56 Tracking the Luminex Core

Liuz, who had finally reunited with Rose, looked extremely happy. While their friends were busy discussing how to find Prince Sylfaris, the two of them seemed to be chatting affectionately.

"Do you know about that giant slimy caterpillar-like creature with lots of fangs? I almost died because of it! But it turns out the meat is the best for steak! That terrifying creature is actually edible!" Rose explained.

"I didn’t know you could cook. You were always stuck with your microscope back on Earth," Liuz murmured.

"I'm not good at cooking. I just added the right seasonings. You do realize that the food here tastes weird, right?" Rose whispered.

"I don’t know... After tasting so many alien dishes, I think my taste buds have become less sensitive. I can eat just about anything!" 

"Ugh, I don’t think that was a compliment!" Rose grumbled.

"Hey, I was complimenting you!"

"But I don’t feel that way! You even ate a poisonous fruit and said it tasted good! Look at yourself—you’ve grown wings!" Rose exclaimed.

"Yeah, that was reckless of me, but my wings can appear and disappear at will! It’s awesome! Look!" Liuz said, proudly showing off his new wings.

"Whoa, you're right! They even feel soft and warm!"

"So now, I can hug you without using my arms!" Liuz said as he wrapped his wings around Rose.

They both burst into laughter while the others just watched.

"Look at them. We’re completely invisible to them," Eldorin muttered.

"You’re right. I didn’t even realize my wings could be used for hugging!" Aelfric said, unfolding his wings and patting Eldorin on the shoulder.

"Stop that! I don’t like being close to other guys!" Eldorin protested, swatting Aelfric’s wing away.

"Look at them! Zane is even searching for a mate on another star, and here I am—still single and not even trying!" Aelfric sighed.

"Yeah, you’re right! I feel like a pathetic loner," Eldorin replied.

Both of them scoffed, watching the couples around them. Then, their focus shifted to Princess Kaeyls, who was now engaged in a lively conversation with Aelion.

"My Mordax can call its kin! We can use it to summon Prince Sylfaris’s Mordax, and he’ll be found soon," Aelion said.

"I’ve never ridden a Mordax before. Would you take me flying?" Princess Kaeyls asked.

"Of course! Anytime you wish, Your Highness, I’ll be ready!"

"How about this evening? We can search for Sylfaris at the same time," Kaeyls suggested.

"With pleasure!" Aelion replied, his face slightly flushed.

Eldorin and Aelfric exchanged glances before commenting.

"Is it just me, or did that sound like a date invitation?" Aelfric grumbled.

"Yeah, you’re right! I think searching for Prince Sylfaris should be left to the judicial guards. This meeting is completely useless," Eldorin whispered.

"We’ll begin the search this evening," Princess Kaeyls announced.

"That man has the Luminex Core with him. Has Earth ever detected that energy before?" Liuz asked Rose.

"Yes, I once attended a banquet and had Earth scan for it."

"Ah, this will be easy," Liuz responded.

"Easy?"asked Princess Kaeyls.

"Of course!"

Liuz touched the gadget on Rose’s wrist and began issuing commands.

"Earth! Show them what you can do!" Liuz ordered.

"Understood, Master!"

Immediately, something shot out from the device and soared high into the sky.

"What is that, Liuz?" asked Rose.

"An energy tracker! If Earth has recognized a type of energy before, we can locate it easily!" Liuz explained.

"Is it installed correctly, Earth?" Liuz asked.

"All set, sir!"

"Good! Now, find the Luminex crystal for us!" Liuz commanded.

"Command received!"

The gadget in Rose's hand began to glow, and slowly, a holographic projection appeared before them. A bright blue light formed patterns, then transformed into a three-dimensional map of the entire Aetherion region.

Princess Kaeyls and the others were astonished by the advanced technology Liuz possessed. They had never seen anything capable of mapping their world with such detail and accuracy.

"Look at this!" Liuz pointed at the holographic display. "Earth has analyzed all previously recognized locations. This is the Kyronis Forest, where Aelfric lives. And here is Mount Lumora, which Rose has already passed through."

"Wait, is that my home?" Aelion asked.

"Yes, it is! You were the one who saved Rose back then, so Earth memorized the location. Then there's Aeonspire and many other places that remain unnamed because Rose has never been there. Earth can't name a place it hasn't encountered before," Liuz explained.

"And this!" Liuz zoomed in on the southwest area, revealing a vast grassland with a blinking red light. "The Luminex Core is here. What is this place? It looks like a meadow."

"Virelda Meadow! The grassland where my parents were born and raised!" Aelion recognized the location instantly.

Princess Kaeyls stared at the map intently. "So, the Luminex Core is there? That area is rarely visited. It's not very interesting to most Aetherins. I had no idea there was a settlement there!"

