Celestial Era: The Rise of the Full-Time Enhancer

The abandoned building doesn't seem to have any dangerous traps or powerful beings hiding inside.

However, she can feel the presence of several people inside which made her confused. The abandoned building doesn't seem to have any source of light aside from the sun and a source of water as well. In short, the people living here were probably not in very good condition.

"Hmm?"

As soon as she entered, she noticed that the lady she was following stopped escaping and faced her with her worn-out cloak on her body.

Soon, Tara was surrounded by a group of people. They don't seem to be planning on attacking her.

They do not have any weapons and they don't even seem like fighters at all. They were like beggars in the streets commonly seen in the kingdom.

Although she can feel that they were mana practitioners, many of them don't seem to have completed their Mana Baptism and only have a meager amount of mana in their bodies. At the very least, a few of them seem to be capable of protecting themselves.

'Sixteen people… I wonder what's going on…' Tara mused.

This is the first time this happened after all.

After completing her observation, she thought it was time to understand what was really happening.

"Speak. Tell me why you're here. How did you notice my presence even with my equipment?"

Tara asked. If she knows that answer, Vincent might be able to adjust the cloak for her. If there is some kind of a flaw, Vincent will probably be happy to know about it.

"I… I'm sorry… It wasn't my intention to disturb you. I just felt that—Ah, can you please remove your cloak so I can make sure." The young lady said with a stiff voice.

However, she felt that she was very rude so she immediately added, "We're not planning to harm you. We just wanted to make sure that we have the right person… Please?"

Tara frowned after hearing the request.

Vincent had given her clear instructions not to remove the cloak unless necessary. She wasn't sure whether this was something necessary so she couldn't immediately decide.

"You want to make sure who am I? I guess you found the wrong person. I've just arrived in this city so there's no way you guys know me." Tara answered.

It hasn't even been that long since she was woken up by Vincent.

"N-no… I mean—" The young lady seems to be hesitating not knowing whether she had to continue or not. However, her companions started encouraging her so she finally made a decision and asked her.

"Are you really a Celestial Being? I'm not exactly sure since you probably have an item that can blur my Mystic Eye's ability."

"Oh? So you can really tell?" Tara curiously asked.

Everyone gasped.

Tara's answer also confirmed that she is indeed a Celestial Being like what they had guessed even without her removing her cloak.

As soon as this was confirmed, the sixteen people were exalted as they immediately knelt on the ground.

"F-finally! We have been visited by a mighty Celestial Being!"

"Oh, goddess! Please, save us!"

"Our prayers are answered!"

"Calidia, you did very well! You did very well!"

Tara can tell the genuine happiness in their voice. They were truly happy to see her right now. This emotion is not something easy to fake at all.

The young lady who lured her here also received the praises of the older members of this group.

"What are you doing? Calidia, is that your name? Tell me what's going on before I lose my patience."

Tara couldn't help but get irritated by the sudden exclamation of these beggars. It was as if they found their salvation but she had no idea what was really happening.

"Y-yes, that's my name, Celestial. To explain it simply, we are the remnants of a certain group. We are the Followers of Qheglena."

"Qheglena?" Tara froze after hearing this name… She suddenly recalled the events of the past that she thought she has already forgotten.

"Why--How do you know that name? Qheglena, do you even know what that means?" Tara asked still in shock.

Hearing this name again made her remember the event that occurred hundreds of years ago.

"Qheglena? Of course, we know her! She's Number 12 on the Celestial Rankings. Two digits! It means only 11 Celestial Beings are stronger than her!"

"T-that's right… Please listen to our story, Celestial…"

Tara then started listening to the entirety of their story.

Apparently, these people were previously slaves or experimental subjects of the Fifteenth Tower!

They were able to escape thanks to Celestial Number 12. Although she didn't know them, she actually assisted them in diverting the attention of the Mages who were about to find their group.

After Number 12 did all this, she even allowed them to borrow her residence which they used as their temporary shelter.

From then, their group started to worship Number 12 and assisted her in recovering her strength.

Apparently, Number 12 is a Celestial Being who didn't want to rely on making a contract to receive Blood Essence.

It must be remembered that without this supply of Blood Essence to recover their Celestial Energy, they will be forced to a very long hibernation.

If they don't have a Cryogenic Sleep Chamber like Tara, there was no way they could survive such a long hibernation. Furthermore, how could they want to sleep again for a very long time?

This is why making a contract with a strong magician had always been the best option. After all, their Blood Essence would always be decently strong and could help their recovery.

"We heard from Celestial Qheglena that once she recovered at least 90 percent of her strength, she could reform her core so she would no longer be reliant on the Mana Practitioner's Blood Essence. Unfortunately, the moment she did this, she disappeared leaving no traces behind. We have no idea if she was killed or abducted by someone… We don't have any news at all. Now, there are also the members of the fifteenth tower looking for us…"

Tara frowned after hearing their story. There are many things she'd like to clarify from them but she's unsure whether she has to entertain these people. She just can't find any benefit from doing so.

"I understand… So you wanted my help so you can hide or even resolve the trouble with the fifteenth tower?"