《Yggrath: A Journey Beyond The Truth》 Man in the Snow Winter arrived earlier than usual this year. Snow fell heavily, covering the land in a thick, white blanket. Along the cobbled road leading to Grand Orven Academy, a group of mounted soldiers rode through the silent night. At the front of the procession, a young man with silver hair and a small frame sat upright on his horse, his thick cloak billowing in the wind. Dran Agnus, a genius among geniuses, led their journey. He was no warrior but a thinker, a strategist. His slender frame hardly exuded strength, but his silver-blue eyes reflected an intelligence that could pierce through any deception. His facial features were soft, almost feminine, yet his gaze was sharp and calculating. Tonight, fate would bring him to someone who would change everything. As they passed through the dense forest, the soldiers heard a faint sound emerging from beneath a mound of snow¡ªragged breathing, barely audible over the howling wind. With a small gesture from Dran, the soldiers came to a halt. There, collapsed in the snow, lay a young man in a wretched state. The man had long, jet-black hair that reached his shoulders, now tangled and matted with blood. His face was marred with wounds, his pale skin betraying his exhaustion. But his eyes¡ªbrilliant violet orbs¡ªshone with an unwavering determination that defied his condition. His decayed hand bore remnants of a curse that had yet to fully fade. "What is your name?" Dran asked coldly. The young man coughed, unable to answer. Dran frowned. Without hesitation, he extended his hand. "From today onward, you belong to me." The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. And with that, the wheels of fate began to turn.
Winter in the northern region of the Vorthena continent was no ordinary season. Hailstorms could destroy small homes, and the freezing temperatures could turn rivers into solid ice overnight. Inside a luxurious carriage, Dran Agnus sat calmly. Across from him, the nameless man, now clothed in proper attire, sat with a vacant expression. The flickering light from a mana-infused lantern illuminated their faces, casting a tense atmosphere in the confined space. Dran wore an aristocratic outfit with an elegant design, his long navy-blue cloak embroidered with gold¡ªa symbol of his status as a noble of the academy. Though small and seemingly fragile, his posture was upright and exuded a quiet authority that dominated any conversation. Meanwhile, the young man¡ªnow clean¡ªrevealed a more athletic build compared to Dran. He was taller, with broad yet lean shoulders. His face, though weary, retained an undeniable charm, and his gaze seemed to hold an ocean of hidden secrets. "I do not believe in coincidences," Dran began, his voice calm yet sharp. "No one survives a snowstorm like that without reason. Let alone emerging from that ¡®Forest.¡¯" The man stared at him blankly, his expression empty, as if he was lost without direction or hope. Dran narrowed his eyes. He tapped his fingers lightly on the wooden table before leaning forward. "Let me make one thing clear. I did not save you out of pity. I saved you because I saw value in you. If you want to live, you will prove that I was not mistaken." The man gave a slight nod, almost as if it were a reflex rather than a conscious response. Dran lifted his tea cup and took a slow sip. "I am a man who understands this world better than most." That night marked the beginning of something far greater. As they approached Grand Arcanum Academy, the young man caught sight of the massive structure before him¡ªan enormous castle towering at twice the height of the Burj Khalifa and spanning five times its width. His eyes lit up with a childlike wonder, like a boy on the cusp of a grand adventure. Dran chuckled softly. "Don¡¯t be so surprised yet, unfortunate one. The academy is far larger than you can imagine." The Gate to Grand Arcanum Dran took a sip of his warm tea and coughed deliberately, signaling the man to sit back down. (The man glanced at Dran, then reluctantly sat down with a childish pout.) "Heh? You really act like a child," Dran mused internally. "It seems he truly has lost his memories... interesting." The carriage neared the grand gates of the academy, towering and opulent, their size rivaling that of a grand mansion. Finally, they arrived at the entrance of the prestigious institution. A guard approached them. "Welcome back, Lord Agnus. Please present your exit permit." Dran gestured to his servant, who was riding the mechanical horse, to hand over the permit. The guard examined it briefly before nodding. "Everything is in order. You may proceed, Lord Agnus. Have a pleasant day." (The guard bowed respectfully.) The carriage resumed its journey, passing through the gates into the academy¡¯s domain. The city within was lined with houses, all sharing a similar architectural style but differing in color and surroundings. Each home spanned at least 200 square meters. The unfortunate man observed his surroundings with wide eyes. For the first time, a genuine smile spread across his face¡ªa pure, innocent expression, like that of a child seeing a home... no, seeing the world itself for the very first time. Dran raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Hey, are you actually a child?" he chuckled. Ten minutes later, they arrived at Astraea District. Dran glanced at the man beside him. "Hey, do you really remember nothing? Not even your name?" The man hesitated, fear flickering in his eyes. Then, for the first time, he spoke. "R-Riden... I only remember that name." Dran sighed. "No need to be afraid, I won''t bite. Riden, huh? When we arrive at the Archon Sector, make sure to stay close to me, alright?" Riden nodded vigorously. Dran chuckled, "You¡¯re really innocent, huh?"
