Turning Chapter 1056

Bright light illuminated the underground chamber they had descended into. It wasn't natural sunlight, but rather the glow emanating from lamps. Through a gap in the research room door, emitting a crimson hue, Yuder caught sight of Inon's back. He was seated, facing the tree Yuder had been near before waking up.

Perhaps it was the way his back seemed slumped, but the words Yuder had intended to call out with caught in his throat and receded.

However, Yuder didn't need to initiate the conversation. Inon, sensing a presence, turned his head and glanced his way. His eyes subtly narrowed as he recognized Yuder.

"You seemed to be asleep. Why come down here instead of sleeping more?"

"Even though I followed you, I didn't come just to relax like a welcome guest."

"You could just say you were worried, you jerk. What kind of way is that to speak?"

Inon clicked his tongue. Yet, his gaze now held its usual spark, a stark contrast to the object-like stare from moments before.

"If you're coming in, then come in."

He lazily waved his hand. Yuder stepped into the research room. The scene inside was largely unchanged from earlier. The only new addition was the bag of lemons Kishiar had given Inon, now resting on his lap.

It appeared he had been eating them until just now. Inon held a half-eaten lemon. Perhaps sensing Yuder's gaze on it, Inon spoke.

"I've eaten them all. This is the last one. Don't expect me to share."

"I wasn't even asking for one."

A snorting sound, like a dismissive breeze, came from Inon's direction. Yuder pulled over a nearby chair and sat down. They remained in silence for a considerable time. Still playing with the lemon in his hand and gazing at the hollow within the tree, Inon suddenly began speaking without preamble.

"Do you know what Luma's name means? It means 'lemon.'"

"No. This is the first time I've heard that."

"Technically, it's how they used to say lemon in the old dialect of Luma's hometown. Lemon. Luma. They sound somewhat similar, don't they?"

Now that Inon mentioned it, the pronunciation did bear a resemblance.

"She got that name because she was discovered as an infant beneath a lemon tree. She had been abandoned there, and kind individuals found and raised her. But that hometown was completely obliterated during the Great Destruction. Luma chose the lemon flower as her symbol to ensure she never forgot that place. The flower itself wasn't particularly distinctive... people only came to recognize it because Luma adopted it."

Yuder recalled the time they found Grand Mage Luma's brooch, and how Kishiar had instantly identified the faint engraving as a lemon blossom, subsequently deducing its owner.

"As Inon said... it really didn't look that special."

So that was the reason behind her choosing a lemon flower as her emblem. Yuder, still silent, spoke again.

"Is that why you like lemons too? Because of Luma?"

"I suppose you could say that... When I first arrived in the Capital and experienced a proper meal—remember that story I shared earlier?"

Yuder nodded, and Inon gave the lemon half a slight wave.

"There was a lemon on the dish, intended for squeezing juice. Not knowing any better, I consumed the entire thing—peel and all. Everyone was shocked, but Luma burst into laughter. She mentioned that in her hometown, many people ate them that way, and it brought back nostalgic feelings for her."

"......"

"I believe that was the first time I ever felt something truly tasted good. Ever since then, I've eaten lemons whole."

He gazed at the half-eaten lemon in his hand and took another bite.

"When I eat it like this... it brings back that memory. It reminds me how, even after a thousand years, some things endure if there's a vessel to carry them. Through this small lemon, Luma and I—and the millennium that separates us—remain connected. In a way, it's akin to Luma's magic."

How could that be similar? The question was soon addressed by his subsequent words.

"Luma possessed knowledge of many kinds of magic, but she once stated that the foundation of all her spells was 'connecting things.'"

"I don't quite grasp what she meant by that."

"Literally connecting anything. Tangible objects, intangible concepts. For instance, she explained that the land Ghilandre Hill occupied was concealed by detaching it from its surroundings and stitching it elsewhere. Or how the stairs between a building's upper and lower levels felt shorter than they ought to—because she had connected the distance in a way that warped space. Are you following?"

