Chapter 104: New Identity
"Tampering with Divine Frames? Is that even possible?"
Austaire's voice cracked with disbelief, her hands curling into fists at her side. Her eyes widened as the words left her mouth.
This was the first time she had ever heard of such an ability.
'If that's true, then it makes sense regarding Bonbon's new frame… and his unique one', Auren thought, his brows knitting in quiet awe.
"Isn't he cool, kid?" Bonbon hopped onto the nearest table, grinning from ear to ear like an overexcited child.
His tiny claws tapped against the wood as his tiny tail wagged with glee.
"It is… but to be able to change one's Divine Frame—that seems both powerful and dangerous. If misused, it could cause devastation, specially when used for crime," Auren commented, his tone steady but his stomach sinking at the thought.
"That's true. That's exactly why he's currently imprisoned here!" Bonbon blurted, his ears twitching.
"Imprisoned?" Austaire's brow furrowed.
"Who says I'm imprisoned here?" Gringo finally spoke, his tone sharp but amused.
"This place is simply my favorite place! No annoying scholars, no crazy knights, no chasing assassins! This place is heaven for me!"
He leaned over a cluttered table and pushed aside stacks of yellowed parchment, glass vials, and silver tools until his hand closed around a strange, gem-studded red bracelet. His long fingers caressed the artifact as though it were a long-lost friend.
"Found it.... now where is that one." he mumbled as he pocketed the bracelet into his pocket and continued to check on his things.
Auren's eyes flicked around at the chaotic room, unable to reconcile the man's words. Every shelf overflowed with odd relics, and every surface was buried under devices he couldn't even name.
"By the way," Auren said, unable to contain himself, "if you don't mind me asking… where are we, exactly?"
Gringo chuckled. "Oh? Didn't this tiny beast tell you?"
He strolled to a window framed in heavy velvet curtains, tugged it open with a rough pull.
Kiee~
The hinges squealed in protest.
A sudden flood of golden light stabbed into the room, so bright that Auren and Austaire raised their arms to shield their faces for a moment.
When their vision adjusted, their breath caught in unison.
Outside stretched a palace unlike anything they had ever seen.
Towers of white obsidian spiraled into the heavens, their windows shimmering with Aetherstone crystal that refracted light into every color of the spectrum.
The gates were massive, radiant, and plated in gold and all of them stood taller than entire watchtowers in Austerra.
Elegant walls gleamed with pristine polish, etched with runes that pulsed faintly like a heartbeat.
From the distance, a protective aura thrummed through the air, unseen yet undeniable, a barrier so potent it prickled against their skin. It was a shield capable of repelling not just blades and spells, but even offensive spiritual intrusion.
Auren's lips parted, his voice barely a whisper. "No way… where is this place?"
Austaire's heartbeat thundered as an unexpectd thought crossed her mind. "This can't be… are we in—"
"That's right," Gringo interrupted, his mouth curling into a smug grin. "You're standing in the very heart of the Wha-lah Capital."
He turned away nonchalantly, digging once more into his mountain of trinkets as though he hadn't just shattered their reality.
'I never expected to get into this place this fast.' Auren thought.
"More specifically, this is one of the Aether Towers beside the Empire's castle. I also happens to be the administrator of this place" he added, his tone casual, though his eyes glinted knowingly.
Austaire staggered back, her breath quickening.
'To think… the Capital. We traveled a distance that normally takes two months in a single jump... Bonbon truly is a legendary creature!' Her jaw tightened, dread crawling across her skin.
'If such powerful teleportation ability is used in war, such a spell could overturn kingdoms in instant!'
Auren's mind mirrored hers, his stomach twisting with the same realization.
And Gringo's residence… a building away from the Empire's castle itself.
No commoner could live here. No wandering mage. Not even knights without extraordinary rank or favor. Only someone with reach, power, and reputation could claim such a place inside the capital.
Safe to say, this eccentric man was no ordinary figure at all!
"Okay, here it is." At last, Gringo produced a multicolored bracer from a chest and tossed it lightly to his pocket.
After finding those two, Gringo turned t Bonbon.
"Alright, let's go. You know where to."
Bonbon raised a paw and a dimensional portal tore open before them, light swirling with violent energy.
Auren and Austaire both flinched instinctively, the air sucking at their skin.
'What now?' Auren thought, jaw tense.
Austaire pressed a hand to her chest, grimacing.
'I hate traveling through that thing. The first time nearly made me vomit… if I hadn't swallowed it down, I'd have embarrassed myself.'
"Come on. Follow me—I don't have much time before that troublesome fool comes back," Gringo ordered, stepping through without hesitation.
His long coat fluttered behind him as the portal swallowed him whole.
