Pale yellow eyes open to silence, blankly staring at the ceiling above as Ryuu recalls his dream.
Why did I have to go and remember that now?
He sighs as he climbs out of bed and begins slipping on his clothes.
The newly-repaired mirror in the corner of the room helps with doing it right this time, after remembering the way Ilene had corrected his clothing for him yesterday.
Once everything is nice and crisp, he steps out into the main landing and expects Ilene to be waiting for him.
To his surprise, she’s nowhere to be found.
I guess I should expect a noble lady like herself to be busy.
I’ll run into her later.
As he walks out into the courtyard, he spots a familiar face milling about.
“Hey, Ryuu!”
Leon runs up from across the castlegrounds, meeting Ryuu in the center roundabout of the stone path.
“What’re you doing up this early?”
“I have to attend Master Darius’s lecture bright and early. What about you?”
“Oof, the idea of listening to him talk for more than a minute makes me lightheaded… Anyway, I’m just getting some morning training in! Now that I have a new rival, I have to stay on my toes, right?!”
Ryuu grins in response.
“Yeah, right. I guess I’ll be seeing you later then?”
Leon replies with a wide smile.
“You know it! I’m always down for more sparring!”
The two of them begin moving in opposite directions, and before long, Ryuu arrives at the North-West Tower, also known as the Magic Tower.
After following a marble staircase to the top floor, Ryuu realizes he doesn’t actually know where he’s supposed to go.
He looks around the next floor down for any clues, but no such luck.
Right as he’s on the verge of opening every door, he feels eyes on him from the direction of the stairs.
He turns to find a girl with black hair tied into twintails, and large, circular glasses resting on her nose.
She notices Ryuu staring and moves up the stairs, hanging her head to hide her embarrassment.
As she gets closer, he notes her shorter stature.
He’s become used to Ilene being almost level with him, but this girl barely reaches his chest.
On top of that, she’s dressed in student robes of a vibrant emerald shade, which don’t match her vibe at all.
“Um… Are you the new student?” she asks in a small voice.
“Hm? That’s probably me, yeah.”
“Master Darius told me to find you. He figured you’d be lost on your first day.”
“Well that’s great. I’m already meeting his expectations.”
She giggles lightly at this, then hides her face with her hands as she introduces herself.
“My name’s Belynda Serafall. I’m technically the class president, of sorts, so I’ll be helping you get acclimated to the experience.”
“Alright, I’m Ryuu. I’m not sure what a class president is, but if it means you’ll lead me to the class, then it sounds good to me.”
She nods and turns back to the stairs, leading him down to the second floor hall.
They make their way to the final room in the hallway and twist open the emerald knob.
That explains the robes.
As the door swings open, Ryuu runs his gaze over the six other students inside.
All of them wear the same emerald robes as Belynda, though they have small accessories that set them apart.
What catches his attention the most are the obvious gaps in age.
Despite being the class president, it looks to him as if Belynda may be the youngest person here.
Everyone sits spread out along five long tables stacked in a column across the classroom.
Master Darius stands at the front of the room, his hair still as greased back as yesterday, and his obsidian robes make him stand out more in this setting.
“Miss Serafall, thank you for recovering our lost student. If you could move to your seat, I’ll have him next to you.”
The Master’s ever-relaxed tone has yet to fail with putting Ryuu on edge, but he follows Belynda to a seat at the third table .
Other students give them passing glances, though most of them mind their own business while waiting for Darius to begin today’s lesson.
“Okay, everyone,” he begins.
“I’d like for you all to remain patient with me since we have a newcomer today. He’s very uneducated on magic as a whole, especially considering it was only yesterday that he learned he’s mana-sensitive. With that in mind, I’ll be delving into extra detail when necessary.”
They all nod in unison, seemingly locked on to his words with laser focus.
Ryuu sighs internally, but keeps himself sharply focused nonetheless.
“Today’s topic: the pros and cons of being a M’yin, as well as an A’yang. I’ve chosen to focus on this topic today for multiple reasons, some more obvious than others, but it’s important information for every aspiring M’yin to be aware of.”
He trains his eyes on Ryuu for a short moment, before sweeping his gaze over the class.
“Any volunteers? Go on, give your answers for any category, so long as they’re relevant.”
A woman at the first table, who appears to be in her mid-thirties, raises her hand first.
“Mana is a natural, recycled resource. While A’yang can run out of energy, M’yin can use magic as long as they’re able to maintain proper focus.”
Darius nods tightly.
“Yes, I’ll give that answer ninety points. Although you’re not wrong, it should be noted that mental energy is just as real of a concept as physical energy. It may be less physically taxing to cast most magic, but it’s entirely possible to experience burnout of magic if overused.”
The woman nods and scribbles in her notes as an older man at the fourth table raises his hand.
