“No, no!” Fieluri’s face twisted in disgust as she put down the fork. She snapped her fingers, and the dish of monster tenderloin steak in root sauce burst into flames.
“The meat was overdone, dry and under seasoned, the mushrooms you used in the sauce still had dirt in it, and the sauce is overpowering.” Fieluri scowled as Airen nodded in response. The palate of the History Eater was extremely hard to satisfy, but that was the exact reason Airen had begged her to be his taste-tester.
“Four points Airen.” Fieluri held up her hand.
“Out of ten?” Airen ask hopefully.
“One hundred!” Fieluri sighed. “Airen. I know you aspire to be a chef, and I am perfectly willing to help you. But before you try to replicate dishes, you should learn how to handle your tools properly and to clean the ingredients!”
Airen sighed as he sat down in a wooden chair back in his vault, putting both hands over the sides of his head.
“Didn’t go too well, I see. Why don’t we hold off training for today?” a voice said quietly, and Airen glanced over as Lizabel placed down the brush in her hands. Behind her stood a beautiful picture of a lone girl standing underneath a sparse tree in winter. In the distance a solitary figure with a weathered helmet was walking toward her. One of the corners was still empty. “Must be hard to satisfy the History Eater.”
“It makes me realize the difference between me and Lilrim is like day and night.” Airen sighed again. “All this time I’ve been only mimicking her, the same as how I have been mimicking techniques and spells from the Archive.”
“Airen.” she waved the brush in front of him. “Let me tell you something, from someone who has lived much longer than you. Before your Eiloong Continent, there existed the Gilin Continents, and from scrolls I have read, before that was the land of Muuwok. Three eras of knowledge Airen, whether that be spells, techniques, potions, memories, weapons, or even food recipes. That is what you have access to.”
“...Are you jealous, Liz?”
“The girl called Lizabel Varmoin is dead.” She paused for a moment. “Keri Duvot is the name I will be using in your world.”
“Keri Duvot” Airen twirled the name in his mouth. “How did you come up with such a name?”
“The History Eater suggested it.” Reina turned back to her painting. “Through some of her magic, I can speak your common tongue but in my language it means ‘the girl in the painting.’”
“...A shame, I really liked Liz. Will I be calling you Keri then?”
“No… you will address me as Duvot. I find it awkward if someone who has yet to even live a tenth of my time to be speaking on such familiar terms, much less someone who is learning from me.” Keri said dismissively.
“Fieluri doesn’t seem to mind it.” Airen pointed out.
“The History Eater doesn’t mind a lot of things.” Keri said quietly. “Whether someone passes on, or a new invention is created, she would simply turn a blind eye, nod her head and write in her book.”
“You don’t sound fond of Fieluri.”
“She was once called the Ghost of the Battlefields.” Keri replied without turning around. “To quench her thirst for knowledge, she would roam the fields of dead after wars, claiming everything she found interesting. It was rumored that at one point, the heroes of opposing forces met to put an end to the war, but after the meeting at the tent, for hours, and then days, an officer entered the tent only to find their corpses, stripped of all their possessions. In turn, that caused the war to grow even more fierce, with both sides taking even more casualties.”
Airen felt a chill run down his spine as Keri gave him an inkling of Fieluri’s past.
“...I don’t think Fieluri is that type of person.” Airen defended. “At least, not anymore.”
“Perhaps.” Keri nodded. “But the sins of the past are hard to wipe away. And to be honest with you, Airen, I am no saint either. I suppose the History Eater has already shown you my record.”
“Fieluri told me to read it, but I declined. I… did not feel right peering into the life of someone else that still draws breath.” Airen shook his head.
Keri’s hand paused as she considered his words. “…Thank you.”
“Are these arrangements alright for you? I couldn’t convince Fieluri to give you your own vault...” Airen apologized as he watched Keri finish the painting. As soon as they had left the painting, which had turned a shade of yellow behind them, Fieluri had informed them that Liz- no, Keri, could not stay in the Archive, and she was planning to send her back to Airen’s world. Airen had felt guilty about sending her to an unfamiliar environment, and pleaded with Fieluri to let her stay. However, Fieluri was adamant about it and it took several magical items from Keri, as well as Airen’s souvenirs from Osperica to satisfy her.. In return, she allowed Keri to stay in Airen’s vault with a few conditions.
The moment Keri stepped into Airen’s vault however, the spatial area increased exponentially in size thanks to her magical power. Before it was roughly the size of a large storeroom, now, Airen was no longer sure how large it was, even now he marveled the setting sun in the distance. Apparently, Duvot was quite adept at manipulating these planes, likely when she was trapped in the painted world. A door twenty meters behind them leaded back to Airen’s domain.
“This is fine. If you’d like I can create a town and even populate it with shades.” Keri replied as she stood back to study her completed painting.
“No… this is fine.” Airen quickly responded. He did not want to see Keri go down the same spiral again. The illusion of Osperica, the contrasting images of the before and after, still haunted Airen.
“You have friends waiting for you don’t you. It’s been at least four weeks since we left Osperica. Shouldn’t you see to them?”
“I was hoping that you’d come with me.” Airen nodded. “Fieluri refuses to show herself, and I cannot speak about her. I’ve already mentioned that I have a mentor and I was hoping...”
“That I’ll fill that spot?” Keri finished. “Not a problem, just tell me when.”
“...You accepted much more easily than I thought.”
“I am curious about your era. Perhaps now, I can find the answer one of the questions I came to ask the History Eater for.” Keri said quietly.
“And that is?” Airen asked, curiosity piqued.
“...If it was possible to grant the wish of a lost little girl.”
----------------------------------------
Eullina was slowly coming to as dim rays filtered through the stone windows. As she turned to shield her eyes from the light, she sensed someone watching her. She quickly sat up and called forth a dagger that she hid behind her back as she let her eyes adjust.
“Easy with the dagger. It’s me.”
“Airen?” Eullina wiped her eyes as she walked over. “Is that you?”
“Hey Eullina. I’m back.”
Eullina’s face had a mix of emotion in her face as she approached Airen who was seated in one of the stone chairs. In the next second, she raised a hand and slapped him hard across the face.
“A month. Airen.” Eullina gripped his shoulders and squeezed hard. “Next time you decide to go on one of your ‘adventures’, you are going to give me a timeframe, or I am going with you.”
“Sorry, Eullina. I must have worried you.” Airen apologized.
“‘Must’?“ Eullina quickly circled around Airen and started twisting her knuckles against the side of Airen’s head. “Do you have any idea what I had to tell Lilrim?”
“I am truly-”
“Why are you apologizing to me? You know what, Airen. Get up.” Eullina half tugged, half dragged Airen out the door into the breaking dawn.
“Lilrim, guess who I bought?” Eullina shouted as the two of them slipped through the back entrance into the Tel’naraa mess hall.
“Let me guess, that damned Airen finally decided to come back.” Lilrim replied without turning around, butcher knife dicing meat on a cut board.
“Hello, Lilrim. I’m back.” Airen greeted awkwardly.