Two Hours Later Dran lightly tapped Riden¡¯s cheek. "Hey, wake up. We¡¯ve arrived. Unless you want me to leave you here?" Riden jolted awake, wiping away the drool from his mouth. He hurriedly stepped out of the carriage, following Dran. As he stepped onto the pavement, he shielded his eyes with his hand before slowly lowering it, taking in the breathtaking sight before him. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. The area was elite¡ªstudents floated mid-air with enchanted shoes, others casually levitated entire vehicles with their magic. Riden gawked in astonishment, pointing excitedly at them while looking at Dran. Dran chuckled. "Don¡¯t be too surprised yet. Come on, follow me. We¡¯re going to my house." Without hesitation, Riden grabbed Dran¡¯s hand¡ªlike a child clutching their father¡¯s hand for safety. As they walked, their steps trailed by servants, some students greeted Dran warmly, while others sneered at him, whispering insults: "That weakling doesn¡¯t belong in the Archon Sector, let alone Exarch. He should be demoted to Adept, hahaha." Riden glanced at Dran with concern¡ªan innocent child¡¯s sympathy for an adult. He turned to Dran and asked, "Sir? Are you okay?" Dran smiled faintly. "Ignore them. They¡¯re just a bunch of fools." They continued walking until they reached Dran¡¯s estate, a grand home spanning 600 square meters, located right at the border of Exarch Sector. As they arrived, the servants bowed. "Welcome home, Lord Agnus." Dran nodded, then looked at Riden. "Come in. What are you waiting for?" They entered, and Dran immediately gave orders to the staff: "Prepare clothes, food, potions, and a Rzine." Turning to Riden, Dran said, "Enjoy your time here, kid. I¡¯ll be waiting in the main hall." Riden nodded and followed the servants, marveling at the luxurious interior¡ªthe grand crystal chandelier, the vast collection of rare magical crystals adorning the halls. He was led to a bath, where he was washed and dressed in a simple yet elegant outfit: a dark navy tunic with silver embroidery, fitted trousers, and comfortable leather boots. Afterward, he was escorted to a grand dining hall, where a fine steak and a glass of fresh milk awaited him. He ate hungrily, savoring every bite like a child tasting something delicious for the first time.
In the Main Hall, Dran sat in his chair, letting out a deep sigh, his gaze sharp. "Six months left... damn it." A knock on the door. "Come in." Riden stepped inside, fidgeting with his fingers and shifting his weight between his feet, waiting for permission to sit. Dran smirked, amused by his behavior. "Go ahead, sit down. No need to be shy." Riden immediately sat upright on the couch, waiting attentively. Dran stood up and walked toward him, setting a Rzine in front of him. "This is a Rzine, a device that detects your Inretor level. Place your hand on it, close your eyes, and try to sense the energy in the air. The size of the particles will differ for each person¡ªit could be large or small, but you should be able to perceive it." Dran watched as Riden¡¯s body was enveloped in a faint blue glow. The energy felt thin¡ªtoo thin. "Is that all?" Dran sighed, disappointed. But in an instant, something changed. Dran sensed something deeper¡ªsomething unnatural. The energy felt infinitely vast, an abyss with no end. His forehead broke into a cold sweat. "What the hell is this...?" The Rzine displayed the result¡ªa single purple crystal with one mark. "That¡¯s extremely basic... no different from an average commoner." Riden opened his eyes, looking drowsy from the test. Dran narrowed his eyes. "So, what size were the particles you saw?" Riden hesitated, looking embarrassed. Dran chuckled. "No need to be shy. Just say it." Riden finally spoke, "I... I couldn¡¯t see their size, Sir. Am I strange?" Dran froze for a moment before laughing softly. "That¡¯s fine. It¡¯s your first time, after all." Riden yawned, rubbing his sleepy eyes like a child. Dran smiled. "Looks like you¡¯re already tired. Go get some rest. Ask the servants, and they¡¯ll take you to your room." Riden nodded sleepily, dragging his feet toward the door. Before stepping out, he turned to Dran hesitantly. Dran raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" Riden shifted shyly before whispering, "Uhm... good night, Sir..." Then he quickly left, his cheeks slightly flushed. Dran sat there, stunned. "When was the last time someone said ¡®good night¡¯ to me...?" Suddenly, the Rzine reacted again, displaying new data. "Let¡¯s see what that boy actually saw... Wait... Atoms?!" Training For Entry Exams Atom...? Dran wiped the sweat from his forehead, forcing a grin. "Looks like fate is still on my side..."
