1-26 Discrepancy


    <span style="font-weight:400">Lunch couldn''t be said to be satisfying, not even filling but it sated Erin’s hunger at the bare minimum.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nivia knew how to cook, Erin was surprised but there was just one downside to that aspect. It wasn’t that her cooking was bad, far from it.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Faerie-kin generally have an adverse reaction to meat but since Fox-kin merely assimted into the Kin instead of their ancestor being born into one, I suppose your disposition for meat is understandable.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Yes, Nivia’s dishes consisted of nothing but vegetable-variety dishes. At present, Erin and Nivia were unwinding in thetter’s lodging which was the Emerald Inn, the other only two inns in the town of Green Scar. Verdant Inn wasn’t spick and span but it was neither repelling to garner any harsh criticism but if Verdant Inn was put on a scale alongside Emerald Inn, the scale would tip towards thetter favourably.


    <span style="font-weight:400">They started their meal with a prayer and ended it with a prayer too. It was a Faerie-kin’s tradition, one that Erin was advised to take heed of by Nivia if she wished to not sully the name of all Faerie-kin. Per Erin’s presumptions, Faerie-kin did have a very traditional way of living. From the prayers all the way to using leaves as the tes. Even the cutleries were made of wood.


    <span style="font-weight:400">After finishing their meal and cleaning up, Nivia switched into a more casual wear right in front Erin without batting an eyelid towards the jaw-dropped Fox-kin.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“N-Nivia… I’m here, you know?” Erin pointed the ring fact out.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“We’re both girls, so it’s fine,” Nivia said.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Though a woman’s naked body wasn’t a novelty anymore to Erin, it was still quite a challenge for the former virgin to ustom herself to what was presumably the customs of girls. Erin wasn’t sure if it was actually a custom since the only women she had seen nude were Lyra and now, Nivia. However, the two didn’t seem to mind baring their body for her view. Thus, Erin decided to justply with their words and conducts.


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">If they don’t mind, neither should I. Yes, that’s how it should be. I’m not at fault for ogling.</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Here,” Nivia said and tossed a few clothings of simr design to Erin. A light blue halter dress with an open back and a considerate slit designed solely for any races with a tail. Erin promptly changed it into the fresh clothes from her soiled and sweaty armor garbs.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Now you look more like a Fae. How lovely.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Thanks,” Erin muttered with a faint glee. Just as she thought, she wasn’t perturbed when a girlplimented her. Erin then arched an eyebrow at a word she had been dying to ask. “What’s a Fae?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Faerie-kin,” Nivia answered as she gathered up their dirty clothes and garbs before tossing it into a basket. “Every word has its diminutive form.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">After forcing a few extra clothes of Fae design onto the reluctant Erin as spares, Nivia began her lessons as she vetoed Erin’s refusal of her charity.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Well then, let us begin.” Nivia announced in a sophisticated tone. ”Before one wishes to utilize Magic, one needs to understand, what is Magic?”


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">What’s with your grandeur disy of hand gestures? And why are we sitting on the ground instead of the huge bed this room has? And why are there no chairs or tables?</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">Ignoring the baffled nce from Erin, Nivia continued with her splendour. “What is Magic? It is the manifestation of a concept and an idea through the usage and assistance of a mysterious and potent force known only to the world as Mana or Magic Vigor. Which led us to another question, what is Mana?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nivia made a dramatic pause.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin fought back an eyeroll.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“No one knows,” she continued after a few seconds of awkward silence had passed. “It exists even before the time of our ancestors. Schrs believe Mana was a part of the primordial phase, the creation of the world. The Faiths deem Mana as a gift from the Gods. Some were even convinced Mana was an essence of their creator, a reminder that a higher power exists, even higher than the Gods we know.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You believe in gods?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nivia grinned. “Our belief in them is not a factor. They exist whether we believe in them or not.”


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">I see. Gods exist in this world and it doesn’t sound like just a figment of the masses’ conjuration. Or, the indoctrination is just extremely well done.</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Us Faerie-kin, Faes, had our own beliefs. A celestial being we pray to. She is known to us as Avarossa, the Goddess of Spirit and Nature. The origin of both Spirits and Faes.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Convincing as it sounded, Erin was a tad skeptical. “Have you met this Goddess?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nivia tittered. “Of course not. Faes may be long-lived, we are still mortals and no mortal could ever hope toy their eyes on a celestial being. Unless one wishes to cast away their sound mind.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin narrowed her eyes. “Then how do you know she exists?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nivia tittered again. “She speaks through the Spirits, my dear Erin. It may not be in the speech one couldprehend but you can feel it. Her intent, her presence, her touch… If you’re truly devoted, it won’t be queer for you to conceive the Unique Talent to hear her true voice.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Unique Talent...”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nivia peered at the mumbling Erin. “Are you not familiar with that term?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin shook her head. “No, I am familiar but I do not know how to obtain a Unique Talent.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">After a brief contemtion, Nivia shrugged. “It’s another mystery that has eluded the brilliant minds of many schrs. There was no maxim, even among Faes.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin was surprised to hear that. Given the existence of Appraisal, she thought nothing could ever be a mystery but it seemed even Appraisal had its own limits.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Various theories, folktales, and hearsays to that subject are scattered about. However, there is a simrity point from all rumors and discussions. A Unique Talent is believed to be a reflection of one’s heart. It’s an expression of one’s true desire.”