“Welcome back.” Lilrim replied gruffly, her back still towards him. “Get on the vegetables, yeah?”
“Alright...” Airen quickly placed an apron over his clothes and started to do food prep with Lilrim. Eullina decided to wait out in the mess hall and leave the two alone.
“You’re not angry, Lilrim?” Airen asked as he minced up the mushrooms and scallions for porridge. “I was gone for a month..”
“Why would I be?” Lilrim replied. “You’re just like Loys, coming and going as you please. Boys will be boys I suppose. Are you well, Airen?”
“Yes. I believe I have become stronger.”
“Men and their need for strength.” Lilrim sighed, lightly searing the meat over the fire. “Eullina told me that you had a mentor not from Tel'naraa, and you had gone training with him.”
“Her. Actually.” Airen spooned the vegetables into the broth in which the porridge will be made with. “She’s a bit strange, but I have asked her to visit Tel'naraa to allay some of Eullina’s fears.”
“Good. Bring her here, yes?”
“I will.”
“Let’s finish up with breakfast service then. There’s still much to be done.”
“By the gods, is that Airen I spy?!” A loud booming voice came from the mess hall as patrons started to walk in. A large arm twisted around Airen’s neck from behind.
“Nice to see you too, Horly. I’m trying to cook here.” Airen complained
“So where did you run off too?” Horly let Airen go from his grip. “Did you bring back any souvenirs?”
“Training., and as a matter of fact. I did.” Airen nodded. “But my mentor has them.”
“You and I are going to have a spar after this young man.” Horly waved as he returned to his seat.”Show me the fruits of your struggles and all that.”
“It seems like everyone is looking forward to the battle.” Eullina commented as Horly started making bets with his men. “The last time you vanished, you came back a changed man.”
“Eullina, I actually have a request for you.” Airen said humbly as he sat down next to her.
“Ohhh- the first thing you do after you come back is to ask me for stuff,” Eullina puffed out her cheeks. “I see how it is.”
“That wasn’t my-”
“Yeah, yea, what can I help you with Airen.”
“I’d like to go to the Stonewall Academy with you. Of course, I’ll pay for my own passage and fees.” Airen replied.
“...What’s with the sudden change of heart?”
“My mentor suggested it actually. It would be good… for a change.“
“Well, if we factor in travel time and ceremonies...” Eullina started counting her fingers. “We’ll have roughly three weeks before we have to leave. Knowing you, you don’t have much to pack, so just tie up some loose ends before then.” Eullina tilted her head slightly toward the kitchen.
“I will.”
“Also, I also want a duel, Airen.” Eullina smiled smugly. “I’m going to take my anger out on you. Prepare yourself for a beating..”
“...Please, Eullina. Spare me” Airen rolled his eyes. “I am no longer the man I once was.”
“Ooo, Confident, aren’t you?” Eullina chuckled.
----------------------------------------
“Come on, Airen. The crowd is getting bored!” Horly shouted from the sparring field as Airen made his way there, chatting with Eullina all the way.
“I wasn’t aware that you were so desperate to lose to me!” Airen shouted back.
“Lose to you?” Horly guffawed loudly. “My, my Airen. After one month of being gone, you come back and you’re already declaring victory!”
The two of them exchanged playful banter as they waited for Airen to get into position. As soon as he did however, the atmosphere changed dramatically.
With a heavy clap of Horly’s feet on the ground, pieces of earth gathered around him and formed his Earthen Armor. With a loud crash of his mace and shield colliding and sending out sparks, Horly signaled that he was ready.
“A bow, please. Fiel.” Airen whispered quietly as he opened a thin portal to the Archive.
Number two hundred and nine. The Fire Emblem. A magical bow created by a sorcerer as a final gift to his daughter who could not use magic. Upon impact, the arrow transforms into an explosive rune of fire. Fieluri spoke through Airen’s mind as a dark red recursive bow deposited itself into Airen’s hands. Where the arrow was usually placed was the carving of a dragon’s maw.
Airen took a deep breath, nocked an arrow and aimed towards Horly. As soon as he released, the battle began.
Seeing the strange bow in Airen’s hands, Horly quickly reinforced his shield and it grew bulkier and larger. He had expected the shot to push him back like last time, but instead he hardly felt a clink as the arrow hit his great shield.
“What-” Horly cried out as he felt the blast directly through the shield, sending tremors up his arm. He quickly tossed away the fragmented shield, still billowing bits of flame, and added the remains to his mace, growing in size into that of a large two-handed warhammer. He started down the distance, where Airen already had another arrow readied.
“Oh no, you don’t!” Horly shouted a war cry as he swung the large warhammer, scraping alongside the ground and sending chunks of rock and the remnants of the shield at Airen as he released his arrow. The arrow clashed with the bits of rock, causing an explosion of dust and dirt into the air, obscuring both of the two’s views. Horly took advantage of his confusion and charged towards Airen, barreling out of the cloud like an unstoppable war chariot.
“Not today, Horly!” Airen shouted as he sidestepped Horly’s swing, tossing aside his bow and bringing forth his sword, Force, from the Archive. “Ald!” He shot a bullet of force towards Horly’s helmet, but Horly swung at the bullet, swatting it aside like a fly.
“Not today either, Airen!” Horly shouted, pleased that his new weapon was on par with that of Airen’s bullets. “The same tricks won’t work against my battle armor!”
The two of them exchanged blows, Horly unable to land any blow against Airen’s swift movements, but Airen unable to bypass Horly’s armor. Wherever Airen’s blade would fly towards, the armor would seem to anticipate and grow in size momentarily to block the blow. Even six consecutive Blooming strikes could not bypass Horly’s devilish armor.
“Armor Coffin!” Horly shouted as the two finally disengaged. It was one of Horly’s prized spells, designed to weigh down the enemy as much as he was, and anyone not affiliated with the earth or water element would struggle to get it off. The dirt at Airen’s feet started to tremor and a copy of Horly’s apparel caged Airen in heavy armor. In the next moment, Airen crumbled under the heavy weight.
“Is it over then?” Eullina murmured to Lilrim, who had joined halfway through. “Even though I can avoid the spell, once the armor is on me, it’s my defeat.”
“Look at Airen. Eullina. Does it look as if he’s given up?” Lilrim shook her headband
To the onlookers, Airen was kneeling on the ground under the effects of the heavy armor, entirely unable to move. Inside, Airen listened for footsteps and waited for Horly to approach.
“Do you yield, Airen?”
Airen took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Blue and purple lines started to appear all over his body, and the magical tattoo that Fieluri had given him started to come to life. Horly watched in shock as the air distorted and twisted, and when it stabilized, Airen was standing, the armor nowhere to be seen. His magic had somehow been dispelled.
Number fifty-eight from the Codex of spears and halberds. The Hurricane Pike, given to a bold warrior from a dragon of wind for journeying through a place known as the Valley of Storms. Fieluri’s voice echoed in Airen’s mind as a small pike dropped from above and landed next to him.
