Answers and questions

Stepping inside a room on a higher floor, Lucas's attention was immediately drawn to the bookcases to his right. Filled with numerous books, he could almost sense how they were all calling out to him, begging to be held, read, and understood. Near the volumes, a small table was standing, four chairs by it, serving as a reading space. Its surface was nearly completely buried in parchments, a couple of put-out candles standing on a brass plate, traces of wax visible all around.

Turning his head in the opposite direction, he noticed a few small shelves affixed to the walls, holding seemingly random items, ranging from small medals and trinkets to a few pieces of cutlery and porcelain. Every last item had a nice amount of polish to it, their surfaces gleaming in the light coming through the window.

Sienna quickly walked through the space, reaching the desk that stood in front of the glassy surface. As she placed the binder with the papers on it, she turned her attention to the man by the door.

"Don't be shy. Feel free to sit by the table," she spoke with a gentle tone, her face emanating a sense of warmth that Lucas could hardly remember ever coming from his own family.

"Yes, Professor," he replied and immediately took his steps toward the location. Pulling a chair to himself a little, he took care to behave as quietly as he could, making sure that it did not slide on the wooden boards beneath.

Gradually adjusting to his seated position, the young Stormrider directed his gaze toward Professor Riven. He couldn't help but notice her long ponytail cascading down her back like a dark cyan waterfall, creating a visually captivating contrast against her dark toga. His attention was also drawn to the graceful sway of her hips as she moved toward the shelves he had just observed. These observations painted a certain appreciation of her qualities, and he couldn't help but imagine the reactions of his peers if they knew he'd seen her like this.

However, his staring came to an abrupt halt when he noticed Sienna pause to reach for one of the items. She retrieved a large, nearly white bowl, and, turning around, approached the table. Her expression soured upon seeing the disorderly state of the table.

"Oh my, I'm sorry. It's become quite disordered since my last visitor," her tone carried a hint of apology. With a swift gesture, she extended her hand toward the scattered books and papers.

A sigil of magic materialized before her hand. After a few moments, she clenched her fist, releasing the magic with a soft incantation, "<Invisible Hand>."

Instantly, the magic sigil vanished into thin air, leaving no trace of its existence. In unison, several books and sheets of paper on the table levitated as though manipulated by an invisible ****. Within moments, they were neatly organized on the bookshelf, and another group followed suit. It was as if six or seven items at a time were floating, resulting in the complete tidying of the clutter in just a few seconds.

Lucas felt his nervousness and anticipation be overshadowed by the momentary surprise. Seeing his reaction, Sienna tittered but the sound appeared to not reach the man.

"Now that it's all sorted out, we can begin," she remarked, placing the bowl on the table and taking a seat opposite Lucas. "What are your thoughts on the topics I asked you about?"

"...time, space, physical and magical planes," Lucas responded softly before focusing his gaze on his hands. "The latter two are components of the first two. Matter and magic together constitute what we perceive as three-dimensional 'space'. Time and space are inherently intertwined."

"..." 'Extremely sharp. And pretty accurate, too.' Sienna smiled with a glint of delight. "Very well. Can you explain that connection?"

"One cannot exist without the other due to their fundamental interdependence," the white-haired man continued, his nerves gradually dissipating. He raised his gaze, his violet eyes meeting Sienna's silver ones. " 'Time,' by definition, is a 'measure of change.' It cannot function independently. 'Space,' on the other hand, can never truly be empty. No matter how much we attempt to void it, energy persists."

Sienna's smile widened, accompanied by a glimmer of delight in her silver eyes. "You display an impressive level of insight. I'm genuinely impressed," she complimented, her silver eyes momentarily gleaming. "Of course, we're only scratching the surface of the subject for now, but that will suffice." 'By the time he'll be choosing a research group for himself, he'll be on the level of a master scholar.'

"..." Lucas remained silent at Sienna's words, visible uncertainty emanating from his violet eyes. It was obvious what he wanted to ask, but he kept himself from doing so.

"There's one more thing I'd like to ask. I'm sure you know the division of the magic circles. Can you tell me something about that?" Sienna asked, raising her hand slowly and guiding it above the bowl. In an instant, a small circle of magic appeared on her hand. It began spewing water into the container as she awaited the man's answer.

