Because more than a hundred years had passed, and because Abera had learned many top-tier spells from her, Ivette had looked forward greatly to this reunion.
She believed Abera had most likely become a Sixth Stage Commander by now, ruling a vast territory encompassing multiple cities, with numerous powerful subordinates and a life of imperial luxury. At worst, she should have been fighting on battlefields year-round, competing with other Mutant Commanders for territory. In any case, she had to be doing well in her career.
After making some inquiries, she arrived at Agasha. Once the local High-Tier Mutants reported her arrival, she indeed caught sight of a completely transformed Abera.
Deep within the ruined city, before a pure white palace, Abera appeared surrounded by a crowd of humanoid subordinates. She wore a luxurious black-and-gold robe, her bearing noble, like a queen who had stepped out of an ancient painting. Her cold, beautiful face was veiled in icy detachment, lofty and proud like a wintersweet blossom blooming in the cold wind.
When she noticed that the visitor was Ivette, an imperceptible flicker of surprise crossed her face. But she quickly returned to her aloof expression, turned her head with reserved grace, and calmly walked toward the garden in the side wing.
Ivette watched in confusion, then noticed a humanoid High-Tier Mutant dressed in a black formal suit, looking like a butler, silently step forward.
He bowed and led the way, inviting her to speak further in the pavilion beside the garden residence.
She could not help following him, thinking that a hundred years really had changed too much. Even Abera had become so refined.
However, once they entered the small pavilion in the garden and all the maids and subordinates had been sent far away, Abera, who had looked like an