18th of Nokayn, 53

"Dear Arianna!

You're right—I should definitely honor Grogar's memory. Which is why I've decided to stay and finish what we started. I will find that ursa major that killed him and finish it off myself!

Don't worry, though, I will train rigorously before that! No ursa will bring me down!

They will be hibernating over the winter now anyways and only start waking up in spring. By that time, my magic will be even stronger, so I will be ready! Wish me luck!

As for the fairies, their names were Trix and Pix. And they are totally not like what you would expect them to be! Also, they can use pure magic in a different way than we do! Trix didn't tell me much so far, but she said she will bring me some books from the fairy library to study! I'm so excited! There are other uses to pure magic we don't even know yet! I can't wait to learn more about it! And more about fairies! Oh, but don't tell anyone...I promised them.

Love,

Velvet

P.S.

What do you mean the student council president is acting strange? In what way?"

2nd of Dokayn, 53

"Dear Velvet!

No, that's not what I meant by honoring his memory! Please don't go chasing after that beast on your own, it's super dangerous! Why are you doing this to me? I can't really stop you from doing what you want to do, can I? And it doesn't feel right either. So with a heavy heart, I will trust that everything will be alright. Not much else I can really do from all the way here.

Fairies can use pure magic? That's very interesting. Keep me posted if you find anything new about it! And don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Your secret is safe with me.

About the student council president. His name is Magnus and he's a very sweet guy. Well, he was. I talked to him a lot during my initiation and he showed me the ropes and the projects they have been working on so far. Everything seemed amazing between me and him and we got along really well——until about one month ago, that is.

Suddenly, his attitude changed completely and he started forgetting conversations we had, as if we never talked about these things! For example, I know for a fact he told me that he had a sister named Aurelia, but now he all of a sudden didn't remember her name when we talked a few weeks ago. At first I thought it was just him being tired or not getting enough sleep, but it's been happening again and again lately, with different topics. It's like he's not even the same person. He doesn't find the same things funny anymore; he doesn't like to do the same things he used to; he doesn't even seem to care about the student council anymore! All he does these days is walk around the academy aimlessly as if he lost something and is trying to find it.

When I asked him about it, he just said "It's none of your business!" and ran off. I find this very strange and I've already informed the teachers about it, but so far none of them think it's something we should be concerned about. I disagree. From now on, I will be watching him more carefully to see if I can find anything out. I will keep you updated if I do.

Stay safe,

Arianna"

17th of Dokayn, 53

"Dear Arianna!

Not a lot has been happening here lately. Killed some frost giants and frost wolves, caught some snow rabbits, and did a bunch of other tasks which aren't even worth mentioning. Uncle Grogar taught me really well and all these things seem easy to me now! Maybe it's also because my magic has gotten stronger lately. I used my spare time to practice more and I think it's showing. Currently, I am also working on a mythical transformation: Chalkydry!

In case you don't know what that is, Chalkydry is a mythical creature of light that has a lion's body and a dragon's head. And two sets of feathered wings, so it can fly! Pretty cool, right?! Once I learn this, we can fly together——you as a dragon and me as...this thing. I can't wait!

I haven't gotten around to meeting Trix yet on this last full moon, even though we kind of agreed on it. The reason for that is me being a bit down because of what happened with uncle. Also, it's very far away from Talim. I would need to depart two weeks earlier just to get there in time for the full moon to rise! But I will make the trip on this next one because I really, really want to learn more about pure magic!

What you say about this Magnus guy is indeed very strange. I hope you manage to get to the bottom of this soon! Tell me if you come up with anything in regards to solving this mystery!

Love,

Velvet"

1st of Jadayn, 54

"Dear Velvet!

Ohh, you're working on a mythical light transformation! That's amazing! I haven't updated you on my progress because I was too concerned with your whereabouts, but I can say that I've mastered the Air Dragon transformation completely now and can hold it for almost thirty minutes without losing control or being forced to revert back. I also learned a bunch of other grandmaster and mythic spells on top of that! Argus says I am on my way to becoming a truly exceptional air sorceress! I like the sound of that!

