It's been two days since A.K.s little party was forced into Gwen Goofs residence as 'guest'. A.K. originally tried to escape several times actually but quickly gave up once he realized gnomes defenses were impeccable. She did exactly what she said she'd do when A.K. woke up strapped down to a metal worktable. Tinkered.

Gwen Goof was a life specialist, hence the color of her hair. Granted she also had an obsession with the color as well. What really settled the deal between them is that Gwen as a life specialist could actually possess the ability to fix Ryna from her multiple personality issues. A.K. had grown to like the girl over their two years together and their partnership would rise to a new level if Ryna could gain control of her mental facilities.

What worried A.K. is that Gwen had barely interacted with anything like this previously. After A.K. explained how Ryna ended up the way she did. Gwen went through several stages of surprise and shock. It seems the aura Break had was extremely rare. Not just any creature could afflict you with an insanity trait.

Gwen promised to help come up with a solution after she examined A.K.'s body and found no anomalies with him. A.K. wonder what would happen if he showed her System.

He was currently meditating using his mind space to try and construct different spells. The cuffs drained his mana and prevented him from activity using it however it would never stop his meditation or him using that opportunity to try and construct new spells.

"Mister, can ya teach me how ta fight?"

A.K. who was steady falling into a deeper meditation snapped away. The spell formula he had been working on broke causing him a sharp pain in his temple.

To be honest he forgotten completely about the kid as he mostly stayed quiet after being captured alongside A.K.

A.K. cocked his head to the side as he curiously asked the boy.

"Why do you want to learn how to fight?"

Devon pondered on the question before answer with a bright smile.

"Ta be a hero of course."

A.K. looked at the kid's goofy grin and couldn't help but smile himself.

"What would your parents say?"

The kid's eyes went from bright and cheering to downcast within a second and A.K. knew he asked what he shouldn't have.

"I don't 'ave parents," Devon said in a small voice and A.K.'s heart went out to him.

He stood up and went to where the kid was sitting before giving him a gentle hug.

"I'll teach you how to fight but you must kowtow 3 times and call me master!"

The kid's expression did a complete 180.

"What a kowtow?"

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Gwen stared in fascination at the sleeping girl called Ryna. She had been studying her for two days going on a third and had managed to find the root cause of the girl's split personality. Her soul had been split.

Literally split but not evenly.

Gwen was fascinated because it wasn't often she got to research something/someone affected by insanity. She could cure a lot. From common colds or deadly disease with how potent her life magic was but insanity? This would get her name etched into gnome history.

Life and the soul were different but intricately connected. They were not the same thing but couldn't exist without one another. At least according to Gwen's research. Ryna soul had been broken as if someone took a Warhammer to it and smashed a chuck the size of her arm off. What was really fascinating to Gwen was the fact that the weaker chuck held so much hold over the body.

Gwen activated her magic and attempted to heal the damage done to Ryna's soul only to be fiercely resisted. The smaller soul fragment was so much more conscious of everything going on around it. So instead Gwen decided to communicate.

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"Not like that," A.K. said and then he proceeded to demonstrate the swing again.

It's been 5 days since he was detained by Gwen Goofs. A.K. originally was joking with the boy about calling him master and kowtowing but after the boy learned what it was he insisted on performing the ceremony. A.K. decided to take it seriously as the little boy obviously had a goal in mind and even though he was still considered a kid himself mentally he would now be 32.

"Master but why don't you put all your weight behind your swing?" Deon asked curiously.

"Come try swinging at me."

A.K. had managed to procure a few items from the gnome including practice weapons. After she finished with her weird way of doing a checkup A.K. realized that she was just eccentric when it came to life magic and things pertaining to her profession. She was a real nice lady but most would be creeped out about how she handled things so she just took to kidnapping them. Devon explained to A.K. that he had been through several of the 'kidnappings' himself.

A.K. pivoted on his foot avoiding Devon's swing before lightly tapping the boy on his exposed flank.

"That is why we don't put everything behind a swing."

"Ax arts are not difficult but they do require you to finesse."

A.K. continued to explain basic ax combat arts to the boy when the door slides open and in walked Ryna and Gwen. He immediately turned his attention to Ryna who looked a shade healthier than when they first arrived. It looked like the original one was in control as well.

"Ryna," he started.

She only shot him a glare.

"I won't be rude to him settle down."

A.K. was confused as the only other one here was Gwen who appeared to be taking notes. So who was Ryna talking to?

"No, you may not come out and say hi to him."

