Chapter 7
As the first rays of sunlight appeared on the horizon, they slowly passed through the mountains, forests, and rivers. It was a beautiful sight to behold and a welcome relief for the few remaining inhabitants of Riverfork. The feeling of calmness was mixed with melancholy as they looked at what was left of their once-thriving community. Yet, the sudden thirst to live and to go on was palpable. They knew it would take time for the wounds to heal, and some may never fully recover, but there was hope. Life has a way of finding its path, and with the sunlight finally breaking through the darkness, it was a sign that Riverfork would see better days once again.
That was a beautiful sentiment for them, no doubt. However, not all shared the same feeling. Especially the Aplacia knights, who had just arrived on the kingdom's aerocrusible. Their expressions twisted with horror, rage, and despair as they gazed at the desolation around them. The Kingdom of Aplacia was a tiny nation compared to the Arthiel Holy Kingdom and the Kingdom of Elbania. So small, in fact, that some of the Aplacia knights had relatives in Riverfork. After all, it was the closest town to the capital.
That's why some of the knights were running around trying to find their loved ones in the desperate hope that they were still alive. But the reality was that the town had lost more than half of its citizens. Entire families were wiped out, making the search sadly easy to complete.
"Mother!" One of the knights screamed in horror upon seeing his mother, who was missing an arm, sitting near the rubbles of where once their house stood, slowly rocking her daughter on her lap, singing a lullaby.
"Hush, it's alright, dear; it's just an arm," Miri whispered as she embraced her oldest son, who simply fell to his knees, crawling to her. "We are alright. Your little sister is alright."
"But—!" The knight choked his tears down, as did Miri, who desperately tried to keep her composure. "Father, is he—?"
"He died protecting us," Miri's defences slowly broke. She was too physically and emotionally exhausted to keep a strong face. "He—!"
Miri broke down as she held her children tightly, fearful of them simply vanishing in thin air.
Miri's family was one of many who had lost someone dear to them. Perhaps, in a very twisted way, they were the few fortunate ones who weren't wiped out during the attack. Since other families were less lucky, some of the Aplacia knights who had relatives in Riverfork broke down as they witnessed the pile of bodies line up before them. It was a dreadful scene, mainly because some bodies were unrecognisable after being transformed into Undead.
"This is unsettling," Avnas whispered as she gazed at the knights mourning their families. It was strange for her. Avnas knew that what happened was horrible. But she lacked the emotion to feel empathy. While being a demon was not making Avnas outright evil, it was undoubtedly twisting her worst qualities and making them far worse, which made Avnas wary to not let it go too far.
"I can't let it win," Avnas mumbled to herself, making sure to look at the view of the city that once stood there and the people who lived no more.
The entire scope of the onslaught began to dawn on Avnas. The screams of pain were hard to ignore, but they helped her understand that the three devils were responsible for everything. In the blink of an eye, three Demon Knights wiped out a human settlement of a thousand inhabitants. Avnas recalled Sister Helena's words about humans being the weakest race and how other races were above them in terms of magic and Mana. But Avnas never thought that it would be this large of a gap. If she hadn't been there, those three demons would've gotten away with murdering everyone without being caught.
Although, if she hadn't been there, those three demons would not have attacked the town at all.
"This is my fault. If I had been more careful and not let my blind excitement take the reign, no one would've died. I am to blame," Avnas sighed before looking at one of the Aplacia knights walking towards her. He looked wary of Avnas, which was understandable. After all, she had just defeated three powerful Demon Knights by herself.
"Excuse me, Lady Avnas. I am Captain Lloyd of the Aplacia Knights," As Captain Lloyd's gaze fell upon Avnas, he studied her intently, examining every inch of the woman before him. His eyes travelled from her head down to her feet, noting every detail of Avnas's curves, lips, skin tone, and other assets. Avnas couldn't help but feel irritated by the invasive scrutiny of the captain's gaze. Of course, Avnas was still unaware of how attractive she was, how unique she was to people around her, and how her simple standing still attracted people to her.
