CHAPTER 1061: SERIOUSNESS

Lysander had not seen Adrius carry himself with that kind of attitude in a long time. His master was always confident and so certain of his power that he rarely let anything disturb his composure.

But now, after returning from another world, Adrius looked different and more focused.

His expression was set with a sharp angle. There was a glint in his eyes that told Lysander this task was not only difficult but could be perilous.

This mysterious and unknown Magic entity... what could it be?

Lysander’s gaze drifted toward Erend who still stood near the place where the portal had closed.

The Dragonborn’s brow was furrowed sharp. His expression was tight and resolute, just like his master.

Even someone who carried power beyond reason like him also looked serious. That in itself made Lysander uneasy.

"If both Master and the Dragonborn are taking this so gravely... then this truly must be something I’ve never seen before," he thought.

"Why are you still standing there? Move, Lysander. We don’t have time for you to drift into daydreams right now!" Adrius’s voice cut through his thoughts.

Lysander blinked and straightened quickly. "O-Oh, Right, Master. What do you need me to do?"

Adrius turned to him, his tone clipped and precise. "First, we’ll need reference material. The entity cannot be confronted or tracked with usual meaning. Go to the third shelf on the left wall and search for volumes concerning bindings and tracking rituals. Especially those relating to the spirit realm and entities that can cross boundaries of the world easily."

Lysander hurried to obey, already scanning the spines of the old tomes.

His hands moved quickly, pulling down leather-bound books. Some of it looks so old that their bindings creaked when touched.

"Not just any creature, Lysander," Adrius added firmly, continuing while moving toward another chest. "We’re dealing with something that slips through barriers of the world easily and hides in shadows we can’t see while always able to watch us. Find me the texts that speak of spirits, shadows, or creatures with disembodied forms. Anything that ties directly to the anchoring of such presences."

"I understand," Lysander replied, stacking several books onto the desk.

Meanwhile, Adrius opened the chest and began sorting through various equipment.

He got crystal spheres, etched bronze instruments with intricate shapes, lengths of silver chain that each piece seems to be filled with stored enchantments.

He set aside what he needed and dismissed the rest.

"Some of what we need is here," Adrius muttered, half to himself, half to Erend who now moved closer. "But the more refined tools that could be used for piercing the veil between worlds aren’t in this room. We’ll have to acquire them elsewhere."

"Where?" Erend asked, carefully touching one of the old books.

Adrius’s gaze lifted from the crystals, his expression shadowed with determination.

"The black market, and perhaps somewhere else. Some items must be requested and others, we’ll have to retrieve ourselves," Adrius said.

He snapped the lid of the chest shut and turned back toward his apprentice.

"Focus on the texts first. Cross-reference binding runes with spirit tracking methods. Mark the ones that overlap. When I return, I want them ready for comparison."

"Yes, Master," Lysander said. His curiosity for this matter also burned bigger now. His master’s tone made it clear this was far greater than any lesson or errand he’d ever been given before.

Adrius finally looked toward Erend. "While Lysander works, we’ll gather the rest of the equipment. Some of it won’t be easy to find. We’ll have to move quickly."

Erend gave a nod, then noticed Adrius raising his hand.

A faint thread of light wrapped around Erend’s form. In the next blink, the Dragonborn’s features had changed. His uniform and appearance now resemble that of a native to this world and his aura carefully muted.

At the same time, Adrius released his own illusion, letting it melt away like smoke. His long white beard and hair cascaded back. His robe shimmered into being, the flowing garment of an Archmage adorned with runes at the hem.

Adrius glanced once at Erend, nodding in satisfaction. "This will make things easier. Come, follow me."

Without wasting another breath, Adrius strode out of the chamber, Erend falling into step beside him. They made their way through the grand halls until the vast doors of the throne room opened before them.

Inside, King Aethor sat high upon his seat of polished stone and carved oak.

His eyes immediately fell upon the two figures approaching and his expression darkened into a deep frown.

"Adrius," the king said with sharp tone. "And you bring Erend with you again. Each time he stands here, trouble follows at his heels. What is it this time?"

Adrius stopped at the base of the throne, his robe settling like heavy shadows around him.

He said in a calm but firm voice. "Your Majesty, there is a matter Erend and I must handle personally. We require certain delicate materials. To acquire them, we must step into the black market. I ask that you make no move to detain us or raise suspicion during this."

The king’s frown sharpened, his knuckles whitening against the armrest of his throne. "The black market? You come before me and tell me this as if it were nothing. What kind of matter forces my Archmage to crawl among smugglers and thieves? Speak plainly."

Adrius’s eyes lifted, and for the briefest moment, they glinted sharply catching lights in the room. His tone dropped lower. "I will tell you later. Not now."

The air between them tightened. King Aethor leaned forward, clearly ready to argue, but then his gaze caught Adrius’s unyielding and sharp eyes.

When he shifted his glance toward Erend, the Dragonborn’s expression was no softer. His jaw tight and his eyes serious.

A heavy silence hung for several breaths before the king finally leaned back against his throne. He exhaled sharply, shaking his head.

"Very well. Consider everything arranged. But I will hold you both to account for the shadows you walk into this time," said the king.

Adrius inclined his head in a brief bow. "That is enough."

Without waiting for further words, he turned, his robe sweeping the floor as he strode out. Erend followed swiftly, both of them leaving the throne room without a backward glance.

The great doors shut behind them and without wasting a heartbeat, they pushed on toward the outer halls.

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