Birds fluttered in the sky, their cheerful chirping greeting the rising sun. Riden slowly woke up, stretching with a big yawn. He rubbed his eyes, looking left and right, before finally stepping out of bed. Still groggy, he wandered around the room, searching for Dran. It didn¡¯t take long before he found him¡ªin the kitchen, of all places. The kitchen was quite large, filled with the aroma of freshly prepared food. Dran stood among the servants, coordinating their tasks while cooking alongside them. Noticing Riden peeking from a distance, Dran smiled and gestured at him. "What are you staring at? Come on in." Riden hesitated for a second before shuffling inside and taking a seat at the dining table. His drowsy eyes darted around, still adjusting to the morning. Dran chuckled. Though Riden was Taller, and visibly experienceted person, something about his demeanor made him seem like a lost child. "Be patient. Breakfast will be ready soon. Go wash up first and ask the servants for fresh clothes." Riden nodded quickly before dashing off towards the bathroom. One of the Butler''s¡ªwho had been with Dran for years and was the first to find Riden buried under the snow¡ªwatched the exchange with a warm expression. For the first time in three years, he saw Dran showing real emotion. he had watched him grow up, and to see this change made her heart swell with happiness.
After a refreshing bath and a change of clothes, Riden returned to the table, scarfing down breakfast with all the grace of a starved animal. Dran, who was eating at a much more reasonable pace, decided to break the news. "Hey, kid. I¡¯m enrolling you in the academy. Once you¡¯re there, prove your worth and achieve as much as you can. But know this¡ªonce I drop you off, we likely won¡¯t see each other again. So, aim to reach ¡®Archon¡¯ Sector''s as soon as possible. The details will be explained during training, but for now, we have two months to prepare for the entrance exam. I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re ready." This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Riden paused, blinking at Dran. A moment later, he flashed a bright, determined grin. "I''ll do whatever you say, Sir!" Dran exhaled in relief. "Good. Now, let¡¯s finish eating."
The sun had yet to rise, but both Dran and Riden were already awake. Their morning began with a simple breakfast of bread before jumping straight into warm-up exercises: 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 2-kilometer run. "The warm-up exercises look-likes that one from show i watch" said Arden in the Garden area, see them. "Master! What¡¯s our first lesson?" Riden asked, bouncing with excitement despite the exhaustion from the warm-up. Dran had already prepared everything. As the servants arranged the equipment, he explained, "There are three official stages in the entrance exam¡ªor at least, that¡¯s what they tell you. In reality, there¡¯s a hidden fourth stage. The first test evaluates your mental fortitude. There¡¯s no strict requirement to pass, but you¡¯ll need to withstand it to advance. Today, I¡¯ll train you to endure it. The equipment is ready." Riden tilted his head. "Wait... why is there a giant sofa?" Dran smirked. "Just sit down and see for yourself." Despite his confusion, Riden obeyed. Arden attached two pieces of equipment¡ªa pair of holographic glasses and "Airon"-powered earbuds. Dran¡¯s loyal servant, Arden, leaned in. "Are you comfortable, young master?" Riden nodded slightly, offering a small, polite smile. Arden, flustered by the response, quickly activated the device.
Riden blinked slowly. Where... am I? He looked around. A ruined wasteland stretched as far as the eye could see¡ªcracked ground, shattered buildings, an endless abyss of darkness. The sky above was a swirling mess of unstable energy fields, defying balance. Gravity was overwhelmingly heavy, as if each step carried the weight of one hundred thousand tons. He glanced down at himself. His body was in ruins¡ªcovered in deep wounds, drenched in blood. One arm was missing. One eye was blinded by a deep slash. His leg barely functioned. It was as if he had been tortured for years. Pain. Despair. HATRED.
