As the airship slowly descends and finally lands in the familiar hollowed-out mountain, Auren, followed by Vanessa, Eren, Jolt, and Marsha, exits the airship.
An intense feeling of nostalgia washes over Auren as the town, despite the passage of time, feels eerily familiar, as if time had not moved at all.
Greeted by various people who instantly recognize him, he is still afforded a fair bit of space. Despite his reputation, the people are all kind and polite to Auren as he returns to his own house and do not bother him too much. Even the children are held back by the adults, despite their vocal protests to walk up to him and bombard him with questions.
As the group arrives at Auren's mansion, etched in the rock, and enters the large living room, Auren is surprisingly greeted by all of his friends, who have prepared a small surprise party for him.
Auren immediately recognizes them. The men: Goreinu, Zepile, Konrad, Oron, and his instructors Buno and Bunu. Then there are Neffi, her master Grunah, Leira, Ura, Jolt's children, the twins, as well as the four 'little ones', who are now teenagers, being just a couple of years younger than Auren himself.
His maids are also there, preparing food and drinks, smiling and waving at Auren.
Immediately, everyone brightens up and welcomes Auren, Neffi being the first one to jump into his arms.
By now, Auren is a good head taller than her, visibly shocking the young woman as she clings to his body.
Auren hugs her back gently before placing her back down on the ground, the stares of the people around them slightly bothering him.
One by one, Auren is approached by all of his acquaintances and students turned lifelong friends, whom he greets happily.
Without any kind of special event or plan, time passes quickly as everyone eats, talks, and enjoys the small party.
Auren can't help but smile a little as he sees Vanessa talk with Neffi, both of them smiling at each other, not a hint of the usual hostility visible.
Enjoying a drink with Konrad, the man looks utterly surprised. "What happened to my sister? She's quite... different...."
"Don't question it and hope it lasts," Auren jests. "She's changed quite a bit, and I'm glad, though I also miss the old Vanessa, hehe. Maybe a little bit of moderation would be perfect for her, don't you agree?"
"Hell no!" Konrad states. "Also, you are being deceived; she hasn't changed a bit. I can already tell you that this is the first time I've seen her this way. I have known her for my entire life. This is merely a facade... she has a goal or aim. You can't change her, trust me."
... He sounds almost too bitter. Why did he even introduce her to me all those years ago? It's been almost four years. Only because of him did I meet her and teach her Nen in the first place. I think he loves her more than he lets on.
Exchanging more and more stories, it takes almost two hours until the twins slowly approach Auren, both looking guilty.
Auren briefly hugs them and then speaks. "Good job, you two, I heard you worked hard and, in addition to that, used your ability to help out Rakshala and the others."
"Uhm... he... he... yes," Jean replies, laughing nervously, while Joanne looks nervous.
"Stop acting this embarrassed. You did the right thing and acted exactly according to my instructions. Great job. Whatever you've bought, I'm sure we'll find a use for it," Auren says, both of them immediately looking relieved.
"You can pick it up any time you want; it's in Lady Rakshala's care... we haven't opened it yet," Jean explains. "Even though I really wanted to take a look!" She quickly adds.
"Stop it," Joanne says, tugging on her sister's sleeve.
"We've also got quite a few treasures for you, Auren," Zepile says with a grin, while Oron looks proud.
"More Regalia?" Auren asks immediately, causing both men to instantly change expressions, now looking visibly embarrassed.
"..."
"..."
"..."
The room falls into silence.
"Heh, I didn't expect anything different. Too bad, but what doesn't exist can't be found," Auren says, shrugging, by now realizing that his Regalia are perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime find.
They are that special; it's really not surprising that I can't get my hands on more of them just like that. In fact, I found all three of them together, so I just got lucky once. My Faerie's Tear, which is almost on the same level, also cost me a huge fortune, and anyone knowing about its true effects wouldn't have sold it just like that.
I still take other items and Ben's Knives, of course.
After a few more hours, the party slowly calms down, everyone is filled up with food and drink, and has exchanged most stories with each other.
Neffi and Vanessa are sitting next to Auren on his new and barely used, but quite luxurious couch; one on each side, both holding onto one of his arms, yet still chatting with each other, leaning forward and causing Auren to lean back awkwardly.
Can't they just leave me alone and go somewhere else? Why do they have to talk with me in the middle?
Suddenly, Auren notices a new presence, looks up, and sees a familiar woman enter.
With shining blue eyes, long, straight blond hair, and yet another striking, almost regal-looking crimson dress, it's quite hard not to notice her immediately.
Everyone immediately shuts up and looks at her as she enters the crowded room.
"My... I didn't mean to intrude and ruin the good mood. Please continue with your reunion," she says softly.
Everyone stares at Auren in response.
Clearly in the spotlight, Auren steps forward and replies, "Please sit down. How could you ruin the mood?"
"Why, thank you," she says with a wide smile, sitting right next to Auren, as both Neffi and Vanessa stand up and move to another seat.
"You look good, I'm pleased that you seem to be doing fine," she says, while Buno awkwardly hands her a drink.
"You as well... Rakshala," Auren replies, carefully looking at her, a little self-aware because of the close distance between them.
"..."
"..."
An awkward silence fills the room, nobody quite speaking.
Rakshala, who seemingly doesn't mind at all, takes a sip of her drink and observes Auren contentedly, her smile never wavering in the slightest.
