Chapter 69: Breakfast
Meanwhile, in Khione’s tent, sleep eluded her, so she sat on her bed, reflecting on the events of the evening with a heavy sigh. Typically, she harbored an instinctual dislike for those who practiced the Law of Fire, as it was diametrically opposed to her own. Logically, she should have resented her interactions with Nero, a knight wielding the flames of the Law of Fire. Yet, surprisingly, she found no hatred within her; the fire emanating from him was not repulsive, nor was it unpleasant, at least not to her.
Shaking her head to dispel her thoughts, she stood up, dressed in something suitable for the night. Stepping outside, the gentle breeze caressed her face, and her white hair danced playfully in the wind. Choosing to distance herself from Nero, she walked away from the riverbank and instead made her way onto the river’s surface, settling into a meditative posture. The chaotic Prana in the area required careful handling, though she was mindful not to misuse it.
Closing her eyes, she embarked on her breathing exercises, focusing on refining her Prana. Her core, which was on the verge of evolving to the Adept Mage level, began to shrink. But this reduction in size was deceptive; it indicated that it could accommodate even more Prana. The more refined her core became, the greater the capacity for energy it could hold. After perfecting her core at this stage, she would continue the process in subsequent stages. When she reached the final stage, her core would become inexhaustible, allowing her spells to gain immense power.
For two hours, Khione devoted herself to refining her Prana and her core, her concentration unwavering. When she finally opened her eyes, a flicker of determination shone through her beautiful yet cold blue gaze. She exhaled, and a cloud of white mist escaped her mouth, instantly freezing the surface of the lake within a seven-meter radius around her. With a mere thought, the ice vanished, dissipating back into the water.
Instead of heading back just yet, she retrieved some cookies from her spatial ring. Sitting peacefully, she began to savor the treats while gazing up at the stars scattered across the night sky. Her face remained expressionless, yet there was an undeniable tranquility in her demeanor as she enjoyed both the cookies and the celestial scenery above her. The stars twinkled like diamonds, and for that moment, she found a quiet joy in the simple pleasures of the night, a small reprieve from the complexities of her thoughts and the world around her.
Content with her evening, Khione returned to her tent and drifted off to sleep, followed by Nero. A few hours later, the sun began to rise, casting a warm glow over the pocket world they inhabited.
In this extraordinary realm, the sun hung low on the horizon, its rays spilling like liquid gold across the landscape. The light was soft yet vibrant, illuminating the lush greenery and the gentle ripples of the river with a magical luminescence. As the sun ascended, it painted the sky in hues of orange, pink, and lavender, creating a breathtaking canvas that seemed almost otherworldly. The warmth of the sun’s embrace was comforting, promising a new day filled with possibilities, while the air was infused with the sweet scent of blooming flowers awakening to the dawn. The world around them came alive, each element shimmering in the sunlight, a reminder of the beauty that thrived in this enchanted pocket of existence.
"Morning, Khione!" Nero called out as he finished his morning jog, greeting her with a smile. Khione, who also appeared to have just completed her exercise, nodded in response.
"Morning!" she replied, her tone even and calm.
"Let’s get ready to depart, but first, let’s eat breakfast," Nero proposed.
"I’ll cook breakfast," she suggested, her expression remaining emotionless.