“What do you mean?” I said, backing away.
“Nichola, how are you treating our guests!?” Killian’s shrill voice cut our exchange short. His small figure wobbled along the muddy pavement until he finally reached me. The red-haired man—who was apparently called Nichola—stood straight, still digging daggers at me with his eyes.
Killian sighed and reached out with one hand behind my shoulder to help me up, his small fingers brushing my shoulder as he tried to steady me. This body was weak; it couldn’t even handle a small hit and my jaw was ablaze from the punch.
Killian turned toward Nichola with his hands on his hips, tapping his foot impatiently against the dirt. “I’m waiting for an explanation,” he said sternly, looking at Nichola, who looked flushed red with embarrassment. I cannot believe that for someone so imposing, he’s scared of a ..…dwarf.
“But he was snooping around,” Nichola replied defensively, rubbing the back of his neck.
“He’s the kid I was talking about,” Killian explained, turning back to me. Concern overshadowed the anger in his eyes. “Please forgive him; he’s a troubled child. I took him in a few months ago. He doesn’t remember where he came from,” he added in a low voice.
Is this why he sent me here? A part of me still didn’t want to trust this guy.
“Come, I want to give you something,” he said, leading me toward his house.Every wall was lined with towering bookshelves, crammed with stacks of books, scrolls, and loose papers. The floors were clean enough for me to admire my reflection. The middle of the room had a desk, again stacked to top with papers, a curtain separated the work area from the living as I could see two twin beds near the fireplace through the sheer curtain. Small glass lamps lit the room, which felt warmer and cozier than outside,my eyes dimmed at the sudden change in atmosphere. I glanced at Killian in surprise as he levitated a scroll from the top of an overflowing bookshelf. Worried it might all come crashing down, I reflexively covered my head, earning a scoff from Nichola. I turned to glare at him, but he just rolled his blue eyes.
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This bastard!
“Elio, this is for you,” Killian said, handing me an old scroll covered in dust.
Wait—
“How do you know my name? I don’t remember telling you,” I asked, alarmed, taking a step back.
“He’s obviously a mana user…” Nichola muttered, as if I should have known, rolling his eyes again.
-1 CHA.
What? Why? System? My Charisma!??
Why is this man draining my charm?!
“Elio, dear, listen. I can sense a Mana core inside you. You mustn’t let anyone know you can wield mana, especially your type,” Killian explained in a calm and low voice, anxiousness flickered across his face as he leaned closer. “You have an elemental core,” he whispered.
Nichola looked at Killian, then at me, his face flooded with shock. He opened his mouth, then closed it, only air escaping him.
Why are they reacting like this? It must be because I have a one-of-a-kind elemental core. Ha! Take that, runny-nose Nichola!
“We cannot have him here!” Nichola suddenly shouted at Killian. “If the royal guards find out, we’d all be executed!”
E-executed?
He doesn't mean ….?
“Killian, I’m going to report him!” Nichola said, taking a step toward the door. But before he could exit, Killian levitated him in the air. “You’re axing your own foot!” Nichola bellowed.
Seeing the commotion in the cottage my heart palpitated with anxiousness.I lifted my hand, hoping someone would answer my question.
“Why would we be executed?” I asked innocently.
“We?!” Nichola turned pale, still squirming in the air, desperate to get out of Killian’s hold,
“Elemental magic is punishable by death,” Killian answered. “Centuries ago, the continents reached an agreement deeming all elementalists enemies of the state. Possessing an elemental core carries an automatic death sentence.”
F**k me.