"The division aptly represents the gradations of power," Lucas replied, his gaze alternating between the bowl and the woman before him. "Starting with the 1st circle, denoting 'Initiate' power, and culminating in the 9th circle, signifying 'Cataclysmic' strength, each ascending level demands significantly more mana than the previous one to sustain and can exert greater **** in a single strike. However, there are thresholds of power that cannot be transcended. A 1st-circle Mage cannot be expected to suddenly utilize 3rd circle magic. They must first enhance their magical potency and achieve the 2nd circle."

"Correct," Professor Riven shuffled in her seat a little as she canceled the magic in her hand and retreated it. In response, the toga around her appeared to constrict slightly, emphasizing her shapely figure slightly. "Given that, I'm certain that my explanation will be easy for you to understand. Now, let's focus on the bowl, shall we?"

Lucas's eyes were drawn to the water's surface, where Sienna's hand cast a shadow.

"The prevailing theory that governs the maintenance of our reality aligns closely with your description," she continued. "Imagine this bowl representing the boundaries of our reality. It symbolizes the constraints of 'space', comprising both magical and physical planes that can be seen as this water. They all navigate through the dimension of 'time,' shaping our perception of the world. Based on this framework, scholars have developed a theory known as 'The Gate To Heaven,' which explores the limits of our magic and its effects."

"...so, how does the theory of the 10th circle connect there?"

"It's a part of that theory. Allow me to explain it like this: if we cast a 1st circle magic, like a <Magic Missile> or any basic elemental spell, it is akin to us dropping a grain of sand into this bowl. Not much of an impact." Sienna answered, her gaze moving to the water's surface momentarily. "However, higher circles are far more powerful, enough for their effects to be noticeable. 6th circle <Teleport> is the first magic that exhibits this phenomenon. Have you perhaps ever seen a Mage use that magic?"

"Never had the chance to," the white-haired man shook his head.

"I see. Professor Rupert will likely show you at the beginning of the 2nd year. The effect of 6th circle magic could be compared to dropping a stone or dipping a finger in the water," Sienna continued, touching the water's surface gently. "Those ripples you see, Lucas, are the aftereffects of mana being used. The higher the circle, the bigger they become. The 9th circle is even capable of not just disturbing the water but controlling its flow," the silver-eyed professor scooped a bit of water with her hand. "That's the highest form of magic we know, capable of causing catastrophic damage with a single spell. A single <Meteor Shower> could reduce Weydan to nothing but smoldering ruins. Sounds powerful, does it not?" she raised an eyebrow, searching the man's face for a reaction.

"...yes," Lucas nodded slowly, his white hair wobbling gently at the movement. "Then... theoretically, how powerful would the 10th circle be?"

"That's somewhat challenging to express in words," Sienna hesitated for a moment, her gaze shifting towards the bowl. "Let's put it this way: if casting a 1st circle spell is like dropping a grain of sand, and 9th circle magic is akin to boiling all the water in this bowl, then 10th circle magic would have the potential to shatter the bowl itself or transposition it however one wills."

"Shatter it? But you mentioned it represents the boundaries of reality," Lucas queried.

"Yes, it's a bit complex. In simpler terms, the 10th circle of magic would grant 'complete dominion' over space, and possibly even time. It wouldn't just destroy something; it could erase all traces of its existence. However, it remains purely theoretical. We have no records of 10th-circle spells. Some hypothesized abilities include 'Reality Reshaping,' 'Foresight,' 'Absolute Dominion,' and a few others."

"...so, Professor, what you're saying is, a Mage of 10th circle would be able to see into the future?"

"Possibly," Sienna nodded lightly, her silver eyes focused on Lucas's violet. 'He seems... very enthralled by the concept, but... there's something more to it.' "However, as I mentioned, it's theoretical, and we have no practical evidence. The 10th circle of magic has never been achieved, not even when the dragons pooled their power. Consequently, it remains undocumented in literature and is seldom discussed outside of research groups."

"...I see," 'Theoretical only...? Something doesn't feel right.' Lucas grimaced slightly at the thought.

