HARRISON SAUDONT (POV)
“So, what do you think?” I said to Simon as we walked through the forest, “You’ll only be in the ruins for the year, after that, you will return to the main academy for further instructions.”
“Sounds fine to me,” he replied “However, why did you choose this name for me to go by, would’nt my real name be enough.”
“There is no need to link the real you to this school. After all, you’re a registered Ascended under the employment of Lord Kelting.” I said, “People would find it strange to see you posted over here. Your alias - Simon Hall - is necessary.”
Yes, there was no need to make things any more difficult for me than they already were. It seems like nowadays all of my assets are becoming weaknesses or weapons that my enemies are using against me. Simon - the Ascended that Lord Kelting sent - was fairly naive . . . or shall I say innocent about these types of things. He must have some real talent for Lord Kelting to send him to protect his daughter.
“Which people do you speak of?”
“The other board members,” I sighed, no point in lying. “The truth is, it seems that they have it out for me these days, and they tend to watch my every move.”
“Hmm, there was a man who approached me, he said his name was Louis Swine . . . or Professor Swine. Is he a board member?” The young Ascended asked.
“Yes, he is,” I said slightly uncomfortable, “What did he say to you?”
“He just asked basic questions, such as where I came from, my name, what my relationship was with you, and so on.’” Professor Hall said.
“And what did you say back?"
“I stuck to my alias of course. I said I came from Dawnsail city and that we know each other from the time we worked together in ruins,” he said.
“Good. That was smart of you,” I commended. Of course, that was expected of him. However, before I introduced him to the other board members, he would often forget his alias at times, or give altered responses to certain questions regarding his false past. I only pray that Professor Swine doesn’t go digging too deep. After all, the existence of Simon Hall doesn’t go any further than fabricated legal documentation.
As we approached nearer to the cave where the teleportation gate rested, I noticed that on the back face of Stuart’s hand, a black tattoo sat there staring up at the sky. A crescent moon with a four-pointed star next to it. No random choice of design would come out to be like that.
“Are you religious by any chance?” I asked him.
“Hmm?”
“It’s just that tattoo on your hand. . .”
“Ah you mean this,” he said hinting at the symbol. “Funnily enough, I got this tattoo before I knew its true meaning. It was one of the requirements for my very first adventuring guild. A stupid decision, I know. Does it offend you?”
“Not at all,” I replied, “However, don’t you care about its political standpoint?”
“Political standpoint?” he said shocked, “Politics and religion don’t generally go hand in hand. How would this tattoo give anyone an assumption about my political views.”
“Well . . . you do know what the symbol represents, don’t you?”
“Of course. It represents the finality and the defeat of the Usurper in The Arcin Born religion. Although I'm not religious myself, they say upon his fall, the night sky held the crescent moon with a bright shining star next to it for an entire day,” he said.
“That is true,” I agreed, “However, in the aristocracy and all those involved in diplomacy, there is another meaning behind that symbol,” I started, “Around one hundred and thirty years ago - just after the war ended - a small party arose within the Human kingdom. They believed that there was a metaphor behind the defeat of the Usurper to Arcinose. They believed that it meant certain races were above others and that they should fall and bow beneath them just as it was in the religious texts. These racists assumed that they were a chosen people and that it was for them to decide what happened with those who weren't born of their lineage. ”
His face looked slightly surprised “I never knew,” he said.
“Not many people did,” I replied, “Only two years after their formation, the party disbanded, forced to return to the shadows. However, although their appearance in history was short, their impact was so significant that it was recognized by all in the Human aristocracy.”
“Really?”
“The things they did, the horrible acts they committed in the name of ‘finality and defeat of the Usurper’, would have been a permanent black stain in Human history to the rest of the world.”
“Would have?” he asked, “How is it not?”
“By the very fact that you walk around with that mark, and don’t even know its hidden meaning. The council, after the group disbanded, did everything in its power to cover up and destroy the party’s credibility. Mark them off as terrorists to the people, so that no one would know that it was them in the first place, who authorized the legality of their creation.”
