Bodhi and Gold

Guided by Pardofelis, Mei passed through the portal at the end of the laboratory and successfully arrived in a new area. Unlike Mobius's domain, there were no cold metal walls or bizarrely shaped mechanical structures. Instead, what greeted her eyes was a vast, golden meadow.

"Where is this?" Stepping onto the grass, Mei could even detect the faint scent of earth. Looking across the flat expanse, a lush, ancient tree swayed its verdant branches, situated right at the center of the space, standing quietly like a guardian.

"This is Su's domain."

"Sue? As in... the name?" Mei blinked, surprised. She hadn't expected there to be people with such common names among the Flame-Chasers. [Original mishearing was 'Uncle', implying relation. Changed to questioning the name itself for smoother English.]

Pardofelis stumbled, nearly falling over. She scratched her head and looked uncertainly at Mei. "Uh, Big Sis Mei, I don't have an accent, do I?"

Mei shook her head.

"Sorry, I misheard. You said 'Su,' right?"

"That's right. Just like Dr. Mobius and Sis Hua, Bro Su also has a single-character name, Su. He's the best doctor among us. If your injuries weren't so urgent earlier, Big Sis Mei, we wouldn't have risked letting Sis Mobius treat you."

"It sounds like every Flame-Chaser has their own specialty?" Mei asked curiously.

"Yup! After all, everyone's pretty amazing, otherwise they wouldn't have become MANTISes." Pardofelis chuckled, then pointed at herself. "Except me, of course. Becoming a Flame-Chaser was pure luck for me. My combat skills and personal abilities aren't worth mentioning."

Mei simply smiled without commenting on Pardofelis's self-assessment.

Back when she was with World Serpent, she had witnessed Kevin's combat prowess firsthand. The power to split mountains and part seas with a mere gesture still left her shaken. As another one of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, even if Pardofelis wasn't on Kevin's level, she surely couldn't be that weak.

After all, when Mei had met Pardofelis in the real world, she had also put on a timid, easily frightened act. Mei had every reason to suspect she was hiding her true strength.

But since Pardofelis didn't want to talk about it, Mei wouldn't press the issue. She smoothly changed the subject, "Hearing you say that, it seems like every Flame-Chaser has their own exclusive space?"

"Sort of," Pardofelis sighed, explaining somewhat helplessly. "Even though we're all Flame-Chasers, our personalities are different, and sometimes conflicts arise. So, most of the time, everyone stays in their own personal space. Like Sis Mobius's lab, or Sis Aponia's Deep End... But Sis Ely said being too separated affects our relationships, so sometimes multiple Flame-Chasers share the same domain. For example, Sis Eden's Golden Courtyard. Strictly speaking, this place is also part of the Golden Courtyard."

"We're here." As they talked, the giant tree was already close. Pardofelis stopped and looked up towards the treetop. "Bro Su, hello!"

Following her gaze, Mei noticed a young man with short, dark gray hair sitting on a branch. He held a leaf between his lips, softly playing a tune.

The young man seemed to have anticipated their visit. He lowered the leaf and turned towards Mei.

"Welcome, visitor, Raiden Mei."

"You know my name?" Mei was surprised. He currently had his eyes closed; it was impossible for him to see her appearance, let alone know her name.

"The Elysian Realm is born from cognition. The moment you stepped into the Realm, you became a part of that cognition. I am Su, the seventh of the Flame-Chasers."

"The seventh? I remember Elysia mentioning you. The MANTIS who wields the Signet of Bodhi."

"It's just a title. To Ely, the names of the Signets have their reasons for existing, but to you, we are merely shadows of the past. Therefore, there's no need to dwell on cumbersome formalities. You have more important matters to explore."

"Aren't you going to test me?"

Signets were the power of the Flame-Chasers, and the trials were the process of obtaining their marks. This was what Elysia had told Mei, but neither Elysia nor Su seemed intent on testing her.

"It's not that I won't test you, but rather that your trial is already passed. I am a healer, and a healer possesses a benevolent heart. Your ability to save Pardofelis in a moment of crisis—your kindness—is the best weapon to pass the trial."

With that, the young man loosened his fingers, and the fresh leaf drifted away with the breeze, soaring towards the wider world.

Soon, Mei clearly sensed the Elysian Realm respond. Among the powers she could wield, a new one named Bodhi appeared.

"Alright, let us part ways here. I hope this Bodhi leaf helps you find your own answers." Having done this, Su lay back down on the branch, picked a new Bodhi leaf, and began playing an unknown melody.

"Thank you."

After bidding farewell to Su, Mei and Pardofelis continued their journey. Obtaining the Signet of Bodhi had gone smoothly, but...

