《Sorcerer Elite》
Chapter 1 - Fallen Leaves
It was fall in the mountain village of Aspen, nestled in a valley and surrounded by towering peaks. The air was damp from the recent rain, but that didn''t stop us from going to church.
"Hurry up!"
Lyn''chael, my younger sister at age 14, called out. Her silky black hair swirled in the wind as she descended the weathered stairs, bundled up in warm clothes perfect for the rainy season.
"I''m coming!"
I rushed to follow, carefully navigating the slippery stairs. Some parts of the wood were covered in mold, and every time my shoes splashed into the puddles below, a cold sensation gripped my feet, adding to my discomfort.
From here, I can see the villagers going about their lives. The houses are made of traditional wood, with smoke rising from the chimneys.
The misty mountain village, with its dense forest, felt cozy. Its charm was amplified by the melancholic hues of autumn.
"Brother! Hurry! Mom and Dad are waiting!"
In truth, we were meant to be accompanied by them to the church, but when it started raining, the two of us decided to stay and play with the other children at Uncle Leon''s house instead, though we ended up staying longer than we intended.
I caught up to my sister, and together we walked toward the Church of ?wiat?o. It was Sunday, the day of our weekly mass.
As we walked, my sister admired the fleeting scenery of the fall season.
"Hey, brother, what''s your favorite season?" she asked, her tone playful.
I never really thought about it; they''re all beautiful in their own way. But if I had to pick...
"It''s probably... Fall."
Lyn''chael didn''t seem impressed by my answer. "Fall is beautiful, but don''t you think it''s a little depressing?"
"What''s so depressing about it?" I asked.
She cast her eyes downward before speaking, her voice faint. "It''s the season when flowers die. It''s sad when beautiful things die."
I froze, troubled by what she''d just said, and asked, "Sister, why is that on your mind?"
She fell silent for a moment, sadness lingering in her eyes. It seemed like she, too, was wondering why those thoughts had come to her now.
Lyn''chael has been taking care of the petunias in our home, but they tend to die easily when the weather gets cold. That might be the reason.
"I don''t know, brother," she said quietly. "But at least it''s comforting to think that, in death, we go to heaven¡ªjust like it says in the Luminary Codex. Beautiful things deserve heaven."
The Luminary Codex. I''d heard of it, of course¡ªthe sacred text of the ?wiatian religion. But I had never really paid attention to it. Lyn''chael, on the other hand, seemed to believe every word of it.
I''d always been more skeptical, though I never spoke of it aloud.
But perhaps one day I''d read it. For now, I simply stood by her, not wanting to cause any trouble.
"Heaven..." I said, trying to imagine it. "It must be a beautiful place. I wonder what it looks like."
"Like the clouds, brother! Imagine living in the clouds!" Her tone was more joyous, perhaps trying to change the mood of the conversation.
"But sister, if heaven is made of clouds, I''d just fall through and die a second time."
Lyn''chael chuckled. "That''s assuming you even make it into heaven in the first place, brother."
I stared at her, speechless, still trying to process what I''d just heard. "What do you mean by that?!"The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
"Nothing..." She looked away, her pace quickening.
"What the hell," I muttered.
It wasn''t long before we were reunited with our parents. My father, Alexander, is a tall man with broad, muscular shoulders working as a woodcutter. Beside him was my beautiful mother, Ana''lyn. Her long black hair, much like Lyn''chael, seemed to echo the grace of the swaying autumn leaves around us. She exuded elegance as they drew closer to us, their presence was warm amidst the cool air.
There are quite a few people here, about 20-30 at most¡ªmostly families with children or some individuals who are seeking divine guidance because their lives are a mess.
"There you are!" Father said, "We were wondering if you two would make it." Father''s voice was deep and manly.
"Did you get caught in the rain?" Mother asked in a monotonous voice, but still in a caring manner.
"We''re fine, Mama," Lyn''chael chimed in. "We just¡ took the long way."
Father raised an eyebrow, his suspicion clear. "Were you off playing with the other kids again?"
Lyn''chael and I exchanged guilty looks, but Mother laughed softly, her voice like a melody.
"Let them be, Alexander. It''s a beautiful day for children to enjoy."
She leaned down to brush a leaf from Lyn''chael''s hair. "But next time, don''t keep us waiting, all right?"
"Yes, Mama!" we said in unison.
"Come," Father said, gesturing toward the church doors.
"Mass is about to begin."
In front of us stands an old stone church, its walls still glistening from the recent downpour. Golden and crimson leaves clung stubbornly to the surrounding trees, their colors deepened by the rain. Others lay scattered across the cobblestone path, plastered to puddles that mirrored the church''s silhouette.
In the silence, faint prayers could be heard, as a group of people assembled for the mass.
But Father was called by his friend, Uncle Leon, the village guard, who was wearing a quilted red and black padded tunic, leather gloves, knee-high boots with armored plating, and greaves.
"Uncle Leon!" Lyn''chael and I exclaimed, happy to see him.
"Hey, kids," Leon said with a smile. "Don''t mind me, I''m just here to have a word with your father."
They communicated in a way only the two of them could hear, but one thing was certain¡ªtheir faces showed signs of urgency.
"Ah, something''s come up, and I''ll need to take care of it," Father said to us, though Lyn''chael and I were confused.
"Is something wrong?" Mom asked, equally puzzled.
He leaned in to whisper something in her ear, and her expression grew serious.
"I understand. Stay safe out there."
"What''s happening, Father?" Lyn''chael asked, getting closer.
Father simply patted her head. "Oh, just some responsibility we adults need to handle. Nothing serious!"
"You''re not joining us for Mass, Father?" Lyn''chael asked, her worry clear. The idea of him not being with us for Mass seemed to trouble her. As for me, I wasn''t sure what to say, so I just listened.
"I''ll make it up to you. I''ll buy dinner tonight, something delicious!" Father quickly tried to ease the situation.
"Promise, Father?" Lyn''chael asked, her tone softening.
"I promise, I swear!"
With that, they sealed it with a pinky promise, a sweet gesture. Mom and Dad shared a tender kiss before he left, and he turned to me, saying, "Keep them safe."
"Yes, Father. I will." But realistically, if a six-foot man were to attack us, the best I could do would be to act as a sacrificial lamb, allowing my mother and sister to escape. Father was expecting too much.
But besides that, I noticed a flock of ravens perched in the dying trees. They looked ominous against the barren branches. I''ve always admired them¡ªtheir sleek black feathers and powerful wings are strikingly beautiful. Still, I''d appreciate it if they didn''t stare at me with those piercing eyes.
Pushing aside the uneasy feeling, the three of us made our way to the old church and stepped inside. We were greeted by its humble interior. Light gently filtered through the side windows, while the ceiling featured rounded arches supported by sturdy columns with ornate capitals.
The space is lined with simple wooden pews, and the central aisle led to a modest altar on a raised platform. Above the altar is a smaller, elegant stained-glass window that enhances the spiritual ambiance.
