Deep within the woods, a brilliant azure light flared, sending glintstone fireflies scattering in a panic. The radiance grew brighter as the shadows of bushes and trunks shifted and danced, signaling that the light source was drawing closer.
"Who goes there?" Sellen raised her staff.
To the sound of rustling footsteps, a tall elder draped in a Master's robe stepped out from the trees. His hair and beard were white as snow, possessing haughty cheekbones and skin as pale as ivory. His robes emitted a dazzling blue glow, and he held a magnificent staff carved with intricate patterns.
He appeared more like a sorcerer than Lusat ever had—more powerful, more wise. And yet, compared to Lusat, Raven felt he lacked something fundamental.
"I have come to see Master Lusat off and to collect his remains," the tall elder sighed, stepping forward to look down at Lusat's body. "The Olivinus Conspectus has only just begun to recover from the losses caused by Astel. To lose our founder now is truly a double blow."
"His wish was to rest here, beneath this tree," Sellen said.
The tall elder looked toward her, but before he could speak, a somber, mournful music echoed faintly from the distance.
Thump, thump. Thump, thump.
The rhythmic boom of drums and the solemn concerto of brass instruments drew nearer, startling flocks of roosting birds into the air.
Dense footsteps and the sound of snapping branches rang through the forest; it sounded as if a large troop was charging toward them. The tall elder frowned, the corners of his mouth drooping as the lines of his face deepened.
Two rows of puppet soldiers with snare drums strapped to their chests burst from the forest, their four arms pounding the drumheads in unison. They were followed by a brass band and a string ensemble. Finally, six puppet soldiers appeared in view, swaying as they carried a heavy coffin. Beside them walked a middle-aged gentleman, also dressed as an Academy Master, his mustache groomed with meticulous care.
The middle-aged gentleman raised his right hand, and the funeral music ceased instantly. The puppets froze in their final poses, casting an eerie silence over the woods.
"Ah, it seems I am late," he said, scanning the area before his gaze settled on the tall elder with a beaming smile. "But better late than never. Fortunately, it's not too late!"
"Master Lusat shall be buried with honor by the Conspectus he founded," the tall elder declared. "Your Karolos Conspectus has no right to intervene."
"The Karolos Conspectus is also of the Glintstone lineage, and Master Azur, who founded our Conspectus, was a bosom friend of Lusat." The middle-aged gentleman glanced at Lusat's body, a flash of greed crossing his face. "As for the Olivinus Conspectus, everyone knows that your relationship with your founder was quite strained."
"Mind your tongue! We have always viewed Master Lusat's star-shower sorceries as our foundation. He will be buried by us; our Conspectus is entitled to this glory," the tall elder retorted. "As for you, even if Master Azur intended to collect his friend's remains, he wouldn't have sent someone like you—"
"Master Lusat's final wish was to rest here," Sellen interrupted them.
Both Glintstone Masters looked toward her, and the gentleman recognized her glintstone crown.
"Ah, Mistress Sellen, the rising star of the Academy favored by the Full Moon Queen," he said with a thin, cold smile. "I recall you have no relation to the deceased. It would be best if you did not meddle in this."
"I am his disciple, and his friend." Having said her piece, Sellen ignored them, inspecting the soil and the surroundings as she prepared to blast a grave into the earth with sorcery.
"I never heard of Lusat taking a disciple! No one but you heard what the Master said before he passed," the gentleman said. "Who can testify for you? This fading ghost?"
"If it weren't for his final wish, why else would the Master have dragged his ailing body so far?" Sellen countered.
The gentleman huffed, unable to find an immediate answer.
The tall elder stepped forward and spoke calmly: "Regardless, we cannot allow the Master's body to remain in the wild, at the mercy of insects. It would be an affront to the dignity of the Academy. Let us take the remains back to Raya Lucaria, and we shall discuss the arrangements there."
"Stop," Sellen said.
The tall elder arched a white eyebrow. "You intend to block our path?"
Without a word, Sellen raised her staff, standing before the body.
"Stubborn. Dismiss!" the tall elder barked, striking his staff against the ground.
Within a hundred-meter radius, countless glintstone fireflies froze in mid-air before falling dead in unison.
Sellen's yew staff bent to a terrifying degree, tiny cracks appearing along its length as the glintstone at its tip dimmed.
The tall elder took a step forward and struck his staff again.
Sellen's staff vibrated violently, bending even further, yet it refused to break. The elder's brows knitted in anger as he raised his staff to strike a third time, but the copper-wrapped end of his staff stopped centimeters from the ground, held aloft as if by an invisible cushion of air.
Sellen bit her lower lip, oblivious to the blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, as her staff slowly began to straighten.
The tall elder suddenly snapped his head up, looking toward the sky.
A blue-violet nebula was spreading across the heavens, and within it, cold glimmers of light began to emerge—a sight of immense beauty laced with lethal intent.
Founding Rain of Stars
The eldest primeval sorcery, discovered by an ancient stargazer. A legendary sorcery.
Summons a dark cloud of stars overhead. Shortly after, the cloud will release a downpour of star rain. This sorcery can be cast while in motion. Charging enhances potency.
It is said that this sorcery is the origin of glintstone sorcery. The glimpse of the primeval current that the stargazer saw was realized as a physical reality, raining amber of the stars upon this land.
"Primeval sorcery! Lusat must have taught it to her!" The middle-aged gentleman stepped forward to stand beside the tall elder, his eyes burning with fanatical light. "Let us join forces! Lusat's body is a treasure trove; let us share it all!"
The puppet soldiers dropped their instruments, their four arms each brandishing crossbows and shortswords as they formed a fan-shaped encirclement around Sellen and Raven.
"It seems Seluvis did not lose without cause," the tall elder said in a low voice, looking at Sellen. "But you are still too young; your power lacks depth. Against the two of us, you have no hope. I have no wish to stifle such a brilliant junior. If you step aside, I promise you may join us in researching the remains."
"Wait—" The gentleman seemed dissatisfied, but he didn't say more.
"Back away, or we all perish together," Sellen said. The boiling primeval mana was running rampant within her; her voice no longer sounded human, but like the crystal-clear, unending vibration of glass.
The tall elder sighed with regret. "Pride has blinded your eyes."
"I never thought Masters of the Academy would fall so low," Raven said, stepping past Sellen. "Disappointing."
"Who are you?"
Raven did not answer. He looked up at the nebula covering the sky, his form so translucent he was nearly invisible.
"Before I dissipate, it seems I can still be of some use." He looked back at Sellen with a smile, then pushed off the ground, floating upward as light as a feather.
"Hey!" Sellen tried to call him back, but Raven had already opened his arms to the vast nebula, vanishing like a drop of water into the ocean.
"Is something wrong?" the gentleman asked, seeing the tall elder's expression shift.
"That spirit gave me a strange feeling." The tall elder retracted his gaze. "Forget it, it's not important. Let us finish this."
He raised his foot to take a step, but froze mid-motion. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He looked up at the nebula Sellen had summoned and saw a pitch-black star manifesting at its center.
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Elden Ring: The Unborn One's Journey Through Elden Ring(192 Chapter - Ongoing)
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