I just stared at them, dumbfounded. What was this old bat and my brother saying?
"What? You can't be serious, right?" I managed to blurt out.
Virion just tilted his head and my brother looked confused at me, they answered in unisom "Why not?"
"First of all, I'm a.. HUMAN!! Is it even allowed to have humans in this kingdom?" I looked to Virion asking this, and after this I looked at Luz "Second, are you really thinking about accepting this? I mean, what about our family?"
"Well, living around here won't be a problem if you're here on my orders." Virion said with his hand stroking his own beard.
"As for our family, after grandpa asked me to be his disciple, I also complained about it. But he said he knows a person who can make us communicate with our parents, without leaving this Kingdom." Luz spoke, with Virion nodding in agreement.
"That's right, moreover, I saw that the mana cores of both are going through difficulties, and I'm sorry to inform you, but if they continue like this, it would be as if the mana in your bodies imploded and caused several possible consequences, all bad." Virion continued.
Stopping caressing his own beard, he looked at me again. "So? What do you think? Anyway, your brother already accepted my proposal."
I stared at the two of them for a few seconds, while I saw Tessia still there, like a silly elf being patted by my brother. But soon I get an answer. "Okay, really my problem with our parents was knowing how they are doing and showing that we're alive and well. If there's a way to communicate with them, It's already a good size..."
"Great! So you'll need to prepare to wake up in the morning, around 6 am you should already be at the castle entrance!" He said already walking away, but I stopped him.
"Wait! I still don't understand. Why do you want us to be your disciples? And that part of our cores is in trouble... What does one have to do with the other?"
"I want you to be my diciples because I see your potential. Kid, an uncountable number of people have asked me to take them in as their disciple, from rich to poor, from young to old. But do you know how many I've taken in so far? NONE! These new generation brats bore me. Just because some of the wealthy noble brat's parents thought their kid was special, they thought they were qualified to ask me to be their mentor."
I just furrowed my brows, not knowing where Tessia's grandpa is going with this.
"You... You two... are different. I know you have exceptional talent in mana manipulation and only God knows how but you possess better technique than even I, but that isn't the reason why I decided on teaching you two, but it has to do with the problem in your mana cores... Brat... I need to ask you. How are you a beast tamer?" When he spoke that last part, the facial expression was transformed, turning into something serious with an almost deadly look.
"Beast tamer? What are you talking about?" I was really confused. I went to look at Luz, to see if he could help me understand that, but he wasn't even paying attention to our conversation anymore. He was talking to a very sleepy Tessia and to a maid, apparently the maid went to take Tessia to her bedroom. Leaving just me, my brother, and Elder Virion alone.
"Okay, let's go back inside and talk." He said, leading us to a living room with couches and a roaring fireplace.
Sitting down on a couch, he continued. "Let's start from the beginning. I assume you know that mana beasts possess mana cores, just like humans, elves and dwarves right?" We nodded at him.
"Right. Just like mana beasts, humans, elves and dwarves possess qualities in their mana cores that are distinct to their own race." He picked up a piece of paper and began drawing a chart:
[Water Wind Fire Earth]
[Ice Sound Lighting Gravity]
[Plant Illusion Magma Metal]
"These are the four basic elements and their higher forms. Each race has a limiter that dictates what it can and cannot learn. A human can use the 4 elements, fire, water, earth and wind. Being able to also learn Lightning, Ice, Gravity and Sound, they respectively being deviants forms from the elements I mentioned, depending on the affinity level."
"Unlike you, we elves can only have 3 elements, earth, water and wind, but with a great affinity. From the wind we can still learn sound and a higher form called Illusion, but we don't have access to Gravity or Ice, instead, due to our connection with nature and depending of the elf's purity, we can have the ability to control plants."
"And finally the dwarves, they can only manipulate Fire and Earth, like the elves, they have a high affinity for they own elements. They don't have access to the deviant ways that humans have, instead they have access to Metal, with use of Earth, and access to Magma, with use of Earth and Fire together. But sometimes we can see Dwarfs with Gravity.. but this is rare."