A hymn echoed through the church, sung by the choir and accompanied by a grand piano. The singers sang in an ancient tongue known only to the members of the church, the holy language of Luminary. Their voices were laced with mana.
Yes, they were casting a spell on the mass-goers.
As I looked at my mother, I remembered her words:
The Luminary Codex we possess is the public version, but rumors persist that the church conceals or manipulates the original text. Every hymn sung in this space was more than just music¡ªit was a subtle spell, designed to intensify devotion to ?wiat?o. The more we attended, the stronger its effect became.
My mother warned me never to speak of this, as it was deemed heretical. Those who uncovered too much about the church''s true methods often vanished¡ªor, in some cases, were exiled.
Whenever we''re in church, we pretend to be under the spell''s influence, mimicking the behavior of sheep following the shepherd''s words, even though it doesn''t truly affect us. Well, my sister isn''t affected, but that''s only because she''s naturally devoted.
It fueled my distrust and skepticism about the church, but it didn''t affect my sister''s belief, as she thought it was for a good reason.
My mother, unlike my father, has a deep dislike for this religion. However, they both allow us to follow our own beliefs; neither Mom nor Dad imposes anything on us, granting us the freedom to make our own choices regarding religion.
I find it oddly charming that my parents are still together, despite having different views.
As we sat down in our pews the singing continued, and the choir''s voices rose, filling the space. Lyn''chael, despite not knowing the language, prepared to sing along by mimicking.
Oh ?wiat?o, let our words please you~
(O ?wiat?o, Hee wa muel vae ves~)
May the thoughts that come out of my heart please you~
(Wali veso hei no Ie wa, Veo soe yuweh~)
For I devote my body and soul to you~
(Vei Ie, Hei seva Ie wa velo wa soel yuweh~)
My savior, my savior~
(Ie wa Luha, Ie wa Luha~)
Oh ?wiat?o, let our words please you~
(O ?wiat?o, Hee wa muel vae ves~)
May the thoughts that come out of my heart please you~
(Wali veso hei no Ie wa, Veo soe yuweh~)
For I devote my body and soul to you~
(Vei Ie, Hei seva Ie wa velo wa soel yuweh~)
My savior, my savior~
(Ie wa Luha, Ie wa Luha~)
The trumpets are for you~
(Vrumpel ei Hei Va wa yuweh~)
My hope and truth are with you~
(Ie wa yae wa yua hei va wa yuweh~)
Oh, ?wiat?o~.
(O ?wiat?o~)
You are my light.
(Yuweh hei va Ie wa hoel~)
You are my light.
(Yuweh hei va Ie wa hoel~)
My savior, my savior.
(Ie wa Luha, Ie wa Luha~)
My god, oh ?wiat?o.
(Ie wa ?wiat?o, Aei ?wiat?o~)
The congregation listened intently, their faces filled with bliss. Tears streamed down their cheeks as they swayed gently to the hymn, completely immersed in its melody.
I turned to see Lyn''chael, her eyes bright, her lips parted as she sang along. I could see the joy on her face¡ªher belief was pure, untouched by doubt.
Lyn''chael looked pleased, and here I am, wondering¡ªwhat''s the difference between this and a cult?
I''ve seen people thank God for every good thing that''s happened to them, but why can''t they thank themselves for the effort they put in? Does everything have to be attributed to the divine?
Why does the church need to use subtle spells to influence the devotion of the masses?
I glance around at the people gathered here, their eyes brimming with hope. Am I the odd one for not following it?
Amidst my reverie, the priest appeared. His name is Father Francis, the village priest who has served this church for years. He made his way to the pulpit, gazing out at the congregation before speaking.
"Let us, brothers and sisters, gather in solemn devotion to honor our Lord, ?wiat?o."
Chapter end.
Chapter 2 - Heretical
The notes resonate with divine purity, the lyrics sacred in their depth, sung with angelic voices. The people, lost in this world, seem to be transported as though they are listening from heaven itself.
My thoughts bash them, but the guilt resurfaces. I try to open my heart and mind, yet I fail to see it, fail to see what they believe in, as it''s not in front of me.
"Am I evil for not believing?"
I smiled. I''m too young to be thinking about this, but I can''t help it¡ªI''m easily influenced by others. Still, I know what I want to hear and what I don''t.
What is my sister doing? She sat up straight in the pew, her hands folded neatly in her lap. Her gaze was fixed on the altar, where Father Francis stood, her lips moving soundlessly as she silently followed the words she knew by heart.
The spell-like quality of the hymns was difficult to ignore, subtly pulling at the edges of my consciousness, it''s like it''s been designed to coax devotion from even the most skeptical.
But still, I sat there silently, watching my family. My mother, as always, appeared calm and composed, her face impassive as she observed the service.
I knew she was here out of duty, not devotion. She had likely long since learned to keep her doubts to herself.
The congregation, their heads lowered and eyes shut, are swept up by the angelic singing. I can''t help but feel like an outsider.
Was it the spell at play, or was it simply genuine belief?
But as the final notes of the hymn faded, Father Francis composed himself, ready to address the congregation again.
"Dear brothers and sisters in ?wiat?o''s domain."
Father Francis held up a book, the Luminary Codex, its dark leather cover worn and decorated with detailed gold embossing of the ?wiat?o symbol at its center. This was the Book of Visions, the public edition available to the general populace.
"Today, we come together to celebrate the blessings and splendor that ?wiat?o has bestowed upon us."
I knew it would be the same as every Sunday¡ªrepetitive and, frankly, pointless.
The priest begins the sermon by reading passages from the Book of Visions of the Luminary Codex.
"In the Book of Visions, transcribed by the prophet Adam, the first to receive divine revelations, ?wiat?o, the Almighty, didst descend from the heavens to offer His guidance unto mankind. With great solemnity, ?wiat?o bade us to preserve the purity of our souls, that we might walk in His eternal light."
"The Light doth urge us to humble ourselves before it, for pride is a grievous peril to the soul. We must ever recall that our strength doth not spring from within, but from ?wiat?o, the divine source of all power. It is through the surrender of our will to the divine that we are uplifted and made strong, made worthy of His grace."
To receive grace, I must hand over my will. Do I submit blindly, without reason or any emotional affection? If I lack those things, what am I surrendering my soul for?
What kind of purity are they talking about? Uncle Leon often shared stories of the Luminary Codex''s history¡ªone built upon conquest and bloodshed, where purity was forged from impurity.
Father Francis cleared his throat preparing to read the next passage.
"To walk in the Light, one must faithfully adhere to the sacred teachings of the Church and heed the counsel of our venerable priests. The Light doth speak through them, and it is by their divine wisdom that we are guided upon the true path to salvation. To disobey their guidance is to turn away from the Light itself, and to risk losing the grace that it bestows."
