Jon, Avahni, Shamael, Wilheim and Sariel's arrival within Springtown did not go unnoticed. The manifestation of Harcourt; Wonderous Forest Dwelling was enough to interest the denizens of the Safe Zone, wondering who exactly owned a Castle Mana Core amongst them. The sheer size of the Fragment Of Manor was astounding, rivalling the Vanishing Palace and exceeding all the other building-type constructs within their bustling town.

Other than fragments, Mana Cores, spiritual items and Mortal Ranked crafting materials, information was another resource that citizens bartered and traded with.

Summoned companions often provided a wealth of information for summoners to draw upon. Case in point was the Strategos Of Eyes And Words, who created the basis for the economy, assigning value to specific goods and services.

Another was the Sun-Swallowing Golden Creation.

Maliq's Memento Source wielding summoned companion.

Celadonis was the greatest source of revenue within Springtown, being able to construct both Mortal Ranked spiritual items and even Knight Ranked spiritual items with some degree of success. Although he required Knight Ranked materials in order to do so, there was about a one-in-ten chance of him succeeding which was beyond astounding for a System Introduction.

Delila had informed Jon that she was obliged to discuss his presence within Springtown to Maliq and Amadeus. The three of them formed a sort of triumvirate, so-to-speak. One that held power within the Safe Zone, governing the couple thousand-odd souls that would call this place home for the next couple years.

After their encounter with Theodore, it was not strange for them to be on guard in the presence of another Knight. There was no doubt in his mind that Maliq and Amadeus had told their seconds-in-command about his presence. Subsequently allowing the information to proliferate down the ranks before reaching more of the "common-folk" so-to-speak.

Although Jon hoped to have a few days to relax, browsing the various stores and shops within Springtown, not even forty-eight hours had passed before groups had started crowding around the entrances to Harcourt, trying to peer inside using Fragments Of Observation and Fragments Of Inspection.

Whispers and chatter about the Knight that had arrived within Springtown, bringing his entourage consisting of a floresiensis, lutin and satanas. Mael and Aerilayna had been hassled too, the latter even deciding to remain within Harcourt at Mael's request.

Most of the crowd consisted of appaloscians, although scattered amongst their numbers were humans, vermitons and lutins.

Standing in one of the third-floor bedrooms that Wilheim had allowed him to reside in, Jon narrowed his eyes. At Schwarz Eis behest, he had integrated a number of new fragments into several of his abilities, case in point was a Fragment Of Infiltration into [Eyes Through The Looking Glass].

[Fragment Of Eyes] [Eyes Through The Looking Glass] (Knowledge, Eyes, Mutation, Enhancement, Ability, Spell, Perception, Sensory) (Infiltration)

Effect (Knight): Elevates the Minerva-Sagacity Eyes into Minerva-Infiltration Eyes. The Minerva-Infiltration Eyes now possesses an expanded range of visual perceptions, including scotopic vision.

The Spell effect contained within the Minerva-Infiltration Eyes can be shaped and manipulated. Knowledge natured spiritual energy that flows through the Minerva-Infiltration Eyes becomes more difficult to detect and possesses a greater effect on imaginary mental constructs.

His effects of his new Knight Ranked Minerva-Infiltration Eyes were even better than what he could have imagined it to be. From what Eis was telling him his Fragment Of Eyes was now capable of intruding imaginary mental constructs such as Sariel's Throne Of Distortion and Avahni's Mental Aquascape without them being aware of his presence.

The scotopic vision effect was just an added bonus of top of it.

The corners of Jon's mouth crept upwards as he muttered something beneath his breath.

[Eyes Through The Looking Glass].

Minerva-Infiltration Eyes flashing gold for half a second before examining one of the Third Initiated Mortals gathered outside Harcourt. Filaments of knowledge natured spiritual energy twisted and coiled in on each other, twirling through the air and bypassing the intangible barrier manifested by the Wonderous Forest Dwelling.

Upon coming into contact with the Third Initiated Mortal, Jon allowed the filaments to expand, enveloping the appaloscian in imperceptible threads of knowledge natured spiritual energy. Inspired from the effects of [Ten Thousand Threads] and [Threads Through The Loom], Jon used his fingers to manipulate his activated Spell effect, pushing deeper and deeper into his target's Fragment Of Mind.

His eyebrows twitched upon coming into contact with a status page, before pushing deeper and deeper into his Ashen Palace.

