ã€ŠHeir of the Silver Lordã€‹


 This Place Called Home, and the First Page of His Story

    Mankind has always been curious, we constantly move to explore the unknown and question to understand the impossible but even with this in-born nature to defy the expected, we still managed to fall prey to our ignorance, to believe that we are absolute and that all we know is all that there is.

    In retrospect, this could be the result of mankind never having encountered a rational or intellectual force that was equal to or greater than it, giving birth to the standard model for the human mindset that held strong for countless millennia, that we were the sole thinking beasts. Though, this couldn¡¯t be further from truth for very often is discord the greatest teacher, from the fires of chaos, new experiences are born.

    So what if...what if those flames gave birth to something that could shake the very foundations of the human mindset, an experience that couldn¡¯t be ignored. Wouldn¡¯t that make for quite the tale.

    No, there will be time for that, and all the other great tales that you have never heard of. For now, if you wish to hear a story of Humanity, then this will be the First of Many Tales, one that forever shaped the course of history, the history of the First World.

    To begin our journey, we will not start at the beginning, rather, sometime after, after the world has been established and had enough time to give birth to one of its more significant figures. The instrument of such a change would be found on the continent of Melodoria, deep within the northernmost region within a town by the name of Glynnfoldt.

    On the west end of Glynnfoldt¡¯s town square, towards the Blackhorn Mountains, were scattered homesteads belonging to the farmers that relied upon the white waters of the Milkwater River, flowing from the mountain peaks and down through the tilled fields and into the town.

    Among them was a home that looked to be built more recently when compared to those nearby, housing a small family that happily spent their days raising their only child.

    Shynerai or Erai as the other townsfolk took to calling him spent most of his days either helping his mother with whatever chores he could around the house or assisting his dad whenever he went to see his patients in town, working as the Glynnfoldt¡¯s resident physician.

    While neither his mother nor father were farmers, they still sought a home near the town¡¯s outskirts, wanting nothing more than what the countryside could offer.

    Making an honest living from house calls or by running his clinic on Barrimier Street, at the corner of the fabric district of Sanali where the majority of the town¡¯s markets were found, with merchants from out of town and the Northern territory coming to trade with the locals.

    The town is known for hosting wayfaring strangers or people looking to start a new life for themselves. Those responsible for the largest commitments to building up the town have streets and other places named after them.

    Glynnfoldt was surrounded by lush, fertile fields and dense forests. These natural resources provide an abundance of agricultural produce, wood, and an essential material known as Milkwater reeds. Shielding the region from harshest weather the northern fringes could set upon it was the Blackhorn Mountains.

    The town is situated along the meandering Milkwater River, facilitating the transport of goods to the various regions it serves. The rest of the town was dotted with picturesque cottages, while the Milkwater reeds sway gently in the breeze, a testament to the town''s primary export.

    The people of Glynnfoldt were known for their industrious nature, working tirelessly to cultivate and harvest Milkwater reeds, which are used to create textiles of renowned quality. The durable and stain-resistant fabrics were the town¡¯s most desired goods, for there were few beyond Northern regions of Melodoria who had the expertise to work with the material.

    While most children of the town were out playing and getting into mischief, Shynerai had his time occupied by spending with his parents, for someone so young he struggled greatly with making friends, in spite of how beloved his family was within the town.

    Although he grew up in a loving and nurturing home, he was generally treated as an outcast within Glynnfoldt.

    The cold indifference they had for the boy influenced a lot of the decisions his parents made regarding his upbringing, chief among them being that he never went to school, instead learning from home when he wasn¡¯t helping out his family.

    His mother being his first and greatest teacher, a savant of the magics and its study among many other things.

    Though this would do little to shock him as he was quite aware that the source of his discrimination was his heritage. A truth that presented itself in his studies wherein he came to understand why others would choose to ignore him.

    A secret his parents choose not to keep from him, believing that in knowing the truth, they would dissuade him from growing any resentment for the townsfolk.

    Shynerai was the child of an elven mother and human father, a Daumier born with no talent for magic, a fate that was already tough to bear for anyone was made even harder since all the halfling inhabitants of the First World are rarely seen as people by their parent races.

    To hail from such magic talents as the elves but carrying none of their abilities would mean certain if not outright ostracism from their society, being seen as one untouched by the blessing of their home, Liohterda, and as such one born to a cursed life.

    But because Daumier children are born with the enhanced traits resulting from their combined parentage, most if not all the races generally employ them into services for menial labor that people would generally reserve for ¡®workhorses¡¯.

    Taking to using their abilities in service of them, never letting them believe that they could be born for anything more than honoring those of pure blood.

    And sadly none were spared from this fate, for even the Humans and Elves practiced the same culture of racial supremacy, generally tasking any Daumier with work that involved working in environments that are incredibly saturated with magic, a hazard for any normal folk, despite how much they present themselves as the First World¡¯s most civilized peoples.

    Unfortunately,  being magical-less meant Shynerai wouldn''t even be able to do this...making him somewhat of an oddity and most times even a disgrace.

    Despite being well aware of the scorn suffered by their child because of his heritage, they still chose to hide the truth of this condition as well as why he is the way that he is.

    Even so, parenting still came before any secret and his parents were still determined to be there for him, even going as far as to offer him words of encouragement when it seemed as though his condition was getting to him.

    One such mantra that Shynerai has always taken to heart was offered to him by his father one night when a teary-eyed Shynerai had stumbled into his parent''s bedroom.

    His father had asked him why he was up so late but upon seeing the tears filling his eyes and the sound of his muffled sniffles, he simply stopped mid-sentence before turning on the light and calling him over to his side.

    "What''s wrong Erai, did you have a nightmare or something." He asked as he lifted Shynerai and placed him on his lap.

    "Papa...Why can''t I use magic l...l..like the other ki...ki...kids. I know you and mama can use magic but I can''t shock things like you daddy or make big booms like mama. So why papa." Exclaimed the child with a disheartening whimper in his tone.

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    The young boy sniffled, trying to hold back his tears as Astral wipes his tears away.

    Shynerai''s mother brushes her son''s snow-white hair from his glassy eyes before soothing him with a soft grasp of his cheek as she brings his focus onto her, revealing a kind and gentle smile.

    As Shynerai''s pain began lessening, his mother asked him.

    "Erai, do you think that we would love you more if you could do magic like mama and papa, or do you want other people to stop teasing you..."

    Shynerai interrupted his mother.

    "I want them to stop saying such horrible things about mama and papa. I know the people in the village are always kind and welcoming to us even though we moved here when I was born, but when you guys aren''t around they say stuff that hurts me. They...they...they..." Tears started to stream down his cheeks.

    Before Shynerai can continue, Astral embraced him, allowing him to cry out his feelings onto him before telling him.

    "You know what, if we had to choose between having a son with great magical talent and one who only has kindness in his heart, then we are glad to be your parents."

    Since that night hearing those precious words would always wash Erai of any sadness or loneliness.

    As time went on Erai continued to find solace and joy in helping his parents in any way he could as nothing made him happier than when someone needed his help.

    And not just his family, but really anyone who needed help could find themselves calling upon Erai''s name which quickly made him a local favorite amongst the villagers.

    More and more the locals began to rely on him despite their horrible opinions about him, sadly even with everyone needing him, part of him always knew that none of them saw him as more than a Daumier of no worth, watching as mothers would keep their children from visiting his home or warning them no to speak the white-haired child.

    Unbeknownst to him that his melancholy would soon be cast aside with the introduction of someone new in his life.

    From time to time, Shynerai''s father would be treated to regular appearances from a close friend of his from the days when his father was still a Guardian. The Guardians stand as the protectors of the Mortal Races, defending them and their home from destructive forces of the Nycerii.

    The man who made these visits was known as Shadow.

    Shadow was one of the few people that made trips to the Astrapordt home, even more so he didn''t seem bothered by Shynerai or his condition in the least. In fact, Shadow saw himself as his uncle, caring about Shynerai enough that every time he came to the house, he would personally bring a gift.

    And as long as it had to do with magic, Shynerai would happily accept it.

    On one of these routine trips Shadow had actually come with some company, a young girl with large turquoise eyes, long red hair in a braid and beautiful flawless skin was standing behind him and she seemed to be at least two to three years younger than him.

    Shadow had realized that the young girl had caught the eye of Shynerai and so he decided to introduce her.

    ¡°Go on, go say hello. Don¡¯t worry, they''re nice people.¡± Shadow urged the child.

    The young girl stepped forward and introduced herself as Sarah Eiston...and that Shadow was her father.

    ¡°Can¡¯t you tell Astral?¡± Lifting the little girl into his arms, they both shared a smile as he pressed his cheeks against hers.

    Astral and Shynerai stood in shock while on a surprising note Shynerai''s mother was as excited about the news as if Sarah was her own daughter that walked into the house. Holding her cheeks and pinching her nose while giving her a big hug before putting her down.

    ¡°Father says I have mother¡¯s hair and voice but his eyes, see.¡± Again the young girl smiles, overwhelming Shynerai¡¯s mother with cuteness.

    After an unusual introduction, Shynerai decided to leave the room so that the adults could tend to their own devices and so that he could have some fun with his latest gift.

    As he left out the door, Shynerai''s mother asked Sarah:

    ¡°Why don''t you play with Shynerai outside, I''m sure the two of you would have fun playing together.¡±

    ¡°Father, can I?¡±

    ¡°Sure, honey. Oh can she give this to him, I may just forget about it if Astral gets started with his stories again.¡±

    ¡°Yes of course, I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll be happy to have it. Thank you so much, Shadow.¡±

    Handing the wrapped trinket to his daughter before sending her off. Sarah thought it could be fun, so she did, mentioning that ¡®he seems like a nice person¡¯ before dashing out the door to find Shynerai.

    When she left the house she went straight into the outside study as it was the last place she saw him head. When she opened the door that leads into the inside, she was surprised to find that despite its large size it happened to be quite a warm and cozy room.

    Closing the door and walking through the makeshift corridor of stacked bookcases, her gaze was constantly affixed to the various items placed in display cases, not to mention the large collection of literature ranging from Arts, Science, Mathematics, Geography and Basics on Magic Seals, Sigils and Runes.

    As her eyes moved from item to item various questions came to mind like are all these books and relics Shynerai''s and if they were what purpose do they serve? Her thoughts turned to the trinket in her hands...until suddenly she tripped over something in her path.

    She sat in frustration of her daydream as she ran her fingers through her hair to soothe herself from the fall.

    When she opened her eyes to look for what she had tripped over, she found Shynerai was sitting on the floor surrounded by pages strewn about while he was obviously puzzled over the sketches and diagrams he was holding.

    Thinking that she might have disturbed him, she quickly stood and apologized but to her surprise, he remained unbothered, barely having noticed her until she spoke, as he continued to stare intently into his pages, only stopping when he found her foot atop one of the sketches on the floor.

    Expecting to be scolding by him, Shynerai instead asked her what it was that she was looking for and she replied by saying:

    ¡°Your mother thought we could play together. But it looks like you¡¯re busy right, with school right? Wow, I wonder what that¡¯s like¡±

    Only sparring a brief moment of his time when hearing this as his gaze focused intensely on her just as it did when he saw her in the house...before Shynerai proceeded with what he was doing and saying only that:

    ¡°I see. Well I¡¯m not sure what you have in mind if you want to play. Nobody ever comes over to play.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Her eyes widened in surprise.

    ¡°Why not, there¡¯s so many interesting things in here?¡±

    ¡°I don''t really know, but it¡¯s all probably boring anyways. Wouldn''t you have more fun playing with the other children? Just because you''re here does not mean that you have to play with me. I''m sure that Uncle Shadow wouldn¡¯t mind if we just play with the ones nearby.¡± Brushing his hair out of his face.

    His words left Sarah a little disheartened. Without saying a word she lifted the pages beneath her and suddenly planted herself beside, her keen eyes intently focused on what he was doing. Despite being so close, she took care not to interrupt or disturb him as worked. Though she would indulge herself with whatever seemed interesting at the time.

    And for most of her upcoming visits, he didn''t sway from his belief.

    Despite Shynerai''s impersonal and quiet nature, she found it equally curious, unconsciously stealing glances of the way mutters the words he may struggle with when reading, that he leaves books that she might find interesting for her where she can reach instead of forcing her to scale the bookshelves or even how close he is with her father.

    It didn''t take much for her to realize that what they both wanted was simply a companion. For her it meant taking to enjoying the quiet moments together while Shynerai found himself  behaving more expectantly towards her presence.

    What first caught his eye was her flowing red locks sweeping past him as he tried to make sense of various diagrams of Magical Theory. With each page he put down, she would rush to it and pour over the strange and intricate images, trying to imagine what the person who wrote them was hoping to do.

    In her eyes, he found purity. Her heart flowed with a curiosity and interest that had him explaining the pages that she would be interested in. After that, she could wrestle descriptions of the various artifacts in the room from him, and it wasn¡¯t long before she felt comfortable enough to engage his mind with all the questions she had been overflowing with.

    Under the suggestion of his mother, Sarah found more certainty in how to interact with the young boy,

    ¡°Erai is a moonlit spirit. A curious, and bright mind. As long you tempt that side of him, you will see a different side to¨C¡±

    ¡°Like, like a teacher?¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­Though I can say that it would be the first time I have heard of this. Has he been teaching you, honey?¡± She wondered with a gentle smile as she embraced Sarah.

    ¡°Yes. Some of the words that I tried to read didn''t make sense so he showed me how to read them. He even taught me a bit of magic¡­but don¡¯t tell Father, he would be angry.¡±

    ¡°Magic? And he taught you?¡± While Shynerai¡¯s mother was overjoyed by hearing of how well they were getting along, she never expected her son would be capable of doing something like that, especially when as far as she knows, Shynerai is incapable of using magic.

 The Touch of Vermillion Innocence

    After a year had passed.

    And the seasons had changed to welcome an Autumn that would resemble the Winters of the Southern Regions. From summit to peak of the Blackhorn Mountains, a white frigid veil covered it, and the lands below, dressing the entire town in snow. Children were held up in their homes playing with their toys or attending to their chores for the day.

    Near the Milkwater River, a young boy shook off the frost from his hair before being called inside and out of the cold. Making sure to have a firm grasp on the firewood, he dragged the logs indoors, finding his parents in their usual banter with Shadow near the burning hearth in the living room.

    Being welcomed with a warm embrace by his mother as thanks for the firewood, she helped get him cleaned up, as the excited Sarah lept from her seat to bring Shynerai a cup of warm drink, from the smell a sweet and nutty scent of Snowcherries and Milkroot washed past his reddened cheeks as he thanked her before drinking it. After he went off to his room to change out of his cold clothes, he returned to the living room and found an ever-smiling Sarah with snacks in hand ready to follow him into the study.

    Using the door from inside the house, they enter the study area being careful to make a mess as the put everything on a small table fit with two chairs, a recent addition to the space that Shynerai made after she convinced him to eat the snacks that she would bring in the room, promising to help clean up afterwards.

    Thinking about it, this was one of a few little things that he had slowly begun to do differently since meeting Sarah.

    Their encounters became less of what Shynerai was doing and were instead more about how they could enjoy their time together, but as the time they spent together grew, so too did the doubt he began to harbor...until one day what had lingered in the back of his mind was no longer hidden from Sarah, Shynerai unaware that he had spoken so plainly:

    ¡°It¡¯s been fun having you here, even though we hardly played when you did.¡±

    ¡°Oh you don¡¯t have to say that. I really like visiting you¨C¡±

    ¡°But you don¡¯t have to force yourself to come and see me. I know that Uncle Shadow and even mom like having you over and so do I, so if you¡¯ve had your fun, it''s okay, you don¡¯t have to be here.¡±

    ¡°Shynerai¡­why would you say something like that. What¡¯s going on?¡±

    The young Daumier was unsure why she seemed so shaken by what he said, or even stranger why he was starting to feel sad after seeing her reaction, but he continued to speak plainly. The further he pushed his questions the more upset she became, asking why he was suddenly saying all these painful things.

    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I want to play with you, you¡¯re my friend. Even if you never had friends before, I will always be your friend.¡±

    ¡°You would, until you go back to your real friends and start calling my family names, everyone has done it before. Why can¡¯t everyone leave us alone, even after we''ve been so kind, when we ask for nothing but the same, still everyone will always treat us the same¡­all because of me? Why! When my mother and father are so kind to everyone?¡± Shynerai suddenly raised his voice while his white bangs fell, covering his glassy eyes.

    Sarah''s young heart filled with sadness as she listened to what he was asking her, before telling him that:

    Gripping the frills of her skirt tightly with a saddened expression that was quickly filling with tears.

    "I like to play with you because you''re nice, even...when you didn¡¯t want me around you at first. You''re still nice enough to let me stay, especially when we read those books. Even when we don¡¯t talk alot you I don''t mind because you always listen. You also teach me things and never get angry at me. I wish I said it alot more, that I like coming to visit you, I¡¯m always happy to see my big brother.¡±

    ¡°Big brother?¡±

    Hearing such reassuring words from someone that wasn''t his mother or father left him feeling more frustrated than vindicated, not because he no longer has a reason to be mad but because he was realizing that he managed to hurt the only person he could actually call a friend.

    Within that flurry of emotions, Shynerai didn''t know how to apologize so he ended up panicking, abruptly leaving the garage...all the while leaving Sarah where she stood.

    Several days had passed before Shynerai''s mother began to notice that Sarah was not stopping by for her regular visits which meant that something happened between the two.

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    Intrigued by this idea, she decided to investigate.

    She had planned to start by asking her son what had happened unfortunately, he wasn''t in his room, the garage or with his father on any house call.

    A few hours went by and Shynerai finally returned home. As he entered the house he saw what seemed like a heated discussion between his parents when in reality the topic of their discussion was him.

    When he got to the table, his mother asked him if he was okay, but instead of answering the question, Erai gave his parents a sullen look before attempting to disguise how he was feeling with a quivering smile.

    Seeing the pain on his son''s face, Astral quickly changed the subject and asked him about his day. To answer his father''s question, he decided to sit down so that he could recount the events of that day.

    After Shynerai''s interrogation session with Sarah in his garage a few days ago, Sarah had stopped visiting although at this point he didn''t care whether or not Sarah didn''t want to see him anymore, opting to return to what he would usually do.

    Still, he couldn''t help but check outside from time to time or even taking a moment to stop and look as if he was expecting someone to accidentally trip over him. These minor but consistent alterations to his daily patterns only grew as each day passed.

    After a few days of this, Shynerai had enough, he simply wanted things to return to the way they were...but that wasn''t possible especially after how he managed to treat Sarah.

    Shynerai didn''t want to admit it at first, but he had adjusted himself to having his friend alongside him and now that she wasn''t...nothing could be as it was.

    Realizing that they would most likely never be friends but still wanting to leave things on a better note than they are now, he decided that the least he could do was apologize for treating her terribly...he owed her that much.

    Shadow''s homestead was located near the outskirts of Glynnfoldt on his own livestock farm.

    Travel from Shynerai''s own house to Sarah''s was about an hour and a half long on foot. When he arrived the time was 10h30.

    As he was reaching for the door, it instead swung open as Shadow stepped out and was greeted by the distressed face of a young man.

    Worried that something had happened to the boy, Shadow quickly invited him into the house. As soon as they were inside Shynerai stopped abruptly and asked if he could by any chance talk to Sarah.

    Shadow, still amiss about the presence of the lad, decided to call down his daughter. As she was coming down the stairs the two could feel an awkward tension begin to arise and realizing that Shynerai somehow had a role to play in it, he decided to leave the two be to sort it out for if his daughter didn''t mention it to him then he knows that she isn''t in any real danger.

    Shadow decided to return to his initial plans and not long after Sarah had arrived, he left. With the two of them alone, Shynerai assumed that the first thing out of Sarah''s mouth would be her unbounded hate but to his surprise what she said was instead:

    "I didn''t think you wanted to see me again after our fight, but to be honest I really miss playing with you".

    Despite being thrown off by her unexpected demeanor, he was still fully prepared to take advantage of her permissive manner but deep down he could never bring himself to do it, and instead, the first words he uttered were of a remorseful apology.

    "Sarah I''m sorry for saying all those things and for making you feel like a bad person. I¡­it''s just, you''re the first friend I''ve had and the idea that you could be pretending to enjoy spending time with me scared me and made me say a bunch of stupid things".

    Continuing as he looked at the ground to avoid eye contact all the while fidgeting with one of his bangs.

    "I know that it still doesn''t make it right, but I still want..."

    He''s interrupted by Sarah as she walks over to him before she hugs him.

    Hearing that he came all this way to make amends made her really happy because she really did like spending time with him. With the final doubts about Sarah''s friendship cast aside from Shynerai''s mind, the pair became inseparable once more only this time he would always look forward to seeing Sarah.

    With that Shynerai had recounted the entirety of the events leading up to now. Considering the outcome of the entire ordeal was a positive one, his parents were still confused about why he looks so drained and exhausted.

    Shynerai lets slip a sigh before telling them:

    "Well after I apologized to Sarah, we started playing again, and we continued up until I had to come home. But what I had forgotten during all the fun was that home is an hour and a half away... and I''m soooo hungry" With stomach growls accompanying his cries.

    Astral bellowed loudly with the sound of his laughter echoing through the house before Shynerai''s mother told him to calm down before the neighbors started complaining, all the while disguising her own laughter behind her hands.

    After a moment or two, she told Shynerai that he can go and reheat his dinner in the oven, to which the young man excused himself leaving his parents with all too noticeable grins.

    Once out of the room, his mother began scolding Astral, but he simply stated that:

    "Can''t you see how things have changed...he has a friend, someone he can call upon in need. A companion he can look to aside from his mother and father."

    "But was it so bad that he relied on us, I mean isn''t that our job as parents?" His mother responded.

    "Of course honey, but I...I mean we might not always be around for him when he needs us, so at that moment he''ll need companions and people he can rely on." Astral tells her as he comforts her, wanting her not to worry and instead be happy for him.

 Maéˆ¥æªˆin Sof University, the Magical Institute of Research

    Some time had passed.

    With how close Shynerai and Sarah had become over a couple of months, Shadow had become accustomed to seeing his face around his house, and on one such visit to her house, Shynerai discovered that Shadow and Sarah were packing for a trip.

    When he had arrived he queried Shadow as to where they would be going. Shadow told him that he would be gone for about two weeks as they were going on a research expedition to the Ma¡¯ein Sof University in the Northernmost mountains from Melodoria.

    Shynerai was shocked to hear that Sarah would be leaving as well but it made sense since Shadow was her only legal guardian.

    Since Erai and Sarah had grown quite close, he knew that he would miss her when she was gone,

    But at the very same time, he thought of an idea and then quickly rushed home.

    When he arrived at home, he found himself running about the halls until he finally bumped into his mother in the kitchen.

    She asked him if he was okay and he nodded  ¡®yes¡¯. Once he caught his breath, he proceeded to tell his mother why he was in such a rush:

    "Mother, would you and father mind if I went on a trip with Sarah for the next two weeks."

    The first thought coming to mind once her son had made her request made her blush profusely but after regaining composure she asked whether or not there would be an adult present to take care of them¡­and Erai said that Sarah''s father would be coming with them to the Ma¡¯ein Sof University.

    Since Shadow was going to be there, Shynerai''s mother could think of no reason to refuse her son and so after she helped him pack, she sent him off.

    From this point onwards Shynerai would ask every chance he got to tag along when they were heading to the Ma¡¯ein Sof University but by this point, he wasn''t just doing it because he would be with Sarah, instead, the University had supercharged his pursuit and passion to once again learn magic.

    On one such trip, which would be around the third time Erai had traveled to the Ma¡¯ein Sof University something was about to change...for it was the first time either of them were allowed to actually enter the school.

    This new privilege meant that they would no longer be confined to the monastery that overlooks the University as they could now move about the libraries, study halls as well as practice halls to name a few areas.

    The children were permitted inside of the University after Shadow had informed the Principle Mages of his intentions and whether or not either of the children posed a threat. This coupled with the routine inspections of the visitors during their stay at the monastery meant that they were deemed fit to access the mage''s collection.

    With Shynerai routinely moving about the halls of the University, he quickly became acquainted with quite a few of the mages there.

    This happened mainly because unlike most kids his age, he couldn''t use magic so he believed that if he studied hard enough he might then be able to learn how to use magic instead, so his parents, never wanting to disappoint him, allowed him to chase this fruitless dream.

    The result was a deep love and interest in all things magical which had intrigued some of the mages to such a degree that over time some of them were fond of him enough to let him use their more coveted material to expand his knowledge.

    With time, this expanded Shynerai''s knowledge and experience to the point of an Apprentice Mage by the age of seven.

    As with each passing visit both his knowledge and curiosity for magic grew, but to further condense the amount of information he was gaining, Shynerai regularly petitioned to sit in on any lectures that were held by the mages present.

    The lectures that he attended most often were on Fundamentals of Magic and Practical Applications of Magic Theory.

    The one leading the class was talented Lynhearian mage, Shai Everglades who believed that the nature of the most simple to the most complex of magical phenomena could be broken down and understood in the same manner as science is understood.

    Her curly and dark auburn hair paired with her sharp deep green eyes made her stand out among the Northerners of Melodoria,though what was even more eye-catching was how impressive her physique was, earning her more than a few yearly proposals from students and academics alike that come to the university for the first time.

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    Needless to say, her unorthodox desire, alluring beauty made her divisive presence within the school.

    The source of her life¡¯s work was born from her time she spent in both Mort Acysis and Amber Faltarien, nations that are responsible for reviving a lot of the Lost Technology from the era when the first Guardians still walked the First World.

    As well as the incredible progress they made in making practical Alchemy, once thought a technical art of the divine and mystery but thanks to their diligence, it was brought into human understanding.

    Now, mages make use of the art in the same way scholars of the Old Ages used Chemistry. But for many, such an advancement regarding other magics is greatly discouraged, believing that not everything must fall into understanding.

    Due to the world of academics struggling to adapt to the inclusion of females within elitist positions of serious knowledge circles, many mages perform silent boycotts against any female mages that seek to ascend within their ranks, as such, Shai''s classes are rarely ever full and on average play host to between fifteen and twenty students which is minuscule when her lecture hall is meant to accommodate over three hundred individuals.

    Initially, his presence was under constant suspicion as Shai believed that he might have been sent by the other mages to disrupt her work or to simply annoy her but somehow she became accustomed to Shynerai''s presence during her lectures.

    During one of her more lighter lectures, he had queried her on where she managed to acquire her vast knowledge. He asked this since most high-profile mages were either sent to a prestigious academy or fell under the tutelage of a Seer, who had taken a handsome sum in exchange for mentoring an aspiring mage.

    But the truth of the matter surprised not just Shynerai, but the other individuals present, Shai stated that she had acquired most of her knowledge and experience by spending almost eleven-years of her life traveling the world to learn all that she could.

    She explained that from a young age she has always had a strong fascination with magic which came as no surprise to her father as members of her family have always whole-heartedly pursued what intrigued them the most.

    Her grandfather was an Ocean Explorer, her father is a very successful merchant. To ensure that his daughter had the best possible start, her father managed to contact as many of his connections that he had within the most prestigious institutions in the entire continent of Lynheare.

    Once he contacted them all, he organized a meeting three days from then whereby they would all arrive en masse for an opportunity to convince his daughter why she should enroll at their school.

    When the day came eighty two representatives from fifty of the top institutions in Lynheare arrived and gathered in the courtyard whilst being called in one-by-one to start their presentation with her father''s study.

    By the time the final representatives made their statements, Shai had made her decision. When she gave her answer, everyone in the courtyard beside her father stood in complete awe. She said,

    ¡°Although you have all impressed me with your displays and accomplishments, no matter what each of you could say I will not be attending any one of your schools. I want to understand how magic could be in our world and how it''s able to interact with everything uniquely.

    You see, I want to not only discover the science behind magic but also what magic means to everyone because if I understand what everyone''s idea of magic is¡­ then maybe I can not only find the source of magic but bring it into our realm of understanding. "

    Whilst the representatives stood trying to understand the child''s abstract goal, her father merely smiled and stated that:

    "If this is what you want then I''ll do so in any way I can princess".

    And with that the disappointed individuals began to clear out leaving Shai''s father in his study with his favorite glass of Krehmattian wine in hand and staring at the flaring wisps of fire and the crackling firewood of the hearth, thinking of how he could help his daughter with this new development.

    Until he looked back at his glass...and suddenly, he realized something.

    Putting down his glass and lifting the phone, her father''s call was met with a cheerful greeting

    "Well well, if it isn''t Luke Everglades, what can I do for you?"

    Shai''s father quickly veered the man on the phone from getting distracted and told him that he wanted to commission his skills on a project. The man''s name was Yadon Vora and he was Luke''s roommate when they were still in college but now he is a Head Engineer at StarLight, an aerospace company established in Krehmatt.

    The reason he wanted his skills was so that he could create a vehicle that could safely take his daughter anywhere she wanted to go without hassle. The deadline for the completion of the project was three-years from their current time on his daughter''s 19th birthday.

    So equipped with a brilliant mind, world-class facilities, two million ulds and three years, he went to work.

    During her 19th birthday, her father presented her with his gift, a large airship by the name of Indigo''s Blue, which she would use to travel the world and return home whenever she wanted.

    By the end of the party, she said her goodbyes and set off for her dream.

    When Shai completed her anecdote, she realized her audience was gleaming with fascination and were foaming at the mouth with questions but before she could answer the first question, the door to the hall opened and Sarah rushed in with a worried look and at a loss of breath.

    She told Shynerai,

    "Father said it''s time to go, something happened at home and they sent out a call for help."

    ¡°There¡¯s trouble at home?¡±

 This Place Called Home, One of Ashen Snows

    Shynerai who began looking pale was trying to process the scale of what was happening but Sarah reminded him that there was no time and simply grabbed his arm and proceeded to rush off with him to the gates of the school.

    When they arrived, Shadow was waiting with kid''s bags and told them that they couldn''t waste any time since whatever was happening to Glynnfoldt might end up happening here so he needs to get them home where they can be safe, but with the mention of home, sudden flashes begin to bombard Shynerai''s mind and they all demonstrate his family being in danger.

    But Shadow managed to calm him down saying that his dad is a lot tougher than he is and will be able to protect the people at home so all he has to do is stay safe and make it back home.

    With the sight of Shynerai gaining his senses, they all set off on their trip.

    After two days of traveling, they finally made it back to the village but with the clear sight of what had happened, Shadow begins to question whether bringing the kids here might have been the worst mistake he has ever made.

    Glynnfoldt had been reduced to a crumbling wake of blood and ash with most of the homes and buildings being reduced to piles of rubble and ash.

    But the worst was yet to come, as they moved to the heart of the village, more and more bodies began appearing with each one either having their throat ripped out, being torn in half or cut down, each indicating that they died in agony.

    By the time they reached the village square, everything was made apparent.

    The scene resembled that of a mass execution where some of the dead were trying to escape only to meet a worse end.

    As the death and destruction seeped the venom of insanity into Shadow''s head, remembering that the children were still witnessing the horrors helped him to firmly grasp his sanity and prevent Sarah from continuing to see everything. But when he turned to do the same with Shynerai, the boy was nowhere to be seen.

    With every deep breath that Shynerai took, the scent of smoke and blood filled his lungs and an uncontrolled pain began to ache in his chest but ignoring everything he raced home running faster and faster with each step until he ended up slipping and landing in a pool of blood.

    Trying to spit out as much of the blood that he''d swallowed, his eyes began to well up tears of agony.

    As he stumbled back into his feet and while brushing off the tears, he continued straight to his house.

    By the time he got to the porch of his house, he noticed that most of the houses in the area were still intact or suffered only minor damage which brought a calm to the storm raging in his heart as he kept reassuring himself that whatever calamity entered the village didn''t make it this far.

    So trying to further convince himself that everything was still okay, as he leapt for the door, he shouted as hard as he could that he was finally home and opened the door.

    The horror that met his eyes was far from what any child should ever have to witness...as the disgusting sight filled his mind he began to scream and scream with such force that he started choking on the blood from his vocal cords being torn apart.

    With the blood filling his throat, he fell to the floor and started coughing it out.

    Trying to catch his breath, his eyes were met with another sight of despair: his parent''s severed heads and their flayed bodies hung from the rafters of the ceiling...a sight which sent him into such a shock that he threw up everything in his bowels before falling unconscious beside his parents.

    Having heard the shrewd screams, Shadow and Sarah were able to find Shynerai at his home only to end up with pale faces.

    A bright and warm glow hovered above him.

    As he woke up the first image to greet his eyes was that of bright lights shining above himself and a woman in uniform walking through the door towards him.

    As she came into focus he realized that she was a nurse and that he was in some sort of hospital.

    While he was figuring out how he ended up there, Shadow walked in with Sarah running past him and jumping on Shynerai''s bed to hug him as she was welling up with tears, but these tears were of joy after all...he was still alive.

    Sarah told him that they found him after he fell unconscious. Shynerai quickly asked about what happened at Glynnfoldt as he was hoping that he might have fainted whilst they were at the University, but Shadow quickly shut his hopes down by telling him everything that happened was real.

    "Glynnfoldt was destroyed and everyone there¡­is dead. A few days after we arrived, the capital dispatched an investigation team and when they arrived, they told us to leave the area as once they finished the investigation the victims would be buried in the nearby memorial site, the village would be closed off and be declared as ruins".

    Hearing what Shadow said, what little hope he had become evanescent.

    Soon after, the doctor walked into the ward and handed Shadow the discharge papers for him which meant that he could go home.

    Since they were told to leave the area, Shadow had brought the kids to the trade city of Sprite Fontiss where they would be living in a homestead that belonged to him.

    As soon as they walked in, Shadow had the helper take their things to each of their own rooms while he gave them a tour of the house.

    When Shadow was finished with the tour he told them to wait by the dining room because dinner was ready but Shynerai simply ran to his room and locked the door.

    An entire week went on without him ever leaving the room and during that time let alone having made a single sound. It was as if he wasn''t even alive or rather something inside him had died. At this time Shadow felt that he had given him enough time to cry so he wanted to check on him.

    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    When he opened the door a heavy chill descended upon within the darkened room, as he looked around the room he couldn''t see any sign of him until he decided to enter the room, inside he managed to find the boy. A gray-skinned and sunken eyes with blisters on his mouth met his gaze as he searched the room.

    The child was curled up by a corner in his room and was staring at the floor of the room as if he was trying to look into the abyss for any sort of answer. Shadow lifted the boy and told him:

    "I can tell, ever since we got back you haven''t cried a tear. You''ve just been sitting and asking yourself ¡®why did everything have to happen the way it did¡¯. Well sometimes things do happen and all we can do is watch¡­I think this is one of those times. So cry and cry until you can let go of it all or else it will eat away at you."

    And as Shadow embraced him, Shynerai fell apart and finally began to cry for the first time since he saw his parent''s corpse.

    That day he cried all day and night and on the next day, he finally left his room and was able to see Sarah, but something even more sinister was revealed during that emotional exchange as Shynerai was crying so was Shadow as he murmured:

    "If I succeeded, then they may never forgive me"

    But with the sound of his daughter''s laughter echoing through the room Shadow simply shrugged off the doubt.

    A month after Shynerai and his foster family began living in Sprite Fontiss, Shadow decided to enroll them into school since it would give the kids a chance to feel normal by interacting with children their own age in a safe environment. Both Shynerai and Sarah started to attend Cloudwell Elementary School.

    Since Sarah was only seven years old, not much administrative hassle was present when placing her in the 1st grade, as for Shinerai since he had no grade school record or 1st-grade record, he would have to either take an aptitude test or start school from the first grade but Shadow has already witnessed his intelligence first hand and was confident that he would do well.

    True to Shadow''s faith, Shynerai took the test and manage to score a grade consistent with one achieved by a 5th grader although his actual score was of 7th-grade quality but since the school felt that he would need a certain level of maturity to succeed at that level so they decided to instead place him in the 4th grade.

    Several months pass.

    And the children managed to find a place within Sprite Fontiss although there were a few people who made it their personal mission to bully them by reminding them of the horrors they would rather forget.

    Shynerai didn''t pay them any mind since he always kept his distance from the rest of his classmates but Sarah was different as her personality didn''t allow her to isolate herself which meant that she developed a fairly large circle of friends that would obviously catch the attention of a jealous few or boys who found her easy on the eyes.

    Luckily Shynerai was always there to take care of any boys that thought they could take advantage of her kindness or to scare any girls that thought that she made for an easy target with his harsh and dark appearance.

    In his time living in Sprite Fontiss, he''d not only fallen into his role as the ''son'' of Shadow and older brother to Sarah but he was starting to love being a part of a family once more. This familial bond had become something of such value that it not only gave him something to protect but something he could cherish, unfortunately, joy is rarely everlasting in the prologue of Erai''s story with the advent of an intrusive force that seeks to take Erai''s only treasure.

    During a pretty routine and overall uneventful day, the appearance of a single individual would act as the first brush-stroke that rewrites his entire destiny. Shynerai arrived home with Sarah to find that Shadow was having a heated talk with a strange but oddly regal man in the living room.

    The visitor was draped in a fancy silk garb, trimmed with black and gold thread and embossed with an emblem reminiscent of a kingdom native to Lynheare.

    When Shadow noticed that they had arrived from school, he quickly asked the aid to escort them to their room but the children were far too concerned to simply leave their father so they instead entered the room to find out what had their father so flustered.

    Since the children were already here Shadow had no choice but to introduce them to the strange man. Shadow stated that the man was a Duke from the Lynhearian Kingdom who had come to employ Shadow as a Hero for his lands. Since the man was a duke or a knight (Guardian) given the status of nobility by his king, Shadow was compelled to heed his request for him, much to the surprise of his children was a retired S-class Hero.

    Sarah''s shock came from the fact that her father had lived such a dangerous life but Erai''s came from the thought that this man is going to be responsible for destroying his new family.

    With that fear enveloping his very being, Shynerai rushed the duke and served him a single threat:

    "If you try to take my uncle from Sarah and me, then be prepared to do so with your life".

    The duke found Erai''s threat to be humorous and simply bore a grin. This act further angered Erai but Shadow intervened and managed to calm him.

    Shadow then told his kids that he would return home to be with them once every six months, but hearing this, Erai quickly discarded his hate and pleaded with the duke if there was another option...surprisingly enough seeing how determined Erai was, Sarah also joined his plea.

    The duke decided to humor them and suggested if the boy is willing to take his father''s place then he would still be satisfied but since he was just a simple Daumier and his father was a rare S-rank Hero, he would have to offer something else of equal value.

    But Erai didn''t know how he was going to make the trade seem fairer so all he could do was hope that he would simply accept.

    The duke then came up with an idea of his own, his son is about the same age as Erai so they will make a deal, he will give the boy until his son''s 19th birthday if by that time he has managed to become a Hero of equal or greater value than his father, he will then take the place of his father and if he fails in his endeavor then his sister will be wed to his son.

    Hearing the final statements of his offer, Shadow was prepared to crush the duke''s skull below his foot at the mention of such trade but before he could act, Sarah without any hesitation accepted the terms which brought an even larger grin to the duke''s face as well as curiosity as he asked her if she wasn''t making the decision a bit too rash but she simply stated that:

    "My brother is always protecting me so this time won''t be any different, I believe in him".

    Seeing the faith that Sarah had in Erai, Shadow could do nothing but accept his child''s decisions and with that, the duke made his departure.

    That night Shadow asked Shynerai if he was truly committed to the idea of becoming a Guardian, and becoming a Hero for that matter. He replied by saying,

    "Even if it meant becoming a demon, he would do it to protect his family."

    Hearing exactly what he wanted for Shynerai brought a strange sense of joy to Shadow...as if the boy had finally found something to live for and to ensure that he wouldn''t lose it, he would also do all he can.

    "Erai starting tomorrow, you will be training with me sixteen hours a day, every day, until you''re old enough to take the Guardian Entrance Exams which should be about seven years from now.¡±

    ¡°As such you won''t be going to school anymore and there is a good chance that you could lose your life but if you can get through this then I guarantee you that no one will be more equipped to become a Guardian than you."

    Is what Shadow said to the boy at that moment and despite this, Shynerai simply smiled and told him.

    "Just don''t go easy on me."

    And with just those words, he had started his epic journey on a road that would lead him to inspire the myth of the Greatest Champion of the First World.

 Heroes arenéˆ¥æª› Born, theyéˆ¥æª™e Made

    At the end of that very same week, Shynerai and Shadow took off to begin their training.

    Shadow decided that the perfect place to train him would be at Blackhorn Mountain behind the Ruins of Glynnfoldt.

    After saying their respective goodbyes the two embarked on the first of many great challenges that he would have to overcome.

    When the two arrived at the eastern base of the mountain, they were greeted to the sight of a quaint-little homestead with an equally small wheat farm dotting the backyard of the said homestead.

    This is where the two of them would be living for the duration of Shynerai''s training.

    Shadow had the liberty of sending for the construction of the estate as he would be the only one making trips back home so he needed to make sure that Shynerai had reasonable sustenance and shelter whenever he would leave.

    Once Shynerai was done sight-seeing he went back to help Shadow unpack.

    After an hour, they had finished and were now quenching their thirst with some juice.

    Shadow then called Shynerai and told him that his training would begin now...he proceeded to give him a satchel which had his training uniform and told him to change and to meet him outside.

    Several minutes pass.

    Shynerai stepped outside to reveal a young boy clad in golden tan and donning short snow-white hair, wearing a gold and white training uniform.

    Now that he was ready they decided to begin.

    Shadow picked up a stick off the ground and began drawing strange diagrams in the dirt for a while...until Shynerai began to recognize the intricate drawings.

    Shadow stopped drawing and told Shynerai to pay attention.

    He explained that though all of the mortal races can or should be able to use magic, it is still possible to not have that ability. That being said, there are a lot of alternatives to magic such as Alchemy, Sacrificial magic, Seals, Sigils, Runes and so forth.

    Shadow then proceeded to ask him if he was still unable to use magic. Shynerai nodded in approval despite his obvious look of displeasure but strangely enough in a split moment, Shadow produced a satisfied grin but quickly gained his composure.

    Shadow went on to say

    "Like I said there are other alternatives and don''t worry I''ll find the most suitable techniques to make you an S-rank Hero."

    With Shadow''s words Erai found a new source of encouragement and was now more fired up than usual but he was quickly brought back down to earth when Shadow began an analysis of him to determine what would be the best thing to teach him.

    "It looks like we first need to make you stronger considering how weak your body and senses are, not to mention that you also need to be capable of fighting on par with beings that will be able to use magic. You are definitely going to be a handful but I think I know what to do".

    Shadow stopped his explanation and stood, asking Shynerai to do the same.

    "Shynerai for the next seven  years, I''m only going to teach you how not to just defend yourself, but defend others as a hero. This training will be the toughest thing you¡¯ve ever done in your short life, but if you live through it, you may yet survive the perils of the world. So do you think you''re up for the challenge?"