I refuse to blindly follow someone else''s interpretation of divine will, If only I could see, hear, smell, or taste the true message of God¡ªsomething direct, untainted by human hands¡ªthen perhaps I wouldn''t be so skeptical. But until then, I will never accept another''s word without question, especially when it comes from a human.
The priest started to cough; he seemed pale and sick. Did the weather get to him? But he''s truly devout if he still wants to continue the sermon, which is respectable.
"Pray forgive me, let us proceed, dear brothers and sisters," the priest remarked with solemnity.
"The pursuit of wealth and worldly pleasure doth cloud the soul, leading the heart astray. Those who seek riches may find themselves perilously distant from the Light. We are called to live in modesty, dedicating our days to service and unwavering devotion to ?wiat?o. It is only through simplicity that we may preserve the purity of our hearts and remain steadfast in His grace."The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
I recognize the importance of modesty and simplicity, yet I struggle to understand those who advocate for poverty while enjoying a life of comfort themselves.
I glance at my mother¡ªshe seems uninterested, though there''s a guarded look about her. I''m not sure how to describe it. On the other hand, Lyn''chael is listening intently, her attention fully on the service. I was about to ask if we could leave, but seeing how much Lyn''chael is enjoying it, I''ll manage for now.
As I turn my attention back to the priest, I notice he appears paler and weaker than before, and the congregation shifts uneasily, murmuring in concern for his health. A choir member steps forward, offering assistance, asking gently if he wishes to continue. But, with quiet resolve, the priest declined, determined to press on.
"Forgive me, people of Aspen," he said, his voice clear despite his condition. "But as your priest, I will not let my illness stand in the way of delivering the messages of God."
The congregation was moved by his resilience. Despite his age, his devotion was unwavering. How does such faith develop? Is it driven by fear of the unknown, or is it born from a pure and sincere heart?
Father Francis proceeded with the sermon.
"?wiat?o illuminate all of creation, and we, in our humble station, are called to reflect that divine love in our lives. It is our duty to show compassion unto one another, to aid those in need, and to extend kindness to all with a generous heart."
Kindness is a virtue anyone can practice, with or without the promise of salvation.
"The Light flows through our deeds, and by them, we draw others nearer to salvation."
This idea of salvation through some divine force... I''m overthinking it. I just want this to end.
"Brothers and sisters, let us rise, unite our hands, and lift our voices in song, offering this hymn in praise of the Almighty," the priest instructed.
The entire congregation complied, and the choir began to sing the familiar hymn.
To my left is my mother; to my right, a man I don''t recognize.
Dressed in a brown tunic with a monocle, he seemed like an educated man, maybe even a scholar. He also had the Book of Visions with him, indicating his devotion to the teachings.
"Sorry," I said.
"It''s fine, I don''t mind." The man replied, his tone friendly.
We held hands as the hymn continued, but something caught my eye¡ªhis hand had a tattoo, a bleeding eye right in the center. It was unsettling but strangely intriguing.
I glanced at my sister. She was truly immersed in the service, and I was surprised by how much she seemed to enjoy it. My mother, however, didn''t even attempt to sing along. I tried "singing," but no sound came out of my mouth.
The mass went on as usual. After a few more minutes, it finally ended with the priest thanking everyone and then sprinkling holy water on the congregation. My mother and I tried to avoid it, though we couldn''t help but laugh as we asked Lyn''chael to shield us. She didn''t quite get it.
Amid the ending mass, the man with the bleeding palm tattoo remarked to me, "May God''s wings and eyes be with you."
What does he mean by that?
"I-I appreciate it," I said back. He simply smiled and left with the Book of Visions in his hands. His words caught me off guard, but I didn''t think much of it.
"That was amazing!" Lyn''chael exclaimed as we walked away from the church, blending in with the other attendees.
"Glad you enjoyed it," Mom said, giving her a gentle pat on the head.
I was relieved to stretch my legs; sitting for too long always leaves me feeling stiff. Our feet sank into the carpet of fallen leaves, and the earthy scent of damp soil filled our nostrils. It felt good to finally breathe fresh air, free from the lingering incense of the bronze burners.
It looked like the birds were migrating this fall. I wondered what it would be like to fly, to have wings that lifted you from the earth and took you to the heavens.
"Mom, can we visit Uncle Leon''s again?" I asked, eager to spend time with the other children.
Lyn''chael''s wide smile seemed to agree.
After a moment''s thought, Mom nodded. "Why not?"
We both cheered, excited by the idea.
"But where are you going, Mom?" Lyn''chael asked, tilting her head.
"I''m going to see your father."
"Did something happen, Mom?" I asked, concern sipping into my voice.
"It''s nothing serious," she reassured us.
"Okay!" we both replied in unison.
"Make sure you look after your sister, okay? We''ll be back to pick you up soon."
"I will, Mom," I promised.
"Good," she said with a smile, before turning and walking away, leaving us to watch her go.
Lyn''chael and I walked toward Uncle Leon''s house, her humming a hymn as she moved, we ascended the same weathered stairs, the ones covered with mold.
"Be careful!" I called out.
"I''m fine! Thank you!" she replied.
I felt uneasy, something was bothering me. Maybe it was the mass¡ªI''d been resisting it for so long that now I had a slight headache.
As we walked, my thoughts drifted to the man with the bleeding eye tattoo. Come to think of it, the ?wiatian faith strictly opposed tattoos. So why was he here, taking part in something so at odds with their beliefs? Then again, I didn''t know him¡ªthis was the first time I''d ever seen him in the village.
Not long after, we arrived at Uncle Leon''s cozy wooden house. We stepped inside, greeted by the warm, rustic atmosphere. The walls and ceiling were made of natural wood logs, and the furniture¡ªsimple and inviting¡ªfeatured a worn sofa, a few pillows, and old family photos on the walls, inviting us to relax.
My attention always gravitates to the rifle hanging on the wall, next to the family photos of Uncle Leon with his late wife.
Uncle Leon hasn''t remarried since her passing. He still holds a deep love for her. They never had children together, so he chose to adopt instead.
There are only two children here today, making a total of four of us. I spent some time earlier playing chess with the others, though I lost horribly.
The boy, about my age, with snow-white skin and hair, is Hakon. He''s from the Shiva Continent and doesn''t speak his native language. An orphan, Uncle Leon adopted him. With him is Elin, a girl with short hair and fair skin from the Aldun Continent, who was also taken in by Uncle Leon.
"Someone''s waiting for the two of you," Hakon said while playing chess with Elin.
Then, Lyn''chael suddenly shouted, "YOU''RE BACK!"
As I turned my gaze, I realized why. It was Aki Corvane¡ªshort black hair and a boyish demeanor. She was our friend who had gone to Dagon four years ago to study. Now that I thought about it, what exactly had she been studying in Dagon?
Lyn''chael rushed over to hug Aki, as they hadn''t seen each other in years. Hakon and Elin simply watched, not wanting to interrupt the reunion. Then, Aki turned to me, and our eyes met.