“For most people, becoming an A’yang means years of practice just to produce a meager amount of aura. If you’re blessed with magic, you can instantly apply what you understand. Even more so if you awaken your Talent early enough.”
“Correct, Mister Callus. A M’yin’s power is directly tied to their mental prowess and ability to comprehend the incomprehensible. If one is able to awaken their Talent before pubescence, chances are they’ll be close to the level of an Advanced M’yin by early adulthood. Granted, they must practice diligently to reach that point.”
Ryuu stores the spring of information in the back of his mind.
As he begins to wonder when the good stuff is going to start, Belynda raises her hand beside him.
He turns his attention toward her, and finally notices her oddly-colored eyes behind her thick lenses.
They appear to be a normal brown color from afar, but up close, he can spot speckles of every color he’s ever seen.
“What about the benefits of magic arts versus aura techniques, Master Darius? Arts like [Mana Sense] and [Barrier] are indispensable tools for anyone in a combat situation.”
Darius’s mouth curves into a knowing grin.
“Yes, Miss Serafall, allow me. As you’ve said, just like A’yang’s have their aura techniques, we M’yin have magic arts. With [Mana Sense], you can channel mana into your eyes, ears, etc., in order to properly observe the flow of mana around you. I’m sure you all can infer the usefulness of such an ability. The second art you mentioned, [Barrier], is essentially what the name suggests. You channel your mana into a defensive field of magic power, the size, number, and durability of which are entirely up to the skill of the caster.”
This is what I came here for!
Magic arts, the abilities that can be cast even with a dormant Talent.
Darius continues with his lecture.
“While we’re on the subject, I suppose I promised you all last class that I would allow you to develop your Talents in the training room. I won’t go back on my word, so long as our new student is content with watching for today?”
Ryuu nods.
“Then it’s settled. Everyone, grab your things and follow me.”
******
Darius leads them through the second floor to an area near the staircase.
He places his hand on a seemingly plain wall on the left side, and dark mana begins visibly circulating against under his palm.
After a few moments, the wall splits apart, revealing a blindingly white room.
The entire space is white, from floor to ceiling, giving it the feel of a sterilized area.
The other students file in with looks of excitement, so Ryuu decides to keep his hopes up for what’s to come.
As soon as the last person makes it inside, the wall reseals behind them and the room begins glowing even brighter.
“Close your eyes, everyone. The setting change will begin now.”
They all comply as they feel the mana radiating around the room begin to intensify, shining harshly even through their eyelids.
The light peaks for a short instant before completely dying, then they hear Darius call out:
“You can open your eyes now. I’ve activated the open plains setting, so all of you should be able to practice without worry.”
Ryuu opens his eyes to find himself now standing in what feels like an isolated countryside.
Rolling hills of green expand for miles in every direction, while a calming breeze constantly blows through his hair.
He stands frozen in shock by the sudden change in environment, yet all the others begin moving a safe distance apart and drawing mana into their bodies.
“What in the…”
Belynda moves into his line of sight.
“Surprised? I was too, the first time I came here. Apparently, Professor Grisha developed this technology several years ago, and it’s what led to her acquiring the position she has today.”
“Grisha? Oh, that bubbly red-head.”
“That would be her, although that’s the first time I’ve heard someone openly describe her that way.”
Ryuu glances at the other students, spotting small barriers and random bursts of magic all around the plains.
“Aren’t you gonna practice?” he asks.
“I am, but I’m still in charge of watching over you. If you want, I could try to give you a crash course with the basic magic arts we talked about?”
“That would be great, but be patient with me. Like Master Darius mentioned earlier, I didn’t even know I could use magic until yesterday.”
The two of them venture out about a mile away from the others to lessen distractions.
Once they find a suitable hilltop, they settle into a cross-legged position and begin meditating together.
Belynda keeps her teachings concise as she watches Ryuu take in the information with a curious look in her eyes.
“Meditation isn’t necessary for amassing mana, but this is the state of mind you want to be in for the best results,” she begins.
“When someone overcome with emotion tries to cast advanced or complicated spells, they tend to backfire.”
“How do you know when you’ve amassed enough? I heard a story recently of a boy that tried to channel too much at once, and he got seriously injured because of it.”
“It’s almost impossible to overfill yourself, as mana naturally leaks anyway, but there are cases of it occurring when a spell is being used in tandem. Instead of worrying about that, I’d focus on trying to let as little mana escape your body as possible as you pull it in. You can’t create it on your own, after all, so collecting mana must become second-nature.”
They spend a short while longer meditating.
Ryuu can tell that Belynda expected him to tire of this quickly, but he has dedicated time to exercises like this since his youth.
The two eventually rise together, facing each other as Belynda dives back into teaching.
