Ril stepped out of the restaurant. He took a deep breath before continuing after Evelyn who had led the way. Ril felt an awkward tension. As if Evelyn’s very aura was pressing him down and away.

Giving himself a shake, he followed Evelyn into the carriage that had brought them here earlier in the day. Climbing in, he sat on the red velvet cushion opposite Evelyn. Evelyn knocked on the back wall, indicating to the driver to begin the journey.

She’s so regal. Ril thought to himself

Ril opened his status. Ever since he had opened it and found his warp to have increased he had made a habit of periodically opening his status.

Character name:

Ril Renar

Statistics:

Strength

8

Intelligence

17

Constitution

10

Wisdom

11

Dexterity

13

Charisma

10

Warp

6.88%

Abilities:

Blood of the Chromagnum

Mirror Form

Mana Manipulation (Basic) (Diffuse)

Remote Casting

Telekinesis

Flame

Vanish

Create Snowball

Backstab (Passive)

Unbelievable, Ril froze in his seat, My warp went up again.

“Everything alright?” Eve asked, idly staring out of the window as she watched the buildings of the inner city pass by. Her back was straight and didn’t even seem to be using the back cushion to relax on.

“Yeah,” Ril stammered out, trying to mirror Eve’s form, before adopting a more relaxed posture.

This is ridiculous. He thought furiously, At this rate I'll get more than 10% warp before winter is out. What caused it? Was it the monster meat that we ate? Or maybe the sparkly wine? But how, Evelyn isn’t acting like her warp rose. Just ask her. Yeah.

“Hey, Eve?” Ril asked.

“Hmm?” she responded.

“Does eating monster meat increase your warp?” Ril asked, striving for nonchalance.

Evelyn looked at Ril, a small frown maring her smooth skin. “Why? Did your warp rise?”

“No, no,” Ril said hurriedly, waving his hands in front of him. “I was just wondering if you eat a whole lot of it, would you eventually turn into a monster. You know, you are what you eat, right?”

Evelyn relaxed, “Hmm, I don’t know. Eating monster meat may increase warp, but the effect is so small that it is undetectable. Not that we know for sure. All the research on warp acquisition is relatively new, and there are many ideas that are floating around. By the way, what Gemma told you about warp acquisition is only one of the leading theories. Everyone has their own opinion on how warp increases.”

Oh, the church definitely has their own theories on warp. Either way, not touching monster meat or sparkly wine anymore. Or maybe it was having lunch with Evelyn? That would suck...Maybe the carriage--

A flash of silver light caught his eye. Idly, he looked out the window of the carriage, expecting to see a drawn sword or some sort. Maybe someone waving around a dinner plate. Although it was likely just the Silver Spires reflecting the midday sun. Instead he glimpsed a gentleman wearing a bowler hat that mostly covered his medium length hair. Amongst his dark brown strands, a few bright, metallic hairs peeked through.

“What are --” Ril began, before distractedly leaning forward to try and glimpse the bowler hat gentleman with the silver hair again. Unsuccessfully, Ril scanned the street, before giving up and leaning back. The carriage was just moving too fast.

“What is even the point of warp?” Ril asked with a huff, letting his frustration get the best of him.

“Do you mean theologically?” Evelyn replied, with a small smile.

Ril shrugged, looking out the window. “I don’t know, maybe.”

“Well it definitely makes people stronger. Or higher warp corresponds with stronger people.” Evelyn said with a shrug, “The church believes that it is a challenge that humanity has to overcome. Having high warp is considered a sin. Though, I guess you would be familiar with that.”

Ril hand lifted halfway to his bald pate, before falling back to his lap. “Yeah.” He said after a moment.

“Don't worry about your hair, Ril.” Evelyn said kindly, “One day we’ll go to the front. You’ll see that there are plenty of people who have much worse disfigurements there.”

“It’s a date!” Ril said with a grin. His grin grew wider at Evelyn’s amused snort.

“What are the different ways to get and lose warp?” Ril asked, returning to the previous point.

Evelyn waved her hand dismissively. “That’s a long conversation, and you will learn all about it once you get into the academy.” At Ril’s skeptical expression she continued. “Oh don’t worry, you’ll probably get into the Academy within a week or two, you are a natural fighter, and your warp won’t change by then.”

Curse this hair, and curse me. Am I really that weak? Maybe it’s the Blood of the Chromagnum that is causing it. Or maybe Mirror Form. It did increase my warp when I acquired it after all.

