"It has gotten your name on the cover. What's in there?" Iliyasis asked, pointing at the book.

Armad reluctantly opened the book. It had one hundred pages but only the first page had writings. The rest mostly contained graphical representation of spells, runes and rituals.

"Can you read it?" Armad asked.

Iliyasis furrowed his brow. He was proficient in both Old and New Aldurish but he'd never seen this language. "I can't. You?"

Armad smiled internally. The language used was Wilburish - the predominant language before The Descent. In the current era, only the descendants of House Wilberforce could speak it. Armad, who had learned how to read and write from his mom, knew all about it.

"I can't either. Let's go back and figure something out." Armad said.

Iliyasis nodded. He didn't expect Armad to know something like that.

After reading the necessary spells, the entrance gate opened. Armad and Iliyasis left the Non-touch World.

They'd already spent ten days inside, hundreds of people waited outside the gates. Most of them were there to buy weapons and spells. And because of this, no one noticed them as they came out and disappeared into the crowd.

They took thirty minutes to reach the mansion. Even from a distance, Armad could perceive a sweet aroma. The mansion had a new paint and was decorated with flowers at some areas.

Armad and Iliyasis exchanged a puzzled look. What could possibly be going on inside?

Cokali and ten servants welcomed them. They led them into the central hall where they met Aish and the rest of the servants. A long dining table with a freshly prepared food, fermented milk and wine was waiting for them.

"Welcome back home."

"Welcome back, brother."

The hall shook as everyone shouted in unison. Armad had to protect his eardrum with his hand.

"How did you know we are coming back today?" Armad asked.

"Well, you used my ayrid card to access the Non-touch World. I have seen all the things that have happened in there." Aish answered, smiling widely. She was dressed in a light green robe. Her hair was braided to one side in a Mikrom hair style.

"It still doesn't explain why we are having such a banquet." Armad said.

"Today is my birthday, the King has approved of my appointment as the Archduchess and my brother has gained an enlightenment in the Non-touch World. You think this is not enough to have a banquet?"

Before he responded, Cokali cut in. "Trust me, Armad, I wanted a larger banquet. A lot of Officials and nobles wanted to attend but my sister refused. She doesn't want people to see you, something about respecting your privacy and protecting you from the people that might want to harm you if they know about you. Honestly, I don't agree with her. We can protect you, I can protect you. What do you say, brother Armad, let's postpone the party and invite all the girls in the city, and their parents."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Cokali looked at Armad expectedly.

"Cokali, shut up, it's good to keep a low profile." Iliyasis snapped.

Armad smiled happily. He went to the closest seat and started bingeing on the food.

That night, they ate, drank and danced. Armad and Cokali competed between the dancing styles of the Third and Fifth Worlds. In the end, Armad lost. Everyone scored Cokali the highest points except Aish, who favoured Armad.

Armad called Cokali to a drinking competition. The rules were simple: drink more cups than your rival and remain alert enough to stand on one leg for ten minutes.

Armad drank twenty-eight cups of fermented milk and ten cups of wine, and he stood on one leg for ten minutes. Cokali couldn't reproduce this feat. In fact, no one could. The fermented milk was several times stronger than the wine: a single cup could make an adult mage drunk.

Armad was happy about his victory. He would at least leave the banquet with one victory. But his belly swelled up, and the maidens played with it.

"Aish and Armad, you are up next. We want a singing competition." Iliyasis declared.

"Yes." Cokali and the maidens shouted in unison.

Armad grimaced. He definitely didn't want to sing. He had never sung a decent song. He was so bad he couldn't even recite a memorized song.

"I agree." Aish jumped onto the stage.

"Hell no!" Armad said.

Aish was good. She sang a brand new song. This coupled with her beautiful accent made it very entertaining.

She came back to Armad's side, who was busy trying to come up with an excuse. But before he could, Cokali, who was still angry about loosing the drinking competition, had dragged him onto the stage. "Bros, lemme find a guitar and help you." He said.

Armad looked aggrieved. He was so happy after winning the drinking competition, but now he'd to lose again.

He looked from one person to another with a pleading expression. They all laughed and gave him encouraging looks. Even the maidens were laughing.

Cokali actually found a guitar. He waited patiently for Armad to start. He was laughing so hard inside.

Armad gritted his teeth and started.

Djinn Djinn

Djinn Djinn

Djinn Djinn

Djinn Djinn

Djinn Djinn

Djinn Djinn

It was only one word but the rhythm was different. It carried a melancholic feeling that made Aish calm and attentive. She liked it, but that's only her. For Iliyasis, Cokali and the maidens, the song was a laughing drug. It made them clutched their stomachs in pain as they laughed so hard. They laughed like never before. The evening breeze carried their laughter to distant places.

"Laugh all you want, jerks." Armad said.

The singing was over. Another round of fresh food arrived. Armad and Aish took a seat by the side.

"Hey, you are making feel like I owe you a lot. I wanted to give you some medicinal formulas but you beat me to it. How the hell did you become so good at alchemy?" Armad said.

"I was lucky. Trust me, when I came to this town I was a beggar. Even now, I don't have any godfather. I built everything myself with the help of my brothers. Wait, here. There's one more announcement I want to make before the night is over."

She went back to the stage. "Bear witness, everyone. From this day onward, I have accepted Armad as my brother." Aish declared.

Everyone present nodded.

Did she have to announce it? Armad thought. He didn't think Aish, Cokali or Iliyasis had any bad intentions towards him, but, he just felt it was too soon to regard them as brothers. Only time will tell.

They slept in the hall. Not knowing this day would be a memorable day in their lives.

Armad woke up in the morning to see a notification.

New quest: Triple-factor was spotted somewhere along the coast of The Wall nine months ago. Mikrom empire is offering the name of the place for any mage who participated on its behalf and won the upcoming Jinzidal competition.

Quests starts in one week.

Accept quest? Y/N?

Check more information about quest? Y/N?