Chapter Two

The Birth of an Envoy– Part Two.

Aelius gasped as light exploded in the corner of the room, blinding him for a moment before particles of pink, blue and purple manifested and combined. Gathering up against the wall, in mere seconds, Headmaster Polia’s Mana constructed a dark, shimmering dimensional gateway.

With a mischievous, smug smirk only the elderly could have when showing off, Headmaster Polia gave them a gesture.

“Come along, young ones.”

Aelius cast Quarren and Alea an unsure gaze before stepping through. As soon as his feet landed on the other side, he felt the soles of his shoes crunch. It was dirt.

The sound of flowing water flooded his ears, together with birds and cicadas crying out from the trees. A mind-clearing breeze blew over him as he continued forward, finding Headmaster Polia presenting to him a clearing in a small forest.

“Welcome, you three, to our study space for the day.”

Aelius glanced over his shoulder to see Alea and Leos closely behind him. She was curiously looking around her before her eyes turned their gazes. It was like a hand had clutched ahold of his heart. Butterflies were mixing about in his stomach, and his lungs were drowning in anxiousness. He quickly turned away, adopting an awkward walk in his best attempt to be casual.

“Now, the stage is for you youngsters.” Headmaster Polia stepped aside, summoning a small marble tea table and one chair out of thin air, plotting herself down.

A magic invisible to the eye slithered around the handle on the kettle, lifting it to telepathically pour tea into a beautifully engraved teacup.

Seeing the old woman plop herself down, the three figured it was time to get to work, though Aelius still had no idea what they were doing here. Something to do with Spirits, his speciality.

“Thanks for your time, Aelius,” Alea beamed. “Leos and I are looking for someone who can summon spirits for us. With the recent discovery of the new continent, our commanders want us equipped with everything possible in protecting Farrien.”

“Ah…” Aelius realised what was happening now.

Past Alea’s shoulder, Headmaster Polia watched on with a smirk, watching them through a pair of sunglasses.

“W-well… you’re lucky I brought my materials today. We can definitely have a go… if nothing else. So, uhh, who’s going first?” he asked.

“I will!” Alea raised her hand up.

Aelius nervously nodded and without a word, guided Alea to the centre of the clearing.

“Just stand here for now. I need some time to prepare.” As he plopped his backpack down, he rummaged through and procured a dozen bunches of strange alchemic materials.

White chalk, various glowing herbs, different types of animal excretions, pixie dust, and finally, a good-luck charm.

Headmaster Polia summoned a large mat at their feet, replacing the grass so Aelius could proceed. He gave her a shy smile of appreciation before turning his attention downward.

With a deep breath, feeling his focus settle in, Aelius began to chalk away.

It took almost thirty minutes while he constructed a lavishly complicated ritual circle. His construct was one of numerous miniature circles extended around and conjuncted to a larger central circle which Alea stood in.

In the branching lines of chalk surrounding her, Aelius placed herbs and animal excretions, with all things calculated to a mathematical perfection– the quantity, the weight, the angles and the relative positions from each other.

In his entranced state, he had no idea Alea was enthusiastically watching him with glowing eyes.

“So… how did you get into Spiritualism?” Her voice was hesitant at first, almost like she was nervous. The sudden conversation startled Aelius as he looked up from his hands and blinked.

“H-huh? Oh. Uh…” His eyes quickly hid to the ground again. “It was just… well, it was the only thing that interested me.” His face was turning red and he could feel his cheeks heating up. Throat dry and the words struggling to come out, once again the nervous shake that often plagued him had returned to his hands.

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“Oh. You didn’t feel interested in any combat arts?”

“That’s… because I can’t use Magic.” Aelius exhaled sharply, ready for the disappointment arising from judgement to replace the expression on her face. He knew it was coming so he didn’t even dare to look anymore. He was ready to hear it in her voice. Why did he have to develop expectations? Before everyone knew who he was, some would enthusiastically approach him but after finding out this fact, disgust would replace any ounce of niceness he ever received. She’ll be the same. She was just another one of them.

“You can’t use Magic? Wow, it must’ve been difficult for you.”

Aelius’ tightly sewn eyes snapped open and he turned to her in surprise.

“Y-yeah… a little bit?”

She was still smiling at him brightly. “But even despite that, you got into Headmaster Polia’s good books, and you even found yourself a niche field that you became the best at. That’s the most impressive thing!”

