Chapter 1141: A Meeting That Changes Everything
Chapter 1141: A Meeting That Changes Everything
At the edge of the farm stood a colossal tree, towering over a hundred meters tall, its roots firmly embedded in the soil. A short distance away, a small wooden house rested in its shade.
Inside the small wooden house's main room, a round table was surrounded by four chairs. Anara sat at one of them, while Seraphina and Thoren-leaders of the Healers Association and prominent figures in the Research Centre-sat opposite her. The former was also her sister, one of the Supreme Leader's main wives.
The Research Centre had established itself as one of the most valuable organisations within Paradise, holding authority just below the Key Leaders. Due to the importance of their work, they answered directly to the Supreme Leader. This made the meeting not just a professional discussion but also one between close colleagues and friends, piquing Anara's curiosity about the purpose of their visit.
"We came to discuss a suitable training method for Grace," Seraphina began, her tone steady as she met Anara's gaze. "Although we can wait until the awakening ceremony to see if she can awaken a gift, with her unique constitution-one of the rarest in Paradise-it would be a waste not to properly nurture her beforehand. Especially since she hasn't been able to cultivate her own tree, which suggests the tree nymphs' training methods aren't working for her."
Seraphina gestured to Thoren and continued, "This is Thoren Crystalforge, one of the Healers Association Leaders and a prominent figure at the Research Centre. He's here to examine Grace's constitution so we can start making further preparations."
Thoren nodded slightly toward Anara. Even though they had met on various occasions before, it felt appropriate, given the importance of this conversation.
Anara's frown at Seraphina's words, then shook her head and replied, "I'm sorry, but I have to refuse your offer, Seraphina. I've already been too hard on Grace, pushing her into training before realising that the tree nymphs' methods didn't suit her. I've let her socialise with the other children on the farm as she wishes. Forcing her into another program could do more harm than good." She sighed deeply after speaking.
"Did you inform Orion about this?" Anara asked, her eyes fixed on Seraphina.
"Not fully, no. If he finds out too soon, he'll likely object and halt all plans," Seraphina said, shaking her head fiercely. "I promise I won't do anything that would harm Grace. I just want to offer my help. I can't sit back and watch her situation unfold idly."
Seraphina felt genuinely concerned for Grace. As her stepmother and one of the few highly knowledgeable about Vylkr energy, she was eager and felt obliged to assist.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
"Or, I could teach you the theorised training methods for Grace, and you can oversee her training here on the farm. If there's no progress, you can stop it immediately, and we'll wait for her awakening ceremony. But if it works, we won't have to worry about Grace's future."
Seraphina knew Orion would likely never agree to her plan, no matter how safe it seemed. But if Anara decided to do it and oversee it herself, Orion might be more willing to approve.
Seraphina remained silent as a pondering expression appeared on Anara's face. However, after a brief moment, Anara shook her head.
"I understand that you're doing your best, but I want to put this matter to rest until Grace's awakening ceremony," Anara responded, her firm tone indicating she had no intention of changing her mind before the predetermined time.
Seraphina's shoulders slumped in defeat, and Thoren sighed as well. They had expected things to work out, but they seemed to have to wait much longer.
Seraphina knew waiting for Grace's awakening ceremony was a reasonable approach, but she wasn't sure if it was the best option for 'Grace.'
While it was common knowledge that young adults going through the ceremony hadn't yet awakened their gifts or accessed Vylkr energy, Grace was different. She possessed both Vylkr energy and Nature energy, with the former suppressing the latter.
If she took the spiritual fruit from the sundial and obtained the Primordial energy, the reaction of all three energies within her was unpredictable.
There was a chance that everything would turn out fine, and she might qualify to become a warrior, potentially becoming one of the strongest Tree Nymphs. However, there was also a smaller chance that she might suffer a severe setback due to the conflicting energies.
This was why Seraphina wanted to act swiftly rather than leaving things to chance. However, with Anara-Grace's mother-having decided, Seraphina had no choice but to wait.
'I'll wait until Orion returns and explain everything to him, along with the data I've gathered on Grace. If he disagrees, I'll give up entirely and wait for the ceremony,' Seraphina thought, sighing inwardly.
"How about I escort you out?" Anara offered.
