446 Preparations at the Mountain Base, A Surprising Piece of News for Edzel and Spera (2/2)

”About Hallie, I really want to bring her. But it will also mean bringing Nicole. Like you two, those two are almost inseparable. Hallie and Nicole are also among Huey's group that is necessary to maintain and protect the base.”

Hearing the reason, Karlene and Alana nodded.

Mark then turned to Edzel, who was contemplating what could be the reason. He was really worried about Pearl participating in a dangerous mission like this.

”Edzel,” Mark called out, causing Edzel to look at him. ”I can't tell the reason since there are still unclear things. But I can tell you one thing. It had something to do with your mother and father.”

Edzel's eyes grew wide, and he abruptly stood up. If not for Mark being his superior, he might have approached to grab him.

”Boss, what do you mean?! I haven't met my father all my life. My mother died several years ago! What does it have to do with them?”

Mark stared at him, not giving an answer. Noticing how rude he was, he tried to calm down as he took his seat once more. Pearl started to rub his shoulder and back to help him calm down. Then, something clicked on his mind.

”Boss, do you know my father?”

The other people in the room looked at Mark.

Unexpectedly for them, he nodded.

”As I said before, I can't tell the specifics. Your father also forbids me from telling you. What can I say is that your questions will be answered in this mission.”

Sure enough, they were getting more questions instead of answers. However, it was unlikely for Mark to budge and give them the answers.

”Alright, just pick up your crystals and be sure to use those tonight. I'll check on your abilities tomorrow. Also, each of you should take one case there. Get the ones engraved with your names.”

Mark said to them.

After they took the crystals and the cases designated for them, Mark told them that they could leave already. The only person left inside was Spera.

Mark then took the seat in front of Spera, facing her across the small table.

”Master, why do you want me to join the next expedition in the Spirit Dimension?”

Spera asked. She had no reason to refuse as she wanted to be of help. However, she could not understand why someone like her, who did not have any ability, was chosen.

To her question, Mark placed his closed hand on the table on her side. As he opened his hand, he spoke.

”Because we will need your talent.”

Mark's hand left two crystals in front of her.

One of the crystal was the same as others in color, although the color and the glow of the orb inside was different. On the other hand, her eyes could not help but shake as she sensed the familiar energy from the other crystal with a deep violet color.

”Is this perchance...”

”That is right. The ability to open Portals and create tunnels through space.”

Mark said. It confirmed what she was feeling at the moment as she gazed at the crystal.

Unexpectedly, she took her sight away from the crystal and turned to Mark.

”Master, isn't it better if you give it to someone else you can trust more?”

Mark was not surprised to receive that question. She had already given up having that power once more. Instead, she just wanted to continue her current life here. She felt that once this ability was returned to her, the trust and place she earned here would be in jeopardy. Rather than having something to be suspicious of, she chose to have none.

To that attitude of hers, Mark nodded.

”That is why I'm returning this to you. You have proven your self to be worthy of this power. You already earned your place here. Many people like you, even Mei'er treats you like a younger sister. You don't have to be afraid of losing everything just because of this.”

”But...”

”No buts,” Mark interjected. ”As I said, we need your talent. This ability isn't just something that can be used by everyone without aptitude. Do you know that you're even better at using this power than its previous owner?”

Spera started to lose the argument. Now that aptitude was brought into the topic, she would have no reason to reject it anymore. That was also when Mark dropped the bomb.

”I need you to be able to use this ability again. Because once we enter the Spirit Dimension, there will be a chance that the members of Auraboros will appear to destroy everything. You don't want to get this place destroyed, do you?”

Spera froze.

”The awakening of the Chiyo should have alerted them and they could be searching for this place already. When they appear, we need to be able to return when immediately. Or else, you know what will happen.”

”I... No, we will lose this place, right Master?”

Spera's voice was quite shaky with the thought that she had in mind. She was a member of that organization before. Thus, she knew the extent of their powers to some extent. If they really did appear and Mark was not in this base, once the higher-ranked members of the organization arrived, everyone here could die.

In fact, Mark was the only person she saw that was able to contend with a lower deity like Gar'Vlam. Furthermore, there were several individuals that were on par with the Flame Demon. There were also others that were stronger.

It was a piece of bad news to hear for her, who finally found what she had been looking for since she was born.

Slowly, her hand moved. She grabbed the two crystals on the table.

As the chosen inheritor of the [Space Portal], the crystal immediately reacted to her touch. It turned into dust that was absorbed by her body.

Of course, she started to feel dizzy. After this ability was taken away from her, she reverted to a normal person. Now that she regained it, her body would undergo some readjusting to be able to use it once more.

As she was about to fall, Mark gently caught her. She was already flaring with a high fever.

”So, I take this a yes, right?”

Mark asked Spera who started to lose consciousness.

Spera nodded with great conviction. Finally, she passed out.

Mark carried her out of the meeting room and brought her to her bedroom. He then told Odelina to look after her.

After that, Mark called for other people. His friends like Rollan, Nikky, and Arvie, Edward's group, except Analynn and Terrence, and a few more people that were essential to the base like the old farmer couple.

They were all called by Mark, given a crystal, and was given a weapon or equipment suitable for them.

That night, Mark had to take over as the lookout and spent the night together with Mei at the balcony. At the same time, Mark monitored the whole base for those that were undergoing mutations inside their dwellings.

And of course, this was not the end of the preparations. Mark still had some ideas in mind that he needed to implement starting tomorrow.