Gaya sat cross-legged on Lucien's bed, meditating. She believed she was killing two birds with one stone. After her return from ten thousand years of imprisonment, she had discovered that her strength had diminished drastically—she wasn't even half as powerful as before, and she couldn't sense any of her Soul Heaven.

Soul Heaven was something very few Mage ever experienced. Only those possessing a Soul Heaven could proudly call themselves Great Mage. It meant transcending mortality—what occurred when one finally managed to create a tenth mana circle around their mana heart.

Gaya had been the elite among elites in her era and had even wielded nine Soul Heavens, making her a devastating Great Mage. The greatest to ever exist.

But all of it was gone. Since they had downtime in Vel'Rhameir, she had decided to pour everything into mana absorption to discover what was wrong. Ten days and counting, she had gotten nowhere.

She eventually had to take a break, only to come to Lucien's room and find him gone.

Fury boiled within her. This was a critical time—Lucien shouldn't be wandering around carelessly. It was vital for him to stay put.

She had clenched her teeth and waited, planning to give him a proper tongue-lashing. However, morning had arrived, bright light streamed through the windows, and there were still no signs of Lucien.

She glanced at the baby dragon sleeping comfortably on the center rug, then sighed and stood up, walking toward the window to peer down at the bustling city below.

Muscled beasts resembling bulls but with six powerful legs pulled massive carts of goods across the cobblestone streets. People opened their stalls here and there, while others in suits and hats, clutching briefcases, emerged from buildings. Some walked, others boarded four-wheeled vehicles powered by intricate coal and mana systems.

She frowned as she studied the street thoughtfully, then turned away. Her pointed ears sparkled with golden specks before becoming human ears, her height seemed to diminish, and her transparent nightgown transformed with more golden sparks into tight trousers with knee-high boots, a blouse, and a brown hooded cloak.

She conjured a leather satchel and gently placed the dragon inside. The little creature squirmed, enjoying its sleep even as it was nestled into the bag.

Gaya descended the stairs and approached the manager at the reception desk.

"Hello. Do you remember me?"

The tall, lazy-looking man with a pipe dangling from his mouth glanced down at the blonde woman before him with dismissive eyes and responded in an equally dismissive tone.

"Not really. I see plenty of people here every day."

Gaya arched an eyebrow.

'Did this bastard just lie to me?'

She frowned and tilted her head at him.

"Oh, manager—lies now? Really?"

The man looked at her strangely, slightly irritated. Then he grinned and leaned on the counter with his elbow, resting his chin on his hand while leering at Gaya.

"Why would I need to lie to a gorgeous woman like you? Girls despise lies, you know—they want the truth. I'm certain if I'd seen someone as stunning as you around here, I'd never forget."

With movements so swift the man couldn't react, Gaya grabbed his wrist and slammed it down on the counter, glaring into his eyes as he flinched.

The sharp crack echoed slightly, but the lounge buzzed with customers eating, reading papers, and chatting. The background murmur masked the sound perfectly, and Gaya hadn't been too forceful.

She leaned closer and whispered seductively in his ear.

"I've cast a spell that's freezing the nerves in your hand. The moment I release you, your entire hand will go numb and require amputation. If you value your limbs, bastard, you'd better start talking. Where is my partner?"

The man was shocked and stared down at his hand beneath her grip. He could see ice spreading beneath it across the table.

He looked at her with a slight frown.

"Gods, I said I've never—"

"Shut up."

Gaya cut him off fiercely. Her eyes blazed as she whispered to him.

"There's something called mana signature, and any veteran mage can read it. Body systems communicate with surrounding mana in peculiar, patterned ways. Because of this, it's not difficult to detect the expressions your body can't control. You flinched when I arrived—so yes, you know something. Where the hell is my partner before your entire hand freezes solid?"

The man stared frantically at Gaya, watching the spreading ice and her fiery amber eyes.

Gaya tilted her head.

"Still hesitating?"

"Listen, listen—it's really not what you think! A woman came and threatened to destroy us for harboring a criminal. She said all we had to do was protect ourselves."

Gaya's expression darkened, and she clicked her tongue.

"You bastard. Why did you deny knowing me then?"

The man trembled slightly, watching his hand as ice crept rapidly toward his upper arm.

"I—I was just scared. It felt wrong to do it... but we did anyway."

Gaya's gaze sharpened to a dangerous slit.

"You really have no love for your hand, do you?"

He gritted his teeth in pain, lowering his gaze shamefully.

"She offered me money..."

Gaya's eyes emptied of all emotion.

"Of course she did."

She released the man's hand and turned away, leaving the entire reception desk and wine collection to freeze instantly.

The man startled, scrambling over the frozen counter, crying out.

"Ma'am, my hand—my hand!"

By now, everyone in the lodge was staring. Murmurs rose and attendants scattered in disarray at the bizarre sight.

But Gaya didn't care. She strode out of the inn with a glacial expression.

As she emerged, a golden chariot pulled by three black-horned stallions suddenly stopped before the inn.

Immediately, a woman hurried out, calling to her.

"Lady Gayanna!"

Gaya stopped and turned, then bowed slightly.

"Lady Varlyeth."

Varlyeth observed Gaya's frigid expression and tone with concern.

"Lady Gayanna, are you alright?"

Her face grew slightly irritated as she asked:

"What about... um, my savior, Lord Cien?"

Gaya trembled but clenched her fists, her gaze boring into Lady Varlyeth's eyes.

"Lady Varlyeth… I am going to need your help."

Lady Varlyeth with a concerned look in her eyes, responded.

"Whatever it is, I am willing to help, but let us first, get into the carrier."

They stepped into the luxurious chariot, and Gaya filled Lady Varlyeth in on everything that had transpired.

Lady Varlyeth's face twisted with fury as she clenched her fists vengefully.

"Those bastards! How dare they? Whoever orchestrated this—don't worry, Lady Gaya. I'll have people working on it immediately."

Gaya shook her head with a grim smile.

"I prefer handling this alone... but I will need your help, Lady Varlyeth."

The lady nodded earnestly.

"Anything! Name it, and I'll help you."

Gaya's smile remained somber.

"Thank you, my lady."

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