Freya instantly liked the old man. Edward Miller had unknowingly earned a place in her good graces with a simple compliment... telling her she looked like her mother. Freya adored Eleanor. She admired everything about her, from her warm smile to her bravery. To Freya, her mother wasn’t just a parent... she was a superhero. Being compared to her in any way instantly won her over.
Seeing the little girl’s bright smile, Edward’s affection for her deepened. There was something pure and radiant about her that reminded him of a gentler time.
"Young lady," Edward said with a kindly tone, "may I invite you to meet my granddaughter sometime?"
Eleanor quickly stepped in before Freya could answer. "I didn’t know your granddaughter was here, Mr. Miller. Unfortunately, we have some important matters to take care of today. But we’ll definitely visit her next time."
At that moment, the elevator dinged, arriving at their floor. Eleanor and Freya smiled and bid Edward farewell before stepping inside. As the elevator doors closed, Edward stood in the hallway for a moment, watching them leave with a fond smile. Then, with a shake of his head, he turned and headed upstairs to his office. He, too, had work to finish.
***
In the pocket dimension of the Raynor Clan, a place suspended beyond time and space, Ethan was immersed in rigorous training under the watchful eyes of Elder Bedivere Raynor.
Sweat trickled down his temples, soaking his collar. His breaths came in short, sharp bursts. Each movement, each swing of his sword, was precise yet strained. But he didn’t stop. Not even for a second.
The upcoming duel was more than a challenge. It was an opportunity... a moment to prove himself to the world, to the clan, and perhaps, most importantly, to her.
Since Eleanor’s bloodline awakening, she had become something extraordinary, transcending the limits towards impossible. She had soared ahead of him in strength and status. Though he never said it aloud, a part of Ethan felt he had to catch up.... not just as her pursuer, but as a man who once saw himself as her protector. That role had somewhat shifted after her awakening.
Now, he wanted to prove that he was worthy to stand beside her.
And so he trained harder, faster, pushing his limits. He had already decided that after the duel, he would seek permission to enter the other world. There, he believed, he could find the power he needed to evolve.
While Ethan continued sparring, Fiona stepped into the pocket dimension. Without delay, she headed toward her mother’s residence. As she entered the elegant garden courtyard where Oswyn Elizabeth Raynor meditating, her mother looked up, surprised by her arrival.
"Fiona? What brings you here at this hour?" Oswyn asked, setting aside a book she had been reading.
Fiona took a deep breath, her expression serious. "Mother, something urgent has come up. I came to seek your counsel."
Oswyn straightened her posture immediately, sensing the gravity in her daughter’s voice. "What happened?"
"The Heir Apparent has called an emergency council meeting," Fiona said. "It’s scheduled for 12 GMT tomorrow. All council members are expected to attend in person."
Oswyn’s brow furrowed slightly. "That’s unusual. Did he mention the reason?"
Fiona shook her head. "No. But I dug around for information. Everything seems... calm. Too calm for such a sudden meeting. The only oddity is that the priest was already at Brontes Island before the summons went out. And then, I heard something else... the entire Lychos Clan has been called back to their island. Their security has intensified. It’s almost as if they’re expecting an attack."
She paused, her voice lower now. "But there’s no sign of global tension. Nothing has happened to justify that level of caution."


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