“So, what did you want to show me?” Sell asked as she and Adion finally reached a place outside the outpost away from prying eyes.
“Calm down,” Adion said excitedly.
“I am calm, Adion,” Sell said, smiling, “You’re the one practically skipping.”
I am? Whatever, we should be far enough away now.
“So last night, I got some kind of small epiphany about the concepts I’ve been trying to grasp,” Adion said.
“At your drunken state?” Sell questioned.
“I wasn’t that drunk,” Adion refuted, “I’m here now, aren’t I?”
“True,” Sell admitted.
They were the only ones who hadn’t headed back straight to bed after breakfast this morning. The others had all wanted to rest for the day. They had just come back from the expedition yesterday, after all. And they had a hangover they wanted to cure before taking the Merillian Soul Peach.
I drank a lot yesterday, too. The hangover wasn’t that bad. They would probably feel better getting outside. Adion thought, looking up at the clear blue sky. What a waste of a precious day.
Adion had been feeling great lately, making him appreciate little things, like the nice weather.
“So?” Sell asked, “What did you realize yesterday in your not-so-drunken state of inspiration?”
“I’ll show you,” Adion said with a grin.
He then conjured a small ball of flames above his palm. His Will now not changing the pure mana into fire mana as it used to. The fire mana he conjured his fire from was now infused with concepts that Adion had begun grasping.
Adion threw his fire on the ground and let it burn. The fire looked calm, almost like a cozy campfire.
“It’s…what concept have you grasped? If anything, it’s weaker than normal fire, no?” Sell asked, confused.
“It’s not,” Adion shook his head, “It’s just slower, but it’s a lot stronger. And I have yet to fully grasp control of the concepts I have running through my mind.”
“Care to explain?” Sell pushed.
“I’ve always pushed my fire to burn hotter, to dig deeper, whatever that means,” Adion said, “But studying your fire, and hearing your Words of Truth, I decided not to limit myself and think about fire more freely. I thought about the Celestial Phoenix and- Oh yeah, you don’t know that I saw the Celestial Phoenix, right?”
“You what?” Sell asked, staring deep into Adion’s eyes to see if he was serious.
“You actually hadn’t figured out yet?” Adion asked.
“How in Ganta could I possibly figure out something like that!” Sell yelled.
“Good,” Adion nodded, “I thought you knew all of my secrets there for a second. I revealed my strength in my aura yesterday, after all.”
“I actually forgot about that,” Sell said, “Wait, more importantly! What’s this about the Celestial Phoenix? It actually exists? You’ve seen it? And also! How did you get so strong? You’re the same age as me. Wait, exactly how old are you, by the way? I can’t tell by the day.”
“Woah,” Adion put up his hands in a calming gesture, “Relax, Sell. All in good time. I will come to that. But first, my fire.”
“You’re enjoying this too much, Adion,” Sell said.
“It’s good to have your undivided attention,” Adion smiled, “I don’t know why Lomin bothers with his storytelling abilities. Just drop that you’ve met a Phoenix, and everyone listens anyway.”
“Adion,” Sell looked at him with a warning gaze. She couldn’t hide the smile slipping out, though.
“Right, so I thought about those flames. The flames of the Celestial Phoenix. I realized flames can be so much more than just fire. I wondered how the fire of the Fire Phoenix was. Surely it’s not just really hot, right? It’s part of its body, something that can be harmless or deadly, probably changed from one state to another with just a thought.”
“What are you talking about?” Sell asked.
“It’s still not completely clear,” Adion said, confusing even himself as he was talking, “I’m just trying to explain my thought process. So, I thought about having a fire like that, something that could be harmless or deadly, waiting for my command. Something that burns not hot and fast, but calmly and surely.”
“Isn’t that just weaker?” Sell asked.
“Well, I can always implement other powerful concepts with time, but the one that really caught my attention was ‘inevitability.’” Adion said, “I want a fire that can sit and do no harm, calmly burning, and with my command, burn down whatever I want down to ashes. Not in a fiery blaze, but in a calm decomposition.”
