The room fell into a silence so deep, even a falling needle would have echoed across the polished wooden floor.
Alteraz felt time itself slow, the air tightening as if something unseen was about to unfold. She had expected indifference or a simple nod, but his response carried something far less certain.
Even Ansley, who had long stood beneath the Grandmaster's shadow, could not suppress a trace of astonishment mixed with conflict. He recognized that smile all too well. It appeared only before decisions were made, decisions capable of altering lives in ways that could not be undone.
Alteraz found herself unable to look away or speak, until a knock broke the air. A group of servants entered into the room in formation. The moment they saw Alteraz and Zhangxuan, they bowed deeply in unison.
"Grandmaster, Lady Alteraz, preparations are complete. We await your command."
Alteraz's thoughts drifted back to earlier, Atila rushing her through the corridors, insisting on a banquet.
She turned to Zhangxuan.
"Master, where are we going?"
He did not answer. Instead, he glanced at Ansley as if silently conveying a message. Ansley understood immediately.
"Follow me, young miss."
Alteraz glanced back at Zhangxuan one last time. He had already returned to the documents before him, as though neither she nor her question had ever existed.
What is he thinking? She wondered.
They began walking, and the corridors seemed to stretch without end.
How large is this place?
Hallways branched into more hallways, with staircases appearing unexpectedly at every turn.
Five minutes passed, then ten. Her patience began to wear thin.
"Mr. Alfor, where are we going?"
She tensed internally, startled by the name that slipped from her lips. She did not know the secretary's name, but the word came naturally, as though a fragment of the original Alteraz's memory had surfaced. Ansley paused, his eyes narrowing slightly in intrigue.
"The weapon chamber," he said as he continued walking.
"What for?" she asked.
"Did you not say you intended to become a proper disciple?" A subtle teasing note entered his voice. "Then the answer should be clear."
Alteraz fell silent and followed.
Eventually, they stopped before a massive door. It towered over them, its scale swallowing the corridor behind. Golden inscriptions covered its surface in different patterns, glowing like embers beneath stone.
On either side stood two stone statues, weathered but imposing. Each gripped a massive sword planted into the ground, as though bound to guard whatever lay beyond. Despite the cracks in their stone, their presence felt intact, their hollow eyes seeming to watch every movement. Alteraz instinctively took a step back.
"Step behind me, my lady," Ansley instructed.
He began chanting a spell. When he finished, the ground trembled as if something long dormant had awakened. The stone statues moved, dust falling from their weathered bodies as they stepped forward in unison.
They pressed their hands against the massive door and pushed. Ancient inscriptions lit up one by one, golden light spreading across its surface until the entire door glowed. With a heavy groan, it finally opened. Beyond it was darkness.
Alteraz didn't want to enter, but Ansley had already stepped forward, forcing her to follow. The door shut behind them, cutting off all light and sound. Then torches ignited along the walls, flames coming to life and revealing a long corridor lined with statues. The path led toward a golden chamber. At its center floated five objects, suspended in midair.
Ansley raised a jade token as they approached the direction.
"The Grandmaster wishes you to choose a soul weapon. Among these five, only one will acknowledge you as its master. The rest will remain ordinary artifacts unless claimed."
Alteraz accepted the token, her mind turning elsewhere.
A soul weapon was not merely an object. It was a bond tied to its owner's existence. If its owner died, it would vanish along with them. Zhangxuan had never granted her one before because he had feared what she might do with it.
So this is his intention… she said inwardly,
"What should I do with this?" she turned to Ansley, unaware of the jade's purpose.
"Let your blood fall upon it."
"How?"
Ansley drew his sword and extended a hand toward Alteraz, asking for hers. The look in his eyes made her briefly consider the possibility that he might take her entire arm instead. She quickly told him she already knew what to do. Her hand trembled as she pricked her finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the jade token. It flared with light, and a sudden force knocked her body. She doubled over, coughing blood as the chamber began to dissolve around her. When she opened her eyes, she was no longer in the weapon room.
She stood in a dark dimension filled with glowing vines that pulsed like living veins. The air was also heavy with dense, cold magic. Then she felt a presence behind her.
"I found you…" The voice was soft, almost gentle, but it sent a chill through her the moment she heard it.
"We met again."
Before Alteraz could react, the world around her shattered. The next instant, she was back. Ansley and the attendants stood nearby. He stepped closer, his gaze scanning her thoroughly. "Are you feeling all right? That trial… it must have been intense. Can you stand steadily?"
Atila, kneeling slightly, mirrored his concern. "My lady, you were hurt… do you truly feel well enough to move? You must not push yourself too soon. And… the banquet… uh forget it. You must rest."
Only then did Alteraz remember the banquet. "I… I will attend," she said firmly. The thought of the it alone was enough to pull her mind away from what had just happened in the chamber, forcing it into the background. She could not afford to lose this opportunity with Zhangxuan.
Ansley's expression softened. "If you truly cannot, I can inform the Grandmaster and excuse you. It is better to be safe than reckless."
Alteraz shook her head and said, "No, I'm fine. I'll attend."
With this, Ansley gave Atila a subtle nod, signaling her to lead Alteraz away.
Atila stepped forward. "Come, my lady. Let us not delay."
As they walked, Ansley lowered his voice so only she could hear. "My lady… the name Alfor."
Alteraz's gaze darted toward him, startled, but she only managed a small nod, still too dazed to understand what he meant. Behind them, Ansley fell briefly into thought.
It has been a long time since I heard that name.