Airen grasped the pike and spun it around with both hands, a technique taught to him by Keri to gauge the weight and balance of a spear or halberd type weapon. The Hurricane Pike was extremely light, and the balance leaned towards the tip.
“A spear now? You never cease to amaze.” Horly smashed the ground with the shaft of his warhammer. “But that brittle thing would never survive a single swing of my hammer.”
“It won’t be needing to.” Airen smiled as he quickly closed the distance, thrusting and stabbing with the pike. Horly smiled for a moment as he blocked the few blows, but quickly changed his mind as the tip of the pike bore through his armor despite his enchantments. Airen gave him no change to retaliate as he followed the movements he was taught by Keri, a continuous, never ending barrage of attacks- the Flash Stance.
“Wh- give me a break, Airen!” Horly complained as Airen executed a four-hit Blooming technique at Horly, three breaking past his guard and shattering both of his shoulder guards. Again before Horly could retaliate, Airen smoothly transitioned to attacking again, giving Horly not even a chance to counterattack. The advantage a spear has, as Keri had told him, was that a thrust is much faster than a swing and with a much longer reach.
“Armor Prison!” Horly shouted as he felt his arm start going weak. He had abandoned his warhammer and created a large greatshield to block against Airen’s attacks, but even the great shield was starting to look tattered and cracked. As he clutched his withering shield, Horly’s spell finally took effect as the ground cracked and sunk beneath Airen’s feet. Pillars of metal made from the same material as his armor formed into thick pillars in a square shaped formation and trapping Airen within like that of a cage.
“You’re not going to break through that.” Horly panted as Airen tried to chip away the metal with the Hurricane Pike. “Unlike the armor which is formed only once, the prison will continuously repair itself.”
After hearing that, Airen stopped trying to break out, instead he placed both hands on the shaft and held it diagonally, the blade pointed downwards touching the ground. He mumbled a few words.
“What was that Airen?” Horly shouted. “Did you say ‘I Yield?!’“
“I said. ‘Step back.’” Airen replied quietly. The spear point of the pike was starting to whisper and hum in intensity as Airen prepared another technique he learned from Keri, Flash of Divine Steel, named after the way the edge of the weapon burned with light. The humming grew louder and louder and even Horly was starting grow unnerved at the high pitched sound, quickly repairing his greatshield and preparing for whatever happens next. The light from the spear-tip started to grow brighter, and even the onlookers grew quiet as light shimmered through the bars.
“One more second.” Airen mumbled to himself as he continued to channel power into the technique. The pike was growing more and more unstable and Airen’s hands were starting to go numb from the vibration.
And finally, in one wide sweep, Airen swung the spear, light trailing from the tip, cleaving the bars straight in half as a phantasmal slash flew through the air and at Horly. Seeing his Armor Prison, being slice through like a knife through butter, Horly dug his shield into the ground and ducked. As the attack flashed by, he felt the top of his greatshield being cleaved cleanly in half without any sort of resistance.
“Well that wasn’t so-” Horly began to say as he peered above what was left of his greatshield and the tip of his helmet missing as well, only to see Airen calmly walk towards him, the tip of the Hurricane Pike still brimming with light and humming in a high pitched ring. “I yield! I yield!”
Nodding in return, Airen quickly turned and thrust his weapon into the earth. The earth shook and cracked as the force was dispersed into the ground. With one hand Airen returned the weapon to the Archive, hiding his other hand behind him, from which blood was dripping.
----------------------------------------
“What happened to your hand, Airen? You’re going to get blood over the books.” Fieluri sighed as Airen returned to the Archive after excusing himself from the lunch celebration that was thrown due to his victory. She placed a hand over his bruised hand and murmured a few intangible words. When she pulled away, Airen’s hand had nary a scratch on it.
“I used a skill I have yet to master.” Airen admitted. “Also, I have what you asked for.”
“Ooooh. Good.” Fieluri clapped her hands and pulled Airen into an empty space. A small rune circled her finger as she placed it on Airen’s back, and her other hand pointing at the ground. Airen’s magical tattoo glowed briefly, and then faded away. Where Fieluri pointed was the set of Horly’s armor.
“Hmm, the spell is a three-layer conjuration and alteration type spell.” Fieluri started analyzing the spell with glee, speaking in terms that Airen could hardly comprehend. “Harder metals are extracted from the earth and heated-”
“...I’ll leave it to you then.” Airen waved, and Fieluri waved back, clearly in higher spirits than before. After walking a few steps, Airen decided to visit Keri in his vault instead of returning.
“Welcome back.” Keri greeted Airen as he walked out of a door standing in the middle of a meadow. This time Keri’s realm was on a hill over a meadow, and in the distance was a lake, and likewise, her painting was the same as the scenery.
“Would you like a cake?” Keri decided to pause her work momentarily and sat down next to Airen. She reached beneath the wooden tables and pulled out a covered basket, revealing the cookies and hard cakes inside.
“I wasn’t aware that you were a cook.” Airen bit into one of the cookies.
“You picked up a few things if you’ve lived as long as I have.” Keri nodded and took a treat for herself. “If you would do me a favor, you should deliver these to the History Eater.”
“...I thought you didn’t like Fieluri?” Airen replied, slightly stunned at Keri’s attitude.
“I owe her a debt.” Keri said quietly. “I did use some of the ingredients in your vault however-”
“It’s alright.” Airen shook his head. “You can use whatever is in the vault as you’d like. There’s still a ton of monster meat and wild berries that I have no clue what to do with.” In the past week, Keri had been roaming the Tel'naraa desert with Airen, having him practice using a spear. Airen, who did not want to waste things, had cut and transported the monster meat to the Archive. If he had been with Loys or Eullina, he could not do the same without needing to give an explanation.
“...I can probably do something with it. I’ll have a look at it once I finish this painting.”
“...Did you create the same painting which you were… trapped in?”
“I did.” Keri stood up and returned to working on her painting. Airen, thinking that he had struck an uneasy chord, excused himself and left with the basket.
“Fieluri. Liz- I mean Keri asked me to give you this.” Airen shouted as he tried to ignore the fifty meter suit of armor floating in the air, and Fieluri who was poking at it with some sort of rod that seemed to melt it in place before reforming into a new metal.
“A present for me?” Fieluri shouted excitedly as she zoomed downwards to Airen. “Sweets?” Fieluri clapped her hands together and a tea set floated over to her.
“Sit, Airen.” Fieluri snapped her fingers and a pair of chairs and a table appeared. While Fieluri stuffed her face with the cookies, Airen simply nibbled at one.
“You seem like you want to ask something.” Fieluri said between bites.
“Fiel, all this time I’ve always seen you as a strange, whimsical, but not a bad person.” Airen said. “But Keri told me that in the past, you were… much different. ”
“Then you are both greatly mistaken and greatly misinformed. That damn woman has been gossiping about, has she?” Fieluri grumbled. “What would you like to know?”
“Is it true? Ghost of the Battlefield?”
