Bang!
Hands slamd heavily upon the table, almost overturning the drinks.
"What I said is the truth! The chief mage told himself." Exasperation filled the man's face as he tries to persuade his companions. His hands shook, eyes trembling in excitent.
Startled, his friends glanced at surroundings, hurriedly trying to silence him but the man refused and slapped their hands away. "A relic with unfamiliar runes capable of swallowing a whole being, sealing away their mana! What's more fascinating? its ability to exude hostile pured essence. I tell you, what does the Kron fear? Isn't it rare divine essence? Pured energy, untainted and perilous enough to devour miasma! Malibreeds would avoid it like the plague. Think! If we used infused this ability on our soldiers' weapons and armor..."
He clenched his fist and showed a maniacal grin, "W-We would finally have a chance."
Just as he was about to madly laugh, his companions hurried slapped a hand on his mouth and pulled him down from the table to stop him from embarrassing himself even further.
But who wouldn't share his train of thought? The commotion from the mage wing two days ago, evoked a wave of excitent and astonishnt. The chief mages left with the testing room with bright and hopeful eyes their hands shaking from excitent. Their subordinates were left confused. It was only yesterday when rumors of a strange relic reservoir circulated. The artifact imprisoned a hungry demon at the mont it tasted infectious blood, sealing away his ridians and even assembled a protective pured aura.
Pured aura could only be produced from the hands of pured maeruthans, who were as rare as a single moonflower. Furthermore, although imprisonnt realms for demons have been made before, demons infected from the Kron were infectious and too malevolent to keep in a realm for long periods. And it was impossible to capture one without having a horde of malibreeds sensing the relic's activation and the usual routine of knocking them half-dead, purging their internal mana, and dragging them back were too energy-draining and ti-consuming.
The existence of this artifact was greatly cherished by the mage wing. But one questioned, how was the pured energy within the relic retained? How was it infused?
"I must speak with the young master." Colahn barged into the balcony, eyes flashing with unconcealed passion.
Varick stiffened at his intrusion and slowly glanced at the esteed lord standing with an imposing and elegant fra, by the balustrade, focusing his eyes on the sparring match beneath him. It was a physical match, burdened by anti-magic that slowly devoured their energy by the minute, testing their ability to conserve their energy.
Golden eyes narrowed, gleaming with predatory sharpness yet shone like polished gem stones. "You cannot."
Colahn already expected his response but persistently continued, "Your Excellence, this relic is an extrely precious discovery but I must know if he had used his own mana to beco the relic's reservoir."
Hearing this, Lord Hercullio's eyes deepened, recalling the letter he had received from Moulin just recently, he replied. "He is not. Moulin had unraveled a significant discovery under the guidance of Lady Calanthe."
Relieved, Colahn's shoulder fell slightly. Whatever the young master had discovered must be a forbidden art. Infusing his essence was perhaps a minor step. The most questionable detail was how it was amplified? There must be so other thod used...
When Colahn left, Lord Hercullio spoke to the man at his side. "Who will be leading the pathfinders to the north mountains?"
Varick lowered his head slightly. "Lord Emlen Fraunces has volunteered to lead the team in his little brother's na, My Lord."
"And Hyantor?"
Varick replied, "Eager to accompany the team to the north. It seems the council shall miss his company. He urged a request."
"That is?" Hadrian raised a hand once the winner of the match was determined. The champion took a fist upon his chest and bowed. Afterwards, he helped the his opponent up from the ground.
Varick hesitated, "He spoke that you should be aware of it..."
A deep chuckle sounded in the air. Amusent danced within those profound golden eyes. "He wants to beco Grekellia's High Lord."
Grekellia's loyal and esteed rchant lord yearned for the most significant high seat of base. It wouldn't be much trouble for Lord Hercullio's to pull so strings but it would take so effort to accomplish this feat. Nodding, he waved to dismiss Varick.
His hand paused briefly mid air. It only took two seconds but the abnormality did not escape Varick's eyes. However, in silence, he left. Standing alone at the balcony, Lord Hercullio gazed at the little dark marks pulsing on his inner wrist.
…..
Splash!
Moulin erge from the water, desperately taking in a lungful of air. His mouth trembled and he quick swam towards the pool's edge. Lady Celeste hurriedly walks over as Moulin climbs to sit upon the edge with shaking limbs.
Frustration filled the youth's silvery eyes.
