Sometime later, Chief Ghorud lead Eiziest and his group to Tinril’s small Town Hall. Their horses carried off to one the stables nearby, by the Chiefs stable workers.

Nemi and Remil joined them towards the Town Hall, with Remil being assisted by Nemi, with his left arm around Nemi’s shoulder. Eiziest asked if she needed help, but Nemi just smiles and says she’s got it.

The Chief welcomed everyone inside the Town Hall and asked them follow him to his office. Felice asked Silfy to put away her bag for the time being as she enters.

Eiziest looks in amazement as he sees pointy eared elves and green skinned orcs walking around the town hall, hardly anyone minding Eiziest and his group.

Eiziest hears most of the orcs and elves talking about farming related stuff. But as one pair of elves walk by, Eiziest briefly hears something about unfair trades.

Eiziest tries to listen in more, but the pair were gone and Eiziest sees Chief Ghorud opening the door to his office. Nemi and Remil where the first who entered in.

Chief Ghorud guided everyone else inside and asked them to take a seat wherever they want. While he makes his way to his table and organized his ledgers and other business-related papers.

Felice and Eirene sat parallel to each other in the wooden chairs in front of Chief Ghorud’s table.

Xion, with Silfy on his shoulders and Mimir’s drone floating by his side, went to the bookshelf and asked the Chief if he could read one of the books there. The Chief simply smiles and says, “…Just put ‘em back when you’re done!”

Nora briefly joins Xion as she asks her brother to get one of the books placed somewhere at the bookshelf that she couldn’t reach.

Eiziest sits on another chair close to the Chief’s table, while Nora daintily hops and sits on his lap as she reads the book she just got.

As Nora makes herself comfortable, Eiziest hears Remil laughing while in pain and being bandage up and healed by Nemi who seems to be lecturing him.

Chief Ghorud sits on his chair and looks at Felice, Eirene, and Eiziest. “*cough* My, apologies for the commotion earlier. So, besides telling me about that earlier incident. What exactly can I help you people with?”

Felice speaks first, “…As we told you earlier,” Felice points her head at Eirene. “We are travellers, making our way towards Groven Burg. We simply would just like to ask if you could spare us a place to stay for just tonight, as we resupply ourselves. Oh, and don’t worry, we will pay as much as need be!” Felice says with a smile.

The Chief looks at Felice confused, “Groven?” the Chief leans back on his chair as he ponders for a moment. “We do have some empty cottages use for such travellers as yourselves. And if you need food…” The Chief curiosly looks at Felice. “Say… You said earlier your names’ Felice, right?” the chief points a finger at Felice.

Felice smiles and chuckles, “I’m guessing you know who I am?” he says with a grin. “Can’t say I’m not surprised you noticed!” Felice childishly chuckles.

The Chief boisterously laughs at Felice, “With the news about Groven having some dangerous cult in its borders. Can’t say we weren’t expecting it wouldn’t catch the attention of people like you…” The Chief shrugs.

Eirene, Felice, and Eiziest jolt at what the chief said. “A cult in Groven Burg?” Eiziest asks.

The chief perks up and looks at Eiziest, Eirene, and Felice. Seeing them confuse to what he just said, “Hmm? You haven’t heard of it? A few days ago, news came out about Groven having been on tight security ‘cause of some dangerous cult believe to be in its borders. Alberio already sent some of its top muscle to deal with it, probably thinkin’ if that same cult had any connection with the Queen of Aéthea’s disappearance…” The Chief sighs. “Really hope the Queen and her kids are safe…”

Eirene warmly smiles at the Chief, “I’m sure they are…” to which Chief Ghorud smiles back.

Felice ponders, “… Do you think Alberio sent out their champions?” she asks the Chief.

The Chief scratches his head, “…Probably?”

Eiziest thinks about what the Chief said, “…So, if Groven Burg is on tight security, can we still enter inside?”

The Chief looks at Eiziest confused, “Normally you can’t, unless you have permission from either Groven or some high-ranking folks…” the Chief smiles and looks at Felice.

Felice wryly chuckles, “…And what if we don’t?” she says with a smile.

