Awakened Talent: 10,000 Exp Converter!

"We did find a solution. However..." Tayma hesitated, her voice trailing off as if weighed down by an invisible burden. "However?" Vincent pressed, his tone sharp, cutting through the heavy silence. "However, we are bound to the timeline we exist in. If we attempt to act outside its parameters, we risk deletion by the Eternal Spire." Tayma's words were measured, each syllable carrying the weight of centuries. Vincent's expression darkened as realization struck him like a thunderbolt. "Aren't you risking yourself right now?" Tayma smiled, but it was a smile tinged with sadness, her eyes reflecting a deep, unspoken pain. Yet, if one looked closely, deep within her gaze, there was a flicker of yearning—a yearning for freedom, for release from this endless cycle of torment. Vincent saw it. He didn't know what to feel, what to say. But he couldn't stop her. This might be her only chance to escape the cruel loop that had trapped her for eons. So, he asked, "How about Aevara, your granddaughter? Aren't you afraid that you'll leave her alone?" A stiff smile formed on Tayma's aged Phantolisk face before it melted into something sorrowful. "Aevara... isn't my real granddaughter." Vincent was once again rendered speechless by the sudden revelation. As usual, he didn't utter a word, simply listening as she continued. "We are not blood-related. She wasn't even a real being in the first place," Tayma explained, her voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of regret. This time, Vincent didn't react. He simply nodded, urging her to continue. "As I've mentioned earlier, My Lord, we did find a solution..." Tayma's voice shifted, her tone growing more urgent. Vincent was confused by the sudden change in her story but remained silent, allowing her to speak. "The first solution we found is to retrieve the Temporal Keystone from the Tomb of Eternal Echoes," Tayma said, her voice dropping to a near whisper. Vincent's eyes widened faintly. That was the place they were heading to. Dio had mentioned it would open tomorrow. It was a massive dungeon, filled with treasures and dangers alike. Naturally, it was the main goal of every Origin Warrior who dared to risk their life in the Lost Grove. However, he had never heard of the Temporal Keystone. Dio hadn't mentioned it either. Curiosity gnawed at him, and he couldn't help but ask, "What is the Temporal Keystone?" "My Lord, the Temporal Keystone is the key to freeing my people from this endless loop. It is a fragment of the Eternal Spire, the very structure that caused our downfall. With its power, we can repair the Temporal Core and restore balance to the Grove. But beware—the Keystone's energy is unstable, and using it improperly could have dire consequences," Tayma explained, her voice grave. "How do we retrieve it?" Vincent asked, his tone firm, though a flicker of unease danced in his eyes. "The Keystone lies within the Tomb of Eternal Echoes, hidden deep within the Lost Grove. To access it, you must first obtain the three keys held by my kin—Voryn, Lysara, and Thalor. Each key is tied to a trial that reflects our connection to time. Only by proving your understanding of our past, present, and future can you earn their trust and claim the Keystone," Tayma elaborated. Vincent's brow furrowed slightly. 'It seems I've stumbled into another troublesome situation,' he thought. But even so, since he was already here, he decided to see it through to the end. Tayma continued, "And about that little kid..." She began explaining everything about Aevara, her voice fluctuating with various emotions. At times, she smiled happily, her eyes lighting up with fondness. Other times, she seemed playfully annoyed, and then, in moments, her voice would drop, heavy with sorrow. Finally, Tayma stood up, her movements slow and deliberate. "My Lord, I've been waiting for you for eons. I've waited for so long already. I hope you can forgive this ungrateful devotee for her selfish wish. I hope you'll take care of my granddaughter, Aevara." Tayma bowed deeply before him, her head lowered in reverence. Vincent could feel the sincerity in her voice, the weight of her plea pressing down on him. He remained silent, his mind racing. At that moment, a young, child-like voice broke the silence. "G-Granny, w-what are you doing?" Tayma, still in her bowing position, turned to the source of the voice. It was Aevara, her granddaughter, who had climbed downstairs. The young girl's eyes were wide with confusion and a hint of fear. Vincent noticed Aevara too. Ara stood beside her, equally confused. He turned to Tayma and said, "Have a talk with your granddaughter first." Tayma bowed again. "Thank you for understanding, My Lord." Vincent simply nodded and headed upstairs. Ara, unsure of what to do, glanced at the grandmother and granddaughter before deciding to follow him. Now, Tayma and Aevara