The boy spent the day anticipating the dreadful encounter, an absent look covering his face as he attended ss.


    He really didn''t want to meet with another monster in human guise, but he couldn''t force his big brother to give up either.


    As the evening''s lesson ended, he stood up and walked towards the Gate with heavy and slow steps, admiring the beautiful gardens on his way and listening to the soothing chirping of the birds. The sun''s rays warmly kissed his skin as his tense nerves rxed in the serene atmosphere.


    However, reality soon caught back as the massive structure of the Gate towered before him, forcing all the apprehension to flood back into his mind as his gazended on Shepard.


    "I sincerely wish you good luck," the college dean said solemnly before sighing. "I truly hoped we could work together to pierce the secrets of immortality." He was certain the duo wouldn''te back alive after this meeting. After all, no one was as prone to resorting to violence as that man was.


    "Thank you," Adam answered, smiling wryly and noticing he was the only one who believed in their chance to seed.


    Then, he added, yfully gazing at Shepard to relieve the tense atmosphere. "Prepare some golden tickets for my return."


    Shepard shook his head in response, offering something even better. "If you survive, I''ll dispense you from sses and lend you a spell book from my collection."


    He doubted the ghost could learn anything significant in the first year''s sses. In fact, he believed that with his talent, the only thing he needed was time and books.


    "Ready?" He asked sadly while setting the coordinates on the magic circle.


    "I was born ready," Adam answered, smirking as the Gate hummed to life, mana condensing in a thick veil before him and Julius.


    "I''m not! I don''t want to go!" The boy suddenly interjected, dust rising as he stomped on the stone b in opposition, making his big brother giggle.


    Then, without warning, a powerful burst of mana caught him off guard, sending his body flying towards the Gate and causing his face to turn pale in fright as he yelled, "Big bro, Nooooo."


    Adam swiftly followed behind the boy, crossing the Gate with zing eyes as his enthusiastic words lingered in the air.


    "See youter!"


    "I''m afraid we won''t have that chance," Shepard muttered, standing alone before the Gate, fear shing in his eyes, only hoping that the archmage wouldn''t target him after venting his displeasure on the duo.


    *******


    Julius'' body collided with the hard floor, his face filled with indignation as an overwhelming heat assaulted his body. Gone was the mild temperature of the academy as sweat formed on his forehead in seconds.


    He swiftly stood up and took his surroundings in, noticing the burning ball of the sun and the red sand in the distance.


    Behind him, arge city bustled noisily with activity. But what caught his attention were the exotic trees lining the path before him.


    His eyes widened as at its end stood a colossal building like he had never seen before.


    Tall engraved columns supported vast stone structures depicting a plethora of wild beasts of all sorts and tiers. Two giant lifelike statues guarded therge entrance.


    The first one represented a ferocious bird with iridescent feathers crackling with electricity, its beak wide open, faithfully capturing a screeching motion as his wing extended menacingly for several meters.


    But the second one forced his features to distort in fear. He saw a behemoth standing on its powerful hind legs, its sharp horns piercing the sky as the sun reflected on its bulging, obsidian muscles. With its maw wide open, revealing long, sharp, jagged teeth, the creature elicited a visceral reaction from anyone gazing at it.


    His thoughts descended into chaos as he felt a slight trace of life forceing from them, making him realise they were more than mere statues.


    Simultaneously, a tan-skinned servant weed him with a respectful smile. "Wee to the beast temple. Please, follow me."


    Adam nodded reassuringly, trying to share a bit of his mental resilience as the boy hesitatingly followed the man.


    "For your own safety, I''ll exin a few rules. Be mindful of the words you use, and always speak with deference. Do not re or fix him. Do not elevate your voice..." The man enumerated a list of strict rules earnestly as he guided them inside a roofless, exquisite, but primal hall.


    Seated upon a golden, bestial throne, the emperormanded attention with his regal bearing and imposing presence. His skin, a light obsidian hue, seemed to glow under the sun, lending an air of mystery to his demeanor. His intense blue eyes, sharp and prating, bore into Adam and Julius with a mix of curiosity and authority, as if assessing their worthiness to stand before him.


    His dark and red silk clothes, embroidered with intricate golden depictions of fearsome beasts, fluttered as he rose from his throne. The intricate patterns on his attire seemed toe alive, weaving tales of conquest and majesty as he said, "Wee to my beast empire."


    As his words echoed, Adam gritted his teeth and bent his head respectfully, applying this ce''s rules in frustration and swallowing the humiliation.


    Julius followed his actions, his tense features rxing slightly. The life force exuded by the ck-haired man was manageable, as he estimated it to beparable to Thoma''s after his transformation.


    Pleased to see his guess follow etiquette, the man smiled and introduced himself. "I''m the beast emperor, sovereign of the south continent. Why did such a peculiar duo request a meeting from me through an arcanist, no less?" He asked, looking at them, curiosity filling his eyes.


    Raising his head but keeping his eyes low, Adam answered, almost biting his tongue, "I seek to trade an item in your possession, your highness."


    He learned yesterday that his straightforward approach, especially in requesting such a valuable item, might do more harm than good. That''s why he would try to entice the man before stating what he needed.


    "Oh? What do you have in mind?" The beast emperor asked, intrigued.


    Adam sweated as he reached the most dangerous part of the negotiation. An icy shiver ran down his spine as he breathed deeply before saying. "I found an ancient transmutation ritual of the archmage''s level by chance. I''m willing to trade it as it is useless to me."