Zeke had to take a moment to keep his mind in one place. He can’t help thinking that he had besmirched this Master and was now aiming to kill him for his dishonorable theft.
Rather than what he expected, Cronus actually looked more curious than angered. He kept rubbing his near naked chin, without any form of rugged hair on it. It felt almost unnatural since even Zeke couldn’t form a beard to save his life (only whiskers that Clara made fun of constantly).
For the lords, Cloud and Val stared on in shock as well, but they contained it easily enough. Instead, they studied the two barriers, realizing the near similarity.
Mikella even went one step further than them and just tapped Cronus’ barrier with her knuckles. She did it several times, each one stronger than the last. But the barrier held in place, unable to be moved.
Instead of being a nervous wreck like Zeke, Mikella whistled in awe. “Damn, that’s sturdy. Zeke, sorry, but his barrier beats yours by a long shot.”
Zeke couldn’t help but agree. Even at his distance, he could feel the absolute authority behind Cronus’ barrier. Even though they were the exact size and shape, his barrier felt like a child trying to imitate an adult. Not only that, but an adult built upon years and years of training in an isolated mountain somewhere.
Mikella didn’t have to test just how sturdy it was. Zeke can tell already. If he had trouble defending against Journeymen monsters at his former low level, then this barrier can outlast Roderick’s flames, and he bet that it wouldn’t even make a hairline fracture, much less break it apart.
“I would be extremely upset if his barrier was better than mine,” Cronus said, almost scoffing at the idea. “It is at Legendary Rarity, you know..”
Zeke and Mikella both gaped in surprise. He never saw a skill that powerful, even from Cloud and Val.
“Still, I’m a little impressed. Despite your short time in this world, this barrier is… decent. I dare say it’s competent, even.”
“According to Cronus,” Isabelle said with a slight whisper, her hand raised as though sharing a conspiracy. “That’s the highest compliment you can get.”
“Quiet, you. Nobody needs to know that.”
Cronus just looked amused at his wife’s antics, but everyone just kept staring at the two barriers. What truly made it more incredible was what Cronus said.
“You said that you… made the skill?” Zeke eventually asked, turning to the master. “As in, made it from scratch?”
“Of course,” Cronus answered. He was no longer amused, instead putting on the serious expression as before. Thankfully, it wasn't in anger. “Creating a skill isn’t so difficult. At least in my stage, but you do need a lot of resources. And for me, I wanted a skill that I can use freely and without constraint. I made sure to put in some limitations to decrease the initial rarity, because that would just make it all the more expensive to create. But it’s still one of my proudest creations yet. That’s why I’m so curious as to how anyone was able to get their hands on one. Only me and my wife have that.”
“So it is a custom skill,” Cloud said to himself, staring at the floor. “That explains so much about its low rarity and extremely high stat requirements.”
“It is, and again–that’s why I was curious as to how this child managed to get his hands on it. I made sure to keep the skill with high enough requirements so that nobody else could use it.”
He pointed at Zeke, calling him a child despite his old age. He was approaching 23 years old and this master looked younger in appearance. Though he already knew that this dude lived for decades longer, so he only swallowed his complaint.
“The two of us and probably others that came from our world have a special status that allows us to learn any Acquired Skill, ignoring the stat requirements. Though we can only learn three at a time, unlike others that can learn as long as they have the stat requirements.”
Zeke tried very, very hard to downplay the incredible ability to learn any skill, his forehead unfortunately sweating from the possible repercussions. But he couldn't exactly lie without explaining how the hell he managed to learn such a powerful skill that needed one to have over 1000 Spirit stat. He hated having to put Mikella into the equation, rather let him take the fall of being the one able to learn any Acquired Skill, but that would be too obvious to tear apart after a few questions, so Zeke went along with the whole explanation.
“Cronus,” Isabelle spoke up, lending a hand on Cronus’ forearm. “The boy looks nervous. He thinks he might have stolen from you. Surely that isn’t true, considering everything.”
“Yes… yes, you’re right,” Cronus closed his eyes again. “Still, I’m at least allowed to be upset at this. It wasn’t easy to create the skill, and I certainly never planned on making it public for everyone to learn. Now this child is gallivanting around, using his barrier at whatever he saw fit. I can’t explain how brutal this feels after seeing this.”
Zeke grimaced, his lips pressed tighter. Even if it wasn’t his fault, he can’t blame Cronus for feeling like that. A well-guarded secret skill that somehow managed to land on someone else’s hands? Through some outside world experience by the looks of it?