The Chief lightly chuckles, “Well, that would be a problem…” the Chief ponders for a moment and looks at Remil and Nemi at the corner of the room arguing.

The Chief snaps his fingers and smiles, “Tomorrow, Nemi and Remil would be going to Groven to deliver some supplies, you folks could join ‘em!” the Chief says with a grin.

Remil and Nemi stop their arguing and look at Chief Ghorud confused. “…When did I agree to that? And didn’t we just send out supplies just a week ago?!” Nemi walks up to her father annoyed as she asks him, while Remil ponders as she stands next to her.

Chief Ghorud sighs and looks at one of the ledgers on his desk, “Some of the new Royals living in Groven have been asking for more supplies for their so-called efforts in search of the Queen…”

Nemi sighs seemingly annoyed, “Fine, I get it…”

While Chief Ghorud, Eirene, and Nemi talk about the plan. Eiziest leans to Felice, “…Ancient blooded royals like Eirene?” he whispers to Felice.

Felice shook her head, “Probably just people who bought their title” she shrugs.

Eiziest looks at Felice perplexed, “They can do that?”

Felice sighs and nods, “Sadly…” she then ponders, “…I think I gave Mimir the info about that? On how some people have last names while other don’t, and how some can just get their own if they want to”

Eiziest nods and smiles, “Yeah, he just told me the gist of it!” to which Felice nods and smiles.

Chief Ghorud claps his hands one time loudly in delight, “Okay! That’s should be the plan then! Remil and Nemi will give you a ride tomorrow into Groven, letting you folks off so you can do what you need to do!” the Chief says with a big smile. “Oh! And about paying up,” The Chief looks at Felice. “I’ve seen how tough your horses were. Think you can do that to ours?”

Felice smiles, “If that’s all, then I’ll be happy to!” Felice childishly grins.

Chief Ghorud chuckles in delight, “Then that settles it!” the chief then looks at Nemi. “Nemi, can you escort them to the cottage for travellers? I still got things to do here”

Nemi smiles, “Sure!” she then pats Remil on his shoulder. “And you’re coming with!” she says with a smile. To which Remil smiles and shrugs.

Nemi looks at everyone, “Just follow me! It ain’t that far” she says as everyone, besides the Chief, stands up and prepares to leave.

Mimir’s drone floats back to Eiziest side. While Nora request Eiziest to put the book she was reading, back onto the shelf.

Meanwhile Silfy has fallen asleep on Xion’s shoulders as he was heavily immersed in reading. But as Xion sees Eiziest put the book back and everyone getting ready to leave, he closes his book and was about to return it. But was stopped by the Chief.

“Feel free to take it for tonight! You seem like you were enjoying it!” the Chief says warmly to Xion. To which Xion nods and brings the book with him.

Eirene smiles at the Chief, “Thank you again!” she says as she waits for Xion to walk at her side.

Eiziest asks Xion what book was he reading as he passes him by. Xion replies while looking at the book in his hand, “Things about how magic is used in farming” he says as he flips through the pages. To which Eiziest just looks at him curiously.

* * * * * * * * *

Heading towards the empty cottage. Passing by shortly at the stables to get a few things. Nemi and Remil lead on with Eiziest and his group following closely behind.

“You sure you ok bringing us along tomorrow?” Eiziest asks Nemi and Remil.

Eirene follows up, “If it wouldn’t be much of a bother, we would highly appreciate it”

Nemi smiles at Eirene, “Not a bother at all! And besides, Remil will probably ask me to go either way with most of his stuff being destroyed with today’s experiment…” she says with a sigh.

Remil looks at Nemi and laughs, “Oh, you know me so well! I actually thought of that just now!” Remil says while childishly laughing, while Nemi just sighs heavily.

Eiziest chuckles, “Speaking of which. What actually happened earlier?” Eiziest asks Remil.

Remil smiles excitedly as he explains, “Oh, well! It was a small experiment on a way to use magic to create an autonomous machine to harvest and plant at the same time! Earlier was just me failing at creating a biodegradable power source for it…” Remil chuckles and scratches his head in embarrassment.

