Chapter 1: The Synthesis Cube
Starlight Calendar Year 1248, Month of Autumn Twilight (October).
Blackrock City, border of the Astral Duchy.
The weather was gradually turning cooler. A few yellowed leaves danced in the wind, a reminder that the scorching summer was coming to an end.
Old Geller, the butler, walked along the cobblestone path in the courtyard, tightening his collar against the chill. He held a wooden box carefully in his other hand.
He crossed the courtyard and arrived at a secluded area. Frowning at the quiet and deserted yard, he couldn't understand why Young Master Sunan had chosen to move here and instructed the servants to stay away.
Sunan claimed to enjoy the peace, but wasn't this a bit too desolate?
Ever since their father, Baron Ainest, died in battle and the two young masters were essentially exiled to Blackrock City, Young Master Sunan, who had always been introverted, became even more withdrawn.
He spent all day either holed up in his room reading or tinkering with strange things. He even had Young Master Kyi collect various herbs and small animals for him.
His actions were a mystery to everyone.
Fortunately, there was still Young Master Kyi. Unlike Sunan, Kyi had been striving to improve himself since arriving in Blackrock City. At only nineteen, he was already a high-ranking knight, deeply admired by his subordinates.
Having such a leader was a blessing for Blackrock City, which had long suffered from the raids and harassment of the Blackscale Lizards.