They spent about half an hour discussing, with most of it centered around the compensation Soren had promised the president. Fortunately, the president had already prepared everything, and it wouldn’t be long before the families got their respective payments.
Then Soren got permission to personally cook meals for the injured hunters, along with a chance to meet with Director Elenaria again. He also revealed his plan to use the exclusive cultivation rooms for the next few days. The president, perhaps, had already expected it, agreed, and gave a list of candidates he had promised previously. Soren also hinted at re-discussing the deal about the monolith, and the president told him they would talk about it when the time comes.
With everything taken care of, the couple left the president’s office and headed to the Magic Beast Sanctuary to meet with the director.
"Good morning, Mrs. Elenaria."
"Oh, it’s you, Mr. Soren. Good morning." The elf director greeted back, and her eyes landed on Ethea. "And this is..."
"She’s my wife." Soren smiled. "And sorry for barging in without prior notice."
Elenaria shook her head, her gaze lingering on Ethea for a moment before she looked back up to Soren. "There’s no need to apologize. I was expecting you to come sooner or later anyway. And it’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Everly."
"The pleasure is all mine," Ethea nodded politely in return.
"Alright then, please follow me."
With her taking the lead, they soon arrived at what seemed to be her personal office.
"Please, take a seat."
Soren positioned the wheelchair close to himself and sat down.
"I assume you are here to talk about your bond and what happened back then?" Elenaria asked as she poured tea into three cups.
"You are right." Soren nodded solemnly. "I wanted to clarify a few things and see if you have discovered something."
"I see..." Elenaria whispered before floating two cups toward Soren. "It’s true we discovered a few things, but before I tell you, can you tell me what happened?"
Soren nodded hesitantly and told her he saw a vision of the past, the day Raine disappeared, to be more exact. However, he left out the part that Raine spoke to him and warned him about the danger.
"Hmm..." Elenaria squinted at Soren, as if seeing through his careful omissions. But she didn’t press on it.
"I appreciate you sharing that much," she said as she took a sip of her tea. "Now, allow me to return the gesture."
Soren shifted slightly.
"As you have probably heard from the president, Malakor ended up in a pretty bad state after that bonding ritual. Fortunately, he recovered just yesterday and... admitted that he attacked you and wanted to devour your spiritual essence. However, he refuses to tell what exactly happened."
"!" Soren’s eyes widened a fraction. "He admitted it?"
"Yes." Elenaria nodded without any reaction. "But it is clear that he got beaten up by your existing bond partner, Raine, or a fragment of her soul residing within you. We are now certain she is no ordinary magic beast."
She paused, lifting her cup for another measured sip before continuing.
"That explains why you failed to form any bond in all of your attempts. Your soul space was actually claimed, and whatever pact exists between you and Raine refused to make room for another. It aligns with several theories we have discussed before." Her sharp eyes settled on Soren, studying him with an intensity that made the air feel thinner. "That ’cat’ of yours, Mr. Soren... she almost certainly carries a legendary bloodline."
Soren fell silent, arranging his features into a mask of cautious disbelief. He let his brow furrow, his lips press thin, as though struggling to process the revelation, while thinking, ’So she thinks so too...’
But before he could give a response, Elenaria set her cup down and added, almost casually, "There is one more thing. Malakor... wants to meet you again."
"W-What?" This time, Soren was genuinely in disbelief. "H-He wants to meet me?"
"...I know it sounds absurd, considering he tried to kill you. But I recommend you hear him out." Elenaria met his gaze evenly. "He has been cooperative ever since he regained consciousness, and whatever he wishes to discuss, he insists it concerns not just you, but your bond as well."
Soren’s jaw tightened. The mention of Raine sent a ripple of unease through his chest. He did not trust Malakor. The creature had invaded his soul, attacked him without warning, and would have done far worse had Raine not intervened. The idea of willingly walking back into that thing’s presence felt like stepping into a predator’s den.
"And if it is a trap?" Soren asked, his voice carefully level.
"Don’t worry," Elenaria replied without hesitation. "He is still bound by the Bureau’s restraints and unable to move. I will be there to protect you too."
Soren held her gaze for a long moment, searching for any sign of deception but found none.
’...Raine,’ he thought, the name echoing through his mind. If Malakor truly knew something about her, about what she was and why she had disappeared, then walking away was not an option. Perhaps Raine had left a clue through him...
He exhaled slowly and nodded. "Fine. I will meet him."
"A good choice." Elenaria smiled, a hint of approval flickering across her features. Then she leaned back in her chair, tapping a finger against the rim of her cup. "Actually, I also discovered something else back then. You... have a remarkably high affinity for darkness. However, it is sealed, probably by your bond."
Soren, who had been about to stand, froze mid-motion.
’She discovered that too?’
"I-Is that really true?"
Elenaria nodded confidently. "I am even certain that it is higher than your ice affinity."
Soren swallowed, a dry lump forming in his throat.
’Elves are truly incredible when it comes to perception...’
To see through a hidden element and identify it so accurately, without even breaching his soul space, was nothing short of extraordinary.
"I see..." he murmured, letting a mix of bewilderment and shock show on his face. "I had no idea..."
"It is understandable. Sealed affinities rarely manifest in daily life," Elenaria said, rising gracefully from her chair. "Whether she sealed it to protect your body from the volatile nature of darkness mana or for another reason entirely, we can only speculate for now. But keep it in mind."
She smoothed her white robe and gestured toward the door. "Now, if you are ready... let us go meet Malakor."