Upon hearing the question, Ebonique quickly turned her head and looked toward the site of the explosion. At the edges of the crater created by the brutal blast, you could indeed see small, completely black flames that were about to go out. The revelation made Ebonique widen her eyes in visible disbelief; then she asked rhetorically, using her voice instead of the contract.

"Perfect synergy…?"

"Is it really a perfect synergy?!" Erik asked, equally incredulous, at which point Ebonique flew toward the crater at full speed. With her gaze fixed on the black flame, Ebonique replied in a contemplative voice.

"It isn't exactly a perfect synergy; it's more like the first step toward achieving one, but this is the first time I've seen something like this follow from a simple clash of spells. Did you do something with the Myst?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary. I just used the contract with Tiberius as a means to achieve Elemental Synchronization and empower 'Dark Sphere' as always…" Erik replied in an equally contemplative voice, which filled Ebonique with doubts.

She knew the technique Erik was talking about—or rather, the "trick" he had developed following the advice a certain Master-level individual had given him. The trick allowed him to gain partial command over what humans called Elemental Synchronization and Elementalization.

"Looks like we can't think about it too long."

Erik looked into the distance and spoke in a serious tone, since he could sense several new "presences" approaching from afar. Ebonique nodded and sped up a little more to circle the temple once.

"I'll just take a lap and go in."

Erik nodded and quickly brought his thumb to his mouth to bite it. Using the blood that flowed from his thumb, he hurriedly began drawing different runes from the Zazen Discipline on various mana crystals, true copper, Falamite, and even bits of wood. Using arms of solidified Myst, Erik placed each item in strategic spots.

By the time Ebonique finished circling the temple, she headed straight for the stone door, and Erik jumped.

"What are you doing?"

Ebonique asked as she reduced her size. Erik began positioning several mana crystals and replied.

"A formation."

"The one you learned to make with that Chen?" Ebonique asked, somewhat surprised. Erik nodded with a calm expression as he drew several Zazen runes with his blood around the crystals.

"The same one, though I swapped the materials for substitutes we had on hand, so it might not work."

"Don't take too long."

Ebonique looked off toward the nearest group of hunters. Erik finished writing the last rune, then stirred the mana within his body and performed three hand signs he had learned from Chen. Quickly, he placed his hand over the runes, which caused them to glow softly.

At that moment, the Myst in the surroundings began to fluctuate violently, then formed a kind of conductive threads that interconnected each of the runes Erik had drawn on the materials. When everything linked up like a network, mana began to flow rapidly throughout the area, but soon everything calmed down.

"It's ready. Let's go." Erik got to his feet and spoke as he started running toward the tunnel, and Ebonique quickly followed.

"Did it work?" In the middle of the tunnel, Ebonique asked curiously. Erik smiled calmly and replied.

"Yeah. I don't know how strong it is, but at least it activated, so it'll do something."

…

Upon leaving the temple, Erik found Elara, Zoe, and Frank waiting with serious expressions, fully ready for battle. Seeing Erik, the group of youths let out a sigh of relief; Zoe stepped forward and asked gravely.

"Did something happen?"

"Nothing. Just give me a couple of minutes to try to create a formation around the temple, and we can go." Erik spoke in a serious tone, then took more mana crystals and materials. Elara, beside Zoe, couldn't help asking in a strange voice.

"You can make formations too…?"

"Not really. It's just that Chen and I studied how to deploy one, but I don't know much more." Erik explained as he hurriedly drew runes with his blood. Zoe and Elara looked at each other somewhat dubiously but quickly nodded.

"Do you need help?" Zoe asked as she looked at Erik's blood on the mana crystals. Erik shook his head and replied without looking up.

"No, it'll only take a few minutes."

After Erik placed all the materials where they were needed, he quickly made the hand signs and activated the formation. Feeling the slight movement of the Myst and the circulation of mana, the youths couldn't help being a bit curious, but at that moment Erik's voice came.

"It's ready. If anyone arrives, this should distract them for a while. In any case, now we have to figure out where we are and look for an exit." Erik focused his gaze on Zoe.

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"Do you have any idea where we are?"

With a serious expression, Zoe began examining the surroundings. The temple was in what seemed to be a mountainous region with colossal ranges as far as the eye could see. The ranges differed from one another: some had abundant vegetation in different colors, while others looked like bare rock; you could even see a strange white mountain in the distance.

"Although the reports and maps mentioned some mountain chains, I'm not very sure where we are, so we'll have to explore more." Zoe said with a small sigh. Erik nodded, not visibly affected.

"I understand. For now we'll move with Ebonique's and Hiyori's help." Erik looked at Elara and Frank and continued. "I know it'll be inconvenient for you, but wolves aren't very fast at flying, so you'll have to travel in Myst barriers."

"Don't worry, Erik, I understand perfectly. Spirits don't let anyone but their contractors ride them, and it's not a good idea to tire out the wolves." Elara replied with a calm smile. Frank quickly added, firmly.

"I've got no complaints, Boss."

"Perfect." Erik nodded, then moved the Myst with his thoughts alone.

With mild surprise, the others watched as Erik created a kind of "crystal vehicle." The Myst construct looked like a sleek, spacious flying car with two large, comfortable seats with armrests and more—almost like sofas. Once the construct was ready, Erik looked at Frank and Elara.

"Hop in; let's get moving."