Sell looked at Adion’s fire in thought for a while.
“That’s interesting,” She said after a while, “But I still think it will be weaker. What’s the use of a harmless fire?”
“I don’t know,” Adion shrugged, “But this is just a start. When I think about how you and Lomin came to grasp Words of Truth, I thought that my own way to Words of Truth was through the Celestial Phoenix. What could be a better inspiration for something deeper than witnessing the birth of a Phoenix, after all? I know it's still far from powerful, but I believe the seeds have been planted.”
“What seeds?” Sell asked.
“A seed for a fire that never goes out, a fire that can burn down everything I command it to. A fire that doesn’t matter if it is fast or slow, hot or warm. It’s inevitable.” Adion said.
“Well,” Sell smiled, “I guess I like it. It suits you when I think about it. I’m glad you found something you’re excited about.”
“Mm,” Adion nodded, “It will be a lot of hard work, but I’m excited to see where it will go.”
“Now…something about the Celestial Phoenix?” Sell asked.
“Right, I think I saw it,” Adion said, “Being reborn or something.”
“I want details! Tell me everything!” Sell pushed.
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Adion’s smile gradually left his face as he remembered the circumstances that led him to see the Celestial Phoenix. “Sorry,” Adion said, “Mind if I tell you about it another day? It would be a shame to ruin a day as nice as this with that story.”
“Oh…” Sell paused, “Yeah,” She nodded in understanding.
They were quiet for a while before Adion spoke again, “20th,” He said.
“What?” Sell asked.
“20th day of winter. That’s when I turn 16, you?”
“24th,” Sell said.
Good. I’ve been nervous about that.
“That made you way too happy,” Sell said with a smile of her own, “So what if you’re a few days older? My fire is still stronger,”
“Of course it is,” Adion said, “You’re a fire mage.”
“So are you,” Sell said, “You’re just also a space mage.”
“Maybe, but I don’t have a fire core,” Adion said.
“Then make one,” Sell said, “You were a sparkless. If anyone can do it, you can.”
“Wait,” Adion said, “You can have two cores?”
“Well,” Sell hesitated, “I’ve never met anyone with more than one core, but I’ve read about it. People like to experiment, after all.”
“I can’t believe I’ve never thought about that,” Adion said.
“I don’t actually recommend it. I was just joking,” Sell said, “No one who has tried it has made it very far. It takes much longer to advance with two cores, more than double the time a single core takes. And no one has figured out how it would be possible to advance to the Soul stage with two cores.”
“I guess it does seem like a time-consuming project to keep that up. But maybe just a stone core-” Adion mused but was interrupted.
“Don’t, Adion,” Sell said, “It’s very risky. Where would you even have a second core? Focus on your space core for now, and if you’re really curious about it, ask someone more knowledgeable than me about it at the Academy.”
“I guess you’re right,” Adion nodded, “I already have my plate full.”
“Good.” Sell said, “So, did you bring some plums?”
“Sure did,” Adion nodded, “I guess it’s time for you to train.”
“Mm,” Sell nodded with a smile, “Do you think it will be possible for me to teleport with fire someday? Lomin managed to do it with a wind core, after all.”
“I don’t see how,” Adion said, picking up some plums from his backpack, “But I don’t see how Lomin can teleport using wind either, and that didn’t stop him. Just try long enough, and I’m sure it will work out eventually.”
“Mm,” Sell nodded and took out a blindfold that she tied over her eyes.
They spent the next hour honing Sell’s spatial awareness, something Adion noticed had actually gotten better during the past weeks.
“You’ve gotten a lot better. Maybe I should continue training like this myself,” Adion said after having finished the training session.
“I know, right!” Sell said excitedly, “Can we do some teleportation? I want to try and guess where we are without opening my eyes.”
Sell had taken off the blindfold a while into the training as it had gotten covered in plum juice and opted to just close her eyes.
“Sure,” Adion nodded and stepped up to her, “Ready?”
