So, this is what he means by an opening ceremony? I sigh.
"Better not be that perception-altering device again." I stand up from my seat, taking a few steps. Something feels off. Normally, those devices only mess with sight, but if I keep moving like this, shouldn't I have stumbled into something by now?
"We've been teleported here."
A voice. I'm not alone?
I turn, spotting the speaker—white hair contrasting sharply with her striking red eyes.
"Which house are you from?" Her expression remains cold, almost indifferent, as she asks.
Just by her look, I can tell she takes a lot of pride in her family. "Shouldn't you introduce yourself before asking someone else?" I reply with a soft smile, like Senior Ray always does.
Her lips twitch slightly. She places a hand on her chest.
"I'm from the Eclair family. Eris Regina, an heir." Her gaze lingers on me, as if waiting for my turn.
"Kai Magnus from the Numen family, an augmenter."
She doesn't seem impressed. Without another word, she turns and begins scanning the area.
"So, any idea where we are?" I ask, trailing behind her as we walk through unfamiliar terrain.
"Does it matter?" she replies without turning around. Her voice is flat, almost bored, as if this situation is just a minor inconvenience to her.
I glance around. A forest has appeared up ahead, almost out of nowhere. "Forests don't exist in wastelands," she remarks.
"Huh?"
"Figure it out yourself." And with that, she walks off, heading straight into the forest like she knows the way.
What does she mean? And how can she be so calm about it? Still, if she knows something, I have to stick close. Without saying a word, I follow her. The forest is dense, shadows shifting unnaturally as we move deeper inside. I can't shake the feeling that something is watching us.
Demonic beasts. My grandfather tells me that our nation is fighting to protect against them. They come from an unknown realm and only exist to destroy and kill. In my past life's memories, the human realm has no such threats from demons; they can't access it.
"Maybe we should—" I start, extending my augment rod from the watch.
"No need." Her voice is calm, composed, almost dismissive. Her hand raises slightly, and faint sparks dance at her fingertips. The first beast lunges at her, but before it can close the distance, she flicks her wrist. A single streak of lightning arcs through the air, striking the creature in the chest. It collapses without a sound.
"I can handle this on my own," she says without looking back at me.
I don't like her attitude, but something about this place doesn't feel right. I have no idea where we are, and neither does she, but she acts like she has everything under control.
I follow from a distance, keeping a low profile. No point in pushing for cooperation right now.
Suddenly, shadows shift in the distance. Human figures, not beasts. They close in fast—too fast. And then they strike. Three of them, quick and silent, their blades flashing toward Eris. She barely has time to react, her lightning flaring up to block the first strike, but the second blade cuts across her arm.
"Damn it!" she hisses, trying to recover, but the assassins press in too quickly for her to regain her footing. Lightning crackles around her, but it isn't enough. She is strong, but not prepared for this type of fight. These aren't beasts blindly charging forward.
I stand still for a moment, watching the scene unfold.
She's fighting hard, but it's clear she won't last much longer. I could just let her face the outcome, but I am still a celestial king. An augmentor's duty is to assist, whether the heir wants it or not.
Without a word, I raise my hand. A flick of my wrist, followed by a snap of my fingers. In an instant, lightning—my own lightning—strikes from above, sharp and precise. The assassins collapse, their bodies twitching for a moment before falling still, unconscious.
She stands frozen, chest heaving as she glances around, clearly confused. Her eyes finally lock onto mine from across the trees. She knows it wasn't her lightning that saved her.
"You... how did you—"
I smile as I walk toward her. "Have you ever heard of gods?"