Ash natured spiritual energy burned and crumbled within their imaginary mental construct. An imperial palace, one far grander than anything Jon had ever seen on Earth formed the basis for said mental construct. Pillars carved from rubies and flame; steps chiselled from crimson marble and stain-glassed windows crafted from shades of red he had no name for.

Around him, fresh experiences and core memories continued to burn in raging pyres, while forgotten events and suppressed emotions were buried beneath mountains of multi-coloured ash.

The internal structure of the Ashen Palace was half-completed and unable to sort memories and experiences to even a Mortal level of mastery.

Allowing one of his filaments of knowledge to brush against a pile of green-coloured ash, Jon almost reeled back in shock, feeling intense emotions of hope and optimism. His brows furrowed in annoyance before dismissing his Spell effect, tapping his thumb against his index finger in thought.

"Need a target with better defences to practice on…" He muttered, before exiting his room and closing the door behind him. His room was the closest one to the battlement that extended out from the third floor, noticing both a certain white salvation phoenix sitting beside a certain dark preservation phoenix, examining the growing crowds around the base of the Fragment Of Manor.

Despoina and Aerion were both Sariel's summoned companions. The latter summoned through a Fragment Of Summon integrated into a Phoenix Mana Core. The Preservation Of Dark Endings was much larger in comparison to the Salvation Of White Beginnings, although was not able to support the weight of a rider at Mortality.

Stolen story; please report.

Opening the metal-reinforced stone-wood door, Jon stepped out onto the battlement, ignoring the pointed whispers and not-so-subtle mutterings about him that his Knight Ranked senses picked up. Both phoenixes turning their heads in his direction, Despoina relaxing while Aerion eyed him warily, having been summoned not even a full day prior.

The Wonderous Forest Dwelling blocking numerous inspection-type abilities, causing a certain floresiensis' eye to twitch as his castle natured spiritual energy dipped several percent in a single moment.

Jon just stood atop the stone-wood rampart, sighing as he looked down at the group of thirty-or-so citizens gathered around the entrance to Wilheim's Fragment Of Manor. Some even tried to wave at him in an attempt to catch his attention, but Jon just ignored them, moving his gaze upwards towards the sky of this inversed world.

Despoina hopping closer towards him, leaving about a foot between herself and the Knight.

"They're all here for you Jon, you know that right?" Said Despoina, unfurling one of her wings and gesturing towards the group gathered beneath them.

Jon nodded his head while shrugging his shoulders at the same time.

"I know. But it's not them that I am waiting for," He replied.

Despoina tilted her head to the side, before perking her head up. Her golden-coloured eyes glancing towards the skies above, noticing them darken, as though to announce the arrival of dusk. Purplish-orange hues dyed the world above the Wonderous Forest Dwelling, although did not seem to extend towards the rest of Springtown.

Aerion beside her furrowing his similar-coloured eyes, unfurling his retracted tail-feathers and allowing them to catch alight, burning with an intense phoenix-natured spiritual energy.

Jon hummed, straightening his back as he felt the presence of multiple sources of spiritual energy approach his location. The familiar presence of thunder and eye natured spiritual energy announcing the presence of a certain human who he had recently become acquainted with.

Minerva-Infiltration Eyes able to discern each of their figures, even while using Fragments Of Veil and Fragments Of Concealment to obfuscate themselves.

[Delila Anderson-Moore; Administrator Of Thunder And Civilization].

Nestor; Strategos Of Eyes And Words.

[Amadeus Enkrall; Tribune Of Dusk And Destruction].

Vritrium; Shadow Of Twilight Obscurity.

[Maliq Von Stroheim; Right-Eye Of Life And Nightmares].

Celadonis; Sun-Swallowing Golden Creation.

The corners of Jon's mouth curling upwards, seeing their overly flamboyant approach. The familiar presence of a Memento Source Item drowning the skies above his head with a growing haze of dusk natured spiritual energy. Delila mentioned something about Maliq having a grandiose personality, while Amadeus was the more battle-hungry of the three.

Jon half-adjusted the position of his foot before feeling something emanate from his Fragment Of Summon and Fragment Of Dragon.

"Allow us to greet them for you Jon. It is common practice for summoned companions to greet guests and visitors on behalf of their masters. Nestor would have informed both Celadonis and Vritrium of my presence and would expect either myself or Song to greet them beforehand." Eis said, before the epoch dragon within him stirred awake.

"Although it might seem unnecessary and arrogant in your eyes Jon, it is the standard across the integrated universes." Song said, "Given our direct connection with you, our words are considered an extension of your own. Although you might find it difficult to believe, those that reach Earldom and even Dukedom often allow their summoned companions to roam freely across the integrated universes, doing as they please until they are needed."