“We’ll start with the magic art [Barrier]. From what I’ve heard about you, you plan on becoming someone that will constantly find himself in life-threatening situations. If that’s the case, this will be a powerful line of defense in your arsenal as you grow stronger.”
She puts some more distance between them and holds her hand out in front of her.
After splaying her fingers, with her palm facing outward, she chants “[Barrier]” as a rectangular wall forms in the air.
It’s semi-translucent, and takes on a deep purple hue.
Ryuu gives her a short round of applause.
“Wow, that was basically instantaneous. I expected as much from our class president.”
“I’ve been practicing [Barrier] for numerous years now, so it’s only natural that mine is developed. That said, I still can’t do it chantlessly like the Masters.”
“Chantless?”
“Ah, chantless would mean casting a spell or art with only the mental image. Being able to accomplish that is one of the signs of nearing the level of a Master M’yin, so it’s obviously not easy.”
Ryuu rests a hand on his hip and gestures with the other as he replies.
“So most people have to chant something every time they want to use magic?”
“Not quite.
There aren’t exactly guidelines for most chants, since everything depends on the caster’s state of mind and mental image.
It’s common to see M’yin at a similar level produce magic arts in completely different styles, but the results are more or less the same.
There are also many cases of people having “quick-cast” spells, where they only need to chant the name, or “ritual-type” spells, where certain conditions must be met.
”
“Sheesh, that’s bound to get confusing.”
Belynda shrugs with a small smile on her face.
“Such is the nature of magic.”
She then waves her barrier away and points at Ryuu.
“Now, show me your own [Barrier] style. I know it seems intimidating, but magic is surprisingly intuitive. A’yang pull power from their body and soul, but us M’yin project the strength in our hearts onto the world around us.”
That seems a little counterintuitive, considering I was just told powerful emotions can cause misfires.
Maybe she means that strong emotions are fine so long as they’re properly channelled?
In short, becoming frenzied must be avoided.
Ryuu nods, committing her teachings to memory and stretching his hand outward like she had.
He then tries to conjure a barrier in his mind, some kind of impenetrable wall unique to him.
It doesn’t have to be anything special, even a wall exactly like hers would be fine… No, that’s not right.
It has to be the kind of barrier I want.
He thinks back to his days in the Pit.
The young man hadn’t used any kind of shield when he was fighting there, so he has no reference as to what shape fits him the best.
Then, he suddenly recalls one of the stories he had repeatedly read in his youth.
Books were hard to come by in the Pit, so he’d flipped through this one hundreds of times.
It was the story of a hero and a dragon, and they were fighting a deadly battle over some kind of land.
Ryuu hadn’t cared much for the overall plot, but he remembers rooting for the dragon over the hero, and how its impenetrable skin had caused the hero much hardship.
A sharp exhale leaves him as the image in his mind becomes clear.
Most of the mana he had gathered earlier swirls within and responds to the call as Ryuu chants, “[Barrier]!” and it appears.
A golden barrier flashes to life in front of him, and Belynda cheers with excitement.
“You did it! The color of your mana is really pretty. Like the gold of the Gold District… What a neat coincidence!”
Ryuu doesn’t answer as he looks up at his magic art with pride.
This is it.
I’ve officially stepped foot into the world of magic!
He’s brought back to his senses by a question from Belynda.
“What kind of image did you have in mind? I’ve been trying to figure it out, but I don’t understand this shape at all.”
“Oh, I thought something like this might be well-known in the world of magic. Turns out fiction is fiction, I guess.”
He gestures at the overlaying shapes hovering in the air.
Small barriers resembling heater shields overlap each other–about a dozen or so in total–creating an even larger heater-shield shape.
“It’s a dragon scale. Cool, right?”
Belynda’s eyes grow wide behind her glasses.
She moves close to his barrier and flicks a finger against it.
“A dragon scale… I see! You actually took the magic art to the Intermediate-Tier on your first try by overlaying multiple, smaller barriers into one larger one… You’re a natural, Ryuu!”
“Really? All I did was what you told me though?”
“That just means you already possess strong mental imagery, as well as an undoubtable ability to focus and manipulate mana. Not everyone is able to complete those steps just from hearing them.”
She moves around the barrier now and inches closer to Ryuu.
“That’s not even the most impressive part. Your barrier is about a quarter of the size mine was, but the density is roughly the same. That’s incredible when you consider how much more mobile you can be with a shield this size.”
He raises a brow.
“When you put it like that, doesn’t it sound like my Barrier art is already as good as yours?”
Belynda freezes for a moment, then her face transforms from an eager, yet reserved girl into that of someone with a clear sense of superiority.
“I can see how you’ve come to that conclusion, but you’re far from being my equal.”
She then thrusts her hand into the air and chants “[Barrier]” once more, the same purple rectangle appearing.