What are you staring at? Avnas thought, annoyed, and her gaze locked into Captain Lloyd, who coughed awkwardly, albeit still giving small glances at Avnas, who quickly crossed her arms around her chest, blocking the captain from staring at her any longer.
"I apologise," he mumbled back without actually being sorry. "I have been ordered by the king to invite you to New Altes as a special guest. This invitation is to reward you for your contributions to saving the people of Riverfork."
Avnas now frowned deeply at the sudden invitation from the king of Aplacia. Of course, she knew there were quite advanced and unique communication methods in this world. Still, it was all too fast and highly suspicious. Nonetheless, Avnas took a gamble on her fortune when she decided to showcase a bit of her power and defeat those demon knights. Now, she could reap the benefits and use this invitation to New Altes to learn more about the world she was in. Finding a library would be a good start.
But I must keep my guard up and not do anything stupid. I am still trying to figure out precisely what is going on in this world. Every action I make has consequences. Deadly consequences. As a precaution, Avnas decided to be a little paranoid for her own good.
"If that's what the king wishes, I shall accept," Avnas replied with a polite tone of voice. The captain then sighed happily, clearly relieved that she had accepted. But a quick smirk appeared on his face. It was sudden and fast. But Avnas noticed it. It was a reaction that Avnas made sure to remember.
"New Altes is only a half-day ride from here with a horse. It shouldn't take you long to reach it before midday."
Avnas tilted her head after hearing that. "Not aerocrucibles? If the king wishes to see me, using that would be faster than a horse," Avnas asked as the captain looked quite disingenuous and averted his gaze away.
"We don't have many of them. This one is used to patrol the surrounding areas of the kingdom, and usually, that will be fine. But after today, we are going deeper into the woodland to ensure no other surprises are lurking around."
"I see. The same could be said about the Holy Kingdom's crucible, right?" Avnas asked, to which Captain Lloyd nodded.
Captain Lloyd's words held some logic as far as Avnas was concerned. She understood that as of right now, in their eyes, they weren't sure if another demon would attack. So, it was understandable that they would use their aerocrucibles to establish a base of operations and a line of defences until they knew more about what was happening. It all made sense in a way. However, she couldn't help but feel suspicious about it, like a sort of sixth sense, alarms going inside her head.
The captain is hiding something. His demeanour, that stare. What could it be?
Avnas thought that so far, there was no reason for her to truly mistrust humans. Not really. Yet, there was also no reason to trust them entirely. She was a demon and was currently hiding in plain sight. Avnas was their sworn enemy. If they knew what Avnas was, she doubted it would end well for them and for her.
"Understandable, but if that's the case, I am to bring my companions," Avnas gestured towards three individuals standing behind her—Alex, Elian, and Lynas. Two of them appeared to be under the influence of something, their bodies feeling numb and weightless. Something was changing inside them. Yet, Alex and Elian brushed off the strange sensation or tried to. Lynas, however, remained rooted to the spot, lost in thought over what she had just witnessed.
"I hope there won't be any trouble," Avnas said, and the captain nodded.
"Not at all," Captain Lloyd replied. "If you excuse me. I shall prepare everything."
Captain Lloyd then walked away, leaving Avnas behind, who only narrowed her eyes.
"Well, this is weird," Avnas mumbled as she walked towards the group. "How are you two feeling?"
Alex and Elian gave each other a quick look, unsure how to truly express what they sensed in themselves. Their bodies were beginning to feel quite hot, like a fever that they couldn't truly feel at all. A strange sensation of something rushing in their veins. It was as if their blood was flowing faster and more forcefully than ever before. They felt alive and energised by the intense connection to Avnas.
"I feel a bit light-headed. As if I am about to get a cold," Elian replied, as her hand couldn't stop shaking. "Yet, I feel so much energy."
