Chapter 113: Shadow Stars!

Chapter 113: Shadow Stars!

The group had broken off and went their separate ways. For Albedo, that meant taking the SkyRail back to Pantheon to head back home. He briskly walked down the street as he neared his house, thinking back to earlier that day when he was battling in HollowWood.

He had felt it, beneath any exhaustion and the intense tension of battle, he had begun to feel his body thrum with an electric kind of pressure. A pressure that seemed to continuously build up in anticipation.

His veins pulsed as if liquid light wanted to tear through them. Even his Flame Dragon Heart pounded against his chest, and his mana rolled across his body like vicious waves in the middle of the ocean caught up in the eye of a ravenous storm.

He knew the feeling well enough by now to know what it meant.

’I’m right there... one more step and I’ll break into Gold.’

His thoughts drifted. The timing wasn’t bad at all. It was around 4 or 5 months earlier than Lucian would hit Gold Rank in the Novel, which meant he was on very good pace.

Plus, with various Abyssal plots constantly occurring and Albedo needing to be aware at all turns, every ounce of power mattered, and that meant even more since he would be heading to the Demon Kingdom soon for the exchange program.

However, Albedo knew not to force it. Forcing a breakthrough is one of the most dangerous things someone can do, as it could lead to injury, or even worse, completely crippling their mana veins and leaving them a mortal.

He knew he’d break through in a day or two after meditation, so he was calm.

When he reached his home, he could hear Gwen and Diona in a bedroom upstairs chatting. He entered quietly, closing the door behind him, but before he could go upstairs to greet them,

"Albedo."

Seraphyne’s voice cut through his thoughts without sound. The words brushed against his mind, not invasive, but calm. He felt the faint ripple of her mental call that called for him to head to the study room.

Albedo exhaled slowly, brushing a hand through his platinum hair. He could already feel the faint stir of bloodlust curling around the edges of that voice. Seraphyne rarely summoned him unless something significant had transpired.

He ascended the steps, passing through the cool stone corridor until he reached the door of the study room. Pushing it open, he found them waiting in the dim study room.

Seraphyne was seated elegantly on one of the high-backed leather chairs, legs crossed, her crimson eyes luminous even in the low light. The faint scent of blood and roses lingered around her, an aura that was as comforting as it was unnerving.

Opposite her stood Kaela. The Foxkin woman lowered herself into a respectful bow the moment Albedo entered, her tails flowing behind her like liquid silver. Her golden eyes, sharp yet deferential, flicked up toward him with the poised readiness of someone long trained in silence and shadow.

"Albedo," Seraphyne greeted, her French-tinged voice lilting with quiet amusement. "You took your time."

Albedo closed the door behind him, his gaze sweeping between the two women. "What’s the matter?" he asked plainly, though the subtle gleam in his eyes betrayed his interest.

Kaela remained silent, her presence sharp and disciplined. It was Seraphyne who stood up, languid and graceful, plucking a slim folder from the desk beside her.

She crossed the room, the sway of her long black hair a living shadow behind her, and placed the folder into Albedo’s hands.

"I have finished their training," Seraphyne said, her lips curving in a faint smile that was both predatory and proud, "All of them, the Foxkin, Wolfkin, Catkin, and Dark Elves, each of them honed, sharpened, bled until there was no weakness left to exploit. They are no longer simply a collection of killers, their skills are much more comprehensive,"

Albedo opened the folder. His eyes scanned the document inside, and recognition sharpened his features. The parchment bore the seal of the International Adventurer’s Federation, official and legally binding through all Kingdoms & Empires.

Guild Registration - Shadow Stars.

His brow arched slightly, though he kept silent, waiting for Seraphyne to elaborate.

She did so with the ease of someone who had already prepared every word, "Earlier today, Kaela and the others formally registered as a guild. Shadow Stars. From this day, they move not just as your hidden blades but as a force acknowledged by the World itself."

Kaela finally raised her head, her voice low and unwavering as she nodded towards him, "We exist to serve you, Master Albedo. Our blades, our lives, our shadows, they are yours to command."

Albedo shut the folder with a soft snap

"Oui," Seraphyne replied smoothly, lips curving into a knowing smile, "Now that their foundation is solid, they will enter the world as predators clothed in legitimacy. Over the next few months, the Shadow Stars will rise in the Guild Rankings and earn more influence."

Her crimson eyes shimmered with mirth, as though she were savoring the thought, "No one will suspect that a young man of the Academy already commands a guild of skilled experts like this."

Albedo smiled as he heard Seraphyne’s words, holding the document in his hands as he thought of his future plans. A Guild recognized by the Adventurer’s Federation would finally allow him to be more brazen in his gathering of resources.

It would also be more insurance for Gwen. A group that could stream-line her journey and hep her dodge many pitfalls.

His thoughts sharpened, cutting past the satisfaction as he also thought of another plan he had. Slowly, he lowered the folder onto the desk, fingers brushing once over the Federation’s seal before he spoke.

"Good. Then we’ll make their first priority clear." His voice was even, steady, but beneath it carried the same electricity that had thrummed in his veins all day. "The Abyss will always be a threat, but there’s something else I need more urgently than slaughtered cultists or stolen contracts."

Both women’s attention was fixed on him. Kaela stood poised, ears flicking faintly toward his words. Seraphyne lounged like a queen upon her throne, but her crimson gaze was razor-focused.

"Ancient ruins," Albedo said plainly. "Anything tied to lost civilizations, forgotten shrines, buried archives, collapsed temples. If Shadow Stars comes across a ruin in a mission list, I want it taken. Prioritize it above all else."

Kaela’s brows furrowed ever so slightly, the only crack in her disciplined mask. "Ruins?" she asked softly. "Most avoid them. They’re... unpredictable. Unstable wards, collapsed structures, corrupted guardians. The risks are high, and the rewards uncertain."

"That’s because most don’t know what they’re looking for," Albedo replied, his blue eyes gleaming with faint violet undertones as the Source Code stirred behind them. "I do. Books, tomes, records, bring them back. Artifacts if possible, but knowledge first. Even if it looks worthless, even if it’s just broken glyph-etchings on a wall. I want it. All of it."

For a moment, Kaela simply held his gaze, searching for the root of his command. Then she bowed her head, tails sweeping low in acknowledgment, "As you will, Master. Shadow Stars will seek the forgotten and bring it to your hand."

Seraphyne chuckled lowly, her fangs glinting in the dim light as she tilted her head. "Mon cher, always hungrier for knowledge than for power. It is... how do they say? Amusant. But très bien. If it is ruins you wish, ruins they shall scour."

Her voice dropped, velvety with intrigue. "It will give them a reputation, too. Others chase coin and beasts. Few dare tread where the dust of centuries still sleeps. That will set them apart."

Albedo gave a short nod. "Good. Let them grow stronger, take the usual missions to build rank and money, but keep their eyes sharp for ruins. No matter how small, no matter how distant. I want every scrap of knowledge in my hands before the Abyss devours it forever."

The candles crackled, their flames bowing to a sudden draft that passed through the room. For a heartbeat, the silence felt heavier than steel.

Then Kaela stepped forward, placing a hand against her chest. "The Shadow Stars will obey. Consider it done."

Seraphyne rose once more, her black hair cascading over her shoulders like a veil of midnight. She swept past Albedo with a grace that barely disturbed the air, her lips curving into a satisfied smile.

"Bon. Then it is settled. The stars move tonight."

Kaela bowed again before following Seraphyne out of the study, her golden eyes glinting once in the candlelight before vanishing into the corridor.

The door clicked shut behind them, leaving Albedo alone in the study.