Grand Ancestral Bloodlines

Ryu stayed there for a while. It was definitely one person, he could tell that. Although they had put quite some effort into making it seem like it was more than one, what they couldn't change was the essence of their attack, its very core. However, it seemed that they knew that some sharper individuals might be able to tell this, and had, as a result, morphed and changed what their aura was. Ryu didn't recognize it and he didn't feel like taking the time it would take to decipher it all.

It was true that he could, but why? These people had nothing to do with him, and whether this person would be a threat to him in the future... so what?

He already had too many enemies in here. He hadn't forgotten about Starlight, and there was still Jojo. He had also yet to come into true conflict with those geniuses of the Seventh Heaven, but it was really only a matter of time. The only reason he hadn't clashed with them yet was because there were so few hunting Golden Protector Spirits. By now, everyone had realized just how difficult it was to hunt above the Silver level, and many were still focused on Bronze.

At the same time, many were beginning to notice the benefits that Ryu had from the very beginning, they began to attempt to gather more and more, and this led to more conflicts as the number of spirits began to whittle down.

Just due to this alone, even if he had the mind to, was enough for Ryu not to care about this matter. As the number of spirits lessened, he could feel the walls of time closing in around him and very soon the beneficial round would come to an end.

The feeling of improving every day, every moment, even, was intoxicating and Ryu almost didn't want to move on at all. However, he exhaled with a smile. Why should this be the only place he could improve? He had a feeling that very soon he would come against plenty more enemies he could sharpen himself against.

With a step, Ryu vanished from the region of the fallen corpses, not thinking much of it at all. A long distance away, though, a encounter was taking place.

...

Adlael stood on a hill of green. This region was a field, but it was anything but flat. As far as the eyes could see, rounded hills of green with vibrant, tall grasses stood. It was a beautiful region, especially when you stood atop a hill and could catch its full glory in your eyeline.

On a hill across from him, another young man stood, just as handsome, just as gentle in expression, but wearing robes of black instead. They almost looked like mirror images of one another, but this was nothing more than an illusion. It was clear that they weren't related, nor were they similar.

Upon closer inspection, the truth became clearer. It wasn't their looks that mirrored one another, but rather their auras. They were a perfect match, but considering how far they stood apart, and the smile in their eyes, it was impossible to tell if they were the greatest of friends... or the greatest of enemies.

But what was more shocking than all of this was the dense pillars of gold around them both.

"You've made your move so early, Adlael, that's unlike you," the black robed man spoke.

"I don't know what you mean," Adlael replied with a similar smile. Though, it was clear to the both of them that they were both quite well aware. Adlael had killed those of his faction, and though he had hidden it well, the black robed man was well within his abilities to expose this truth. However, in typical fashion, as things usually went between the two of them, the thin layer of cordiality never vanished.

"Interesting card to play. Ignorance, is it? I would expect something more clever from you."

"Well, we can't all be genius Ruin Masters, now can we? My small little mind can't possibly compare to yours, I'm just barely holding on."

"Hoho, a man on the path of both alchemy and formations, and yet stands out as a genius in both, claims to have a small, little mind. I didn't think that you'd have also become a comedian since I last saw you. How fascinating."

"Ah, but it's exactly because of this that I'm no match for you," Adlael sighed. "I've been told since a very early age that my journey is foolish. How can one individual give their all to more than one path? I'm afraid that I am a comedian, but for very different reasons. I've made a fool of myself."

The two sighed at once. It was the kind of conversation that truly made an observer want to punch them both in the face. The feigned humility made them come off as more arrogant than it did humble, and it was hard to tell if they were aware of this or not.

"This much is still fine and acceptable," the black robed man finally spoke. "I can allow you this small victory, but I would hope that you remain cautious. There's been some very interesting changes, there's even a particular young man that I have my eye on."

"What a coincidence, I have my eye on one as well. He's quite interesting."

"Ah, I have a feeling I already know who you're speaking about. It's typical of you to be so concerned with someone you lost to. Like my parent always said, a true man should know when to let go, to instead learn from it, and grow from it."

Adlael chuckled. "Indeed, indeed. I have a feeling I know who you're speaking about as well. Considering your father's words, it would make sense that you

have an eye on him. After all, he lost quite handily to my target of interest."

"Very true, but I believe that he will shine from this instant onward."

"You speak of shining quite candidly as though you have no intentions of killing him when it suits you. That smile on your face is quite casual as well, is this also the candor your parent spoke of?"

"Of course, how could it not be. To greet everyday with a smile of confidence and radiance, that is the way of a true man. I might swing by your target of interest to see if he can do the same."