Brothers and sisters under the God of all existence, Paximillion! We have gathered here today to be one in heart, one in mind, be of one existence. We have gathered to listen to the voice of nature, to the voice existence, to the voice of our God. His voice commands us to defend all of existence!

The danger does not end with the destruction of the Blighted Multitude. These void mages, worshippers of Negatorium, is a continuing threat that we must put down. They must be purged from our lands! It is an insult to the Dragon Emperor Krystfallen, beloved servant of Paximillon if we do not continue the fight he has started. The Void Houses must burn!

Sermon of Archbishop Benjamin III before the congregation

Of the Church of the Dragon

“Look at this clown of a man. Making a mockery out of the highly esteemed art of fighting. In the glorious arena of Krysperium, no less!”

“Indeed brother. A monkey jumping around with his pathetic basket.”

Two brothers sat beside each other in the special box of the annex arena. They are both tall and mighty in stature and have the same facial features; fair and angular, as if sculpted by a rigid artisan. Except for having different eye colors, they look exactly alike. Each one wore a thick fur cape matching the color of his eyes, one blue, and the other green. Diagonal layers of exquisite black leather threaded with intricate designs was worn over their tunic.

Lucas and Logan, twin sons of a wealthy merchant of Krysperium, watched the battle of the one called ‘BasketSlayer’. Their father has built up their fortune through the trade of armors, weapons, and other tools from the manaforges. These two brothers did not follow their father’s path and become merchants, but their goal was still the same, to build up and prosper Merchant House Baccarat.

“Lucas, let the people have their entertainment, sooner or later, they will see the difference between a warrior and a clown,” Logan said, one of his green eyes partly covered by his blond hair. He ran his fingers through his hair and leaned back. “Although, given the quality of the participants in the preliminaries, this monkey will most likely qualify.”

“It’s just as well, so that we can personally teach him not to make a mockery out of the gallant way of the warrior.”

The special box has a perfect view of the stage. Earth spikes as tall as a man bristled out the ground like weeds growing through the cracks of worn-out pavement. Craters pockmarked the empty spaces between the earth spikes while gigantic boulders were strewn all over the stage.

In the middle of it stood a giant of stone, its four long clawed arms almost reaching its feet, its body decorated with glowing totems, and in the middle of its otherwise featureless face, a single eye followed the movements of its enemy. Its master, dressed in a viridian robe, carrying a crooked staff, stood on the head of the stone giant. Its head perfectly balanced, its eye tracking the BasketSlayer, as its long arms attacked with vigor.

“He is just wearing down his enemy. The earth mage still hasn’t made a successful hit.”

“The nimble monkey forced the mage to hastily summon the stone giant for his protection. If he didn’t this fight would have already ended,” Lucas observed.

Logan stretched his legs, placing them on the headrest of the chair in front of him. “It’s only a matter of time. The earth spirit is draining away his mana.”

The long claws of the stone giant slashed the air with such ferocity and speed that they almost seemed like a blur of grey. They gouged deep furrows all over the stage. A black robed man danced inside the deadly flurry of sharpened claws, evading each slice. Both arms cradled his precious basket to his chest, protecting it from the debris flying through the air as the stone giant scored the stage with its attacks.

The earth mage was quickly drinking his mana potions. It was evident that the stone giant alone can’t keep the BasketSlayer at bay for long. He had been casting earth spikes and throwing huge boulders at the black robed attacker but none of his spells connected, it was all he could do to stop his opponent from climbing over the arms of the stone giant. Earth traps scattered all over the stage also did not work. The BasketSlayer seemed to know the location of all the sinkholes that the earth mage has carefully conjured beneath the stage.

“He has seized the initiative right from the beginning. The earth mage has been on the defensive the moment the basket clown has started his attack,” Lucas said.

“Nothing praiseworthy, Lucas. I would have done the same thing if I were to only rely on my speed- just attack and attack non-stop. It seems that’s the only strength he has.”

“Don’t underestimate the competition, Logan.”

Lucas laughed. “I’m not underestimating him. I am just assessing the situation impartially. Stating the truth is not underestimating. Look, the earth mage seemed to have decided to use his trump card.”

