"How about I use—[Matter Absorption] on the Dark Galyods; I think I should be capable of converting them into energy too, since they also come into the category of physical matter. Maybe we can use them as a source for our core tier refinement too, what do you think Clementine?"

Aezaleon asked for her opinion. Because he didn’t know the kind of metal it was, so he wasn’t sure. If it was a rare one, then he wouldn’t use his sub-ability on it.

"I was also of the same thought; actually, that was why I was so excited previously, since the Dark Galyod is a rare wind elemental metal, containing information about more or less 6-7 superior wind-type concepts within its matter. Meaning, with your ability we can get both the concepts and the energy to refine our cores."

"Understood." Aezaleon nodded with a smile, also appearing excited.

"Big sister Clementine, do you perhaps know the kind of concepts this wind elemental metal has?" Aphryne inquired out of nowhere.

Still, all three of them understood why she was curious too. It was only natural.

Clementine smiled.

The Dark Galyod had the superior concept of—[Air Absorption]; a concept that made the user capable of absorbing the microscopic particles in the atmosphere that were generally responsible for the creation of air currents in the world.

In simple words—winds! Thus strengthening them in defense, offense, acceleration, perception, senses, etc. At the same time, it was also capable of creating a vacuum in the immediate surroundings as a result.

Something similar to the emptiness in the outer space, resulting in the victims caught within to become exhausted easily. It makes them weaker overall, destabilizing their internal structures. Which only increases the more time they are inside the vacuum.

There was also the pressure difference that comes into effect because of the vacuum; it was the main aspect that made this concept so deadly for anything animate and inanimate.

Considering, the subjects inside had to resist the pressure difference by encompassing themselves within their energy, leading to greater energy expenditure.

Additionally, in extreme cases the pressure difference was even capable of outright crushing the victims into a meat pulp or making them explode if the disparity between the two was simply too much.

"There are some other uses too, but you will find them out once you learn of it anyway!" Clementine finished. Further expanding on the other concepts.

The other superior concepts were: [Wind Solidification] [Atmospheric Air Resistance] [Sharpened Air Currents] [Wind Elemental Comprehension] [Noiseless Wind Movements] [Imperceptible Air Current Generation] [Winds Elemental Energy Erosion].

And the inferior concepts were: [Wind Quality Enchantment] [Greater Wind Resistance] [Piercing Winds] [Wind Erosion] [Greater Wind Control] [Strong Gale Creation] [Wind Strength Enchantment] [Colorless Wind] [Greater Wind Acceleration] [Masterful Wind Manipulation] [Severance] [Cutting Winds], and a few others more.

"That is a whole lot of concepts!" Aezaleon blinked. "And you are saying a single piece of metal had so much information within its matter!"

"Well, some had some, some had more, and some had many, depends on their tier mostly! The superior concepts obviously come from the Legendary Dark Galyods!"

"Nonetheless, you said there is a cool lake here, so why don’t you lead us there, big sister Clementine," Aphryne proposed, further adding. "It is already night by now, so how about we relax and take a nap there and work on all this tiring stuff tomorrow morning? All of this will take time after all."

"Good point." Aezaleon nodded at Aphryne’s proposal. "Let’s go there, Clementine!" He said with a smile. "I’m also rather bloodied after all the battles I had today, so a good bath in some cold water would do wonders, and you can also join me if you want." He teased, his eyes dancing with a playful light.

"I will join you, Aezaleon!"

Auguszta echoed without any shame. Lips curled into a subtle smirk, as sharp as a hidden thorn. Mind already having her own ideas about what she wanted to do.

He gave her a nod, patting her head. Also sensing her mischievousness through their soul connection, but didn’t mind it; rather he too was eagerly waiting for what she had in mind.

"Alright, follow me!"

Clementine uttered. Her words toneless, like the surface of a frozen pond. Expression even, neither denying his offer nor accepting it. She was still feeling a bit strange after what happened previously.

She shook her head inwardly and quickly led the group towards their destination.

Towards the Condensed Wind Lake!

... ... ... ... ...

In the far past...

In the lightless night...

In the middle of nowhere, inside the forest, below the dark canopy!

CLANG! SPARK! SPARK!

"Even if I’m weakened doesn’t mean that nobodies like you can claim my head that easily!"

Anastasia commented coldly. Her hand moved like an invisible blade, her greatsword—beheading the elf before her, body—dodging the attack of another and distancing herself from the rest, all at the same time.

"Oh, my dear elder sister~ why do you keep resisting? There is no point in so ruthlessly slaughtering your own subjects. Just accept your death, surrender your head and this meaningless chase will come to an end, you know!" 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

CLANG!

Anastasia blocked the arrow from the left, flickered her hand, sending flares of deep crimson flames to the right, and delivered a spinning kick square to the chest of the elf behind her, breaking his ribs, sending him rolling backwards, unconsciously.

Everything happened too quickly but she was on the move again. She didn’t respond, nor did she look at the bastard, merely continuing her run towards deeper into the unknown forest.

"Tsk. Tsk. So ruthless. So merciless! How unlike of the usual gentle elder sister I had always known, truly a demoness in disguise." Obrion mocked in amusement. "So wicked...!" Watching his own subordinates dying like moths to a fire with an entertained gaze.

It has been more than 49 hours since Anastasia escaped from the ambush Obrion set up for her in the World of Eirion and came to the City of Varion inside the Great Link!

However, as a [Frost Elf]—with her main element already sealed, it wasn’t long before she had to escape from the city too, since her little brother was far too thorough when it came to eliminating her for good.

She hadn’t even comprehended the Lesser Cosmic Law of Flame nor did she have stronger flame type concepts or abilities. Who would’ve thought she would be cornered to such a pitiful state, running for her life against someone who wasn’t even as strong as her.

After escaping the City of Varion too, Anastasia hasn’t eaten anything or even had anything to drink, aside from the energy and health recovering potions she had. Which she kept consuming time and again, all to keep herself going; there were also some potions she had for [Lesser Mental and Physical Exhaustion], some for [Higher Endurance and Defense], for [Greater Acceleration and Strength], for [Faster Thought Processing and Calmness]; she kept consuming them, determined not to die at all costs.

Nonetheless, after two whole days of running and hiding, with not much time to rest, not only was she exhausted beyond compare—mentally, physically, and emotionally—but she had also run out of any resources that could keep her alive.