It was crazy to think about, but in the end it actually happened. Thankfully, Cronus didn’t decide to go on a rampage and strike him down. Instead, he just stared at Zeke, with a gaze that can melt through steel beams if possible.
Then a smirk spread across his face as he spoke up again. “This cannot continue. To see this young boy go about blindly with such a skill would dampen my reputation. So I suggest I take these visitors off your hands, Cloud, and take them to my home.”
“What?!”
Cloud stood up, his teeth gritting as he glared at the man in front of him. Everyone stood still at the claim, but neither Cronus or Isabelle made any attempt to guard themselves.
“You can’t be serious, Master!” Cloud shouted. “You’re planning on taking these kids away when they’re only just barely reached Journeymen?”
“Kids that have grown spectacularly fast for their ages, you mean,” Cronus answered. “Enough to Journeymen already, might I add.”
“That isn’t the point!” Cloud snarled. “Master, you already know these kids come from an entirely different world. And now you’re planning on dumping them to your country where the aristocracy has taken control of everything. Even under your own backing, I can’t imagine a life harder for them than over there.”
“Oh Cloud, just because you had a tough experience there doesn’t mean they would,” Cronus answered as his cheek landed on his hand to rest. “Aren’t you being too cautious? Or is it really that you planned on using them for something more nefarious? Do you plan to go against your master and take up all the tower’s treasures for yourself? Is that why you’re so inclined to keep them here? As your prisoners?”
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Cloud looked even more furious at the casual affront to his honor. Veins began to pop around his forehead as his eyes glared harder. Zeke couldn’t even imagine Cloud doing such a thing, though some of the accusations felt too close to home for Cloud.
But Zeke and Mikella already consented to that, at least about the treasures. They already knew that their uses were valuable, proven by the incredible growth of the town itself. As long as the otherworlders get the same respect and privacy as an honorary citizen, it’s only expected to help the people.
At least that’s how Zeke saw it. He also knew that Mikella didn’t care about such things and only wanted a good life for Clara to live.
“Master Cronus, even if it’s you,” Val stood up, facing the master directly. While her expression showed calm, there was anger in her eyes that seemed to blaze higher than even Cloud’s. “I will not condone those accusations. You come here in our town and demand our citizens without any thought for them. I will not deny that they have helped us in more ways than we can ever repay them, but I will not allow you to say such things to Cloud. Not even you.”
The room turned quiet again, and there was a heavy atmosphere that made the kids freeze up. They left their parents, running towards Mikella. They did so quietly and politely, to not try to cause a stir that could very well end up into a violent clash.
But eventually, Cronus only smiled.
“That’s fair,” He said. “I was just teasing him, no need to be put on guard. But you have to understand that I cannot let this go so easily. I can’t pretend to not hear all these details and not do anything about them. Besides, have I not told you? There are plenty of those towers making a mess in my country, and according to them, they’re the only ones capable of entering them. I’m certain there could be more otherworlders that have managed to escape and train themselves… but everyone here knows how slim that chance is.”
Zeke wanted to deny that statement, but he stilled his instinct. It was a hard pill to swallow, but he had a point. If Arcelot, the country Cronus ruled, had towers that only they can get rid of, of course he would do whatever it takes to get them to clear them out.
Not to mention, it would be precisely what Zoan wanted. He stared over at the Clara-clone, her silver locks being the difference. She stared back at him. While she still showed no expression, her eyes remained clear.
They have to go. Regardless of what the lords say or what anyone else would say. In other words, it’s sort of their job to clear them out. At least to help the otherworlders, and to get stronger for it.
After another moment of the dreaded silence, Cloud sat back down along with Val, still glaring at his old master with a defeated aura around him.
“How long until you have to go?” He eventually asked.
“I’ll be kind and remain for a week or so. I cannot use my teleportation until I gain enough time and Mana for it. I have already prepared for this long venture anyways, so you don’t have to put me up or anything silly like that. My people can remain outside, as they have their own ways of keeping watch and staying comfortable outside.”
Zeke had completely forgotten about the soldiers still waiting on the outside. He was actually worried about them, but considering how well armored they are, he probably doesn’t have to worry at all.
Surely a magical country like Arcelot can give their soldiers some mobile home for them to stay in.
Eventually Cronus and Isabelle left, but not before the dainty wife of the master casually waved goodbye to the children to which they obliged. Even Clara, who was normally nervous, waved at her with a giddy smile.
“She is so pretty,” Clara commented. “Like Val, but like… pretty.”
Zeke took it that despite their odd behavior, if Clara liked her, then Isabelle can’t be such a bad person. As for Cronus, that still leaves a lot to be desired.
