Chapter 27

Drachwhyr

Cold stone, cold air, and parched throat.

Those were the feelings I woke up to when I opened my eyes.

The dirt ground I was familiar to had become hard, stark rock and the stone walls of the maze became cavernous walls and ceilings. In fact, “cavern” was probably the best way to put it.

Hadda!

I cried out, only to have an eerie silence answering.

Eretz!

They were gone. The darkness became my only company yet again.

I pushed against the ground and to my surprise, I was able to stand. Even though my clothing was still damp with blood, when I lifted it up, I found that my injuries had all but healed up.

What the fuck…?

I was baffled. The wounds wouldn’t even close back in the maze, and yet, all that’s left were scars.

Leaving the strange matter aside, I looked around the unfamiliar area. Other than the looming walls and ceilings, distant shadows hinder my sight. If it weren’t for the glowing rocks within the walls, I wouldn’t have been able to see anything at all.

Although my legs were unsteady after not having been used for some time, I walked towards one of the darkness that I thought to be a path. When I got there, though, I was met instead with a cliff. I looked far and below and felt despair at the vastness of this new place.

Caves within caves, ceilings beyond ceilings, all joined together in a convoluted flux of rock and darkness. What I saw from above told me that I was just in a different kind of maze.

So, we’re not out yet... haha...

I dropped to my knees and started laughing my heart out. That laugh turned into a shout, and then a scream of torment. At least, I wished I could actually scream because it seemed like the only thing that could help me keep my sanity.

Just exactly what was it all for?

It was a great time to cry, but no tears came out. I was too tired to even do that. Too tired to do anything.

I didn’t know what to do— stay there and give up? Take a stand and do the same thing all over again? If I did, when would it end? Even if I miraculously found the exit again, where would I arrive next?

With nothing to push me on, I just sat still like a lifeless doll. Perhaps it’s better to just give up— with that kind of thoughts, I lost my will to escape. That is, until my stomach made a strange noise.

That’s when I realised; my parched throat, my grumbling stomach...

For the first time since my being came into existence, I was...

===

=== ===

=== === ===

...Hungry...

I open my eyes, blinking off my sleep to see the ceiling of the train. The chugging and the vibration of the train quickly washes off the nightmare I had.

“Really? You finally woke up and that’s the first thing you say?”

...Teacher?

I look to the side of the bed, and there, teacher is sitting on another bed. The tone in her voice was light, but her face is contorted in worry.

“I can get some grub for you if you want.”

I’m... kind of full, actually.

“Then why did you say you’re hungry?”

Eh? Did I?

“Uh, nevermind. More importantly, how are you feeling?”

I’m fine, I think. What happened?

“That’s what I wanted to ask you.”

I... fell unconscious?

I remember feeling pain like when I first received the mark, just more... intense.

Where is this?

“Infirmary coach. This is where you go to get treated or contained.”

Contained?

“Yeah. The management wouldn’t want their trains to spread diseases over borders, after all. It’s okay, though. A doctor checked you out a while ago, and you don’t seem to have anything. Said you have a trauma on your head or something.”

A doctor? Did anyone see my face?

“No, no. I made sure of that. That aside, I want to know what happened.”

I sit up and think on how to explain it, or whether or not I should. Either way, I have to know what happened in the first place.

I need to go to the bathroom,

I stated, getting up the bed.

“Hey, wait—“

Sorry, I’ll explain later.

The reason I’m going to the bathroom is because there’s a mirror I can use.

When I arrive, I make sure to lock the door and just start stripping away my top until I can see the Lyrfanas’ mark on my right shoulder. The ominous distortion of my skin seems to be the same as I remember it, except that it’s now darker in colour, looking like a burnt scar.

...Burnt scar, eh? I did feel as if it was on fire earlier...

To make sure, I take out my status card and see what’s written on it.

