We decided to move our camp to adjacent room, The reason being the beasts foul smell and also the fact that there was a whole in the ceiling.
After a while, Instructor Veyra and Lily decided to explore the area to ensure there were no beasts. And luckily they didn't find any signs of Beasts.
The whole crypt was empty it seems, Although that maybe the case, Instructor Veyra still warned us to be careful, She was more and more acting like a mother rather than a teacher. No, In the first place, I don't think she even teaches that well.
I had some lessons from her regarding my Thread of Chain and, quite frankly she was not the most Teacher type, She was more of a soldier if anything.
I also gave the pendant to Instructor Veyra.
After few moments everyone was left to their own devices, All of them were gathered by the fire.
Unlike my usual self I decided to take a look around, I don't take risky endeavors but since, The crypt was empty, I decided to.
I was really intrigued by this world and its history, as most of the novel had taken place in academy, The major history wasn't explored, but now that I am in the world and am stuck in a 10000 year old ruin.
'Why not' I thought.
I Exited the room and entered the Memorial hall once again, The foul stench entered my nostrils, taking my mind off of it i decided to explore.
All around the room, Name's were written in a language I couldn't read, I roamed the room observing the names.
Then One particular name caught my eye, it was laced with Gold. It was on the middle wall at the center of the room, strangely the little light shafts from the cracked ceiling highlighted it even more.
It was the biggest and had a altar near the wall.
Then a thought entered my mind, 'Can I use the system to translate'
Without wasting time I opened the system.
The name blurred and then translated into a language I was most familiar with.
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'In memory of
Cassia Chrono Otheryon
The sweetest Younger sister
The best Older Sister
And Princess of The Otheryon Kingdom,
May you Find Peace'
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The script was delicate, precise. Someone had carved it with love, not ceremony. And though centuries had passed, the grooves still held their sharpness, as if time itself had chosen not to erode this memory.
At the base of the stone lay a single object, catching faint light,a golden ring.
Princess?, what's a princess's grave doing in a cathedral that's in the middle of no-where.
I got a little closer and touched the the rims of gold, and as soon as I did a golden ring fell aside along the altar.
I bent down and picked it up, It had a similar design to the pendant but instead of one symbol, The symbols of the kingdom were carved all around the ring.
I quickly checked it's name
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Artifact: The Ring of Cassia Otheryon
Tier: 7
Description:
This is part of a triad of Artifacts, each crafted for the three siblings of Otheryon.
When she was about to die she put her soul into the ring to never separate from her brothers.
Cassia's essence was compassion; she bound her brothers together with her presence. Even after death, her warmth shields those who carry her memory.
Known Enchantments:
1. Bond of Kinship (Locator Enchantment):The ring resonates faintly when brought closer to its siblings' artifacts. The pull grows stronger as distance decreases, eventually guiding the bearer directly to the other relics.
2. The Heart's Veil (Protective Enchantment):When the bearer faces imminent death, the ring intervenes once manifesting a radiant barrier woven from Cassia's essence. This barrier can block a single fatal blow or suppresses an unavoidable calamity, holding the bearer just above the threshold of death.
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A tier 7 artifact??
Man this Gold, I mean literally.
The was perfect for me because my defense was not the best, Nolan had his shield and Lex had his Bone skin, But with this I can finally, worry less about dying.
I can also find the other two artifacts with this.
Quite happy, I quickly slid the ring into my finger.
As soon as I put it on I felt a warm sensation wash over me.
After that I returned to our camp. Veyra and Phoebe were the only one sitting around our fire.
I decided to join and sat near Phoebe.
Exchanging some greeting, we talked about our future plans or Hoe to escape the crypt. After a while, we started to get comfortable.
"You know, I thought crypts would feel more… sacred. Holy, maybe. This one just feels tired." Phoebe said
I let out a short laugh. "Better tired than cursed."
We lapsed back into quiet. The fire popped. Veyra's gaze shifted between us like she was measuring something unseen. Then, finally, her voice cut through the hush.
"Earlier, when I used Gate to escape… your Thread interfered."
