Revelation

The first time I saw Syvis as a child is something I will never forget. Despite her not knowing it, Syvis made a significant impact on my life. After seeing her again, I thought she would not recognize me. I thought that until this moment.

"Do you... remember me?"

Syvis raised her gaze in my direction, and after a little grimace, replied. "How many children with red eyes do you think there are? It's not something that is easily forgotten."

"Then, why..."

"Why didn't I mention it before? You never asked." Syvis responded by opening a book and starting to read.

I guess what she says makes sense. I thought she didn't remember me, therefore I didn't mention anything. Paying attention to the book she is reading, I noticed that the book's title is 'History of the Magic Cards.'

"Are you perhaps reading that book because of what happened to me this morning with my card?" I asked.

"Indeed. There is something I want to confirm, but I don't want to say anything until I'm sure."

"I see..."

Syvis continued reading without paying me any more attention. Each library floor is quite spacious, and there is no one else besides Syvis and me here. I wonder why she would have decided to sit in front of me. I thought she didn't like me, and given her personality, I thought she'd rather be alone.

On the table were a couple of books that someone else left here. I tried to hide the book that talks about dark elves with other books while at the same time, and I took one of them and started to pretend that I was reading that book.

Even so, my attention was not on the book but on Syvis. She is wearing a different outfit than this morning. It seems that she constantly changes her clothes, but there is a similarity in each of the outfits that I have seen her use. Each of them shows quite a bit of skin. Sometimes it is a bit difficult to focus on her presence, but I am not complaining.

"Can I ask something?" I asked.

"Mmm...? Go ahead."

"What were you doing in [Merton]? My village is quite far from everything, and not many people visit."

"Besides being an adventurer, I am also an alchemist. I travel often looking for materials. If I remember correctly, at that time, I was looking for a flower called Obroil. It is a flower with pink petals that only grows in that region. It has good healing effects." Syvis reply.

That was the flower that Amelia used in her potions and which I often helped her gather.

"Uhm? Why the glummy expression? Did I say something wrong?" Syvis asked.

"I-It's nothing. I wanted to thank you for saving me that day." I have to stop being depressed every time I think of Amelia.

"I was surprised to hear the cry of two small children in the middle of the forest. It is common sense not to enter the forest at that age. You were fortunate that I noticed."

"I know... My mother beat me up after that, so I learned my lesson."

"Good for her!"

I haven't been out of the village for long, but talking about the town makes me melancholic. I wonder how my mother is. I have to send her a letter soon, or she will worry.

"Is that why you were in the greenhouse the other time?" I asked.

"For an alchemist like me, that greenhouse is the perfect place to live. It was specially arranged so that I could stay there."

That explains why I found Syvis in that state the other day at the greenhouse. Even so, who would expect someone to live in the back of a greenhouse?

"And tell me, does everyone in your village like that kinky stuff, or is it just you?" Syvis asked.

I was perplexed by Syvis's weird question.

Confused, I replied, "W-What? What do you mean..."

Syvis, with her eyes, pointed to the book that I was holding in my hands. I closed the book to see the book cover, and the title was 'Sadomasochism.'

I stood up, dropping the book on the table, which opened in a rather explicit image. "I-I-I-It's not what it seems! I-I'm not i-interested in that! It was a mistake! Yes, a mistake! I took the wrong book! Please don't get confused. I don't..."

I feel my face get hot from the shame I was feeling. I was so worried about hiding the book about the dark elves that I didn't notice the book I grabbed. Who the hell left this book on the table?

In my attempts to explain, I noticed that Syvis smiled. It's the first time I've seen her smile. She has a really sexy smile.

"I get it! Stop making such a fuss in the library." Syvis said, trying to erase her smile.

"O-Ok... as long as you understand... Well... I-I think it's time for me to go. Have a good night!"

"Don't be late tomorrow," Syvis replied.

I got out of the library as fast as I could. Damn, I screw up. But seeing it in another way, not everything is bad. My assumption of Syvis was wrong, and I actually had a good time talking with her.

I returned to my room, but before entering my bedroom, I decided to check if Ryul got up to eat.

"Ryul, are you inside?"

On the other side of the door, I heard, "Yes, come in!"

Inside, Ryul was still in bed, eating some sandwiches.

"I thought you would have fallen asleep without eating."

"Actually, that's exactly what happened. A few moments ago, Shalia brought me something to eat after seeing that I didn't go to the dining room. She is an angel! Didn't you see her on the way? She just left."

"I didn't see her," I reply.

"Oh well, are you just coming from the dining room?"

"Nah, I stopped by the library for a while."

"I see. I'll finish eating this and go back to sleep since I know what awaits me tomorrow. hahaha!"

"See you tomorrow," I responded, leaving the room. My life, since arriving at Riledo, has been quite chaotic and full of uncertainties. I want to be stronger, but the difference between me and the rest is evident. It's hard to stay confident in this situation.

Once in my room, I lay down on my bed and quickly fell asleep.

I felt like I was floating in the dark, and when I opened my eyes, I was not in my room. I was in the dark space I was already getting used to. And if I'm here, it means that she is too.

