After a year and a half of enduring excruciating pain in his mind, and another six months of air travel, Adam had finally reached the capital of the Acadian Empire, the City of Acryon.

Deeply inhaling the fresh air, Adam couldn't help but grin, "The mana here is so rich. It's like you can taste it. Hahaha!"

But his laughter slowly died down when he noticed the people nearby staring at him weirdly.

His lips twitched and he started awkwardly scratching his chin, "Was I a little loud?"

Hearing this, Lisa couldn't help but roll her eyes. "A little? Really?"

Adam hurriedly switched topics. He appeared between the couple and then put his arms around their shoulders.

His eyes flashed with excitement and he stated, "Let's not dwell on the small stuff. The Old Man told me that Lychee Wine is the greatest liquor available in Acryon. Shall we go for some tasting?"

Edward couldn't help but helplessly sigh, "All you've been doing for the past half year is drinking day and night. Aren't you tired already?"

"What do you mean?!" Adam had an extremely wronged expression on his face. "Did you forget I was bedridden for a year and a half before we left Moon City?"

He paused for a moment before solemnly saying, "I must compensate for those eighteen months"

But he paused when he heard the sound of hurried footsteps coming toward them. He turned his head and saw three beautiful women approaching them from the front.

"Edward!" Elaine rushed toward her brother and tightly hugged him. "You're finally here!"

After close to six years, the siblings were finally reunited. Edward's eyes turned watery as he hugged her back. "I missed you, Elaine"

The brother and sister shared a heartfelt moment. Seeing this, the others couldn't help but warmly smile.

After the two separated, Elaine caressed Edward's cheeks and dotingly smiled, "You've grown so much. Last time I saw you, you still had chubby cheeks."

Edward's face flushed red and he secretly glanced at Lisa from the corner of his eyes. "D-Don't embarrass me, please!"

Elaine couldn't help but chuckle at her little brother's reaction. She then glanced at the blonde young girl, who was standing beside Edward, and beamed, "You must be Lisa! I've heard so much about you."

Without giving Lisa the chance to even reply, Elaine came forward and warmly hugged her.

Lisa was initially surprised, but then she couldn't stop smiling.

As the two young ladies got to know each other, Adam patiently stood at the side and gazed at Elaine with a faint smile.

He thought to himself, She's still as pretty as I remembered. Hmm, no, I think she's become even more beautiful after advancing to Rank 2.

After a few minutes, Elaine finally approached him. She glanced at him in a daze, her eyes flashing with immense surprise.

After all, the Adam from her memories was vastly different from the young man in front of her.

She remembered that Adam, as a kid, used to be a very shy boy, always blushing when he saw her. Now, however, the young man before her carried an air of utmost confidence and stability.

"Are you really Adam?" Elaine couldn't help but ask the obvious.

Adam chuckled, "Yes, Miss Elaine, 'tis I."

Elaine stood there in a daze for a while after having received his confirmation. Then, her eyes turned tearful and the next moment, she dove into the youth's arms.

Adam was stunned by her sudden actions. He lowered his head and saw Elaine sobbing incessantly as she rested her head on his chest.

"Thank you, Adam," she muttered sincerely as tears trickled down her face, "Thank you for saving my mother"

Finally understanding the reason behind her actions, Adam's lips curled up into a warm smile. He hugged her and gently patted her back.

"You're welcome, Miss Elaine."

After a long time, Elaine finally separated from the youth. She wiped her tears away and smiled, "You don't have to address me so formally. All my friends call me by my name. You should as well."

Adam's eyebrows rose in amusement. But then he nodded with a slight chuckle. "Alright, Elaine it is then."

"Oh, that's right!" Elaine suddenly seemed to have recalled something. She turned around and brought her friends forward by their arms. "I almost forgot."

She gestured at the beautiful blonde young lady to her right and introduced, "This is my good friend, Amelia."

"Hello, everyone~" Amelia waved her hand with a genuine smile. "Pleasure to meet you all."

Then, Elaine gave her other friend, a brown-haired lady, a side hug while introducing, "And this is Lilian."

Lilian nodded with just a faint smile. It seemed that she didn't like to talk much.

After everyone had gotten to know one another, Elaine guided them to the carriage that was waiting outside the skyport.

She hugged Edward's arm and walked beside him. "The last six months must've been quite hectic for you, right? Come, I'll take you to a very nice restaurant in the Inner City."

"It was alright." Edward shrugged.

The next moment, he came closer and whispered into her ears, "You don't have to cling to me so much. You're embarrassing me again."

"Hmph!" Elaine pouted. "So you think you can order your big sis around now that you've become a Rank 2 Magus?"

"S-Sorry" Edward could only helplessly apologize.

While everyone had gone up ahead, Adam was seemingly waiting for someone. He looked around as he took a swig from his wine gourd.

"Now, where did that troublemaker go?"

Suddenly.

"Myu!"

A small, feline creature dashed toward Adam from the distance.

This cat's fur was a swirling shade of gray, like that of the storm clouds. The fur was naturally soft and silky, alive with magical energy.

What was most striking about this creature, however, was the pair of topaz eyes that gleamed with a mystical and intelligent light.

Valerian gracefully climbed Adam's body and finally sat down on his right shoulder.

"What took you so long?" Adam asked curiously.

'Was chatting with Acuila and Ennea,' replied the young dragon mentally. 'They said they'll be taken to their destination on a separate carriage.'

"Hmm." Adam nodded as he followed the group in front of him. "Let's get going. I'm famished."

As the raven-haired youth made his way out of the skyport with the group, an unassuming-looking man working at the skyship docking area secretly glanced at his departing back with a frown.

That's the one they told us to keep an eye on?

A loud-mouthed alcoholic?

What in the world?