The Herb King

Inside the illusion of the Samsara Rune, the old man, Leric, was inside his laboratory. He seemed to be immersed in his research and he didn't even notice that more than a few decades had passed by.

Suddenly, he saw a wisp of light floating in his laboratory. Seeing this, he raised his eyebrows in surprise. His laboratory was sealed and there shouldn't be any insects capable of entering inside.

"How did you come here, little guy?" The old man muttered as he reached out his hands towards the wisp of light. He was thinking that it was just a stray firefly, but when his fingertips touched the floating wisp of light, his body shuddered.

"Leric... Leric Lassiter... Aethelwolf Lassiter... King of the Barden Territory. Who am I?" The old man clutched his head as a huge stream of memories appeared in his mind.

He staggered and lost his footing, making him fall to the ground.

The old man was still in pain and he kept on writhing on the floor.

"Ahhh!"

A mysterious force abruptly calmed down his heart and a familiar yet unfamiliar power started gathering in his body, easing the pain he was feeling.

After an unknown period of time, the old man grabbed the table at the side and used it to prop himself up. He then walked towards the chair and leaned in exhaustion. "These memories..." He muttered with a blank look.

Everything he saw felt so vivid to him as if it was real.

While he was deep in his thoughts, the slumbering power in his Hegel started coursing through his body and slowly strengthened his muscles and joints. He was still unaware of the changes happening in his body.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

The old man retracted his thoughts as soon as he heard the ringing of the alarm clock. He checked the time and said. "It's time for lunch..."

He got up from his seat and stepped out of the laboratory. He walked through the long corridor and saw a reflection of himself on the clear glass wall. What he saw was no longer a decrepit old man, but a young man with sharp eyebrows and a prominent jawline. His facial features were filled with charm and he could be a top star if the standards of this world were used.

"This is... me?" He muttered in disbelief as he went closer to the glass wall.

It was the most handsome face he had ever seen!

After recovering from his shock, he retreated a few steps back. "Samsara Rune... I remember now! This is the illusion of the Samsara Rune! How powerful! It actually trapped me for a few decades!" He exclaimed in horror.

He suddenly recalled the wisp of light that entered his laboratory and he knew that it was the power of the being sealed inside the coffin. "I'm heavily indebted to her now. Without her help, I might have been trapped here for eternity..." Just the thought of it made his skin crawl.

He quickly stabilized his thoughts and started gathering the world essence in his body. He was now a Level 5 Esper and his power was already among the top in the Regalis Continent. Thick streams of energy covered his arms as he summoned a powerful sword wave that cleaved the illusion of the Samsara Rune.

Swoosh!

His field of vision distorted for a brief moment and when his eyes regained focus, he noticed that he was back in the secret chamber of the frozen castle.

He surveyed the surroundings and he heaved a sigh of relief after seeing that there was no abnormality. "I'm finally back!" He muttered in a hoarse voice.

"This must be the Necklace of Heaven..." He muttered as he stared at the necklace buried in the ground. It was emitting a brilliant golden light and he even felt his body slowly recovering under the baptism of this golden light. "It has the power of healing?" He grabbed the necklace in surprise and observed it carefully.

The Necklace of Heaven was shaped like a diamond and it has all sorts of unidentifiable gems with levels that he couldn't determine.

After admiring the necklace for almost ten minutes, he placed it inside his storage space.

"Leric, I'm relieved that you were able to escape the illusion of the Samsara Rune." A gentle voice suddenly drifted into his ears.

"Leric? Please call me Aethelwolf."

He heard a soft chuckle when he muttered those words.

Aethelwolf ignored the giggles of the Ancient Fairy and continued. "Miss Ancient Fairy, if it wasn't for your help, I wouldn't be able to escape the illusion. You have my gratitude. I promise that I will bring the Necklace of Heaven to your descendants and I will also aid them when the catastrophe arrives."

"I feel at ease with your words. Leave this place now. The portal of the Frigid Snow Dimension will soon appear. I have overused my power so I will be in deep slumber. I won't be able to help you again. Good luck, Aethelwolf..." The gentle voice soon faded.

Aethelwolf stared in the direction of the coffin before he exited the frozen castle. "Once I gain sufficient power, I will go back here and help you escape." He promised in a solemn voice.

Om!

Aethelwolf turned his head and stared at the portal that suddenly appeared behind him. Without hesitation, he jumped inside the portal.

***

The headquarters of the Mystic Island was shaking intensely.

At this moment, five hundred elite warriors were staring intently at the portal that suddenly appeared above the Snowy Pond.

Eliazar and three more Level 5 Espers stared at the portal with wary gazes. The four of them were the Holy Generals of the Mystic Island and they all came here as soon as they heard the commotion in the Snowy Pond.

Nocturna was also standing behind the four Holy Generals with a serious look on her face. She was a bit nervous since it was the first time that the portal was opened ahead of time.

Under everyone's solemn gazes, a figure emerged behind the portal.