She spoke.
"Wanna see some sorcery, Kai''len?"
Chapter End.
Chapter 3 - Secrets
The statue bore the face of someone who had lost everything. Despite being a mighty being of heaven, what could possibly make them weep? Were angels not free from sorrow? Were they not servants of God?
Kai''len turned away, leaving the statue behind. Though he was meant to be with Lyn''chael at Uncle Leon''s house, he had someplace else to be¡ªsomething he¡¯d kept hidden, even from his parents.
He wasn¡¯t planning to venture far; there was only one place he wanted to visit¡ªthe lake near Aspen. A girl practiced there at this hour.
As he made his way, he passed a few villagers going about their daily lives. Aspen had a sense of community¡ªKai¡¯len knew them all by name, the same hands that helped when needed.
He observed the world around him¡ªthe blacksmith hammering away at his forge, the fisherman hauling in his latest catch, a child sobbing after being scolded by their parents.
The land of Aspen was bathed in golden light. Unlike Svet, which had been overtaken by steam-powered industry due to Z?oto''s technological advancements, the holy nation struggled with pollution. Kai¡¯len continued down the familiar path, and it wasn¡¯t long before he reached the lake¡¯s edge.
Sure enough, in a secluded part of the water, she was there¡ªAki Corvane, the only person he knew who practiced sorcery.
She had short black hair and was on the skinny side, her features carrying a balance between boyish and feminine. At that moment, however, she looked exhausted. Patches of bandages covered her bruises, and most notably, her right hand was steaming.
"Good morning," Kai¡¯len called out.
Aki flinched at the sudden voice but quickly relaxed when she saw him. "Oh, hey, Kai¡¯len. How was mass?"
He shrugged. "Same as always." There was no need to elaborate¡ªlike him, Aki wasn¡¯t particularly devoted to the faith.
"How¡¯s practice?" He eyed her injuries. It was clear she had been training.
"I hit a plateau. I don¡¯t think I¡¯m improving," she admitted.
Kai¡¯len frowned slightly. "Can I see?"
She didn¡¯t hesitate, motioning for him to come closer to the water. He was the only one who knew about her sorcery¡ªafter all, it was a secret they shared. The Church frowned upon such practices, so she kept her training hidden from the villagers.
"Watch," Aki murmured.
Kneeling by the lake, she dipped her right hand beneath the surface. It was a clever trick¡ªhiding fire beneath the water.
The lake rippled. A faint flicker of flame shimmered just beneath the surface, gradually growing in intensity. The water around her hand began to boil, steam rising in delicate wisps. She was controlling it, testing herself, pushing her limits. A single mistake and the heat could sear her skin.
This was Exort¡ªthe Invrick word for heat.
"What are you trying to improve on?" Kai¡¯len asked. He wasn¡¯t well-versed in sorcery, so he had no idea what she was aiming for.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
"Getting used to the pain," she answered.
He watched her carefully. He knew that spellcasting was mentally exhausting. It drained both the mind and body, and at the moment, she was using only her right arm. She must have been strengthening it, along with her mental fortitude, so she wouldn¡¯t faint from exertion.
After a few moments, the boiling water became too intense, and Aki withdrew her hand, immediately seeking out a cooler part of the lake to soothe the heat. She was also controlling her mana to protect her skin from burns, but even that required practice.
"Good job," Kai¡¯len said.
Aki gave him a small smile before sitting down by the shore. He joined her, settling beside her in silence.
"Do you think I¡¯m doing great?" she asked.
"Of course. I¡¯m no expert, but I think so."
"Thank you¡ but it¡¯s not enough," Aki murmured.
Kai¡¯len remained quiet. He knew why she pushed herself so hard.
Her father forced her to learn sorcery¡ªa painful process by nature. But that wasn¡¯t all.
Her mother had died giving birth to her. Aki was never meant to be born, or at least, that¡¯s what her father believed. Her mother had been a sorceress, but her family had never accepted Aki. They shunned her and refused to acknowledge her existence.
That was why she worked tirelessly. If she mastered Exort, maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªshe would finally be accepted.
They lived in Aspen, a secret within a secret. Sorcery was the signature art of Dagon, but it was strictly regulated¡ªonly those under a licensed teacher were permitted to learn it. Without access to formal education, Aki practiced in secrecy, risking discovery by the Church.
She never told Kai¡¯len how she was learning sorcery or who had taught her. All he knew was that she was determined.
Her goal was clear: to one day return to her mother''s family and prove that she was not a mistake. She would demonstrate that her talent was worthy of the Corvane name¡ªa noble lineage of sorcerers.
Kai¡¯len didn¡¯t know what it was like to endure such pain. All he knew was that he was drawn to sorcery.
He didn¡¯t know how to tell her.
Every time Kai¡¯len watched her cast¡ªthe flames, the pulse of mana¡ªhe could feel all of it. It filled him with a euphoric ecstasy he couldn¡¯t explain. To him, it felt almost like an animalistic instinct. But he didn¡¯t dare say anything.
For so long, he had been gathering the courage to ask her.
"Aki," he finally said, hesitating for a moment before pushing forward, "do you think I can learn it too?"
She turned to look at him, her gaze thoughtful.
"Kai¡¯len," she said, "you can. After all, you caught me casting it, even when I tried to hide it. You can sense mana¡ªI¡¯m sure you have the potential."
He remembered the first time he had stumbled upon her practice by the lake. He had felt the presence of mana before he even saw the flames. Aki had been terrified that he would expose her to the villagers or the Church, but he had kept her secret.
Now, he was ready to take a step forward.
"Can you teach me?" he asked at last.
His eyes met hers, and her eyelids looked like they had cried a river¡ªtired and worn, a result of trauma.
"Kai''len," she said, "my flames are dim. I could barely hold Exort for a few minutes." She paused before continuing. "I''m already 15, and people our age already have some level of mastery."
She looked into the distance, the lake within view, and fallen leaves settled on the water. Birds could be seen flying above it. She sighed, then said, "I''m mediocre. You''re better off finding a proper master."
At the back of Kai''len''s mind, an idea was raised that he didn''t dare entertain, like the evil telling him, "Threaten her." That he''d reveal her secrets to the Church. Kai''len felt disappointed in himself for even coming up with those kinds of thoughts.
"I understand that, but I find your dim flame beautiful; it''s even prettier during autumn."
Aki didn''t know whether to blush or not. She cast her gaze down, not expecting that kind of answer. "I didn''t know you could say things like that, but Kai''len, it''s illegal. Are you sure you want that risk in your life?"
Neither of them knew the consequences of their actions, but deep down, they both found a thrill in the risk.
"I know it¡¯s illegal," Kai''len said. "But Aki... the things we want most are the ones that could ruin us."
Aki was grateful, not just to Kai''len, but also to his sister, Lyn''chael. Even before Kai''len knew about Aki¡¯s sorcery, Lyn''chael had been a good friend to her.