“It’s true.” Fieluri nodded. “As well as, Dream Reader of the Lake, Eternal Moving Library, Witch of Altered Fate, Enlightened Ghost of the Marble Tower, Rainbow-Colored Magician, Goddess-”
“Wait, wait, wait. Stop.” Airen held up a hand, feeling overloaded by the information. “How many titles do you even have!?”
“Uh...” Fieluri stopped for a moment to think. “Ninety-three if I remember correctly, and unless I have been given more.”
“...You’re old Fieluri.” Airen gawked.
“How rude!” Fieluri tossed a cookie at Airen. Before it could hit his face it stopped and floated back into basket. “I’ll have you know that before your era, I used to be highly active in world politics!”
“So what changed it?” Airen asked. “Did you really incite wars?”
“That was a long, long time ago. Airen, before I gained all this knowledge. And that knowledge is what changed me... I started to read my collection.” Fieluri replied, gesturing to the towering shelves all around them and into the distance. “All of this, all these eras of stories and memories, and only about thirty-two percent of it has been read.”
A switch clicked in Airen’s mind. “Fieluri. I’ve asked this of you once before, and I’ll ask again. Are you actually human?”
“... Perhaps I am. Perhaps not.” Fieluri smiled and answered ambiguously as she rose in the air and went back to tinkering with the magical armor. “But now, after reading stories about your kind, I am a bit closer to being human.”
Before Airen left the Archive, he popped into his vault to ask a question.
“Keri, Would you accompany me to Tel'naraa in two days?”
----------------------------------------
“Loys. Welcome back.” Duncan shook Loys’ as he entered his office in the middle of the night.
“It’s good to be back. Captain.” Loys replied, he was entirely cloaked in black and his face covered.
“Now, now Loys, I told you to stop calling me that. I was stripped of my position remember?”
“As you say, Duncan.” Loys undid his mask and started unloading his bag. Magical elemental stones, bags of spices, coins, maps and various sealed reports spilled out onto the table.
“What’s the news?” Duncan asked as he picked up one of the maps. “Good news first.”
“It seems like the Empress of the Kingdom of Macha declared herself as someone who has reached Divine Being status. The different countries of the Dew Plains have been quiet about it, but there’s rumors of a war starting. The Kingdom of Four Winds unveiled a new sort of magical ship, designed to sail the skies. And the Red Slate Republic… they haven’t caught wind of us yet. But-”
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Duncan nodded. “What about Haven?”
“The town is gone.” Loys said quietly. “...That was the bad news. I’m sorry Duncan.”
“...Sweet Ecclisa.” Duncan covered his face with a hand. “What happened?”
“One of the slaves we freed and sent there was an undercover agent. He gave away the town’s location via magic before we could kill him.”
“Survivors?”
“None. They blasted the entire underground city with magic and buried it into the earth. The estimate is around two thousand dead, the other six hundred had already crossed the border to the Dew Plains and the Kingdom of Macha.”
“A small blessing that some of them got away at least.” Duncan murmured.
“Duncan, we should lay low for a while.” Loys advised.
“Good work, Loys. You’d best go get some sleep.”
“Alright Duncan.” Loys turned around to leave.
“Oh, and before you go, there’s one more thing. Airen apparently has a mentor and will be bringing her to Tel'naraa. I don’t mean to doubt Airen, but he has vanished for long periods of time and after what happened to Haven… keep an eye on this person.”
“We’re almost there.” Airen explained to Keri as they made their way through the hot sands of the Teldora desert, sweat pouring down his brow. “Just beyond this dune.”
“I sense presences beyond the dune. It’s faint, but well hidden. An interesting barrier.” Keri nodded, not even breaking a sweat next to Airen.
“Aren’t you hot in this heat?” Airen complained, it was the peak of noon and the sun was directly above them. Airen took a swig of the Evergreen water, giving him temporary relief.
“No…I am of the darkness and fire element, Airen. This place suits me just fine.” Keri replied, and starting chanting words that Airen could not make out. The next moment, the shadows at their feet suddenly expanded and arced over them, providing shade from the sun’s burning rays.
“...I am going to ask you to teach Eullina this spell.” Airen shook his head in awe.
“This is a spell that can’t be taught sadly.” Keri had the briefest of smiles on her face. “It’s a lineage spell.”
“I see. What a shame,” Airen brushed his hand along the dune wall, until his hand suddenly fell into empty air. “Here’s the entrance.”
Eullina was there to greet them as they arrived at the entrance of Tel’naraa.
“Hey Airen! You didn’t tell me your mentor was such a beautiful lady!” Eullina complained as she punched him lightly. She then turned and bowed to Keri Duvot.
“Hello, My name is Eullina Ludurva.” Eullina gave an elegant courtesy with the hem of her thin dress.
“I am Keri Duvot.” Keri returned the gesture perfectly without any hesitation. “Luvli doth des coryu selene. May the light of the stars illuminate you in your time of darkness.”
“And the same to you.” Eullina replied without missing a beat. “And if I may be so bold, I would like to request a sparring match.”
“I do not mind, but...” Keri looked at Airen, who gave her a slight nod. “Take care.”
“Go easy on her, Duvot. But first, let’s show you around first?”
“Of course.”
“Lilrim, Loys, this is my mentor. Keri Duvot.” Airen did not want to attract attention and he had went to the mess hall to fetch Lilrim, and unfortunately, Loys was there and decided to tag along.
“A pleasure.” Keri nodded. “Airen has told me much praise about the food you cook. And Loys was it? I hear that you are a fellow spear user.”
“Aw, Airen. You shouldn’t have. Now I’ll have to step up my game for lunch.” Lilrim shook Keri’s outstretched hand before turning to Airen and Eullina’s kitchen, starting to cook up a storm with the items she brought.
“... Airen, where did you find such a beauty?” Loys was lovestruck at the sight of Keri, who had a mysterious and refined aura to her “My dear lady, perhaps I can-”
“Oh no you don’t. Loys.” Eullina kicked Loys in the shin. “Airen’s mentor is off limits you hear?”
“Airen, what does ‘off limits’ mean?” Keri asked, not quite familiar with the term.
“... Don’t mind it. But if Loys ever tries to touch or do anything to you, please shrug him off.” Airen replied quietly, whispering the last part.
“Very well.” Keri whispered back.
“Airen, Keri, what are you two whispering about?” Eullina said, pulling Loys by an arm who was nursing his injured shin.
“Nothing important, I was just asking how long she would like to stay for.” Airen lied.
“I will have to leave by dusk.” Keri added, quickly catching on. “I have some things waiting for me.”
“Will you be fine? The desert sands are quite treacherous at night.” Eullina quickly asked. All manner of desert creatures come out when the sun’s rays are sleeping, and many of them are predators. The danger compared to nighttime was almost twentyfold.
“I will be fine. Few dare walk in my shadow.”
Before what Eullina could ask about what that meant, there was a loud crash as Loys was flipped and smashed into the ground.
“Please do not touch me.” Keri said, turning around and dispelling the dark hand that crept out and flipped Loys. She turned and nodded to Airen.
