Realm of Monsters Chapter 65: What Goes Around

The Ebon Hollow? Feli tilted her head. You told a tribes na is significant. It holds an important aning.

Thats right, Stryg said weakly. His mouth was dry. Can you get so water?

Of course, Feli nodded. She got up and went for a nearby pitcher.

Ebon Hollow? Like the Realm? Loh smirked.

Yes, I like it, Strygs mouth set in a hard line.

Very few claim the na Ebon. Like the Ebon Sea, the Ebon Tower, or Ebon Legion, the na Ebon signifies the power of an entire Realm. Are you sure you want that na? Others may not take too kindly to its use, Loh explained.

Most people dont take very kindly to anyway. What difference would it make? Besides, a tribes na is supposed to inspire fear and power.

Feli brought him a glass of water, Here you go.

He tried moving his arms, but quickly realized his right arm was in a cast, and his left was covered in bandages.

Dammit, he cursed. With a groan of pain he forced himself to sit up.

Stryg, stop. You need to let your body heal. Let help you, Feli said.

She brought the cup to his lips. Stryg took a few tentative sips and leaned back down.

Thanks, he muttered.

Youre welco, Feli smiled.

Loh was honestly surprised he could move at all. The white mage who had overseen Strygs healing, said that he was severely injured. Even with healing spells he shouldnt be able to talk, let alone move.

So, why Ebon Hollow then? Loh asked.

Well, the Hollow part is because I ended up here in Hollow Shade. This city has changed my life completely. Stryg the sylvan goblin was born in Vulture Woods, but Stryg the mage was made right here in this city. I owe this place a lot. As for the Ebon part, well, my eyes are sensitive to light. During the exam...

Callums bright spell, Loh winced sympathetically.

I didnt even know he was a chromatic white. Cheeky bastard. But, yeah. The surge of light blinded . My eyes felt like they were burning and then suddenly they didnt. Everything turned dark. It was the first ti since I gained my night vision. Then sothing happened. I could see in the strangest way. Everything looked as if it had been drawn with silver outlines, but the world was still dark, it was Ebon, it was beautiful, Stryg finished.

Very poetic of you, Loh chuckled. And now? Does everything still look that way?

No. Everything is back to normal. Nothing seems particularly dark, so I suppose I still have my night vision at least. I thought you said my eyes didnt react to light.

Loh shook her head, No, I said your pupils don't react to light. I still dont think they do. When you were brought into the infirmary your eyes were wide open. Your irises were larger than normal, but now they look ordinary again. Well, as ordinary as lilac eyes can. My best guess is that your irises reacted to the strong blast of light from Callums bright spell.

Larger irises? Stryg furrowed his brow. Have you ever heard of anything like this before?

Not that I can think of. The library archives may shed so light on your condition.

Is he sick? Is it a disease? Felis brow furrowed.

I dont think so. You can rest easy on that. Its most likely just a mutation based on his hybrid nature. An innate defense-chanism to protect from large exposures of light, perhaps? I know of other species that have similar traits against natural dangers. A mutation for eyesight is quite plausible. But, I have to do more research into the subject, Loh explained.

The drow brushed her white hair away and turned her blue eyes on the goblin. There is sothing else I need to find out about, first. Stryg, at the end of the exam, you cast a fla spell and clearly botched it, as evidenced by your burnt arm. Why didnt you tell you were a chromatic orange?

Stryg looked at his bandaged hand. He could feel the burns underneath. He rembered the shards of rock that were flying towards him and how he blew them away with fire.

I didnt know I was, he muttered.

What do you an you didnt know? Loh crossed her arms.

How was I supposed to know? Stryg frowned.

The sa way you knew you were a chromatic black and grey. The chromatic identity examination. You know, the one with the chro-probes you took at the beginning of the year, like everyone else, Loh rolled her eyes.

They didnt tell I was a chromatic grey. Only a chromatic black.

What? She leaned forward, Tell exactly what happened with the identity exam.

Stryg closed his eyes and tried to recall. I was taken to this room with a bunch of these crystal orbs, the chro-probes. They then told to place my hand on one orb. The clear crystal turned black and that was it. They said the test was over and that I had passed. I never thought much more about it.

Loh clenched her fists, They didnt let you finish the exam. Stryg, when you first cast a grey drain spell in my class I assud the academy records had just accidentally mislabeled your chromatic colors, that they had unintentionally left out youre a chromatic grey as well. But, it seems I was wrong. Soone did this on purpose. Stryg, do you rember who was in charge of your test that day?

