Sylleth

The white void surrounding them shimmered, forming waves of energy that rippled and floated through the space.

Sylleth lay sprawled on the ground, drained of energy, his chest heaving with each breath. His weary eyes followed the strange currents of light above before shifting toward Corym, who stood as calm and unshaken as ever.

“Now that I look at it... t's beautiful in here....” Sylleth mumbled, his voice ragged, every syllable feeling like a monumental effort.

“Right? I call it... the blank space.” Corym replied with a chuckle, adjusting his coat before sitting gracefully on the pristine, featureless ground beside the boy. “Not the most creative name, I’ll admit.”

Sylleth managed a faint smile despite himself. “You’re... strong.” He said between labored breaths, recalling with no small amount of awe how effortlessly Corym had outmaneuvered him for hours, the man had moved with such precision and force that Sylleth had barely been able to keep his footing.

Corym smirked, brushing a strand of golden hair from his face. “Heh... And only now you do want to be my student, hmm? Ambitious.” He chuckled again, this time with genuine amusement.

"It’s not exactly my own power though... I’m not particularly good at close combat myself." he explained, glancing up at the chandelier above—the only thing from the room visible in the blank space.

After a few seconds of being deep in thought, he said. "One thousand seven hundred and forty-four... That’s how many mana crystals are in that chandelier."

"That... sounds like a lot?" The boy also looked up at the massive chandelier, which radiated light not from usual candles, as one might expect, but from the crystals themselves.

"An extraordinary amount." the man confirmed, a hint of pride in his voice. "Each crystal alone cost a fortune—over 50 silver shards. And then they were attuned to my mana, which made conducting experiments in this room significantly easier."

His tone carried a subtle smugness, making it clear he took satisfaction in flaunting his wealth and status.

Sylleth could only widen his eyes and nod slightly at the mention of such an immense sum. He had never in his life heard of such an extravagant expense—let alone spent on a single object.

"My magic consumes an enormous amount of mana... and unfortunately, I don’t have as much of it as I’d like. That’s where these crystals come in handy." The man shifted his gaze from the chandelier back to Sylleth, his expression calm but purposeful.

"Well then, enough chit-chat. Shall we join the others?" he said, his tone signaling that the brief pause was over.

Sylleth nodded faintly, attempting to push himself off the ground. His arms trembled with the effort.

“Don’t push yourself too hard.” Corym said, extending a hand toward the boy. As his fingers moved, the void around them began to fracture, cracks of light spiderwebbing through the space. “I gave you a good workout, so be careful.”

With that, the blank space shattered into countless orbs of mana, each glowing with a soft, ethereal light as they floated freely around the room.

Sylleth grabbed the man’s hand and, with difficulty, pulled himself up from the ground.

"I think we spent a bit too much time on this..." he remarked, doing everything in his power to resist the dizziness and exhaustion threatening to send him back to the floor.

“The blank space functions independently of time.” Corym explained, his tone calm as he walked over to his desk and opened one of its drawers. “It may have felt like hours of training, but in reality, it’s been no more than a few dozen minutes, so there's no need to worry.”

From the drawer, Corym retrieved a small black box, its surface adorned with a shallowly engraved crest filled with crimson pigment.

Sylleth, still keeping himself on shaky legs, tilted his head and squinted at the object with curiosity.

“I wanted to show you this before we go.” Corym produced a key from beneath the box and unlocked it with a practiced hand. He opened the lid to reveal a bracelet resting inside.

The bracelet was simple but mesmerizing: four white beads strung together on a black cord, glinting faintly under the soft light of the chandelier. The reflections gave the beads an almost otherworldly glow.

Corym held the bracelet for a moment, his gaze lingering on it as if lost in thought. Then, with a measured motion, he extended it toward Sylleth.

“These are the magical crystals of my lineage... entrusted to my great-grandfather by his mentor, whose name unfortunately was lost to the ages.” Corym began, his voice taking on a reverent tone. “Passed down through generations, they grant immense power to their bearer.”

Just as Sylleth reached out hesitantly to take the bracelet, Corym withdrew it with a teasing smirk. “They’re over a hundred years old, steeped in history... and responsibility.”

