The Silver Hollow
According to what I wrote in the book, the Silver Willow held great significance for the mc and his friends. When it was investigated later, only one word was used to describe it.
"Nerve Wracking".
Aria held my hand "What are we doing here, Elior?".
'This is why I did not want her to come'.
According to my book, I specifically did not include Aria not just because of her fright, but because she was going through an emotional turmoil.
"I need to collect something from here."
"The people and your father have specifically warned us kids never to go near the Silver Willow", Aria said in a frightened voice.
I sighed before looking at her intently before saying "I know but I need something. pls help me-I promise I will protect you from any danger that you can't handle", holding her tightly by the shoulders.
"Okay, I will help you," Aria said blushing and averting her gaze away from mine.
'Phew. Thank God that's settled now'.
"Shall we, Aria?".
"Yeah", Aria said, nodding.
MEANWHILE
Back at the Vayne Residence, Alurica and Seraphine were having a discussion in the study.
"Our son hasn't been back for over a day, Aren't you worried, dear?".
Alurica looking at the papers "Honestly, I'm not. I believe whatever he is doing is of importance- let's not forget his note.
"You are right. It's just that I am worried - I want him to come back soon".
"He will return Seraphine. If not within two days, we will set out to find him ourselves", Alurica said with a determined gaze.
"Understood," seraphine replied before bowing her head before leaving.
'Son, wherever you are, stop making your mother worried.'
"Elior, when are we going to enter?" Aria asked strapping her weapon to her hand.
"Now, I just need to make sure of something", Elior answered looking at the map.
'The heart of the AetherSeed should be at the center of Silver willow but the shortcut to get there is filled with some monsters.'
After a long pause
'Fuck it'.
"Let's go Aria," Elior said, strapping on his gear.
As Elior and Aria entered the Silver willow, the bright light once kissing their skins had vanished; everywhere was pitch black as night with only the plants giving light for those inside.
"Beautiful," Aria said in awe.
'Yes, it truly was beautiful but this beauty came at a price: Fear'.
The only way to get the center was by overcoming any obstacles thrown at the person in the place.
That is why it was closed off from society and was not even cleared in the book until the latter stages.
As Aria and Elior continued moving, Elior stopped Aria in her tracks.
"What's wrong Elior," Aria asked puzzled.
"Monsters nearby," Elior whispered.
"Aria, I need you to do something. You are going to cast an ice spell and throw it at the direction which I point at", Elior asked.
"Sure Elior", Aria said nodding.
Aria began chanting her spell, holding it for nearly three minutes while Elior transferred mana from his palm to his sword.
The process of channeling mana from the body to the sword was called "AURA", something discovered by the Specialist "Kaien Ardesh".
Elior was ready
"Now, Aria!".
Aria released the spell toward the approaching monsters. Ice surged from the ground, freezing their legs in place.
That was enough for Elior, swiftly he charged at them; cutting their heads off at swift precision.
Elior sheathed his word afterwards.
"Elior, that was amazing, especially being able to use Aura at your age is a milestone", Aria said jumping for joy.
"That is not true, It was all you, I was just lucky to do it", Elior said throwing a grin.
"Anyways, let's keep moving".
'Those were Rank IX, the weakest of the bunch'.
'There are only few people in my book who could achieve aura, the rest had to rely of coating their weapons with magic bringing about flame swords and the rest'.
'It was pretty easy to do but it was difficult if one did not follow the key to achieving such feat'.
'The key to using Aura is the perfect harmony of the heart, mind and blade functioning as one'.
'The aftereffects are painful though unless I train this body core to withstand it'.
A blue screen appears in front of Elior
[Elior Vayne has unlocked Aura]
[First pulse: Arc Veil unlocked]
'Yes, I am getting there but I am not yet ready for this world battles.'
"Stop daydreaming, Elior. Don't forget we're still in the Silver Willow," Aria teased with a grin.
Flustered, Elior shot back "I am not".
The way to the center was decent afterwards as Elior and Aria continued slaying beast along the way.
[Arcana Rank: F (Apprentice)]
[Quest: Save the World and Its Characters]
[Strength- F]
[Speed- F]
[Agility- F]
[Intelligence- B-]
[Luck- E/S]
Mana Stats
Wind- Lv1
Darkness-Lv1
Void-Not unlocked until mastery of Darkness
Chrono-Not unlocked unless at death's door
Weapon:Kurotsume
Type: Short Black Katana
Rank: C (Dormant)
Attribute: Darkness / Void
Passive: Eclipse Edge — temporarily devours mana of the enemy on hit.
Active (Locked): Oblivion Fang — creates a compressed void slash that erases energy constructs.
Note: Weapon reacts to emotional state and grows alongside its wielder.
Techniques
Arc Slash — Releases a crescent wave of lightning with each swing. (Unlocked)
First pulse: Arc Veil unlocked
Channels a faint layer of aura around the blade, increasing sharpness and cutting precision.
Elior and Aria continued slaying rank IX monsters until they reached the center of Silver Willow.
"When we are going to be there, Elior", Aria asked.
"We are almost there, Aria".
Aria asked "What is so important that you will put yourself in danger, Elior".
"You will see it once you get there Aria", Elior answered.
"We are here", Elior answered stopping Aria in her tracks.
The center of the Silver Willow could only be described as beautiful. The plants glowed with a gentle light, filling the air with a peaceful aura.
"Elior, isn't this beautiful", Aria asked softly.
"Of course".
Catching Elior eye was a young sprouted tree before a big one.
Elior gasped.
'What is this doing here'
A blue screen suddenly appeared
[The Lunathorn Veil]
A silver-veined plant that glows faintly under moonlight. It's roots burrow deep into mana-rich soil and drink both light and darkness from the atmosphere — giving it a shimmering dual hue of pale blue and shadowy black.
It only grows near the Silver Hollow, feeding on the residual Void energy there.
"Huh"
'In my book, this plant does not appear when the MC came into this place but in the whispering Ravine that the enemy camp raided giving them a lot of power to withstand the mc'.
Plucking that, Elior looked up to see the Aetherseed just up ahead.
"Bingo"
"Elior, did you really come here for that? Is it worth it?", Aria asked.
"Yes Aria, it is really worth it", Elior said in a serious tone.
As Elior stepped forward, a sudden wave of killing intent shot toward him. He ducked just as a blade made of air sliced through the air above his head.
"I knew it wouldn't be that easy", Elior said in a scoffed tone.
In front of Elior and Aria stood a gigantic snake named the "Vermis Nocturne", a grade VII monster.
Scoffing at the situation, Elior readied his stance shouting "Bring it on!".