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">One’s true desire… Does that mean acquiring Unique Talents is the answer in regaining my former status as the Sword Saint?</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nivia watched on as Erin had an enraptured gaze towards the empty air. “Pardon me, Erin. Do you mind if we get on with the lesson?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Ah?” Erin blurted out. “Oh right. Please, continue.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nivia put on a faint smugness on her face before continuing. “In order to learn Magic, one needs the aptitude for it.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin was about to interrupt but Nivia halted her with a hand. Nivia knew what she wanted to ask. She gave Erin a knowing smile.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“After affirming one’s own Magic aptitude, this is where the tedious partse in. One is required to sink hours and hours into a superficial and practical understanding of the Magic Art one has chosen. And it’s only a matter of course, each Magic Art requires their own corresponding aptitude. As for your anticipated question, for one to discern the types of aptitudes they possess, there are currently three known ways, as we speak.”


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">Oh? Three?</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">“The first way is the mostmon of all and the only option that costs gold. That is through the use of an Affinity Gem. One cane by such an item and service from The Guild. The price of ther service varies between towns and cities. The lowest known price at present is a silver.”


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">That sounds expensive for people with simr financial status as me.</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">“As for the second way, it is considered to be the most foolish and daring way.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Foolish and daring. Erin’s heart skipped a beat when she heard those words. Her tails were wagging in the rhythm of her heart.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nivia pretended like she didn’t see anything. “To put it simply and briefly, one gets hit by various Magic until they feel a connection.”


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">Until they feel a connection? That’s not foolish or daring. That sounds like someone’s perverted fantasy.</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nivia noticed the sourly look Erin had. “I should make it clear that I did not choose that option for my case.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin shrugged in retort.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“As for thest but not least, this can be considered the most natural and umon of all three. Meditation.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin blinked. “Natural yet umon… How?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“It’s best to know only after you decided to take this path as this option can be very… confusing, to say the least.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Although it was incredibly vague, Erin could empathize. During her time as Argon Raze, the Sword Saint, she had been asked and implored to teach or simply advise other swordsmen of considerable caliber. Even so, she had a hard time rying her knowledge. Sword art came as natural as breathing to her but the same couldn’t be said for others.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“But I do not think you’ll need an aptitude test.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin arched an eyebrow. “Why not?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Because you are a Fae and Faes are instinctive beings. We are born with Magic unlike humans or Beast-kin who requires external assistance. Besides, I highly rmend that you master the Magic Arts you currently have before acquiring more. There are various instances where many, Faes included, have bit off more than they could chew, as the humans put it. Resulting in an unbnced set of skills in theirter levels.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I see. So, like having trouble deciding which skills to allocate your skill points into?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">At her words, Nivia’s smile disappeared and she furrowed her brows. “Come again?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Noticing the change in mood, Erin hesitantly repeated. “Like having trouble—”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“No, thest part.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Allocate your skill points?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“What do you mean by that?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin then exined how she gained points after gaining a level which she can spend on increasing the strength of her skills or abilities. She also didn’t leave out how some actions provide experiences but of course, she avoided mentioning the actions specifically. Erin wasn’t sure if Nivia would keep herposure after knowing her coitus session with Lyra from her own lips. After Erin finished her exnation, Nivia was left dazed with a distant look.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Nivia?” Erin waved in front of the Elf.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Incredible...”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin had a premonition. “It’s that not how it is for everyone else?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Of course it’s not!” She raised her voice.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Oh,” Erin muttered. “Then how do you increase your skill levels or gain experience?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Practice. Repeated usage. Understanding of the skill’s concept and construct. For personal levels, one gains experience from taking the lives of other living beings. The essence of the fallen is drawn into the yer, empowering them. That’s the concept.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin nodded her head in understanding but she wasn’t any less anxious about her own peculiarity.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Experiences can also be gained from various daily tasks, yes, but they are so meagre that it would take more than fifteen years just to gain a single level. And that’s only counting the initial level as one. Gaining this much experience from just actions is simply unheard of.”


