The rain was getting heavier, and the fog brought in cold breeze and darkness. Ryu managed to carry Cecily inside the protective shelter of a cave despite being so weak himself.Cecily passed out due to emotional trauma while Ryu was still suffering from the poison of the Vamperic wolf. It was a good thing that Cecily's body was absorbing mana to heal her wounds, though only little at a time. Slow it may be, Ryu was still thankful.Ryu didn't want to close his eyes, for he was afraid that something terrible might happen to Cecily, who was unconscious beside him. But his world was slowly becoming a kaleidoscope of agony. It was almost beyond what he could endure.Ryu grunted and took a deep breath, and refocused his thoughts. But he was sharply aware of the hot, stirring pain that radiated from his wounds, blurring his thoughts.Her skin was turning violet, and his veins bulged as if it was going to tear his flesh. The blood that flowed within was no longer red but green.Pulses of pai

The moment Ryu, Cecily, and Ferris were in the safety of the Kingdom of Byron, they were brought into the palace. It happened so fast as they traversed the Mountain of the Dead and the forests, and towns beyond without stopping and reached the Byron Kingdom in just three days. These three days flew like they never happened.Meanwhile, Lucian hurried into the Azura Empire because of an important summoned from the Emperor.It was already considered a miracle that Lucian personally came to Cecily's rescue. He was an only child since the Azura Royal family could only produce one heir. So it was no wonder that he was well protected and groomed.Inside the Byron Palace, Cecily wasn't even given a minute's rest when she was summoned to the throne room to report what happened while Ryu and Ferris were left alone in a servant room.Since the time in the cave, Ryu and Ferris haven't spoken to each other. Ryu was still bathed in blood. There were claws, and bites all over his skin, and Ferris wa

Ryu tilted his head. "Spell and Skill scrolls?"Ferris looked at the items as she explained, "There are multiple ways to acquire skills and spells in this world. One, a master teaches it to you. Two thru inherited knowledge, but only high-ranking beings have that ability. And three. . ."Ferris faced Ryu with a beige parchment scroll in her hands. "The popular method is thru scrolls, and it's the easiest, but also the most expensive.""But, of course, you have to be compatible with the skill and spell, or it won't work on you. Most scrolls contained basic attack and spell. For the high level ones you have to have high-level proficiency in magic, martial arts, and a good amount of mana or the scroll won't even unfold before you. And usually, those are rare and aren't sold in these stalls." Ferris skimmed his chin. "Maybe they're available in the shops?"Ferris then faced Ryu and warned, "But always remember that some spells and skills have the same effect, albeit they have different na

"It's good to see you again, Ferris.""Yeah. It's been years. Though I can't say the same to you, Faux," Ferris grumbled.Faux chuckled. "Who's the pup?""This is Ryu. Ryu, this is Faux. She's an oracle and a witch, so be careful."An oracle? Ryu mussed. Ferris told him about them. They could see a person's past and future. But also a witch? A being that used hexes and concoct potions?Ryu looked at Faux, and the latter just smiled at him. for some odd reason, she made him uncomfortable. Like she would skin him alive."I presume that you being here had to do with him?" Faux questioned. Not really interested in the answer. As long as she was paid, she didn't care about trivial matters.Ferris nodded. "I brought him here 'cause I want you to look at his past for me."Faux's fingers cradled her chin, nails painted in black. "Sure. You know the drill."Ferris threw a rare golden four leaf clover in Faux's way. It was just a clover bloomed gold in rare occasions. It was useless for Ferris

"A summon tomorrow?" Ferris asked the maid who bared in their room after they took their dinner.The maid nodded, hiding her contempt behind a stoic face. "Yes. His Highness Drake Bryon, Princess Cecily's father, would like to see you two tomorrow.""Hmm. . ." Ferris didn't respond. She was busy fiddling with her thoughts, thinking how to enter the auction tonight.She couldn't use high-level spells inside the Kingdom since she would be detected. The Kingdom has placed arrays to detect fluctuation in mana and magic. What's more, there would be dispelling gate at every entrance of the auction house.Ferris bit her thumb while Ryu was still playing with his traveler's ring. And the first items he had were two bottles of Mermaid Breathing Potions and a Crystal pass to Faux Oriculum."The maid's eyelid twitched from being ignored, and without a word, she left with a disgruntled face and a loud bang of the door.The only way to safely enter the auction house was using an Appearance Changin