⌠n□□□Δ□⌡ ┤Vim Rate├

▐ │7│ │58%│

Σ⌠Δ□∞⌡ ┤Pull Rate├

▐ │86│/

Name

▐ □τη□ρ□, ΝΞΙΔ IndolantFay, │Fay│

Species

▐ Γ□ Human

Gender

▐ Female

Age

▐ 17 months old

Titles

▐ □ρβ□τ□ρ

▐ □νδ□λ□ντ Φ□ψ

▐ Ωη□τ□ ς□λκ□ρ□□

▐ Γ□ϖ□ρ □φ Ω□σδ□μ

▐ Μ□ρτ□ρ□δ Γ□δδ□σ

▐ Master of Sins

▐ Indelible Survivor

▐ Champion of the Dark God

▐ She Who Deals With Demons

Mana Affinity

▐ High –

Mana Pool

▐ 86

[ Appellation, |She Who Deals With Demons|: “Make a deal with the demon”, a most heinous and profane taboo of the Church of Athyra. You have a demon’s mark imprinted somewhere on your body, making you a target for the Church. ]

Nexy, can you analyse the mark?

|Demon’s Mark: Lyrfanas|

This mark is the proof of a covenant with the demon, Lyrfanas.

Status: |Broken|

Broken... what does that mean?

|Broken|: The terms have been breached and the covenant is void. Consequences agreed upon may follow the involved parties.

Ugh. That doesn’t sound good at all.

The terms of my agreement with Lyrfanas were for her to let the drifters go, which she did. That leaves to my end; keep her and her swarm’s existence a secret. I left that for Orlev to deal with, though I guess this means he failed in the end. Damn it, Orlev.

Now, about the “consequence”— I’m pretty sure what happened was just the mark becoming “broken”, and that the real penalty is yet to come. I remember her saying she’ll either eat me or use me to grow her swarm. I don’t know how far her reach is, but for now, I can only hope that it doesn’t go beyond Lephander’s borders.

“I can only hope”, huh...

I hate those words, and yet, it’s the kind of situation I’m far too familiar with.

While thinking of what to tell teacher, I head back.

Still in the same position, teacher narrows her eyes at me as soon as she sees me, using her gaze to order me to sit across her. As I do so, I immediately feel guilt and anxiety, quaking in my own boots.

“...What happened?”

Umm, well...

No matter how I think of it, being her pupil means I will spend a lot of time near her. That means if Lyrfanas decides to come for me, she will be in danger too. It’s only fair if she knew what she’s getting into.

Teacher, this is a bit hard to say. The truth is, I—

“No, it’s okay. I understand.”

...You do?

“We’ve been together for more than a week. You think I wouldn’t notice?.”

N‒Notice?

I know she likes to peek when I bathe, but I thought I hid the mark well. Did I mess up?

“Your body is frail, isn’t it? And this... you passed out because of the toll on your body from when I made you climb that hill, am I right? Fay, I’m sorry, I didn’t... no, I should’ve known.”

It’s not your fault.

“No, it’s my responsibility if I want to call myself your teacher.”

It really isn’t your—

Hold on, if I go with that, then I wouldn’t have to tell her about Lyrfanas.

To be frank, I don’t know how she might react if she knew. There’s a chance she will disown me, or worst case, she’ll hand me over to the church or even kill me herself.

Just don’t make me do muscle work next time,

I said, going with the lie.

“Don’t get too carried away, you. I’m sure your health isn’t something we can’t fix.”

...Actually, teacher. That’s not it.

“Hmm? What is?”

I can’t do it.

I can’t lie, not after what I’ve been through with Hadda.

If I’ve learnt anything during those seventeen months, is that lies always comes back to bite you, especially at times when you least expect it. If she is to become my enemy, then let it be by the truth and not a fraudulent betrayal.

“Fay? What is it?”

Teacher, Orlev told you about me, right?

“Yup. He told me everything about you. Why?”

Everything?

“Well, I assume... what’s wrong, Fay?”

There’s one little detail he might’ve forgotten. It’s... easier to show you.

Just as I’m about to show her the mark, someone passes by in the corridor, reminding me that we’re in a public place.

“Fay?”

It’s not the place.

“Is it important?”

Yes, since you might change your mind about me.

“Well, now you’re just making me worried. This better not be a joke you’re playing.”

It’s not, I promise. I’ll tell you sometime. Anyway...

I stand up and stretch my back, letting out a big yawn while doing so.

Let’s head back and grab a drink on the way.

“Oh, we’re not going back to that coach.”

What do you mean?

“After you collapsed, I had to reveal my identity, so now we have to go to the where all the lords and ladies are.”

Oh... can’t you just not go? Refuse or something?

“Been there, done that. Now that they know I’m here, the pesky ones will pester the staff and they, in turn, will pester us during the whole journey.”

We’ll just have to go, then.

