The trial had concluded, and Emery returned to Terra Castle with a heavy heart after witnessing Annara being sentenced to 15 years in prison. The weight of the verdict bore down on him, casting a shadow over his thoughts. As they arrived home, the familiar surroundings offered little solace, but what awaited him inside the Terra Palace managed to bring a glimmer of hope.
Emery's footsteps slowed as he caught sight of two figures standing in the grand hall. Recognition dawned on him as he realized they were none other than Karin and Cedric, his friends from the apothecary institute. Their presence was unexpected yet comforting, a reminder of the connections he held dear.
"Brother Emery! It's really you!" Karin exclaimed, her eyes widening with joy.
A smile tugged at Emery's lips as he approached them. Karin's infectious enthusiasm and Cedric's warm presence were like a balm for his troubled soul. It had been four long years since they last met, and yet the bond they shared remained strong.
Cedric, ever the senior figure, greeted Emery with a firm handshake. "It's good to see you, Emery. We heard about the trial and couldn't wait to see you once it was over."
As their conversation continued, Emery couldn't help but notice the changes time had wrought upon them. Cedric's features had matured, his face now adorned with the lines of experience, while Karin, despite the passing years, seemed frozen in time, her youthful energy undiminished.
Karin's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she hesitated for a moment before throwing herself into Emery's arms. Emotion choked her voice as she whispered, "I really thought you had died, brother."
Eventually, they settled into a cozy sitting area, catching up and sharing stories of their respective journeys. Emery listened intently as Cedric regaled them with tales of their master, Grom.
"Master Grom is still the same as always," Cedric said, a mix of admiration and fondness evident in his voice. "And Karin here, she's achieved a remarkable milestone. She's now a Rank 6 Artisan, the youngest in the institute's history."
Emery's eyes widened in awe, pride shining through. "Congratulations, Karin!"
Karin blushed, a mix of humility and satisfaction coloring her cheeks.
Their conversation flowed effortlessly, the hours slipping away as they delved into memories and shared aspirations. Emery introduced Karin and Cedric to his companions—Andrei, Tatyana, Morgana, and Thrax.
However, Emery couldn't help but notice Chumo's absence, knowing that he was occupied with his duties as an Enforcer.
Curious about their friends' knowledge of the Nightwalker Toxin, Emery inquired, and to his surprise, both Karin and Cedric were familiar with the subject. In fact, they had already brought it to the attention of Master Grom and Master Hazard, but unfortunately, they hadn't found a solution yet.
"They both agreed that magic is involved in the toxin. It seems a combination of specific high-grade healing spells and antidotes will be necessary to counter it," Cedric explained.
Karin, showing her dedication, offered her assistance. "If you have any new information about the toxin, I'd be more than happy to help with the research once again."
"Thank you very much, Karin. I'll definitely count on your expertise," Emery gratefully responded.
As the evening drew to a close, Karin and Cedric prepared to bid their farewells. However, before leaving, Cedric leaned in closer to Emery, his voice low and filled with intrigue.
"You should probably come and check out your shop at the apothecary center," Cedric said.
"Of course, I will," Emery assured him.
With promises to meet again soon, Karin and Cedric departed, leaving Emery with a renewed sense of purpose.
When they leave, Emery realizes that Magus Silica has returned from her business in Golden City, and from the look of Silica's conversation with Yuria, it was evident that things hadn't gone as smoothly as they had hoped.
"It seems our land isn't valued enough to be granted a loan," Silica remarked, disappointment etching lines on her face.
Emery's brow furrowed in concern. He had assumed that with the exposure of the Raven faction's association with pirates, the matter of the debt would be swiftly resolved. However, it appeared that their predicament was more complicated than anticipated.
Terra's debt was owed to the Magus Alliance, and although the fall of the Raven faction had granted them an extension, it hadn't absolved the debt entirely. Their land was still at stake, and time seemed to be slipping away.
Magus Silica sighed, her voice laced with a mix of resignation and determination. "We can only wait until my sister returns for a solution."
Emery nodded in understanding,
Thrax was still at the frontline with the sisters last week, he knows that the magus will return soon, they just need some time to obtain permission from the commander for a leave. Patience was necessary in such uncertain circumstances.
During this moment, Emery absentmindedly retrieved several storage rings. One of them belonged to the Raven magus he had defeated. With the magus's demise, Emery had gained access to the ring, uncovering a treasure trove of more than 5 million spirit stones and valuable artifacts, estimated to be worth a few million more.
"These Raven faction Magi certainly were wealthy," Emery mused, his mind drifting to the possible sources of their vast fortune.
Curiosity gnawed at him as he pondered the origin of their wealth. Were they acquired through legitimate means, or had the Raven faction delved into more nefarious activities? With their close relationship with the pirates, it seems to be the case.
There were still the storage rings belonging to the Faction Master Cyrus and their Elder, Zachary, both powerful full moon magus. These rings were different since their owners were still alive, caught by the Magus Alliance. Opening them would require special procedures or the owners' consent.
With over 30 million spirit stones debt, Emery made the decision to travel to Golden City the following day. The bustling metropolis would also hold opportunities and distractions, allowing him to temporarily divert his attention from the weight of his current problems.
Furthermore, with his true identity revealed, Emery could finally claim his well-deserved reward for winning the tournament and ranking among the top five acolytes of the academy.
He retrieved the metallic card that displayed his identity, his fingers tracing the embossed letters and information came into his mind.
[Emery Ambrose]
[ID Number: 83292008]
[Contribution Points: 3,147,274]
The card also granted him access to collect his [Divine Art - Rank A] reward. It was a long-awaited and highly anticipated moment for Emery.
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