Hearing Irelia's words, a flash of astonishment crossed Faen's eyes.
He had known that Irelia would eventually awaken the Blade Dance—a power that wasn't a unique form of magic, but rather like the illusion magic used by LeBlanc. Theoretically, anyone could learn it, but very few possessed the actual capacity to master it. Because of this, while not exclusive to her in concept, Irelia was the only one who truly possessed the talent.
However, in the original timeline, she was supposed to awaken this gift in the future, triggered by the surge of grief and fury after witnessing the death of her family. But now...
Keeping his thoughts to himself, Faen's expression remained composed, though he looked at Irelia with a mix of surprise and delight. "Awakened already? Your talent truly is as exceptional as I imagined!"
Hearing Faen's praise, Irelia couldn't help but let out a sweet, beaming smile. She was clearly overjoyed to be recognized. However, she quickly cleared her throat, trying to act like a poised adult. "It's alright, I guess. Grandmother says I haven't fully mastered it yet—I've only scratched the surface. It's mostly thanks to the foundation you helped me build back in the Placidium, Senior Brother. Otherwise, I wouldn't have adapted this quickly."
Suddenly, Irelia slapped her forehead. "Oh! Grandmother is waiting for you! Hurry, Senior Brother!"
As she spoke, a trace of mysterious expectation and shyness flickered in her eyes. Realizing what this implied, Faen nodded and led Riven behind Irelia toward the Xan family's back courtyard.
The back courtyard held the ancestral hall. Irelia's grandmother, Lady Xan, was kneeling respectfully in the center. Before her stood countless memorial tablets of varying sizes. The largest and most ornate tablet in the middle bore a single, simple word: 'Dance.'
On either side of Lady Xan sat Irelia's mother, father, and several of her brothers. Faen could see the confusion and bewilderment on their faces; they clearly didn't understand why Lady Xan had suddenly summoned them all to the ancestral hall.
Lady Xan didn't speak; she simply sat on her cushion, eyes closed in meditation. Only after Irelia excitedly announced, "Grandmother! I've brought Senior Brother!" did she finally open her eyes.
Looking back at Irelia, a faint, hidden trace of envy flashed through Lady Xan's gaze before she composed herself. She turned to Faen and spoke: "Though you are still young, your ability, wisdom, and character are undoubtedly those of a Master. Therefore, I shall address you as Mr. Faen."
"You praise me too much," Faen replied with a bow of his head. He knew that for someone of Lady Xan's age and status to address him this way was a mark of deep respect and significance.
Lady Xan shook her head. "Do you know the origin of the Blade Dance?"
"I know of its existence, but not its origin," Faen answered.
Lady Xan turned her head back to the central tablet and spoke quietly. "The Blade Dance originated in the ancient era, before the First Lands were even called the First Lands. Colossal giants of flesh and bone descended from the heavens, trampling this world at will. To combat these giants, the ancestors of Ionia proactively merged with the spirits of the Spirit Realm, allowing their bodies to become part of nature and shifting into various forms. Those ancestors were known as the Vastayashai'rei."
"And the children born from the union of the Vastayashai'rei and ordinary humans are the Vastaya we know today."
Faen nodded in understanding.
He already knew this information, along with things Lady Xan hadn't mentioned—such as how most Vastaya living in human settlements had regressed over generations, their connection to the Spirit Realm weakening or vanishing entirely, while those living far from civilization maintained their primal magic.
Regardless, most Vastaya were naturally stronger than humans. Rengar, the Pridelord, was a prime example; at over seven feet tall, he was considered "underdeveloped" by his tribe's standards. Their bone density and muscle strength were far superior—though for someone like Riven, who could reinforce herself with mana, raw stats mattered less.
As Faen mused, Lady Xan continued: "Among them, besides the Vastayashai'rei who merged with the spirits of nature, there were those who merged with the world itself."
Lady Xan looked at Faen and explained, "This group differed significantly in appearance and ability from the Vastayashai'rei. The Vastayashai'rei possessed obvious bestial traits and relied on shapeshifting. Those who merged with the world itself, however, maintained their human appearance."
Faen nodded thoughtfully and asked tentatively, "Like... the Enlightened One?"
"The Enlightened One, Karma, is indeed one of them." Lady Xan confirmed his suspicion. "The reason she is so revered is that she is the last remaining 'Enlightened One' in the Material Realm."
Faen raised an eyebrow. He had always thought "Enlightened One" was Karma's unique title. It turned out it was a collective term for a specific group in ancient times, much like 'Vastayashai'rei.'
He wasn't the only one surprised; Irelia's parents and family wore expressions of utter disbelief at Lady Xan's revelation.
"Our ancestors... were also Enlightened Ones?! Great figures like Karma?!"
Irelia's eldest brother, Zelos, shouted in disbelief, his eyes shimmering with shock and excitement. Even in a world without magic, bloodline theories found fertile soil; in Runeterra, where magical power and supernatural traits were literally passed through blood, the implications were massive.
Lady Xan simply looked at the tablet behind her. "In those days, our ancestors were known as... the Divine Sword Dancers."