Virion had finally stop to talk to take a breath, so my brother took the opportunity and asked. "Well...this teaching about what makes the three races different was nice and all...but what would that have to do with Art being a tamer beast?"
"First, you also are a beast tamer... And second... I'm getting to that brat!" he barked at the final.
"Mana beasts are quite different from the three humanoid races, because each species has its own characteristic... but to sum up, we can classify them in the same way that mages or adventurers are classified: E, D, C, B, A, AA, S, SS. In addition they have specializations in the 4 elements and in the various deviant forms that exist, if a class B mana beast with wind ability has its core ripped out, a human or elf who specializes in wind can absorb this core and use it to speed up their mana cultivation." Virion would get a glass of water and drink it, apparently talking so much left his mouth dry, but after a long swig, he spoke again.
"However! When the mana beast is at rank A or higher, there is a chance that it will pass its ability to someone else, we call it Beast Will. I called you two beast tamers earlier, because you have a Mana Beast's will in your mana cores and by my estimation, not just any will, but an S class or even SS. I'm only able to sense this because I'm a beast tamer as well, although the beast's will that I tamed was an AA class beast, the shadow panther."
"Wait, so that's how he was able to be so unusually fast...?" I thought with a look of revelation on my face, Elder Virion just chuckled.
"Yes brat, I was able to bully you that badly by utilizing my Shadow Panther's will. But I only used around 50% of my speed with you... With that other brat, I needed to use 100%! SERIOUSLY, how!?!" He looked at Luz with that question, and my brother just laughed and gave him a light wink.
Everything was beginning to make sense... the strange faint markings that appeared on my mana core after Sylvia gouged through it and how she said my future progress would depend on understanding her power.
"I can understand now well, but what about the part of our mana cores having problem? I mean... If we could absorb these beasts' wills, it's not like our body can't take all their power and we're going to die, right?" Luz said this with a sarcastic tone, but Virion just lowered his head seriously. Our eyes opened in complete shock.
We'll really going to die without the necessary training? I mean, I had a reason, I got Sylvia's will, but what beast's will Luz have? We've always been together since he was rescued, the only way for him to have it would be if his parents or someone delivered him before he was 5 years old.
"Okay. I understand, I can't refuse to be your disciple. But I wish we could at least talk to our family first..." I said looking down, taking a deep breath and still swallowing all that information.
"Relax brat, did you forget about what I said we were going to do tomorrow morning? Go to sleep now it's better" Virion was saying, leading us to our rooms.
I open my bedroom's door before wishing them goodnight "Goodnight Luz. Goodnight... Grandpa." They chuckled, waving me, as I plopped into my bed, too tired to even get under the covers.
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[Luz Leywin POV]
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I was waking up in my bed, stretching a lot, and then get up. I went to the bathroom to take a shower and then put on the elven clothes they had borrowed to me. They had a soft water green color, with details in gold, red and silver. I also saw that there was a kind of white beret with a green moss line, when I picked it up I saw a letter underneath.
"Thanks a lot for yesterday's information, we tested to see the closest location and indeed there was a slave traders area. So far we haven't attacked it, but we'll let you know when we've found and rescued in 75% of locations within the Kingdom of Elenoir."
There was no signature on the letter, so assume it was from Virion, as the King wouldn't be enjoying my presence, by the conversation from before.
After reading that, I put on my new accessory, looked at myself in the mirror and smirked. I was about to open the door, but then thoughts of yesterday's conversation came back to me, I was a beast tamer too, it was S or SS level, and it looked like it was going to destroy my body if I didn't train hard enough.. For all these hints, I could be sure.
"My curse, the Soul of Corruption, is interpreted as a beast's will in this world." I said this in a whisper to myself, still kind of annoyed at how things were going. However, I didn't let it affect me so much on the outside.
I decided first to purify my mana core, or at least try, because after 10 minutes I stopped, remembering that I needed to be in the castle's entrance at 6 am.
Leaving my room and walking down the halls towards the entrance, I could see Tessia entering my brother's room and soon after I heard his screams. Apparently this princess would become Arthur's new alarm clock.