"I''ll teach you under one condition: let''s not involve your sister in this," Aki requested.
Kai''len nodded in agreement, sensing the care both of them had for Lyn''chael''s well-being. But Aki''s conditions weren''t without their peculiarities.
If anyone ever asked who taught Kai''len sorcery, he was to keep her identity a secret. Aki, for her part, promised that if she were ever caught, she wouldn¡¯t reveal she had taught him either.
Perhaps the strangest condition Aki had set was that if Kai''len ever wanted to learn, he would be required to provide meals during their practice sessions.
With everything settled, Kai''len asked, "When do we start?"
"Tomorrow," Aki replied without hesitation.
They spent some more time together, with Aki practicing while Kai''len kept her company. But after a while, a thought kept nagging at him¡ªhe had left Lyn''chael back at Uncle Leon¡¯s house. The urgency to get back was starting to grow.
With that, they both decided to head home, a friendship forged in secrecy. What kind of future would these dangerous secrets lead to?
The walk back to the village was uneventful. Aki¡¯s hand was still sore from her practice, but she didn¡¯t show it. When they got close to her house, she stopped.
¡°We should part here,¡± she said, voice low. "I don¡¯t think my father would be too happy to see you."
"Alright, see you tomorrow," Kai''len said. He knew that her father, Yuvan, wasn''t a great man. Aki had never told him the full story, but her bruised skin told enough.
They said their goodbyes, but as Kai''len walked away, his mind couldn¡¯t help but wonder what was happening behind those doors, what kind of life Aki was returning to.
Chapter End.
Chapter 4 - Names
Kai''len walked back to the village, the thought of Aki''s teaching sparking an excitement he had never known before. The world around him felt lighter, sharper, with colors richer than usual¡ªbut he knew it was only an illusion, a mask for the unease that lingered toward Aki and her father.
He had a habit of skip-walking along cobblestone paths, carefully landing his feet in the center of each stone, avoiding the cracks¡ªone of those little things boys do. "I''ve done enough walking today," he muttered to himself.
On his way to the village, Kai''len saw him¡ªthe same man with the bleeding eye tattoo¡ªwalking out of a house, with an elderly lady standing near the entrance. Curiosity piqued, Kai''len approached.
"What are you doing, mister?" he asked.
The man smiled softly, gazing into Kai''len''s eyes. He recognized the boy as the same one he''d seen during mass. "This woman just lost her grandchildren," the man said, "and I''m here to keep her company."
Kai''len was stunned by the man''s sincere words. The man''s face was friendly, and he was carrying a basket of fruit, presumably a gift from the elderly woman.
"Weren''t you with your family, young man?" the man asked, noticing that Kai''len was alone, coming from the direction of the lake.
Kai''len simply replied that he''d gone out to play with a friend, but curiosity got the best of him. "Mister, your tattoo¡ I''ve never seen anything like it."
The man, intrigued by the question, explained, "This tattoo is a symbol god opening his eyes to the truth about humanity. When that happens, His eyes will bleed, ashamed of His children''s sins."
The boy was rightfully confused by the man''s cryptic and vague words. To Kai''len, they didn''t mean much¡ªjust the ramblings of someone being dramatic, especially to a skeptic like him.
Kai''len wasn''t interested in entertaining his words. Instead, he asked, "Uhm, mister Is the elderly woman okay now?"
The man replied, "She''s doing well. She merely asked for counseling."
"Counseling? What kind of counseling?" Kai''len asked further.
The man explained, "Since she''s nearing death''s door, she''s asking for comfort¡ªwhether heaven exists, where she''s going after death, or if she''ll meet her grandchildren on the other side."
Kai''len had never really thought about his mortality. He was so young, feeling like there was an endless list of things to do. He tried to put himself in the shoes of the elderly woman, who was old and nearing the end of her life.
But for now, Kai''len pushed those thoughts aside and asked the man his name. The man curled into an almost eerie smile. "You''re the first person to ask my name properly," he said, sounding pleased.
"It''s Samael."
Names have weight.
The air felt heavy as if time had stopped. He was simply stating his name, yet Kai''len asked himself, "I feel nothing."
When people usually hear someone''s name, they typically have some reaction¡ª"Oh, that sounds weird," or "That''s a nice name," or "Oh, that name is beautiful." But this time, Kai''len felt... nothing. For a brief moment, he experienced an eerie absence of emotion.
The fallen leaves rustled softly as Kai''len checked his pulse again. It was still beating. He wanted to feel fear, but he felt nothing. His fingers pressed into his skin, counting each steady thump, but there was no shift in his mind, no racing thoughts. He was alive, yet he felt as though he wasn''t. His expression remained unchanged, his thoughts distant. It was nothing.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
"Boy, what''s wrong?" The man''s voice broke through the silence, pulling Kai''len back to the moment.
"No¡ªnothing," Kai''len said, but why did he say nothing? It''s clear that something was wrong, but why couldn''t he utter anything else? "I got to go," Kai''len said, trying to desperately leave the area.
"Very well, take care, young man," the man bid him farewell.
Kai''len walked away, his heart devoid of feeling. Samael picked an apple from the basket, biting into it with relish.
"This village holds more treasures than meets the eye," he murmured, watching the boy retreat.
"Now that you know my name, you must bear its consequence," Samael whispered to himself.
Kai''len kept walking. The further he went, the more his emotions slowly returned. He gasped for air, and the moment his emotions resurfaced, his heart grew heavy, accompanied by a dazed vision and a ringing in his ears.
He didn''t understand what had happened to him. All Samael had done was share his name. This made Kai''len cautious about himself. Was he sick? Did he have a condition? This strange sensation had occurred when they''d discussed mortality. His mind flew into paranoia. What was happening to him? He didn''t want to blame Samael, from his perspective, that man did nothing at all.
He wouldn''t forget the feeling of pure nothingness¡ªhow it had almost been a miracle to regain his emotions.
As Kai''len reached Leon''s home, he noticed the front yard was lined with ceramic pots, each decorated with colorful flowers that would soon wilt because of the approaching winter.
The modest cabin came into view¡ªits wooden structure is simple. He ascended the wooden steps and heard the voices of three children inside: his sister, Lyn''chael, and the two orphans Leon had adopted. He''d spent the morning playing chess with them, though he''d lost terribly.
Inside, the cabin was rustic, with wooden beams and walls that gave the place a natural, welcoming feel. A worn sofa sat near the hearth, a few pillows scattered around, and old family photos hung on the walls, each telling the story of Leon''s life. Kai''len''s gaze inevitably drifted to a mounted rifle, which hung beside a photo of a woman¡ªthe late wife of Leon.
Leon had never remarried after her passing, choosing instead to honor her memory by adopting. He had no children of his own but had given Hakon and Elin a home.
Hakon, a boy around Kai''len''s age, had pale, snow-white skin and hair. He was from the distant Shiva Continent and had never spoken his native language since arriving. Elin, a fair-skinned girl with short hair from the Aldun Continent, was adopted as well.
