"Khaos Gate? What the hell is that!?"
Annara responded with a confused expression and questioning gaze when Emery asked her. As it turned out, she had never heard such a thing come out of her master Zenonia's mouth.
"Well, I only became her pupil for 3 years before all hell broke loose. So yes, it's very possible that such a thing exists, but I don't know anything about it."
To be honest, Emery had somewhat expected such an answer. However, he still did not want to give up just yet. Hoping she might have seen something, he explained it was a portal that should have been placed on a formation rune and should be something her master tried to hide.
Unfortunately, Zenonia went and moved around places using a portal on a daily basis, since she was a space magic user. Therefore, his vague questions were not something the girl could easily answer.
However, she did mention that Zenonia seldomly left the Darkness Institute, so much so that the place was basically the home of female grand magus. Most importantly, she let him know there was indeed an area beneath the institute that not even her direct pupils were allowed to enter.
Emery's gloomy face brightened upon hearing that, but then the red-haired girl asked a question that made him frown again.
"Even if that is indeed the place you are looking for, how are you going to get there?"
Annara quickly expressed her reluctance on the matter. Due to her status as a wanted fugitive of the Magus Alliance, she basically had no intention of returning to the Magus Academy or even coming anywhere near the place.
On the other hand, Emery had a different thought. Since the Darkness Institute was closed down since the elf attack, there was a higher chance they could sneak into the place without any problems.
"And you will be my guide there," Emery finished his words, essentially urging the red-haired girl to help him.
Even though Annara wasn't too happy about such an outrageous idea, she was quite curious and wanted to see what had become of the place. After weighing the risks, she eventually agreed to Emery's request.
"Fine. But we will only leave after you are done with the Ouroboros' situation."
In response Emery nodded, he was also of one mind with her demand. Silva's condition was their main priority right now. As for the dark elves in the Khaos Domain, the fabricated stories he had given them should have bought him some time.
Despite the fact the dark elves had seen his and Morgana's faces, Emery wasn't too worried they would get into trouble any time soon. After all, what the former saw was his [Shapeshift] face, while Morgana could be considered a ghost in the Magus Universe.
Those should make it hard for the elves to find out who they really were. But at the same time, it would be a different matter if the other party were to look into the Silvermane Wolf Guild's database.
"Just to be safe, we probably shouldn't stay in this place too long," Emery said to Morgana.
If the Royal Hunt wasn't just 20 days away, Emery would reconsider his promise to the Silvermane King and most likely choose to leave. Nonetheless, the addition of another [Ancient Wolf Blood] would be crucial to his bloodline and Silva's recovery.
"Alright, that's settled then. Let's get prepared for the Royal Hunt."
First things first, Emery sent Morgana and Tatyana to do more Wolf Guild's tasks so their fame points met the C grade requirements. Since he worried about the two of them, especially the former, he asked Annara to accompany them.
With a smirk, the red-haired girl clapped her hand and said, "Alright! Girls day out it is!"
After sending the group away, Emery went back to his residence and joined the training with the two remaining members of his pack, Yoro and Andrei. For the spar, he brought out the Tier 5 sword he had just recovered. The pitch-black [Savage Sword].
Now that he wielded the familiar weapon once more, Emery found himself having an easier time re-learning the sword skills he had forgotten. It didn't take long before he started unleashing various battle art techniques with the pitch-black sword.
[Heroic Strike] [Chain Strike]
With his newfound knowledge of the Wolf-specific techniques, Emery found his current sword skills to be much more aggressive than before.
Both Andrei and Yoro were unable to match him at all, the same happened even when they attacked him together. Forcing the old chief Beowulf himself to join in the sparring. Emery was quite proud of his improved sword skill when after a few exchanges the old chief paused and said he was not impressed.
Of course, he quickly explained in more detail why.
"I admit it is a great technique that can quickly overwhelm your opponent. However, at the same time, it also creates too many openings. My advice is that you should refine this technique further and find a good balance between offense and defense."
Emery listened attentively to the old chief's words. Hearing the last sentence, he was reminded he really needed to re-learn his [Dao Divine Sword]. He naturally had been trying, but without the other part of his soul, he found it extremely difficult to find that balance.
There was also the [Shadow Edge] and [Void Sword] he learned from Zenonia. Unfortunately, before he recovered his other half and darkness core, he wouldn't be able to cast any of them.
Unwilling to waste time sulking over what he lost, Emery brought out the two daggers [Shadow Bane] and [Moon Dagger]. He immediately tried to use them and discovered that the darkness element Tier 6 dagger was extremely difficult to use in battle. It outright refused to be used by him no matter how he tried.
With such a disheartening outcome with the first dagger, Emery didn't have much hope for the Tier 3 dagger. But then, while he was practicing his dagger techniques with it, he didn't realize it was already night.
To his surprise, he saw the dagger shining with clarity like never before. Before he could think about what was going on, he felt a pleasant sensation coursing through his body, empowering him.
[Blessing of the Moon Activated]
[Battle power increased by 15 points]
Emery was in complete shock when he found the dagger not only increased his combat power, but was also able to strengthen his Magus Core. What he was feeling right now was simply extraordinary.
As he had never experienced anything like this in the past, Emery couldn't help but think there was something related between the power of the dagger and that of the Wolf planet.
Unable to contain his excitement, Emery continued to swing the dagger, recalling his [Hidden Stab] technique and one final technique in his memory.
[Omega Strike]
As the dagger collided with Yoro's spear, Emery was surprised to see the dagger was suddenly crack.
"...Damm!"