Sapphire was twiddling with a gem encrusted staff. She was building a focus. At her level, a focus wasn't yet necessary, but sooner or later she'd have to build one. The focuses she had built in the past were all discarded by her before the rewind (her reason being they were no longer of use to her), except for the tiara she wore, which she stashed in her pocket dimension. She hadn't yet visited her library, but she designed the rewind spell to particularly preclude rewinding her pocket dimension, hence her library and all the items in it should have survived—including the tiara. But that focus was too advanced, and it would be suspicious if an elf at her level was suddenly sporting a legendary item on her head. No, she needed a focus that was comparable to her level. Hence why she was building a new one.
Sapphire held the wooden staff in the middle and channeled her mana through it. Rippling energy emanated from the wood as the mana circulated throughout its cells. Sapphire then turned the outer shell of the mana that connected her to the staff into the ethereal aspect (the only known aspect of mana that had a spiritual characteristic). Then she cast a spell, turning the ethereal mana into a pathway between her soul and the staff. Thus, she tethered her soul to the staff. By her estimate, the tether would hold for a distance of 250 meters.
Then she filled the gem—specially engineered to store mana temporarily—at the top of the staff with her mana. Then she cut off the supply of mana she was channeling through the wood, while still keeping the tether between her and the body of the focus. This way, any spell damage won't creep through her staff and inevitably to herself. Then she used her spiritual touch—that which kneaded and aspected mana—to the gem. She turned the mana in the gem into the water and solid aspects. She thus imagined a ball of solid ice forming from the mana—explicitly determining the structure of the spell. With a short incantation, she released the mana and a ball of solid ice coagulated in the air above the staff.
Perfect. This was the result she intended.
She admired the perfect imperfections of her new staff. She giggled as she thought herself becoming the wizened old crone—a witch—carrying a wooden staff in the stories elven parents used to tell their children to scare them from staying out late at night.
A knock at the door woke her up from her reverie.
Coming!She stashed her staff under her bed. What is it?
My lady,said the person behind the door, most probably a maid. Someone's here to see you!
Sapphire opened the door and an elf in a maid outfit greeted her.
Who's looking for me?Sapphire asked.
Someone called Klime.
Finally, it took him long enough,Sapphire mused. You can go now Miss Shenteli.
Understood, young mistress.
The maid scurried away leaving Sapphire by herself. Sapphire went back into her room and changed into more formal clothing—a dress below a thick leather armor at the torso. She immediately descended the stairs, leading to the palace's reception hall. Afterwards, she went to the elf helming the reception desk and was told her visitor was waiting at room six. She left towards the direction of the specified room, quickly opening the door once she had arrived. What greeted her was the sleazy face of a bald and scarred elf. A large scar ran down from his left forehead to his left cheek, demarcating his left eye into two. He was a little bit short by elven standards. Sapphire estimated him to be around 55tall. Sapphire scanned the room—a very basic meeting room. It had a table and chairs at the center, and it was very small. She pointed her gaze back at the elven man. The elf sent her a menacing glare and an acrid smile.
So we've finally met Miss…?the elf trailed, standing up from his seat and offering a hand to her.
Sapphire,she replied, taking the elf's hand in a handshake. Sapphire Auston.
So I've heard,the elf grinned, letting go of Sapphire's hands, then shuffled to correct himself. I mean not your name, obviously. I've heard the King just adopted you.
Indeed,Sapphire nodded. He's taken pity on a lowly elf such as myself.
Oh, please,the elf chuckled eerily; his laugh was occasionally interspersed with rasp snoring sounds. I know for a fact that the King always—and I mean always—chooses the ones with the greatest potential. Take Sonak for example. He's one of the strongest elves in the country, only surpassed by the few SS+ rankers that don't really meddle with our trivial affairs—trivial only to their perspective. The king chose him from among the dregs of the kingdom's army and installed him as a Head Court Mage. Some say he's going to surpass the King in the near future and become the newest High Mage after, well, so long. Of course, I know you must know to whom the High Mage title is given?
The elf seemed to be looking all smug at her. So it was like that huh? He was definitely looking down on Sapphire for her origins.
To the strongest in the Kingdom,Sapphire replied. I know how it works even though I'm an orphan. Currently, the King is the strongest, so the High Mage title belongs to no one yet.
The elven man looked aghast.
Oh I didn't mean to imply you're any deficient because of your humble beginnings Miss. That I'd never do.
Sapphire rolled her eyes.
Can we sit down now?She curtly and brazenly asked.
