Stepping out from the imposing gates of the Estath Cathedral, Henry immediately found Sophia waiting.

Today, she wore a soft yellow sundress with white lace trim. The color complemented her fair skin and brought out the sheen in her brown hair.

Though her elegant features seemed serene, Henry could discern a subtle undercurrent of worry in the depths of her eyes. Clearly, she had been waiting here for news of his interrogation. Quickening his pace, Henry took her small hand in his, and together they began to walk.

"Have you been waiting long?" Henry asked softly, gently squeezing her hand.

"Not long at all." Sophia replied with a tender smile, returning his gentle pressure. "I only just arrived. Seeing you emerge unharmed is all that matters to me."

Henry gazed at her serene beauty, a playful thought sparking in his mind. You look lovely today. Did you dress up just to celebrate me surviving that inquisition?" He leaned in with a mischievous smile. "If so, I think we need a private celebration of our own."

Sophia playfully pinched Henry's hand, feigning reproach. "Honestly, you! It's only the afternoon, the sun hasn't even set, and you're already being greedy." Despite her words, her hand remained firmly clasped in his as they strolled side-by-side.

After walking for more than ten minutes, putting a considerable distance between themselves and the cathedral, Henry slowed their pace. He stopped, raising Sophia's hand to his lips and pressing a tender kiss upon her knuckles. She laughed, and a playful sparkle animated her golden gaze.

Sophia remarked, a hint of mock exasperation in her words. "You've gotten a lot bolder since Lake Loknezt, haven't you? Kissing my hand in the middle of the street!"

Henry chuckled, watching her. "What can I say? When your girl is this beautiful, you have to show her off. Maybe I'll start kissing you in the middle of the tavern next."

Sophia's cheeks flushed a delicate rose hue, and she lowered her head shyly. "Oh, please stop. That would be far too improper."

"Improper in crowded places, you say? Then shall we seek a more secluded spot?" Henry grinned mischievously at her.

Sophia blushed and lightly smacked his arm. "Stop it! The sun is still up!"

"All the better," Henry retorted, before unexpectedly pressing a light kiss to her cheek. "So I can admire you more clearly."

As night descended and he returned to the barracks, Henry lay upon his bed, gently closing his eyes. He channeled his aether into the hidden tattoo on his arm, establishing a spiritual connection with the Sanctuary. The familiar scene materialized, the soft tendrils of light enveloping his spirit before dissipating, returning him to the silent void.

"Welcome back"

Henry replied with a tone tinged with uncertainty, "I'm not entirely sure, but I know this is something I want to do, something I told myself to do. So, if you have any preparations, please proceed."

"Excellent," Will responded, the utterance firm with resolve. "I will unlock your sealed memories at once."

From within Will's light orb, a small magical circle drifted towards Henry, striking him squarely on the forehead. Once again, a blinding sensation akin to a shattered mirror exploding within his mind overwhelmed him.

Returning to the events of the previous day.

"I need your help. Can you seal some of my memories? I'm about to be interrogated by the military, and I can't let them find out about the Sanctuary."

"Hahaha, you are truly a most cautious individual." Will had chuckled, though the sound remained gentle. "But alas, that lies beyond my capabilities. I am merely a conduit of the Lifestream. I can channel the Lifestream's power to create magical items or enhance a member's abilities based on their inherent talents. But I cannot cast specific spells. The Lifestream is simply a river of aether; it cannot spontaneously transform into intricate magic."

"If it cannot be done, then so be it." Henry had sighed softly. "Thank you very much nonetheless."

"While I cannot, I may still have a way to assist you." Will had unexpectedly declared.

"There is another way?" Henry had asked, surprised.

Will had remained silent, the aura surrounding his light orb pulsing rhythmically. Less than three minutes later, another spirit was summoned beside Henry. This spirit was a soft, azure luminescence, its form indistinct, preventing Henry from discerning any specific features. He could only surmise that it was likely a man dressed in mage's attire.