The two rarely ventured outside. The burden of being different from others weighed on them, and they still needed time to adjust to their new environment.
Hakon and Elin were playing chess, with Lyn''chael spectating. They didn''t bother greeting Kai''len when he arrived¡ªperhaps the game was too intense.
"They''re too careless¡ªdidn''t even notice that I''m here." Kai''len thought to himself.
Kai''len moved closer, but it wasn''t until then that his sister noticed him.
"Brother! When did you come in?" she exclaimed.
Hearing his sister''s voice soothed him. What he felt in that moment was an emotion¡ªcare. He placed his hand on his heart again, and its beating now carried a profound meaning. He was grateful to feel something familiar after feeling nothing.
"Just now," Kai''len replied, glancing at the game. "What''s happening?"
Lyn''chael looked up, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Hakon and Elin are playing, and they''re betting money!"
Kai''len looked at the table, but he was more interested in the amount of money they were betting than the game itself. He wasn''t interested on who was winning.
Hakon had wagered 3 svetian silver marks, while Elin had bet 2, making the total pot 5 silver marks. This was the allowance Leon had given them¡ªhighly irresponsible on the children''s part.
Kai''len reached into his pocket and pulled out 2 silver marks, his allowance. It felt satisfying to hold the coins in his hand. The boy found pleasure in the sensation, perhaps because after feeling a void, he was desperate to feel anything at all.
The silver svetian mark bore the face of Adam the Prophet. He knew that there were coins with both higher and lower values: copper trinkets with the face of a peasant, the lowest currency, were worth a fraction of a silver mark, while the gold crown¡ªbearing the face of the first pope¡ªwas worth 10 silver marks.
The gold crown was rarely seen in circulation, as it was reserved for major purchases and was considered too valuable for everyday transactions.
But this time, Kai''len looked over the three of them with a softened gaze as he heard his sister''s soft laughter. He didn''t want money to distract him from this moment. He couldn''t help but smile, seeing three friends enjoying their time together¡ªthree of them from different continents. To him, this was a blessing.
These thoughts and emotions remained inside him, building up every day.
"Checkmate," Elin said. She had won against Hakon, who looked devastated to have lost 3 silver marks, a lesson he would never forget.
"Good game," they both said, showing sportsmanship.
Hakon turned to Kai''len. "Where did you go? Lyn''chael was the only one who came here."
Kai''len explained that he''d had somewhere to be¡ªAki, though Hakon and Elin didn''t know who she was. Lyn''chael''s eyes brightened. "Let''s visit her sometime!" she said, and Kai''len agreed, though not right now, as he still needed to be taught sorcery in secret.
Elin, ever the quiet one, stood up, took her winnings, and went to bed. Hakon was responsible for teaching her Ingles, but progress was slow.
"You two heading home?" Hakon asked.
There was nothing left to do here. Lyn''chael had played with them while Kai''len was away. The siblings agreed it was time to head home, and Lyn''chael was happy that her brother had come to pick her up. They didn''t want to wait for their mother and were ready to leave.
On their way home, Kai''len asked, "Sister, can you teach me how to cook?"
Lyn''chael glanced at him, surprised. "Who are you cooking for?"
Kai''len hesitated, unsure how to answer. He couldn''t tell her it was for Aki¡ªit would be too embarrassing. "Sounds like a fun skill to learn, that''s all."
Lyn''chael gave him a sidelong look, sensing that he wasn''t being entirely truthful. "Sure, I''ll teach you, but only after my studies."
Lyn''chael''s studies were demanding. Every morning, she attended the small community school in Aspen. The days were long, from 7 AM to 4 PM, covering general education and teachings based on the ?wiatian religion. Kai''len had never asked what her dreams were, but it seemed like she was leaning toward becoming a nun at this rate.
But tonight, their father had promised to bring something home, so Kai''len couldn''t cook just yet. He''d have to find another way to bring food to Aki without raising suspicion.
One thing was clear¡ªKai''len was impatient for tomorrow.
Chapter End.
Chapter 5 - Invocation
"The Al''shuran Codex is regarded as humanity''s source of sorcery. Students at the academy are allowed to choose one of the three prime spells to focus on, as learning more than one is difficult, Kai''len."
"Which are the three prime spells, and how difficult are they?" I asked. "I''m guessing Exort is one of them."
Aki cleared her throat before speaking. "Exort controls heat, Xaldris manipulates electricity, and Aqualix governs water. These spells are written in Invrick, the language of sorcery."
She paused, making sure I was following. "As for their difficulty... listen carefully, Kai''len."
"I''m listening," I said, eager to understand more, especially about Invrick.
"I''ve only learned Exort, so let''s start with that. To learn Exort, you first need to read its codex entry, which was originally written by its visionary." Aki explained.
"Visionary? What''s that?" I asked.
"Visionaries are people from ancient times who received visions from ''god''."
"God? Like ?wiat?o?"
"I don''t know," she said with a shrug. "Some god gave humans visions¡ªtake Adam from the Luminary Codex, for example. But the church calls him a prophet, not a visionary. The Al''Shuran Codex, however, came from the continent of Aldun, and they don''t worship ?wiat?o."
"So Adam could have been a visionary?" I asked, intrigued. "But if the people of Aldun don''t worship ?wiat?o, then who do they worship?"
"Kai''len," Aki sighed, "I came to Dagon to learn sorcery, not history lessons. I don''t know! Let''s stay on topic."
"Right," I said, trying to refocus. "Go on."
"Anyways," she said.
"To learn Exort," she continued, "you have to understand its codex entry¡ªthe context of why Exort exists. The entry is usually given to us in a separate copy because they don''t allow anyone to read the actual Al''shuran Codex. And it''s not just a few pages long¡ªit''s the length of an entire novel."
"What?" I gasped. "A whole novel for just one spell? That''s insane!"
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
"Yes," Aki nodded. "The entry is that long, and every word is laced with mana. As you read, it''s engraved into your mind. The sensation is agonizing; your head aches with every word, as if you''re experiencing what you''re reading. Most students can''t read it in one sitting. If you try, you''ll faint. It''s only once you finish the entire entry and understand the context that you can invoke Exort."
"What''s it like reading the codex entry for Exort?" I asked, curious.
Aki wore a complicated, almost conflicted expression before replying, "The Exort codex entry feels like you''re being burned alive..."
It''s hard to imagine¡ªbeing burned alive while reading? "I''m amazed you survived that."
I encourage her into something that painful. I do feel guilt inside.
She laughed. "It was child''s play. I''m sure you''ll be able to do it."
"Is that so? That''s reassuring," I replied.
"Why is it so long, though?" I asked, my mind spinning. "Can''t they just shorten it?"
