“What were you two talking about?” Cecilia said, breaking Alnea away from his thoughts, bringing his attention to herself. Dishevelled hair, crumpled folds, and a hint of blood near her sleeves… It looked like she had already completed her battle. But that was to be expected. He had been too engrossed in his battle with Ameria to notice the time, yet even then, he could tell that their battle had went on for at least an hour.

  An hour… On normal days, it was enough for them to complete two, or even three battles. As such, it did not surprise him that Cecilia and Yuri had completed their battles ahead of him. The look on Cecilia’s face though… And it was not just her. As he glanced around, he noticed that Yuri and Vestia too, were staring him, waiting for his answer.

  “…Why are the three of you looking at me as if I am hiding some secret?” Alnea said, raising his hands in the air. “I was just making a new friend.”

  “A new friend?” Vestia said, raising her brows as if she had heard something amusing. “Do you know who that woman is?”

  “Ameria Valence,” Alnea said. “Or at least that was what she said.”

  “And you believed her?” Cecilia said, teaming up with Vestia, rather than speaking against her.

  “…She would not lie about something like her name.”

  “How are you so sure?”

  “…I just am.”

  “…This was the first time you met her, and you believe her so much already?” Cecilia mumbled. “It’s always like this. They always earn your trust so easily. So why did I have to spend two weeks and get blasted with a Glyph Array to earn your trust?”

  “…It is because you earned my trust that I learned to trust others. Without you, I would have never trusted anyone.”

  “…Are you trying to coax me?”

  “Of course, not. I am just stating the truth.”

  “…I will forgive you for now.”

  “…If you two have had your lover’s spat, then can we get down to business?” Vestia said, bringing their attention to herself. “I can understand if Alnea does not know about her, but does the name Ameria Valence ring no bells in your head?”

  “…Is she someone important?” Cecilia said, scratching her head.

  “It is not the woman herself who is important, but the clan she is from,” Yuri said, shaking her head, before glancing towards Ameria in the distance. “The Valence clan of the Red Sea… Do you know what the other name of the Red Sea is?”

  “…What is it?” Alnea said, trying to subdue the uneasy feeling surging in his Heart.

  “The Blood Sea,” Yuri said, acting completely ignorant to his uneasiness. “A sea formed from the blood of their enemies… And the enemies of the Tes clan. The Valence clan is one of the few Supreme clans in the Tes Domain, with the responsibility of searching and purging the enemies lurking in the Domain. And by enemies, I do not mean just the Heterodox Wanderers. Anyone who threatens the order of the Domain and the rule of the Orthodoxies is their enemy.”

  “…I remember it now!” Cecilia said, staring wide in the direction where Ameria just left the Arena. “They are the do—

  “I would stop right there if I were you,” Vestia said, cutting Cecilia off in mid of her words, pointing towards the Wanderers around them. “This is not exactly the best place to let loose of your tongue. Even a declining Orthodoxy would respond aggressively if you were to insult their clan with vulgar nicknames, let alone a Supreme clan like the Valence. If you do not watch your words, and end up saying something that you should not, then you would not even have the chance to regret.”

  “…I am not stupid. I know how to control myself,” Cecilia mumbled. “Why is she here though? As far as I remember, their clan is settled in the Fire Region. Even if they roam around, hunting the enemies of the Tes Domain, she should not come to an inconspicuous place like the Lost City.”

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  “…The Lost City is not as inconspicuous of a place as you say it is,” Vestia said. “Especially if you consider the legacy it is hiding. Its legends are spread all across the Tes Domain. But you are right in a sense. The Valence clan should not lack for a mere legacy of the Lost City. And they should also have better options to train their heirs. Even I was surprised at first when I learned that someone from the Valence clan had come to the city.”

  “…It should be just a coincidence,” Yuri said. “Her clan should have sent some people to investigate the recent rise in the number of Heterodox Wanderers in the area, and she probably just happened to tag along with them. In any case, you should keep your distance from her, Alnea. Although she may seem friendly on the surface, for the people of the Valence clan, their responsibility is always their first priority.”

