Marina was ecstatic to see Oasis after such a long time, and Oasis felt the same, despite feeling embarrassed.
Memories of growing up under Marina's care flooded his mind, making him feel at home after a long time.
Marina dropped everything she was doing to catch up with Oasis.
They exchanged words, with disciples in the Consano Association surprised to see Marina so happy.
Some whispered, wondering if they were mother and child, while others found the display of motherly love endearing.
After a few hours, Oasis had to return to his garden to prepare for the banquet.
Marina informed him that it was postponed and scheduled for the current day.
As Oasis reached his garden, he found Zane waiting at the entrance of the small bridge.
"Fool, I've been waiting for you for ages here," Zane said, speaking to Oasis.
"Oi, Zane," Oasis waved his hand.
Zane looked like a noble, just as he did when they first met.
"I won't be staying here," Zane said, taking a robe and shoes from his storage bracelet and handing them to Oasis.
"You should wear this during the banquet. Prepare and don't be late," he added as he left.
"Oww, nice cut, junior brother," Zane called out to Oasis.
!!!
Zane walked back towards Oasis.
"And you were wrong," Zane said.
"What are you on about?" Oasis asked, curious.
"Remember before we went to the academy, while we headed to the Consano Manor in the Consano Association in the city?" Zane reminded Oasis.
"Yeah, what about it?" Oasis asked, still curious.
"You guided me, and I ended up breaking through thanks to your words," Zane said, "but one thing you were wrong about."
"Ahh, say it already," Oasis urged.
"You said battlemages are called battlemages because they gain and hone their swordsmanship," Zane said.
"But Zion is a battlemage, and he does not use a sword but his fists, fighting close-range."
Zane was very excited at this point, as he finally had a chance to correct Oasis, who seemed to know everything about cultivation.
"Ha ha ha, I got you," Zane spoke with pride. "But don't worry, at least I told you something."
Filled with pride, Zane felt like a true senior to Oasis.
"But I was not wrong," Oasis calmly replied.
!!!
"Huh, you want to lie?" Zane said.
"Remember, Zane, I said a mage becomes a battlemage if he has swordsmanship, which is true, not wrong, and which ultimately implies close-range fighting," Oasis said.
"I just didn't add other aspects since I wanted you to focus on honing your swordsmanship back then."
Crushed!
"He just defended himself, damn this Oasis," Zane muttered without a word, leaving.
"He looks disappointed. Well, I didn't know more back then myself, I admit," Oasis recalled the moments before going to the academy.
"Master Elias," Oasis thought as he looked up, entering the garden.
"When I think about it, Master taught me water and wind magic, and now I can't use water magic. I have to do something about it," Oasis thought with determination on his face.
"There must be a way to solve this," Oasis pondered.
"I know it's said those with the True Yang Body cannot use water magic or water martial techniques, but what if they are also just partially right?"
"The mist I use is vapor, and vapor is water that passed the boiling point. What if I can do something about it?"
"And also, I learned that I'm also a dragon, but I have never displayed anything related to my dragon bloodline, and I'm not even sure what kind of dragon my bloodline is," he thought.
At this point, Oasis was immersed in thought, questioning many things and curious about his abilities and skills as he wanted to get to the bottom of things.
"And also, those girls who came here said I was an inner disciple, but Master Bluemoon last time said I was a core disciple."
"Core disciples are the disciples of the leader, and inner disciples are of the elders of the family," he thought.
"If I am a core disciple, does it mean Master Bluemoon is really my master?" Oasis wondered.
"Anyways, let me prepare and have a long bath. I hope the food at the banquet will be top-notch," he thought as he entered the building.
---
Somewhere far away from Lunaris...
"What do you mean you failed a simple mission?" a man spoke, his shadow visible, and his voice calm but piercing.
"The Phoenix Clan interfered," Shiro replied, kneeling.
!!!
"Damn them! Now our plans failed, and we cannot do anything about it," the man spoke.
"So you are saying that also other great treasures, the Phoenix Clan took them?" he asked.
"We are not sure, Master," Shiro replied.
Just after Shiro replied, with just a tap on the floor with his feet as he was sitting on a big chair,
a wave of strong energy was unleashed, hitting Shiro's internal organs, causing him to bleed slightly from the nose.
The calmness turned to anger in an instant without warning.
"Damn you incompetent fools! How is this even possible? Not only did you fail, but also two of your brothers died," the man spoke.
"Damn, if it's not the Phoenix Clan, it's the Dragonkin Clan. I hate these clans."
"Just keep an eye out. After these kinds of times, big auctions are held."
"Maybe we might be lucky enough if one of the great treasures is being auctioned, though the chances are definitely in fractions," the man said.
"You may leave my face," he concluded.
"Yes, Master," Shiro replied as he took his leave.
Shiro's master was left angry, clenching his fist, his energy out of control.
From his reaction, it was evident that they were certain they would get those treasures, but unfortunately, it was not the case.