Again Ryna spoke out loud not seemly talking to anyone and Gwen scribbled fiercely at her notebook.

"Ugh fine. Aegeus Kan Anyr says hello."

"…who?" A.K. asked after a few moments of silence.

"The other me. Gwen here has managed to be a stronger connection between the pieces of my soul allowing us to be awake at the same time."

A.K. was still a bit confused but managed to understand after a bit more thorough explanation from Ryna. In short, Gwen managed to heal her broken soul somewhat but a new personality had already formed for the other piece who named herself Anyr. They now agreed to share the body with Ryna getting main control and Anyr being released once a day for a minimum of 3 hours.

"Wow."

A.K. said this to Gwen. Not many could play around with souls the way Gwen did. The fact that Ryna was still alive and even better was a miracle. It was well known through the higher nobility in the Empire how rare someone with the ability of life magic was. Someone with the ability to properly use it to affect even the soul? Unheard of. A.K. instantly grew suspicious of who Gwen Goofs was. He hadn't heard of a Goofs noble family and he'd been required to memorize several gnome family names.

"So I heard you were looking to take the Trial of Redcoomshi," Gwen who had been content to take notes the entire time spoke up suddenly.

A.K.'s eyes lit up the starlight showing brighter.

"Yes, but how did you know?"

"Besides the fact that girly here has mentioned Aegeus Kan several times? Well, I have my sources in the city and those sources alerted me how a young man brazenly said he wanted to take the trial." Gwen made a point by staring at Devon who had remained quiet this entire time.

"The trial is dangerous and failure is the most likely outcome."

"If only I knew what the trial entailed," A.K. said with a mocking sigh. If there was anything A.K. would complain about ever since arriving in this world it would be vital information. It seemed to be on a lockdown and unless you possessed certain status you'd remain ignorant. A.K. currently did possess that status yet he was still ignorant as his parents and others only saw him as a 12-year-old kid. A.K. had done well to play the part.

"The trial consists of 3 stages. The first is the induction which as the possessor of the Magma Drake Bloodline you should pass with flying colors. The second test is a test of will and the last is a test of pride."

Gwen gave him an inquisitive look before speaking again.

"How do you not know any of this any child of Redcoomshi knows this much."

A.K. threw his hands up in the air.

"My parents believe the mysterious vibe builds character. I've been sent on a 5-year mission and time is quickly running out."

Gwen gave him a look of pity and understanding.

"I know the feeling. That's why I left," she said before looking away.

"As thanks for your participation in my experiments, I'll let you and your girlfriend stay here as you go through the trial. I also have a few things that may help you in the process."

A.K. looked to Ryna after hearing what the gnome said. The girl in question had turned a bright shade of red and was glaring at him.

A.K. just shrugged. Ryna was cute but she was more of the sister type to him. He never had any romantic feelings for her and after revealing his name he doubts she'd express any for him. Plus he was mentally 32 if that meant anything in this world. His parents were approaching 200 but looked like they were in their early 20s.

…

Kavlar smiled in contempt. Since his success in a blood sacrifice a few years back his wife's skin had smoothed out and the bruises had all but disappeared. He also managed to advance a rank and was on the verge of becoming a rank 8 now.

"Keeeh, Keeh, Keeeh."

His voice box had been fixed as a gift from his mistress. Although he hadn't managed to find the Kan boy he had managed to raise a legion of undead and bring back enough materials to appease the mistress. At first, Mira was quite upset at the damage that he caused and his worsening of the already bad necromancer name. Until Charles came and showed the benefit of Kavlar's strike against the Dukedom. One, it let there be know that forces were ready to act against the Dukedom. Two, it would attack any other naysayers and rebel groups to their side bolstering their already small forces. Finally, it had led to an unexpected benefit. A falling out between the Duke and his wife. The fewer allies the Kan had the better.

"Keeeh, Keeeeeeh, Keeeh."

Kavlar gazed into the crystal coffin at the woman who appeared frozen in time. She could appear sleeping at a quick glance but further study who show her chest never once rising.

A pang rang out in Kavlar's chest and he looked away from his wife. Every time it would happen but soon once he revived her he was sure the pain would fade away.

Kavlar turned his gaze to the east and watched as the two suns made their way into the sky. He had been reassigned and was now stationed in the east Dukedom as any sign of him in the Kan ducky would most likely draw the attention of Vasu himself.

"Now my love," Kavlar said glancing at the crystal coffin whilst enduring the pain.

"Now you shall have your revenge."