Published at 28th of October 2026 8:07 am

Chapter 2149: Greatest Gift

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The box appeared to be made from an extremely old and valuable type of wood.

Adam could tell at a glance. The grain was exquisite, and the surface had a deep, lustrous sheen that only years of careful preservation could produce.

More importantly, the box could only be opened by Genevieve’s mana signature.

She placed her hand against the lid, allowing her mana to flow into the intricate runes carved along its edges. A faint glow spread across the surface before the lock clicked open.

Genevieve lifted the lid. The first layer was filled with all sorts of trinkets and ornaments.

It was then that Adam realized this was Genevieve’s jewelry box.

Neatly arranged within were earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, crane-shaped brooches, and other delicate ornaments. Some were made of gold, others silver or platinum. None were particularly large or flashy. Everything was exquisitely crafted.

Adam could tell that even the simplest-looking pieces were extremely valuable. The metals were of exceptional purity, the gemstones were of the finest quality, and the craftsmanship was immaculate.

Yet none of them were ostentatious.

Genevieve’s style was one of understated elegance. Stealth wealth, as she liked to call it.

"When did you even have time to buy all of this?" Adam asked.

"Oh, I didn’t buy it." Genevieve chuckled. "Most of these are gifts from family. They were happy to see me. Too happy, actually. The only things I bought were gifts for you, Professor Channing, and a few friends back at the Tower. Now, where is it... Ah, there!"

She retrieved an earring and presented it to Adam with an excited little smile. "What do you think?"

It was a dark silver-colored earring, its design resembling overlapping plates or armor. Three segmented layers wrapped around one another, each adorned with prominent circular rivets. It had a rugged, battle-worn appearance.

"An earring?" Adam asked, curious.

"Not just any earring," Genevieve explained as she fitted it around the outer cartilage of Adam’s left ear. "Just a moment. This will sting a little."

She fastened the earring, a little surprised that there was no hint of blood. Or rather, the blood had returned to Adam’s ear just as quickly as it was shed. She turned his head slightly, examining it from different angles.

"Accommodate it," she murmured. "It’s an artifact."

Adam infused the earring with his mana, making it his own. Then he examined it, and soon, his eyebrows flew up. "So much space!"

Genevieve smiled triumphantly. "Far greater than the one inside those sleeves. And the artifact will always be on your person."

She knew Adam did not like wearing any kinds of ornaments like necklaces or bracelets or rings. He had once mentioned to her that he used to wear earrings a long time ago. So she had this storage-artifact forged in the shape of an earring especially for him.

Adam brushed his fingers against the cool metal of the earring, murmuring, "This must have cost a fortune..."

A pang of regret stirred in his heart again. He felt even worse about not bringing anything back for Genevieve from Winterdale.

Genevieve seemed to understand exactly what he was thinking. She gently cupped his face and smiled.

"My love, don’t think of it as a transaction. I brought you gifts because I wanted to, not because I expected anything in return."

She pressed her forehead against his.

"You don’t have to give me something just because I’ve given you something. That’s not how love works."

She smiled fondly and kissed him.

"You returning to me is the greatest gift I could ever ask for, Adam."

In moments like these, Adam wondered if he even deserved someone so lovely as Genevieve. He was so grateful for her presence in his life.

He smiled in response. "Alright."

"Now, then!" Genevieve chirped. "Onto your next gifts!"

She carefully removed the first layer of the jewelry box and placed it on the table.

Beneath it lay another compartment, its interior spatially altered. Adam immediately recognized it as a storage artifact. The space inside was far larger than the box’s exterior dimensions suggested. And it was filled with books.

Dozens upon dozens of them, neatly arranged on shelves within the expanded space.

Genevieve reached inside and pulled out several books before handing them to Adam excitedly.

"I know you are interested in philosophy, so I had scribes copy a few books from the library back at my ancestral home."

She paused, her cerulean eyes sparkling. "By the Emperor, that library is the grandest I’ve ever seen! It’s even greater than the one at the Citadel! Can you believe it?"

Adam glanced at the books in his hand.

"These are works by some of the great philosophers from the early Fourth Epoch," Genevieve explained. "I’ve brought you a few of my personal favorites."

She pointed to the titles of the books.

"Meditations on the Impermanence of All Things. Letters on the Art of Living. On the Nature of the Soul. On the Republic and the Ideal Statesman. I thought you might enjoy these."

She tilted her head, watching his reaction with an expectant smile. "What do you think?"

"These are great," Adam said with a grateful smile. "Thank you."

Genevieve squealed in delight and hugged Adam’s head, rubbing her cheek against his. She suddenly frowned and pulled away. "You really do need to get rid of the beard. It gets in the way."

"So that’s why you want it gone." Adam teased. "Thought you didn’t recognize the man you fell in love with."

"Hm?" Genevieve blinked innocently. "Whatever are you talking about?"

Adam laughed.

He rose to his feet and carried Genevieve in his arms. "I have to go to the Rabbit Hole soon. Resume my training with Hannibal."

Genevieve suddenly recalled how, a few months ago, she had found Moonie acting all strange in front of Hannibal. Her handmaid had refused to divulge anything about the man. But Genevieve had managed to dig some information on her own.

"Adam," she gently asked, "do you know much about Hannibal’s past?"

"No. Not really." Adam shook his head as he carried Genevieve downstairs to the living room. "Hannibal never talks about it. And I’ve never bothered asking him."

"So you really don’t know..." Genevieve murmured.

"Know what?"

Genevieve hesitated. She wondered if this was something Adam should hear from her. In the end, she decided that it was something he ought to learn directly from Hannibal himself.

"Do you know how strong Hannibal is?" she asked instead.

"No." Adam shook his head again. "But I know he’s ridiculously strong. I’ve never defeated him in a spar, even when he limits his strength to my level."

He turned to her with an inquisitive gaze. "Why, you know something about him?"

Genevieve smiled.

"I just think being Hannibal’s student is a great boon for you."

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