The elf's eyes widened as if he had just realized it.
Oh, of course, of course, let's.
Both of them sat down at opposite ends of the table.
Let me get to the point,Sapphire said, tracing a circle on the table with her finger. It was just a simple habit she had developed over the years. Why have you sought me, Mr. Klime? I don't need the circuitous route. I need you to be straight to the point.
Klime sighed.
And here I thought you'd understand.
Understand what?
You're obviously very confrontational about this, which means you already know what I'm here for. Or at least you have an idea about what I'm here for.
More or less, yeah,Sapphire said, shifting the chair more towards the table.
I was hoping you'd understand my plight, but from the get go I sense you'll be opposed.
Was he trying to imply that enslaving people was a righteous and justifiable act? Of course she'd be opposed, what reason was there for her to just acquiesce to a slaver's actions? Sapphire doused the flames of anger slowly roiling in her chest. It wouldn't do to be impetuous at this time. Klime was obviously trying to goad her into making a scene, and thereby drawing the attention of the authorities to her at Klime's own benefit. What a nasty, old, contriving bastard. The slaversguild's Archmaster was truly one cunning prick.
Oh?Sapphire arched her eyebrows at Klime. So you mean kidnapping and selling rightly free men and women is somehow a justifiable act?
So you do know!Klime screamed with a leering smile. But I assure you Miss, there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for that.
Sapphire indeed knew, but she really didn't have enough incriminating evidence right now to put Klime behind bars, and the elf obviously had backers within the noble council so that he could continue his slaving business uninterrupted by the authorities, or at least redirect their attention to more mundane but still easily criminal activities.
You know,Klime began, twirling a knife with his fingers, through the ring that ended its hilt, I'm a very reasonable man, and I always like to think that others are plenty reasonable themselves, that is, if you strip away any emotionally charged reaction from anything remotely contradicting their way of life. And I get the feeling you aren't that far from a completely stoic sagacity that is very rare nowadays, especially among the young…
Get to the point,Sapphire groused.
See, very reasonable.Klime dropped his knife to the table and slammed both palms on the table's surface, lifting his bottom from the seat and leaning in towards Sapphire. Let's get real little lady, you aren't powerful enough to be threatening me, and I have all the cards, and I know you're precociously aware about how heavily disadvantaged you are. If you keep your silence, I might just consider letting you off the hook for all the damage you have wrought my little slaversguild.
Sapphire glowered at the man as he plopped down back into his chair.
That's what you call a reasonable explanation for your slaving business? It's all nothing but threats!
Klime offered a laid-back smile.
I assure you, it's perfectly reasonable. Humans were placed in this world to be the servants of higher creatures—our servants! As you very well know, they have no magic, so it should have been impossible for them to have survived this long had the other races not reached out their hands and helped them. We are their benefactors, so it is just fitting for them to serve us.
You make me sick,she said, bitingly. I never imagined the Archmaster of the adventurersguild to be this twisted. All sentient lives are created equal, regardless of their magical acuity. This all hinges on the idea of self. The idea that if you were to start justifying harassing another individual, then nothing stops anyone from doing the same thing to you—and to anyone for that matter. All manner of laws crumble down to pieces if the idea of self—that a person, who is a sentient self, is perfectly owed his safety by another so that that other is also perfectly owed his own safety by others—deteriorates!
Klime offered Sapphire a sinister smile, which once again made Sapphire's bile roil with irritation, but she held it back.
You're a sicko!She screamed.
Oh please, stop moralizing things little lady. The only way that would work is if I am in any way contradicting myself; so to say the contradiction between the acceptance of truth and action. I am not, in any way, in that position.
So you're saying your actions aren't against the truth?
Oh, heavens no, I know the truth that I'm a horrible person, and I'm more horrible for deriving pleasure from enslaving people. But you know what? I don't have an ounce of care in the world. I know the truth of the horror of my actions, and I accept that. Can't you see? I accept the evil of my actions without remorse, truly and fully, so there really isn't any contradiction now is there? Anyway, I really hoped you could see things from my perspective. I hoped you could see that your moral sputterings are never really applicable in reality. In the end, those who're more powerful than others, get to decide their fate.
Sapphire's eyes widened in disbelief, her teeth clamped strongly against each other, and her fingers curled tightly into fists beneath the table. Her heart was beating like a nebulous beast that was about to be released. The whole room started going cold, really, really cold. Then she saw Klime smile triumphantly….
She refused to let him win.