"Greetings, Mister Will." the azure spirit had spoken gently, its greeting warm and courteous. "It is unusual for you to request my assistance so abruptly."

"A soft, gentle voice, and incredibly polite address." Henry had silently observed. "This individual must possess a high level of education, perhaps even hailing from a noble family."

"Allow me to introduce you," Will had said calmly to the newly arrived spirit. "This is a new member of the Sanctuary. He requires assistance with a matter, and you are the most suitable individual I can think of."

Then, Will had turned towards Henry.

"This is Socrost, a most unique member of the Sanctuary. He is the only one, besides myself, capable of entering the spiritual domain of other members."

Henry had quickly turned to the azure spirit beside him, offering a polite greeting. "Greetings, sir. My name is Henry. It is a pleasure to join the Sanctuary and to meet you."

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"Greetings, Henry," the azure spirit had replied, the sound of his words as light as a passing breeze. "You may call me Socrost. If Mister Will has requested my assistance and summoned me in this manner then the circumstances must be exceptional."

Without Henry needing to elaborate, Socrost had seemed to grasp the situation entirely. Henry was unsure whether this was due to the individual's keen intellect or if Will had already briefed him on the necessary actions. Regardless, Socrost's confidence had instilled a sense of reassurance within Henry.

He had explained the potential interrogation and memory examination, the inherent dangers, and the risk of exposing the Sanctuary. Henry had clearly outlined the specific memories he wished to be sealed for Socrost, and he had also requested a message for his waking self.

Socrost's reply was "Understood," and it brimmed with assurance. "I will require your cooperation. Please relax and release any mental resistance. I will employ an advanced sealing spell. I will employ an advanced sealing spell. Unless they have a demigod looking into your head, no one will ever know it's there. You have my word."

A soft, azure magical circle had materialized in Socrost's hand. He had pressed it against Henry's forehead. A crushing weight slammed down on Henry's mind, followed by a searing pain that escalated with every heartbeat. The sensation was as if a sphere of raw force was being crammed into his skull.

Henry gritted his teeth, his entire consciousness focused on enduring the torment, fully accepting Socrost's magic, not a single thought of resistance entering his mind. Once the entire magical circle had settled within his head, Socrost had begun to activate the spell. Fragments of Henry's memories had blurred, twisted, and then dissolved into nothingness.

In their place, his memories shattered into countless shards of reflecting glass. The fragments swirled and then snapped back together, forming new patterns as his mind instinctively repaired the damage and tried to stabilize itself.

When the process was complete, the pain had subsided. The collapse brought Henry to his knees; he braced himself with his hands, breathing heavily. His mind was utterly blank; he couldn't think, couldn't understand what he was doing, where he was, or why he was there. What was the glowing orb before him?

As Henry remained in his bewildered state, Will had propelled his spirit back to his body. He had awakened with a hazy consciousness, his head throbbing uncomfortably. Noticing something foreign within his breast pocket, he had retrieved a small piece of paper, written in his own handwriting:

"After the interrogation, channel aether into your right shoulder, then destroy this note. Signed…"

Following the initial disorientation, a profound confusion had washed over him regarding the events that had just transpired. Yet, the unique symbol in place of a signature was something only he would write. He recognized the intent immediately. This was a message he'd left for himself. Trusting that he wouldn't intentionally harm himself, he had followed the instructions.

Returning to the present moment.

"I truly must thank you and Socrost for helping me through that interrogation," Henry said, his relief making his words noticeably lighter.

" Good. I'd hate to go through the trouble of recruiting a new member just to have them get killed right away."

In just a few brief encounters with Will and one with Socrost, Henry had become deeply impressed by the Sanctuary's capabilities. Extraordinary events, advanced magic, the very roots of history, all seemed insignificant to them, matters that unfolded as if they were perfectly ordinary.

A sealing spell so potent that it required a demigod-level being to detect likely meant that Socrost himself was at that level. Yet, for both Will and Socrost, it had seemed like a casual act, something easily within their means.

