EPISODE 150: EDRYAN FAIR
— GREAT EDRYAN, YEAR: 7291. SEASON: COLOR FADING.
CALAMITY SLAYER? HOW ABOUT TWO!
We are proud to issue the first Edrya Special Newspaper—to be distributed and sold all throughout the city for the Imperius Grand Summit.
In the year of our Goddess 7291, on the third day of the week as the evening sun faded into the night. Our Ascended [Heroes] and [Chosen of Madris] held one goal, one opportunity, one promise to fulfill…
Calamity Slaying.
[Raid Boss: Zephyron — Thunderwing Lord] who was once a beloved pet of Grand Magi Rokkun until his death during the Battle of Devouring Magi, ascended as a calamity over a century ago. It was the second youngest of the once twenty-five, and for a short while, twenty-six calamities lived in the country. Do not let its age fool you, a calamity, one with the title of Raid Boss, is still a Calamity . The Thunderwing Lord was stated to be the size of a mountain, with its wings extending from horizon to horizon. It wielded the elements of Wind and Lightning as extensions of its body, forcing lightning to drop from the sky like raindrops…
— Excerpt from Edrya Special Newspaper — First Edition, written by Karla Kansun.
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Simra stood next to a buzzing Karla.
“A Calamity… Simra—A C-A-L-A-M-I-T-Y! His Highness Lawruthian was involved in slaying a calamity, and I got to write a story about it that is currently spreading through the capital now as we speak—OhmyGoddessIdontknowhwattodo!”
Simra had seen her friend excited before, but this was beyond excited. Karla expressed a hyper sense of emotion that was difficult to describe. The young woman wore a long orange dress matching the season’s leaves. She wore a large bow that tied back her silky hair and made her dark skin stand out in the hall entrance. Her shoes held two similar bows that matched the color of her hair.
Simra wore a half-sleeve floral dress of a similar autumn nature, but hers only just fell past her knees, while two long thick dark socks extended upward but remained slightly bunched together as their length was not fully expressed. Two dark platform shoes gave off the illusion of Simra being slightly taller than she actually was, while the necklace Karla made for her accentuated her neck—drawing attention to her revealed collarbone and fairer skin. A simple, but bright gold bracelet circled her left wrist.
The outfits were thrust upon them by the palace maids and brought a new sense of style and fashion the girls hadn’t worn before. Fortunately, it wasn’t too scandalous and remained in their tolerance ranges. There was one feature that both young women shared, and that was a simple golden emblem sown on a visible spot on their outfits. An emblem that signified them as students of Imperius Academy.
Before Karla could burst from her over-energized state, Simra grabbed her hand and dragged her into the Temperance Hall. A large banister read: ARTISAN SHOWCASE — EDRYAN FAIR . The words Edryan Fair remained as smaller letters underneath the main attraction.
Both girls paused as the sound hit them. Today, they were taking a break to enjoy the ongoing summit as ordered by the prince. Both girls were requested to enjoy the Artisan Showcase, and this is how they found themselves entering the Temperance Hall just after breakfast.
“It’s unfortunate Luke and Zie declined our invitations, well, Zie certainly did, at least Luke said he may join us later,” Simra said once she got her bearings back.
“Pui,” Karla fake spat. “Zie would have ruined the mood—where do we even begin?”
“Let’s go to the side and out of the way of the entrance,” Simra responded, slightly embarrassed as the girls stood there in a half-daze.
During that small interval, dozens of people passed them, some gave the two beautiful young ladies knowing smiles. Plenty had experienced the same reaction when the sound was no longer suppressed as they entered the various halls. The experience always made first-timers pause and readjust themselves to the new level of sound.
The young girls stepped to the side, and once settled, they paused to overview the Temperance Hall. It was one of many halls that would showcase the young talents of Edryan, who successfully managed to attract the attention of the crown and receive an invitation. It was here, that many hopeful [Tinkers], [Artificers], [Smiths], and more gathered to showcase their latest bout of innovation. It was the Temperance Hall, which happened to be the largest—only those who achieved initial success were allowed into the hall. It was here that those looking for funding from the crown or an over-enthused noble were stationed.
Temperance Hall was massive, and like several other halls on the palace grounds, the inside was a lot larger than the outside due to spatial manipulations. The hall held five floors, with the inventions on each said to be more impressive than the last. It was styled as an open floor layout, with the participants each taking a booth or two depending on the needs of their invention. In multiple areas were circular disk platforms that raised and lowered people from floor to floor. (Mage Lights) floated through the hall, lighting every surface, yet giving the hall a dreamy feeling.
The young woman just stood admiring the atmosphere for several moments. Eventually, one of them broke the silence between them.
“I… I’ve never seen anything like it—not even at the academy.”
