Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 328: Small talk

Chapter 328: Small talk

It was a dark musty tunnel with a most eerie vibe, a place once utilized by humanity to survive the Dark Ages, now abandoned and left to the elements.

Undisturbed for hundreds of years, the presence of certain vegetation had begun to appear, with moss and mushrooms as vanguard.

It was in such a place Ana found herself after barely managing to hide her presence from prying eyes.

It was difficult considering how close it was to that man but regardless, she had done it and hopefully, it would do that no one had noticed her presence, after all, it would only serve to detract whatever Alex had in mind for Cance.

Taking a deep breath, Ana maneuvered her way through the tunnels, having no trouble making her way through due to the Night vision all Cryptids possessed.

Soon she arrived somewhere that caused her pause, not because she couldn’t see ahead but because she’d sensed something.

There was a slight ripple in the aether, one that unless one was close to the Will of the World, they would be unable to make out.

It would do to pass across this strange development to Alex.

In the meanwhile, Ana found where she’d stopped sufficient enough to begin what she had in mind.

She let out a sigh as she sat down on the moss-covered ground.

Having already expected the inconvenience, she’d opted to wear a full leather suit.

At least, she wouldn’t feel the wetness though the smell was another matter entirely.

Regardless, she had to focus.

And so, she closed her eyes and exerted her will on the world, the act causing ripples through the aether.

Then like she were catching flies, she began to reach out, slowly but steadily with faint gold lines forming at her fingertips.

The lines were more ethereal than solid as more and more formed and as it continued to grow, Ana couldn’t help but think aloud. "This might take a while."

***

The train ride was quite peaceful though Alex couldn’t help but feel like a strange grotesquery would jump out at any moment to destroy it.

Of course, his worries were unfounded.

Unlike the railways to the west which were most times bordered by forests and the likes, the ones closer to the capital were bordered by civilization which meant better security and less chance of an attack... However, that didn’t mean the chances were zero.

"Are you alright, Master?" Victoria couldn’t help but ask as she watched Alex go through what could only be termed as mild PTSD.

Tru... Fear had indeed left a mark.

Letting out a sigh, Alex casually replied. "Just wondering how long the ride would take."

"I see," Victoria remarked before waving the magazine in her hand. "According to this, it says we should arrive at Cance in a week."

"That would be great. Hopefully, we stick to schedule."

"I doubt there would be any problems."

"Sure."

Seeing as how Alex was still slightly uncomfortable, Victoria suggested. "Perhaps a meal would help, master?"

Alex decided to give a positive response only to pause as he realized the implications.

During his younger years on Earth, he was quite the stress eater, and mind you, he was always quite stressed.

Regardless, he knew very well the implications of going back into such a habit and so, shook his head. "That won’t be necessary."

"Then..."

"How about small talk?... That would help to get my mind off things."

"Is there any matter of interest you would like to discuss, master?"

Alex pondered for a moment before finally replying. "How about explaining what an Advancement is? I’m quite curious about it."

"Ah, that." Perhaps excited about sharing some of her knowledge with her master, a privilege Ana had hogged alone, Victoria set down the magazine she held and immediately began. "An Advancement can be considered similar to what is known as Locks amongst Mystics."

"If Locks are for Immortal Wheels, would that mean Advancements are for Mortal Wheels?"

"Indeed, master. The Mortal Wheels are quite different from Immortal Wheels in various ways with one of them being the methods of growing stronger. Unlike Locks that require trials to be completed, the Advancements are said to require something more akin to understanding the essence of their wheel than anything else."

"Understanding the essence..." Alex intoned, rather intrigued by the peculiar phrase.

Victoria nodded. "Though I’m not learned in the specifics as I haven’t interacted much with Mortal Wheel Mystics, I believe the term involves embodying the title of the Advancement they are on."

"A rather novel idea," Alex remarked.

"Indeed, it is." Victoria readily agreed before adding. "Also, unlike Locks which are said to be a total of 10, Advancements are only up to 7."

"I see." Alex nodded before inquiring. "Ana had mentioned something about a Fenrir in the battle against Platadoris, is that the title of an Advancement?"

"Indeed, master. Fenrir is the title of the 7th Advancement for the Beast Wheel."

Silence lingered after Victoria’s response with Alex taking the time to digest what he’d learnt.

It was a good way to get his mind off things and also learn more about the supernatural world.

With a thought coming to mind, Alex inquired. "Tell me something, how versed are you in knowledge about the Mortal Wheels?"

"... I would say I have basic knowledge of them, master."

"From your understanding, which is the most dangerous and which do we have the most chance of crossing paths with apart from the Beast Wheel which is on our side?"

"That... is a rather unique question, master."

"One which might save our lives later on. Tell me."

Victoria pursed her lips as she gathered the knowledge she’d gotten over the years before she spoke up. "For your first question, master, it would depend on compatibility in my opinion. However, I would say the Warrior Wheel is quite dangerous especially since we are in the Empire which is supported by the owners of the Wheel, making it easy for them to chase us down if they so wished."

"Understandable."

"As for the second question, I would also say the Warrior Wheel and..."

"And?"

"The Undead Wheel."

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