"Now then, do you have any questions, Lucas?" the turquoise-haired woman formed a gentle smile that emphasized how thin her lips were. Shifting in her seat slightly, she retreated her hands from the table, putting them on her knees for a prolonged moment, awaiting his answer. Unbeknown to her, this act also caused her chest to become slightly more pronounced, squished lightly by her arms.

"...no, Professor. Thank you for your explanation, I think I understand," Lucas bowed his head, his legs shuffling as he got moved from the chair and stood upright. "Thank you very much for your time, I'll be going now."

"Wait, Lucas. There's something more I'd like to talk with you about," suddenly, Sienna's voice appeared to convey a bit of urgency to it. "If you have a minute, of course."

"Yes, Professor. I'm all ears," Lucas replied, his eyebrows raising slightly as his heart quickened. 'What could she want?' he wondered as he saw Sienna rise from her seat as well. He had an unobstructed view of the top of her head, a contrast in height as clear as day. She appeared to be slightly taller than Nimue, but marginally so.

"Have you considered joining a research group for your studies?"

"A research group? I'm still a year away from thinking about that, Professor," Lucas replied, his tone cautious.

"But if you were allowed to join one right now, would you consider it?" Sienna inquired, her eyes expressing a sense of urgency as if expecting a specific response. "Your level of acuity is quite remarkable for a first-year student."

"I'm not sure. I don't know if anyone would want a Classless," Lucas said with a shrug, adjusting the dark robe on his shoulders.

"I know that you are... being challenged at this time. Being the only Classless in the entire Academy must be putting plenty of pressure on your shoulders," Sienna's eyes emanated a tinge of apology and concern. However, as Lucas averted his gaze, he missed her expression. "But let me assure you that students in research groups value knowledge and insight more than your class or status. Furthermore, being part of a research group can provide you with credit towards your practical assessments and even pave the way for a future as a scholar."

"...I see," Lucas glanced to his side momentarily, visibly hesitant to say anything more. 'It could be a way to help me pass the Academy.'

"Please give it some thought. Off the top of my head, I can assure you there are at least two groups that will gladly accept you. Feel free to speak to me about it on Monday, alright?"

"Yes, Professor, thank you," Lucas bowed again and took his steps toward the door. "Have a good day." he said before opening the door and leaving.

"...you too, Lucas," Sienna answered but her words didn't reach the man as the door clicked. "*Sigh* Remarkable," she said to herself quietly as she took the bowl in one hand. Quickly hovering her other hand above it, she summoned a fire spell to dry the porcelain, after which she put it back on its shelf.

Taking a stand next to her desk, the turquoise-haired woman chuckled momentarily, crossing her hands under her chest. 'When was the last time a student approached me with questions? I can barely recall,' she thought, her gaze focused on the wooden boards for a moment before her expression stiffened. 'As for the theory of the 10th circle, I wonder what Elaine and Rupert would say about that. They'd probably be too shocked to engage in a proper discussion.' Sienna chuckled lightly at the thought, causing her ample bosom to sway gently above her elbows. Noticing the movement, she tugged at her robe slightly, accentuating her figure further. A small smile reappeared on her face. 'He reminds me of Valerian. He inherited a lot from him in terms of both looks and attitude. Shy but thirsting for knowledge.'

Sienna felt a tingle of warmth travel through her body as she remembered Lucas's father. The tingle of glass when they worked on alchemic products and procured new knowledge through experiments, while distant, was still clear in her memory. Momentarily, the woman traced her hand on the desk's surface and turned to face the window behind it. Staring at the infinite expanse of blue in the sky, she let out a deep breath. 'It's about to be the 6th anniversary, isn't it? Somewhere next week, too. Maybe it's time I visited him. I wonder if that bitch will.'

-Meanwhile-

Lucas exited the stall in a bathroom and made his way to a sink. Quickly opening the tap, he started washing his hands. A sigh escaped his mouth as he looked in the large mirror on the tiled wall. His eyes traced the outline of his jaw and studied his sleek cheeks, and small ears that went flat to the head. For a moment, the memory of Eamon's look flashed in his eyes, the two images overlapping for but a fraction of a second. No... actually...?

The white-haired man froze mid-movement, his breath caught in his throat. The cold water was splashing on his fingers, but he didn't care, his violet eyes meeting the gaze of Eamon's amber ones. The elf's appearance was now much clearer than in the pocket mirror yesterday.