Before she could make an irreparable mistake, she steeled herself, schooling her scowling face to a more serene expression. But deep down she was seething. It took every ounce of her will to keep her expression neutral, to bite back the venom that rose with each of his words.
Oh?Sapphire smiled menacingly, despite herself. So I have your confession then?
Why are you smiling?Klime asked, befuddled. I sense no recording devices, how can you use any of what I've said against me? It would be your word against mine.
Well, no.Sapphire kept her smile stout and bright. But I know my enemy now. I bet it isn't hard to find evidence against you.
Ha! Fat chance of that, even if you can eke out an incriminating fact, it wouldn't still be enough. I have people in the council, I'm sure you've guessed that by now.
No man is invincible, Klime,Sapphire spoke, while casting a little cantrip. Klime was none the wiser, but he'd soon notice it. I'm off now, if you want anything more from me, please hesitate to contact me, cause I won't be answering.
Sapphire stood and exited the door, slamming it forcefully and sending a clunking sound reverberating throughout the reception hall.
Shit!Sapphire heard from the other side of the door. You fucking orphan. Now, I look like I peed myself. Fucking kid.
Using heat to evaporate that would take a lot of time, and knowing Klime to be a fire specialist rather than a generalist, she'd bet on the possibility that the Archmaster had no spells for removing water from a soaked fabric. Petty though it might seem, she praised herself for that little prank.
Now onto more important matters, how was her library faring these days? She decided then to visit her little niche—or not so little since it was massive.
Immediately, Sapphire left in the direction of her library's anchor.
***
Sapphire hired a selmove to take her towards her destination, since it was kinda far from the capital and she couldn't teleport yet. They took the scenic route which gave her a view of the wild flowers and plants that inhabited the forest. One humming bird flew next to the selmove right beside the window she was currently looking through. The bird flapped its wings, producing a buzzing sound she could hear through the slightly opened glass. She smiled at the sight. When was the last time she took in the beauty of nature like this? Since becoming the High Mage, she'd been so busy with her job that she barely got out of the tower to just… exist. This one-time redo was proving very beneficial for her psyche. Her eyes followed the bird as it flew off into the distance, suckling a beautiful blue-petaled flower. Just beside the flower was a subsidiary dirt road that led deep into the woods.
Just here!she said, holding the driver seat's backrest. The selmove eased to a stop. Thanks for the ride.Sapphire fished fifty shackalie from her purse and handed it to the man. The man grunted like all grumpy cab drivers and took her payment with eager enthusiasm.
Wait, let me give you the change.
Keep it,she said. Its a trifling amount, really.She then bolted out the door and through the woods.
After a quarter of an hour roving the forest, she finally found her landmark and proceeded to go deeper into the forest. She'd almost forgotten the way, what with the fact that she mostly used teleportation to get to her library back before the rewind. She stood before a gigantic oak tree that had a hollow space at its lower trunk. Most would think her pocket dimension was the very hole on the tree, but it was actually buried deep below. The tree was just a telepad a person could use to enter her pocket dimension.
She placed a palm on the tree trunk and felt its energy bubbling and leaking to the outside.
It's been more than two years since we last saw each other, Old Girl.
The leaves of the tree swayed as if to the brushing wind, although there wasn't even a breeze. The leaves produced pleasing, shuffling sounds.
I've missed you,a voice of a matured woman sonorously resounded in Sapphire's ears. Welcome back, High Mage.
Sapphire smiled. I'm glad to be back, Old Girl.
The entity behind the voice immediately linked itself to Sapphire and sent her a gleeful emotion.
I suppose I should open it now?
Please, Aeroline,Sapphire uttered lovingly, caressing the tree bark with her hands. Much appreciated.
The earth around the tree suddenly shook, its leaves dancing to the trembling might of the mini earthquake that befell the area. Leaves started falling from the branches and Sapphire looked up as she smiled. The sun peeked through the leaves, draping Sapphire in its warm light. Then the earth around her slowly cracked, and then broke open as roots limply exited their embrace. The roots shuffled themselves to slither around the trunk of the tree, avoiding her as they crawled, and as she backed away. The tree's main stem, together with the roots, now expanded the width of the tree to three times its previous size, revealing a gnarly tree like the intertwining of muscles around human bones. The opening in the tree trunk widened and beckoned.
