- After -
The blue sky and the blue sea. Aki floated like a lost debris. After being washed away, Aki found herself resurfacing in the middle of... somewhere. Now she is taking her time to float and stare at the white fluffy clouds.
"Ah... that kind of looks like Kit Kat."
Aki briefly wondered what Kit Kat and Cadbury was doing now after being separated. They might come looking for her but the best thing to do is to return back to camp and wait. After all, Aki doubted they would be able to find her and Axel was there as well. He would be able to calm them down.
Familiars in this world are monsters that have signed a master-servant contract with their master. With this contract, both parties will be able to know each other's location and status, with the additional perk of summoning the said familiar.
However, Aki did not establish the contract with KitKat and Cadbury. For one, she treated them as friends and did not want to tie them down.
"Yeah right. Who am I even lying to?"
Aki eyes glazed over as if looking at a faraway place. Familiars were bound to duty to protect their master and Aki was more afraid of losing them more than anything.
She did not want to lose anyone anymore.
~~~~~~~~~
- Before -
Takeshi sat heavily against an opulent plush couch that was way too fancy to serve its purpose. Sinking into the comfortable silk fabric, Takeshi let out a small sigh. Around him was the definition of luxury.
They were in Tsukasa’s room at the royal castle and the way Takeshi familiarly settled himself down showed that this wasn’t the first time he had been here.
Tea sets were brought in by maids and after they left, Tsukasa sat opposite Takeshi whose eyes were already slowly drooping close.
“Hey, so can I now talk about your new friend?”
“Wha-? Oh you mean Aki.” Takeshi raised an eyebrow leisurely at Tsukasa’s question.
Heiki was seated at another couch, focused on Takeshi’s wand in his hands. The gem stone that was used to help channel magic power was broken. Again. It was not like Takeshi did not have mana, it was more of a fact that he had TOO much and his brute sensibilities did not allow Takeshi to master fine control over it.
“You guys… don’t feel that she is too dangerous? I mean by the looks of it, she probably dealt with the darker sides of things and-”
*Clank-*
A harsh sound of a teacup being placed on the table was heard. Despite it being a very fine china where its price could even buy a piece of land, a fine crack can be seen. A dark brown gaze stared at Tsukasa.
“We don’t speak ill of friends behind their backs, Tsukasa. And Aki is not dangerous. Even if she was, she saved your life. That should at least say a lot more than what you think about her right?”
Tsukasa startled at Takeshi’s seriousness. It wasn’t often that you could see Takeshi like this. Usually seen as a big goof, Takeshi was always the one who cheered up the atmosphere. But when one of his own is being threatened, all bets are off and he would do anything to protect them.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Tsukasa looked down at his clenched hands. It was true that Aki had saved him. Without her, he would not even be breathing right now. But that gaze which sent a sense of dread through him, made him feel so unsettled, nervous even, in her presence.
Tsukasa pursed his lips, not wanting to fight with Heiki and Takeshi who were one of the only few friends he had.
“You know, Aki is not as cold as she seems when she’s with us. Only when she was traveling with you, someone that she’s unfamiliar with, did she seem distant. If you get to know her better and let her get to know you better as well, I bet you guys will be close friends! You two seem like you guys carry the same kind of righteousness in you.”
Tsukasa looked up at Takeshi who was once again slouching into the couch, almost falling asleep. Takeshi was always instinctively insightful and could see through people clearly, making his judgment trustworthy.
“Ain’t you mistaking her with someone else?”
Heiki casually injected, making Tsukasa jump. The way that Aki looked at him full of criticism was not unlike his elder brother. Maybe that was why Tsukasa felt so uncomfortable with her. It made him think that maybe she was just like him.
A small snore started as Takeshi drifted off into dreamland, accompanied by small sounds of tools mending the magic staff.
Tsukasa let out a breath and looked out of the window, straight at the main building where the throne room was located and where his brother most likely would be at too.
-
Gazing upwards at a majestic white building, Aki could feel her brows tightening. Contrary to her expectations, the Alchemy Guid was not dark and gloomy. It did not fit her imagination of researchers shut inside their caves to do experiments all day.
The building was fully white, constructed with something that was close to expensive marble. Alchemists walked around in long white robes and it made the place seem so… holy.
Being cloaked in black from her hair to her outfit, Aki stood out. It was like a black paint stroke had been placed on a white canvas. Alchemists turned to look at her as she made her way to the reception counter.
“Good Afternoon dear, may the Goddess bless you. How may I help you today?”
Aki showed the receptionist the Hunter verification together with the quest details. She was then led to the back where many other Alchemists made their way around busily. Striding up to an open hall, the receptionist gestured her in.
“My my my my my. You’re here darling!”
A flamboyant lady with long purple curls, with a pair of fluffy ears and tail, walked towards Aki with her arms spread open, giving Aki a big hug. Aki tensed and forced herself to relax in the embrace.
“You’re Aki right? Misha told me all about you. Come on, let me bring you to the one who needs the Layrid that you’ve hunted.”
Bringing Aki forward, they walked through tables filled with glass bottles, bubbling potions and Alchemists mumbling among themselves or to themselves.
Martila introduced herself as the person in charge of Branch 1 of the Alchemy Guild, placing her right next to the Guild master. With a foxy look and an elegant style, she was never short of suitors lining up to catch her attention. Although she was a half beastman with a tail, being a marquess helped in the appeal department of being able to marry into a noble house.
But the way she intimately wound her arm through Aki’s made them look like they were best of friends and was not pompous like many of those other high aristocrats tend to be.
“Axel! Your Layrid has arrived!”
Barging into a close room, Martila announced happily. The room unlike the rest of the hall was dark, only leaving some lamps and fire that was cooking potions up. Well, this was closer to what Aki envisioned an Alchemist’s work room should look like.
Stepping out of the shadows was a child whose skin was as dark as the night and silver hair that shone like the moon. Aki’s eyes widened. It was the first time she saw a dark elf.
Looking at Aki’s stunned expression, Axel huffed and said in disdain.
“Come on, give it. And you can leave like how I know you want to. After all, you humans always find dark elves disgusting and-”
“You’re beautiful.”
Aki blurted out, causing Axel to be the one stunned this time round.
Aki was not lying - that midnight shade with hair like that’s like moonlight reminded Aki of those little peaceful nights where the moonlight felt gentle and comforting in the darkness.
A strange silence fell in the room as Martila looked amusingly at both of them. The tips of Axel’s ear turned red.
“We- Well, of course I- I know that I am beautiful. Wha- What are you talking about!”
Letting out a laugh, Martila decided to leave both of them to it. Digging through her Herb magic bag, Aki pulled out the Layrid that was still in good condition, shining lightly between both of them.
After handing it to Axel, Aki had turned to go when-
“Wher- Where do you think you’re going?! Although it's beneath me to show you around, Martila did say that I need to accompany you around and show you how Alchemy works. Well, it's not like I want to or anything.”
Aki looked at Axel, puzzled.
Martila did not say anything about a tour and much less teaching her about alchemy. But looking at the blush that was slowly spreading out on Axel’s face, Aki lips curled up and nodded.
“Let's start with my workshop! Only Alchemists ranked S and above would be able to have their own private workshop. I am also the youngest S class Alchemist in Valticand at 10 years old! Not- not like I need your praise or anything!”
Aki followed behind Axel who started to talk about Alchemy and his work, becoming more and more animated as he was filled with passion with what he did.
His silver eyes lit up like little stars that grace the night sky and Aki, infected by his enthusiasm, paid close attention to everything that Axel taught, absorbing it all up like a sponge.