“Heh, looks like you got your wish, huh, Fay? At least I know a way to make this profitable for us.”

How so?

“You, Fay. You were a slave until recently. You’re practically no one. If you want to make it on the big stage, what you need now is connections.”

I groan in protest.

I don’t want to be on the “big stage”,

I chided, making a hand gesture to emphasise the last part.

“Becoming an arcanist means becoming a player, and take my word on this— when the time comes, you will need allies.”

And you think I’ll find some here?

“No, but we can at least get your name out there, sell you out as my apprentice and let everyone know you’re in the play.”

Uh... I don’t think that’s—

“Don’t worry about the church,”

she continued with an assuring smile,

“Worst case, even they have to think twice before picking a fight with the arcanum.”

If you say so...

“Well then, shall we?”

--- --- ---

The nobility coaches are located right next to the infirmary. There’s a guy standing by the door, but he lets us in after teacher shows him her necklace, which has some kind of symbol etched on it.

When we walk in, I can immediately tell the difference in class from our previous seats— rather than four open cubicles, there are two closed compartments on each row. Through the windows, I can see what seem to be lounges inside the compartments. Also, rather than having a food cart rolling around, each lounge seems to have its own confectioneries.

An attendant leads us to our own compartment, which we found empty to my relief. We settle in, and I go straight to the snacks table to see anything interesting.

Teacher, what’s in these boxes?

“Always food first with you. Oh, those aren't food though. Blair High teas.”

Teas?

“The stuff that nobles drink. We can brew some here ourselves with the tea maker.”

What about these other stuff?

“Crackers and pies. Why don’t you try some?”

I do just that, taking one of each of the many kinds of food, with teacher naming them as I eat.

Unlike the usual food that fills the stomach, the ones here seem to be intended for taste, and what a taste they are.

The pies are heavenly sweet and the tarts, even more so. There’s also the mutton curry, which has a taste my tongue is unfamiliar with—spicy sweet? There’s also bread rolls, sponge-puddings, and jellies, all adding to my list of otherworldly delish. So far, though, my favourite is the meat-wrapped oysters, which teacher tells me is not actually a snack for nobles.

“Someone probably misplaced that here from the galley. Ah, well, you probably like them because of the meat. Hell, you’ll swallow a raw fish if it comes down to it.”

I stop eating when I realise I’ve tried nearly everything, with the exception of the canned soups. I turn to look at the teacher and find her smiling weirdly at me.

...What?

“Nothing. I just like watching you eat. It’s like watching an animal.”

Are you calling me a beast again?

“No, no, I don’t mean it like that. Anyway, you should go at it while you can. Not long now, we'll be busy with the nobles.”

Eh? I thought this compartment is empty?

“It is, but think about it. How many nobles do you think travel with large groups that they need rooms like this?”

Not much? ...Oh.

“Socialisation is an integral part of the upper-class community. These compartments are designed like this to adhere to that. In fact, these rooms can be slightly soundproof, so high-class business dealings can be done as well without peering ears listening in.”

So people will come here?

“Soon enough. I think they’re still deciding who goes after who. Usually, the biggest names are first served, so you should pay extra attention to whoever comes in here first. The important ones will be bringing their bodyguards with them, but they don’t mean anything by that. Just relax, nod away and follow my lead.”

Yes, ma’am.

“Oh, and keep the hood on. We wouldn’t want anyone from Tarnlake identifying you.”

After that, the teacher briefs me on how to carry my conduct. Since they’re basically going to be “informal tea socials”, she tells me that there won’t be much courtesy.

Not long after, the first person knocks on our compartment’s door, and the teacher waves him in.

The door slides open and an elderly man walks in with a hunched back. I feel my body stiffen as he drops his gaze on us. His eyes are sharp and even though he haven’t said anything, my instincts are saying that something is threatening my life. When he closes the door behind him, I realise that he’s alone.

Teacher, this guy doesn’t have any bodyguard—

I stop when I see teacher’s face.

At first glance, she appears to be relaxed, but I can see the tightening of the muscles near her mouth and her slightly dilated pupils. However, it only lasts a mere second as she immediately takes on a business smile, standing up and offering him a handshake.

“It’s been a long time, Lord Tevan Ardent.”

“You seem well, Miss Inzhi. How has your trip to Bastion fare you?”

The man replied with a scratchy voice as he took the offer before sitting down across us.