"Pardofelis, does he always keep his eyes closed?"

"? Big Sis Mei, what are you talking about? Bro Su always has his eyes open; they're just a bit small."

...

After that brief interlude, Mei arrived in a new area.

The moment she stepped inside, a scene of ornate elegance unfolded before her eyes: a noble, classical courtyard; leaves shimmering like gold; and within the courtyard, an elegant woman sitting at a round table, basking in the sunlight.

The woman leaned quietly against a rattan rocking chair, holding a hardcover book in her left hand and a wine glass in her right, taking occasional sips.

Mei couldn't help but look surprised. She hadn't expected such an elegant woman among the MANTISes. She didn't look like a fighter at all, but rather like a dazzling singer on a stage.

"Eden of the [Gold] Signet." She spoke the woman's name, which she had learned from Pardofelis.

Seemingly noticing her gaze, Eden put down her book and gave her a languid greeting.

"Welcome to the Golden Courtyard, Raiden Mei. A few days ago, Ely told me a special Herrscher would be visiting the Elysian Realm. I didn't expect it to be such a beautiful young lady."

Pardofelis explained, "Sis Eden and Sis Ely are best friends. They often chat here in the courtyard."

"Forgive the intrusion, Miss Eden."

"No need for that. Time holds no meaning for us, so it can hardly be called an intrusion. It's just that Ely mentioned Miss Mei so often, it made me curious." Eden raised her wine glass, gesturing for them to come closer.

After a moment's hesitation, Mei obediently sat down at the round table.

Eden smiled warmly and took out two wine glasses. Crimson liquid flowed from the bottle, creating ripples in the glasses.

"Why not sit here in the courtyard and rest for a while?"

Mei wasn't accustomed to drinking. She looked at the glass, feeling a bit troubled.

"It's okay, Big Sis Mei! Sis Eden doesn't always drink wine; sometimes it's just grape juice," Pardofelis called out cheerfully, downing the drink in one gulp.

But the next second, her face flushed red, and she couldn't help sticking out her tongue. "Woah! Sis Eden, why did you actually pour wine?!"

"Pardofelis looks cute when she's drunk, too," Eden said without a hint of apology, swirling the bottle and pouring another glass.

Pardofelis, having finally recovered, slapped her forehead. Only then did she notice Eden's cheeks were already flushed crimson, clearly tipsy. "Sis Eden! Don't drink anymore if you're already drunk!"

Seeing Pardofelis fall victim, Mei certainly wasn't going to drink. She had come for the Signet, and it seemed she might have to try again later. "Miss Eden, I apologize for interrupting your pleasant drinking, but I don't really have a habit of drinking. So, I'm sorry."

"It doesn't matter. Your presence alone is an honor for this singer on the stage." Eden raised her glass, swirling it gently. Unconsciously, the red liquid turned golden, like flowing gold.

"The fourth of the Flame-Chasers, the Signet of [Gold]. That's the name Ely gave me. Though I once lived in the palace-like splendor of the Thousand-Windowed Mansion and tasted the world's finest delicacies and wines, I wouldn't describe myself that way." She faced the golden sunlight, raising her glass towards the distance. "I am merely a singer upon the stage, a glimmer of starlight shining for others."

"May Gold illuminate the path ahead of you. May the starlight last for eternity."

The glass flashed, and then Mei felt the Signet of Gold appear in her hand. She was somewhat astonished, but Eden simply smiled at her.

"Continue your journey, Raiden Mei."

...

Receiving Signets from two Flame-Chasers in quick succession felt unbelievable to Mei. Before entering the Elysian Realm, she had heard the Flame-Chasers were dangerous, but now it didn't seem to be the case.

"Perhaps... these few are just the easiest to talk to?"

Including Eden's, she had now collected four Signets: [Ego], [Reverie], [Bodhi], and [Gold]. She was a third of the way through collecting the Signets, yet only two days had passed.

She looked at her arm, where the black and white mark still remained. Counting that, she also had the Signet of [The Obsidian Concord].

At this rate, her journey through the Elysian Realm might end quickly.

With this thought, Mei headed towards the last space within the courtyard. Pardofelis, having drunk the wine, had soon fallen fast asleep slumped over the table, so Mei had to visit the next area alone.

"This should be it."

A familiar portal appeared. Mei took a deep breath and stepped through.

But before the darkness of the teleportation faded, a scorching heat washed over her. When her vision cleared, she found herself in a place completely different from the meadow she had seen earlier. It looked more like ruins scorched by fierce fires.

Pillars engulfed in flames, deep craters that looked like meteorite impacts, metal twisted by extreme heat...

Amidst the ruins, a man with his back to her slowly turned around, his voice filled with madness.

"A... Herrscher?!"