When we finally reach the gardens, the nursemaid and Lady Mirel joined Sir Richel who sat in a garden table, drinking tea.
I went to where Aeron and my other cousin are, along with Stray who stood there with his back facing us.
I took Kain down as he immediately ran to where Aeron is and greeted him. I think Kain idolizes him, maybe because Aeron seems like uncle especially with the hair and the eyes.
"Good morning, big brother Aldrey!" I hollered as he just waved a hand at me.
Prince Aldrey is the first born and crowned prince; the scion who will ascend to the throne. He has snow white hair like us but olive green eyes. He's about nineteen years old now but turning twenty soon.
"Aerra, you finally decided to join us. Good morning!" he replied.
"What are you guys playing? Don't tell me it's chess again!?" I grumbled, my eyes scanning around but to my relief there was no chessboard in sight.
The place rather resembles an indoor park than a garden, complete with full grown trees and grass beds. Somehow the atmosphere is tad warmer than the corridors. The ceiling is dome shaped which was completely made from crystallised material similar to glass. The snow and weather somehow turned it to a frosty shade but one can still see a hazy sight of the pale sky above.
"Aeron was showing us what he learned from Giles." Says Stray as he turned to me
while Aeron ran up to me, "Want to see?" he asks.
"I want to see! I want to see!" Kain roared out, raising a hand up.
I sat down the grassy floor beside my cousin Prince Aldréy, crossing my feet together as I gestured at Aeron to proceed. "Go ahead. I'll watch!"
Aeron marched back to the where a wooden dummy stood.
Kain sat down as well in silence, anticipating greatly.
"...."
Aeron plants his feet down and apart as he pumped his right fist tightly.
He blew his breath out in a calm exhale.
And just stood there unmoving for few seconds...
He then let out a cry and charged, hooking a straight punch, towards the dummy but stops midway even before his knuckles touch the wood.
About a second or two,
Something bursted asunder from behind the wooden dummy breaking into a hole from it's back. A small spark lit around but I'm not sure if that's only my imagination.
I gasped.
As Aeron shows the damage at us.
Kain's eyes sparkled in both amazement and delight.
"Clap, Kain!" Aeron instructed,
as Kain clapped incessantly, "Amaziiiing!!!"
"Of course!" Aeron rubs at his nose while grinning profoundly.
I remember when Aeron first wielded Stray in his scythe form, back at the deserts. It was the time when he smote down the fiend with just one blow, the ground below cracks into a crater from the force he released.
I guess Giles saw that strength from him and trained with it.
I wonder if it has anything to do with us being a pure blood.
"That's not only what I can do!" he bragged as I just arched my brows at him. "I can also ran faster and jump higher now!" He added.
"Like jump to climb that tree?" I asked in astonishment, pointing at the tree nearest us.
Aeron snickered. "I haven't tried —but if I ran fast enough, I think I can climb it regardless."
"Amazing, Aeron." I clapped, beaming at him.
"But you know the best part is?" he says as he clench his hands before him almost like a claw. "I was able to train with the element I chose!"
Element?
I tilted my head to a side. "Element? Your powers awakened?" I asked, my eyes widening.
"No! Not yet... but Master Giles trained me how to at least start controlling one element!"
I stood up. "You have chosen an element already?!"
Aeron nods and grins, "I chose Lightning." he answered as blue light began to emit in the tips of his fingers.
A minute spark soon flickers.
...and disappears.
Sparks again...
flickers...
And finally a ball of electricity surges out from his hands, wildly dancing around while emitting the wavy and cracking sounds.
...but disappeared almost instantly.
"I still need practice though" he admitted, laughing. He rubs at his nape bashfully.
"How about you, Aerra? What did the mercenary train you?" asks Prince Aldrey.
"I don't think I can do what Aeron did. He just focused my training in sensing and meditating." I tried to recall the training I did but with all of it going in my mind at the same time bombarded me, so I find it hard to start explaining even just one out.
Stray walks up to us, wearing his usual smug. "How about you show it to us. Climb that tree!" he says, pointing at the tree nearby that looks similar to an oak tree.
I never knew if I really improved at all so I might as well see for myself. "Okay!" I said, dusting my skirt and then walked towards the said tree.
I looked up and assessed the resilient looking branches. They were very high from the ground, almost impossible to climb, the rest were twig-like thin that would break instantly under stress.
I turned my head at them and realized they all sat down the ground almost huddled in a cluster. All watching me in silence.
What is this— a show?