As I made my way, a butler opened the front door for me, I give him a little bow and spotted a small carriage with Grandpa Virion. I went there sitting on his side, as I saw The King and Queen wanting to talk to him. So he gave me a little wave and went out to talk, I could hear what they were saying.
Apparently they were complaining about the fact that humans were in the kingdom and this was against traditions, even if they were grateful for us saving the princess, while Virion defended me and Art with arguments that showed how shallow that discussion was.
And speaking of her, Tessia left the castle and went to the carriage, sitting opposite me. She also heard her parents complaining, which made her look so angry that I even thought it was cute.
"BAH! Screw traditions! I've taken a liking to these brats and so has Tessia, havent't you child." Virion snorted.
"G-Grandpa! I-It's not like that! They're just..." Tess' voice trailed off at the end, face glowing. He was really smart, taking advantage of the fact that we were her first friends for that, what an old rogue.
"Hahaha! Anyways! They're going to be under my direct guidance from now on so make sure to let everyone know that they are not to be trifled with!"
"F-Father..." King Alduin tried to say something, but by the looks of it, he clearly didn't have a good enough excuse.
"ENOUGH! This is not up for discussion! Oh brat! You're here! Come! We should hurry!" Virion said looking at the entrance to the castle, that's just how I noticed my brother leaving there.
Art walked to the carriage, getting into it. He sat next to Tessia while Virion returned and sat next to me.
A little into the journey. Tessia was sleeping on the bench, tired from waking up early, while the rest of us stood looking out at the landscape, until I could hear Virion's voice. "Take good care of her, guys. She grew up in a very lonely environment" he quietly mutters, a look of compassion filled his eyes as he looked at his sleeping granddaughter.
"What do you mean?" Art asked.
"Growing up as the only princess of an entire kingdom is very stressful, too much for a child to handle. Growing up with no close friend, it was hard on her. Everytime that someone tried to befriend her, was only using her for their personal gains. This has made Tessia into someone cold and distant to those around her. Imagine how surprised we all were when we saw you three holding hands." He continues.
"Yeah, I could feel this when we heard her talk to the guards" I said and Art nodded.
"Guys... Tessia has shown more expression, more smiles and laughs, now than she ever had growing up. Around you, she finally seems more like a child. For that, I thank you." Virion patted our sholders.
The carriage came to a gentle halt before the driver opened our carriage door to inform us of our arrival.
"Hey Tess, we're here." Arthur whispered, gently patting her head.
I could see she hugging him while still a little sleepy. Me and Virion smilled at them, I was really find them so cute, reminding me of how I acted in a delicate and affectionate way with the people I loved during my many lives. I was 95% sure they would date at some point.
With Tessia now at least able to walk, we got out of the carriage and arrived at what looked like a dainty hut.
"HEY, YOU OLD WITCH! Come out!" Grandpa Virion suddenly yelled while knocking on the door.
The door flew open to reveal a hunched elderly lady with grey hair that seemed like it was struck by lightning and wrinkled eyes that gave me an intense sense of wisdom. Dressed in a simple brow robe, she peered down at me and Art with a studying eye.
"Took you long enough to get here!" She scowled.
"Hahaha! Arthur! Luz! Let me introduce you to Rinia Darcassan. She's a very special deviant amongst us elves." Grandpa Virion announces.
"Its good seeing you again, Virion. Charming as always, little Tessia" she smiled, patting Tess' head.
Looking at us, she stuck out her hand. "We finally meet young Ley-Leywins... I'm Rinia. A Diviner." she looked a little... surprise, but why?
"It's really good to know you too, Rini- Wait a minute how did she know our Family's name?" I looked at Virion.
"She is a Diviner, brat!" when Virion said this everybody started to laugh at me. I really can't even be surprised anymore?
After all those laughs, we went inside the cabin. We sat at a round table with a large pitcher of water in the middle. She started talking things like the real reason she was there and that she could also feel that we had incredibly powerful beasts' wills, even surpassing the SS class.