“It was well, and so am I. What about you? It’s rare to see you walking around. Outside the District, no less.”

“I’m on vacation. The north is beautiful at this time of the year.”

“I see. The taigas were certainly a sight, were they not?”

“Yes, they were. There’s nothing like immersing yourself in nature, just watching white-tailed deer chasing one another in the snow. But I suppose I don’t need to tell you that, don’t I?”

...Hmm? They're just talking about trivial matters, but somehow...

“Oh, I’m sorry, would you like some tea?”

teacher asked in an unseemly manner for her.

“I wouldn’t bother you.”

“It’s quite alright. My companion and I are just about to have some, anyway,”

she claimed, and no, we were definitely not about to have some tea.

As teacher goes to the counter to brew the drinks, I find myself face to face with Tevan.

Other than the light stubble, his face and hair are neatly trimmed in a way that reminds me of Ichard. One thing that differs, though, is his sharp blue eyes, similar to Latasha’s, and the stare of which seems to default to either “threaten” or “intimidation”.

“I believe this is the first time we’ve met...?”

he greeted me with a composed smile and a new setting for his stare. He was simply observing me, but it felt as if I was naked under his gaze. I know he can’t see my face, but I still instinctively pull my hood tighter.

“Oh, my apologies. My name is Tevan Ardent. I work for the imperial government and I live in District Cardinal.”

Err...

Crap. He’s expecting me to make an introduction.

Well, I'm... Fay. I work as Inzhi's bitchy apprentice and I live in whatever arcane hole she lives in.

“Ahem. Pardon, Lord Tevan,”

teacher cut in as she comes back with our tea.

“She has a condition that disabled her from speaking.”

“Is that so?”

“If I may, she is an apprentice that I’ve recently taken in. However, due to a sensitive matter, I currently can’t disclose her name nor her face.”

T‒Teacher!

“Hmm... apprentice, eh?”

“Yes, I believe she will be a valuable addition to the Arcanum.”

“What an interesting information to know. By the way, I hope you didn’t run into any trouble in this country.”

“Trouble? Of course not. This is a peaceful country, where even the inhumans are free from Moval’s clutches.”

“I’m glad if it is so. I just heard some talk, rumours really, that there’s unrest brewing in Igwall.”

“Unrest? Everything seemed fine to me, but then again, I didn’t visit that place.”

Tevan raises his eyebrows in what seems to be fake surprise.

“You didn’t? That place is between Bastion and Boris Station, though.”

“I had to take a detour to meet this new apprentice of mine. What sort of ‘unrest’ are you talking about?”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m just being extra cautious. We wouldn’t want another... “rebellion”, after all.”

Teacher gives a mirthless smile, widening her eyes in, guess what, fake surprise. What the hell is up with these two?

“You jest, surely. That’s an absurd thing to do after Lawthorne.”

“Unfortunately, not everyone can learn from others’ mistakes. Don’t worry, Miss Inzhi. If there is such a plan, I will personally make sure to weed out the criminals, down to their roots.”

“That is, if there really is such a plan?”

“You are right of course. Still, you have no reason to worry. No matter what happens, I will ensure that the dynasty stays strong,”

Tevan assured her, taking a final sip from his tea before standing up. At the same time, the train’s whistle is sounded.

“This is my stop.”

“Still on vacation, I see.”

“Unfortunately, this pertains to work. It was nice to meet you, Miss Inzhi. And you too... miss apprentice.”

Likewise, hunchba— ow!

“Likewise, Lord Tevan.”

After a final curtsy, Tevan turns to leave the compartment, but just before he leaves, teacher calls out to him,

“Lord Tevan, I think you’re misunderstanding something.”

“Pardon?”

“Both as a member of the Arcanum and an augur of Drachwhyr, my priorities run concurrently to the people, and therefore, the empire. However, I don’t necessarily answer to the reigning power.”

“...I see,”

Tevan acknowledged with a smile which intentions behind is unreadable. He leaves after that without saying another word. As soon as the door closes behind him, teacher sinks back into the couch, heaving out a relieved sigh.

What was that all about? Who was he?

“Before that, what do you think of him?”

Him?

He didn’t speak much other than pointless chatter. His speech, his demeanour, and the way he hunched his back were all describing him simply as an old man. And yet, if there’s anything I’ve learnt from my two years at Purgatory, it’s to always trust my instincts. In other words...

