Note to the reader: *.......* means he's saying that in his head.

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It's getting harder to write this story. I'm taking a long time now just to write one chapter. My ideas are running dry. Sorry about the long release schedule lately.

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Chapter 49

*****************Clara POV******************

I lost myself for a short time, but when my reasoning came back I was able to drive her away with a few kicks. She didn't bother me again for the rest of the night. Worrying about her coming after me again kept me from falling asleep, and I was completely worn out by the time everyone started getting up.

Ilyana cooked breakfast for us which was really delicious. She didn't eat it though and instead pulled out a yellow stone. This yellow stone gave off a faint light and I could tell it was condensed mana. It was interesting to watch her eat it like some kind of a fruit.

Sasha:"What does that taste like?"

Surprisingly Sasha decided to talk to Ilyana.

Ilyana:"Taste? Hmmmm."

Ilyana began to slowly chew the piece of condensed mana in her mouth while thinking about what to say.

Ilyana:"It doesn't really have a taste, but I do get a feeling when eating it."

Sasha:"What kind of feeling?"

Ilyana:"A sense of comfort and ease washes over me."

It looked like Sasha actually wanted to talk more; however, I spoke up.

Clara:"We need to find a couple more people to join our group."

I wanted to join in their conversation, but I felt a little awkward talking to Ilyana after what happened last night so I decided to force a new conversation in order to change the atmosphere between us. Though this awkwardness was something only I felt.

Ilyana:"Most people seem to have already grouped up so it's gonna be hard to find people."

Ilyana responded to me in a casual tone while Sasha just nodded. We were trying to think of what to do when a man walked up to us.

Ashen:"Hello ladies."

My body tensed up when I saw his face. It just screamed villain. He was obviously trying to look friendly with a smile, but those sharp eyes and stern looking face made it impossible.

Ashen:"My group noticed the three of you were unable to find enough people so our leader thought to invite you to join us."

He pointed towards his group and instantly I recognized the leader.

Ashen:"Our leader, Zander, couldn't stand the thought of leaving you three all alone."

Ilyana:"We're fine alone."

Ilyana's voice sounded a little cold. Mr Villain looked angry............wait........that's just his face.

Ashen:"That's no good! The monsters around here may be weak right now, but you never know what could happen."

This time I decided to speak.

Clara:"We'll be fine even if strong monster appear. Thank you for your offer, but we'd rather be alone."

Mr Villain narrowed his eyes.

Ashen:"According to the rules we can't allow you three to continue without a group of at least five."

Clara:"We'll find some more people. Now excuse us."

I wanted to end the conversation so I grabbed Ilyana and Sasha's hand then pulled them both away. That man was too suspicious. He kept his eyes on us until we were out of sight.

****************Becket POV****************

Traveling by wagon really sucks. It's already been a full day since we began our journey toward the vampire continent and the constant shaking is a real pain in the ass.

I said my goodbyes to everyone then left with Carmilla and Bram. Sylvia wasn't feeling well so I ended up not being able to see her before leaving. Aria was mad since I left her behind, but she'll only be trouble so I didn't have a choice. To make up for it I've decided I'll do something special with her when I get back. I've left it up to her to decide the specifics.

Before leaving I paid the adventurers guild to send a letter to Sasha. I was starting to get a little worried since she never responded to my message on the title stone.

Becket:"Here you go Carmilla."

I passed a new doll over to her. Like the last one I made it was based on Aria. Carmilla showed a very attractive smile while receiving the doll.

Becket:"I'm gonna stretch my legs."

My voice was loud enough to reach Bram who was currently sitting up front controlling the wagon. Carmilla ignored me since she was completely focused on inspecting the new doll, but Bram gave me a nod. I climbed off the wagon and began walking behind it.

Becket:"It's getting easier."

The earth pulse emitted faint traces of energy. As long as I focused on the sound the flow of energy coming from the planet became visible. I'm not sure if it's actually called the earth pulse, but that's what I've decided to call it. It was becoming easier for me to sense the pulse and the energy it emits.

The energy flows into the dirt, trees, rocks and all the different kinds of plants. Since high elves are masters of nature and earth magic I assume their secret is actually this energy. Learning how to connect to this energy is likely the key to using a high elf's abilities.

I can feel this energy in the clothes I'm wearing and the sword at my waist. If my guess is correct I'll be able to manipulate anything that originates from the planet once I learn to use this energy.

In most places the earth pulse is so weak that I can't hear it without focusing. It becomes easier near bodies of water. I'm not sure why.

Bram:"There's a town ahead of us."

A tall wooden gate came into view several meters down the path we were currently on. This town is a marker for people leaving the capitol. Once you pass it the royal families influence begins to weaken. The villages around the capitol are considered under the direct rule of the royal family so they directly govern the land, but once we pass through this town we'll enter one of the noble's territory.

The human continent has a total of 14 noble families that each govern their own land. The royal family manages the capitol and all surrounding villages. A town is set up to mark the border of each nobles territories. Every territory, except the areas governed by the royal family, has four marker villages. One marker village is located at the northern most part of their territory along with a village in the south, west and east.

The royal families territory has 14 marker villages designating the start of each nobles territory. If you were to look on a map you would see the royal families territory creates a large circle around the capitol.

Becket:"After we pass here, the real journey begins."

I talked to myself while we approached the wooden gate. Two knights in full armor stood on each side dressed in silver. Both of them had spears and a sword at their waist. Thanks to a special pass we received from the princess before leaving, the guards let us easily enter the town. Since the main road ran straight through the town, we had to go in even though we planned to immediately leave out of their eastern gate.