"I feel the same," Alex added, too. "My veins feel like burning up. But it's not painful. I can't really explain it."
"I don't know, Alex; this doesn't sound normal at all," Lynas mumbled worriedly. "Maybe we should find a healer?"
"I'm fine, Lynas. It will pass," Alex replied quickly, and Elian, for her part, agreed with him.
Avnas hummed loudly. "It couldn't hurt to be sure nothing serious is happening. Maybe Sister Helena could look into both of you."
"It's nothing to worry about, master!" Elian exclaimed loudly as she looked at Avnas, who reacted quite surprised at being called master.
"Uh, alright, as you wish," Avnas mumbled back. "In any case, I've been invited to New Altes by the king. A special guest, I am being told."
"The king is inviting someone? That's weird," Lynas said, clearly confused by that statement. Avnas noticed that the green-haired half-elf knew something about the king of Aplacia that she didn't, which was definitely something Avnas wanted to hear.
"Why is that?" Avnas asked Lynas. However, before Lynas could respond, their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a sudden voice.
"An invitation by the king, eh? You're moving up fast."
Avnas and the group looked at Sister Helena approaching them. A fairy sat on her shoulder, happily munching a piece of bread. Where did she get that piece of bread? No one knows. But the fairy looked quite content.
"Sister Helena, I thought you were busy," Avnas said, and the eccentric sister chuckled.
"I have done whatever I can for them," Sister Helena said as she looked on as the survivors of the attack wept away their sorrows. "It's not their physical wounds that worry me. But what has this incident done to them internally."
Sister Helena muttered before lighting another cigarette, but the fairy wouldn't allow it.
"No smoking!" Ami, the little fairy, exclaimed loud enough to cause damage to anyone's ears.
"Yeah, yeah," Sister Helena sighed, almost sounding like a chastised child. "In any case, you should be careful with this invitation. The current king of Aplacia is not someone to send invitations like this one."
"Oh, he doesn't send invitations? What do you mean by that?" Avnas asked with intrigue.
"The king of Aplacia, King Aferalth, has been in self-isolation for years after the death of his wife," Lynas said, and for those who weren't inhabitants of the continent of Equidaeria, like Alex, Elian, and Avnas, that bit of news was quite bizarre to hear.
"What do you mean by that?" Avnas questioned it, showing confusion on her face.
Lynas rubbed her chin thoughtfully, trying to figure out the best way to put it. She only knew what she had heard on the streets, and Lynas wasn't sure if all of it was true. However, Sister Helena provided a more satisfactory explanation since she used to be around that circle years ago.
"The rumour goes that King Aferalth has become reclusive after his beloved wife died of the Purple Sickness, which I personally believe to be true. He was known to be a socialite, enjoying music and organising parties every week. However, now he's confined himself to his quarters, only allowing his servants in. The thought of it is quite depressing," Sister Helena commented as she swiftly lit a cigarette, much to Ami's dismay. "His oldest son is the one doing his ruling for him."
"Making this sudden invitation to you a bit peculiar and surprising," Lynas added. "You're the first one we know so far who has been invited personally. Maybe what happened here snapped him out of his depression. Who knows?"
"Just like the lettuce-haired girl says," Sister Helena responded to Lynas, who looked quite taken aback after being referred to as the "lettuce-haired girl". She even began playing with her hair, mumbling about how it wasn't that green. Regardless, Sister Helena ignored it. "This is very unusual, so please be careful."
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Avnas hummed deeply at the implications of this sudden revelation. If she played her cards right, Avnas could get what she wanted—free access to any source of information about this world. Truthfully, this king or his problems were of no concern to her. But Sister Helena was correct in saying that she must be careful now.
"You're an enigma now, a being capable of healing Hellfire wounds and taking on three Demon Knights," Sister Helena gazed at Avnas, her expression a mix of suspicion and worry. Avnas wasn't sure whether Sister Helena saw her as a friend or an enemy, but her smile suggested the former. "Your name will definitely echo in this part of the world. Be careful not to bring more unwanted attention to you."
