Chapter 18

Our Nature

I was still curious about Aira’s behavior, so I went to check on her last night before bed, but she wasn’t in her room. She and Farica might still be studying this late at night. Thinking that way, I went straight to bed.

I was dreaming about something in my sleep. A dream about the deal with Thalvos, I think. I was somewhere dark, and he was there. Cheron and Grim were there too, just watching silently from the darkness.

(Find that person.)

I remember his face, pale as death and his eyes, darker than a moonless night. His voice was cold, as if he wasn't speaking to me, but to something he sees ahead of him. As if he spoke to the future.

(Find the True King.)

I jolt awake when the door clicks opens, my body sweaty and my heart palpitating. My instincts jump in as I grab the candlestick on the bedside table, holding it like a hammer as I keep my eyes on the assailant. The door swings open, and standing there... is a hooded figure.

...Sallis?

I blink my eyes a few times, pulling myself away from my daze.

“...Training field. Get your bearings.”

You could’ve knocked,

I remarked at him as he closed the door, giving me time to change my clothes.

Without even letting me bathe, he drags me off to the training field. Even though it’s morning, the field is strangely empty, with the usual drifters hanging around in the corridors with their weapons. Why aren’t they practising?

“Hey, Sallis. Emptied out the the field for your assessment or whatever,”

the chief said as he walks out of the crowd.

“Thanks for the trouble.”

“Hahaha, these lot won’t be getting stronger, anyways! I’m just taking the necessary precautions, just in case something blows up. No offense, little magus.”

Uh... okay.

I understand how he thinks, but... is it really necessary to reserve the whole field for us?

“Come on,”

Sallis said as he leads me to the center of the field. Looks like we’re starting now, but...

“Look, it’s her.”

“The chief thinks it’s necessary to evacuate the field. Is she that powerful?”

“You bet that right. I’ve seen it myself!”

“Hush, twitty girl.”

People are crowding in the corridors, watching us expectantly, curious about the “girl who blew stuff up.” Do I have to start like this?

“To start with, create a fireball and suspend it,”

Sallis said to me, indifferent to the people watching us.

Okay.

I raise my hand and let the aether pull my mind adrift, gathering the air around me to form a firebulb above my palm before stepping away from it, letting it hover between us. I didn’t have to do that, but it just feels cool. As the firebulb is formed, the crowds falls silence in anticipation. On the corner of my eye, I see chief walking back from the edge of the corridor, as if he’s expecting the field to blow up or something. I’m hurt, chief...

“Now, can you increase the intensity?”.

As told, I increase the pressure and rate of combustion, letting the bulb burn hotter and brighter. Sallis stares at the bulb wide-eyed, even though he was the one who told me to do that. The bulb’s starting to burn white when he stops me.

“...Next is aeromancy. Release the fireball’s energy, contain the explosion with air magic.”

Uh... what?

If I release it now, we’d be dead, you know. How am I supposed to contain it? Is he talking about some kind of barrier?

Hmm... I think I can make a wall of dense air to absorb the shockwave... but how well would it do? And even if I do that, there’s still the fuel that haven’t burned off yet. Once I release the energy, the blast would spread the concentrated gases along with the flame, and they might just combust explosively. Maybe... if I can maintain a rotating column of air with enough kinetic energy, it would suck the flame in?

“Ready?”

Eh... wha, wait!

I see him raising his hand in slow motion, and from the movements of his mana, I know his intent. Within split-seconds, I create a spherical barrier around the bulb, and then start moving the air inside to form a wind funnel. The bulb is released and with a loud boom, the shockwave crashes against the barrier from the inside. The barrier breaks, and both me and Sallis are thrown back.

Ow, ow, ow....

Crap... at least the force was reduced, somewhat... but it’s not over yet. The flame is too intense, and that tiny swirl isn’t enough!

Quickly, I manipulate more air around me, moving them with increasing velocity while carefully keeping the flows inside the field. They catch the fire as they move through the bulb, the flame funneling through the wind like a fiery snake through a tunnel. Within seconds, we’re surrounded by a giant whirlpool of flames. I can feel the heat on my skin as it moves violently, burning the ground beneath it before disappearing as suddenly as it had formed.

