CHAPTER 1053: STRANGE DEVELOPMENT

The next day Erend woke up after getting a little sleep. The rest had allowed him to forget his troubles a little and though the problems were still there, at least he felt lighter than the night before.

For him, that was already good enough.

He went to the bathroom, washed up, and then carried out his usual exercise routine with the others.

This morning felt different.

Since most of the candidates were still being treated in the infirmary, the number of people doing morning exercises had dropped significantly.

Only a handful remained. There were the staff members, a few guards not currently on duty, and among them were Erend, Adrien, Billy, Jessica, Thomas, and Conrad.

The atmosphere was heavy. Their steps and movements lacked energy and the silence between them pressed more than words.

The thought of the twenty candidates lying in the infirmary lingered in everyone’s mind. Those young people had pushed themselves too far using Magic beyond their limit, and now they lay with injuries. Some of them only have minor injuries, some a little bit more severe, and some so grave they still hadn’t woken up.

Everyone had known the risks from the beginning, yet seeing it firsthand struck differently. It made the danger tangible.

The people here weren’t even the ones enduring the pain, only the ones assisting the project, but still it gnawed at their spirits.

Adrien, who was the highest-ranked officer in the facility right now, could only keep his silence. He knew his words wouldn’t lighten their hearts and make it better.

Any speech of encouragement would sound hollow. The best he could do was keep working, to lead by example, and hope that his steadiness gave the others strength.

When the exercise ended, everyone scattered. Some go for a short rest and others go for a quick breakfast, before returning to their stations.

Erend, Adrien, Billy, and Jessica went straight to the infirmary.

The sight that greeted them was grim. Some candidates had managed to sit up and perform small movements, but others were still confined to their beds, pale and weak.

A few had not regained consciousness.

"What do you think?" Adrien asked quietly beside Erend, his voice low so as not to disturb the patients.

Erend stood in silence for a moment, his eyes sweeping over the room.

Finally, he exhaled heavily and said, "They’re too rash. Their powers make them that way. Magic draws them in and makes them hungry for more, it was like they were addicted. They keep pushing until they don’t realize that they will break. Before anything else, we need to teach them how to control their power, Captain."

Adrien nodded in understanding. Jessica and Billy also exchanged glances, agreeing without words.

Then Erend turned to Adrien, his expression sharpening.

"Captain," he said seriously, "I need to go for a few minutes today."

Adrien’s brows furrowed.

"Where?" He already suspected that whatever it was, it had to be important. He was prepared to allow it but he wanted to know more detail about it.

"I need to return to the Elves’ palace," Erend replied. He leaned closer so only Adrien could hear. "There’s been more development with our enemy."

Adrien’s heart thudded harder at those words. His eyes widened slightly as he locked onto Erend’s gaze.

For a few long seconds, he said nothing. Then, with a heavy sigh, he said with lowered voice.

"Go. Right now we don’t have much else we can do anyway. Take as long as you need for today."

Erend gave a firm nod. Without another word, he left the infirmary and headed back to his living quarters.

Once there, he closed the door behind him, steadied his breath, and then summoned the Magic connection with Aurdis.

"Aurdis," he called softly, his voice carrying into the link.

Erend immediately felt it when the link finally connected.

Aurdis, on the other side, radiated happiness and he could sense it clearly through their joined minds. That alone made him smile.

"Erend! I miss you. Why did it take you so long to contact me?" Aurdis’ voice carried warmth but also a hint of anger.

"Heheh, I’m sorry. You know... there’s been a lot of business here and there," Erend replied, his tone soft.

Aurdis sighed, but he could feel her understanding through the bond. "I know. I understand. But why did you call me now?"

"Because I want to meet you," Erend answered simply.

"Then come here. We’re almost done with everything," Aurdis said, her voice laced with joy.

"Really? That’s good. Can I come now?"

"Of course."

"Alright," Erend said, and the telepathic connection faded.

He raised his hand, summoned his power, and a portal swirled open before him.

Without hesitation, he stepped through and emerged in the back garden of the Elf palace.