I feel like he’s dangerous.

Teacher leans forward at me.

“ ‘Dangerous’,”

she said,

“is a serious understatement. He is the imperial spymaster, works directly under the Sovereign, and is the brother of Ardent’s head. In a pyramid of shrewdness and disregard for humanity, he would be riding on a zeppelin, way above the top. ‘Dangerous’ doesn’t even begin to describe him.”

Mm... is that so?

I replied indifferently. I have no clue what she’s talking about.

“What’s with that reaction? Forget about the church— making him your enemy will ruin your evenings for the rest of your life.”

Is he?

“Is he what?”

An enemy? Or could I make him into an ally?

“My advice, Fay, is that you stay as far away from him as possible. If the arcanum protects secrets, his job is to pry out those secrets, tear them to pieces, and build it back as his own. By essence, he is an arcanist’s worst enemy.”

Right. So if he’s dangerous, why did you tell him I’m on the run? I mean, that’s basically what you told him.

“Because he’ll know about you, one way or another, and better not have him find out we’re lying to him. I’m not keen on breaking bread with him, but I don’t want to have to look over my shoulders either.”

Even so, if he is the head of Ardent’s brother, that would make him Latasha’s uncle, wouldn’t it? When the time comes, this may become something I can exploit.

By the way, you said something about being an augur of something.

“Oh. Augurs of Drachwyr, it’s basically my job when I’m not busy being an arcanist. We read the nature to predict the future.”

As in, a soothsayer.

Wow, I didn’t think she’d delve into that kind of thing.

“Hey, hold that look! I know people think of us as weirdos, but it’s all actually very scientific. We observe nature not as some kind of disillusioned people in sketchy robes. No, we study them as clear-minded researchers.”

Right...

“Tch. Whatever, you’ll see for yourself. In the meantime, drink your tea, Fay,”

she suggested. I tilt my head in question.

“The high water may have passed, but we’re not done yet. There’ll be more to come.”

I nod at her and stare down at the swirls in my tea. The previously clear surface had become jumbled out from the train's shaking. Somehow, my previously jolly mood has gotten muddy as well, and I have a feeling it won’t get better anytime soon.

Like on cue, someone knocks on the door and teacher answers in a clear voice,

“come in.”

--- --- ---

Noble after noble, we went down our guest list like a dying snail. When we got to our tenth or so group, I was starting to wonder if we’d go at it the entire trip. But even then, teacher’s face was still a gigglemug, so I set an example of her and steeled myself. She did most of the talking, though. All I did was nod on her lead, and one time, brewed a cup of tea. That’s when she decided to set the third rule for me to never make tea again, ever.

There were some differences I picked up on how she treated our guests. After Tevan, she no longer bothered to offer drinks to our guests, nor did she explain my circumstance. Instead, she only passed me off as “not a talker.”

By the time we’re done with everyone, the sun is already setting beyond the mountainous horizon.

Teacher...

“Yes?”

I’m having second thoughts.

She laughs to that, throwing her back into the free couch without restraint.

“Don’t worry! Arcanists don’t usually talk with other people much, only when we have to.”

You seem so used to it, though.

“Believe me, I didn’t like it either. I wouldn’t have jumped on the train otherwise. Anyway, how many people do you think you remember?”

I wonder? The later ones didn’t give much of an impression.

“That’s alright. It’s more important that they know you and not the other way around, but I do think there are some people worth knowing. Duke Marc is a sponsor for the Angestile Institute of Crafts, and Magus Keville is a big name in Zest-Flamel and has a lot of connections in Bastion.”

I think I remember them. They were the only ones that had an actual interest in me.

“That’s because the rest aren’t influential enough to be associating with an arcanist and were just doing courtesies. Those two are interested in future partnerships with you, provided that you do become an arcanist. With this, all the trouble is worth it, don’t you think?”

Thank you.

“Huh?”

A blank expression paints her face, so I elaborate,

For doing all this.

“Ah, no, it’s my responsibility. You’re my pupil, after all. I don’t have children, so you’re the closest to family now, whether or not we know each other that well. Besides, it’s just the beginning of our relationship. We still have a lot more to do from now on.”

Umm... about that...

I play with my fingers as I think on what to tell her. I figure it’s time for her to know the full risks of taking me in and let her decide whether to keep me or not.