Except this time, several more barriers of the same size materialize over it, creating a five-layer wall of magic.
“Oh… Damn.”
The twin-tailed M’yin lets them disappear with a satisfied look in her eyes before addressing Ryuu again.
“Don’t beat yourself up over it. I mentioned this earlier, but I’ve been practicing my magic ever since I was five.”
“And how old are you now?”
“Eighteen.”
“Thirteen years of experience at eighteen?! That’s the kind of upbringing that makes you unbeatable…. Why’d you start so young?”
She tilts her head at this, slightly furrowing her brow before a revelation strikes her.
“You’re not from around here, are you?”
“I’m not, but how did you get to that conclusion? Besides the way I look.”
“I told you my name is Belynda Serafall, but I should’ve noticed that you didn’t have any reaction to it. My family, the House of Serafall, is a marquess family. That means my father is only one rank below Lady Ilene’s father in terms of nobility.”
“Really?! Should I have been calling you Lady Belynda this whole time?!”
“No no, I don’t like being treated that way when I’m here to study. That’s why Master Darius and the others refer to me as Miss Serafall. Although, I will admit my family isn’t a fan of that.”
Ryuu breathes a sigh of relief, then continues.
“That still doesn’t answer my question. Is there something special about the Serafall family that requires you to practice magic so early?”
“Well, our ties to magic don’t go back quite as far as the Mahora family’s, but it’s thanks to them that we were exposed to its wonders early on in our history. I come from a long line of Master M’yin, so, of course, we’re given the mana sensitivity test as soon as we can walk and talk. Before I even awakened my Talent, I became used to practicing my focus and mana arts daily.”
“…What’s someone like you doing in this class?”
She gives a half-hearted smile.
“Good question. My family assigned me the mission of attending all of Master Darius’s lectures about the same time I awakened my Talent, at eight years old. I was taught by my father’s assistant up to that point, but apparently Master Darius is recognized even in the Sacred Land for his magical prowess.”
Ryuu glances back across the plains and spots Darius keeping an eye on the others.
“That guy? I mean, I get that he’s a Master M’yin, but he’s just so…”
“Creepy? Overly polite? Yes, but you have to be wired a little differently than others to produce the greatest magic. You’re no different in that regard, you know.”
“I can’t argue with that.”
He notices Darius waving at them now, motioning for them to rejoin the others.
The two of them make their way across the plains and meet the others in a circle.
“Alright everyone, same procedure as last time,” Darius starts.
“Keep your eyes closed as the settings revert to neutral.”
Everyone shuts their eyes as the plains begin harshly glowing, then the room soon returns to the stark white landscape it had been before.
Darius claps his hands to bring their attention back to him.
“Okay, that’s the end of today’s class. Be sure you all get something to eat before you continue on with your day, and I’ll see you at the same time tomorrow.”
******
The sun now rests comfortably above the castle walls, giving the apprentices a slight feeling of warmth as they’re released into the courtyard.
Ryuu considers swinging by the mess hall from yesterday for a quick meal, but feels a tug on his sleeve from behind.
“Belynda? What’s up?”
“You’re hungry, aren’t you? I have a meal waiting on me that I’m willing to share.”
“I’m not too prideful to turn down a free meal, but why? You’ve already done more than enough for me today.”
“If I had to give a reason… Because we’re friends?”
Ryuu’s brain stops working for a moment.
“Friends? I don’t remember us getting that close.”
“That’s hurtful! And here I was extending my hand to you.”
“Sorry, but I’m not that trusting. If you wanna call yourself my friend, then I need something I can level with you on. If anything, you’re more like my superior.”
“…I see.”
She furrows her brow again, staring intensely at Ryuu’s face.
“What? Am I sweaty or something?”
“No… I’m just not used to being turned down so bluntly. I can see why Lady Ilene keeps you around.”
She begins walking past him, leaving him with something to remember.
“I’ll make an effort to find something we can relate to each other with. So when I do, I’ll make you my friend. Bye now!”
The strange girl then scurries down the stone path and into the maze of buildings within the courtyard.
Ryuu watches her until she disappears, taken aback by the recent development, but his rumbling stomach pulls his attention.
I should’ve just said yes, but for some reason, I can’t totally relax around her.
I guess we did only just meet, but I’m not gonna doubt my instincts now.
He moves on with his original plan, sitting in the mess hall for a short while and treating his hunger.
***Belynda***
Belynda finishes her breakfast with indifference, immediately making her way to her usual spot after morning classes.
I can’t believe he turned me down.
I thought I was playing the part of a helpfu, younger girl well, but I suppose tactics like that won’t sway him.
She wrestles with these thoughts as she arrives at the South-West Tower of the castle and steps inside.