“... That was a bit overkill, Keri.” Airen mumbled to himself.
Eullina quickly intervened. “Loys! What did you try to do to our guest!?”
“... I was just curious about the clothes she’s wearing, that’s all.“ Loys complained as he picked himself up, uninjured. “That dress seems to be made from a material I have never seen before.”
Airen cursed himself in his mind. Keri was still wearing the Osperica outfit from the painting, and it was definitely out of place. Before he could say anything, Keri spoke up.
“It’s weaved from the thread of a rare magical beast called the Deeps Tunneler, a twelve legged arachnoid creature that uses it to bind victims.”She explained. “It’s lightweight, and absorbs magic.”
“That’s really… cool.” Eullina praised as she touched the silk-like sleeve. “And it’s really pretty too. I love a dress made from this fabric.”
“Take care if you ever try to hunt them, they reside deep in caves underground, and to fight one, you would have to enter its lair, as it will never leave otherwise. It has several forms of silk, some poisonous, some sticky, and some stronger than steel.” Keri advised.
“You seem to know a lot about this. Are you an adventurer of sorts?” Loys asked.
“I suppose so.” Keri replied, before continuing. “If you do manage to defeat one however, be careful of its young. The mother Deeps Tunneler is known for eating its young, and its presence keeps them away. But when it’s gone… several thousand of its young may come crawling.”
“That sounds nasty.” Eullina imagined thousands of small, tiny, spider-like creatures crawling towards her in a dark tunnel. “I’ll pass thank you. Can we please not talk about this before lunch?”
“Speaking of lunch, where is it?” Loys spoke aloud. “Lilrim! We’re hungry!!”
“Patience children. Art is not so easily created!” Lilrim replied without turning around, but a pleasant aura was wafting over towards them.
“So this is your room, Airen?” Keri surveyed around her, thinking that it was quite… minimalistic compared to his vault, which was packed full of random items.
“More like it’s my room.” Eullina scoffed. “Airen’s always out and about, leaving for weeks and sometimes months on end, leaving poor old Eullina alone.”
“That’s no good, Airen, leaving a lady alone like that.” Keri added, a hint of a mischievous file on her face and knowing fully well the reason why. “You shouldn’t treat a woman like that.”
“Yeah Airen! Just because you found a new beauty doesn’t mean you should leave behind the third whe-” Loys said while nodding his head, which prompted another kick from Eullina.
“Dear me Loys, is there something wrong with your leg?” Eullina smiled sweetly as Loys hopped around on one foot. “And what was that you were saying?”
“Nothing. Nothing!” Loys shouted as he limped over to Airen. “Airen, brother, help me out here!”
“... I have nothing to say, Loys.” Airen crossed his arms and pretended to look away. “You bought this on yourself.”
“Ah! Goddess! First my little sister, and now even my little brother is abandoning me!” Loys hopped over to Lilrim and placed his head on her back. “My dear Lilrim, please soothe this heartbroken man.”
Lilrim stopped what she was doing and stood still.
“Um, Lilrim dear? Would you please say something?”
She slowly turned around and faced Loys, her butcher knife slowly started to grow in size.
“Uh. Sorry.” Loys quickly apologized. “Don’t interrupt the chef. Got it. Won’t happen again.” As he tried to leap away, Loys accidentally tripped and fell flat on his face, prompting laughter to fill the room, Airen even noticed that Keri had a brief hint of a smile on her face.
----------------------------------------
“Are you sure about this?!” Airen shouted to Eullina, who was standing down the field from Keri. After their lunch, Lilrim had excused herself and Eullina wanted to spar. “Keri doesn’t really know the meaning of ‘holding back’!”
“By all means, please don’t.” Eullina replied. “I just want to see what this mentor of yours is made of!” Eullina drew the two daggers on her waist, Hummingbird and Nightingale. She crouched and cross the pair of daggers, ready for battle.
On the other side, Keri slipped a hand into a pocket and pulled out a thin silver stick. It slowly expanded until it became the quarterstaff that was three heads taller than Keri. Airen can barely make out the trace outline of the two scythes and spear point as they materialized. He had fought against this weapon so often during his training that he had almost memorized the length of the hidden speartip and scythes.
“A warning, Eullina.” Keri shouted as she picked up some sand from the field, tracing it along the invisible, crescent blades and spear tip. “My weapon hides many secrets.”
Eullina nodded as she watched the sand fall from the blades, memorizing the dimensions of the three ethereal blades. “Please advise me.”
Keri nodded and swung her weapon, Starlight, in a few practice swings, each swing causing sand to fly off the ground and even Eullina could feel the wind lash. “Now then, Eullina Ludurva, shall we weave a song?”
Keri blinked towards Eullina, her afterimage the only indication that she was even there. Eullina tossed a few daggers at her, but quickly gave up as they cut into nothing. She crossed her daggers and waited for impact.
“My first tip. Never stand still, especially against someone much faster than you, or they will end up in your blind spot.” Keri whispered into Eullina’s ear as she sped past her. With an abrupt stop that send a wave of force outwards, she stopped and raised Starlight into the air.
“My second tip. Don’t use a low guard against an enemy with a longer reach.” Keri slashed the air in front of Eullina, the scythe digging deep in the ground and the wind lash blowing Eullina off the ground a few feet. Airen clearly saw that Keri was holding back, for when he sparred with her she wouldn’t hesitate to have her weapon connect with his.
“And finally, know your enemy.” Keri danced around Eullina, never entering her range and halting her strikes before they actually land. “You’ve died eight times now.”
“Fan of Shadows!” Eullina casted the spell desperately, sending dozens of dark daggers molded like Nightingale to fly in all directions.
“Infernal Armor.” Black flames coated Keri as the daggers flew towards her, engulfed by flame and burning to nothingness. She spun Starlight in a wide arc and the flames transferred to burn along the weapon’s edge, giving her a demonic presence.
“I yield.” Eullina shouted as she collapsed onto the ground, defeated. “Airen, your mentor is entirely out of my league.”
“It’s still too early to be sitting.” Keri walked over and patted Eullina on the shoulder transferring a bit of magical energy, except a bit of her soul power was enough to completely replenish that of Eullina’s. “Airen, come. Let me see how well the two of you perform together.”
“... Can I not?” Airen sighed as he walked over, causing Keri to give him a cold stare. “Alright... fine.” He brought out Force from the Archive, there was no way he could shoot a bow before Keri could get close, and Keri was a master spear and polearm user while he was a mere beginner.
As Keri swung her weapon around and around, Airen mumbled to Eullina. “Our only chance of victory is to never let her counter attack. Don’t bother with magic, neither one of us are fast enough to get the spell off, and if we don’t use magic, she won’t either.”
“Ok.” Eullina whispered back, trusting in Airen’s instructions since he has probably fought with her several times already. “What’s the plan?”
“I’ll intercept her when she comes close, support me and follow up after my attacks.”
“Alright.”
“Now, if you two are ready. Here I come.” Keri shouted and leaned her weapon against the ground. With a sound not unlike that of thunder, she projected herself towards them, blinking across the distance.
