The faint glow of Sky City's morning light filtered into Ethan's room. The metropolis buzzed with life outside, its towering spires glistening like diamonds against the dawn sky. The atmosphere inside was far quieter. Dianna lay still on the bed, her dark hair spilling across the pillows as she slept. Her bare shoulders peeked from beneath the silk sheets, the evidence of intimacy between them lingering in the air. Ethan, already dressed in his combat attire, paused for a moment as he glanced at her. A brief smile flickered across his face before it was replaced by the stoic expression he often carried.
He left silently, closing the door behind him. As he walked, his thoughts drifted—not to the mission ahead, but to how far things had come. Ten years ago, he had been thrust into this world, a boy lost amidst power and manipulation. Now, he was a leader, though the weight of that role never felt lighter.
In the main corridor of their base, Casper and another teenager—Rai—were already waiting for him. Casper stood leaning against the wall, his two-star Grand Mage aura subtly radiating power, while Rai adjusted the intricate tools strapped to his waist. Rai, the youngest of the trio, was a prodigy in magic engineering—a talent cultivated in no small part by Ethan's personal mentoring.
"Well, well, look who finally decided to grace us with his presence," Casper joked, his grin sharp and teasing. "So, how's the missus? Should we start calling her Lady Dianna?"
Ethan shot him a glare, but there was no venom in it. "She's fine. And maybe focus on the mission instead of running your mouth."
"Hey, I'm just saying—it's nice to see you loosen up once in a while," Casper added, his smirk widening.
"Leave him alone," Rai said, chuckling softly as he tapped a mana-infused wrench against his palm. "It's not like you're a saint when it comes to sneaking off."
Casper rolled his eyes but said no more. Ethan nodded toward the exit. "Let's go."
The central district of Sky City was a marvel of futuristic design and magical innovation. Floating platforms lined with holographic advertisements zipped through the air, displaying everything from enchanted jewelry to mana-fueled vehicles. The streets pulsed with mana conduits embedded in the ground, their rhythmic glow guiding pedestrians and transport pods alike. Towers of crystal and polished steel reached into the sky, their surfaces etched with runes that shimmered faintly.
The trio arrived at Frost Pharmaceuticals' corporate headquarters—a sleek, angular building with mirrored surfaces that reflected the city's light. At the entrance, Victor awaited them, his expression already sour as he tapped his foot impatiently. Victor, the public face of the company and Elaine's pawn, exuded arrogance with every gesture. His tailored suit gleamed faintly with mana-threaded embroidery, and his eyes carried the disdain of someone accustomed to getting their way.
"You're late," Victor snapped as they approached. "Do you think I've got all day to wait for children?"
Casper raised an eyebrow but said nothing, while Rai shifted awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable. Ethan kept his composure, his gaze steady as he stepped forward.
"We're here now. Let's not waste more time," Ethan said curtly.
Victor huffed but turned sharply on his heel, motioning for them to follow. The trio exchanged glances but remained silent as they entered the building.
The day passed uneventfully. Ethan, Casper, and Rai shadowed Victor as he moved between meetings, ensuring his safety in the bustling corporate environment. Despite Victor's constant complaints and condescending remarks, the trio carried out their duties with professionalism. By evening, they escorted him to a banquet hosted in one of Sky City's most luxurious venues. The building glowed with mana-enhanced lighting, its walls adorned with enchanted art that shifted and shimmered.
As Victor mingled with the guests, Ethan leaned against a wall, observing the room with practiced vigilance. Casper and Rai stood nearby, their postures relaxed but ready. The banquet buzzed with conversations, laughter, and clinking glasses.
Then Ethan noticed him—a man moving through the crowd with calculated ease. His attire was nondescript, blending seamlessly with the banquet's guests. But the way he carried himself, the subtle aura he exuded, marked him as something more. Ethan's sharp eyes caught the faint insignia on the man's lapel—a symbol tied to the Federation.
The man passed by without making eye contact, but Ethan's gaze followed him until he disappeared into the crowd. "Federation agent," Ethan murmured under his breath.
Casper turned his head slightly. "What?"
"Nothing. Just stay alert," Ethan replied, his tone low.
The moment was fleeting, but the presence of the agent lingered in Ethan's mind. The Federation rarely acted openly, and their interest in the banquet raised questions he couldn't yet answer.
Meanwhile, back at the base, Dianna worked alongside Elaine in the alchemical chamber. The room was lined with enchanted shelves holding glowing vials, their colors shifting as mana pulsed through them. Elaine's presence was commanding as always, her hands steady as she measured ingredients with precision.
"Pass me the elven bark extract," Elaine instructed, her tone calm but firm.
Dianna complied, handing her the vial. She watched as Elaine combined the ingredients into a bubbling mixture, the potion emitting a faint golden glow.
"You've been improving," Elaine remarked, her gaze fixed on the potion. "Your technique has become more refined."
"Thank you," Dianna replied softly.
Elaine set the potion aside to cool, wiping her hands on a cloth. She turned to Dianna, her expression unusually gentle. "I've noticed your relationship with Ethan. It's… heartening. I think of all of you as my children, and seeing you find happiness brings me some peace."
Dianna stiffened slightly but nodded. "He means everything to me."
"I know," Elaine said, her tone carrying both warmth and warning. "But don't let it compromise your work. You've come far, Dianna, and I expect you to remain focused."
Elaine's words were heavy as she left the room, her presence leaving an echo behind. Alone now, Dianna clenched her fists, her mind drifting to memories she wished she could forget.
A flashback played out in her thoughts. She was barely five years old, standing in the dimly lit hall of her childhood home. Her parents loomed over her, their voices sharp and cruel as they handed her over to Elaine. Tears streamed down her face, her cries ignored as her parents turned away without a second glance. That moment had defined her—abandoned, unwanted, and left to be molded into something she never wanted to become.
Ethan had changed everything. He was her anchor, her hope in a world of chaos. As the memory faded, tears welled in her eyes, but she wiped them away resolutely. She couldn't afford to dwell on the past.
As midnight approached, Ethan's vigilance at the banquet remained unwavering. Victor continued to mingle, oblivious to the danger surrounding him. Ethan's thoughts lingered on the Federation agent, knowing this encounter was merely the beginning of something larger.
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