The interior is almost as grand as that of the Central Tower, with pillars of white and gold erected along the stairs, while bluish-purple banners are generously spread about.
Her journey to the top floor is akin to walking through a museum, due to the seemingly endless portraits that line the path.
Former rulers of the kingdom, relatively important family members, and even the occasional historical icon are lined side-by-side in colorful images.
Once she reaches the top floor, Belynda moves down the north hall and reaches a set of heavy oak doors.
She raps her knuckles against them twice and hears “It’s open” shortly after.
The doors swing open with a light push and reveal a man sitting by a large window, sipping on what’s sure to be a ridiculously expensive wine.
He faces away from the entrance, but his voice carries to Belynda’s ears regardless.
“How did it go?”
“I failed to get as close to him as I had hoped. He’s surprisingly cautious, and sharper than could be surmised from how he behaves.”
“I suppose I can’t blame you. From what I saw, he seems to be quite capable, but unruly.”
“Capable… Yes. I taught him how to cast [Barrier] today, and even showed him a weaker version to influence his development. Instead of failing, or even creating a meager shield, he managed to conjure a layered barrier on his first try.”
“An Intermediate-Tier [Barrier]? What kind of man has Ilene gotten her hands on?!”
The man stands from his chair, the upper-half of his body covered by shadows as he approaches Belynda.
She kneels as he gets closer and bows her head in deference.
“Belynda, keep your eyes on him. We don’t know how much he’ll grow before the Succession Election, but I can’t allow anything to get in the way of my plans.”
“Understood, Lord Xander. It shouldn’t take more than a week’s time for him to lower his guard around me. I’ll make sure he feels the reach of your influence.”
Lord Xander laughs aloud, before draining the rest of his wine without a care for the taste.
“Once you succeed, and the Succession Election has passed, I’ll give you the rest of the money you need for your brother’s treatment. Remember this: nobody else will help you as I have.”
Yes.
I’m all too aware of that, my lord.
***Ryuu***
Ryuu’s morning was uneventful after his class with Master Darius, though he currently finds himself sparring with Leon after another noon spent learning about aura.
The two of them keep it tamer than yesterday’s match, which allows him to practice his {Charge Point} and {In-step}.
After they get tired of throwing each other into walls, the pair take their spot at the water station and share a brief conversation.
“Man! I knew you were a quick learner, Ryuu, but this is insane! If we keep this pace up, you’ll reach Intermediate-Tier in no time!”
“You sure I’m not already there?”
Leon takes a swig of water before replying.
“I’m not an expert, but yeah, I’d say you’re just about there! Your Recovery technique is still lacking though, which is really throwing me off…”
That’s because I’m purposefully neglecting it.
If people see that I’m ready to move to the next tier, then I’ll be forced to fight a much stronger opponent for the title of Blade.
“I’d rather focus on the techniques that help me win a fight, not the one that patches me up afterward. Once I’m sure that I’ve gotten to a decent level with these two, I’ll work on {Recovery}.”
Ryuu crushes the water cup in his hand and tosses it into the nearby garbage.
He goes to leave the training room, then glances behind to see if Leon is coming.
“Go on ahead! I’ve got some training of my own to focus on!”
He nods and continues out of the Aura Tower.
The sun sits high in the sky now, and traffic around the courtyard is at its peak.
Ryuu glances at as many passing faces as he can, but none of them are Ilene.
She could have at least given me some ideas on how to pass the time around here.
She doesn’t seriously expect me to entertain myself all day, right?
After pondering for a while, he decides to walk up to a guard stationed at the entrance of the inner walls.
The guard turns as he approaches, and apparently recognizes Ryuu.
“You. You’re the man that arrived a couple days ago with Lady Ilene. Do you need something?”
“Glad you remember me. I wanted to go to the walkway on top of the walls. You know, the area where you guys are supposed to be if there’s an attack or something? What was it called…?”
“I’m afraid you can’t. We’re not allowed to let anybody that isn’t of military-rank or higher on top of the walls.”
“Figures. Do you know somewhere else I could get a good view?”
“Listen, pal, I don’t have all the time in the world here. Get a move on.”
You’re not doing shit but standing here.
Ryuu prepares to give him a piece of his mind, but a familiar voice stops him in time.
“Excuse him, he’s probably feeling restless after seeing nothing but these walls the past couple days.”
The soldier straightens up and holds his chin steady in the air.
“Lady Ilene! If that’s what you wish…”
Ryuu turns and greets his savior.
“Hey, Ilene! Where have you been all day?”
The woman in question sighs as she crosses her arms over her chest.
“Busy. I hear you’re looking for a view?”
“Yeah, do you know a place?”
“Of course I do. Come, we’ll take a trip into the city.”
Ryuu smirks at the guard as he follows Ilene out of the castle walls.