Teacher, I want to talk about our relationship.

“Err... what?”

You said these compartments are soundproof, right?

“Well, relatively...”

I stand up and go to lock the door and close the curtains on the corridor windows. I turn back to face teacher, her eyebrows raising in confusion.

“Fay?”

Don’t say anything.

These compartments aren’t fully soundproof, after all.

I walk closer to her, using my eyes to make her silent. Rather than telling her, it’s easier to show her, so I start taking off my coat, and then my shirt—

“Wait, stop!”

she suddenly cried, looking away.

Teacher?

“Fay, I‒I’m your teacher! No matter how you feel, we can’t—“

You need to see this.

“Eh? S‒See what...”

She turns her face back to me, and I show her Lyrfanas’ mark.

“That’s...”

This is a demon’s mark, teacher.

“I know, I... I’ve read about it before. I never thought it was real. No one did.”

Her gaze locks on the mark as if forgetting how she acted just a second earlier.

“How... how did this happen? Has this been long?”

No. it was when the drifter party went through Halhallart’s Dread. I made a deal to get us out.

“The Dread...? So the rumours are true after all. What about the agreement?”

I, uhm... promised to keep her existence a secret. But the mark is broken now, so I guess I failed. Haha...

Upon hearing that, her face becomes stone, looking not at me, but at the wall behind me.

...Teacher?

Not getting any reaction, I just continue on what I wanted to say.

And so, about making me your apprentice, you might want to—

“What were you thinking...?”

Eh?

“Just exactly, what...”

She takes in a sharp breath. Her voice is shaky, holding herself from shouting.

To calm herself, she takes in a couple of deep breaths, holding her chest as if to keep her heart from popping out.

“...Are you sure it’s broken?”

With my tongue tied, I only nod at her question.

“...What will happen now?”

I’m... not sure...

“Not sure?”

...Nothing good

“You don’t know. How can you not know...?”

Both her voice and her gaze are calm now, looking straight at me without apparent emotion. Because of that, there’s this feeling I don’t know that makes me look away, unable to look at her in the eyes.

Suddenly, as I look down at my feet, I feel teacher’s arms wrapping me into a hug.

Teacher?

“It must’ve been scary...”

I couldn’t reply. Is she reprimanding me or comforting me? What do I do in this situation?

“When you passed out earlier, it’s because of this, wasn’t it? Was it painful?”

Yes, but I’m fine now.

Then she lets go of me, keeping her hands on my shoulders as she continues, drilling into me with her sincere gaze,

“Don’t worry. I won’t let any demon come near you.”

You’re... still willing to...

“Of course I am, Fay. Come demon or church, as your teacher, I will protect you.”

Are you sure about this? This mark means I’ve dealt with a demon. Are you sure you want to have someone like me?

“What do you think was the reason I chose you in the first place?”

I ponder her question, and when I can’t point an exact answer, she explains,

“When I heard about what you did in Tarnlake and the reason you did it, I just knew— you’re the person I’m looking for. And this mark,”

she continued as she traced my shoulder in a tingly way,

“this mark just further proves that.”

Not knowing what to say, what comes out of my mind is,

Thank you.

---

--- ---

--- --- ---

“Wake up, child.”

Mm... shut up, Yammu.

“You’re sleep-talking. Come on, it’s our stop.”

Someone turns the lights on, launching an assault of photons into my eyes. I fortified my defences with the blanket I somehow have on me, but that gets torn too.

“Wake up!”

I open my eyes to see teacher showing off her teeth with a stupid grin. I look out the window, making myself feel even more annoyed.

It’s still dark.

“Yeah, it’s just past midnight. Come on, then. I’ll pinch you if you don’t get up in five seconds.”

Pinch away...

She does just that. I wouldn’t have normally minded, but the spot she pinched me at is a little troubling, so I get up in the end.

..........

“...Fay, we have to go.”

Just a moment. There’s still the soups.

“Geez, just how much are you planning to take with you?”

Sorry, it just seems like a waste to leave all this free meal behind.

After filling my bag with snacks from the compartment, I follow teacher out, off the train and into the barely-lit station. As I step out, I look around and see that we’re the only ones getting off, odd considering how many people are on that train. Then again, this station seems deserted too. The tiles and walls are broken all over and there’s no one in sight.

It’s like we’re in the middle of nowhere.

