Wizard: Starting from the Skill Tree-Chapter 548: Serafina

Faao thought for a moment and responded in a deep voice, transmitting his voice through magic: "Respond to Lord Lauren that the highest level internal affairs negotiations of the Sea Race are currently underway here, involving our ancient heritage and absolute secrecy.

Duke the Wizard, as the provider of key information, is cooperating with us for necessary inquiries. In the name of the Sea Race commander, I assure that Duke the Wizard’s safety and dignity will be fully respected, and he will not be subjected to any improper treatment. However, until matters are clarified, we are not in a position to receive external guests. We ask for Lord Lauren’s understanding!"

Duke also communicated with Lauren through the Wizard’s Mark, indicating that nothing would happen on his end.

After receiving Duke’s response, Lauren asked a few more questions, and only after confirming there was no issue did he leave the outside. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Faao looked back at Duke, his gaze more complex, with even a hint of barely noticeable gratitude.

He knew very well that if Duke hadn’t recognized the significance of the Beauty Shell and discovered this girl in a relatively calm manner, the consequences would be unimaginable if it had been any other wizard or creature using more violent means.

"Duke the Wizard, thank you for your candid account." Faao’s tone had softened considerably, even with a hint of respect, "You may not fully understand what this girl you brought back signifies. But please believe that our race holds no malice toward you, and the subsequent inquiries are merely to understand the situation more comprehensively, so we can better welcome her return."

Duke had nothing to hide, actually, the information he knew was just that much, and he merely answered some of Faao’s questions afterward.

After listening to Duke’s full account, Faao’s expression became increasingly grave.

He did not immediately explain more to Duke but instead took out a special device crafted from a conch shell.

He reported quickly and quietly in ancient Sea Race language into the conch, his tone filled with unprecedented respect and excitement.

After the communication ended, Faao let out a long breath, and when he turned to Duke, the solemnity on his face turned into deep emotion and a bit of relief.

"Duke the Wizard," he said in a deep voice, "I have reported the situation to the royal family, and soon, a royal envoy team will come personally to welcome her back."

The waiting time was not long, but the atmosphere grew increasingly solemn and majestic.

During the ensuing time, the sea area near the Blade Ridge Camp fell silent as an intangible pressure began to permeate, the entire camp’s surroundings entering a state of full alert.

Lauren also cooperated greatly, proactively dispatching wizards and the Slave Creature Legion to guard the camp.

A day later, a swath of dazzling lights appeared in the distant deep sea, like a moving galaxy.

It was a grand and meticulously organized Sea Race procession, led by several elders dressed in luxurious court attire, wearing coral and pearl crowns, their auras deep and unfathomable, evidently powerful beings above Level 4.

Behind them followed a whole team of magnificent chariots pulled by sea horses, inlaid with countless gemstones, then a sea of royal guards bearing etiquette, clad in golden armor, massive and imposing, emanating awe-inspiring power and majesty.

The stunning scene overwhelmed the entire Blade Ridge Camp, and whether wizards or other Sea Race warriors observed from afar without daring to approach.

The royal procession arrived directly outside the Coral Sanctuary where Duke and the others were, and the elder with the most grand aura and holding a blue scepter symbolizing royal authority, immediately focused his gaze on the girl sitting next to Duke.

A surge of irrepressible excitement and fervor erupted in his eyes, even hints of tears glistening. He led all the royal members, bowing deeply and devoutly in the girl’s direction, calling out a noble title in unison in ancient Sea Race language.

The girl seemed startled by the grandeur of the scene, instinctively moving closer to Duke, gripping his sleeve tightly with her small hand.

The elder holding the scepter slowly approached, first casting an incredibly complex glance at Duke, a look containing scrutiny but even more indescribable gratitude.

Then he turned to the girl, speaking in an extremely gentle voice, as if afraid of startling her:

"Noble Princess Serafina, your wandering years have ended, and your eternal ocean home, your loyal people, have come to welcome your return."

Serafina, in the Sea Race language, is a name imbued with moonlight, waves, and starlight, ethereal and noble.

Upon hearing this name, Serafina’s eyes flashed with a hint of confusion, yet also seemed to convey a tremor from the depths of her soul.

She looked at the elder, then up at Duke, her eyes full of reliance and helplessness, gently shaking her head as if unwilling to leave.

The elder holding the scepter, observing this, did not insist but looked at Duke again, his tone solemn: "Human Wizard Duke, you have retrieved our Princess Serafina, and this kindness, the Sea Race will never forget. You will gain the Sea Race’s most sincere friendship, lasting eternally!"

The elder paused, taking an object from his bosom.

It was a dark blue crystal, about palm-sized and irregularly shaped, its texture like solidified deep sea, with specks of silver light slowly flowing inside, like sealed stars.

It didn’t exude intense energy, instead, it emitted an unusually tranquil, almost stagnant aura, held in hand, even the sound of surrounding water seemed distant and blurred.

"This item is called the Time-Space Nucleus," the elder’s voice was exceptionally calm, "It is a treasure of our Sea Race, a miracle naturally formed at the singularity of a time-space fold, rare to see in eons. Today it is bestowed upon you to signify our race’s highest esteem."

He gestured for Duke to carefully hold the crystal and said solemnly: "It contains a fragment of the most primordial laws of time and space. The holder can actively trigger its power, with only one effect: to create a brief, absolute time stasis in a very small area."

"When it is triggered," the elder detailed the function of the Time-Space Nucleus, "with you as the center, in an approximately ten-meter radius, time will fall into nearly complete suspension, and the spatial structure will be temporarily locked.

Whether it’s a rapidly flying arrow, a torrent of violent energy, spells being chanted, or even the thoughts and perceptions of living beings in this area, all shall be forcibly paused. Only you, as the activator, can remain conscious and limitedly act within this stasis."

"This stasis can last for the duration of one complete heartbeat," the elder emphasized.

"One heartbeat..." Duke pondered.

This time may seem short, but in the face of a true battle between strong ones, or when confronting a desperate situation, this brief moment can reverse life and death, creating miracles.