“That bad, huh?”
“You don’t even know that half of it,” I replied.
“If you don’t mind me asking, what kind of crimes did they commit?”
“Hmm, nothing short of rape, cannibalism, genocide, child trafficking, and slavery. The list goes on. The case that was built up against them was so strong that there was no trail. The council simply forced the group to dissolve without stress, also, for the fact that a trial would bring more attention to the situation.”
“Wow,” Stuart said. The tone of his voice indicated that he was slightly taken aback and didn’t expect me to say the things I did. Innocence sure is bliss.
He was silent for the rest of our journey after that. As we entered the cave and approached the teleportation gate, I used the communication device to speak with the staff member within the ruins to let us through. Shortly after, the gate began to take its natural form, showing a path through to the ruins.
“When you go through, the guard on the other side will lead you to where the second years are located. I know that Lord Kelting probably wanted to seem as if he sent you to protect the school, but I know his intentions were more directed toward his daughter, Sarah.” I said to Simon.
“It’s ok, I know. He pretty much told me that anyways. Seems he can’t hide his true intentions when it comes to his family.” he replied.
“Also, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble. Could you look out for a boy named Elex? He has blonde hair and green eyes - he stands out compared to other humans.”
“I’ll see,” Simon said.
Saying my goodbyes, I watched as he traversed through the arched portal way, and saw his figure and the place he entered fade away as the gate began to close.
‘Now, back to my work’ I thought while sighing.
Things have been getting more tense within the kingdom. So tense in fact, that the Senary council had decided to invite me as a guest to their meetings. Which only meant my workload would increase. I can only pray that the problems within this kingdom will pass by quickly. All this talk of cults and terrorists is something that the younger me would have been excited by, but now, I just want to rest.
ELEX VINSPEAR (POV)
“Chrollo, come on,” I called out, “We’re going to be late for the group meeting. Leo already went on ahead of us.” I stressed as I watched him.
He stumbled as he made his way towards me, attempting to put on an overcoat above his training kit and shoes on his feet at the same time. A warm smile formed on my face as I watched the spectacle. For someone who could be so ruthless and daunting when fighting, Chrollo had his moments where he would appear harmless, or even a bit naive. I guess, for most people - including me - their first impression of Chrollo would be that he is some high-born noble from the Demon Kingdom. Whether he is or not, his alluring facial features create a sort of barrier between him and the rest of the other students. One that takes some confidence to get past as he can seem quite intimidating to approach at first. He sometimes emanates an air that makes you feel like you shouldn’t be around him, the same feeling that you would get from royalty. However, that wasn’t the case for me anymore. The Chrollo I saw was a friend, a friend who I cared about and who also cared about me.
“Ok,” he said, “let’s go.”
I guess you could say we were lucky. All three of us, Chrollo, Leo, and I were placed in the same adventuring group together - with others as well. But nonetheless, we would be spending this entire year working together on our own dungeon. The other thing that did seem to surprise me was that we were placed in the same group as Princess Christina. I admit, that despite the fact we have a class together, I’ve not interacted with the girl once. Which, when you think about it, isn’t really that strange considering she is the Princess. However, it seems that now our meeting will inevitable, and regardless of my past thoughts, I am somewhat apathetic about the situation.
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As we approach the area our group decided to hold its meeting, Chrollo and I discreetly joined the back of the small but dense-sized crowd and join in on the conversation.
“ . . . and leave an hour after the market opens tomorrow.” A girl said. “We should all meet in front of our gate with all of our gear ready to enter the dungeon.”
“Agreed,” Leo said. “Now, since that’s out of the way, we need to address who will take on the specific roles that Thomas told us about, and we also need to become familiar with one another,” he said while looking around at the group.
“Of course,” the girl replied “Naturally, we should have started with introductions, but, nevertheless, my name is Emily,” She said, looking over at Leo, “and you are?”
“My name is Leo Hurston,” He said looking to the next person, therefore starting the chain of introductions from everyone within the group. We were a confident-looking group, albeit I only recognized a few faces aside from Leo and Chrollo, I felt upbeat about my classmates.