"You sound angry, Sister Helena," Avnas noted quickly, and Sister Helena mumbled something under her breath.
"What you are and where you came from are mysteries to me. But you helped us when we needed it. You strike me as a decent—person. A good individual. To put it simply, I don't want you to create more trouble for yourself," Sister Helena exhaled deeply. The faint smell of tobacco filled the air around her as she closed her eyes, taking a moment to calm herself. "Be careful; that's all I want for you."
Avnas, for her part, was feeling a bit strange at the fact that Sister Helena was showing kindness she had never experienced before. Am I a decent person? A good person? She could only wonder.
"I'll try not to get into more trouble, I swear," Avnas replied with a lingering smile on her face. "Also, thank you. I've never been called a decent person."
"That's very sad to hear," Sister Helena replied as Avnas's expression softened.
"Indeed. But I hope to hear it more often," Avnas replied, emphasising in the dream that maybe she wasn't that lost.
"Lady Avnas."
Avnas turned around. She couldn't help but smile at the sight of the young boy, Mikael, the Cleric in training, slowly and timidly approaching her.
"I didn't want to pry into your business, but I heard you're being invited to New Altes," Mikael mumbled timidly.
"I have, yes," Avnas said, wondering what Mikael wanted. He shifted in place, too nervous to speak. Mikael's aunt, the eccentric sister, simply rolled her eyes before pushing her nephew forward, making him squeal slightly.
"Please speak now or forever hold your peace," Sister Helena stated quite dramatically, as if it were a decision that would forever change everyone's destiny. What is this? A wedding? Avnas couldn't help but chuckle internally.
"I just wanted to know if you would visit Arthiel City! I would love to see you there!" As soon as the words escaped his lips, Mikael's face turned a shade of red. Clearly, he wasn't exactly a social butterfly, and it took a lot for him to express his feelings. Yet, it made it all very endearing in Avnas's eyes.
"Really, that's what you wanted to say?" Sister Helena stated, a bit dumbfounded by her nephew's words. "You should've told her your feelings, boy! To express your love in a passionate kiss!"
"A kiss?!" Mikael stuttered at his aunt's words. "That would—!"
Lynas was snickering at the back of the group, trying to suppress her laughter behind her hands. Alex let out a deep sigh, feeling disappointed that Mikael was being teased by his cruel aunt. Elian, on the other hand, appeared to be lost in thought. She had a serious expression on her face, even looking perplexed when it came to the topic of the kiss.
"Alright, enough," Avnas stated, and soon everyone got quiet. Mikael stared at her, and his blushing face was genuinely adorable to look at. Still, Avnas wanted to be polite to him. He was young, still a boy. "Thank you for your invitation, Mikael. Maybe once my visit to New Altes is over, I will see Arthiel City."
Mikael smiled, and he was utterly happy to see her again soon. He would've asked her if he could accompany her to New Altes. But Mikael knew his father would not allow him. There were things they needed to take care of. And as someone born with a Talent. Arthiel's policies were quite stern when it came to them. They weren't allowed to leave the capital without permission, and even then, they were heavily monitored.
The reason Mikael's aunt could live away from the capital city of the Holy Kingdom was because she was the sister of Saint Catharine, the Holy Hero of Arthiel City and previous candidate to the Holy Seat. Her name was still respected and loved by all, even after her death. Allowing some sort of freedom to her younger sister. But if Sister Helena dared to leave the continent, the Inquisitors would have hunted her down and brought her back to the Holy Kingdom.
"I will wait for you! Maybe I can show you around!" Mikael exclaimed happily, and his excitement was exceptionally infectious. Avnas saw it as a tender thing—a boy's excitement—nothing but pure innocence.
"I can't wait," Avnas smiled at him before Captain Lloyd arrived.
"We have the horses ready, lady Avnas if you could follow me," the captain said.