They take the leisurely way out of the estate, not using the railcar for travel this time.
The finely-cut shrubbery and sparkling fountains are impressive enough, but what catches his eyes is the endless crowd within the walls.
“What’s going on? How did all of these people get past the gate?”
Ilene glances at him from the side.
“That’s right, you came in during the night so you wouldn’t know. Our gate stays open during the day so that tourists, families, and anyone else curious enough can see the splendor of the Mahora Estate for themselves. Of course, none of them can enter the inner walls.”
Most of the people are too distracted to notice the pair passing by, but the few that do make way for Ilene without batting an eye.
Some children tug on their parents’ clothes as they point at Ryuu, and other people avert their gaze, but he’s been experiencing this since his debut in the Pit.
He keeps himself focused on where Ilene is taking him, and why she’s leading him away from the grounds.
She disappears first thing in the morning, then conveniently appears as I’m about to leave the grounds?
No, at this point I have to assume she’s been up since I left her room last night.
There must be some reason she’s not telling me anything… Maybe it can’t be talked about within the castle walls?
After fifteen minutes of walking, they pass through the gate of the estate and enter the streets of the Gold District.
Ryuu then notices he feels a bit more comfortable now among the crowds than he did a few days ago.
His new clothes and experience rubbing elbows with nobility have affected him more than he initially realized, but he doesn’t hate it.
Ilene guides him through the district as she makes a sharp right directly out of the gate.
“Where are we going?” Ryuu inquires.
“I see a few buildings taller than the tower window, but I don’t know if that’s quite the view I’m looking for.”
She silently stares at him for a few moments.
“You don’t seriously think we’re going out for that, do you? It was just a convenient excuse.”
“You’re coming right out with it? As long as we’re on the same page, I guess.”
They continue along the sidewalk as carriages roll by at a steady speed.
Ilene eventually breaks off from the main road and leads him down a maze of alleyways.
Before long, they arrive at a massive wall, as large as the outer walls of the capital city.
“I didn’t think we walked far enough to reach the outer walls. What are we doing here?”
“This isn’t an outer wall; it’s a divisional wall. This is what separates the Gold District from the Silver District. Usually, you have to show identification to cross districts, but if I do that then it’ll be on record that we were here today. So instead, I’m going to show you something that must be kept an absolute secret.”
Ryuu shrugs indifferently.
“It’s not like I go out of my way to talk to people.”
Ilene nods and presses her finger against the wall.
She begins tracing an odd symbol on the wall, and the brilliant red shade of her magic gives the writing a regal feel.
As soon as she finishes, the wall gives way to an open tunnel that leads downward at a very slight angle.
She gestures toward the entryway.
“After you.”
Ryuu glances at her mana as it fades from her fingertip, then moves down the tunnel with Ilene close behind.
The moment both of them are inside, the wall reseals itself behind them, leaving the two submerged in complete darkness.
“Have you learned how to cast [Mana Sense] yet?”
“No, but it was mentioned in class today. Do I need it right now?”
“If you were using it, then you would see the path we need to follow as clearly as the road above ground. I’m more surprised at how well you’re navigating the darkness without it.”
“I’m just getting lucky, but I’ll keep your advice in mind during tomorrow’s training.”
Before long, a light appears at the end of the tunnel.
Once they reach the end, they find an old, tattered wooden door, and Ilene opens it with a light turn of the knob.
The area past the door is a mixture of a smoking lounge and a tavern, with old stools littering the place, and a long bar against the far wall.
Stairs lead upward to the right of the bar, and although the space is easily roomy enough for thirty people, no other customers are here.
A bear of a man stands behind the counter–most likely the owner–and waves as they enter.
“Lady Ilene, it’s good to see you. Coming through the usual path, eh?”
“Thank you again for this, Boris. You don’t know how much I appreciate having this little escape.”
She guides Ryuu to a nearby booth and they slide into opposite seats.
Boris brings over a bottle of dark wine and a glass, then turns to Ryuu.
“Anything I can get for you?”
He considers it for a moment.
“I’ll take whatever beer you’ve got.”
Within a minute, Boris returns and places a full mug in front of Ryuu, then moves back to his spot behind the bar.
Ryuu sips from his mug as he watches Ilene pour herself a glass, waiting for her to start the conversation off.
The two of them end up drinking in silence for a short while.
Ryuu gets halfway through his mug as Ilene pours a second glass.
She takes a long sip, then sets the glass down a bit forcefully.
“I was gone this morning because I was setting up your Blade exam. It’s called that, but as we discussed, it’ll be a match between you and an Intermediate A’yang.”
“I’m assuming it was a success?”
“Something like that… I managed to get everything on track, at least. It’ll be in five days, and the location will be the aboveground temple of the Golden Club. Blade exams are a rare event, so there’s likely going to be a good amount of spectators from all around the city.”