Knowing what it meant, Sapphire quickly entered the space and waited for only a moment. Then the entrance slammed shut and enclosed her, but that was perfectly normal, nothing to be worried about. Soon, her contours petered out until she turned invisible, and ethereal mana linked her to a location beneath the tree. A powerful force then suddenly yanked her towards the other end of the tether. She blinked twice and her vision cleared and she could see herself standing on a square platform with sigils written on them. She had now arrived at her library.
Sapphire smiled. The whole library was huge, bigger than the Royal Palace. Shelves upon shelves of books lined themselves vertically from her position, and there were shelves on the walls as well. Each tome on those shelves magically stored trillions of pages about possibly every information you can imagine. She herself hadn't read all of them, but kept collecting them in the hopes that they may come in handy in the future.
What are you looking for?the entity spoke with reverence.
Anything about Kirisal's history?
Hmm,the entity hummed, as if processing her question. I've got 600,000,000 hits.
This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Sapphire frowned.
I guess that doesn't narrow it down.
Perhaps if you told me why you wanted to look for that?
Because Kirisal's aggression has started too early…Sapphire paused, Uh, how do I put this… I'm sure you're aware of the rewind, Aeroline?
If you mean the fact that everything around me one day became their younger versions in an instant and the fact that you're younger now, then yes, I am aware of this rewind.
Alright, that makes it easier to explain. Basically Ive lived through this once already, and Kirisal isn't supposed to expand their borders until I'm 18, but now they're doing it too early. They're building new battleships, and arming soldiers, ready to invade us. This is very worrying.
I get your dread, Sapphire. I'll look into it; give me a few minutes to sift through all the information I have.
Five minutes had passed, then 15, then 45, and then an hour.
Alright, I have three hits.
That took you longer than expected.
That's…. Um. I opted to use divination to narrow it down a little at first, then from there, I dove into the information myself instead of using divination so that I'd avoid missing important data. Thanks to that I've narrowed it down to three, while at the same time taking too long with my search.
Thats alright Aeroline, you did a good job!
Thanks, Sapphire.
Now,Sapphire said, walking towards one of the tables sprawled all over the library. What should I start first?
Perhaps you'd be interested in Kirisal's beginnings?
Oh. Yes, of course, of course. Let's start with that.
A tome from the deeper shelves separated its pages into two, and flapped them like wings towards Sapphire's direction. Then it plopped onto her desk, like a dying bird. Sapphire turned the tome over to look at its title.
Beginnings of Realmswas written on its cover.
Aeroline's consciousness materialized into a small glowing orb that flew before Sapphire.
I remember this one,Sapphire said, smiling at Aeroline. I collected histories from all over the world and gathered them into a compendium of their beginnings.
Exactly,Aeroline butt in. It's the perfect tome to start with. It contains a brief history of the beginnings of Kirisal.
Well then, let's start,Sapphire said, opening the cover of the tome to its first page. What page?she asked Aeroline.
A thousand and two.
I see.
Sapphire immediately traced her fingers on the tome's first page. She poured mana into it and let her intent surge into the page. She willed page 1,002 to appear on the tome's pages. Slowly, markings and writings started appearing in blotches that connected into comprehensible symbols, forming words, then sentences, then paragraphs until the page was full. On top of the first page, appeared the words, The Agreement That United Skurim.
Sapphire proceeded to read.
<>The Agreement That United Skurim<>
<>By Skciour Giouomish, First King of Kirisal<>
[5,000 years ago]
Dear Mckrospuicle,
I have searched for years to find the answer to the question that had boggled my mind for what seemed to be eternity. I was convinced that Kirisal would become in the future the greatest nation in the world. But the guilt of what I have done still harrows me to this day.
My eternal question—did I do the right thing?—beleaguers my soul with doubts. For you see, 60 innocent city-states had to shed their blood so I could rule only half of the island of Skurim. So I could call it Kirisal. It all started you see, with a vision I had. One night, I was visited in a dream by a malignant horror. It beckoned me, and pulled me. When I awoke, I was suddenly in a ruin unlike any other, deep in the center of The Dead Elf's Forest. I believe it traces back to the time of the Ancients. I knew I was in The Dead Elf's Forest all because the malignant horror told me.
Then, in an instant, the malignant horror summoned itself before me. It told me that I would one day unite Skurim's splintered city-states, but that I would not be able to do so without its help. It promised me victory, should I accept.
Our nation was poor you see, and had very few things in the way of precious resources, hence the offer interested me. But I would be a fool to accept an offer from an insidious horror. But then it showed me the future, and I could not resist nor deny that what he had shown me was the truth. He had shown me that Kirisal would one day become the greatest nation in the world. I don't know what came over me, but I accepted its offer, all because I was certain that he was telling the truth.
