“Okay, so the plan,” Levi told his familiars earlier that day. “I believe there’s going to be some sort of dual attempt or something to throw me off or expose my affinity. The players in the game know I have at least two familiars—Anza and Serenity. You two won’t be with me.”
“And where will we be?” Anza asked.
“Scouting from the outside,” Levi said. “Before we enter the gala, I want you two to scout around and see if there are any dueling arenas or grounds where something like that could take place. While you’re at it, check for any active runes that look suspicious.”
“For what?” Serenity asked.
“Boosts or debuffs,” Levi explained. “Anything that could give one opponent an advantage over another.” Serenity and Anza nodded to each other.
“Team Wisps,” Levi called. Two Crystal Wisps appeared before him in their companion forms: one a shimmering crystal-blue wisp, the other a glowing white one. The two floated next to each other. “I need you to use your aura-protection ability. I know we haven’t practiced it much, but I believe in you. I’ll need my aura to be as hidden as possible.”
The wisps saluted with their tiny, cute arms.
“And Dameion,” Levi continued, “your mission is to scout the ballroom. Disrupt as many spies as you can. Slowly siphon off their mana—do what you want with the excess; I don’t care.” Dameion nodded its serpentine head.
“Any questions?” Levi asked.
“What shall I do?” Vapor asked.
“How many clones can you make?” Levi asked.
“Five,” Vapor replied.
“Two with Anza and Serenity, the rest with me. Communicate between your clones and relay any messages they—or I—have.”
“Communication. That I can do,” Vapor said. The team agreed and dispersed.
At the gate of the Avingtons, Vapor, Anza, and Serenity all left to their respective assignments. Vapor immediately began working on maintaining communication. Dameion and the wisps focused on protecting Levi’s aura. They also kept Levi informed of any unusual aura pressure or magical prodding they detected.
Outside the building, Anza took on her smaller drone form, as her alpha form was too large. She moved quietly, scanning the area for anything resembling an arena. Serenity, utilizing her aura dragon abilities, turned invisible and flew in a different direction with the same goal in mind.
As Serenity scouted, she noticed a group of masked humans in dark robes sneaking around the grounds. They hopped over a hedge and entered a secluded space.
“I’ve located the arena,” Serenity reported to Vapor and Anza. “There are people entering it as we speak. I’ll observe and report back.”
Serenity watched as the humans drew small runes on the ground. She recognized this as a Runic Formation, an offshoot of ritual magic. Unlike rituals, which required intricate circles and deep knowledge to function properly, Runic Formations were simpler combinations of runes. Though less powerful, they were effective for long-lasting effects.
“Are either of you well-versed in Runic Formations?” Serenity asked. “They’ve placed a formation—not simple runes or a ritual circle.”
“I’m not,” Anza replied.
“Nor am I,” Vapor added. “I’ll inform Levi.”
“Not yet,” Serenity said. “Come to me and see for yourselves.”
When Dameion left Levi, it began surveying for obvious spies. Dameion knew what to look for: people who took extra care to retract their auras. The deeper their aura was retracted, the more inconspicuous they tried to appear. Around Levi, Dameion spotted three such individuals. At the moment, they seemed innocent enough.
Dameion created three marble-sized black hole spheres, its signature method of siphoning mana. The spheres floated invisibly above the targets’ heads—undetectable to the naked eye but noticeable to magical senses if anyone actively searched. Satisfied with its setup, Dameion continued to patrol the gala invisibly.
Levi watched Dameion fly away. He could always sense where his familiar was. He was finally next in line for the bathroom. In truth, he didn’t need to go; it was just an excuse to slip away and let his familiars work.
“I can’t believe that lucky dog Bradley gets to marry the brilliant Izzy,” a voice behind Levi said.
“Top members of the Calders, you know? All they care about is keeping the powerful with the powerful,” another replied.
“But Izzy is so much better—hey, the line moved,” the first one said, nudging Levi.