Once everyone had introduced themself we decided to select certain people to take the lead in the party roles Thomas told us about. I was originally chosen to be the leader of the attack unit, but, after a short explanation, I decided to hand over the role to Chrollo as we both agreed I would do much better acting as a sensory unit alongside him. Leo volunteered to be the main translator along with Emily, it seems to Leo’s surprise his brains would be useful within the dungeons. The Princess, and the girl who always seemed to be following her around called Erika, asked to lead the navigation unit, while the defense was left to a boy named Zack. Chrollo had apparently interacted with the guy on one occasion, so nobody had any complaints. Since healers are usually Ascended adventurers, and no one here had an ascended arc stone, a girl name Sarah Kelting decided to take the lead, as she explained she knew the basics of medical care. The rest of the group would choose a unit to support our journeys.
“Alright then,” Leo said, naturally taking the lead, “now that we know who is who and what we’re all doing, let's talk about the dungeon.”
“You know what might be in it?” The boy named Zack asked.
“Well, not exactly, but I’m sure I know what we can prepare for at the least.” Leo replied, “I’ve read many books and heard from others that the ruins are quite unpredictable.” He said as we all listened in silence. “The main Arcadian ruins are one thing, but the dungeons are something else. For example, just as we can be within the Gala, and go to a designated area that has different levels of dungeons separated neatly for our choosing, there are multiple dungeons scattered throughout the main Arcadian ruins as well.”
“We get it, we should expect the unexpected, what's your point,” Erika said with a slight look of boredom.
Leo sighed, “Listen, I'm just trying to prepare us as best as I can for the beasts we might encounter. I’ve read that the dungeons vary in many things: location, altitude, temperature, and monsters. Thomas said we should be wary of mongrels, but they may not necessarily be our main cause for concern.”
“I don’t doubt your knowledge,” the girl name Emily said, “but, you do realize that we’re only doing a beta dungeon. I’d be surprised if there we would come across anything more dangerous than mongrels within it.”
“Is that a valid reason not to expect something more?” Leo asked, “Two things that we can confirm is that we will come across Mongrels at some point, I have no doubt in my mind that we won’t. The other is that the ruins are unpredictable. Just knowing those two very facts means you should understand that they contradict each other. We can't only prepare for mongrels, while knowing anything could happen, right?”
The group was silent for a time, until Chrollo spoke, proposing his own thought.
“Why don't we just go in blind and expect the worst,” he said.
“Hmm?” Leo hummed.
“Hear me out.” he said, “Considering the fact that we have never been in a dungeon ourselves, and although each and everyone is unpredictable, the best experience we can have before entering a dungeon is to have previously been inside one.”
“Meaning?” Leo responded.
“Meaning, I don't see why we should bother preparing for something we have no previous experience on. It's not like you would study for a test when the teacher deliberately hasn’t taught you its contents.”
Chrollo sighed, “I know it seems rash, but I think it's better we spend our time getting comfortable with one another and understanding each other's strengths and weaknesses, and then applying all that in action for when we do enter.”
Leo thought about it for a second, the rest of the group was silent as they waited for his response. Chrollo was by no means an idiot, he knew that his idea could be seen as immature. However, he wasn’t exactly wrong. All we had been tasked to do for the entire school year was to clear a single dungeon. They never actually told us how to clear a dungeon, it doesn't matter how much “preparation” we did, we would still be going in blind.
“I think it's a sound plan,” Princess Christina said.
Leo turned to the princes to confirm her statement,
“Well, unless you have a better idea. I mean, I’m pretty sure all of us know the low-level beasts that we would encounter in a beta dungeon, and I think getting to know more about each other would only benefit us.” She added.
“I suppose so,” Leo said.
“Well, if we are going to get to know each other, let's do it while we eat,” Zack interjected, “If we plan to enter the dungeon an hour after the market opens, we should probably get to bed early tonight.”
“Agreed” Leo said, “after we get some food, we can head back to the camping area and move our tents close to each other.”
