Chapter 63 — Arrangements and Invitations

Jarrel had used magic to cut the leaf, and Ria was fairly sure it wasn’t a spell. The energy didn’t originate from him or his sword either—like a cutting wind would. What Ranger saw was magic forming directly where the leaf was cut… and the element was strange.

It wasn’t air. The impression was similar to the dangerous sharpness provided by her orichalcum when she explored its indestructible and crystal properties. Sharpness-!

Ria’s eyes widened even though she was using Ranger’s to see by. ‘Cut with the idea of sharpness’… had he really done it? Bent magic to his will? Or rather, made his will magic?

It went against everything she knew about how magic worked and didn’t work. But, as much as she’d like to argue the theory of why it wasn’t possible, the leaf was cut somehow without Jarrel touching it, and an unusual element had appeared.

Now that she was thinking about it, these last few days, Jarrel himself seemed oddly sharper somehow. Had she not imagined it? Ria churned through possibilities that could cause such a sensation and kept coming back to one implausible explanation. Could it be… an aura?

If she were to compare, there were others around her with auras: Rente Ravelle feeling and smelling like a storm; Welkin radiating vitality; Hulle’s breath smelling of frost. Her cheeks reddened at remembering that last one, but she shook it off, causing her hair to swish in the comfortably toasty water.

But even if that was so—that Jarrel had developed an aura—even if he had unlocked his inner energy, it seemed far-fetched. The density of energy required to manifest a tangible aura… could it be a bloodline, instead?

Ria bunched her lips to the side. No one seemed to know what he was doing during the day. Could he be meeting with an alchemist…?

There weren’t any signs of mutations though.

And the aura didn’t feel like something acquired from a monster. Or a spirit. Or even like the spiritual fruit she chose for Ranger.

And there was the mystery of Jarrel’s clothing being cut to pieces…

There were stories about warriors becoming so good at the sword that they could cut through stone as if air or so strong that they could crush boulders and cause explosions with their punches and kicks—but that was fantasy, wasn’t it? Wasn’t it just an author’s tool for empowering a commoner character to overcome injustice and oppression by authorities and villains?

…though, the strength and explosive punches and kicks were often explained away as body-strengthening after unlocking one’s inner energy, and she could pretty much do that now… but what Jarrel did was more akin to cutting rock like air without the sword even touching it!

It was preposterous. There wasn’t even a gust of wind from the sword’s motion to blow the leaf about.

Jarrel had returned to meditating and didn’t seem to be about to showcase his new skill again for her to figure it out. She’d just have to ask him about it during dinner—assuming he joined them.

With a huff of frustration, Ria returned her focus to accelerating her body’s healing processes, and by the time Ana returned to dry her hair and help her dress, the bruising had gone from mottled blues to pale yellows and greens that only slightly discolored her skin. The result was good enough that a good night’s sleep should have her fully recovered without further energy expenditures.

“Ana, would you like to do some more shopping for me during the day tomorrow?” Ria asked as Ana combed out her hair.

“I’d love to!” the girl eagerly jumped at the opportunity, leaning forward with bright, expectant eyes.

Ria couldn’t help smiling at the reaction. “I’ll need to make you a list. Some of the items might require extra effort to source, and you may have to get creative—such as visiting ‘used goods’ shops and places that buy broken things.”

Ana’s eyebrows rose.

“I need silver and gold, crystals, and enchantable stone,” Ria explained. “Since I plan to melt the metals down and shape them with magic, there’s no need to buy ingots; old silverware, dented goblets, broken jewelry—all are fine. I’ll also need you to go by an artifacts shop to arrange for some special items. It will be quite difficult. Are you sure you are up for the challenge?”

Eyes widening comically, Ana gulped then gave a determined nod. “You can count on me, Miss Ria!”

“Good, good,” Ria chuckled and set out her writing supplies. “I’ll write you a letter to give to Miss Martina at the Cartographer’s Society.”