They sat in the coach for a moment in silence, Ril stewing over his predicament, and Evelyn seemingly content to watch the pedestrians. Ril looked at Evelyn as the silence grew uncomfortable. “Anyway, would you be free this evening to spar?” He asked, trying to continue the conversation. “We could practice some of the strategies that we talked about earlier.”

“I won’t be able to. Too much work.” She said with a sigh. “You could fight in the arena, or practice with Eren. She is pretty good at hand to hand combat as well.”

“Oh,” Ril said, disappointed, “Ok.”

They continued like that in silence for the rest of the ride back. Not long after, they arrived and Evelyn disappeared into her office at the usherings of an aggrieved Cato who was waving around a stack of papers like they were a lethal weapon.

Ril sighed as he watched her disappear.

* * *

“So what would you like to do?” Eren asked, leaning against the side of Reluke hall with a bored look on her face. It looked like she had been standing there all morning.

Ril took a moment to respond. “I don’t know.”

“To the arena?” Eren asked, “You only have nine more fights until you will be considered for the Academy.”

“Not really feeling a fight to the death right now.” Ril replied, downcast. “Also it feels weird for you to escort me to the arena and just stand there as I fight someone. Makes me feel like I am wasting your time.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s my job to show you around the city, and make sure you don’t get lost. It certainly beats guard duty.”

“Oh, ok. Why don't we go explore the city or something?” Ril said. Picking a random direction, he set off, gesturing to Eren to join him.

They walked slowly through the outer district. Glancing at shops and passersby with equal fascination. Ril was making especially sure to notice any individuals with silver hair or otherwise distinguishing features.

“So how was your lunch with the princess?” Eren asked, idly eyeing a bucket of red apples sitting in front of a vendor’s stand.

“Fine,” Ril said, “Want an apple?”

“Hmm? Oh sure.” Eren replied. “So it didn’t go well?”

“What? No. It was fine.” Ril replied, “When did I say it didn’t go well?”

Eren snorted. “Right...” she drawled, taking the apple from Ril. She started tossing the apple up and down before placing it in her pocket. Saving it for later.

“Why do you think that it didn’t go well?” Ril pushed.

“No reason. Forget I said anything.” Eren replied.

They continued in silence for a minute, just taking in the sites and sounds of the city. At this time of day there were a lot of people moving through the streets.

“Yeah, it didn’t go perfectly.” Ril said. Eren remained silent, waiting patiently for Ril to continue. “I mean, the lunch went well. We talked a bit and got into a small argument, but after that it was great.” Ril stopped again, before taking a deep breath and continuing. “It’s just that Eve’s so busy nowadays. She has no time to do anything but work, and whenever I see her working she looks like she is suffering. And there is not one thing I can do to help her.”

“Well, she is the princess. It’s a given that her job is hard, and that it takes up most of her time.”

“But it wasn’t always this way. Back in the forest with Gemma, we spent basically all day together.”

“You were training together though, weren’t you?”

“Yeah, but not exclusively. We spent a bunch of time just talking. Making food, eating, laughing together. Now it’s like she’s moved on, and I’ve been left behind. The problem is I can’t seem to catch up. Everytime I ask her if I can help her out in some way she just says that she is fine, and I should go enjoy the city, or fight in the arena or something.”

“Maybe you should listen to her. Enjoy your time here in Anduin. I’m sure that as the heir to this city, she would appreciate it if you had fun while you are here.”

“But she needs help!” Ril exclaimed. “Or maybe she doesn’t, but she is struggling. And I can help her, even if it is just a small thing. If I just bumbled around in the city eating sandwiches that would just be terrible.”

“Why do you want to help the princess so much?” Eren asked, turning to him with a curious expression.

Ril didn’t say anything for a few seconds. Pondering her question.

“She is my first real friend.” Ril sighed, “I left Elkshire because the people there abandoned me. I came here to see if I can make a new life for myself. On the way I stumbled upon Gemma’s cottage, and instead of treating me like some stranger who interrupted their peaceful training in the middle of one of the most solitary locations west of Anduin, they took me in and treated me well. I don’t know. I would like to repay the favor in some way. Help her out, you know? Do you have anyone you feel that way towards?”

“Hauke, my little brother.” Eren replied after a moment. “I would do anything to give that little squirt a happy life.”

“See that’s how I feel towards Eve.” Ril said, he paused for a moment. “So how old is Hauke?”

“Twelve, turns thirteen in a couple weeks.” Eren replied with a proud smile.

“Is your little brother here in Anduin?” Ril asked.

“Yeah, would you like to meet him?”