"Alright, hopefully, I will see you soon, Sister Helena," Avnas commented while the sister chuckled.
"If the Gods are kind, we may meet soon."
Avnas waved her goodbyes, leaving Mikael and Sister Helena behind.
"You know, Mikael, I would have asked her to take you with her if the Inquisition didn't have your blood, or mine, for that matter," Sister Helena whispered, ensuring Markus wasn't close to them.
"What do you mean?" Mikael asked.
"Joining the Holy Kingdom's army, following her footsteps. This is not the life your mother wanted for you."
Mikael turned to meet her eyes, a bit confused about what she was saying. "I'm not sure I understand, Aunty. I want to become a Cleric, just like Mother did. The Sacred Divine has guaranteed that I can achieve the same status as my mother. Even my father thinks the same!"
"What? Her holiness has spoken to you?"
"Well, only a few times, but yes! She tells me I can be just like Mother! They knew each other, right? Father tells me much about my mother's relationship with the Sacred Divine. They used to be friends."
Sister Helena frowned deeply at the fact that Sacred Divine had spoken with her nephew. She didn't like it, not one bit. There has to be a reason why her holiness has been taking a liking to her nephew. She doubted it was because of her sister's relationship with the Sacred Divine when they were younger. But whatever it was, she would need to go back to Arthiel City and investigate something that had been slowly eating her up for years.
There were a few questions that she began to ask herself.
Why did my sister go to the Hellfront alone? Why did no one stop her?
Sister Helena hopes to find something out. Still, she also hoped that Avnas would arrive at Arthiel soon. Maybe she would ask for her help once more.
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Avnas simply stood still, watching the four large horses waiting for them.
They are huge! Avnas was amazed as she stared at the creatures before her. Her eyes couldn't comprehend how such magnificent creatures could exist. She had watched Antherion's many fantastic mounts—Dragons, lions, and other mythical creatures. But The truth was, while those others were just fantasy and not real, horses were real or just to be back in her world. So it shouldn't surprise anyone why she reacted like that. Avnas had never seen a horse in real life. The sight of real horses, especially of such size, was a real shock to her.
"Here they are. I hope they serve you well, my lady," Captain Lloyd said. "They are the finest Elbania stallions. The best Equidaeria has to offer."
Suppose one were to express what sort of breed these horses were to Avnas. They would say that it was a Clydesdale breed. Tall and strong. Beautiful and and smart.
"Ow! Look at them! Such beauties!" Lynas cooed cutely while slowly patting the giant horse, who could easily rip her head off. But the horse didn't, obviously. It simply allowed itself to be patted with joy.
"Truly, Equidaeria horses are a beauty to behold," Elian mumbled softly, already choosing her brown stallion. "Even in Alberam, this breed is well-known and sought after."
"Imperial steeds are also beautiful, but not as big," Alex stated, and obviously, the horse in front of him did not like his words. The giant horse neighed loudly, making Alex take a few steps. "Oh—! Easy! Easy!"
Lynas and Elian began to snicker. "Be wary, imperial boy. Equidaeria horses are known to be very smart. You should be careful not to offend them. They can trample you to death," Elian smiled, and swiftly, she climbed her horse, almost elegantly.
"Yeah, yeah," Alex mumbled, cursing on Imperial's tongue, before climbing to his horse.
Lynas also gracefully climbed onto her horse with no difficulty. But soon enough, just like Elian and Alex, she stared at Avnas, who clearly was having problems with the horse. Avnas approached the stallion with visible trepidation, her hands shaking slightly. The white-haired woman took tiny steps, her eyes fixed on the majestic beast before her. She seemed unsure of herself, as if she had never ridden a horse before in her life, which was true. As she edged closer to the stallion, the horse snorted and pawed the ground, causing Avnas to jump back in alarm and let out a peculiar and amusing squeal.
"Eiih!"
Everyone just stared at Avnas, shocked, surprised, and highly entertained.