    He was a bit shaken but he accepted with little to no haste.

    ¡°Good, because we¡¯ll be starting right now. You¡¯ll need every second from this moment if you¡¯re to learn. For someone as weak as you I shall teach the oldest of the Guardians¡¯ techniques, ones that were used in the time before the Originals, when the angelic Adhao were the only protectors of this world¡±

    ¡°Techniques like that still exist? How can anyone still remember them enough to teach them?¡±

    ¡°By constantly practicing them. The teachings of Atash and the Words of Power never truly faded, only superseded by the far more practical magic systems¡± Shadow explained.

    Only for the moment to end when Shynerai realized he had no idea what Words of Power let alone what that strange word he just used was

    ¡®Atash¡­¡¯

    Shadow assured Shynerai that he only needed to worry about it after his body was strong enough, making that the sole focus of his training for now.

    Returning to the ruins of what was once their home could be seen as bad parenting on Shadow''s part but for Shynerai to grow stronger, he''ll have to face whatever demons may come his way...even those of his own past.

    During his earliest time at Blackhorn Mountain, Shynerai spent most of his days doing survival and endurance training while at night he would either be resting or meditating.

    His initial training would consist of him spending extended periods of time in the Wildlands of the Mountain where he was expected to find food, shelter and ensure that he survived...all by himself.

    To push him even further, Shadow would occasionally let loose vicious monsters in the Wildlands for him to deal with.

    If he was injured, he had only himself to rely on. This meant he was limited to his knowledge of medicine that he received from his father, as well as the meditative techniques Shadow had been teaching him.

    Sadly, he didn''t get much rest when should''ve, since most of his nights were plagued with recurring nightmares of the Horrors that befell Glynnfoldt.

    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Afraid that telling Shadow of his ailment would slow or even stop his progress, he opted to remain silent, choosing to instead spend his nights meditating to avoid his trauma.

    Fortunately for him, due to all the time he spent meditating, his healing and rejuvenation had become drastically more effective...so much so that he was eventually able to operate for several days with little to no rest.

    In only 18 months, Shadow had pushed Shynerai ''s mind and body far beyond their limits. And even more surprising was how quickly he had begun showing signs of the kind of development he had expected after at the very least five years of persistent training.

    With all these clues Shadow decided that it was finally time for the advanced training he needed, it was finally time that he was taught the...Words of Power.

    Shadow interrupted one of Shynerai¡¯s daily training routines which were several consecutive laps around the mountain to inform him that his Advanced training was about to begin.

    Having spent almost two years doing hellish training, Shynerai''s disposition had been molded to an incredible level...even so, he was not beyond producing a smile to show his excitement at the fact that he is moving one step closer to his goal.

    Shadow had Erai sit down in a meditative posture as he began to explain what would come next.

    "Before you can actually use the ''Words of Power'' incantations, you will first need to know what they are.¡±

    These incantations are gifts that FAE gave our protectors, the Adhao along with others such as immortality so that they were fully equipped to protect all the mortal races.

    The base of these incantations is 1) the incantation itself, 2) the condition of the incantation and the source of power for the incantation.

    The power is sourced from all manner of powerful beings and creatures that formed contracts of obedience with FAE. The condition of every incantation must be met or is to be fulfilled afterwards so that the incantation can be called.

    ¡°Finally for the incantations to work, the user must know and understand the full incantation".

    Shynerai felt a bit overwhelmed by the amount of information but he was able to get the gist. Though he did have a thought lingering in his mind and so he asked Shadow:

    "Uncle Shadow, if that''s all it takes for me to use a Word of Power, then why did I do all that training".

    "Oh, you see, some of the incantations can make you lose your mind or even tear your body apart if the user isn''t strong enough. That''s why with the intense training you''ve done, we''ve just killed two birds with one stone"

    Shadow remarked with an expression of certainty, hoping that the young boy wouldn¡¯t stare for too long and reveal his concern.

    After he got his answer Shynerai asked Shadow if they could begin and so they did.

    The work required for them to simply begin was enormous, enough that on most days Shynerai would have attempted to call upon the power only once before being drained for the entire day.

    But for the training to work, he had to persist. With the first signs of the next step in his growth only showing after three and a half difficult years.

    Shadow continued to teach him more and more about the Words of Power whilst intensifying his physical and mental training. The harder he pushed him, the easier it was to wield the power, even if it was only briefly.

    And the more he used them, the better he understood them. Another surprising discovery was what he termed as High Speed Incantations. Something that would only be possible after Shynerai had become proficient in the use of Words of Power.

    They stand out because to use them, the wielder has to understand the incantation well enough that they can call upon the power by only focusing on the core aspect of the incantation instead of the whole thing. The obvious issue is that in tense moments very few people have the mental strength to maintain the focus needed to focus solely on the fundamental aspect of the incantation. But those that do, seem to move over this hurdle, capable of wielding Words of Power as efficiently as a Mage would their spells.

    Questions of just how much potential the young boy possessed had bothered Shadow from the moment they began his training, though at the time he simply dismissed his accelerated progress as a result of not being able to use magic, his natural instincts were able to easily attach to the use of the incantations¡­but now. He was confronted with the very real possibility that Shynerai may have the talent of a hero.

    There were occasions whereby Shynerai didn''t train but that was only to do his chores and to take care of the fields with Shadow also taking the time to visit Sarah.

    Although one day out each year, Shynerai neither trained nor was he even at the homestead.

    October 10th was the day, and every year on this very same day, Shadow and Sarah would accompany him to Glynnfoldt cemetery...to see his parents.

    Refusing to spend his birthday any other way.

    Despite how close Sarah and Shynerai were, Shadow would always insist that she give him some space during his memorial, which meant that often, they would wait by the benches while he went to visit their graves.

    Always taking with him Blue and Violet Bellflowers, and returning with glassy eyes and tear-ridden cheeks before falling into their embrace.

    The last two years of his training were focused entirely on combat, both hand-to-hand and armed fighting as well...with Shadow finally teaching him his "trump card".

    Seven years had gone by and Erai had almost finished his training with only one test remaining.

    During one of these mornings, Shadow woke Erai early and told him that they were returning to Sprite Fontiss that same night but before they could, he would have to complete his final test.

    They headed outside towards the base of Blackhorn Mountain where Shadow proceeded to give Erai one and only one instruction, for him to hit the mountain as hard as he could.

    From that moment on,  Shadow refused to tell him anything else...the rest was up to him. Shynerai was confused but he trusted his uncle and did something completely unprecedented...

    "OK then...I''ll use everything I''ve got. First I''ll use the Word of Power: Beowulf and to push my limits I''ll use my own...Word of Power: Mark...of a Beast."

    With these words Shynerai got into his lowered stance all the while the ground beneath him struggled under the force of his power, the energy radiating from him was enough to draw in dark clouds in the sky and if Shadow hadn''t cast a Multi-layer Ward, then even the neighboring areas would be affected...but before Shadow could ask Erai were exactly he got this power...Erai struck the mountain.

    His fist traveled with such speed that it exceeded and even surpassed the shockwave that was building around it...when it made contact the energy rocked the mountain with explosive force as if it were about to fall apart.

    The chaos didn''t stop as the shockwave finally made contact, the strength of which was enough to draw in the surrounding clouds like the beginnings of a fierce storm.

    When the chaos finally ended, dust and debris fell to the earth...with a panicking Shadow making sure that his quaint-little abode wasn''t destroyed but much to Shynerai ''s surprise...the mountain was still intact. A sight which brought him to his knees as the exhaustion and disappointment began weighing on him.

    Despite the results, Shadow broke out into joyous laughter while remarking how much Shynerai has managed to grow beyond his wildest expectations.

    Wiping away the little tears of laughter, he looks at him with a smile.

    He explains that the aim of the test wasn''t for him to destroy the mountain...but for Shynerai to see for himself how far he has managed to come.

    Shadow went on to state that the only reason they used the mountain was that it was the only thing they had on hand that could withstand being used as a punching bag.

    For the first time in a very long time, Shynerai ''s eyes began to gleam as he produced an enormous smile of joy all the while trying to hold back his tears.

    "Anyway let''s get some food and get clean so we can head home."

    Shadow said after helping him to his feet.

    As he stood up, Shynerai couldn''t help but feel excited...he was finally walking the path to being a Hero as great as his uncle.

 The Beginnings of a New Tale

    As the two finished packing, they were then able to get on the road, though due to all the excitement, Shynerai ended up falling asleep during most of the trip back home.

    By the time they arrived in Sprite Fontiss, it was already 21h30 so Shadow didn''t expect to find Sarah awake...and as they opened the door, he was greeted by the sight of the young girl having fallen fast asleep by the fireplace.

    Shadow walked through the door and stepped into the living room to greet his daughter with a kiss on her forehead as she slept, inadvertently waking the "sleeping beauty".

    Shynerai followed Shadow into the house...when he came to a sudden stop as his eyes fell on the allure of the waking figure with long vermilion hair and sterling blue eyes.

    A similar sensation enveloped Sarah as her eyes settled over the seemingly familiar figure, a tanned and lean built individual with bright green eyes with snow-white hair.

    It was only after Shadow remarked at how much they had both grown that they finally understood who the ¡°stranger¡± before each of them was.

    With the realization flooding in...Shynerai was jumped by Sarah with the warmth that reminded him of when he first woke up in hospital after the Glynnfoldt Incident. It was at this point that he asked if Sarah actually missed him to tease her, only to be repeatedly bludgeoned by a tearing Sarah.

    Shadow eventually stepped in to break up the cheerful reunion and instructed Shynerai to help the aid finish unpacking the rest of the luggage.

    Once they were settled in, the three went on to enjoy their first family dinner in almost eight years.

    Before everyone went to bed, Sarah told Erai to go and take a bath so he could get cleaned up. During his bath, Sarah brought him a fresh change of clothes and asked for his dirty laundry so that she could throw them out...but Erai told her that his training uniform was too important to be thrown out, so she only got rid of the rest of his clothes...but she had also taken the opportunity to take his damaged clothes.

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    That morning Sarah was greeted by the sound of her brother training outside as her father was preparing to leave. Shadow was leaving so that he could complete Erai''s application for his Guardian Entrance Exam. Sarah quickly followed suit as she left for school.

    A week later Shynerai woke up so that he could start packing because tomorrow he was taking his exams and since the exams were in Aria, he would have to leave early.

    He finished getting ready and went to eat breakfast though Sarah had already left for school.

    Shadow said that Sarah had left him a goodbye gift on the table.

    As they ate he asked him if he was worried about the exam tomorrow, Erai responded:

    "Of course I am...I mean who wouldn''t be, but even though I''m scared, I still feel a burning excitement inside of me and it''s this sensation that''s driving me to keep going¡­so I will."

    Shadow told him that he had no doubt in his mind and that he wished him the best of luck.

    But before Shynerai left, his uncle surprised him with one more heartfelt embrace.

    Afterwards, Shynerai left the house and entered the car as the house-aid began their drive to Aria.

    A few hours passed before they reached the city.

    As their vehicle entered the walls of the city, Shynerai was greeted by the sight of a true marvel of brick, stone, glass, and steel. Unlike most capitals, this one did not embrace the steel and glass niche rather the architecture resembled living works of art with cathedrals and entertainment halls capturing most of the landscape.

    The rest of the land had floating structures of greenery and homesteads that seemed to have been designed with musical aesthetics, hence the name, Aria.

    The aid instructed Shynerai to make himself home in the condo that Shadow acquired for him while he unpacks all his things as they finally arrived at what would be Shynerai''s home for the duration of the exams.

    As Shynerai entered the house he gave himself a tour finding two bedrooms, a small kitchen, a living room, and a single bathroom.

    Once he was done he went over to the entrance so that he could see the aid off...but before he left, the aid told him to get enough rest so that he can do his best. He was grateful for his support and finally said his goodbyes.

    With that, he went up to his room though not to rest but to instead...meditate and work on his "trump card" so that it was ready for tomorrow.

 Taking your First Steps

    The touch of the rising dawn peers through the drapes into his room before reaching the resting figure to draw him from the grasp of his sleep.

    Shynerai stumbles up from where he was sitting...with the realization of having fallen asleep during his meditation forcing a disgruntled sigh out of him.

    After finally shaking off his fatigue with a bit of stretching, he went to take a shower and have a quick breakfast. Once he was finished, he went back upstairs to change clothes that would be appropriate for the Exams though he was shocked to find that what he was looking for wasn''t with him.

    After searching for almost fifteen minutes, Shynerai could only surmise that his training gi was thrown out by Sarah...after thinking on it for a while, he decided that he would have to go on without it, so he got dressed in some clothes that Shadow picked out for him and began to head out, though not before writing and finally posting a letter back home as he left.

    From Shadow''s condo, it was only a forty five-minute walk to the Academy or a fifteen-minute cab ride so Shynerai decided to walk.

    Despite being in the Deep City which was the area of the city that was below the floating metropolis above  known as High City, the area was just as lively and just as impressive.

    The individuals that dwelt here were either from out of town or they were merchants, companies and businesses that were taking advantage of the fact that most tourists and "passersby" had to come through the Deep City first when entering Aria.

    Because of this, Deep City took on the appearance of a hybrid between a business and entertainment sectors rather than some slum. All of this made travel by foot pretty efficient but also notoriously difficult to navigate but Shynerai did manage to receive some directions from a small local equipment store.

    Thirty minutes pass.

    He had finally arrived at the gate of the Academy, Trinity Cross: the most renowned Guardian School on the continent of Melodoria .

    The mere sight of the entrance was enough to impart the weight of the challenges that he would have to face from the moment he steps onto the grounds.

    Despite how nervous he began to feel, he continued to walk forward and proceed with the other entrants to the quad outside of the Main Auditorium of the First Assembly Hall.

    Here there were booths, each with a designated letter range, the first being A-B, then the next being C-D and so on to give a total of thirteen booths.

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    These designations were to correspond with an examinee''s initial for their last name.

    At their respective booths, they would receive their examination numbers as well as the first exam to which they needed to go.

    Shynerai made his way to the "A" booth where the admin was being handled by a Second-year student by the name of Henrietta Vermilion. Once he got his exam number (223), he proceeded to enter the hall and sit in his reserved seat.

    Nearly an hour passes until every single entrant is accounted for and seated within the halls...whereby they are greeted to the sight of a stage filled with all the individuals that assisted with the admin as well as two educators.

    Once there was silence, the teachers introduced themselves.

    The aged individual on the left, possessing a hunched stance and gaunt expression with a look of mild uncleanliness was known as Dr Edgar Arturion, the resident physician of the Academy, and on the right side of the stage stood a tall gentleman of elvish descent with a fair appearance and noble aura that managed to capture the attention of most in the audience.

    This individual was Dr Regis Ulrich, one of the most renowned educators at Trinity Cross Academy.

    Once they had introduced themselves, they proceeded to welcome the entrants for participating...before quickly dispensing with the pleasantries to begin the Introduction.

    "Today all of you have come to our school to begin your journey as fledgeling Guardians, so let us see if you are worthy of doing it at our Academy. Please pay attention to the monitor and save all questions for the end of the Introduction, Thank you.¡±

    ¡°The lights in the hall begin to dim as a projection appears behind him.¡±

    ¡°Today marks the beginning of a series of exams which you will need to pass to be considered as one of our students.¡±

    ¡°Success will be determined by whatever criteria is set for each test, no matter how unreasonable or incomprehensible they may seem¡±

    ¡°Once you have completed all the examinations, we''ll reach out to you within a week to inform you if you have become a Trinity Cross Academy student.¡±

    ¡°We will now separate all of you into your respective groups before we start examining you.¡±

    ¡°So examinees: 1 through to 365 (Group A) will head over to the South-West track field with examinees: 366 through to 725 (Group B) going to the North-west track field.¡±

    ¡°The rest of you will be divided into five separate groups of a hundred and forty-five students each, forming (Group C, D, E, F, G).¡±

    ¡°You will fill the West-Side gymnasiums.¡±

    ¡°Group A and B will be taking the Illumination Test and Group C through to G will be doing the Pillar Test. The rules of your exams will be explained at your designated locations. If there aren''t any questions, you''ll have ten minutes to head over to your exam locations. Dismissed.¡±

    With that, Dr Regis ended the Introduction and the students went to their respective locations...though their feelings of excitement and confidence were thrilling, the shock of reality was about to make those sensations short-lived.

 The Challenges Ahead

    As Shynerai entered the house, he turned on the lights and headed upstairs.

    After entering his bedroom, he closed the drapes and threw himself onto his bed as he took a deep breath only to exhale with a worn-out sigh.

    It was clear that his little display of WillForce was taxing.

    He kept on lingering on the thought as he stared at his left hand with the brief sight of the silhouette of an item on the desk in front of him. As he focused on the item, it came into clarity along with what the time was on the alarm clock next to it.

    It was 17h46, so Shynerai decided to get up so he could start on dinner and on his way out of the room, he grabbed the package.

    As he sat down to enjoy his dinner, the mystery of what was in the package began gnawing at him as he recollects the event that leads to him acquiring the package, whereby he was coming down for breakfast and Shadow told him that Sarah had left him a goodbye present.

    As the thought of Sarah began flashing in his mind, he resolved to find out what it was.

    He put aside his dinner and stood up to open the package while multiple ideas began racing through his mind, though if it was a gift from Sarah then Erai didn''t care what it was.

    As the packaging fell away, the gift was revealed though there were two gifts. Erai picked up the gifts, and he found a card that was signed by both Shadow and Sarah.

    The card read that the bigger package is Shadow''s gift which is a jacket-coat that seems to be an improvement from his old attire. It''s made from even sturdier fibers so it won''t break down when Erai uses his power. The scent of which was reminiscent of his home, knowing that they could be made from the Milkwater reeds.

    The jacket has bright silver trimmings with an embossed collar and furred hood. The arms of the jacket are folded but the buttons can be undone to give them full length. The jacket has a navy blue and midnight purple hue.

    The second gift was from Sarah and to say her gift was simply that would be an understatement.

    Her gift was a silver necklace made of two concentric circles with the smallest one being freely suspended inside the larger one.

    Though looking at it, Erai could not find a purpose for it as he wasn''t the jewelry type but as he turned the card around to see if there was anything more, finding something that brought him to a complete silence...and only a few moments after the silence came to be the muffled sound of held-back tears welling up¨C

    His hand that held onto the card trembled as he fell to his knees with tears running down his cheeks as with each sniffle seemingly breaking the gates that were trying desperately to hold them back.

    ¡°It''s a gift. Your mom and I were hoping to finish it before you got back from the University in time for your birthday.

    Uncle Astral thought you might not like jewelry all that much but we knew you''d love it if we made it magical in some way.

    Hope you like it, for always being kind and helpful to everyone.

    Just know that there is always someone who cares about you no matter how sad, frustrated or lonely you may feel¡± The short note wrote

    A feeling made certain as soon as he put the necklace on, it began spinning slightly with a slight glow.

    The echoes of those words made him tear without end as each time he tried to wipe them away, even came flooding back.

    As his tear-filled eyes staring deeply into the light of the necklace, he couldn''t help but be reminded of his parents and how happy he was when they were still around, thinking of all the time he spent with Shadow and Sarah when they took him in.

    Suddenly the thought of all the people that had brought him to this moment brought a smile to his face and deep joy to his heart.

    With the emotional reminders of why he''s doing what he is firmly in his grasp, Shynerai feels more empowered than ever to succeed and keep his family together.

    That morning Shynerai sprang from his bed and started his day with absolute intent.

    Having eaten breakfast and made his bed, Shynerai went on to take a shower before the final exam.

    With the vigor of a fresh shower, he got dressed and donned his father''s coat along with his sister''s necklace.

    Before he left, he noticed that his hair kept on getting in his way and it was a minor inconvenience during the exams on Monday, so he decided to deal with it.

    Once it was time to leave, he grabbed his backpack that was packed with a decent amount of essentials for survival, as he stepped out the door.

    There was a noticeable glare that had fallen on him from the people that were passing by on the street, though Shynerai simply thought it was the jacket that caught everyone''s attention.

    As he left the porch and entered the street, more and more of the scene was made at the appearance of Shynerai which only served to make him even more nervous so he tried hurrying towards the Academy in an attempt to avoid the gaze of even more people.

    He entered the street that he was lost on when he was first looking for Trinity Cross...and was stopped by the very same people from whom he got directions.

    "Hey! Yeah, you. Slow down. Hey are you that kid that got lost here awhile back." The distant voice called out..

    "Sorry if I happened to be a bother, though I do greatly appreciate your help." Shynerai replied as formal as can be.

    ¡°Oh, so it is you. I mean we barely recognized you, but if I saw another white haired elf in the same week it would truly be an early winter in Aria¡±

    ¡°I see sir, though I¡¯m not an elf¡­not entirely that is¡±

    ¡°Well that''s even more surprising. If you¡¯re a halfling then you most certainly inherited the best from your parents. You¡¯ll be growing into our resident heartbreaker at this rate¡± The grizzled figure teased Shynerai as they opened the doors to their caf¨¦.

    Shynerai was suddenly starting to make sense of what was going on.

    "So that''s why people were staring before, I mean I know I haven''t trimmed my hair in a while but I didn''t think that people being able to see my face would cause such an uproar. I guess I''ll just put on my hood. It''ll just make things easier going forward."

    Though the changes from another person''s perspective might seem far grander than a simple hairstyle change.

    Shynerai had taken his long white unkempt hair and trimmed the bangs while still leaving him with enough hair to make a ponytail braid that reached slightly below his shoulder. Something he kept doing even after his mother was no longer around to do it.

    From what she told him, their people only ever trimmed their hair when it reached past their shoulder so to keep it out of the way, they would braid it. However, Shynerai would always ask for it in the Lynhearian style with short bangs and a single braid, wishing like all children to resemble their father.

    With the braid resting around his collar, the white-color blended with the gray-furred collar of the jacket.

    The navy blue of the jacket along with the silver trails along with the jacket only served to accentuate his piercing emerald eyes. And the silver necklace shining with a complemented brilliance from his golden skin. All these together gave Shyenrai the appearance of an individual with an "inhuman beauty".

    After a quick conversation with the helpful strangers, Shynerai set off for school.

    As he was approaching the school gates, he glanced at the clock-tower and the time was 05h30, which made him wonder as to why exactly all the examinees had to arrive on campus so early in the morning.

    He entered through the gates and started walking towards the First Assembly Hall. He noticed that there was a stage set-up in front of the entrance of the Hall with all the examinees that had already arrived all gathering in front of it...though within their respective cliques.

    Since Shynerai knew nobody and hoping that he doesn''t run into Vauntuss again, he decided to stand behind the crowd that was forming farthest from the stage.

    By 06h00, it seemed as though no more examinees were arriving and the work being done on the stage had already been finished.

    With that the educators from the previous exams namely: Professor Ulrich and Professor Arturion.

    The two got onto the stage and approached the mics.

    They proceeded to gesture to the crowd in front of them...and the signal was received with them having calmed to total silence.

    Once again Dr.Ulrich began the introductions:

    "Good day to you all and welcome once more to Trinity Cross Academy. I am pleased to see that all the examinees have returned to complete the third and final exam.¡±

    ¡°On Monday you were all given instructions for how you would prepare for today''s test, now what exactly the test is will be explained.¡±

    ¡°The final exam is one of survival. You will be paired into groups of two at random, afterwards, you will be sent to Violain Woods, a forest that lies outside the protection of any Haven and one that routinely harbors both beasts and demons.¡±

    ¡°Once you arrive your objective is twofold, first: you need to find your way back to the campus, second: you will have to acquire a core from a beast.¡±

    ¡°The core  you retrieve will be an indication of your success so if you return without one, you fail the exam.¡±

    The cores are divided into six categories:

    <ul>

    <li style="font-weight: 500">Mind;</li>

    <li style="font-weight: 500">Chest; </li>

    <li style="font-weight: 500">Left Arm; </li>

    <li style="font-weight: 500">Right Arm; </li>

    <li style="font-weight: 500">Left Leg; </li>

    <li style="font-weight: 500">Right Leg.</li>

    </ul>

    ¡°The type of core will indicate the  beasts you will need to hunt to acquire it.¡±

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    ¡°The choice of which core to hunt will be selected at random for each group.¡±

    ¡°Lastly, the exam will run for three days so you have until Friday to make it back here.¡±

    ¡°You will also need to understand that if you return without your partner, it will be an automatic failure, along with starting fights against other groups.¡±

    ¡°Once you get your partner, you cannot exchange them for another.¡±

    ¡°Now if at any point you feel your life is in danger, merely resign and we the invigilators will intervene.¡±

    ¡°We will begin calling the names of the first team, once you find out who your partner is, find an empty Teleporting Seal and wait there.¡±

    Dr.Ulrich concluded his speech and started announcing the teams.

    Amongst them, were Vauntuss and Charlotte, Heimrill and Ketsuiko, Alleiyna and Torren along with Dusk and Stephen.

    Only when the hundred and third group was announced...Shynerai''s attention was suddenly caught as they called out:

    ¡°Vaceris Ieollavard Astembridge¡±.

    Shynerai looked around and noticed that all her friends were already placed in groups...so he wondered who was still left that would be good enough to be on her team...and then it struck him.

    "along with Shynerai Astrapordt".

    Silence fell after the team was announced...followed by low whispers as people were asking who Shynerai was.

    Meanwhile, as confused as ever, Shynerai stood at the back of the crowd in total shock until Ulrich summoned him once more, hearing his name again Shynerai could do nothing but swallow his fear as he made his way to the stage.

    With each step he took, the whispers grew louder and the glares grew more intense...until he arrived at the stage. Once he was on it, he tried to avoid eye contact with Vaceris by, an act which seemed to upset her.

    Dr Arturian then provided the two with the type of core that they would have to find: the mind core which could be found in beasts and demons that can harness the elements.

    After receiving their assignment, the pair headed over to one of the vacant Teleportation seals, all the while the crowd was in silence though everything quickly went back to normal after they left the stage.

    As the two headed for the Teleportation Seal, Shynerai heard someone call out to Vaceris, it was Charlotte and her friends. It seems like they decided to wait together until it was time for them to leave. As they approached, Vaceris began to veer off the direction that she and Shynerai were walking in to instead meet her friends.

    "Don''t you think we should take this time to come up with a plan before we leave?" Shynerai pleaded as she was walking away.

    "Don''t worry there will be plenty of time to plan when the exam starts, after all, I am stuck with you" Vaceris replied as she walked away.

    From that statement alone, Shynerai could tell that she didn''t like him very much.

    Even so, he found himself inexplicably drawn to her in a way that has been bothering him since they first met and because of it...he decides that he will make even more of an effort to ensure that they can cooperate in the exam.

    It was 06h50 when the last of the groups were announced.

    Finally, the examinees were asked to find their Seals. She arrived on time to meet Shynerai at the Seal.

    As he greeted her, she instead asked him why he has such a strange name.

    "Well my parents came up with it, but I understand it can be a bit hard to pronounce, so just call me Erai".

    Vaceris replied "Well, then you can call me Lady Vaceris".

    Shynerai saw no real need to address her in such a formal manner considering that they were on the same team, but as long as they could get through introductions then it didn''t matter.

    The final announcement was made "Good luck to you all, and may you be victorious".

    With that¡­all the Teleporting Seals activated simultaneously and with a sudden white flash, all one thousand, four hundred and fifty examinees, seven hundred and twenty five groups¡­ had all disappeared.

    With a bright flash, Shynerai could suddenly feel a shift in his balance.

    As he tried to open his eyes, it was clear that his eyes were still affected by the spell but they quickly began to recover as his vision became clearer and clearer until finally¡­

    "What, nightfall?".

    Shynerai thought to himself at the sight of a full moon at what appeared to be late evening.

    With the sight of the night sky intensifying his confusion, Shynerai began to stumble around as his mind tried to make sense of what exactly was happening¡­ when suddenly a hand reached out from the darkness to grasp his shoulder, it was Vaceris.

    It seemed as though she was just as dazed as he was but he was too delusional to notice¡­¡®smack¡¯.

    The sound echoed and began to bring some semblance of sanity back to his mind, "Ugh¡­I don''t think I needed to hit myself that hard" Shynerai remarked as he tried to soothe his check.

    Shynerai then turned to help Vaceris who was still having a bit of trouble adjusting.

    As he walked over to her, he tried putting his hand on her shoulder to calm her and as he did, she turned to him in response.

    Shynerai asked if she was okay.

    Vaceris tried to ask him about what just happened and why it was night already but Shynerai simply told her to take deep breaths as he sat her down on a rocky outcrop nearby.

    Once she was seated, Shynerai stood up but was stopped by Vaceris as she gripped his jacket...he turned and looked at her face and he noticed she looked confused though she was at least breathing okay.

    "Okay then, I won''t go"

    And with that, he sat there alongside her until she managed to calm down...all the while she never let go of him.

    Now at 20h52

    With the both of them now adjusted to the change in scenery, he decided to scout around the area, so they could orient themselves.

    He got up and started to walk towards an irregular megalith formation. Once he got to the top of it, he was gripped with the reality of the situation.

    Vaceris walked towards where he was standing and noticed that something was bothering him¡­or rather something he saw.

    "Well¡­can you see anything useful?", she shouted at him as he stood on the formation.

    He jumped down...after taking a few moments to collect his thoughts he started to explain to Vaceris what he saw.

    "It''s all forest...the forest just keeps going on as far as you can see. I guess they meant what they said about dropping us in the middle of a forest outside any of the Havens...Dammit".

    "Considering that it was early morning when we left the school, I''d bet that we are in a completely different time-zone".

    Vaceris stood back in shock as she clasped her hand towards her chest.

    Shynerai notices her reaction.

    "So you''ve figured it out have you?"

    "Seriously, how is it possible that we''re so far from Aria?", Vaceris mumbled to herself.

    "At the moment, it''s only just a theory, still¡­it''s only the lead we have so far".

    Though she was reluctant, she decided that until they had more information, she had no choice but to accept this idea.

    As a swift and chilled breeze brushed past them, the realization of what needed to be done befell them...and so they proceeded deeper into the forest to try and make camp for the night.

    After traveling for almost an hour and a half, they reached an area of the forest with a massive clearing that approaches a waterfall with an outcropping rock formation nearby.

    They both thought the formation would make a decent shelter for the night, so they began setting up the camp.

    Once they had finished scouting the clearing for any dangers and agreed that it was safe, they began building the shelter using some of their supplies, dead branches, and vines from nearby. While Vaceris finished the preparations for the camp, Shynerai decided to try and gather some food from deeper in the forest.

    "I think that we should go and gather some more supplies. It might be bad if we relied on our rations and they ended up finishing before we managed to make it back": Shynerai suggested to Vaceris in the hopes that they could work together.

    Unfortunately, the only value Vaceris found in his suggestion was their need for a source of clean water so she instead decided to volunteer herself to get some water for the camp while Shynerai heads out to look for the food on his own.

    With a suppressed look of disappointment, Shynerai got up and left the shelter:

    "Okay¡­I''ll be back sometime before sunrise".

    During their time together, Vaceris was unable to take Shynerai seriously.

    As she thinks to herself whilst drawing water from the waterfall.

    "Ever since we met, he showed no ambition or drive beyond completing the exams.

    Not to mention his terrible control over magic. It''s not just that...but his complete and utter lack of confidence in himself means that he''s probably the type of person who can''t do anything unless someone is babying him."

    She stood up and started heading back to the shelter, her inner thoughts continuing to race in what seemed like an attempt for her to justify her behavior towards him.

    She recalls her first encounter with him, this was after the Illumination Test when Vauntuss was scolding her for not managing a higher score...with Shynerai heading towards her and Vauntuss in what seemed like a poor attempt at playing the knight in shining armor.

    The result was him arriving at a total standstill the moment his eyes met her only for him to be chased away by Vauntuss himself.

    "Though it was flattering when he blushed at the first sight of me" she remarked with what seemed like a gentle smile.

    Despite this, she couldn''t help but think that:

    "If someone like him has no real courage or ambition driving them then he might end up slowing down those around him".

    "I cannot support anyone who would resign themselves to being paralyzed by fear every time an obstacle would present itself. The only thing I can do is cooperate when necessary and rely on my resolve if we end up in any danger."

    "Yes¡­I''ll succeed and push forward because it''s the only way for me to live the way I want: " she thought to herself as an expression of confidence appeared on her face.

    When she returned to camp, she put the water in the Piercebone trunk and placed it over the fire in front of their campfire. As it boiled, she drew from her bag a few packets of hydrated meals which she managed to prepare.

    The result was what seemed like a dinner that could pass a serviceable meal in almost any restaurant. Soon midnight had fallen over the forest and she had fallen asleep.

    Before she knew it...early morning had already arrived though, the credit for her waking up should instead be granted to the intriguing smell that seemed to be coming from outside the camp.

    As she peeked through the tree branch-curtains, below sat a truly welcomed surprise.

    There was a wooden bowl filled with what seemed like a fish stew made from what seemed like fish that came from...the waterfall, along with a modest serving of an assortment of fresh fruit that he had managed to gather during his midnight exploit, all of which were placed in a neat arrangement atop a woven tray.

    The scent of the meal was enough to entice the highborn senses of the young lady despite her reluctant attitude. Though with few kind words, he was able to free her from her shackles of guilt:

    "Go on, have a  bite¡­I mean I collected more than enough and I would hate it if my effort ended up being wasted. So eat up. It''s good", as he offered a kind smile in tandem with the meal.

    She could tell that both his words and actions had no spite or hate, despite her refusal to help him when he went foraging for the food.

    As she lifted the bowl and started taking a few spoonful of the meal, the delicious taste was plain to see on Vaceris face which caused something unusual to happen, a slight chuckle, specifically Shynerai chuckling at the sight of how much she was enjoying the meal she was so reluctant to have.

    With the sudden appearance of her smile making this the first real-time the two enjoyed each other''s company.

    As she continued with her meal she noticed that his bag was with him outside as he was sitting in front of the campfire with the blanket around him. She asked him why he didn''t place his stuff inside the shelter.

    "Well when I got back, you had already fallen asleep and I didn''t want to wake so I decided to camp outside".

    ''I...can''t have him make me a warm meal and even sleep outside after everything I said to him. Ahhh, he should''ve said something, it''s not like I was keeping the shelter to myself.'' she thought to herself as she watched him packing his things and cleaning up the fire pit.

    While she was preparing to go to any lengths to succeed at the exam, he instead had already gone to vast lengths to ensure that they could work well together.

    The effort he was putting in gave Vaceris a glimpse into the type of individual this reserved person was...someone who actually cares about those around him but also seeks to have people to care about.

    ''How strange, his actions seem to always be at odds with his character, even stranger when you consider those pale emerald eyes.''

    ¡°Humph¡±

    Though she felt like that last thought was a bit too comic to be true so she treated the idea as the result of her thinking too hard.

    Out of her head, she joined him near the campfire and finished her breakfast.

 A Fateful Encounter

    With their breakfast finished, Shynerai gave Vaceris her privacy to change while he took the time to bathe in the waterfall.

    When she was done, the two began packing up their things so that they could leave.

    As he puts out the campfire before they leave, Vaceris tells him that she is going to be doing a bit of recon and that she''ll find him up ahead.

    Shynerai agrees and tells her that he''ll be heading deeper into the forest because there''s a good chance that they might stumble upon a bunch of monsters or even demons that they can harvest for the ''mind core''.

    He watched as she rose  into the sky...before vanishing in a gust of wind.

    He heads north into the forest for several hours until she returns and they continue on their trip. As the pair continue to walk, they come across what looks to be a fairly large stream flowing down the path.

    "If there are any monsters around, they have to be drinking from wherever this stream leads" Shynerai exclaims as they follow the stream.

    Around 14h00 they decided to stop and rest under the shade of a large tree on top of a shallow cliff that overlooked the river that the stream which they had been following was now fed into.

    After fifteen minutes passed and the two were done taking a break, they continued with their journey.

    By nightfall, they had already covered sixty seven kilometers.

    They stopped near a threatening growth of Piercebone nearby. The branches of the tree are hollow with sharp protrusions that ooze out tree sap. Anything that has its flesh caught will be trembling in agony for some time. After a careful check of the tree and the area around it, Shynerai found a decent place nearby and decided to make their camp there.

    Due to the danger of building their camp in such an open area, they decided to sleep in a makeshift overhanging treeline far above the forest floor. While Vaceris built the canopies, Shynerai gathered firewood and water for the rest of the night.

    When the canopies were finished and the campfire was flaring, Shynerai filled his canister with water that had been boiling over the fire and again took it upon himself to find food for dinner and possibly for the next day''s breakfast.

    Sadly, just like yesterday, Vaceris wasn''t willing to help him...this time opting to stay and guard the camp, though her reasons for refusing to help him this time were not the same as before.

    Because of the initiative he showed when it came to the survival of not just himself but of their team despite how unruly she might have been in the beginning, he ended up inspiring her to do the same so...while Shynerai was out looking for food, she decided that she going to spend her time in the camp:

    In search of any demons and elemental beasts in the area that could possess a Mind Core.

    She thought that if she could fight a bunch of  elemental monsters nearby then they wouldn''t have to spend the entire second day looking for one and they could instead use the remaining time to look for a way back to Trinity Cross Academy.

    As she sat in front of the campfire, she moved into a meditative posture with her back straight and her legs crossed and began focusing on her magical energy.

    While maintaining her concentration, she started pushing the focus of her magic outwards to encompass the surrounding area.

    Her body began emanating ethereal wisps that started flowing around her before moving away from her and spreading all around the forest...allowing Vaceris to detect and locate any living creatures that were near the wisps.

    As her searched went on for some time, she eventually decided that it would be best if she went to rest so that she could continue the search early in the morning considering that she wasn''t having much luck, but before she stopped her search, her Wind Magic managed to detect a group of Elemental monsters only a few kilometers west from their camp.

    They were six Aggressors with another monster among them giving off the silhouette of a vessel for a Mind Core.

    Vaceris gleamed with excitement at the prospect of having found the Mind Core.

    She then tried even harder to make out the appearance of the mysterious beast but...this ended up backfiring.

    Due to a massive spike in her magical energy that was caused by her momentary excitement, she managed to alert the Aggressors¡­ who ended up noticing the wisps and seemingly understood that they were not natural.

    With the Aggressors now frantically attacking the wisps, Vaceris realized that she had to prepare herself for the prospect of having to fight the beasts since there was a strong possibility that they might end up following the wisps back to her¡­

    Shynerai was making his way through the forest in search of food, when he noticed that the river they stopped at for lunch earlier on during the day had led out into another stream that traveled in this direction.

    He decided to take the opportunity to get himself clean while also looking for some fish, though this time he only managed a large sum of freshwater crabs. After drying himself off and getting back into his clothes, he left the stream and continued his search for more food, this time looking for delicious fruits and roots that could pair well with the rest of the meal.

    His nighttime exploration reminded him of the time he spent training away from the homestead when Shadow wasn''t around, or even as far back as when he first began his training. A lot of time was spent on survivalism.

    Since he didn''t have any food, he was forced to find some.

    Which quickly made him adept at knowing what was safe to eat in the wild.

    The time he spent with Shadow also made him an incredible cook, considering for most of the seven years they were together, cooking was almost always a chore that was left to him.

    He continued to daydream about the time he spent training as he went around picking berries and taking apart edible roots.

    Ten minutes went by and finally, Shynerai was satisfied with his haul considering that the woven basket was now full, so he decided to indulge himself on a few berries before heading back to camp.

    But the sudden appearance of a bitter and chilling breeze that was strong enough to knock him down brought a sense of worry to him, so he abandoned his self-indulgence and hastened his way back to the camp.

    He soon realized that the bitter chill was coming from what seemed to be a battle that was happening in the same direction as their camp, since the closer he got, the stronger the winds became and the colder and sharper they felt¡­until a sudden and painful cry erupted from the maelstrom ahead of him.

    The possibility of said cry having come from the camp and the guilt of having abandoned Vaceris to guard the camp while he was busy daydreaming and splashing around in the stream weighed heavily on him until the strain was too much for him to bear and so he cast aside the basket and canister he had been carrying and started racing back to the camp.

    As he made his way back to the camp, the clarity of the cries increased which caused the horrors of the Glynnfoldt Massacre to resurface as terrible flashes.

    Ignoring the pain of the ingrained horrors, he tried desperately to push on, only for him to be met with a sight that brought both confusion and relief to him.

    When he arrived, Shynerai saw what seemed like a brawl between Vaceris and unbelievably enough, enormous horned serpents.

    To be more accurate, what seemed like three corpses already laid dead in front of her, all with what seemed like a thousand wounds from a blade.

    Shynerai''s panic began subsiding, the image of what exactly these creatures were finally clicked in his head.

    "Venom Aggressors¡­but why are they here?" He said staring at the corpses before being pulled back into reality as a Bronze Aggressor tried to bite him...fortunately he managed to avoid it.

    He could easily tell it apart from the corpses on the ground and he knew it was far more dangerous.

    A Bronze Aggressor could easily rise to the height of twelve meters, with the ability to breathe out a corrosive spray onto its victims as well as secrete a venomous toxin from its fangs. The beast had four horns that formed a crown protruding from its skull with a cape that resembled its smaller Cobra cousins.

    As he regained his composure, he turned to face these beasts.

    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    "Beowulf" He called out as fast as he could, and a swirl of white light spiraled around him, forming and shaping the beastly bracers, then the greaves, and finally the cowl.

    The beasts again attempted to strike at him with its whip-like tail.

    Noticing the incoming attack, he jumped clear of the tail, then found his footing and launched himself at the beast¡­striking it and landing a direct hit on its head.

    Though the beast intentionally tanked the hit as Shynerai was about to learn something else about the Bronze Aggressors.

    "What¡­metal?"

    Shynerai murmured as his fist made contact with the skull of the beast that was seemingly coated in what looked like¡­well, Bronze.

    The beast used Shynerai''s lack of footing from his failed assault to send him flying midair.

    After slamming through a few trees, he finally came to a halt.

    Brushing off the falling bark and broken branches, he got onto his feet and started planning his approach¡­when moments later the beast launched itself at him with venom-ridden jaws and again he managed to avoid it, though not completely...

    This time the Aggressor restrains him with its tail...readying its venom to once again take a bite out of him but he manages to loosen its grip long enough to escape.

    Using the opportunity to put some distance between him and the creature. Once he found a growth to rest behind, he took the time to come up with a plan as the beast slithered around the forest in search of its prey.

    Because of the massive stamina consumption of most Words of Power, fighting long, drawn-out battles is not one of his best attributes.

    Choosing to hide and observe the beast that searched for him...he noticed something interesting.

    As another blast of chilled wind blew past Shynerai, he knew that he would have to make it back to the camp to help out Vaceris, so the young man got to his feet and shouted once more...