“Mm,” Sell nodded, closing her eyes.
Adion grabbed Sell around the waist like usual, his heart beating fiercely.
This somehow keeps getting harder. Shouldn’t I get used to this by now? I already know that she’s pretty, that she smells good, that she- Okay, let’s focus on teleporting.
Adion focused on the space above them in a tree, thinking it might be fun to surprise Sell with. But as he focused on his teleporting mantra, he noticed three figures approaching in his sphere of space mana.
It’s that guy? How did he find us?
Adion unconsciously pulled Sell a little closer.
“A-Adion?” Sell asked.
“Sellitha?” A voice came from a few feet away.
Sell opened her eyes to see Astor standing there with his two Gold guards. She jumped out of Adion’s grip, with a slightly blushing face that seemed very pleasing to Adion.
“What-” Astor tried to say something, but no words came out.
“We’re just practicing,” Adion said, waving the matter off.
“Practicing what?” Astor asked.
“Magic, of course,” Adion said.
Astor got a conflicting expression on his face. His two guards stared at Adion with ugly expressions.
“Sellitha, what is your relationship with this guy exactly?” Astor asked.
“I don’t think that’s any of your business,” Sell said, “What do you want, Astor.”
“We’re leaving,” Astor said, “I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“Excuse me?” Sell said.
“We don’t have much time,” Astor said, “The Derolm family apparently experienced a robbery last night and are looking for the culprits. They are sure to suspect me as our families are not on the best terms.”
“What does that have to do with me?” Sell asked.
“I’m sure they will suspect you, too,” Astor said, “You were with them on the expedition. And someone with your status might be able to pull it off.”
What is he talking about?
“Don’t be ridiculous, they wouldn’t suspect me,” Sell said, “I’ve always been around people. I’m sure I can talk to them, and they’ll drop any suspicions immediately. If you want to leave, you can leave alone.”
“Sellitha…” Astor hesitated, “It’s not safe. I’m sorry, but I’ll have to insist.”
“Insist all you want,” Sell said, “I’m not going.”
“Haah,” Astor sighed, “You’re being way too careless. How can you be out here without your Silver teammates? You do realize that Lady Mephina is still in Dorbarta? If not on her way to Ellia already.”
“That’s where I left her, so I guessed as much,” Sell shrugged.
Is Mephina that potential Soul mage who is keeping watch over Sell? So, she really has been unprotected all this time?
“Then why would you-” Astor started speaking but stopped himself, “Never mind, I’m sure your parents will insist on you coming with me as well. I’m willing to take the risk, at least. So, are you coming with me voluntarily or not?”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Sell asked, her aura starting to flare.
“It means that I will have to bring you out of here by force if you won’t come by your own will. It’s for your own safety,” Astor said with a serious expression.
“You’ll all die before you can touch her,” Adion said, staring Astor in the eyes.
“Shut up!” Astor yelled furiously, “I know you’re not a Noble with some hidden powerhouse around. You won’t fool me. And you’ll be coming with me to Dorbarta to face justice for disrespecting a Noble!”
“What a crazy bastard,” Adion muttered.
“Astor,” Sell warned, “Don’t do this, you’ll regret it. I’m not joking.”
“So be it,” Astor said, “Grab her. And break that guy's legs.”
The two Gold mages were just about to move, but Adion was ready, having grasped the space behind their heads.
Push! Just enough to-
Suddenly, the earth moved, and Astor and the two Gold mages were dragged down to their necks. Adion watched as they struggled to break free, but only their heads managed to move around as the rest of their bodies were stuck in the ground.
“Calm down, will you?” A voice sounded from above Adion. A voice that traveled to him in a way he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
He looked up and saw a sight that shocked him deeply.
A…Monkey? More importantly, it’s a Soul beast?
A monkey the size of a small adult with white glistening fur and deep red eyes stared down at them from a branch. It didn’t look to be as tense as the rest of them, lounging lazily on its stomach.
“Mephina?” Sell exclaimed.