"The official entry in the Codex is shorter, but it''s laced with such powerful mana that reading it could permanently damage your mind. To make it manageable for students, they diluted the potency of the mana by expanding the text, spreading its effects over a longer length. It''s the only way they could make it safer."
"That sounds terrifying," I said, shuddering. "So, they watered it down just to make it bearable?"
"Exactly," Aki said. "The mana still affects you, just in smaller doses. It''s the only way they could make learning possible without risking permanent harm."
"I understand now. So how do you actually cast it? Or should I say, how do you invoke Exort?"
Aki smiled, a gleam in her eyes. "Now that''s where it gets interesting. There are two types of casting: mentally and orally."
"Okay," I said, nodding. "Seems simple enough."
"Let''s start with the easier one¡ªoral casting. You speak the spell aloud, along with the combination of the invocation you want, while recalling the context of the spell from the codex entry. This method is easier because it redirects the magic through your mouth, so it doesn''t put too much strain on your mind."
"That makes sense," I replied. "What about mental casting?"
"Mental casting is the more straining method," Aki explained. "It''s all in your head. The benefit is that no one can hear you casting. But it''s much more taxing because it relies solely on your mind. Most sorcerers prefer it because it strengthens their mental fortitude."
"Got it," I said. "Now, what about the combinations you mentioned earlier?"
Aki hesitated for a moment before speaking. "It''s complicated. Once you''ve mastered Exort, you can modify it with different prefixes and suffixes. They change the spell''s properties¡ªenhance it, alter its shape, or even combine it with other elemental spells."
"Can you give me an example?" I asked, leaning forward.
"Sure," Aki said, thinking. "If you know Xaldris, you can combine it with Exort. But remember, if you can''t visualize the outcome of the combination clearly, the cast will fail."
"Right, so it''s all about visualization," I said, nodding. "Can you tell me about the prefixes and suffixes?"
"I know two prefixes," Aki said. "The first is ''AL,'' which increases the spell''s intensity. It costs more mana and puts a heavier strain on your mind. You have to visualize which part of the element you want to intensify. The second is ''Lesh,'' which weakens the intensity, reducing both the mental strain and mana cost. It''s useful for conserving energy."
"So, if I say ''Al Lesh Exort,''" I began, "Al increases the power but also raises the mana cost, Lesh reduces the strain and the power and mana spent, and Exort gives me heat, all modified by those prefixes?"
"Exactly!" Aki said, her voice full of pride. "You''ve got it."
I grinned, my excitement building. "This is incredible! Can you teach me?"
Aki has this concerned look on her face, too noticeable. "Is something wrong?" I asked.
Her sadness was so obvious, she didn''t even attempt to hide it. "Kai''len," she began, "I can teach you sorcery, but you have to promise me one thing."
Her tone didn''t reassure me, and I couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off.
"What is it?"
"Don''t tell anyone, and never reveal that I''m the one who taught you," Aki said, her voice serious.
That didn''t sit right with me. "Is there something I need to know? A catch, perhaps?" I pressed, needing to understand more.
"Don''t ask that," she snapped, not giving an inch. "Just say yes or no. Will you promise or not?"
Confusion lingered as I searched her face. "Aki, what''s wrong?" I asked softly.
She glanced down, her gaze heavy. "I''ll teach you, but it puts us both in danger."
"How so?" I asked one last time.
She stared straight into my eyes, her expression of genuine concern, and said, "Teaching sorcery to an outsider without a license is.... illegal."
Chapter end.
Chapter 6 - Sorcerers Apprentice
What consequences await those who defy it? I do want to learn sorcery¡ªwhen she explained it, I was so captivated that I could almost imagine myself performing an invocation. But is it worth the risk? Are my desires more important than our safety?
"Illegal... I see," a pang of disappointment in my voice. "If it''s illegal, then we shouldn''t take the risk."
Aki glanced down at the leaves beneath her feet before speaking. "It would take another seven years for me to even get a teaching license. By then, you''d be too old to learn it..." Her voice carried a touch of foreboding as she finished.
"Too old?" I didn''t understand what she meant.
"Aki, in seven years I''ll only be 22. How could I be too old to learn sorcery?" I asked in confusion.
She took a deep breath, almost as if she was preparing to deliver words that would ruin my day. "Kai''len, let me speak, and only respond once I''m done."
I don''t like the sound of that.
"Go ahead, I''ll listen."
Aki sighed, her eyes dropping to the ground again. "You''ve got one year. And the Golden Leaves Academy of Sorcery in Dagon won''t accept students under 18," she added.
"18 and below..." I frowned. That''s concerning.
I''m 15 years old, and I only have two years? I don''t have time...
"But why?" I asked, trying to understand.
Aki hesitated before answering. "Because it''s better to start teaching at a younger age, to help children get used to the feeling of mana being ingrained in their minds. The more familiar they are with it, the more spells they can learn as they get older."
She wasn''t done. She met my gaze, her expression serious. "Kai''len, 18 and older have a hard time reading words infused with mana. They often succumbed to madness."
A surge of despair hit me as I realized I only had two years left. I let out a deep sigh, feeling completely overwhelmed by what she had just told me.
I hate feeling this way¡ªlost in despair and sadness. It makes me feel so weak. I need to find a way to handle it.
"Is that true?" I asked, struggling to accept what she had said.
Her eyes were sincere, "Everything I said is true. I wouldn''t lie to you."
What should I do? Do something illegal and risk Aki? Convince my mother? I can''t think of any other options.
"I''ll find a way," I said with false confidence.
"What if you can''t find a way?" Aki shot back.
"Then maybe I''ll turn to God or something, I don''t know."
She smiled softly. "So, will you promise me you won''t tell anyone that I''m teaching you? Do you want me to help you?"
I''m not that selfish. As much as I want to learn, knowing what Aki''s been through, the guilt I''d feel afterward would be unbearable. My father would punish me if I said something foolish right now.
Am I willing to risk it all for the chance to learn sorcery?
I respect my mother''s wishes; I just can''t dishonor them like that.
"Aki, you don''t have to. I''ll be fine," I replied.
To my surprise, she stood up and moved closer, ultimately sitting right beside me. She said, "Kai''len... the things we want most are the ones that could ruin us~"
It was tempting¡ªher offering made it even more appealing. But at the same time, if I don''t take this opportunity now, what kind of life will I have in the future? I have interests, not dreams¡ªand my instincts are hard to ignore. That interest is sorcery.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
But..."Aki, you''re too close."
"And?"
I looked away, eye contact feeling impossible right now. Instead, I focused on the flames burning in the kindling and timber.
Even though I''m battling whether to learn sorcery or not, Aki''s presence makes my heart race so much that I barely notice it. At the same time, my mind is overwhelmed with too many thoughts, making it hard to focus and come to a clear decision.
After a long silence, just sitting next to each other, she finally spoke. "Kai''len, remember when you saved me from the lake and told me to pursue sorcery?"
"I do remember," I''ll never forget that.