    "Beowulf"

    And just as suddenly, a blinding white flash erupted from the trees.

    Despite the beast having sighted it, it was simply moving too fast for the creature to react.

    As the light thundered past trees and shrubberies as though a lightning bolt had been let loose into the forest, and its target was the beast.

    The creature in anticipation of an attack attempted to armor itself...but sadly such a response was met in futility as the lightning-clad Shynerai came soaring out of the trees and threw a devastating punch at the beast...but not at its head, instead, by its belly.

    His fist tore through its entrails and ripped it open before launching the behemoth into a nearby clearing with the force of the shockwave.

    As he followed the beast''s flight through the trees and finds it lying in the clearing, he removes the incantation¡­and with the last of the golden flames and vibrating lightning disappearing from his body, he remarked, his weary panting a sign of the Battle Armor¡¯s toll:

    "You hid your belly¡­deep inhale¡­because you knew that your armor only covers your scales".

    After taking a minute to recover and ensuring that the beast was defeated. He set off for the camp.

    When he made it back and found that the battle still wasn''t falling to either one''s side, but considering the trouble he was having with the Bronze Aggressor, it made sense why her battle was taking even longer¡­after all, she was fighting something much worse...

    Its sharp and angular silver scales gleamed with moonlight that emphasized  its unmistakable form, an actual Steel Aggressor.

    The battle Shynerai found was fierce with the Steel Aggressor breathing intense flames onto Vaceris in an attempt to reduce her to nothing but cinders and her in turn, snuffing out the flames with the boreal whirlwinds that she commanded.

    Shynerai decides to intervene, and once again dons the thundering armor of Beowulf before launching himself at the flame-spewing beast and drop-kicking it in the face, managing to knock it back into the ground forming a crater around the impact.

    The Aggressor''s flames covered the area around him but Vaceris extinguishes them while she questions him as to what took him so long and he explains why couldn''t rush to her and help.

    Despite understanding his reasons, she still teased him by pointing out that impact-type attacks won''t do damage against its armored scales.

    "I know, but its belly is still vulnerable against most attacks" He called out whilst being a bit annoyed at her patronizing statement and her obvious attempts to mask her laughter.

    "Ok ok, no need to get all pissy. Look, if I can get rid of its flames, will that be enough time for you to put in a finishing blow?".

    Erai''s expression changed from annoyance to determination as he responds

    "I can" Turning to face the enemy in front of them.

    "Good, because we strike¡­now", she tells Erai before flying towards the rising beast...narrowly avoiding a strike from its tail.

    Landing in front of it as she knocks it back with a massive gust of wind; putting it off balance...causing the emerging dark flames to merely bubble in the creature''s maw.

    "Now" She called out to him.

    Once more the thundering golden flash erupts from within the forest and launches itself at the beast.

    The creature tries to avoid the coming attack by slamming Vaceris into him using its tail, seeing its tail flailed towards her, she lunges herself forward, shifting the beast''s focus from the incoming streak of lightning...to try to attempt to savagely devour her.

    Using what''s left of her magic, she manages to soar upwards into the night sky.

    Creating the perfect opportunity as the creature had now exposed its entire belly in its attempt to chase her¡­making for an easy target for Erai.

    With that, he pierced the gut and disembowel the beast...sending the corpse flying into the Piercebone growth nearby. With the corpse now impaled with the hundreds of green spears, the creature''s fire finally turned cold.

    Shynerai dispelled his battle armor incantation, waving to the airborne Vaceris, who took a look at the gathering of Piercebone trees riddling the corpse of an Aggressor.

    Relieved at their victory, she accidentally loses the focus of her magical energy, causing her to fall back down.

    Despite expecting to make for one painful landing, when she opens her eyes, she was shocked to find herself in the arms of Erai who casually grins as he asked her:

    "Do you always get distracted?"

    The embarrassed Vaceris leaps out of his arms as she yells at him in a hilarious effort to explain herself which only serves to make Erai hide his obvious laughter:

    "I didn''t lose focus¡­..I''m just worn out from all the magic I used."  She said all the while trying to bear a scowl on her flustered face.

    Having had his fun, he said that they should head back to camp and get some rest, but an irritated Vaceris stops him, stating that they should first extract the Mind Core from the Steel Aggressor before they can rest up.

    So the two made their way to the corpse to retrieve the Mind core...

    When out of nowhere, an unexpected enemy shows its face.

    While the two were walking away and Vaceris continued to berate Erai...another Bronze Aggressor snuck out from the nearby trees and ambushed the two with a spray of corrosive fog.

    Vaceris tried to respond but her body would not after exhausting herself of her magic and he didn''t have enough time to don the Beowulf armor and stop the attack¡­Erai opted for a different plan, and¡­ at that moment they were hit with the attack.

    Though strangely enough as Vaceris looked around she could tell that the poison had surrounded her¡­but it wasn''t touching or even coming near her.

    She tried to look around the ''bubble'' for Erai but the haze was far too thick, though she did hear him grunting as well as the beast''s screeches.

    As the battle of voices raged on for several minutes, she was suddenly taken aback by the shriek that came from Erai, which was followed by the loudest screech so far, from the beast before a shockwave erupted from the ground as though the beast had crashed into it.

    The haze slowly started to clear at the behest of the force from the impact, revealing the outline of a standing figure.

    It was Erai¡­and somehow the shape at his feet was the dead Aggressor.

    As soon as the haze dissipated, the protective bubble vanished as well and she ran over to Erai to ask him what had happened... but he fell onto her, lucky for him, she managed to catch him in her arms and rested him on the ground.

    She asks him what happened and what was wrong with him.

    He told her that there wasn''t enough time for him to gear up and stop the beast from attacking, so all he could in that split second moment was trying to protect both of them, but when it came down to it there was only enough time to protect one, so he chose to protect her.

    "I used an incantation called: Wall of Jericho. It lets me cast a barrier around my target that lasts as long as I''m conscious, unfortunately, it has the drawback of not protecting the caster¡­"

    "Ok¡­that explains the ''bubble'' but not why didn''t you use that silver armor of yours  after you had saved me?" She asked him as her face changed to harbor a worried and saddened expression.

    "Oh¡­I guess probably because, I don''t know how to use two incantations at the same time", he said to her with a cheerful smile as a way of comforting her, but his smile quickly becomes warped with pain when the venom from the bite he received on his shoulder becomes agitated.

    It doesn''t work out as she realizes that Erai protecting her was the reason he got hurt, even if he tries to hide it.

    Two individuals descended from their hidings in the nearby trees and made their way towards the wounded duo, an entire wave of confusion and questions would soon wash over both of them.

    The two made their way towards Vaceris and Erai, with the wounded Erai glimpsing at them, and warning Vaceris to quickly run as fast as she could in danger.

    Her hesitation was quickly diffused as she began hearing their footsteps, she finally decided to listen to Erai and as she was about to stand, a familiar voice froze her in place:

    "So is this where you run and abandon your team?"

    As the figures approach, Vaceris turns to them with the singular thought of who might that voice belong to that stops her from escaping.

    When she saw the person''s stature, as well as the sight of an opal and gold-colored piece of fabric through their cloaks¡­as well as his voice, she knew whom she was dealing with.

    "What are you doing here, Vauntuss?"

 Darkest before the Emerald Dawn

    "Why are you here?" She yelled once more with a tone of visible anger, which was one that Erai was all too familiar with¡­though Vauntuss found this act to be new.

    "Calm down, Erie. It''s okay Vaceris, we were just watching your battle" Exclaimed the slightly shorter figure in an attempt to quell the tension.

    "Wait¡­Herce, is that you?" Vaceris asked the figure.

    "Yeah, sorry about Vauntuss''s attitude. He was just worried about you.¡±

    ¡°We were looking for a way out of the forest when we noticed a large amount of your magic coming from this place.¡±

    ¡°Erie thought that you might be in danger so we made our way here.¡±

    ¡°But when we got here, the beast tried to ambush you." Herce explained.

    "Oh¡­I thought that you were someone else, or that you wanted to steal our Mind Core" She replied.

    "We don''t need your core, we already have our own, besides ours is the Body Core" Vauntuss corrected her.

    Suddenly the interaction between the friends was ended with a loud and harsh scream coming from Shynerai as he yelled and thrashed on the ground before falling unconscious.

    She rushed over to him and was mortified when she saw the bite wound ¡­it was getting worse, and he was feeling every second of it. In a panic, she tried carrying him back to camp in spite of how exhausted she was...

    "What are you doing now?" Vauntuss wondered, while watching her in silent struggling.

    "Look, he was hurt by the Aggressor and his wound isn''t healing, so I don''t have time to deal with you at the moment" She replied.

    "Wait¡­Vaceris!" Shouts Herce as she tries to talk to her.

    "Sorry Herce, but he needs my help".

    As she carried him off, the two stood there, trying to figure out what to do. Vauntuss remarks on how she never acts this forceful or brash as Herce suspects it''s because of Shynerai.

    "Well¡­if he''s that important to her, then we have no choice" Says Vauntuss as he starts rolling up his sleeves.

    "So you want us to help them?" Herce asks him, in an attempt to understand his motivations as well as to find out why he is so insistent on helping Vaceris.

    "Yes. Besides it would be a shame if he died before we got a chance to fight"

    The two began walking towards Vaceris.

    "He is the one that I have chosen, and if he disappoints, then he will die by my blade", Vauntuss thought as he approached the dying Daumier.

    "Vaceris put him down. I''ll carry him the rest of the way, you can go and get some water from the stream. Herce is going to need as much as she can get if she is going to help your little friend".

    Looking at the hurting Erai, her heart was gripped with guilt and fear and her face was starting to reflect these feelings.

    "Don''t worry, I''ll save him, I promise.", said Herce as she comforted her with her hand on her shoulder.

    Fearing for his life, she decides to accept their help, albeit reluctantly.

    Several minutes pass with Shynerai now inside the shelter at the camp.

    Vicious screams roared from the makeshift camp as he thrashed about in agony while Vauntuss and Vaceris tried holding with Herce treating the wound.

    She had mixed a bunch of herbs and roots that she managed to gather into a balm, which she proceeded to apply onto the wound.

    A visible wisp of what looked like the poison gas from the Bronze Aggressor''s breath attack began flowing out of the wound all the while Erai continued to writhe.

    A few more minutes passed before he began to calm down as the last of the venom left his body.

    Herce told Vaceris that if they had acted any later¡­than the venom would have done irreversible damage to his body, though she was intrigued as to why they didn''t simply give up on the exam and ask the teachers for help, interested by her possible response, Vauntuss turns to hear her out.

    Vaceris responded with a sullen expression and a sigh before she spoke:

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    "He wouldn''t let me." She said as she stared at the ground in what looked like she was trying to hide from shame.

    "I was willing to¡­but he wouldn''t let us give up, he felt that we could still pass, or rather he felt that I could."

    Vauntuss scoffed at the idea.

    "If you had a chance, then you wouldn''t have needed him to put himself in danger to protect you¡­Are you pleased with yourself for the sacrifice he made shielding you?"

    "Of course not." She said as she fell to the ground with tears welling up.

    "I don''t want to see anybody getting hurt because of me¡­but because of me he almost died, and it''s something I can''t change as much as I want to." Vaceris responds as tears begin running down her cheeks onto the ground. Seeing her sadden friend, Herce sends Vauntuss a vicious expression, which makes him halt his verbal assault.

    Hearing the faint sniffles of an upset Vaceris, the half-awake Shynerai rose from his bed and stumbled out of the shelter. As he left the shelter he Shadow-steps himself to where Vaceris was sitting...only to find her crying, the sight of which caused an eruption of bloodlust.

    Sensing the growing hate coming from him, Vauntuss stood forward to confront him.

    As he stepped forward, Erai propped himself up so that he was shielding Vaceris, the confused Vaceris told him to go and rest before his wounds opened up as she wiped her tears away.

    "If¡­someone wants to upset my teammate, then they answer to me." He let out against Vauntuss as if to call him out.

    "Hmm¡­hahaha, not in your sorry state you are." Vauntuss remarked as he continued to laugh.

    The enraged Erai ''Stepped'' towards and threw himself at him, launching Vauntuss into the Piercebone growth¡­before stumbling a few feet towards Vaceris, and falling unconscious, with a small pool of blood forming around him.

    Vauntuss quickly shook off the flight and prepared to end Erai, but Herce gestured at him to stop¡­ and well, he did albeit reluctantly. When he reached him, Vauntuss dragged him back into the shelter with Herce informing him rather angrily to stitch him back up.

    Confused, Vaceris was still shocked by Erai''s bizarre behavior, but Herce simply told her that:

    "Looks like he''ll do anything to protect his friends".

    "But I wasn''t in danger", she replied with her tears leaving dried streaks.

    "I guess he just felt that you were" Herce responds as she looks at the injured juvenile being dragged into the shelter.

    Several hours pass.

    Shynerai woke up in the middle of a cool night, a crisp breeze met his flush face as he stepped out of the shelter, finding Vaceris resting nearby. The crackling flames of the fire occasionally caused her to turn in her sleep. It took a moment for him to realize that they were no longer in the treeline and were now settled on the forest floor.

    While walking his first steps were without strain, he couldn''t shake the nausea and the persistent flaring heat from within. With his top sitting loosely over him, accommodating the bundle of bandages binding him and holding his left arm in place. As he moved about camping space, he noticed the bandages on Vaceris.

    Wrapping her hands, he wondered what could have scarred her, was his incantation faulty in some way or did he react too late to protect her. Approaching her with masterful stealth, she continued her sleep as he reached her, finding his jacket in her grasp, he gently loosened it.

    After grabbing his coat, he used a blanket he was sleeping with to cover Vaceris before leaving the shelter.

    It didn¡¯t take long before he felt the cool air harden with a growing chill, like that of a late winter night, and at the center of this boreal shift was Vauntuss, standing guard over Herce who was sleeping beside him.

    "Why are you here?" Shynerai asked him with a stern expression whilst also having obvious wear and fatigue present in his voice.

    "I am led to understand that when someone saves your life, the appropriate response is gratitude towards them."

    Shynerai''s strength was barely enough to clench his fists and so he turned away, throwing his jacket over his shoulders and walking off. Vauntuss warned him as he did that if he continued moving around with such intense injuries, he could end up dying, which would be a wasted effort considering what Vaceris went through to save him.

    Despite this, he continues off, deeper into the forest, though with an unusual look of frustration now present on his face.

    He paced through the forest for some distance before finding himself by a meadow with a  series of scattered ponds that were fed by the stemmed flow of a stream, cut off by large rocks. He stopped to rest in clear moonlit pools as he collected his thoughts.

    ''We slayed the Aggressors and found the Mind Core, but we ended up being attacked all because I let my guard down. Uncle Shadow trained me to be mindful and because I wasn''t, it put my teammate in danger.'' His frustration was fierce and could not be hidden any longer as he stared at his reflection in the flowing water.

    He continued to eye his sullen face until the image of the full moon reflecting off the water came into focus. As he looked up into the sky towards the moon, he felt somewhat at ease despite all the thoughts racing through his head.

    With the image stealing away his attention from his uncertainties, it also brought him an understanding of the bigger picture. When he stopped pitying, his expression changed with a heavy brow showing intense concern¡­specifically that this was already the second day, which meant that they had only one more day to return to Aria.

    Despite the reality that they were likely waiting for him to wake up after his treatment as well honoring his request to by not giving up on the test, weighing heavily on him, the sight of the moon brought nothing but peace in his mind¡­

    With that, he sat beside the shimmering pool and he began to meditate, remaining silent and unshaken until daybreak greeted him through the sound of waking life around him. Early that morning, Shynerai was on his way to the camp just as both girls woke up to find Vauntuss packing before he informed them that they had to get going.

    "This is the last day of the exam so we''ll be heading out soon."

    As they finished stretching, Herce and Vaceris went over to the river for a quick wash, but the realization of Erai''s disappearance sends a wave of dread over his caretaker though Vaceris eased the concerned Herce, simply remarking with a hopeful smile that he is probably getting breakfast.

    Not entirely sure what to make of her words, she instead took them to mean that he wasn''t in any danger.

 Burning Twice as Bright, for Half as Long

    After an hour had passed.

    Vaceris and Herce returned to find that Vauntuss had finished packing while Erai was busy with the final preparations for breakfast.

    A relieved Vaceris approached him wondering if he was okay, but to her surprise she discovered that his bandages had been removed with his arm freed from its bounds and working at the fish he was preparing. After pausing his preparations, he turned to face her, watching as she hid her wounds from him.

    Erai asked her if she had been worried about him, answering by berating him for wasting everyone''s time with his nap as she reached for his shirt and searched for his wound. Leaving Shynerai in an uncontrollable fit of laughter, begging her to stop. With the air of the camp now having taken a lighter feel, the group went on to have breakfast.

    ¡°By the way, could I see your hands, Vaceris?¡± Herce checked on her with a gentle touch. While Vaceris was insistent that she was okay, she would not have it, casting a soft golden glow over that mended her flesh to its previous form.

    ¡°There you go, we can¡¯t have  a princess of the realm wandering around all marred and ragged.¡±

    Following with a scolding of Shynerai¡¯s reckless behavior that endangered them both, expecting that he should at least make sure that Vaceris does not get injured.

    During their meal, Vauntuss and Herce informed them that once they were finished eating, they would be going on their way but before he they could continue, Shynerai asked them to wait as they would want to hear what he had to say.

    He turned to Vaceris, asking her what she saw during her time in the air, while they were looking for a Mind Core  when they first arrived in the Violain Wood.

    She described only the most standout features such as the humming rivers, streams, and woodwind trees that sing in the breeze with the occasional cliff and rock-face though northeast of their initial location, which was now east of their camp there looked to be a mine of sorts near the outskirts of the forest, and even stranger¡­it looked to be active as it seemed to have power despite there being no one in sight.

    Herce wondered why the presence of the mine was so strange, but Vauntuss quickly reminded her that Violain Woods was outside any Haven, so the idea of there being any industry out there is far too risky for the protective blessing could not be felt this far out.

    Erai reluctantly agreed with his hypothesis before he continued with what he had to say.

    ¡°At first, when Vaceris told me what she saw, I thought that the mine was abandoned in a hurry due to an accident or something".

    He goes on to say that it was only when he took a walk last night to clear his thoughts that he realized something important.

    Due to his lack of any magical abilities, Erai was driven as a child to learn as much as he could about it in the hopes of being able to figure out how he too can do magic.

    This interest in learning pushed him to learn everything from how to detect magic, to how magic can affect an environment and the creatures that live in it. His research was supplemented by his regular trips to the Ma¡¯ein Sof University and the occasional items that Shadow would bring him, and one such item¡­was a bit strange, to say the least.

    The item looked to be a rock of sorts, though Erai determined that it was greatly infused with magical energy from how it affected grass and plants around it.

    Intrigued by his new gift, he decides to ask Shadow about it, but he simply remarks that he purchased it from a vendor in Sprite Fontiss. And so it became the object of his interest as he took to researching the strange rock at the University.

    When he got to the University, he struggled a great deal to find someone who had any knowledge on the rock¡­though he was routinely directed to the libraries to search for the information.

    A couple of days went by before he could find what he was looking for though when he did, he soon learned why the knowledge was so scarce.

    He found a book written by a man named Edmund Royce that describes his rock in excellent detail and even explained that the reason the knowledge of such an item was rarely studied amongst scholars and mages was that the strange rock found a greater purpose amongst those that work in industries as well as blacksmiths.

    After an aggressive facepalm and one heavy sigh, he continued with his work.

    He found that the strange rock was a highly sought after geological formation referred to as a V-Type ore.

    According to the book, areas and places with high concentrations of magic have a unique property that causes them to draw in powerful monsters, beasts and even demons.

    When these powerful creatures inhabit these areas and eventually die, their reserves of magic add to the already high concentration of the region.

    The unusually high concentration of magic can become so saturated that it seeps into the molten rock below the crust and infuses itself into the ores.

    When the molten rock is eventually pushed to the surface, the high heat and incredible saturation of magic cause a change in the ore once it cools.

    The result is either the ores gain the property of 100% purity i.e: "V-Type ores" or compatible ores can fuse into a completely brand new material i.e: "N-Type alloy".

    What he found most notable about the V-Type ores was their use in monetary exchanges as they were completely pure and gave the currency a more impressive value.

    With Erai''s recount of his history, Vauntuss realizes something:

    "You think that the mine she saw might be a V-Type one or even an N-Type one? " he exclaims loudly.

    "Probably¡­no I''m sure of it".

    "Hold on, if it really is an important mine, then why didn''t you see a processing plant or something?" Herce tried to follow their reasoning.

    Silence falls on the camp for a moment before Vauntuss answered:

    "It''s probably because of all the dangers in the forest.¡±

    ¡°To the owners of the mine, having expensive facilities and equipment in such a dangerous location might be too risky, but even so, they still need to take the material somewhere¡­perhaps"

    "A mining town nearby, at the very least some distance from the wods" Shynerai and Vaceris let out at the same time.

    "Yes¡­yes, it''s possible, they could be using a mining town or something like it to store and transfer the materials to wherever they get processed. That means...they might even have an off-site Teleportation Seal." Vauntuss added with a glint in his eyes.

    A look of sudden realization quickly fell on everyone''s faces.

    "Doesn''t that mean we could use the seal to get back to Aria" Herce exclaimed.

    "Yes...I think...no, this IS our best shot at making it back".

    Suddenly getting back to Aria didn''t seem as daunting of a task and the group seemed to be all for it though a noticeable look of worry appeared on Vauntuss''s face as he voiced his concerns with the plan they all seemed excited for.

    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    He asked Vaceris how far the mine was from their current location as well as how fast she had to travel to get there.

    "It''s about three hundred kilometers away at a few hundred kilometers an hour".

    The shock from how far and how fast they would need to travel was a surprise to Herce and Erai, Vauntuss somewhat expected this, considering that he had trained with Vaceris frequently, he understood her capabilities well.

    Despite his initial concerns, Vauntuss informed everyone that the trip is possible though he isn''t quite sure if Shynerai was even capable of keeping up since he doesn''t know if he has any spells that can help him travel such a vast distance.

    He is capable of creating an ice path for himself and both Herce and Vaceris can fly at incredible speeds.

    Despite the comment, Shynerai said nothing with no reaction. He reached for his bandages to soothe the aching and told them that they shouldn''t worry about him.

    But Vaceris and Herce couldn''t help but worry as they finished their meal.

    Once they were done, they packed the last of their things and began setting off, all the while making sure to not travel at full speed out of a fear of leaving the injured Daumier behind.

    Seeing the unintentional pity of their faces, he gave out a deep roar and took a stance.

    While she was ahead of the group, Vaceris turned back to check on them, still worried about how far back they had left him, only to find that he had stopped in tracks.

    Shynerai ripped off the remaining bandages to reveal his partially healed wounds...but they were different, now emanating a strange green glow, ribbon-like flows of green energy sewn themselves into his shoulder and torso, before the glow intensified.

    He then put on his shirt and donned his father''s coat, and with a single breath, he said¡­

    "Willforce"

    Once again the emerald wisps Vauntuss had seen before had begun gathering around him like the forceful winds of a storm before an explosion of green light erupted from him.

    After the blinding light had disappeared, what was left was the young man, standing with bright green flames erupting from his eyes with a green decorative halo sitting above his head.

    This time Vauntuss had noticed that the haloes were around the ankles of his feet and not on his wrists like before.

    Within the blink of an eye, the glowing figure had disappeared, with the bystanders only bearing witness to the sudden shockwave that flowed behind him.

    As they looked ahead, they saw Erai moving through the forest at inhuman speeds, the shockwave from each stride tearing through the dirt and uprooting trees.

    The shockwave alone had left a pass behind him, refusing to be outdone by him, Vauntuss started surfing his ice wave as fast as he could with Herce and Vaceris still left in shock at Shynerai''s sudden display of power, though Vauntuss''s scolding was enough to get them to focus¡­and with that, they made their way for the outskirts of the Violain Woods.

    Two and half hours later.

    They had all made it to the mine¡­with Herce and Vaceris having ten minutes on Shynerai and Vauntuss since they left the campsite.

    They inspected the area around the mine and found a rough road out from it, with that they decided to follow it to a supposed town.

    Much to the group''s surprise, there it was. The town of Pitchton Downs.

    An entire town was populated by the staff of the company that owned the mine, Rhaight Ironworks. Considering how far the town and the mine were from the nearest Haven explained enough.

    As the group strolled past the various utility buildings, something had seemingly caught Vauntuss''s attention with him bolting from the group¡­the group, in turn, decided to follow.

    When they finally caught up with him, the confused group found that he was finishing up a somewhat intense exchange of words with a well-dressed individual.

    As the man finally met those of the group, he stared intently for a few moments at them, before ending off his exchange with Vauntuss with a bow, and turning to the group to them a bow as well before walking into the administrative facility nearby.

    Herce scolded Vauntuss harshly the moment the fancy man disappeared.

    Seeking an explanation from him and he eventually gives them one.

    He described his sudden dash as simply exploring the possibility that the more "aristocratic" in the town might be aware of the presence of a Teleportation Seal, and he turned out to be right.

    Since the fancy man he spoke to was the manager in charge of logging and auditing the transactions and operations of the cargo traveling through the Teleportation Seal. The Rhaight Ironworks company had many branches across the first, with Pitchton Downs being the closest to Aria.

    Shynerai was starting to put the pieces together as were the rest of them, but one thing still didn''t make any sense.

    "If that''s it, then why were you arguing with him?" He asked.

    Vauntuss responds by stating that he was trying to convince that man to allow them to use the Seal as they were emissaries traveling with one of the princesses of the  Falsetti Kingdom, but he refused to listen¡­that is until they had arrived.

    To which he decided to prepare the Seal for travel, upon confirming that it was indeed the princess.

    As he was concluding his explanation, the young man appeared once more from the building carrying a document.

    He handed it over to Vauntuss and told him that the document acts as a pass with our sigil on it, so once you arrive on the other side, simply hand it over to admin and they will accept your presence and treat your request as a ''Diplomatic Service.''

    Once he handed them the documents, the group thanked the man, though he simply passed over their pleasantries, opting only to bow at Vauntuss and Herce before taking his leave.

    Such an act left Vaceris and Erai with what felt like a sour taste in their mouths before Vauntuss ushered them to the Seal with a clearing of his throat.

    The group made their way to the Seal that was in a warehouse behind the administrative building.

    When they got to it, they found that it had already been activated¡­so they entered the Seal and hoped that they would have an easy trip¡­after which an eruption of a dim light spurred from the Seal¡­and soon after they were gone.

    Only a few moments later, the group arrived.

    And once again they had to overcome a bit of delusion and hysteria before returning to normal.

    After which they again tried to get their bearings, before setting off to the admin on this site, so that they could clear up the formalities of their trip.

    Several minutes later, Vauntuss returned to the group as they were waiting at the Transport Point.

    He got there and told them that everything was fine, but that they still had a ways to go before they made it to Aria since they were now in the Second Plaza of the city of Sprite Fontiss within Falsetti .

    Realizing how far Aria was from their home, all but Erai understood the challenge that still stood ahead of them.

    Resolving to succeed no matter what, Vaceris asks Vauntuss and Erai if there is another way for them to make it back in time, unfortunately, it seemed as though they would have to take the Teleportation Seals as close as possible to Aria, an idea that the both of them supported in unison, though much to one another''s dismay.

    Neither Herce nor Vaceris''s drive to succeed was hollow as they all sought to give it all or nothing.

    So with a nod of approval amongst one another, they set-off, traveling from one Teleportation Seal to another.

    As 18h30 drew near, the gates of Trinity Cross Academy began to close, though, in the distance, a truly surprising sight began to draw closer.

    The group had managed to make it back and before the gates closed, they managed to stumble in, although since both Vaceris and Herce were flying, the sight that met the students behind the gates was one of two plumes of dust racing towards the gates.

    As the panting brutes were kneeling in exhaustion, they were approached by one of the invigilators of the exam.

    ''Well done, you can be proud of one another for pushing your team this far.'' Announced the lecturer, though the two were immediately at one another''s throats in disagreement of the fact that they were on the same team, a statement which brought forth an awkward chuckle for the lecturer before he asked the young men for their respective cores, sadly they were far too busy bickering to notice him...luckily Vaceris and Herce made their way to the skirmish and were able to stop the idiocy, an act that left the two quite and bruised before Herce and Vaceris presented the lecturer with their cores.

    After taking the time to inspect and analyze the nature and authenticity of the cores, he confirms that the two teams have indeed passed the test, followed by congratulations for their outstanding performance and effort.

    After hearing of their success, Vaceris and Herce were overjoyed with gleaming smiles and excitable jumping and cheering.

    Although on the brute''s side, they simply grinned with joy before laughing at one another''s expressions...until Vauntuss''s laugh was interrupted by his sudden groan in agony, remarking that the hit he took from Erai last night seemed to have left its mark, though Erai wasn''t paying much attention...

    When he looked over at him, he saw as the green energy left his body, the rings fading and finally the Halo above his head becoming evanescent.

    Once all the energy was gone, the sudden appearance of a growing crimson mark stained his shirt as Erai simply smiled at the stupefied expression on Vauntuss''s face before he fell over, lying motionless and entirely unresponsive.

 This is only the Beginning

    A soft and calming glow hovered above, beckoning the young boy from his somnolence as he opened his eyes.

    What he found greeting his blurred sight was becoming an all too familiar sight.

    With the image of the room slowly coming into view¡­he merely face-palmed himself at the realization of what had happened.

    Once again he found himself within the recovery ward of a hospital.

    The young boy''s sudden awakening caused the nurse who was checking on him to exit abruptly.

    Confused by her sudden leave, he decided that he''d overstayed his welcome and was ready to leave, getting dressed and packing his essentials.

    Once he had finished, he moved to open the door to his room but a doctor managed to beat him to it.

    Shynerai feigned a vibrant expression as he tried to quickly walk past him, but he still found his path blocked by the doctor''s clipboard.

    When he looked at the worn expression on the elder''s face, he understood that he wasn''t getting through.

    He let slip a heavy sigh before the doctor ushered him back to his bed¡­with Shyenrai heading back to it, albeit reluctantly. As he sat down, the doctor began a quick check-up on him lasting a few short minutes.

    He asked Shynerai to remove his shirt before moving closer to examine the crescent scar that now sat above his left breast stretching across his shoulder and ending by his shoulder blade.

    "Seems like your body did most of the work, most of the muscle has already repaired itself along with the epidermis¡­though you can expect some scarring, son. Honestly, you¡¯re lucky you didn¡¯t lose your arm¡±

    The doctor paused as he inspected Shynerai.

    ¡°Unfortunately, the venom you ate away at some of the thoracic nerve endings along with quite a bit of the muscular structure nearing the heart, if you were just a little more careless then you might have easily lost your life. Do you understand?" His words hung over him with some intensity, giving the boy a moment to think.

    "Not to worry, even before I saw you it was already healing, it simply put too much of a strain on your body. Though your sensitivity to touch and temperature will be dulled significantly around that area with some hindrance to your left arm''s movement, but that can be solved with a few physiotherapy sessions"

    After which he concluded that he had also recovered from his case of extreme fatigue and instructed him not to try and move around much for the next few days, the doctor finally let him go, but not before he handed him an envelope.

    A letter that was addressed to him, bearing the Trinity Cross Academy crest. He asked the doctor when he received it and the doctor told him that a couple of people came in early that morning and brought it for him.

    The doctor assumed that they were his classmates so he allowed them in.

    Confused by the situation the doctor described, Shynerai opted to figure it all out once he got home.

    After leaving the hospital, he realized that it was already dark, and far too risky to try and find his way back home on foot. He instead chose to hail and cab¡­and twenty-five minutes later he had arrived home.

    Heeding the doctor''s instructions, Shynerai took the opportunity to do some light training without using his Words of Power.

    ¡®I guess I pushed my limit with all the Willforce I used in the test.¡¯

    ¡®But it was still a safer bet than my second option. Trying to use Words of Powers that were demanding would have been pretty bad.'' He thought to himself as he performed some mobility stretches.

    Despite being a concerning idea, he couldn¡¯t help but imagine with subdued excitement at the idea of ever using ''Plan B''.

    After finishing off his training routine, he went back into the condo to start preparing dinner. So long as he was careful, the doctor¡¯s treatment would continue to work on him without trouble, though rest was essential, as his body no longer ached, instead slowly pushing him to bed.

    While Shynerai was having dinner, as he thought to open the envelope¡­but before he did he noticed a small note scribed on it:

    "I hope you get better soon -V" Shynerai remarked with a raised brow:

    "Quite strange, I wonder who V is?".

    He ripped open the envelope when an embossed letter fell out.

    The same seal is decorated at the top of the letter though strangely enough, it had no writing to speak of.

    Confused by the missing text, Shynerai put his meal aside and began examining the strange letter, turning and flipping the page with no sign of something having ever been written¡­it was only when he ran his fingers across the page, touching the seal which greeted him with a sudden glow.

    The soft light emanated from the gold trails, the glow affecting the nature of the page and revealing text which quickly filled the entire page until it subsided.

    As he slowly opened his eyes, the sight of what was written on the letter, brought an unsettling quiet to his mind.

    Dear Mr Shynerai Astrapordt

    We would like to thank you for your participation in the Trials of the Guardians that were held by our proud institution.

    Your tenacity is both acknowledged and inspiring as you and your team form part of the hundred and fifty entrants that completed all three exams that were provided. Below you will find your official grades for each of the exams you have completed as well as a reason for said score having been awarded to you.

    The Illumination Test ¨C Fail 36%

    ¡°Lackluster levels of magical energy. Little to no control over magic¡±

    The Pillar Force Test ¨C Inconclusive ??%

    ¡°Unknown setting for weight was chosen. Pillar was unrecoverable¡±

    The Violain Woods Survival Test ¨C Pass 78%

    ¡°Mind Core retrieved. Shynerai Astrapordt and Vaceris Ieollavard Astembridge completed returned successfully¡±

    ¡°1x Steel Aggressor, 3x Bronze Aggressors, 2x Venom Aggressors: KIA¡±

    ¡°Impressive survival skills and expert combat ability. Creative teamwork and ingenuity¡±

    To conclude this letter, if you as an entrant have passed all three tests, then you will soon receive a package from the Academy.

    The package shall contain your uniform, your Notebook, your student roster and an Armament Registration form. The package will arrive before Friday, during which your personal effects will be collected and transported to your new room.

    We thank you for your participation.

    A shocked Erai couldn''t bring himself to move, the reality that was now washing over him as a tidal wave left him completely stunned.

    "I¡­failed. Won¡¯t that mean I won''t be a Hero?" He muttered with a uncertainty shaking his voice.

    An act that caused a torturous memory to flood his mind, it was one of the Lynhearian Duke from some years ago. The idea that he might have failed his end of the deal before he got to start was enough to weaken his knees. The thought of having failed both Sarah and Shadow soon followed.

    The now panicking Erai keeled over with his letter gripped hand also gripping his chest.

    Panicked breathing and flashing memories quickly overtook him¡­until realization struck him as though he was just hit by lightning. With the momentary respite from his panic attack, a new look was now on his face¡­a look of determination.

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    The young Daumier sat back and looked at the letter once again, only this time he was looking for something.

    Scanning the text over and over, faster and faster each time until he let slip a sigh of relief.

    Erai murmured:

    "It''s not here. I mean my scores are all here but they haven''t written it, and the way the rest of the letter is written shows that these were made to the specification of each student.¡±

    ¡°So why isn''t it here?"

    Shynerai was looking for the confirmation of his failure, considering his dismal scores, he should have seen something on the letter notifying him of his failure to enter the Academy, but instead, the letter delivered its message as though he''s expected by the school.

    Trying to understand why the school would make such a mistake, Shynerai decided that instead of returning home to Sprite Fontiss, he would wait until Friday to see if he would get something from the school¡­and until then he would get back to his studies.

    The following days quickly came and went, with each passing day further raising the tension within him, finding calm and relief when either studying or training.

    Until finally Friday came.

    He spent the entire morning waiting by the porch of the condo for the delivery¡­but even after waiting for several hours, his package was nowhere to be seen.

    As the day slowly moved into the afternoon, Shynerai found himself taking glances through the window every few minutes, as he paced up and down the living room of the building.

    A few hours later.

    When twilight began settling in, what little hope the young boy had, was no more.

    The only thing that was left was the reality of his failure and of the consequences that would befall not just his¡­but his family as well.

    A frustrated expression emerged on Shynerai''s face as the sky darkened and night crept in, all the while acting as an indicator of the time that he no longer had.

    At this point, the frustrated Daumier could no longer be bothered, and simply decided to go to bed, after all, he had been training and studying since he left the hospital and now he was too busy worrying about being accepted that he never took the time to properly rest.

    So he decided to leave his worries for another day and head to bed¡­all the waiting had frustrated him so much that he had lost his appetite entirely.

    He locked the door, turned off all the lights and went upstairs after which he threw himself into the world of dreams.

    ''ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring.''

    ''ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring.''

    ''ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring, ring-ring.''

    Finally, after slipping into a reverie, Shynerai woke up and found his ears flooded with a piercing and unmistakable tone.

    As his vision started to clear up, he let out a loud yawn before hauling himself out of bed in search of the source of the noise.

    He got onto his feet and started stretching as another yawn quickly followed.

    As he walked towards the door, he stepped on something and it almost threw him off his balance. Luckily he was able to support himself against the table nearby so that he could lift his foot.

    When he moved his foot, he found that he was about to crush the alarm clock. He picked it up and placed it on the table though he was still confused because not only was the clock ringing, it was also on the floor.

    ¡°Hmmm¡± He rested his fingers on his lip.

    Thinking that it probably fell when he walked in last night. After he checked the time:

    ¡®Damn it, how is it already dinner time, could I have slept through Saturday?¡¯.

    Annoyed at his realization, the boy ran his fingers through his ruffled hair in frustration until¡­once again the ringing sound appeared, startling him as he almost knocked the alarm clock off the table.

    ¡®That wasn''t the alarm...it¡­must¡­have been¡­¡¯

    Once more, he could clearly hear a ringing noise echoing through the house,

    "It''s the doorbell?" He yelled as he was now awake enough to discern the nature of the sound.

    He left his room and rushed down the stairs and towards the front door.

    Only to be greeted by a fairly aged man with swept-back gray hair covered with a cap, along with what looked like a summer uniform, that demonstrated an impressive build, despite his wrinkled expression.

    The old man suddenly sprang to life the moment Shynerai opened the door, though from where he was standing the he looked as though he was about to keel over from exhaustion

    "I am so very sorry young man, we had no idea that someone had been slack-... ing on their delivery. We are¡­ sorry for our poor service" The delivery man bellowed loudly with an expression of remorse riddled across his face.

    "I¡¯m sorry sir but would you mind coming in, I''m sure it''ll be easier for you to tell me whatever it is you need me to hear if you''re not on the verge of collapsing" Shynerai offered the man as he was still too groggy to fully grasp what he was saying.

    "Oh, thank you so much, young one" The old man responded as he was ushered to the dining table and offered a seat.

    "Would you like something to drink?" Shynerai asked before closing the door.

    "Water if you would." He answered.

    He brought the man the cold glass of water and set it in front of him atop a coaster,

    "Here you go, sir. Now what had to be so important that you came all this way, in the middle of the night, and in such a hurry no less?"

    With a thankful grasp of the glass, he quenched his thirst in a few short gulps, before placing the glass on the table, giving wanting gazes for another drink. While Shynerai returned from the kitchen with a filled pitcher

    "Right. I am the Regional Manager of Spirit Ferry''s in Aria. You may call me, William".

    ¡°Spirit Ferries?¡± Shynerai responds with a befuddled expression.

    "Yes sir, I work for Spirit Ferries. We are a logistics and delivery company with branches all over Melorodria, and I''m in charge of the branch that''s situated in Aria" The figure recounted, now with a rested and steady tone.

    "You see, our branch has had a trusted relationship with one of our most prestigious customers and we have managed to cultivate a relationship that has lasted more than a hundred and fifty years¡­and well¡­ you see¡­just recently that relationship was in danger of dissolving".

    Shynerai began to worry as to where the conversation might lead since he was somehow involved in this mess.

    "Okay, but whom might this customer be and why does this have anything to do with me?"

    With a more serious expression and a sudden depth to his tone, the figure leaned forward and clasped his hands together.

    "Yes¡­well you see your involvement is why I am here, after all, you were the recipient of the package"

    "I still don¡¯t understand. What package?" Now rubbing the bridge of his nose, hoping to remove the last of his sleep.

    "Trinity Cross Academy called on my company once again to deliver to all the freshmen students their acceptance packages, and it''s been this way since the beginning of our relationship.¡±

    ¡°You see, generally the Academy issues the packages out on Wednesday, giving us just two to three days to deliver them¡­but on certain lets say, special occasions, we are ordered to make deliveries on Friday.¡±

    ¡°This is because some people''s results are sent to be processed by higher authorities of the Academy, which takes even longer than the regular moderations, and thus, leaving us with even less time to make these essential deliveries.¡±

    ¡°But we never fret and always manage to make our deliveries¡­until now." William said, before getting up and leaving the table to go outside.

    As he got up to follow him, Shynerai  watched him return to the living room carrying a large chest that was about the size of a small dresser, although bearing a large crest symbolizing the Trinity Cross Academy crest on the latch over the lock.

    "You see young man, you were one such student, unfortunately the person who was on duty for your delivery was nowhere to be seen which meant that your package was noted as ''Undelivered'' when we came in today.¡±

    ¡°Since then we''ve been trying to get in contact with the customer but to no avail.¡±

    ¡°So, for now, we haven''t been able to bring the one responsible to face his consequences, the only option that was left was for me to come here personally to deliver your package¡­and offer my sincerest apologies"

    Despite towering over Shynerai, William spoke with honest conviction believing that he may have brought needless worry to the boy, he continued until he placed the chest on the table and proceeded to bow his head in remorse as his apology followed.

    The sight of the chest was more than enough for the half-asleep and slightly frustrated Shynerai to finally wake up to the situation he was in.

    With his right arm, he had William raise his head.

    "I understand, but please don¡¯t take this personally. The only thing you did was try to rectify a mistake, as far as I¡¯m concerned, you¡¯ve made my evening¡­I mean you delivered the package in the end and you even provided a sensible reason.¡±

    The old man''s remorseful expression changes to one of relief after hearing  what Shynerai had to say.

    "Thank you, young man, thank you so much. You have truly honored us with your forgiveness".

    "It¡¯s quite alright. We can leave the matter here. Honestly, I think my Uncle would be disappointed if I treated you any harsher. He would say it was unbecoming of a Hero" Shynerai remarked as he shook the old man''s hand and walked him to the door.

    ¡°He should be proud to have raised such a fine young man. Here I want you to have this. If you ever need anything, you can call on. Considering our little chat, I can trust you to be someone of reason.¡± The old man dispensed with the pleasantries and headed off.