I try to catch my breath as I glare at my “mentor”. That person instead just smiles at me.

What the heck? That was dangerous, you madfuck!

“Whoa...”

“What in the goddess’ name...?”

“Miss Fay...! You were so cool~... See! I told you guys, you wouldn’t believe me!”

“That’s just crazy! She made a wall of fire!”

No, I was... mitigating the damage.

As silent as always, Sallis brushes past me as he says in a calm tone,

“come.”

Eh? Are we done?

Walking into the corridor, he ignores the people huddling by and walks straight towards the main building.

“Yo, Sallis. You’re done?”

I heard the chief asking.

“Yes. Will meet the commissioner now. Thanks for the trouble.”

I follow him walk away, trying as best as I can to not pay mind to the stares boring into my back.

Leaving the fields and into the main building, we go upstairs to the second floor, where it’s already hectic this early in the morning. I look around to see if I can spot Aira, but no such luck, and she would probably be too occupied to notice me anyway, just as anyone here is too busy to mind us. We walk further beyond what I’ve seen in the tour yesterday, the surroundings becoming more quiet and secluded.

Shouldn’t the boss be placed somewhere in the middle of it, though?

Not long after, we’ve reached the the office, marked by the large, wooden double doors with a golden plate beside it, which I can’t read but most likely says “commissioner's office”. Sallis knocks on the door, something he didn’t do when intruding on me, and a reply came from behind it, welcoming us in.

“Why, if it isn’t the magus,”

Ichard greeted us as we walk in. I poke my head out from behind Sallis’ back to look at the room.

“Oh, there’s two of you!”

He sits on the far side of the room, behind a large wooden office desk. Behind him are are wide windows that overlook the small park beside the guild, with the clear sky and large trees in view. In the middle of the room, sets of sofas are placed fancily like a lounge, with an intricately patterned carpet beneath. Also, the door on the side is most likely a private bedroom. If it's like that, there's probably a private bathroom, too. How fancy.

“How can I help you? Maybe you’re done with your assessment? Haha, of course not.”

“I am done with the assessment.”

“...Hoh?”

Getting up from his chair, he uses his hand to invite us to sit before he takes a place himself on the sofa opposite of us.

“And? Will you take her as an apprentice?”

“I will not.”

“Eh?”

Eh?

“Why? Was her ability inadequate?”

“...No. I simply believe I am not competent enough to train her.”

“Not competent enough... I’m sorry, but even if that’s true, surely there’s another magus who are able to...”

“None. No magi in the Zef will be able to teach her.”

Hearing that, Ichard places his hand on the bridge of his nose, trying to process what Sallis just said.

“...Hooh... there’s a lot to say about that, but since you seem so sure... but then, what would you say we do with her?”

“Inzhi, the arcanist, will stop by Tarnlake within a few days.”

“The geomancer...? You mean...”

“I believe that person has the interest and the capability to take her as an apprentice.”

Ichard leans on the sofa after that, crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes at me.

“...Arcanist, ey...? You think she has the potential?”

“Yes.”

“I see... I won’t doubt your judgement, but is that okay? Aren’t the people from Zef expecting something from this? What will you tell them?”

“...That we would have their favor and good word.”

“Getting on the good side of one, possibly two arcanists, eh? I like the way you think. Alright, you’ve convinced me. I will have someone inform the gates. Thank you, magus. You may leave now.”

Sallis stands up from the sofa and turns to leave. Then, just as I am about to do the same, Ichard stops me.

“not you, lass.”

As Sallis leaves the room, Ichard walks back to his desk, taking out a cigar from a silver case and lights it with a pistol-shaped lighter. He stands there, looking out the window, breathing out a puff of smoke as he speaks to me,

“Do you know? If you ask children what they want to be when they grow up, most boys would answer, a hero, a king, or some other horseshit like that. I’m no different, of course. As a child, it was my dream to be someone big, someone who could make a change, someone whose voice matters in the big stage. And here I am.”

I... didn’t think he was going to give me a pep talk, since I thought he’d be very busy. I’m not sure what his point is...