"You wanted to learn it so badly back then. I thought that by learning it, truly learning it, and coming back here one day to teach you and Lyn''chael, I could repay the kindness you both showed me." She confessed, her voice warm, like the heat radiating from a fire.
"Aki, you don''t owe us anything."
She met my gaze, her eyes unwavering. "I''ll be the one to decide that."
I do feel like we''re getting comfortable a little too fast, but it isn''t necessarily a bad thing.
"Suit yourself," I said back.
"Well then, let me teach you, Kai''len. I''ve gone through all that trouble, and I''m willing to risk everything for it."
I want it too.
"That sounds incredibly irresponsible," I said, my voice cautious. "And very dangerous."
Aki''s smirk was sharp and confident. "It is. That''s why we''ll keep it a secret¡ªjust between us. Let it ruin us."
She said it with such certainty, as though she''d already made peace with the consequences. And, in that moment, I lost to the temptation.
"Under one condition."
"What is it?" Aki asked, curious.
"Let''s keep Lyn''chael out of this," I said firmly. "I don''t want her to bear the consequences of my choices."
The Luminary Codex... forbids teachings from other codices. I doubt my sister would even consider it, given how devout she is.
"I understand, we can leave it at that," Aki replied.
We finally reached an agreement.
"So, when do you start teaching me? Master...?"
"Master? Seriously?" Aki''s tone was laced with mild disappointment.
"What else am I supposed to call you?" I shot back.
"Just Aki is fine. You''re my apprentice, and I''m your sorceress," she declared.
"So I''m an apprentice to a sorceress?!"
She laughed softly. "No! I''m an apprentice too, I''m not even qualified for the title of sorcerer.
"We''ll regardless you''re my teacher, and I''m ready whenever you''re ready," I replied to her.
"Good," Aki said, her expression calm. "Although, give me some time. We don''t have the codex entry for Exort or any other Element for that matter."
"How are we getting that?" I asked, curiosity piqued. "You''re going back to the academy for it?"
Aki looked at me with a confused expression. "No, no need for that. Just give me time. I''ll find a way, and I''ll let you know when we can start."
I chose to trust her words.
"I''ll wait, Aki."
She smiled in response, and for a moment, I wondered if I was making the right decision. Doing something illegal like this, my life definitely will change in the face of this secret between us.
The crackling of burning timber and the hiss of the flames filled the air as we sat side by side. Were we simply relaxing, or lost in quiet reflection? Either way, there was a shared comfort between us, reminiscent of the silence we shared four years ago.
Welcome back, my friend.
Her father''s death lingered in the back of my mind, I wasn''t sure if I should bring it up¡ªshould I ask and satisfy my curiosity, or should I hold back?
"Hey Aki, what happened to your father?" It was out before I could stop myself, and as soon as I said it, regret clung over my throat.
I messed up.
"It''s complicated." Aki''s face remains neutral. I''m surprised she doesn''t seem sad or annoyed by my question. I would''ve expected someone who just lost their father to appear more upset, but this is unexpected¡ªeven knowing how abusive her father had been.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, Kai''len. Am I weird for not feeling anything about my father''s death?"
Her question caught me off guard. It was so heavy, I couldn''t find the right words.
"It''s strange, but I think you have your reasons."
Aki''s gaze drifted into the distance, her eyes lost somewhere in the autumn-themed forest, her thoughts far away.
"He died in a fire. The house we were renting in Dagon burned down."
Had she been carrying that all along? All this time, dealing with it in silence?
"I''m sorry to hear that. My condolences."
She chuckled softly. "It''s fine. My life is better without him."
Hearing those words from a daughter about her father was jarring. I tried to understand, though, for her sake. I didn''t want to say anything that might come off as judgmental.
But Aki followed up with, "But I do wish he saw me graduate, as a proper sorceress."
"That''s much nicer to hear," I said. "I wouldn''t mind seeing you graduate one day."
Aki gasped. "What? What did you say?!"
"I meant, despite everything you and your father went through, I hope you find peace within your heart," I said, offering the most clich¨¦ thing I could think of to save myself.
"Is that so?" Aki said, giving me a suspicious side-eye.
"Well, life goes on, I suppose. So, what''s your next move?"
Aki took a moment before responding. "I plan to stay here for a while. Uncle Leon has offered to help me."
"That makes you the fourth child Uncle Leon adopted, then!" I joked.
"Didn''t he adopt more? Though... most of them... passed away," Aki said, her words slipping out with an unintended, morbid tone.
An awkward, familiar silence settled between us. "Let''s not talk about that, haha," I said, forcing an awkward laugh.
She silently agreed, her expression apologetic.
As we spent hours together, we hadn''t noticed how the sky had darkened.
"I think we should head home," I said.
"That''s unfortunate, I was enjoying my time with you," Aki replied sheepishly.
"Wait, what?" I asked, confused.
"I''m kidding. Let''s go home," she said, laughing.
We began walking back, and as we neared the edge of the forest, we saw that the fishermen on the lake were also packing up to head home. The walk was peaceful, the quiet of the evening surrounding us.
"Kai''len, the autumn season is so calming," Aki said, her voice soft.
"My sister said something identical just before our mass," I replied.
"Oh? Perhaps I''m secretly your sister?" she joked.
"Please... spare me," I pleaded with mock exasperation.
In the middle of our walk, she curiously said, "Have I ever told you that you look like my professor?"
"No? Is he handsome like me?"
Aki''s expression remained unimpressed. "Anyway, he''s tall, and you two look almost identical, except you''re shorter."
That felt like daggers to my heart.
"Can I know the name of this so-called amazing gentleman?" I asked sarcastically.
"His name is Orleni. He was the one who chaperoned me here."
Orleni... What an odd name. I''ll have to meet him someday and see if he''s taller.
"I bet I''m mor¡ª"
Before I could finish, a familiar figure appeared before us.
"Mom!" I exclaimed, spotting my mother, Ana''lyn, approaching.
"Miss Imperia?!" Aki stammered, her surprise evident.
"I see you two are together," she said, her tone teasing. But why were her eyes tired, and why did she look like she had been running?
"No! Miss Imperia, this is nothing..." Aki''s words were hurried, her embarrassment clear through her demeanor as she waved her hands in front of her, denying it shyly.
"Mom, what are you doing here?" I asked. We only went to mass today; why would she be exhausted?
Ana''lyn sighed, clearly trying to mask something. "I was looking for you two. It''s getting late, and I could use your help with dinner."
I had a nagging suspicion that her unexpected arrival was hiding something she wasn''t sharing.
"Is something wrong, Mom?" I pressed, concern evident in my voice.
She glanced at me, then shifted her gaze to Aki. "Nothing in particular," she replied.
Her eyes lingered on Aki for just a moment too long before she added, "Let''s hurry up and go home."
Aki and I exchanged looks, silently acknowledging the tension beneath my mother''s words.
We didn''t have all the answers, but her serious tone made it clear that something was off.
Chapter End.