NOVEL NEXT Chapter 46: Chapter 35 - By Unknown Means II
CHAPTER 35 - BY UNKNOWN MEANS II
The crystal clear walls shattered in a matter of seconds. Into small little glitters, it reflected well during the daytime. The sound of fine metal being hit by the breeze during windy days was soothing for the ear, yet, I still wasn't bound by the sound.
I was concerned about something else…
Something I couldn't take my mind away from…
Cynthia Goodsky stopped after my demonstration in ice manipulation, even Dinzel Brook–who had been eating his popcorn with excitement–stared at me with a blank expression that I couldn't understand.
I slowly looked at my hands, covered in crystalized water, barely feeling anything. There was a doubt in my mind, along the words that I should be getting frostbite or something worse but my fingers weren't turning black.
I felt my fingers just fine but I couldn't feel the ice over them. Why?
"Let us end our demonstration there."
Cynthia Goodsky's voice made me jolt towards her. Being taken aback by my reaction, she said, "My, are you disappointed that I ended the demonstration so soon?"
"Of course not. Rather, I am grateful for this demonstration, it has made me realize how weak I still am."
"Weak!? Are you nuts boy? How can you consider yourself weak after showing that much elemental control in just a matter of minutes. Especially your divine control over Ice deviant!" Dinzel Brook stated with a passion, waving his muscled arms with an explanation of what happened earlier. "So tell me, boy. How old are you really?"
"My…age?" I said, confused by his words.
The 5,5 man walked closer to me, barely giving me some personal space. "Come on boy, you don't have to lie to me, after all I am your benefactor for your adventuring days!"
I cleared my throat before speaking, "Well, I am eight-years-old in truth."
A whistle came out of Dinzel's mouth.
"An eight-year-old genius. What do you think, Director Cynthia, would you let the boy into your academy?"
Let me in the academy? What is he talking about–
"Hmm. You are right, Dinzel. Having this boy not go to my academy would be a waste. However, it would be up to Luke if he wants to enroll when he is finished with adventuring." Cynthia's brown eyes narrowed as she looked at me. She wasn't looking at me but rather something beyond me, maybe my elemental powers or something else that had to do with the sudden shift of energy during our spar.
Still, the director of Xyrus academy, Cynthia Goodsky, was asking me or better yet giving me an invitation for her academy after my adventuring session.
It is not a bad offer. I thought to myself, forgetting about the novel's future and where things go downhill in just three-to-four years from now.
Having that much information, the best ideal thing to do was stay an adventurer and continue to fetch one by one the alacryans that reside on Dicathen before the war even starts, not to mention the sightings of the retainers and even scythes.
And by then, just maybe my hopeful thinking, I would be stronger than a Lance or equal to one. Then maybe I could get a beast's will or a bond or some sort.
I let out a sigh. It wasn't a bad or a good sigh but rather an indecisive sigh. I don't know if taking her offer now was the right decision for me or this continent. I… I need more time to myself and think about what I can do now rather than fantasize about the far future.
After having my decision made, I spoke my thoughts to both of the people who were excited or anxious about my answer. "Madam Cynthia, Sir Dinzel. I at the moment have a very solid answer to your options or suggestions, for this matter is something that is going to affect my life and ability to whether or not continue with what my unknown means are at the moment. So I beg you to give me some time to think this through."
"'Unknown means?'"
I nodded. "For some people, their meaning or wills are what drive them to do what they're capable of or maybe even soar above their limits. But for me as for the moment I don't seem to have a straight line of sight to follow or consider without damaging my original intention."
It is pretty hypocritical of me saying that after making up my mind during the spar with Cynthia Goodsky.
Nevertheless, this was going to buy me some time while I am in the city waiting for my equipment to be finished.
"I see, well if you ever change your mind I will be at Xyrus Academy. Just say that you are there for the performance and they should let you in." Cynthia said, a hint of disappointment in her voice as she walked away towards the entrance door. "Dinzel, I will be back another day to talk about 'that' in a more detailed way. Until then, don't try to get yourself killed Luke, Dinzel."
Those were the final words I'd ever heard from the director of Xyrus academy.
I took one more last look at the mage who had her back turned to us as she took her leave. Something in my mind, whether it was a sensation or an intuition, told me or rather wished that she wouldn't change with what I am about to do. That her usual self that she was during the original story would be the same I would find when I came back to Xyrus City.
But If she were to be on Agrona's side, I would grant her a quick death.
"Now shall we talk about the equipment you need boy? I have plenty of time but you on the other hand don't seem to, are you in a rush?"
"Yes. I am in a rush to start my adventure, but I wouldn't mind if you took your time crafting my equipment making them more useful."
The blacksmith let out a smile, ear to ear. The white smile brought some relief to me, seeing that I had someone on my side who would soon become my benefactor for my annihilation of Alacryans.
"Alright! Let's go inside and discuss it."
***
Hmm.
"Now where should I go and kill some time?" I said in a low voice only for me to hear as I walked towards the center of Xyrus City where all the merchants and stores resided.
If I were honest, I was looking for some type of training mechanism that could help me increase layers of my mana core. Even so, I still don't know if I can increase my mana core stage with this unbelievable curse next to it.
And if I do say myself, in my own of my past life time, I'm completely fucked…
Ughh…
What can I do now? It's no use crying over spilled milk now.
My lonely time of walking towards the center of the city had gone by, and now I was surrounded by multiple people who I didn't know and wished not to either. At least not with this dumb haircut I got from Dinzel.
