Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1630: Sky Beneath the Ground

True to her usual self, Riska managed every household task and shone as a skilled chef. The affectionate gleam in her emerald eyes stayed the same, while her lengthy chestnut locks now cascaded in soft waves down her shoulders.

Her tall frame and faintly outlined muscles served as echoes of her history, reminding everyone that she had once served as a Phantom before opting for a new path in life.

Actually, in that instant, none of those details occupied Adam's thoughts. What caught his attention was solely the steaming apple pie, juice freshly pressed from ripe orchard fruits, and a plate of cookies ready for nibbling.

"Did you make it here without any trouble?"

Riska inquired, setting the apple pie squarely in the table's center.

"This place lies quite distant, particularly from the First Ring. That must have been a lengthy journey by road." She removed her oven mitts and grasped a hefty knife from the tabletop.

Whether by design or accident remained uncertain, yet she bent forward directly above Tron, allowing her hair to drape across his serene features.

"Which slice do you want?"

Tron merely lifted his shoulders in a shrug.

"Divide the pie into four portions. Although I'm certain that won't satisfy this young glutton." He glanced toward Adam.

Adam rubbed his cheek lightly.

"Hey, if the food tastes great, I'll devour whatever I can. What's wrong with that?"

Silvana sipped some juice while awaiting her chance.

Her expression contorted briefly, only for a pleased grin to spread soon after. The drink proved refreshing, sharply tangy at first, yet followed by a delightful sweetness that lingered on the palate.

"You know why we came here, don’t you?" she asked.

Tron gave a nod.

"Of course. This isn’t the first time I’ve helped you get stronger." He shifted his gaze to Adam. "I heard you bought yourself a real mansion at the top of one of the towers. If you’re that rich, maybe I should charge you for our training sessions?"

Adam’s eyes widened in indignation:

"Hey! That wasn’t just my idea. Besides, you’re already at the border of the K4-Level! You’re richer and stronger than me!"

Tron offered a wry smile.

"Yeah, for now. Considering how fast you’re progressing, by the time we meet next, you’ll already be stronger than me."

Adam’s face turned grave.

"Hmm? Shouldn’t I be in your place by the time we meet next, and you have reached the Second Circle? Do you think you won’t be able to become a Second Rank Phantom?"

Riska halted abruptly, fixing her gaze on Tron with intense focus. His response held great weight—for both of them.

"Like every Phantom who wants to reach the top, I’ll do whatever it takes. But, having reached this level, only now have I truly realized how many Phantoms just like me there are in this world."

His amethyst eyes deepened in hue as a shadow crossed his features.

"Some of them are bound to take a step forward and become stronger, but that’s only a small fraction. "I’m a realist, Adam. I understand that not everyone can be a millionaire, handsome, or possess the power of a Second Rank Phantom. But we can certainly keep trying until we succeed in achieving our goals."

"I see." Adam nodded deeply. "In that case, I hope that one day, we’ll both reach the Second Circle."

Oddly, Tron flashed a grin.

He looked at Riska.

"That sounds just great. We need something more serious than juice. Bring some wine."

Riska smiled gently.

"Sure."

...

The juice, wine, and especially the pie were delicious, but Adam and Silvana hadn’t come here for that.

"So, what about our training?" Adam asked. "When Silvana told me about this, I thought we’d go to the Dead Lands. Even if it’s a farm with vast fields, it’s still the Citadel. Isn’t it too dangerous here?"

Tron shook his head.

"Don’t worry about that. You’ll soon understand why you came here. In fact, the training won’t take place on the farm, but at another, more suitable location."

"Hmm?"

Tron rose to his feet and moved toward the door.

"Come on, follow me. It’s time for you to see the Sky Cubes."

Adam and Silvana exchanged glances.

"Sky Cubes?"

As soon as they stepped out of the house, they immediately looked up. They thought they might see some islands or structures hovering above them, just like with Heaven Island, where Queen Elisa was located.

But no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t see anything. Given their level, that was hardly possible.

That could only mean one thing...

Tap.

Riska tapped Adam on the shoulder.

"Guys, you’re looking in the wrong direction. Despite the name, the Sky Cubes aren’t in the sky."

"Huh? Then why give it that name?" Adam tilted his head.

She shrugged.

"Who knows? I didn’t come up with it."

Step. Step. Step.

Heading from the farm into the woods, they paused before a modest, plain barn positioned beside a grand, ancient oak.

A solitary stone walkway guided them to the barn, with just one lantern offering illumination during the night.

Tron produced an iron key while they stepped inside the barn.

Click!

The door shut behind them as Adam’s eyes widened.

On the left side, there was nothing unusual—just the tools and equipment of any farmer — but on the right was a high-tech control panel and an elevator leading deep underground.

"We’re going here." Tron pointed to the elevator.

Silvana looked around.

"Was this place built separately from the farm?"

He nodded.

"This isn’t the only Sky Cube. They’re scattered throughout the Second Ring and essentially serve as training grounds for high-level Phantoms. Well, you’ll see everything soon."

Tap.

Tron placed his palm on the panel as the elevator began to move, descending deep underground. It felt as though they were traveling from the top of a skyscraper all the way down to the very first floor.

The elevator doors opened as they walked forward along the dark corridor.

"What the...?"

Adam’s jaw was about to hit the floor when light flooded their faces. It wasn’t the light from a lamp, but sunlight — at least, that’s how it seemed to him.

Even though they were underground, they could see a blue sky and clouds floating above them. The air here was as clear and crisp as it would be at high altitude.

Still, below the surface was covered with grass, rocks, and forest.

Tron put his hands on his hips.

"Welcome to the Sky Cube No. 3."