should any of the children encounter difficulties in handling the intense power flowing through them.
Nearby, maids and butlers busily assess the damage caused by the manifestation, noting shattered windows, cracked walls, and ruined furniture, making mental notes for repairs.
Further away from this intense scene, elder members of the Caelus Family gather around grand tables filled with delicious meals and fine drinks. They sit comfortably, observing the spectacle before them with a mixture of awe and satisfaction.
For many of them, this is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity---a divine gift. Watching their children and grandchildren absorb the potent energy, they know it holds the promise of increased potential and a brighter future, both for the individuals and for their family as a whole. They speak in loud tones, marveling at the event, their glasses raised in gratitude for the blessings unfolding before their eyes.
A little further away from the main gathering is a more intimate setup, where only few individuals are seated around a large table, their faces showing the gravity of the situation. At the head of the table sits Lady Ersia Caelus, the matriarch of the family.
Her eyes closed, her expression calm and serene, as if she is communing with the magic energy surrounding the air. Despite the tensed situation, her presence exudes a calmness and stillness.
To her right sits her husband, General Richard Caelus, his brow furrowed in concentration as he examines a magical device on the table, its screen displaying fluctuating readings and values.
On Ersia's left sits Aulus Caelus, the Second Prince of the Caelus Family, and Selene Caelus, the youngest child of Ersia and Richard, both quietly observing the situation.
Other figures are also seated at the table, to Richard's right sits Helius Caelus, the First Prince and eldest son. His towering presence and intense gaze mirror his father's, and his overbearing aura demands attention.
Beside Helius is a woman in royal dress, her features sharp and dignified, and next to her are several older and powerful members of the Caelus Family.
Some at the table keep their eyes on the children in the distance, others on the manifestation of Caeltheris, and a few remain fixated on the magical device, watching the rising magic levels with growing unease.
The atmosphere at this table is far more serious and tense than the rest of the gathering. Unlike those indulging in food and drink, these individuals remain mostly quiet, their focus on the manifestation and the situation unfolding before them.
The power radiating from Caeltheris has grown significantly, and it is still rising at an immense rate. They know that soon, the Invisible Cloud Formation will shatter, exposing this event to the rest of the world.
A soft breeze blows through the area.
Selene, her eyes lingering on the magic device, finally speaks,
"The Invisible Cloud Formation will break soon because of Caeltheris's growing manifestation. And once it does, the world will see this." her voice calm and steady.
Richard's stoic demeanor remains unbroken, and he reply calmly in his deep voice, "Nothing will happen even if they see this. Even if they come to our doorstep, it won't matter. I can handle them."
Helius cuts in, his voice firm and commanding. "Father, you are indeed powerful, but even an SS-rank individual can be overwhelmed by a coordinated attack from several S-rankers and A-rankers."
Selene nods in agreement, her gaze shifting to her father. "Indeed, Father. Even if we were to successfully fend them off, what would be the consequences?"
"Your fight will disrupt the flow of magic and could harm the children. We can't risk that."
Aulus joins the conversation.
"I've already issued a verdict -- no one is allowed to leave or enter Caelus Province for the next few days."
He adds "The entire area around the Caelus Estate is restricted, with guards and knights enforcing the perimeter. This will buy us some time before the news spreads."
Selene, glancing again at the readings on the device, responds thoughtfully, "Unless Caeltheris's figure grows beyond 500 meters in height, our formation should be able to handle this.
But if it does.....
if Caeltheris becomes any larger, our formation will break, and everyone will be able to see the manifestation."
The gravity of her words hangs over the table like a heavy cloud. Everyone understands the weight of her words. If the formation shatters and Caeltheris's manifestation becomes visible to the world, it will undoubtedly attract attention.
The Caelus Family, despite their unrivaled might and global renown, were not without enemies. Their power and prestige made them targets for many who sought revenge and harbored resentment against them. If too many enemies attacked them at once, even they could be defeated.
Lady Ersia finally opens her eyes, her calm and serene demeanor unshaken, but a sharp intensity now glimmers in her gaze. "The formation will shatter soon. When that happens, nothing will prevent the manifestation from being seen. However, unless someone is very close to the Estate's perimeter, it will only appear as a blurry image."
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the table before continuing. "But my concern is, Caeltheris's figure will soon grow as large as the Estate itself, hovering over it. When that happens, people will be able to see it from anywhere in the province."
Her eyes locked onto Helius. "Helius, take your men and go to Blue Sky City. Block the city and the Blink Hall. Ensure that no one, aside from our family members, enters the province. Make sure no messages are sent, and if the Blink Hall does not cooperate, use force."