“My bad,” Levi said, stepping forward.
“Just don’t let it happen again,” the man muttered.
“You’ve got dark skin for a human,” the second man remarked. “Where are you from?”
“Don’t worry about it,” Levi said tersely.
“Don’t waste your breath, Tom,” the first man said. “It’s not worth talking to trash like him.”
“You’re right, Wilm,” Tom said smugly.
“Y’all are bold,” Levi said, turning around to face them.
“What did you just say?” Tom asked.
“Openly complaining about city lords and then having the audacity to look down on me? Make it make sense, fellas,” Levi said, his tone sharp. He turned to see the two men. Both had dark hair and pale skin. They were shorter and much skinnier than Levi. “Ah, let me guess—you’re Calders?”
“That’s right,” Wilm said, puffing up. “Cousins to Bradley and Monika.”
“Interesting,” Levi replied nonchalantly, stepping forward again.
“You know our names. Who are you, nobody?”
“Levi Winters,” Levi said, holding out his hand for a handshake. The two men ignored it.
“Aren’t you on that team with the winged freak?” Tom sneered. Levi raised an eyebrow but chose not to respond.
“Hey, I’m talking to you!” Tom snapped as Levi stepped into the bathroom.
When Levi returned, the two Calders were still there, glaring.
“Word of advice,” Levi said as he walked past them, “before you openly declare your racism, you might want to know how strong the advocate for that race is.” Levi let a flicker of his aura leak out, just enough to frighten them. The two men paled and scurried off in opposite directions.
“You know,” a voice came from Levi’s right, “some might consider it rude to use your aura like that.”
Levi turned to see a tall, polished man approaching.
“Perhaps,” Levi said, his tone measured.
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“And yet you just used it on relatives of a city lord. Bold or foolish?”
“The difference isn’t that great,” Levi said with a shrug. “But I’ll take foolish.”
“Smart mouth,” the man said, smirking. “That might get you hurt.”
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re threatening me,” Levi said, his tone light but his eyes sharp.
The man raised his voice, ensuring others would hear. “I believe it’s time your disrespect ends here!”
Heads turned to the commotion. The man gestured dramatically. “You’ve insulted the Calder family during the Avingtons’ Gala—a time for unity and fun. Have you no shame, outsider?”
“That was... theatrical,” Levi said under his breath. “What’s your play here?”
“Is there a problem?” a new voice interrupted.
Levi looked up to see a striking man with green eyes. His presence was commanding, and Levi sensed he was no ordinary guest.
“None of your concern, Lord Louis,” the first man said. “Just an outsider disrespecting me and my family. I propose a duel in the dueling arena!”
“I hardly see how that’s necessary, Lord Finley,” Louis said coolly.
Levi studied Louis. The man was tall, classically handsome, and radiated strength. His aura hinted at peak three-star power, much like Finley, who seemed more agitated than formidable.
“Are you a coward, summoner?” Finley taunted.
“No... well, yes?” Levi replied with a laugh. “I suppose there are moments I could be less cowardly.”
“So you admit it! Prove to everyone here why being a summoner is superior to the other classes.”
“I have nothing to prove to you,” Levi said, brushing past him.
Finley grabbed Levi’s arm, halting him.
***
Lord Louis Qu’ant put away his map and made his way to the gala. He had one goal in mind: find the summoner and talk to him. He wanted to get a feel for the foreigner. Maybe Louis could find just enough information to trust the summoner to divulge the secrets of the map. He had guessed that the team had some connection to the dots since a dot had disappeared upon their arrival.
Louis arrived at the gala with his uncle in tow. He was wearing a fancy white cloak with gold trim and the crest of the Qu’ant family. His clothes were expensive, and they looked expensive. Which made sense; he was perhaps the most notable person in the city, if not the nation, a direct descendant of the nation’s founder.
“Do you plan to seek the team first or socialize?” Paule asked.
