Sovereign of the Ashes

This underground passage was dark and deep.

When Sein and Seven initially entered, the passage led downward. However, after a few turns, it started ascending with no discernible end in sight.

Without Seven, a flying magic beast, navigating the passage would have proven exceptionally challenging for an initiate like Sein.

Fortunately, the passage was about two meters wide, providing just enough space for Seven to fly through it.

Its superior night vision allowed him to skillfully avoid any obstacles, including the uneven rocks.

All Sein had to do was cling to the feathers on Seven’s neck area in the darkness

After almost half an hour of venturing into this underground passage, they encountered an intersection, offering two diverging paths.

“Which way do we go?” Seven asked.

In response to Seven’s inquiry, Sein decisively pointed to the right and said, “We’re heading this way.”

Seven hooted and flew in the direction Sein had indicated.

The passageway became noticeably warmer and stuffier than their initial entry. Sein could already smell the sulfurous odor from the molten magma.

Nevertheless, Sein and Seven had been ascending for half an hour in the passageway. Even though the possibility of magma chasing them loomed, it would take some time before it caught up to them.

Despite the stifling atmosphere, Sein and the injured owl pressed on, motivated to escape the molten magma, arrive at a safe area and reunite with those Sein cared about.

After a very long silence and seemingly never-ending passage, they finally saw an exit.

Seven flew faster, carrying Sein out of the passage.

They then found themselves in an unfamiliar and dark underground space.

It was a vast expanse, though not comparable to the surrounding area of Mystralora City. Sein estimated the height of this underground space to be between twenty to thirty meters.

Amidst the darkness in the distance, he observed several caves and narrow passageways.

However, he was uncertain about which path was the right way to go.

Seven had crashed and collapsed upon exiting the underground passage.

As a result, Sein fell from its back, sustaining a bloody cut on his cheek from the sharp stones on the ground.

Seven’s beak was slightly opened as it gasped for air and asked in a low voice, “Where do we go next?”

Ignoring the aching pain on his cheek and body, Sein looked at the black key in his hand once again.

This time, he shook his head in defeat and said, “I don’t know what’s going on, but since two hours ago, I’ve lost my mentor’s signal.”

“Although I’m not sure of our current situation, I think we are safe for now. Why don’t we take a break first?” Sein suggested.

Seven nodded and closed its yellow eyes.

***

Three days had passed since Sein and Seven came out from the underground passage.

During this time, both Sein and Seven saw improvements in their overall condition.

Sein tended to his external wounds with a basic potion and replenished his focus and mana levels through meditation.

Seven, on the other hand, had consumed a bit more of the Grade Two energy crystal Sein had given to it.

Due to the immense energy contained in a Grade Two energy crystal, Seven’s consumption was modest compared to three days ago.

While magic beasts benefitted from consuming energy crystals, excessive consumption could lead to drawbacks, even risking self-explosion.

“Besides energy crystals and potions, what else can speed up your recovery?” Sein asked Seven under the gentle glow of their campfire.

Sein thought that magic beasts possessed recovery techniques akin to a mage’s meditations, but it seemed like that was not the case.

Seven looked at him and replied, “Meat should be able to accelerate my recovery.”

Meat...

For the past few days, Sein had not encountered any living creature in the area, let alone magic beasts.

The environment here differed significantly from Mystralora City. Sein had only managed to find some edible underground mosses.

Mushrooms remained their primary food source for the past three days...

While stirring a pot of mushroom soup over the campfire, Sein suddenly remembered something.

Under Seven’s intrigued gaze, he took out a giant white egg that was about half a meter in diameter from his space ring.

It was one of his harvests from the Sand World—the egg of a giant sandworm.

Apart from this giant white egg, Sein also had quite a number of smaller sandworm eggs in his possession.

Sein looked at Seven and explained, “Sandworms are acidic, I can only eat their dried skin. I think this giant egg has also inherited the acidic property of the sandworms. I can’t eat it, but for a magic beast like you...”

Seven gulped audibly and said, “I’ll give it a try...”

***

One month later...

Sein and Seven walked side by side, navigating through the dark and unfamiliar underground space.

Seven’s recent recovery showed significant progress, with most surface injuries now scabbed over.

However, the more severe heart injury required extended healing, including specialized treatment and prolonged recuperation.

Sein also showed positive developments. The latest data from his crystal ball was as followed:

Focus: 53 points

Mana: 50 points

Constitution: 17 points

In comparison to Sein’s condition upon returning from the Sand World, both his focus and constitution had increased by one or two points.

Sein speculated that either the previous increases were not his limit values, leaving room for improvement, or the dangers and hardships he experienced had stimulated the development of his physical potential.

Regardless of the reason, the rise in focus and constitution was a promising sign.

If he could maintain this momentum, Sein anticipated becoming a Quasi Mage before the age of forty.

Such progress would have ranked him at the top of the Black Magic Academy in the past.

“Are you sure the direction we’re moving in right now is the right one?” Seven inquired.

Sein nodded and said, “A week ago, I received sporadic signals transmitted by my mentor. I don’t know why the signals were interrupted again, but this is the right direction.”