It gave me power. A power that could dismantle all the magics in the world. Untamed, wild and corrosive power. I shared that power with many of my soldiers and vassals. And with it we conquered all the 60 city-states in a span of 30 years. We won, but at a price; my soldiers, my vassals turned insane. They sought more strength, they became hungry for more and more power. I had to, with the remainder of my vassals that didn't turn insane, eliminate these horrors. After the last horror was felled. I ruled for 20 more years until today, when the horror's power has started to encumber me with its weight. Kirisal enjoyed prosperity unlike any other, but at a very heavy price. My vassals and I have decided to end our lives, before we started preying on our citizens. To you my son, listen well, I leave to you all my wealth and the future of Kirisal.
I will die a foolish King, harrowed by an eternal question: did I do the right thing?
<>
The letter ended with that eerie and morbid note. But… that did not answer anything whatsoever.
It doesn't make sense,Sapphire said, leaning back in her chair and craning her head backwards so that she was directly looking at the very high ceiling. Kirisal would attack us because of a mysterious creature that presaged its future dominance? Even in the future, that never ended up happening. Sure, Kirisal took a vast swath of land from Ethera but never any more, and never from another nation. What are you trying to point me to, Aeroline?
Aeroline's glowing orb flitted before Sapphire, she sent her a moue of defeat, indicating as if she were hurt by Sapphire's words, but as good old friends as they were, Sapphire knew she was just being playful.
Look at here,Aeroline flittered on one line in the letter, illuminating the page even as the overhead lighting blasted the tome with a very bright light. The line highlighted were the words: Our nation was poor you see….There are many reasons why a nation would attack another; one notable one would be desperation. I picked this one to show you that there is precedence of Kirisal attacking states for resources, and there are a thousand more precedents of Kirsal expanding beyond its borders based on the same premise. Those 60 states that Kirisal in those days absorbed weren't all that there were in their island that we now associate with the totality of Kirisal—that was only half of it. The next king after the first king of an expanded Kirisal, launched campaigns one after another all for the sake of resources. And many kings after that did the same. I just showed you this one because I believe this better represents the cause behind which Kirisal is now moving—they hunger for power, resources, and possibly even glory.
Sapphire paused.
Hm.She hummed. That does make sense. Thank you, Aeroline, you've given me a new angle on Kirisal's intentions.
You're most welcome,Aeroline said, sending Sapphire a full smugness of emotions. I can't believe I've become smarter than the High Mage that nurtured me.Aeroline sent a wink.
Sapphire laughed.
I can't believe you've all grown up Aeroline, and you'd probably outlive little olme.
Aren't I the best?Aeroline preened.
Alright, alright, you're the best. Now as for the other hits? I'd like to read them too.
Of course, of course.
Aeroline's orb danced in the air and a new tome flew towards Sapphires table and flopped down. Sapphire opened the tome and did as she had done with the previous. The contents of page 653 appeared on the tome's first page.
Sapphire poured over the text. This one depicted a relatively recent event, about a hundred years ago. It didn't talk about a war between Kirisal and other states, instead it touched upon a tragedy that happened because of… Beyond Enterprise? She was sure she heard that word somewhere. When she read that Beyond Enterprise was a big construction company (and a thousand other business ventures) in Kirisal she eventually remembered. The last time Kirisal attacked Ethera, Beyond Enterprise led the way for the construction of 250 battleships that Kirisal used to subjugate Ethera. The whole company screamed suspicion. Then she continued reading.
A hundred years ago, when Beyond Enterprise had just gotten a foothold in Kirisal's mainstream construction businesses, Skandrim, their very founder and owner, advocated for a mass expansion regime that would wage war on a couple of nations. Two of the Primes that ruled during that time (and who were still ruling now), really liked the idea, and considering most petrolisiom wells in Skurin belonged to Kirisal, guaranteeing their wealth, their military at that time was second only to Anxiom.
The Primes were really bold and was about to sign a contract with Beyond Enterprise to shore up their navy by researching and building newer spells and weapons when the third Prime, by the name of Loritheil—who was opposed to their plans—did a very clever move that left the other two Primes paralyzed, unable to take action. She pretended, at the very beginning of the expansion plan, that the other Primes had her full cooperation on the matter. The other Primes, having seen only the greedy, frivolous side of the third Prime, never doubted her allegiance from the outset.
