Originally uploaded Dec 26, 2022

Cynthia Pov

Standing next to my bond, whom I informed to monitor this so called prodigy far enough from the Helstea house. I pose him the question.

"What do you think?"

My bond, Avier just stood there. His eyes still glued to the large mansion. As a member of the wyvern race his senses for mana are more attuned than mine. I could only imagine the things he could see during my practice battle with Arthur.

"He knew I was here." He finally said after a minute of silence.

"What!? Impossible!" I shout in disbelief. Even me, who was bonded to him could barely sense Avier's presence. The background ambient mana would have made him nearly invisible to another mage at this distance.

"For a slit second I could sense his gaze. A powerful pressure that only a being that has killed thousands could emit. I doubt I would have survived if he hadn't judged me as a non-threat." Avier said as if he was merely stating the obvious.

My head ached at this new information. So he is a unassuming little child who claims who be a Dicathen. But holds knowledge of Alacrya that only the most esteemed highbloods would know. I doubt he even told me a tiny fraction of what he truly knew.

Was he possibly an asura spent by the rulers of Epheotus to oversee Dicathen? No that wouldn't explain his family, unless of course they were planted here as a coverup.

"Do not make him your enemy Cynthia." Avier's words snapped me out of my thoughts.

"That boy possess the means to change the fate of the entire world. It does not matter if you stand with him or against him. Little can stop him if he fully develops."

"What makes you so sure?"

"That boy has not used a single iota of mana during your whole interaction."

Art Pov

Walking side by side with Jasmine we stroll into the adventurer's guild.

Opening the large doors I am met with a familar sight. The large grand hall was bustling with activity. Whether that be adventurers talking amongst each other of people hiring for quests. With so many mages in one place it wasn't hard to see how these people would eventually overthrow Alarcrya rule in their city in the future.

"Welcome to the Xyrus adventurer's guild hall. How may I help you?" the young receptionist greeted us as we reached the front desk.

"I would like to sponsor him for a rank examination." Jasmine stated as she place a piece of paper down before the receptionist.

"Please follow me." the receptionist quickly opened a door for us to enter.

"We have a few taking examinations today but on account of having a sponsor, we'll bump you up closer to the front of the queue so you won't have to wait long. she said with a friendly smile on her face.

I tried appear friendly but with my mask cover my face it probably came off as an awkward nod. I had grown a bit more that I had last time I was first here. I was only a couple of inches shorter than Jasmine and my body was a bit more matured. No doubt aided by the aether.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

She led us down the hall to a office. Knocking on the elaborately decorated door of said office a baritone voice comes from within.

"Come it."

With that she opened the door wide for us.

"A-class adventurer Jasmine Flamesworth has requested this gentleman to be taken in for a rank examination." she announce as Kaspian looked up from his paperwork.

"You may wait outside Mary." With that the receptionist Mary left us and closed the door behind her.

"Miss Flamesworth, how are you these days? I met with your father not too long ago."

That those words Jasmine clenched her fists. Forgot about that human trash that was her father. I wonder how I should deal with him.

"It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Kaspian Bladeheart, and I'm in charge of this branch." Kaspian proudly said. Wearing dark grey trousers with a light grey suit atop a pale baby blue collared shirt. The sleeves of the grey suit top were rolled up to display the toned muscles of his forearms.

You didn't have to sense the mana to see it. He was a strong individual. And quiet the good solider to have in the future. But he was intelligent enough or many it was pride. He seemed to have his own way of doing things. And couldn't not be ignored with the adventurer's guild backing him up. I had to play this carefully.

"Usually, there would be an application that is to be filled along with an inspection of your mana core before a series of practical exams. But since Miss Flamesworth is here, I'll waive those steps."

At every mention of her family name Jasmine was visibly uncomfortable.

'Huh, guess reading the room isn't one of Kaspian's strengths.'

"The only thing remaining would be a mock duel against one of our examiners. And judging by your weapon your either a fighter or augmenter, yes?" he asked as he saw my spare sword adjourning my waistband.

"Names aren't mandatory to become a registered adventurer, but seeing that you have a close relationship with Miss Flamesworth, is there a way I can address you by?" he said as he extended his right hand for me to shake.

"I go by Grey." I curtly replied as I took his hand.

Instantly a sensation akin to a electric shock traveled from his hand and up my arm. It wasn't painful, more annoying than anything.

Playing along I allow some of my aether leak out as the pressure in the room noticeably increases and the temperature seemed to drop a couple of degrees.

Kaspian's face turns into that of shock, but only briefly as we release each other from the handshake.

"Very well, Grey. It was a pleasure meeting you. I'll have Merry show you to the examination hall."

Walking to exit his office I turn my head slightly as I walk through the doorway. Kaspian just stood there, eyeing me.

Turning my head back to look forward I continue walking out with Jasmine by my side.

"Right this way, Mr. Grey, Miss Flamesworth." Mary cheerfully said as she led us along a route that takes us directly to the base level.

The large doors opened to an open air arena where a spear wielding augmenter and an armored instructor were fighting.

Well I say fighting but it was more like a child swinging a oversized stick around while the instructor was easily dodging all of his attacked with minimal movement.

No the fighting wasn't the interesting thing.

My eyes settled on two figure.

One was a blonde boy, with his legs kicked back in a comfortable pose. He looked down on the examination grounds where the battle was taking place with a bored expression. Almost as if you was watching a bunch of insects going about their business. In his hands was large wand. With a silver shaft that led into a large red gemstone craved in a way that made the whole wand look more like a spear of some kind more so than a wand.

'Lucas Wykes, I wonder how I should deal with you in the future?' I thought as I turned my attention to the other figure.

He was a dark haired boy with thick glasses. He sat up properly almost as if he had a stick up his ass. And wore an unassuming beige top with black pants.

Walking up to him I introduce myself by offer him my hand to shake.

"Nice to meet you I'm Grey." I muster up the most friendly tone I could with my voice being altered by my mask.

As he heard my name various emotions crossed his face. Rage than confusion, and everything in between.

'Jeez you have this kind of reaction just from the word? For a guy who spent his childhood in Darv you never thought about the color of rocks and stone?'

He just stared back at me with slight confusion after he seemed to calm down.

"Why are you introducing yourself to a stranger?" he questioned

"Everybody is a stranger before you meet them. And I thought you were about my age." I tried to keep up the friendly tone.

After hearing my reason he reluctantly took my hand with a sigh and introduced himself.

"Elijah Knight."