    "I DID IT!" He thought his sudden cheer was loud enough to wake the neighborhood. But his voice merely echoed within the walls of his room, as he subconsciously calmed himself.

    ''I made it, finally, I''ve made it'' He thought to himself as he approached the chest on the table with so much excitement that he could barely contain himself.

    He quickly lifted the chest and took it into the lounge before setting it down next to the coffee table. As the excitable young man was about to open the chest¡­he suddenly reminded of something important, something mentioned in the letter he got from the Academy:

    "The package will arrive before Friday, during which your things will be collected and transported to your new room."

    "Dammit, does that mean¡­Looks like I''ll need to pack everything for tomorrow if they''re coming to fetch my belongings. I guess that means I''ll only get to see inside the chest tomorrow" The young man thought, regrettably.

    An hour and a half later, he had finished packing everything that he could need for school.

    Thinking it would be a good idea to turn in so that he could wake up early the next day, Shynerai headed upstairs for bed, but not before making himself something to eat...his hunger made itself known as the intense rumbles drove him to the kitchen.

    Just before calling it a night also took the opportunity to write home about his acceptance into the Academy while he was having his dinner, before finishing up and going to bed.

    What morning brings with it, Shynerai will be vehemently welcome.

    Adventure, Danger, Horror or Victory: All of these and more are in store for the young man as he walks his first steps towards his goal.

 Awake within the Strangest Garden

    ''Third floor of the Eastern Residency Block, room¡­uh 221B.'' He eagerly read the address of what would be his new home for the next four years after opening the page of his Notebook.

    As the delivery driver from Spirit Ferries finished packing the rest of his luggage into their transport vehicle, he offered Shynerai a ride to the residency but he kindly declined. So the aid entered the vehicle and saw him off, heading off to deliver his contents as soon as possible.

    Shynerai took a few moments to remember the time he spent there, his sights began by the front door and soared to the end of the windowpane on the top floor, marking the last room in the house, a sigh of relief was let out¡­as he ventured off with a smile.

    This time he didn''t have the opportunity of being late so Shynerai opted to take a cab through Deep City.

    The vibrant lights and atmosphere that seemed to be beaming from every corner of the city coupled with the inviting allure of the various locations, people and entertainment hotspots that garnered more exploration were a bit too overwhelming for someone who spent most of their life in a remote village.

    Though when he first made his way to the Academy the temptation of the city still permeated, Shynerai could only assume that he was too distracted to notice¡­that and his hair might have been in the way.

    The idea causes a slight chuckle because it didn''t matter, this was the true face of Deep City¡­and it was exhilarating.

    As they made their way through the bright streets, the driver shared with Shynerai a bit of trivia on the most notable parts of the area including landmarks and the best routes for getting around.

    The drive took only twenty minutes before they arrived at his destination.

    "Cross Gardens Estate" Is what he read off the plaque that welcomed them in. They stopped by the security toll that guarded the entrance and exit into the location. They were easily let through after the guard had verified his ID as a Trinity Cross student with the use of his Notebook.

    Shynerai found it strange that all the guard asked for was his Notebook but after the guard returned it, he offered them a map of the residence and set the driver off, he understood that the Notebook would be an essential part of his life here¡­gripping the small book even tighter at the thought.

    The layout of the estate was true to its name.

    There were four main housing blocks made up of three adjacent buildings, aside from the Southern Residency which acts as the place for student and staff recreation facilities, not to mention holding a few academic facilities such as labs, libraries, study halls, etc.

    The Eastern Residency housed the male students of the Academy from Year one to Year three and the Western Residency accommodated all the female students with both housing blocks separating the various years by their respective building.

    As for the Northern Residency, dwelled fourth years along with the Academy staff , being the only place on the estate with their wings for recreation built into the buildings so that they don''t have to venture to the Southern Residency.

    At the epicenter of the estate was the Glissaint Plaza connecting the various locations of the estate and acting as an efficient means of travel between the estate and the Academy. Between the residences lie vast gardens of differing flora.

    Thanks to the map built into the Notebook, he managed to find his residence building quite easily. His room, 221B being on the third floor of the First-year building.

    When he entered the room he found it was already furnished among other things, it had the boxes filled with his personal effects, something he found a bit surprising since he needed to use his Notebook to enter the room.

    ''This place has some strange security'' Shynerai thought fancifully as he closed the door behind him before throwing himself onto his bed¡­now with an expression of relief brandished across his benumbed chestnut countenance.

    On the following morning, the warm touch of the rising dawn had managed to peer the blinds and drew him from out his somnolent grasp:

    "Oh¨C it''s already morning." Shynerai remarked with a fatigued tone before wiping the sleep from his eyes as he tried to gather his strength.

    Shock quickly crept upon him before resting as an expression of dread

    "...It''s the first day of school. I have to get ready or I''ll be late-wait a minute, the pains gone¡­" Shynerai nearly panicked as he rushed out of bed and searched for his Notebook, while flexing his left arm, doing his best to stretch the limb in search of any sort of pain.

    ''I guess the doctor was right when he said I should take it easy¡­just hope I haven''t lost too much movement in my arm¡± Staring down at his hand as he was reminded of how he had received the wound.

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    ¡®¡­I can''t afford to fall behind, I don''t have that luxury.'' Shynerai resolved himself as he clenched his fist before heading to his bathroom to freshen up.

    A little time under an hour and he was already dressed with his white, black and gold uniform now on and making sure not to forget his Notebook, he finally set off.

    The chest he received came with three distinct uniform sets, one for daily attendance which was the standard trousers and blazer for males while the females had a skirt and blazer, with the choice of pull-over, cardigan or vest. For the males they received a unique scarf or tie while the females can don ties or ribbons. They had their personal choice for shoe ware.

    The second uniform set were the combat uniforms meant for Guardian activities and the P.E training set.

    To try and avoid arriving late, grabbed some lunch from the dorm-room cafeteria and skipped breakfast as he began his jog to the Academy. Since he left for his last Entrance Exam, Shynerai wanted to do all he can to try and hide from any unwanted attention from the citizens of the Deep City.

    Making his way to the security toll, he tried to think of a different route that might take him to the Academy¡­but he was quickly snapped out of his train of thought by the security guard on duty as he was unknowingly running into the boom.

    "Hey, watch it!"

    "Oh¡­oh sorry sir, I was a little lost in thought" He answered to the guard before making his way past the boom and through the entrance, but again the guard called to him once more.

    This time as Shynerai turned to ask if he wanted to see his ID, he simply motioned to him that it was alright, and instead asked if he planned on traveling the distance to the Academy on foot when he can simply use the Off-Campus Tram system, available at Plaza.

    "A tram¡­what''s that?" A nervous laugh slipped out of the guard as he asked what he was talking about.

    "Huh, oh you must be one of the first years, well it''s a kind of transport system that connects all of the school''s off-campus facilities directly to the Academy¡¯s campus. If you head down to and past the Southern Residency, you find yourself at the Glissaint Plaza, it''s there you''ll find the station. Beats walking any day."

    "Really, thank you, sir. I''ll get going right away".

    ¡°Kid, if we¡¯re going to keep bumping into each other, you can at least call me by my name. Just Mr Lain, no sir. I¡¯m only twenty-nine after all¡±.

    ¡°O-okay. You can call me Erai.¡± A surprised Shynerai made his way to the Plaza.

    When he arrived, he found several students already waiting for the next tram, following an indicator on his Notebook, he was given the travel times and where to wait for the next trip to the Academy. Signing in for his ticket he finally made his way aboard the arriving tram. Once all the students were on, the doors closed behind them and the car set off.

    Shynerai only had a moment to take a seat before the sensation of the accelerating tram damn near pinned him into it, while the rest of the students in the car simply continued with their interactions without skipping a beat. The rapid flashes of the overhead tunnel lights

    The trip lasted only three short minutes before coming to an easy stop at the next station. Shynerai saw the other students disembark and merely assumed that they had arrived and so he followed suit.

    The students quickly got off and made their way, leaving the station in various directions to their own devices.

    The Off-campus tram system had stopped by one of four Academy stations, though the one he was at happened to be the nearest one to the front gate. After he finished looking at the tram-way map hung on the wall in the station, he raced for the front gate as fast as possible¡­approaching the Academy he caught a glimpse of a man who looked eerily familiar.

    The figure standing guard by the front gate was Professor Colt and immediately after he noticed the approaching student running for the gate, he promptly began shutting it, but Shynerai wasn''t prepared to give up when he was already so close.

    Taking off his blazer, the boy''s pace changed from a jog to a vicious spirit but  Dr. Colt wasn''t going to make this easy for him either.

    Shynerai saw an opening beneath the doctor''s arm and met his challenge by sliding beneath, through the closing gates and into the schoolyard¡­while he took a moment to catch his breath, he found his relief to be cut short as the doctor halted his stride by the grasp of his collar, when he looked back, he found a satisfied smirk on the his face.

    "Hello there young man, are you aware that tardiness is unacceptable in our institution. What do you have to say for yourself?"

    "Sorry sir, it won''t happen again" Shynerai responded with a stern expression masking a nervous smile beneath.

    "No excuse is it, do you think I''ll simply let this slide since it''s your first offense¡± His smile gave out a chuckle

    ¡°Well¡­you''ll come to make proper penance. I can assure you of that¡±

    ¡°But for now, hurry up to the assembly, you''re already late. Your Student Representative has already begun giving their Introductory Speech for your first-year group. For your sake, DO NOT MISS IT!"

    "Understood sir, I swear to make amends for my behavior" Shynerai apologized with a sincere bow after Dr Colt set him down before racing off and away from him¡­all the while trying to mend his frayed collar and putting on his jacket.

    ''Now where is everyone¡­this way maybe''

    ¡®Ping! The assembly is being held at the main quad located in front of the First Assembly Hall. Head west from your current location for one hundred and twenty-five meters''

    ¡°Wait what was that¡­my Notebook¡­that''s n¡ªno question for another time, I''m going to be late. It''s said west right¡± He charged off into the direction of the path the Notebook provided.

    ¡®Ping! You have arrived at the desired destination, the First Assembly Hall''

    Making to the event as the crowd of students that stood in front of him was ending their ovation welcoming the Student Representative of the First years to the stage.

    "Wait...HIM?" Speaking in a sudden tone of frustration  that caught the attention of those nearby before he looked past the crowd, trying to avoid their piercing glares while his gaze followed the individual that was making their way up.

 You canéˆ¥æª› Trust your World

    ¡°Good morning to you all, both the faculty and my fellow students. My name is Vauntuss Strum, A Knight of House Strum. Born from a family that has served the rulers of the Falsetti Kingdom, but today I speak to you as a student of your Academy¡±

    "Today marks the beginning of a new journey for all, not just the freshman. Most will be come to discover what it means to called Guardian, and others will find that question to be one you¡¯ll spend many years trying to answer¡±

    ¡°So I shall say this. Those of us that are here have a singular purpose, to ensure that our beloved kingdom continues to have a future. For we are as much symbols of that future as we are its greatest defenders¡±

    ¡°Thank you¡± An ovation permeating the entire quad erupted to signal the end of the speech after Vauntuss made his way down the stairs and blended back into the crowd.

    Proceeding the calming of the audience, the students were told to enter the hall and remain seated until the lecturers had entered as well.

    Shynerai saw a few unmistakable faces as he was waiting for the crowd in front of him to make progress into the hall.

    Those that caught his attention were that of Vaceris and her friends, an unnamed red-haired girl and her friend as well as the young girl with silver hair. Unlike magic, what he took notice of was the pressure of their Physical Energy, akin to a wave of heat they gave off.

    But he was hesitant about engaging them, so he simply entered the hall. Once all the students had been seated nearly ten minutes had passed before they started to notice that none of the lecturers had arrived¡­odd considering that they were right behind them as they entered.

    It wasn''t long before they grew curious and a few of them began leaving their seats for the exit.

    Those restless few found that the doors were all locked, one after the other they checked, and with each attempt, they grew more frantic as the rattling doorknobs began seeding panic in the hearts of the students.

    Sudden screams and shouting that had erupted from the revelation quickly filled the hall''s vast volume. As the insanity continued, some of the students decided to try and break down the doors.

    Shynerai could only look from afar as the students prepared their assault¡­but everything suddenly fell to an uneasy quiet as the faint sound of whirling gears and fan-blades began billowing from inside the halls.

    It wasn''t long before they took notice of it but by then it was already too late.

    The thick sanguine miasma encroached upon the room from all directions, easily flooding the lungs and bodies of students¡­those that tried to find an escape or attempted to filter their breath acted too late as within only moments the miasma had completely saturated the room.

    Though to their surprise, the bloodied clouds did little to harm them, aside from some difficulty breathing¡­that is until piercing shrieks erupted suddenly from one of the students amidst the chaos.

    With their sights frantically switching between each student, looking for the source of the unsettling cries.

    When finally their eyes settled on her tear-stricken cheeks and a voice running horse as her throat began withering from her cries, she pleaded in desperation with the horrors assaulting her to leave her alone.

    Alone she sat there, but that''s just it¡­she was alone, so what had she been pleading with so desperately.

    All around the hall, student after student quickly began to succumb to the sanguine miasma¡­giving rise to the orchestral mania¡ªall save for a few.

    Several students were able to stave off the madness only barely gasping for air as they drew in the polluted bloodied clouds with each breath, sadly Shynerai was not one of them.

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    The terrors of the journey he made home eight years ago soon overtook him...the burning sensation of the miasma was reminiscent of the coughing that stifled each weary breath he struggled to take into his exhausted body that had rushed home only to be met by the desecrated corpses of his family.

    Gripped with the unforgiving reminders, insanity easily consumed him as he could do nothing but remain frozen, with a twisted expression that ran cold with streaks of suffering covering his cheeks¡­he felt nothing¡­except for those feelings that he wished he had forgotten.

    In the moments that felt unending, he let out a faint cry¡­wishing for all of it to stop¡­why? He asked himself repeatedly as his mind moved back to the horrors that were still consuming

    "The door¡ª"

    The sight of home, the feeling of the metallic doorknob in his soaked hands, he almost instinctively knew what came next ¡ªShynerai lashed with a horrific screech, now seething with rage and hatred, he began to burn.

    As quickly as he had let loose his wrath, flames started encroaching upon him, slowly engulfing his entire body.

    The bloodied miasma started burning away¡­with the sound of the crackling flames dispelling the cloud of nightmares that enveloped his mind.

    With some semblance of sanity slowly returning to him, he realized that the flames though burning were entirely cool to the touch. With the haze clouding his senses almost destroyed, he was finally able to recognize the strange fire.

    "Beowulf?" He asked himself, staring intently at the familiar flames.

    With the fires spread across his body, from greaves and gauntlets that had unconsciously spawned.

    His distress called upon the Word of Power, but this hadn''t happened before¡­not that he remembered. The holy flames of Beowulf quickly sought after and destroyed the last remnants of the miasma¡­but the act managed to drain a lot of the strength he had.

    But having escaped the grip of the nightmares, he welcomed the respite.

    As the last of the fiery wisps of the incantation faded away, he made his way through the chaos and back to his seat as he calmed his breathing in preparation for meditation¡­all the while the miasma still saturated the air.

    Any attempts to escape in his weakened state would be crushed as the slow-moving mist had worked well to cripple them, so Shynerai took to the other alternative, meditation¡ªchoosing to instead focus his mind not on what he was being shown but on the present moment.

    Naturally, this came with great difficulty as the horrors were still trying gnawing at him along with the symphony of tortured shrieks and cries of his fellow students¡­through it, all was his focus, the only thing keeping the flooding darkness at bay.

    Forty-five minutes of wailing of agony had passed.

    Soon enough time had passed for the ceiling and walls of the hall to be lost behind the sanguine veils of the harrowing clouds with Shynerai and several other students had managed to acclimate to the situation, all the while the rest continued heaving against their laborious breathing.

    By now Shynerai no longer needed to meditate¡­his thoughts were focused and as such it became clear for him to discern reality from the nightmares¡ªthough their calls remained ambient.

    What remained of the struggling students lay catatonic with tears filling their bloodshot eyes and a cold trail of saliva oozing from their mouths¡­accompanied by the momentary twitches that would strike their body.

    By the time an entire hour had elapsed, what few students that managed to stave off the effects of the miasma seemed to no longer experience any of the horrors, through the harsh exposure they manage to build a mental resistance through the constant punishment.

    Still, they had all but reached their limits, as their bodies were finally giving way under the strain of fatigue.

    With the last of them finally falling to their knees and passing out suddenly, the whirling fans and gear whose sounds had filled the background had come to a complete stop before quickly starting up again, with thin rays of light peering through the windows and piercing the bloodied clouds.

    It wasn''t very long till the last crimson wisps were drawn out of the auditorium, leaving the room breathable and bringing calm to it as the gears halted¡ªthough no students stood awake to witness this.

    The doors of the hall flew open as a team of medical staff rushed in carrying much-needed aid.

    Leading the wave of white coats and masks was Dr. Arturion, he ordered them to take all the students to the infirmary for treatment along with an additional order to send all students that managed to wake up in the next half an hour to the Emergency Treatment Centre, the largest section of the school¡¯s Medical Ward.

 Riemannéˆ¥æªš Configuration

    After giving out his orders, the medical staff moved quickly to complete their duties, working diligently to preserve the sanity of the students.

    They began by performing routine check-ups to see if any of them were responsive, those that remained vehemently catatonic were given a solution of a deep purple color that seemed to have traces of opaque black particles within it.

    The label on the case from which the staff removed the vials was titled:

    "Mithridate Hygeia- Onyx.".

    They administered the strange solution directly into the student''s spine, causing them to momentarily thrash in a violent fit as they were being held down.

    As the last of the solution was injected, a sudden calm quickly came over them as their breathing began to fall into a normal rhythm. With the worst of them now in stable conditions, they were quickly rushed to the School''s infirmary.

    Those that were being treated afterwards had a different treatment prepared for them, but Dr Arturion reminded them to only administer Mithridate Hygeia-Cobalt to any of the students that awoke within the next half hour.

    Carefully, they adhered to his instructions, those that weren''t aiding in the return of the students to the Infirmary were expected to return with the cases containing the strange vials and to begin preparations.

    The staff moved in tactical unison to efficiently perform their duties until all the students were tended to. Dr Arturion was sitting outside the hall on one of the shaded benches that littered the campus.

    Drawing a puff of smoke with each breath, and producing a cloud that seemed as weighted as the thoughts on his mind.

    ''It doesn''t matter how many times we do it, as a doctor all of this sickens me.¡¯

    ¡®Anyone that isn''t bothered by this is either a monster or someone who would sympathize with the actions of a monster'' The doctor lamented as he saw the last of his staff exit the hall with the unconscious students.

    ''I hope for all their sakes¡­that none of them wake up.'' That final thought brought a look of distress to his eyes as he drew in his last cloud of smoke before snuffing out the cigarette and making his way to the Emergency Treatment Centre.

    The hall that stood at the opposing side of the school, where the Force Pillar Entrance Exams were held was being prepared for something¡­some might argue what''s to follow was beyond inhumane but all of those participating shared the same thought¡­even the reluctant Dr Arturion believed it:

    "Everything we do is necessary because self-doubt is a luxury for...while we breathe, we must continue to hope"

    The doctor mulled over these words as he entered the Gymnasium encountering the various faculty members who were either waiting by the bleachers engaged in their discussions of finishing the preparations of the Configuration.

    "Art, are any of our students awake yet?" The doctor recognized the unusually chipper voice from behind him, and dreaded the thought of who it might be.

    "So you''re just going to ignore me¡­or maybe, did you guys manage to kill all of the new students? Our little Headmistress won¡¯t be too pleased" The voice added, mockingly.

    "Perhaps if you spent more time listening and less time chasing women and acting like a fool, you would know that it''s only been twenty-three minutes. Procedure dictates that we wait at least thirty"

    "Easy Art, I''m just curious, I don''t get to see you this riled up very often"

    "Huh, I apologize, I''ve...never been a fan of the pain that we put them through" The figure relented with his teasing as the doctor sighed.

    "You know that if we don''t, they''ll be dead the moment they step out of the Havens, the Entrance Exams are pretty much proof of that", the figure responds in a shifted tone.

    "...Yes, sadly they must endure this.¡±

    ¡°Are the preparations complete for the Configuration?"

    "Yes, we¡¯re just waiting for them to arrive."

    "Alright, they should be arriving soon¡­Yes, my staff have notified that a few of them will be arriving right about?¡ªnow I believe."

    Just as suddenly, the sound of thundering footsteps rushed towards the Gym, interrupting the doctor. Thinking that it must be the students, he instructed everyone to prepare themselves.

    The educators present quickly fell into order as they awaited the student''s arrival. Just a few minutes had passed and they had all made their way into the hall¡­one of the educators enquired if this might be all of them with a colleague though he simply sighed stating that the number has grown less and less with each year.

    The attention of a hundred or so students present had turned into daunting fatigue as the prospect of what''s to come brought very little hope when witnessing how few of them had made it.

    "Welcome. Those of you who are here are the ones we have chosen¨C"

    "DO YOU THINK WE''RE STUPID!" An enraged voice boomed out from within the crowd of students.

    "N?¡ªNone of us are going do anything until you tell us what''s going on, right now"

    The unnerved teachers began to move in on the insubordinate students, in an attempt to quell their impulsive behavior, though much to their surprise, the students didn''t move from their stance. They refused to make way for the educators to the one of their own who had just spoken out.

    Seeing the path of his colleagues now blocked, the young man who had been bothering the doctor stepped forward and raised his hand to stay his colleague''s action.

    He approached the group and stopped in front of them, with a growing grin on his face.

    "Do you think you can understand what we are doing to you, will you be able to accept the reasons for our actions? Are you certain you would even want to know?"

    The menacing grin was clear to see past the elvish figure''s blonde hair that fell as thin bangs over his sharp crimson eyes.

    The sight caused the students in front to hesitate in their response, but as the grimacing elf scanned the crowd, he eyes were caught by the sight of a few students that remained unshaken from one with snow-white hair to one with striking blue eyes. These students remained stern in their desire to know the truth¡­

    "Sigh¡­fine, it''s not like there''s a rule that says I can''t tell you." He remarked after taking a step back and crossing his arms.

    "Dr Reiss, you can''t¡­" The teachers that stood within earshot bellowed loudly in protest against his actions.

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    But he simply brushed aside their panic and assured them that it won''t change anything, but if it pleases them, he''ll be taking full responsibility for what might come as a result of his decision.

    Dr Arturion moved forward to draw him in closer by the pull of his shoulder as he asked his grimacing colleague if he was certain of what he was doing. The doctor found his answer in the certainty of his gaze in response?¡ªletting him be and stepping back to grab himself a seat near where the preparations had been done as he takes out another cigarette from his pocket and began to search for his lighter.

    Dr. Reiss looked back at Dr. Arturion and smiles at the sight before turning back to the students to begin his explanation

    "To put it?¡ªmildly, we are...eh were trying to kill you" He proclaimed so boldly without the faintest change in his grin.

    "You idiot! Be serious." The doctor scolded him as he tossed his lighter at Reiss.

    "Hey, watch it, you almost hit me with that. I was just having some fun, first-years are always so gullible."

    "Alright, I''ll be honest with you. We''re not trying to kill, but we do want to push you as close to death as possible"

    "Why?¡ªweren''t the Entrance Exams enough? How many students do you expect to have if you end up killing all of them on the first day?" A majority of the crowd that stood in front of him cried in unison.

    "Huh, you think those exams mean anything?" His expression turned cold as the scarlet light of his gaze began piercing them.

    "¡­." They couldn''t bring themselves to answer.

    "Out of a thousand, four hundred and fifty entrants, only one hundred and fifty of you made it through all three examinations, some completed them flawlessly while others only managed to barely scrape by.¡±

    ¡°Do you think we are here to train and teach the lucky¡­NO, the mortal world faces unimaginable threats every day, and it has been this way for centuries. Do you think any of us could stand against Extinction with luck alone? If you think that''s the case then do yourself a favor and leave the gates of our great school."

    The students felt a lump in their throat as each of them recounts how they manage to finish the exams¡­Shynerai is among those who felt the crushing weight of Dr. Reiss''s revelation.

    "The only way for any of you to even stand against the monsters that lie outside the Havens¡­is for all of you to tear through your limitations, that includes the idea of death."

    "That''s what our true intentions are, what we have been doing and what we''ll continue to do.

    We''re going to push you beyond what you thought was possible and by the end of it ... .you''ll all become something that can fight even death itself."

    "I''ve told you what I am able, the rest is classified. Though this is something you can all understand, now that I have told you the truth, will you and covet what little life you have in this world¡­or will you willingly jump into the fires of Hell for the sake of a cause far greater than any before it?"

    Dr Reiss pushed the students as far as he could but he remained unworried as he was certain that some would continue, regardless of what he said.

    "So, what''s you?¡ª", Dr. Reiss was abruptly interrupted¡­

    "W?¡ªWhat''s next, none of us came here only to turn tail at the first sight of terror. We knew what we signed up for", the same voice that stood for the group announced loudly without hesitation¡­

    All students supported his call and remained unmoving in their stance.

    "Excellent, then prepare yourself. Activate Riemann''s Configuration", Dr Reiss excitedly called to those that were working on the preparations as he left the students.

    "Yessir. Everyone, please step outside the Seal on the floor.", Reiss announces as one of the educators ushered everyone who wasn''t participating off the Seal.

    "Riemann''s?¡ª that''s Spatial Magic", a whisper uttered by a figure draped in a gold and red fabrics beneath those of his uniform

    "Ren, are you certain of this?", a girl with deep red hair that stood beside the figure asked.

    Shynerai overhears a bit of the exchange between the two and as he looks for the source of the comment when his eyes are captivated by the sight of the vermillion haired girl¡­with the sudden thought of Sarah coming to mind.

    He tries to shake the thoughts as he approaches the duo.

    "Sorry to eavesdrop but did you say that it''s Spatial Magic, the seal that they called Riema?¡ª, Riemanz?", Shynerai spoke to them as he felt an intense sensation from one of the figure''s presence, making him stumble as he tried to speak.

    The figure looked down on the approaching individual, though small in stature he did not see a child in front of him, which intrigued him.

    "Riemann''s Configuration. It''s definitely a kind of Spatial Magic, you could tell that much from the Seal they laid out¡­but"

    "Yeah, there''s something up with it, there are elements of Temporal and Summoning Magic among a few¡­ It''s almost like a layered Seal", Shynerai tells the figure.

    "It''s possible, but I''m still certain that at its core, it remains a Spatial Magic spell...oh, where are my manners: My name is Ren Gladolus, a vassal of the House of Illses and this is my Lady: Alleiyna Illses, heiress to the House of Illses", he introduces them to Shynerai.

    "It''s a pleasure to meet you, my name is Shynerai Astrapordt."

    "It''s nice to meet you Sir Astrapordt. You seem quite certain that this isn''t just a Spatial Magic spell, even if the Seal is suggestive of it being so?", Alleiyna asks him as the three of them turn to face the educators working on the seal

    Six of them stood at the points of the hexagon that encompassed the Seal as they began the incantation¡­

    "Spatial Construction Magic: Riemann''s Configuration."

    The glyphs etched in the Seal began radiating a powerful glow that grew brighter and brighter, completely enveloping the entire hall.

    The sensation of an unnatural cold quickly followed, raising the hairs of those that stood in front of the bright light¡­without the slightest breeze. Moments continued to pass and the temperature dropped, by this point the air in the room was growing stale until it felt completely devoid of moisture, the sensation of the cold dry air filled their noses and washed over their skin.

    Finally, the incarnation was complete, with the sudden gust of the cold dry air rushing forward intensely, coalescing at the Seal before being pulled into what seemed like a void of utter darkness¡­when suddenly a massive stone room appeared in the center of the hall.

    The educators stepped away from the Seal and remarked that the Configuration was complete, they could begin when they were ready.

    It took a moment for the students to recover from what had just happened, some tried to catch their breath while others were rubbing their eyes to restore the vision as best they could.

    "Listen carefully and heed my warning. If you seek to still be a member of our school, then step forward and enter the Configuration. Once inside your objective will be simple, merely find your way out of the structure¡­or survive long enough for us to end the Trial." Cried the doctor. Dr Reiss as he walked through the ambient violet light and informs them of what''s to come.

    The students had all but a few got to their feet.

    "If we find a route, we can take it and be done with the Trial at any moment" Ren stepped forward and asked Dr Reiss.

    "Of course, now shall we begin" The grimacing elf responds before walking to the stone room and opening the door¡­revealing the appearance of¡­

    ''NOTHING''¡¯ The idea filled the student''s minds as they witnessed Reiss open the room and they managed a sight of what lay within.

    Ren turned to Alleiyna with a stern look in his eye and asked her to trust him as her vassal.

    She tells him that she hasn''t doubted him before and will not start today.

    He bows to honor her confidence in him and the two of them enter the stone room¡­vanishing into evanescent silhouettes as they pass through the nocturnal barrier.

    "Well, who''s next?" Reiss gestured to the crowd.

    The students began making their way to the stone room, though their pace was ardent and terse, doubt still stymied the rush as only a few made their way through the door at a time.

    It took a few minutes but all of the students had made their way into the Configuration.

    "You can start the timer now. How long was it until we had to enter?" Dr Reiss asks one of the invigilators about the spell as he heads over to the doctor and has a seat beside him.

    As he sat cross-legged in front of the Configuration, the doctor offered him a cigarette which he kindly accepts but tells him not to worry about the lighter.

    "This is the part I hate the most, Art"

    "Sending them into Hell, Reiss?"

    "No¡­ it''s waiting for the monsters that come out of it"

 A Divine Comedy that Brought no Laughs

    ''One-minute has passed''

    ''Two-minutes have passed''

    ''Three-minutes have passed''

    "DAMMIT MAN!" Dr Arturion yelled as Reiss shot a piercing glance towards one of the invigilators

    Forcing himself to take a deep breath, trying as much as he can to settle his frustration, Dr. Arturion addressed the figure that was recounting the elapsed time.

    "Just...tell us when seven minutes have passed, we don''t need the play-by-play"

    The invigilator shakily gave a nod before returning to his post near the Configuration.

    Elsewhere, in a scene of reddened and scorched earth with sanguine clouds filling the air and coating the lands in a grim hue, a few straggling shadows can be seen battling a violent wind in an attempt to reach shelter, an eroded limestone outcrop whose only visible characteristic is a faint outline through the dust storm.

    Once inside, the shadowed figures dusted themselves as one of them scurried near the entrance to gather decrepit branch-like structures before hurrying back and quickly starting a fire. The heat of the crackling flames expanded filling the enclosure and bringing a calm over the weathered group.

    The shrouds were drawn off and piled against a nearby wall with the figures moving towards the flames to warm themselves. As the amber glow highlights their visage.

    "What do our supplies look like, Ketsuiko?"

    "With what we gathered in the tundra, we should have enough for a few days at most, what we need right now is water... Stephen"

    A blonde and fair young man grunt as he reluctantly moved to a spot near the fire pit, digging into the dirt, forming a hole that only reached to a shallow depth.

    "Water Magic: Blessings of the Remembrance"

    Gesturing towards the shallow pit, as he cast the spell, a clean wellspring jetted outwards filling the pit with the crystal clear fluid.

    "Happy?" He cast a drowned gaze at him before moving back to his place near the fire.

    "Alright, that should do it for now at least" He thanked Stephen.

    "Now then. Everyone, status update..."

    "Not much in the way of injury except for a few broken ribs" One of the students replied.

    "My left arm is still busted but the brace is working ok", Vauntuss answered afterwards with Tersia recalling when he took a hit from a behemoth to protect her and the students she found herself with.

    The group moved on, each one listing their ailments, with each receiving aid directives from Ketsuiko, who was being advised by Herce.

    "This is the longest we''ve gone without a change...best guess, this is the end" Ren commented on their situation.

    "If that''s the case, then there is no way they''re coming for us"

    "Wait, are we going to be stuck here?" Wails of fear and worry filled the shelter and he sounded the remark."

    "I refuse to let that happen"

    A stern boom of resilience sprang forth to stop the raging cries.

    "We''ve braved toxic air, piercing winds, scolding heat, bone-shattering cold. And each challenge we faced, we were forced to adapt, grow and gain immunity and survive.

    Three whole weeks, maybe more, we''ve had to adapt to survive, through the flesh melting, bone-crushing, lung burning, vomiting, tears, sweat, and blood.

    Make no mistake, we are stronger than when we started. And we won''t surrender till this has ended" the young man punctuates his speech as he points to the exit of the shelter...as if aiming towards the exit of this world

    They gathered beside him, sitting enthralled at his hope, they rallied together and claimed loudly that they would not give in...But before they could continue their cheers, a blinding cold light exploded through the entrance and eclipsed the entire shelter.

    The sheer brightness of the light was enough to disorientate and eventually¡ªincapacitate.

    Muffled, indistinct sounds flutter about within earshot as a bright haze masks the sight of anything recognizable. Moments pass, and only slowly does the full bearing of the environment make itself known. The bright light dulled the hue of the surroundings, but there was no mistaking it...they were back, they had made it back, finally.

    As the first of the students manage to come to, the sight of the invigilator standing in wait was enough to trigger a beast-like response¡ªone after the other, they become conscious, and one after the other¡ªthey threw themselves headlong into the nearest faculty member, none were spared as the devolved victims tried to mercilessly harm anyone who caught their gaze.

    Fortunately for the staff, a Multi-Layered Ward had already been set up to protect them.

    Still, one after the other, the students flooded from out the Configuration and quickly joined the fray after they awoke.

    By the time the entire participating group had made it back, Reiss decided to make his move¡ªslipping past all the students and entering the Configuration before a single one could react to his blinding movement.

    They continued to pelt the ward while the rest of the staff stood, waiting at the sight of the monsters that came out of the Configuration.

    Several moments pass before the sight of a lightning-clad silhouette shot out of the Configuration with a few students in tow, among them¡ªwas Shynerai.

    "Forty seconds. Despite knowing where they were, you still managed to almost take an entire minute... you''re getting slow Reiss"

    "Art, if you''re prepared to keep my time, then you should be able to go in yourself next time"

    "Not happening, after all, work like that is why we have idiots like you"

    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    "Mxm, no matter, these were the last of them"

    "Alright, you can close the Configuration.¡±

    ¡°Let me bind these few before the wake up" Dr. Arturion cast a binding spell on the still unconscious students that laid sprawled in front of him

    Their exchange was made even briefer as the brutality of the deranged continued, which seemed to only worsen the longer they were allowed to lash out.

    "For the love of¡ªwould somebody shut the damn Configuration already", Arturion bellowed.

    "Y-Yes Dr, right away"

    A group of the invigilators made their way around the Ward and towards the base of the Configuration, all the while making sure not to aggravate any of the preoccupied students.

    "Don''t look at them, just focus on closing the Configuration", one of them yells to a distracted colleague that came to a stop as he witnessed the aggression that was being held back by the Ward.

    He motions to pull him on his shoulder before dragging him back to the incantation''s base, snapping him out of his delirium with the help of another berating.

    "Focus damnit! for their sakes"

    "¡­ehh yes, yes apologies"

    After managing to come to his senses, the startled invigilator moved to join the rest of his colleagues at the various poles of the Configuration''s base.

    "Quickly now" Dr. Arturion eagerly ushered them.

    With all of them in position, the spell base began rising to life with an ever-increasing humming that accompanied the violet glow emitted by the Seal.

    "Spatial Construction Magic..."

    "Wh¡ªwhat''s the holdup, Reiss?" One of the spell caster''s rage as he felt the incantation being interrupted.

    "It''s the new guy, he''s still getting into position" Reiss responded in a relaxed manner despite being entirely bathed in the cold violet light.¡±

    "Sorry, sorry, the base is set now, we can close it"

    "Huh, finally¡­Riemann''s Configuration"

    With everyone in place, the Configuration base was complete and so began its closing.

    Several overwrought moments pass.

    Once the last of the boreal chills and phantasmal wisps of violet light had all but receded and the air of the hall had gained its essence, the feral students slowly recovered.

    First, from their blurry vision and pretty soon their rage¡­though this time before any one of them was conscious enough to make a break for the protective Ward in their mania, Dr Arturion and Reiss made the first move, swiftly incapacitating them¡ªwithin only a blink of the eye, all of the students laid on the floor, stunned and more importantly¡­alive.

    "S¡ªSay what you want about these kids but there''s no doubt that this year''s batch was a handful." One of the invigilators exclaimed as he sat on the hall''s floor, trying to catch his breath.

    "I''ll say, you''ve got no idea what I had to go through." Reiss added.

    "What¡­did the little girls you came in giving you that much trouble" He mocked.

    As Reiss began bickering with the other invigilators, Arturion was able to catch a glimpse of the wound that was seemingly concealed beneath the tattered threads on the right-hand side of his coat.

    ''Who did that to him, the idiot¡­'' He thought as he moved between the unconscious students, checking on their condition.

    After he was certain that they were all alive and in stable conditions, he got up and scolded the "problem children" before ordering them to help in transporting the students to the Medical Ward.

    One after the other they helped the arriving Medical staff with just that, all the while Dr Arturion left the clean-up of the site of the aftermath to the remaining invigilators as he accompanied his staff.

    Walking alongside the various stretchers, the sight of the resting students brought a look of relief to the old doctor as he stayed his hand from reaching for his cigarettes with a resounding thought coming to mind:

    ''He managed to bring them all back¡ªthese troublemakers might yet be the hope¡­'' he swiftly punctuates the thought with a change of his expression, showing kindred a¡­smile.

    Elsewhere¡­

    The familiar sensation from the somnolent glow of the overhead lights drew Shynerai out of his sleep in a heaving panic, fearing that he had severely wounded himself again.

    "Relax, please you need to sit back down or you''ll up open up your stitches"

    "Stitches¡­aaaahhhh, yeah I think I found one of them"

    "See, that''s what I was talking about, now please sit down. I already called the doctor so he''ll be here soon", the kind nurse eagerly urged him to return to his bed and rest.

    The door is heard swinging open

    Doctor Arturion entered the room and made his way to the now lively bedside of Shynerai:

    "So you must be¡­ah, number fifty-two is it, well welcome back.¡±

    ¡°Tell me how are you feeling, are you experiencing any sort of discomfort?" The doctor inquired as he walked through the curtain towards him.

    "Yes doctor, he seems to be doing quite well now. I''ll return to my other duties now if that is all."

    "You may go. Thank you, dear"

    "Now, young Astrapordt, do you mind telling me why the only place I ever seem to find is in my Ward?"

    "WAIT...what. It wasn''t my fault this time, honest."

    "It''s alright kid...

    You know you''re pretty stiff for a kid," he remarks with a chuckle as he continues his examination of the young boy.

    "Would you mind standing up for me and doing a few motions?"

    After Shynerai completed the physical test, he was told to rest back onto his bed and the doctor disclosed his medical results

    "Listen closely Shynerai, you''ve sustained quite a bit of bodily harm today:"

    <ul>

    <li> Severe dehydration;</li>

    <li> Three broken ribs;</li>

    <li> Fractured left wrist;</li>

    <li> Mild head trauma;</li>

    <li> Multiple lacerations and scarring across the torso;</li>

    <li> Partial loss of hearing in the left ear.</li>

    </ul>

    Shynerai''s eyes sank after hearing the doctor continue down the list, though Dr Arturion seemed unfazed by the young man''s frantic search across his body, desperately checking for all the described injuries but as soon as he saw the stitches again, he froze.

    "So you''ve finally noticed huh, well if the procedure was as successful as I''m sure it was, then you shouldn''t need those stitches by the end of the day."

    "Wait, what procedure¡­you mean I was in surgery"

    "Quite, all of those who completed the Configuration received emergency treatment which was supervised by myself"

    "The treatment was only for the most immediate injuries, the rest was left up to your¡­''enhanced physiologies.¡±

    ¡°Anyways all the things I listed have already been treated, you are free to join your classmates once you sign off here " Handing him the Notebook with his medical record.

    "Hold on Dr, you said we''re enhanced¡­as far as I know, we''re all just...normal kids."

    "Correction, you were normal, that was until we gave you a special kind of ''medicine'', though only to the sixty of you that survived your¡­ehem¡­Auditorium Introduction."

    ¡°Anyways, what we gave you wasn''t ordinary cough syrup, it''s responsible for keeping you alive through the harsh conditions of the Configuration.¡±

    ¡°Now you should head to class, whatever questions you may have will be handled by your homeroom teacher¡­the idiot.¡±

 Endearing Bonds are Cast Unbreakable

    The forceful doctor rushed the young boy to get dressed and rushed him out the door in a haste.

    Dazed from what just happened, Shynerai was about to stumble back into the Medical Ward but...found himself frozen in embarrassment, and a female student stood outside the Medical Ward.

    Having caught a glimpse of the confused half-naked boy before she starts trying to berate him to get dressed, after chasing him down the corridor, he eventually tells her to stop and explains what happened.

    After turning around for him to get dressed, they introduced each other and she explained to him what she was doing outside the Ward.

    "I''m Luciana, a Second Year of Class 2B."

    "Hello, I''m Shynerai Astrapordt, a first-year but I''m not sure in what class."

    "Shy¨Cshyne¨C"

    "....eh, you can call me Erai."

    "I guess.¡± She giggled.

    ¡°Has anyone ever told you that you''ve got a strange name?"

    "Oh yeah..."

    "Anyways, I was ordered by the Student Generals to help in the guiding of the freshmen to their homeroom classes.¡±

    ¡°If you''ll follow me I can take you there."

    "Uh...alright, but if I may ask, what class will I be in?"

    Luciana hesitated for a moment:

    "Don''t worry about it, you''ll get to meet everyone when you get there...Eh, how about I get you up to speed with a personal orientation?" She responded with a plastic smile.

    "O¨COkay, I''d appreciate that", the flustered Erai accepted.

    The two of them left the Medical ward and made their way to the Student buildings, all the while she filled him in on crucial details of the school''s goings-on. She explained that there are four years and six classes in total, all ranked from F to A.

    Those with higher ranks have greater prestige and enjoy better benefits from the school, though what those benefits are will only become available some time after they¡¯ve been settled into the school. She went on to inform him that every class has a base number of students with each one being responsible for either maintaining their numbers or bolstering them.

    "So it''s possible for students to personally recruit people into their class?"

    "Yes, but if your class falls below 60% of its initial number...the whole class is¡ªExpelled!¡±

    ¡°With no second chances or excuses. Forcing them to retake their entrance exams"

    "..."

    "It''s alright¡± She jumped  in front of the stunned snow-haired, greeting his shock with an expression of relief.

    ¡°All the classes have a score that increases by accumulating points throughout the year. The points can come from any Guardian-related activities like the Carnivals, Circuses, Quests and Inter-Challenges.¡±

    ¡°All of these can get you points, which allow you to have access to various things."