Back in reality... Dran¡¯s eyes darted to the Oid beside Riden. The readings shot up dangerously. "ARDEN! SHUT IT DOWN! NOW!" Without hesitation, Arden rushed to power off the machine. He quickly removed the glasses and earbuds. Dran sprinted toward Riden, shaking him. "Kid! Wake up!" Riden¡¯s eyes opened, but they were empty. Hollow. As if he had just seen something no human should ever witness. He trembled violently, his lips moving as he whispered something barely audible. "Deith... I will kill yo¡ª" Before he could finish, his body gave out, and he collapsed into unconsciousness. Dran turned to Arden. "Get him to his room. Take care of him." As Arden carried Riden away, Dran clenched his fists. "Damn it... I didn¡¯t expect this..." Traning For Entry Exams (2) ... ...... ........ "Riden, you are the -p;[.;'',[-o['' (GLITCH ERROR--)... but unfortunately, this is where your journey ends." ... ..... ....... Riden slowly opened his eyes, blinking in confusion. His mind felt foggy, as if he''d just woken up from a long, strange dream. He glanced around the unfamiliar room. Nearby, Arden was using magic to clean up the place, moving his hands elegantly as objects floated and arranged themselves neatly. "Sir Arden¡­? What happened? Why am I here?" Riden asked, rubbing his temples. Arden immediately turned around, relief flashing across his face. "Young master, thank goodness you''re awake! I¡¯ll go inform Lord Dran. He has some questions for you." Without further explanation, Arden walked briskly out of the room, leaving Riden even more puzzled. "Huh? What¡¯s going on? Wasn¡¯t I training just now? Hmmm¡­ oh! I get it! That sofa was way too comfy¡ªI must''ve fallen asleep, and they moved me here. And now Lord Dran probably wants to scold me for slacking off¡­ Ahhh, I better apologize and promise to take training more seriously!" Just as he was lost in thought, he heard footsteps approaching. A moment later, there was a gentle knock on the door. Knock knock. "Come in, Lord Dran!" Riden called out cheerfully. Dran entered the room, Arden following closely behind. They both stood in front of Riden with unreadable expressions. Breaking the silence, Dran finally spoke. "Are you feeling okay? Can you tell me what exactly you saw? Before you, well... started convulsing?" A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. Riden tilted his head, his face a picture of confusion. "What do you mean, Lord Dran? I don¡¯t remember anything like that happening." Dran¡¯s eyes widened slightly, his brows furrowing in thought. He let out a sigh and shook his head. "Forget it. Alright, we¡¯ll end training for today. We¡¯ll continue tomorrow." Riden fidgeted with his fingers, tapping them against each other nervously. "S-sir?¡­ are you mad because I wasn¡¯t taking training seriously? I promise I¡¯ll be more focused next time¡­" Dran let out a small chuckle and ruffled Riden¡¯s hair. "It¡¯s fine. Just get some rest. Tomorrow¡¯s training will be even tougher, so make sure you¡¯re ready. And don¡¯t forget to brush your teeth before bed." With that, Dran turned and left the room. Arden followed him, but before stepping out, Riden gave them both a cheerful, "Good night!" Arden smiled and waved as he closed the door behind him.
Heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway. "Arden¡­ is it possible for someone to lose their memory after using the ¡®InZen¡¯ device?" Dran asked, his voice unusually serious. Arden hesitated before answering. "I¡¯m sorry, Lord Dran¡­ I don¡¯t know. This is the first time I¡¯ve ever seen an Oid device display a ¡®DANGER¡¯ warning¡­ in pitch-black." Dran¡¯s jaw tightened. "I see. Did you sense anything unusual while he was in that extreme state?" Arden swallowed nervously. "Master¡­ I felt a ¡®barrier¡¯ within the young master¡¯s body. But strangely, it was so faint that I could barely perceive it. And the moment he returned to normal, I lost all trace of it." Dran¡¯s eyes widened slightly, cold sweat forming on his brow. A sinking feeling settled in his gut. "Even an 8-Crystal ''Inretor'' with five marks can¡¯t detect it properly¡­ Just as I thought, Riden¡­ you might be the key I¡¯ve been looking for."