Felice looks at Remil amazed, “…That sounds like something the people at Civel would come up with!”

Remil looks at Felice with a childish excitement, “Actually I was basing my model on one of their creations! Their use of magic on technology are incredibly unique and well thought out!”

Remil and Felice then were locked in a heated discussion about magic and technology.

Nemi wryly chuckles, “…Do people at Civel also have to deal with their things exploding and setting things on fire?” she looks at Eiziest, hoping he could answer him.

Eiziest meekly chuckles, as he doesn’t know much about Civel. Luckily Mimir does.

Mimir’s drone replies to Nemi, “Occasionally, but are contained rather quickly as they work on a controlled area”

Nemi looks at Mimir’s drone in shock as she hears it speak, “I see…” Nemi looks at Mimir’s drone curiously. “…I’m sorry but I didn’t think I caught your name?”

“Please, call me Mimir” Mimir’s drone humbly replies to Nemi.

Nemi smiles at Mimir’s drone, “Nice to meet you then, Mimir! So, what exactly are you? Are you one of those special kinds of talking drones made in Civel?”

Mimir’s drone sighs, “No. Think of me as a conjuration meant to assist and guide. That’s as much as I can say”

Nemi looks at Mimir’s drone impressed then shifts her attention to Eiziest, “So you’re a mage then?” she says with a smile.

Eiziest chuckles, “No, not me!” he says waving his hands, then he points to Nora walking at his side, “It’s actually all Nora!”

Nemi looks at Nora shocked and in awe. “That’s amazing! Are you some sort of born prodigy? How old are you anyway?” Nemi excitedly asks Nora. To which Nora simply ignores.

Eiziest wryly chuckles, “Sorry… She doesn’t warm up too well with new people” he says as he scratches his head.

Eirene and Xion, with Silfy riding on his shoulders, smiling at the back and listening in on Eiziest and Nemi’s conversation. “She’s sixteen” Eirene says with a smile.

Eiziest and Nemi look in shock at Eirene hearing her mention Nora’s age. “Sixteen?!” both of them simultaneously say in shock.

Eirene smiles as Xion laughs as they expected Eiziest and Nemi’s surprise.

Mimir explains to Eiziest inside him, on how Aetherians can manipulate their growth until a certain age.

Silfy retorts to Nemi and Eiziest, “You shouldn’t judge merely by appearance alone” she says with a soft puff.

Nemi too shocked to say anything else looks forward and smiles as she sees their destination, “…Well! looks like we’re here!” she says pointing at the cottage looking exactly like the others around it.

Moments later, Nemi stands in front of the door. “This is it! Make yourselves at home! We’ll call you tomorrow when we’re about to leave so, don’t worry!” Nemi smiles at everyone.

Before Nemi unlocks the door and invites everyone inside. She asks Remil to go get some food for Eiziest and his group to resupply themselves with. Eiziest volunteers to help Remil.

As everyone enters and makes themselves home. Eiziest sees that is a one floor small wooden cottage. With one door inside separating the bedroom and the main area, which is both the kitchen and living room. Noticeably, a small black steel fireplace is placed in the middle.

Eirene then lights up the fireplace and Felice sets up the lights, mainly candles and lanterns, with Nemi’s assistance in placing them.

Silfy, riding on Mimir’s drone, helps Nora and Xion set up the food just brought in by Remil and Eiziest.

* * * * * * * * *

As the sun begins to set, Nemi and Remil say their farewells. Everyone saying their thanks for their help.

As the Nemi and Remil walk off through the dirt path. Eiziest sighs happily seeing the two banter and laugh together, “Ah… youth…”

Eirene sadly looks at Eiziest while Felice looks at him blankly as they hear his remark. “let’s get inside. I think its about time you learn about something!” Felice says to Eiziest with a blank smile. To which Eiziest looks at Felice confused.

* * * * * * * * *

As everyone is seated at the table, eating the food brought in by Remil and Eiziest, mainly different types of bread. Felice calls for Mimir to help her explain something as they eat.

Mimir, who’s now out as nobody else was their who doesn’t know him, agrees to Felice’s request.