Green shimmering specks of light began to gather around the body of the earth mage. Incantations flowed from his mouth while he shut his eyes to concentrate. The stone giant, aware that his master was no longer supporting its attacks with earth spells began to move back while frantically fending off the charging BasketSlayer.

Without rocks raining down on him while evading the claws of the stone giant, the BasketSlayer was able to find and opening, he jumped on one of the long arms of the earth mage’s summon and began climbing up. The stone giant tried throwing him off and slashed him with its other arms, not caring if it slashed its own body in the rage of claws. The BasketSlayer jumped from one arm to another, reaching higher and higher along the body of the stone giant.

The green light covering the earth mage swirled around him, condensing into a small orb above his head. He released the ball high up into the air and jumped off the head of his summon. The glowing totems on the summon started to fade, the earth spirit released its hold in the material world. The stone giant, now just a statue, began to crumble. Rocks fell all around the BasketSlayer, threatening to crush him and bury him beneath their weight.

The earth mage gathered the last drops of his mana for one more spell. As he fell from the head of the stone giant, parts of it were drawn to him. The falling rocks and debris compacted around the earth mage, forming a stone cocoon. Its walls solidified and thickened as more and more rocks were attracted to it.

A howling wind swept the entire stage. All the scattered boulders, the jutting earth spikes, every inch of the stage began to crumble into sand. Strong gusts withered away every piece of rock and soil, adding it to the furious hurricane of sand. Unable to see anything, the audience switched their gaze to the green orb released by the earth mage before he jumped off his sand golem. It seemed to be the center of the dust storm.

“Mid-rank earth spell sandstorm. A weak version,” Lucas scoffed. Yet he peered into the clouds of sand, interested on the fate of the two participants.

The green orb floating over the stage unleashed a raging storm, thick pillars of sand smashed against the shields at the sides of the stage, fierce winds strained at them. The orb grew smaller and smaller as it expended its energy.

The dust slowly settled as the audience waited with bated breath. A mountain of sand stood upon the leveled stage. Partially buried at its side was the stone cocoon, it slowly crumbled and opened.

Inside was a black robed man carrying an unconscious earth mage on his shoulders.

Lucas gripped the rests of his chair and slowly stood up, laughing. “Did you see that, brother? I didn’t expect this parody of a warrior have some hidden skills.”

“Yes, those red runes glowing momentarily on his skin might be the source of that sudden burst of speed,” Logan said. “Isn’t this his fifth fight?”

“He has one last fight before being qualified.”

“We have people participating in this set of qualifications, right? Perhaps he could meet one of them in his last preliminary fight.” Lucas stood up, gathered his fur coat around him and began to exit the special box.

Logan followed him. “Yes, we have. It is conceivable that he might meet, let us say, an A-rank adventurer for his final preliminary fight.

“Truly fate would be cruel if the A-rank adventurer he meets happens to be, Sicarius”

“And as always, money can affect fate. The way of the Baccarat.”

Six hooded figures waited outside the special box for the twin brothers. They bowed as they masters arrived.

“Let us go back to the adventurer’s guild. We have a week to complete our current mission. We don’t want other A-ranked teams to get ahead of us.”

“This mission will just take us a few days to do, brother, we will be here by the start of the tournament proper,” Logan said.

The brothers walked with their mysterious companions across the main hall of the annex arena. The din of chatter stopped as the people saw the group that just entered the hall. Like a stoked charcoal, the chatter rekindled, this time, the topic was about the people who just entered.

“Hey aren’t those the Baccarat brothers?”

“Yes! It’s them! Those people behind them must be members of their adventurer’s team.”

“I heard they’re the A-ranked team that killed a Tyrant Drunstin mammoth.”

“Oh yeah! Its tusks were used for the amazing sculpture presented during the opening celebrations.”

Logan and Lucas smiled and nodded at the people around them. Some people even went forward to shake their hands. The brothers graciously accommodated their adoring fans. Most people, however, kept their distance even though they saw that the brothers were obliging. There were rumors that the other team members were shifty individuals so the crowd did not dare go near the cloaked people behind the brothers.

Looking over the heads of the crowds, the brothers noticed another door of the main hall opened. It was the door leading to the fighters’ area. Out stepped a black robed man carrying a basket. The chatter of the people once again died down as they noticed the gazes of the famous adventurers and an upcoming favorite participant met.

