"So, without that Valkyrie, you lot wouldn't have met?" asked Gab.
The final batch of kids was gone and Fluffy returned with another handwritten note. Ysabeau pulled it off and smiled when she read it.
' Adopting that Valkyrie was the best thing that happened to us. Becoming her uncle was the best thing that happened for a Dark Mage. Finding her as another Lost Element user was an eye-opener for the Galaxian Mage And being her partner was life-changing for a certain Time Mage. '
"Yes, without her, I wouldn't have found the strive to continue being in this world. I can never have a child again, so I treat her like my own flesh and blood. She's not only credited to the foundation of the Arks but also, the glue that holds our bonds together," said Ysabeau, with a small smile.
"She was the one who found the courage to befriend Raiyen and brought him home. Then, she challenged Z along with her new friend to a duel. Z then promised to train the two lads. But the most incredible feat was when she first impressed us."
"She made friends with a Dark Mage. As a Valkyrie, a creature made with our Light Element, happily snuggling with a Dark Mage. Baldwin was adamant to not be under the same roof as her but she convinced him. That was truly remarkable to see."
"She is one of a kind, huh?" said Gab.
"Yea, she was the one who convinced your father to accept the Mages, right? That left a good lasting impression on you, even when she failed to save your siblings."
"What happened to my siblings was an accident. But that wouldn't have changed anything. I wanted to serve her as part of the Five Kings because it was my own volition and free will. Because I saw her as a great role model and person," replied Gab, placing his fist on his chest.
"Correct, but I do recall that your first meeting was you getting scolded by her, right?" asked Ysabeau, placing her hands on her hips.
"Yea, but that was when I didn't know her at all."
"Still, we were quite surprised that you still wanted to follow her leadership."
"Actually, it wasn't her leadership. I was supposed to follow the Marquess of the Campania, Minwoo Dalles. I wanted to directly join the Arks, like how Bryan is right now."
"Why didn't you? She should've allowed it," asked Ysabeau, remembering the early days of the Arks.
"Yea, but she said that you and Gillian would have forbidden it since I was fully human. Bryan could use Magecraft, even before he joined the Five Kings. And Ashley joined in after his death, coming back as a Mage. Am I right to say that?" asked Gab, tilting his head.
Ysabeau paused as she stood in the middle of the hallway. She remembered the first generation of the Arks, which consisted of most members from the old Congregation. She, Gillian, and Z all pitched in to find the new members from their contacts.
But when the Arks were established, they could not fully function since Mavislin could not find anyone to join her Ark. No one wanted to be the attacking piece of an organization, especially since they've just come out from a roaring conflict.
They thought that they would have to find ways to comfort the girl but Mavislin merely shrugged it off. But she thought it was because that she was the youngest, that no one would look up to her as a leader, so she was alright with not having any members.
"That would be an acceptable thought but she did not confide to us about it. I think I would've accepted you as well but Minwoo requested for you specifically. So there's that."
"Why did Minwoo want me? I was a nobody, a child that adults could not take seriously. I had always been ignored and forgotten by everyone but my parents. Why would he scout out someone like me?"
Ysabeau widened her eyes as she stared at Gab with disbelief.
"He scouted you out because of your knowledge of certain substances. He wanted to find out how you were able to point out different substances from a large mix. When we gave you a bowl of soup[, you were able to identify all the ingredients of it," answered Ysabeau.
"But that was a simple soup, any person who can cook could tell out its ingredients," replied Gab, scratching his head.
Ysabeau blinked with astonishment.
"Gab, you tasted something that even the chef did not know was inside. And you are a natural-born human. You do not have a lineage of having Magecraft so that ability was amazing. Though, you could be placed on the front lines."