Full Pr Credits to Draconis hey guys :( sorry but this chapter is 2.1k words in length since im doing two fics i was thinking of lowering the ch word amount as to make time for both that way i could continue to release spectral at a fair rate without es interfering with the release date.
i hope you all understand that as an amateur author i have a lot of ideas and es is like a breath of fresh air for when i get writers block for spectral or have an idea i cant adjust for spectral if you havent seen it yet give it a shot :D http://www.royalroadl.com/fiction/1615
anyway please dont forget to Rate/Follow/Favourite/Enjoy ch 55 :)
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Avrin blinked at the remark the man had made. He quickly went through his mind, trying to recall people he had met. Although it was easy, considering he hadn’t met many, and this man was human. Only one person came to his mind.
“Ahh, you must be Larissa’s father, correct?” Gregson only gave a hearty laugh and nodded. “I’m surprised you remembered my daughter after a couple of years. She must have rubbed off on you quite well.” Gregson then grinned “Although, sorry to say, she’s out of bounds. If you know what I mean”
He joked, but Avrin didn’t seem amused. But he went along with this man's delusion. As Gregson began to speak to Avrin regarding magic he had seen, comparing it to Avrin’s own, it seemed like he was trying to get some information out of Avrin. He surely knew he was an enigmatic user.
“Gregson, I’d rather not speak too much about my ability. That information is something I’d rather keep to myself” Gregson let out an ‘Ahh’ expression, as if understanding. If it had gotten out, his enemies present and future would use it against him.
“That’s fine Avrin. I wont press further” He smiled before he stopped while gazing at the gate. “Here we are, the convoy leading to the port city.” Waiting at the gate were several convoy like carriages that seemed heavily armored. They also had a sort of emblem on them, most likely the human army imperial symbol.
“Why the need for so many troops?” Avrin asked curiously. Surely a place like this wasn’t at war. Gregson folded his arms and spoke in a serious tone. “Beyond here there are quite a few bandits. It’s probably because the trade route is the main source of income for them, not to mention it’s the best opportunity.”
Avrin understood better and nodded before Gregson went on, Asura staying quiet and following Avrin, who followed Gregson. They arrived at a somewhat large carriage that seemed fortified with metal as well as spikes that looked razor sharp.
“This will be you and your friends. No need to worry about safety, you will be at the heart of the convoy, just behind me.”
Avrin felt a little disappointed at being underestimated, but he figured it was for the best. “Thank you.” A soldier went over to the door of the carriage and opened it, revealing a somewhat spacious interior, to which Avrin and Asura got in.
When Asura entered, the entire carriage seemed to wobble slightly. This only made the soldier gaze in shock and Gregson laugh as he spoke to Avrin. “If you need anything just let the driver in front know.”
Avrin then nodded. From there, as everything had been set up, they began their journey, leaving Wayfarer village behind. The convoy itself was led by a group of knights on horseback, they were also at the sides and the back.
Avrin had taken the book he had bought from the bookstore and decided to read a bit. Asura seemed somewhat bothered though, due to the trip. Even though it had only been a good hour since they began.
“Master, I'm uncomfortable in this tight space…” Avrin raised his head as he was getting to the good part of the introduction to dark affinity. “Asura, you will just have to bare with it. Unless you would rather sit on top of the carriage.”
Of course this was something Avrin joked about as he returned to reading his book. But the carriage wobbled a bit more before Avrin blinked to see Asura had indeed left the carriage to sit up on top.
The knights around it gazed with curious eyes to see a large cloaked figure come out to sit on the carriage near the spikes. Then again, they figured he might have been uncomfortable due to his size. They were surprised that he even lasted that long.
As nightfall arrived, the convoy had set up camp. It was common considering they were humans. The knights had set up a perimeter, and Asura and Avrin had being given a tent. But Avrin had began to wander around the campsite.
He was quite curious to see what the warriors of humanity were like, but it seemed rather cliche. They were either eating, sleeping, or drinking. He only saw a few practicing while the rest were guarding.
Avrin headed towards the large tent that was obviously Gregson’s. As he approached, the guards looked at him before looking at each other. One of them spoke “What business do you have with the Vice General?”
Avrin frowned. Gregson did consider him a vip. Were these knights dull headed? He forgave them, for now, before speaking. “Is his guest not allowed to speak to him?” The knights looked at each other, before they were able to speak, Gregson appeared.
“Ahh, Avrin, come in, come in.” The knights showed a sign of being nervous, before they moved aside to allow him in. Avrin grinned as he could of gotten them in trouble, but let it slide. The inside of the tent was quite unique. He saw furs from several creatures he had never seen before, as well as gold and unique objects that were surely from hundreds of years ago.
“Quite a collection you have.” Avrin curiously spoke as he gazed around. Gregson went over to a glass bottle and poured himself a cup of a green liquid that Avrin could smell the strong fermented scent of.
Gregson then went over and offered the cup to Avrin, who took it without hesitating, then looked at it. Gregson then spoke. “I’ve been in these lands for 3 years. 1 of which to find my daughter, 2 by order of the King to keep tabs here” He sighs.