... I'm not good at small talk myself, but this is just painful.
"You look rather relaxed," Auren notes. "It's good that the job is seemingly not affecting your health. At least you don't look too stressed out."
"Oh no, it's absolutely nothing. With such skilled, experienced, and motivated subordinates, I couldn't imagine doing anything else. It also allows me to spend my time with such cute children," she says, looking not only at the four teenagers, which surprises Auren, but also at the twins.
So she is teaching them on the side after all. I guess it's better that way. I don't have the time to take on four more students. I'm also interested in a few other potential students... if the situation arises.
"Make sure to visit me later, so we can take a look at the recent purchase. I'm quite interested in what warrants such an enormous price," she comments.
"I want to know as well," Vanessa says, looking quite curious. "Surely it must be something ultra-rare."
"Yes! Definitely a treasure," Neffi agrees.
Leira, whose specialty is the identification and research of unknown objects, materials, and substances, also nods in agreement. Oculus, her Nen Beast in the form of a small snake, also materializes for just a moment before disappearing again, clearly signaling her curiosity.
Rakshala smiles at her. "It's also a pleasure to see you again, my friend. Your research has been nothing short of phenomenal. Your actions and work allowed us to safely tame the spiders, allowing us to harvest special silk that little Neffi is using as raw material for her company to create incredible clothing and armor, which have probably saved quite a few lives already."
"I'm not little anymore... I am an adult!" Neffi clarifies, while her master Grunah chuckles.
"Your height is quite similar to mine during my youth; once you reach my age, you'll be as tiny as me," Grunah informs her.
Neffi looks absolutely shocked, her eyes nearly bulging out.
"I'm glad my research is appreciated," Leira states, no pride in her voice.
"Yes, your entire research. The moss, fish, and even the stones capable of generating light are put to great use all over our territory. Everything is overshadowed by the creation of the Stalker Squad, however. Who knew it was possible to tame the spiders to such a degree that they could be used as loyal mounts? They're almost unbeatable in forests, simply incredible," Rakshala praises her, looking genuine.
Spiders... as mounts?
"It took me long enough, and I had nothing better to do," Leira replies honestly.
"It looks to me like you are somewhat bored, though, which will make my announcement all the more delightful to you," Rakshala continues. "It's part of the reason I am here. Of course, I wanted to attend your little reunion, but the next expedition... to the hidden island... on the edge of our world, the one Auren has learned of a few years ago, starts soon. Auren told me that he wants to lead the first wave, and surely some of you want to support him? We want to send only a couple of soldiers and experienced Nen users, along with a medium-sized support team, to the island to establish a base camp."
"The tiny island, which was used as a prison, makes a fine and, more importantly, a secure foothold until we can further calculate the dangers and upsides of a potential settlement on the main island," Rakshala announces. "I take it, you'll be participating, Leira?"
"Of course," Leira responds instantly, her face brimming with motivation. "I was preparing the whole time. I am more than ready."
"It will be quite dangerous..." Auren warns them. "Apart from Ging, nobody else survived the trip, and the people who discovered the island, despite being tough and armed fighters, gave up on it. Only those who truly want to should come with me. While I'll do my best to protect all of you... there is always a risk."
The party continues, the topic now shifting to the unknown island, every one of them at least somewhat interested in it.
After a good hour, Rakshala stands up, preparing to leave. "It was so much fun to get to know you a little better," she says. "But it's best I return."
"I'm coming with you," Auren replies, standing up as well. "We might as well take a look now."
The twins also follow.
Back at Rakshala's office, Auren and the twins wait in front of Rakshala's large desk near the opening and the end of her office, the city just outside of it, allowing them to see the daily life of the citizens as they walk by and do their daily business.
Rakshala sits down in her chair, the opening and the city directly in front of her.
She then grabs a medium-sized box from a drawer, large enough to fit a few fully grown cats or dogs, made out of exotic wood, and places it on the desk.
Auren, using Gyo, immediately recognizes that it contains quite a bit of Aura.
"So that's it..." Auren mutters. "Did the other boxes also look that way?"
"Yes and no," Jean says. "They looked somewhat similar... but this one... it just looks nicer! I like the wood. It also has way more Aura. The others just had a tiny trace of it."
Sounds promising.
"Go ahead," Rakshala says with a smile. "Open it, Auren."
Not so fast... I need to establish ownership beforehand.
"Wait," Auren says forcefully. "How much do I owe you?"
"Just 60 billion, don't worry about it. Consider it a gift," Rakshala says casually.
Hmm... guess I'll take it.
"I am grateful," Auren replies, grabbing the box and feeling the foreign Aura as he touches it.
Obviously excited, Auren opens the box.
Inside, he finds just a single object, immediately confusing him.
"Isn't there supposed to be a collection of items inside?" he mutters.
"Usually... yes," Joanne admits.
He then focuses on the single object. It appears to be round, its color a random mix of white and brown, with a total of 10 small green stripes, forming circles evenly placed from top to bottom. On closer inspection, the object turns out to be not round, but more egg-shaped. However, it is also thinner than an egg, not fully spherical, reminding him of a large seed instead.
"Hmm? An egg... a seed? A mix between both?" Auren wonders, using Gyo on it and sensing a large and concentrated Aura inside.
Focusing on it, Auren tenses up, feeling the Aura inside react to his own.
!
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