Aethernea : Soulbound [Book 1]

Episode 96 - Replica Dungeon

Previously:

The day of the practical exams is finally here. Most of the examinees have failed the first part of the exam, and only those few that passed are allowed to participate in the practical exams. Kiel and Elaru enter Muni and after waiting for Kiel's time of the exam, Kiel finally enters the 4th floor of Replica Dungeon to take the exam. The room he entered into is dark and filled with egg shaped chairs. There, Kiel notices an elibu female.

***

What stood in front of him was the most beautiful elibu female he had ever seen.

She wore an elegant sleeveless white dress that revealed her perfect curves in a modest manner. and made her skin look even paler. Her hair was as white as snow, looking like it was made from strands of silver. It was styled up into a sophisticated hairstyle that looked classy enough to be worn on a ball, yet simple enough to be worn to work.

Her skin was flawless and near translucent, giving her an appearance of a surreal entity. Intricate elibu markings decorating her left arm looked blacker than the deepest of night when compared to the rest of her completely white visage.

She had no wrinkles or blemishes on her face. Therefore, she had to be young, but Kiel found himself unable to tell her age. Her face was both soft like that of a child and sharp like the face of an adult. She had both the air of eternal youth and aged maturity.

Her timeless face was exquisite, almost perfect, the only thing ruining the perfection was her complete lack of emotion. She looked as empty as a porcelain doll, leaving one feeling uncomfortable.

Yet, what caused Kiel's pupils to shrink in shock was neither her beauty nor his inability to feel her presence.

No.

What caused his heart to still were her eyes.

Her eyes were breathtaking, but that wasn't what shocked him. He felt as if those eyes could see right through him, as if everything was laid bare in front of those eyes, yet that wasn't the reason behind his shock either.

No, what shocked him was that they were glowing in a way that was very familiar to Kiel. They were animated, filled with golden, pink and blue lights looking as if they weren't eyes but the night sky.

Aethernea of Sight?!

Kiel barely managed to stop himself from recoiling in shock.

Who is this person?! This was Kiel's first time running into someone with an Aethernea who wasn't Elaru. And it was even the same Aethernea Elaru possessed!

Judging by the pure white hair of this female, she was certainly an Arite – Arites were the only ones in the entire land of Halnea who possessed a pure white hair color.

However, that didn't make sense. Arites were noble and far above the mundane world. All their children were princes and princesses in the eyes of all Halneans. How could they send one of their own to serve as a host for examinees?

Even if this female was punished for something she did, surely her punishment wouldn't come in the form of servitude?

"Welcome to the practical exam number 4." The female's ethereal voice brought Kiel out of his stupor. That voice was just as timeless and beautiful as her face. And just as her face, it too had only a single flaw – complete and utter lack of any emotion.

"Apologies for my lack of courtesy." Kiel smiled apologetically and slightly bowed his head. "I am Kiel Rroda, the examinee number 5642."

Kiel pulled out his exam pass and offered it to the female, however, to say that she showed zero interest in his exam pass would be an understatement. She didn't even spare it a single glance.