They walked out of the lounge and into the main parlor room, a grand chamber known as the Cahlider, meaning alot of houses have the same design in the tower. The moment they stepped inside, they were greeted again the a breathtaking sight: a massive chandelier dominated the ceiling, its crystalline structure capturing the light and once in awhile bringing a new hue, orange, green, red.

  it was a geometric masterpiece that hung in the celing, its edges sharp and lines clean—a perfect marriage of opulence and contemporary elegance. Each crystal prism seemed to catch a different hue of light, creating a kaleidoscope effect that bathed the room in a soft, ethereal glow.

  Leonardo couldn't help but pause for a moment, his gaze transfixed on the chandelier as they walked past, his amber eyes shifting in color, the large, plush sofas arranged in an artful yet inviting manner.

  The parlor's design was a study in contrasts—modern, sleek furniture set against the timeless grandeur of high ceilings and classic architecture. As they moved towards a set of intricate, high-backed chairs, Leonardo found himself caught in a whirlwind of thoughts.

  "How big is the training ground?" Leonardo asked, breaking the silence as Anna led the way,

  Anna's lips curved into a knowing smile. "It's really big," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of boredom,"That's why i think Kaelan wants to try out the new unwritten skill he has. I don't think he'll tell us though." Her eyes sparkled

  Leonardo nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities. Training grounds were a rarity in Volnia; the town was substantial, but at its core, it remained a mere mining settlement.

  The barracks there served only the minor guards who patrolled the city—the very ranks Leonardo had once aspired to join.

  Elara, walking beside them, couldn't contain her excitement. "I can't wait to test out my new skill!, amplifying Rasvian here i come!" she said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

  Anna chuckled softly, though her tone quickly became serious. "It's not as amazing as you might think it still just rasvian," she said, then paused to look at Leonardo. "And listen, both of you—do NOT tell anyone about your skills or you being the guide's son. Not even about your story skills. That's already too much information to give away," she sighed, her expression tense.

  At the far end of the room, to the sweeping staircase that curved elegantly upwards, splitting into two branches at a mezzanine level.

  Each step of the staircase was crafted from reinforced glass, shimmering with a faint blue hue, and bordered by stainless steel railings that glinted in the ambient light.

  leading up to a floor that housed yet another massive door, this one an impressive pivot design made of rich, dark wood with metallic inlays, a nod to tradition amidst the modern aesthetics.

  The upper balcony overlooked the entrance with a clear, tempered glass balustrade, allowing an unobstructed view of the entire space below.

  They began walking up the stairs, Leonardo looking around in awe. "You'd think only nobles would be able to walk on such amazing stairs.

  Then again, I was inside that place, so I've already seen perfection..." Leonardo mused, his voice trailing off as memories flooded back.

  "You'd think Leonardo has Ascendant Rasvian," Elara noted as they reached the second floor, glancing at Leonardo thoughtfully. "It's the only explanation, really, especially since his skill didn't list a double category."

  "It is Ascendant," Anna confirmed. "And it, along with Transmitter, are among the more remarkable support manifestations."

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  "Ascendant? Manifestations?" Leonardo echoed, trying to grasp the conversation.

  Anna hesitated, then nodded as they continued walking down the polished corridor. "I was planning to wait until we reached the Grand Bibliotheca to let them tell us, but... well, basically, Rasvian energy comes in three forms and five manifestations. Everything is Rasvian, but it manifests in different ways."

  "So I'm using Ascendant Rasvian?" Leonardo asked as he passed under a smaller, but no less intricate, chandelier.

  The light from it cast intricate patterns on the walls, creating an almost hypnotic effect that seemed to draw the eye down the long hallway.

  They passed a door on the second floor, ornately designed, leading to what appeared to be different sections of the mansion.

  However, their destination was the largest door in the middle, towering and formidable.

  "Yes," Anna replied. "Though I don't know all the details fully, the three forms of Rasvian Energy are Primal, Genesis, and Essence," she explained, her voice echoing slightly in the vast space. "And then you have the manifestations: Navigator, Amplifier, Veil, Transmitter, and Ascendant."