Then she suddenly made a full one-eighty by making the other Primes sign a contract that they thought would serve their crusade without even giving it a second glance. Adding the fact that it was obscured by a very powerful glamor that would have required the other two Prime's focus, they were readily fooled. As it turned out, the contract stipulated rules that gave the immediate nations around Kirisal rights to about half of the profits the petrolisiom wells produced for a period of twenty years. In exchange, the other countries must serve Kirisal as temporary vassal states in name only. She had readied the documents by secretly making agreements with the leaders of the countries immediately surrounding Kirisal.
Loritheil didn't also do this without any benefit for Kirisal; she made sure all technological and magical breakthroughs that each of the temporary vassal states made (from 30 years ago down to the duration of the contract) must be shared to Kirisal. That boosted Kirisal's economy in the long run, improving the quality of their petrolisiom production, giving them the capacity to produce the best silver bricks in all of Skurin and arguably the whole world.
The result? The other Primes were prevented from advancing their agenda, since 50% ownership of the petrolisiom wells meant that the other nations pretty much had control of a quarter and a half of Kirisal's economy. The other Primes gritted their teeth through this but promised revenge. Forty years after the end of the stipulated 20 years, Loritheil mysteriously died of a mysterious disease.
The end,Sapphire crooned. Wew, that was an intense read.
Exactly 35 minutes,Aeroline stated, spiraling her orb around Sapphire, then quickly settled floating before her. I don't suppose you still want to read the third hit?
I suppose no,Sapphire admitted. I get the gist of it this time. Those two Primes mentioned here are still alive and ruling today. If they have the same sentiments as a hundred years ago, then surely, even today, those two Primes are still conniving to expand their territory. That leaves the new third Prime an unknown factor. Are they aligned with their predecessor's conviction or are they allied with the other two Primes? This keeps getting complicated by the minute.
Hmm,Aeroline thrummed. This also doesn't preclude influence from outside forces or even, from dark, mythical creatures.
That as well.Sapphire raised her hand and with a flourish, sent the tomes flying back to their shelves. But I'm more inclined to teeter towards the idea that this imminent war is nothing more, but caused by the two Primes mentioned in the text. Either way, this doesn't look good for all of Ethera.
Indeed.
Sapphire rubbed her temples with her hand. This was going to be a long weekend.
***
It was 7:30 in the night, and the moon hung effulgently in the sky. Selmoves entered the castle gates, driven by chauffeurs who parked the vehicles in the designated parking area and got out of the driver's seat to open the door for their masters. Men and women—nobles and wealthy merchants—wearing their most prized jewels, dresses and suits, merrily sauntered on the paved promenade towards the castle, then entered the very building itself. A tall and heavily built elf took stock of the master list whenever important looking elves handed their invitation, making sure they were in the list.
Above all of that, at the top of the fourth tower, the closest of all the five towers surrounding the main castle, overlooking the whole scene through the tower's sole window, Sapphire took in the whole view together with the elf behind her.
You're not happy,resounded the voice of the elf standing behind her.
Not in the least, Sonak.
Sonak grunted in disapproval.
Then why are you looking wistful?
Sapphire turned, forcing through her taciturn mood. The tools that hung in the walls of Sonak's lab clinked as the wind blew through the windows. She liked that, it helped calm her; that's also one of the reasons why she liked helping Sonak with his work, assisting him with alchemy. What she mostly did was only offer a helping hand to Sonak, whenever he needed a tool and it was too far from his reach, or when he needed an ingredient that was stored in chemical cabinets or refrigerators. But today that's not why she's here.
I'm just not getting used to having a big party be celebrated in my name.
Oh?Sonak breathed. He wasn't looking at Sapphire at all, instead he was focused on swirling a flask containing a blue liquid with his hands. He eyeballed it for a good two minutes. You sound like it's not the first time you've had a birthday party celebrated for your sake. Did they celebrate your birthdays at the orphanage?
Well no,Sapphire replied. It's hard to explain, and it might be better for you if you didn't know, but I've experienced extravagances before, like today, but somehow, I've never gotten used to it.
I see.Sonak gestured for a small vial containing a viscous liquid the color of gold and yellow mixed together. Can you hand me the High Bee honey?
Sapphire sighed. Of course,she said, picking up the vial and handing it to Sonak.
Sonak poured a small drop of honey onto his concoction and it hissed, turning into an opaque red liquid.
Good reaction,he said. High Beeshoney contains a substantial amount of life mana. Combined with a veritable health potion and a sundry of other ingredients, it produces the best mixture for the health enhancer I've been working on for some time now. Seems it's working, the reaction isn't the best, but it's a start.