Eamon appeared to be slightly taller than Lucas. His silver hair cascaded down to his armpits, its smooth surface shining despite the lack of any apparent light source. He wore a gray-green cloak that extended to his hips, concealing a rather plain-looking gray robe cinched with a thick belt around his slender waist, which emphasized his slim figure. Yet, his amber eyes exuded an incredible intensity that made Lucas shudder.

"A successful knowledge hunt, I presume?" Eamon asked, his voice as powerful-sounding as the evening before. However, a glint of laughter could be heard, and even seen from the way his thin lips twitched upward slightly.

"I-I... haaa..." Lucas took a step back. His trembling hands dripped water onto the floor as he took a deep breath, doing his best to overcome the shock of the situation. "W-Why are you here?"

"We should hurry," the elf replied, looking to his sides. The blackness of the mirror appeared to extend infinitely. "Not much time remains."

"W-What do you mean?"

"You have little time to make a decision, Lucas. Do you want to class or not?"

For a moment, Lucas fought the protuberance that formed in his throat. Eventually, after a quick exhale, he answered, "I-I-I want answers first. W-Who are you? The 10th circle of m-magic is only theoretical. You can't b-be--"

"Will you keep being annoying like that? At this rate, you'll never class in time," Eamon cut him off aggressively, his bushy eyebrows corrugating. "I can give you answers, but you must listen to me first. I don't have much time left. I'll tell you about the method to class, and then answer your questions. You'll decide what to do afterward. Do you fancy this deal?" he asked, but his tone of voice appeared rather irritated.

"...alright." Lucas shakily nodded, focusing as much attention as he could.

-3 minutes later-

"Follow these instructions to the dot and you will be able to awaken," Eamon said, taking a long moment to exhale. A few drops of sweat appeared on his wrinkly forehead. "But given that you don't have a piece of paper on you, you'll have to rely on your memory. Remember, you need to do this in peace. Even the slightest disturbance will end poorly for you."

"...I'll remember that. Now, my turn," Lucas answered, his hand gripping the edge of the sink. The faucet was already long closed, and the man's eyes stared into the elf's with a hint of determination. "Who are you? 10th circle of magic is unattain--"

"I already told you," Eamon replied sharply whilst frowning. "And don't think that something is impossible because others haven't done it yet. I gave up my life to reach the peak of magic, even if only to reach out to you--!" suddenly, Eamon's face became contorted as though he was stabbed. "Dammit. Even this much is too much to me." he gasped momentarily, but it appeared to be a self-talk rather than a message. "Enough of that. What else do you want to ask?"

'I can't explain it, but I feel like he's really speaking the truth...' Lucas thought momentarily before speaking, "...in 6 days, someone will die. Who?"

"You know enough already. If I attempt speaking more, my essence here may wane completely. Until you class, I can't risk that," came a stern reply. Yet, in the depths of Eamon's amber eyes, Lucas noticed a glint of sorrow. It appeared that he truly had to **** himself not to speak of it.

"...alright. Next, you said I will be called by my mother today. What for?"

"It will be about the guests that will arrive tomorrow."

"What can you tell me about them? Is it Illan with his family?"

"No. But it's pointless of me to tell you more. It's not bad people is what you should know. I even think you might make a friend," Eamon said, and for the first time since Lucas saw him, the elf appeared to form something akin to a smirk.

"Then--"

"My time is up. Remember what I told you, Lucas," Eamon said, letting out a heavy exhale. Suddenly, his entire figure appeared to become blurry and slightly distorted. "It's up to you now," his voice sounded much quieter as the elf dissipated into nothingness. The black surface of the mirror gradually transitioned to its normal appearance, and Lucas could notice a reflection of his sweaty face. His hair glistened lightly as he combed it gently whilst sighing.

"...up to me, huh," he repeated Eamon's final words. Taking a hand into his pocket, he felt the pouch of money he had taken before. 'I'm not sure what to think. For now, I'll just gather the materials.' with this thought in mind, the young Stormrider took his steps out of the bathroom.

