Chapter 43 THE GREAT ALARIC

"Ok, just calm down. Maybe this is good thing" Kaelen suddenly said in an encouraging tone while signalling Sofia with his hand to take some deep breaths. But it looks like it wasn't helping as Sofia was looking right into the eyes of Kaelen with a panicked look on her face. But just then, the key to the ruin which was in Sofia's pouch suddenly came out and hovered right in front of Kaelen. Not only that, but an ordinary looking rock which was covered in dead runes and patterns suddenly lit up with an ethereal glow as it rose up from the ground it was on while configuring it's shape. 'What in the world is going on here?' Kaelen thought with a confused look on his face as he observed both the key and the glowing rock which is now right in front of his face. And in next to no time, the key which has been silently hovering right in front of Kaelen suddenly shot into the rock close to it with an impressive speed. "Kaelen.... Help me" Right as Kaelen was about to loose his thoughts on the merged rock and key, Sofia's voice quickly brought him back to reality as he quickly shifted his attention towards Sofia. What Kaelen is currently looking at is Sofia being engulfed in a transparent ball of light. The ball of light was blinding, a pure, radiant glow that seemed to pulse with an inner life of its own. Sofia's form was barely visible within the incandescent sphere, her silhouette flickering as if caught in a celestial storm. Her hair, a cascade of soft waves, floated around her head like a halo, and her eyes were wide with a mixture of awe and fear.Inside the ball of light, Sofia felt a warmth that was both comforting and overwhelming. It was as if she had been wrapped in the embrace of an ancient, benevolent force. The light seeped into her skin, filling her with an almost electric energy that made her heart race and her breath catch.Kaelen, standing just a few steps away, watched in stunned silence. The glow illuminated the ruins with an ethereal brilliance, casting long shadows and causing the runes on the walls to flare in response. He could see Sofia's expression through the translucent light, her face a picture of bewilderment and wonder. The ball of light pulsated, growing brighter with each passing second. Sofia's figure began to levitate slightly, her feet lifting off the ground as the energy coursed through her. The sphere seemed to be communicating with her, its light flickering in patterns that felt almost sentient. 'What in the world....?' Kaelen thought in utter shock as he looked up towards the ball of light Sofia is in. "Oh you don't have to worry about her, am just giving her my blessings" Intricate patterns of ancient runes adorned the edges of the fabric, glowing faintly and pulsing with latent power. Alaric's face was a portrait of wisdom and age, with high cheekbones, a strong jawline, and a pair of piercing eyes that seemed to hold the secrets of the universe. His eyes, glowing with a soft blue light, were the most striking feature, exuding an aura of deep knowledge and calm assurance. His hair, long and flowing like a silver waterfall, framed his face, adding to the sense of regality and mystique. His hands, now fully formed, moved with a grace that belied their power. They gestured subtly, as if weaving invisible threads of magic in the air. Alaric's presence was commanding yet serene, a perfect balance of strength and tranquility. Even in this spectral form, there was no mistaking the formidable essence of the legendary magician. Every detail of Alaric's appearance was meticulously crafted by the fragment, from the faint lines etched by centuries of wisdom on his face to the flowing patterns of his robes. The light that once pulsed gently now emanated steadily from his entire being, creating a halo effect that added to his ethereal majesty. As the transformation completed, the figure of Alaric stood as if ready to step out of the realms of memory and legend into the present. It was not just an image, but an almost tangible presence that carried the weight of Alaric's enduring legacy. The fragment, now fully embodied, exuded an aura of unmatched magical prowess, a beacon of hope and power for those who beheld it. 'I can't believe I get to see a piece of the founder of the academy here' Kaelen thought with an overwhelmed look on his face. As for the fragment of Alaric, right after he transformed completely, his eyes coincidentally landed on the sword that is hung on Kaelen's waist. "I see that you are the chosen one. This is perfect then" Alaric said with a relieved smile on his face. "The chosen one?" Kaelen muttered with a confused look on his face. But Alaric was as calm and serene as he could be while he answered. "Yes, the one destined to get the most powerful blade of eternity and the orb of chaos" "Wait, wait, you are getting me lost at this point. What do you mean by the most powerful blade of eternity, and what orb of chaos are you speaking of exactly because I didn't get or even seen any orb up till now?" Kaelen asked with a perplexed look on his face. But when Alaric heard the second question Kaelen asked him, his expression quickly changed as he hurriedly asked with a deep voice. "You didn't get the orb of chaos?"