Of course. I rember those Im not fond of. Helps with my anger ditation. It was Byrel.

The front desks secretary? Loh narrowed her eyes.

Yep, she never liked . The feelings mutual, Stryg sighed.

So, what youre saying is that the sa drow who sabotaged your chromatic identity exam is the one who gave you your climbing equipnt today?

Yes? Oh, shit, Stryg said in dawning realization.

Feli, who had decided to stay quiet amidst the magic-talk, spoke up, Wait, are you implying that-

Shes been trying to hurt you from the beginning, Loh surmised.

Loh hadnt made a mistake with the climbing rope after all. Standing by at this point would be the only mistake she could make.

Loh strode to the door. This ends now. Byrel will have wished she had never set eyes upon my apprentice.

Wait, Im coming with you, Stryg said. He painfully rolled to the edge of the bed and tried to place his feet on the floor.

Stryg! You shouldnt get up! Feli yelled.

Stryg, sit down! Loh commanded.

If soone has been trying to hurt behind my back then Ill sure as hell be there to end it, he argued. Feli help up.

Stryg, I dont know if you should, she mumbled.

Feli, he said with clear determination.

Feli said nothing, but helped him to his feet. His vision swam, the world beca blurred. He wobbled and almost lost his balance. Feli stepped in and held him up by the shoulder. His leg practically scread in agony, but at least with Felis help he didnt need to place any weight on it. He grimaced in pain, he could bear it.

He took slow labored breaths, Im ready.

Youre determined Ill give you that, Loh admitted. She glanced at the young woman, Are you sure you want to help him with this? He can barely stand.

Feli sighed, If I let go now hell just fall and hes stubborn enough to crawl his way to you.

The door opened to reveal the resident white mage.

Youre awake? What do you think youre doing, human? Put the patient back down. His wounds are incredibly severe! He shouted.

Im fine and we were about to leave, Stryg said.

Fine? You fell over 60 feet. In what world is that fine! He waved his hands in exasperation.

A white mage once told I heal quicker. I guess she was right. Ill be fine, Stryg winced.

Miss Noir please talk so sense into him, the white mage pleaded.

Loh stared at Stryg for a mont, Be honest, can you handle the walk over?

Stryg nodded slowly, If Feli helps .

Okay. But, if you fall at any point Im sending you right back here, do you understand ?

I understand, Stryg swallowed.

Miss Noir, the white mage whined.