Ria started the letter with an update on the orichalcum tokens—that she had found and commissioned an alchemist to make them—before detailing her search for an apology gift for Leriah and a relic from Keira’s grandmother or possibly some other well-respected past member of the Golden Dawn. When the letter was complete, she added her workshop’s seal on both the top of the letter and in the sealing wax.

Ana watched the process with interest. “Your handwriting is pretty, Miss Ria.”

Ria grimaced, remembering Hulle and Phaelys’ handwriting, Iori’s too. “Thanks for that, Ana, but I still have much room for improvement.”

Taking out another sheet of paper, she jotted down the materials and quantities for Ana to purchase. “If you can’t get an adequate block of white jade, a milky marble will be okay, but I’ll need more magicite and crushed sunstone then, okay?”

After blinking a few times, Ana nodded.

“Don’t worry, I wrote it down,” Ria reassured and started to hand over the list before stopping. “Ah-, there is one more thing.”

She added ‘nature treats for Malleron’ to the list. There was no way to know when the greedy spriggan would demand one, and the little mushroom man had been rather useful lately.

For the amount of coin needed, 20 gold crowns would hopefully be enough unless Martina’s suggestions ended up particularly pricey, but the woman would probably send a letter back with Ana in that case. Ana’s eyes almost popped out of her head when the pile of coins was summoned and Ria placed them in a small sack for the girl to carry.

The girl looked nervous while carefully tucking the letter, list, and sack in her maid’s apron but gave Ria a bright smile once everything was secure. “I’ll see to it!”

“Great! Thanks!” Ria told her and gave a thumbs up. “Go put those someplace safe. I’m guessing your mom could use your help with dinner about now.”

Ana sheepishly admitted it was so and excused herself.

Stretching out her less tender but still slightly sore arms and back, Ria glanced over at Ranger. A gentle poke at their bond and the resulting groggy half-response confirmed he was napping, likely exhausted from what Shadwich put him through earlier.

Ria’s gaze returned to her writing supplies and she couldn’t help sighing. There was a task that she had been putting off that was of pressing urgency: invitations. Rienne was right that she was running out of time to send those out, but not only did Ria have no idea what inviting someone might mean socially, she had no idea who to invite.

Most everyone she considered a friend was probably going to be there already, except maybe Zena. She should definitely invite Zena. Would Orlisi need an invitation to be there as her chaperone and attendant? Should she invite Jax and Ellen? Phoebe from her mathematics class?

Hulle and Desi. Ria grimaced at the thought, but the pair had done much to help her.

Her team members from her Order and Wendra, for sure. And maybe those two first-years she met in the student lounge?

Resolving herself, Ria decided a list would be needed and started jotting down the names.

If she stretched her circle of acquaintances further, there was Atresia from the library and Lestina from the Mausoleum. At Whitestone Hall, Darsen had seemed nice, and Presius’ second-in-command — Rone was it? — had actually taken the time to give her helpful advice. Ria wondered if the muscled champion’s presence might help with blunting Presius’ terrible behavior… or would he make it worse?

She’d have to invite Leriah now. And having Phaelys come without inviting Ophesia and Nielle might imply something she didn’t intend to imply. Wasn’t this the kind of political choice Administrator Rente wanted her to seek his advice about? Ria was feeling certain it was.

And what about adults? Was she expected to invite Researcher Shadwich? Her instructors? Soulkeeper Renard? Would inviting Miss Martina count as the favor owed? Resolving the favor in such a way would be convenient if inviting her wouldn’t upset Lady Asara or imply any strange associations…

Who else had helped her…? Ah-! The High Priestess! But… would that be too presumptuous? Or cause too much attention? And if she invited Ellyns’ High Priestess, she would have to invite the head of Hemse’s local temple as well. Would he even read her invitation though?

Maybe she could write Ellnys’ High Priestess and ask her to contact Hemse’s on her behalf?

Jarrel could probably come as her guardian, but if the Houses found out she was an orphan… could they try to force Jarrel to hand her over? Or secretly have him killed and claim her as an act of ‘benevolence’?