"Mm, Master Avnas, have you ever ridden a horse before?" Elian asked, trying to sound as respectful as possible.
Avnas coughed awkwardly before looking at Elian with a serious face. "No. No, I haven't."
"It's alright! It can definitely be intimidating the first time! Right?!" Elian stated, and Alex quickly nodded, still bemused by the fact that Avnas, who defeated three Demon Knights, was seemingly afraid of a horse. Lynas was, for her part, simply laughing out loud.
"For a kid, maybe! Who hasn't ridden a horse before?!" Lynas teased, clearly having the time of her life. Avnas began to mumble, clearly embarrassed.
I am sorry! I never had a pony for Christmas! Avnas muttered in her mind before again approaching the large horse.
"The horse is smart, remember," Lynas said, still holding a big smirk on her face. "Just tell him to help you."
"You want me to speak to a horse?" Avnas now asked her in a deadpan tone of voice. She almost felt as if Lynas was messing with her, which would not surprise Avnas at all. Lynas simply looked like that sort of person.
"Yeah!" Lynas smiled, but there was honesty in her voice.
"Master Avnas, Lynas is speaking the truth," Alex added. "These horses know what they are doing, most of the time."
"Yes!" Elian nodded quickly as she said. "Just let him know you're a friend!"
Avnas decided to approach the horse despite her disbelief. She could feel its stare as she drew closer. Is he judging me? Avnas thought that speaking to a horse would definitely be the craziest thing she had done in this world.
"Please, my dear stallion, could you allow me to ride you?" Avnas whispered softly and tenderly, caressing the horse's lush mane. The horse began to redden, if that was even possible, before kneeling in a way that would allow Avnas to climb above him without much problem.
Avnas took a deep breath and nervously placed her foot in the stirrup before hoisting herself up onto the horse's back. As she settled into the saddle, she couldn't help but let out a slight sound of surprise as she felt her body rise up to an incredible height. She could feel the powerful muscles of the horse underneath her, ready to take her to New Altes.
"Whoa! Look!" Avnas exclaimed, clearly proud of herself. "I am riding a horse! I am riding a horse!" she stated smugly.
"What are you? Five?" Lynas mumbled, surprised, before looking at Elian, who was clapping fiercely, and Alex, who was simply nodding merrily at Avnas's achievement.
"Are you two her proud parents?" Lynas muttered, not knowing how to react. But one thing was certain: their travel to New Altes City wouldn't be a boring thing. That was something Lynas knew for sure.
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Avnas became quite confident in her riding skills, as the first hour allowed her to get the hang of it. It wasn't that difficult, and honestly, she began to enjoy it a lot.
But as she rode, she took in the breathtaking view, marvelling at the beauty surrounding her. The destruction of Riverfork, which had been at the forefront of her mind, was now but a distant memory as she was captivated by the stunning green fields that stretched out before her. The view was something she had never had the pleasure of experiencing in her old world, and she felt grateful for the opportunity to see such natural beauty.
"Beautiful," Avnas mumbled, feeling the breeze touch her cheeks. "Truly stunning."
"Master Avnas, if I could ask," Alex spoke as he rode close to her. It was perhaps the first time Alex could get closer to the woman to whom he swore allegiance. So far, Avnas hasn't done anything to make him doubt his decision. Yet it was too early to say.
"What is it, Alex?" Avnas inquired, observing the many expressions that appeared on Alex's face.
"What sort of magic did you use on the demons?" Alex asked. "I have never seen something like that before."
Avnas hummed. "Do you know what arcane magic is?" She asked him, wondering if the arcane magic of Antherion was the same one here.
"Of course, it's one of the most advanced types of magic."
"Well, that's my area of expertise," Avnas replied.
"Will you teach me?" Alex's question made Avnas wonder if she could teach the magic of Antherion to someone in this world. The possibility was right there, no doubt. But whatever she could succeed at was still unknown.