Jon pursed his lips in thought for a moment before sighing, releasing the build-up of strength within his legs. His figure slumping inwards before he gave but a single nod of affirmation towards the White Devil Of The Ninth Circle and Threaded-Heart Of Terminus Est.

"Alright, but don't go too over the top with things. Delila, Nestor, Maliq and Amadeus should be the only ones who are allowed to enter Harcourt. I'll get permission from Wilheim to use the sitting room on the third-floor. Lead them there and don't let a single other person enter the manor." Jon said, his tone stern despite his expression softening.

The Knight Ranked ice devil spirit and the Knight Ranked epoch-heart dragon grinned in response to his words. Manifesting themselves physically somewhere within the vicinity. Tilting his head upwards, his gaze lingered on the growing veil of dusk natured spiritual energy above him.

Something moving within the purplish-orange gloom, prompting him to smile while shaking his head.

"Keep watching over the crowds. Other than those three, no-one else is permitted entry within Harcourt," Jon said to both Despoina and Aerion, before re-entering the Wonderous Forest Dwelling.

The dark preservation phoenix almost squawked back in annoyance, seeing Jon order him in such a casual manner. Despoina whacked him across the back of the head, shaking her head at the Preservation Of Dark Endings.

"Just do it Aerion! You know that Sariel would not hesitate to take Jon's side if the two of you were to argue about this!" Despoina muttered, watching as Aerion ruffled his feathers, half-scoffing before hopping several feet away from her.

The dark preservation phoenix blocking their mental connection, causing the white salvation phoenix to roll her eyes in response to his actions. Although the two phoenixes did not utter another word to each other, they both continued to watch over the growing crowd alongside the approaching retinue of the three Sixth Initiated Mortals.

Delila, about two-hundred metres away, turned her head towards Maliq and Amadeus beside her. Nestor and his clockwork form walked two-steps behind her, his movements soundless despite seeing his heart tick and tock every few dozen seconds.

Her eyes drawn towards the Wonderous Forest Dwelling, hearing Amadeus whistle beside her as he examined its Traits using his Fragment Of Eye. The corners of his eyes burning with a powerful destruction natured spiritual energy, allowing him to pierce through the barrier that surrounded Harcourt.

"Fragment Of Mana and a Castle Mana Core. What an interesting combination. And that size and structure! What a formidable construct this Knight has at his disposal!" Amadeus grinned, red-scales gleaming despite the lack of sunlight around him.

The Shadow Of Twilight Obscurity was a powerful summoned companion, even without his Memento Source Item. Given his ancestral ties, he was perhaps the most arrogant between the Nestor and Celadonis.

Maliq beside him nodded, scratching his chin. A strange, bone protrusion grew around his neck, constructed in such a manner so that it did not reduce the natural flexibility of his head or neck.

"It was one of his companions that manifested this "Harcourt." A Sixth Initiated floresiensis if I remember you saying Delila… If I am not mistaken, you also mentioned that all five of them possessed Titles?" Maliq asked, half-glancing towards the Administrator Of Thunder And Civilization.

Delila just nodded, not bothering to return the glance.

"Jonathan, or just Jon as he prefers also possesses a Memento Source wielding summoned companion. The White Devil Of The Ninth Circle. From what Nestor and I were able to gleam; she was manifested from a Fragment Of Summon integrated into an Ice Mana Core."

"Nestor was able to confirm that she had ascended to Knighthood."

Maliq scrunched up his face in annoyance, knowing that he had long since lost his chance to become the first Knight within the System Introduction. After encountering Theodore, his pride and self-confidence had taken a terrible blow, seeing how swiftly the Murder Of Temperence And Humility annihilated their expedition group.

He was a human, with a Memento Source wielding summoned companion.

The same as Delila.

And now this "Jon" character had appeared.

Another human.

Also with a Memento Source wielding summoned companion.

Although there was a greater chance of this being just a coincidence, Maliq could not help but peer at the human walking beside him, wondering if there was something special about "humanity".

Amadeus, who stood between Delila and Maliq, just rolled his eyes at the two, grinning while shrugging his shoulders.

"Enough discussion about what to expect or what might be! We can measure this man during our meeting with him! Even if he is a Knight, one that has fought the Murder Of Temperance And Humility, there is a chance that he might not want to align himself with-."

Amadeus found his words interrupted.

Dozens of eyes glancing upwards, expressions of fear or awe stretching across dozens of faces. The horrifying sounds of a draconic roar echoing throughout the skies over Springtown.

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