Karla nodded at the words of Simra. “So long as we continue to follow the His Highness… I’m sure this won’t be the only time we are opened to new experiences.”
Simra nodded, her thoughts scattered slightly distracted by Karla’s words as old worries surfaced. Her last name held a history, one that she’d yet to uncover. She felt close to her dream lately, yet with the accomplishments under Lawruthian’s belt, she felt her dream was inadequate. Here was her prince, who strove for a better Edryan… and here was Simra who’d only wished to enter the Queen’s Guard. Well… and clear the name of the Enlar—a people she knew very little of.
“I’m sure you’re right,” Simra responded, grabbing her friend’s hand as she prepared to set off. “Come on, it’s time we see what this Edryan Fair is all about.”
Karla nodded in excitement and quickly took the lead. “I’ve had my eye on that booth ahead for a while now.”
She gestured towards a large booth that easily occupied space enough for two. Simra’s gazed at the latest target of Karla’s interest. The young women were headed toward a large machine with stacks of paper next to it. A small team no larger than three were next to the contraption. While one ran it, another would speak to the interested parties who gathered around, and finally, the third would pass out the papers that spewed from the end of the contraption.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“…breakthrough in the field of printing. Our Gu’Berg Brother’s Printing Press Three Thousand can print up to a thousand pages within an hour, and it is our hope to provide Edryan an even faster way of printing.”
The two young women caught the tail end of the speech given by a lanky gentleman. He wore large-rimmed glasses that were clearly magical in nature and from a single glance, Karla could tell it was meant to read the names, classes, and levels of people. Her family specialized in low-tier runic devices, and these were among the many they’d built as commissions. For a single one of the inventors to be wearing the glasses showed that their backgrounds weren’t poor. The speaking man stood on a wooden box that allowed him a decent view of the surrounding crowd.
“A printing press,” Karla mused. “Perhaps this may catch His Highness’s eye. If we could put one in every major city and pass on communication… we could print an Edryan Special daily. The ones we use to print for the capital are restricted to around two hundred per hour and require a team of three to run—this is run by one person and is producing a thousand…”
“It is the hope of we three brothers, to gather investors and spread the Gu’Berg to multiple areas of Edryan. Through this, perhaps one day we can provide the famed Imperius Academy Weekly to all of Edryan.”
Karla’s eyes seemed to take on the same glimmer gold held. Simra laughed and felt a slight tingle as the speaking man’s eyes glanced over them. Her senses as a trained warrior were sharp, and she directly noticed when the man’s eyes halted on Karla. He held a mix of shock and awe.
“Oh, it looks like your reputation has spread,” Simra stated. “Someone has recognized you.”
Just as she finished saying so, the young man immediately stepped from his makeshift stage and began to excuse his way through the small crowd before him.
“Should we…,” Simra said, as they held plenty of time to leave.
“No, I’m curious as to what he wants,” Karla responded, sensing her friend’s intentions.
The moment the young man finally made it past the last person, he ran before them. His gaze only grew brighter the closer he approached, and as he arrived before them, he gave them a commoner’s bow.
“It is an honor to meet the renowned Karla Kansun, writer of the Imperius Academy Weekly,” he gushed . “I’ve read every single copy of your… news reports, and we even have our favorites framed back in the shop! It is your stories that partly inspire us brothers as we hope to one day spread them throughout Edryan lands.”
Karla smiled and raised a hand to cover her mouth. Simra knew that her best friend was embarrassed by the sudden praise from a stranger. It didn’t help that the crowd he rushed through had begun to have excited whispers as the Gu’Berg brother spoke quite loudly. Before the situation could get awkward from Karla’s lack of response, Simra spoke up.
“You’ve read all of Imperius Academy Weekly? Why,” she asked curious. Simra knew the newspapers were popular in the academy and held some standing outside of it, but from the words of the smartly dressed young man before them, it must hold a sway she hadn’t realized.
The young man turned to Simra, a slight smile on his face. “Where are my manners…? I am John Gu’Berg, might I have the pleasure of receiving your name beautiful lady?”
“I am Simra, a fellow student of Karla,” she introduced, a small blush colored her cheeks—yet she quickly refocused, not wanting to take much attention away from her friend.
“Ahh, the famed Simra. Ms. Kansun has praised you several times throughout her newspapers—and, to answer your question, Imperius Academy Weekly is a must-read for anyone who’s anyone! Outside the coliseum, war games, gambling, and a few other activities, Edryan has very little for entertainment. Karla’s stories are like life-bringing rain in an area that has experienced drought for years. The way she builds the characters and tells the story of an event always has the audience on the edge of their seats. Our Gu’Berg Brothers desire to spread that same joy we feel when reading to others throughout the Queendom.”