Meanwhile¡­ Riden hummed a cheerful tune as he walked toward the bathroom. "Alright! Gotta brush my teeth and get some sleep! Can¡¯t wait for training tomorrow!"
The birds chirped melodically as they soared through the crisp morning air. The golden light of dawn crept over the horizon, slowly bathing the world in warmth. Riden and Dran, already up and active, had just finished their morning warm-up. "T-Teacher! Teacher!" Riden bounced around energetically, practically vibrating with excitement. "What¡¯s today¡¯s training?! What are we gonna do?! Huh?! Huh?!" Dran crossed his arms, his expression turning serious. "Get ready. For the next two months, you¡¯re going to undergo hellish training. But if you survive, I guarantee you¡¯ll rank within the top Hundred''s out Million''s applicants." Training For Entry Exams (3) Week 1 - Physique Training Riden''s training had officially begun. Dran¡¯s voice echoed through the training grounds like a relentless drill sergeant. "100 MORE PUSH-UPS! DON''T BE WEAK!" Riden was pushed beyond his limits. He endured intense cardio, weightlifting, and even had to carry a massive 10-ton boulder. Dran showed no mercy. For 12 hours each day¡ªout of Atherium¡¯s 48-hour cycle¡ªRiden trained tirelessly. By the end of the first week, he found himself staring blankly at the giant boulder in his hands, which now had additional weight added to it. Dran approached him. "Hey, kid, what''s wrong? Focus on your training!" Snapping back to reality, Riden shook his head and resumed his workout. But Dran had noticed something¡ªthroughout the training, Riden had often seemed distracted, his expression lost in thought. After another 10 grueling hours, Dran finally addressed it. "Riden, you keep zoning out. What''s going on?" Riden turned to him, his violet eyes shifting to a deep blue as he pointed around. "Master, after pushing my body to its limits, I started seeing these blue particles floating everywhere¡­ and somehow, I think I¡¯m absorbing them. This didn¡¯t happen before." Dran raised an eyebrow, his fingers twitching slightly in surprise. "Kid, tell me¡ªwhat sizes do you see? How do they vary?" "Some are as big as a basketball, while others are as small as a tennis ball." Dran¡¯s lips curled into a satisfied grin. "The fact that you can see these blue particles is already impressive. Most Inretors can only sense and absorb them, not actually see them. Though¡­ your vision of them is still incomplete." Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Riden tilted his head in confusion. "But the blue seems¡­ different. Like it¡¯s mixed with black and white, almost fading in and out. Is that normal?" Dran¡¯s eyebrow twitched, but he quickly dismissed it with a sigh. "It¡¯s probably just your imagination. Ignore it for now. Focus on your physical training. When we reach the second week, I¡¯ll teach you more about ¡®Mana.¡¯" Riden nodded and returned his focus to training, his resolve strengthening once more. From the sidelines, Arden, who had been silently observing, cheered them on. As the 12-hour mark arrived, signaling the end of the day¡¯s session, Arden clapped his hands together. "Alright, training''s done for the day! Well done, young master!"
Inside Dran¡¯s Chambers Arden set down a warm cup of tea, a small tray of sugar cubes beside it. "Master, please drink. You look exhausted¡­ and honestly, you are exhausted." Dran let out a deep sigh. "To think that my fate would be tied to someone who looks older than me but acts like a child¡­ it makes me feel like a loser." He tossed two sugar cubes into his tea and took a sip. Arden chuckled. "Master, you are brilliant, both in intellect and in battle. If you¡¯ve placed your faith in this child, then I believe he is worth it. You have never been wrong before¡ªnot once, since I have served you." Dran smirked slightly. "Thanks, Arden. But tell me something¡ªdo you think there could be another color besides blue that represents the particles we call ¡®Mana¡¯?" Arden¡¯s expression turned serious as he slowly shook his head. "Not that I know of, Master. If it''s a color other than blue, then perhaps what he¡¯s seeing isn''t Mana at all¡­ at least, not how we define it." Dran gazed up at the ceiling, deep in thought, sipping his tea. "You might be right. But I never liked being limited by definitions. ¡®Mana¡¯ is just a term we created. I can only hope that something new emerges¡ªsomething that finally lets me break free from this stagnation..." The conversation continued late into the night until Arden finally excused himself and left the room, his footsteps echoing through the empty halls. As he disappeared into the darkness, he muttered under his breath, "After a thousand years¡­ finally¡­" And with that, the night swallowed his words, leaving nothing but silence. Training For Entry Exams (3)

Week 2 - Mental Training

The birds resumed their morning song as the first rays of sunlight peeked over the eastern horizon, marking the beginning of Riden¡¯s second week of training. This was the week dedicated to mental endurance. Dran had prepared a series of simulations, designed to test Riden¡¯s ability to navigate adversity and remain in control under extreme conditions. This time, Dran made sure to fine-tune the simulation depth, ensuring there would be no unfortunate incidents like before. "I''ve adjusted everything properly this time, so you don¡¯t have to worry, kid," he assured. Riden gave a small nod. The InZen Device was placed on his head once more, and with a soft hum, it activated...