(I was starting to wonder when would you return)

I heard her voice in my head, and when I turned around there she was.

(How was your awakening? I can feel that something in you has changed)

"I'm not sure. It just feels like it's incomplete."

(I can feel that you are stronger than the last time we met here. Your awakening leaves room for growth)

"What should I do to become stronger?"

(The answer is in you. I think you already know the answer)

"Just training will be enough...?"

She is not being very helpful even though she said she would help me. However, since she doesn't even remember her name, maybe she just can't do much for me.

“Have you still not remembered your name?”

(I haven’t)

"It will be difficult not to know how to call you."

(You can call me whatever you want. Give me a name.)

I go through a couple of names, avoiding names of people I know. Eventually, I come across the name ‘Ophelia’.

(I feel that would be a proper name for me)

"Really!? I'm glad you like it."

I began to feel the sensation that I am about to wake up and leave this place. I looked back at her one more time feeling bad about leaving her alone in this dark place again.

(I'm going to help you. You are only not yet in the state where I will be useful to you. Keep improving, and soon it will be clear)

I woke up to the sound of Ryul knocking on the door. "Darx, it's getting late, wake up."

Damn, I overslept. "Give me a moment."

After meeting Leona and Shalia in the dining room, we headed to the training ground. On the way, we got distracted watching the combat of two guards who were training. It doesn't seem that they were of a high rank, but one of them used a quite peculiar skill that he called [Double Slash], which is two simultaneous slashes with his sword. He won the fight using that skill.

At the end of the fight, we once again keep walking to the training ground where Syvis was already waiting for us.

I thought there would be some change after yesterday, but Syvis doesn't act any different than she usually does. She remains cold and strict, as always. For my part, I was a little nervous to see her directly since I was still feeling embarrassed.

Just as she told us yesterday, in the morning, we continued to practice magic and mana control while Ryul went to practice with the Monk of the royal guard, and in the afternoon, we joined once again at the training ground.

We got together in the middle of the training ground, and Syvis explained what to do next. "Now, we will do a couple of rounds of sparring. You can use skills and magic, but rare skills are prohibited." Syvis saw us and said. "Ryul against Shalia will be first."

We left the training ground leaving only Ryul and Shalia while we watched from the sides. Ryul started by going into a battle stance and using his skill [Mantra] at the beginning of the fight while Shalia, with her staff in hand, looking ready to start, said. "Don't go easy on me."

"Of course. Same for you." Ryul replied.

At a fast speed, Ryul charges against Shaila, who in return summons the water balls that we have been training. Shalia has improved a lot since yesterday, although she is still far from the level in which Syvis uses that magic, however, it is good enough to slow down Ryul, who dodged most thanks to his skill [Sixth Sense].

I heard Syvis, who was next to me, say, "Not bad." but I didn't know what she meant.

Ryul needs to get closer to Shalia since, unlike her, he doesn't have long-range attacks. When he finally got close enough, Ryul said. "I got you." Ryul's improvement in just two days is incredible.

When I thought Ryul had gotten close enough to attack, suddenly Ryul's feet began to sink in the ground. What happened?

"W-What's going on?" Ryul, confused, said, watching his feet sink

Syvis, without taking her eyes off the combat, said, "[Mud Trap] A spell that requires a combination of water and earth to use. It's amazing that Shalia managed to combine both elements in such a short time."

Shalia once again summoned the water balls and threw them at Ryul, who in his state would not be able to dodge them, or at least that's what I thought.

Before the water balls reached Ryul, he used [Deadly Rush] the same skill that knocked him out last time when he couldn't stop. Thanks to that skill, Ryul got out of the mud trap, and at speed so fast which make it seem as if he had teleported, he reached Shalia. Ryul this time managed to stop right in front of her, which surprised Shalia, who dropped her guard for a moment. Shalia then tries to run away while swatting at him with her staff. It was honestly quite comical to see.

Syvis ended the duel, giving Ryul the victory.

After the duel between Ryul and Shalia, the following would be Leona and me. Leona placed her shield in front of her while holding her sword in her right hand. I know well she won't hold back, so I can't distract at all, or I'll lose.

I held my sword in my right hand, and the staff Syvis gave me in my left. I have never tried to fight like this, but now that I know I can use magic, I must try.

As soon as Syvis started the fight, Leona used [Blind Thrust], preventing me from running and forcing me to attack. Thanks to the staff that serves as a magic catalyst, I was able to summon the water balls easier and launch them against Leona, although in a weaker version than Shalia did. Leona didn't even bother to dodge them and received them with her shield as she charged against me.

I created the biggest water ball I could, tried to hide behind it and surprise Leona with my sword, but it was useless. Leona went through it with ease and I, unable to escape because of her [Blind Thrust] skill, had **** but to try to strike with my sword, which she stopped with her shield while she kicked me in the stomach, sending me flying.

Her kick made me lose my breath, making it hard to breathe. If Leona had wanted to, she could have finished me with her sword instead of kicking me, but it seems that she is holding back. I know she wouldn't do that normally, but I'm so weak that she was **** to. It's really humiliating.