The air was fresh and filled with the faint fragrance of flowers and the soft glow of the Magic barrier in the sky. Just like how he remembered this place to be.

Aurdis was already there waiting for him. The moment she saw him, she ran forward and threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly with her face pressed against his chest.

Erend’s smile deepened. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, and lowered his lips to place a gentle kiss on the top of her head.

After a few seconds, Aurdis lifted her face from his chest and looked up at him, her eyes soft and glimmering.

"I haven’t seen this face in such a long time," she whispered, studying his features as though to make sure they were real.

Erend could only smile at her words. For a moment, he almost forgot why he had come, almost gave in to the urge to just stay here, in this quiet corner of the palace and spend his time with her.

But then a heavy sigh escaped him, pulling him back to the reason he had crossed worlds.

"What about your business with Laston’s construct?" Erend asked gently, his tone shifting to seriousness.

Aurdis straightened a little but kept he arms around him.

"We’ve made good progress. I and the others managed to understand most of Laston’s way of combining Magic with the metal constructs. We delved into his archives and kept digging deeper, day and night. Now..." Her eyes lit with determination. "I think we can replicate it and even make something new of our own."

Erend’s eyes widened at her words. "That’s... amazing."

Aurdis smiled at Erend’s words. She knew it was amazing even for the Elves, who were already so adept with Magic.

They had been pouring all their effort into this project and it wasn’t just her. The entire palace had rallied behind the cause. From the Mages to the soldiers, even King Gulben himself, her father, had stepped in to contribute.

"My father even helps with this," Aurdis said proudly.

Erend raised his brows, surprised. "The king himself?"

"Yes," Aurdis replied with a firm nod. "He even tried on the new armor personally and watches over the Mages while they work. He makes sure everything is progressing safely."

Erend shook his head slowly, impressed. "What an amazing king."

Aurdis’ lips curled into a bright, proud smile. "That’s my father."

She then tugged at his hand and led him inside.

Erend wasn’t unfamiliar with the palace, having spent much time here before helping the Elves during the crisis. He and Eccar were already considered as their friends now.

As he walked through the long, elegant corridors, he could feel the changes.

Everywhere he looked, Elves carried metal constructs. Some were being taken to other research places, others were fitted as prosthetics for those who had lost limbs in the battle before.

The sight made Erend’s eyes widen with surprise. He never imagined he would live to see Elves embracing such technology and merging themselves with it.

Those who noticed him along the way greeted him warmly, smiling at his sudden visit.

Some even expressed surprise at seeing him appear without warning.

Erend only offered a modest smile in return and simply said he had something important to ask.

They passed through the bustling corridors until Aurdis finally brought him to a vast chamber.

Inside, Archmage Saeldir and his apprentices, along with several more Mages, were hard at work.

At the center stood the towering frame of a large robotic construct that looked unfinished but already showing its form were erected. The smooth metallic skeleton gleamed under the lights, its two legs firmly planted.

Saeldir, the silver-haired Elf and youthful-looking despite his centuries of age, turned from his work the moment he sensed Erend’s presence.

His face broke into a warm smile as he strode forward to meet him, extending his hand.

"Erend," Saeldir greeted with genuine fondness. "How are you?"

Erend clasped his hand firmly and gave a small nod. "I’m fine. But... that—" he gestured at the towering construct behind them "—looks incredible."

Saeldir’s smile grew proud, his eyes gleaming. "It is something incredible indeed. Laston’s invasion may have brought us suffering, but it has also proven fruitful for our growth. We’ve learned much."

Erend’s gaze softened as he turned back to the Archmage. "How are your injuries?"

Saeldir let out a small chuckle. "It’s all good. Nothing serious happened to my body. I’ve fully recovered. But Aerchon was in a worse condition. He’s awake now but he still can’t move much. Laston’s attack dealt him severe injuries."

Erend sighed heavily at the mention of Aurdis’ brother, his chest tightening with unspoken worry. He couldn’t find the words to respond.

"At least for now, both he and Father are fine after treatment."

Erend exhaled slowly, then gave a small nod. "Yeah... that’s good."

---