Chapter 24
Blaise stared enviously at the Essence Core in Auriel's hand, glanced at Lilith's with naked jealousy, then turned a pleading look on the Seer.
What about mine?
The Seer only smiled and shook her head.
"You may study Natural Perception and Elemental Affinity now," she told Lilith and Auriel. "It will strengthen you, and the process should not take long. We can discuss everything else afterward."
Neither of them had any intention of refusing.
Still, they weren't sure how they were supposed to learn it.
They were outside their own Territories, which meant they couldn't use their Lord privileges to absorb a book instantly.
When Lilith selected the book again, however, a new System prompt appeared.
[This book was co-authored by a Lord and is eligible for Rapid Learning.]
[Begin learning now?]
Lilith stared at the message.
The more she learned, the harder the Seer was to figure out.
Her knowledge of Lords ran far too deep.
But this wasn't the moment to dwell on it.
Lilith pressed [Confirm].
Auriel did the same.
The books vanished from their hands.
A vast flood of knowledge poured into their minds, forcing both women to close their eyes and concentrate.
Blaise watched the books disappear with open disappointment.
The Seer showed no surprise. Everything seemed to be unfolding exactly as she expected.
With the System's assistance, the learning took only an instant.
Lilith felt a subtle transformation spread through her body.
Her skin could now sense the elemental power hanging in the air. It was no longer some abstract presence beyond her reach—she could feel it brushing against her, almost close enough to touch.
The mana coursing through her body grew denser, more disciplined.
It felt like the moment an ordinary person finally crossed the threshold into the supernatural.
Only after absorbing the book did Lilith realize how disconnected from this world she had been.
Now, for the first time, she felt as if she truly belonged within its natural laws.
The improvement in her mana circulation and elemental perception showed in her strength immediately.
The instant the learning ended, her Rank advanced.
A powerful Tier 7 Veteran aura swept through the library.
Lilith slowly opened her eyes and looked down at her hands.
"I advanced?"
She turned toward Auriel.
Auriel had advanced too—all the way to Tier 8 Veteran.
Their surprise lasted only a moment.
Both remembered the System's message.
Lilith looked straight at the Seer.
"There's a Lord living among your people."
Auriel glanced at her but said nothing.
The Seer was clearly not a Lord herself.
Yet the System had stated outright that a Lord had helped write the book.
Only one explanation made sense.
Lilith and Auriel had already agreed to join the war. Elowen had laid out the rewards, and both sides stood to gain.
But the Seer had added further gifts of considerable value.
Lilith couldn't help suspecting she wanted something more—something connected, perhaps, to the Lord hidden among the Wood Elves.
The Seer nodded.
"That is the second matter I wished to discuss."
Everyone went quiet and waited.
"I possess some talent for divination," the Seer said. "Long ago, I foresaw a disaster that will one day threaten the Wood Elf Clan."
Her crimson eyes turned distant.
"By the time that calamity arrives, the Lords will have become a major power in this world."
She sighed.
"Today, I wish to forge a bond of goodwill with the two of you. From this day forward, the Wood Elf Clan will aid your development whenever you ask."
Her voice softened.
"In return, I ask only this: when our darkest hour comes, help save our people."
The Seer bowed deeply.
Her words and bearing were entirely sincere.
Lilith and Auriel stared at her.
The conversation had swerved without warning.
They were only Veterans.
Why was the Seer asking them to protect an entire Champion-level faction?
Stranger still, she had just pledged the full support of the Wood Elf Clan.
In practical terms, that came close to putting the entire race at their disposal.
The Seer continued as though she hadn't noticed their disbelief.
"Our Clan has Elite-ranked warriors who can clear away obstacles around your Territories. We can provide resources, intelligence, and military support."
She gestured at the surrounding shelves.
"Every ancient text in this library will be open to you as well."
The offer was undeniably tempting.
With a powerful native faction behind her, Lilith's early development would become effortless.
She could wipe out the Goblins without fear.
She might even be able to enter the Frostlands and compete for the treasure hidden there.
But that was exactly why the offer felt wrong.
The Seer was willing to invest everything in two weak Lords on the strength of a prophecy that might never come true.
Why?
Lilith refused to agree without understanding the full price.
Auriel looked equally wary and held her silence.
The Seer seemed to have anticipated their hesitation.
She cleared her throat, preparing to continue.
A commotion erupted outside the tree house.
"I refuse! The Wood Elves do not need outsiders to protect us!"
"You cannot enter. The Seer gave explicit orders not to be disturbed while receiving her guests." Elowen's voice rose from below.
"Guests? They're nothing but a pair of Lords!"
Lilith and Auriel turned toward the stairs.
Elowen was an Elite, and she clearly meant to enforce the Seer's command. Whoever was trying to force his way in had no chance of getting past her.
Then the Seer spoke.
"Elowen, let him enter. It is time he met them as well."
Met them?
Lilith caught the phrasing at once.
A disgruntled snort sounded from below, followed by footsteps on the stairs.
The door opened.
Lilith and Auriel rose as one.
Even Blaise reacted instantly.
The newcomer was not an elf.
He was human.
His clothing, posture, and bearing made one thing obvious: he was no native of this world.
He was a Lord.
Blaise pointed at him.
"You're the Lord living with the Wood Elves?"
The young man ignored all three of them.
He looked straight at the Seer.
"Mentor, I refuse to accept this."
Lilith, Auriel, and Blaise stared at him.
"Mentor?"