Helius leans back in his chair, contemplating the order. His brow furrows as he speak. "Even if some families notice this, nothing will happen. So why take these drastic steps? Ah... because of the Empire, right? If that's the case, then why is she here?" His gaze shifts to the woman in the royal dress seated at the table, his eyes burning with hatred.
Selene chimed in, her tone sharp. "And here I was thinking you had grown up, Helius. I hoped you would consider the current situation before indulging in your personal vendettas.
Helius shot back immediately, his voice rising. "Selene, stay out of this!"
The woman in the royal dress, unbothered by the hostility directed at her, continues to ignore the exchange.
Her eyes remains fixed on Lady Ersia, waiting for her next move.
Richard, seeing the tension escalating, intervene. "You two, quiet. Assess the situation before speaking out."
He turns to Helius, his voice firm. "Lady Suna and Miss Fellicia are our guests. In fact, Lady Suna is Erina's sister, and Miss Fellicia is her cousin, which makes them family. Whatever happened between you and Fellicia is in the past."
Lady Ersia's voice, cold and cutting, sliced through the room, sending a shiver down everyone's spine. "Why are you still here?"
Helius, feeling the weight of his mother's words and the immense pressure behind them, stammered, "I... I... I..."
He struggles to speak, visibly shaken by the authority she exuded.
"Leave. Now," Lady Ersia orders in a low voice. Though quiet, her command carried an undeniable force, a power that made everyone in the room feel its weight.
Helius immediately stands and leaves the scene, the oppressive atmosphere finally easing as he exits.
Once the pressure lifts, Richard turns to Fellicia. "Lady Fellicia, I apologize that you had to witness that. I hope it hasn't troubled you."
Fellicia Amateris, the woman in the royal dress, finally speaks, her voice calm and unbothered. "There's nothing to worry about. He's just a sore loser, nothing more."
Her blunt words cause a slight twitch in everyone's expressions---after all, she has just insulted the First Prince of Caelus. But no one dares to challenge her.
Fellicia, unfazed by the reaction, continues. "Anyway, instead of all this drama, I'm more concerned about Erina and her child."
All eyes turn to Aulus, who remains calm and composed, his expression unchanged despite the sudden attention on him.
Aulus takes a moment, then speaks, his voice steady. "Lady Nour is the best healer in our guild, and Deborah Wokark is your Royal Physician. They're both attending to Erina personally. They're royal-level healers, so nothing will happen to her."
Fellicia interjects sharply, "What do you mean 'nothing will happen'? Something has already happened! She's still unconscious, and her magic rank has dropped. She deranked from S-rank to C-rank---it's unheard of! And you still say there's nothing to worry about?" Fellicia's fury is palpable.
Everyone around the table lowers their gaze, worry etched on their faces.
Selene steps in, trying to calm Fellicia. "Her rank dropped due to childbirth. You saw yourself how mysterious and unusual it was. The energy that child is absorbing is so high that we believe it caused her rank demotion."
Fellicia, still tense, slowly calms down, knowing deep down that Selene's explanation is the only plausible one.
After the air cools, Aulus continues, "I believe the same, which is why I'm certain she isn't in danger. She's unconscious because her body and mind are adjusting to her new power."
He pauses for a moment, a flicker of emotion crossing his eyes before they return to their usual indifference. "As for the child... I don't think he's alive anymore."
A shocked silence falls over the room, Aulus's words striking everyone like a physical blow. Disbelief hangs in the air as eyes dart between Aulus and the glowing figure of Caeltheris, still hovering over the damaged palace. The manifestation, a symbol of immense power, now seems shrouded in doubt.
Selene and Fellicia's faces go pale, their minds struggling to process what they have just heard.
Selene, her voice shaky, manages to ask the question on everyone's mind. "What... what do you mean by that, Aulus?"
An elder from the Caelus Family, worry creasing his weathered face, adds, "How can you say that when the manifestation is still so strong?"
Aulus remains calm, his expression unwavering, though his words offer little comfort. "Yes, the energy surrounding the cocoon is immense. But that doesn't necessarily mean the child within is still alive. This level of power... it's too much for a newborn to survive."
He pauses, letting the weight of his statement settle over the group. "I don't know why Caeltheris's manifestation is still here. Perhaps it's acting out of instinct, staying to bless us one last time--a final gift for its descendant."
Richard's expression shifts as he listens, emotions flickering across his face. He finally speaks, attempting to ease the growing tension. "Aulus, we can't just jump to conclusions--"
Every gaze shifts to her, faces marked by shock and disbelief. Her words hang heavily in the air, impossible to ignore or deny.
Ersia meets their stares with her usual composed demeanor, though the sharp glint in her eyes speaks to the gravity of the moment. "You all will tell this story only----that the child was stillborn."