Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 2064: The Roof and Simple Pleasures (Part 2)

Adam and Silvana spent some more time on the roof before deciding to return to Relana’s atelier.

They discussed many topics and told each other everything that needed to be said.

For example, Adam now knew about Silvana and Gladius’s conversation, specifically, that Gladius knew Adam had seen him fighting dragons in the Primal Lands many years ago.

Also, they had both grown stronger.

Sure, only Silvana had gained a new ability and powers. Adam had reached his limit until he activated the Frenzied Flame and destroyed the Grand Barrier.

But he could make better use of the powers he already had, and the battle against Relana proved it. The Silver Weaver had the potential to grow even further, and while Adam had been confused before, he was now curious to see what his first power was capable of.

Crackle.

The door opened, and they saw Relana, Ron, and Gladius standing by the kitchen counter, discussing something.

Well, there was someone else there, too.

"Oh..."

Adam gasped as his gaze fell on Xyrea. She stood quietly to Gladius’s right, holding a cup of hot coffee.

Ever since their first meeting, Adam had felt that there was something strange about Xyrea. Then he learned she was a monster, and after that, he discovered she was actually a Monster Nexus.

’Huh, Aiden said monsters like this are called the Returned Monsters. If their estimates are correct, there are fewer than 20 of these monsters in the entire world, and that’s taking into account all the World Wipes that have happened, and one of them is standing right in front of me...’

Adam had seen Gladius fight and what form Xyrea took when she was in her Manifest Nexus form, but he understood that this wasn’t their true power.

He didn’t know what Gladius and Xyrea were actually capable of, either together or separately.

Ron turned around first, waving his hand.

"You’re back. We’d already decided you were going to make us wait all night."

Relana shook her head.

"No one thought that. We understand you had things to discuss. And, for the most part, we’ve completed our task."

Adam looked at his and Silvana’s outfits.

Relana was right. They’d come here to get outfits for the Radiant Branch. Everything else was part of Gladius’s plan.

"Come on, come on in. We’ve got lots of good stuff." Gladius waved his hand, pointing to the sweets on the table. "Xyrea was kind enough to run to the store while you were gone."

Adam looked at Xyrea.

"Thanks, I guess?"

She just nodded calmly.

"It wasn’t hard. Though, I have to say I’m glad you’re not reacting in any special way, considering that now you know who I really am."

Adam was confused.

Silvana had only talked about this with Gladius. Neither Relana nor Ron was here at the time.

Gladius placed his hand on his chest.

"I told Relana everything. She can sense when I’m hiding something interesting, so I didn’t have any other choice."

Relana scoffed.

"You were the one who started this conversation. Though, it’s a remarkable coincidence that the Grad Family’s Legacy Artifact showed you that particular memory."

Adam shrugged.

"Well... That was the reason the Spirit of Eternal Winter came into being. Considering that you’re the Third Knight of the World’s End, I’m sure the Legacy Artifact was also born at some point because of your actions."

The Legacy Artifacts occupied a unique position in the world’s balance of power.

Typically, the Legacy Artifacts weren’t powerful enough for the mightiest warriors to form a contract with them.

At the same time, it was precisely the strongest warriors who were most often the cause of such artifacts’ creation.

Over the hundreds of years Relana had lived and wielded her powers, it was obvious to everyone that she had fought in countless great battles whose outcomes had affected the entire world.

In response, Relana merely sighed.

"Yes, you’re probably right. As strange as it may sound, neither I nor the others in our squad have ever been interested in the Legacy Artifacts."

Adam narrowed his eyes.

"Because you’re too strong, right?"

Ron smirked.

"Indeed. Answer me, Adam: would you like to have a Legacy Artifact yourself?"

Without hesitation, Adam shook his head.

"I’m content with what I have. The Legacy Artifacts give you great power, sure, but they also impose obligations on you."

"So, even if they’re powerful, that’s not enough for you to give up your freedom, right?" Ron asked, but something in his voice suggested this wasn’t mere curiosity.

Still, Adam decided to answer. He had nothing to hide.

"Of course."

Ron smirked.

"What if a Legacy Artifact could help you destroy the Grand Barrier?"

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted as Silvana grew wary. She wasn’t sure why Ron was asking about this now.

’Do they know about some kind of Legacy Artifact? But... Even if that’s the case, I know what Adam’s answer will be.’

Adam shook his head.

"No. I don’t need it. I’ll get through the Grand Barrier with the powers I have right now. I need to activate the last anchor, and I’ll be ready to do it."

Ron turned to Relana and Gladius.

"Look at him. He’s confident he’ll do it, and for some reason, I believe him."

Gladius smiled as he raised his coffee cup as if in a toast.

"Because he’s one of the Present Stars. There are reasons why many believe he’ll become a Second Rank Phantom very soon."

Tap.

He set the cup down on the counter.

"Alright, enough with the questions. I was serious about the sweets. We should all take a break, after all, at Radiant Branch, we won’t be able to drink coffee as relaxed as we are right now."

Adam and Silvana exchanged glances before joining in.

...

Gladius hadn’t lied.

They simply drank coffee with sweets and chatted about trivial topics, just like regular people.

For Adam and Silvana, it was a relief. They were glad that even Phantoms of that level could enjoy something so simple.

Radiant Branch was approaching, and a few days later, Adam and Silvana met up to head to the First Wing. That was where Radiant Branch would take place.