Chiyo's Shock

Shaye stood before Elder Chiyo's door and took a deep breath. He tightly gripped a specially made sealing scroll containing the fruits of several months of hard work and dreams—the prototype "Mirage." He knew this step was crucial. Elder Chiyo's approval and guidance would have an immeasurable impact on his creation.

He knocked on the door. A moment later, it opened, and Elder Chiyo looked at Shaye outside with a flicker of surprise in her eyes. She could sense that the young man before her had changed somewhat since their last meeting. His presence was more composed, yet his eyes suppressed an indescribable excitement.

"Shaye? Come in." Chiyo stepped aside to let him enter.

Shaye did not waste time on pleasantries. After entering the workshop, which was piled with puppet parts and scrolls, he turned to Chiyo and said solemnly, "Elder Chiyo, I've made a new puppet, and I would like your guidance."

"Oh?" Chiyo raised her brows, her interest piqued. She knew Shaye possessed extraordinary talent in Puppet Technique. If he had come to her with such gravity, this was certainly no ordinary creation. "Take it out and let me see."

Shaye nodded, stepped back several paces, and cleared an open space. Forming hand seals, he gave a low shout. "Release!"

Bang! As a faint puff of smoke dissipated, a streamlined platform unlike anything Chiyo had ever seen appeared in the middle of her workshop. Its entire body was matte dark gray, its lines sharp and sleek. It hovered silently a palm's breadth above the ground, while faint light from profound runes flowed across its surface, giving off an aura of tranquil power.

"This... this is?!" The calm expression on Elder Chiyo's face vanished in an instant, replaced by utter shock. Her cloudy old eyes widened abruptly as she