“Mr. BastketSlayer! A pleasure meeting you here. We watched your amazing performance. Very impressive indeed,” Logan said. The crowds parted before him and he walked over to BasketSlayer, offering his outstretched hand.

BasketSlayer accepted his offered handshake. “Thank you very much. I apologize that I don’t know you. But you seem to be a famous warrior. It’s an honor to be able to shake your hand.”

“My name is Logan Baccarat, and this is my brother Lucas.”

BasketSlayer also shook hands with Lucas. “It was nice meeting both of you. I take my leave. I’m going to the kitchen in the main arena to fill my basket with food.”

“We look forward to seeing more of your victories Mr. BasketSlayer,” Logan said. “Although, you are not going to have any more of them,” he added in a low voice that no one could hear.

“The answer is no.”

“Pretty please, Jel,” Felixia said. “Can we take a peek at the designs of the citysigil?”

Jel kept walking down the hallway, ignoring the three apprentice sealcrafters tailing her. “I don’t have the clearance to see it and neither do all of you.”

“Please Jel, the fate of the Empire is on the line!” Felix said.

Jel stopped walking and stared him down.

“Ok, the fate of the Empire is probably not on the line. But, I really need to check my theory. If it's correct then something could potentially go wrong with the mana supply to the city sigil,” Felix said.

“Felix, I gave you my time to explain your theory. It’s plausible, actually. But you’re forgetting that the sealcrafters of the empire had nearly five hundred years to examine its design. They haven’t spoken about such thing as a, um, some sort of intermediary seal between the mana node and the citysigil.”

Jel resumed walking and turned her back to them. “And like I said, I’m not allowed to see it anyway even though it’s just in this building.”

“You could probably try to see it if you want. You’re like the rising star of sealcrafter apprentices.”

“My duty is in the outer temple. I have generally no business in the inner temple, much less in the Delphine Hall.” Jel's thumping footsteps, heavy from the weight of her armor, echoed around the corridor as she walked away.

“Thanks, Jel,” Felix said.

“What did you thank her for? She did not help us.”

“Yes she did, Harvey. She told us there’s a copy of the design in this temple. She wanted us to find the design.”

“Really? But she said that no one has found an intermediary seal,” Harvey said.

“She only said that no one spoke about it.”

“Oh! She’s hinting that there’s probably something like it!” Felixia clapped her hands together at the realization. “Wait a minute, are you sure you’re not just misinterpreting her?”

“Although it can’t be easily seen because of all her antics, she truly cares for the safety of the empire,” Harvey nodded. “She’s also a sealcrafter as well. It is probable that she might be interested in the design of the citysigil. It’s like a dream for all of us aspiring sealcrafters to be able to examine the legendary design of the citysigil.”

Felix added, “I think she also has some suspicions of her own. The matter regarding the interrupted mana flow seemed to have been swept under the rug. The higher ups seem to have concluded that it’s just a fluctuation due to the mana upsurge of the node.”

“But even if it really is just fluctuations then the more reason we should prepare in case the power gets interrupted for a much longer period of time.”

“Exactly, dear sister. Fluctuation or not, it is definitely a cause for concern. I still think it’s not just fluctuating mana flow. Why would a mana node suddenly go off, especially if it’s the process of strengthening its power. Furthermore, I doubt there’s anything that can stop a mana node from oozing its energy. Which means that the it is probably the case that there’s an intermediary seal that’s transmitting power from the node and it’s the one that’s messed up.”

“Jel is probably thinking along those lines as well,” Harvey said.

“But, as Jel said, she does not have access to those designs.”

“Earlier I was happy and all giddy to do this, but taking a step back and looking at things, it does not seem to be a good idea after all,” Felixia said. “Jel herself is keeping her hands off this one.”

“She will help us,” Felix assured her. “She might not have the clearance to see it but that won’t stop her. At least we know it’s in Delphine Hall. She needs to be discreet about it, though.”

Felixia frowned. “None of us is allowed to go there. It’s just the old people that go there.”

“Time to think of some other plan I guess?” Felix shrugged.

