The sun had fully risen over this strange, blended world—its golden rays slowly burning away the morning mist that still clung to the treetops like faded memories. Though it was still early in the day, the warmth was steadily growing, the forested mountain trail coming alive under the embrace of sunlight.
For the past few hours, Marcus, Zhou Rui, and Julius had been walking in silence, letting the serenity of nature guide their journey. Behind them lay the deep valleys they'd crossed—lush and wide like ancient green cradles. Now, they were climbing a mountain thick with towering pine trees and draped in nature's wild, untamed spirit. Birds chirped high above, flitting between branches, and the calming roar of a distant waterfall echoed nearby, whispering secrets down the slopes.
The air was clean, almost unnaturally pure—as if filtered through magic itself. Julius breathed it in deeply, smiling faintly. For someone born in a world full of towers, spells, and synthetic marvels, this natural beauty felt like a gift.
He turned his gaze to Marcus and asked,
"Marcus, when do you think we'll reach the Staff?"
Marcus raised a brow, half amused, half serious.
"Did you guys not create this world?"
"Yes, we did," Julius nodded. "But half of it… it's not ours. Something changed it. Only one side remains true to what we made. The rest—it's like another realm replaced it."
That revelation brought a moment of stunned silence. Zhou Rui and Marcus exchanged glances, absorbing the gravity of Julius' words.
Marcus eventually broke the silence.
"Well, we've still got some way to go. This world is divided into seven continents—Azia, Euroq, Lemice, Antiara, Awertike, Avirka, and… Moon."
"Moon?" Julius blinked. "You mean like the moon in the sky? They named a continent after it?"
"No," Marcus grinned faintly. "More like the moon is named after it. The continent 'Moon' is the second largest in this world—but it's lifeless. Not a single creature lives there. It's covered in dark clouds all year round, and no sunlight ever touches it. According to ancient myths, that land is ruled by Hades—the King of the Dead."
"Whoa," Julius whistled. "I'd love to explore that place someday."
Marcus chuckled.
"I like the enthusiasm. For now, we're in Azia. Specifically, the Valley Region. Every continent here has multiple regions. The Staff of the Wind is hidden deep within this one. The palace of Lord Vermillion IV—where we started—is located at the edge of the Sun Region."
"Wait," Julius blinked. "So we already crossed an entire region just by walking?"
"Not exactly," Marcus shook his head. "Vermillion's palace sits right at the edge of the Sun Region. We barely scratched its border."
"Still," Julius said, "that sounds like an advantage."
Marcus sighed.
"It is, but not by much. The Staff is hidden deep within the center of this Valley Region. And unfortunately for us, this is the largest region in all of Azia."
Julius's jaw dropped.
"So how the fuck are we supposed to get there in time?"
Marcus smiled with a glint of reassurance.
"Don't worry. A very close friend of mine lives nearby. He specializes in Warp Magic. He can open a portal—not directly to the Staff, but close enough to it."
"Don't tell me he lives in the woods," Julius groaned.
"Relax," Marcus chuckled. "There's a village just ahead, over this mountain. That's where he lives."
As the trio climbed higher, Zhou Rui suddenly asked,
"Airu, did you attune to nature's energy today?"
"No," Julius shrugged. "Didn't get the chance to train."
"Hmm, I see," Zhou Rui nodded.
"Why do you ask?"
Zhou Rui's expression darkened slightly, his sharp eyes scanning the trees. He was alert—too alert.
Before Julius could ask again, Marcus muttered under his breath,
"Airu, stay calm. We're being followed."
Julius tried to act nonchalant.
"By who?"
"No idea," Marcus said simply. "Neither I nor Zhou Rui could identify them. But… they're powerful."
Zhou Rui's brow twitched slightly. He hadn't expected Marcus to admit that out loud. But he played along, eyes forward, back straight.
"I see," Julius replied, trying not to look over his shoulder.
Their path up the mountain wasn't steep like a cliff—it was more like a long, slanted staircase carved into grassy ridges and rocky ledges. They weren't carrying supplies or bags. Marcus was the only one armored, with his helmet hanging at his side and his sword strapped to his back. Zhou Rui walked in his immaculate black butler uniform, and Julius wore the elegant robes Lord Vermillion IV had gifted him.
The mountaintop breeze brushed their faces, cooler than the valley below. The wet grass beneath their boots added a faint squish to each step, blending with the songs of birds and the distant rush of water.
There was a moment of silence, broken by Zhou Rui's unexpected question.
"Airu, why does the princess hate you?"
Julius blinked.
"I don't know. Maybe our personalities just clash."
"That's not like her," Zhou Rui said. "She doesn't react to people. Not unless they matter."
"Well, I did touch her carriage without asking. Maybe that's why," Julius smirked.
The summit was now just a few dozen steps away.
"That could be it," Zhou Rui murmured.
Though their conversation was casual, Zhou Rui and Marcus never let their guard down. They could still sense the mysterious presence trailing them. Julius, however, remained unaware, his senses dulled either by inexperience—or something else.
"Airu," Zhou Rui whispered, "control your mana. It's leaking."
"What do you mean?" Julius replied, confused. "I don't even know how to do that."
Zhou Rui turned and gave him a sharp look, inspecting his aura like a surgeon analyzing a wound. The formation was clumsy, raw, unrefined.
At that moment, Marcus, who had taken the lead, stopped and pointed forward with a wide smile.
"Boys, look. That's the village."