“Luphaens, avlarks, humans... we’re all just homids in the end, and yet, you can clearly see what difference it does to not be a human where human supremacy reigns. Tarnlake wasn’t anything different. Just a decade ago, luphaens would be raped on the alleys, and avlarks slaved in the mines to the north. For years I’ve fought for impartiality, and I learnt a lot about people. I learnt that they don’t change no matter how hard you try to change them, so I focused on the younger generations. I taught them about the values that makes a life, of how beautiful the world would be if we are fair to one another. Look at this city now. That was the change I brought.”

I just stare at his back idly, not exactly knowing what he’s leading up to.

“There’s a reason why I chose Sallis for the mission back then. I knew one of his professors’, you see. He was bright as a student, a master of fire and talented in light magic. It wasn’t a wonder that he graduated primage from one of the best institutes in the empire. And this exceptional man, did you know that his dream was to be an arcanist?”

Well, he’s not much of a talker, so...

“A hero, a king, an arcanist... I suppose even the magi dreams of becoming something great. Sure, there’s other stuff like grand magi, or archmagi, but those are just fancy titles slapped to fancy people. Now, the arcanists, though... they know what real change is. They’d shaped civilization for as long as the empire aged. Pioneers of any era, pushing the boundaries of our known world. That’s what arcanists are.”

Is... that so...?

After that, he puts out the fire on his cigar after only a few whiffs before he turns back at me. There’s passion in his eyes as he continued,

“I knew there’s something about you, from the moment I first saw you walk in the hall yesterday. I was curious, so I asked around. You were a slave, correct?”

Eh.. I thought that was supposed to be confidential.

*nods*

A smile forms on his face at my reply.

“From a slave, to an arcanist. If you really do become one, it would be one hell of a story to tell. I had my family’s name and wealth, and was able to change this city. Sallis had his brilliance and became a great magus, perhaps an archmagus in the future. But you, girl... as an arcanist, you will pave the way for the empire’s future. And so, before you leave, I just have a few words to say to you that I hope you will remember.”

He then sits back on the opposite of me, his eyes staring through the shadow of my hood and into my eyes, as he said what he wanted to say all along,

“remember our nature. Remember your past, and of the darkness of people’s hearts, but do not let it control you. Be strong, and be compassionate. And then, maybe one day, you’ll be able to give light to the darkness of the empire.”

.....

..........

I walk in the empty corridors, my mind on the meaning of what Ichard said. He seems to have put his faith in me, even though I’m still nowhere near of becoming an “arcanist”. Heck, I’m not even sure what they do, but if becoming one gives me power, I’ll be one. I wonder, though, what did I do to make Sallis think I have what it takes? Was what I did back then actually great? I’ve yet to see other magi in action, so I don’t know how a normal magus would be.

“Oh...”

Hmm?

Aira?

As I walk, my eyes meets with Aira’s who is walking the other way, towards Ichard’s office. Beside her is an attractive luphaen woman, coupling her hands with Aira’s. The woman’s expression stiffened when she saw me, but didn’t say anything as they continue to walk past me. I look behind at them, and notice Aira doing the same as our eyes meets again. Her mouth opens and her foot trips on other, but the woman still walks on without minding, dragging Aira with her.

I watch them walk away and the whole time, Aira keeps looking back at me, all the way until they turn the corner. Something’s not right...

I quietly follow them, peeking around the corner as I see them walk into Ichard’s office. Then a click tells me that someone must’ve locked the door. I walk up to it and indeed, it’s locked. There’s no keyhole, though, so it must have a different locking mechanism. I put my ear against the door, but there’s nothing to be heard.

.............

The way she looked at me... I’ve seen those eyes before. She was afraid of something. She was asking for my help.

Ah, crap... I can’t leave this alone now, can I?

Deciding that, I briskly make my way through the building.

Once I arrive at the bustling foyer, I see several people pointing and waving at me.

Sorry, I have no time for that right now.

“Look, look! It’s fire girl!”

“Miss Fay~ over here! Let’s eat together!”

I ignore Kaelyn’s voice and head on to the entrance and out the building.