"You're right. It looks like just an endless grassland, but I've been there before. My parents once took me to a beautiful cave used as a settlement by the locals. Maybe Prince Sylfaris is looking for someone there?" Aelion suggested.

"A place like that exists?" Kaeyls was surprised.

"Yes!" Aelion nodded.

"Perfect! We’re heading there!" Kaeyls declared.

***

With the decision made, preparations for the journey to Virelda Meadow began immediately. Princess Kaeyls organized the team, ensuring everyone had the necessary supplies. Aelion readied his Mordax, while Liuz and Rose joined Eldorin and Aelfric in a vehicle built by Eldorin.

"I had no idea you built this. What’s it called?" Aelfric asked.

"I call it the Aeroshade Glider! It has wing-like structures and seats here! A crystal energy source powers it, so we won’t have to tire ourselves flying!" Eldorin explained proudly.

"Good thing I can fly. I won’t have to worry if this thing suddenly crashes!" Aelfric remarked.

"Liuz, I’ll stay close to you. I can’t fly," Rose said.

"Don’t worry, I can make you float. Or would you rather I just hold you?" Liuz teased, wrapping his wings around Rose once again.

Aelfric and Eldorin watched the couple with a mix of disgust and envy, but what annoyed Eldorin the most was that none of his passengers seemed to trust his vehicle.

"This thing will work just fine! So stop thinking about crashing! Now get on board, we’re leaving!" Eldorin snapped.

"I’d honestly rather ride a Mordax," Rose whispered.

"I know! But give your friend a chance—he seems to like Princess Kaeyls," Liuz whispered back, observing Aelion, who was carefully cleaning his Mordax after Kaeyls mentioned wanting to ride with him.

"Oh? So now you’re more perceptive?"

"That’s good. As long as he’s not interested in you, I’ll help him!" Liuz admitted, revealing a hint of jealousy over Aelion and Rose's friendship.

"Are you jealous? But if I compare him to other Aetherins, Aelion is definitely the most handsome! His hair shines more than the others’," Rose teased, clearly trying to provoke Liuz.

"You mean he’s more handsome than me?" Liuz’s face darkened.

"Of course not! You’re the most handsome in the entire universe!" Rose reassured him.

Liuz grinned again, this time looking adorably flustered.

"My goodness! What the hell are they talking about? I'm starting to get frustrated watching them!" Eldorin muttered.

"Calm down, I heard there are rare plants in Virelda Meadow. We should just focus on researching them instead!" Aelfric replied.

"You're right!" Eldorin nodded.

After making sure everything was ready, they set off as the aurivon sun began to lean westward, soaring above the skies of Aeonspire, the wind brushing against their faces. It was an enjoyable journey, especially for Aelion, who smiled widely as he saw Princess Kaeyls delighting in her ride with the Mordax.

"This is so much fun! Would you sell your Mordax to me?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, but Mordax is my companion. I would never sell him!"

"What a shame. I really wish I could fly more often!" Princess Kaeyls said.

"You can invite me anytime you wish, Your Highness. I’d be happy to accompany you," Aelion replied.

"You wouldn’t mind? What if your wife gets jealous?"

"I don’t have a wife. I’m still single, Your Highness," Aelion said.

"Really? That’s surprising, considering how handsome you are!" Kaeyls unexpectedly commented.

"Ah, thank you!" Aelion blushed instantly.

From above, the vast expanse of Virelda Meadow came into view. A sea of silver-blue grass stretched as far as the eye could see, each blade shimmering like silk threads under the golden glow of the aurivon at dusk. Occasionally, the wind swept through, creating gentle waves that made the landscape look like an ocean of light.

Among the grassy fields, peculiar flowers bloomed in extraordinary colors—glowing purple, transparent blue, and deep crimson that seemed to pulse with energy. Some flowers had a spiral shape, their petals constantly shifting as if dancing to an unheard melody. Others floated in midair without stems, gently drifting as though supported by an invisible energy field.

"This... is incredible..." Rose whispered, her eyes widening in awe at the breathtaking sight below.

"There is always a unique beauty on every planet, Rose! But this time, I must admit that Aetherion’s nature is truly magnificent," Liuz said with a smile.

They landed in the middle of the meadow, near a small, unremarkable hill. Aelion led them toward a narrow gap between large rocks. At first glance, the cave seemed ordinary, with rough stone walls and damp air. However, the deeper they ventured inside, the atmosphere began to change.

A bluish-purple light started to creep along the passage they entered. The stone walls slowly transformed—not just ordinary rock anymore, but glowing crystals that reflected light in every direction, creating mesmerizing patterns that seemed to dance in the air. The deeper they went, the crystals changed color, from blue to gold, from gold to soft green, as if adapting to their presence.

"My goodness, I never expected a place like this to exist in Aetherion!" Princess Kaeyls exclaimed in awe.