I mean, Arthur was given a dragon, while I have a old god's soul. Of course they would be above normal.
"Enough about that, I need you two to close your eyes and focus on your parents appearance and their mana signature. I'll take care of ther rest." Rinia said looking at us
We closed our eyes and imagined the last scene we had of them both together: Rey badly wounded and Alice healing him.
"Okay, you can open your eyes now." We looked at her to see color of her eyes swirling. The water was floating out of the jar and was swirling around, forming a spiraling disk. Suddenly, I see our parents in the water.
They are together, sitting around a dining table. It didn't seem to be the house in Ashber. Alice's face was a bit paler and was currently saying something to Reynolds, who was wearing some kind of uniform now though and was sporting a beard.
It was so good to see they alive and fine, I saw Art, crying for happiness, and after this I could fell some tears in my face too.
"T-Thank you Elder Rinia. Thank you truly for showing us this" Art was really trying to not cry a lot while saying this to her. And I could feel how uncomfortable she was about his sincerity.
Rinia zoomed out the image in the water, so we could see that they are actually at Xyrus, they are living there. This really make the things simplier to us, since the portal that connects the Kingdom of Eleanor to the Kingdom of Sapin was in Xyrus.
"So Art, Luz. You should start to saying for them that you're alive!" Virion said while clapping his hands together.
"Okay, for us to do that first you have to inject your mana into the water. After my signal, you can speak normally as if you were with them, that they could only hear your voices. But the message will be sent to their heads, so you have to talk in a way that they don't think they're going crazy. You have 2 minutes to speak, ready?" Rinia said in a somewhat articulate way, putting her hands close to us with 2 fingers up in one of them.
We nodded as we looked at her, and took a deep breath, I would let Arthur speak first and then continue. We put our mana in the water, it was know with some colors, all the 4 elemental mana colors.
"And.. go!" Rinia told us to get started, and then my brother spoke.
"Hi Mom, hi Dad. It's me, your son Arthur. You're probably really surprised that you're hearing my voice inside your head. Well there's a reason for that. Before that though, I want you to know that I and Luz are alive and safe. Again We're alive and well Mom, Dad. We managed to survive the fall off the cliff and We're currently living in the Kingdom of Elenoir with elves. Please don't tell anyone else this. We don't have much time so we'll say the things most crucial. A friend of us is a deviant like you mom, except she's a diviner so we were able to see how you guys are doing just now as well. She is also the one that is allowing you guys to be able to hear our voice."
After this I started to spoke as well.
"We want to go back to you guys as soon as possible, but we're having a little problems here. The first thing, due to some problems that we have falling a cliff, our bodies are having some type of illness, and we need to get rid of this before we are able to go back. Don't worry, we found a elf that can help us, he's very famous among the other elves, so we're gonna be fine. The second is, we are gonna to use a portal in the Elven's realm. So you'll know when we arrive when a news about contact between the two kingdoms arrive. Please, I repeat, don't tell anyone where we're right now. Better yet, just keep it as if we were still dead to make things simpler. It mat take years for us be able to go back but be sure that WE WILL be going back home."
"We love you so much and we miss you. Stay safe and protect each other as well. Your sons, Art and Luz." We finished our mensage in unison.
I could see Arthur having problems to keep his eyes open from the tears that continuously poured down. I simply hugged him and we feel Virion patting our heads, while Tessia was patting Arthur shoulders due to him being the most emotional in that time between we two. The glow faded around both of us and Elder Rinia collapsed back into her chair, sweating and pale.
We looked at her and trying to help her to stand at least, which make her pat our heads just like how Virion did.
"Elder Rinia, I don't know how to thank you for this." Art spoke to her.
"Train well and continue to cherish those close to you, children. That's how you'll thank me. Also! Don't forget to drop in once in a while. This grandma here gets lonely kekeke~!" She answered with a weak smile.
"Welp. We are gonna to give our best." I said to her smilling as well.
"Let's see this! I have hope that you two are gonna have a 'Good' time with me." Virion said this and we all laught.
We thanked Elder Rinia again and went back to the castle.