Ugh! There was so much she didn’t know! She would have to ask Keira to help her. And for the ones Keira thought might be controversial, she could get advice from Administrator Rente and Lady Asara before sending them out.

Ria slid the list to the side for now. The sky visible past the balcony had yet to start reddening. She still had some time before dinner and decided to get her preparation for Waterday’s classes out of the way. This was probably the only chance she would get, as Ranger was sure to want to get started on the Beast Arts manual when he woke up, and she absolutely had to get some soul-strengthening in before going to sleep…

Ria cut a portion of the fish on her plate with her fork and scooped it into her mouth as she tried not to grin at her friend’s tirade.

“…if you are serious about this statue thing and not just teasing me…” Keira glanced at Miela who was calmly eating her meal before directing her glare back to Ria and Arthur, each in turn. “Then I will get the final say on all design decisions about the statue. I’m not going to risk my family’s reputation on the misguided aesthetics of people who don’t understand restraint!”

Glad that Keira was showing some spirit again, Ria decided it was time to try enticing the girl into an idea thought up during her long soak, “About that, after mulling over Arthur’s recommendations, I’m thinking white jade would be the best material.”

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

Keira looked at her suspiciously. “Jade? Why?”

“I think we should make the statue a meditation aid for improving light attunement,” Ria revealed.

The blond girl’s face went from wary to thoughtful, and after a pause, Keira answered with careful deliberateness, “That’s a not-terrible idea, but even if I help, my light energy is unlikely to be able to create a pure enough attunement for such use.”

Though she understood Keira’s concern. After having consumed the Hemse-blessed pansies, the quality of Keira’s affinity was likely better than the self-doubting girl thought. If Keira could form a custom glyph like Ria had done for orichalcum and they could use that to enchant the statue… What else could be a better impartment than the Truths present in her grandmother’s bloodline?

Still, she might be expecting the impossible from her friend. Discovering her own orichalcum glyph was due to using Wind Through The Mountain Peaks Sees The Path Below, and after Soulkeeper Renard’s admonishment about the risks, Ria wasn’t confident about safely using the technique on Keira.

But if Ria walked her through the process of refining the glyph, maybe it would be possible without resorting to risky means? Though even if Keira could do it, the real question was could Keira achieve such an accomplishment in a short enough timeframe?

“You're thinking of something ridiculous again,” Keira accused, and Jarrel snorted, apparently sharing the thought. Rude!

After directing hooded eyes in Jarrel’s direction, Ria turned back to her skeptical friend. “What if we use a custom light glyph based on your grandmother’s bloodline?”

Keira’s response of just staring at her wasn’t a good sign.

Arthur seemed of a similar opinion. “Ria… that’s something master mages do, not apprentices.”

“I did it. And I can teach Keira how,” Ria asserted, beginning to feel stubborn about the idea. “She can do it.”

“Even if by some miracle I did succeed as you think I can, I’m still not comfortable with the idea of choosing Grandma Averlee to be honored,” Keira complained. “The upperclassmen might see the effort as self-serving.”

“But I’m the one donating it,” Ria pointed out. “Wouldn’t it be natural for me to honor someone from my sponsor’s family?”

“I guess that’s true…” Keira reluctantly admitted. “And creating a custom glyph would help me increase the power and efficiency of my spells. Do you have a backup plan if I can’t create the glyph?”

Ria nodded. “We could have a blessing done, either by a priest of Anasari or a light spirit. If we went the spirit route, the Dawn Chaser at Tyrilenil’s shop could be enough. Direct sunlight impartment is another possibility that was covered in our enchanting class.”

Keira looked to Arthur for confirmation. “Would that really be sufficient to create a worthy meditation aid—worthy enough that my family won’t be embarrassed?”

“If the priest or spirit are strong enough, sure,” Arthur confirmed. “The direct impartment through elemental exposure would be harder to achieve in a short timeframe and a lot might be dependent on the materials and the success of the impartment ritual. The day and qualities of the light could increase the chances—a moonless dawn on Divinesday for example.”