I sighed and looked up at the tree again. I just looked at the tree trunk and assessed if I can climb it like how I climbed the walls back at the pits.
All of a sudden—
A ghost itch bloomed near my ear so I quickly clasped a fist on it and felt something. I thought I caught an insect but when I opened my hand, to my surprise, it was a rock.
I threw it down the ground.
even before I could react about the rock,
another one alarms my senses
this time there were two: one heading for my eyes. I grasped at it. Caught it.
And one towards my neck. I also grasped a fist on it, sweeping down just in consecutive with the first. Caught it as well.
I opened it my hand to see what I caught and saw rocks
...again.
What the heck?
I shot a cold glare across the field to where the guys sat in silence.
"So are you going to let me climb this tree or will you just keep throwing rocks at me?" I grumbled, placing both my hands on my waist.
They all stared at me in shock with big wide eyes and jaws dropped,
as if they've seen a ghost.
"H-Ha-how—?!" Aeron stutters, "How did you do that?!"
"Do what?" I murmured.
"The rocks!!! Stray threw it so fast. How did you knew they were even coming at you?!" Aeron was genuinely looking at me in disbelief and astonishment.
"Aerra you're amaziiiiing!" Kain claps loudly, beaming at me in delight.
—I caught it, huh?
It honestly just felt like an instinct, I sensed it, rather than catching it with full awareness. Like when a mosquito suddenly decided to make a concert directly at your ears and you just have to try to kill the goddamn thing off by either swatting at it or clasping a fist. I just chose to do the latter.
Stray bolted up and crossed his arms, "I knew it!" he chuckled as he sneers at me. "Typical Faram!" he added but he says it almost to himself.
"Aerra, close your eyes and dodge." Says Stray as I crunch my brows at him in response, "I swear if I fail to catch a rock, I will pick a larger rock and throw it at you!" I murmured.
"Just close your eyes and sense it!" Stray insisted as he began to walk towards me.
I sighed and just complied.
The familiar darkness welcomed me as I closed my eyes shut.
There was the silence.
No, not silence.
It's the calm.
I sank myself to the lulling sensation as I stood there motionless.
The atmosphere is a little chilly but no moving wind.
There are sounds of birds and some voices beyond me. It sounded distant and insignificant to bear any warnings.
I can feel people watching me.
But—
one presence blooming in a threat.
The wind blows.
Sound of grass ruffles.
A twitching sensation emanated to my right so I side stepped once, just to dodge it.
"There, I dodged it. Happy now?" I opened my eyes.
Stray was stooping down before me, his hand morphed into a blade that was directly stabbed at the ground beside me to where my other foot had previously laid.
If I didn't moved then... that blade of a hand might have severed my toes.
"Are you crazy!?" I exclaimed, fuming, "YOU REALLY ATTACKED ME!"
Stray turned his head at me and smiled, contemptuously. "Im not done yet—!!!"
"—!!"
He quickly draws his blade out and launches a slash attack. I plunged off, landing few steps away from him as he grins widely seemingly amused. He stoops down and then springs towards me, charging to stab me head on.
I felt his wind even before his blade dives directly in between my eyes, making my body react abruptly and leaps up overhead.
I saw everything upside down for a moment, Stray's deep purple eyes aligned with mine, before my body spun down, and I landed on my feet, with my back facing him.
Another wind emerged, I squatted down as a violent wind slashes pass above me, missing me narrowly.
I looked up at him and saw him pulling his blade-hand high up for a moment, way above his head.
Alarm bells went off inside my head.
My body jolted up in an electrifying rush that spikes my feet to jump up— sending me to soar high above in midair at the exact same time Stray plummets his blade down in a crash, the ground breaks apart from the impact.
I stretched my hands on instinct and felt a branch on my grip. With enough momentum, I spun overhead and landed gracefully to my feet. I pulled my back straight and watch below me where Stray just slowly standing up in silence. His hand morphs back to normal.
He flexes his head aback and looked up to where I stood. "Well done!" he commended in a contented grin.
I can't feel any threat anymore so I let my body began to relax.
I took a deep breath and looked around.
Blinking my eyes twice, that's when I realized I was standing on top of a tree branch from waaay above the grounds.
The surprise tipped my balance off and I instantly slipped.
I just closed my eyes and waited for someone to break my fall.
Eventually, as I expected, someone caught me.
"You're careless as ever" he chuckled as I opened my eyes and his familiar gaze steadily watches me. "Just let me down, Stray! No more tricks this time." I murmured. As he grins at me. "Yeah. I'm done playing." he replied as he gently lets me down from his arms.