“If that’s how it has to be,” he replies with a shrug.
“I’m just ready to have a real fight.”
She raises an eyebrow.
“Your fights with Rolf and Leon weren’t considered “real” enough for you?”
“Leon and I had a sparring match. I’ll admit, it was a bit of a serious one, but a controlled match nonetheless.”
He leans forward on the table, his chin resting on his palm.
“Rolf was a real fight, I guess, but he was too easy. This Blade exam will be my first serious fight against someone who can actually overpower me in a long time. It’s exciting.”
“You’re weird, but if that’s what it takes to win then I’m all for it. You do know death is completely sanctioned in this exam, right? In fact, they’ll be trying to kill you.”
“No, I didn’t know that. Doesn’t really change much though. That’s what makes it a real fight.”
Ilene drains the rest of her second glass and fills it up a third time, the bottle now more than half gone.
Ryuu notices a blush rising on her face, as well as a reduced stiffness in her shoulders.
“Um, Ilene? Are you okay?”
“…What do you mean? Why wouldn’t I be okay?!”
“Okay, okay, you’re right. What was I thinking? Please, continue.”
“…Anyway, your match is all set. You just need to make sure you’re ready in five days. Also, my father will be in attendance.”
“The duke? So his first impression of me is going to be watching me fight. It couldn’t be any better.”
“Of course he’ll be there. A Blade becomes tied to the family they serve. If you become my Blade, it will mean you have an official connection to my father and the Mahora family. He likes to keep a close eye on anybody that can affect his image.”
Ryuu finishes his mug and sets it down with a thud.
“That makes sense. Is that all you wanted to talk about?”
“No.”
She drains her glass again, but instead of refilling it, she begins taking swigs from the bottle.
“My damned brother… He’s getting too bold with his tactics. That stunt he pulled last night really pissed me off! Trying to tell you I break things, trying to drive a wedge between us… I won’t forgive him!”
Ryuu’s eyes grow wide at the sudden outburst, but he allows Ilene to vent as she needs and helps guide her thoughts along.
“Do you want to talk about it? I’m not trying to pry, but I’d rather hear anything you need to tell me now, before someone else tells me first.”
She stays silent for a few moments, the bottle swaying idly in her hand just above the table.
She then ducks her head down, showing Ryuu a rare moment of vulnerability as she starts on her tangent.
“The room you stay in now. I told you before, but it hasn’t been used in a long time. In fact, it hasn’t been used since my last Blade was around.”
“Hm? You had a Blade in the past?”
“Yes. Just like my annoying brother, I had a Blade at a young age. He was the same age as me, so we were more like childhood friends, and he came from an established family worthy of being by my side. At least, that’s how my father put it.”
Ilene glances up with a distant look in her eyes, and heavily sighs before continuing.
“One day, he fell ill. It was out of nowhere, but even the brightest doctors and most powerful healers around couldn’t help him. There were a few people with healing Talents that were considered miraculous, but the boy’s family said they couldn’t trust people from outside of the capital. Ridiculous.”
“…So, this boy fell ill before he could properly grow into his Blade title. I’m being blunt, but is he dead?”
“…He’s alive, if you can call it that. He’s been in a comatose state for a decade now, and is kept alive solely by the money and power provided by his family.”
“Geez. What kind of family is he from to have support like that?”
“House Serafall, a considerably high-ranked family, even within the capital. His name was Michael Serafall, and he was on track to become the most powerful M’yin the Northern Reaches had seen in a century. My brother was always competing with him, since he was a prodigy himself, but after that incident the both of us stagnated. It wasn’t until three years ago that Xander finally became an Advanced M’yin.”
“That reminds me, I’ve never asked what level you’re at.”
Her lips curve into something between a grimace and a frown.
“I’m an Advanced M’yin as well, although I didn’t reach this level of mastery until last year. You have to be at least that strong to safely traverse the wilds of the Reaches.”
I wandered around on my own for more than a month before coming here, but I guess I should chalk that up to luck.
“What about your aura?” Ryuu asks.
“I’m not an A’yang. I haven’t even reached the Apprentice-Tier in that path.”
“Really? I figured since you carry that sword around…”
“I’ve practiced with the sword quite a bit, as a result of my late mother’s wishes, but that doesn’t mean I can wield aura. You’ll find that many M’yin use weapons to supplement their lack of physical strength, unless their Talent does that for them.”
“Interesting, and very obvious once you point it out. I’ve tried using weapons in the past, but my aura would always shatter them with the first blow.”
“A common story regarding developing A’yang. You’ll need to reach an advanced level of control before you can properly coat a weapon with aura.”
Ryuu frowns at this, while Ilene sits up straighter.
The blush on her cheeks is still present, and her eyes have become clouded.