Magnus' behavior has been getting stranger and stranger lately. He's going into parts of the academy that nobody bothers going to as if he's obsessed with finding something. Not only that, but I've seen him leaving the school grounds altogether and going somewhere. So far, I've only been following him around the academy, but I think on his next trip I will follow him out of the academy as well just to see where he's going.

I spoke to Argus and Ralph about it, but they don't seem to be taking this seriously. The headmaster just waved his hand and said something along the lines of: "The boy is just curious! This academy hides a lot of mysteries after all...it's been a fortress before it got this glorious new purpose and many of the old secret passages still lie hidden beneath it! I explored it myself when I first came here!"

I for one think they may be missing something. That's exactly why I am taking matters into my own hands and am investigating this. Oh gosh...I think I am turning into you! Sneaking out of the academy to go investigate some strange happenings...is this really who I am now? Well, in any case, wish me luck! And good luck to you as well!

Stay safe,

Arianna

P.S.

Ah, almost forgot...happy new year! This is the second new year I've awaited without you. It's kind of lonely, I must admit. I would really like for you to come back sooner rather than later. I hope you at least come see me this summer. I'd like that a lot!"

16th of Jadayn, 54

"Dear Arianna!

Happy new year to you too! I want to thank you for trusting me and being such a good friend in general. I feel that maybe I don't tell you this often enough. I appreciate you!

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

You see, adventuring and uncovering secrets can be fun! I'm glad you are finally seeing this and venturing out on your own a bit. There's no doubt in my mind that you can crack this case! I am rooting for you! Perhaps when I get back we can go on an adventure together, finally?

You were right about these mythic transformations. They are no joke. I still am not even close to being able to do it after more than a month of practice! The most I've been able to do was grow a lion's tail. But hey, that's something, right?

Love,

Velvet"

30th of Jadayn, 54

"Dear Velvet!

Aww, thank you! I love being your friend, even though it involves me tearing out my hair in worry sometimes. It's just, you always put yourself in so much danger that I can't help but be afraid every time I don't receive a letter from you promptly. I sound like a worried older sister, don't I? I'll try working on trusting you more to get back safely. But it's not easy when you tell me things like you did last time. You know....with your uncle. That's terrifying to me.

Uhm, I wouldn't go as far as saying I "love" adventuring now. It's just this bothers me greatly. How can a person who was so great before suddenly turn into someone completely different? I've followed Magnus outside of the academy for the first time just this week and he's going to some abandoned old ruins. You know, those which you loved to go to when you went to explore around the academy. Very strange. What is he doing there? I might have to follow him inside, but I just couldn't muster up the courage this time. Maybe next time...

Good job on your transformation! It always starts out with something small, like just one of your limbs changing. Then you go on from there until you perfect it. Keep going!

Stay safe,

Arianna

16th of Fodayn, 54

"Dear Arianna!

Something very strange happened to me as well this last week. A man I've never seen before came into the Hunter's Guild and sat down next to me. He started telling me about these people called...

***

"Slave hunters?" Velvet cocked her eyebrow and eyed the hooded figure across the table from her. She couldn't make out the man's face but saw a pair of bright, yellow eyes peering back at her from the shadow the hood was throwing. "Why are you telling me this now?"

"You seem like you've heard of them before," he answered with a cold and monotone voice.

"I have," the girl nodded. "But this is a Hunter's Guild. Aren't you here to hunt?"

A sly grin painted itself across his face, two rows of sharp white teeth illuminated by the candle that sat in the middle of the table between them.

"Oh, I am here to hunt alright," the mysterious man said with a playfully derisive tone. "Only I am here to hunt something other than animals. I am here...to hunt people."

Velvet flinched subconsciously when she heard that, her hand moving in position to defend herself if the need arose. He reached out and grabbed it with a lightning-fast reflex. "Don't."

"W-what to you want from me?" she stuttered, startled at his sudden advance.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I need your help, Velvet Crow, rank seven huntress."

"My help?" she gave him a puzzled look, her other hand at the ready. He was still holding the right one firmly and pressing it against the table. "Why my help? And with what?"

"I will tell you if you loosen up a bit and don't blast me with your magic," he chuckled.

"How about you let go of my hand then? Maybe it will help me "loosen up", hm?"