Seraphina sighed, nodded, and stood to her feet.
Thoren grabbed the handle of a medium-sized wooden box beside his chair and followed suit.
Anara also rose and led them to the door.
"We'll be taking our leave, Anara. I'll see you another time," Seraphina said with a nod.
"Goodbye, Overseer," Thoren said with a respectful bow.
As Seraphina was about to activate her One-winged Sky Art technique, Thoren's surprised voice suddenly rang out beside them.
"Who's that? Isn't that the Supreme Leader?!" Thoren exclaimed.
As one of the few with access to information about the pocket dimension, he knew that the Supreme Leader, Goddess Aurora, and a few capable warriors had journeyed there to uncover its true nature. So he was astounded to see Orion's unexpected arrival.
'Did they complete their exploration and quickly uncover the secrets hidden within the pocket dimension? Or was it cut short because something unexpected happened?' These thoughts raced through his mind.
Seraphina and Anara also gazed at Orion as he approached from the sky before shifting their focus to the woman beside him. Both of them narrowed their eyes, their expressions morphing into confusion and frowns, each lost in their thoughts.
Within moments, Orion landed before them with Nadia.
"Good day, Supreme Leader," Thoren greeted respectfully with a bow, his curious gaze briefly wandering to the unfamiliar woman beside Orion.
Orion returned the gesture with a slight nod.
"I will take my leave now. Mrs Seraphina, I'll be heading back to work at the Research Centre," Thoren quickly said, bowing respectfully once more before activating a flying technique and swiftly soaring into the sky.
Orion shifted his attention to Anara and Seraphina. From the moment he landed, their gazes had been fixed on Nadia-especially Anara.
Nadia, however, didn't spare a glance at Thoren as he left. Her wide, shock-filled eyes were locked onto Anara, who mirrored her gaze, though hers was confused.
'Could it be?' Nadia thought, feeling her heart race as the tension in the air thickened. 'What should I say? How do I approach her?'
Countless thoughts ran through her mind, and her breathing became laboured, her hearts pounding even harder, causing her expression to twist in pain.
Before Nadia could dwell on her thoughts further, Orion placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Take it easy. Breathe slowly," he advised.
Nadia gulped, took a deep breath, and exhaled, nodding at Orion.
Orion had been concerned about Nadia's pained expression and rapid breathing as he
prepared to introduce her, but seeing her regain her composure, he sighed in relief. After all,
it would have been bad if she had suddenly fainted.
Gesturing toward Nadia, Orion addressed Seraphina and Anara. "Let me introduce you to Nadia, the Sovereigness of the Bastion of the Wailing Gnarled and an Ice Nymph. She leads one of the three remaining forces within the pocket dimension we explored." Hearing his words, Seraphina and Anara's eyes widened in shock and astonishment.
"She's an Ice Nymph? And she came from there?" Seraphina asked, her burning gaze shifting
to Orion as she waited for his response.
"Yes, and she's not the only one," Orion confirmed with a nod. His gaze then moved to Anara, who, unlike Seraphina, was frozen in place.
Anara remained silent, her wide eyes filled with shock and disbelief fixed on Nadia. Meanwhile, Seraphina shivered with excitement, her wide eyes scrutinising Nadia from head
to toe.
Orion then gestured toward Seraphina and Anara. "This is Seraphina, the Leader of the Healers Association and Head of the Research Centre, one of the most esteemed organisations within Paradise," he introduced. "And this is Anara, the Tree Nymphs Overseer
and one of the Key Leaders of Paradise."
Orion's words were like thunderclaps to Nadia's ears. Her body trembled, and her eyes grew cloudy, but she bit her lip, trying to hold back her emotions.
She had pondered what to say if Orion's words were true-how she would approach the Tree Nymphs of Paradise, address them, and even speak to them. But now, standing before one, she realised she couldn't utter a single word.
No, she was afraid to speak. After all these years of separation, would they even want to meet those afflicted by the Death Plague?
Would they welcome her and her people after discovering they had become entirely different
individuals despite sharing the same race?
...
Author's Note: I'm sorry for the late update. I had a power outage, so I was unable to upload a
chapter. I used the time to create Ilse's character art to make it to you guys. You can find it on the webnovel's characters' profile, but the rest will be on Discord.