After a quick storm and 11 days later with no further pirate attacks, Sharon’s cargo vessel finally docked at Wanda’s northern port. Kiefer on the other hand had been busy experimenting and gathering data on his own mana pool throughout the duration.

He started out only being able to open his PD once before he was almost dry of mana. Now, after a repeated process of completely draining his mana and replenishing it, Kiefer counted a total of 15 repeats before finally being able to open his PD twice in a row. Through some simple calculations, Kiefer concluded that completely draining his mana raises his max capacity by about 5% cumulatively. Finally with a rough estimate on his own abilities, Kiefer could now plan a training system to increase his own capacity.

The northern port town of Wanda was not what Kiefer had expected. Completely different from Shearwood, the jetty and buildings were made out of wood, standing on stilts that buried deep into the swamp below. The jetty stretched out a fair way from the swamp, allowing for bigger ships to dock, but nevertheless, a putrid smell seemed to linger in the air. Kiefer could see the mouth of a river leading out to the sea, sandwiched between thickets of mangrove trees with root-ends that stuck out of the mud. Interestingly, Kiefer saw one of the roots extending upwards and snatch a low flying draerie right out of the air in a swift motion, before dragging the struggling dragon under the mud.

“Sher, stay inside my breastplate, absolutely do not fly around.” Kiefer whispered, knowing full well that Sher’s speed which was inferior to the draerie would render her completely helpless against the roots. Kiefer seem to have forgotten that Sher could transform into a 100m long monstrosity and simply glass the area.

“Well this wasn’t what I was expecting of a major port town that specializes in Shipwright.” Kiefer uttered to Sharon, revealing his disappointment.

“Oh no, this isn’t the port town. The main port town is still a fair distance away. We only dock here because it’s cheaper and we don’t have to pay Marine tax if we transport our goods by land.” Sharon explained apologetically. “Gotta save where we can.”

“That’s alright. It’s closer to my destination from here anyway. Well then, I bid you farewell.” Kiefer waved, stepping onto the wooden platforms and making his way towards the river. They had arrived in the morning and had already eaten breakfast on the ship. With Isana tagging along behind, Kiefer opened his PD and threw his mantle in.

Now dressed lightly with only his normal cotton clothes, mithril breastplate and boots on, Kiefer felt much cooler. Even though it was winter, the forests in Wanda were surprisingly warm. Seeing Kiefer take off his mantle, Isana followed suit, and then ran to catch up to Kiefer who had not waited for Isana.

Leaving the wooden platforms and walking along the bank of the river on his mana footholds, Kiefer followed the river and its tributaries. He had intended to avoid the city area to limit his interactions with additional variables. Isana had roughly indicated on his map where the hidden city of the high elves was and Kiefer was determined to visit them.

With half a day of walking, the sun was now beating down on them and it was starting to become too humid for comfort. Isana, seeing her husband trying to tolerate the heat flew into the sky above and blew a deep icy breath. The immediate area became chill and dry as all the vapour in the air froze and fell as snow. Isana was eager to get in Kiefer’s good books.

The river bank had gradually changed from swamp mud, to sandy mud, to sand and now rocks, similar to Shearwood’s lake. The mountain range separating Wanda from Shearwood was now visible on their right as they kept moving along the river. Finally, at one of its tributaries, Kiefer turned into the forest.

During the long walk, Kiefer and Isana exchanged short conversations, mostly about what to expect when they reach the city. They talked about Wanda, the Wind dragon and Isana’s wilful sister. Isana even mentioned a treasure that the high elves guarded with utmost secrecy – Wanda’s Fang. It is said that whoever holds Wanda’s Fang, could hold the ability to conjure up anything from a breeze to the destructive forces of hurricanes, and yet in exchange for power, forfeit part of their life and soul to empowering the titan.

It would seem that Titans could grow in power from different means, the most common being time. Titans only grew stronger with time, although it is a slow process, it is non-reversible. Other methods include absorbing souls of sacrifices with high affinity of the same elements as the titan, or from accumulating worshippers.