    "I don''t get it! How is any of this supposed to stop me from worrying?" Shynerai asked, trying to laugh off his concerns.

    "Well since a class''s score carries so much value, the gathering of points usually takes precedence over poaching other classes for students." Folding her arms with an equally curious grin

    "Ohh...that''s how, hmm..."

    "Yep. Now, there''s your class. If you still have more questions¨C"

    "I have several."

    "Really, well....¡± She took a second to think before answering.

    ¡°Hmmm. Alright, tell you what..." Taking Erai''s Notebook and pulling her own out, paging through it until she found the page she was looking for.

    ¡®''Lu...ci...an...a'' Her name etched itself into one of the blank pages.

    "There, if you have any more questions after your orientation, then feel free to call me."

    "With my Notebook¨C"

    "Yep. Now I have to go and help any students that might have woken up.

    I''ll see you around Erai", she says goodbye before walking back to the Medical Ward.

    "I appreciate the help, Luciana, see you around."

    With Luciana taking off, Shynerai was left to face down the oak door of what would be his class for the next year. As a panic fuelled sensation welled up in his stomach at the sound of the murmured voices from beyond the door, a distinct voice amongst the inaudible tones was projected with obvious clarity:

    "Now then, it seems we have another student who''ll be joining our class. You are welcome to enter"

    Taking a deep breath, Shynerai pushed open the door.

    As he walked in, his eyes were greeted by the vibrant light of the setting sun peeking through the windows across him, though his sight quickly adjusted and he was able to see the person that called for him...

    "You...sir"

    ''Oh, another male...oh well'' The professor locked eyes with him as he thought to himself.

    "Alright then young man looks like you''ll be in this class the remaining days of this year. This is class 1F, welcome.¡±

    ¡°Now, would you step in and introduce yourself to everyone."

    ¡°...Okay.¡±

    ¡°My name is Shynerai Astrapordt. It''s a pleasure."

    "Is that it? Dear boy, surely you can at least tell us something more about yourself, like where you come from?" He pressed.

    "Where I come¡ª" Shynerai was about to speak but his mouth quickly dried out as the intensity of his grit teeth began to show.

    "I...I grew up in Sprite Fontiss, it''s a small trade city, North of this Continent."

    A noticeable grin appeared beneath the professor''s eyes.

    "How interesting, I haven''t been up North that often to know of any clans with alabaster mane" He pondered curiously.

    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    The rest of the class''s eyes could be felt on him, staring with anticipation.

    "I got my hair from my mother, she was a Southern Elf, my father...he was a human"

    "Oh, so a Daumier? "His sharp crimson eyes loomed over him with a piercing gaze as he asked.

    He clenched his fist."Yes¡ªnow may I be seated?"

    "Of course, thank you for sharing, you may sit at any open table."

    The professor''s questions left him with a sour taste as a wrought scowl laid across his face while he was walking towards his chair in the back of the class...

    "Shy¡ªErai, you''re here?"

    He looked up in surprise from how familiar the voice sounded

    "Wait, Vaceris¡­¡± Looking beside himself.

    "Yeah¡ªwe''re in the same class...I can''t believe it!"

    "Wait, how''s this possible?"

    "From your reaction, I can''t tell if you''re excited or disappointed." She said with a furrowed brow.

    "Honestly...I''m more surprised than anything else..."

    "Well, that''s enough!"

    ¡°There will be plenty of time to chat after my class. Mr Astrapordt, please be seated and Ms Ieollavard, pay attention."

    "Y-Yes sir" He left her desk and continued to his chair.

    "Right. Before we can begin, allow me to introduce myself, once more.

    ¡°I am Dr Blutzsicht Reiss, but you are all welcome to call me Professor Reiss. I will be your homeroom teacher for the foreseeable future, so I do hope we can get along." He announced before winking at some of the students sitting in front of him.

    "Cut the crap! What the hell was that, that..."

    "Ahhh, I see, you''re referring to the Configuration?" Reiss looked over at the frustrated students that all shared in their classmate''s desire for answers.

    "Alright. The Configuration as you all experienced is a pocket dimension that contains a near-infinite number of connections to other free-forming pockets in space-time.¡±

    ¡°Ordinarily, we only allow for the students to venture through just three layers of  the ¡®Hell¡¯, it''s what we call them, but I''m sure if anyone would agree it would be you."

    "So if there were only supposed to be three layers, then does that mean...the place should have¨C" Tersia asked with resounding concern.

    "That is correct. Seems things might be more interesting if the rest of you turn out to be this bright." A boy with bright blue eyes and messy brown hair that was bound in a white and gold bandana stood in confusion as he asked the rest of the class to clarify.

    "Eh¨C¡±

    ¡°Well, it means that the Configuration was only supposed to change three times", Ketsuiko conveyed the news with a disturbed expression aimed at the professor.

    "So tell me, SIR, why, if there even is a reason, why were we in there for so long?" His disturbed expression began radiating a fierce storm, so noticeable that the Shynerai was able to feel it at the back of the class.

    "Well, even though the Configuration can hold an almost limitless number of locations, we only ever found a need to use seven, since time flows differently, we set out to get you after 7 minutes, or hoped that you found your way out. You didn''t, and so we had to act"

    "You didn''t answer my question, sir. Why¨C¡± Getting up from his chair and stepping away from his desk.

    ¡°Did you choose to go so far if it wasn''t necessary" As Ketsuiko stood up, the violent energy was spurred even more as scarlet and black lightning sparked from him with each step he took.

    "You put our lives in danger, so many people could have been needlessly killed.

    So why, did you take it so far¡­why¡ª", he stopped in his tracks as the student that was sitting beside him, got in his path.

    Shaking his head as he stared into Ketsuiko''s eyes, the crimson sparks died down and all the rest of the class came out from the cover of their desk...

    "Sorry Sergei, I shouldn''t let my temper flare like that."

    Resting a hand on his shoulder. "This isn''t like you, worrying about others doesn''t justify a lack of control", Sergei responded to his apology.

    ''Looks like the King''s power is not to be underestimated, how very interesting...'' Reiss thought to himself as the student calmed down.

    "Listen, I hope you haven''t forgotten what I told you before you went in.

    The reality is that the test had always involved all seven layers, but recently, the strength of the Guardians has begun to wane as more and more individuals acquire the title, with that, administration over the years reduced the challenge of the Configuration down to only three layers.

    But with the sudden increase in threats, within the Havens no less, the Headmaster gave the go-ahead to restore the challenging nature of the Configuration.

    As a result, you guys will probably be the smallest group of first years in decades."

    "H-how small are we talking here?" Tersia asked.

    "There are only sx first-year classes, your class was supposed to be about seven or eight students.

    Sadly of out the two hundred and sixty that survived exposure to the miasma, only a hundred were in a condition that would allow them to continue, that''s you"

    "Only a hundred out of a thousand-four hundred and fifty entrants, a success rate of less than 10%.

    ¡°This is insane!" Stephen remarked in an unsatisfactory tone.

    ¡°That''s simply how it is. So cherish the classmates that you have, you''ve each worked hard to make it here, never forget that sitting here is proof of that effort."

    An audible chime rang throughout the halls of the building, sounding from within the classes.

    "And with that our time together has ended for the day. See to it that you arrive early for my class tomorrow. And not to worry, you''ll get your schedules by the end of Thursday." Punctuating his announcement with a wave to the class before walking through the door.

    "Well, that was something..." Stephen remarks before following suit.

    "Oh¨Cbefore I forget" Reiss popped his head through the door

    "Whoa..." Stephen leaps back in surprise.

    "Before you leave, can you decide on who your class captain will be? Once you do you can fill in the necessary paperwork on my desk and drop it off in the Lecturer''s Lounge. " After which he closed the door and continued walking down the hallway.

    "Huh, I''m not going to be a fan of his" Stephen whispers under his breath, before proceeding to open the door.

    "Hang on, we have to decide on¡ª" Vaceris called to him.

    "Ketsu''s got my vote, he''s the obvious choice" He answered before closing the door behind him

    "That guy..." She remarked with a scowl.

    The rest of the class took a moment to decide among themselves but quickly came to the same conclusion as Stephen:

    "If it wasn''t for our ''fearless leader'', we probably wouldn''t have made it out of the Configuration.¡± Torren comments.

    "It''s true, he made sure that as many as possible could make it back." said Tersia.

    Shynerai wasn''t too familiar with Ketsuiko nor was he in the same group as the rest of his class when they were trapped in the Configuration so he didn''t have much to go on except the respect the rest of class seemed to have for him.

    "If everyone thinks you''re the man for the job, then choosing you makes sense." With Shynerai adding his support from the back, the decision became unanimous with Ketsuiko becoming the class captain of the class.

    After applause to congratulate their new captain, Shynerai got up to try and talk to Vaceris but before he realized, both her and Tersia had already left.

    "Hey...there, you''re Shynerai, right? "Someone tried to reach out to him out of his daze.

    "Eh...yeah, you''re..." Shynerai''s gaze moves to the messy-haired boy standing beside the captain and his companion.

    "The name''s Torren Sujin." Reaching to shake his hand with an endearing smile.

    "Oh¡­ah, it''s nice to meet you. Sorry about that, just not used to people getting my name right" He returned the gesture.

    "Well, I heard Lady Vaceris call you Erai before, so I guess I could call you that too."

    "Ah, sure...'' Guess she makes everyone call her Lady''..."

    "So  do you want to head out...I''m guessing you also live at Cross Gardens too?"

    "Eh...sure, I didn''t realize that you live there too...Torren, but I don''t mind." Erai was taken aback by the friendly exchange he just had.

    The two of them left the class and went out of the building towards the tram station.

    With the transport having parked at the Cross Garden''s station, the two left and made their way to the first year building.

    Before Erai got to his room, Torren asked him if he had anything to do or they could hang out. Erai took a look at his stitches, noticing that there was no longer any pain or strain from the injuries, he excited agrees to join him:

    ''Sarah''s not going to believe it, I made a friend...she''s going to tease me about it for sure'', Erai thought to himself as he and Torren dropped their jackets in their rooms before heading to explore the Southern Residence.

 Noblesse

    "So aside from the Alchemical Labs, Machine Workshops, Library, there was a ping pong table, video game lounge, a theater and a studio" Torren remarks as they left the South Residence.

    "We didn''t go through the entire place so there was probably more. The place was huge." Erai added while they walked past the central square.

    "Well, you are the one that said we should get going."

    "Yeah, I was already late on the first day and I''ve already got one of the professor''s eyes on me...I don''t want to find out what happens if I manage to get on Reiss''s bad side."

    "Uh-huh.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of strange things, dude your chest has been acting pretty weird ever since we left school, is everything okay?"

    "Huh" Shynerai pulled his shirt to the side, looking at his chest. Finding a soft familiar glow peering through.

    "Oh¡­" A look of relief appeared on his face.

    "It''s just a reminder, a gift. Something a friend left for me before I came to Aria."

    "Oh...okay, but what''s with the glow?" His face grew flushed at the thought of the question.

    "Eh¡­never mind it, it''s nothing serious" Trying to look away from him.

    "Besides, I don''t think ''tattoos'' are part of the school uniform, Torren" Erai responds with a smirk.

    Torren seemed a little confused at what Erai was implying until he noticed the mark peering underneath his sleeve. In a fit of panic, he quickly rolled down his sleeves, all the while pretending not to have heard his companion''s question. Entering the residence building, the two of them made their way up the stairs, until they arrived on their floor.

    "Hey Erai, you can find me in the cafeteria in the morning. I''ll wait for you there before we head out."

    "...Eh sure, that works. I''ll see you later Torren."

    "See ya around, dude."

    After spending the entire afternoon at the South Residence, Shynerai returned to his room to rest.

    Getting back, it became obvious just how late they had returned. As the dim light of the desktop clock beeped, displaying "19h20" every so often, he turned on the lights and shut the blinders. After getting changed out of his uniform and taking a shower, he stepped back into his room.

    Having gone through so much in one day, Shynerai could not get himself to relax in the quiet room. So, to pass the time he decided to explore his Notebook to look for Luciana''s contacts, bearing a mind racing with numerous questions, some he did not realize he had until everything had calmed down.

    Pulling out his Notebook from its holster, he threw himself onto his bed and began flipping through its pages, finding the first page usually reserved for a foreword or dedication letter...turned out to be completely blank. The page that followed had a long list of descriptors.

    Shynerai tried skimming through most of them, but by the time he read through the 25th one, he had to return to the title of the page to remind himself of what he was reading.

    ''Notebook Functions and Features, huh...Guess that explains the map-locator thing from before...but I didn''t think they could fit so much into something so small¡ª"

    Shynerai suddenly felt his thoughts grow heavy as he tried understanding the inner workings of his tool, with the sensation growing more leaden and his mind more clouded before his vision was all but blurred as the room had begun to slowly shift....not spinning, but titling...until the darkness was all there was.

    Deep silence soon followed...

    ''Beep-Beep, Beep-Beep, Beep-Beep''

    ''Beep-Beep, Beep-Beep, Beep-Beep''

    ''Beep-Beep, Beep-Beep, Beep-Beep''

    The young Daumier found himself being pulled from the fringe of the unconscious by a sound that had become too familiar in the past few weeks. With his eyelids barely open, he brushed his hair out of his face as the dim light of the clock filling the room peeled away the haze from his eyes.

    "Again...if this keeps up, I might have to see Dr. Arturion again, and I know he won''t be happy about that."

    Managing to drag himself out of bed, with eyes barely opened, he stumbled over to his Notebook that continued beeping, though muffled as it sat upturned on the floor.

    After switching it off, the "zombie of a person" left it on his desk as we began to get ready.

    An hour and a half later...

    Grabbing his jacket and holstering his Notebook before leaving his room, as the door locked behind him, Shynerai made his way to the cafeteria.

    "Sup dude, you made it" Erai was surprised by the appearance of Torren''s cheerful tone from behind him.

    "Geez...I''m guessing you''re not a morning person. You don''t react like you''re at all conscious" He teased, tapping his shoulder and pointing to a buffet line.

    "I guess you could say that...I can''t be the only one that''s still feeling the effects of that month we spent in Hell, seriously..." Shynerai commented as the two of them walked over to get breakfast.

    "Well, everyone''s condition was different when they got out. Kinda makes sense that not all of us are gonna be doing somersaults first thing out of the hospital.¡±

    ¡°Heck, I''m surprised that the school is still holding class for the first year this week. Those guys are psycho¡ª " Torren stifled his words as he caught the gaze of the serving cafeteria staff.

    Their conversation carried through breakfast but by the time they entered the school gates, as Shynerai suddenly grew quiet at the sight of Professor Colt who was present at the school gates once more, he tried shaking his cold stare before speeding off with a confused Torren for class.

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    The rest of the morning passed with unusual normality as Shynerai joined the rest of his classmates through their first lesson of the year.

    ''Ring-Ring, Ring-Ring''

    The familiar tone chirped throughout the halls.

    "Alright, you can enjoy your recess. Make sure you are not late for your next class." Professor Reiss reminds the class before taking his materials and leaving the class to their devices.

    "Hey, Erai. Do you wanna grab something to eat? That class wore me out."

    "Okay, that sounds fine. We could go to the cafeteria."

    "Ehh, Erai I''m not exactly dripping uld here, the cafeteria is pretty overpriced. I was thinking of something that we could grab in the city."

    Erai was surprised by Torren''s flustered expression but did not seem bothered by his words.

    " Yeah, some of the stuff is a bit expensive, but I''m sure we can find something good. C''mon, I can cover you for today if it''s a problem."

    "Ehh, thanks man, but I''ll be¡ª"

    "It''s alright. Now come on if we take too long then all the spots will be queued up." Torren tried to refuse but Erai''s insistence was unwavering, still, he was not sure if it was because he was being kind or simply lacking self-awareness.

    "You''re a strange guy, Erai. You shouldn''t be so quick to throw money around."

    "Huh" Confused look fell over him.

    "I mean it doesn''t make sense to be eating in front of someone who''s starving."

    "Oh.¡± Torren put his arm over Erai''s shoulder as they were walking.

    ¡°Now I get it, you may look all scary, but you have got a soft spot for your friends, don''t you?" He teased him with a bit of a laugh

    ''Friends huh'' A gentle smile appears as Erai mumbles those words under his breath.

    The pair made it to the cafeteria and took a moment to scan the massive hall before finding a fast food stall with only a handful of students standing in line.

    "I''m going to grab a cheeseburger, what about you?"

    "I''ll just get the same." Erai responded as they joined the queue.

    A few minutes pass before Torren and Erai have only a few students waiting in front of them. The two continued their discussion from earlier in the day, before they were joined by the sudden appearance of one of their classmates.

    "Hey there, you two." The comely and distinguished voice appeared from behind them.

    The two turned to meet the voice but were slightly thrown off.

    "Oh, what''s up? It''s Tersia right?" Torren was the first one to greet the young girl with jet black that seemed to flow like a waterfall passed her sterling sharp eyes and down her slender shoulders.

    "Hi¡­" Erai spoke after but remained stunned for a bit when his eyes met hers, something about them had garnered his attention.

    "Yep, glad you remembered it. You''re Torren right and you''re...Shy-n-neeray, neriii, narai?" She eventually gave up as she let out a sigh.

    "Sorry about that". An awkward smile appeared across his face.

    "J-Just call me Erai, it''s much easier."

    "Erai¡­Yeah, that''s way easier. Now I''m sure I won''t forget it. By the way, my name is Tersia Lamiastell, but Tersia works." She answered with a smile.

    "Pssst¡­Torren, don''t you think that there''s something up with Tersia...not wrong just different?" Erai whispered to him.

    "Not exactly sure what you mean dude..."

    "Oh, you noticed. It was the eyes, wasn''t it? it''s always the eyes."

    The two turned back to Tersia after noticing that she had leaned over to overhear them.

    ''I promise it''s nothing strange, just something my eyes do sometimes. I probably got it from my dad. Pantherian genes and all, you know?" Her attempt to play off their attentive gaze.

    "So¡­that would make you¡ªa Therianthrope. Now that makes sense. I knew something about you that felt different from how human you look."

    "Yeah, I know, sorry about th¡ª"

    "Why are you apologizing?¡± Asked the confused Torren.

    "What, no I was just..." The cheerful expression she was trying to hold was being weighed down by her sudden adoption of a permissive nature.

    The two of them assured her that they were simply curious about her, her unique quality is not something she should have to apologize for. Erai enforced their statement by brushing aside his bangs, revealing to her his short-elven ears.

    Tersia was a little surprised by Erai''s display but she appreciated the gesture. Feeling far more relieved, her jovial nature shone once more, accompanied with an equally kind smile. Joining them, the group waited in line with the last of the students having been served.

    PLEASE STEP ASIDE. DO NOT DAWDLE IN OTHERS WAY" A sharp voice shocked passer-by as two figures made their way past the crowds in the cafeteria.

    "I mean honestly, it seems like the freshmen are always chaotic in their endeavors, not even recess is safe from their impotence" One of the figures remarked with a disappointed expression.

    "Vice President, we''ll return as soon as we can get you some food. You''ve been working quite intently and need the energy".

    "Yes, yes Malleus. No need to fret, let us head over there, I''m starved for a burger right now."

    The figures made their way to the fast-food stall, with the passing students moving hastily out of their path, all the while mild murmurs and looks of contempt could be felt bleeding off from some of the unlucky few that took a step too close to them and were subsequently knocked away.

    Erai''s group was still invested in their exchange as a new voice was now added to the conversation.

    So distracted were the three that they managed to miss the figures that were approaching the very same stall. With the last of the students that were ahead of them now served, the group moved to place, but¡­

    "Pardon me!. The three of you are in the way, please step aside." The firm voice shattered the exchange as the group stopped in their tracks to meet the force behind the command.

    "Oh, another group of first years, move along, or at the very least step aside so we may take our order"

    "One of the figures remained quiet, only being bothered to cast his gaze down on them."

    "Apologies, but the stall only serves one customer at a time, if you want to be served, you''ll have to wait¡ª" Erai was cut off by Torren, pulling the hopeless Daumier by his braid only to start berating him:

    "Dude, do you have a death wish? Or do you just like pissing off people with the power to level an entire town. You don''t argue with the Student Generals, you just let them do their job."

    Brushing his classmates panic off, Erai spoke with a frustrated expression:

    "W-What are you talking about, these aren''t Student Generals, at least they don''t sound like the one I met"

    "Well bud, sounds like you woke up to an angel. Unfortunately, the rest of us were met with¡­more terrifying beasts. Which is why you should just let it go, we''ll grab something to eat elsewhere¡ª"

    Just as Torren finished his plea, Erai moved towards the figures and maintained that they would have to wait just like everyone else, all the while Tersia and Torren had a front-row seat to the growing storm in front of them, silently cursing their "idiot friend''s" decision to doom them all.

    "Even after you were told of our prestige, you still choose to stand in our way, my hunger is yet to be satiated, so if you choose to stand between me and my meal."

    A girded scowl grew in ferocity across the once silent Student General.

    "Then so be it!"

 Oblige

    A hand flew through the air, slamming into the back of Shynerai''s head, knocking him forward but before he could retaliate, Torren grabbed his arm as Tersia moved between him and the SG.

    Apologizing profusely while trying to explain that there''s no need for them to spend too much time on an insubordinate freshman. The surprise on his face shifted to frustration but he couldn''t give out his refusal as Tersia interrupted him once more, this time a well-placed strike the abdomen knocked the wind out of Shynerai, with Torren moving in to hold him up as he was kept occupied with his gasping.

    Seeing the warped brows on Shynerai''s face seemed to gratify the SG choosing to merely scoff at the group before warning him and moving to the front of the line:

    "Heed the words of your compatriots, and learn to recognize the nature of how authority works"

    "Sigh...carry on to your class, this will be seen as a warning for your expressive companion, the rest of you will be absolved. Now!"

    Malleus ordered them to leave, with Torren dragging Erai with the help of Tersia, he suddenly stopped as Erai got to his feet, glaring past Malleus and straight at the vice president...catching the SG¡¯s attention though for the next few moments they only exchanged fierce looks before the chef of the stall rang the bell for the next customer.

    With Torren''s hand on his shoulder, Erai chose to leave the cafeteria with them. Opting to follow Torren¡¯s lead as they went into Deep City for lunch.

    The group managed to make it back to campus before the break was over, with the trio entering the class, Erai once more stood in his tracks, asking for Tersia and Torren to hear him out.

    "I...I know I almost got you guys in trouble. Look, no one should treat others like their lesser, just because they have power...you can''t just take what you want, it''s not right..."

    The two of them noticed his clenched fists but moved to comfort him, choosing to leave the questions they had about his reaction for later.

    Tersia apologized for the injuries but she tried to play off the actions by remarking that he should be healed from it by now, demonstrating by taping him in the same place, though Erai reacted quick enough to step back quite a bit, causing her to try her best to hold in her laughter from his fumbling.

    "It''s okay, guys. You were only trying to help"

    After reassuring them, Erai moves to Torren asking him to walk between the two of them, hoping that Torren''s demise might buy him some time, hearing the idea shocked him which left not only Tersia but Erai with a sense of relief as the group entered the class.

    Seeing that Professor Reiss hadn''t returned, Tersia left the two to join the group seated near the windows of the class. With Torren calling Erai out for his meanness, Erai jokingly commented that he''ll call it even for the lunch he covered.

    Causing Torren to shift to his regular mood, at a speed that left Erai a little concerned. As the two continued, Tersia returned to them, asking Erai if he would like to meet the rest of the class.

    Erai seemed a little apprehensive but Torren''s push caused the stumbling young man to take Tersia up on her offer. Seeing Vaceris amongst the group, he found his reluctance quickly replaced with curiosity.

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    Joining the bustling group, Erai and Torren entered the conversation after Tersia''s lead.

    Finally getting to meet the rest of his classmates, he introduced himself to them, from the class captain, Ketsuiko through to Sergei and Stephen...though Torren laughingly points out that Erai and Vaceris were already acquainted as the two met eyes.

    But before he could respond to Torren''s comment, he found himself wrapped in Vaceris''s arms. Caught by surprise, but all the more glad to see how warm she could be.

    His raised hands instead moved to return the exchange, while she spoke in a tone of relief:

    "I¡­I''m." She found herself stumbling over her words, before collecting herself.

    "I''m glad you''re okay. When I didn''t see you during the whole Configuration test, I thought something must have happened after you were attacked. But Dr. Arturion told me that you got discharged. I wasn''t sure what to think, that is...until I saw you yesterday"

    "Ah...that whole thing, it''s okay. I got out of the hospital as soon as I was awake. He told me that I''d be okay with some rest and a little physiotherapy"

    A scowl appears on her face as she responded in a somber tone:

    "If I didn''t let my guard down, you wouldn''t have to go through all that treatment, you wouldn''t have gotten hurt...I''m sorry" With her eyes staring, while avoiding his own.

    "Vaceris...Look, whether you had your guard up or not wouldn''t have stopped me from doing something. It''s not your fault, I made the call to fight, and I made the call to protect someone in trouble. Not you, but for me and if that choice went south, I''m the only one to blame."

    Hearing his words, she looks to him, seeing himself remove his tie, then jacket and finally his shirt...

    "See, it''s not as bad as before. Whatever they did to us before we went through hell made sure of that.

    This scar is a reminder that next time I need to be better, not just for others sake, but my own." He exclaimed after gesturing to the scar streaked across his left shoulder.

    "All right everyone, Professor Reiss will be here soon, you should all get seated." Ketsuiko announced to his classmates before moving to his own desk and getting seated.

    Everyone began moving to their own seats while Erai quickly got dressed¡­but before he makes his way to the back, Vaceris stopped him:

    "Hey, Shy-Erai, thank you."

    "¡­"

    Flustered by her heartened thanks, he could only bring himself to meet her gratitude with a comically dotty smile. A response that surprised her enough that she would try and muffle her giggles as they made their way to their seats with their teacher''s arrival.

    The class continued with nothing of note occurring, at least until after the students returned to their class from recess. Once everyone was present, their teacher made a few important announcements, amongst them was one that he asked they should take serious note of.

    He explained that they would all receive their itineraries for their classes. These schedules would have their regular classes along with "special classes", aimed at the path they would want to work towards as a Guardian.

    Once he finished, he asked the class if they had already selected their paths, and they all agreed¡­well all aside from three. Shyenrai sat in the back with no clue as to what a "path" was.

    Sitting in front of the class, Torren was trembling, with cold sweats running down his face, which seemed to annoy Stephen who was seated beside him. Scoffing at his panic, Stephen raises his hand to ask something:

    "Excuse me, Professor Reiss."

    "Yes, Mr. Markoldz, what is it?"

    "Sir, where should those of us who still have our path applications hand them in?"

    Torren''s panic turned to pure relief, as he gave Stephen a thumbs up for asking. Reiss asks those with outstanding applications to hand them in before they left that day, but still Shynerai had no idea what a "path" was.

    With the bell toll echoing throughout the halls, marking the end of the school day Torren approached Erai who still seemed occupied with thoughts.

    It took a slight nudge to bring him out of his own head, and with that, they headed out as Torren dropped off application with Professor Reiss before they left the class.

 Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

    Torren and Erai left the class and made their way home, with Torren nudging his companion towards the Southern Residency for an opportunity to let loose.

    Seeing this idea as being the only thing to bring Erai from out of his constant thought since they left the campus, Torren hurried him along before giving him a moment to refuse. The pair spent most of the afternoon by the Recreational Area before heading home as night began to descend.

    The following morning...

    The students of Class 1F made their way through the corridor and towards their classroom, Torren and Erai weren''t far behind, as they were welcomed by Tersia and Vaceris greetings from the doorway.

    The group exchanged pleasantries, seeing that they were all well, they made their way inside. With each one finding their seat...

    "Ping-Ping. Ping-Ping." A chorus of the collective chimes erupted from each student.

    Startled, they each searched themselves to find the source of the tone. Stopping short by their holsters, each of their Notebooks chimed in a high tone.

    "Everyone, relax. It''s just your class schedule." A raised hand bearing the opened Notebook, announces from the front of the class.

    "Just look inside, you should see all your classes. It''s as Professor Reiss had said." The class captain reassures them all as he motioned to the marked page of the book.

    With Ketsuiko''s instruction, each of them opened their Notebooks, passing page after page until arriving at the marked page. One after the other, the perplexed expressions of the students were quickly fading as their curiosity was satiated.

    "Good morning, my dear students. How are we all doing this fine day¡ª" The professor walked into the classroom, expecting to find his students waiting, but instead being greeted by the sight of them all staring down at the books.

    Erai quickly unbuckled his Notebook, paging through it with just as much vigor as the rest had before, failing to even take note of his professor:

    ''Ping-Ping.''

    ''Schedule Update: Trinity Cross Academy First Year: Class 1F. Shynerai Astrapordt''

    Standard First-Year Itinerary: Confirmed

    Mathematics; Natural Sciences; Thaumaturgy and Miracles; Social Studies; Physical Training; Language Arts; Additional Language Studies.

    Guardian Itinerary: Confirmed. Chosen path: Hero

    Conventional and Integrated Combat Trainings; Spellcraft Studies and Investigation; Alchemy Studies and Experimentation.

    "Hero! I''m finally here! I made it!"

    "Mr. Astrapordt, would you mind calming yourself and getting back into your seat. This is a classroom after all." Reiss ordered the overzealous young man before ordering the rest of the class to put their Notebooks away as class was about to begin.

    Shynerai slumped back into his seat, but couldn''t hold back the quickened beat of his heart as the words continued to echo within him,

    ''A Hero.''

    "Right. Now we may begin with the class as scheduled."

    "Based on your reaction, you have no doubt received your new class schedules. Moving forward, your classes will follow the regular time slot, with standard subjects spread across six and half hours."

    "After which you will have a thirty minute recess followed by the rest of the classes for the specific path that you have chosen."

    "This is how things will be for the remainder of the academic year. Please ensure that you remain updated to date with all your work. Now, let us begin with your first class."

    Having finally managed to grasp his students'' attention, Reiss began his instruction as his visage bathed in the light of the early morning rays that peered through.

    The regular school day progressed, with recess following soon after.

    "Everyone, let me remind you that once class ends, you''ll be in recess. From there, you''ll move to your Guardian classes. Now then¡ª" Reiss''s announcement was cut short as the door to the classroom slid open with a student entering.

    "Sorry to bother you, Professor Reiss, the Questing department needs to make sure all the students receive our new pamphlets."

    "Ah Luciana my dear, I''m well aware of your department. Though I was under the impression that no one was interested in taking up¨C"

    "Oh sir, you''re still as funny as always." She jumped in before Reiss could finish, stepping past the stunned elf.

    Moving to take the center stage, Luciana left her distressed companion by the doorway while she stood in front of the perplexed class,

    "How are you, Class 1F? Tell me, who here wants to make some sweet sweet uld." She spoke enticingly...before her speech was cut short by a berating from her companion.

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    After managing to tame the rowdy Luciana, he begrudgingly took to relaying the appropriate announcement:

    "I''m sorry about that, the Vice President has...a bit of a willful nature. My name is Mithras Lotarim and alongside my companion, Ms. Luciana Lumiere are both members of the Questing Committee of our Academy."

    "To simplify the nature of our committee, we allow the students of Trinity Cross Academy the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in Guardian activities and in the process make a decent wage."

    "Excuse me, Mr. Lotarim, could you explain what exactly you mean by that?" Stephen sat back into his chair with now folded arms as Torren asked with some hesitation.

    The rest of the class'' expressions quickly shifted from perplexed to a burning curiosity, with Shynerai taking a look up from his new schedule that seemed almost glued to his fingers.

    "It''s quite simple really. If you''re interested, you''ll accept Quests on behalf of the school, all related to duties that a Guardian might find themselves completing in the real world. Once this is done, you get paid according to your performance on said task."

    "That makes sense, allowing the students the chance to glance at their future duties in a safe and controlled manner. Under the school''s supervision no doubt?" Ketsuiko added.

    "Um...yes. Exactly that." Lotarim responded, shocked by the student''s competency.

    "Ah yeah, you said something about a reward." Torren asked with an intensity that threw Lotarim off for a moment.

    "...Eh hem, yes. Based on your performance, you''ll receive compensation for your efforts. In fact¨C"

    "If doing really well on a job, or better yet, you managed to finish a ridiculously tough job then they might even let you choose your own reward." Luciana jumped in once again with an expression of glee to match Torren''s.

    "Hold on!" A voice boomed from the back of the class with the resounding echoes of a book that was quickly slammed shut.

    "If we could choose our own reward. What if... could you ask for a pardon, would that be possible?"

    The class was drawn to the words of such a strange request, but Lotarim seems willing to answer,

    "I don''t think I''ve heard of anyone seeking a pardon, but it''s not the most outrageous request I''ve heard being met." Lotarim assures the excitable young man.

    ''Then...just maybe, I could¨C'' Shynerai''s heart gained a rising vigor as he slowly engrossed himself in a singular thought.

    For the first time since he got to the Academy, he felt himself taking not a mere step, but a leap towards his real goal, the truest desire that put him on this journey. He stood up and asked Lotarim what one required to undertake a quest.

    Reiss opted to explain, as he told him to calm himself. Shynerai would first have to check his rank by the Student Council''s office...though he expressed his feelings against the act, deeming the young Daumier as being far too young.

    Unfortunately for Reiss, his advice fell on deaf ears with the eager Shynerai already packing his things and before making his way to the Student Council''s office.

    Vaceris found herself overcome with worry as the gaze beneath her furrowed brow followed Shynerai who left the class just as the bell''s toll echoed throughout the halls.

    After following the directions authored by his Notebook, the Daumier finally made it to the Student Council office.

    Instead of a simple classroom, the Council room was a designated office within the Administrative Building of the Academy. These facilities were connected to the Head Offices and the Educational Buildings and mostly housed the various Student Committees managed by the Student Generals.

    Entering the main room that was dedicated to the Student Council was a lounge area dotted with individuals whom Shynerai could only surmise were SGs, a thought that was confirmed as he noticed both Malleus and his companion amongst the group.

    Towards the end of the lounge was yet another smaller room only this one took on the exterior appeal of an office with a receptionist guarding the front, Henrietta Vermilion.

    Assuming that she would be the one to provide the ranking test, he approached her desk and after a stern greeting, he promptly requested that Henrietta perform the ranking test on him.

    Henrietta, having been well versed in her work could instantly determine that he was far too young for any second or third year but to confirm her suspicions about him she asked for his name and class. Shynerai instantly responded,

    "My name is Shynerai Astrapordt of Class 1F and I''m a Hero prospect." His eyes were met with the sight of a rather shocked Henrietta .

    With surprising eloquence she answered,

    "Although it''s not unheard of that a First-year would want to go on Quests, it is not every day that a First-year who has only been attending for only two weeks and¡­happens to be in the weakest class would be so eager to do so."

    "I''m sorry but based on odds alone, you are simply too weak for me to allow you to disturb Mr. Drucariium." From Henrietta ''s lecture, Shynerai realized that she was not the one who performs the test, it was done by Mr. Drucariium whom he could only assume was behind the second door.

    Realizing this, Shynerai cut his conversation with Henrietta short and headed straight for the door but...as he was approaching the door Henrietta approached Shynerai within a flash.

    By the time he glanced behind himself, she was already in front of him readying a powerful knee to his chest¡ªbut before her attack made contact Shynerai with even greater speed stepped away, only to appear behind her.

    With her strike now having missed its target, Shynerai moved in before she could respond...striking her, just enough for her to fall unconscious.

    Though this was not done with brute force, simply the skillful application of Physical Energy and a decent knowledge of pressure points.

    Shynerai caught her before she fell to the ground, returning her to her chair before opening the doors that laid before him whilst proclaiming that the man who bore the name of Drucariium allowed him to take the ranking test.

    Some time passed, with the air of the lounge having returned with its calm feel which had been disrupted with Shynerai''s arrival, though the SGs present still couldn''t be bothered.

    Some moments would pass before Henrietta would come to. When a young man stepped out of the office, and the sounds of a heated argument quickly followed,

    "You have to check it again, it needs to be higher, it has to¡­" Shynerai raged against the man in the office.

    With the rising tension Arno, Creivolt and Jaret took notice of the escalation, leading to Arno interjection.

    But Shynerai didn''t acknowledge the other SGs, instead continuing to push his need for a higher rank as a point that was far more important than what they may think.

    "I need the highest rank I can get, rank C...I can''t do what I need to with it. It has to be much higher." His hard-headedness surprises Jaret, who was suddenly reminded of another one just as stubborn whose words he had almost forgotten, a memory that held no real joy...

    Arno, who quickly caught onto his friend''s shifting mood, fell silent at the sound of Shynerai''s words.

 The Sword vs. The Hammer

    "Honestly, I''m not surprised by his reaction, especially for someone so ignorant." Malleus added, showing little regard as he drew Shynerai''s ire.

    "We''ve only met once and you think you know me?" Shynerai snapped back, with an unshaken gaze laid upon the Student General.

    Taking notice of his underclassman''s furrowing brow and increasingly piercing glare at the bickering before him, Arno let slip his growing annoyance...

    "...Sigh..."

    Creivolt stood with his aid as he informed his fellow Student Generals of Shynerai''s attitude is the result of some level of resentment towards "the nature of how things are"

    "Showing an unusual capacity for rage towards the established order. For some reason, you cannot help but despise authority, can you? Or at the very least placing your faith in it?¡± With a trembling voice, Shynerai warned him to hold his tongue:

    "That''s kind of hard when...the ''established order'' has done nothing for me¡ªbecause when someone cries out for help, does the ''established order'' protect them...do any of you?" The more tentative of the Student Generals in the room were surprised by the young Daumier''s resolve, at the very least the audacity to mock Student Generals to their face, within their Council room..

    But Arno along with his aides had no interest in praising such insubordination, they only sought the nature of his resolve, how far would he go after everything he had said.

    ¡®You speak with such conviction, but what of your actions?¡¯ Arno wondered as he watched Shynerai before looking at Creivolt and Malleus

    "Then, how about we show you."

    For a moment, the chaos fell to a standstill as everyone in the room set their sights on Arno.

    "Sir, What do you¨C"

    "Call it a Clash of Ideology. He doesn''t seem eager to accept the reality of his situation. My how the youth have grown callous and rude this year.¡± He answered Malleus.

    ¡°So how about it? What you desire versus what you have been given, ''Defiance against Authority'', ''Rebellion v. Order''. You against Us. If you so desperately want something, then you should have the strength to achieve, not to leave it to chance or to blame all that is external" Arno declared as he moved closer to the boy, all the while gesturing to his subordinates to not interrupt.

    "Sir¨Cplease" Malleus begrudgingly let loose his displeasure with what he has just heard.

    Arno had presented him with a chance to challenge his seemingly unwavering stance, for him to oppose the authority directly. Wherein his success would mean the change he wanted.

    But if he failed...then he would have to learn...and the Student Generals were entirely prepared to teach him.

    A still-detached Jaret asked him what he hoped to gain, but Shynerai simply accepted the challenge.

    ¡°When I win, you have to change my ranking¡±

    Finding his enthusiasm quite excitable Arno called out to his cockiness as a demonstration of a mindset from a country boy.

    But Shynerai brushed aside the insult and questioned him on if they should take it outside. A statement that couldn''t help but cause Arno to laugh with Malleus berating him for his disrespect.

    Taking a few moments to catch his breath¡­

    ¡°While I admire your tenacity, you are simply far too young to seek a fight with me. I wouldn''t want to strain Dr. Arturion with your care. Though I may have someone fit.¡±

    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Arno appointed Creivolt to handle the matter of the challenge in his stead, which surprised him.

    ¡°The challenge was issued by you, and I¡¯m sure you would barely strain yourself in the matter of disciplining him¡±

    ¡°That is true, but I believe you can do it. Besides, if my victory is a certainty, would you not have more to gain by seeking that level of mastery by taking on this challenge. Make no mistake, I have chosen you not out of certainty, rather you have given me no reason to ever believe that you would fail me¡± A sense of awe washed over the room, captivating the previously disinterested onlookers.

    ¡°Rousing speech, Arno. Careful, or you might put our Student Council President out of job¡± Jaret teased as he pat Creivolt on the back, assuring him.

    Creivolt wasn''t bothered by the request and accepted, but Malleus, still shocked by the challenge, insisted that he needs to step in if the vice president would be involved.

    "Ehem..."

    Elldra Drucariium ordered them to get out of his office as he had work that needed to be done, but found the group''s rowdiness to be drowning out his words.

    Now pushing Henrietta to remove the bunch. The equally annoyed SG eagerly cast a flaring burst of magic, knocking the group right through the doors and into the corridor.

    "Ms. Vermillion...cough...cough....there was room for restraint!" The now fuming President Elldra addressed her with a firm grip crushing her skull, as he begged the President to show her mercy, before he slammed the doors of his office shut.

    Dusting off the debris from Arno, Jaret and- Creivolt, Malleus scoffed at the sight of the underclassman before walking off, informing Shynerai to meet them at the Arena after class.

    Though Shynerai was too busy extinguishing the embers covering his smoldering jacket.

    Back in the Student Council office, President Elldra scolded Henrietta''s rashness as flames littered the office, with the embarrassed SG frantically rushing to extinguish them. Amidst all that had happened Arno and Jaret remained untouched...using the commotion to exchange curious words.

    The excited Arno was quick to lose his humor to his now darkened expression as he questioned his friend if that is going to be his reaction each time they meet a rowdy underclassman.

    But Jaret says nothing as he started walking out, telling the president that if he needed him he would be in History Class...but before he could open the charred remains of the door, Arno called to him:

    "Jay...you need to let this go! Sigh...you need to let h¨C" But he was cut off as the door flew into splinters, raining down the few remains throughout the Council room. With the doorknob crushed firmly in his grip, he dropped the fragmented pieces before excusing himself.

    Leaving an even more worried expression on Arno''s face.

    Moments later...

    Shynerai made his way to his first Guardian class, eagerly and with clenched fists.

    ''Combat class.'' He muttered with a warped look of excitement.

    As the echoes of the last footsteps of the students rumbled out from the halls and finally eventually past the bounds of the gates, silence fell across the entire scape, all save for one place...just as silent, though not as empty.

    Shynerai looked at the grounds of the Arena from atop the stands, meeting eyes with the man that would be his opponent. Despite overlooking Creivolt, he couldn''t bring himself to let his guard down. Exuding a calm that flows from the Student General into the ring felt akin to staring into a fog-covered pit.

    Gripping the seam of pants tightly, he drew a deep breath and grit his teeth with a show of ferocity.

    ''No turning back now...NO. No more thinking, he''s already waiting''

    The young man attempts to quiet his fears as he removes his jacket, folding it and placing it beside his holster, still fitted with his Notebook.