Ichard’s office was secluded, there was no keyhole on the doors, and the room was soundproof. But there’s one place where I can see inside. I make my way out onto the streets and then to the small park, to the west of the guild.

When I arrive there, I see couples flirting with each other, and elderly enjoying the shade and the view, be it the green or the young people. I proceed to a corner where there’s less people and less chance to be seen, making sure that no one’s around before I gather my mana. I get on my knees, gathering the air into a slightly dense ball of gas around my feet. Then, I jumped, using air pressure to launch me up.

Ugh.. ow!

Shite... the branches are sharper than I thought. Ah, well, good thing I’m not stuck. Now, next is... find the window of the office. It should be... there. I see it.

Using the same technique, I leap between the trees to one near the window, doing it silently as not to alert the people on the ground as well as the ones inside the office. Now with a decent vantage point, I can see clearly inside the office.

Ichard is sitting behind his desk, his back towards me, and standing in front of him is the two luphaens. The woman seems to be talking to Ichard about something, while Aira has her gaze down on the floor, her hand gripping her dress nervously. I think Ichard just said something to her, because she looks at him after that, her eyes wide and... terrified?

Wait, what... what is she doing? Why... why is she taking off her clothes?

Aira?

She proceeds to take off her garment slowly. She starts from her bodice, her skirt, and then her undergarments, exposing everything beneath to Ichard and the hidden observer outside the window. She kept her gaze down, her arms over her breasts and crotch in a measly attempt of decency.

Aira!

As if she heard me, she looks around the room alert, but fails to notice me in the end. After that, Ichard stands up and approaches her, putting his hand on her back as she visibly trembles under his touch. Then he leads her, nudging her towards the door at the side, leaving the woman in the office and closing the door behind them. I look at the windows of the next room and see that they’re bolted shut with no apparent way to look inside, but I don’t need to. I already know what would happen.

Aira had nowhere to go. The guild is the only place she has left, and it's either that, or struggle alone on the streets.

(Remember our nature. Remember your past, and of the darkness with people’s hearts.)

I quietly laugh at my own foolishness. I should’ve learnt by now, this idiot me.

After all, it’s our nature.

=== === ===

--- The night before... ---

=== === ===

“I tell you, lad. I an’t kidding,”

my brother said to me, still chugging on his ale, emptying his second tankard for the night. There’s no doubt that he’s drunk by now.

“Come on, lil’ bro. Drink! ‘Tis all on me, haha!”

“Sorry, brother. I can’t.”

“Hmphf! You bishops and your laws. I don’t understand ye all.”

“You know how it is. Now, what was that about a faean?”

“Oh, right... where was I?”

“You detained a pair of magus, and one of them was a‒”

“A faean! White hair and all! And she was poplolly, I tell you. Lil’ young, but still the fairest I’ve seen! Like, ya know those scrubbers at Frabber street? Mayna’s got ‘em smokin' teats, ya know. Pity you won’t ever get go at her, eh? Huh? What was I trying to say, again?”

Gosh... call it familial duty, but I’ve never enjoyed these drinks as much as he does, but for once, this little occasion has something worthwhile to it. Possibly something very, very worthwhile.

“The faean, brother. You were about to say something about her test result?”

“Huh? Oh, that. So, I got ‘em detained and shit, right. Then I took a look at their crap and stuff, and the lass had seventy-nine mana pool. Now, I an’t a magus, but this Fallake guy thought it was a big deal, ya know. “

By the goddess... seventy-nine? A faean? If what he says is true...

“Oh, and hear thi‒”

“You said they were from the guild?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, cuz this avlark came and fetched ‘em. Aldwan, I know that guy. Big avlark from Steadville.”

“I see...”

I’ll send word to the archbishop with the fastbird tonight. Then, first thing tomorrow, I’ll have to see this girl for myself. I don’t know what I’ll see there, but the Order might have to take a move. And when they do, I’ll be ready.

“Drink more, brother. Next one’s on me.”

“Aw, bud! You’re a good bro, all stiff that you are!”

“You deserved it, brother.”

After all, you might’ve just helped us on vanquishing the demon lord.