Before Felice begins, she looks at Eiziest, “So, Eiziest, how much do you know about the importance titles?” Felice asks seriously.

Eiziest replies holding a piece of bread on one hand, “…Mainly, people can have last names if they have some kind of special kind of blood or if they’re connected to some sort of royal family bloodline. Normal people can’t have a last name since it’s a sign of higher status, right?”

Felice nods and smiles, “Indeed, Very good!”

Eiziest ponders, “So, how do normal people know who they’re related to?” he asks.

Eirene explains, “There’s this special link that binds the parents to their children. It is like an invisible string that pulls our senses that helps us identify our connection to those sharing the same blood as ours, especially if they are our child.”

Xion continues, “It’s practically the same for us! But less noticeable since its more on like a feeling rather than an obvious tug” Xion says to Eiziest, using a bread as an example.

Felice snaps her fingers and conjures up her goggles. She tunes them up for a second and throws them at Eiziest. “Put those on!”

Eiziest puts on the goggles and sees white bright strings of light connecting Eirene to Nora and Xion. “I see…”

“Should people deny their connections, there are tools that people like me can use to prove their connection!” Felice smirks, as she gestures for Eiziest to return her goggles.

As Eiziest returns Felice goggles, Felice continues her explanation. “You see everyone in Niviru has some sort of special essence in their blood. Aetherians and Ri’lvelians are a bit different though from other races, as their blood usually contains pure Mieza or Aezo. Typically, Mieza for Ri’lvelians and Aezo for Aetherians”

“So that’s why there are more people with titles in Ri’lvelia and Aéthea?” Eiziest asks as he takes a bite on his bread.

Eirene then in turn explains, “Usually in Aéthea, pure bloods are more common due to most of our people prefer not to mingle with other races. But in Ri’lvelia…” Eirene ponders, “I believe due to different races being able to live freely in their land. Pure bloods are often found only from within the royal family”

Eirene sighs as she takes a drink, “My husband and I are working hard to let our people open themselves to the other races…”

Felice then claps her hand and smirks as she looks at Eiziest. “Speaking of interspecies relationships! There’s something you should know…” she gestures to Mimir to project her explanation.

Felice takes a drink first before she explains. “Let me explain something first on the origin of Aetherians and Ri’lvelians.” Mimir projects illustrations as Felice speaks. “You see, history tells that before anyone ever existed in Niviru. There were only two elements, Aevo and Mieza. One part of the world was covered in the darkness of Mieza and the other half was covered in the light of Aevo…” Felice looks at Silfy to assist Mimir in projecting the other parts.

Felice continues, “Everything change when someone from the stars arrived, giving Niviru the ability to control its elements and give life to its world. Two lands masses rose up at opposite sides of the world which are to this day called Ri’lvelia and Aéthea, and one large land rose in the middle that we call Midora” Felice uses a pointing stick to help point out the lands as Mimir and Silfy projects.

Felice takes a sip of her drink. “…The first inhabitants first showed up in Ri’lvelia and Aéthea. Mainly looking like a personification of light and dark really. Later on, they took a more distinct form. Aetherians followed the form of the people who came from the stars, but slowly developed into having unique features like hair and eyes, until they look the way they are today!” Felice looks at the projection Mimir shows of the first people of Aéthea.

Eiziest thinks to himself on how similar the the forms look like to the Overseer.

Felice then changes her expression to excitement. “Now, the Ri’lvelians didn’t fully follow the Aetherians way of looking like the people from the stars! They went ahead and formed different features and looks from the beginning! Today a pure blooded Ri’lvelian has eyes looking like a feline as it tells how they were born to be sharp and intelligent as historians say.” Felice shrugs.

Felice chuckles as she continues to the next people, “Midora on the other hand, did a mix of both! Midora created people with varying forms and unique traits. Therefore, created the many races in Niviru! Sometimes these people were born with the ability of the people from the stars. The ability to wield to what we call magic! From time to time people from Ri’lvelia and Aéthea would get the same type of power, and later on cause the great war…” Felice, Eirene, and Xion look solemnly at the projection.

