Chapter 107: Inquisition

"If Seris had used even half of that against me, my Radiant Silver Cleave wouldn’t have lasted a single breath."

Liana’s hands slowly fell from her mouth, her silver eyes reflecting a deep reverence for the girl on the arena.

Solas let out a slow exhale.

It was a remarkably bitter pill to swallow—watching his clan’s prodigy being defeated by an unknown girl.

Yet, as he looked down at Sylvan, who was still struggling to comprehend his own overwhelming defeat.

Rather than pity, a sharp gleam of approval flashed in the old patriarch’s eyes.

"A much-needed, harsh awakening," Solas noted with a satisfied nod, "It is good for him to learn that there is always a higher mountain..."

On the platform, Seris sheathed her Frost-Bite sword with a soft click.

She looked down at Sylvan without a shred of mercy.

Anyone who is hostile to Rhain will never arouse any sympathy from her.

"Thank you for the match," she said simply, not even glancing at Sylvan, and turned to walk off the platform.

The young cultivator in the arena followed her every move

"I did good, right?" She whispered softly as she reached his side.

Rhain let out a soft chuckle.

"Yeah, You did well. Very well. But you hid your progress from me."

Seris tilted her chin upward, her pale purple eyes gleaming with a spark of mischief beneath the veil.

"I wanted to surprise you after mastering it to 100 percent, but he forced me to use it early."

Rhain laughed, "You succeeded, I am adequately surprised."

Before either of them could say anything else, Liana practically flew across the arena and threw her arms around Seris’s shoulders.

"Seris! You were so awesome! I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life!" Liana cried out, her silver eyes burning with sheer admiration.

Seris was momentarily flustered by Liana’s enthusiastic embrace but quickly recovered, offering a gentle smile. "Lady Liana, you’re exaggerating."

Solas approached from behind, his large hands clasped behind his back.

His expression had settled into something thoughtful and deeply appreciative.

"Young lady," Solas spoke deeply, "That was a splendid display. Your mastery over that Epic-Grade art is remarkable."

Seris bowed her head politely. "You are too kind, Senior Solas."

Solas stroked his white beard, letting out a hearty laugh. "The hour is growing late, and you are our honored guests. Let us leave these brats to their training and enjoy a good meal. A feast has been prepared."

Liana immediately hooked her arm through Seris’s, pulling her along with infectious excitement. "Come, come! The dining area tonight is by the lotus lake — it’s absolutely gorgeous under the moonlight!"

Guided by Solas, the group left the bustling training grounds and walked deeper into the sprawling Silvercrest estate.

_______________

Silvercrest Clan’s private dining pavilion was nothing short of gracefulness.

A vast, tranquil lake stretched before them, its surface covered in clusters of pale pink and white lotuses that floated serenely beneath the silver glow of the full moon.

"It’s... beautiful," Seris murmured, her eyes widening as she took in the scene.

"I told you," Liana beamed, guiding her toward the central table.

They settled into their seats — Solas at the head, with Liana beside him, and Rhain and Seris sitting across from them.

Attendants in silver robes materialized silently, laying out an exquisite spread of roasted spirit beast meat, fragrant rice infused with essence, crystallized spirit fruits, and steaming pots of premium wine.

For a while, the atmosphere was simply warm and pleasant.

Well, visually, at least.

"I still can’t believe it! Seventy percent mastery! When those lotuses bypassed his Luminous Moonfall Descent, Sylvan’s face was priceless!"

Liana hadn’t stopped talking since they sat down.

Seris shifted slightly in her seat, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the relentless barrage of compliments.

Solas took a slow sip of his spirit wine, his piercing eyes drifting over the two girls.

"Liana, You seem surprisingly close to young Seris here" Solas noted, his tone casual. "When exactly did you two become friends? I don’t recall you ever mentioning her before."

Liana paused, blinking. "Oh! We actually only just met recently, Grandpa." She set her fork down and smiled brightly. "We ran into each other at the Mirravele Auction House. Seris approached me, and we just... clicked instantly."

Solas’s thick eyebrows rose a fraction.

His gaze drifted slowly from Liana to Seris, then to the young man sitting silently beside her.

"Is that so?" Solas murmured.

He turned his full attention to Seris.

"You must forgive an old man’s curiosity, Lady Seris, but I have lived in Mirravele City for a very long time. I know every rising star and hidden talent within a thousand miles."