“Sure, that sounds better than aimlessly walking the streets.”

* * *

“Here we are.” Eren said.

They stood on the eastern side of the inner city. At some point they had crossed into the inner city with the gate guard giving them a sour look. In front of them stood a large noble estate. It’s lawns were impeccable, neatly cut grass and trimmed hedges. While Eren pulled out an ornate black iron key to unlock the main gate, she passed her gaze slowly over the grass. A strange look in her eyes.

That looks almost like she is angry. And ...tired? Does she not like this place?

The house was tall and rather blocky. As if a child had placed wooden blocks together to form a house. However unfamiliar the architecture was to Ril, the house itself was expansive. The house took up four outer district city blocks. And that was not even counting the garden’s that surrounded the estate.

The surface of the house was made of a dark gray stone. It had a fuzzy texture to it. As if the stone was painted with a large, bristly brush with no attempts to smooth the brush strokes.

I suppose it could also be made of concrete. Ril supposed, But if that’s the case then the architect sure made a large effort to make it look like real stone. Really fuzzy real stone.

“This place is huge! You live here?” Ril asked.

Eren fumbled with the key and cursed. “Yeah, this is my parents summer home. Me and my brother live here along with our parents.”

“Wait, you have a larger house somewhere else?” Ril turned to Eren as she succeeded in unlocking the large padlock that secured the front gate.

“Well, technically, but it's a burnt husk now. The Aquila estate was overrun in the first years after the calamity.” She said bitterly. “Ever since King Magnus united the provinces we’ve lived here.”

“It looks amazing!” Ril said honestly.

Eren grunted and muttered something under her breath that Ril didn’t catch. Then she opened the gate and led them into the grounds. There was a winding cobbled path flanked on either side by large green bushes that led somewhat directly towards the front door of the house.

Pushing open the heavy mahogany door, Eren stepped into the house.

This place is almost abandoned. Ril wondered idly as he glanced back at the impeccable grounds, I would have thought that there would be an army of people that would be required to care for such a large space. Maybe they have some cool magic that does all the work. Grass magic! That would be so cool.

Ril turned back and followed Eren inside.

“Hauke! I’m home!” Eren called out, stripping her boots off in the foyar. Ril mirrored her. The smooth tiles cool against his feet.

“Oi! Hauke!”Eren called again, leading Ril deeper into the house, and up a set of elaborate steps.

That paint is chipped. Ha! Looks like even nobles aren’t perfect. Ril thought to himself with a grin as he followed Eren up to the second floor.

“Eren!” Came a young voice from down a hallway. “You’re back!”

A young kid dashed out of a room, and sprinted at Eren. Colliding with her as she grabbed him from under his arms and lifted him in a hug. Both were smiling from ear to ear.

“How was it? Did you meet the princess? How was she like? Was she pretty? What type of magic can she use? Is it true that she is super powerful? Wait, who is that? Did you get a boyfriend?” Hauke chattered breathlessly in Eren’’s arms

Eren chuckled before setting him down. “I’ll tell you all about it later. This is Ril. He was training with the princess in the old lady’s cottage. We escorted him here with the princess.”

“Waow.” Hauke turned his gaze to Ril, his eyes huge. “So are you super strong too? Have you fought in the arena? What is your rating? Why are you bald?”

Ril smiled, the exuberant young kid was practically hopping up and down in excitement. “I just got here, so I am still unranked in the arena, but I did manage to fight once in the arena--”

“Did you win?” Hauke interrupted.

“Of course,” Ril grinned.

“Awesome!” Hauke said, drawing the word out. “So what are your abilities? Are you an Outrider? You look like an Outrider.”

“Ril? Would you like something to eat?” Eren said. At his nod, she continued, “Come on Hauke, let’s show Ril the house.”

They turned away from the room that Hauke appeared out of, and started back the way they came. As they walked down the stairs Hauke continued asking Ril rapid-fire questions.

“You fought a giant panther?! That’s awesome, wait was it a powder beast?”

“It was,” Ril nodded sagely, thoroughly enjoying telling his exploits to the young kid. Eren rolled her eyes.

“It’s eyes were glowing? Like orange light and black skin?”

“And taller than me.” Ril said.

“Yeah but your short...was it taller than Eren?” Hauke said.

Ril made a face, “Hey, I’m not that short.”

“I’m nearly as tall as you, and I’m thirteen.” This time it was Hauke who nodded sagely.

“Aren’t you twelve?” Ril accused.

