The Old Saintess nodded. "Yes. Just like that. Never to be seen again… for centuries."
Her next words sent a chill down Max's spine.
"Until suddenly, a new group of people appeared— Ascendants. "
Max's breathing slowed.
"They were mysterious."
"People only ever heard their name—but never actually saw one."
Her expression turned grim, her tone lower.
"But strangely… rumors of the Ascendants spread across all of Acaris."
"Rumors that they were the strongest beings in the entire world."
Max's brows furrowed.
"And then?" he asked, his voice steady.
The Old Saintess exhaled slowly.
"It took another millennia before they finally revealed themselves to the world."
Max could feel it—her next words were going to be crucial.
Then she turned to him, staring directly into his eyes.
"And do you know what the first thing they did after revealing themselves was?"
A strange heaviness filled the air.
Max's heart pounded once.
He held his breath.
"...What?" he asked.
