When the Cloud Soaring Sect returned to their faction house, every young Adventurer immediately retreated to their own rooms.
Finn did the same.
He closed the door behind him and locked it.
Without wasting even a breath, he took out the Myriad World Mirror.
A moment later, the mirror floated free from his chest, shimmering softly. A rippling gate of light bloomed open, revealing the hidden world beyond.
Finn stepped into the Myriad World Mirror, leaving the portal ajar—just in case something happened outside.
Inside, he moved to an empty clearing and slowly sat down.
He closed his eyes.
Calm settled over him as he immersed himself in the dense, vibrant natural energy saturating this world.
A faint smile touched his lips.
He began absorbing that energy, guiding it along his soulforce pathways, letting it seep into the depths of his soulforce coil.
Warmth spread through him.
A gentle lightness bloomed in his chest.
He could feel it—the slow but steady accumulation of soulforce within him.
Even if he couldn't hope to advance in level over a mere few days, Finn refused to squander any moment he had.
Eventually, the little creature appeared again.
It perched silently atop a large stone, gazing at him with its small, unblinking eyes.
Finn ignored it and continued to train for nearly half a day.
When he finally opened his eyes again, the change within him was minor—but enough.
And then, he sensed something.
Someone was waiting outside his door.
He rose, leaving the Myriad World Mirror. The gate of light folded in on itself as he called the mirror back into his body.
Moving to the door, Finn unlatched the lock and opened it.
He hadn't expected to see him standing there.
It was Lore.
For a moment, Lore's face was a perfect picture of surprise—before he hastily composed himself and forced an awkward smile.
Finn tilted his head slightly.
"Mister Lore," he greeted evenly. "Is there something you need from me?"
"You don't have to be so formal," Lore said, the smile still strained. "Just…call me by name. Maybe my family is more influential than the Azure Wood Family, but if we're talking about strength… I'm sure you're stronger."
Finn didn't reply.
He simply smiled faintly, waiting for Lore to continue.
Lore drew in a slow breath, as though steeling himself.
"Finn Doria… May I speak with you for a moment?"
The discomfort in his voice was obvious.
He wasn't used to asking favors—especially not from a peer.
Curiosity flickered in Finn's eyes.
They were hardly friends. Barely acquaintances, really.
Yet here was Lore, knocking on his door with something clearly heavy on his mind.
"…Come in," Finn said at last.
They sat together on the floor, facing one another.
Minutes passed in silence.
Neither spoke.
Finally, Lore lowered his gaze and exhaled.
"Finn… You probably know a bit about my connection to Azur."
He paused.
Though Lore's tone was calm, Finn could feel the resentment simmering beneath each word.
"From the time we were children, either he or I was expected to inherit the family head position of our clan. We were equals—our talent, our reputation. But after we joined different factions…he began to surpass me. His level, his strength—they climbed higher and higher."
The muscles in Lore's jaw tensed.
"Now, everyone believes Azur will be the next head of the Lightning Wind Family."
Finn nodded quietly.
It was the same in any clan—succession was an iron-bound tradition.
Even in the Azure Wood Family, there had once been a clear heir: Altair.
But Altair was dead.
And now, the clan looked to Finn himself.
Even if he wasn't a true-blood member, he'd contributed more than anyone. He'd lifted them from ruin—and earned their unwavering support.
"…Why are you telling me this?" Finn asked, his voice mild.
He had no connection to the Lightning Wind Family.
Their struggle had nothing to do with him.
Lore lifted his gaze, meeting Finn's eyes with a steady, almost desperate clarity.
"Because if Azur becomes head of the clan…my family's lives will be in danger," Lore said quietly. "He and I have never hidden our hatred to each other. He will do everything in his power to crush me—and everyone I care about."
He swallowed hard.
"I don't want that future, Finn Doria. So…I need your help."
Finn held his stare, unblinking.
"…Why me?" he said finally. "I have no ties to you or your family. I'm only a 1st Level Scarlet Gold Rank from an unremarkable clan. Even if I wanted to help you…what could I do?"
Lore shook his head.
His voice turned low and insistent.
"You're not ordinary," he said. "Everyone knows it. You have too many secrets—and you're too strong to be a mere 1st Level Scarlet Gold Rank."
He took a breath, as if gathering courage.
"But it isn't your strength I need. It's your skill as an Alchemist."
Finn stilled.
Lore continued, voice steady.
"I'm asking for your Advance Scarlet Pills. I know you don't have them on hand now. But I will pay you, little by little—I will sell every treasure I own if I have to."
He leaned forward, eyes bright with urgency.
"With those pills, I can gather other young Scarlet Gold Rank Adventurers—build a force that will rival Azur's. That's the only chance I have of surviving…and protecting my family."
Finn almost laughed.
So that was it.
He could see it—how far Lore had been driven.
This proud boy had come here to humble himself and beg.
But Finn only sighed.
"I already told you back at the Auction House—that pill was the first I ever created. I have no more. And even if I did, I don't have the materials to refine any," Finn said evenly.
Lore fell silent, shoulders sagging.
"…Please," he whispered after a moment. "You're the only hope I have. I don't need them right away—just…promise you'll help me when the time comes. I swear I'll repay you. If I ever become head of the Lightning Wind Family, I will help you take your revenge against the Nine Ice Family. And anything else you ask—so long as it doesn't betray our kingdom, the Cloud Soaring Sect, or my clan—I will do it."
Finn didn't answer right away.
He knew Lore meant every word.
And the truth was…he could help him.
Inside the Myriad World Mirror, he had millions of Advance Scarlet Pills—more than Lore could ever imagine.
But this wasn't the moment to reveal that.
"…I can't promise," Finn said finally. "I have obligations. The faction masters have already asked me for pills—and I owe priority to our sect. But if you can wait…I may be able to help you."
Lore shot to his feet.
He bowed low, hands clenched at his sides.
"Thank you, Finn Doria!"
Finn stood as well, awkwardly gesturing for him to straighten up.
"You don't need to bow," Finn said with a wry smile. "We're the same generation. Just consider me…your friend."
Lore straightened slowly, a strange look in his eyes.
Friend.
He had never thought he needed one.
He'd always believed he could walk his path alone.
But for the first time, he realized—maybe he couldn't.
Maybe…he didn't have to.
They spoke for a little longer before Lore finally excused himself.
When Finn was alone again, he locked the door and reopened the Myriad World Mirror.
This time, he wasn't going to cultivate.
He approached the little creature perched on a stone.
"I still can't sense your true level," Finn murmured. "And I don't know how you ended up in here."
He smiled faintly.
"But you seem strong. So…when the day comes that I face the Nine Ice Family and the Black Tiger Family…will you help me?"
The small creature turned its eyes on him.
Silent.
Unblinking.
Finn didn't mind.
He wasn't crazy—he knew that powerful Vicious Beasts could understand human speech.
Like Little Red, Noah's companion.
Some could even learn to speak, or take human form, if they grew strong enough.
Someday, Finn thought, he would have such a partner.
He just hoped this little creature might choose him.
"…I'll be counting on you," he said quietly. "When my life is on the line."
The creature didn't react.
It turned away and fluttered off.
Finn watched it go.
Then he laughed under his breath, shaking his head.
"…Seems like you're proud, too," he murmured.