Quickly trekking through the Academy's corridors, he soon enough was welcomed by Weydan's stale air, filled with dust, the faint aroma of horse manure, and the distant sounds of the main road. Without a moment's hesitation, Lucas speedily took his steps toward the side road. Lined with cobblestone walls on either side, this was one of many shortcuts that could be used when one wanted to escape the crowds. His destination was already set, and thankfully, he knew well where it was.

-25 minutes later-

Slowly closing the door behind himself, Lucas stepped onto the uneven cobble. With a quick wrist, he twisted the handle of his bag, sealing its contents within. The distinct sound of mana stones clattering could be heard, accompanied by the sound of a glass bottle. Taking a look to his right and left, the white-haired man failed to notice many people, and out of everyone he did see there was naught a single face he could recognize. His gaze ventured upward, noticing the signboard above his head. Elaborate handwriting was visible on its surface, black dye converging into the shop's title of 'Alchemist's Necessities with Regasil', along with a figure of a potion.

'What Eamon described is very similar to Riverut's old methods for fledging Mages. A way to remove impurities of mana from the mana channels. The problem is, I've already tried that method. The impurities in my body are rooted too deep to be removed - that's what the Clerics said over and over again. And even paying for a treatment from a Holy Mage did nothing. Then... how will Nicillic Tears help? That's an acid, not a mana amplifier...' he grimaced slightly at the thought. While he still felt a little hopeful about what Eamon said, there were doubts within his mind. Perhaps it was possible for him to class, but it was a risky method. There was a reason why Riverut stopped using that method and switched to Inalell's - performed incorrectly, this process could permanently damage a Mage's mana veins, rendering their mana unusable.

However, Lucas did his best to not let the dark thoughts dim his day. For now, he just needed to get back home.

...

Which would prove to be his biggest obstacle yet today.

"Wow, who do my eyes see?" he heard Illan's voice enter his ears, a clear glint of ridicule seeping his words. "What a coincidence, I was just thinking about hitting something."

"...hi, Illan," Lucas answered, doing his best to not sound shaky. Turning around, he noticed Illan and Kieran standing a few meters behind him in the narrow alley, both clothed in their academic robes. "Skipping classes again, aren't you?"

"Ah, you know, the battle assessment was finished quickly. You know, being a 4th-circle Mage puts me a fair bit ahead of others," the Breshnaw man chuckled lightly while doing a slight stretch. His spiky hair stood proudly, making him appear almost as tall as the bulky companion to his left. "But you know what, I thought it was boring. Nobody in there can take more than a few Flame Spears. I think I can get some excitement from you," he raised his hand, and a small spear of fire appeared in front of his palm. "Don't you, dear Lucas?"

"...*Sigh* This is all I have," he reached into his pocket and took out the remaining money. Without waiting for anything, Lucas threw it to Kieran's feet. "Now, I have to go. Goodbye." 'Please, just let me leave...'

"Yeah, no. <Flame Spear>." the fiery lance suddenly launched forward, piercing Lucas's robe and striking his leg.

With a short shout of pain, the white-haired man fell to one knee. Gritting his teeth, he put down the bag he was holding. 'Oh, you can't be for real, Illan...' he shot a momentary glare at the two bullies. With a heavy exhale, he started forcing himself to stand again. However, his movements were interrupted by a strong kick to his back. His face met the hard stone with a new wave of pain, indicating that his nose was once again broken. Blood spluttered, wetting the cobble beneath.

"You're not going anywhere. A shopping spree is nice and all, but you have to think about us too, you know?" Illan's hand reached out to the bag. Immediately, he got hold of the bottle inside. "Wow, look at that. Nicillic Tears? What, are you playing alchemy again? Like father, like son, huh?" he asked with ridicule before lifting Lucas's head and smashing it against the ground.

A painful grunt escaped the young Stormrider's mouth but he hardly reacted beyond that. He just wanted to passively wait this out. In the end, it wasn't like he could fight against a 3rd-circle Mage like Kieran or 4th like Illan, let alone both of them.

He felt a strong kick send him to the wall - undoubtedly the work of Kieran. As he fell on his stomach, he could only summon his status.

[HP: 423/488]

'...cursed resistances. A normal human would've been below half health already.' he cursed internally. His elevated stats were definitely a hindrance when he wanted the bullying to pass by quickly. Quite ironically even, the stats responsible for his survival were actually built up through situations like this.

