Elemental Magnetic Star

Chapter 130 Lost in Thought

Aurum Aspire sat alone in the vast hall, losing track of time until he suddenly became aware of its passing.

Looking around the familiar surroundings, he found it odd how well-acquainted he had become with the Scholar's Pavilion's grand hall, despite not having served as Pavilion Master for many years. The loneliness and lingering afterimages felt as if they had accompanied him for a lifetime.

Dragons have their reverse scales? How fortunate for Flame Wave to have found someone he cherishes enough to protect through thick and thin.

And him? All he had was Jadelle.

Aurum Aspire leafed through the "Pavilion Master's Notebook" laid out before him, a book only the Pavilion Master could peruse and was responsible for recording significant events.

It was from this notebook he learned about the origins of the Elemental Magnetic Star, methods of genetic testing, the storage of memory sticks, and more. It also detailed the function of Illusory Splendor and even the cause of Jade Thistle's death.

How ironic that Flame Wave was still searching for a truth he would never uncover.

Of course, Aurum Aspire had no wish for him to discover the truth.

"Big brother, why are you always alone?" Jadelle entered, "It feels like you're the only one in the Scholar's Pavilion. Doesn't anyone else have work to do?"

"Yes, there's not much to do here. The four departments of gold, silver, copper, and iron operate on their own, naturally flowing unless there's an emergency that needs to be reported to the Scholar's Pavilion." Aurum Aspire discreetly put away the notebook—after all, it was written in special symbols that were indecipherable to anyone but the Pavilion Master.

"What about Lustrous Opal from Illusory Splendor? What was she doing here?" Jadelle asked curiously.

"Hm?" Aurum Aspire was caught off guard, pondering how to explain.

Jadelle immediately followed up, "You weren't with her, were you...?"

"Nonsense!" Aurum Aspire lightly scolded, "Don't you know me better than that?"

"Hehe, of course, I know." Jadelle playfully tugged at Aurum Aspire's sleeve, "I was just joking."

"Should we be joking about such matters?" Aurum Aspire affectionately tapped Jadelle's nose, pretending to be upset.

Jadelle leaned against Aurum Aspire, looking up at him, "What can and can't we do between us? I really don't know. Big brother, can you teach me?"

Aurum Aspire straightened Jadelle up, treating her like a little sister. "How old are you now, can't even stand properly? I watched you grow up, personally helped you enter the Scholar's Pavilion, and taught you everything you needed to know. Do we really need to ask what we can and cannot do? As long as it doesn't harm our relationship, you can do anything."

"Anything I want as long as it doesn't harm our relationship?" Jadelle sought confirmation, somewhat anxiously.

"Yes, whatever you wish for, I can do for you. Jadelle, any matter that doesn't harm our relationship is my promise to you," Aurum Aspire solemnly declared.

"Did he really say that?" Once again in the Azure and White Forest, Silver Tan held a bird in his hand, speaking to Jadelle with a tilted head.

"Did Lustrous Opal tell him something that made him say that all of a sudden?" Jadelle asked hesitantly.

"I should be able to sense if we were being monitored at Illusory Splendor," Silver Tan was also unsure, "But there could be exceptions."

"Exceptions?"

"Didn't I tell you? I suspect that woman with Silver Wolf, her every move is hard to detect."

"You mean Raina Grace?"

"That woman is unfathomable; I've never been able to see through her. What's most strange is that not only do Luminous Harmony and Bamboo Note have a favorable impression of her, but even the most nonchalant Silver Wolf seems to be conquered by her. I don't know when it started, but now they are inseparable. It's even harder for the birds to gather information about her." Although Silver Tan was not good at dealing with people, he excelled in communicating with birds.

"Inseparable, huh?" Jadelle recalled the few times she saw the two together, noticing Silver Wolf's obvious care and protection. It was clear he truly cared for that woman.

While Aurum Aspire might say he would do anything for her, his distant attitude always left her feeling something was missing. Now, with Silver Tan's reminder, she realized the stark difference between Aurum Aspire's behavior towards her and Silver Wolf's towards Raina Grace. "He never made any promises before, and now suddenly, after seeing Jinse and Silver Wolf, he says this. I always wonder..."

"Why are you suddenly so suspicious?" Silver Tan released the bird, clapping his hands, "We've always known Illusory Splendor is the eyes and ears of the Scholar's Pavilion. And our eyes and ears, no one would think of them, what are you afraid of?"

Setting aside her concerns about Aurum Aspire for the moment, Jadelle looked at the bird flying away in panic, "Did it bring back any useful information?"

"Aurum Aspire is also looking into that woman named Raina Grace. It seems he wants Silver Wolf to do something for him. But Silver Wolf is very sensitive; the birds can hardly get close to him. So, the specifics are hard to probe."

"Being a wizard, does Silver Wolf have some special method to deal with birds? How did he tame that White Falcon in the beginning?" Jadelle looked at Silver Tan, also a wizard, hoping he could solve her confusion.

"Silver Wolf is exceptionally talented. Even though I guided him when he first came to the Celestial Domain, I've long been surpassed by him. He's always been an independent person, acting unpredictably. Most importantly," Silver Tan sighed deeply, "Silver Wolf has long suspected that Jade Thistle's death is related to me. Recently, it seems he's found some evidence and is looking for an opportunity to confront me."

Silver Tan was one of the last to have contact with Jade Thistle before her death. It wasn't difficult for Silver Wolf to find clues, but he became convinced of Silver Tan's involvement after piecing together information from the Bamboo Family in the Sky Domain. With successive connections between Silver Tan and others who had unknown interactions with Jade Thistle, Silver Wolf naturally assumed they were hiding the truth about her death. He was just waiting for the right moment to confront.

Silver Tan had also been preparing for when Silver Wolf would make his move, hoping it wouldn't involve too many people.

This matter greatly concerned Jadelle, and she had discussed it with Silver Tan before, now resentfully saying, "Bamboo Note really does more harm than good! And Luminous Harmony, I've said before he would cause trouble, but you all protected him. What now?"

"Regardless, Luminous Harmony is also a recipient of the legacy, just like you. You've already pushed him to the brink once; although he was lucky to escape, he suffered a lifetime of severe injuries and almost died several times as a result. That's why Bamboo Note decided to retreat with him, planning to stay out of all affairs," Silver Tan, who had known Bamboo Note and especially Luminous Harmony for many years, was not without regret watching their outcomes.

Jadelle looked at him sideways, clicking her tongue, "Lord Silver Tan, you've really been a nobleman for too long, still harboring a heart of chivalry."

"And you? Having held a high position in the Celestial Domain for so long and being influenced by the Scholar's Pavilion, you've adopted a bit of arrogance. Moreover—" Silver Tan observed from the side, calmly pointing out, "Having been by Aurum Aspire's side for so many years, he, a person of high status, has always protected you. You need to understand, all he does, who is it for? Don't be so involved that you're unaware of it..."