Without another word, Corym placed the bracelet back into the box, locking it securely before tucking it into the inner pocket of his coat. “And that's all for now... I’ll tell you more once we reach Shibashi.” He said, turning toward the exit with a swish of his cloak and sly smirk on his face.

Sylleth nodded, and in a swift, yet still tired motion followed the man.

Walking through the hallways, now silent and empty as the next set of lessons had already begun, Sylleth’s thoughts lingered on the bracelet.

"Why did he show it to me...?" The boy wondered, trying to keep pace with Corym—a feat made all the more challenging by the difference in their height and age.

“So...” Corym’s voice broke the silence as he glanced over his shoulder at the boy. “How exactly did you end up here? Care to share some details?”

“Ah, well... it’s a bit of a long story.” Sylleth replied hesitantly, his eyes darting toward the polished stone floor. After a moment, he added, “Maybe I can tell you on the ride? It’ll make the time pass faster.”

“All right, let’s pick up the pace then—they’re probably waiting for us already.” Corym nodded, quickening his stride.

The two exited the academy and made their way along a gravel path that wound through its sprawling rear courtyard. The space was vibrant, with roses and ivy climbing gracefully up metal trellises, their leaves and petals swaying gently in the breeze.

The courtyard itself was circular, surrounded by the academy’s imposing buildings, each housing additional lecture halls and classrooms.

“It’s beautiful here...” Sylleth murmured under his breath, his gaze following a flurry of butterflies as they danced among the rose blossoms.

Corym glanced at him and smirked with a hint of pride. “You like butterflies? This courtyard hosts species you won’t find anywhere else in the country. It’s all thanks to the magical barriers we maintain here.”

Sylleth’s eyes widened slightly at the explanation, a quiet fascination settling over him as he tried to keep pace with Corym while stealing glances at the fluttering wings of the butterflies.

“Can you create barriers?” Sylleth asked curiously, his gaze shifting to a tall linden tree standing beside one of the academy buildings.

“Of course I can, and the blank space is my finest work.” Corym replied with a hint of pride, glancing briefly at the linden tree as well.

It's leaves swayed gently in the breeze, momentarily revealing flocks of birds nestled within its dense canopy. Among the branches, glowing orbs of mana floated sporadically, a phenomenon that Sylleth thought be a common occurrence in the capital city, since he saw lots of them around here.

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After a pause, a soft, nostalgic smile crossed Corym's face. “It was planted by my father. Though, truth be told, my mother wanted him to plant an Otrina tree instead. But he was stubborn about having a linden.”

The memory seemed to amuse Corym, as he chuckled lightly before continuing toward the ornate metal gate that marked the courtyard’s exit.

“Why an Otrina?” Sylleth asked, following closely behind him. “Do they grow here, too?”

Corym shook his head. “No, and that’s exactly why she wanted one... to have something exotic around here.”

"I had a similar situation once," Sylleth remarked, his gaze still fixed on the gently swaying linden tree. "...My mother insisted we plant a tree by the house. The problem was, my father wanted an oak, but my aunt was adamant about a Golden Birch." A warm smile crept across the boy’s face as the memory unfolded, growing wider with every word. "My aunt challenged my father to a duel—the winner would decide which tree to plant."

Corym chuckled, visibly entertained by the story. "That’s quite an... unusual way to settle disputes."

"Yeah." Sylleth laughed softly. "But before the duel, my aunt bribed me and my brother to secretly plant the birch for her during the fight." His laugh grew louder as the image of the mischievous act resurfaced in his mind.

Corym erupted into hearty laughter, clearly picturing the scene, and mumbled. "And then what happened?"

"We got punished by my father." Sylleth admitted with a grin. "He acted furious, although we all knew he was as amused as we were... but the birch is still standing there—" His words faltered mid-sentence as the memory of the slavers surged back, replacing the warm reminiscence with a darker shadow. "...At least, it used to."

The boy quickly composed himself, brushing away the vulnerability as best he could. "So, should we get going?"

Corym nodded, but his gaze lingered on Sylleth for a moment longer. His sharp eyes had caught the subtle change in the boy's tone, and though he said nothing, it was clear he’d noticed.

After a few more steps, he stopped just under the gate and turned to face the boy, grabbing him by the shoulder. A small, genuine smile softened his features. “I enjoy talking with you, Sylleth.”