“Socialize,” Louis responded. "It is no use causing more political drama by showing interest in the foreign team.”
“It is your duty to interact with the citizens, it would not be too out of the ordinary to approach with an introduction.”
“Fair enough,” Louis nodded. He looked around the room. He looked at Paule. “Uncle, do you notice all the people trying to mask their auras?”
“They are failing at it,” Paule said. “It is too obvious. Some belong to the Calders, others to the Avingtons.”
“What are they up to?”
“I would assume the Avingtons are seeking information, the Calders trouble, I would assume that Lord Finley is up to no good.”
Louis agreed with the sentiment, “Perhaps I should go straight to the summoner.” Louis made his way through the ballroom and spotted the avian. It was well known that the avian was on the same team as the summoner. As he approached, he saw only three beings: two female humans and one avian. He frowned.
“Ahh Lord Louis,” Tiberius said. “Allow me to introduce our guests.” Tiberius bowed slightly, and Louis nodded his head. “This is Tycen, Piper, and Silvey.” Louis noted the slight hesitation in Tiberius’ words as he said the last name. He managed his face to show no recognition of the change in pace.
“Welcome to our humble city,” Louis said. “I am Louis Qu’ant, one of the city lords of Captial City. This is my uncle Paule Qu’ant.”
“Pleasure is all ours, lords,” Anna said with a bow. Piper followed the bow, and Tycen nodded. “Thank you for welcoming us with such generosity. Our stay has been most wonderful.”
“Naturally, I am thrilled to hear. Say, Silvey, was it? You are well trained in decorum; which house do you hail from in the Onyx Kingdom?” Louis asked.
Anna paled for a second, then gathered her composure, “I apologize, I fail to grasp your meaning.”
“Well, you and Lady Piper here are both wearing cloaks that belong to the houses of the Onyx kingdom, anyone who has been to the kingdom on a diplomatic endeavor would recognize the material. As well as, Lady Piper Vendular is the only daughter to the most prominent house of the Onyx kingdom, apart from the Lord Onyx’s family themselves. I would find it quite odd that a young lady with such a pedigree as hers would travel with anyone from the kingdom, let alone join her team,” Louis said. He had a smug look on his face. A look that said GOTCHA.
Anna conceded defeat and bowed her head. “Worry not princess,” Louis said, flashing a smile at Tiberius. “Your secret is safe with us. As long as you are not here as a spy for your father, then you are welcome to stay.”
“Thank you, lord Louis,” Anna said, still with her head bowed.
“None of that lord stuff,” Louis waved his hand. “Do understand we are not fools. It is well known that Lady Piper was on a team with you princess, she did not disguise her name and yet there was a human woman who no one had ever heard of. Your team is extraordinary, particularly in this city. A lady of the house Vendular, an avian, a summoner, and then there was you, Silvey. Perhaps try hiding all of your team next time.”
“Or be who you are,” Tiberius said. “The suspicion came when you were under disguise. We have no quarrels with the Onyx kingdom and are honored that you would come and visit.”
“I apologize, we had not anticipated staying so long. I wanted to keep anonymity so that we could gather the necessary supplies before our journey back to the Onyx kingdom,” Anna said.
“You plan on traveling by foot?” Louis asked.
“We do,” Anna replied.
“That’s at least a 60 day journey,” Louis mused. “Why?”
“To get stronger,” Piper said. “Dungeons, monsters, opportunity to grow is abundant.”
“That is true,” Louis said. “There are small towns along the way that will likely have monster notices. If you would be so kind as to help the smaller towns by clearing some of those notices?”
“We can do that,” Tycen said.
“These city-lords, thank you for doing that. We try to send teams to visit the smaller towns but there are so many that we cannot get to them for months on end, it is hard for them. The adventuring guild had helped speed up that process but it is not that simple.”
“Naturally,” Anna nodded. "If you would like us to follow a specific route or visit specific towns, could you provide a map?”
