Taylor descended with Eryon in his arms, and upon reaching the table, he gently placed her on the ground.
They sat down and had breakfast; surprisingly, Eryon finished quickly.
Getting up, she looked at Taylor and said "I need to step out into the garden for a moment."
Taylor watched her leave so obviously and sighed, finishing his breakfast.
He was about to stand when he felt an embrace from behind, it was Jessica.
Still a bit sleepy, Jessica murmured "Good morning," and sat next to him.
Not seeing Eryon, she asked, turning to Taylor "Where's the newest arrival?"
Taylor stood and replied in an indifferent tone "She'll return this afternoon."
He was about to leave when a sentient suit of armor with a sword tried to stab him.
He didn't move, and the sword broke upon contact with his abdomen.
A scream came from the corridor. Sofia, with a dark and nearly tearful expression, said "The sword of my summoned creature!"
Looking at her morning antics, Taylor grabbed her by the collar and dragged her away. Sofia tried to resist, but without success.
Jessica glanced at the spot where they had been and returned to her meal.
Taylor arrived in a very spacious room used for training. Throwing Sofia to the center of the room, he said in a cold voice "I'm curious how much you've improved to have the courage to attack me."
Sofia raised her eyes, and seeing Taylor's icy gaze, finally understood he was not joking.
Sofia didn't have time to think. Taylor advanced toward her. She paled and said in an accusatory voice "How can a Stage 5 Invoker face a Stage 4 Sovereign of Essence?"
Taylor didn't seem to listen. Panicked, Sofia drew runes and summoned a white tiger.
"Destroy him with your strongest move," she commanded, pointing at Taylor.
The tiger gathered ice energy in its mouth, ready to strike. But Taylor moved suddenly, kicked the creature in the jaw, and destroyed the summon instantly.
Sofia was about to summon another creature, but she was interrupted.
Taylor was in front of her in an instant. He grabbed her by the hair, forced her head down, and delivered a knee strike to her face. He didn't stop, a kick to the chest, a knee, then another kick.
He continued for fifteen seconds. When he realized Sofia had fainted from the pain, he released her. Her body fell to the ground, bleeding.
He walked toward the exit and saw Rebecca. He looked at her coldly and said "Heal only the wounds on her face. Don't heal the internal ones."
Rebecca remained still, saying nothing. Taylor walked past her and headed toward the study.
Sighing, Rebecca approached Sofia and turned her body over.
Her delicate face was covered in wounds. Letting a bit of her Essence flow into Sofia's, she realized that some of the internal injuries were severe.
She drew runes in the air, and a green energy spread around Sofia, healing the wounds on her face.
She was about to extend the energy to the internal injuries as well, but a voice from the doorway stopped her "You shouldn't do that."
She turned and saw Jessica walking toward her. Rebecca said nothing and stepped aside.
Jessica bent down, lifted Sofia into her arms, and, turning toward Rebecca, said "You know how Taylor is. If you go against his orders, he'll get rid of you. So I'll do it. He wouldn't say anything to me anyway."
Rebecca was momentarily surprised by Jessica's words, and her impression of her became more positive.
Meanwhile, Taylor, who was checking the work Evelyn had done in his place, said in a cold voice "Everything is correct, as expected from my girlfriend."
Getting up, he left the villa and in the garden found a girl sitting and staring at a cake-shaped fountain.
Ilyandra let out a small laugh "Taylor really has unusual tastes."
A cold voice behind her said "Let's go."
Momentarily shocked at recognizing that familiar voice, Ilyandra quickly recomposed herself and turned with a smile.
Taylor had already manifested wings and lifted himself into the air. Ilyandra followed him, saying "I'll lead. I'm the one taking you to the rune."
They set off together toward the place where the rune was located.
Shortly after, they arrived in a subterranean area and followed a path leading toward a strange light.
Standing before the light, everything became clearer. In the center was the rune, and the rest of the room was filled with strange symbols.
Taylor looked at the rune and said "So the time is approaching."
Confused, Ilyandra watched him walk in calmly and stare intently at the symbols in the room.
Not knowing what to do, she decided to follow him, but she heard Taylor say "You can go now. I don't need you anymore."
Realizing she would only be a nuisance, Ilyandra left.
Taylor, however, continued to study every symbol in the room with full attention.