Chapter 13: The Art ii

It was a strange sight indeed. A man was followed down the halls by an odd attachment. A toned man was holding a girl in black clothing, her eyes covered in blood and body limp. The girl was continually cared for by a Water Mage while another woman, shorter than the other two, merely looked on worried about what would happen. The back of the scholarly man in her sight.

The group trailed into the main reception room of the Watch’s northern base, nearly empty except for the few bored workers watching them. By one of the many tables in the corner sat Larc on a luxurious couch. He was currently waving his gloved hand towards Xuan calling him over. Across from him sat a robed figure reading some sort of scroll as he waited.

“Hey Xuan! Brought company haven’t you?”

Xuan approached Larc in a leisurely fashion, his once long strides shortening into soft steps.

“Of course, though something happened with the girl, it should be fine now.”

Xuan sat down across from the strange man, noting the runes written on the scroll he was reading.

“And who’s this? Someone you met?”

Larc nodded his head at Xuan’s question.

“He’s here to test the girl’s aptitude. I’ll be off then, the Balros Army approaches by the minute. Handle the girl carefully, she’s a slippery one.”

Larc left the room afterwards, heading back to do whatever a Captain does prior to combat. This leaves the two men sitting on the table alone with the three standing guests.

“Lay the girl down on the table. Then you may sit wherever else you like. Let us experts handle this.”

Xuan granted brief orders to the three, Isbeth didn’t want to leave the girl but Roy flashed a look at her indicating otherwise. They willingly obliged to the orders, Kiena went back to her duties while Roy and Isbeth decided to watch the process at a nearby table.

“Good, how’s her state?”

Xuan asked to the man, his skills laid in combat and practice, not in injuries caused by anything other than his own Aura.

The robed figure brought out another scroll inscribed in rich pink ink and placed it above the girl. He whispered some words unheard to even Xuan’s own senses, and the scroll began to emanate a soft white glow encasing the girl. Both blood and filth rose from the girl’s body, coalescing in a black ball above the scroll.

With the mess cleared, the girl finally opened her eyes, seeing through the darkness caused by the man’s hood. She saw the face of an old man, white haired and wrinkled through age beyond belief. The old man didn’t seem like a threat to her, but every drop of blood in her body told her to run and hide.

When the man reached to touch her arm, she flinched away causing the man’s hand to stop in place.

“She seems rather healthy to me. Lively at that. I’ve never seen such a clear flow of Mana before.”

The man’s grey eyes were following some sort of pattern within Cerise’s body. With each second that passed, his gaze became sharper, seeing through all forms of creation as it tracked the mana moving throughout the girl’s body.

“She has the aptitude to become a great Mage. ‘Tis but a shame that I can’t teach her as my remaining life is too short compared to her many years.”

The man took out a small crystal from the inner folding of his robes, thrusting the object into the girl’s hand.

“Channel your mana into that crystal. The resulting glow will indicate your control over your mana, and here, this book will serve you well.”

He also handed her a thick book, the pages filled with scribbles and details regarding various shapes and runes rather than the chaos that is a grimoire. The Beginner’s Guide to Introductory Magic and mana crystal were held by the girl, followed by a blank stare directed to the man.

“I bid you farewell. I hope that you can become the morning star of the next generation of Mages.”

The man ran, faster than what his seemingly frail body could. His steps filled with excitement and anticipation for the future. This excitement caused him to forget the rather important detail of leaving behind his name, as he rapidly made pace to record the strange anomaly that is Cerise.

Xuan watched the eccentric grandpa leave, knowing full well that he wouldn’t die within the near future. Jyles was a famous Arch Mage who is known for being over 200 years old. His swift steps and childish demeanor betrayed his elderly appearance. Xuan sighed as his this important figure left the building. His gaze wandered back to the girl again, her hands still holding onto the gifts granted to her.

“You should start reading that if you wish to be useful to the Golden Eagles. You are fast but you aren’t fit for the assault section. Larc didn’t want you as a scout either so he decided on-“

The girl heard what the seated man said, but his words fell on deaf ears, as the girl’s attention stopped on one word.

“Read?”

The girl recognized the word as a luxury she couldn’t obtain, similar to a name. But unlike before, she had a name now, so why couldn’t she learn to read? A burning desire sparked within her but her rationality attempted to stifle it. She should focus on becoming stronger to escape what haunts her. But she also recognized the unusual strength of that old man and the one seated near her. Though she hated his power, it was one she desired.

“Will reading make me stronger?’

