They both arrived at the center of the continent, a city so large that "Inkwood" paled in comparison; it covered almost one-fourth of the entire landmass of the Blossoming Vale.
The city "Reze Valen," also known as the kingdom's capital, was their destination.
His meeting with his companion was fixed for tomorrow, so he decided to explore the entire plains and gather more knowledge.
The city was very well developed; every structure felt as if it contained the soul of the worker. The streets were bustling with the crowd, as there was still some time before evening.
At the heart of the city, a huge fountain stood, carved from high-quality marble and quartz, its water rising and falling in arcs into the area it was built.
Bright flowers were placed in the fountain, creating a peaceful environment and a roundabout around it, where wide streets were lined with countless shops.
Some shops offered food, while some sold low-level artifacts and beasts, where the crowd density was highest.
Despite the constant activity, the city remained immaculate. Every building, from modest storefronts to towering structures, was flawlessly maintained.
Their surfaces gleamed, as though every craftsman had poured their heart and soul into the work.
The furniture reflected the same level of care, finely made, polished, and arranged with elegance, revealing the craftsmanship and pride of the people.
Amidst all of it, a beautiful mansion stood far away; its presence was impossible to ignore. It was created with fine rubies, gold, and marble and was often called the "Crystal of the Kingdom."
It was the residence of the royal family that ruled the entire Blossoming Vale.
Since Xenon had little to do, he ordered Kyle to tell him more about the different types and their rarity, which he could not fully learn from his ancestors' memories.
"Each shard, item, or relic has a different rarity and performs to its best when used with the correct core stage.
Tier 1 or common shards are more easily obtainable and used by awakeners.
Tier 2 or uncommon shards are scarce in natural environments and are generally acquired through vendors. Best used by reformers.
Tier 3 or rare shards are rarely available from vendors and are used by manifestors.
Tier 4 or epic shards are not found from vendors and are used by ascendants.
Tier 5 or legendary shards are compelling and near-perfect and used by transcendents.
Tier 6 or mythic shards are known to be flawless and immaculate, used by Sovereigns.
Tier 7 or divine shards possesses the power that is comparable to that of the origin pearls, they are used by divine beings.
Ancient-grade or origin pearls are known to be extinct but have so much power that they could shatter the world's law itself.
This concludes the basic structure. Even I, a mere commoner, possess limited knowledge about it, and at present, I only hold two Tier 1 artifacts," Kyle said.
"Hmm, that's enough for now, but what are these sovereigns, transcendents, etc.?"
Kyle was shocked to hear those words from Xenon, as anyone with adequate knowledge would know it. However, since he did not know the man's identity and he had already paid more than required, he chose to respond, keeping it brief.
"There are different levels one's spirit core could possess, similar to the origin core, but those that possess the origin core have one more exclusive level, though not seen by anyone.
Awakening (Black spirit core)
Reformation (Pink spirit core)
Manifestation (Violet spirit core)
Ascendant (Blue spirit core)
Transcendent (Green spirit core)
Sovereign (Red spirit core)
Divine (white spirit core)
Origin Alignment (Depends on the origin pearl)."
"Each level consists of a varying number of sublevels (tiers), with the count increasing as one progresses to higher levels. Every level contains a different color, with sublevels of different color gradients. "
Some of these terms were familiar to Xenon; before his relentless training, he was only at the initial stage of the Reformation level. However, through sheer persistence and determination, he advanced to the middle stage of the same level, marked by the transition from a light pink hue to a deeper rose pink.
Kyle's explanation was mediocre and poor, barely understood by Xenon, but he just kept the main knowledge in his head.
He did not get any formal education due to the disease he was infected with; hence, he was unable to learn the power system of the world.
The night had fallen, and both took a room at a boardinghouse to rest.
Xenon stood on the second floor, gazing at the moon from his window; the cold breeze entered and exited through the windows as the crowd dissipated and the shops closed.
…
As the sun rose, two men stood before a building that was currently closed.
"Looks like we will have to come after the evening," Kyle said.
"You can leave now; your work, as of now, is done here."
"Umm, are you sure you wouldn't need any more help?"
With a piercing gaze, Xenon turned his eyes towards him, and Kyle understood what that eerie look in Xenon's eye meant.
"Sure, I will leave right away. If you ever need any more help, please visit again." Kyle left without wasting any time.
Then, with a swift motion, Xenon pushed open the glass gate standing before him; its hanging sign still read "Closed."
The interior was empty of people, and only some chairs and tables were placed.
The whole room was not more than 10 meters in size; lanterns were hung on the walls. The place seemed as if it had been abandoned for at least a month; dust and spider webs had accumulated in the corners.
At the very front sat a healthy man, casually smoking a cigar as he read the newspaper. Without much interest, he lowered the newspaper from his face and said, "Hey, can't you see the closed sign on the front door? Come back in the evening, man."
The person under the robe mumbled something and handed a bag of some shards.
The man's attitude flipped upside down; his tone shifted from one of superiority to outright defiance.
"Oh ho... So a jolly customer has come; please be at rest and follow me."
Xenon followed the buffed man from behind to the counter.
After they reached the counter, the man dropped to one knee and placed his hand against the carpet that spread over the wooden floor.
A soft light pink energy flowed from his palm into the fabric. Strange symbols flickered across its surface for a brief moment, then the carpet disappeared and entered the man's spirit core, revealing a hidden passage that led down into the basement.
The energy indicated that the man's spirit core was at the initial stage, a level below Xenon.
The basement was very luxurious; tiles were made of marble, and chandeliers with glowing lanterns were placed, illuminating the whole basement.
Eight rooms were in the basement, four on each side of the narrow hallway.
The man pointed in the direction of the seventh room and said, "Sir, your companion is awaiting your presence."
"If you need anything, just give me a signal through this item," as the man placed a very small chip on Xenon's hand.
Due to inadequate knowledge, Xenon did not know about the chip and its function.
So, he asked the guy about it.
The guy was pretty flustered by the question but still replied, "Pardon me for not informing you in advance. It is a vibratory shard, a tier-one artifact that could be used to alert someone using small vibrations across the body."
"Well, then I will be waiting for your call." The man left quietly.
Xenon stood before a door marked with the number seven. He raised his hand and knocked, his heart beating slightly faster. A rare sense of anticipation stirred within him; he was about to meet the only person who truly knew him, the only one he could trust.
After all, the person waiting behind that door was none other than his fiancée.
The door was opened by a young, slender girl whom he remembered; her name was Aurora… Aurora Virelle Noctaris. The beloved daughter of her father, the king of the Noctaris Kingdom.
She had midnight-black hair that fell in long, smooth layers down her back, carrying a faint violet sheen that only revealed itself when light brushed against it. Her soft and pale skin created a contrast with her outfit.
Her eyes were the most striking part of her appearance. Deep and dark, they held a subtle, shifting depth, with tiny specks of light scattered across her irises like something distant and unreachable, which was accompanied by a black pupil at the center.
It reflected the special feature of her family lineage.
She wore a long, fitted black coat that followed her form and shape cleanly, its surface smooth and unadorned, free of any decoration or excess. The coat split naturally at the back, allowing easy movement while revealing a delicate violet lining.
Beneath it, her outfit was sleek and form-fitting, tailored for fluid motion, with no visible seams or unnecessary detail. The simplicity of her clothing only enhanced her overall presence, making every movement appear deliberate and controlled.
Lastly, her hands and feet were covered with white gloves and black boots.
Her height was no less than Xenon's, as her body screamed of perfection and elegance.
"So, you are finally here."