I have no prior experience teaching anyone. I don't know if I am capable of doing that. I am still determining how Antherion magic works. Avnas, for her part, was unsure of how she could easily cast spells. Avnas, back in the game, had an excellent memory of how many abilities she could use and how they were named. She could name a hundred and eighty spells off the top of her head. But still, there were over a thousand skills in her skill tree.
It was impossible, at least for her, to remember all of them. But that was in Antherion, in the game. Here, in this world. Avnas simply knew all of the spells as if they were deeply integrated into her mind.
How can I teach that?
Avnas found it difficult to teach others how to use the magic of Antherion because it came so naturally to her. She couldn't explain how it worked. She had an intuitive understanding of its functions. It was like a reflex, as automatic as breathing, and despite her sudden clear and unnatural expertise in this topic. Avnas struggled to convey the intricacies of Antherion magic in words and articulate them to someone else. Because of that, she doubted it would be something easy to teach.
But I still need to try. I must try.
"If you think you're prepared, I shall do my best," Avnas's words truly brought relief to Alex, who did his best to hide the excitement inside him. Arcane magic was incredibly advanced and hard to comprehend. Only a few had what it took to learn such complex magic, let alone control it. But if Avnas was his teacher. Maybe there was a chance of him being able to do what he saw at Riverfork.
"Master Avnas," Elian, hearing what Alex asked of Avnas, quickly approached her master. It was clear that she wanted to become stronger, too, even though she was not a wizard, mage, or someone who used magic. There was a lot she could learn from Avnas. "Could you help me train my Mana?"
Avnas glanced at the blue-haired girl with surprise. "Do you want to learn arcane magic?"
"Oh, well, not necessarily," Elian replied quickly. "I am not a magic caster like him. I use Mana to enhance my fighting abilities and to push my body to its limits."
"She is a slash-and-hack brute," Alex mumbled under his breath, almost chuckling to himself. Elian glared at him, muttering insults in a language unknown to Avnas.
"Hey, Alex, I am also a slash-and-hack brute," Lynas added, slightly insulted by her companion's comments. Alex shook his head but kept silent.
"As I was saying before being interrupted by this person," Elian said, clearly hissing at Alex, who scoffed. "Controlling Mana is crucial to me as well, and while I don't use magic, I can still control that essence inside me, like a muscle I can train."
Avnas listened to Elian's words and was still trying to figure out how Mana actually works in a human body. Sister Helena gave her a very brief explanation about it. But it wasn't enough for Avnas to clearly understand how it worked.
I really need books, or perhaps there could be someone in New Altes who could teach me? Avnas furrowed her brow and gazed at Elian with a contemplative expression before giving a single, solemn nod. Though uncertain of her ability to assist the blue-haired girl in mastering her Mana, Avnas was determined to put forth her best effort. Besides, she didn't know how Alex and Elian's oath would affect their bodies.
Everything was still relatively new to Avnas as well.
There's just so much I don't know yet. Avnas thought, feeling a bit self-conscious of what she was lacking.
As Avnas grappled with worries, a sudden glimmer on the horizon caught her attention. Her eyes widened as a massive structure, larger than anything she had ever seen, appeared before her. But it wasn't the size of the structure that mesmerised her. It was the intricate details of its construction. The structure was an obelisk made of deep red marble that appeared to be floating on top of a platform. The marble was polished to a mirror-like finish that reflected the light of the sun in a bewitching and hypnotic way. Every side of the obelisk was adorned with intricate carvings resembling the hieroglyphs of a civilization that seemed anything but ancient.
What is this thing?
Avnas couldn't help but observe how Elian, Lynas, and Alex seemed nonchalant towards the obelisk, as the group seemed to ride past it without even looking at it. It was as if they were oblivious to its significance, or perhaps they were so accustomed to seeing it that its presence no longer held any fascination for them.
This world is truly a mystery.
Avnas hoped to find some answers in the city of New Altes. She desperately needed to know more.