Although Eullina could not track her movements, Airen’s abundance of experience from the memories let him leap to the side with an overhead swing, which was promptly blocked by the invisible spear point. Eullina took this opportunity to slip to the side and lash out with a dagger, which was blocked by Starlight ‘s shaft. Airen quickly followed up with an upwards slash, intending to knock away the weapon, but again blocked by an ethereal blade.
Eullina and Airen continued their assault without halting, causing Keri to slowly back up as to make sure neither of them gets behind her. For an entire minute, Keri was given no opportunity to attack, until Airen lost his footing on a particularly over-ambitious swing.
Keri seized the opportunity and dodged the blow instead of being forced to block, using the blunt bottom of Starlight to knock Airen back. Within moments she soon disarmed both of Eullina’s daggers, sending them flying into the distance.
“Not bad, your attacks were in sync. But not good enough.” Keri commented as the tide quickly turned and Airen was the last one defending. Unable to match her in speed or weapon range, Airen asked Fieluri for a spear.
Number four hundred and nine. The Longinus. A legendary javelin passed on by a race of half-human, half-beast warriors and given only to the worthy. It is said that this spear can slay an entire column of infantry in a single throw.
A huge spear, the height of a one-story building suddenly dropped next to Airen. He gave one look at the size of it, and then at his hands and sheepishly murmured. “I yield.”
----------------------------------------
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay?” Eullina asked Keri, whom she had grown to admire within the last few hours. “There’s plenty of room and all.”
“I must be going.” Keri shook her head. “It’s been a pleasure. Airen, if you will show me the way out.”
Airen nodded and started to walk Keri towards the exit of Tel'naraa. Eullina watched from the doorstep as the light of the lantern vanished between the houses, before going back inside.
“Here is fine.” Keri said quietly as they slipped between an alleyway. “Your friend Loys seems to be following us, but I hid our presence from him.”
“Loys?” Airen’s brow furrowed. “Why would he be following us?”
“Suspicion perhaps.”
“Well, you did act and speak very differently from us so. That or… he’s stalking you. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the latter.” Airen sighed. “I’ll send you back to the vault now.”
“No need. I have my own key.” Keri reached into her bag and pulled out a strange, mesmerizing prismatic stone, with colors constantly changing. “The History Eater gave me this before I left.”
“Fieluri did? Her?” Airen was slightly shocked.
“She said that as long I kept baking her cookies, she would not mind using a bit of magic to let me leave and enter your vault’s portion of the Archive as I wish.”
“... I see. I guess Fieluri has a sweet tooth. I’ll make a mental note of that.”
“The History Eater isn’t as bad as I thought she would be.” Keri waved as the keystone shuddered and a small rift opened. “She’s…different from what I know.”
“Of course I’m not. Who’s gossiping about me?” Fieluri’s voice could be heard coming from the rift. “Keri, I want more cookies!”
“... I’ll make you some when I get back. Well then Airen, see you soon.”
“Yeah, you too.” Airen gave a slight wave as Keri and the rift disappeared. Airen walked out from the alley and started to return home.
“Welcome back Airen.” Eullina greeted Airen as he walked past the door.
“I’m back.” Airen collapsed on his bed, tired from the days ordeals. “Today was a long day.”
“Keri was… amazing. When we were at the springs, it was like as if her body was chiseled from marble.” Eullina sighed. “Where did you find such a beautiful woman?”
“Uh-huh… We better keep Loys away from her.” Airen laughed, and then recalling Keri’s words. “Keri said that Loys was following us as we left.”
“Loys? Is he stalking her now? We are going to have words if he is.”
“... I don’t think so. I think he was just a bit suspicious of her. Although that makes sense due to where she was from.”
“Where is she from anyway?”
“A fallen land called Osperica, far, far away from here.” Airen let slip. There was no harm in letting this bit of knowledge go.
“How did the two of you meet? It’s not very common for people to come to the Tel’dora desert.”
Airen took a moment to consider his answer. “I came upon a painting one day in the desert, and she was there working on it. Keri’s paintings are very beautiful.”
“A beautiful woman that travels and paints the world.” Eullina sighed dreamily. “That sounds rather romantic.”
“I also asked her if she wouldn’t mind escorting us to the Red Slate Republic.” Airen added before Eullina could go on that line of conversation. “She agreed and said she was going to head that way anyway.”
“The Red Slate Republic… “ Eullina repeated. “Airen, there’s something I have to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“You understand slavery is rampant there, right?”
“... I don’t approve of it, but I do.” Airen said begrudgingly. More than half of the population in Tel’naraa were escaped slaves, and Airen heard plenty of stories.
“You must harden your heart there, Airen. You will see things that you won’t like, because I sure as hell don’t like it, but you must be careful not to insult someone dangerous. Knowing you these past years, your sense of justice may lead you to trouble.”
“I will be careful.” Airen replied to ease Eullina’s fears. “But if I ever get the chance to get away with it, then I won’t hold back.”
“There’s one more thing, Airen. You must not mention the name Tel'naraa to anyone. It took a lot of convincing from Duncan for him to let us go.”
“You worry too much, Eullina. I may be headstrong, but I certainly am not brash.” Airen rubbed his head. It would be harder to keep the existence of Fiel hidden compared to Tel’naraa.
“Good. Airen. When the time comes, the Red Slate Republic will be in war, and then we can sign up to be on the opposing sides.” Eullina grasped Airen’s hand tightly. “I can’t protect you there Airen, and neither can Loys, Lilrim, Duncan, Horly, or even your mentor, Keri.”
Airen nodded, the Red Slate Republic had the largest force of any nation being a military state. He would be sure not to mess with anyone dangerous… if he can’t get away with it.
----------------------------------------
“Fiel, Duvot. What do you two think about slavery?” Airen asked the two seated to his sides. Airen’s soul had come to visit the Archive in his sleep, and he found the two of them in his vault enjoying some sort of tea and cookies.
“We’re all slaves to something, Airen.” Fieluri shook her head in disapproval. “What sort of question is that?”
“No I meant, the buying and selling of people. That sort of... slave.”
“It’s barbaric and has absolutely no place in a civilized world.” Keri replied, not even trying to hide the disgust in her voice. “King, knight, farmer, peasant, lord, baron, blacksmith, even children. When one dies, does any title really matter?”
“That’s where you are wrong, my dear.” Fieluri shook her head as she refilled her teapot. “Would you prefer to read the memory of a noble knight doing his duty, or that of a child before his last moments?”
“Fiel, please.” Airen sighed. “Just give it to me in layman’s terms please.”
“Ultimately, this is something you must judge for yourself.” Fieluri sighed. “Many of the world’s greatest nations have employed slaves, but slavery and servitude go hand in hand.”
“So I have to see it with my own eyes.” Airen nodded. “Keri, what do you think?”
“I will abide to the wisdom of the History Eater.” Keri replied quietly. “The slaves in my time, may be different from the ones in your time. Let us see and judge with our own eyes.”
