Jinkan and her master displayed great hospitality during the dinner that night, which was an intimate gathering attended by Emery, Julian, and Grandmaster Delberand.
The first question posed was about Emery's escape from the demon's pit. Emery had no intention of revealing the existence of the Khaos gate, so he shared a version of the story that involved the spaceship and a virus he had acquired during the Vanyar apothecary competition.
The grand magus expressed his delight at hearing the tale. Emery also made sure to mention Atlas' significant role in their escape and voiced his hope that Atlas would receive the recognition and reward he deserved.
"Yes, we'll take care of that first thing in the morning," Jinkan assured him.
The grand magus continued to inquire, asking Emery about his thoughts regarding the Magus Alliance, the Nephilim, and the upcoming expedition. Emery answered each question as diplomatically as possible and deferred to Julian when he wasn't certain about an answer.
With the dinner concluded, Jinkan bid them goodnight, and Emery was provided with a room to rest. He knew that with the perilous expedition set to begin in just seven days, there was no time to waste on relaxation.
Emery had been incredibly busy in recent days, and he hadn't had the opportunity to gather and organize all the resources he had acquired. Among his possessions were high-grade ingredients he had collected from winning the Vanyar apothecary forum, as well as components he had obtained from the Demons' pit. Emery had plans to concoct numerous potions, particularly focusing on creating more [Cthulhu Bomb]s, which would undoubtedly prove invaluable during the upcoming expedition into the Ancient Celestial Ruins.
He made a mental note to allocate time for crafting additional potions later, but for the current night, Emery had a different plan in mind. He intended to delve into the contents of the [Astral Awakening Manual - Beginner], a spirit master manual that had been rewarded to him by the Alabaster faction.
As he immersed himself in the manual's teachings, Emery slipped into a meditative state that lasted throughout the night, only awakening with the arrival of morning. After just a few hours of training, he was pleasantly surprised to discover that the spirit tome had managed to refresh his mind and rejuvenate his soul.
The following morning, Emery was greeted not only by Julian but also by Jinkan, the Nephilim princess, who had arrived and was waiting for him.
"Ok lets go!"
Emery, Julian, and Jinkan had initially planned to visit the training zone to meet with the other candidates for the expedition. However, as promised, Jinkan had made prior arrangements to address the matter concerning Atlas first.
A sleek and futuristic ship descended from the sky, its design embodying the cutting-edge technology that the Nephilim faction was known for. The trio boarded the vessel, and it smoothly ascended into the sky, heading towards a remarkable building situated in the heart of the bustling factory districts. This building was a striking cube-like structure, standing in stark contrast to the surrounding industrial landscape.
As they approached the impressive edifice, Jinkan couldn't help but express her pride in her faction's achievements. "This is our main Research and Development department," she announced with a sense of ownership.
Upon their arrival at the building, the workers and staff in the vicinity quickly recognized the Nephilim princess. They paused in their duties to offer respectful greetings and acknowledge her presence, showcasing their admiration and loyalty.
A group of twelve individuals, dressed in robes adorned with a combination of white and gold, promptly approached Jinkan as she entered the building. Their attire exuded an air of authority and sophistication. One of them stepped forward and addressed her with the utmost respect, saying, "Duchess, the 'Atlas' model has been prepared as per your request."
Jinkan's efficiency in handling matters was evident, and Emery couldn't help but appreciate the seamless manner in which she conducted her affairs. Following the group of robed individuals, they were led into a well-lit room. Behind a transparent partition, they were greeted by the sight of a humanoid figure—a fusion of machinery and human likeness. The machine-human entity bore multiple Atlas faces on its mechanical form.
One of the individuals in the white and gold robes stepped forward to provide further information.
"This is the latest product model, utilizing the best materials and core components as per your specifications," they explained, using Atlas's future.
Turning his gaze to Jinkan, Emery expressed his discontent. "No, he technical terminology that might have sounded bewildering to Emery. While the creation before him was undoubtedly technologically advanced, it fell short of Emery's expectations for Atlas's future.
Turning his gaze to Jinkan, Emery expressed his discontent. "No, he was promised his real body... no more machines!" His tone was firm and unwavering, revealing his determination to see Atlas restored to his true form.
Jinkan, always well-prepared, had an explanation ready. She pointed out that Atlas had been a machine for an extended period, and it would require several months for him to fully acclimate to a human body. Emery, realizing the practicality of this situation, began to understand the complexities involved.
Jinkan continued, stating, "This half-machine is the only way for him if he wants to join the expedition."
Understanding the necessity of this compromise, Emery allowed Atlas to make the ultimate decision. Jinkan reaffirmed her promise that Atlas would regain his true human form upon their return from the expedition.
Turning his attention to Atlas, Emery inquired, "So, what's your answer, Atlas?"
Atlas had evidently reached a decision and agreed to the arrangement proposed by Jinkan. Emery couldn't help but once again feel that he and Atlas had fallen under Jinkan's web of manipulation.
The individuals in white robes went on to explain that it would take a few days to complete the necessary preparations for the transformation.
With this matter settled, Emery and his companions were ready to join the other participants at the training ground. Emery was eager to reunite with some familiar faces, including his friend Chumo. However, he couldn't help but feel uncertain about how to react when he encountered her.
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