The morning returned with the distant chirping of songbirds. Jack and his companions went about their usual morning routine, though today, he felt particularly refreshed and eager to set out on his journey to find his family.
During breakfast, they stuck with the usual sausage and eggs served at House Tasmania. Though it was uncommon for slaves to dine at the sa table as their masters, Frain's presence among them drew curious and sotis disapproving glances from onlookers. So stared out of disdain, while others were simply intrigued by the unusual dynamic between Jack and his group.
Lupus, however, paid no mind to the attention. Nothing ever seed to faze her. Her will was set like a granite mountain, unwavering and resolute.
"By the way, sleepyhead," Lupus piped up after finishing a bite, referring to Jack, who had woken up late. It wasn't entirely his fault, given that his sleep had been disrupted by Lupus's trick with Frain the night before.
"Hm?" Jack responded, turning his attention to the bunny-eared woman.
"I got this for you!" Lupus exclaid with excitent, her fangs glinting as she pulled out a peculiar to. The book had an ancient-looking cover adorned with intricate glyphs, frad in silver tal with elaborate engravings. Moreover, it even ca with its own tal hoister, so it could be carried on a belt.
Jack squinted. "What's this antique?"
"It's a beginner's to. In layman's terms, let's call it 'Arcane 101'," Lupus explained, gesturing for him to take it. And, he accepted it eagerly.
"Wow, this looks expensive. When did you get it? And how much was it?" Jack asked, running his fingers over the intricate design and protruding engraving of ancient glyphs, awe gleaming in his red eyes. The book had an inviting aura, as if beckoning him to explore its contents.
Lupus smiled. "Well, I enjoyed our conversation yesterday, and you seed genuinely interested in the Arcane, so I thought I'd get you sothing to help."
"Oh... thanks," Jack said, flipping through the pages. He recognised so of the alphabet but couldn't decipher the runes and glyphs. anwhile, Lupus had expertly avoided answering his questions. The truth was, she had bought the book early that morning while he was still asleep. As for the cost, it had been worth more than twice the price of Frain, but seeing Jack appreciate the gift made her happy.
"It's all worth it in the end," Lupus thought, smiling through her golden eyes.
"You've done so much for , Lupus. I truly appreciate it," Jack said, bowing his head slightly.
"Thank you!" Frain chid in cutely before returning to her al.
Lupus blushed at the praise and waved them off dismissively. "It's not a big deal! Let's just call it a parting gift... and my apology for trying to strangle you to death."
Frain's lion ears twitched. "Strangle to death?" She repeated, unblinking.
"Oh, my bad. It's a long story, fufu!" Lupus laughed, amused at herself.
After checking out of the inn, Jack and his friends received complintary rations from the staff — enough food to last them a week. Jack glanced at his datapad, making sure everything was in order and preparing for his next steps.
The air outside was crisp, but the lingering sense of dread remained. The streets were still crowded with refugees, their coughing and chatter echoing through the air. The reality of the war crept in, so suffocating.
In the town square, Willhelm Mae Arden stood elegantly, performing a ritual. Glowing glyphs and ancient runes fluttered like butterflies around him as he moved his hands in precise and rhythmic motions, lips chanting in a low voice.
Then, he brought out a strange gem, an Arcanite Harnesser. It shone brightly as it lifted from his palm, hovering montarily before dissolving into the air, taking its light with it.
"What's he doing?" Jack whispered to Lupus, standing behind him.
"He's creating a barrier using the Arcanite Harnesser as a mana source," She answered eagerly, watching in awe.
Monts later, a semi-translucent barrier expanded over two kilotres in diater, enveloping the entire camp. It shimred as it distorted the light, creating a srising, wavy backdrop against the clear pastel-blue sky.
The refugees gasped in astonishnt, offering their gratitude to the elven mage who had shielded them from enemy forces. So even bowed before him as if he were a deity. To commoners, seeing a mage of such calibre was a rare spectacle. While most assud he was rely a Novictius mage, he was, in fact, a Lunarius — the highest tier obtainable. Only the Celestius title couldn't be obtained by just simply studying arcane or progressing in their skills.
The barrier was but a small display of the miracles Lunarius mages could perform. With a single spell, they could level a city, ward off calamities, calm raging storms, or even command a volcano.
According to legend, Renaissance mages could heal the sick, feed the starving, and even restore an entire city within days. However, as technology advanced, commoners took over the task of rebuilding and maintaining their cities with machines and tractors. This shift allowed Renaissance Lunarius and Stellius mages to focus on mastering their craft, honing their skills for dire tis such as these.
"Sir Lunarius!" Lupus greeted the elf as he approached them, his movents ever regal, his cloak billowing dramatically in the wind.
Willhelm studied the group with mild interest. "Hmm, you've added another mber to your party, I see." His tone carried a note of amusent. "A slave Wildren, a debris collector, and an Olympian mage, what a mismatched party."
"Oh! Thank you," Lupus replied, taking his remark as a complint despite its ambiguity. Either that or Lupus simply didn't care what his intricate mind thought of them.
Jack, however, raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure if he's praising us or mocking us," He muttered, standing between Frain and Lupus.
Willhelm turned slightly toward the rabbit Wildren. "Ah! Olympian mage. By any chance, may I inquire about the purpose of your travels to Southern Germund?"
User Comments
0 comments from readers