So far, Cronus and Isabelle left somewhere within the town. When he asked where they planned on staying, Cloud only said that they could probably enter into some sort of home in another dimension for visits like these. Zeke can’t even imagine such a thing, but then again, the master seemed to love spending Mana like water.
“That could’ve gone way better,” Cloud eventually said when the house was left to just them. Cloud looked exhausted, as though he had been in battle all day casting spells, looking oddly pale. He turned to the otherworlders, particularly to Zoan.
“I suppose I should thank you for not mentioning anything. It would’ve been… more uncomfortable if you spoke and told the truth to my master.”
“Cronus is well known to be an eccentric sort, but he’s more wily than he lets on. At my current stage, I cannot do anything but oblige to this world’s laws, no matter how infuriating it is.”
Despite the angel’s grumbling, Zeke felt relieved that she planned on following logical sense. He was actually worried during his recapping of their time here that she would intervene about herself. He did mention an angel guide, but that was that. It was extremely awkward to talk about the person that was right there with them.
“And about what he said?” Mikella asked. “About us going with him to his country? Are we actually gonna do that?”
“I’m afraid… there’s no other choice.”
Cloud leaned back on the wall of the living room, staring up at the ceiling. There was a solemn look in his eyes, unable to be explained.
“I know that despite everything, I certainly used you two to the point where Cronus might as well have spoken the truth. But I never once considered you tools. While you may have helped my town in ways I can’t even fathom, more than that, I’m glad to be your comrade.”
Cloud turned to the two. Zeke noticed that Cronus’ comment left a sour note in Cloud’s mind.
“Cloud, you can’t blame yourself,” Val spoke up. “We all used them, in a way. Anyone can tell that much.”
“And you guys seem to think we had no right to say anything?” Mikella pointed out, arching a brow. “We were never forced to do anything. We wanted to help. And we wanted to support Eve Glade. Honestly, I don’t even wanna go anywhere with that guy!”
Despite Mikella’s insistence, she frowned and crossed her arms.
“Still, I know we can’t ignore the towers. And… we can’t exactly say no to him, can we?”
“No,” Cloud shook his head regretfully. “In the end, I owe my master a lot. We may have… issues between each other, but in the end, he’s the reason why Val and I even managed to survive. We haven’t left in good graces, and it was only thanks to Cronus’ mercy that we even managed to make a living here.”
“Leaving Arcelot is considerably difficult,” Val mentioned. “Mages who were born and raised there had a strict policy of leaving the country. Their knowledge is vast and great, and the borders remain closed for a reason. Anyone caught leaving without a significantly good reason are considered traitors and even imprisoned. That’s how serious they take their isolation.”
“Isn’t that mostly because they are in an entirely different dimension?” Zeke asked, unable to stay silent on the matter. “Forget about how difficult it was to get out in the first place–if they try to get out by different means, it could destabilize the entire spatial pocket, right?”
“Precisely,” Cloud nodded. He had pride in his eyes. “You studied well to know that much. But there are also plenty of other reasons why leaving the country is practically impossible. No one can get in or out without Cronus knowing, and he doesn’t let anyone in unless it has something to do with the country itself.”
“Which is why he’s bringing us over to clear the towers,” Mikella answered. “And according to Zeke and Cronus, I’m guessing leaving those around might destabilize the country too?”
Cloud nodded in response. Zeke and Mikella turned to each other, a pained look in their eyes. That meant only one thing.
They have to leave Eve Glade. Regardless of how they feel, this wasn’t something they can ignore.
“A-Are we leaving Eve Glade?”
Clara walked up to them, clear worry in her eyes. Mikella knelt down to her and gestured her over. She hugged her little sister tightly, her head resting on top of Clara’s own.
“Clara… I’m sorry,” Mikella cooed. “I think we might have to.”
Zeke felt his heart getting punctured like a dagger pierced through it to see Clara’s face crestfallen like that. She was a smart girl, but that didn’t mean the pain of leaving a town along with the people she stayed with could be easily ignored. Zeke wondered whether it was actually possible to leave Clara in Eve Glade while the adults went ahead to deal with the towers…
How stupid that was. To leave Clara in a town by herself? Mikella would have a heart attack every second if she had to leave her behind. Even when he tried to think about how they can’t really refuse, inside he wanted to shove Cronus’ complaints and ignore Arcelot altogether.
But they can’t do that. Instead, the only thing Zeke can do is to keep moving forward. On that note, he turned to the lords, clear conviction in his eyes.
“We have a week, so let’s make it count. Cloud? Can I ask for your help in breaking through to Journeyman?”