CHAPTER 20: THE STEELHEART FAMILY’S SECRET

After finishing their meal, James and Nyxrael followed Cassian through as James had something he needed to discuss privately with his father.

Meanwhile, Elara was excitedly helping Evelyn pack her things since it would be her first time traveling outside the manor without their parents.

As for Eldric, he was escorted by the head butler to a separate building prepared especially for him.

When James arrived before a familiar door as this was his father’s office, he raised his hand and said. "Nyx, stay outside for a bit."

"Yes, My Lord." Nyxrael nodded slightly and stood at the door firmly.

Just as they sat on the sofa facing each other, Cassian exuded his power and enveloped the room with a calm expression and asked. "So... What do you want to talk about, son?"

"Shouldn’t you be the one explaining something to me, Dad?" James smiled faintly.

Cassian raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised a little bit facing such a question, but then immediately smiled bitterly. "Fair enough. I suppose I do owe you an explanation. It’s not that I didn’t want to tell you before — but the fewer who know of this matter, the better. And back then... with your poor— cough, your undiscovered talent, there was no point in knowing too much as it would’ve done more harm than good."

James stayed silent for a moment, then exhaled softly. "I understand," he said with a nod, then smiled again. "But now, there’s no reason to hide it anymore, right?"

"Indeed." Cassian nodded with a smile. "You want to know how the Steelheart Family’s power has grown so rapidly, don’t you?"

Before James could respond, he directly continued. "In short, we discovered a treasure ground—a place where the energy is far purer and easier to refine than anything else we’ve ever encountered."

James’s eyes widened slightly, then a smirk tugged at his lips. "Don’t tell me... Blackfang Mountain?"

"Correct, we finally found that place after searching painstakingly for generations." Cassian replied with a wide grin.

Another reason why the Steelheart family was willing to guard the Grimwald Pass and move to the Blackfang Mountain was because of searching this particular treasure ground.

Rumor has it that there was a strong faction residing in the Blackfang Mountain but was destroyed as the catastrophe descended and transformed the world into an apocalyptic wasteland a long time ago.

A lot of people have tried to search for this particular place for years but have never been able to find it.

"What kind of place is it exactly?" James asked curiously.

"It’s a cave," Cassian said. "More precisely, a pond hidden inside one. The liquid within it contains a pure, high-grade energy that’s much stronger and easier to absorb than even a Legendary Rank Crystal. Not only that, it also possesses healing properties."

He paused briefly, then continued with a serious look. "To be honest, we still don’t know whether the place is connected to the old destroyed faction. We haven’t explored further due to certain... circumstances."

"Oh?" James rested his chin on his hand. "Interesting. What about the source of that liquid? And how long can it last?"

Cassian waved his hand casually, chuckling. "We haven’t found the source yet, nor can we determine its limit—but it’s abundant enough to last us for decades, perhaps longer."

Then, he continued with a mysterious smile. "Anyway, you’ll see everything for yourself soon enough. Besides, I also have a surprise for you in that place."

James chuckled. "Perfect. Once I’ve finished with everything that needs to be done, I’ll focus on improving my strength there."

"That’s good to hear." Cassian’s expression softened into fatherly pride. "You’re behind your peers right now, but that’s on me for not realizing your potential earlier. Still, if you cultivate in that pond, I can guarantee you’ll catch up within a year or two."

James smirked. "A year or two? That’s far too long, Dad. I’ll catch up in a month or two at most."

"Oh? Is your talent truly that frightening?" Cassian raised his eyebrows, as he actually didn’t know what kind of hidden talent his son possessed that even such a mysterious being claimed he was "the chosen one."

"Well, let’s just say my talent’s on par with Nyxrael’s," James replied calmly. "I possess a Forbidden-level Dark Element and the qualification of an Abyssal Knight."

"That’s interesting, considering our family has been known for Light Element sword magicians for generations." Cassian chuckled.

"Don’t you have anything to say about it? Should I not use the Dark Element attribute in the outside world?" James asked with a calm expression.

The Steelheart family was known for Light Element Sword Magicians throughout generations. That’s why, with James possessing attributes that contrast with the Steelheart’s roots, many people would definitely make a comment on it to the point that it would smear the Steelhearts, as this has never happened before.

Cassian laughed heartily for a moment, then waved his hand casually as he responded. "Who cares? Strength is what matters most. As for anyone foolish enough to mock our family because of it—handle them as you see fit. But..."

Cassian paused for a moment, then raised an eyebrow as he leaned forward and tapped his fingers on the table in rhythm. "I doubt your confidence in catching up so quickly comes just from your talent, right?"

"Of course not." James smiled faintly and took out the Eclipsera.

The sword was a dark, midnight-blue longsword with an edge that seemed to absorb all light, making it near-invisible. A faint, swirling silver mist clung perpetually to the perfectly balanced blade, which felt weightless in the hand. Its hilt was wrapped in black leather.

The black scabbard shimmered faintly as if holding captured starlight, and a faint silver line ran along its center, occasionally flickering like a second hand.

The moment Cassian looked at the sword, his eyes immediately lit up. "Such an extraordinary sword..."