“It does, doesn’t it.”

And I thought the District is supposed to be the last stop.

“Umm, well...”

Teacher...

I narrow my eyes at her, watching her swaying on her own feet suspiciously.

“Let’s just say we’re taking a detour.”

Before she finished her sentence, I’m already walking back into the train.

“Wait, wait, wait! Just hear me out for a second!”

She grabs my hand, and I glare at her in response.

I’m going to the District.

“We will go there, all in time! Fanny is already off the train too, are you going to leave her here?”

You can eat her or whatever. Bye, teacher.

“Oh, please. You’re not an arcanist, yet. Going there now will have you in the spotlights, with everyone to fight and no one to help. You trusted me as your teacher, so trust me now.”

...How long will it take?

“How long...?”

To make me an arcanist.

“That’s... I don’t know, Fay.”

Take a guess.

“...A few years, maybe.”

A few years?!

“D‒Don’t freak out. It took me a year of hard work myself. And that’s just based on what I know about you, which isn’t a lot.”

Then, depending on my abilities, you can make it faster?

“Y‒Yeah, basically...”

As I pondered, the train finally leaves the station, leaving us alone in the darkness of the desolate station. I hope I won’t regret this.

What if I show you what I’m capable of?

“Well, your mana pool already gave me a rough estimation, so—“

No teacher,

I snapped at her,

it doesn’t.

After I’m sure that there’s no one else, I walk to the centre of the station and close my eyes.

“Fay?”

I start by summoning firebulbs, one after another and let them circle around me. I turn back and face teacher to see her wary stance at the sight my the firebulbs. Then, one by one, I join them together until they become one large sphere of energy.

“Superb control, but I think we should do this in a secure environment,”

she noted, anxiety apparent in her voice. I teasingly smile at her, continuing to the next step by summoning a similarly-sized ball of water. In one swift motion, I merge the water and fire together, causing an explosive evaporation of the water into steam.

“Eek!”

I chuckle as I saw teacher jumping back. Indeed, there would’ve been a steam explosion if I hadn’t suspended it in the same manner as firebulbs, making a new kind of bulb, made out of boiling hot steam.

“O‒Okay, I get it now. You can use water magic too, so isn’t it enough?”

I’m not done.

Next, I make the steam and the fire into separate layers— fire in the middle, steam on the outside, creating an ominously glowing sphere of vapour and fire. I heat up the fire even more, so hot that the charged sub-particles start slipping out from the burning gases and into the outer layer. I start playing around with them— moving the charges to create electrical currents inside the steam, and as more particles diffuse into the vaporous layer, the globe becomes more charged.

Within less than a minute, it now looks like a miniature thunderstorm, with little sparks snapping at us dangerously.

After keeping that state for a moment, I disperse the charges and cut off the fuel, as well as dispelling the vapour by swirling them around inside the globe, diminishing its own energy to stop it from going out explosively as soon as the globular barrier is gone.

And now, aside from the somewhat raised temperature, it’s as if nothing happened. Meanwhile, teacher, who’d been showing an array of expressions, is now stuck with her lips pulled cheek to cheek.

Well?

“...Well.”

Want me to demonstrate more?

“No, that’s enough. Fire, water, air, and thunder. The only person I’ve heard capable of four core elements is the previous grand magus. You truly are...”

Earth too, actually.

“Eh?”

I start manipulating the dirt on the floor to demonstrate, making them dance around at our feet and throwing them together into a single shape which I roll around. As I’m about to get more creative, I stop when I see the smile on teacher’s face disappeared, from which I realise I’ve somehow messed up.

...Teacher?

She turns her back in silence and starts walking to where our mounts are. I trot up behind her, trying to catch up.

Teacher, did I do somethi— Umpf!

I bump my face into her back when she suddenly stops.

“Do you know why I’m called the geomancer?”

she asked without turning back.

Because... you’re a geomancer?

“The Geomancer. There are no other geomancers,”

she stressed, finally turning at me. Perhaps it’s because of the darkness, but I can’t read her expression at all.

“There are no known geomancers for hundreds of years. I’m the only one, Fay. Was the only one. Do you get it know?”

So, right now, you and I...

“Are the only two people walking on Mer capable of earth magic, yes.”

Crap. I should’ve known.

“Three months.”

Eh?

“You asked me how long it would take. I can make you an arcanist in half a year.”

