"Another one! These replicas are so hard to capture. How do they even make these?" Cian complains.

"Being a jewel hunter isn't easy, so just accept it. "Jewel hunters?More like jewel janitors. Always cleaning up the mess these desperate fools keep making" He scoffed.

"Anyway, let's meet up with Madam Sylmora. We need to submit this fake jewel. Open the portal, Cian." I instructed.

"WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! Don't forget about me! What will happen to me now? You guys took my only source of power. I now have nothing!" the stranger we took the fake jewel from cries out.

"Fake power, you mean?" Cian reminded him.

"Even if it's fake power to you, it's real for people like us who have no strength. If you were in our shoes, you would've done the same. You're too callous to even think about the likes of us!" The stranger argues.His words really stuck with me for some reason.

"So what do you want me to do about that?" Cian threatens.

"That's enough, Cian. He's already upset. There's no need to take this any further. Open the portal, and let's get out of here," I order.

Cian opens the portal,rolling his eyes, and I pick up the man, his body feeling heavy and weak. I walk straight through, heading to Madam Sylmora.

"Oh my! You kids sure took long enough," said Madam Sylmora. Her long, bright purple hair cascaded perfectly onto the floor as she sat in the chair, her necklace,still shining as brightly as ever. Madam Sylmora, a scholar widely known for her medical expertise in the field of witchcraft, may not be able to return their lost lifespans, but she helps them recover from the side effects, which can be just as bad.

"We brought the Jewel as you asked.Also,he is in a really bad condition. It would be best to start the checkup as soon as possible," I suggested.

"Let me see," she replied, stepping forward. After a brief pause, she added reassuringly, "Don't worry, he's just a little drained. He'll be healed in no time. Carry on." With that, she turned to leave.

"Madam, wait.." I called out nervously.

"Oh? What is it, Elveria?" She stopped, looking back at me.

"Madam Sylmora, I have always respected you, and you know I have never questioned your decisions. But… I hate seeing the lives of these innocent people who only seek strength, being taken advantage of by those deceitful merchants. Not only do they suffer greatly, but their lifespans are also shortened. I know there likely isn't a cure, since you once mentioned that all of this began thousands of years ago… but if there's anything I can do, I am willing."I hesitated.

At this point,I could feel Cian staring at me. After all this is something that has been going on for thousands of years,who am I to change that?

"Well, you're In luck,because I might know something that might help,but it's not going to be easy."

With that her fingers started wandering in the bookshelf before picking one up.She started to recite,

'The lie will tell the truth,

truth will not tell the lie

Seek what's hidden,

the jewels will multiply'

3400 years ago, there resided a celestial ruler. From the stars to the wind, everything fell under her dominion. Not a single soul dared to utter a word in opposition. She was as powerful as one could imagine, but all of this strength emanated from a single crown. This crown, imbued with 8 unknown powers, allowed her to wield them all simultaneously. There wasn't a word in existence to describe her might, and because of this, her pride was boundless. She ruled relentlessly, until the people grew weary of her reign. Then, a mage from the realms of the forgotten ether arrived.

The queen's crown, capable of controlling all 8 unknown powers in unison, could destroy everything with a single blow. But the mage, named Elrithae, stood on equal footing with her. Unlike the queen, Elrithae's strength was purely physical. In a battle where death was certain, the queen's crown shattered into 7 pieces, scattering across the city .The elements were :

Jewel of Dreams

Jewel of Flames

Jewel of Frost

Jewel of Daze

Jewel of Portal

Jewel of Barrier

Jewel of Gale

In addition,in the battle,the mage's mask also tumbled into the city.Whoever wears it, can control death like a string. And as for the name of the Queen,She was called

Elveria

Madam sylmora paused reading

I covered my mouth in shock. "ELVERIA?!" I coughed, my throat felt dry.

Cian scoffed. "What, you think you're secretly an ancient ruler now?"

I opened my mouth to argue,but stopped. Madam Sylmora hadn't said a word. She was just staring at me. Not at the book. At me..

Then, finally, she spoke.

"…This is unexpected."