I blinked. "What?"
"Don't play dumb. I felt it. My Gate pulled at something." She said with a serous tone
She continued "I wasn't going to ask you about it, But if something is wrong with you, Tell me. I will help."
Phoebe's eyes flicked to me, curious now. "Wait, really?"
I didn't know what to say, Was it because of me that we ended up here?
Seeing my silence, Instructor sighed and said in a concerned voice
"It's fine, Its not your fault, If it was I would have noticed, The pull came from outside"
Again with the Pull
I have felt the pull ever since I got near the mountain. Instead of pondering, I decided to let go of the topic for now. and nodded towards Instructor.
For a while, no one spoke. Then Phoebe, perhaps to break the silence, tilted her head."Instructor… why did you choose teaching? You don't really seem like the… type."
Veyra gave her a look, then a soft huff of amusement. "I get that a lot." Her tone shifted, softer, almost fond. "Truth is… I wanted to stay close to my daughter."
That caught both of us. Phoebe blinked, and I glanced up from the fire and asked."You have a daughter?"
Veyra's eyes softened as she nodded. "Mm. She's twelve now. Bright, Very quiet. Reminds me of you lot sometimes."
There was a little smile tugging at her lips, the kind that only came when someone spoke of family. But then, her voice slowed, became steadier. "Her father was a diplomat from Kirola. A good man. Calm, thoughtful. He always believed bridges could outlast swords."
Her eyes dropped to the fire, and the glow cast her face in a somber light."When the war broke between Hera and Theon… he was sent to negotiate, to ease the tensions. He never came back."
The flames popped, and for a while the only sound was the wood settling. Phoebe's fingers stilled on the tile. My throat felt tight, though I said nothing.
Veyra continued "It was just the two of us after that. She's… not strong. Her body's fragile, every day a struggle. But she smiles anyway. That smile is the only thing that makes me believe in all this."
She gestured faintly, "When I see you children fight, stumble, bleed—and still keep going—it reminds me of her. That's why I stay. To make sure you all come back alive. To make sure you all still have a chance to laugh, even in places like this."
Phoebe set down the shard quietly, her expression unreadable but gentler than before. "She's lucky to have you."
Veyra shook her head, the corners of her mouth lifting faintly. "No. I'm the lucky one."
Phoebe's voice came so suddenly,
"You are alot like my mother actually?"
Veyra narrowed her eyes. Waiting for her to continue.
Phoebe's fingers dug slightly into the fabric of her sleeves.
"She was caught during a rebellion. Hanged in the square. I didn't even know until it was over. I was twelve. Same age as your daughter."
She exhaled, steadying herself.
"Before the exam, I got a letter. Said there's a way to find the ones behind it."
Veyra shifted slightly, leaning forward, her voice calm and warm."You're strong, Phoebe. Stronger than most. But strength is a blade—it cuts both ways. Don't let your past sharpen it so much that it carves away the parts of you that still matter. If you let only anger guide you, you'll lose yourself before you find what you're looking for."
Phoebe didn't reply right away.
The silence stretched again, thick and suffocating. Seeing her like this really reminded me that these are real people and not just characters, Especially seeing your own mom hanged, I too would be wrapped in rage. In the novel too She was fixed on her revenge, But that didn't stop her from helping anyone in need. She was deep down a kind and helpful person.
So I leaned back against the wall and said,
"Well… if you ever do stop moving forward, I'll drag you along anyway. Probably by your arm. Or hair, if it comes to that."
Phoebe blinked, startled, then frowned."That's not funny."
"It's not supposed to be. I mean it. If you think you're carrying everything alone, you're wrong. You're stuck with us now. Even if you get lost, we'll still find you. That's what this is, right? A cohort."
Veyra's lips curved in the faintest smile, and Phoebe's expression softened, though she tried to hide it by looking back at the fire.
"…You're annoying, you know that?" she said while hiding her face.
"Good. Means you're listening."
For the first time since she started talking, I heard something small slip into her voice not quite laughter, but close. Just enough to ease the weight pressing down in the dark.