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Avrin took a sip of the liquid. It had a strong apple like taste with honey, but the aftertaste indeed showed it was quite strong. “Bassically they found it convenient that you were here?”
Gregson, pouring his own cup, had drunk a quarter of it in one go and nodded “Bullshit was what I think of it.“ Avrin narrowed his brows slightly “Doesn’t seem like you’re fond of the higher ups”
Gregson gazed at Avrin before chuckling “Ah, who am I to talk to a stranger I had just taken an interest in. Surely such talk of this must bore you. Tell me Avrin, your goals, what is it you intend to do in the future?”
Clearly this man had wanted to avoid the subject. He seemed a bit cautious, as if he had thought Avrin was a spy. But Avrin let it pass and spoke. “Goals? Well I’m not quite sure. I was hoping to experience what humanities great central continent had to offer. Maybe I could find something there.”
Avrin, in reality, had wanted to become a god. But he knew it was wishful thinking and required a lot of time and effort. He was in no rush as he had thought several times before he would enjoy himself and get some information before rushing.
Gregson, rubbing his mustache, began to think. “You know Avrin, if you are looking for a purpose, I think Altea city is perfect for you.” Avrin curiously listened before speaking. “What makes this city so special?”
Gregson gave a soft chuckle, finishing his first cup before pouring himself another. “Well for one it is the capital of humanity, and there are a lot of interesting things such as the arch mage guild and Gaia Academy itself”
Avrin’s ears perked up. The arch mage guild was something he wanted to visit for a spirit stone to suit him. “What can you tell me about the arch mage guild?“ Gregson was quiet for a moment before drinking some more of the alcohol.
“Well what do you want to know?” Avrin immediately spoke. “How do I gain an audience with the Arch Mage himself?” Gregson nearly spat the green liquid out but he managed to swallow it. “T..The Arch Mage?” He let out a soft chuckle.
“Not even I have met him before. To be honest, only people who have proven themselves to be beneficial for the kingdom are allowed to meet him” Tsk.. Avrin let out a soft sigh before drinking all of his green liquid, clearly wanting to remove the sour thought.
Gregson then spoke, seeing Avrin somewhat frustrated. “You know, if you join the imperial army and prove yourself by using your abilities, I’m sure the higher ups will take notice and promote you. You may even reach the Arch Mage.”
Avrin curiously thought to himself before giving a soft smile. Not that gregson could see it. “For now, I’d rather not be tied down by anything. I haven’t arrived in the port city and it seems like I’m being recruited” This time Avrin was the first to let a soft chuckle escape.
Gregson quickly denied that, also laughing. “Not at all. It’s just an idea, if you truly needed to meet him. Why do you need to anyway?” Avrin didn’t show a need to hide truth. “I need a spirit stone.” Gregson was quite shocked yet again.
“An enigmatic user without a spirit stone?!! Although people like you are rare, I’ve never heard of one without it before” He thought before speaking. “If you truly needed one, I could accompany you to the lower mage guild and have them test and assign one for you?”
Avrin figured he had nothing to gain by denying. In fact, it may prove beneficial to know if it even worked for him or not. “That would be reasonable..Although what do you want in exchange?”
Gregson gave a soft laugh. “Truly nothing, my friend.”
Avrin wasn't convinced. “Nothing??? Are you sure?” Gregson was quiet for a moment before clearing his throat. “I was hoping that maybe I could learn more of your abilities..” Avrin was then quiet for a moment. He wanted to know something.
“I’ve been asked quite a few times to what my abilities are. What is it people have to gain by knowing?” This made Gregson himself realise the importance of this question. He cleared his throat before speaking.
“Well, enigmatic users are people with abilities not even the gods themselves have. It’s not really about being cautious to what sort of ability they have, but how useful it is and what sort it is.” Avrin figured his intentions with those words.
“So to see if my ability can be used for humanities goals a pawn..” Gregson didn’t reply, he merely drank some more of the alcohol. Avrin continued. “I have to admit, you’re pretty honest. Especially in front of someone rare” He spoke somewhat sarcastically.
Gregson frowned slightly. “In a world like this where dragons are slumbering god knows where, and the other creatures are doing who knows what, we have to build up our strength” Avrin narrowed his brows. He had been to the Sylph lands. It didn’t seem like they cared at all what happened.
“Aren’t you being a little too paranoid about them attacking you?” Gregson then stood up, clearly a bit frustrated at his words. “Those tribes are most likely scheming now...Old hatred comes a long way..”
Avrin had a feeling where this was coming from. “You must have lost some important people during that war…” Gregson raised his head as he turned away from Avrin before he drank. He spoke. “They tortured some of my predecessors…”
Gregson clearly held a grudge against whoever it was that did those deeds to his family. Avrin asked a question he was quite curious about. “Does this mean humanity is building up its war potential to invade the other races?”
Gregson gave a serious look, as he was quiet for a while before he spoke. “Humanity is doing what it must to survive.” Avrin chuckled quietly. “-I wonder if I was ever this paranoid back in my universe..-”
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