"Why?" He rasped gazing down on his reflection on the water. The tips of damp silvery strands created ripples, distorting his frown.
It was the sa vision. Over and over. The sa cave and the lights… he almost touched it. The chill he felt from his fingertips remained even now as though he was really there and it had not been a re vision. He was close and he could sense it. But no matter how much he tried, his fingers never landed. It was as if sothing was trying to keep him away.
Or was he just not trying hard enough? He waited for Lady Celeste to assess his situation before he stood up, dripping crystal clear droplets on the white stone floor.
"The results remain the sa." Celeste concluded watching as the youth began towards the doors. Moulin sighed, uttering a brief thanks before he left. She tilted her head with furrowed brows.
"There you are…"
Moulin lifted his gaze from the table. His eyes t Na'El's curious different colored ones. The youth's hands hovered over a levitating wooden artifact, slowly weaving in magical orders. His fingertips glows slightly, emitting a cool blueish white, sotis varying shades of lavender. The elven oracle revealed and impressed expression.
The chain stopped and the wooden artifact clattered on the stone tray as Moulin stood up to greet him. Snow who was nibbling on a piece of chipped wood on the floor lifted his head at the noise. His fluffy ears twitching.
"I did not an to disturb you." Na'El spoke as he approached the youth's working desk. The library's study has been officially used as Moulin's work area ever since he has been spending the rest of his ti in it. A few tis, he had also been caught sleeping in overnight.
"The relic was a success they said," The tall elf comnted glancing at the intricate runes on the stone tray. As expected, he didn't find a sense of familiarity. Aside from his mage's magic, he was even quite familiar with other runic languages, most especially, maeruthan runes.
But this… it was different. It seems Lady Calanthe has instilled so strange thoughts into this young man's mind.
Moulin already heard of the results but was oblivious of the commotion that was caused outside the realm. He smiled wistfully, "I hope it will bring benefits."
Na'El stared at him intently. He spoke after a few seconds. "It's creation is brought for gathering intel about the Gohtel, isn't it?"
Gohtel, the dark island. Where the Demonic summoner and his sword, Alha, resided. Moulin paused. He smiled and lowered his head to continue artificing. "It is just as you thought."
His goal is determined. However, it is almost an impossible mission. Na'El nodded and scanned the desk, noticing three strange stone relics delicately place on a cushioned box. He moved to touch them and feel their aura, "You chose to create these relics to arm the military?"
Moulin responded. "To arm and protect our armies. They do not tell but I feel the Kron grows stronger day by day. A way to capture demons without disrupting the corrupted environnt is significant to the expedition. Thus, I spent days trying to perfect it."
"But to , it doesn't seem to be the only thing you are working on." Na'El thoughtfully gazed at the focused youth. "What other ideas have you made?"
Moulin lifted his gaze without disrupting the flow of his mana. His steady fingers remained weaving energy into the relic despite directing his attention elsewhere. An important skill that Lady Calanthe has taught him with much discipline. Thinking about the elf's words, Moulin really did not know how to explain his progresses in detail…
"I am trying to create reservoir relics capable of housing pured magic and powered by a strong mother source." Moulin responded in hesitation. "However, it isn't finished. Lady Calanthe and I have been working to complete it…"
"It sounds… splendid. However, I must inquire…" The elf smiled with narrowed eyes. "With Corhan's mana corrupted, what energy is used to enabled these processes?"
Pured mana was undoubtedly rare. Although there are ways to amplify and extend it's use, another source must aid the production of such unique energy.
Moulin paused, realizing that he had been set up. It seems Na'El has grown suspicious of him. The elves were quite sensitive with the use of dark ans relating to mana. But Moulin and Calanthe, with much effort, had perfected hiding the evidence of transfusion of the artifact they had given to the mage wing. Moulin was certain they were careful…
If it was known that they had used miasma, they would be facing a very dire situation.
Noticing his silence, Na'El's eyes deepened when he felt the temperature around him drop.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted them.
"Moulin's body is blessed with divinity. I have taught him a way of creating mana life with his talents."
Lady Calanthe approached the two calmly. She glanced at Na'El's surprised expression before setting her eyes on the young man before her. "And an artificer's secrets are his to take to the grave…"
Moulin paused underneath her deep gaze. "…"
He felt like an lowly apprentice, suffering heavy scolding under their master.
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