Arc 3-Initiate-Part 28
Much later, I’m stumbling up our walkway after another long day when a gust of wind sends my hair billowing. Spitting the strands out of my mouth, I glare up at Aurelius who slowly floats down to hover in front of . “Evening,” I say softly, trying to keep the hostility out of my tone. Knowing , I probably fail.
“Lady To. I hope I didn’t startle you by dropping by so suddenly.”
“Startle ? No. Always happy for your visits.” You know damn well you aren’t welco here.
“I heard you had a bit of trouble today.”
“Wow. Coming all the way here for a little disagreent between students. I’m touched. Though are you sure it’s fine? People might get a little jealous at your overflowing concern.”
“We take the safety of our initiates and acolytes very seriously. Simple disagreents can quickly escalate into sothing more…dangerous. I just wanted to remind you that violence of any kind is frowned on, even if you think you are the wronged party. Report any problems to a dorm caretaker and they will settle it.”
“Of course. I’m not the type to settle my problems with a brawl.”
“No, summoners prefer having others carry their burdens. A thrall can cause plenty of damage if left to run amok. Keep a close eye on your elentals lest sothing happen to them.”
Oh, I’d love to see you try. “They aren’t wild dogs. Though I will keep them close. Pest deterrent.”
“That’s good then.”
We share a mont of shared disdain before he powers back into the sky. As he disappears, Geneva steps out of the shadows to stand by my side. “Were you seen?”
“Please, my summoner. He is hardly capable. I sensed his intention and shrouded my being from his perceptions. He was rather frustrated at not being able to catch you in the act, so to speak.”
“He went personally? Doesn’t he have anything better to do?”
“If I had to make a guess, it was probably to personally guarantee your embarrassnt throughout the Hall. If he has spent any ti with Master then I’m sure he’s co to the realization that raising himself above you in her eyes is impossible. Therefore, the next best thing is to lower her opinion of you.”
What an amazingly bad idea. Kierra has seen in far more pitiful states than a little embarrassnt and she married anyway. Heh. I might not be able to fight you directly just yet but maybe I can annoy you to death. “Did you find out anything useful?”
“Mm. Your would-be attackers went into the Gold Dorm. Unfortunately, the most stringent security surrounding it are enchantnts rather than people.” She shrugs lightly. “I could have broken through of course but not without being noticed.”
“It’s fine. This is the greatest center of magic in the kingdom.” Wouldn’t it be rather embarrassing if they allowed powerful creatures to just waltz in whenever they wanted?
“I did, however, get a face. The only na in his mind was ‘money-grubbing weasel’.”
“That can describe at least a third of all nobility. But if you see it again—”
“I can identify them.”
“Never doubted you.” Giving into an instinct, I lean forward and steal a kiss before heading for the door. I can see her tail whipping in amusent from the corner of my eye. At the bottom of the stairs, I feel a tugging on my pants leg and look down to see Bell looking up at imploringly.
What the hell. You’re a circle 5 virtue from Burning Earth. If you wanted you could bring this whole estate crashing down with a flick of your fingers and snap apart the kingdom’s strongest warriors, yet she’s acting like a puppy that’s been ignored by its owner.
“Coo.”
She only makes that sound to cover when she speaks to . Obviously, there’s no need for it in private. It’s a ploy because she knows how cute I find it. And damn if it doesn’t work.
I scoop her up and kiss her nose. “And one for you too~”
“Do I get one as well?”
Kierra is leaning in the doorway. Ah, she looks nervous. Good.
“Maybe,” I say passing by her while trying to keep my voice neutral. Let her sweat a little.
She catches up to before I get far, gently grabbing my elbow to change my course. “Not the dining room. I thought we’d eat out on the balcony.”
“…sure.”
She guides into the bedroom, which for a noble estate is rather large. There’s a greeting area for private etings with the balcony attached. The balcony is attached. Last ti I saw it, it was empty and only good for enjoying the breeze.
Now, there is a long couch positioned to give the best view of our yard and the taller buildings of the market in the distance. A small table is set up in front, decorated with platters of snack foods. Beside it is a drinks cabinet with several familiar glass bottles and two crystal glasses. Several potted plants and tasteful vines twined on the banister add color and fill the air with a sweet scent.
“I thought I’d go for sothing relaxing rather than a cold dining table,” she says as she guides to the couch, sitting right beside her. Geneva is apparently playing the role of server as she hands us each a glass and pours. I breathe in the heavy, almost pungent scent of mushrooms mixed with a whole lot of things I don’t want to know the na of. “You went to Howie.”
“I went to Maxine. It was ant to be a surprise.”