"I heard that if you pour this stuff into your eyes, you go blind, sometimes even permanently. Should we test it?" Illan's voice sounded with a glint of anticipation as stepped closer again. "That would be quite an irony, no? A failed alchemist's son blinded by an alchemic reactant. Hehehe..."

*CLAP!* *CLAP!* *CLAP!*

The sound of someone clapping sounded, slow and mechanical. Its echo bore a sense of imminent danger.

*CLAP!*

The sound repeated. The two bullies suddenly snapped their heads in the direction where it came from and noticed a tall woman standing not too far from them.

She was about Kieran's height, putting her near the 190 cm mark. Her wide shoulders clad in thick leather armor were as imposing as on some men, and similarly, her thick legs dressed in brown leggings made her appear like a soldier. A long sword was visible by her side, its pommel done with great attention to aesthetic details.

Her blonde hair of shoulder length was wavy, and a few strands up front transitioned to a silver hue. The somewhat pale skin of her face had a glint of pink on the cheeks. The violet eyes seated in her sockets stared at the two with a glint of sarcastic laughter.

"Bravo," she said, her voice booming with power. "Two on one, a true testimony to a Mage's codex, no?" she let out a heavy chuckle as her boots clicked against the cobble, showing just how powerful her steps were. "I expect no less from the Weydan Academy's students." she continued, her voice seeping with sarcasm.

'...oh no. Why... why the hell are you here...' Lucas lamented in his mind as he lay still on the ground. Eyes closed, he simply listened to what was transpiring.

"...who's that?" Kieran asked, taking a pose and charging up a magic strike. "Is that Ophelia, Illan?"

"No," the brown-haired man answered, his posture slightly tensed up as he noticed the upset expression on the newcomer's face. "That's A--!" he didn't get to finish the sentence as the woman's hand, covered in a leather glove, got hold of his face.

In an instant, the woman rotated her body on one leg, smashing Illan's head into the ground. The sheer power of the strike rendered the Mage **** and shook the ground around. Immediately after that, she stood upright and took a quick step backward, almost as if nothing happened. Her violet eyes glimmered as she stood just next to Lucas.

"I-Illan!" Kieran's voice sounded a little shaky as he poised his hand at the woman. He made a wobbly step back whilst charging up some magic. 'She knocked him out in a single strike?!'

"I wouldn't if I were you," the fair-skinned woman gave the hector a warning. "You better take your friend away while I'm letting you."

"You-- What the hell is your problem?!" the tall man screeched before releasing a <Fireball> at the blonde woman.

However, she was much swifter to respond. Backpedaling a little, the blonde woman unsheathed her sword. Its silver blade immediately started glistening with a green aura. As she slashed at the air, the aura followed, creating a momentary shield that absorbed Kieran's strike. Immediately after, she stabbed at the air, which the green power followed, creating a spear that pierced the side of the bully's stomach.

"What's my problem?" she asked momentarily, smacking her full lips almost as though she wasn't certain of the words that left her mouth. "Trash-talking my father is a big point here. You do what you want to this idiot, but my father is out of bounds for you," she said with a suddenly aggressive tone as she sheathed the sword. The green aura disappeared in response. "Now get out."

As a few seconds of tense staring transpired, Kieran let out a painful grunt; the wound to his stomach wasn't deep or large, but it sure as hell hurt. He got hold of Illan's shoulders and picked him up, moving away from the blonde woman.

Seeing the two flee, she sighed. Then, she turned to the lying man and poked at him with her boot.

"I know you're awake, Lucas."

"...Mmmphi, Aveli'e. Wha' are you doin' here on this wonder'ul day?" Lucas answered, his voice distorted and slightly muffled as he still had his nose pressed against the cold stone.

"Guess what, I'm looking for my idiot sparring partner."

"Really? I thought you went to Gareth," he answered whilst turning his head a little.

"Would love to, but instead I'm here to fetch you. Guess Deuce has priority over my fiance, huh," she answered, crouching by the white-haired man and getting a hold of his bag. Quickly taking a look inside, she frowned. "Get up, we're going to the training field."

