Endless Evolution: Last Star

Knock. Knock.

Gladius knocked on the door and waited for a response.

Adam looked around at the quiet streets and smooth stone roads. There were no skyscrapers or buildings made entirely of concrete and glass here, only old houses that looked as though even a wealthy family’s fortune wouldn’t be enough to buy one.

After all, truly wealthy people rarely lived in city centers, even if they could afford expensive apartments at the tops of skyscrapers. In most cases, they opted for a quiet, safe neighborhood where home prices were too high not only for ordinary people but even for the average wealthy individual.

“Huh…” Adam hummed to himself. “Now I understand how this place survives. When your clients are people like that, you can charge huge sums for a single suit or just a viewing.”

However, this didn’t bother Adam much. He understood that no piece of clothing could cost so much that even he would have a problem with it.

He wanted to get this over with as quickly as he had with Radiant Branch. His goals were the Hollow Lands and the Frenzied Flame – not a fashion suit.

Still, he was curious to see the tailor of this place. Adam had rarely seen Gladius speak so highly of anything. Without an experienced tailor, an atelier became just an ordinary store selling fabrics and common outfits.

After a minute of silence, the door opened, and a tall woman with platinum hair that fell to her neck and amber eyes stepped out.

Adam’s gaze immediately turned to her. Part of her silhouette was hidden in shadow, but the sunlight only served to highlight her athletic frame. Usually, such a physique was found in warriors, fighters who had been through countless battles, not a tailor.

The long scar ran vertically across her left eye, down toward her cheek. She had managed to save her eye, but that scar remained with her forever, and for some reason she was in no hurry to remove it, even though medicine in the Citadel was advanced enough to do so.

“Hello, Relana, glad to see you.” Gladius smiled. They were clearly old acquaintances.

Relana nodded silently before looking at Adam and Silvana.

“Is this the one you were talking about?”

“Indeed. You know why we’re here, and… we need suitable outfits for the Radiant Branch.”

Again, no emotion showed on Relana’s face as she simply stepped forward, extending her hand toward Adam.

He was a little confused by how silent Relana was, but he didn’t refuse and returned the handshake.

Thump.

Relana suddenly squeezed Adam’s wrist, and before he could even realize it, his shoulder slammed into the ground, and now he was looking up at Relana.

‘What the…?’

“Not bad,” Relana stated. “If he’d been ready, he could have held his ground. Alright, come on in, let’s see how I can help you.”

As if nothing had happened, Gladius stepped forward, keeping his hands behind his back.

Adam and Silvana exchanged glances, shocked.

Now they realized that things weren’t as simple as they’d thought. Then again, they knew that whenever Gladius showed up, things could never be simple.

“She… How did she do that?” Silvana glanced at Adam, then at the entrance.

Adam got up from the ground, brushing the dust off his shoulder and pants.

“She didn’t use energy or an ability, I’m sure of that. All she did was use her physical strength. She gripped my wrist so tightly that for a moment I lost my concentration. That turned out to be enough for her to knock me off balance.”

Silvana narrowed her eyes as she looked at the open door, waiting for them to enter.

“It seems she’s not just a tailor.”

“Yeah… It looks that way.”

They went inside.

Just as they’d expected, inside it was a standard high-end atelier. Various fabrics were displayed on the walls, and rolls were stored in separate racks. Several wooden mannequins stood off to the side, waiting to try on the next outfit Relana would create.

Her workspace was right there, in the same hall, across from the counter where she received clients and finalized orders.

“Hey, Relana, are you ready for the Radiant Branch yet?” Gladius asked casually.

Relana paused, turning slowly.

“Hmm? Why? You know how I feel about that event. The Future Stars and even the Present Stats… They’re rarely worth the attention, and usually it’s just a waste of time and a letdown.”

Adam grew wary.

He had already realized that Relana was no ordinary person. If she surpassed him physically, that meant she was a Second-Rank Phantom.

‘Well… I should have realized this the moment Gladius suggested we come here.’

In response, Gladius pointed at Adam and Silvana.

“Those two are going there, and I think I should participate this time, too. What’s more, Kamora and Lamor will be there, that’s already been confirmed.”

Something in Relana’s gaze changed.

Maybe she lived right in the heart of the Citadel, at the First Ring, but she didn’t keep up with the news or important events. In fact, everything she knew about Adam came from Gladius when he arranged the meeting with her.

“Huh, even Kamora? And are you saying the sole reason for this is that young man?” Relana gave Adam a long look.

Then, she walked over to Adam, stopping right in front of him.

‘Damn… She’s tall, for real…’ Adam thought, as Relana was slightly taller than he was. Sure, the difference wasn’t as significant as with Laroza, but she was a monster while Relana was clearly a human.

“So, what outfit do you want for yourself, Adam Vinter?” Relana asked, her voice calm and composed.

Something made Adam wary. It wasn’t just Relana’s overwhelming presence, but Gladius as well.

‘Shit, even when he’s not grinning, I can still sense the smirk he’s hiding. His eyes give away his intentions.’

“You’re silent? Good, because I can tell you don’t know what you want. Since Gladius brought you here, I’m ready to help you choose.”

Tap.

Relana grabbed his forearm as a shiver ran through his body.

Blink.

The next moment, when Adam opened his eyes, he found himself in a training hall with several stands full of weapons, ranging from swords to axes and even scythes.

“Let’s find out what your style is, Adam Vinter.”