No one paid any attention to us since we were all dressed in plain clothes. I had gotten use to wearing fairly expensive clothes along with some of the knight armor so I felt a little funny. Even the vampires usually wore high class clothing. Currently I had a pair of cream whit pants on along with brown leather boots and my green leaf coat that I hadn't worn in a while. My hair was pulled back in a ponytail since it was long again.

Shady looking man:"Hey Miss Elf!"

A shady looking man with his hood up approached me while we were on our way toward the eastern gate.

Shady looking man:"I've got something I'm sure you'll want to buy! Look! Look!"

He stuck his hand into the sack he was carrying and pulled something out.

Becket:"An.......ocarina?"

He was holding a blue ocarina.

*Why would he think I might want to buy that?*

Shady looking man:"It's a magical ocarina!"

Becket:"I don't need it."

This man was obviously trying to scam me so I brushed him off.

Shady looking man:"W-Wait! It really is magical!"

The man kept trying to sell it to me while explaining the history of the ocarina. I only half listened so all I heard was that an elf was the previous owner and supposedly it could be used to travel through time. It got a little annoying so I eventually frightened the man off by displaying some fire magic.

Becket:"Such a dumb scam. An instrument that can time travel. How stupid."

I sighed at the man for his lack of creativity.

Becket:"No one will fall for such an obvious scam."

Not long after that we made it out of that town and officially entered one of the 14 noble's territory. Once again I began to focus on the sound of the earth pulse. The energy particles became visible and I tried to connect to them. That's when I finally noticed something.

Becket:"I've seen this energy before."

This was the same energy the gods implanted knowledge of into me.

Becket:"Then why can't I connect to it?"

I didn't understand. If this truly was the same energy then shouldn't I already be able to connect to and manipulate it? What was preventing me from moving forward?

Becket:"Confirma!"

The energy coursed through my body. It felt much stronger than the last time I used it. Maybe a high elf's body was more suited to using this magic or perhaps it was just because I've gotten stronger since then.

Becket:"It's different."

I could sense a slight difference between the energy in my body and the energy floating up from the earth pulse running under my feet. It was very similar, but also very different.

Becket:"It's the quality isn't it?"

It's only a guess, but I think the energy currently running through my body is a refined version of the energy coming from the earth pulse.

Becket:"That must be the reason. My body is use to handling a version of this energy with the impurities removed so processing it in its natural state must be difficult."

I sighed.

Becket:"Damn gods. Didn't they realize this would happen?"

I immersed myself in thought. Magic is a strange thing so I wasn't sure if my assumption was even correct. Perhaps I'm just not suited for using this type of energy.

Becket:"No, there's definitely a way to connect to this energy."

Carmilla:"What are you doing?"

Until now I had been watching the ground while I walked as if keeping my eyes on it would help somehow, but her voice caused me to look up. She was sitting on the back of the wagon with her legs dangling off staring at me. Both of the doll I made were in her lap.

Becket:"Practicing magic."

She picked up the dolls in her lap and set them down next to her then jumped off the wagon. While facing me she walked backwards so that we could talk.

Carmilla:"I know some magic."

Becket:"Oh? What kind?"

I was interested in what kind of magic a vampire used so I asked. She came close to me and smiled revealing her fangs.

Carmilla:"Bodily magics."

Becket:"Bodily magic?"

She had a confident look on her face.

Carmilla:"It's the strongest magic."

She shook her head up and down agreeing with her own statement.

Carmilla:"It changes a persons body. Strengthening it, transforming it or affecting it in any way."

Becket:"Transformation? Like a werewolf?"

Carmilla looked disgusted for a second.

Carmilla:"Those dogs do use a type of transformation magic which is technically a bodily magic, but theirs is much more limited when compared to a vampire's."

Carmilla raised her hand and spread her fingers. The nails began to extend a few inches and formed a sharper point making them look very deadly.

Carmilla:"Vampires are masters of their body. We can transform pieces of ourselves instead of a full transformation. Those dogs lack the fine control over the transformation process."

*I'm surprised. She's not as dumb as I thought she was. I didn't think she would be able to explain her own magic in this much detail.*

Becket:"So werewolves and vampires have similar magic? I wonder if they're somehow related?"

I spoke that last part low so that she wouldn't hear it. She obviously holds some dislike for the werewolf race so I didn't want to anger her. Carmilla snorted coldly.

Carmilla:"Wild mutts can't even be compared to a vampire. Their magic is pathetic, but they do have those instincts which makes them a real annoyance. Crushing some of them can be rather difficult for a lower vampire."

Becket:"So you've fought werewolves?"

Carmilla:"Of course. I can't even remember the number of how many I've killed in my life. Those savages should just quietly surrender to us vampires."

Becket:"Could you explain mana to me?"

Carmilla tilted her head.

Carmilla:"You're practicing magic without knowing about mana?"

Becket:"No, I know a little about it. I was just interested in hearing about it from you."

I was still perplexed on how to connect to the earth pulse's energy so I figured maybe her explanation on mana might give me an idea. I was taught to try looking at things from a different angle when it gets too difficult. It's possible her view on mana differs from my own. She brought her hand up to her chin and made a pose as if she was thinking deeply about how to answer my question. Her blood red eyes looked directly at me.

Carmilla:"Mana is......"

.

.

.

.

.

Carmilla:"......Magic!"

*Maybe she is an idiot.*

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