    Leaving his belongings neatly atop the stands, Shynerai descends into the Arena. An echoing chime of his jingling necklace alerting the collected Creivolt of the underclassman''s arrival.

    "Merely submit and forfeit. Your transgressions can still be reprimanded with some degree of leniency" Malleus crowed as he emerged from one of the entrances to the Arena.

    "After staring daggers into my eyes, I doubt he''ll heed any reason." Creivolt answered his subordinate''s plea.

    All the while, Shynerai made sure not to stagger, let alone risk breaking his gaze as he approached the two.

    With clenched fists fiercely disguising his instincts unyielding distress, he came to a halt, Standing in front of his opponent, a single thought burst through the disquiet of his mind, desperately urging his conscious mind, senses, muscles, bones...every part of his that would listen, heard the disheartened plea,

    ¡°Run!¡±

 Shattered and Bloodied Steel

    Shynerai raced cautiously around the embedded stance of the Student General, doggedly tracking his movements, never once losing his target. Unable to seemingly arouse a reaction, let alone any sign of a guard.

    Shynerai tried to surprise him¡­upheaving the earth as he launched forward...for a moment, his presence seemed to fade out...blinked away and vanished. The space in front of Creivolt cratered with a blaring shockwave sending a rustling dust cloud into him.

    "Wh¨Cwhat just happened?" He questioned himself, drawing his hands from his coat, with his eyes moving across the evanescent dust cloud.

    "I hit him... but something, there was something there." Shynerai thought to himself with his fist now meeting no resistance, the cloud drifting to reveal him completely halted, mere inches from his opponent.

    Aware of his confusion, Creivolt stepped back into a focused stance, though this time he withdrew his arms from his jacket, standing with crossed arms and a more attentive gaze on his opponent. Shynerai managed to shake his fist loose from the invisible restraints before he faced his distanced opponent.

    The two watched each other for a moment, as Shynerai''s hair swept forward, his white veil seeming not to faze him while the snowy bangs danced across his sight.

    As he let slip a breath in that brief moment, he felt a cold shiver run down the back of his neck... the reaction being so brief and so acute¡ªwhite brilliant flames engulf him with golden crackling thunder erupting, calling forth his Beowulf amour before he threw himself to the side.

    He looked up in a bit of daze, having no idea what threw his body into a frenzy. But before he could register his action. Once more, noting that the same sensation keeps spiking when he gets close to Creivolt, but this was its most violent response.

    Picking himself up from his knees, his eyes peered through the white veil of flames and lightning with his sight cutting past any distractions, he witnessed something¡­so ominous that his thoughts couldn''t stop echoing a resounding ''ringing of confusion'', with his mind trying it''s best to quantify what exactly he was looking at.

    The sight of the scarred earth, bearing a deep trench that was cut into it, but how when Creivolt hadn¡¯t used his hands since the start of the fight. What kind of blade could cleave the earth like that?

    He tried to make sense of what he was seeing, but without sparing him any more of a moment, Creivolt sent Shynerai hurtling into the side of the arena with a spinning kick.

    The attack was brought on with such little notice of intent that by the time he had realized the Student General closed the gap between them in what felt like a few moments, Creivolt was able to land his attack. The force of the impact, sent dust and debris into the air, pinning him against the crushed stone of the wall.

    As the young Daumier was entombed within the rubble, Creivolt approached with steeled resolve as he picked up his pace towards the stone mound, hoping to end the battle ¡­unbeknownst to him, in his acceleration towards Shynerai, a bright flash of thunder and golden light ejected from the crumbling remnants of stone.

    The silvery bolt encased in golden lighting burst out and launched itself towards Creivolt, who couldn''t bring himself to halt in time when the bolt of lightning was close enough to meet eyes with him.

    Instinctively, Creivolt struck down at it without a moment of hesitation, his arm gestured swiftly downwards atop the bolt. Shynerai clad in silvery steel was stopped in his tracks, sending a wave of energy rippling through the arena floor and upheaving the earth itself, erupting into a violent plume that rocked the stands as they loosened slightly.

    The walls of the Arena cracked under the sudden forces and rubble rained down, the Student General''s sudden blow, left his heart beating¡­with the sensation of each pulse filling his eardrums he waited vehemently for the dust to settle, for his opponent to finally be put down...but that wouldn''t happen.

    Shynerai refused to fall.

    Before Creivolt, he held his guard, brandishing gauntlets wrought with silver and white flames that burned away most of the bloody spray coming from his troublesome wound. Throwing Shynerai''s guard into a clumsy stance as he tried to get up, still he stood, his guard defiant against Creivolt¡¯s attack¡­that same ghostly blade?

    He drew forth a deep breath, stifling through the taste of blood in his mouth and the burning heat in his dry throat, with grit teeth, Shynerai steadied himself as he spoke in response to Creivolt''s troubled expression:

    "¡­I can''t see what you''re doing¡­but I''m starting to get it. So, I won¡¯t try and see it, I¡¯ll start feeling it"

    "Ridiculous! If we continue with this pointless exercise, I cannot ensure that you will survive. Submit, it''s over" Creivolt assured Shynerai as he regained his composure.

    Creivolt''s statement rang loudly above the screaming tones of discord of his mind. But as he found himself brought to his knees once more, grasping his searing and crimson arms, holding back each curse that could give rise to his agony, he held firmly to his desire.

    ¡°I refuse. This only ends once I have one, so until I am left with not a single drop of blood in my body, I will defy anyone that has made it their goal to insult mine¡±

    The Student General''s visage shifted and bore a scowl at the sight before him, unsure of how to proceed and completely uninterested in striking an opponent that''s willing to concede. He lowered his gestured arm that loomed over Shynerai.

    Malleus managed to catch the silhouettes for the two combatants through the clearing dust, so he moved towards them with the intent of announcing the victory of the figure standing over their kneeling quarry¡ª

    Amid Creivolt demonstration of conceit, Shynerairemained staunched despite being on his knees, so much so, that upon noticing the unflinching expression of the boy''s face, he took a step back all the while getting an unsettling feeling as he stared intently.

    "There!" The young Daumier sprang to life and with a single motion, he gripped the earth, settling his feet and burying them as he turned up the soil, and once again thrust himself forward.

    A violent gust erupted between them with golden streaks fluttering between the clouds of dust in the instance. With each step, he tore through the space between in a blind sprint pushing faster and further towards the student general.

    In his rush, more of the silver steel bonded with his body with a finishing of a silvery band of cloth wrapped around his eyes.

    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    "FAE¡¯s breath!" Malleus'' choice in caustic cussing was stifled by the mouth full of dust before clutching his glasses in haste to prevent them from imitating his uniform billowing as it met the blast that sprouted from the two ahead of him.

    Shynerai''s sudden acceleration blurred his sight before having it settle in a kind of way that made direction difficult to discern, much to his dismay, though Creivolt would soon share in this.

    Barely managing to catch a glance of the streaking ''lightning bolt'', Shynerai''s appeared, face to face with Creivolt''s grim expression, though what he could see in Shynerai''s expression with the light of his emerald eyes was not malice.

    Though quick enough, his curious gaze consumed by the sight of a fearsome beast letting loose an unrelenting flurry of charged strikes, the speed of which left the appearance of incoming attack from every direction flooding his peripheral.

    The force of the clash sent out a barrage of searing gusts of wind and dust, like a malevolent cloud, the golden arcs of lightning surge throughout the arena alongside the intense wind flaring up whipping a storm into life.

    As the earth around the two grew terribly scorched, or at least what remained of it, Malleus witnessed the chaos of blasted earth and torrential winds and for fear of how far things would go, he was quick to act.

    Getting as close as he could to the violent storm, Malleus, despite having caught a mouth full of dusty and charred air, spoke intently through the desert-like sensation.

    In a low but coherent voice, he strung together chant after chant. The spell that was spun from his words emanated a warm orange hue that glowed softly from clasped palms before¡­in a brilliant display, growing to fill the interior of the Arena.

    Casting said spell had repelled him outside the confines of the shimmering amber sphere, being reduced to standing on the literal sidelines, Malleus could do nothing more but await the eventual calm¨C

    From the stands of the Arena, not much could be seen after the storm had begun to die down, within the amber sphere the vast torrents of debris crashed against it before piling up near the edges. Seeing the winds from within coming to an eventual halt, Malleus rose to his feet, trying to piece together what had happened to him.

    With the last of the wind now having fallen still, all that remained was the sparks of lightning shooting outwards, accompanied by the occasional wisps of ash rising to the top of the sphere. Once again¡­Shynerai was trapped in the amorphous, intangible bonds, though something changed¡­something was different.

    Managing to loosen his fist free, Shynerai had confirmed his suspicions. Standing in front of him, he saw the burning cloth of Creivolt''s coat fall in charred tatters to the ground, revealing his lacerated palm that was raised in a shaky guard.

    Shynerai tried to keep his gaze on him, hoping to glimpse a look of his face but he felt his legs give way, he instead stumbled away from motionless Creivolt before falling over into the dirt. Trying desperately to prop himself up, he shuffled his legs with what strength he had left in an attempt to stand.

    "What is this, a joke?" Creivolt spat out at the sight of his blood-drenched arm. Tearing the remainder of the tattered jacket away, while the last of his blood dripped off, his wounds began to slowly heal.

    "About time¡ªNow, I''ve underestimated you, but I am always one to learn from my errors" Creivolt''s tame expression had returned, now bearing some reverence for his opponent, he shifted his posture with his stance that had him facing away from Shynerai, he took up a more closed guard with his bloodied arm stretched outwards as though he was calling to something.

    Shynerai managed to get onto one knee by the time Creivolt had steadied himself, drawing one heavy breath after another as the last of his Beowulf faded away with each fiery wisp.

    "So, you''re going to fight me now? Or is it¡­that you can''t be certain you can block my next attack?"

    "You sound quite certain for someone that''s about to keel over at any moment. No matter, I intend on giving you the challenge you seek"

    "Huff...huff¡­certain, maybe a little¡­huff. Only because you were generous enough to wait¡­."

    "Wait for what¡ª" But before Creivolt had finished his words, Shynerai took in one more deep breath:

    "Will Force!" The impact of the words that were spoken with merely a whisper boomed with an unbounded weight, calling to the force of the heavens giving way. The booming as if to honor the power he gave off part the sky above as a pillar of emerald light rose into the air.

    Elsewhere on the grounds of Trinity Cross Academy, in that very same moment

    "That was odd, to have a staff meeting for specific teachers so early in the year, they''re generally reserved for at least after the first quarter, maybe even after the Carnival."

    "Best not think about it, Reiss, the Headmistress will inform us in due time of her intentions."

    "Ulrich, always with the formalities with you. We¡¯ve known each other long enough to practically make us family, and besides this isn''t the only sudden change she''s made this year."

    "The very thought that you and I could be anything that even remotely resembles, family, or even companions would be laughable if it was so insulting. The fact that we are colleagues is one I barely tolerate. The headmistress has my surety and faith, I need not doubt her"

    "You know I get that you like her, trust me I see it too though I prefer the "cute kind of girl" over one that could beat me bloody with my own spine"

    "¡­I won''t dignify that with an answer, in any case, I think the more accurate expression is "beaten bloody with the wet end of your own arm" or something along those lines"

    "Not with her¡­Ah well, I''ll just ask¡ª"Professor Reiss''s crimson gaze was glazed over with an emerald hue as a bright light burst upwards from the corner of the school grounds. The two''s banter was immediately ended as he turned to Ulrich who responded in kind with a similar look.

    "I didn''t feel any magic, was it an attack?¡± Reiss asked in a much harsher voice.

    "On our grounds, it would be foolish, though the rest of the school should soon be alerted. But we cannot wait for anyone else to arrive. We shall respond first!" Ulrich was quick to send out a message from his Notebook as he answered Reiss.

    ¡°I can¡¯t say I enjoy it when you order me around, we are probably the closest ones to the scene, so yeah¡­we¡¯ll go¡±

    Once in agreement, Reiss reached into his pocket and pulled out a lighter, before lighting a flame to life, he walked towards a classroom door and spoke a chant in an inhuman tongue. With the flame taking to the words of his chant, it sprang from the lighter onto the wooden door before violently engulfing it.

    Though the door and the building remained unharmed, Reiss gestured to Ulrich to follow, with his lighter still open, he walked through the blazing passage as Ulrich followed behind:

    "Idiot, now my suit is going to be stained with the scent of smoke¡­I''ll be sending you my dry-cleaning bill, Reiss." Ulrich whispered in dissatisfaction as he followed after making his way through the door.

    Once they passed through, the flames behind them extinguished leaving a scorched sigil on the unharmed door.

    The two appeared by the Arena''s stands with Ulrich berating Reiss for using Flame Sigils despite the Headmistress'' reservations, but Reiss merely closed his lighter and placed it back in his pocket as he made his way towards the walls of the Arena.

    Creivolt readied himself for another sneak attack, as his now guarded form was bathed in an emerald light that drew in boreal winds, which whipped around Shynerai before entering his body and illuminating his frame.

    Fiery trails of green burned out of his eyes and hair as two faint halos wrapped themselves around his wrists. Enough of the luminescence had been absorbed into him for Creivolt to make sense of the sight, but it still was not enough to faze him

    "If all you bring are simply physical enhancements, then you have already lost. You will not stand a chance against my Magic"

    "What you see is my will, let me show you just how strong it is."

    "Then tell me, can you stand up against true Calamity?" Once again, Creivolt entered his stance in front of Shynerai.

    ¡°Honestly it should be an easy question for you to answer. From the way you fight, to the eccentric might that you wield and even what drives you, it''s clear you are chaos incarnate. So then, allow me to engage you in the only language a being like you understands.¡±

    ¡°Shynerai Astrapordt, let me show you what it means to embody a Disaster!¡±

 Can you Fight a Hurricane and Win?

    Just then, an explosion of crimson lightning tore between them as Creivolt grasped the air firmly and from his stance, he drew forth a form, silver in shape and with an onyx shaft. Tearing it out from the violet void, the air around his weapon gave off a crackling hiss with the sight of a crimson stream around it.

    "This my SoulArm. Ramiel, the Vessel of Disaster."

    "SoulArm?"

    "You look confused. Really, you should be excited. I am finally meeting your defiance!" Creivolt delivered an intense series of blows that bludgeoned his arms.

    As Shynerai slowly tried to heal, the battle quickly erupted into a flurry of blows being exchanged. The pressure from the clash was more intense than what the witnesses expected as the two teachers kept moving from the stands to the arena.

    The battle would continue to grow more desperate as with each exchange, the smears of blood and sweat riddled the arena with the two panting figures standing barely clothed in their tatters.

    "Don''t start tiring." He gestured towards him, flicking his fingers into the air and causing a scar to tear open from the earth, ripping into the air. Shynerai had mere moments to dodge it, though this also gave Creivolt the perfect chance to strike.

    Grasping the top of his javelin, Shynerai moved desperately to get out of its way, but having been thrown off balance by his dodge, the force of the blow sent him tumbling with a thundering crash into the dirt.

    The two teachers finally made it to the barriers of the stands, taking in the dust-filled arena, they puzzled between themselves what might be happening as the sound of labored breathing could be heard drawing near.

    "Professor Ulrich and Professor Reiss, why are you here?"

    "Ah... you, yes, student...what''s going on here?"

    "Oh, for FAE''s sake Reiss, forgetting your student''s names. Malleus Donte, what''s the meaning of this, explain yourself?"

    "Sir, I can assure you everything is under control"

    "You call an Arena filled with rubble and an unregulated explosion of magical energy on school grounds handled?"

    "Wait, unregulated...does that mean"

    "Silence Reiss!"

    "Sir, no magic was allowed to fall out of the stadium, precautions have been taken. What you saw that emerald light...it''s something else"

    "Oh well then if it''s contained by your flimsy ward then the western grounds of the campus are doomed" Reiss exclaimed as he stared intently at the clearing dust cloud.

    "What in... What is the Vice President of the Disciplinary committee doing rolling in the dirt?"

    "Reprimanding an unruly freshman sir"

    "Hah, from up here it kind of looks like one of my students...hang on, that hair" The professor raged internally, harshly grasping the railing of the stands. Professor Ulrich grew despondent at the sight.

    Below Creivolt refused to allow Shynerai a moment as he leapt towards him, clearing the plume of dust before delivering a strike that sent a ripple tidal wave of dust and wind into a violent maelstrom that took serious notice from Malleus forcing him to return his focus to maintaining the Ward around the Arena.

    "How curious."

    Creivolt tried to pry his spear loose but found it unable to give, the sound of shearing pieces of steel being the only indication that he could free it.

    But Shynerai  wasn''t prepared to give it up, taking a step back, the SG was forced to stumble while Shynerai grip remained staunched, each step he took the sound of clashing metal was heard through the dust cloud. Until finally¡ª

    Enough of the lithic mist had subsided. The sight of an armored warrior vehemently gripping his javelin surprised him.

    Unable to bring out the utterances of his confusion to mouth, he forced his way forward, trying to send his spear rending through the metallic demon, only for his attack to be effortlessly repelled sending him back in his stance before the metallic sheen of the warrior burst apart and began turning to ash.

    Leaving the body of an exhausted Shynerai, each worn breath he forced into his body, inflamed his lungs and sent his heart into a frenzy just a bit, but all the same, he remained ready.

    Taking in his final breath, the sound of its release was accompanied by the sight of the emerald light once more. Now the halo clad fighter was able to bring himself back to his feet with the bleeding from his head wound now closed, he wiped clean the blood. Managing his previously rattled senses, the two stared each other down.

    Both sides now fully registering the other, threw themselves into battle.

    Creivolt made no qualms about his desire to aim for his heart, as Shynerai moved desperately between the strikes, stepping through the attacks before leveraging a chance strike... delivering a fearsome kick to the back of his head.

    The blow threw SG off-balance long enough for Shynerai to land another concussive strike, though it''s one he narrowly defended against, blasting the earth between them apart.

    Dashing forward, Creivolt began his unrelenting flurry with the sudden appearances of even more of the previous spectral scars, forcing Shynerai to retreat from his attack at the sensation of one of the attacks closing in.

    Sadly, time was running short for him, as he hadn''t much time to gather enough physical energy after calling upon the power of the Gilgamesh Armour.

    Still engrossed by the thoughts of his ticking clock, Creivolt halts his strikes for a moment, allowing Shynerai to step close enough for him to send twin ghostly slashes from his flanks, preparing to rend him in two.

    The Daumier instinctively throws himself into the air mere inches from delivering his punch into Creivolt, but he narrowly missed the attack that went on to cut the wa8ll of the Arena in two, sending the stands above crashing into the field and further upsetting their new visitors.

    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    As Shynerai was approaching the ground, he had lost sight of Creivolt, thinking to look above he was far too late, as the force of a monstrous kick sent him hurtling into the earth, though this time he tries his best to brace for the impact, carving up the ground and landing with his back into the wall.

    The air ripped from him as his clouding vision fought the sight of the SG landing before flying towards him so fast that within a blink of an eye, he was already in front of him.

    Having no more time to attack, Shynerai tried lunging at him, but Creivolt was decisive in his following strike...piercing his left hand and striking true into his arm, this secured win would be delayed as his unconscious reaction had him kick the unsuspecting Creivolt in the chest.

    Losing his grip as the attack which threw him off his feet and far into the opposing wall, demolishing the structure, the stands above slowly began sinking into the arena as the stadium was shaking invariably at his point.

    Creivolt laid underneath the rubble, while the javelin he had buried into Shynerai disappeared, vanishing into thin air.

    Screaming enough to slowly choke on his blood, the trembling young boy tried to stop the bleeding before he stopped the attempt and resigned himself.

    Sitting on the arena floor he tried to calm himself, breathing slower and more controlled as the burning sensation of his body grew and the throbbing, he couldn''t quiet, amplified, he continued breathing, watching his form and each breath he took until...slowly...the emerald light began dimming.

    Fading ever so much, the vibrant glow became even more evanescent with each passing moment before the last of his haloes shattered and faded completely.

    Leaving Shynerai all but unharmed, and dangerously fatigued.

    "This...seems...like...as good a time...as any"

    With his Will force drained, he tried lifting his left arm but barely managed to with all the strain and pain, but a look of relief could be seen on his face, as he thought to himself of whether or not the sacrifice was the right one, either way, his healing had stopped and the wounds were no longer gushing but he was still far from using his arm.

    Shifting his gaze to the still active avalanche of rubble in front of him, he wondered if this would be it...

    ''I don''t know what''s next, I don''t know what to do, do I...can I even fight anymore...my final test, will I fail...now, when it matters most."

    Noticing the pile of rubble quake, he knew that he was right, giving off a slight grin as he sighed, Shynerai asked himself how Shadow would react after seeing him like this, knowing he was finally on the path he had searched for...finally He had a way to save them...

    ''"Uncle...Sarah..." he blurted in a strained voice.

    "Uncle Shadow...maybe this really is my final test"

    His final thought ended with the rubble pile blowing apart sending the debris everywhere, while above Reiss took to drawing flame sigils that incinerated any that would approach them, leering at his partner in expectation of gratitude.

    Ulrich merely scoffed at him before turning his gaze downwards.

    Summoning his SoulArm to his side, Creivolt managed to prop himself to his feet, coughing up a considerable amount of blood as he did, he fell across his chest in an attempt to assess the damage.

    Easily understanding his current condition, he realized that this fight was over, knowing full well his opponent would not surrender but believing him to be incapacitated.

    The SG would not begin his celebrations when the shock of seeing the figure in front of him standing quickly turned into rage.

    Barely holding on, and he looked to be reading himself, fully into his stance.

    Creivolt''s frustration did not prevent him from understanding the challenge.

    Choosing to honor this battle and the will of the student, he entered his final stance.

    "Reiss, prepare yourself..."

    "Ulrich, are you certain?"

    Ulrich continued staring at the students now with a fiercer expression.

    "Uncle, I hope you''re watching. First: I''ll give it all I''ve got and then¡ªI''ll make sure I win"

    "Not likely, this fight is over"

    "...Words of Power. Beowulf"

    "Farewell, Astrapordt"

    "Words of Power. Mark of a Beast" Shynerai roared.

    "Soul Art. Varyon Qilish" Creivolt commanded.

    The exchange of chaotic rage split the earth as a vortex of light appeared between them.

    The storm of bloodied shadows and golden thunder tore at each other violently as the force the two called upon grew more and more fearsome, Shynerai felt the fire of Beowulf blaring and growing intensely, and for the first time, the flames were hot enough to hurt.

    The glowing steel of his greaves and gauntlets slowly shifted and moved, creeping up and towards this body, with an unsettling hiss of steam shooting out from his encased torso as the boy grit his teeth¡ªand lunged forward.

    Vanishing into a beam of light, he shot through the Arena, and the blast from where he stood and rocked the stands with the force carving right through the walls.

    Creivolt, bearing the javelin that was now steeped in the shimmering distortions of his magic, savagely ripping into the space around him, held steady, for the moment he saw his opponent had vanished¡ªhe stepped forward, and thrust his spear with everything he had¡­

    With the approaching clash drawing near, Ulrich and Reiss made their move. Ulrich lunged into the Arena and phased through the ward that was placed, landing in front of Creivolt''s unavoidable blow.

    While Reiss witnessed his colleague''s act and subsequently vanished in a plume of fire and smoke before emerging in the Arena, with something heading straight for him.

    The two fighters used their might and in a brilliant flash of light, the ward was destroyed.

    The pressure that was released threw Malleus off the stands before collapsing the entire eastern portion on the roof onto the stands leaving the stadium barely held together, but as the brilliant radiance slowly died down, so too did the shaking until finally, the earth fell into a calm.

    After some tense moments.

    Malleus was once again conscious, finding himself under some of the collapsed stands but seemingly not mortally harmed, he moved out of the entombment before wandering towards what looked like an exit.

    Stumbling through the debris, he made it to the light¡­

    But it''s not the exit, he''d wandered into the arena, the obvious give away was the sight of the Vice President, though he wasn''t sure what the teachers were doing in the Arena.

    "Huh¡­damn, it''s always something with this kid!" cried Reiss.

    Ulrich reached out to the exhausted Creivolt, holding onto his spear and resting him atop his shoulder. Giving enough time to breathe slowly as he called to Malleus to alert Dr. Arturion of the visitors he would be having soon.

    Ulrich asked Reiss how the other student was doing.

    "Well, the thing just fell to the ground so¡­ we might need the old man sooner rather than later."

    "I''m alright sir, just a little shaken." Creivolt tried to get onto his own feet as he apologized for inconveniencing his teachers.

    "Reiss, make sure he isn''t dead, the doctor would be very displeased if any students died on our watch. Mr Creivolt, if you can stand, await the doctor and the both of you will head to the infirmary. Once you have been treated, we will settle this matter."

    "¡­Yes sir"

    "What''s wrong with you kid? Every time I see you it''s the same story¡­and look, another coat, ruined."

    "Are you still complaining, Reiss, have some tact, you''re an educator¡­"

    "Hey, if it was anyone else in my shoes, they would be talking with their entrails hanging out after that. Let me mourn my coat. I swear, this kid is going to get it when he wakes up¡­well if he wakes up"

    "Mr Ulrich, Mr Reiss, the doctor is on his way, I have some of the nurses with me. They''re setting everything up."

    "I wouldn''t want to make any more trouble for Dr. Arturion¡­so I shall make my way¡ª"

    "Vice President, let me help, don''t strain yourself"

    "Thank you, Malleus" Creivolt, made his way to the infirmary with Malleus help as the nurses moved in to inspect Shynerai''s condition.

    Unable to feel anything aside from the burning sensation all over his body, his vision slowly faded as it finally gave in to the gray abyss, the last thing he saw was the shadow of a figure looming over him before¨C

 A Road Paved with Noble Intentions

    ''Well then, I think it''s about time you got up, little Daumier¡¯

    "Mr. Astrapordt...Mr. Astrapordt!"

    Peering through half-opened lids and the view of his glazed-over eyes, his strength slowly called him to consciousness. Barely managing to get a word out, Shynerai woke with shortness of breath sending him into a coughing fit as the nurse moved over to bring him a glass of water.

    After a few moments, and emptying his entire glass, the young boy fell back into bed when he started wincing from the burning feeling he felt shooting up his arms.

    "Ah, Shynerai, can''t say I''m not happy to see you...but you could stand to see me a lot less." Managing to breathe through the pain, he answered Dr. Arturion.

    "Doc...Doctor Arturion, I don''t have¨CHmph. I don''t really have an excuse this time"

    "I can''t be mad at you, after all, you aren''t my only patient today. One of the Student Generals came in earlier. The kid takes himself too seriously, but he was still polite."

    The doctor finished marking off his chart before moving to examine his injuries. Lifting his arms showed him something that immediately had him sit up despite the pain. Marks that appeared to be carved all the way down to his elbows.

    One of the nurses that were looking over him mentioned how the strange markings were...almost like he was cut and burned at the same time.

    The doctor asked Shynerai to clench his fists and move around his wrists. Noticing he was still in pain even though his motor functions were almost normal.

    "Kid, whatever scorched your arms, it wasn''t regular fire. From the events that the nurses, the other students and even what Reiss and Ulrich told me, I have some idea of how you ended up in my Ward. Next time, don''t try to take a SoulArm barehanded...unless you''re looking to lose your hands that is.¡± The good doctor added with a slight chuckle before having him rest back down.

    ''How would I get burned...there wasn''t any fire¡ªwell except Beowulf, but those are hallowed flames, cool to the touch...''

    "You still with me Shynerai? The cause of the burns managed to subside before you got to me. So, whatever you did, it held it off, at least for now." The doctor snapped him out his thoughts

    "...Doctor, what would happen if I... got burned again?"

    "I''ll give you something for the pain. Just make sure you get some rest, so I''ll keep you for a few hours. The marks like the scar on your shoulder will take some time to fade so try not to worry about them. In the meantime, you have a letter, two love letters in one month, you''re pretty famous, aren''t you?"

    "Love letter? no... I don''t think so"

    "Alright alright, I¡¯m not trying to gray that white mane of yours, here, it still looks important." Opening the envelope and handing it over to the anxious young man.

    Despite wearing quite the unsettle expression on his face, he took the note, giving in to his curiosity, and followed every line while Dr. Arturion was taking notice of his demeanor as he went through the letter quickly realized something was up as he slowly stifled his previous laughter at the sight of how tightly he seemed to be clutching the note.

    Opting to just give him some privacy, he decided to step out for a bit.

    A few moments later...

    The doctor walked back into the room only to find Shynerai putting on his coat with the help of one of the nurses before she helped him with the sling for his arms.

    Dr. Arturion approached the young boy in a near panic, querying his nurse as to why exactly she was discharging him, but Shynerai stepped in reassuring the doctor that he would head home to get some rest.

    Though he felt that it would be better for him to remain in the Ward till morning, he was eventually persuaded to let him go on the agreement that he spends the weekend getting rest. After Shynerai agreed, the doctor provided him with his medication and sent him home.

    Shynerai made his way out of the Ward and headed for the gate when an idea came to him. He decided to check if the tram station was still open, hoping to save himself a trip on painkillers through Deep City on foot.

    Sure enough, the station was still open and after only fifteen minutes, he was back at Cross Gardens. After an exhausting ascent up the stairs, he finally made it to his dorm room and into his bed.

    It didn''t take much for him to succumb to the grip of his fatigue after taking his medication, Shynerai managed to get into his covers, although he was still in his uniform by the time he was fast asleep.

    By morning, Shynerai had already been awake, stretching about with his slings resting atop his desk, noting that while the scars remained, the burning sensation was almost entirely gone as he walked into the kitchen to begin breakfast.

    Preparing some tea on the stove after sitting down, he noticed a faint glow peering out through his discarded pieces of clothing.

    After retrieving the source of the humming light, he sat back into his chair to enjoy his meal while he looked through the Notebook.

    The first few notifications came from the Student Council, confirming the results of what happened yesterday and his admittance to the Medical Ward.

    Aside from the frustrating articles, Shynerai found himself being eased as he read through the other messages he got from his classmates.

    Torren appeared to worry about his disappearance after he went to the Student Council Room, even arousing curiosity from Tersia and Vaceris that noticed his distress. But still, he closed the book and left for the bathroom to prepare himself.

    While he should have rested, the weight of something he didn''t quite get...only aware of how much his footsteps had leadeen after discovering their concern.

    Once he was finished getting ready, he began packing a bag...filling it, in the same manner, he did when preparing for the exam in Violain Woods, finally after putting on his coat, he grabbed his necklace from his desk and left, making his way to an unusual destination for a weekend,

    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    When the tram had parked at the school''s station, it was 08h15 leaving him far more relieved at his choice to have woken up earlier. He made his way out of the station and into the school''s courtyard before heading towards the Student Council''s office.

    Shynerai felt a little hesitant at first, feeling like he might even be shaken up after what happened in the Arena.

    Clenching his fists, he gave himself no choice but to press on, whether or not he found himself against Creivolt wasn''t as important as what he needed to do. With his resolve better steeled, he knocked on the Council room door before he heard Henrietta ''s call for him to enter.

    "Try not to slam the doors, they''re only a temporary replacement." She stated after greeting the visitor.

    Shynerai was unsure of whether or not to expect another bolt of fire from her, and so only managed an awkward good morning.

    Recognizing the white hair, she felt herself begin to flare up though she managed to stifle her frustration long enough to remain professional...that and along with the last scolding she got from President Elldra for letting Arno and Jaret have their argument in front of his office and scorching most of the Council room meant that she was more inclined to show restraint.

    As eager as ever to get to the point of his visit, Shynerai asked Henrietta about where he could find the Questing Committee.

    Remembering their last conversation...she couldn''t help but sigh before looking at him once more and reminding him that he would have to get his ranking first before they could talk about the quest¨C

    "Will this work as well Ms. Vermillion?" Shynerai asked as he presented her with the note from the envelope that was left with him.

    Unsure of what his interruption meant, though still curious, she took the note and went over it. Scanning over and over it, each time with an ever-increasing look of confusion, until she eventually returned the note to him.

    Allowing the contents of what she witnessed to simmer, she took a moment to look at him...before letting out an exhausted breath:

    "...Shynerai Astrapordt, now that you have your rank if you are interested in taking up any Quests that the school provides, you are welcome to do so at the Questing Committee."

    "...But..I already knew¨C"

    "Then stop interrupting, I wasn''t finished. The committee room is on the third floor of this building, head to the first room on your left and you''ll see their Insignia."

    After giving him directions, Henrietta saw the eyes of the young man light up, surprising her as he thanked her for assisting him before racing out the office, leaving her somewhat dazed at the sight.

    When Shynerai finally faced down their door, barely able to contain himself. His trembling hands and nervous grin gave way to just how unsettled he was feeling...however this wasn''t fear.

    Reaching out to grab hold of the door, he took a deep breath...and then did his best to keep his chin up as he entered:

    "Good morning, I was told this is a the¨C" In the same moment he stepped foot into the room, Shynerai found himself flung back through the door and into the corridor.

    "Who the heck doesn''t look where they''re going...ahhhh"

    "Ummm...is everyone in the Student Council insane?" Shynerai wondered before wincing from the impact.

    "Oh no, looks like I sent him flying. Hey, are you okay, talk to me...Wait Erai?"

    "L¨CLuciana?"

    The person that clashed with him managed to help him back onto his feet. Once upright, the shock managed to wear off enough for him to recognize the figure.

    The same SG that helped him find his class. Shynerai was confused about what she was doing here, but she was just as surprised. After having a minute to gather his thoughts, he explained that he was looking to take on a Quest and the Student Council had sent him here.

    Even more surprised that they had sent anyone this early in the year, the pair''s exchange is halted when Lotarim asks them to enter.

    Shynerai was caught off guard by everything that just happened, though Luciana was more than able to motivate him inside as she dragged along by the sleeve.

    Parking him in front of the large desk that sat basking in the morning light and helmed by a figure. Having never met the person before, Shynerai wasn''t sure if he should approach them or not...

    Though his fears are quickly dispelled before he could get a word out as the figure asked him to step forward in a surprisingly sagacious tone.

    So, he approached until he was able to see what the figure looked like: With glimmering onyx hair that sat atop her shoulders, highlighting her slim and pale expression as she sat with an air of certainty that struck Shynerai at the sight of her golden eyes.

    "Good morning, Shynerai Astrapordt. My Name is Kiara Aurelia and I am the President of this Committee, welcome."

    "...Good morning, ma''am. It''s a pleasure."

    "What are you doing here? it''s Saturday, should you be out exploring the city?" Luciana chimed in, noticing that oddly distracted Shynerai.

    He told her about his desire for a Quest and even handed over the same letter to her, just as he did with Henrietta.

    Though before opening the letter, she was already excited. Having finally gotten the freshmen involved in their committee she hurryingly asked him what kind of quest he was looking for, what rewards he wanted to earn, how large his party was, and how far he was planning to go.

    Shynerai wasn''t able to get much of a word in as she steamed rolled him, though a pat on the head from a passing Lotarim was enough to calm her down as he asked her to hand the note to their President.

    Soothing her forehead, she handed over the note to Aurelia, allowing her to read through it and within a few moments, she placed it down and turned to him with a look of solemn worry. She soon let out a sigh before asking him about the quest he wanted.

    "Since it''s your first quest, you can start with a ''C'' or ''D'' level¨C"

    "Ms. Aurelia...I''ll be taking the A level Quest."

    "...You have only been at this school for two weeks, rushing into such a potentially dangerous mission is not advised for someone''s first mission. Although." Aurelia paused as she thought to herself. When she is suddenly struck with a possible solution.

    Asking Luciana to bring her all the available A level Quests while Lotarim brought her a freshly brewed cup of Peppermint tea. Luciana sent the Quest logs to the President''s Notebook.

    Aurelia paged through a few of them until she came across something that caught her eye...

    Shynerai asked the President what she was looking for when he noticed her writing something in the Notebook.

    Aurelia informed that even if he did manage to get an A rank, something unheard of for a First-year during her time in the Committee, she could not in good conscience send him on a Quest that could lead to his death.

    ''...If I had an S rank...but even with everything I had, I still lost'' These emerging doubts took hold as the President explained her concerns.

    "But I am also unable to prevent you from taking on the Quest, so instead I''ll add a precaution."

    "Kiara?" Lotarim wondered.

    "You''ll have one of our members accompanying you. Acting as the invigilator, they will observe and assess your performance. If you complete the job successfully, you will be permitted to take on any Quest...provided it''s within or below your rank."

    "Oh-oh, President does that mean I can¨C" Again, another pat over her head calmed her down. Lotarim explained that she shouldn''t forget that she has somewhere to be as he pointed at the seat off to the side.

    Sitting on one of the chairs, waiting impatiently was a young child that seemed preoccupied with her Notebook more than what was happening in the room.

    "Eh...alright, fine. Guess you''ll have to tell me about how everything went after you get back. I''ll leave him your hands, Lo..."

    "Eli, your big sis is heading out." Lotarim called to the young girl as Luciana was leaving the room, like before.

    Unable to come along with Shynerai on his Quest, Lotarim instructed him to head to the Bellerophon Auto Shop near the South-Western outskirts of the Aria.

    Since there aren''t any Teleportation Seals where he was going, he would need some kind of transport to reach the location of his Quest. But the important reason for him to reach the auto shop was that it would be where he found his guide for his Quest, though he would not be prepared for what they were going to find...

    "Mr. Lotarim¨C"

    "Lotarim is quite alright, Shynerai."

    "...Okay, Lotarim, what is this Quest? Where are you sending me?"

 An Unlikely Trio

    Shynerai traveled as far as he could with one of the Teleportation Seals found on the school grounds that belonged to the Questing Committee, landing outside of Deep city, near the outskirts of Aria.

    The nature of Teleportation Seals was among the oldest of the practical applications of magic in the First World. Originally, it was a capacity belonging to the Danu, until the study and experimentation by the Humans of Mort Acysis as well as a group of unnamed Iotenas found a way to master the power.

    For the Seals to work, they make use of Spatial-Construction Magic, working to temporarily establish a bridge between two points in reality and materializing the idea with magic, but since such a creation is an anomaly onto reality, the process is constantly requiring a source of power to maintain.

    Upon the Seal, a magical formula describing characteristics of the journey between the two points is essential to ensuring safer travel, however too much complexity in the script could increase the magical demands of the Seal, or in worst case scenarios, even tear the traveler apart in an effort to reconcile the conditions of the journey.

    With Lotarim''s activation of the seal, the blinding shimmer of the growing light of his magic subsided and the brightness accompanying it giving way to the sight of the landscape he found himself in. As he stared off into the distance, through the thickets of tall grass he caught a glimpse of a road that snake off into the horizon.

    Opening his Notebook, Shynerai checked the changing of his illusory map, painting a newer image of where he now stood. Aligning himself with the harvest fields of the Arian outskirts to get a sense of where to go next.

    He made his way through the thick brush until he reached a road as far as it would lead him.

    Arian Border: Head South-West. Along with the mention of who would proctor his Quest from the Committee President, Aurelia, his Notebook was loaded with the contents of the Quest. Using the information, his illusory map was updated accordingly, leading him down that long-spanning road.

    It would be an hour and a half of walking before he would see any semblance of civilization as the first welcomed sight aside from near-endless grasslands was that of a mounted winged horse forming the sign of the building that he was making his way towards.

    ''Bellerophon Auto Shop? It doesn''t look like there''s anyone around.'' He thought as he came up to the gate and began looking through the mesh of the barrier.

    The site was deemed to be broken up into three main areas, a loading bay, a waste disposal side and the main front with service and maintenance shops, all of which sat within a sizable courtyard, behind the heavy gate.

    He continued, before pulling himself from the gate and pacing about the perimeter of the shop, hoping to find any sign of recent activity. When got to the furthest end...he found something quite surprising.

    Unsure of how to approach, and with no one else nearby, Shynerai called out to the figure that was standing against the wall of the shop''s back entrance. Beside her was a large red door with rusted edges that was only briefly opened before slamming shut by the time Shynerai had reached the stranger.

    "Excuse me...do you perhaps know if this shop is open?" He asked with a curious look as he tried to peer beneath the figure''s hood.

    "I can''t really say, why do you ask?" The figure responded briefly, but it was enough to spur his interest even more. Abandoning his earlier reservation, he continued his exchange with them.

    "I...was supposed to meet someone here and together we were to find a means of traveling¨C"

    "Oh. You''re headed to Whitewater Port aren''t you?"

    "How did you¨C"

    "Kiara sent me. Guess that makes you...Astrapordt?" The figure turned to him, removing their hood.

    "I am Shynerai Astrapordt, yes. It''s a pleasure." He offered his hand and while he tried introducing himself.

    "I''m Meira, Meira Euryale."

    "It''s nice to meet you...Ms. Euryale...Euryale...hmmm?"

    ''It''s almost surprising how much she looks like him¡­'' Shynerai''s gaze flickered between her various features, piecing together an image of what the model for an elf would be. For most of his life, the only image he had of a pure-blooded elf was that of his mother, though her sun-kissed tan and snow-white hair was in stark contrast to what he was seeing.

    In either case, Shynerai was assured of the fact that Meira was certainly an unparalleled beauty. Noting the piercing glare of her deep crimson eyes.

    "Don''t bother, just call me Meira. Anyways when you''re done staring you can follow me, our ride should be ready."

    ''How did she...well I didn''t expect someone so pretty to be under that hood''

    "Hey, are you coming already?"

    "Yeah...eh sorry about that" Losing sight of her entrancing golden locks as she entered that now opened door, Shynerai quickly followed, all the while reminding himself not to stare.

    "Mech-Five...you in here, old man?" Shynerai heard her yelling out in the room as he entered through the door.

    As he got in, he caught sight of Meira alongside a stranger that seemed to be informing her of something. Moving to meet the two, he manages to catch the stranger''s attention, who asks Meira about him. Shynerai was a little thrown off by how easily he was speaking to her but kept his surprise to himself as he introduced himself.

    "Oh, so you''re gonna be traveling with Meira huh. Nice to meet you, the name''s Konnor, and this is my family''s shop." Surprising Shynerai as he bypassed his outstretched, with an unsuspecting hug.

    While appearing no older than either him or Meira by a year or two, Konnor''s athletic build was certainly formidable. Easily standing over two meters tall, he possessed his father''s bronze tan, a notable feature of most Faltariens from the South along with his dark and wild mane that was kept out of his amber colored eyes by a park of black-lens goggles.

    "...He''s a hugger."

    "Come on Meira...I''m not gonna give up on you yet" He responded before her burning gaze had him take a step back.

    She revealed that Kiara had planned a series of vehicles for them to use, they just needed Mech-Five to approve and sign-off on their choice, so that it was logged with the school. After she finished explaining to Shynerai, Konnor asked them to join him in the garage to find his father.

    With the two following behind, Konnor stumbled upon the unused front door, forced open for the first time in months. Hitting the button to lift the door, the mechanism shut before swinging open and locking above them. Once freed from the rust, Konnor called the mechanic.