Auren and Austaire exchanged nervous glances.
"Don't worry," Bonbon said, padding closer. "He'll just be testing your capabilities to tailor-fit your new identities. This place is too cramped for that."
With no other choice, they followed.
The familiar lurch of void-space yanked them forward.
For a moment, they were nothing but fragments of light tumbling through endless swirling dimensional rifts, which they did not dare mess with.
Then, suddenly, they emerged into the crisp air of an isolated meadow.
Rolling fields of green stretched as far as the eye could see, framed by distant hills. The world smelled of dew and wildflowers, so different from the suffocating clutter of Gringo's tower.
Bonbon materialized last, his small body landing gracefully in the grass. The portal closed with a soft hiss behind him, vanishing like a dream.
Gringo, already seated atop a nearby rock, leaned forward, his eyes sharp. "Alright, let's start." He pointed at Austaire.
"This stupid Bonbon told me about your situation and plans. You want to reclaim Austerra, but to do that, you'll need a new identity. Now, if you do not mind… let me see your Full Divine Frame."
"Y-you mean me? You want to see my Full Divine Frame?" Austaire's voice trembled.
"That's what I said." Gringo's eyes were serious and his tone feels like its a bother to him.
Austaire's chest tightened as she glanced at Bonbon.
The idea of revealing her full Frame clawed at her nerves. It was more than personal—it was her soul, her secrets, her very bloodline on display!
Bonbon, however, gave her a reassuring nod. His confidence steadied her.
'What more can I lose? My family is gone.'
Drawing a steadying breath, she placed her palm to her forehead. Mana swirled, and the air pulsed with radiant light before she muttered softly,
"Full Frame Reveal."
In an instant, the familiar four-line display blossomed into sprawling detail, glowing letters hanging vividly in the air.
*Ting!*
*
Name: Austaire Katana GolrathLevel: 36Title: Knight of True JusticeClass: Sunsteel Knight
Mother: Rossela Forger KatanaFather: Aurelus Golrath
Potential: 3rd Class AdvancementGolden Phoenix Blood: 2.996%
Innate Passive Skills:
Phoenix Blessing: Stamina and healing recovery +7% every 3 levels
Dawn Strive: Defense, Speed, and Mana Recovery +30% during morning
Flameborn: Fire resistance +70%, Earth & Water resistance +30%
Active Skills:Shield WallShield RoarGolden EdgeSunstrikePyric GazeCinder Sprint
Secret Skill:
Flame Knight State
"Ovan"
Personal Details:Age: 23Second-born child of King Aurelus, and only daughter of late Duchess Rossela Forger Katana. Banished and hunted by the current King Auborn for rebellion, she is the last survivor of the Katana household. A brave knight who believes in true justice, she now works alongside her half-brother Auren to reclaim Austerra and restore peace.
*
"Well, well," Gringo smirked, leaning closer, eyes narrowing with amusement.
"Looks like we've got ourselves a little Hero."
Heat rushed to Austaire's cheeks. Her hands gripped her knees, embarrassed under his piercing stare.
"Alright." Gringo turned to Bonbon, raising a brow. "What identity do you want me to give her?"
Bonbon paused for a moment as if looking at an invisible screen. Then, a couple seconds later, he replied,
"Just an ordinary knight. She already has the skills of one. I'll leave the rest to you,"
Bonbon replied, though his gaze flickered toward Auren.
"Fine."
Gringo slipped a red bracelet from his pouch and let mana course through his veins. Runes sizzled across its surface as the artifact absorbed power from the air.
[Frame Imprint]
Shiiing!
The bracelet pulsed and dimmed, then Gringo casually tossed it into Austaire's trembling hands.
"T-thank you," she whispered before carefully slipping it onto her left wrist.
Warmth engulfed her body in a cocoon of golden light.
WoooM~
Her hair shifted into a rich crimson, her eyes darkened into scarlet, and faint freckles scattered across her cheeks. The elegance of her royal attire faded away, replaced by the simple garb of a modest knight. Even her height shrank slightly, and her voice brightened into a perkier tone.
Above her, a new Divine Frame appeared:
*
Name: Angela Blunt
Level: 25
Title: Loyal Squire
Class: Knight
*
Austaire gasped, staring at her hands, then to her hair and finally to her divine frame above her head.
'A-amazing…'
"Now," Gringo said, turning his gaze on Auren. His eyes gleamed like fire.
"The best part."
He leaned forward. "Tell me, kid—what kind of person should your new persona be?"
Auren's lips curved into a slow, deliberate smile. His chest swelled with anticipation.
'Finally… a Divine Frame just for me. Let's make it legendary!'