Aeron came sprinting towards me. Kain followed him. "Amaziiiiing!!!" They yelled out together in one voice.
"Clap, Kain!" says Aeron as he led the clapping. Kain nodded obediently and claps along, strenuously.
"To think it was only about two weeks training. Yet you managed to improve and progress that much? You really must be a genius." Stray uttered, crossing both his arms together. "If so, it makes sense why you act so mature, calm, and collected almost all the time."
I am no way calm and collected—!!!
"No fair, Aerra. You were acting all amazed at my progress when you've improved far better than I had. I feel like you're solacing."
"Wha— I'm not!... I only acted in the spur of the moment!"
"Aerra Aerra!" Kain suddenly tags at my cloak. I turned to him as he just smiled at me, "You were amazing!"
"R-really?" I murmured while scratching my head shyly.
"Very amazing!" Kain nodded vigorously. "Aerra, you will marry me someday, won't you?"
Aerons fist suddenly sways across Kain's head without any warnings. "The hell are you asking, you little brat?!"
"Aww! That hurts!!!" Kain rubs at the area where a small bump might have emerged.
"Aeron, he's the second prince. I don't think it's wise hitting him like that..." I said, trying to pacify my brother.
"Aerra is amazing! I want her to marry me!" Kain insisted.
Aeron's fist swings across yet again.
"Awww!? Why are you hurting me? Do you also want to marry her?"
And again, Aeron hits him
but this time Aeron's fists now lands directly on top of Kain's head.
"Aww!!! AERRA!!!!" Kain ran behind me and hid.
"Aeron, you'll get us in trouble if you keep hitting the prince like that."
"Just because someone is amazing doesn't mean you can ask them to marry you!" says Aeron in grunt, sending a death glare at Kain who hid behind me.
"Why not?" he grumbled stubbornly.
"What do you mean why not—?!! Where are you getting your logic from?!"
I rubbed at my temples. "Aeron, you're being too loud..."
"The Sage says so..." Kain murmurs in a pout.
I turned to Kain abruptly. "Do you know where the Sage is?"
Kain shrugs, "No body really knows where he goes. The Sage is amazing that way."
"Everyone is amazing for you.." grumbles Aeron.
"Well you're amazing too. When I grow up, I want to be as strong as Aeron and then jump to trees like Aerra did!"
"...Y-yeah. Well, I can teach you a thing or two if you want..." Aeron scratches at his head as he blushes.
Prince Aldrey who just laughed along in the background finally walks up to us and patted my shoulder. "Good to know that a cousin of mine is unassailable! I'll count on you someday!" He says in a laugh.
"How about your element?" Aeron asks, "What element did you choose?"
"N-nothing. I only followed whatever Master Faram asked me to do. He didn't particular heed requests."
"I don't believe you! You must've chosen wind, right?" Aeron insisted while his brows furrows.
A man in a gallant uniform suddenly interrupts and gestured at Prince Aldrey.
"It seems like our governess finally arrived. We still have morning classes to attend to so I'll be taking my leave first. And Kain— your coming with me. See you guys around." He waves, dragging Kain as he sulks but followed Aldrey anyways.
We all fell silent and just watch the two leave the gardens.
...
"So, back with your training—!" Aeron broke the silence.
"Enough with that. I seriously didn't train any element with Master Faram" I murmured.
"Giles element is terra and lightning, so it wasn't a surprise Aeron chose one of them." Stray perched his back against the tree root.
"I thought we can only choose one?" I asked, turning to him.
"It's usually just one so that people can train it to a higher tier magi. But some prefers two elements or more to mix them together. But it's a risk for instability and the balance in training different capabilities at once can cause inconsistencies." Stray explains,
"For example. If you're naturally fast on your feet, training agility also enhances your control over the wind element. But if you later on decided to take on terra which requires you to train all your muscles. The training will make you heavier and rather stiff than agile. The weight you will gain from building strength will otherwise pull you down and releasing your full speed will become difficult."
Stray took a leaf and made it float in midair. He puts a small amount of soil on top of it and it descended greatly. He had to manipulate stronger wind just to make the leaf lift higher like before but the soil began to fall apart.
"Of course, there are perks of having two or more elements but some who had chosen only one can usually master it and unlock all the capabilities of the element without being hindered." Stray went on as he took the leaf down. "And Faram is that kind of elemental user that was able to almost master the highest tier of his own element."
"And what is that?" I asked, as Stray's brow raised at one end.
"You don't know your own Master's element?"
"Hence I asked you" I grumbled.