Ever since he entered the forest, Kiefer had been constantly releasing his mana pulse, always noticing animals too afraid to approach the aura of the 2 titans. However, after about 3 hours within the forest, Kiefer was alarmed by a powerful being that seemed to completely dessimate his mana pulse. It always stood stationary, but was powerful enough to completely convert his mana into its own. Kiefer cautiously approached what he assumed to be the 3rd titan he was about to meet, only to be met with trees. Isana and Sher on the other hand, didn’t seem to find anything wrong, or react to anybody that was as powerful as them.

As Kiefer guardedly raised his hand in front of him and moved forwards, assuming the powerful being was invisible, he felt some resistance in his breastplate and boots for a moment, but it gradually passed and nothing happened to him. Confused, he let out another mana pulse, only to be alarmed that the creature was now behind him. Spinning around, it wasn’t what he saw that intrigued him; it was what he didn’t see. Isana was nowhere to be found. Had she been made? Did she run away? Questions ran through Kiefer’s mind.

Kiefer stepped forward deliberately again, and as he walked, he found Isana, standing behind some trees in the distance. He had felt the strange resistance in his armour once again, but it passed quickly.

“Kii… have you figured it out yet? Ehehehe” Isana giggled, looking at the perplexed Kiefer. “Don’t ask me anything because I’m not going to help you with this. There’s no meaning if you don’t understand it yourself.”

Kiefer, however, was not mad. Analysing and figuring things out was his forte and he definitely did not need any help with that. Going with the only thing that he remembered felt weird, Kiefer opened his PD again, almost completely draining his mana empty, and equipped his gauntlets and shield. He released another mana pulse and finally understood.

It was not a titan, nor was it some power being. It was a barrier. The barrier absorbed his mana at an amazing rate, and upon entering, Kiefer would be teleported to the opposite side of the barrier.

Kiefer smiled, his evil grin showing up again. “I see. If it is a spell, it has mana. If it has mana, that means my ‘antimagic’ armour would do the trick. Let’s see who can absorb more mana, me with my 100% mithril armour, or you and your stupid barrier.” Kiefer declared, as if speaking to the invisible caster of the barrier.

With his mithril claws, Kiefer slowly swiped the air in front of him, and felt a slight resistance as if moving his hands through jam. Confirming the position of the barrier, Kiefer placed his diamond shield against it and started to rapidly convert mana from the barrier to replenish his own. While doing so, Kiefer pushed forwards into an invisible jelly wall. The space around his shield starting to warp, Kiefer pushed on until he suddenly fell forwards when he reached the other side of the barrier. Immediately, there was a sharp green tinted sword touching his throat as a figure restrained his arms from beind.

“WHO ARE YOU?” the figure bellowed.

Kiefer kept quiet, observing his surroundings. He was already surrounded, with5 long eared pale skinned elves pointing their longbows with arrows nocked at him. Kiefer enhanced his body and tried to break free, but unexpectedly, he still couldn’t budge a single inch. Even his legs were immobilised somehow. He then felt the sword dig into the flesh of his throat, a trickle of warm blood flowing down his neck. Putting up his mana armour would be useless in this situation since the sword had clearly already penetrated his defence once.

“Try to struggle again and that will be the last thing you do, human. Answer my question. Who are you?” (Figure)

Kiefer had decided to go all or nothing, choosing to either destroy everything and get away with his life, or die trying, even if he couldn’t get the knowledge he came here for. Making up his mind and preparing to summon the blackhole once more, he hesitated when the space next to him began to warp and Isana came stepping in, with Sher in her valley. When and how Sher had switched hiding places, Kiefer did not know. He had been too busy finding the high elf city to notice.

As soon as Isana appeared, Kiefer observed all the elves drop down on one knee and bowed their heads. No sooner had he seen this, he was forced into a similar position by the figure restraining him.

“Elder titan Isana, titan Shearwood, we were not informed of your arrival. Elder titan Wanda is still out around Aioa, we were not informed of her intended destination. We are sorry for our rude appearance; we had just caught a human intruder and were in the middle of interrogating him.” (Figure)

“Now that’s quite alright. Although, it would be better if you released my future husband, and also patch him up before he decides to reduce your city to nothingness, General Alwin.” Isana calmly requested, looking over at Kiefer.

Shocked and stupefied, Alwin immediately released Kiefer, undid the orihalcom shackles on Kiefer’s legs and healed the cut on his throat, finally allowing Kiefer to stand up. Kiefer stared at him with eyes of disdain, keeping silent, before shifting his gaze to the orihalcom shackles.

