Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1630: Sky Beneath the Ground

As always, Riska handled all the chores and was an excellent cook. Her green eyes retained their caring sparkle, and her long, brown hair now fell in waves over her shoulders.

Her height and slightly visible muscles were a reminder of her past, of the fact that she had once been a Phantom, but had decided to choose a different role for herself.

In fact, at that moment, Adam wasn’t thinking about any of that. All he saw before him was apple pie, freshly squeezed juice straight from farm-fresh fruits, and cookies for a snack.

”Did you make it here without any trouble?”

Riska asked, placing the apple pie in the middle of the table.

”This place is very far away, especially from the First Ring. You had a long drive.” She took off her oven mitts and picked up a large knife from the table.

It’s unclear whether it was intentional or not, but she leaned right over Tron, her hair falling in front of his calm face.

”Which slice do you want?”

Tron just shrugged.

”Cut the pie into four pieces. Though I’m sure that won’t be enough for this little monster.” He looked at Adam.

Adam scratched his cheek.

”Hey, if the food’s good, I’m ready to eat as much as I can. Is that a crime?”

Silvana took a sip of juice, waiting for her turn.

Her face twisted for a moment, but then a satisfied smile appeared. It was fresh, quite tart, but with a pleasant sweetness that filled the taste afterward.

”You know why we came here, don’t you?” she asked.

Tron nodded.

”Of course. This isn’t the first time I’ve helped you get stronger.” He turned to Adam. ”I heard you bought yourself a real mansion at the top of one of the towers. If you’re that rich, maybe I should charge you for our training sessions?”

Adam’s eyes widened in indignation:

”Hey! That wasn’t just my idea. Besides, you’re already at the border of the K4-Level! You’re richer and stronger than me!”

Tron smiled bitterly.

”Yeah, for now. Considering how fast you’re progressing, by the time we meet next, you’ll already be stronger than me.”

Adam’s face grew serious.

”Hmm? Shouldn’t I be in your place by the time we meet next, and you have reached the Second Circle? Do you think you won’t be able to become a Second Rank Phantom?”

Riska froze in place, staring intently at Tron. His answer was important—for both of them.

”Like every Phantom who wants to reach the top, I’ll do whatever it takes. But, having reached this level, only now have I truly realized how many Phantoms just like me there are in this world.”

His amethyst eyes grew deeper as a shadow fell across his face.

”Some of them are bound to take a step forward and become stronger, but that’s only a small fraction. ”I’m a realist, Adam. I understand that not everyone can be a millionaire, handsome, or possess the power of a Second Rank Phantom. But we can certainly keep trying until we succeed in achieving our goals.”

”I see.” Adam nodded deeply. ”In that case, I hope that one day, we’ll both reach the Second Circle.”

Strangely enough, Tron grinned.

He looked at Riska.

”That sounds just great. We need something more serious than juice. Bring some wine.”

Riska smiled gently.

”Sure.”

...

The juice, wine, and especially the pie were delicious, but Adam and Silvana hadn’t come here for that.

”So, what about our training?” Adam asked. ”When Silvana told me about this, I thought we’d go to the Dead Lands. Even if it’s a farm with vast fields, it’s still the Citadel. Isn’t it too dangerous here?”

Tron shook his head.

”Don’t worry about that. You’ll soon understand why you came here. In fact, the training won’t take place on the farm, but at another, more suitable location.”

”Hmm?”

Tron stood up and headed for the exit.

”Come on, follow me. It’s time for you to see the Sky Cubes.”

Adam and Silvana exchanged glances.

”Sky Cubes?”

As soon as they stepped out of the house, they immediately looked up. They thought they might see some islands or structures hovering above them, just like with Heaven Island, where Queen Elisa was located.

But no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t see anything. Given their level, that was hardly possible.

That could only mean one thing...

Tap.

Riska tapped Adam on the shoulder.

”Guys, you’re looking in the wrong direction. Despite the name, the Sky Cubes aren’t in the sky.”

”Huh? Then why give it that name?” Adam tilted his head.

She shrugged.

”Who knows? I didn’t come up with it.”

Step. Step. Step.

Moving away from the farm toward the forest, they stopped at a small, unassuming barn standing next to an old, mighty oak tree.

A lone stone path led to this barn, and there was only a single lantern to provide light at night.

Tron pulled out an iron key as they entered the barn.

Click!

The door closed behind them as Adam’s eyes widened.

On the left side, there was nothing unusual—just the tools and equipment of any farmer — but on the right was a high-tech control panel and an elevator leading deep underground.

”We’re going here.” Tron pointed to the elevator.

Silvana looked around.

”Was this place built separately from the farm?”

He nodded.

”This isn’t the only Sky Cube. They’re scattered throughout the Second Ring and essentially serve as training grounds for high-level Phantoms. Well, you’ll see everything soon.”

Tap.

Tron placed his palm on the panel as the elevator began to move, descending deep underground. It felt as though they were traveling from the top of a skyscraper all the way down to the very first floor.

The elevator doors opened as they walked forward along the dark corridor.

”What the...?”

Adam’s jaw was about to hit the floor when light flooded their faces. It wasn’t the light from a lamp, but sunlight — at least, that’s how it seemed to him.

Even though they were underground, they could see a blue sky and clouds floating above them. The air here was as clear and crisp as it would be at high altitude.

Still, below the surface was covered with grass, rocks, and forest.

Tron put his hands on his hips.

”Welcome to the Sky Cube No. 3.”