My hair was now short and more presentable towards nobility if I ever got the cursed chance of being in front of one. It was short enough for people to react with horror and fear upon seeing the two blood colored eyes I possessed since little. They may hate it, but I can't. More like I can't have the option to do so, I was given a second chance at life and what's more in my favorite novel as a side character…maybe less.
In spite of that, being a citizen or a living being in Dicathen felt more real than anything. Unlike a dream, I was aware of what I could and not do with these unknown powers. Especially that one.
Let's stop here with those thoughts. I mindlessly echoed it through my head. Pushing anything that had to do with reality and dreams, or how I am able to have these powers that are only meant for an important character. Be that as it may, it still lingered around like a mosquito that was unable to be killed. The thought of this being reality or just an idiotic dream.
My eyes–which had been spectating every single rock and stone on the ground–widened at the sight of a sale in one of the stores not too far from me.
When I entered the store, it was flashy for how it looked on the outside. It looked simple and almost non-promising but I had nothing to lose if I just checked. And damn, I am happy I came across this store.
But I wasn't the only one in the sales floor, there were other people that exceeded in the category of being pro mages. Four at least were in the early stages of a yellow mana core. Yet they weren't the only ones there, along with the four yellow mana core men were two children around my age or maybe older.
A boy and a girl.
The boy had fierce brown eyes and mahogany hair. He was dressed unlike any other I've seen in Dicathen. Perhaps something more expensive than Cynthia Goodsky's outfit if I do say so myself. Dressed in pure white and tinges of outline gold around his attire where it mattered, this easily told me he was maybe a high noble. Despite being a child, his core stage is no joke. He was a young kid with a light red mana core.
Fascinating.
"Wait sister, we still have to check other elixir stores in case we don't have what we need." He said trying to get a hold of what was his sister.
"Don't worry Curtis, I am only going to look around while we wait for the elixirs mother and father want for us." The black haired girl moved slowly and carefully inspected her surroundings like it was her first time being here.
But wait. She said Curtis, right?
Where have I—!
Wait, you mean to tell me that these two are the prince and princess of Sapin?!
What is going on? Why am I meeting important characters like this?
Just what is my destiny to these people?
Notwithstanding those specific characters and the events of me meeting them like Pokémons. My curiosity took over and I took a peek at the princess of Sapin's mana core stage.
Dark orange stage huh?
These two kids are monsters… I didn't think that they would have mana cores in the first place but I was wrong.
Well now that my curiosity has been turned to a pleasant little surprise, I need to get looking for an elixir to make me get a hold of the new stage that I'm about to break into.
Multiple bottles of what seemed to be elixirs–yet in my eyes it seemed like some glass of juice with a vast amount of flavors–contained in different shapes and sizes. Along with the prices each one possessed when I thought I'd found the correct one only to be distraught upon seeing the tag.
With doubt in my mind as I kept looking around for the perfect item with the perfect price. At one point in the open of the shop, I brought out the bag filled with gold coins that Elder Rinia had given me as a farewell gift, the bag contained more than one-hundred gold coins.
It was heavy for me, so I would manipulate mana into my hand when held. I knew that I was responsible for this money, whether I use it or don't, it is up to me. But God it is stressing having this much money around in my dimension ring, even in my past life I didn't have much money aside from what my parents left me before they died.
Seriously, I should stop reminiscing about the past and focus on the present to create a future.
"But man why is there nothing that catches my eye–"
While I scanned almost the whole room for an elixir, my eyes seemed to stumble upon another pair of eyes that didn't flinch or back off upon seeing my red eyes. The big dark eyes stared back at me with no intent of nothing, if I weren't caught up earlier, I would've thought this was a doll. But it isn't.
This must be some sort of mistake, right?
My assurance to myself wasn't going to fool anyone who heard it in my head. But I was stubborn to the bone when it came to things like these, and most of the time I was right.
I moved my head away from her line of sight thinking she was seeing something behind me and she couldn't get her eyes off it. At least that was my wishful thinking. So like a gentleman, I moved.
Yet, why is she still staring at me?!
Was I an anomaly to her that taking her eyes off me was too risky?
Just to be sure, I moved around the store, making it seem like I was interested in another item I just saw. But as I moved, she did too. Following me like some puppy that I'd given some food and now it had the idea to keep me company until the end of time.
Agh!! Crap and here I wanted to avoid their attention the best.
"May I help you?" My tone was firm but gentle. Of course I didn't want her to think I was being rude… but looking at someone who's already concerned and insecure about their appearance is beyond rude and disconsideration.
The girl in question only looked at me and didn't provide a response.
It was only after a minute or two of awkward silence and intense staring that she finally decided to speak. "You are…different from the others, why is that?"
Her cold and unwavering tone threw me off.
What's more, her huge dark eyes filled with curiosity and interest that can't be compared to others'.
It was scaring me. Just how can someone be so calm when seeing my differences compared to others. I'm sure even the Asura would find me to be an anomaly.
"What are you talking about?" I lightly said, trying to set a distance between us before her brother or the guards saw this interaction. "Do you mean the color of my eyes?"
Kathyln Glayder shook her head in disagreement. "No that's not it. I don't have words for it but you seem different from others–spiritually and not physically–that I've met." The 'Ice Princess' began scanning me from head to toe before settling with her answer that popped in her head. "Your energy that surrounds you is like a pleasing side, much different from the noble boys that attend the parties my father and mother host."
What type of answer is that?
I don't know if it was my imagination but I was sure her lips curled, not fully but to some degree before she bowed in a 'princess way' and said, "I am Kathyln Glayder, Princess of Sapin. May I know your name?"