    "Dad.... are you in here? Meira''s friend just arrived so they''re ready to go."

    "Could you yell any louder boy? If they are here, then they can wait five minutes. Uggh, the old girl isn''t ready yet. Still waiting...on the replacement clutch plate, the old thing looks like a chew toy"

    "So...what should I tell¨C"

    Waving off to Konnor with a spanner in hand:

    "There''s something they can use under the tarp over there."

    "This old thing...well why not", He ran over to the tarp, pulling off the dusty cover to reveal an armored behemoth, a military-technical mobile trailer. The letters on the vehicle were etched in a fading silver tone: G.A.V. Entering the vehicle, its interior was well kept in spite of the rusting metal found across its chassis.

    "Hey guys, you might wanna make way, you don''t want to get in the way of this beast." Konnor''s warning echoed through the metallic body of the towering vessel, before he inputted the ignition commands and placed his Notebook on the dashboard holster.

    The roaring boom of the engine coming to life sent out a billowing cloud of smoke that was enough to have him leap to the side in a hurry all as Meira strolled away, only giving notice to the smoke nearing her by wafting it away. The machine pulled out of the darkened garage into the late morning sun that beat down on the shop.

    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    Once he parked it near the gate that was previously closed. Konnor got out and asked them to inspect their vehicle. He intended for them to travel within something more manageable, however since the required repairs for all the other vehicles were delayed by another week, they had very little in the way of options.

    Knowing this, he wanted them to understand everything that he thought might be important, calling them to follow him as he guided them around the vehicle.

    "It''s called the Ground Assault Vehicle or G.A.V for short. They used to be the main transports for traveling beyond the Havens before airships became the safer option. After those Faltarien engineers from the South figured out how to deal with all the airborne pests, they started making fewer of these. Granted, they weren''t cheap to maintain or easy to drive, but they were reliable, and were guaranteed to outlast most of their owners."

    "It''s dad''s keepsake from his time as a Guardian." Informing the two as he walked them through the vehicle, showing off the different features of the G.A.V.

    "It''s older than airship technology, wouldn''t this be in a museum?" Shynerai ran a curious hand over the hardened and cold hull of the vehicle, that rumbled and shook as though it were alive and conscious of his touch.

    "Older is a strange way of seeing it. But yes, you''re right. And while someone out there would love to have her in their collection, she is not for sale, and she would be disgraced if she was to rust away in an exhibit over her duty."

    "Konnor?"

    "Yeah, Dad, what''s up?" Sticking his head out of the window.

    "Come here for a minute, I''m gonna need you to do something for me" Meira and Shynerai left the technical and joined up with the two of them, with her making sure that he kept his distance the entire time.

    When approaching them, Konnor turned to him with an unsettled expression. Seemingly nervous from what he was just told, Shynerai asked him if he was okay, shaking him up a little, but enough to make him come to his senses as he told them both that he would have to listen up:

    "Meira dear, I''m sending my boy along with you."

    "Mech-Five...that can''t ¨C"

    "Listen, the old girl doesn''t have a driving A.I and spirit enchantment and none of you are even old enough to drive so Konnor, you''re going with them"

    "...it''s not part of the Quest!"

    "Ms. Euryale... I mean Meira. If it''s only to get us to Whitewater Port, then it should be fine?"

    "Fine, get ready. I want to head out in twenty minutes." She eventually gave in with a heavy sigh as she made her way to the G.A.V. After getting their supplies packed and refueling, they set out.

    Making their way past the final borders of the Arian region into Nycerii territory, Konnor warned them that if they want to travel to Whitewater Port in their time frame then they will have to camp at night.

    This was because the path that they want to take is known for being Nycerii territory.

    While Shynerai began running through the Quest log as he mentioned that their mission had to be finished as soon as possible when came across a harrowing detail. Leaving them with no other choice but to end up taking the route.

    They took the path far south until sundown, with much of the trip being through rough grasslands surrounded mostly by wetlands and barely any roads to move along.

    Despite it being between the Rylev and Falsetti kingdoms, the Nycerii territory had no recognizable civilizations, something Shynerai noted as the shimmering coat of a prowl of violet Achrominae running beside the G.A.V caught his eye only a few kilometers within the territory.

    Sometime after, the trio pulled over to make camp near a collection of Swordoaks, a rare sight outside of the Havens of the Falsetti Kingdom. These trees grew to impressive size, and were known for their razor-sharp leaves and the dense steely nature of their wood.

    Because they were so hardy, they always grew in large groups, with their towering size limited only by the available space around them. Seemingly sprouting near the edge of some denser but smaller woods.

    With Konnor''s help, Shynerai began setting up camp while Meira was atop the G.A.V, scouting their area. With the rustling branches and breaking twigs calling to her attention in the descending dark, she moved into the canopy of the trees, hoping to get a better look at their camp.

    After returning from her task, she joined them in the camp, finding Shynerai preparing what looked to be dinner and Konnor tinkering inside of the vehicle. Seeing how they were both busy, she instructed them to be on the lookout, warning that they were still in the open as she went to get cleaned up.

    With the last of the preparations for their meal complete, Shynerai''s work was enough to draw Konnor away from his. Having revealed a meal that seemed far too luxurious for a camping trip, garnering even Meira''s curiosity as she wandered out of the vehicle after washing up, she asked where he picked up his talent for cooking.

    He responded with an awkward stammer for a moment, telling her that he needed to learn how to make something decent during training as a child or he would have starved. His words made Meira raise an eyebrow as she was reminded of what Lucianan had told her before she left.

    Konnor''s overzealous excitement eventually brought her out of her head as he began merrily serving the group.

    After the dinner, Shynerai opened his pack and was once again going through his Notebook with the Quest Log being the focus of study while Meira and Konnor left to get some sleep inside the G.A.V, with Konnor sleeping in the passenger seat.

    Mulling over the details of the document with the wording of the request appearing somewhat odd to him.

    A-rank Quest: Request for Investigation, by MayorLudleef of Whitewater Port.

    Investigate the recent disappearances around Whitewater Port and find out why shipping in the area has been shut down.

    By 03h45, they were all resting, as Shynerai was sleeping in front of the campfire when the sound of tussling in the nearby bushes woke him. Before he was completely awake, shadowy figures of strange shapes draped in dark and tattered cloaks, covering what looked like gray vestments, were quick to restrain him with a knife to his throat.

    With him slowly coming to, the cold touch of jagged steel against his cheek shattered the somnial peace...as his eyes suddenly burned up with the brilliant white flames that were being birthed by his silent incantations.

    The flaring heat from his flames threw off the attackers binding him in a frenzy. The rising chaos, the group of shadows split in their approach as they moved towards him and the G.A.V.

    In their moment of distraction, Shynerai head-butted the assailant behind him, leaving the figure reeling in agony as he staggered back, the result causing the blade to cut at his cheek. Ignoring his injury, he lunged at the G.A.V and kicked one of them against it.

    The others tried to retaliate by firing a barrage of firebolts at him, but the strength of Beowulf was more than they expected with all the spells whizzing past him as he tore up the camp in a hazy blur. Though his movements were not solely in an attempt to protect himself, with his vivid speed, managing to disrupt any of the attacks that would have charred the vehicle.

    Moving in between them, in the confusion he caught them just as they tried to cast another bolt and broke their arms before a second blow to the stomach launched them towards the bladed assailants who were waiting a chance to strike, knocking foe after foe into coals of the campfire. The resulting shrieks and panicked woes alert the entire campsite.

    The sound of a burning panic woke Konnor and Meira. Konnor was the first to exit the vehicle with the nearest assailant taking notice and pinning him to the ground.

    As he knocked out and extinguished the burning attackers, a cloaked assailant rose beside the G.A.V, trying to shake off the numbing blow before him along with his somewhat conscious partners decided to leave with the hostage. Though Shynerai didn''t notice them, seeing only Meira as she left the vehicle in a daze.

    When she saw all the commotion, she scorned Shynerai, asking him what happened as well as where Konnor went.

    Shynerai answered that he was inside the vehicle with her but she responded to him that he came out before her when they heard the fighting while trying to make sense of what happened himself.

    Turning around, Shynerai tried to locate him, noticing the smug look on the bladed assailant''s bleeding face.

    Shynerai confronted him, warning them to tell them everything they know but he refused.

    Meira pushed the Daumier aside, sending him away while she took over. While he would have liked to pretend to ignorance, the guttural cries his sharp ears caught made him aware that she began torturing the man...

    Taking a little over ten minutes before he eventually revealed everything...with the condition that he isn''t left alone with her anymore, a statement that had beads of sweat running down his cheeks after hearing. Meira told him that they have to go and save him but Shynerai refused. Reminding her of their mission and its urgency.

    Meira answered with her frustrations made bare about his selfish nature¨Cbut he interrupted her by telling her that she will have to continue the rest of the trip on foot as soon as it''s daybreak.

    He remarked that they won''t be getting far without any wheels so she just needs to go on ahead and he''ll catch up once he gets Konnor. Their campsite isn''t safe anymore and the only way she''ll be okay is by heading for Whitewater, it was closer than trying to turn back.

    Shynerai could tell that Meira didn''t agree with the plan wholeheartedly, but he had to set off, as Meira got ready to head out before daybreak.

    Meira traveled for almost two hours until she noticed the shape of a vehicle in the distance. When it arrived to her, she''s relieved to find it''s the G.A.V, with a slightly beat-up Konnor smiling like an idiot at the wheel.

    When she got in she found the captured assailant both restrained and gagged.

    Far too tired from her walk to care...she simply accepted his presence and then proceeded to question Konnor on Shynerai''s whereabouts. Konnor closed the door and gestured to the back of the vehicle.

    When she turned back she saw Shynerai drying himself off while half-naked with most of his damp hair covering his eyes. Because of this, he could barely see Meira and simply continued to walk towards Konnor, whilst repeatedly asking him if he had found Meira yet...but coming to a stop once he had bumped into Meira.

    All the while she was unable to move as she found herself far too flustered at the sight of the young Daumier. By the time he had stopped, she was already in contact with him. Her hand was on his chest and her eyes were firmly fixed on his visage draped in his white bangs.

    Only once her eyes met his emerald ones did the sight return her to her senses before knocking him to the back of the vehicle in an act of aggression that shook the G.A.V, prompting Konnor to warn them not to break anything.

    Shynerai groaned from the impact but felt somewhat at ease as he noticed how Meira''s behavior was so reminiscent of Vaceris. After getting dressed he went to the front of the vehicle to ask Konnor how far the town might be.

    Looking at the illusory map on the dashboard, Konnor assured him that they were about a half-hour away from reaching the Port.

    Meanwhile, Shynerai took the time to question the captured assailant about their attack. The cloaked figure again refused to speak once more until Meira joined the two all the while masking her sinister intent with an unconvincing expression towards them.

    A sudden chill ran down his spine at the horrific sight...and so he began to answer.

    Shynerai wanted to know why they attacked them and he replied stating that they were sent to kill anybody that was trying to gain access to Whitewater Port.

    Curious about this, he asked why and after blood began spilling from the captive''s mouth, he told him that it was an order they were given by... a Forsaken Mage

    "Forsaken? You mind explaining what that is?" Shynerai pressed for more information.

 Whitewater Port

    But the captured assailant suddenly fell silent, stating that he couldn''t even if he wanted to...opening a mouth full of blood revealed a strange seal carved onto his tongue.

    It took a closer look and a few fingers to keep the assailant''s mouth open for Shynerai to understand what the formula on the magic seal was capable of doing. Having got all he could from them, he stepped away from him, calling Meira to the back of the vehicle to discuss everything they knew.

    They try tried to put what little they knew together, everything they had on the Quest, noting that the request was sent by the town''s mayor: Mayor Mikhall Ludleef, calling out the point that the request concerned a large number of people going missing at night, that the quest also carried an ''A'' rank.

    Finally, the Nycerii in the area were mobilized by a Forsaken to prevent anyone from entering the Port.

    The sudden involvement of a Forsaken could''ve meant that the severity of the Quest might have been understated by the mayor. All was speculation until they arrived.

    Since Meira was here mainly as a proctor, she wasn''t allowed to do anything for the participants...only being allowed to assess his performance and assist if requested.

    It was stranger still when he could recall how much Meira was adamant that they rescue Konnor immediately. While he wouldn''t have abandoned him, at the time, he was prioritizing the Quest and his duty to complete it.

    ''Maybe, there''s more to being a hero than just duty.'' Shynerai decided that they should first find a way to stop the kidnappings, then they can worry about the Forsaken.

    "I thought your Quest was to investigate? You made that quite clear when you wanted to leave Konnor behind! Why would you go out of your way to do that?" Meira asked.

    "Doesn''t it even matter if he came to save me?" Konnor asked, trying to calm Meira.

    "I understand your frustration, I don''t really get why but I guess, because I don''t like the idea of a hero that can''t save anyone." He turned to Meira, asking if she could head with the assailant to meet Mayor Ludleef, hoping that she can find out more about what has been happening in the village. But before accepting, she questions him on what he''ll be doing:

    "I''m going to take a look through the town, hopefully there might be some clues that could help us make better sense of this Quest."

    With their discussion complete, Konnor let them know that they have entered the town.

    Considering the reputation the town had for being one of the busiest ports on the continent, it was plain to see the devastation that had come with the disappearances of its people.

    In the past, Whitewater welcomed scholars from across the Glass Sea, ferrying passengers and goods between the Kingdoms of Falsetti, Rylev Rose and Amber Faltarien, but now most of the town was barred and barricaded.

    Heading past the town''s gate from the hillside road, they were able to spot the derelict ships that sat walled up against the docks and moored onto the alabaster beach, in various states of decay and destruction, its former beauty was a washed with debris and scattered sails dragged along by the wind.

    Managing to find a place to stop within the town square, Konnor pulled over the G.A.V, letting them off to pursue their different objectives with him offering to book them into one of the available inns.

    With that, Meira made her way off to the Town Hall, with a bound and frightened stranger joining her...but she was surprised by what she found when she arrived there.

    Seeing the entrance to the town hall barricaded with the windows boarded up.

    Not wanting to scale the building to find a way in, she opted to break down the door...before turning around to seal the opening. Pulling out a vial from her pouch, she poured out the strange fluid that caused thick and dense foliage to sprout from the ground.

    With the entrance closed up, she stepped into the hall only to be greeted at spear point by several armed albeit worn and injured individuals.

    She asked them to calm down and that she was sent by Trinity Cross Academy to take care of their request. Merely hearing that assistance has been provided, the stout and unkempt mayor forced his way to the front of the group to greet her.

    "Took you lot long enough, with all the time you''ve wasted getting here, we could have long been saved from this mess" The figure pushed through the last of the townspeople.

    "Oh, they''ve sent a child¡­what has happened to the Guardians of this generation. All right then, who are you, miss and why have you broken into my office?"

    Though Meira found it difficult to hide her disdain at the sight of the man''s sleazy behavior, she eventually swallowed her disgust and went on to explain why she was there.

    On Shynerai''s front, things began with an interesting turn as he spent his time analyzing the buildings and areas that were heavily afflicted by whatever attacked the village. His discovery occurred south of the square near the Fue''nay Shipment Houses.

    Having noticed that despite most of the buildings lying collapsed in heaps of rubble and crumpled cars littering the roads closest to the town''s square, he couldn''t seem to find much blood if any around as well as in the victim''s homes¡­let alone a single body.

    While the warehouses were well maintained and managed, the stood completely unoccupied

    Further adding to the list unlinked clues as what also accompanied a lot of the damage were the teeth and claw marks he found everywhere there was devastation. From what he could tell, there weren''t any natural predators that would match the carnage he witnessed, though the number of possible beasts roaming the town that could have torn through it only left him scratching his head in frustration.

    Despite this, he continued this investigation. Noting down everything that seemed relevant, and ensuring nothing wasn''t left to study. It was around the late afternoon when he decided to go searching for Meira and Konnor for lunch.

    Returning to the town square, he managed to find Konnor resting in the G.A.V before waking with the prospect of finding a place to eat but not before they found Meira. So setting the location of the Town''s Hall in his Notebook, they made their way down.

    Once they got to town hall they were met by the sight of enormous growth covering the entirety of the entrance...leaving Shynerai thinking that it was the result of a spell by whatever has been causing trouble or maybe even the Forsaken themselves.

    Wanting to find out exactly what was happening for himself, Shynerai began to call out to whoever was inside to show themselves...an act which became really embarrassing when an opening in the growth parted as Meira walked out and berated them both for making so much noise, with Konnor trying to protest to his innocence only give in against her wrath.

    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    After the two were scolded, she introduced them to Mayor Ludleef.

    With the three of them together she asked Shynerai if he managed to find anything that could help with the disappearances, but he tells her it will be easier if he explained his findings over lunch. All they had to do was pick a place. Something the once-again jovial Konnor was eager to suggest, a restaurant near their inn on the Western street from the Town Square.

    But she stopped him mid-sentence, stating that there''s something important that they have to know.

    Mayor Ludleef walked towards the group and began to explain what exactly she meant:

    "Young man¡­oh a Daumier, you''re the one that''s been investigating the disappearances and attacks that have been plaguing my town?"

    "¡­Yes sir, we think there might be a link between what''s been happening here and the people that attacked us while we were in the Nycerii territory but at the moment we don''t have any idea what their goals or intentions are. Can you tell us anything about the people that were taken?"

    "Well...for starters, it''s been happening for almost a month now. Something has been hunting and stealing our people in the dead of night. Every night without fail, the creatures tear through the town looking for its next victims and..."

    "A whole month¡­why didn''t you send for help? From the north you could have gone to Aria, the Gardens of Mimis South-West from here, even the Divine Strait or the Sword Isles was an option¨C"

    "We did ask for help, you half-breed child. When they first started, we sent out a request to the major cities nearby, all except the Divine Strait. But for some reason, no word ever came. No one came, by the time it had been happening every night¡­.we were already cut off. Travelling out of the town was suicide."

    "Mayor¡­are you serious right now¨C" Konnor stepped in after hearing Ludleef snide remark, startling the figure, though Meira held him back, with the shake of her head leading him not to do something he might regret.

    "Hold on...you said steal¡­don''t you mean attack. I saw the claw and bite marks riddled about but I couldn''t make out the creature."

    "Well yes, the victims were never seen being attacked, just dragged away...the only ones that managed to get hurt were those caught as they tried to flee but no one was harmed or killed...well except for the town guards"

    "What do you mean...were they....?" Sighing heavily as though he was annoyed by the circumstance:

    "Unfortunately, after the first few days of the kidnappings, I mobilized the guards to hunt down the creatures and retrieve all the missing citizens. But they were last seen heading to the ridge that overlooked the port, although there wasn''t much up there except for the aged standing of the Coral Stone Chapel."

    "That should have been mentioned, if they kept heading to the same place every night then we can follow them back to their nest.

    A puzzled look befell Ludleef.

    "If we''re going to find out the source of all of this, we''ll have to wait for them to come to us."

    Meira voiced her thoughts on his comment:

    "Wait, do you just want to wait for them to attack the town again? What happens if you can''t protect what''s left of the people? You''d potentially be adding more victims to the tally instead of hunting those pests down."

    "Hopefully not. I''ll head over to the Chapel before it gets dark, while you''ll stay with the rest of the people. And Konnor, if things go wrong and I can''t make it back in time, ready the G.A.V with as many as you can, then leave immediately, alright?"

    "If I have to protect the town, that means you don''t expect to return before dusk...just what do you expect to find up there?"

    "If we''re lucky, answers."

    After their discussion with the mayor, they left for the restaurant ''Gift of the White Sea'' to get some food. When they arrived Shynerai told them that they could go on ahead while he grabbed something from the G.A.V.

    Ten minutes later, he returned to the restaurant and joined them for lunch as he filled them in on what he had learned.

    The group''s continued discussion found no interruption aside from the occasional appearance of the kind waiters and needing no real reason for hushed tones since the place was almost deserted, even so, they took caution not to raise their voices as they spoke.

    Shynerai expressed that Mayor Ludleef might have cleared up a lot about this Quest, mentioning the damage and tracks leading away from the town. He took some time to investigate the wildlife in the area nearby and found no predators using the area for shelter, confirming his suspicions of beasts being involved.

    "Up until now, we were fighting crazed lunatics and freaky guys in cloaks, now we have monsters?" Konnor was a bit thrown off with what he was telling them.

    Meira assured him that they would stop them, it''s why they were here, looking at Shynerai as she spoke.

    ''It seems like there might be something worse than a monster involved, but until I get to the Chapel, I can''t be certain'' Shynerai thought to himself for a moment after hearing her words which made her take notice.

    He continued to elaborate that the reason they came here was to investigate the strange disappearances that were happening in the town, and before arriving they were already ambushed by robbed figures and now it''s possible that beasts could be responsible for kidnapping the townspeople.

    She questioned him if he wanted to leave the Quest, wondering what his next move would be. He could tell what she was thinking from the look in her eyes. He reminded her that technically they did complete the quest''s objectives.

    The words of which caused her to slam the table in frustration.

    Konnor seemed like he wanted to speak but he soon sat back down feeling far too out of place.

    Shynerai remained firm, telling her once more, but this time he added that they weren''t just here on the Quest that the mayor sent out, for now, that they now knew the town was being involved in a greater schema at someone else''s hands and people''s lives on the line, they came here as Guardians¡­and right now these people need him to be Hero.

    Her expression eased along with her clenched fists after hearing that. Apologizing for her outburst and for worrying Konnor.

    Feeling the air of tension having lessened, Konnor felt the capacity to ask how they planned on going forward.

    With this Shynerai explained that he had a plan that could work, but they would have to split up again. Much to Konnor''s dismay as he asked they had to. Meira and Konnor were briefed on their parts in the plan, though she couldn''t help but stress a bit of uncertainty with involving Konnor in the fight.

    But Konnor insisted that Shynerai allowed him to join, refusing to simply abandon them. He assured him that if he wanted to help, he would let him. The two smile in agreement, though Meira was incapable of shaking the looming feeling of dread brought on by the idea.

    So she made him promise not to join in the fight, he could help, but not as a part of the battle, something she stressed to the point of gaining immediate compliance from both of them.

    Once they finished going over the plan, Shynerai reminded of one crucial rule,

    "If things go wrong, get everyone back to safety and call for help. I''ve left something in the G.A.V that should make it possible."

    They were a little confused by this statement, but he warned them that there wasn''t much time and that the beasts would be coming soon...but just as he finished¨C

    The windows of the inn shattered violently as harsh, gaunt figures leapt through and inside. Stalking the place and crashing through the furniture, the waiting staff hid behind the bar while the rest of them ran out the back door. Seeing the group at the table, the pack of shadowy dog-like beasts surrounded them.

    "Damn it, I really hope I''m wrong but¡­it looks like we''re dealing with a necromancer."

    "Wait¡­how? Where would one even come from?" Konnor blurted in a panic all the while using one of the chairs to keep the beasts at bay.

    "The Vulpins right? grave-robbing slaves summoned by all dealers of the dead" Meira commented as she rushed over to the bar before kicking one of the beasts into a table¡­

    Shynerai nodded with a worried look as a bead of sweat started to form on his brow as he watched Meira lead the rest of the staff out of the restaurant from the back

    "On three, I want you to take Konnor and make a break for the G.A.V, and head to the Town Hall, I''ll catch up.

    And remember when you''re there, focus on protecting the people, that''s all. We won''t win this fight if any more hostages are involved."

    Meira was all for it and before Konnor could ask how they planned on leaving, she jumped back out from the bar and flipped one of the tables, kicking it in two of the rabid beasts knocking them to the side with one of them breaking through the entrance.

    In their confusion, she grabbed Konnor by the hand and dashed through the opening, with a panicking companion in hand.

    The rest of the Vulpins took the chance to attack as they leapt towards them, but the eruption of a blinding emerald light knocked them all away¡­with a green flash, Shynerai appeared before them, blocking the exit.

    They tried to get back up and started surrounding him, but he didn''t have much time, and so with that moment, all three of the beasts were sent flying out of the building, collapsing the roof as Shynerai raced for the G.A.V, knocking on the door and asking them to let him in

    Entering the transport, the green light faded as the wisps unraveled from his body, leaving him fairly worn as he tried to catch his breath, something Meira couldn''t help noticing, but he quickly assured her that he''ll be fine.

    "I know you''re not gonna want to hear this, but Meira¡­I still need to head to the Chapel, something''s going on, and we need to find out why." Managing to word his next decision through heavy breathing and a look of distress, even though he was having trouble hiding.

    "Shynerai¡ªErai? Look at me, what''s happening to you?"

 Black Clouds of Isolation

    "We can''t worry about me right now¡­" Assuring her while reaching for the bandages from his pack, and doing his best to wrap them around his arms while Konnor raced towards the Chapel.

    Watching as he trembled in an effort to manage his wounds, Meira reluctantly took the bandages from him, choosing to help as she didn''t seem to be getting anything out of him, but didn''t want him to struggle anymore.

    "Well whatever you''re going to do, you better do it now. I don''t think I''ll be able to get you any closer from the looks of it." Konnor yelled to the pair as he came to a stop at the foot of the hill leading to the Chapel.

    Leaping out of the door to take in the sight of swirling storm clouds violently gathering about the Chapel scoring the darkened skies with a massive opening directly above it. The void among the storm gave off an ominous blur that surrounded the Chapel.

    "I''m sorry, Meira, but you need to go."

    "Stop acting like an idiot, and just tell me what''s wrong, how did you get so injured?" Her previously reserved attitude gave way to the thoughts that were flaring beneath her calmness.

    "Konnor, get out of here, who knows when those beasts will catch up. And Meira, I''ll be okay, just focus on saving the people, please¡­"

    "You better make it back in one piece Shynerai. I don''t want to be the one that has to answer to Lucie when she''s upset. So be careful, okay!" Tightening the last of his bandages before sending him out of the door as Konnor started up the G.A.V.

    "You can call me Erai." Waving them off before he raced up the hill towards the growing center of the storm. The gathering winds would meet high above giving life to vibrant streaks of lightning, highlighting the storm that was approaching.

    Konnor kept his foot on the pedal, tearing through the streets of the grimly lit town with the evening quickly setting upon, it felt like he couldn''t lend his attention to the fear that was making it a challenge to firmly grip the steering wheel. A sign that it may have all been too much for him resounding as clearly for Meira as she sat nearby.

    With the sudden shock of grounded thunder booming in the courtyard of the Town Hall, Shynerai emerged from a crater that was still abuzz with golden sparks. His return was prompted by what he witnessed, requiring the use of his Battle Armor to make an uninterrupted sprint back to Meira.

    Meeting with Meira and Konnor outside of the Hall, having camped within the G.A.V as it was easier to guard the Town Hall from the safety of the technical.

    "I would have expected you to be held up with everyone else inside."

    "Yeah well, I feel a lot safer within several thousand kilograms of metal than in there." Konnor welcomed him into the vehicle with a firm hug, before checking him for any new injuries, only held back by Meira who pulled him aside to speak with Shynerai.

    "He''s right. Not to mention, that it''s easier to pick out any break-ins from the outside now that I''ve fortified their barricades. It''s not perfect but it should hold back most threats. Come on, I left a way in for us open" Pointing to the writhing mass that was now covering most of the building. The group eventually made their way inside.

    After sneaking their way back in, Konnor slipped through the moon door onto a cabinet. Crashing into it, and splintering it with enough force to startle the mayor who had gathered the folks to defend him as he cowered in his office.

    Their entrance threw the people into a panic that was only managed by Konnor''s reassurance while he struggled to his feet. Meira and Shynerai followed after him and they jumped through the moon door onto the floor.

    "Oh yeah, I don''t mind falling, guys. There was a nice, square and hard piece of furniture to break my fall" His words bearing more annoyance than pain from his fall. After Meira restrained the fleeing mayor who was trying to escape out of the window, she bound him to his chair, while Shynerai and Konnor led the people to another room.

    "Mayor Ludleef, I can''t have you running out on your citizens just yet, you have to prepare to evacuate everyone. It is no longer so to remain in Whitewater"

    "What! First the filthy Daumier and now the Elf. FAE''s Breath! Are you mad, girl? The town is rife with death during the night, to attempt anything like that would be suicide."

    "You told us earlier on that the beasts did not harm you. In fact, you made it a point that they would only attack the guards. That means that there is a chance for everyone to make it out of here. We can escort to them through the Nycerii territory if need be"

    "Yes, but I also said that our requests for aid went largely unanswered. What I should have added was that those that we sent for help never returned. Perhaps it was the beasts or maybe the very figures that attacked you on your way here. All of it just proves that it is safe out there" He hung his head as he once again faced the memories of him confronting the families of those he had unknowingly sent to slaughter.

    "Listen! After tonight, who knows what''s going to happen. Saving your abducted people means we won''t be around to fend off the beasts...but it might give you a chance to escape. We know that they always return to the Chapel. If we cause a stir, you''ll be free to run."

    ''Escape¡­huh? Can it really be done'' Wracking his mind over the possible, his entire being cried for him not to threaten the safety he had in the Town Hall.

    "You have to gather your people and prepare them to evacuate the moment you have the chance. Head to the harbor to make your way to the Divine Strait"

    "You truly are mad, when those beasts began their hunt...something tore our ships to pieces...none of our Sailors saw it coming, but those that made it back to shore were certain the waters belonged to whatever dwelled within"

    "The harbor''s cut off? Damnit! Guess it''s starting to look more and more like the worst possible outcome." Shynerai entered the Mayor''s office.

    "Shynerai what do you mean, is there something worse?"

    "...Mayor Ludleef, please prepare your people for evacuation, we''ll make sure you have a way out of this place. By land, sea or the air if we have to." Freeing the sweating man and heading downstairs to meet up with Konnor.

    Meira felt a bit uncertain after hearing his words, but followed after all the same, moving the lumber Ludleef out of her way, leaving the panicking man behind his desk unsure of what to do next.

    "Konnor, after you get everyone to safety, make sure to head back here and get everyone out of here, you should have just enough time"

    "So are we still sticking to the plan?" Meira caught up with the two amongst the frightened townspeople.

    "Not exactly. It''s not enough to distract the beasts and those that may be controlling them. Whatever it is they''re tending to at the Chapel must be important if they keep their forces close. Move will move to stop this, once and for all. Can you keep up? "

    Looking at the somewhat unsettled expression that he was struggling to hide, she knew that he wasn''t just sharing his plan, he needed his help, and this time, he was actually asking for it.

    A bead of sweat ran down Konnor''s face with the thought of what''s to come making for an uncomfortable sensation in his throat. Shynerai turned to Konnor and asked him to make for the Chapel after them and to do his best to stick to what''s left of the plan.

    Walking towards the moon door they snuck in through, Shynerai prepared to activate his Beowulf Battle Armor...but found himself awash with sudden hesitation after merely taking a step. A thought further paralyzed him as the idea of the Word of Power left him reeling in great discomfort.

    Meira called out to him but he only held onto his arms tighter, falling deeper into his thoughts. Only after her tapping him on the shoulder did his eyes meet hers, seeing the worry in them pulled him out of his mental binds until he was able to perceive her words, this time sight of her moving lips and audible words filled his mind that slowly came back to him.

    Shaking off his daze. He took his stance, and began breathing deeply, closing his eyes and letting out a slow breath, causing emerald wisps to emerge and swirl around him, forcing an intense wind into the building that finally settled into him, restoring his Will Force.

    "I''m okay Meira, let''s go" Leaping out of the window in a green haze as the blast of wind knocks back the townspeople nearby, with the still cowering Ludleef trembling from the blast as it rocks the Town Hall.

    "Be careful, Konnor or you''ll be sorry you hear?" Meira wished him before following after.

    Conjuring a flaming parakeet from a spell cast as she leapt out of the building and landed atop the hide of the bird. Cawing as it spread its vermillion wings, it took off, leaving only the dwindling feathers that fell like pieces of embers.

    Meira tried to get him to slow down but Shynerai merely pushed forward faster and faster with a burning sensation encroaching upon him and gnawing at his arms, causing his emerald glow to flicker erratically. Though she was able to swoop in time to catch him in mid-air.

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    At this point, Meira pushes him further to tell her why he''s so insistent on making it to the Chapel but he was still trying to catch his breath from the activation of his Will Force, after a brief moment, he''s caught enough of his breath to explain.

    Reminding her of his earlier investigation, he was initially planning on finding the hostages and scouting out the enemy''s numbers. With that information, he would form a pincer strike with him heading into the vanguard to cause a distraction, allowing Meira and Konnor to sneak in and lead the hostages out to safety.

    But, before continuing, she noticed his grip clench fiercely as he spoke through grit teeth. She reached out and asked him to continue...

    When they arrived at the Chapel, the first thing to catch his attention was the insane amount of magical energy pouring out of it. So much so that it made it near impossible to find the source of it all, let alone the one responsible.

    Moving to stop him, she questioned what he meant by ''the one who was in charge''.

    "When I seriously started thinking about the Quest, and the Nycerii we encountered when we first camped out after we saved Konnor from their camp. One of them had instructions that took me a bit of time to make sense of...honestly"

    "I still have no idea what they''re about, the only thing that stood out was the mention of¡ªthe Northern Calamity, and then there were the Vulpins. Although the last part just showed me we could be dealing with a Necromancer"

    "You mentioned that in the restaurant, but now think about it, how? All practicing mages under the Falsetti Kingdom are registered with a Guild or Academy, especially those that deal with the nature of Death."

    "I can''t say, all I know is that Nycerii must have gotten involved somehow."

    The two now shared his look of terror, but that wasn''t all. He continued and noted where the source of the magical energy was and he noticed as close as he got to the Chapel, he saw the makings and magical formula needed to craft a Transfiguration Seal or an approximation of one but it seemed to be shoddy work at best.

    She jumped up and almost knocked him over as she asked him if there is a way to stop the Seal. She didn''t have much experience with Thaumaturgy, with her abilities and knowledge being heavily focused on Alchemy. As she was deliberating, a surprised look washed over him at the sound of what she said, prompting him to repeat herself.

    Going over her statement once more, he asked vehemently if she had particular items with her that he needed to make a certain mixture.

    She was hesitant but pressed back and asked what the mixture he needed was. Mithridates-Hygeia.

    The healing solution. But she tells him that what she did, though what she had would only yield a weaker derivative. He told her that he''d make good use of it. As they neared the Chapel, she asked him to cover her as she brewed the mixture he needed.

    Shynerai moved over to the nearby recesses of foliage that were struggling against the forces of the gathering storm to glimpse at the active sight within, though the screams of peril and weeping masses met his curious intention.

    Eventually completing her work in time to call him back from orchestral wails of the innocent as she handed him three vials of the Healing solution. Wasting no time as he quickly downed the drink and handed her the empty container.

    "That will do. Thank you" The discomfort that was chained to his arms lessened its grip as he did. This time when she reached for him, Shynerai was present and eased up. In the brief moment his guard had dropped, she finally confronted him.

    "Erai, what happened to you?" Holding his arms by the wrist and bringing them closer to her, as if she could read the script of scars riddling them.

    "These¡­they are old. They aren''t important right now, not with everything that we need to do"

    "I agree, but you were clearly in pain. But that only makes things more consuming since after you consumed the Mithridates, all it treated was your scratches and your fatigue."

    "Like I said, it''s an old wound, one that tends to flare up when I strain myself too much but it''s fine. My Will Force will passively mend my body as long as I don''t push myself, I must have forgotten what pushing myself too hard looks like"

    "And is that supposed to be any better? If¡­you can''t¡­if it''s too much for you to go in there, then just say so and I''ll call off the Quest. We can inform the school about what is happening so that they can send in help¨C"

    "Meira, what I''m feeling right now doesn''t matter. We''re here, and we''re all they''ve got" Freeing himself from her grasp before Shynerai launched off, bursting through the opening in the Chapel''s roof.

    The nearby beasts reacted instantly, instinctively swarming into the Chapel in search of the foreign scent that managed to sneak it. Something that he was expecting as the emerald wisps accompanied his entrance, violently ripping into each of the creatures with each blow landed on them.

    Moving about its interior, the creatures took to chasing the vivid green blur while Meira dealt with the stranglers that were still moving about the newly torn hole.

    Rising from the opening in the Chapel''s floor, a tall and well-adorned figure, draped in a familiar coloring of gray robes with gold trimmings all neatly dressed over a well fitted burgundy suit. Moving the blonde bangs out his eyes, pushing it back to reveal the sharp features of his vision.

    While his eyes carried no shimmer of life, their hollowness did not take away from their piercing glare, almost suggesting that all fell under his gaze beneath him. Before he noticed him, the figure stood above him, striking Shynerai hard enough to disperse the emerald wisps with a violent lash of wind.

    Meira rushed over to help him, as she summoned another set of ember beasts that blasts him across the chapel.

    Getting back onto his feet, Shynerai urged her to free the inoculated prisoners while he engaged the stranger. Seeing the intent in his eyes, she wished him luck, promising to join him once everyone was free. While his back was turned, the figure was gone again, this time moving past Shynerai on his way to Meira, who had no time to react to his sudden attack.

    The blow sent a slight tremor through the Chapel, shaking its withering beams. When the dust settled, Shynerai found himself on one knee, bracing himself against the figure''s fist bearing down on his shoulder while Meira was thrown back, unharmed but shaken at what she almost experienced.

    "Shynerai¨C"

    "It''s okay. Go on, those people need you!" He huffed and grunted through his words as he forced the figure back with a show of strength, landing on his feet with an unsettling silence accompanying his grace.

    As she dashed to rescue the prisoners, Shynerai pulled out another vial of Mithridates, downing it as fast as the drink would go, before confronting the stranger.

    "I have guests, well I do not know of you and you have not been invited, I must believe that you are in fact trespassing. Now then, who might you be, to instate adequate punishment I must know? I am Alistair Khartsphere, the man whose work you are INTERRUPTING!"

    "Shynerai Astrapordt, why do you ask?"

    "Ah, well little Astrapordt, it''s going to be a lot easier to catalog your parts when I have a name to put on them, Daumier organs are so hard to come by these days¡­"

    "H¨CHow¡­" Shynerai couldn''t muster any words to respond to the grimacing figure that was steadily approaching.

    ''This isn''t just some old Transfiguration Seal...I don''t think I''ve heard of one using souls to fuel it. It''s strange considering it functions as a modified Death Magic spell'' Shynerai thought to himself as his eyes flickered from the Alistair to the retreating victims around the seal.

    "Why didn''t you use virgin blood like all the other deranged mages or is it Forsaken, I''ve only recently learned the term? Surely you wouldn''t need this many sacrifices"

    "Oh, so you know? Humph, there isn''t enough virgin blood in this town to summon a feeble Vulpin pup, let alone the calamity I seek"

    "I know enough to realize you''ve been working with Advanced Death Magic here¡­It must be upsetting seeing that you''ve lost most of your captives¡­such an essential resource for your work"

    Intrigued by Shynerai''s statement, Khartsphere smirked cruelly before a dark aura and crimson light from the seal began waning and crowning. The act of which brought frustration to him enough that he tried to make for the seal but Shynerai stood in his way¡­with a vivid shimmer, only a silhouette was left behind¡­shocking the magician as he appeared above him landing a strike.

    ''It seems all that studying paid off'' Thinking to himself as his fist plunged deep into his chest.

    "I don''t have time for games, half-spawn. You''re interrupting my work" Alistair remarked in a firm tone with an unmoving stance, revealing Shynerai''s fist caught by him with barely any effort.

    The force of the crash sent a harsh wind blasting past the stumbling hostages as they scattered about from having been freed.

    Meira did her best to free as many as she could while some of the prisoners tried rescuing their fallen loved one. With Konnor rushing in, informing her that came as soon as everything at the town hall was ready¡­but the sight of the victims was clearly something he wasn''t ready for.

    But the sight of Meira''s resolve as she promised to return for them once they got to safety helped to settle his stomach enough to join her as they led them to safety. When he reached her, he asked where Shynerai was, prompting her to turn her sights to the other side of the Transfiguration Seal.

    The Forsaken mage scoffed as he brushed aside Shynerai''s attack, flinging him back while he took a moment to gaze at his hand with a look of intrigue.

    "Meira¡­Konnor! Get back to the G.A.V. You have to stick to the plan¨C" Ending his plea by tossing his Notebook over the Seal while rushing towards the Khartsphere once more. The Forsaken mage''s interest shifted from the Daumier to his words, ordering the incapacitated Vulpins to bring him the Notebook...

    "That will not do!" The moment Alistair took his eyes away from Shynerai, the Daumier began to shimmer once more before vanishing in a faint silhouette, only to appear to strike down each of the Vulpins before a single one leapt into the air, culminating in a fierce blow directed again towards the Forsaken mage¡­one that met an equally devastating attack with Khartsphere''s arm engulfed in a cloak bleeding black and blue shadows that a bore an ominous sense of destruction.

    And destruction it wrought, with the ferocious clash, whipping the nearby chains into a rattling chime when the walls of the Coral Stone Chapel rocked against the impact.

    Failing beams and cracked windows gave way to the forces being born while the two fighters found the floor where they stood gave way, crumbling and erupting before falling away as they dropped below into the vast darkness¡­

    After falling into the basement of the chapel, Shynerai questioned the place they found themselves in as he brushed the throbbing sensation on his head, but Khartsphere rage was quick to catch his attention after the figure starred up into the opening above him...realizing that the ritual had been interrupted.

    Muttering under his breath that the "The Northern Calamity" was incomplete. Shynerai was confused by what he means but is further pushed into confusion that left him stunned when he witnessed what was behind the mage.

    A massive skeletal dragon, lying immobile...though strangely enough Shynerai couldn''t help but notice the stench of rot and decay emanating from the creature.

    Now absolutely done with the interruptions, the magician tells him that his soul will do well as a jump start for the Seal, considering his distance from the ritual had arrested the process considerably.

    Alistair descended from the heap of rubble, moving towards him with the black and blue cloak sparking from his finger before leaping about engulfing the entirety of his as he came to a stop in front his disgruntled opponent.

    "I''m quickly losing my interest, so how about you do me a favor¨CDie!" With the two of them bathing in the vivid glow of the twilight sky, Alistair made his move.

 Sometimes, History Should Stay Dead

    "No, I can''t die here, not before I''ve done my duty" He answered to the threat as he tried to match his words, while Alistair simply drew closer, possessed of the same unnerving presence.

    Running towards him and leaving a vibrant streak of electric blue light following in his wake, with Shynerai stepping once more into his vivid shimmer.

    The two contrasting figures met head-on, with the sensation of the ensuing battle garnering the attention of those above.

    Meira was still trying to figure out Erai''s instructions as she helped the next group of prisoners out of the Chapel. While she approached the G.A.V with the Notebook in hand, a faint but noticeable glow from what looked like inked-stained pages within called to her attention, inviting her to discover their contents.