Lucas groaned before lifting himself on his elbows. A faint feeling of dizziness remained, but it hardly stopped him from recognizing his sister's attire.

"Wow, you even came in training clothes. Deuce must've gone ballistic about me leaving."

"You know he doesn't take lightly to wasting his time," Aveline responded. While waiting for her brother to ascend to a standing position, the tall woman took note of the bag's contents. Suddenly, she noticed a bottle lying on the ground. She picked it up before throwing it inside. "Nicillic Tears, Lynic Roots, mana stones, make a decision, are you trying to make a mana potion or a grenade?" she frowned a little.

"Why do you care? Are you hogging the alchemy lab today?" he asked with a snarky tone, snatching the bag from her hand. "What I do is my own worry."

"Geez, I'm starting to feel bad about stepping in," Lucas's sister grunted while shrugging. "And that bag, what is it, powdered mana stones? What are you trying to do with that?"

"...I'm going to snort it, does that satisfy you?" he replied whilst checking the state of what he'd bought.

Aveline suddenly rasped. For a moment, laughter left her lips as she was taken completely off-guard by her brother's response. Then, without any warning, she punched him in his arm, prompting a pained groan in response.

"Now seriously, what are you doing with those things?" she asked as the two of them walked through Weydan. "I thought you gave up on alchemy already."

"...says the Magic Swordsman who sits in father's lab every other day. What, can't I have 15 minutes for my own experiments?"

"...*Sigh* Fine, don't tell," she shrugged. "Just don't blow our home up."

Lucas nodded in response. Momentarily, he glanced over at his sister. 'She might be bitchy, but so long it's just the two of us, she doesn't act out that much.' he thought to himself, comparing his two elder siblings.

Aveline's body was not that developed past her height. Both her hips and bustline were rather slim, which allowed her to wear proper armor without much discomfort. Wide shoulders made her appear like a man, especially when she was wearing a visor. Out of the entire family, she was the only one to have blonde hair, which she inherited from their father. The singular strands of silver-white in front of her head surely were not natural.

Although much like their eldest sister Aveline was a douchebag, she wasn't openly aggressive without a reason. Most of the time, she simply ignored Lucas's presence and only contacted him through Nimue. He did have one thing in common with her, however: they both studied swordsmanship under Deuce, a hired swordmaster. The very thought of what his reaction would be filled Lucas with dread.

-Meanwhile-

The two guards stationed in front of the Stormrider's mansion stood resolute, encased in formidable metal armor that gleamed brilliantly under the sun's relentless rays. Halberds firmly in hand and long swords sheathed at their sides, they maintained a vigilant watch over the surrounding landscape, ever watchful for any signs of disturbance. Towering behind them, the formidable wall loomed, its massive gate remaining impervious without the activation of a specialized mechanism.

The sweltering heat failed to perturb these dedicated sentinels, for their enchanted armors ensured their resilience in even the most **** conditions. It was a testament to the exceptional treatment afforded to the guards of the Stormrider mansion, assuring them of their esteemed status.

This day seemed destined for tranquility, and they held that assurance close. However, fate had other plans in store.

A figure appeared in the distance. It was fast approaching on a tall horse, a faint cloud of dust rising behind it as it galloped toward them. However, as it was approaching, the steed's speed decreased considerably. Within a short minute or so, it stopped, and its rider descended to the ground.

One of the guards immediately stepped forward, hand clutching the polearm tightly as he recognized the rider to be an elven man. His face appeared youthful and fair, the blue eyes reminiscent of the sky above them all. Long, golden hair cascaded down to his shoulders, appearing brighter than the Sun itself. His clothes were light in nature, hardly anything beyond a light tunic, thin pants, and a fleeting cloak.

"Is this the Stormrider's manor?" the elf asked, his tone beautiful and entrancing.

"Who are you and what is your reason for coming here?" the guard asked, his tone rugged and powerful.

"My name is Lis'te," the elf bowed his head. "I am a messenger from Inalell's Council. As per my orders, I have an earnest request to make of the Stormrider family. Here, please deliver it to Stormrider's family head," without hesitation, he rummaged in his pocket and took out a small letter. "All the details are described here. We earnestly ask the noble family to consider our request positively."