John looked around as if confirming no one was in close earshot. His Intent vibrated weirdly for a moment, but Simra remained unworried—the sound around the trio dimming for a moment. The Artisan Classes suffered from a severe lack of power, as their classes weren’t related to combat—and, even if the man held a hundred levels on her, she was certain she could defend herself.
“It is through reprints of Imperius Academy Weekly we’ve been able to keep our experiments funded. I do hope you’ll forgive us,” John stated—his Intent returned to normal as he bowed in Karla’s direction.
By now, Karla regained her bearing as a slight frown appeared on her face. “First, let me say I appreciate your support.”
Karla never imagined her life’s trajectory would shift in this manner before the year’s end. She’d only begun the first publication's last Final Ending. Karla always loved to tell stories and even if hers were slightly embellished, that had never stopped bringing a smile to Simra’s face when they were children. Even now, it never stopped working. The prince had given her an opportunity, like one of the many figures who developed under him. She’d just met Melina and Johann the other day. Now, she, too, was considered a rising star of Imperius Academy. If she could, she would thank His Highness Lawruthian a thousand times over, as several nobles showed interest in her and more. Her loyalty remained with Lawruthian, but it was comforting to know should she ever need a job, then there were plenty of open options.
“I find it an honor that my writing has inspired you and perhaps others in ways I can only imagine.”
John Gu’Berg nodded, and a wide smile began to appear on his face.
“However, Imperius Academy Weekly is a paid service —one that the students of Imperius Academy spend their hard-earned IP to purchase and enjoy. Although I appreciate your ingenuity and passion to spread my work, I do not appreciate it being through theft. I’ll cut directly to the chase—how much are you cutting me,” Karla asked, getting directly to the point. She crossed her arms and stood there menacingly—like a gangster watching a fat purse enter their sight.
Internally, Simra groaned. She nearly smacked a palm to her face but caught herself in time. They were in a public setting and representing Imperius Academy directly as well as Lawruthian indirectly. Her best friend is a city girl—and, if there was one thing to keep in mind when growing up on the streets of Edrya, then looking out for your best interest was surely one of them.
“Ah-Wa-Ho-,” John stammered.
“You’re taking my work and profiting… it’s only right that I receive a cut. We’ll have to do back pay as well since I’m certain it’s been going on for a while. I don’t work for free, His Highness Lawruthian ensures I get a cut of all transactions on the campus in the form of IP—which can directly be converted into currency should a student need it. We are employed during our schooling at the academy, after all.”
Simra shook her head and looked away, leaving Karla to sort out a stammering John. Meanwhile, she began to browse the nearest stands. Contraptions of all shapes and sizes were present. In one area, we watched as a group of [Blacksmiths] displayed an enchanted forge that boasted a few automating features. In another, she watched an [Artificer] display a loom that infused certain properties into the fabric. It was able to attach the basic resistances to the cloth. The inventor boasted in a few years, with funding, they could attach more advanced or specialized resistances.
She turned back to Karla, who appeared to only be getting into the swing of things. Lightly, she tapped her friend on the shoulder to give her a warning.
“I’m going to go check a few of the nearby booths out.”
“I’ll join you shortly, let me just straighten the Gu’Berg Brothers out,” Karla stated. Her hands were placed on her hips and she leaned forward menacingly like a common street thug who just saw a village child enter the big city with an unprotected purse at their waist. It was a sight to behold for the nicely dressed young lady.
Simra chuckled and nodded at the words of her friend, while John looked towards her in despair and for help—a look Simra pretended not to notice as she walked away.
She found herself marveling at the strange inventions on display. From tiny mechanical devices that mimic birds and other small creatures, to larger items such as hand-used drills that could take on elemental effects to allow easier digging.
“…here is the Arcane Dynamo—it’s based on the Mana Batteries, only it converts magical energy into raw power that can provide several uses depending on how it is applied.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the Crimson Magic School is proud to showcase the Spoken Word Typewriter. Its applications are simple—you speak… it writes! No need to provide mana of your own should you not wish to, instead a Mana Battery can be…”
“My name is Horus Luu, and I’d like to present the Horus Box of Enchantments. It is used to record and play music, but that is only a minor effect. Its true purpose only shines when recording music with magical effects. It can replicate such effects, although only at a based state. It runs on the Mana Battery and can function for…”
Simra admired the many diverse inventions showcased as she strolled through the area. It drew her mind away from her worries and left her in a much happier state. Although meeting the Liana Drumian and training with her was a highlight of her week, she still couldn’t let go of the worry of her divine quest. At least, not until now, as she allowed her mind to relax and enjoy the fair.
The smell of food was in the air, and it happened to be her favorite. Slowly she headed in that direction, her mind free of worries.