In the mayor's office, Ethan, Anya, Jax, Kian and Nole were on the seats facing the mayor who stood Infront of his office desk.
The mayor stood there looking at them as he caressed his white beard his thoughts far. He was an Oldman with white long hair and beard, his demeanor oozing out wisdom from his eyes even after his earlier tantrum. He was now processing all the information he just received about the secret realm.
As the head of one of the evergreen town's he had information on some of the secrets involving the evergreen forest thus he was no stranger to the strangeness or mysteries of the endless forest.
He is one of the survivors of the apocalyptic stampede. This was a mana beast stampede so enormous that it threatened civilization on the plane. The origins and reason for it were unknown even ten years after its occurrence. He gets shivers just thinking about that disaster, millions died but ultimately, they prevailed.
"And you say, his father was there and said it wasn't a problem." Asked the mayor as they nodded.
"…. Then it's really not a problem." Stated the mayor.
"Really just like that, not even telling me to report it to the city." Asked Anya.
"if you think it's necessary you can report it , but honestly I don't think it's necessary." Answered the mayor.
They all looked at him wondering just why he trust Atlas that much. Even Ethan was curious.
".... Just who is he?"
Suddenly Anya asked. All of them looked at them mayor the curiosity getting the better of them.
Even Ethan was curious. He might be young but not stupid. Some of the things Atlas does are mind boggling even for him who grew up seeing them. One time he asked him if he was some kind of exiled powerful king but that just got him laughing so hard he couldn't breathe.
All Ethan knows is that they are from a family called the anima family and it's very far away from here.
But surprisingly, the biggest enigma was not Atlas, it was both Jasmine and Davina. They never talk about their relations with the outside world. His mom just says that his grandparents are alive and nothing more and Davina just doesn't seem to know her own origins. For as long as she could remember, she has been with Atlas and Jasmine.
"That I don't know? Even the council at the city seems wary of him that's why I don't think they will do anything even if you report to them." Said the mayor as he sat on his chair.
They all looked at each other then at Ethan, as they fell deeper into the abyss that is his family.
"I guess your all returning to the city."
The mayor spoke interrupting their thoughts. He called the butler into the office.
"Organize their travel to the city."
"Actually we want you to give Ethan a recommendation for the institution, it will be faster for him to get in that way." Said Anya
"Him? ….. But last time he refused to go." Pointed the mayor at Ethan. Anya looked at him and nodded, the mayor sighed as he opened a drawer removing a letter. After scribbling something, he threw it at Ethan.
"Please behave while you're there."
Ethan laughed awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his head, as he avoided the mayors eyes.
' This kid isn't even trying to assure me. Well now it's their problem not mine'
The butler was called in again to arrange for some refreshments and food for them and Nox.
After the meals, Ethan wanted to go see Titus before he left so they all accompanied him. The street was still as bustling as ever and eyes were still on them.
They reached the front of the emporium. "The mortal emporium!" They mumbled in unison. They looked at each other in Suprise.
"You all know the mortal emporium." Asked Anya. They all nodded explaining that a similar emporium is located in their respective cities. They all turned to Ethan.
"You said your friend owns this emporium?" asked Anya
"yeah" said Ethan as he realized the looks on their faces. " Is something wrong?"
"It's nothing, let's go in." smiled Anya.
Ethan looked at them then entered as they followed behind him.
At the counter of the emporium a familiar fat man with brown hair and red eyes was sleeping. Ethan sighed as he walked towards him, the other looked around then at Titus, as they wanted to spread their mana sense to scan him, Titus suddenly woke up and looked at them.
"Who are you? Customers I hope." He yawned
His eyes fell on Ethan as he approached him.
"Ethan, why are you here? Today is not delivery day." Asked Titus
"I came to wake your lazy ass one last time before I go."
"Go? Where?" asked Titus, surprised.
"I'm going to the institute in the city." Smiled Ethan.
"Who are your friends?" asked Titus.
Ethan called them over as he introduced them one by one. They greeted him one by one. They greeted him one by one interest in their eyes.
Titus turned to Ethan frowning.
"What happened to you?"
"What do you mean?" asked Ethan confused.
"I mean you feel weird." Said Titus his eyes squinting as they met Ethans eyes.
"Ooooh! I just started cultivating." Said Ethan in excitement "I'm already at the late stage of the vein strengthening stage."
"Ooooh!" Titus looked at him still not satisfied by the answer. "Tell me everything that happened these last few days."
Ethan started narrating the sequence of event that happened in the forest. Titus listened his head nodding from time to time. The moment he reached the part about the world seed, Titus eyes were instantly lost in his thoughts.
After Ethan finished, the others looked at him questioning his decision to tell Titus about the mysterious orb. They had avoided mentioning it to the mayor.
"It's okay Titus is trustworthy" Ethan assured them.
"It looks that you had quite an eventful day." Said Titus, "Now that you've interrupted my sleep you can go."
"Lets go." Said Ethan as they left.
After they left, Titus raised his head looking in their direction.
'That kid's already opened his soul at this age ….. A world seed ... troublesome... at least it won't be boring any more' thought Titus as he returned to his siesta.