were alone downstairs. Aevara approached her grandmother slowly, her small frame trembling with uncertainty. "Granny... What do you mean by that? Are you tired of me? Why are you giving me away?!" Her voice cracked, and the corners of her eyes moistened. Tayma gave a soft smile, her expression gentle as she approached Aevara. She wiped the tears forming in the corners of the young girl's eyes and gently stroked her bright white hair. "Aevara, look at me." With a sorrowful expression, Aevara slowly raised her head, her eyes meeting Tayma's. Her grandmother's smile was warm, but there was an undeniable sadness in her gaze. "You know how much I care for you. You know I would never simply give you to anyone. Even if the most evil person came to take you, I would never hand you over," Tayma said, her voice steady but filled with emotion. Tears welled up in Aevara's eyes once more as she listened, nodding slowly. "Granny..." she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "You know how much I love you," Tayma continued, her hand still gently stroking Aevara's hair. "Granny—" Aevara began, but Tayma interrupted her, shaking her head. "Just listen, you brat. Your grandmother is talking," Tayma playfully scolded, though her voice was soft. Aevara finally fell silent, her lips pressing together as she listened. Tayma continued, her voice gentle but firm. "I know you're aware that I'm nothing but a remnant of the past. And you must have experienced many times how I've breathed my last breath." At those words, a flood of tears began pouring down Aevara's cheeks. It was true. Since the first day she had gained awareness, she had witnessed the catastrophic day her grandmother took her last breath. Not once, twice, or thrice—she had seen it over and over again, more than 80 times. Due to the unstable time in the Lost Grove, although Aevara was biologically seven years old, she had experienced an 80-year lifetime within the Grove. And in that time, she had witnessed her grandmother's death 80 times. "That must have been painful to experience," Tayma said sorrowfully. But Aevara simply shook her head, wiping away her tears. She forced a smile, though her voice trembled. "No, it was nothing." A smile formed on Tayma's lips. "Heh, this brat is already acting mature?" she commented, shaking her head. "My dear, like you, I've witnessed the deaths of those close to me countless times over eons. I should have gone insane, lost my awareness because of it. But since you appeared, you became the reason I managed to keep my sanity after all this time." Tayma's voice grew softer, more tender. "I had lost all hope of escaping this endless torment. But when you appeared, you lit a fire of hope within me. I've waited for eons, and I'm glad I waited because I met you. And now, we finally have our hope." "What do you mean, Granny?" Aevara asked, her voice filled with curiosity and a glimmer of hope. "I want you to accompany the Divine Lordship and help him retrieve the Temporal Keystone from the Tomb of Eternal Echoes. Once you stabilize the Temporal Core of the Eternal Spire, it will set us free from this tormenting loop," Tayma explained. "Is that true, Granny?" Aevara's eyes sparkled with excitement. Tayma nodded. "Will that release you from that tragedy?" Aevara asked, her voice hopeful. Tayma paused for a moment before smiling and nodding again. "Of course. All you have to do is follow the Divine Lordship and guide him if needed." "So, you're not giving me away?" Aevara questioned, her voice trembling slightly. "What are you talking about, you brat? Who will help me go upstairs if I give you away?" Tayma playfully scolded, her tone light. Hearing her grandmother's teasing, Aevara couldn't help but giggle. She wiped away the remaining tears in her eyes, her smile returning. "Then, I'll help the Divine Lordship so we can live happily, Granny!" she said enthusiastically. Tayma nodded, her smile gentle. "You must be. I don't want to hear from the Divine Lordship how naughty and rude you are, okay?" "Yes, Granny!" Aevara promptly responded, her smile wide and bright. "Alright, go prepare the stuff you need. I'll be talking with the Divine Lordship," Tayma said. "Okay, Granny!" Aevara replied before heading upstairs to prepare. --- "Divine Lordship, My Lord..." Tayma bowed once again in Vincent's presence. "I hope you can grant this old devotee her final wish," Tayma continued, her voice heavy with emotion. "I have no time left. I can already feel the presence of the Eternal Spire coming for me..." She meant that she was about to be deleted by the Eternal Spire for violating the time loop rules of the Lost Grove by revealing all the information about its situation to Vincent. If she were exterminated by the Eternal Spire, she would be completely erased from existence—her soul would never enter the cycle of reincarnation. She would cease to exist, forever.