Our little group meeting lasted merely a few minutes after Leo’s closing statement, and we all dispersed only to regroup later on. I think by mutual selection, Leo had become the group leader, albeit we never had a vote or even spoke on the matter of leadership, it was apparent that his wit would be a key factor to our decision within the dungeon.
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Hours later, we sat in our tents at the edge of the newly formed area for our group in the main second-year camping site. Chrollo walked up to Leo's tent - where I was - and took a seat next to him as he entered.
“Here,” he said, handing Leo and me flasks to drink water from while opening the book I gave him to read. “So, what do you think.”
“About what?” I asked, taking a bite of my sandwich.
“The group, I mean. What do you think about them.”
“We all seem to be a capable bunch, I’m sure if anything happens in the dungeon, they will be able to take care of themselves,” I replied.
It was true, we were all somewhat able-bodied individuals - at least to my knowledge. When I spoke with some of the other members of the group who were less vocal during the meeting, they seemed confident in providing support to their respective units. However, of course, people were on edge. Not just from entering the dungeon, but also because we were traveling with the Princess herself. Every time I saw her, I felt kind of intimidated, like I couldn’t look her in the face, or would talk less whenever she was around. It's not as if I had feelings for her, after all, I barely know her. It's just that there was something that seemed odd about her presence. Something that would make me question . . . make me question what she was doing here. It's been an entire year, and I still have that lingering thought in my mind. What reason would the Princess of the entire kingdom need to attend school with other students? Albeit, Haulburn Academy is a prestigious institution, so, I suppose that could be a reason in itself. But I'm not satisfied with a simple answer like that. My father and grandparents liked to say that behind the actions of nobles, counselors, royals, and others of the like, there is always another motive. Whatever that may be.
“I wonder what her motive is.” I thought.
Just when I felt as if I was looking too deeply into it, Leo shifted in his side of the tent while looking outside the open door flap and said, “ Have you guys ever wondered why the king decided to send the Princess here.”
“What do you mean?” Chrollo replied, flipping through another page.
Leo turned his head to look at him, “Please, don't act like you’ve never questioned why she was here. Doesn’t it kind of . . . bother you guys? I mean, for almost two centuries - since the war ended - no monarch has sent their child to a public academy.”
“Maybe the king had a change of heart, times are changing and he most likely assumed they should change with them,” I replied.
I didn't actually believe what I said, but I wanted the gears of Leo’s head to start turning. Perhaps he could come up with a reason that would make sense to me.
He turned to look at me, and then turned to face back out the tent flap again, “I agree, times are changing,” he said, “but why now, it's not like the Kingdom - let alone the capital - is exactly safe with all the reports of cultists and terrorists going around. Even before the rumours spread, Haulburn City wasn’t the safe haven people thought - inner or outer city. You can agree with me there, right Chrollo? I'm sure wherever you stayed in the Demon continent is having problems with these terrorists too.”
“Stornoway - the capital- is where I live,” he said, “and yes, it would seem that rumors of the terrorist stretch all the way to Vientor.”
“So you agree her arrival hear is unorthodox?” Leo asked, looking back and forth between him and outside the door flap.
Chrollo shrugged, still looking down at the book, “I try to keep myself distant from these types of things. Whatever her reason for being here is, it won't affect me. As long as you don’t get involved, it shouldn’t affect you either.”
“I suppose,” Leo said, still looking out the door flap.
“What made you ask anyway?” Chrollo asked.
“The girl that's always with her - Erika - and the Princess herself keep glancing in our direction,” he said while staring out the window.
Chrollo and I turned our heads to see where he was staring, and to our surprise, the Princess wasn’t just looking in our direction, she was in fact heading straight for us.
She waved at us as she got closer to our tent. “Hey guys!” she called out.
“Y . . . Your Highness,” Leo said standing up to bow to her.
She giggled while waving a hand “You don't need to be so formal Leo, please call me Christina from now on.”
“Of course, your highness . . . sorry.”
