On the way back to Nue’ant’s house, Juliana called out in the carriage, “Take us to Fe district please! The Tall Branches Square.”

The driver turned.

Jun’ep spoke, “That shouldn’t be too far out of the way. Why do you wish to go there, Milady?”

“Oh, I heard some ladies at the Training Center talk about one of the stores there. I was thinking of getting a gift for your master.” She lied.

The secret note she hid in her pocket said to go to the Tall Branches Square. There was a secret Asa hid from her.

“He would love that!” Jun’ep said with excitement. “Look! There is a bakery at the square. Most of the staff knows, Nue’ant likes sweets. They sneak them into their room at night.”

Juliana looked around the square. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. They entered the bakery together.

The bakery was a wonder of multi-colored breads and jellied pastries. Each work was inspired by animals and smelled of things both sweet and savory found in the forest. The staff was cheerful and the goods for sell were high class. Juliana bought some berry filled scones to bring back to Nue’ant. As they left the building, a black haired Adasion stood in their path. They wore a simple black short tunic.

Unsheathing his swords, Jun’ep whispered, “Juliana, when I tell you to go, run.”

“I don’t think they’ll hurt us.”

“He’s a null! A powerful one! He’ll block out mana powers for anyone who comes too close. I won’t be able to protect you.”

The null slowly approached them with his hands outstretched.

Juliana said, “But that means he has no powers either. I trust your other skills besides mana Jun’ep. That’s why Nue’ant assigned you to be my guard.”

After a pause, Jun’ep nodded.

“Human Juliana, I am Oynoiz. I first discovered your pod when it arrived on Adasion.”

“His accent. My lady, he’s not from Asa Dominion,” Jun’ep warned.

“That’s correct. I’m from the Gongre Confederacy. You cannot know the frustration I felt when Asa took your pod away.”

“You discovered her pod? You filthy null! What did you do to her pod? Lady Juliana could never be properly measured! Did you suck out her potential? She was given a Re rating!” Jun’ep looked like they were about to throttle Oynoiz. “You couldn’t be measured? You were transported far. When I found you, you were in the middle of wild Adasion territory.”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“Wild Adasions?” Jun’ep echoed, with a hint of surprise, “We were not informed of this.”

Oynoiz turned to Juliana, “The wilders, large beasts, there are many dangers in between the civilized parts of our nations. She was found in the middle of it all, far from any civilization. That alone makes her special. She was in unclaimed territory. The treaties had no jurisdiction over her! She should’ve never been brought here!”

Jun’ep paled. Was there some legal truth in their words?

“And your land has a better claim? Where are you from? You sound Gongre.” Jun’ep called back.

“What do you want with me, Oynoiz?”

“I heard what happened at the Welcoming Ceremony. You almost didn’t wake. You’d traveled the furthest to arrive at Asa. And then no one wanted you? This insult would’ve never have happened if you weren’t taken away. I want you to get to know me, Human Juliana. Maybe in the future, I’ll be honored to join your clan.”

“She is to pick from us Asas first, Gongre. She’ll pick whatever clan and I guarantee you won’t be in it,” Jun’ep sniffed.

“I wanted to meet the woman today. She now knows I exist. Nue’ant can’t hide her forever. She’ll have to be introduced to society soon. I can’t wait.” He gave a side smirk before walking away with a wave goodbye.

“Well that was bold.” Juliana commented, impressed.

“Reckless.” Jun’ep responded as they climbed onboard the carriage and went home.

To say that Nue’ant was unhappy with the news Juliana was visited by a black-haired of the Gongre Confederacy was an understatement.

They called together their guard outside as Juliana watched.

“Do not allow this to happen again! Juliana is precious. If she is hurt yet another Adasion clan will have no hope of recovery. Next time you see them, attack on sight.”

“Yes, master!” Their guard responded.

“Juliana, I want you to understand the power behind a Fa. You’re heard about it at the Training Center, but you haven’t witnessed it yourself.”

“I’ve seen it at the Welcoming Ceremony.”

“Yes, then it was elegant and amplified by singing. You haven’t seen it used in combat. Guards, time to show her your training!”

They charged Nue’ant. Some throwing spells such as water and air attacks from the blue haired ones. The green ones pushed vines up from the earth. Suddenly, the guards’ arms were held fast to their sides by some invisible force. They fell to their knees.

“And that is without the power of song. Now listen,” Nue’ant said.

Beautiful, deep notes they sang. The guards collapsed on the ground, not even able to lift their faces. A few struggled. Pulsating ripples stretched across the wet earth from the pressure Nue’ant gave.

Suddenly the pressure stopped.

The guards pulled themselves up and started coughing.

“Not bad. You all came a step nearer to me this time,” Nue’ant rubbed back his white hair before turning to Juliana, “I am a Fa. The Gongre who approached you was also a Fa. They are never to be underestimated. This is a light demonstration of my power. If I wished, I could knock down an entire hillside.”

Juliana nodded. “Is it because he’s a stranger to you that you don’t like him, or is it because he’s a foreigner?”

“Gongre lost their opportunity to welcome women into the clans. They will have to wait their turn after all the women here choose.” Their stern face made it clear they would not be argued with.