Discordant Note: Crescendo | TBATE

Chapter 175: An Arm Toward the Future

Toren Daen

I stepped into the Town Zone, expecting the usual empty street stretching out before me.

Instead, I nearly tripped over a mess of wires that was as thick around as my arms. I cursed internally as I gingerly wove around the wires–which glowed electric blue–and inspected my surroundings.

These past couple of weeks, I'd been training meticulously with Seris. But I'd also been regularly going on ascents, cataloging zones for Sevren and adding to his library of mapped pocket dimensions. And every time I returned to the Town Zone, it had been a little more chaotic.

But wires right in front of the portal? Come on. I felt my sense for cleanliness scrape against my bones at the blatant disorder.

Those wires led from Sevren's mana-gathering setup all the way to one of the houses, the lines snaking in the front door. I felt my brow raise as I looked at the brief collage of mad science within. "Stars above, Sevren," I muttered. "You could stand to make this a bit neater."

"I've been trying to tell him that for weeks," a suffering voice said from the side. "But he somehow manages to keep adding stuff here. And even though I'm the one going on ascents with him, I still can't figure out where he gets all of it."

I felt a smile split my face as I turned to Caera. The navy-haired noble turned her nose up in distaste at the mess of wires on the ground, clearly annoyed as she also had to maneuver around the mana cables. "But my brother's been expecting you. And his secret project is ready."

I walked toward Caera, making sure not to kick the live wire near my feet. "This wouldn't happen to be the secret project that he's been hinting at for weeks, but neither he nor you will tell me a single bit about?"

Caera smiled impishly. "Well, it might just be that secret project," she said, a hint of mystery in her voice. "You'll have to see for yourself."

I grunted in amusement as I followed Caera into the house, quietly wondering what I would find inside. The inside of the house–this one leaning towards Alacryan in origin–was littered with various machines, humming artifacts, and tools that I had no idea as to their purpose.

Caera stopped in front of a door, a deep, bloody light emanating from beneath the frame. When she turned to look at me, there was an uncertain cast to her face. "Hey, Toren," she said, "I, uh... wanted to thank you. For all you've done for my brother and me. I don't know if I would've been able to go on ascents with him and grow so much stronger without your help. It's changed my life, and I don't know when next I'll be able to express that gratefulness."

I nodded. "I'm glad I made a difference," I said honestly. "But you're not done yet. I'm not sure how many zones there are in the Relictombs, but you'll hate it eventually," I added with a wry smirk. "Try not to strangle Sevren when I'm gone."

Caera huffed, holding out her fist. "No promises, Spellsong," she said in a mocking tone. "Try not to let Scythe Seris break you in her training regimens. I'll pray to whatever gods are out there that you'll manage your saber forms properly."

I shuddered slightly as I bumped my fist against Caera's. Seris was not lenient in her training. "Also no promises," I replied, before stepping into the room.

Sevren stood near a bed, a pair of goggles over his head as he tinkered with something on a long table. His white hair was matted with sweat, casting it in a more silver shade. I saw how sweat soaked his clothes, evidence of long work.

As the door shut behind me, Sevren looked up, his shadowed teal eyes finding my own. He pulled his goggles up from his face, exhaling an exhausted breath.