Hauke seemed to deflate. “Well. well... I’m basically thirteen. By this point there is no difference” He stared at Ril, daring him to disagree.

I’ll let you have that one, kid. Ril thought to himself, waving his hands in a conciliatory manner.

“Here’s the kitchen.” Eren said, in front of them. They entered a large space. Much too massive to be a kitchen for a single family. It probably was capable of feeding at least fifty people.

Huh, maybe they used to have more people living here, Ril thought idly as Eren set a couple of plates with various cheeses and dips on the counter. Ril jumped onto one of the bar stools and began munching. They continued to chat quietly, Ril greatly exaggerating his prowess to the excitable Hauke. Eren seemed happy to just listen, and rolled her eyes whenever Ril said something too outlandish. Not long after they had sat down at the counter an older man appeared at the entranceway to the kitchen.

“Ahh, Eren, you have returned.” Said the older man.

Probably their father, Ril guessed.

“Hello, father.” Eren said, standing up from the stool.

Ril grinned.

“It is wonderful that you have returned. How was the princess? Is she doing well?” he said. He was clasping his hands behind his back and was standing ramrod straight. His face was pinched, as if he had just smelled something sour. His gaze bored into Eren, completely ignoring both Hauke and Ril who were sitting there. Hauke seemed to expect this, and just quietly kept chewing.

That’s honestly kind of rude...

“She is doing well, father. The team successfully escorted her to Reluke Hall near the academy.”

“As expected of my daughter. And has she compensated you?” The man continued. Ril still didn’t know his name and it was bugging him slightly.

Maybe I’ll just think of him as Sourface von Aquila, Ril thought to himself.

“Yes, father...” Eren paused, her expression tense, as if she was preparing for a battle. “She did. But father? I saw that you hired someone to care for the lawn.”

Lord Sourface’s expression lit up, “Ah yes, lovely work isn’t it?” he said with a smile.

“It is...” Eren began. She sounded tired.

“Oh and we got a new painting!” Eren’s eye twitched. “Come, come. It is in the living room. It complements the furniture marvelously.” With that, Sourface turned around and left. He didn’t even look back to see if his daughter was following.

Eren flashed Ril a helpless look, before taking off after her dad.

“Might as well go watch the show.” Hauke said with a sigh. He got up, but then snatched another cube of cheese before dashing after them. Ril followed the young kid deeper into the ornate house, palming his own cube of cheese.

They paused in a living room. Eren’s father was showing her a painting that was hanging above the mantle.

It’s...a goat?...head? Ril thought as he tilted his head slightly. The painting was mostly white, as if the artist didn’t have enough paint to fill up the canvas. The goat was drawn minimalistically in black. The only spot of color anywhere was a crown of colored splotches circling the head of the goat. Might be a sheep? Wonder how much it costs?

“...And it only cost five silvers, quite a deal.” Sourface finished with a smile, Gesturing grandly to the painting.

Five silvers..., Ril bit his tongue. Wincing, he blinked owlishly at the proud man. That’s nearly three thousand dekars.

Eren seemed to have a similar reaction. “Father!” she exclaimed, her previously exhausted voice being replaced with one full of anger. “How could you? We need to return it at once. I’ll go to the artist and apologize.”

“Return it? Preposterous. It fits splendidly in our living room, don’t you think?” He replied, incredulous.

“Father.” Eren said, exasperated. “We don’t have the money to afford artwork like that. The money that I bring in barely covers food, and maintenance for this mansion” She said the last word as if it was a curse.

“Nonsense. A proper noble must maintain appearances. I am sure that some of my friends would be more than willinging to lend us the money to afford this.”

“We’re not...” Eren cut herself off. Shaking her head from side to side as if she could not believe what was happening. “I can’t, I can't do this right now.” She gave the room one more wide eyed glance before she turned around and stormed out of the room. Both Ril and Hauke followed her, jogging to keep up.

“Eren? Eren! Young woman, come back here this instant.” Sourface's voice came from behind them. Eren ignored it.

When they reached the front door, Eren turned, kneeling to be at Hauke’s eye level.

“Hey bro, I am going to go back to Reluke Hall. I can’t handle father right now.” she said quietly.

“Ok,” Hauke said equally quietly, “Come back soon, ok?”

“I will. I will come by tomorrow. Maybe we can go to the arena, get some sandwiches, watch some fights. How’s that?”

Hauke immediately brightened. “That would be awesome!”

Eren nodded firmly, before rising. Quickly she glanced at Ril before jerking her head to the door, and leading him out. A dark frown marring her features.