Inside the Simulation I opened my eyes. An endless desert stretched before me, the sun beating down mercilessly. The air shimmered with heat, and an immediate wave of exhaustion, thirst, and hunger struck me like a tidal wave. I walked. Without direction. Without purpose. Time passed¡ªan uncountable eternity of footsteps sinking into the scorching sand. The sky never changed, an eternal, burning abyss above my head. Hours turned to days, days into weeks, weeks into months... and then, into years. Ten years. I had spent a decade in this hellish wasteland, without food, without water, without hope. My mind eroded like the dunes shifting beneath my feet. Was this real? Wasn¡¯t this how my life had always been? Had I ever known anything beyond this unending suffering? I collapsed. In front of me, a shadow appeared¡ªa broken figure of a man, his body battered beyond recognition. His right arm was gone, one of his eyes blind, his leg dragging limply across the sand. And yet¡­ his face. It was me. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. His lips moved, forming words I could barely comprehend. W-a-k-e u-p, R-i-d-e-n! A shock ran through me. This... this isn¡¯t real. This is a simulation. Then¡ªif this was merely an illusion born from my mind, what if¡­ I could control my own mind? I closed my eyes and whispered to myself. Wake up. Wake up. Wake up¡­
The Real World Dran sat in his chair, observing Riden through the flickering lights of the simulation console. Arden stood beside him, worry etched into his features. "Sir, isn¡¯t this too dangerous? Even official exams don¡¯t push candidates to this extreme." Dran smirked, his gaze locked onto the screen. "He needs to prove his worth. At the very least, he must make it into the top 1,000 graduates." Arden let out a slow breath. "Sir, even if he barely passes, that would still place him above 60% of humanity in the entire continent of Eldoria, since only 10% throught the tes." Dran didn¡¯t respond. His eyes gleamed with anticipation. Then, suddenly¡ª "Success." The simulation system displayed the result, but next to the completion percentage, something unusual appeared. (error) Dran¡¯s smile vanished. He stood up instantly, swiftly removing the InZen Device from Riden''s head. With a firm shake, he called out, "Kid, are you awake?" Slowly, Riden¡¯s eyelids fluttered open. A small smile touched his lips. "Yes¡­ It felt like a dream that lasted forever." Dran let out a soft chuckle, while Arden quickly checked the Oid Machine for the recorded simulation duration. The moment his eyes landed on the numbers, his hands trembled. "Wait¡­ in just five minutes in the real world¡­ he spent 10 years and 9 months inside the simulation?!" Without hesitation, he turned the screen towards Dran. Dran, upon seeing the impossible result, burst into laughter¡ªan unusual, high-pitched, almost delightedly twisted laughter. "There are only two possible explanations for this¡­" He took a deep breath, his lips curling into a knowing grin. "And I am certain that one of them means this child is a one-in-a-millennium genius!" Arden fell silent, the weight of the moment sinking in. He knew full well¡ªDran might be someone who used people, but in the end, those he used always walked away with far more than they had ever imagined.
That Night Dran sat comfortably, sipping on a cup of tea Arden had prepared. A faint, satisfied smile played on his lips as he mused, "Arden, it seems the gods are still on my side." Arden returned a small smile, feeling a flicker of pride at his master¡¯s rare moment of joy. And yet¡­ beneath that pride, something else stirred within him. A strange mixture of unease and anticipation. His gaze lingered on his master, and in the depths of his heart, a single thought echoed¡ª "Will this truly be the moment? Will the prophecy¡­ finally come true?"