Despite her impressive ability to remain coherent, he can sense that this will come to an end soon.
She certainly spilled a lot.
I didn’t think she was the type to get loose-lipped while drunk, but it’s not so bad to see her vulnerable side.
He continues staring as her head nods, and her eyes begin drooping.
Something’s nagging me about what she said, but I can’t quite put my finger on it…
“Oh, Serafall! Is there any relation to Belynda Serafall?”
As he asks the question, a loud thud reverberates through the bar.
Ryuu sighs, unable to hide his amusement at Ilene snoring with her head pressed against the table.
******
Night has fallen over the capital city of Mahora, the streets of the Gold District lit up by mana stones and other glowing technology.
Ryuu carries Ilene on his back, holding her up by the legs as he maneuvers through alleyways and smaller streets to help her save face.
He can smell the perfume radiating off her at this proximity, a strong vanilla with hints of jasmine.
As he begins thinking he’ll have to wait before returning to the estate, he feels Ilene begin to stir against his back, her arms twitching while draped over his shoulders.
“Wha… What? Where am I… RYUU?!”
She pushes herself back out of shock, making Ryuu strain to keep her from falling backward.
“Calm down! You’re gonna knock us both down!”
“Why are you carrying me?! Put me down this instant! This is unsightly!”
Ilene continues berating him, but he ignores the complaints and trudges along with her on his back.
Somewhere along the way she silently gives up, accepting the help, until he sets her down outside of the main gate.
They reach the South-East Tower without much difficulty, and Ryuu helps Ilene to her room as she leans on his shoulder for support.
He eventually gets her into a chair and steps back with a sigh.
“Next time you wanna get drunk, warn me beforehand. I didn’t sign up to haul your ass all the way back here.”
“Oh please. I’m sure it was an honor for you.”
“Ha-ha. Hilarious. Just make sure you change before you climb into bed. I won’t be responsible for you getting sick in the middle of the night.”
He moves to leave the room, but is stopped by a hand tugging on the back of his jacket.
“Don’t go…”
“Hm?”
“Don’t go… Please!” Ilene begs with tear-filled eyes.
“I can’t take it anymore! I’ve been so isolated for the past ten years, and now my brother is trying to steal you from me!”
Ten years?
Where’s this coming from?
“What do you mean? I know he’s being weird about the Succession Election, but I haven’t felt any malicious intent. Besides, I promised I’d help you out, and I’m not going back on my word. I’ll win my fight in five days and officially become your Blade. You can count on that.”
Ilene stares into Ryuu’s pale eyes, her face a mess as she pleads with him.
“I know… I know… I want to believe that you’re as different as I’ve hoped. I can’t handle another failure, Ryuu. I won’t be able to take it if I lose another friend…”
There’s that word again.
“Friend”.
I’ve never really had one before, but from what I know, it’s like having a family.
Is that how she sees me?
Like family?
We’ve only known each other for a few days though…
He kneels down to her level by the chair and takes her hand into his.
“It seems like you’ve lived a rather lonely life, Ilene. I don’t know much about being a friend, or family for that matter, but I’ll be here for you. I won’t run or lose. I’ll meet all of our challenges head on and beat them down myself! So cheer up! We’ll definitely achieve our goals together!”
Ilene’s hand trembles in his, then she grips almost unbearably tight.
She meets Ryuu’s gaze with fierce determination, her attitude flipping completely.
“You know what, you’re right! To hell with my brother’s plans! I can’t get stuck in the past, especially not with the goal so close!”
She stands, pulling Ryuu up with her.
“You’ll kick the ass of whoever they choose to test you! Then we’ll show my family, no, the capital, that we’re a legitimate contender in this election! I just know you’ll win Ryuu. After all, you’re the man I’ve chosen to be my Blade!”
Is it even possible to switch moods that fast?
Ryuu feels a bit embarrassed at the praise, but puts on his signature smirk and holds out a fist.
“To victory.”
“To victory!” Ilene exclaims with a wide grin of her own.
They bump fists, reaffirming what drives them forward as they prepare for the first true obstacle in their journey together.
Ilene forces her reluctant partner to stay and sleep on one of the couches in her room, seemingly still a bit affected by the alcohol.
She even begins trying to change with him still present, although Ryuu dives across the floor and averts his eyes before she can show any skin.
He knows what would happen to him once she becomes clear-headed in the morning.
Within minutes of their conversation, Ilene is peacefully asleep in bed, while Ryuu lies on a couch and stares up at the ceiling.
He mulls over the many things he learned today and hardens his resolve once more.
Since the moment he had met Ilene, his only intention had been to use her while she used him, but now, his heart was unknowingly beginning to shift.
I’ll win.
I’ll win.
I’ll win.
I’ll win!