“You’re pulling out all the stops,” I say while snatching up two finger-sized sandwiches, gobbling one and handing the other to Bell. It’s fun watching her eat. She nibbles on things like a squirrel. Probably sothing else done for . “If you’re trying to butter up, it’s not working.”
“Really? Then…”
I let out a wordless sound of disagreent as my glass is taken out of my hand and sat on the table alongside hers. “How about this?”
I barely take in her words before she roughly drags toward her, kissing . Normally, she likes to tease but she gets right to the point, forcing her tongue past my lips and claiming my mouth. I can’t even pretend to be tough in the face of it, lting against her like snow under the warm sun.
My face is flushed when she lets go and is soon enveloped by softness as she pulls down to lay on her chest. “Okay…” I say between panting breaths. “That worked.” Any anger lingering in has been swiftly overco by my rising lust.
Maybe I really am that easy.
I can feel it as she laughs. “Good. Now we can have that conversation.”
Boldly admitting to manipulating my emotions. Damn you for knowing so well. “You’ve been lding , haven’t you?”
“Not in the strictest sense. To elves, lding refers to the manipulation of the body. To be honest, it is a grotesque art that often causes more harm than good. A warrior gaining inflated muscles and great power by sacrificing speed and flexibility. Leaving people in constant pain for a few enhancents. What I do is use my magic to strengthen and empower what is already there. And perhaps…stimulate your body’s potential.”
Still sounds suspicious. “Why?”
“Why do you think elves are such powerful warriors? Unlike humans, the physical affinity is rather common amongst us and those who possess it are almost always given positions of leadership. The reason my unit and I were so famous was because I personally ensured they were the strongest. I was the best lder in the Dusk Province, though admittedly only about eighth on the continent. Those High Noon fanatics are talented.”
Hm. I’m sure I had so concerns but they’re hard to rember right now. Kind of just sounds like a top-notch healing job. This is really comfortable… “Um, why are you bothering though? My elental form is much stronger and far more durable. There’s no need for the hellish training.”
“It may not be a need but it would definitely be useful. We’ve already agreed it’s best to stay in your human form as much as possible while you’re here, which ans you won’t be able to rely on your stronger form. More interestingly, that ooze you turn into…I’m not sure what it is. It’s not affected by my magic which ans it has no potential to grow organically, like plants and animals. However, your human form can. And, if you haven’t noticed, your transformations are recorded from their last state.”
“Ah! I see where you’re going with this! You don’t just want to ld my human form. You want to try lding all of them to make them stronger.”
Kierra gives her best manic smile. “Can you imagine the devastation an elven lded troll could wreck? Or better yet…” One of her hands trails up my neck and twists in my hair, yanking my head back so I’m forced to look up into her eyes. They’re that dark green they get when she’s really excited. I shudder as she bends down to run her tongue along my neck.
“Imagine what one could do in bed.”
“That’s what this is all about!?”
“Ehmm. I’m getting wet just thinking about it.”
“…damn deviant.” I pull her down into a kiss and take my ti exploring her mouth, lightly biting her lip before I pull away. “Now I’m thinking about it.”
“As expected of my beloved wife.”
“So, what do you want to do? Do I—”
“You just keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how hard you’ve been working.” She nuzzles against my cheek while squeezing tightly.
I huff. Now that’s she’s given such a good reason, I really can’t say anything about it. “We’ll need to set a ti and find a place to work on my troll form I suppose. And I need to find more forms.” My shapeshifting is the greatest card up my sleeve. If I really want to make the most of my potential, I should have one for every eventuality.
“The masters of the beast sanctuary are rather adept at capturing manabeasts. I shall see if I can put in a…personal order. Several teachers have made attempts to connect with .”
“I bet they have.”
She hands back my glass. “Ah. We’ve got a good mood going. Don’t ruin it with unnecessary thoughts. You’ll handle him when the ti cos, yes?”
The saints as my witness. No, with Cosmo as my witness. “Do you have anything to do on Restday?”
“No. Did you have sothing in mind?”
“I want to go to the library and the Summoning Hall. If we have ti, the market as well.” I promised to build a certain soone a shrine and I want to do it properly. The Summoning Hall is the center for summoners at the Grand Hall. They should have their own summoning records. Perhaps I can find a clue about Cosmo in there and even if not, new summoning records to study is always a good thing.
After that, I have to get so materials to support my research. Besides, I should visit Maxine. No use letting my only connection here stagnate. “It’ll definitely be easier moving around with a teacher with .”
“Alright. Since you’ve persisted so well, you can have use of for the day.”
Filled with anticipation, I lean against her and grab another tasty morsel, enjoying the view of the last rays of sun disappearing under the horizon.
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