This further fueled Henry's desire to delve deeper into the Sanctuary, to enhance his own strength, or perhaps, with a nascent ambition, to even surpass his own limitations.

"I just remembered." Henry said. "I still possess the gift from the Lifestream. I would like to return to my body now to utilize it."

"Very well," Will replied, the light orb pulsing gently. "I am pleased that I could be of assistance. I hope this gift will help you achieve your own aspirations soon."

"Yes, once again, my sincere thanks for your help." Henry said before his spiritual connection dissolved.

Returning to reality, a novel sensation arose in his left breast – a new symbol had appeared there. It resembled the Sanctuary's emblem, the tree, but with a faint, six-pointed star subtly visible beneath it. Encircling it was a perfect circle, divided into equal arcs.

Uncertain of its precise nature, Henry decided to simply call it the Sanctuary Seal. He tentatively activated the gift, and a soothing warmth emanated from his left breast, spreading throughout his body like a gentle current of aether, seamlessly integrating with his own. A new presence coexisted within him; the Sanctuary Seal was undeniably alive.

A silent reservoir of aether, a nascent storage of magical energy, began to form, collecting every unused droplet of Henry's aether – as if he had gained a secondary heart, breathing in tandem with the flow of magic.

Furthermore, the sensation of using Mystic Sense became effortless. No longer a draining burden that depleted his aether reserves, Henry smoothly expanded his radius to seventy meters around him. It was as if the Sanctuary Seal had been bestowed specifically to harmonize with and enhance his Mystic Sense.

Through his Mystic Sense, Henry detected a faint human figure lurking in the distance, beyond the barracks. Likely someone tasked with observing him. Ever since he had been informed of the impending interrogation, he had sensed two individuals shadowing him, then two days later, only one remained – in all probability, someone from the Bureau of Investigation.

General Zalogr wouldn't want his private surveillance network exposed. He still basked in the glory of being the "Hero of Zephyros" for his defeat of the Dark Reaper. There was no need to risk suspicion over such a seemingly insignificant matter.

It was time to inform them. Channeling aether into his Sanctuary tattoo, Henry projected his consciousness into the spiritual domain.

"Greetings, Mister Will."

"It is good to see you again. Do you have something you wish to discuss?"

"All members of the Sanctuary receive a gift from the Lifestream. I have received a mark, a Sanctuary Seal. It is identical to the Sanctuary's emblem, save for a faint six-pointed star beneath it." Henry described in detail.

"Your gift is without precedent." Will remarked, a hint of perplexity in his tone.

"Unusual? I had thought that each person would receive a gift tailored to their abilities, making each one virtually unique." Henry wondered.

"That is true, but no ability is truly unique. Every individual's potential revolves around the twin pillars of Strength and Intellect. From there, each person develops along paths of offense, defense, speed, elements, curses, research, support but ultimately, all derive from those two fundamental foundations."

"So, my Sanctuary Seal is entirely different?"

"That is correct. It shares no origin with those two primary pillars. In the Sanctuary's hundred-thousand-year history, with over eight hundred members, the detailed marks may vary, but their core always stems from the moon and the sun." Will explained.

"And yours is the emblem of the Sanctuary itself. This is entirely unprecedented. Even I am uncertain of its true capabilities." Will admitted, a mixture of excitement and apprehension lacing his words.

"I truly don't know why it's so different. Currently, it only seems to be supporting another of my abilities. And it has a minor benefit of storing aether." Henry confessed, somewhat bewildered.

"If you understood the meaning of the Sanctuary's emblem, you would not say that." The entity's words deepened, taking on a new gravity.

"The meaning of the Sanctuary's emblem you mean this tree symbol, correct?" Henry gestured towards the tattoo on his chest, though in his spiritual form, it was invisible.

"The emblem of the Sanctuary is EVERYTHING."

The atmosphere of their conversation suddenly shifted, becoming heavier. Henry didn't fully comprehend the implications, but he knew with certainty that he now carried a far greater responsibility.

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