After nodding, Elara and Frank approached the doorless Myst construct and sat in the seats, and Frank couldn't help letting out a slight grunt of satisfaction. The sofa was as comfortable as the ones he had at home—a feeling he thought he'd never experience inside the ruin.

For her part, Elara began pressing the armrest with her index finger, visibly astonished. If not for their semi-translucence, she would have had a hard time telling the Myst construct from the real thing. The feel of the leather, the perfectly balanced firmness and softness—everything was exactly the same, perhaps even a little better than the real thing.

"Since you're the best at that, I'll follow your lead, Zoe."

While Elara marveled, Erik looked at Zoe and spoke as he conjured a magic circle to create a barrier around the Myst vehicle. After looking at the vehicle for a few seconds with pursed lips, Zoe shook her head, quickly jumped to ride Hiyori, and replied in a serious tone.

"We'll keep a low altitude and head north."

"Perfect, let's go."

Erik nodded, then jumped and landed on Ebonique's head with Kaiser and Tiberius on his shoulders. Soon the group began to advance while the dragoness seemed to be contemplating the surroundings.

[How is the spirit's aura?]

As he flew behind Zoe at high speed, Erik placed one of his hands on Ebonique's head and asked through the contract. The dragoness let out a small sigh and fixed her gaze ahead before replying.

[Thick—not as much as in the basilisk's cave, but it's increasing bit by bit.]

[I see… If it reaches the same concentration as in the cave, will you have to hide?] Erik closed his eyes and focused entirely on the Myst. Ebonique clenched her jaws a little and replied.

[Yes…]

[Hiyori too?]

Erik asked in a calm tone, studying the surroundings carefully. Ebonique fell silent for a few seconds, realizing Erik suspected something. Seeing her beloved contractor remain calm, waiting for her answer, Ebonique let out a heavy sigh and said.

[...No, only me.]

[I see…] Erik opened his eyes and looked into the distance with a deep, calm expression. After a few seconds, Erik asked in a measured, tranquil tone.

[What's your relationship with that spirit?]

[…]

Seeing the question had come, Ebonique clenched her teeth in frustration, not knowing what to say. Erik likewise remained silent and looked at Zoe and the fox spirit with a deep expression. Feeling the silence grow heavier, Ebonique clenched her teeth in frustration, then spoke in a heavy tone.

[...I have no direct relationship, but we know each other, and he could recognize me if I come into contact with his aura, which would be dangerous for you and your masters.]

[So he's a spirit at the same level as Ignis and you.] Erik said in a calm, patient tone, which made Ebonique's eyelids tremble slightly.

[Did you know?]

Erik let out a sigh and gazed at the sky with a blank expression.

[I suspected it. Although at first it struck me as strange that you spoke with Ignis as an equal despite the difference in power. I thought it was because spirits didn't care about that or simply the peculiarities of your relationship. But seeing the fear Hiyori has of you, I began to consider there was more going on.

[And you've been acting suspiciously, Ebonique. You sense things Hiyori doesn't; you can do things she can't; you have limitations she doesn't; and ultimately, you have concerns she doesn't show. So it all became even more suspicious, though until the end I wasn't sure. But now I can confirm that you lied to me.]

[…I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention. Ignis dragged me into all this, and before I realized it, I'd told you I was a mature spirit, and the lie had gone so far I couldn't take it back…] Ebonique's eyes shone with regret as she explained, but Erik only sighed.

[Let's set that aside for now—this isn't the time. I just want to know one thing, and I want you to tell me the truth… Are you on my side?]

[I will always be on your side and would never do anything that could hurt you! My only fear is that someone else discovers you and wants to hurt you. Although there are things I can't tell you, I promise I will never let anyone harm you!] Ebonique replied in a firm, serious voice, leaving no room for doubt. Erik looked at the sky for a few seconds, then gently stroked Ebonique's head.

[I'll take you at your word…]

[I swear it, Erik. I never meant to lie to you; that's just how things turned out, and they got complicated. But I assure you my heart is with you, and I will never lie to you again.] Ebonique replied with resolve. Erik continued caressing the dragoness's head and asked.

[Then I want you to explain why you have to hide from that spirit's aura.]

[Because he could recognize me and learn about you, which would be dangerous. Your mana is far too attractive to spirits…] Ebonique replied seriously, which made Erik open his eyes slightly.

[My mana…? What makes my mana so special?]

Ebonique clenched her jaw a bit, full of doubts about how to answer. But knowing that Erik might distrust her even more because of the matter, and as a way of apologizing, she sent a message saying what she could without drawing attention.

[Your mana is a unique rarity. It's similar to 'primordial mana,' what's known as the universe's first breath and what gave rise to life and to spirits, so it's an exquisite delicacy for any spirit—a delicacy that could drive the weaker ones mad.]

['Primordial mana'? What is that?] Erik asked, surprise and confusion shining in his green eyes. Ebonique let out a small sigh and replied.

[I can't explain much more than that. There are things one can know but cannot share, or certain unpleasant beings will set their sights on you.]

[What beings?] Erik looked at the dragoness beneath him and asked. Ebonique gently shook her head.

[I can't explain more—not because I don't want to; it's just dangerous for you. I can only tell you that your mana is special, you are very special, but you're very weak and that's dangerous. You're practically a walking treasure, and many of the "strong" wouldn't hesitate to take you by force.]

***

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