Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1703: Late Dinner and a Right Partner

Clasp!

The oven door swung open, unleashing a surge of heat. Xyrea moved aside, her movements mirroring an ordinary person as she used oven mitts to retrieve the baking sheet. Amidst the perfectly roasted vegetables, a succulent turkey rested at its heart. Silvana, positioned to the left, was busy with sauce preparation and crafting a vibrant, fresh salad. Though the Citadel was deep in the night, their hunger gnawed at them, amplified by hours spent immersed in board games. Whose brilliant notion was that, anyway? Tap.

One lime wedge after another dropped into a tall glass. Gladius, with meticulous care, was concocting several distinct cocktails for the trio.

"Agh...?" Silvana’s eyes widened drastically, her body freezing mid-action, the knife halting its progress on the cucumber. Xyrea, perceiving her friend's sudden, peculiar reaction, inquired, "Did something happen?"

"Hmm?" Gladius swiveled his head, a slice of orange paused midway to his mouth. A brief interval later, Silvana's expression softened into a smile as she placed a hand over her chest. "Yes. I’m not entirely certain of the specifics, but I sensed it—transformations have occurred within Adam’s internal world. He..." Silvana paused, searching for the right words to articulate her perception. "It appears he aspired to greater strength. He took a step forward, yet it proved insufficient..."

Her smile abruptly vanished as she turned her gaze to Gladius, concern clouding her features. "What could this possibly signify? Did he falter?" For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Silvana lacked full insight into Adam's current state. Usually, she maintained a constant awareness of his whereabouts, his feelings, and the trials he faced. But this was different. He was too distant, and the nature of the Hollow Lands created a barrier, severing their connection. To Silvana’s relief, Gladius offered a reassuring shake of his head. "Nah, he's alright. I'd even wager he's on the cusp of triumph."

Hop! He tossed a lime wedge, catching it with his mouth. A grimace contorted his face from the potent sourness, but he followed it with a nod of satisfaction. "Damn, now that's what I call a lime. What a fantastic purchase. Hah, eating a few slices is tougher than dueling some Lord!" As peculiar as it sounded, considering Gladius’s eccentricities, those words might indeed hold a degree of truth.

Silvana inhaled sharply. "Ah? He's heading towards victory? What does that imply?" Gladius chuckled, leaning casually against the kitchen island. "Precisely as I stated. Most likely, he hasn't fully assimilated Queen Elisa's blood yet, but the process has commenced. You understand we cannot directly harness power from resources in the same way monsters do, but the dynamics shift when a resource becomes a prerequisite for the Evolution Tree or a Path Construct."

"So..." Silvana lowered her gaze. "He attempted an action meant to facilitate the absorption of her blood, but he was unable to complete it in one attempt?" Gladius performed a nonchalant shrug. "Yeah, as I mentioned, that's a positive indicator. I have no doubt Adam will return home shortly, and you two will reunite. His timeframe is constricted. The blood I provided him possesses immense potency, but circumstances accelerate when urgency dictates."

Silvana’s eyes narrowed. She yearned to ascertain Adam's location, yet Xyrea and Gladius feigned ignorance, despite clear indications to the contrary. They provided answers to all her other inquiries, but that single question remained unaddressed. "Gha. I can only hope he is safe."

Step. Xyrea positioned herself directly before Silvana. Her imposing height was undeniable, and her gaze remained as sharp and unyielding as ever, despite their shared hours together. "Do you harbor doubts about him?" "No, I am..." "You should not." Xyrea leaned forward, casting a significant shadow that enveloped Silvana. "Adam is a gifted Phantom, and you, as his Operator, must strive to match his caliber. Strength is the sole option if you intend to be a partner to another formidable entity. This principle applies equally to humans and monsters."

Xyrea’s sheer presence was evidently intimidating to Silvana, yet she summoned the resolve to respond: "I comprehend that, but what about yourself?" Silvana gestured towards Gladius. "Are you asserting that you possess the same level of power as he does? To claim such would be a blatant falsehood, wouldn't it?" Xyrea’s eyelids flickered briefly before she gave a single nod. "Naturally, no. It is an impossibility for any Operator to wield the identical power of their Phantom. However, that is not a requisite, especially since you are not adversaries. My focus is not on physical might, but on the strength of your intellect."

She straightened, fixing Silvana with a final, piercing look. "Every instance you question the capability of your Phantom, you are, in effect, insulting both him and yourself, for it was Adam who chose you, not the other way around." Silvana swallowed hard. She found herself utterly speechless, for Xyrea’s words struck home with irrefutable accuracy, which was the most galling aspect.

The monster, whom Gladius had essentially coerced into becoming his Operator, grasped the intricate dynamics of the Phantom-Operator bond far more profoundly than she, a human, did. She could react with anger, but it would ultimately prove futile.

’Agh...’ Silvana let out a quiet sigh internally as she regained her senses. ’I understand now. So, this is a trial for me? I have no clue about Adam’s current location, but I know he’s still battling on. My sole responsibility is to place my faith in him. This task is hardly challenging, especially when contrasted with the ordeals he is enduring.’

*Tap.*

Xyrea gently placed the tray laden with turkey onto the table, the steam still visibly ascending from the cooked vegetables.

"Regardless, we should commence eating before the meal loses its warmth."

Gladius retrieved two glasses, each already filled with a pre-mixed cocktail.

"An excellent notion! The night has merely commenced! I have a strong premonition that its conclusion will be as abrupt and unforeseen as its unfolding!"

A recollection surfaced in Silvana’s mind: the unforeseen arrival of Gladius and Xyrea, marking the genesis of their current predicament, while Adam tirelessly fought to attain greater strength and secure his return home.

"I comprehend. While I am unable to provide assistance at this precise moment, Adam, rest assured that when the opportunity arises, I will spare no effort!"

Silvana then proceeded to gather the salad and an assortment of sauces, making her way to the table and taking a seat opposite Xyrea, her countenance exuding an air of unwavering confidence.

Gladius, observing the interaction from a slight distance, offered a subtle, knowing smile.

’Well done, Xyrea. My confidence in that young rascal is absolute, yet she presented a potential snag. However...’ His gaze shifted towards Silvana. ’It appears Adam’s judgment in selecting his companion was impeccable.’