You're still on with that? I thought you perfected it a week ago?
I've perfected 95 percent of the recipe. I still have to perform trial and error on the amount of honey I need to put into the mixture,Sonak prated. Anyway, regarding the party, if you don't like it then don't go.
Sapphire laughed.
I wish it were that simple,she sighed. Anyway, are you coming?
Right, I will, just… until I finish this.
You'll never finish that.Sapphire rolled her eyes. Then she grabbed her mentor's arms and dragged him towards the door. Sonak fought at first but then he capitulated.
Okay, okay,Sonak said, snorting. Stop dragging me, I'll go with you. I was just kidding, you see how well dressed I am? I'm definitely going to my best student's birthday party!
Sapphire chuckled.
If you say so,she let out, letting go of Sonak's arm. Nerd.
Don't call me that,he groused. I'm a respectable alchemist, not some snobbish child who doesn't understand the difference between being good at what you do and just being plain antisocial.
Hey, you offend the council of nerds with those words!
Sonak chittered.
Let them be offended,Sonak said, puffing his chest, imitating the stature of a grand magistrate. True Alchemists do not meddle in the affairs of mortals.
Sapphire punched him in the gut.
If you say so, Nerd.Sapphire giggled.
Sonak groaned, caressing his stomach. D-don't call me that, mortal!he eked out a response.
Sapphire accompanied Sonak to the ballroom. In her past life, she never took notice of Sonak—well, she never took notice of anyone at all, too engrossed in her work of advancing magic to its peak. She only knew Sonak as a colleague and nothing more—a very powerful colleague. She remembered that by the time she had earned the title of High Mage, Sonak had already reached the 1st tier of SS+ rank. But now? She'd gotten to like the arrogant elf who didn't think twice to talk shop in the midst of a throng of people—boasting, full of pomp, and brandishing. But for all Sonak's faults as a person, he was nonetheless a loyal and fair teacher. Although he had looked down on Sapphire in the beginning, he didn't hesitate to divulge all his knowledge to Sapphire, training her as if he were raising the next High Mage—although he coveted the very position himself. He wasn't afraid of raising his own competition because he was passionate about magic and all its potential, rather than seeking the downfall of his competition. He wasn't so much as addicted to the idea of power as he simply wanted what that powerimplied: mastery of the forces of magic.
They walked through the hallways of the castle when Sonak suddenly tugged at Sapphire's shoulders.
Stop,he cautioned. Something's wrong.He turned his head left and right and up.
Sapphire frowned, turning to him.
What's wrong,she asked, looking around. I don't feel a thing.
No, the mana in the air is being pulled towards a single direction.
Sapphire activated her spiritual eyes. She saw where the mana was flowing to. Sonak was right.
Sonak pointed towards the walls—actually he was pointing beyond that.
Sapphire's eyes widened.
It's as if someone's striking the wards of the fifth tower, causing it to pull more mana into the enchantment,she said.
Correct.
The fifth tower was dedicated to the High Mage of Ethera, and it holds a very powerful relic from the first High Mage herself—the Sautur Aspifone, a supernal jewel capable of unsealing ancient seals. While ancient seals weren't as powerful as modern seals, most of them contained safeguards that might kill the one trying to unseal it or destroy the object being sealed if he just brute forced his way through the seal. That's why if you were researching ancient artifacts, there was a great need for techniques that could properly open ancient seals, or better yet, a single relic that could open any and all ancient seals. The Sautur Aspifone was one such relic, and even Sapphire couldn't unlock the fullness of its secrets. As far as Sapphire knew, it had never failed in opening ancient seals excavated by archeologists. Judging by how the mana was being sucked towards that direction, there's a very good chance someone was trying to steal the Sautur Aspifone.
Whoever they are, they're skilled.Sonak began walking as did Sapphire. Then they ran towards the castle exit. The way they silenced the guards without allowing any of them to activate the alarm….
And the fact that they didnt trip the detection wards,Sapphire continued.
Means they're powerful
Right.
Sapphire scowled. Who would steal during a party? Wait, scratch that. During a party where everyone was distracted was the best time to strike. Whoever they were, they're not only skilled, but also confident.
Should we sound the alarm?Sapphire asked, bounding on the floor as she ran.