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">Oh great. So I’m even more of an anomaly than I had thought.</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Erin, I truly wish to not delve into your personal matters but I really have to ask due to the disparity,” Nivia took a deep breath. “Just who are you?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin knew it was just a matter of time before someone became too interested in her to look the other way from all her antics. The time was now. She had to say something. Just anything but Erin wasn’t sure if she wouldn’t juste off as a lunatic if she revealed even a speck of truth.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Is the reason so grave that you can’t speak of it?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Rather than being grave, it’s more on the line of being believable or not.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nivia leaned forward and tangled her fingers with Erin’s. “We’re Faes. You can tell me.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Hmm… before I tell you, have you heard of the Sword Saint?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Sword Saint?” Nivia blinked for a while before letting out a snigger, seemingly amused at her the question.


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">Did she understand my implications and found it unbelievable?</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Of course I do. Unless one lives under a rock, everyone knows the Sword Saint.”


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">Oh? She didn’t grasp my implication. Huh, I don’t know if I should feel relieved or sad.</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Astoria Stormedge, the Sword Saint. Everyone knows about her. Does she have something to do with your circumstances?”


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">....What? Astoria Stormedge? That’s the name of the Sword Saint? Wh— How—</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">Seeing Erin’s stuttering gaze and gaping mouth, Nivia nced concernedly at her. “Is everything alright, Erin?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Gulping her stammer in both speech and mind, Erin responded, “the Sword Saint’s name is Astoria Stormedge?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nivia returned the gesture. “You don’t know?” she asked. “But you know of the Sword Saint, no?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin was silent for a brief moment. “Then, does the name, Argon Raze, ring a bell?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Argon Raze….”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Even without a verbal response, Erin could already guess Nivia’s answer just by looking at the Elf pondering at the name. Saying her heart had sunk would be an understatement.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I’m sorry, it doesn’t ring a bell,” came the expected words from Nivia. “Is the Sword Saint and this... Argon Raze person rted to your circumstances?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Rted… I don’t think that’s the case anymore...” Erin mused as her tails and ears drooped, which brought about a wave of worries for Nivia.


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">My existence has been reced...</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">The epiphany shattered all ties Erin had with her former world. Now, it was without a doubt. Argon Raze had died and been reincarnated as a Fox-kin girl in a parallel world. This was Evaren but it wasn’t the future like she had hoped it to be. If it was the future, she could receive some closure and her former identity would still carry some weight but there was no such person as Argon Raze in this world, never had been.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Erin?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I-I’m sorry,” Erin apologized and got up but Niva held on to her hand. “Please, I need some time alone,” she told the Elf.


    <span style="font-weight:400">There was a frown painted on the Elf’s face for a brief moment but it was quickly overwritten with an understanding smile. “Of course. My apologies for intruding on a personal matter.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“No no. You’re not to me, Nivia. It’s just… I have a very difficult circumstance. I just need some time to gather my thoughts.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nivia sped Erin’s hand in both of hers. “I understand. I’ll be here if you need anything. In the meantime, you can rest yourself in the next room.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Ah? Next room? But I don’t have the gold.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Rest assured, Erin. It’ll be on my tab,” Nivia offered as easy as the wind blew.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I appreciate your generosity, Nivia, but I—”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Please, I insist, Erin. The price is no object to me. The proprietress here is an advocate of Demi-humans. You’ll find her extremely amodating towards you. Also, your sorrowful aura troubles my heart greatly. Knowing you’re just by my side puts me at ease. I won’t pry into your personal matters anymore until you’re ready but please, ept my sympathies. As fellow Faes, this the least I can do for you by no intruding upon your privacy.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Although Nivvia’s tone was nothing but sincere and heartfelt, her gaze suggested a different meaning to her words. Erin wanted to refuse but she didn’t exactly have a ce where she could even call it a temporary residence.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Well, in that case, I ept your charity but you have to heed my words; this is a debt I might not be able to repay but I have every intent to do so. I hope you understand.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Erin, my dear, we’re not like the ungrateful humans who stabbed their benefactors in the back. We Faes help each other just because we’re Faes. It’s not a sense of obligations. It’s just how we are.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I see.” Erin nodded. “That’s good to know.” She then walked to the door after collecting her gears and equipment. She was about to collect her armor and garbs too but Nivia insisted vehemently that she would take care of it. Her heavy breathing worried Erin greatly but she wasn’t in a mood to be the straight person. Reluctantly, she left her armor and garbs in the care of the dubious Elf.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“And um… just onest thing.” Nivia spoke up before Erin left the room. “While the proprietress meant well, she can be, at times, quite… bold.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin raised an eyebrow. “Bold?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Just be cautious. If she does something to you or just attempts, be sure to let me know, alright?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Erin smiled wryly. “I’ll be fine, Nivia,” she said and left the room with a solemn expression.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Under normal circumstances, the connotation of the proprietress’ nature would be obvious to the former virgin but her head was gued with troubles and unrest at the moment. It wasn’t until the descent of the night that Erin realized just how inattentive she had been.