To Yuder, this wasn't a matter of understanding or not; it felt like an entirely different logical framework.

"I'm not sure... but that sounds more like an Awakener's ability than magic."

Luma mentioned she discovered her innate ability the moment she became a mage, referring to it as her ‘core magic.’ In that bygone era, many mages were naturally endowed with such unique core magics from birth. Therefore, your observation might indeed be accurate.

Yuder had a faint recollection of past assertions that ancient magic bore resemblances to the powers of an Awakener. Perhaps these claims were not entirely unfounded rumors.

“If that’s the case... then Luma’s magic could potentially be better understood as an Awakener’s ‘connecting’ capability.”

It was a conceptual notion, yet not entirely outside the realm of possibility. Even Kishiar had once confined his “push-pull” ability strictly to the physical, observable world, only to later broaden its application to encompass far more diverse functions.

“You seem quite animated by the prospect of viewing Luma’s magic in that light. Your demeanor suggests a sudden surge in energy.”

“...Not particularly.”

“Cease the deception. Your attempts at lying are ineffective against me, you understand.”

Reflecting now, Yuder realized that Inon had always possessed an exceptional skill for discerning falsehoods—even dating back to his previous existence. Could this remarkable aptitude for perceiving the connection between the soul and the body also be a legacy from the Grand Mage?

“That ability too... did you inherit it from Luma?”

“What ability are you referring to?”

“The discernment of when someone is being untruthful. The capacity to perceive when my soul is not fully tethered to my body. You previously stated it’s not something perceived through visual means.”

“That’s simply because my soul is that of a spirit, you insolent brat.”

Inon responded with a visibly displeased expression.

“Spirits are a race intrinsically more attuned to the soul. Although we possess physical forms distinct from our true essence, they bear no resemblance to those of humans. As beings founded upon the soul, it is natural for us to perceive the souls of others. Our communication occurs through our innermost selves—unimpeded by shells or barriers. This is why deception is rendered ineffective.”

“......”

“It most certainly differs from visual perception. It is an innate knowing. Not absolute, naturally.”

“And that is not considered absolute?”

“Well, I am currently only half spirit.”

This marked Yuder’s first in-depth conversation with Inon. It might have been an illusion, but he felt an unprecedented sense of closeness compared to all their prior exchanges.

As this thought crossed his mind, Inon turned towards him, a faint frown accompanying a soft chuckle.

“It’s rather peculiar. Engaging in a conversation of this nature with you.”

“......”

“However, it’s not unpleasant. To be truthful, I’ve been immersed in contemplation of spirits and Luma throughout this period.”

So that was the subject of his contemplation—mulling over lemons and dormant memories. Yuder hesitated on whether to probe further, but ultimately decided to voice his inquiry.

“What thoughts occupied your mind?”

Inon then placed the final segment of lemon into his mouth. As he chewed, a quietude enveloped the space, punctuated solely by the significant presence of the ancient tree. Inon directed his gaze towards it and eventually articulated his thoughts.

“Hmph. That particular word—‘struggle’—from Luma’s correspondence today.”

Nothing is eternal, yet even with this knowledge, is the endeavor to prolong existence merely the inherent fate of a mortal being?

The phrase from Luma’s letter resurfaced in Yuder’s consciousness.

“It prompted contemplation. Dragons, fairies, spirits—all have faded into oblivion. Are humans truly so unique? The spirit that coalesced into my soul... it sought to perpetuate its existence in this manner even as its entire lineage faced extinction. Is that not also a form of struggle?”

“......”

“I cannot say for certain. Perhaps this perspective arises solely from my incomplete humanity—a constructed being. Yet, from my vantage point, humans are not the sole entities bound by impermanence. All that vanished before us likely contended with the boundaries of their destiny, leaving behind mere vestiges. ...Just a passing thought. Confound it, Luma’s messages are invariably challenging to decipher.”