No need.Sonak snorted, swinging his arms back and forth, keeping a good running rythm. A 3rd-tier S-rank like me is plenty powerful enough against whoever's trying to trespass on the fifth tower. Even if they're many, I can hold off three 9th-tier S-Ranks just fine so I doubt we'll be short of hands when we get there. Plus, I got my trusty student by my side.
From where Sapphire was looking at Sonak he could see a grin tearing through his mouth, as if he were anticipating the oncoming fight. Sapphire grinned as well, it was going to be one hell of an evening.
***
When Sapphire and Sonak got to the scene, they were in for a treat. The grounds were littered with dead elven bodies that were seared to perfection. The smell of tasty, cooked meat harried Sapphire's nose and bile threatened to rise from her gut, owing to the fact that though everything smelled delicious, the realization that the smell came from human meat would make anyone's appetite roil in disgust.
In a quick instant, a gigantic fireball soared through the air, blasting against Sonak's force shield. The shield oscillated back and forth as it struggled against the force of the fireball. Then the fireball winked and the figure of a masked man wearing black clothes jumped at Sapphire. Whoever this trespasser was, he knew to strike at the chain's weakest link. With two knives half the size of a proper short-sword, the threat arose against Sapphire, striking diagonally from her upper right. But she dodged that strike skilfully. Then the trespasser struck again diagonally from her upper left, which she still dodged adroitly. Seeing that he wasn't hitting his target, the trespasser casted a….
Sonak pounced on the thief, before the thief could even start his incantation. With a light blade Sonak conjured from his mana, he struck at the interloper with its tip. The thief scrunched backward, barely allowing the light blade's tip to miss him by a hairs breadth. Then the thief started casting again but Sapphire had already summoned ice spikes from when she had dodged the thief's attacks and sent them hurling towards the interloper. The thief shielded himself just in time, so he could finish casting his body enhancement spell. The thief's muscle bulged, and his strikes became more pronounced.
Sonak signaled, and Sapphire knew to stand aside. Sonak would be using more power this time. The enemy was clearly on par with him, likely an S-ranker. Both mages clashed in a jaw-dropping fight that left the grounds before the fifth tower riddled with craters. Sapphire danced with both of them, albeit keeping a safe distance. The interloper seemed to favour fire spells, which probably meant he specialized in it.
In one sudden swoop, the thief roared, and fire blasted out a finger's width in front of the cloth masking the thief's mouth. The raging flames threatened to fry Sonak, but he was quick enough to erect a force-ward that resisted the blasting force of the flaring flames. It soon became evident that Sonak had the more powerful spell, and the intruders flames were a mere brush of the wind to Sonak's stout shield. But something shifted in the flames of the enemy. Something ominous. The blazing inferno suddenly turned purple, as well as starting to swirl towards Sonak's shield. Then slowly but surely, the flames began to tear through the structure of Sonak's shield, as if the shield were being torn apart by speedy termites—no, a more fitting description would be that the flames somehow corroded the structure of Sonak's shield. That was….
... Unheard of!Sonak screamed on the top of his lungs. How are you corroding my shield?
The thief didn't answer, still keeping his mouth wide open behind his mask, continuing to power the spell that used his mouth as its focus.
Before the flames could overwhelm Sapphire's teacher, however, she brisked up towards Sonak and placed a hand on his shoulder. Then she channeled her mana through him and casted a water vortex—a swirling mass of water and force combined. It pushed the blazing flames back, but it was clear her spell was inferior to the enemy, even without the corrosive quality of the enemy's spell. But that was enough. Sonak blurred in that instant, carrying Sapphire as they suddenly bounded away from the raging flames. The fire blasted through where both of them had been earlier.
This isn't working,Sonak sent telepathically. The enemy is five tiers weaker than me, but he has that corrosive element to his spell, if he could use that as generously as I think he can, then we're doomed.
What should we do?Sapphire sent through the telepathic link.
I…there was uncertainty in Sonaks voice. I-I'm not sure. But I have an idea.
Sonak strode towards his prey, conjuring light blades in his hands. Stay there,he said, let me handle this.
Sonak and their enemy clashed in a bout of metal swords enhanced by magic, clinking against magical light swords. Then their enemy guffawed in the middle of their fight as purple light started covering his body, then a blast of purple flames emanated from him, swallowing Sonak in a dome of purple fire. It was only for a moment, and the dome dissipated revealing the burning corpse of Sonak lying on the ground. No—was it Sonak? No, that's not it, it should have been him. No, actually it really was him. No….
Before Sapphire could process the whole thing, the interloper took large strides, as he set his eyes on Sapphire.