TO MOVE ON FROM TRAGEDY

Three months had quickly flashed by since Lynne and Thalia entered their secluded meditation. While the two remained in stasis, the rest of the world moved on as per usual. Surrounding the Tower were no longer ruins of what used to be, but a sprawling, mini-city. Almost as though nothing happened mere three months ago, life continued on as people looked for tomorrow.

Parsia and Y’se were currently overlooking the finishing touches of the Sect that was to begin enrolling disciples a week from now. Nearly a thousand people were tasked with rebuilding it after its ruin, doing so in shifts, which is the reason why the progress was so quick.

“This here looks good,” Parsia said in a calm tone. “Should we check the Guilds?”

“I had Rou check it out, they’re on schedule as well,” Y’se replied, smiling lightly. “Things are progressing rather smoothly, no?”

“Well, it happens when people are inspired,” Parsia said, chuckling. “I gotta say, a journey from a skeptic to a believer is a rough one.”

“Oh? You didn’t believe in my lil’ bro? That breaks my heart…”

“As if you did,” he said. “One conversation with him is enough to crumble whatever little trust you built. But, then again, a mere moment with him can be enough to devote yourself to him for all eternity… he’s a scary man.”

“… I don’t think he’s scary,” Y’se said, glancing back at the Tower. “Enigma sounds better.”

“How is he, what do you think?” Parsia asked with worried expression.

“… even I don’t know the extent of this backlash,” Y’se said. “As for whether he’s alive, he is. Whether he’s well…”

“All that’s left, then, is to trust him, huh?”

“Sounds extremely easy and extremely difficult at the same time, huh?” Y’se said, smiling. “Enough about him. How are you?”

“… you know, you’ve asked me that question every day for the past three months,” Parsia said, sighing. “I know he asked you to look after me, but aren’t you overdoing it?”

“I’m just being diligent.”

“… is every member of Lynne’s family a human oddity?”

“Can’t say we’re not.”

“… encouraging.”

“You’re sulking less these days,” Y’se added. “I guess that’s a step forward from what you used to be like.”

“… I’ve been trying. I think that’s why he left me in charge.”

“I wouldn’t give him so much credit,” Y’se chuckled. “It’s probably something along the lines of ‘oh, you are a Prince? Here, practice for the day you’ll become a King’.”

“Ha ha, yeah, probably. Anyway, how’s the book distribution going?”

“Smoothly. Point system you design works wonders.”

“We use similar one back home,” Parsia said, sighing. “Aah, somehow, I even lost desire to go back.”

“We don’t mind having you here.”

“… thanks. I’ll go and check on the main road progress.”

“Go ahead.”

Parsia disappeared shortly after, leaving behind solitary Y’se who stared into the distance, an odd expression on her face. Suddenly, next to her an old man appeared, stroking his beard joyfully.

“Ho ho, m’ Lady, your eyes are weird.”

“Tsk. How do you pop out whenever you’re not supposed to?” Y’se lashed out at the Principal.

“It’s a talent I’ve acquired over the years,” the Principal said. “I have to say, though, I honestly didn’t think you liked them so young.”

“… I don’t,” Y’se said, looking away. “It’s not that. I just see a lot of myself in him.”

“… your beloved one died when you were young and you were forced into acting as a King by a hotheaded brat?”

“Finding a purpose,” Y’se said. “Right now, he’s still lost. I keep thinking if there’s a way to help him but, in the end, it’s something only he can help himself with. At best, we can just support him.”

“He’s still young,” the Principal said. “He’ll find his own way, just as we all do.”

“You’re right. If Lynne could do it, then everyone can.”

“… you’re very contradictory when it comes to that little one, huh?”

“Nobody loves anyone wholesomely,” Y’se said in a slightly lower tone. “It’s impossible. For as many things there are about him that I love, there are also some that I loathe.”

“Aya, aya, spoken truly from a broken heart.”

“… when it comes to her, I feel as though he’s a cannon waiting to be lit,” Y’se said, sighing. “That side of him worries me and mystifies me.”

“I wouldn’t worry so much,” the Principal said. “I have a feeling he’s grown past idolizing life.”

“Ah, I don’t have time to worry about him,” Y’se said, scratching her head. “How are things on your side?”

“Perfect.” the Principal smiled, giving her a thumbs up.

“… ‘s that so? Keep them that way. There’s still a lot to be done.”

“… so, he pulled you in too, huh?” the Principal asked.

“Is that so strange?”

“No. Rather, it’s expected at this point. Anyway, I’ll be going. Don’t fall in love yet, give me a chance too.”

“… fuck off.”

“Ho ho, there’s the staple tongue of the loudmouth brother-sister pair.”

“Just go…”

* * *

A few miles north of the Tower stood a thick forest that then bled into a high-rising mountain. The forest was a famous spot for ‘adventurous spirits’ as a lot of scary stories kids tell each other originated from there. Currently, sitting atop a thick branch were three kids not older than fifteen; a boy and two girls. The boy had a short, black hair and gentle features accompanied by a relatively slender body. Hanging from his waist was a shortsword glistening in silver, while his hand held onto a small, sharp dagger.

To his left was a rather short girl with golden, twin-tails hair and innocent looking purple eyes. Her forehead was currently doused in sweat as she held tightly onto a rope tied to the tree’s stump. Opposite of her was a girl with deadpan expression and cold eyes, her ruby hair tied in a braid, hung over her shoulder. All three wore leather uniforms of the Lower Disciples, with their eyes currently focused onto a large boar staring at them from the ground.

