Ronan silently packed away everything Soraya had given him, and the latter asked him, "When do you plan to advance?"
Ronan responded, "The tutor in the Magic Ring guided me to White Stone Castle to find the appropriate ’Talent’ for a transplant, in preparation for the final opening of the Ancient Secret Realm in a month and a half. That is the real reason I came to Cold Stone Manor, and I did not know beforehand that you were here..."
"’Talent Transplant’ is indeed a good temporary measure to increase your combat power at this stage... What Magic Beast have you chosen for the transplant?"
Ronan was about to answer, but Soraya waved her hand and quickly said: "Never mind, the previous choice is no longer important.
Since it’s about enhancing combat power, naturally, we should choose the best.
The bloodline of a Second-tier Magical Beast is ultimately a bit lacking..."
In the dim light, Ronan saw Soraya’s eyes flash rapidly as she spoke in a low voice: "Just recently, the major Wizard Families at White Stone Castle are preparing to hunt a Third Rank Cold-Scaled Python that has awakened a hint of the Ancient Ice Crystal Demon Snake bloodline. I will help you get a portion of this Third Rank Cold-Scaled Python’s essence blood.
A Cold-Scaled Python bloodline possessing the Ancient Ice Crystal Demon Snake bloodline... is worthy of the genius of the Lansite family..."
Third Rank Cold-Scaled Python... Ancient Ice Crystal Demon Snake bloodline...
Ronan opened his mouth, wanting to speak but unsure of what to say.
Previously, he had felt that Kosti was already very kind to him, caring for him like a ’biological mother.’
But now, compared with Soraya... he knew what true ’maternal love’ was.
This intense ’motherly love’... almost suffocating...
Ronan felt something on his shoulders becoming continuously heavier, heavier...
"Let’s go outside, it’s too stuffy in here."
Soraya stood up from the high-chair, casually calling to Ronan.
She was thin, and extremely tall. Standing up, Ronan realized she was only slightly shorter than him.
This made her appear older than her actual age.
However, after standing up, Soraya seemed to exude a new vitality throughout her entire being, her skin slightly glowing, emitting a youthful aura.
For a moment, Ronan saw her overlapping with the girl in the oil painting, indistinguishable from each other.
"I almost forgot how many years it has been since I left this room, since..."
Soraya looked around the studio, her eyes conveying a slight nostalgia and reminiscence.
The girl in the painting smiled, leaning on the frame, waving at her as if saying a form of goodbye.
Soraya turned around, leading the way out of the studio.
Ronan followed behind Soraya, his eyes flickering, quietly asked, "Why did Aunt Soraya come to White Stone Castle in the first place?"
"It was so long ago, I can’t quite remember..."
Soraya paused upon hearing Ronan’s question,
"It seems... it was because of a man.
Recklessly cutting off all ties with the family, she traveled thousands of miles from the Extreme North to come here. Carlos, who left you the [Frozen Soil], is my brother and also the person who helped me flee from the Northern Land...
When someone is young, their heart is easily captivated by some unexpected aspect of life, unconsciously following it...
It might also be an arrangement destined by fate...
When the brief joy has passed and you look back, you realize... that indeed, such a long period has passed..."
Soraya’s voice was calm, yet it stirred waves in Ronan’s heart.
He pursed his lips, could probably imagine what kind of story it was.
Ronan looked back, seeing the girl in the painting still staring steadily in the direction they were leaving, standing on a field full of irises, slowly being engulfed by darkness...
The studio door closed, seemingly symbolizing that certain memories of Soraya’s were permanently sealed away.
The two stood in a corridor with bright, gentle lighting, a slight cold breeze flowing through.
Ronan remembered something, couldn’t help but ask Soraya in front of him, "Lady Livi mentioned to me before... does Cold Stone Manor really possess the true method for Bloodline Transplant?!"