Vera was inwardly disappointed to hear that Claire was returning.

That meant there were fewer chances of Charlie visiting the Scarlet Pinnacle Manor, as were her chances of seeing him again.

Still, she didn't let it show, instead asking casually, "How are things at Champs Elys? Are the warriors improving at a rate to your satisfaction?"

"Well, most of everyone's improvement is within expectations…" Charlie explained, just as he remembered a certain someone. "By the way, there's something I haven't told you yet. Are you perhaps acquainted with the name Ito Nanako?"

"Yes," Vera smiled. "The Japanese lady who was with you. What about her?"

"She attained enlightenment days ago."

"Enlightenment?" Vera did a double take and soon pressed, "Enlightenment in what sense? Essential Qi or Reiki?"

After all, the former was the path to enlightenment in martial arts, while the latter meant enlightenment in cultivation.

But despite the distinction between both domains, enlightenment was a comm