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When Xin Zhao saw the two women disappear, he said nothing.
Instead, he turned his head to address the other group:
"Guests from Zaun, the soldiers will serve as your guides. The Commander will meet Mr. Viktor and Ezreal in the Council Chamber."
After finishing, he stretched out his scarred and calloused palm and made a polite gesture, inviting them toward the center of the Immortal Bastion.
Ryan was the master who had freed him. From the moment Xin Zhao pledged loyalty, the other man became his eternal general.
And Swain—Swain was his supreme commander in the years that followed.
Xin Zhao admired his cunning strategies and referred to him respectfully as "the commander."
"Commander Swain... His name is well-known even in Zaun," Viktor said, nodding slightly.
After giving Ekko a few instructions, he began walking forward.
"Ekko... I'm heading there," Jinx said, her voice uncharacteristically subdued.
She pointed to the tall arched building to the east—the Noxian arena Xin Zhao had just described.
Though uninvited to the arena, Xin Zhao had arranged for two guards to guide them to their accommodations before departing.
Remembering the concern in Ezreal's furrowed brows before he left, Ekko frowned.
After a moment of thought, he spoke:
"I'll go with you. Brother," he addressed one of the guards, "can you lead the way for us? We want to test our skills in the arena."
"You'll love Noxus," the guard replied with a grin.
Unlike the casual demeanor he'd shown earlier, the guard now regarded the pair with a newfound respect.
In Noxus, anyone bold enough to challenge others was worthy of honor. With that, he led them toward the arena.
Meanwhile, in the floating city, Orianna and Seraphine arrived at the Mage Tower.
Standing before the vast library, Seraphine's jaw dropped slightly at the sight.
Rows upon rows of bookshelves stretched endlessly, containing at least tens of thousands of tomes.
The thought of reading even a fraction of them overwhelmed her.
"Are you Seraphine?"
A soft, melodic voice pulled her from her reverie. Turning toward the source, Seraphine saw a graceful woman seated at a desk, her silver hair cascading like a waterfall.
The woman held an ancient book titled "Icathia No More."
Seraphine blinked.
'Icathia? I've heard of that place.'
Strangely, if not for the woman's voice, Seraphine wouldn't have noticed her presence at all.
There was no soul song emanating from her, nothing to indicate she was even there.
The woman's aura was as overwhelming as that of her teacher.
Could it be...? A bold thought surfaced in Seraphine's mind.
"Hello, my name is Seraphine," she said, bowing respectfully.
"I love music and dancing to the soul's song. May I know your name?"
The silver-haired woman regarded her with an amused smile.
"Your soul talent is remarkable, and your magic potential... intriguing. You may call me Ms. Syndra."
With a slight flick of her slender index finger, Syndra summoned a book from the shelves, which floated gracefully into Seraphine's hands.
"Ms. Syndra, this is...?" Seraphine asked hesitantly.
She could hear faint soul whispers from the book, making her expression falter.
Her teacher had warned her about the peculiar nature of many books within the Immortal Bastion—some were alive, infused with souls.
The corners of Syndra's lips curved into a faint, amused smile.
"I will take over your training from today onward," she said.
"Your teacher is occupied with other matters. He mentioned that your potential is second only to mine, so I have high expectations."
Second only to Syndra? Seraphine's heart sank.
That's got to be my teacher trying to sugarcoat things.
If Syndra was the blazing sun, then Seraphine was barely the faint glow of a firefly.
She forced a polite smile despite the turmoil in her thoughts, nodding with exaggerated obedience.
"I understand," she said sweetly, even though her mind was already reeling.
Seraphine knew who Ms. Syndra was. Her teacher had spoken of her many times—the most talented and feared mage in Noxian history.
And now... Seraphine thought I'm stuck training under her. What a complicated relationship they must have.
She sighed inwardly.
'Poor Seraphine. Time to work hard again...'
"Every morning will be dedicated to reading," Syndra said, her voice calm yet commanding.
"In the afternoons, someone will take you to every corner of the Immortal Bastion to listen to the voices of their souls. Here, you'll witness the diverse cultures of Runeterra. You'll see Demacians and Shurimans drinking together, Vastaya Xari sparring with Freljordian Iceborn. Listen to their souls, and you will gain deeper understanding."
Hearing Syndra's soft but authoritative words, Seraphine straightened up and nodded firmly.
As long as I'm not locked in my room studying all day, I'll take any arrangement, she thought.
Besides, the prospect of afternoon activities excited her—it gave her something to look forward to.
Once Syndra had given her instructions, Seraphine obediently sat at a small table in the corner, flipping absentmindedly through Mysteries of the Soul. With the Immortal Bastion still under martial law due to recent tensions, her days had been mostly confined to reading and preparation.
Meanwhile, Syndra's attention shifted to Orianna. Her piercing, amethyst eyes seemed to pierce through Orianna's mechanical form, settling on the physical rune embedded in her core.
"Miss Orianna," Syndra said, her tone both analytical and admiring, "precise judgment, perfect timing—you are an ideal match for that rune."
"Thank you for your kind words," Orianna responded with her usual grace.
Her metallic face softened into a warm smile as she bowed slightly in gratitude.
"Mechanical ascension is an uncharted path," Syndra continued, her tone intrigued.
"However, there have been many studies within the Immortal Bastion on forging bodies of steel to host the soul."
With a slight gesture of Syndra's hand, a bookshelf descended from above, its contents meticulously organized.
"This is the research we've accumulated. Perhaps it will be of use to you," she said.
Titles such as The Casting of Soul Armor, Techniques for Integrating Souls into Steel, and The Most Suitable Metal for Carrying a Soul stood out among the collection.
Orianna glanced at the books, her gears humming softly as her mechanical heart trembled with anticipation.
Turning back to Syndra, she bowed deeply, extending her gratitude to both her and Ryan, whom Syndra represented.
"This is invaluable to my research," Orianna said sincerely.
"You and Viktor might create an unprecedented path," Syndra remarked.
"Both Ryan and I believe so."
Her gaze then returned to the book she had been reading. Whether it was Seraphine's soul magic or Orianna's mechanical ascension, Syndra found both fascinating.
These were talents and paths that had never been seen before in Runeterra.
No longer relying solely on her innate abilities, Syndra had become a mage devoted to knowledge.
Like Ryan, she was driven by unyielding curiosity. The potential futures of both Seraphine and Orianna intrigued her deeply.
She was eager to see if they could reach the heights she and Ryan envisioned.
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Meanwhile, at the White Rock Square of the Immortal Bastion…
Ezreal followed Viktor, his face lit with excitement, his thoughts racing about the future.
'I'm being received by Noxian bigwigs!'
he thought with giddy pride. Even that rude Ekko didn't get this treatment.
He was certain that his daring expeditions had reached Noxus' ears.
Surely, this invitation was to honor him, celebrate his achievements and spread his fame even further.
Soon, all of Runeterra will know my name—Ezreal, the legendary explorer and leader of the Explorers' Guild. The thought of it thrilled him.
Walking across the solemn square, its white stone tiles gleaming under the sunlight, Ezreal adjusted his clothes and fussed with his blond hair for what felt like the fourth time that day.
He and Viktor followed Xin Zhao, ascending a grand staircase step by step until they finally reached an imposing gate.
The massive doors exuded dignity and power, engraved with intricate patterns on a jet-black background.
The imagery of a book, a crow, and a battle axe intertwined seamlessly, forming a design rich with symbolism.
Ezreal paused for a moment, smoothing his hair one last time before Xin Zhao pushed open the heavy doors.
The interior of the Noxian Chamber of Parliament came into view, its atmosphere steeped in authority and grandeur.