“The tide is rising, Airen.” Fieluri murmured mysteriously. “Your story is starting to begin.”
“Fiel?”
“I have already gifted you much, Airen. From now on, for every bit of knowledge you added to the Archive, I will give you the same in return.” Fieluri said quietly.
“So that was your game all this time, History Eater?” Keri laughed, breaking the somber atmosphere. “And here I thought you had other plans for Airen.”
“Sometimes the reader wishes to be a storyteller. Sometimes the storyteller wishes to be a character. Sometimes characters wish to tell their own tale.” Fieluri replied. “As someone who managed to pass my trial, Airen deserved that possibility, no?”
“Witch of Altered Fate.” Keri nodded. “You live up to your title.”
“It’s a shame really. Lizabel Varmoin. I had thought you would be the first to pass, really dashed my hopes there after I set up such an elaborate ceremony. And will you please not call me by that name? I preferred enchantress but they changed it to witch...”
“I think witch suits you fine.” Airen replied. “I mean you’re an ancient-”
“Care to finish that sentence, Airen?” Several thousand swords hung in the air behind Fieluri as she sipped her tea.
“...You’re beautiful and unmatched throughout all the eras. Please.”
“Good boy. Here, have a cookie.”
Airen dutifully munched on the crispy treat given to him. And then, a sudden thought struck him.
“Fiel, how would you rate these cookies?”
“Eh? About twenty-two points out of a hundred.”
“…But these are good.”
“I never said they weren’t. My comparisons are based on all of the cookies I have eaten so far.”
“Oh...” Airen felt a bit relieved.
“Is that why you haven’t been bringing me food lately, Airen?” Fieluri pouted.
“... Yes” Airen admitted sheepishly. “I honestly thought you didn’t like it.”
“Rubbish! I will eat anything you give me, as long as it’s edible!” Fieluri complained. “I’m doing you a favor here judging your food against the world! Or were you just lying when you said you wanted to be the top culinary artist?”
“I wasn’t...” Airen apologized. “I misunderstood you, sorry.”
“Good. Now you know.” Fieluri gave a dramatic harrumph and sipped her tea. “If your current era has artists, I think you should submit some of Lizabel’s paintings.”
“Why do you insist on calling me Lizabel when you’re the one that told me to go by Keri Duvot?” Keri complained.
“Because it is interesting and amusing that way. But as I was saying, Airen, if you get the chance, do Lizabel a favor and submit her paintings into contests. Even amongst the Archive, I would rate her in one of the top ten painters.”
“Top ten? That’s impressive...” Airen spoke from his mind. He had no eye for paintings, but each time Keri would finish a canvas and leave it to dry, Airen would stand in front of it and felt… at peace.
“Isn’t she?” Fieluri floated off the ground and patted Keri on the head.
“Please don’t do that. I’m not a little girl.” Keri brushed her hand aside.
“You say that, but why did you take a little girl’s form in The Painting of Osperica?”
“That’s-” Keri stopped herself in her tracks. “You really can't hide anything from the History Eater, can you?”
“Nope. Not at all!” Fieluri kept patting Keri’s head. “Well, on the bright side Lizabel, your story as Keri Duvot is blank so far.”
“... Thank the gods.” Keri sighed.
“No. Thank me.” Fieluri replied cheekily.
----------------------------------------
A week later.
“Airen, did you pack everything? Don’t forget your whetstone and knives!”
“Don’t need them.” Airen sighed.
“Then what about your razor? You’ll be needing them soon!”
“I’ll just use a side of my sword...”
The two of them were about to leave, but after seeing the dismal size of Airen’s bag, Eullina had flipped out. Little did she know Airen had stored almost everything in his vault.
“I’ll be fine. Eullina. The fewer items, the easier to travel, see?”
“It’s a dangerous world out there.”
Not as dangerous as me. Fieluri had popped out of the Archive, who was also excited at finally leaving Tel'naraa. She had already analyzed, sampled, researched and took notes on the things in this desert city.. I do wish some sort of beast would attack you two so I can capture it for analysis.
“Spare me, Fiel.” Airen mumbled quietly. “Where’s Keri?”
She is right outside the gates, waiting patiently.
“Do you have your bottle of Evergreen water, Airen?” Eullina shouted.
“Yes.” Airen replied, showing a small canteen. Airen was slightly amused when he shook it to verify its contents for Eullina, when he had several barrels full of the liquid in the vault. Keri had said it would make a fine base for champagne.
“What about your spirit weapon?”
“Eullina. I don’t think anything is going to dare attack us if Keri is going to escort us.”
“It’s best to be safe than sorry.”
“...Is that a scarf, Airen? Why do you have a scarf in this weather?”
“It’s a memento of my sister.”Airen wrapped his right hand with the thin scarf. It stood out amidst his dirt and sand studded clothes.
“I see… Are you sure you have everything?”
“I’m sure, Eullina.”
“Then let’s go say our goodbyes.”
“The two of you, take care alright?” Lilrim bear hugged both of them at the same time. “If anything happens, you can always come back to Tel'naraa.”
“Loys couldn’t make it sadly. He already left.” Duncan apologized.
“Eh, who cares about that man. He is as whimsical as the wind” Eullina replied. “Although we’re supposed to be a three man team, it’s usually just me and Airen. He has ditched us, so we’ll ditch him this time!”
Duncan patted Airen and Eullina both on the head. “I am very proud of the both of you. If you ever visit my homeland, The Holy Land of Ecclisa, find the House of Kalim, and tell them Duncan Kalim sent you. You will be welcomed.”
“Thanks, Duncan.” Eullina pulled his hand off and shook it. “For everything.”
“May Ecclisa walk alongside you.” Duncan murmured.
“Hey, hey, don’t forget about me. If either one of you end up in The Dew Planes, near the southern portion, you’ll find the Kinu folk. Ask for my sister, Lilith, and tell her I sent you! She’s a great chef, but she is not as great as me, so you can enjoy a hot meal!”
“Thanks Lilrim, I’ll be sure to visit and learn a lot.” Airen nodded.
“That’s my boy, Airen.” Lilrim patted him on the back. “When you come back I expect a dish to surpass mine, you hear?”
“I will try my best.” Airen laughed. “Will you be able to manage the kitchen without me?”
“Why you snotty lil’ brat.” Lilrim locked Airen’s head in her arm. “I’ve been the head chef here before you even came, and still will be when you return. Now get outta here, you.” Lilrim gave him a gentle push.
“Take care you two. May you find the knowledge you seek to find your peace within.” Duncan waved.
Eullina and Airen took one final glance before walking down the exit tunnel.
“And so the chicks leave the nest.” Lilrim sighed. “I knew this day would come but it just feels so soon.”
Duncan didn’t say anything for a while as the two’s figures disappeared. “Here we have a fallen prince, and the princess of a fallen country. Is this Ecclisa’s will?”
“Did you say something, Duncan?”
“Nothing, Lilrim. I was just wondering when we will see them again.”