“Silo, you told us there weren’t any wild animals here!!” twin-tailed girl cried out in a whisper-like tone as she looked at the boy. Boy, in response, clicked his tongue and ignored her.

“Rena, do you think we can take him on?” he asked the other girl.

“No.” Rena said. “We’d just get killed.”

“Oi, don’t ignore me!” the twin-tailed girl cried out again.

“Shut up Amelia! This is your fault anyway! If you didn’t stray off the path, we’d have never encountered it!” Silo lashed out.

“Don’t fight,” Rena interjected. “We can probably escape through trees.”

“Aah, Master will lecture us so hard,” Silo said, sighing. “We can’t even kill a single boar yet… how pathetic. I bet the King killed thousands of them by the time he was our age!”

“I heard rumors he was a leader of secret, assassin organization when he was twelve,” Rena said, a rare smile appearing on her face. “They say he killed at least hundred people before he turned thirteen.”

“I-is that really true?” Amelia said, biting her nails. “T-that’s scary…”

“That’s why you’ll never be a good Magus, Amelia!” Silo said.

“There hasn’t been any news about him these past three months,” Rena said. “I wonder what’s he doing.”

“Probably out there somewhere fighting Dragons, Giants and Phoenixes!” Silo exclaimed with admiration apparent in his eyes. “One day… one day I want to be like him. No… if I could become half of what he is, I’d be satisfied!”

“Impossible, impossible,” Rena said, shaking her head. “From what I heard, by the time he was seventeen, he was already the strongest Magus back on the mainland. Can you really say you’ll match that in two years?”

“O-of course not.” Silo said, somewhat embarrassed. “Ah, well, at least I won’t be like Amelia on that day. I still can’t believe you peed your pants, ha ha, that’s amazing!”

“B-but, it was scary!” Amelia exclaimed in embarrassment. “Sky suddenly opened and stars appeared in the middle of the day, and then suddenly it started raining fire! I-I thought I’d die for sure!”

“You tease her too much, Silo,” Rena said calmly. “You’re a terrible big brother.”

“I-I’m not,” Silo said, his cheeks flushing red. “I-I just want her to be stronger…”

“Ah, let’s talk later. We need to escape this situation first. Still, I have to say, that beast is really persistent,” Rena said, sighing. “Does it really plan on waiting there until we leave?”

“Probably,” Silo said, his expression growing serious. “Okay. Amelia is pretty good with wind, so she can probably levitate over to the nearest tree on her own. What about you Rena?”

“I’m not that good with wind,” Rena said. “Can she throw either one of us over?”

“Her accuracy is terrible, so no,” Silo shook his head. “At best, she can just give us a shove when we jump.”

“… that’s risky…”

“Oi, brats, what are you doing?” a familiar voice suddenly froze the trio in place as the space before them tore open and an angry looking man appeared before them.

“M-m-master!!” the three exclaimed in unison as they began shaking. Fyre looked at them and then looked down at the boar, immediately shaking his head.

“What the hell are you doing? Didn’t I just tell you to get me some Roseberry Flowers? Why do you always complicate things so much?”

“It--”

“It was my fault, Master!” Silo interrupted Amelia as he immediately bowed down. “I-I wanted to play around and explore a bit when I suddenly entered the boar’s territory. These two just got caught in it, is all.” Fyre looked at the three deeply, but said nothing. It was hard to understand what actually happened from their expressions, but it’s a story they chose to go with, so he let it slide.

“Fine, fine, I’ll decide on your punishment later,” he said, pointing a finger down whereupon the boar shuddered for a moment, looking around in confusion before leaving. “Did you practice for the upcoming tournament? I don’t think I have to remind you, but the placements will determine how many resources I get to distribute to my disciples. If you disappoint me, I may really send you off to the Graveyard.”

“W-we’ll get the top spots, Master!! Anything but the Graveyard, please!” Rena was the first to exclaim.

“Ah, fine, fine. I can’t be bothered to argue with you lot,” Fyre said as he flicked his finger, causing the three to appear on the ground, startling them. “We’ll walk back. Meanwhile, you can ask me questions.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“What? I expected Amelia to pee her pants, but you two too?”

“M-master!!” Amelia exclaimed as her cheeks flushed red.

“I’m joking, joking,” Fyre said, laughing lightly. “So? Is there anything you want to know?”

“A-about the King…” Silo started, looking away.

“Seriously? Are you more interested in stories about that brat than any, actual knowledge? Just what is your brain made of?”

“B-brat? M-master, that…” Rena stuttered.

“Aye, brat! His tongue is like fox’s,” Fyre continued. “He’s short-tempered, he’s with a beautiful girl--”

“--so that’s it.” Silo, Rena and Amelia said at the same time.

“Shut up. Khm, anyway, anything but him.”

“… s-so, that beautiful girl?” Amelia asked.

“Ah, Lady Thalia? Ah, she’s a true beauty, I tell you! And not just in looks, you know? Rena, Amelia, when you imagine yourself in the future, I want you to aspire to become like her! Beautiful, courageous, strong beyond compare, with aura to sway even the coolest of hearts!” Aah, Master went into his delusions again… he should really just get a girlfriend…

As the small group walked through the forest, similarly, surrounding the Tower, many similar groups of young teens and their Masters were currently in heated discussions or lectures. The first tournament for the young, to mark the official opening of the Skyfire Sect, will take place shortly. It will determine many things, but, everyone, from weakest to strongest, only had eye to the first place prize: a personal guidance by none other than the King himself, a man who toppled over the skies and enslaved gods themselves.