Stepping up beside Isana, Sher switched hiding places again and softly apologised to Kiefer, “Sorry master, Sana told me to leave you alone, so I left just before we arrived at the border of the barrier.”

“It’s ok Sher, I don’t blame you. Isana did the right thing and I greatly appreciate it.” Kiefer glanced at Isana and saw her smile, then caught the sight of the elves flinching when they heard Shearwood call him master. Turning to face the elves, Kiefer simply declared, “I’ll forgive the earlier rudeness that you displayed, if you lead me to the treasure that I am seeking.”

Right away, General Alwin issued an order and a carriage arrived within minutes, allowing Kiefer and Isana to board. The troops then escorted the carriage to the elven city like they were guarding members of the royal family.

The ride was short and pleasant. Kiefer observed that the elves had enchanted almost everything with runes, from the wheels of the carriage, to the orihalcom shackles used earlier. The only difference being the amount of runes used to enchant each item. While the wheel had a simple repulsion rune carved onto it to reduce shock from uneven roads, acting like suspension, the shackles was almost completely covered in runes, layered one upon another.

The City was thriving, almost every high elf being talented in magic, the day to day lives were dependant on magic. Paved roads, and stone buildings taller than any he’s seen. The roads spread out from the palace in the middle like spokes on a wheel. There was only a thin forest separating the first building from the barrier. It was a straight road from the edge of the city to the palace and in no time, Isana and Kiefer were within the palace standing before the kneeling Elven king. In the elven King’s hands was a sharp fang nestled on a red soft cushion.

“Behold, husband of elder titan Isana- Great Kiefer, our greatest treasure.” (King Ryul)

Kiefer was puzzled, looking at the white fang being presented before him, then staring at the giggling Isana before realising the mistake. Even Sher was giggling inside his breastplate, going, “Eehehe, master is so clueless at times.”

Kiefer immediately corrected his request, explaining to the King, “King Ryul, I’m afraid there’s been a misunderstanding. I’m not looking for Wanda’s fang. What I seek is your knowledge on magic. If you could provide me with some of your best mages for a session of questioning, as well as direct me to your most extensive library, that’ll be great.”

Kiefer and Isana were offered accommodation within the royal palace, being the place closest to Kiefer’s primary goal. Once again, they were at crossroads, with Kiefer wanting separate rooms and Isana wanting a single room with a single bed. Caught between a rock and a hard place, the palace attendants were freaking out, not daring to offend Isana, while also being terrified of Kiefer who Shearwood called ‘master’. They finally came to an agreement for a single room with 2 beds.

Eating lavishly within the palace, sleeping in beds so comfortable and soft they put the bed Kiefer had in his room on earth to shame, Kiefer gradually came to understand a little about the history of the high elves from conversing with the king and his mages. The sister dragons had been the one to protect the high elves from destruction spreading from human cities. Deeming the humans unfit to learn and control magic like the high elves, Wanda had hid the high elves away within her own province while Isana had helped put up the special barrier. The high elves then swore their eternal service to the 2 elder titans.

After dinner, Kiefer had been shown to the royal library by King Ryul personally. The king explained that the library had been kept and updated since the coming of the high elves, and that there should be more information here than anywhere else on Aoia. Apparently, If Kiefer couldn’t find it in the royal high elves library, he wouldn’t be able to find it anywhere else.

Stepping into the royal library for the first time, Kiefer was taken aback by the sheer size of it. With a Ceiling five floors up, runes enchanted into the ceiling so it doesn’t fall even without support pillars, the place was filled with books. The square room extended so deep, it was about as long as a football field, with books stacked along the walls all the way up and tall shelves filling up the rest of the room. There were floating platforms that went up and down depending on which pedal you pressed, and shelves were enchanted to be light and floating so they can be dragged effortlessly. Floating crystals that emitted a bright white light were situated at regular intervals, keeping the entire library bright.

“This is it.” Kiefer thought excitedly. “This is where all the knowledge of the world can be found. This treasure. And I have it all to myself. My one and only. Myyyy prrrrecious..”

Ok so apparently, my mother says its not ok to only have a plate, a bowl and one set of utensils in my apartment. So they had me go out to buy more. Whats wrong with not being able to cook. i just order take-out. The less i cook, the less i have to wash. amiright?