Sylleth blinked in surprise at the unexpected comment, but then he smiled back, feeling a sense of ease in the man’s company.

“There you are!” A high-pitched, familiar voice cut through the air.

Sylleth turned toward the massive stone bridge just beyond the gate, and his eyes landed on a familiar figure—an orange-haired feline girl bounding toward them.

“How long do you expect me to wait?! The others are already heading to the southern gate!” Zara shouted, stopping halfway across the bridge, her tail flicking with impatience as she hopped lightly on her toes.

“Zara?” Sylleth murmured, his surprise evident as he stared at her.

Corym, equally caught off guard, turned to Sylleth. “A friend of yours?”

Sylleth nodded with a small, fond smile. “A good friend. We both ended up here together...” He hesitated for a moment before adding, “I don’t think I mentioned it, but I’m from Elandor.”

Corym raised a brow as he followed Sylleth, who had started walking toward Zara. “Elandor? And how exactly did you find your way here?”

Sylleth’s steps slowed, and his face paled slightly at the memory. “...Slave hunters.” He muttered, his voice quiet and tinged with bitterness. After a pause, he added, almost as an afterthought, “I’m from Naeron originally.”

Corym’s expression shifted, his curiosity replaced by a mix of understanding and sympathy. He said nothing for a moment, letting Sylleth’s words hang in the air as they approached the now grinning Zara.

Sylleth smiled at Zara, who returned the gesture with an enthusiastic hug and a wave, urging him to hurry.

Corym observed the exchange from the side, his eyes narrowing slightly as if analyzing their relationship. After a moment, he shifted his gaze to Sylleth’s arm, his expression thoughtful.

“You lived close to Austeria, didn’t you?” Corym asked, his tone calm but probing as he began following Zara, leaving Sylleth a few steps behind, though his sharp eyes remained on the boy.

“Yes... but how did you know?” Sylleth asked, hurrying to catch up, his curiosity piqued.

“A guess...” Corym said, glancing upward before adjusting his coat with a practiced motion, his face betraying no more of his thoughts.

“Oh, just hurry up already!” Zara called back with a frustrated huff, clearly annoyed that they weren’t taking her pleas seriously.

The trio eventually made their way down the bridge to the south of the capital and next through it's gates, stepping onto the wide dirt path that curved lazily toward the distant southern hills,

dotted with solitary lindens and sycamores, their branches swaying gently in the breeze, casting playful shadows over the road.

The wheels of their modest carriage creaked as it rolled forward, drawn by a pair of sleek, dark horses.

As the group approached the carriages, a gruff and familiar voice called out from one of them.

"Finally! We've been waiting a while—Sif and Syviis were about ready to tear the place down." Vidar leaned out from the wagon, grinning broadly as he gestured toward the women. Both were seated at the reins, each guiding their own carriage with a clear air of impatience.

"We had a few things to discuss, but now we're good to go." Corym replied smoothly, walking alongside Sylleth and Zara toward the second carriage.

The three climbed into the cabin, finding Syviis, Lirian, and Niall already seated inside. Syviis remained up front, firmly gripping the reins of the horses, while Niall and Lirian lounged comfortably in the cabin's plush interior.

"Took your sweet time." Niall remarked flatly, not looking up as he twirled a dagger between his fingers.

"Could you be any slower?!" Syviis snapped from the front, her frustration evident as she didn’t even bother turning around.

"Can we get moving now?" Lirian asked lazily, sprawled on the right-side bench with an air of practiced disinterest.

Corym, unfazed by the jabs, simply nodded. He settled himself at the back of the carriage, motioning for Sylleth and Zara to take their seats.

Sylleth and Zara slipped into the space on either side of Corym, their anticipation growing as they felt the subtle jolt of the carriage beginning to move. Outside, the rhythmic clatter of hooves on the dirt path harmonized with the low creak of the wheels as the convoy set off toward the southern hills.

"Alright, now that we're finally on our way..." Corym turned to Sylleth, clasping his hands together and resting his chin on them with an expectant expression. "...Why don't you tell us your story?"