Keep the bed ready, hell be back soon enough, one way or another. I wont take long, Loh pushed the white mage aside.

~~~

Miss Byrel was writing her last docunt for the day when she heard a dreadful sound.

Byrel, you bitch! Loh shouted from a nearby hall.

The guards at the entrance looked up in surprise.

Byrel dropped her pen. P-professor Loh? What happened?

Take a guess, she glared.

Loh stepped aside to reveal a bandaged Stryg leaning on Feli. He hissed with what little strength he could muster.

Byrel shot up from her chair, Professor Loh, I dont understand. What is this about? Is that student okay?

Loh walked up to the front desk, Is that right? So, its just a coincidence that you were the one in charge of the climbing equipnt. And it was also a coincidence that you begged to allow you to hand out the equipnt from your front desk instead of the testing cavern, so that you could get more work done, yes? Or was it just so you could tamper with a climbing rope away from prying eyes?

Byrel shook her head vigorously, Professor, I would never do such a thing. I have always regarded the safety of the students of this school highly. If there was a problem with one of the ropes there must have been sothing faulty with the material. I admit that perhaps I may have not looked at each rope with great care, but I would never tamper with one either!

So, youre saying I should believe you over him? Loh asked.

Professor, I have served this academy faithfully with all my heart for the past ten years. Why would I lie? Byrel said in exasperation.

I see, Loh nodded. Lets see if those words hold once you're under a purple mages mind spell.

She frowned, Professor, I am not a criminal. You cant subjugate to a mind interrogation. Its against the law.

Byrel, you have worked here for so long and yet you fail to realize the power of nas. I am Loh of the Great House Noir. Do you know who Lord Elzri Noir is? Do you know what that na ans?

Byrel blanched.

Loh stepped right up to her. It ans I can do whatever I damn please in this academy, including forcing a commoner into a mind interrogation. I will ask you once and know that if you lie to , I will place you in a dungeon so deep that not even rats will set foot in. I will have you tortured for the rest of your long and miserable life. The only sounds you will hear are your agonizing cries as your flesh is cut with such perfect precision only to be healed and cut again, over, and over again.

Loh took a step back and smiled brightly, Now then, did you tamper with Strygs rope?

Byrels mouth gaped like a fish, yet no words ca out. She dropped to her knees and placed her head on the floor, I am so sorry, please forgive this foolish servant!

Stryg could only watch Loh in admiration. To make another kneel with just words, this was true power.

Loh clenched her fists, So, you admit to tampering with the rope.

Yes, I was just-

Shut up! Did you prevent Stryg from finishing his chromatic identity exam back in autumn?

...I think so. I dont rember very well, Byrel admitted.

You dont rember endangering a students life, so much for highly regarding the students safety, huh? Loh sneered.

I would never injure a student. I just stopped the goblin from wasting ti. He had already tested as a chromatic black, Byrel said without looking up.

Did it ever occur to you that Stryg was a manifold mage? That his other chromatic colors could accidentally go off, endangering his life? Like the grey magic that briefly paralyzed him or the fire that just today severely burned his hand. Its why we have the exam in the first place. To make sure the students know their chromatic colors and can learn how to control them safely.

I-I could barely believe a goblin could be a mage, let alone a manifold mage. Im sorry, I didnt an to endanger him.

Loh chuckled, So, like how you didnt an for him to fall off his rope and almost kill him?

Byrel glanced up at Stryg, Those injuries are from the fall, but how? He was supposed to have fallen into the water.

Do you think 3 feet of water can protect soone from a 60 foot drop?! Loh snapped.

Byrel blinked. 3 feet? I was told the water was 20 feet deep.

Loh pinched the bridge of her nose, It was supposed to have been. But, the water magi failed to reach their goal. You would have known this had you actually gone down to the cavern.

Byrels face paled, Please, forgive . I never wished to injure a student. I just wanted him to fail. A goblin will only stain the honor of this prestigious academy.

A student? A goblin? Loh laughed. She kicked Byrel in the face, sending the woman crashing into her desk. You almost killed my apprentice!

Byrel groaned in pain. Her glasses were cracked and her nose was broken. Blood gushed all over her mouth and blouse.

You think you can try to kill my apprentice and get away with it!? Loh yelled.

I-I didnt know h-he was your apprentice, Byrel mumbled through broken teeth.

I dont give a damn what you knew or thought, you imbecile! You attacked the one under my care. There is no escape for you, Loh seethed. Stryg, youre the one she attacked. Ill let you decide her fate.

Feli held him tightly, afraid to speak up in the face of Lohs wrath.

Byrel crawled on her knees towards Stryg, I am so very sorry for what happened. I never ant to kill you. Had I known you were her apprentice I would have I understand your wish for vengeance. I have no excuse. Do with what you will, fire , banish , flog , but please dont let them take to a torture chamber, please, Im begging you. Ill do anything.

Stryg stared down at her, We only banish or flog our allies, not our enemies.

Byrels eyes widened in fear.

But, we dont torture our enemies either, he said.

Byrel bowed, Thank you, thank you!

We kill our enemies, he finished.

What? No, please no! Byrel scread. I have a d-

Loh raised her hand, a grey symbol appeared over her palm. Byrel gasped for air and clenched at her throat. Her eyes rolled up, she fell unconscious.

Guards, put her in a holding cell, Loh commanded.

Yes, Miss Noir! The two guards nearby said in unison.

What was that? Stryg asked in wonder at the fading grey symbol.

A highly advanced curse spell. Ill teach it to you when you are ready.

What about Byrel? Stryg asked.

Dont worry about her. Ill have her fed to the wall's shades first thing at sunset, tomorrow. You wont have to see or worry about her ever again. Feli, take him back to bed, he needs to get so rest. He still has a few exams in the upcoming days.

Yes, Miss Noir, Feli said.

Loh ruffled Strygs hair, Fate is kind it seems. Im glad we share all three chromatic colors, Stryg. Ill be able to teach you everything I know now.

He frowned at the gesture. Im not a child.

Loh grinned, No, youre my apprentice and I dont care who knows anymore.

If you liked the chapter please leave a like, if there is sothing else you are interested in knowing about the lore, or if you have any questions, remarks, or just want to say hi drop a comnt below!