Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Chapter 200: The Missing Elder Thalnor (3)

Velkar and the elders of the Necrovauld Academy entered Elder Feris's private chamber, the heavy door closing behind them with a soft thud. The atmosphere was thick with tension as they took their seats around a dark stone table. Elder Feris was the first to speak, his tone measured but firm.

Elder Feris folded his arms and leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he fixed his gaze on Velkar. His voice was calm but laced with suspicion. "What exactly do you want to talk about, Velkar?"

Velkar met his gaze with a small nod, maintaining a neutral expression. "As you are already aware, I've come to discuss Elder Thalnor," he said evenly, his tone betraying none of the tension in the room.

Elder Feris acknowledged the statement with a slight nod but remained cautious, his gaze sharp and unrelenting.

The room was silent for a moment as Velkar took the time to gauge the reactions of the other elders, their expressions tense. His calm voice cut through the silence. "I want to assure you, Elder Feris, I haven't come here with hostile intent."

Elder Feris raised an eyebrow, clearly not entirely convinced. His voice held a slight edge as he replied, "I see. However, your aura is... rather imposing. It's making some of us a bit wary."

Velkar's eyes flickered with understanding, and he offered a slight, almost apologetic bow. "My apologies for that. The cultivation manual I've been using has caused this change in my aura. It wasn't my intention to make anyone uncomfortable."

There was a brief pause as Elder Feris studied Velkar more carefully. His eyes lingered on the powerful aura that Velkar radiated, now stronger and more intense than it had ever been before. His expression softened slightly, though the tension remained.

"I see," Feris said slowly, his voice dropping to a more neutral tone. "Let's move to the main topic, then. I must tell you plainly that I don't know much about Elder Thalnor's whereabouts. I haven't seen him in over three months."

Velkar leaned back in his chair, his hands resting on his lap. His face remained thoughtful, though there was a faint glint of frustration in his eyes. "That lines up with what I've been able to gather. He returned to our clan about two and a half months ago."

The elders leaned forward, their interest piqued as Velkar continued speaking, his voice steady and measured. "During his time with our clan, Elder Thalnor completed the Nether Puppet Cultivation Manual and handed it directly to me."

The room plunged into an uneasy silence. Every elder was taken aback, struggling to digest what Velkar had just revealed. The weight of his words hung in the air like a thick fog. Elder Feris, the first to break the silence, blinked in disbelief, his normally composed face showing clear signs of shock.

"Wait—" Feris's voice was strained as he leaned forward, his eyes locked onto Velkar. "Are you telling us that Elder Thalnor was the one who created that manual?"

Velkar met Feris's gaze, his face serious and solemn. "Yes," he said firmly. "Elder Thalnor was the mastermind behind the Nether Puppet Cultivation Manual."

The tension in the room grew palpable as the elders exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from disbelief to astonishment. It was clear none of them had expected this revelation. Elder Feris, still reeling, sat back in his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully as he processed the news.

"I always knew he was intelligent..." Feris said slowly, as if speaking more to himself than to the others. His brows furrowed in contemplation. "But to think he was capable of creating something so... powerful—no, dangerous—on his own..."

Elder Mirra, who had been silent until now, crossed her arms, her voice cutting through the room with a sharp edge. "Are you certain?" she asked, her eyes narrowing as she fixed Velkar with a piercing stare. "A manual like that—it could change the course of puppet cultivation for generations. Thalnor had no prior experience with puppetry... How could he manage something so advanced?"

Velkar, unflinching, replied, "I can assure you, Elder Thalnor was more than capable. His understanding of cultivation was... beyond anything I've seen. He grasped the core principles of the Nether Puppet technique in a matter of weeks, and in no time, he was improving upon them."

Elder Sylra, seated beside Mirra, shook her head in disbelief, her voice softer but no less stunned. "If that's true, then we've greatly underestimated him all these years. This kind of knowledge could upset the balance of power, not just within our academy, but beyond it."

Velkar nodded gravely. "Precisely. That is why his disappearance is such a critical issue. He wasn't just any elder—he became the most important figure in the Malachor Clan. Losing him, and without warning… you can understand the implications this has for us."

Elder Feris exhaled slowly, his face tight with concern. "I see now why you're here, Velkar. The instability within your clan must be growing. Without Thalnor, your foundation is... vulnerable."

Velkar's face hardened, his voice losing some of its calmness. "Exactly. Elder Thalnor was the pillar upon which much of our recent success was built. His sudden disappearance—without a trace—is causing ripples that we cannot afford to ignore."

Elder Kaelor, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke, his deep voice filled with skepticism. "But why now? Why, after delivering something as significant as the Nether Puppet Manual, would he simply vanish? Was there any indication, any clue, that he might have been... planning something?"

Velkar shook his head, his brow furrowed in frustration. "No, nothing. He completed the manual, handed it to me, and then... he was just gone. No warning, no signs. That's why I'm here.

His disappearance leaves us in a precarious position, and we need answers."

The room fell silent again as the elders considered Velkar's words. Elder Feris finally spoke, his voice more resolved. "If Thalnor truly was behind the Nether Puppet Manual, and now he's vanished... this situation is far more dangerous than we thought."

Velkar nodded in agreement, his eyes dark with concern. "That's exactly why I've come to you. The Necrovauld Academy needs to know the gravity of this situation. If we don't find Thalnor soon, the consequences will ripple across more than just the Malachor Clan."

The elders exchanged solemn looks, the weight of the situation settling over them like a heavy cloud. This was no longer just a simple mystery—it was a potential crisis.