Facing their deep stares, Moulin calmly tilted his head in confusion. Did he say sothing wrong? For a mont, he reflected on himself and recounted his words. His eyes widened slightly and he raises his hands to explain.
"Oh, forgive . I do not an to sound disrespectful. I-"
Noticing his embarrassnt, Na'El sighed and approached the young man, placing a hand on his shoulder. He spoke gently, "Young master, this domain is designed to protect you. It was created with Corhan's last precious resources and is one of the most complex castings in the land. Although anyone in your position would share your feelings, consider this place your garden."
The youth's silver eyes follows Na'El's outstretched hand, presenting the dainty look of the area. 'My garden?'
Lady Celeste shared Moulin's look of confusion while Lady Calanthe only chuckled softly.
"Yes." Na'El nodded. "A place where you nurture not plants and rare flowers but yourself. Nourishing your soul with knowledge and skills, Emptying your mind and finding peace in your heart. A place to cultivate spiritual essence and ideas. A place for creation."
Moulin listened quietly and nodded. Although inwardly amused by the oracle's words, he allowed himself to imagine and visualize them. He couldn't deny the feeling of restriction upon his arrival, but there were more significant matters to address than his desire to reject the domain. Moreover, this was the result of his choices, and it was not sothing he should run away from.
"I would like to see what this garden has to offer ... " Moulin smiled. "Thank you for your words, Your Excellency. "
"Very, inspiring. One would think they were talking to local gardener, hoho." Lady Calanthe spoke with a chuckle.
A garden fanatic...
Na'El smiled softly, gratitude pouring from his eyes. He found no insult and even thanked the sorceress. Moulin only shook his head as he bent down and let Snow scurry around him. The Snow white fox caught Lady Calanthe's eyes and she observed the little creature with appreciation.
Lady Celeste led Moulin and the two distinguished individuals through the domain. To his astonishnt, it didn't seem like the domain was created just to confine him. There were multiple rooms with specific functions, resembling a small manor.
It had a large living room, several guest rooms, a fully equipped kitchen as if ready for a chef, and his bedroom was on the upper floor next to a small library. The music room and garden were unexpected delights.
The space appeared to be designed specifically for him, catering not only to his essential needs but also to his entertainnt. It seed that those who created it knew his hobbies and preferences. However, it puzzled him how the mages and artificers could know him so well, as if they were close family.
Confused, Moulin followed the group to the Sunroom Garden. The beams of sunlight startled him, causing him to pause. Blinking against the brightness, his heart raced. It had been a long ti since he had seen such bright sunlight, but it lacked the warmth he missed from basking under its rays.
The garden was breathtaking. It was modest in size but adorned with intricate decorations. Encased in a glass do, it featured nurous stone planters and plant boxes filled with beautiful flowers. There was a charming sitting area and an open space to fully appreciate the stunning view. Moulin was suddenly reminded of his secret little garden at the Fraunces manor, and he sighed wistfully.
As they toured the garden, Moulin listened as Na'El softly complinted the choice of flowers and effort put upon the garden to allow one to relax and enable a stress-free environnt. Moulin looked around in awe as he followed behind him.
Suddenly, he stopped, catching the attention of the three people before him. Silver eyes reflected sothing blue and bright, twinking radiantly. The youth ignored the calls and his steps quickened. His heart pounded within his chest. A wistful emotion rising inside like magma from an erupting volcano.
He ca to a halt before a large, round stone planter. It contained simple green shrubs and other unremarkable plants arranged in a circle. It wasn't the design that caught his eye but the small fragile plant situated at the center. Countless petals spread evenly around a sparkling center, oozing with pure mana.
A moon flower. A flower so familiar, carrying two familiar auras.
Moulin's heart raced. His eyes almost watered. It's been quite a while since he had seen it. Hadrian had nurtured this flower so much it blooms everyday. Then it hit him. It was no wonder the domain suited everything about him.
"Are you alright?" Na'El approached.
The youth nodded with a smile. "Yes"
The elf saw those bright silver pupils fill with deep emotions. The youth's aura brimd with sothing warm and serene, roused from touching feelings. Before he knew it, sothing white and fragile began to fall delicately around them.
There was not this freezing cold but only warmth and a sense of peace. Snowflakes flutter around them, suprising the three prominent figures who accompanied Moulin.
Lady Calanthe glanced at the High Priestess who nodded in confirmation. In the next second, intrigue and understanding filled the sorceress's features.
Na'El only smiled and spoke to Moulin, "We still have so preparations to finish."
Moulin snapped away from his trance. "Oh, then I shall-"
"No, we will call for you when it is ready. Allow yourself to relax and acquaint yourself with the surroundings."
Moulin blinked. Is this another way to help be at ease with my mana?
"I see. Then I will stay here and wait... "
The youth watched as the three figures departed with an unhurried grace. They looked as though they had a strange mutual understanding with the way they left together. When he is finally left alone, he sat on one of the stone benches. The sunlight bathe him in golden light, enshrounding his figure with an ethereal halo.
In this tranquil mont, the world seed to hold its breath, casting Moulin into a realm of dreamlike reverie.
"Ao!!" Snow, with his little feet, scurried around the garden, jumping on benches and plants but stopping occasionally to stare at a few beautiful plants before resuming his energetic activites.