  “…Maybe,” Alnea said. “Her Heart did not seem to have any of those messy thoughts though.”

  “…Her Heart?”

  “How do you know her Heart?”

  “Wait, are you saying…”

  “Did you finally succeed?” Yuri said, with a smile finally blossoming on her face.

  “…I have just touched the fur, and still need some practice, but I guess I finally understand the trick.”

  “That is still a great news.”

  “…So, am I the only one left who has not learned how to use her Concepts?” Cecilia mumbled indignantly.

  “I guess.”

  “It is not your fault though.”

  “You cannot just learn how to use your Concepts.”

  “Using your Concepts is a very instinctive process.”

  “The more you think about it, the more it slips away.”

  “The less you focus on it, the more it presents itself.”

  “Just forget about everything, and act as your Heart desires.”

  “That’s a great suggestion. Maybe I should try it for myself too.”

  “…Regardless, you just need to know that there is no need to hurry. You comprehended a couple of Concepts just as you stepped into the Advanced Stage. That alone is enough to put you ahead of most of our peers in the world. Including those from Supreme clans. Next, all you need to do is to wait.”

  “…But Alnea and Yuri… even you…”

  “Everyone walks on their own pace, Cecilia. You do not have to compare yourself with anyone, except yourself. Forget about the Concepts. Just focus on what you need to do. As long as you keep moving ahead, everything will fall in its place.”

  “…I will try.”

  “…Alright, that’s enough enlightenment for a day. Especially in place like this,” Alnea said, glancing around the Arena. “If everyone is done with their battles, then shall we head back to our mansion?”

  “Not so fast,” Cecilia said. “You still have not answered Yuri. Are you going to keep your distance from that woman or not?”

  “…That was not how Yuri had said it. And it was not even a question in the first place.”

  “Then I am asking the question now. Just answer me.”

  “…Since I have already recognised her as my friend, I cannot promise to keep my distance from her.”

  “…Is she more important for you than us?”

  “…It is not a question of importance, but my principles. You are asking me to betray everything that I stand for.”

  “I never said—

  “That’s enough, Cecilia,” Yuri said, shaking her head, before turning towards him. “Have you made your decision?”

  “…I have.”

  “…People from the Valence clan can slaughter millions, even their own friends and families, all just to maintain the order of the Tes Domain. Order, that we are trying to break. Even if we leave the Tes Domain and return to the Union after dealing with the Lotus clan, they will not give up. As long as they get the chance, they will strike without hesitation. Including the friend that you have just made. Have you thought how you will face her then?”

  “…I didn’t think so much. I just know that I have to stay True to my Heart, and have a clear conscience. Only then, can I have a Clear Heart.”

  “…Reckless, as ever. But that’s just the way you are. Forget it. We will deal with things as they come.”

  “…Thank you,” Alnea said to Yuri, before adding, “On another note, Ameria should be leaving the Lost City in a couple of days, and return to her clan, so we might not have any intersection with her in the near future. Even if she does turn out to be as dangerous as you say she is, she will not affect our team.”

  “…Why did you not say that earlier?”

  “Because you did not ask,” Alnea said, shrugging his shoulders, with a wide grin on his face. Teasing the girls was always fun. And if he could tease all three of them at once, why would he give up the chance?

  “…It looks like you have learnt much more than just how to channel your Concepts today,” Yuri said with a smile on her face. Yet, for some reason, as Alnea looked at her smile, he felt a chill climb up the back of his spine.

  “…It’s not just me,” Alnea said, quickly dodging Yuri’s eyes. “I am sure that everyone has learned something today. Let’s take advantage of the fresh feelings in our Hearts to reflect on our gains. And while we are at it, we should also get some rest too. At least I need to get some rest. Just standing and talking is already pushing me to my limits. If there is anything else that anyone needs to say, let’s say it back in our mansion.”