"When the elites take an apprentice, they usually intend to teach the same element they possess to their apprentice. Funny how he began training you when you have no idea what element he had you trained for"
"I have no explanation to argue with that." I sighed. "So just tell me what his elements is already."
Stray sneers, "Nah! I rather wait until you figure that on your own. It'll be more fun that way!"
I just glared at him in a deadpan manner.
"But I suggest you just chose an element you really like rather than exploring the element Faram has been trying to instill in you. It's safer that way..." He then stood up straight. "By the way—!" he says, but then he pauses.
We just watch him and waited for him to continue but he never did. He just looked down the ground in silence as if lost in thoughts.
He closes his eyes.
Paused.
Aeron and I exchanged glances.
"What is it?" Aeron says.
Stray snaps, opened his eyes and looks at us. He rubs his nape then hid his eyes behind the shadows of his hair that covered his face, turning his head away. "I'm leaving later... I don't like to be sent off so don't bother."
—!?
Almost at the same time, Aeron and I spoke,
"W-why are you leaving?"
"Where are you going?"
Stray just steps closer to us. "I don't really feel like going back home to my family. I'm typically raised as a mercenary already so I might as well become a veteran at it but this time become independent. Y'know, without any organizations on my back to control me."
"But how about your parents?"
"Don't you want to see your parents?"
Again, Aeron and I spoke at the same time.
"Woah. Settle down. One at a time, guys!" He snickered. "But on a serious note. I was taken as a child, I barely remember my own folks' faces. And even if I do get home, it's just like living with strangers. So..." he shrugs, "I rather live on my own the way I want to."
"So you're going to be a full time assassin?" I frowned.
"Or a full pledge burglar— a thief..." added Aeron.
"What the heck do you think mercenaries do anyway?" He murmured, reaching a hand at us to ruffle our hair. "Mercenaries are like jack of all trades. We take on a client's request at a certain amount of fee. We can deliver very special packages that needs protection, we can exterminate fiends, infiltrate a client's enemy base, and even be hired to escort and protect wealthy and noble Lords as they travel. Well I suppose we steal sometimes too, if the client requests it but I prefer calling it, 'acquiring the package for delivery' than stealing. The assassination is also possible but then again we can simply turn down any request we don't feel like taking."
"Oh. So you're like an errand boy then?" asks Aeron is a chuckle. Stray grinds his knuckles at Aeron's temples. "Who you calling an errand boy, you little—!"
"Aw aw aw ooouuuch! Stop!"
"Will you still visit us?" I asked as Stray suddenly stopped and released Aeron. "Of course!" he replied but he turns his face to a different direction.
Seeing that, my chest began to feel agitated.
"But if you leave and pass the borders of the country, will you still be able to hear me when I summon you?" I went on.
"Not sure, kiddo. But I think there are more suitable weapons for you than a scythe like me, so don't bother."
What.
....
"Be sure to visit!" Aeron murmured sulking at him. "I'll hate you if you didn't..."
"Stray—!" I stomp my feet.
"I'll go ahead first." he cuts me, "Bye, snow heads!" He concluded while turning around and walked off.
I watch him for a moment. He's not even looking back.
He was acting weird earlier, I just assumed because all the children already left.
But right now...
something feels off.
"Stray!!!" I yelled, finally running after him.
I grabbed his wrist and tagged at him to make him look at me.
"What?" he uttered, forcibly pulling his hand away from me. His eyes avoids mine.
I knew it.
"You're lying... You're leaving us for good."
He did not reply.
"But I thought you are my weapon. You said Meister and a weapon are bound for life and—!"
"Selfish brat." he grunted in a snicker.
I studied him as he stared back at me with such cold eyes.
The same eyes when I first saw him.
Cold, sharp, and distant.
"Just because I've become your weapon once doesn't mean I have to tail you around for the rest of my life. We did established a soul binding contract but you can simply forget about it and never summon me ever again."
What is he saying?
"Eri..." I uttered.
"Don't call me that!" he shouted. "I'm not like Aeron nor your servant, little Lady. I can do whatever I want and go wherever I want even without my Meister...."
I can see his jaws tightening with both his hands clenching until it turns white.
"You're home now and happy. Don't you think I should find my own happiness too? —So stop bothering me. It's annoying as hell."
He then walks pass me as I just stood here in silence.
What a cold thing to say.
I didn't notice when Aeron came up to me but he just took my hand and squeezed at it.
He was talking at me but I chose not to listen.
I stared down sightlessly at my feet.
Just... what happened to him?
-----