    By the time she close enough the vehicle for the glowing light to shine brilliantly before quickly fading out, the contents of the mirage writings laid bare.

    "Meira you okay¡­what was that light?"

    ''An¡ªactivation mark...no it''s not just that¡ª'' Her understanding of the figures and elements that constructed the complex diagram in front of her were not beyond her grasp, but how exactly they would function together certainly was...that was until she remembered their earlier conversation.

    "If we manage to get the hostages to safety, contact the school for help and get away as fast as you can" His insistence on their safety and on notifying the school stood out as the primary concern when he suggested the plan.

    The darkened skies above gave rise to the feeling that things weren''t going to be an easy fight, with the occasional rumblings that erupted from out of the crater in the Chapel being enough to spur her onwards with her mission at hand.

    Telling Konnor to take over the recovery effort of the rest of the prisoners while she took care of her task.

    Konnor acknowledged his new responsibility as he wished her good luck with an unexpected jab, asking that she not accidentally blow up the G.A.V as he ran back into the rocking building.

    Continuing her task, she poured her magic into the diagram before the power jumped from the Notebook towards the inside of the G.A.V, engulfing it in the same glow.

    Almost giving her a heart attack at the idea of doing the exact thing she was warned not to but what caught her attention more was what the activation mark actually did.

    "Well, now is time for the next step, I really hope Kiara is there to pick up the call" Leaving the glowing G.A.V to contact the Questing Committee.

    Several moments pass before the signal managed to get through

    "Kiara? Are you there, Ki¨C?"

    "Meira...I''m here, what''s going on, why are you using Mr. Astrapordt''s Notebook?"

    "I''ll explain everything later, right now, we need your help. Are there any Student Generals on standby?"

    "...." Inaudible murmurs could be heard through the transmission.

    "Kiara, you there?"

    "It''s late in the evening so almost everyone is gone. And I don''t think the Student Council President is going to help with the Questing Committee''s problem, at least not until the morning. But I can send Lotarim on his way..."

    "Ahhh¡­we really need help, I wish I could explain but if you can send anyone, they need to get here as soon as possible!"

    "Hey Ki-Ki. How about I take a swing at it?" A familiar voice interrupted the exchange.

    "Kiara, who is that?"

    "It''s me! Now, where are you, Mi-Mi?"

    "You....huh, wait, Reider???"

    "Jaret. How long would it take for you to get to Whitewater?" Kiara''s voice returned, taking over the transmission.

    "Whitewater Port? Hmmm, a few minutes at most...though I''d have to break into the Teleportation stations this late....ah, give me ten...but I don''t know how long it would take to cross the Nycerii territory. Unless any of you have an airship, Lo?"

    "Not unless we''re buying one and that''s not in our budget. The Academy has prohibited you from using any personal airships within Falsetti airspace. It seems that the ''incident'' over in High City was a bigger deal than you had anticipated."

    "No one was killed, besides the real idiots were the ones that decided to have an exhibit for living sculptures on an airship, when the sculptures were Ryddrechian Wyrms. It''s been two years and the Academy is still deducting my wages to pay for the damages."

    "In any case, ma''am, there might be a way for Jaret to make it in time. I''m not sure how but there seems to be a sort of spatial distortion pretty close to the port."

    Meira was surprised by Lotarim''s words, turning from side to side in search of the anomaly, though she found nothing¡­that is until the sight of the glowing seal in the G.A.V finally clicked.

    With the realization filling her mind, the conversation occurring over the transmission gave way to her furiously paging until she found what she was looking for, finding a similar glowing seal in one of the Notebook''s pages.

    "Kiara, how close would he need to be to get to lock onto the anomaly?"

    "Lock onto it? Well, what do you think?"

    "If I tried to jump from the school, I''d be out of magic by the time I got here...but maybe I can get closer...just hold on!" The conversation was cut by the abrupt sound of footsteps in the distance.

    "Wait¡­just...ugh. Lotarim, get a hold of the Student Generals, and let them know that it''s an emergency. I''ll notify the Headmistress of this. Mi-Mi, you''ll have to hold out for a bit. Don''t worry, I''ll be there soon. Now can you tell me what happened, where''s the kid?"

    "Oh¨CThank you, Kiara. Who knows how bad things are going to get, so I''ll try to keep things short..." Completely ignoring Jaret.

    With the sudden glow of the Teleportation Seal illuminating the school grounds, Jaret''s race to Whitewater Port was signaled with the vanishing flash of light, Meira did her best to relay the events they were facing to Kiara and Lotarim over the call.

    Entrusting the rest of the captor''s rescue to Konnor, who had begun to show signs of fatigue as he brought another group of prisoners to the safety of the G.A.V, drenched in dirt from the sweat and rubble raining down the shaking halls of the Chapel, but not taking a moment to rest on his fatigue.

    "What exactly is that creature?" Shynerai darted towards Alistair hoping to throw him off, with him closing the distance before he could respond.

    "Hmmph..." The impatient figure stepped out of Shynerai''s path landing behind him with only the sight of his fluttering robes managing to catch his eye, though the cloaked and shadowy aura enveloping him made quick work of his advantage, as he knocked Shynerai into the pile of rubble.

    "You interrupt my work, steal my subjects, incapacitate my servants and you expect me to believe that it is all on a whim...Don''t toy with me! I know a Guardian when I see one, not that any of you can stop me once I''m finished, little Hero!"

    "Nnn...ugh, with...the Northern Calamity. Should I be concerned since by your words, it is incomplete?" Shynerai exclaimed all the while coughing up something that made him more than a little concerned...but after wiping his mouth, he pulled himself up against the fallen glimmering stone before falling into a stance, his lungs wanting for what little air he could grasp.

    "Oh, curious. I''m quite certain that was meant to erode your spine" Leaving Alistair to inspect the blue cloaking darkness. Reaching down, he knelt beside a wounded prisoner that was freed thanks to the shower rubble.

    With a firm grip, Alistair rose to his feet. From this act, Shynerai was quick to react, rushing towards him when the prisoner was momentarily awash with the blue-black darkness. When the Daumier managed to get passed him, he quickly tried to check their pulse, only for the flesh around their neck to disintegrate¡­as the rest of its body breakdown in a ashen flakes

    Assured of his might, Alistair dusted his hands and once again cloaked his hands with the dark cloak before seemingly having it surge in strength with the last blue vestiges turning pitch.

    "Aevum et Mori, It''s a decaying spell¡­" Shynerai expressed the first instance of rage since he arrived in Whitewater.

    "A scholar of magic, are we little Astrapordt?"

    "Yeah except it only works in contact with living tissue, which makes sense the creator''s intention for the spell was trying to find a better way of disposing of necrotic flesh. She wrote that she had seen too many people fall to disease and plagues spawned by the dead, a result of honest and hard work for someone that lived in a terrible time."

    "Well she had no real ambition or she would have seen its potential. It is an unmatched power within the right hands."

    "No, she simply valued something greater than her own singular ambition." With that short respite filling, he descended the mound of rubble, moving closer to Alistair with the kick of the nearby soot, gripping the floor of the basement before....stepping into his shimmer veil once more.

    "Your little disappearing trick won''t¨C" Alistair''s words were cut short when Shynerai emerged, landing a blow with enough force to send Alistair off his feet, hurtling towards the looming opening above.

    "Nnggh¨C" As he was thrown into the air, the Forsaken mage gripped tightly against the wound dealt onto him before crashing into the pillar. But before Shynerai could take in the fact that he managed to harm his opponent, the sight above took his attention.

    With the image of the immense column coming into view, Shynerai witnessed Alistair wielding the column with an onyx-cloaked arm before launching himself at him...crashing atop him with a strike reminiscent of his own earlier attempt.

    Well aware of the dangers of his opponent''s magic, Shynerai grit his teeth as he forced himself to act quickly...

    With the force of the clash whipping dust into a storm-column entrapped with black winds rising to the top of the opening, those nearest the Seal were thrown to the ground in their haste to escape.

    With the most conscious having cleared out, the weariest laid bound in chains that tethered them to the crumbling Chapel.

    "It''s going to be alright, I did promise your friends I would return." Meira had taken over with the rescue effort, helping the gaunt and frightened as she loosened their flailing chains that bind them to the walls that were quickly giving way to the thundering quakes from below.

    "Konnor, there''s only a few left."

    "I spoke to some of the prisoners and you''re going wanna hear this."

    "There''s no time! This place is going to come down and most of them are still too weak to stand."

    Konnor felt that Meira needed to hear him out but the falling debris and crumbling floor slowly giving way made her point clear.

    Pushing himself to stifle his thoughts and fatigue as he started helping them one by one to their feet before walking them out of the Chapel, a blaring and rising vortex of dark violent wind from out the hole pushed them to move faster.

    At the center of the storm of chaos, Alistair''s blow struggled against the familiar sound of shearing pieces of steel and of gnashing metal.

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    His pitch-dark cloak enveloped the obstruction in front of him, but with the sight of his opponent coming into view, the jet-black trails extended from his cloak of darkness wrapping around them slowly giving way with each passing moment.

    Eventually, the sound of grinding metal pieces died down but that only left the sensation against Alistair''s fist was the touch of something cold.

    Unsure of what he just did, he moved back, stepping away as the last of the violent winds blew away, leaving crumbled columns and splintered beams raining down around them, the idea of what he clashed with turned his expression raw with seething rage.

    Distorted sounds of heavy breathing muffled their way out of a crude helmet rendering of the metal sculpture that faced Alistair.

    "I can''t let you get past me¡­" The clicking joints and rattling metal plates scrape past each other as he took root into his stance, motioned the Forsaken mage to bring his next attack, an invitation that Alistair gladly accepted.

    Blowing past the surroundings with the reappearing cloak of darkness now taking on a fearsome and untamed form as it engulfed and wrapped itself around him with each step he took towards Shynerai.

    Rushing past the rubble-riddle floor and crumbling pillars before unleashing another attack¡ªbut again, once the jet-black trails faded, Shynerai stood standing, with only the sound of a persistent loss of breath being the only indication of the metallic statue harboring life.

    "Why will you not fall, prole¨C" Alistair''s tone having grown course as he unleashed a barrage of attacks, throwing punch after punch into the metallic frame, matching last the blow with enough force to push him back ever so much, with growing ferocity the force blasted the surroundings away.

    Clearing the ground between them as it gave way¡­with the following strike knocking Shynerai off his feet, and launching him into the structure that stood supporting the skeletal frame of the draconic beast. The impact of his crash forced a deep fissure to run up the support.

    "You cannot stop what is being done here. Your kind should know what happens when you try to act beyond your place" He bellowed with the sound of renewed vigor.

    "Ha¡­Ha¡­humph¡­cough¡­cough"

    Despite the chasm they were in being filled by the sound of rustling dust and debris, Alistair was well aware of the Shynerai''s chuckle.

    Said taunt did more than enough to infuriate him, though he did not need much motivation for what came next.

    Outstretching his hand, with a raised palm, it took only a moment for the pitch-black cloak that fluttered about him to disappear into smoky wisps before a deep blue flame began sputtering to life. Burning intensely before it jumped from his hands and spread to consume the draconic remains along with Shynerai in a brilliant display of an all-consuming indigo flames.

    ''Boom! Boom! Boom!'' Above the searing firestorm that was spreading that consumed more and more of the structural supports that held the gigantic skeleton in place, the sound of bullets ricocheting off the ground around Alistair caught his attention and drew his gaze to the source of the gunfire¡­

    Coming down the gaping hole above, and atop a stone-like ember golem.

    After catching a glimpse of Shynerai buried under the burning support beams, Meira aimed her approach directly for the Alistair, giving the unsuspecting mage just a moment to respond as he tried to command the violet flames upwards¨C

    "That''s not going to happen." Konnor''s voice called out accompanying the sound of more gunfire running close enough to the interrupted Alistair to force him back, barely coming unscathed from the bullets ripping through his muddled cloak before regaining his footing and sending a flare of superheated flames at Meira.

    The fires lit the cavern below with a violet-blue glow while his magic sent out a burst of a shockwave clearing scene around him. Alistair''s magic rushed towards her with enough time to graze the golem, shearing the incoming golem''s descending fist with the rising flames blasting and consuming the mouth of the pit.

    The ember construct landed in front of Alistair, sending a sudden shockwave, into him, though the monster''s approach did very little to shake him, instead prompting him to raise a second hand.

    Readying the flames before sending out a scorching torrent of flames raging towards the Meira, who leapt away from the golem, rushing to the crater as the golem stood in place, bearing the brunt of the incoming attack.

    The heat was so intense, that the lithic shell of the beast quickly began to glow as it tried to hold itself together.

    Summoning a large ax created from the glowing ember shards flecked off the golem behind her. And with it, she hacked away at the collapsed pile of scaffolding, managing to free Shynerai from out the support but he could barely get to his feet, with trembling arms as he raised them to take the hand Meira offered him.

    At that moment, she realized that it was the first time she ever took his hand.

    ''None of that matters right now'' Being reminded of his exact words as she helped him up. The sight of flames consuming her construct put great unease on her as she turned her sights to the heaving Shynerai.

    With a thought coming to mind, she resolved herself, taking on an expression of certainty before outstretching her hand and creating the same ember parakeet. Doing her best to lower him onto it and sending it off upwards to the entrance, hoping that it could reach Konnor if he had managed to avoid the violet flames.

    As the charred bird tried to take flight the last of the golem''s strength faded as the glowing rocks of its being began shedding at the intensity of the constant attack, blowing apart piece by piece till the construct in its entirety was blasted into a heaping pile of dust.

    With the Alistair now in full view of the escapees, and preparing his final attack, Meira was reminded of her thought before ripping off her cloak and racing towards the Forsaken mage, running past the dirt and stone mounds that littered her path as she conjured ashen blades in either hand.

    "Truly this is amusing. First the Daumier, and then the pesky little Human with his gun and now an Elf. It would be my greatest pleasure to collect familial specimens." Alistair sighed dismissively as he unleashed a wave of violet flames rushing towards her before raising his hand to his desired target.

    "You''re pretty sick if you think we''re all related¨C" Meira sprouted from beyond the violet flames brandishing an ashen shield bound to her forearm, coming close enough to him to swing her blade at his hand¨Cforcing Alistair to change his stance as he narrowly avoided her blade, but in the process losing sight of his target as Shynerai rose up and out of the opening above.

    "As if I would take anything you pests spew."

    ''Too bad¡­for now you have to deal with me and I told myself I wouldn''t be doing much of anything on this quest. Hmph.'' Taunting the mage unnerved magician as she returned the form of her shield into a blade once more, preparing herself for what would come next.

    Above the ensuing chaos below, Konnor had avoided the flames that suddenly reached out from the opening with the sight of something else following:

    "What the hell, that almost looks like¨C" Konnor had come out of cover but got thrown back after the ember parakeet flew past him before landing beside him and resting Shynerai with its fading wings that turned to ash the moment he got off.

    "Erai! Erai! Can you hear me? Where''s Meira?"

    "K-Konnor?"

    "You''re in pretty bad shape, you know that?" A smile of relief came to him after hearing his friend rouse to consciousness.

    "Mei¡ªra, she''s still in there¡­I have¡­I have to help her."

    Konnor had him rest against a rock nearby, despite how much he tried to get back up.

    "Meira isn''t a pushover¡­and if you''re this beat up, I don''t know how long she''ll be able to keep up. I doubt whoever your people sent is gonna make it here in time"

    ''The seal, they got it to work¡­I''m glad.''

    "I don''t think I''m anything to write home about¡­I barely¨C"

    "That''s not true!" Konnor stopped him, as he stood up and moved towards the opening with a growing look of concern with his stumbling footsteps revealing the various scraps and cuts he received:

    "I remember when you bailed me out, they locked me up for sure, but I could still see what you did, to the camp, to those crazed Forsaken, so tell me in your real opinion, can we beat this guy?"

    Following his question, Shynerai''s gaze turned away from him, staring at his palms that could hold a fist as they trembled¡­frustration was clear to see despite how much he tried stifling it:

    "I fought someone not too long ago. In that fight, I was probably pushed further than I ever have before, and in the end, I still lost. From that battle, I not only saw how far above the bar was from me, but I got the added bonus of nasty scarring to my arms."

    "Hmph funny thing is if I listened to the doctor''s advice and got some rest I might have had a better shot against that guy¡­but now, against Khartsphere. It''s taken most of what I have not to get killed, I don''t think my body could go all out again."

    "Well¡­damn, that definitely sucks for the rest of us."

    "I¨CI''m sorry, Konnor."

    "You know¨Csometimes we want something but because we are too afraid of what we can''t do anything, we end up making excuses for why we won''t try."

    "I wasn''t there when you fought that battle, nor do I know why you did what you did, but you''re here now, fighting for something completely different, against an enemy you''ve never faced."

    "To protect people with no real chance of doing it themselves, looking down there, with Meira fighting as hard as she can, will you tell me to my face this fight?"

    "Is this something you can''t do, or something you won''t?" Konnor walked back to the seated young man before raising by his collar with the look of worry that gave way to a deep expression of sorrow as he asked him.

    The sight of uncertainty and distress in his eyes brought to mind only a single thought, that of his statement when he met Creivolt in the Student Council office

    "That''s hard when...the ''established order'' has done nothing for me¨Cbecause when someone cries out for help, does the ''established order'' protect them, do any of you?"

    "That''s right, as Heroes, as Guardians, it''s not our job to always win¡­it''s to keep getting back up." Those words of which met Konnor following the look of intent gleaming from his emerald eyes, lighting with an unmistakable glow that Konnor had witnessed enough times since meeting him to recognize it¡­his will.

    "Can you do me a favor, could you check the pouch on my side, there should be a bottle or vial of some kind."

    Konnor settled him back down with a groan of agony coming from him as he did, before checking each of his pouches until coming across the vial filled with a strange green liquid. Bringing it to him all the same, taking his half-awake response that he found what he was looking for.

    Shynerai asked him to help him with it and so though a little hesitant about the fluid, he nevertheless, opened and helped his companion down the solution until the little vial was emptied.

    "Thank you, it usually takes about a second or two¡­"

    "Sure, but what for?"

    To answer his question, the young Daumier managed to raise a hand in response, surprising Konnor as he helped him to his feet. When he found that his strength had returned, he turned to him, thanking Konnor with a kind smile, an action that didn''t do much to eliminate his confusion:

    "Don''t be so shocked, I doubt this is going to last very long with what I''m planning" Punctuating his statement with a shout:

    Word of Power: Mark of a Beast! The command brought out a malicious aura that enveloped Erai before fading from sight, leaving what looked like an unseen flame burning at him.

    "Konnor, make sure to get everyone as far away from here as possible." He let out a final request before leaping down into the dark opening and landing between Alistair and Meira, who were about to clash blows.

    Throwing them back as they avoided the cratering earth, Shynerai turned to face Alistair while the dust cleared, as Meira cautiously approached the ominous figure that suddenly appeared.

    "Don''t worry it''s still me."

    Now standing beside the figure she could clearly make out his snow-white haired rippling about:

    "What are you doing down here, you should be waiting for help with Konnor."

    "I know. I''m glad you understood the message even when I couldn''t be more precise with the details"

    "This is certainly curious! I was certain you would not be standing after what I did to you" Alistair rallied his might as his quarry had now returned to meet its slaughter.

    The Forsaken mage''s statement caught Meira''s attention, drawing her eyes to his wounds and witnessing the seemingly charring flesh, with the mirage-ing air around his arms and legs she could tell that something was burning at him, but again there was no flame she could see:

    "Shynerai¡­Erai, what happened to you?"

    "For now, let''s focus on staying alive, not just for our own sake." He added, raising his arm, and revealing a piece of charred flesh breaking off and falling as ash to the floor.

    "I don''t have much time but I''ve got a plan, and I''m going to need your help" Turning her gaze to Alistair and conjuring another set of ember blades, that hung beside in mid-air.

    "I''m growing weary of your plans, the more I keep hearing them¡­.What do you have in mind?"

    "This one''s a little easier, if you can keep him still, I think I could end it."

    "Could or can?"

    "¡­"

    "Sigh¡­it doesn''t matter, it''s not like he''s going to give us much time to decide" She pointed at Alistair who had keeled over, doing his best to gather his strength as he clenched his fist, causing his violet flames to die down though not completely.

    Taking the chance, Meira and Erai rushed the mage .While still occupied Alistair tried to rid himself of them with a blast of his flames, sadly they were far weaker, noted by how she slid beneath them clearing the attack before aiming to cleave him with both her blades.

    Prompting him to pull back his flames, and shielding himself with another blast sending himself reeling back but blasted Meira into the nearby column.

    Alistair continued clenching his fist while preparing for the next assailant, hoping to spot Shynerai''s shimmer, and catching a glimpse of it with enough time to fire a volley of blue and violet projectiles, much smaller but far faster than his initial attack. But to his shock, he had missed, or rather¨C

    ''Just a little longer'' The idea of a timer counting down did nothing but fill what little space in his mind that wasn''t already consumed by the thought of evasion. Stepping between each violet bolts of destruction, in a display that forced Alistair to send out more destruction the closer he got.

    "Almost¡­just ten more seconds" He huffed under his breath as he drew close enough to see the faint green light emanating from the mage''s clenched fist but Shynerai didn''t have time to register any thought of hesitation, leaping forward, and sweeping Alistair off his feet but before he could fall.

    The mage drove a strike into him that sent out an intense flare of brilliant flames, throwing Shynerai off balance and away from him, landing far enough to see Meira spring from the mound of rubble.

    Casting aside the ember blades that quickly turned to ash and instead forging a vast length of ashen chain, growing with multiple ends that snaked around her before ending in cuffs.

    While Alistair continued his flurry of flames that devoured everything in their path, she braced and blocked those she couldn''t avoid mid-air before seizing the chance and binding both of his legs.

    Landing behind him, and restricting his attack, though she managed to miss one of his arms, leaving the mage with no other option but to free himself as the light from within his hand that steadily grew bright enough to illuminate his visage.

    With his unbound hand, he turned it on Meira, readying his flames:

    "Erai, I got him! Now''s your chance¨C" The sound of her words were cut short when the violet flames were let loose, quickly rushing towards her and engulfing her¡­

    "All right! Word of Power¡­Beowulf."

    By the time Alistair could hear those words over the sound of his blaring flames, Shynerai had already taken flight, being let loose, cleaving into the ground below and tearing a path directly towards him, the golden lightning bolt streaking violently through the underground basement.

    With no other option Alistair finally opened his fist¡­.sending out the contained green light enveloping the entirety of the underground space and glowing upwards lighting up the night sky nearby through the gaping opening.

    "I''m not going to let that happen!" The golden streak clad in white flames appeared in front of Alistair as the green glow encompassed them, with something surprising of his own.

    Drawing closer to the bound and chained mage, Shynerai let loose a destructive blow into him.

    The act alone had an incredible result, for the moment the attack became constant and drew all the light into it as if drowning the world in a pigment of absolute darkness, the very light was stripped from all around them as it was drawn into Shynerai.

    Gripping all of it¨C an explosion of white light burst forth, ripping apart the chains that were holding Alistair and extinguishing the violet flames with a blast that pushed outwards rocking the foundation of the Chapel as far as they would run.

    The force sending Meira along with everything nearby blown away before finally the opening above was illuminated by the white light, ripping the opening to pieces.

    Sending what remained of the Coral Stone Chapel flying every which way, and carved open the hole while what remained on the surface was eclipsed by the blinding light.

 You arent Alone, not Anymore

    A nightmarish orchestra of solemn wails and cries were growing louder and louder, the collective sounds shook what little rest he managed as the painful tones rattled him from the unconscious. Waking frightened and gasping, the sight of the cloudless night sky brought a steady calm over his panic before he took notice of Meira sitting beside him.

    She urged him to sit still, refusing to let go.

    When she first woke, she wandered about the desolate space until eventually finding where he was locked away, she found him encased entirely in stone though lucky for him enough of it had begun crumbling away to get him out before resting alongside him near the support structure beneath the skeletal remains as she tried to treat his wounds.

    Though he was awake, she still feared for him taking to look over him as she wasn''t entirely convinced he was out of the woods yet.

    Lying beside him with her cloak, Erai caught a glimpse of a smile similar to Konnor''s earlier if not more endearing...seeing him awake and her relieved did well to quell the remnant of sudden terror, responding with a warm albeit weakened tone, mentioning how she was calling him Erai and reminding her that she really doesn''t have to worry...

    Causing her to jump in on his annoying comment:

    "Idiot, when we''re a team we help each other. There''s no need to do everything on your own." A sentiment that fell on deaf ears as she turned to him, seeing that he faded once more into the unconscious.

    That morning, the port town played host to a myriad of Guardian forces. Once Jaret had arrived, he immediately raced for the smoking crater surrounded by bystanders that were later identified as the missing persons who had disappeared not too long ago...

    Being the first responder to the scene, and with the anecdotes, he received from the onlookers that quickly moved back into the city when the dust settled enough for them to make the trip with the light of the sun-rising morning peering through to offer them a way home.

    Pushing past the rubble piles of scorched stone and charred beams, with crumbling pillars and ash-filled air growing denser the closer he got to the center, before descending downwards into the opening.

    The wound dealt into the earth struck a strange chord with him, as Jaret remarked how the mouth of the opening seemed to be crumbling, as if it were cast in stone...a strange thought as most of the stone and rubble laid scorched, not chalk, the observation carried true the further he descended before finally reaching the bottom.

    ''What happened here? Something like this shouldn''t have happened under our¨C''

    "Cough cough...Erai! You need to drink up...it''s not as good as what I made before but it should stop the petrification....just hold on!"

    "Hey! Is someone down here?"

    "We''re over here...look for the giant skeleton, you can''t miss it. Are you from the Academy?"

    "Giant skeleton? What does that even¨C"

    "J...Jaret Reider. You sure took your time." In front of her stood of the Academy''s most capable and private Third-year students. Wearing his medium length dark hair with wild bangs against his sharp features and past his almond shaped eyes that seemed to hold the light of the very sun.

    With the stature and build of someone that was hardly distressed yet constantly vigilant, Meira could recall how looking upon him always gave her a sense of unease, one she learned to always pay attention to for her own sake.

    "Oh don''t mind me, I just spent the past half-hour breaking into restricted Teleportation offices not to mention jumping through what in my opinion has to be the worst-formulated Transportation Seal ever constructed."

    "And this coming from a regular of the school''s Teleportation Seals...we all know how much of a headache they can be. Anyways, it looks like you guys handled everything¨C" As he squatted to get a closer look at them, the finer details of his appearance were easier to make out through the dark.

    Most shocking was how he wasn''t wearing his Combat Uniform, only dressed in his Standard Uniform with his signature quirks, such as the Combat Gloves and Boots, Utility Pouches, Strapped Back Brace and his Standard Blazer with its sleeves rolled up to accommodate the out of place pieces.

    "Are you serious? Look around....we barely made it out alive."

    "Yeah, but you''re alive. The both of you, which is the only thing that matters to me."

    "..."

    "Look...Ki-Ki probably has a better grasp of everything that happened here than me, but when we get back, the two of you are going to have a lot to answer for." He said as he threw Erai''s worn and unconscious body over his shoulder before asking Meira she could walk, who kept quiet, using her previously discarded cloak to cover her arms and legs.

    "...I get you. Once I get him topside, I''ll come back for you." She nodded

    "As if I''d listen to you in your condition. Just sit tight, all right." Jaret lifted her in his arms, making sure the cloak remained between his arms and chest and her being.

    "Don''t worry, Mi-Mi, I''ll put you down soon" Noting how much her breathing had quickened as her knuckles whitened from her intense grip of the cloak''s edge.

    In a single effortless motion, he launched himself straight through the mouth of the cavity with the Chapel skyward, before crashing down near the hill before he made off, moving to the opening and returning to the point of his arrival in a vivid blur that frightened those that were treating the wounded.

    "All right, Ki-Ki said something about a third so he should be somewhere around here if he''s still alive¨CEh Mi-Mi?"

    Feeling the burning edge of a blade pressed against his cheek, he knew what he needed to do, placing Meira down on one of the empty beds the Medical Reinforcements had placed all around the Temporary Medical Camp.

    "You mean Konnor. He should be fine, and very upset once he sees that you''ve knocked his vehicle over."

    Annoyed at the ear full he would receive after remembering how he blew off the doors to the G.A.V when he arrived through the Seal...he excised the thoughts, believing that he wasn''t at fault that the vehicle was overturned when he arrived.

    So with a miffed grunt, he held onto Erai as he flipped the technical back onto its side...landing in a loud thud.

    "Hey. Be careful with her! Poor girl, do you know how long it''s going to take to get that dent out?" Konnor hobbled as fast as he could towards Jaret with leg splint, unable to accept the sight of the damage to his entrusted G.A.V.

    "Oh that, for a second I thought you were talking about the door I tore off¨C"

    "The d-door? FAE help me! Why is it that every time I see you something of mine is ruined beyond repair?"

    "Nice to see you, Konnor, like does no one actually care that I slogged through most of Falsetti to get here?"

    The banter continued until Konnor spotted Erai''s limp body being hauled by Jaret, moving quickly to aid his friend, Jaret left him in care while he went on to help Meira out of the pit.

    It wasn''t long after that the other Guardian forces from the Academy arrived, followed by those from the Rylev kingdom and Amber Faltarien from the south.

    Come nightfall, Konnor, Meira and Shynerai were sent on their way, accompanied by Jaret to Aria, for them to receive proper treatment from the school, with all three remaining overnight under Dr. Arturion''s supervision as per his instruction.

    The first to wake among them was Konnor, who was joined by Meira soon after, both having suffered a few severe but treatable wounds though Arturion commented that the burns on Meira would take a few days before she was good to go while the petrification of her limbs had slowly broken down, freeing them from its stone coffin.

    The two of them thanked the doctor, who merely embraced the pair with a great sense of relief, endearing the old man as he continued to watch over Erai.

    Konnor stayed in Aria to brief the school on the events while Meira completed her report with the Questing Committee, unbeknownst to those around her, she periodically snuck off after class to visit Erai.

    The young Daumier woke up for the first time in three days, waking up so suddenly that he almost threw Meira off as she rested beside him.

    "You''re awake?" Her words were spoken with a whisper but their weight was all there for him to bear. Saying nothing as she scolded him, wondering why he would put himself through such danger, leaving her to explain to his classmates what happened to him.

    "That''s quite all right, dear. He has just woken up, he still needs to take it one step at a time" Dr. Arturion joined them by his bed, as he comforted her.

    "Mr. Astrapordt, as you can see, your regular visits to my Ward have begun to even upset one of my children. What would you do were you in my position"

    "..."

    "I would be thankful to see both my children safe. Isn''t there something you want to say to her?" The doctor eased the intensity of his statement as he turned to Meira.

    "Ms. Euryale. I''m glad you''re safe." Watching her expression soften with the rise of a flush of warmth to her face at the sound of his sincerity.

    "Idiot. I told you before¡­just call me Meira. Okay?"

    "Okay¨C" With what little strength, he willed himself to smile at her concern.

    ''I''m just glad¡­I didn''t lose them.''

    Within a late Tuesday afternoon, Shynerai managed to draw enough strength to get himself out of bed and slowly get dressed. The doctor was already occupied with his other diagnoses to notice him sneak out and head down the corridors towards the Questing Committee Room, hoping to catch one of them.

    Finding the last of the members of the Questing Committee finishing up for the day, Lotarim and Luciana were paid a visit by the wandering young Daumier knocking on the door.

    "Come in...How can we help¨COh that mane, Astrapordt was it? It''s good to see you up and about."

    Nodding towards the Student General as he closed the door behind himself

    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    "You idiot, what were you and Meira thinking...If I knew you were going to be this reckless, I would have joined you instead." Luciana berated him, almost beating him over the head with a broom though she eventually took some pity on his weakened frame.

    "I''m glad you''re both safe though." Ruffling his bed head to straighten the snow-white mess before embracing him tightly.

    "So why are you here? You should be in bed? As in you will return to bed, unless you have a very good reason for being here." Her gaze easily turned cruel as she awaited.

    "Well he''s here we could at least say congratulations. You did well to complete your last Quest and your reward has already been sent to your account."

    "That''s to say you only managed to complete your Quest, as a whole your performance could only be recorded as a failure." The Questing Committee President''s presence completely slipped Shynerai''s awareness, only taking notice of her the moment she spoke.

    "Kiara, I don''t think that''s..."

    "Does that mean¡­the prisoners, were they caught up in the fight?" Shynerai stumbled closer to Aurelia, with a distraught look about him.

    "Oh no, they managed to get to safety. But...while you were out of it, Konnor and Meira informed us of everything that happened. Something that had us working with Whitewater Port and the rest of the Kingdom, this was way more serious than you were led to believe"

    "...I don''t follow."

    "The Quest was originally A-rank, but due to the delay in the information gathered and proper communication actually being established between Mayor Ludleef and us, the real scale of what you faced was an S-rank Quest, far beyond the acceptable purview of two students let alone a freshman."

    "That along with the number of lives that were lost, the danger you were put through and how close you came to failing to stop Alistair Khartsphere...we have deemed the S-rank Quest a failure."

    "However, with regards to your A-rank Quest, you performed pretty well. Sadly that also means you''ll remain with your A-rank, forbidding any excursions on S-rank Quests and above."

    "Lady Aurelia." Lotarim called out to the President, nodding as if to ask her to restrain her words.

    "Sigh...you should take this time to get some rest, it''ll do you some good¨C" Aurelia''s words were interrupted.

    "I failed, didn''t I? I¨CI would like to take on a new Quest..." Responding with a hollowed cheeked face and monotonous tone.

    Two days after Shynerai first awoke.

    And after Shynerai went against Arturion''s request for him to remain bedridden, by going on another Quest, he managed to return in quite the battered state though once again he arrived with success. Jaret happened to find him as he returned from the Questing Committee when making his way to the Medical Ward.

    Instead of finding the good doctor, he bumped into the Student General in the hallway.

    "You know it''s one thing saving you''re a¨Cit''s another when I have to babysit. Old man Arturion wanted me to talk to you." Uninterested in the lecture, Shynerai ignored him and turned around, going home though not before stopping by the Medical Ward.

    Managing to receive enough basic treatment to go home before he could leave, the nurse attending him was firm in reminding him that he was to not go on other Quests until he completely recovered.

    A sentiment that was echoed in what little of Jaret''s words he managed to hear. Prompting him to engage with the doctor who himself was unmoving as refused to offer any advanced treatment until he got ample rest.

    He continued going to class, whilst hiding his condition from his curious classmates by spending lunch mostly by himself. With his concern having peaked due to Erai''s recent disappearance after the weekend only to reappear so differently, Torren along with Tersia took it upon themselves to find out what happened to him.

    The pair sought out the Students Generals after heading to their Council Room though finding the dismissive duo of Creivolt and Malleus only for their encounter to barely get them anywhere.

    Leaving with no other leads to pursue aside from the Questing Committee that Erai had taken such a firm interest in, he went with Tersia and the suddenly appearing Vaceris to see Luciana in the hopes of finding out what had happened.

    As they encountered the Questing Committee they found Jaret leaving the room though managing to catch the mention of Shynerai as he left, Jaret turned back, curious of what interest in him was.

    Somewhat shocked by his interest, they spoke clearly with the SGs, with Jaret noticing Torren as he spoke. His gaze moved across the rest of their solemn expressions of his companions, Torren stumbled over his words, unsure as to how he may help his friend.

    Jaret, approaching the trio of First-years, placed his arm over the boy''s shoulder and spoke with certainty.

    "It won''t matter what Ki-Ki has to say if you don''t hear it from him."

    "And what makes you so certain, if I may ask?" Tersia, standing unbothered by Jaret''s return to the discussion, raised her question.

    "Because he''s convinced himself that he is weak, at least in the sense of pursuing his goal. His weakness has driven to relentlessly chase every opportunity to prove to himself that he is still capable. Only problem is that he can''t register the kind of toll that way of thinking has put on his mind."

    "..." They listened.

    "Your friend needs you more than even he knows because something tells me he''s not the type to do so."

    "Need¡­us?" Torren added.

    "Friends aid each other in times of need, he needs you, all you have to do is assure him that you''re here." Ruffling Torren''s hair to his amusement before he took his leave.

    Before stepping out once again, Kiara asked him what he''s planning, but he merely waved to her as he made his way out of the classroom.

    Jaret found himself grabbing a drink from one of the nearby vending machines before heading out into the Central courtyard of the Educational Buildings. While walking towards a bench, and stepping into the sunlight his eyes caught a glimpse of someone beside him.

    Turning to the sitting figure, the braided snow-white hair was the calling card of the person he was looking for. Calling to the sitting figure, he asked the boy why he wasn''t eating in the cafeteria, assuming that his friends were probably eating there.

    Shynerai at the mention of them chose not to speak.

    "Woo...today is a scorcher, guess a little shade wouldn''t hurt. Or I could force it rain¡­but the Headmistress would probably be on my ass again." Jaret mumbled to himself as he sat beside the young Daumier.

    "Why are you here? Or am I in trouble with the¨C"

    "Listen to me, Shynerai!"

    ''He knows my name...he got it right too?'' Shynerai''s thoughts peeked at Jaret spoke.

    "Whatever you''re chasing, you won''t get it. Not if you keep going the way you do."

    "..."

    "I don''t know what''s got you so heated but I can promise you one thing, graveyards are filled with the dead who were buried along with the dreams."

    "I''m not worried about dying, not if I can save¨C" A slap over the back of his head threw the remainder of Shynerai''s meal out of his hands into the dirt below.

    "Of course you aren''t worried, but what about those you leave behind, you''re not worried about them. They''ll be the ones you leave to more you." Jaret''s words forced him to swallow deeply. His hands began to shake as he clasped them intensely, with a quivering lip and an avoidant gaze.

    "Right now you have people who care for you, classmates, friends and even something more. You owe it to them to stay alive, and you owe it to yourself to make sure you are never the reason for their tears." Finishing his words as he raised his chin, wanting to see was truly parsed for his thoughts.

    "As long as you breathe, you must try, so try Shynerai, eventually you''ll catch what you''re chasing."

    "That¡­sounds familiar."

    "If it does, I''m certainly surprised. It''s known to be an old expression shared amongst Guardians." He turned towards Shynerai before pulling him closer with a slight chuckle.

    "I don''t know what you even want me to do."

    "Well for starters you can call me Jaret, I''m your senior, not your boss...after that, you can give yourself enough time to recover, heal your wounds, kid. I think you''ll be able to take it from there." Getting up from his seat and finishing off his drink before leaving Shynerai for his lunch as recess was to end soon.

    Wiping the tears that had not begun to stream, Shynerai saw him off before turning to his lunch and remembering Jaret''s heresy against his meal...though the abrupt sounding of the bell''s toll left him unable to do much as returned to class..

    It was time for his Conventional and Integrated Combat Training class, and he would rather not be late for Dr. Colt''s class. Shynerai was well acquainted with his ruthlessness.

    By the end of the last of his classes, the final bell rang for the end of the day. The students filled the corridors as they all found their ways home, leaving the schoolyard quickly emptying as others filled the various fields of the round beginning their club activities.

    Shynerai was standing near the Tram station, awaiting Torren with a feeling that refused to subside within his stomach.

    He spent quite some time awaiting him, after eventually checking his Notebook and finding no messages, he decided to get on the tram with a look of disappointment now accompanying the discomfort of his turning innards.

    Shynerai took a slow march through the courtyard of Cross Gardens and up the stairs of the residency building, coming up to his room, he was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard murmurs emanating from his room, unsure of what was happening or how anyone could''ve gotten into his room, he took on a stern expression and slowly approached the room.

    Still unable to discern the identity of the intruders as he pressed himself against the door, Torren called out to him in the corridor, asking him what he was doing. Startled, he jumped away from the approaching Torren:

    "What were you doing? Seriously we all got a little worried when you were taking your time getting back."

    "We...what are you talking about?"

    Torren opened up the door of Shynerai''s room, shocking him as the inaudible murmurs flared up into the distinct tones of his classmates. Looking into the room, the sight of a few of them moving about from the small kitchen area to the dining area beside his desk.

    Seated on the floor, Torren asked Vaceris how the cooking was coming along to which she responded that they were still waiting for ingredients. Just as she spoke, a figure called to Shynerai to move out of the doorway, he looked above him and there stood Stephen, with various bags in hand.

    Shynerai stepped in and Stephen followed in making his way to the kitchen, quickly removing the items from their packaging as he requested aid in the kitchen. Torren lazily suggested Tersia and Vaceris as he paged through his Notebook by the table.

    "Thank you for volunteering, Sujing, now wash your hands and grab that knife."

    "What! Seriously? Whatever, and I told you to call me Torren already." He reluctantly takes up the reigns as Vaceris steps out of the kitchen and walked over to the seated Tersia:

    "Why are you all here...?" He wondered.

    "When you know what happened when you went to Whitewater Port, that and you haven''t quite recovered from it." Vaceris said as she moved to sit onto the bed.

    "I¡­just the one, but it''s not¨C"

    "Not that bad huh? Then you won''t mind us making sure. If you''re barely hurt, then this will only be for today, if not then don''t be surprised to see us again."

    "You don''t have to do any of this, neither one of you does...I''ll be fine, really."

    "Of course we don''t have to but you''re our friend that''s why, and that should be enough" Torren assured his uncertain companion

    He couldn''t help but let slip a smile as the sense of relief filled his previous despaired expression: "Guess I''ll be owing you several lunches after this."

    "You know it, now sit down, there''s still some time before we''ll have dinner ready"

    Shynerai made his way to the dining area, but a sudden cough from Vaceris caught his attention. Witnessing her patting the bed beside he asked her what she was doing.

    Hesitantly, she asks him to sit beside her, she has to check his condition, revealing that she knows his arms took serious damage during his encounter with Creivolt, with a quest soon after, she knows that it couldn''t have been enough time for all the injuries to have healed...especially since she knows he hasn''t been at the Dr. Arturion''s infirmary

    "Ah¡­you know about that too?" He said with a look of surprise.

    The memory of his encounter with the Student General in the courtyard left him silent, holding onto the left arm as he tried to hide it from her gaze. But he still moved towards him and sat beside her.

    She placed her hand where his Aggressor scar resides, Shynerai reacted quite surprisingly as though touched by a sudden chilling breeze. She asked if she had hurt him, doing well to disguise her grin at his flustered reaction as it eased her a bit of worry.

    He responded that he was a little surprised. All the while trying his best to quiet the tempestuous sounds of his heart before Vaceris repeating her request that he pull back his sleeves managed to capture his attention.

    "Everyone, consider this meal as my goodbye gift." Stephen declared as he added the chopped ingredients into the pan.

    "What....what are you talking about..." the group boomed with a laugh spreading amongst them.

    "Hmmm, don''t worry about it, just enjoy what my culinary skills have created today." With a satisfied grin, he brushed aside their question as he prepared to serve them dinner.