  "I use Veil and Navigator," she added, waving her hand as if to demonstrate, though she quickly stopped herself when Leonardo raised his hand.

  "Pause," Leonardo interjected, sensing she was about to activate a skill on him again.

  "Only I can say that," she replied with a smirk, lowering her hand. "In short, Navigator is as the name suggests. both Elara and Astraea used it—directing the flow of Rasvian for Ranged attack. It's mixed with Veil, which is basically masking... the energy?"

  [Conceals and obfuscates, creating layers of energy that can hide the user or distort perceptions.]

  Leonardo glanced at the glowing text hovering before him, appearing only to his eyes. It seemed Anna couldn't see it unless he willed it so—a useful trick, he thought. The text provided a clearer explanation than Anna's attempt.

  "Mask and Direct... that sounds like it could be more than just your ability, though," Leonardo mused.

  "Exactly. That's where Story Skills come in," Elara chimed in, her tone brightening. "Story Skills change everything."

  Leonardo nodded, thinking over the words carefully. "I don't know much about Ascendant, but it's the most linear of manifestations—basically just making things better, right?"

  [Evolves and refines the nature of matter and energy, pushing beyond natural limitations.]

  Leonardo stared at the floating text again, impressed by its depth. "Does this thing know everything? If so, why should I bother going to the Grand Bibliotheca?"

  [No, it could provide misleading information if topics aren't known well. Information is derived from the Tour Guide's Handbook, not everything is there—just basic language, currency, and ideas about Rasvian Energy.]

  "Wait, so you've lied about some things?" Leonardo blurted out, his voice tinged with disbelief.

  Anna and Elara both turned to him, puzzled. "Is everything alright, Leonardo?" Elara asked, her brows furrowing in concern.

  "Yeah, it's fine," he replied quickly, though a nervous tremor edged his voice. He turned his attention back to the girls, his mind racing.

  "If you don't know something, just say it, alright? I don't want to put my entire faith in you," Leonardo muttered softly, then shifted the conversation back. "What is double category? You both seem to have it."

  They finally reached the large central door at the end of the hallway.

  Its design was intricate, with a mosaic of patterns etched into dark wood, reinforced with bands of metallic inlay that glimmered in the light.

  The door loomed large, almost like a gate to another world, its weight hinted at by the massive brass handles shaped like coiling serpents.

  "Double category is when you have an affinity to use two manifestations," Anna explained as she placed her hands on the ornate door, pushing it open with a creak that echoed through the corridor. "And by affinity, I mean if your story skill requires it, only two."

  As the door swung open, they were met with a pristine light, reminiscent of the sun's glow outside, though softened by the interior's delicate lighting.

  Their eyes, already adjusted to the chandelier lights, squinted slightly against the brightness. They found themselves standing on a grand balcony that connected to a towering structure. The sides of this balcony were open, resembling an expansive veranda attached to a fortress.

  The balcony was paved with smooth stone tiles that glistened as if recently polished, and its railings were forged from wrought iron, twisted into elaborate designs of vines and leaves.

  The tower they were connected to stretched upwards, its peak crowned with a large, conical roof made of dark slate tiles.

  Behind them, the mansion stood in its full glory—a multi-leveled structure with windows of various shapes and sizes peeking out from every possible corner. It definitely had more than two floors; the uppermost levels had even smaller, circular windows that looked like the eyes of a watchful guardian.

  Below the balcony, the estate grounds spread out in lush greenery—manicured gardens lined with flowering shrubs, fountains bubbling with clear water, and shaded pavilions where one could sit and lose track of time.

  The paths that crisscrossed through the gardens were laid with smooth stones, carefully arranged to guide guests through the maze of foliage and open spaces.

  In the distance, Leonardo could make out what seemed to be the training grounds—vast, enclosed spaces with high walls that promised the kind of seclusion required for honing dangerous skills.

  "I don't think i'll ever get tired of this place" Leonardo muttered under his breath,