Seeing how much he was having fun, Moulin teased him. "It seems you don't need Kier to play with you anymore."
At those words, the little fox froze, almost stumbling to a stop. His surprise looked comical until he whine, showing how much he missed his big friend. Moulin chuckle and welcod the little brat who jumped on his lap, nuzzling his snout on his knees. He rembered that Hadrian had ntioned that Kier was brought to Falowright and was under the care of so beast tars from Helios.
Moulin wondered how the big beast was faring...
A soft smile filled his face. Well, he can ask Hadrian when he cos soon.
The moon flower sparkled against his gentle caress.
.....
Moulin spent several hours in the garden, appreciating its beauty and selecting a book from the tall shelves embedded in the verdant walls. As dusk fell, the garden appeared even more vibrant. Flowers with magical cores emitted various fragrances and mana, creating a breathtaking spectacle. His amazent grew when he realized that the brightest flower was his own moonflower.
If only he had Hadrian here with him to appreciate the stunning sight.
"Ao! " Suddenly, Snow barked loudly, scurrying out of the garden and into the hallway. The noise echoed, disrupting Moulin's thoughts.
"Snow!" He called but the mischevious little creature had run away. With a sigh, Moulin glanced at the moon flower one last ti before heading into the building. His steps was silent upon the carpeted floor. The scent of wood and flowers filled his nose making him more relaxed.
No matter how much he thought, he could not believe how real and beautiful the domain was made? He could not fathom how one would spend so much effort and mana stones to create such a domain for a single person.
A certain golden-eyed man ca into his mind making him subconsciously smile.
This ti, Moulin already knew Snow was too busy exploring to accompany him. This, he decided to check the small library upstairs. The journey was short and he arrived with a hum.
The door creaked softly and opened revealing a cozy and enchanting library bathed in the warm glow of candlelight and lamps. Towering bookshelves line the walls, overflowing with leather-bound tos and ancient scrolls, promising untold stories and hidden knowledge. The air is thick with the scent of old paper and lingering magic, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and wonder.
Moulin instantly fell in love.
He stepped inside and to his surprise, he wasn't alone. Sitting on one of the old chairs, was Lady Calanthe silently reading with a soft smile. Her long bulky staff leaned on the back of the chair as though it would fall in the next second. But although she sees it, she doesn't seem to care. She had taken off her furry hat, revealing her grey hair to the lamplight.
"Oh, you have arrived." When she smiled, everything look warm.
A bit confused, Moulin hesitantly nodded. "Did you call for , My Lady? I hope I am not disturbing you."
She shook her head and gestured to the empty seat beside her. Her voice is slow and sowhat raspy. "Oh, no. I am already finished and was about to call for you, my dear. Co pick a book and we shall share the knowledge. None is too old to be read."
Moulin revealed a small smile and approached a random bookshelf. He reached out for a book that looked interesting when he was stopped. He turned.
"Hm..." Lady Calanthe raised her brows, looking a bit discouraged when Moulin's finger hovered over a book. Blinking, the youth switched to another book but was stopped again.
"...?" Is she guiding to pick sothing specific?
Surrendering to the guidance of the old sorceress, Moulin made a few more mistakes before his fingers hovered over an old, leather-bound book with intricate gold detailing on its cover. The book appears worn and weathered, appearing like it has been handled and loved for many years. Moulin's interest won first and before he knew it, he had taken the book into his hand.
He paused and glanced at Lady Calanthe who showed a faint smile before patting the table. Moulin analyzed the book in his hand as he sat down, noticing that it was missing a title.
"A mystical to, brimming with arcane wisdom. You have chosen wisely. My dear, this one speaks to our predicant most fittingly.""
Moulin nodded, ignoring the embarrassent inside him. Initially, he had intended to select a book at random for a casual read. Was this a test all along?
The young man's brows knit together, his handso features twisted in bewildernt. Could she possibly be suggesting that this to holds the solution to their problem?
He wasted no second opening the book and turning the pages.
Lady Calanthe observed the book in the young man's hands. "Once, I imrsed myself in the arcane arts of enchanted artifacts and ancient relics. Yet, I discovered my true gift lay in summoning the ethereal forces of spiritual magic. Each form of magic holds its own unique worth, but ultimately, it is the wielder and their intentions that shape its true power."
Moulin listened carefully to her words. The pages were filled with vivid illustrations and intricate descriptions of artifacts. Each relic was detailed in its splendor, revealing secrets of its crafting, the enchantnts woven into its very essence.
These artifacts were more than tools; they were lifelines, imbuing their wielders with the power to thrive, to fight against malevolent forces, and to guard their realms with unyielding strength.
As he absorbed the knowledge, he could almost feel the pulsating energy of the artifacts, their stories of valor and wisdom echoing through the ages.
Moulin paused. He slowly looked up from the book, "Am I... to make these tools?"
Calanthe's eyes curved, "In the crafting of artifacts and relics, one may uncover profound joys. A single creation has the power to reshape the very fabric of our world."
She leaned closer and her feeble fingers pointed upon a small part of page Moulin had opened. Following her gaze, the youth's eyes are fixed upon an intriguing description.
Orchaedia: Art of Divine Artificing
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