"My... story..." Sylleth echoed, a flicker of nervousness crossing his face. He shifted uncomfortably, trying to organize his thoughts under the weight of Corym's curious gaze.

Noticing the conversation, Lirian sat up abruptly from his reclined position. With a yawn, he adjusted the fur-lined coat draped over his shoulders and slid closer to the pair. "If you don’t mind... I’d like to hear it too." he said, his voice still carrying traces of drowsiness.

Zara, ever the whirlwind of energy, bounded over to them with a mischievous glint in her eye. She climbed onto Corym’s back, draping her arms around his shoulders as her tail flicked playfully behind her. "Me too!" she chimed, grinning as her bright eyes darted between the two.

The boy closed his eyes for a brief moment, trying to organize his thoughts. Then, keeping his gaze fixed on the ground, he began to speak.

"So... as I mentioned, I grew up in a small village... near the border, on Naeron's side, not far from Austeria." Sylleth’s fingers unconsciously intertwined, trying to steady his racing heart and the slight tremor in his voice. "...But I had to flee because of the hunters... it’s been about a month since then... a-after that... I-I was..." His voice faltered, trembling until it finally broke. He couldn’t manage another breath, and tears began welling in his eyes, begging for release.

Noticing his state, Niall rose from his seat and placed a steady hand on the boy’s shoulder.

"Give him some space. Can’t you see this is hard for him?" he said to the others, his tone calm but tinged with an edge of irritation.

"No... it’s nothing..." Sylleth stammered, his voice growing shakier as tears started to trickle down his cheeks.

"Sylleth..." Zara murmured. Concern etched into her face, she slid off Corym’s back and moved closer to the boy.

Lirian and Corym exchanged glances, their expressions softening as they took in Sylleth’s distress. Both men had grown quieter, their usual confidence momentarily subdued as they watched the boy struggle with the weight of his story.

“Take your time.” Corym said again, his voice unusually gentle, breaking the heavy silence that had filled the cabin.

“You don’t have to tell us now…” Lirian added, settling back into his seat with a faint smile that was both reassuring and warm. “Tell us when you’re ready. We’ve got plenty of time together.”

“I’m sorry… it’s just…” Sylleth wiped at his tears, shaking his head slightly as he took a few deep breaths, trying to steady himself.

“Don’t worry, Sylleth.” Niall said with an uncharacteristic smile. It was, perhaps, the first time the boy had seen a genuine expression on the man’s face—one free of sarcasm or mockery. “You’re part of the team now. Think of us as family. Sure, we’re a bit dysfunctional—arguing more often than actually doing anything productive—but still, a family.”

Niall chuckled softly, removing his hand from Sylleth’s shoulder. “If you ever need someone to talk to, or just someone to sit with, we’re here for you.”

His words, though lighthearted, carried a sincerity that Sylleth couldn’t ignore. For the first time in a long while, the boy felt a flicker of warmth—a fragile but comforting sense of belonging.

“Thank you.” Sylleth said softly, offering a faint smile to the group. His voice still wavered, but there was a hint of warmth in it now—a quiet gratitude that didn’t go unnoticed.

Niall stood, brushing off the tension in his usual offhanded manner, and reached into the satchel he always kept strapped to his side. After a moment of rummaging, he pulled out a small wooden carving—a fox, the same one he’d been working on earlier.

“Now, I don’t normally just hand these out left and right…” Niall said with a smirk, tossing the figurine lightly toward Sylleth. “…but I’ll make an exception for you. Take good care of it, alright?”

Sylleth caught it in both hands, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. He examined the carving as he sat back down, running his fingers over its intricate details. It wasn’t anything grand, just a small wooden fox with two tails curled neatly around its hind legs. Its left eye had been etched into the shape of a crystal, adding a peculiar elegance to the simple piece.

“It might not mean much to you now,” Niall began, leaning back in his chair and spinning his dagger between his fingers, the blade catching the light from outside. “But that’s Nashe—one of the southern gods. Keeper of order.”

Sylleth’s gaze lingered on the figurine, his expression shifting as if trying to place a memory just out of reach. The little fox felt oddly familiar, though he couldn’t say why.

“Thank you… Niall,” he murmured, clutching the carving a bit closer, as if it were a lifeline to something he’d lost—or maybe something he’d just found.