“It's fine,” she smiled, “mind if I sit?”
“O . . . Of course” he snapped, making room for the royal to sit down comfortably.
It was a strange sight to see Leo so flustered. He seemed to be as stiff as a pencil and his movements were all of a sudden more rigid. The calculated composed student that I knew was gone, and replaced with an innocent boy who was acting as if he had just been asked out by the love of his life. And I don't blame him, I was in shock myself. Thoughts were racing through my mind if should have shown some respect like Leo did. First impressions were everything, and right now I wasn’t sure if I was playing a good part. It seemed that Chrollo was the only one who was calm . . . slightly irritated even?
“I just wanted to come over and say how grateful I am to be in the same group as you guys. I think it would be good if we get to know each other personally and hopefully become friends.” Christina said looking at all three of us.
No one replied. We sat there in silence as it seemed no one knew what to say back - well, at least I didn’t. The air turned slightly awkward and it only made me feel increasingly uneasy as I could feel the stares from other students facing our direction.
She turned to look at me, “You're, Elex, right? I’ve heard you and Chrollo are quite strong fighters,” she said nodding towards Chrollo.
“It's an honor, Princess” I tried to say gracefully.
He tried to hide it, but Chrollo seemed to roll his eyes in his little corner of the tent. What was his problem? Did he have something against her? She did take a silent glance over at him every now and then, but I just assumed she was observing us all. Could they have history with one another?
“Are you sure it's ok for you to sit with us?” Leo asked, seemingly more composed.
“Why would it not be ok?” She said slightly puzzled.
“I think it's because of the fact that you're the Princess,” Chrollo finally said, with a slight tone.
She glanced over at him and made a face that I didn't quite understand. Was it annoyance? Apathy? Affection? I couldn’t tell through her coal-shaded eyes.
“Well, if that's the case, then you should know that titles don't mean anything - not here anyway. Today and tomorrow and for the rest of the time we spend together in that dungeon, we’re all putting our safety at risk to pass our second year.” She said confidently. “Just because I’m the daughter of someone important doesn’t mean you need to treat me any differently from the others. After all, I have trusted you enough to put my safety in your hands, and I hope you have trusted me with yours,” she said looking at us. She spoke well, with a slight amateur tone of regality even.
“I agree,” I said smiling. Something about her little speech made the sides of my mouth curve. Perhaps I was beginning to see her more as a regular person, than someone I should bow down to and praise.
“After all, I intend to be taking orders from you all,” she said looking at us. “So from here and now on, we are all equals.” Her voice was soothing and clear. If there was an example of a great first impression, this would definitely be one.
“Very well then, Christina,” Leo said. “Although I must warn you, I can get short-tempered in the heat of the moment.”
“Don't worry, living in the castle with my brother has taught me how to deal with short-tempered individuals.” She said, causing a giggle to come out of the three of us. Chrollo sat silent, flipping through another page.
“Well, I hope that tomorrow will go well for us. Erika and I plan to go sleep soon so I suggest you guys do the same,” she said looking at me and Leo. “I would love to speak longer, However, I think I am needed elsewhere right now,” she said looking back at Erika who was calling for her at another area of the camp, “It was a pleasure meeting you all like this.” She finished while getting up.
“The pleasure is all ours,” Leo responded.
As she made her way to leave, she glanced back toward us and said “Chrollo,” with a nod, acknowledging his presence.
'They do know each other.' I thought.
Leo and I watched her as she walked away. “A true beauty she is,” Leo said. Despite his thoughts of suspicion towards her appearance here, he seemed to be taken away by her charming character. And I can't say I wasn’t myself.
The night was still young, but we had to wake up early in the morning for the beginning of our adventure. So, Chrollo and I left Leo’s tent shortly after we spoke a little longer and made our way to our own.
In all my excitement, in all my joy, I couldn’t help but feel somewhat uneasy about the whole thing. It felt as If I should be completely focused on the task ahead of me, but as I lay there in my sleeping bag, a slither of dread and uneasiness was seeping through into my emotions of pleasure.