The Invincible Young Master

[A/N: Lessgoo 200 chapters finally]

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"Disappeared?" Spark asked. "Did she sneak out of the academy again?"

Renard shook his head, his usually firm demeanor weighed down by a rare heaviness.

The lines on his face seemed deeper, carved by the strain of the news.

"Can't you use the artifact to locate her?" Spark gestured toward the crystalline ceiling ornament that glimmered faintly above them. The artifact was capable of tracking family members anywhere within this plane.

Renard's expression darkened further.

"No. Her presence has..." He hesitated, as if reluctant to say the words. "Entirely disappeared."

Even if one was inside a ruin, this artifact could locate them. However, this time it was different.

Spark's brow furrowed, but his voice remained calm. "What exactly happened?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Renard leaned back in his chair, exhaling a long, tired sigh. His shoulders slumped slightly, a stark contrast to his usual commanding posture.

"A few days ago, the imperial palace issued a bounty. It was for a notorious group that's been terrorizing the capital.

The reward was substantial, enough to draw bounty hunters, mercenaries, and rogues from all over. Silica, being Silica, somehow managed to uncover the location of their supposed hideout and wasted no time making it known."

Spark listened without interrupting, his expression unreadable, though a flicker of disapproval crossed his features.

"Within a day," Renard continued, "a massive crowd marched toward the western border near the mountains, eager to claim the reward. Silica joined them, of course. It was supposed to be a straightforward hunt with the sheer number of people involved. But..."

"But?" Spark prompted, his voice calm but demanding an answer.

Renard's expression grew grimmer. "The next day, no one returned. Not a single person. The palace, alarmed by the silence, sent a scouting team to investigate.

When they reached the location..." He paused, his gaze dropping momentarily. "The mountain was gone."

"In its place," Renard said slowly, "was a massive crater. It wasn't just any crater, with depths unknown. It was a gaping abyss, vast enough to swallow an entire city.

It stretched into unfathomable depths, and there were no signs of a battle. No corpses, no traces of magic, nothing. It was as if the ground itself had devoured everything."

Spark's expression didn't falter. "And what's the academy's response?"

"When the academy detected Silica's presence vanish, they immediately sent a team of elders to investigate. When they descended to the bottom of the abyss, they found something... unexpected."

Renard's eyes darkened, and he leaned forward slightly. "A greater ruin."

"It hasn't fully emerged yet," Renard continued. "But whatever caused it to surface did so prematurely."

"And the imperial palace? How are they responding?"

"They've already sent word to the neighboring empires," Renard said gravely. "Preparations are underway for a joint expedition to explore the site. Your brother, Reynold, is already on his way to join them."

"And Silica? Any idea what might've happened to her?"

Renard's tone softened, but the weight of his words pressed down heavily. "None. Her disappearance, the ruins… everything about this is unlike anything we've ever encountered."

For a brief moment, Renard's normally unshakable demeanor faltered. His shoulders sagged as he added, "The only theory is that Silica, along with the others who went after the bounty, might be trapped inside the greater ruin.

But beyond that, we have no answers. And who knows what dangers could be waiting in there?"

Spark tilted his head slightly. His calm voice broke the silence. "She's strong. I'm sure she'll find a way to make it through."

Renard studied him carefully, Finally, he gave a slow nod. "Will you be joining your brother on the expedition?"

Spark paused, his gaze lifting to the chamber's vaulted ceiling as he considered the question.

After a moment of thought, he shook his head. "No. Reynold can manage. He'll have other high-ranked ascendants with him. I trust him to handle it."

"I see." Renard's reply was short, though his tone hinted at lingering concern. After a brief hesitation, he added, "Before you leave, there's something else I need from you."

Spark stopped mid-turn, glancing back at his father. "What is it?"

Renard exhaled deeply, rubbing the bridge of his nose as though trying to push away a headache. "Speak with your mother. Console her. Convince her not to join the expedition."

Spark raised a brow, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "She wants to go?"

"Yes," Renard replied, his tone heavy. "Ever since she found out Silica might be trapped in the ruin, she's been determined to join the rescue efforts. I've managed to calm her down for now, but her resolve hasn't wavered. You know how she gets when it involves family."

Spark nodded slowly. His mother was a rare arcane class as a healer. She wasn't just skilled, her presence on a battlefield was said to lift morale and turn the tide of battles.

But Renard's hesitation made sense. The dangers of a high-class greater ruin weren't something anyone could dismiss lightly, and her current state wasn't ideal for such a perilous mission.

"Understood," Spark said finally. "I'll talk to her."

He and Yuna left the chamber, their footsteps echoing softly in the quiet halls as they made their way toward the inner garden.

The garden felt like a peaceful retreat, with winding stone paths leading through a vibrant mix of flowers and climbing vines.

Sunlight filtered through the lattice above, creating delicate patterns of shadow on the ground. The air was warm, carrying the scent of blooming flowers as the soft rustle of leaves added to the calm atmosphere.

At the heart of the garden stood a white gazebo, surrounded by a sea of hydrangeas in full bloom.

Inside the gazebo sat Spark's mother, her usually radiant face shadowed with worry. And at the side, Alice was playing with flowers.

Spark noticed the signs of strain in his mother. The slight droop of her shoulders, the weariness in her posture immediately.

"Mother," he called softly as he approached. "I'm back." Enjoy new adventures from empire

Her head turned at the sound of his voice. Relief flooded her face as she rose quickly from her seat and rushed to him.

Throwing her arms around him, she buried her face in his chest, her body trembling with quiet sobs.

"Silica… your sister…" she whispered, her voice breaking.

"I know, Mother. But don't worry. Reynold is already on his way, and you know how capable he is. And Silica, she's a strong woman."

His mother clung to him for a moment longer, her tears soaking into his shirt. When she finally pulled back, her eyes, though red-rimmed, held a flicker of hope.

"And if that doesn't ease your worries," Spark added, meeting her gaze firmly, "then I'll go there myself."