Ice cubes clinked on the sides of the pitcher as Emelie stirred its contents. She extracted moisture from the air and formed into ice cubes over the pitcher which then plopped gently into her mixture of freshly squeezed mopeyra fruit juice, a hint of mint, and honey from lilac bees. She could just make the juice cold using her powers, but she prefers to add in ice cubes. She liked the sound that they make when she stirred them, like wind chimes moved by the gentle breeze.

Her brother has been training diligently under the tutelage of the mysterious BasketSlayer. Emelie tried to get some information on this black cloaked warrior but to not avail. Of course, she was very much concerned that her brother was taught by someone she did not know so she contracted some persons to investigate the background of BasketSlayer. Sadly, they could not find any clues as to his real identity.

For now, she decided to trust him. He seems to be a harmless person anyway who was only interested in getting fed with all kinds of food. They also need his help in teaching her brother to become stronger. They don’t have much time before the qualification exam for Milla Lyceum. They also don’t have much time left to help their family by obtaining a slot in Milla Lyceum.

She took out a letter from inside her robe. Orvin was already trying his hardest, she thought. Showing him the letter would only increase his burden.

Minute sparks of lightning tore the letter to dust that floated away in the air.

Emelie picked up the tray containing the pitcher, a few glasses and went looking for her brother and his teacher.

Her brother sat on a circular stone, crossed leg, sweat running across his brow, and forehead creased in deep concentration. Four cindertoads, which were more similar misshapen molten rocks rather than fire spirits, hopped around him, croaking deeply while spewing a few smoke rings every now and then.

She looked around to find her brother’s teacher. He was under the shade of a tree, reading a book while eating cookies out of his basket. She always wondered what that basket was since she first saw it. After watching this man defeat her brother in the arena, she went to watch a few more of his matches. He was always carrying the basket with them. Is it some type of magical artifact granting him great speed and battle prowess? Perhaps it was disguised as a basket to make it inconspicuous. Probably not, she though. Carrying a basket into battle is quite conspicuous and suspicious.

“Would you like a drink Mr. BasketSlayer? The weather is quite stifling today.” She offered the man a glass of the juice that she made. She tried her best to replicate the orange colored juice that he said he liked.

“Oh, thank you very much. I was thinking of getting something to drink to down all the cookies I have been eating.”

She looked at the book that he was reading. “You’re planning to go to the kingdom of beastmen next?”

“Maybe. I’m not sure. I’m just interested in the rise of the kingdom of beastmen,” BasketSlayer replied. “It’s very delicious. It’s better than the one I had at the arena.” He quickly drunk the juice Emelie made.

She smiled, genuinely pleased. “What did you find so interesting about the beastmen?”

“Their king who united all their tribes was a Dragon’s Chosen. Those Chosen are an amazing bunch of people. The first beast king was able to forge his people into a powerful kingdom.”

Emelie sat down beside him. She refilled his cup and gave it to him. “It is a shame that there are sour relations between the beastmen and humans. One would think that after following Emperor Krystfallen, the Beast King would have a more favorable view of humans. It seems that after the Emperor died, the beastmen became exceedingly cold towards any human efforts for trade and cooperation.”

BasketSlayer did not give her any response. He became strangely quiet, he even stopped munching on his biscuits. Sensing an awkward silence, Emelie tried to talk about the progress of her brother.

“Is my brother doing well? He can summon four cindertoads now. I really haven’t thought about summoning multiple elemental spirits of the same kind.”

“Oh, yeah, your brother is doing fine. The cindertoads he summoned does not look too good though. Still impressive to be able to quickly progress to summoning four of them at the same time.

“Orvin really wants to get in Milla Lyceum. Thank you very much for helping him Mr. BasketSlayer,” Emelie said. She really meant what she said even if she was suspicious of this person. She can see that he is genuinely teaching her younger brother.

“Don’t mention it. This villa is a really nice place to live in.”

“I’m glad you like it,” she said. “Mr. BasketSlayer, are you free tomorrow?”

“Yes, I don’t really do much. Sometimes I feel like I’ve slept for five hundred years.”

“Well then, to further show my gratitude, I would like to invite you to join my brother and I in attending a service in the Church of the Dragon. It is my duty to share to others the way of the Dragon Emperor Krystfallen, servant of our god Paximillon.”