I'm not strong or fast enough to keep up with her. Leona didn't give me time to recover. She was bout to deliver the final blow when, for some reason, the skill the guard used came to my mind. When attacking me, she left an aperture that would take her by surprise, using a skill like that, stopping her sword and attacking her at the same time.

In one last **** attempt, I strike my sword at her, but it felt different. Leona falls back for some reason seeming to be injured on her side. What just happened?

Suddenly a golden light began to surround me. It was only for an instant, but I definitely saw it.

Ryul approached and asked, “Dude, what happened? You started glowing all of a sudden.”

"I don't know..."

They all approached me to see what had happened.

"What you just did was the same..." Leona said without finishing her sentence.

"I saw it too. That skill you hit Leona with was the same one we saw the guard use this morning." Shalia added.

It seems that I struck Leona with my sword on her side, but thanks to the plate mail that she is using, I did not cause her significant damage.

"Show me your card," Syvis said, extending her hand.

I took the card out of my pocket, and when I saw it, the card changed again. This time the [Double Slash] skill was engraved on the card but not only that. In the rank section, there was also a change.

This can't be true. After all this time, all this work and all this effort. This is what I get? This has to be a joke, right? But no. It is right there. Plain and simple. I’m an E rank.

I close my eyes in defeat and lower my hands. My fingers don’t even hold on to my card, and it falls to the ground. My teammates quickly grab it and look for themselves while I can hear their gasps.

Syvis took my card and clearly looked puzzled.

"Darx, hey..." Ryul wanted to comfort me but didn't know what to say.

"I need to be alone for a bit," I said before I left.

"Wait ..."

I didn't stop to listen to what they were saying. I got lost in the gardens where there was no one. I sat on one of the benches with a blank mind. I can't believe it yet. Maybe I should go back to the village...

I had a feeling like my heart was being squeezed, which didn't go away for a long time. Without realizing it, night had set in. I wasn't in the mood to even get up. Thinking of going back to the castle only depresses me more.

I heard a voice to my left, "I finally found you." The voice belonged to Shalia, who sat next to me. "Everyone is worried about you. Are you feeling better?"

"A little. I needed to be alone for a while."

"I understand you, but don't get too depressed. I'm sure you will become stronger. You need to trust yourself."

"It's not just that. Also, a person I trusted betrayed me. I feel like everything has gone wrong for me lately."

"I am familiar with the feeling of having lost everything and not being able to do anything about it. Still, you cannot give up." Shalia reply.

"I don't know if you really can understand me." Without believing much in her words, I replied.

"Ohh, I understand you." Shaila said, standing up. "I understand that feeling of helplessness more than anyone."

Shaila started pacing back and forth in front of me without turning to see me and continued. "Normally, I wouldn't tell anyone about this, but for some reason, I feel I can trust you."

"You see, I come from a small town. Since I can remember, my parents have worked hard in agriculture. Thanks to that they managed to make a small fortune and my father was named chief of the town. My family is not really wealthy, but we have some employees. My family treats them with respect, and people respected them too. Among them was a boy my age with whom I spent my time since we were children. Our friendship turned into romance, and thanks to him, I had some of the best years of my life."

"I didn't know you had a boyfriend. Is he an adventurer too?" I asked.

Shalia didn't answer me and continued. "Unfortunately, it did not last long. I caught the attention of a nobleman from a nearby city who wanted to make me one of his wives at all costs no matter how many times I rejected him. He went so far as to sabotage my parents so that they would **** me to marry him. Yet my parents never made me do anything against my wishes, no matter how their business was collapsing because of him."

"The worst thing was when he summoned me with lies and tried to **** me. He started touching me, **** his kisses on me, but my boyfriend noticed and stopped him by hitting him in the process. Unfortunately, he used that as a pretext to imprison my boyfriend and threaten me that he would leave my boyfriend in jail forever if I didn't accept his proposal. I used every resource I could to try to free my boyfriend, but it is impossible to go against a noble."

As Shalia shares her past with me, I can’t help but notice how similar it sounds.

"So what did you do?"

"I went to the jail and told my boyfriend about it. With him being in jail, he had no idea what was going on. I didn't want him to come out and only to see me already wed. I wanted him to know about it before it happened. Now I realize it is the worst thing I could have done. See, in order to 'save' me, he decided to hang himself in his cell."

"What?" He took his own life... He must have really loved Shalia to have gone so far to protect her.

"My family went broke, and I lost my boyfriend because of him. With the help of my parents, I escaped from the town."

"Sorry, I didn't know you went through all that."

"You don't need to feel bad for me. I don't plan on running forever."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Shalia turned around and stared at me. The Shalia I know seems like a delicate girl who cares about everyone and always has a cute smile. But all of that disappeared for a moment. Her cold gaze gave me chills and the night only highlighted her face without any expression.

"Believe me, Darx, when I tell you that I am going to make him pay dearly for every tear I shed. I'm not stopping until I have my ****."