He undid his grip and pulled his arm back, resting it on the table in front of him. "Alright."

"Thanks," she said, rubbing her wrist. His grip on her was quite strong. "Now tell me, jakkal, who are you, and what do you want from me? What do you need my help with?"

"You're very perceptive," the man answered with a condescending voice, dripping with murderous aura. "I am indeed not from around here."

While he talked, his bushy, grey tail waved left and right behind him rhythmically. When she looked more closely, the girl could also see two bulges on the top of his hood, where his pointy ears were no doubt hidden from view. "Answer my questions!" she demanded.

"So impatient," he sighed. "But it's understandable. I admit I most likely don't give off exactly a friendly vibe...most of the time."

"You really don't," Velvet confirmed. "I get the feeling I'm going to die every second I am around you. The way you talk makes me feel uneasy."

"Funny you should say that," he chuckled. "I guess you have a good intuition then. You see, I have indeed killed many. I only kill bad people, though. And you're not a bad person, are you?"

"I'd like to think I'm not," she replied. "But you still haven't answered either of my questions. Who are you? And what do you need my help with?"

"Who I am is none of your concern. What I want your help with, is stopping some bad people. You see, in a few days, there will be a caravan passing through here. A slave caravan. Usually, I work alone, but this one is quite big. And there are mages defending it. I need someone to help me defeat the slave hunters who will be accompanying it so I can free the slaves."

"Free the slaves?" the girl cocked her eyebrow. "That sure is something I didn't expect to hear from someone that looks like he's about to murder me. So you're a good guy?"

"I'd like to think I am," he grinned, barring his sharp teeth again. "But who honestly is?"

"And if I refuse?" she asked him. "What happens then?"

"Nothing. We each go our separate ways like nothing happened. And you forget we ever had this conversation or that you met me. I was never here."

"I see. And if I agree to help you?"

"Then I will reward you of course!" the man smiled, pulling out a pouch of gold coins and throwing it on the table. "Two hundred Rumerran gold pieces. After the job is done."

"That's a lot of money you're willing to pay to free some slaves. What's your motive?"

"I despise slave hunter scum with a burning passion!" he slammed his fist on the table, startling the girl and making the coins spill out of the pouch. "That is my motive!"

"Why?" she asked, genuinely curious.

"None of your business!" he growled. "It's personal!"

"Fair enough," Velvet smiled, puzzling him. He didn't expect such a calm reaction after he basically yelled at her. "Why me though? Why not any other hunter?"

He pointed at her hand, which was resting on the table across from his. "You're a tier two. There are not many sorcerers around who make it that far. Even I, myself, am only a tier one."

"You use magic?!" the girl immediately jumped up, slamming both hands on the table and leaning over it. Her eyes sparked with curiosity. "What kind?! What kind?!"

"Uhm..." he got startled a bit himself now with this burst of energy. Also, all heads in the guild were turning their way and he didn't like that one bit. "Keep it down! Keep it down!"

"Oh...sorry," she whispered and sat back down. "But seriously. What type of magic?"

He peeled off the black glove from his right hand to reveal a mark of darkness.

"Darkness magic!" Velvet exclaimed, drawing unwanted attention to them again and making the man facepalm. "Oh...right...secret talk," she whispered. "Darkness magic! Awesome!"

"Maybe I made a mistake picking you," he shook his head and wanted to stand up.

"Wait!" she reached out and grabbed his hand, stopping him from leaving. "I'll do it."

"Excellent," he smiled. "It's a deal then. The caravan will pass through here in three days, most likely at night. They always move at night. Meet me behind this building after the sun goes down on the third day from now and I will tell you the rest."

"What's your name?" she inquired, but he didn't listen to her anymore. Pulling his hand from her grip, he raised his arm up in the air and closed it into a fist. "Black Out."

As he said that, all the light in the room was sucked away and suddenly, everyone was sitting in complete darkness. Some grunts and shouts could be heard from the surprised hunters before the light returned a few seconds later. Velvet was left sitting alone at the table again.

An excited smile painted itself across her face. "That was awesome!"

Thank you for reading this part of the story! Hope you have a wonderful day!

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Who is the mysterious figure that approached Velvet?