Aelius felt his lower lip tremble. Was he hearing things? It’s the first time someone truly recognised his efforts aside from Headmaster Polia. His own parents were nice about it when they found out about his lack of Magic talents, but he could sense the disappointment in his father’s hidden attitude. Even Aria began to act coldly toward him after hearing about it. He became a clown for everyone to laugh at after that, and for that period, his life felt bleak.

“Thanks. It means a lot.” Aelius hid his face away to rub his eyes and took a sharp breath. It felt like all those negative emotions that haunted him for years were fading away.

He continued to speak as he knelt down to resume his preparation. “Because I couldn’t use Magic, and I couldn’t make friends, I ended up wandering into the library. For a year, all I’d do is read books. That was… until I found a book on Spirits. It was like…” Aelius looked up at the sky. “It was so strange. It was like I found something I was meant to. I knew straight away that whatever it was, it was interesting and fun. Since then, I tried to master it as much as I could, and now, Headmaster Polia says I’m one of the only people in Farrien that understand Spirits as much.”

“Wow…” Alea clasped her hands together. “That’s impressive! So, you must have signed some contracts with some amazing Spirits, right?”

The question was innocent but it was like a jab in Aelius’ side.

“Ahaha… not really.” He sighed. “I can’t seem to sign any contracts. Oh– but hopefully, you should be fine. My problem shouldn’t affect you.”

“Oh…”

After some further preparation, Aelius finally stepped back with a satisfied smile.

“It’s perfect! I think it’s my best Summoning Circle so far!”

“Wow!” Alea clapped her hands in a courteous excitement, and Aelius realised he was looking a bit naively foolish before her.

“Ahem. Very well. Now, I will come and help you channel your Spiritual consciousness into the circle.” To do so, Aelius had to stand behind Alea and place his hands on her back. She appeared a bit surprised at first but soon settled in upon seeing Aelius closing his eyes and beginning a chant under his breath.

As he recited the verses, the wind began to pick up around them. Alea pursed her lips nervously, almost flinching after hearing a clap of thunder from off in the distance.

The soil beneath their feet was wriggling about, the earth was shaking. The louder Aelius’ voice became, the louder the roaring wind did. Finally, he grandly ended the chant with one final shout.

What immediately followed was a momentary, ominous phenomenon. Lightning crackled, the branches of the trees drummed into their ears, the wind howled and off in the distance, rapid waters rushed.

Then, in tandem with a small ball rising out from Alea’s chest, glowing a pure vibrant green, the sounds around them faded away and the earth calmed back down to tranquillity.

The ball grew larger and larger in size until it rapidly expanded into an entire portal. Aelius watched in awe as a glowing silhouette descended to the earth from it.

Behind the three watching on captivated, even Headmaster Polia was stunned with wide eyes.

The being of light touched down to the soil and immediately, a bed of flowers grew from the grass around their feet. Each step the being took, the land flourished.

Why have you called me here, mortal? You dare seek my audience, knowing of your accursed status? a voice rang out in all of their heads. Each word sent wind pushing them back. From the turbulent air, Alea’s eyes were almost shut, but she looked to Aelius for guidance, surprised by the blatant hostility of this enchanting being.

“It’s not me!” Aelius called back, pushing against the wind. “I’m just the medium! The call you answered belongs to her!” He tried to push Alea forward.

Hmm? The entity turned its gaze to Alea, and while the wind continued, she was immediately freed from it, free to approach them. You wish to form a contract with me?

“Y-yes,” Alea called. “I seek your strength!”

Hmm… very well. If it’s this one, you will do. My child, you have a natural affinity with nature. You were born as one with the earth. You are worthy to be my vessel. From today onward, I shall aid you.

The entity quickly turned back into a ball and shot into Alea’s chest, and immediately, the environment around them returned to normal. All of them were catching their breath, when Alea turned to Aelius.

“D-did I get a good one?” she asked.”

“A good one?” Aelius pushed himself to his feet. “A good one!?” he laughed. “That was… I can’t believe it. That was Spirit Queen Gaia! The Spirit Goddess of nature! My Goddess, Alea. Your affinity for nature is so powerful that you summoned Gaia herself!”

“Oh. Haha!” Alea celebrated with him. “No way. That’s incredible.”

They were so ecstatic that they forgot about Quarren Leos, who couldn’t quite comprehend what just happened, but was grumpily waiting for his turn.