Chapter 221: Down the Hatch

Eventually, Marquis Easten returned. Julius and Reinera were simply waiting and eating some snacks as they relaxed.

“I have discussed your request with some of the elders of my House. Your first request was quite easy to agree upon. You will both be provided with our best advancement chambers to use in order to facilitate your advancement. We will also be providing you each with a Tier 3 Advancement Potion. They are of such quality that neither of you will experience any negative side effects from consuming them. As long as the two of you are confident that your foundations are solid enough, there shouldn’t be any short or long-term issues,” Marquis Easten explained.

Reinera was the first to speak up. “We gratefully appreciate your generosity. However, what about our second request?”

Julius saw the man frown. “That is still up for debate. I am still trying to convince them to allow you two rift access. However, I can promise you that I will do my best to make the most compelling case.”

Reinera bit her lip like she wanted to say something, but gave a firm nod instead. “I understand, that is all we can really hope for, Marquis Easten,” she said politely.

“I told you already, please call me Casidus. My title is normally used for more formal settings”

Casidus then took out a pair of bottles from his storage ring and presented them to Julius and Reinera.

“This is the Advancement Potion. The rooms are ready whenever you two feel like it’s the right time. Just let me know and I will have you shown to the chambers.”

That was fast.

“We can do it immediately?” He asked Casidus.

“Of course. I suspected that both of you wanted to do it as soon as possible so I made sure to expedite the preparations,” Casidus explained.

That’s convenient. I wasn’t expecting it to happen so quickly, but I am not exactly complaining either. The sooner I can advance to Tier 3, the better.

He looked over at Reinera to see her reaction. He was honestly ready to do it this very second, but he wanted to see if she was also prepared.

He got a firm nod in return.

The Marquis saw both of their actions and gave a small smile. “Follow me then. I will show you where you two can advance.”

***

The Marquis took them down the large hallway and Julius took this time to just observe the mansion.

There was so much luxury within reach that it was a bit jarring. The walls were covered in immaculate art pieces. The paintings themselves almost felt alive, as there was mana gently pulsing from its canvas.

However, what caught his attention was a particular massive painting. It was probably around the size of a small movie theatre screen and it was one of the most fascinating things he had seen. Whereas the other painting felt alive, this one actually looked alive.

The scene depicted in the painting was a simple view of the plains they had seen when traveling to Blumand. However, where it was different was that the image actually moved. The tall grass gently swayed across the canvas, the sun dancing just over the horizon glistening and the birds in the sky flapping their wings.

The Marquis stopped when he noticed Julius’s attention. “My mother made that,” he said proudly. “She was a talented fighter but an even more brilliant artist. She had a way of infusing her mana and Concepts into her work in a way I haven’t seen many others do.”

It was only then that Julius realized what else was so different. Beneath the layers of paint and mana, there were profound Concepts almost peeking their heads behind the tall grass. He tried to get a sense of what they were and found himself completely lost within its scenery.

For some reason, something pulled him in, like a whirlpool that had him totally enraptured. It was only when he felt Reinera give him a soft poke did he realized that he had spaced out.

He blinked several times to get his bearings again, but he couldn’t help but notice the intense look Casidus had given him.

***

When they arrived at the chambers, Julius was surprised.

It wasn’t like he had been imagining at all. In his mind, he had been prepared for a bare cellar or underground ritual chamber like the one he had been to for his affinity ritual all that time ago.

Instead, what he saw was pretty much a normal bedroom that was covered from wall to floor with enchantments. The bedroom was of course much larger than any normal bedroom, but there was even furniture placed in the room. It looked like it was built for comfort.

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“Not what I was expecting,” he commented.

“What were you expecting? Some dark dungeon with only cold rock to keep you company?” Reinera asked, joking with him.

However, when he didn’t laugh and looked at her while scratching his head she opened her mouth in disbelief. Her poised demeanor crumbled away just a bit. “You did! You really thought that’s what we were going to experience.”

The Marquis who had been about to leave after explaining the basics of the chambers to them stopped and gave Julius a disgruntled look. He just shook his head and said to them, “Remember, if you need anything, just press the white glowing button and someone will come and assist you.”

Julius and Reinera both thanked the man and watched as he left to go do some important Patriarch stuff.

He gave Reinera a questioning glance. “How long do you think you will need to advance to Tier 3?”