With her divine affinity, an impartment ritual might produce surprisingly powerful results even with light attunement having a mismatch with her orichalcum affinity—in theory. Of course, Ria wasn’t about to point that out.

After considering for a while, Keira came to a decision. “Though I still think this is a ridiculous idea, maybe it does have merit. If you two can produce an acceptable design, I’ll do my best to help.”

“Yay!” Ria cheered.

Jarrel had a somewhat amused smile as he asked the obvious question, “Why are you three making a statue?”

Her gaze met with Keira’s. The noble girl didn’t out her just yet, but without a doubt, it was only a temporary forbearance.

Ugh. She needed to tell Jarrel this time—on her own initiative and before Keira said it.

“I got in trouble again…” Ria managed to force out. Her resolve weakened at the sight of Jarrel’s amusement abruptly darkening into a frown, but remembering her self-vow to stop hiding things from the people important to her, she took a deep breath and pressed on. “I was attacked by a group of girls upset over my involvement with Phaelys Vesali, and I caused their spell to go out of control, damaging the school grounds…”

“You were attacked? While at the academy?” Jarrel growled out, half-way to jumping out of his seat. “Were they punished?”

Ria grimaced. “Administrator Rente’s daughter, Leriah, was involved, so… I have agreed to lunch with her this Divinesday to exchange apologies.”

A groan escaped from Jarrel and he settled back into his chair, rubbing his forehead. “And that’s what the statue is about?”

Ria caught Keira’s gaze again, and the girl gave a nod, encouraging her to continue. “The damage to the grounds included a building belonging to Keira’s Order, so…”

“Presenting an apology to my Order is part of her recommended punishment apparently,” Keira added.

“A building…,” Jarrel started to mutter before focusing his attention on Keira. “Is Ria still at risk at school? Should I be worried about her going to meet with this Leriah girl?”

“With the girls’ identities exposed this time and the administrator getting involved, they probably won’t be able to act further,” Keira reasoned. “As for the lunch, I could have Miela go with Ria.”

“I could see to her safety and help her avoid further troubles,” Miela agreed.

See to her safety…?

After considering, Jarrel seemed to accept the maid’s words and nodded, looking visibly less concerned.

Huh?

Ria didn’t have time to worry about the oddity of the exchange as Jarrel was turning judging eyes back her way. “Just when were you planning to tell me about all this?”

“I’m telling you now!” Ria huffed. “You were busy! This is the first chance I’ve had!”

Jarrel looked away, his face unreadable.

Wha-? Had she won the argument that easily?

When the swordsman-turned-hunter-turned-swordsman didn’t seem about to say anything further, Ria decided not to let the sudden advantage go to waste and seized upon the opening to change the subject, countering with, “What were you doing in the garden earlier? I saw you cutting leaves with magic. Have you really unlocked your inner energy?”

Everyone present looked up sharply from their meals.

Jarrel let the question hang in the air for a while before admitting, “Maybe so. I’ve been told that I’ve set my feet upon the path, at least.”

Ria raised an eyebrow. “Told?”

At whatever secret place he was going to every day since they arrived in the capital?

“Yep.”

“By who?” Ria pressed.

Jarrel’s gaze still on the gardens outside the room’s windows, a distant half-smile raised the corner of his mouth. “An old guy with a beard.”

The heck kind of answer was that? Feeling annoyed, Ria grumbled, “...you’re not going to tell me, are you?”

“Nope.” He turned his gaze back to her but didn’t even look regretful or apologetic about not properly answering.

Ria ate some of her dinner, taking time to calm herself. Keira’s eyes caught the fading sunlight light as she discreetly evaluated Jarrel’s changes.

“Congratulations, Swordmaster Jarrel,” Arthur offered.

“Congratulations,” Aeri echoed.

Jarrel nodded and unhurriedly swallowed down a bite of food. “Thanks, Arthur, Aeri. It’s been a journey, you could say. Thankfully, it means I’ll be able to better protect you four soon.”