On our way back to the village, the twins didn't stop bombarding me with questions. They still couldn't fully understand what had happened, but their attitude towards me had taken a complete one-hundred-eighty-degree turn.
"So that primordial magic has to do with the origin of magic? And that's why you can absorb other magics? Mmm... it's hard to believe," commented Delia, crossing her arms.
"Didn't you see it with your own eyes! And Rendal, is Fierlon still alive inside you?"
"I hope not..." I was genuinely worried about that possibility. It wasn't that I was afraid of that fire spirit. I just didn't want to have anything living inside me...
"Most likely, his soul traveled to the realm of Liliefer," added Fily. "Without a contract, he cannot remain in this world, and since his powers were completely absorbed, he cannot return to where he came from."
Traveling to the realm of Liliefer in this world basically means dying. Now, where that spirit came from, we cannot know for sure; it could have been the realm of Ardentes or some other world related to this one. I mean, what in my old world was called different existential planes. For example, hell or heaven in my old world. In this world, there are various realms of the gods and other existential planes they manage together. In other words, each world is made up of different existential planes. At least according to what Fily taught me. But well, it's not the time to get tangled up in so many concepts; it's not like I plan a career in some ecclesiastical field, either.
"Brats, remember to keep Rendal's abilities a secret for now," Fily told the twins once we reached the village outskirts. "We don't know what problems we could attract to this village if rumors spread. I imagine you wouldn't want something worse than Fierlon to come, right?"
The two twins shook their heads vigorously in terror.
"Very well! And remember, Rendal is going to be someone important in the future. You'd better leave your childish envies behind and earn his trust while you can." After saying these words (I really don't know what she expects from me), Fily closed her eyes, puffed out her chest, and snorted proudly, surely satisfied with her work as my mentor. Now go to your mother, who is dying of worry."
The twins cheerfully said goodbye to us and ran towards their home. I also parted from Fily, who would go to explain what happened to the rest of the village (we agreed she would say she was the one who eliminated the spirit). It's not much, but I hope it gives Liselotte and her mother some comfort knowing that Serban's murderer no longer exists.
As for me, I just wanted to return to my family and eat something. I had to skip breakfast, and with this excursion to the forest, it was well past noon.
*****
Our lunch usually consisted of batenka eggs, but when we had a very old batenka, we treated ourselves to meat (if it wasn't sold before). Everything was always accompanied by various vegetables grown in the village fields. Now and then, we could also get some baked goods that anyone would call bread; however, they were brought by merchants from another village, so I couldn't be sure. When we don't have the bread-like things or even eggs, Telize likes to make soup with the vegetables. I can't say it was a luxurious meal, but after helping in the morning with the batenkas or in someone's field, everything I ate seemed like a delicacy.
"I'm sorry, Mom, I couldn't help you this morning."
"Don't worry about that," replied Telize as she served me another portion of vegetables. "The important thing is that you were able to find the twins... What I don't like is that you followed Filimina into the forest. I've told you it's dangerous."
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
"Don't worry, Mom; Fily can care for any monster or bandit before they even notice we're there."
"That doesn't reassure me at all..."
"Liselotte says my brother is the strongest in the village!" commented Sefie as she stuffed a good portion of batenka egg into her mouth.
"Li... Liselotte likes to exaggerate a bit; she still remembers when I scared off a small animal that got too close to us..."
Liselotte had promised to keep my training with Fily a secret, but it seems I need to be a bit more specific with her.
"Um... On the way back, I noticed that everyone in the village was cleaning the entrances to their houses. Is something happening?" I decided to ask what had seemed strange when I returned, trying to change the subject; while people were organizing to search for the twins, many were worried about something else.
"Oh, that's right! Rendal, I need you and Sefie to help tidy up the garden and the coop. While you were in the forest with Filimina, an erelio arrived announcing that the new lectur would visit our village. I don't think she will come this far into the village, but just in case."
The new lectur? If I remember correctly, she's the daughter of the previous lectur who died in the same battle as Vindel. Why would someone so important want to visit our small village?
*****
Almost all the villagers had gathered on the outskirts of the village since the main street was too narrow to receive the lectur's entourage. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait there long before a cloud of dust appeared in the distance.
Once the group of soldiers was in front of us, one of them approached with a firm step.
"Attention to the words of Her Ladyship, the Lectur Alana of the House of Merne!"
After his announcement, the soldier stepped aside, making way for a small girl riding a white horse. She seemed to be about my age, with long black hair and ruby-colored eyes. The most curious thing about her appearance was a small tuft of the same ruby color that stood out above her forehead. It made me think of an antenna… Of course, it's not something I would say out loud since I like the current position of my head (above my shoulders). Although to be honest, no one here would know what an antenna is.
"Inhabitants of my dear territory, of my beloved home. I know you have suffered greatly from the war initiated by our despicable neighbor, the Kingdom of Petros. I myself have suffered the loss of my esteemed father."
The girl began a speech that did not reflect her age at all; it was clear she had been educated from a young age. However, her voice did break a little when she spoke of her late father.
"But I know that some families are suffering much more than others. That is why I have decided to travel through the territory entrusted to the House of Merne by the king and see with my own eyes how the population lives. Now that the war has calmed down thanks to reinforcements from the capital, we want to take note of the greatest problems affecting these lands and begin their slow but sure reconstruction."
Lectur Alana spoke firmly but in a somewhat monotonous manner. Surely, it was a speech that had been prepared for her in advance, and this might not even be the first village where she recited it. There are quite a few villages and larger towns in this area.
However, these are not reasons to discredit this girl. I could see the sincerity in her words, and traveling on horseback across the territory is not easy, not even for an adult man. Perhaps because of the war, the roads are not suitable for carriages?
However, merchants still use their carts, so riding on horseback is likely another way to show sincerity. I can't underestimate the little lectur's political preparation.
"As a first measure, we are recruiting people who want to serve in the castle. The war has weakened our coffers, but we can offer modest compensation for your services, which will surely be of help to your families."
With this war, I imagine that the lectur's castle has lost a lot of people. In a war, the seat of power of the invaded country is the most dangerous place.
But now, reinforcements have arrived from the rest of the kingdom, and our lectur is a little girl who might not have a role in the rest of the war.
Though it is also possible that the Kingdom of Findelor will end up losing to Petros and the lectur's castle will be completely destroyed… But I think it is worth taking the risk! Not only can I help my sister and mother economically, but I might also get closer to a career as a professional soldier.
With what happened to Vindel, it is going to be difficult to convince Telize to let me go to the lectur's castle, but it's now or never….
When Lectur Alana's speech ended, and a soldier stepped forward to take note of the volunteers willing to go work at the castle, I did not hesitate to raise my hand, to the surprise of Telize and Sefie, who were beside me.
But, to my surprise, this time, the twins, who were a little further away, looked at each other when they saw me raise my hand and then raised theirs as well.