Felice removes the projection of war and continues, “…We’ll talk about that on a later time! For now, you understand how people from each land carry different form of power within their blood. Ri’lvelia used it’s Mieza to form its people, Aéthea used Aevo to create theirs, and Midora created a mix using both elements to create many more. But one thing is for certain, each race born has a different form of essence within their blood…”

Felice then asks for Mimir and Silfy to project an Aetherian and a Ri’lvelian. “Well to what has been understood, due to an incident in the past about a thousand years ago. Were these two different race conceived a child in secret as they plan as a symbol for peace. As these two had enough with all the fighting…” Felice solemnly sighs. “The plan didn’t go so well, as the day the child was born. It is said was the day the Corruption began…” Felice looks at the morbid projection of the child being shown to be the cause of the corruption.

Felice meekly chuckles. “…Well it did bring unity between the races as the Corruption proved to be an even greater threat” Mimir and Silfy projects Five silhouettes. “Five Great Heroes rose and had to forcefully make the peace between them. And in the end these Five great heroes in the next five hundred years. Fell at the cost of only stopping the Corruption from destroying the world…” Silfy and Mimir projects the five heroes sacrificing themselves.

Felice asks Mimir and Silfy to end the projection. “So, till then and up to today. No two different race are allowed to ever be together, as it is believed to cause Corruption…” Felice takes a drink as everyone remains silent.

Mimir then breaks the silence, “Well I doubt everyone followed that rule. Just don’t get caught and you’ll be fine” Mimir says bluntly.

Everyone but Nora, who just shows content, chuckles to what Mimir says. “True… No one can really stop their love for one another if its true!” Felice says with a relax sigh.

“The Ritual of Lovers is indeed something that many can’t deny that they long for. Which can be done by anyone without much issue as it is done in private most of the time” Eirene says with a giggle.

Eiziest looks at Eirene confused, “Ritual of lovers?”

Eirene looks at Eiziest with a soft smile. “It is a way for two people to confirm their love for each other!” she says smiling with a hand on her cheek. “it is done by simply embracing someone and hear each other’s heartbeat until both slowly beat at the same time. Should both hearts synch, then the love is true and a bond is formed!” Eirene says with a chuckle. “Each pair experience it differently mind you…” she says as she takes a sip of her drink.

Eiziest jolts as he remembers his bond system. “Hey Mimir! While we’re on the topic bonds. What’s the current stat of mine?”

Mimir looks at Eiziest. “One moment…” Mimir then releases a drone that prompts Eiziest current bonds;

Everyone looks at the prompt curiously and with mixed reactions. “Changes were set as per Silfy’s ideas” Mimir says as he looks at Silfy. To which Silfy Nods.

Mimir looks at Eiziest, “To clarify. The order is set by highest to lowest. No perks are given to those that have received this symbol…” Mimir projects the symbol. “[○]”

Xion looks at Mimir. “What perks do we received, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Mostly battle efficiency increase. Except for Nora, who has the highest bond with Eiziest defined as an owner and pet relationship, she has the ability to use some of Eiziest powers on command when in his new second form” Mimir bluntly says.

Eiziest looks at Mimir flabbergasted. “…How that happen?!”

Mimir looks at Eiziest with a question mark projected on his head. “Nora is the one who created your current form and gave the ability for you to hide your aura. Have you not noticed?”

Eiziest sighs, “Wouldn’t that be just me being grateful?”

“Didn’t really match as much as being treated as a pet” Mimir bluntly says.

Everyone else, besides Silfy and Nora who continues to eat, laughs as Eiziest raises his hand in defeat against Mimir.

As everyone finishes up. They readied themselves for bed.

The bedroom only having two beds, one king size and one queen size. It was decided quickly Silfy and Felice will take the king size. While Eirene, Xion, and Nora will take the queen size bed.

Eiziest offers to sleep on the bench in the living area, but as for show of Nora’s control. Eiziest’s form changes into his tiny 1st form with simple snap of Nora’s fingers.

Everyone else chuckles as Eiziest again gives up this time against Nora.

“Fitting as I said” Mimir says with a prompt, “( ◠‿◠ )”

Eiziest simply sighs as he lets Nora cuddle him like a stuffed toy.