He leaned forward slightly. "Yet, I have never once seen or heard of you. Someone with your talent and mastery could not have possibly remained unknown for this long."

Seris’s heart skipped a beat, but before she could even open her mouth to answer, a calm voice intercepted.

"That is because we are not from Mirravele City, Patriarch Solas."

Solas shifted his intense gaze to Rhain. "Oh? Then where do you hail from, young man?"

"We come from a distant sect situated in the Starfall Valley," Rhain lied effortlessly, delivering the fabricated name without so much as a twitch of his eyebrow.

Solas frowned, searching his vast century of memory. "The Starfall Valley? I cannot say I have ever heard of such a place."

"That is not surprising," Rhain replied with an easy, unbothered smile, "It is a very secluded region, located extremely far to the north. Far enough from Mirravele City that its name wouldn’t carry this far."

Solas studied the young man for a long moment, his piercing eyes searching for any crack in the calm facade.

"I see," Solas finally nodded slowly, his suspicion easing somewhat. "And what brings the two of you all the way to Mirravele City from such a distant place?"

"Initially, we came purely as travelers," Rhain replied, casually picking up his wine cup. "A journey to broaden our horizons. But recently, we heard the news that the Stormveil Academy is arriving in a month to recruit disciples. Such an opportunity is rare, thus we chose to stay and participate.

Hearing this, the lingering suspicion in Solas’s eyes finally reduced slightly.

The explanation was reasonable enough.

Talented young cultivators from remote regions traveling to major cities for opportunities was nothing unusual.

A slow, approving smile spread across the old patriarch’s face.

"A wise decision," Solas nodded, "It takes great courage to travel so far. And considering Lady Seris’s performance tonight, I can say with absolute certainty that she is guaranteed to enter the Stormveil Academy."

Liana, who had been holding her breath, finally exhaled with a sigh of relief.

But hearing the mention of the Stormveil Academy, a look of deep longing appeared over her beautiful face.

"The Stormveil Academy..." Liana murmured. "It has always been my dream to go to the Inner Province. To see the larger world. But... compared to you, Seris, I am just too weak. With my current strength, I might not be able to pass their brutal trials."

It was the harsh reality.

She was a genius in Mirravele City, but in the eyes of the Stormveil Academy, a fifth-level Essence Condensation youth might just be average. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Seris looked at her new friend’s crestfallen expression and felt a gentle tug of distress.

"You don’t have to worry too much, Liana," Seris encouraged. "Your foundation is very strong. If you just had the right guidance, you could easily pass."

Seris’s gaze drifted toward Rhain.

"If Rhain trained you," Seris said with utmost certainty, "then you would definitely be able to enter the Stormveil Academy."

Liana blinked, turning her head to dark robed youth. "Rhain? He trained you?"

Seris nodded without hesitation.

"Yes. He is the one who taught me everything. Without his guidance, I would never have reached this level."

Liana stared at Rhain with surprise.

In her heart, Seris was already a goddess who had effortlessly beaten Silvercrest Clan’s greatest prodigy.

How could this young man possibly be stronger than that?

In the end, Liana settled on the conclusion that Seris was simply being humble — crediting her companion out of loyalty and modesty rather than claiming her own genius for herself.

Liana giggled softly, deciding to play along, "If Rhain is truly that amazing, maybe I will have to ask him for a few pointers!"

Rhain simply smirked, sighing that Seris was too soft-hearted.

But just as the cheerful atmosphere settled back over the table, a man rushed toward them with pale face.

He quickly approached Solas, bowing deeply before leaning down to whisper something.

Solas stood up abruptly, his expression unspeakably ugly.

"Forgive me," Solas spoke in a heavy tone, "A severe clan matter has arisen. I must take my leave immediately."

Liana stood up as well, looking at her grandfather in alarm.

She had rarely ever seen him look so serious.

"Grandpa? What’s wrong? What happened?" she asked anxiously.

Solas paused, clearly debating how much to say in front of guests.

After a brief moment, he spoke in a low, dangerous tone.

"It’s the Ashvele Clan! They have gone completely mad! They have declared that they are halting the supply of all medicinal pills to the Silvercrest Clan

After delivering those heavy words, Solas spun on his heel and strode rapidly out of the pavilion with the man, leaving a worried Liana behind.