----------------------------------------
For the next two weeks, Airen, Eullina and Keri traveled north of Tel'naraa. Despite Eullina’s concerns about being attacked, nothing dared to approach them, Fieluri tended to that. Airen had just the slightest bit of pity when he had went to check the Archive and saw the corpses of a dozen magical beasts. At the very least, they ate well thanks to Fieluri’s… interests.
Their course turned eastwards halfway through the journey. Eullina had said that they should past by the eastern checkpoint instead of from the Teldora desert. It wasn’t long when they reached a long, and worn road.
“This is where I leave you two.” Keri said quietly, giving the invisible Fieluri a quick nod.
“Alright. Thanks for escorting us, Duvot.” Airen thanked, knowing full well that Keri was doing it was Eullina’s benefit. He tried to ignore Fieluri who was zooming all over the place, picking up sample of plants, dirt, and everything else she could get her hand on.
“We should be arriving at Stonewall Academy in a few minutes. Thanks Keri.”
“If you need to contact me, just ask Airen.” Keri nodded and sped away.
Or me, but you can’t see me! Fieluri added, although only Airen could hear it.
“One day I hope I could become someone like your mentor.” Eullina commented as they watched her vanish in the growing dusk.
Airen thought back to the tragic fate in the painting. “Better not, Eullina. Where are we heading?” The academy was huge, and Airen could barely make out the buildings in the distance. “Aren’t there any guards?”
“No. It’s a military academy Airen. Some of the strongest fighters in the Red Slate Republic are instructors here. Who would dare start something here? I’m sure there’s eyes on us as we walk.”
Airen nodded, he was not confident in his near non-existent magical abilities, but he was confident in Eullina’s.
There’s sixteen individuals watching you, Airen. Fieluri told him. They’ve been following you since you walked into the campus.
“We’re here. I believe this is the Principal’s area.” Eullina pointed towards a large building like that of a chapel. Two men with scimitars at their waist stopped them as they approached.
“Halt. Student’s cannot enter this building at this time of the night.” A turbaned man shouted. “Come back again tomorrow.”
“We’re not students. At least, not yet.” Eullina replied. “Tell Principle Benyin that Lady Eullina Ludurva is here to see him.”
The two guards looked at each other and then at Eullina and Airen’s cloaks. The younger of the two entered the building, quickly returning within a few minutes.
“Principle Benyin would see you now. Please follow us.”
“No need, I know my way around.” Eullina pushed them aside while pulling Airen. One of the guards opened his mouth but the other shook his head at him.
“Ah, Eullina! Loys said you were going to arrive today.” A voice greeted them Eullina led them into what appeared to be an office. Furnishings hanged from the ceiling, each with different logos. All manner of weapons hanged from the wall, and Airen could tell at a glance that Fieluri would love to have her hands on some of the things in this room. Even now she was studying the weapons, eyes sparkling like that of a child. Behind the cushioned oak chair, a middle aged man smiled at them. “Eullina, are you well?”
“Yes Uncle.” Airen did a double-take. Eullina did not tell him about this. Eullina, seeing the look on Airen’s face, laughed. “No Airen, we’re not related. Benyin here is Loy’s father, although not related by blood. It is our way of greeting each other.”
“And this must be Airen!” Principle Benyin exclaimed. “Loys has told me a lot about you. I’m sure you’ll learn a lot during your time here.”
“Thanks.” Airen replied, not quite sure how to address him back.
“Would the two of you prefer to live at my estate? It certainly would be more comfortable.”
“No, a dorm would be fine, and together.” Eullina replied quickly. “We don’t need any unwanted attention, living with the principal. A dorm is fine.”
“A dorm?” Benyin’s eyebrows raised upwards. “I wasn’t aware the two of you are… in that sort of relationship.”
“Of course we are!” Eullina replied. “How else am I going to manage living here without Airen to cook my meals and clean for me!?”
Airen sighed. There was no getting away from Eullina after all.
“... Very well.” Benyin laughed at the expression on Airen’s face. “You there, Airen boy, you’ve got a tigress on your hands!” He rummaged through a box and pulled out a key. “The Tiger Wing then. Room 402.” Benyin tossed the set of keys to Eullina.
“Now just one more thing.” Benyin added, pulling out some papers. “Although the two of you arrived before classes starts, which will start in three days, I assume all of you haven’t signed up for any. Here at Stonewall, you have to take classes based on your elemental affinities, and the rest of the classes are up to your own personal interests. Your instructors will tell you more.”
Benyin rummaged through another cabinet. “Should be in here somewhere…” He pulled out two glass balls. “Here we are. Eullina, how about you first?”
“What am I supposed to do?”
“Place one hand on each orb. The enchantment will do the rest.”
Eullina did as ask, and one of the orbs filled up with a gentle yellow light. while the other filled up with a pitch black haze.
“Dual light and darkness affinity. A very unique combination.” Benyin nodded in surprise and jotted down some notes. “Airen boy, your turn.”
Airen hesitated as he placed his hands on the orb, not quite sure what would happen.
“Huh, that’s weird.” Benyin frowned after nothing happened. “Airen, can it be that-”
I should take responsibility for this right, Airen? Fieluri snapped her fingers and the orbs instantly filled with dazzling rainbow light, blinding almost all of the onlookers.
Damn right. Airen mumbled, trying his best not to avert his eyes from the light. The light grew stronger and stronger, until a loud shattering sound was heard and the glass orbs suddenly splintered in shards.
“... I’ve never seen had happen before.” Benyin murmured as he stared at the pile of glass in his hand, which were still smoking and crumbling into dust.
“Sir, my form of magic is different from the ones taught here. I would like to enroll in weapon techniques if possible.” Airen quickly repeated what Fieluri just whispered into his ear.
“If you say so, then I wouldn’t press the matter further.” Benyin regained his composure and jotted down some notes. “Now, the two of you have a few days to check out the campus before classes start. You’ve probably traveled far, I’ll have Jonathon escort you to your building and have some food sent over.”
“Thanks.” Eullina nodded, still slightly shocked at what happened to Airen. The two of them followed one of the guards away. Fieluri, after giving a whimsical sigh, left the weapons alone and returned to the Archive.
“So you have magic that isn’t registered by the orbs.” Eullina made Airen sit down in front of her. “And Keri certainly did not teach it to you, right?”
“It’s a heritage trait, Eullina. I didn’t want you to find out.” Airen lied, admitting a fraction of the truth/
“Pfft. And here I thought I was special.”
“...Sorry.”
“Your punishment is cooking and laundry duty!” Eullina shouted as she poked him in the head. “Every time you keep something from me, the duties will keep piling up!”
“Alright.” Airen nodded, it was the same thing as he was doing before anyway.
“Good.” Eullina climbed up a ladder and plopped down on her bed. “Also I get the top portion of the bunk bed.”
“But I kind of want-”
“It’s mine.”
“...Sigh.”
The two of them went quiet for a while, but then at the same time, started laughing.
“It’s been a long adventure, hasn’t it?”
“The adventure is only beginning, Airen.”