World's Roof Mountain Range, Celestial Vault Castle.
This is the edge of the world, where white snow and chilling winds constantly blow from the mountain peaks. Towering castles that pierce the clouds are interconnected with several Wizard Towers flashing with Arcane Magic radiance, forming the headquarters of the Jialan Council. This area is already at the world's edge, located approximately two thousand meters above sea level. The path up the mountain is filled with fierce beasts and dead ends, reachable only by those with perseverance. The mountains are filled with arrays and traps set by witches to block unwelcome guests.
The location of Celestial Vault Castle is at the intersection of the Nord Kingdom, the Empire, and the Dwarf Kingdom, occupying an advantageous semi-independent geographical position ignored by all three. Many witches and female sorcerers stay here, delving deeply into the Path of Aurora.
One of the Wizard Towers within the vast castle, first floor, side hall.
The teleportation light illuminated the entire gloomy and damp room as the female sorcerer descended into her mother's Wizard Tower.
Immediately, two female witch apprentices walked in: "Miss, you're back?"
"Mm, I'm back. Where is Mother?" Teresa's surprisingly polite demeanor left the two apprentices astonished, casting glances at one another, feeling a bit awed, knowing that their mistress generally responds with a mere indifferent "Hmm".
"Madam is waiting for you on the top floor, but she has instructed that you don't need to meet her immediately. Madam said let's first wash away Miss's travel fatigue." whispered the two apprentices.
"Alright." Teresa proceeded towards the upstairs of the Wizard Tower, surrounded by the apprentices.
The Wizard Tower serves multiple purposes such as a caster's research, residence, practice, and combat. Consequently, the first floor is filled with various mechanisms and arrays, as well as numerous Combat Golems. Following the long spiral staircase up to the fifth floor, the female sorcerer finally returned to the residential area. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs novelꜰire.net
Upon arrival at the bathroom, the apprentices had already prepared hot water for the sorcerer. Teresa bathed comfortably and changed into her favorite purple robe and loose wide-leg pants, donned slippers, and knocked on her mother's door: "Mother?"
"Teresa? Come in!" A mature female voice emanated from the room. Upon hearing, Teresa pushed open the door.
The bedroom of the Jialan Council Elder can no longer be described as opulent. The carpet is made from the finest White Bear fur, and all furniture in the room is crafted from top-grade walnut wood with the glow of yellow Magic Lamps contrasting the snowflakes outside the crystal windows. Elder Aurora Trovik of the Jialan Council sat on a massive White Wolf fur sofa chair, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, smilingly gazing at her daughter.
Teresa remembered that this White Wolf fur sofa chair was indeed a gift from Laine, and thinking of Laine, the sorcerer felt a pang of pain in her heart. She knew her return this time was indeed untimely. Feeling a bit aggrieved, the sorcerer looked at her mother: "Mother?"
From appearance alone, Aurora and Teresa look very much alike, like a larger, mature version of Teresa. Her aura resembles a ripened fruit, exuding an alluring charm. The Female Elder of Jialan wore a white robe, revealing only her legs clad in flesh-colored stockings: "Daughter, you've returned?"
"Why did the council summon me back at this time? Mother? Don't you know the task with Laine was at a crucial moment?" Teresa said softly, sitting opposite Aurora. "I asked Emily and the others; it doesn't seem that urgent!"
"The matter isn't very urgent, but it's the intention of our Speaker. She thinks your partnership with Laine wasn't very effective, so you should come back," Aurora slightly tugged on her lips. "It's not that I don't want to speak for you, my daughter, your performance really wasn't up to par."
"But..." Teresa wanted to argue, but Aurora raised her hand to indicate she should first listen: "Teresa, I ask you, what did you accomplish on this journey?"
"The White Wolf Church detailed Laine's solo battle atop Scavell Mountain against the Doomsday Bull...or the Four-armed Bull Demon Taurus. He suffered significant injuries, narrowly escaped death. At that time, my daughter, where were you?"
"The Saintess Order, the Empire officials, the White Wolf Church also described in detail during the battle of Mijordenhaven. Laine, in an incredibly adverse situation, achieved victory in the great championship duel, defeating the Chaos Champion 'Crushing Bear' Bireg, single-handedly retreated thousands of Barbarian Army. At that time, my daughter, where were you again?"
"Time and again, the council has constantly heard about Laine's solo legendary feats. This rising star is now a renowned human hero across the continent. But my daughter, where are you? Are you really Laine's partner? Why haven't I heard your name even once?"
Aurora's words left Teresa's face flushed with shame. Unable to say a word in defense, she felt deep remorse.
"Moreover, I might reckon, your temperament and personality probably gave him quite a bit of trouble along the way, didn't it? Let me think, he must have held back in consideration for me, tolerating you, right?" Aurora said faintly, yet with a smile in her eyes: "How much did I guess right?"
Teresa lowered her head, her small hands awkwardly tangled together: "Everything, my mother. Along the way, I caused him a lot of trouble. I could feel many times he forcibly suppressed his dissatisfaction with me. Later on, his attitude towards me significantly cooled. Yet I always regarded myself as his benefactor and powerful caster partner, showing him attitude... until he couldn't bear it and scolded me directly, only then did I realize my wrongdoing."