The tension in the garden didn't dissipate; it merely shifted as the silver box was opened. The moonlight caught the surface of two scrolls nestled within, radiating a soft, rhythmic golden pulse that seemed to beat in time with the ambient mana of the Wisteria tree.
Hayatobi reached out, his fingers hovering over the scrolls before he finally lifted them. His eyes widened behind his stoic mask.
"This? These are... Legendary grade."
In this world, skill scrolls were the currency of power. a Golden scroll? That was a legacy-defining treasure, containing skills that could level cities or save empires. Giving up two was a staggering act of diplomacy—or desperation.
"Why are you giving us these?" Hayatobi asked, his voice dropping to a suspicious growl as he looked up at Nadia.
"What? I want to apologize for what happened between our students," Nadia said, her smile never wavering, though her green eyes remained sharp as glass.