She said, interrupting Xuan once again. A feverish gleam appeared in her eyes as she looked at the book in her hands. The blood in her body began to accelerate, the cross mark appearing in her eyes once more, only to be stopped by Xuan’s hand covering her eyes. The unexpected contact caused her to fall over on the table. Dropping book and crystal alike as she tried to maintain her balance.

“You shouldn’t use that. A mere nine year old girl’s body can’t handle such strain.”

He lifted his hand from her eyes.

“I can however, teach you how to control it.”

His own eyes bore a triple spiral, each curving around his pupil to form a triangle like shape. The pattern spun much more slowly than Cerise’s, and maintained itself for much longer. Though, Cerise’s blood became agitated at this. Her own eyes began to emit a crimson light as it had before. Xuan saw this and stopped his own {Hunter’s Mark}, noting how the girl’s eyes dimmed in response.

“Interesting. So any application of Aura will trigger your reaction?”

His face suddenly approached without her knowing. His fingers carefully opening her eyes for a closer inspection. He raised a finger and pointed at her right iris, injecting a small controlled amount of Aura over his finger.

This sparked a violent reaction from the girl. The injected eye carrying the speck of Aura began to rapidly bleed. The pain was greater than what it had been before. Her body collapsed to the floor, her vision half clouded by red. The Aura invaded her, conflicting with her will. Her blood moved to defend her, the Aura held still by her own. Power and pain enveloped her. The last thing she heard were two voices in her head. The emotionless voice she had heard countless times before, and another which she had not heard from for weeks. The voice seemed cold and distant, but it was close at the same time. A voice which was hers, but was not.

Skill [Hunter’s Eye] has been sealed by an unknown factor (1)

Skill [Blood Haunt] has been sealed by an unknown factor (1)

Skill [Blood Haunt] has resisted

...

Skill [Blood Haunt] has been modified by an unknown factor (2)

Skill [Blood Haunt] has been changed to [Blood Bound]

‘Do not forget your purpose, I will not allow you to disappoint me again.’

Name

Cerise

Age

14 Days

Race

Lesser Devil (Scarlet)

HP

14/47 (+.016/s)

MP

101/101 (+.027/s)

SP

9/35 (+.018/s)

STR

15

INT

25

WIS

16

CON

14

AGL

27

LUK

2

Current Ailments | [Hunter’s Eyes] Sealed

Skills

Level

Proficiency

[Demonic Vitality]

1/10

52.1%

[Hunter’s Eyes] {Hunter’s Mark}

3/10

3.9%

[Blood Bound]

0/5

N/A

[Twisted Fate]

N/A

N/A

-Roy's Perspective-

Roy acted immediately the moment the blood began to flow. He charged towards the man with an enraged roar, tackling the man into the ground. Though, he found himself holding Cerise as the man had moved back to his seat during the brief contact.

“She seems to hold a skill which causes that reaction. I’ve confirmed it just then but the strength in her body rapidly exploded. I’d like to do other tests but you two won’t be letting me correct?”

Isbeth was holding a vial of acid, trivial to the man as he could simply redirect the trajectory of it. Roy held the girl protectively in his arms, blood occasionally staining his clothing.

“We’re going now. Isbeth, come with me to Helios.”

Roy decided on leaving the scene, to flee from the war with Balros.

“Going where? The officials already closed off all mode of transportation. We’re stuck here until the war is over. It hasn’t been announced yet but some of the brighter residents have already found out.”

Xuan revealed this piece of information that the two weren’t privy to, as well as a word of warning to the two.

“Larc left behind a small group of guards to prevent the girl from leaving and to protect her. She’s staying here whether you wish it or not.”

Roy smirked at Xuan’s statement.

“What guards?”

The complete absence of any armed forces within their vicinity settled Roy’s confidence. He couldn’t best the man in a fight but he was confident in his speed.

Xuan could tell what the man was thinking. Not because of some mystical premonition but through keen observation of the man's slight movements. His fingers clenched and knees bent, he appeared to be ready to run at any moment.

“If you think you can run then you will greatly be mistaken. I won’t be the one to stop you but they will.”

Xuan gestured towards the various exits of the room, his actions didn’t seem to matter much but Roy caught on quickly. Larc would never let his prized recruit leave his control. He had to have left some kind of precaution against her escape. Roy looked around the room, he knew there was someone watching him, but he could see nothing. The Shadowless? Or are they the Night's Hand? In either case, both groups would possess stealth and combat capabilities surpassing Roy's. He couldn't do anything.

“For now, just stay put. The Watch of Viscor will easily win the war, I have full confidence in them.”

Xuan leaned back on the sofa, his words could never be less correct.