I‒Is that okay?

“What do you mean?”

Earth magic is your thing, isn’t it?

“Oh, wow. You’re worrying about me? That’s a first,”

she snarked.

“For your information, you becoming a geomancer wouldn’t hurt me in any way. If anything, it’ll make me seem like a good teacher.”

That’s true, but still...

“It’s all good, Fay. It’s just... from the first time I’ve heard about you, you just keep popping out these surprises. What you did to Ichard, the demon, and now this?”

...Someone did tell me I can be a bit impulsive.

Teacher laughs it off, and the matter seems resolved somehow. However, on our way out the station, there’s this tension between us. It can’t be helped, I suppose.

Until recently, she was the only one in the world and there’s a good chance that earth magic played a part in getting her into the arcanum. In other words, I might’ve injured her pride as my teacher, and when I become a legit arcanist capable of not only earth magic but also all other elements, wouldn’t that bring her value down as “the geomancer”? That’s what I was anxious about, but as she said, I have no place to worry about that.

We find our mounts waiting just outside the station, with only a single person guarding them. Teacher tipped the shady-looking man and once again, we are on the road.

The night is dark and cloudy, making the road too dark for us to ride. Teacher does something to her staff and the mana stone starts glowing brightly.

“Photomancy,”

she said.

“One thing you can’t do.”

Not yet, anyway. More importantly, where are we right now? Where are we heading to?

“This is a little place at the border between Lephander, Cordain, and Old Hrakia. There used to be a plan for an independent border town here, built as a sign of friendship between the three countries. It was quite a fuss, to the point that it was made as a stop for the Forholds train. Before the construction of the town was completed, the rebellion happened and Hrakia’s fall followed. The plan never resurfaced since.”

So... where are we going?

“I’m taking you to the Drachwyr Monastery. I’ll train you to be an arcanist there.”

Right, so the monastery is in the middle of nowhere.

Teacher titters at that.

“No, the monastery is two countries to the east.”

Wait, what? What are we doing here, then?

“Remember when I said about a friend who helped me track you down? And a friend who speaks like you do? That friend will be picking us up here.”

...No way. Two countries, which means the journey is still long. Not to mention, what kind of person would want to come to this kind of place? I seriously doubt teacher’s sense in picking friends.

“Around here, I think,”

teacher said as she stops her horse.

...I don’t see anyone.

“Quack.”

Fanny says neither can she.

“He’ll come, any minute now.”

So we wait for a bit, watching our surroundings with the darkness staring back. It’s currently nearing the end of Seryas, which means, the month of darkness is just a few days away. Thus, the nights of the north are becoming darker and longer, or so teacher explained to me.

Soon enough, I hear the wind stirring the leaves and I suddenly feel like someone is watching me.

Teacher, something is—

“Do you know why they call it ‘Drachwyr’?”

Eh?

“It’s a word from the tongue of the old era that few know about.”

As teacher rambles on, I feel the wind getting stronger. At least, I thought it’s just the wind, but there’s this deep rumbling noise, like a distant thunderstorm, coming closer and closer.

No, teacher, listen—

“People of the old era often used the word to describe ‘power’ and ‘strength’, but it actually does have a literal meaning.”

My instincts start screaming as the “storm” draws closer, making my blood run cold. I have to run, something dangerous is coming— is what my body is telling me. Just like when I met the lifers. Just like with Lyrfanas.

This is something I can’t beat.

Teacher!

“Do you know what that word means?”

The thundering stops and the earth shook beneath our feet. It’s dark, but somehow, I know something big just landed in front of us.

Its breath is like the sound of a rumbling volcano, and the size of it... I can tell, from the looming shadow as its serpentine neck looks over to us from a height— larger than any bird I know in my compendium. Much, much larger.

I stand stiff, speechless as teacher turns to me, her staff giving a grim glow on her face.

“It means ‘Dragon’.”

Advertisement A note from Derthian

I have an announcement that you don't want to read, but I'll say this anyway.

Due to some circumstance, I must now put this fiction in indefinite hiatus. I'm really sorry to have to do this, but I PROMISE I will pick it up in the future. I know you get this alot, but I really do mean it.

Again, I'm terribly sorry to jump this out on you like this. : (

Spoiler: ?

....Or not. : D

Here's a first-of-april bonus!

Spoiler: BONUS

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