Irvene's point of view
Morning came and I timidly woke up from bed. The thought of being an archmage really bothered me. I dressed myself properly and walked downstairs for breakfast. All of them was already sitting at the long table while the dishes was being placed by the servants.
"Good morning Irvene," Sister Adelaine said.
I greeted her in return and sat on the chair. Once the food were all served, we started eating. All of us were quiet during breakfast. It seemed that we were all still tired from the event yesterday that was finished late at night.
When we were all done, a servant informed me that Brother Mavien asked for me to go to the Ruler's Office. It was where he often stayed when he studies the important documents regarding our country.
I knocked the door and entered when Brother Mavien told me to enter. I saw both Brother Mavien and Maven whose busy with their work.
"Brother Mavien, do you have any orders?" I asked.
"I'll give you this papers which your work is written. Some would be quiet difficult since it's related to our father, but this is an important work which couldn't be given to anyone," Brother Mavien said.
I read the compiled papers that he gave me. I think I would be pretty busy this time.
"One more thing, the list didn't only include about Father, but also other works. Keep in mind that you shouldn't focus your mind on one task," Brother Mavien added.
"Of course, Brother Mavien," I said.
"Do your best, Irvene. Ask me if you need help," Brother Maven said.
I smiled and nodded.
"What are you saying? You have other things to do, finish this first before taking other's task," Brother Mavien added.
"Tsk. It's too many," Brother Maven said. He even yawned.
They're really busy. A mountain of papers is always found in this room and I bid goodbye, so they could do their work.
Before I could get outside the castle, I heard Vaughn called me.
"Why?" I asked.
"I think you're also going to the Soul forest," Vaughn said.
I looked at him confusedly, until I thought Soul forest was written in this compiled papers. It's indeed written on my first task.
It's written that Soul forest is where the Black Knights hidden base and training grounds could be found. As an archmage, I should visit and guide them together with the Black Sword General.
"The four of us will work again," I said.
"Hmm," Vaughn uttered.
Since Sid would become a special warrior under Vaugh and Meryll is my personal associate, they should be here by now right?
"If you're looking for them, they already left," Vaughn said.
I wonder why. Then again, those two are always full of energy.
A horse carriage here from Soul'e Castle was in front of the castle.
"We aren't using a portal?" I whispered.
"That place was built with Portal Magic Barrier that prevent a portal from opening. It would only lead us to a far away place," Vaughn said.
I understand now. Soul'e Castle also have one, so our visitors yesterday were all in carriage. The reason that we could use portal to the castle was we were permitted to do so. The Portal Magic Barrier in the castle was altered by father.
Only the red crystals given to us by my father could be used to succesfully teleport to Soul'e Castle. My brothers and sister each had one aside from Vaughn and I. It's a total of six red crystals.
It seems that the Black Castle didn't have a single one.
Afterwards, we went inside the carriage. Horse carriages have a magic chanted that could make it travel at a faster speed than normal horses. It made traveling into a different country for only a few hours on land, although magic-chanted horse carriages are indeed expensive.
Half an hour had passed and we reached the entrance to Soul forest. Since the location of the Black Knight was hidden, we could only stop at the forest's entrance.
We walked into the forest until we stopped. Vaughn uttered the spell that could grant us entry. Not long after, I could already see the huge black castle in the middle of a vast grassland.
A person suddenly appeared. His clothes were similar to the uniform of seventh-level students.
"Greetings, Black Sword General Estrama and Archmage Elvina. I'm Ren Dewfield, and I will accompany you towards our Black Castle," he said.
Ren Dewfield walked in front of us and we followed. The huge door opened and it showed the wide hall of the Black Castle. The people in black uniform were the seventh-level students, I suppose.
"Greetings to the Black Sword General!"
"Greetings to Archmage Elvina!"
They all said in unison.
Some of the the students here were older than us, but they still respectfully accepted the decision of our Ruler.
"I am Vaughn Estrama, the Black Sword General appointed by Ruler Mavien," Vaughn said.
"Those who have doubts about my abilities could please walk infront and could hereby challenge me today," he continued.
My eyes widened. I expected his speech to be short, but I didn't think that he would suddenly talk about that topic.
The hall became utterly quiet and none dared to walk in front, but before Vaughn could speak, a man suddenly appeared in front of us.
His familiar grin arose. Ingrid Welsey!
"Since the Black Sword General allowed it, I should take this offer," Ingrid said.
"Ren Dewfield, to the training grounds," Vaughn simply said.
"Yes, General!" Ren answered.
All of us ended up in the indoor training grounds of the Black Knights. Vaughn and Ingrid were at the center with their own swords.
"Start!" Ren said.
Both of them started to run towards each orher with their swords clashing. Vaughn maintained his emotionless face while Ingrid started to knit his brows. It's because he couldn't find an opportunity to find an opening.
Then, Ingrid jumped backwards and his weapon started to glow. He's using his fire element magic while Vaughn didn't use any.
Ingrid once again leaped high and pointed his sword that's surrounded by red fire to Vaughn. Ingrid's swift and precise movements improved than when he fought us during the Magic Battle Competition.
"Fire Dragon's breath!" Ingrid shouted.
A fire dragon suddenly formed into his sword that directly attacked Vaughn. A thick black smoke had formed, but Vaughn waved his sword that dissipated the smoke and his incredible movement that made Vaughn instantly travelled Ingrid's position.
He swiftly threw away Ingrid's sword using his own and pointed his sword at Ingrid.
Ingrid kneeled with his gritted teeth and stood up. "I admit my mistake, Black Sword General," he said.
After that, no one fought Vaughn anymore. He only instructed for them to rest and start their training tomorrow after he study each of their skills.
On our way, we saw Meryll and Sid. As usual, they're nagging at each other.
"Vaughn, Irvene, you're here already! We didn't even know!" Meryll said.
"The Black Knights already met Vaughn. Where did the two of you went?" I asked.
"After a Black knight welcomed us, we asked them that we will be strolling around and they permitted us to, but I think we took longer since you already met them," Sid answered.
"You didn't witnessed Vaughn and Ingrid's fight then," I said.
Their eyes widen. It's your fault for suddenly disappearing. It made me laughed when I imagine what they're thinking now.
"I should have stayed with you instead of Meryll, so I witnessed their battle!" Sid grunted.
"You're the one who challenged me into a race!" Meryll said.
"Race?" Vaughn suddenly asked.
"Since I have nothing to do, I challenge her into a race. The one who reaches Black Castle will be the winner," Sid said.
When we're talking to each other, we saw Ren Dewfield.
"G-greetings!" he said.
Ren's stuttering voice confused me, but I saw him looking at Meryll and Sid fearfully. What ruckus those two did, huh? Ren Dewfield ran away hurriedly here in the hallway.
"I think we overdid our race earlier," Sid uttered.
I ended up shaking my head.
"All of you, follow me," Vaughn said.
I think it's related of our work here. I wonder how hard this would be.