“You would do that?” Tiberius said with a raised eyebrow.
“That’s what Levi would want us to do,” Piper said.
“Is he your leader?” Louis asked. “The mysterious summoner?”
“Not exactly our leader,” Piper said. “He wants to help as many people as possible, he would have asked the same thing as Anna.”
“He is the reason why I asked,” Anna said.
“I see, very noble,” Louis said. “Say, where is the young summoner?”
“He went to the bathroom,” Piper said. “Over there,” she pointed in the direction where Levi was.
“Perhaps I shall go and introduce myself,” Louis said. “That line does not seem to be progressing.”
“If you wish,” Anna said. “It was a pleasure to meet you, lord.”
“Likewise Princess, I will be sure to find you before the gala is over, to provide you with the maps. When do you plan on leaving?”
“First thing, midday tomorrow?” Anna replied.
“Understood,” he said with a nod, then walked toward Levi. “So, he wants to help people? Do you think I could tell him about the map of Ernest?”
“If that is what you choose,” Paule said. “I would recommend scoping him out personally before any major decision, such as that.”
“Sensible,” Louis nodded. Louis frowned as he saw a man approach Levi. It wasn’t the fact that someone approached Levi when he was on his way. He was Louis Qu’ant; that meant nothing. It was the man who approached him. Finley Calder. Finley was not a subtle man, and he was aggressive and paranoid. Not a great combination.
Louis had known Finley for quite some time. He could tell when the city-lord was agitated, and he was agitated. Louis couldn’t make out the words that were being said, but he still approached with his goal in mind.
“Is there a problem here?”
Levi looked down at the hand gripping his arm. “Please let go.”
“Don’t you dare walk away from me!” Finley spat.
“Or what, Mr. Calder?” Levi said calmly.
“It’s Lord Calder to you! Or I’ll teach you a lesson right here and now.” Mana surged from Finley’s cloak, swirling in a bright orange light that engulfed his smaller frame. When the light faded, he stood clad in combat gear, a wand in his hand.
“Interesting,” Levi mused, his eyes glinting with the soft glow of his wisps. Finley’s gear was an expensive hybrid between wizardry robes and a fighter’s uniform, its tiger-like black and orange pattern bold and intimidating.
----------------------------------------
Quest: Duel
You have been challenged to a duel by Lord Finley Calder. Win the duel.
Reward: Essence of Wishes
----------------------------------------
“Double interesting,” Levi muttered, glancing at the quest prompt. “If you insist.”
Levi Vapor’s voice echoed in his mind.
Go ahead, Levi replied silently.
The dueling arena has been located. Runic formations are present, likely a trap. Proceed with caution.
Got it. Thanks, Levi thought back.
“Take this to the arena, Finley,” Tiberius’ booming voice interrupted, commanding attention. “You know the rules.”
Finley rolled his eyes and sighed dramatically. “Fine. Five minutes, peasant.” He spun on his heel and marched toward the dueling arena.
“What does he think he’s doing?” Louis asked his companion, Paule, as they watched Finley storm off. “He’s stronger than the summoner, but this won’t prove anything.”
Paule shrugged.
Louis turned to Levi. “I heard you’re leaving midday tomorrow. If you’re still able, I’d like to visit your team in the morning. Good luck—Lord Finley is a talented sorcerer.” With that, Louis nodded politely and followed the crowd heading to the arena.
As the gala emptied, Levi reunited with his team. He immediately hugged Piper.
“This is most definitely a setup,” Levi said.
“It does seem that way,” Anna agreed.
“Anza and Serenity found some runic formations near the arena,” Levi explained as they walked. “Not sure what they do yet, but I can’t imagine they’re good.”
“No,” Piper frowned. “I doubt it. But good thing you’re you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Levi chuckled.
“She means you’re resourceful and a good fighter. These people have probably never fought a summoner before,” Tycen said confidently. “They clearly have no idea what they’re up against.”