Seventeen has known many weird people in his short time in this world, himself being one of them.
But he had never seen anyone like Iris.
Not only did she know his and Ruth's names, but she also knew that they are instructors at Cardinal Academy.
Sure, Ruth is quite popular and Seventeen is also starting to gain popularity lately but he doubts word about them has traveled beyond the walls of Crystalis
So how does a wanderer know their names and occupation?
Weird.
But that's not the only weird stuff.
Apart from being completely fine after being stuck underground for almost an entire day, she also assumed the role of guide and showed him and Ruth all the best and hidden places in Crystalis.
Despite her infectious enthusiasm running around, endless banter, and probably the most enormous hat Seventeen had ever seen, no one in the city gave her a second look as if she were one of them, a normal person.
(My. She is more hyper than a kid with ADHD who ate too much sugar.)
'I agree. Also, the people don't give her a second glance. It is as if she appears normal or is invisible to them. Either they are used to weirdness or she is using some sort of illusionary magia.', Seventeen thought.
(The latter seems to be the case. Also, this girl has quite an appetite. Look at her go.)
They are currently in a tavern, which according to Iris serves some fantastic food. She sure ordered a lot and is now eating with the finesse of one born in high society.
"Goodness! Nothing beats the food of this place!", she exclaimed after her third plate of food. She looked at Seventeen and Ruth.
"Well. It is quite rude for me to stuff my face while you two are sitting there idly. Go on, order what you fancy."
Seventeen smiled, "Thanks for the offer Iris, but we just ate lunch."
She raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Then why does Miss Ruth look like she would like to have more?"
He stared at a blushing Ruth, "Seriously? You just ate a lot at the Black Pegasus."
"I know. But for some reason I'm still hungry.", she replied while twiddling her fingers.
"That's quite normal.", Iris replied, taking a swig of mead, "Half-elves are unique among half-bloods. Although it is common to have a huge appetite for a few days after one has advanced a CAT, half-elves have a higher appetite than other races."
She continued, "It could be because of the higher amount of natural magia in your Paths. Natural magia requires more time to advance into an advanced CAT so it requires a lot of energy from your body, making you more hungry."
Seventeen and Ruth stared at the young girl in surprise.
"You're certainly very knowledgeable, Iris.", the latter remarked.
Their unusual companion shrugged, "I dabble in magia research during my travels and am quite fascinated by the subject."
"That is the reason why I have come to Crystalis, to investigate the weird magia pillar found on an island to the east of Middle Arken."
After saying that she continued to eat. Seventeen and Ruth gave each other worried glances.
Arthur's awakening has become a huge issue in the world right now. Even though he cannot sense any malice from Iris, he can't just immediately trust her. They just met each other a few moments ago.
Both of them silently agreed to not say anything about Arthur to their new friend.
"Why are you looking worried, Miss Ruth?", Iris asked. She then gave a pleasant smile, "Go on. Order what you fancy. Consider it part of the repayment for rescuing me."
"Really?", Ruth asked, looking at Seventeen. He chuckled, "Why are you looking at me? Go knock yourself out."
Beaming, she called the young waitress and ordered some food, Seventeen just asked for a glass of apple wine.
The three of them conversed over the meal, with Iris telling them tales of her adventurers. Seventeen and Ruth couldn't help but be surprised by her tales.
Iris looks like she is about seventeen years old, but she was talking about adventures as if she was wandering for decades.
"And that's how I accidentally woke up an elder sea dragon and sunk a whole island.", she concluded as the last plate became empty and the mead has been reduced to drops.
"I am amazed that someone of your age was able to go on those epic adventures.", Seventeen remarked.
Iris chuckled, "Not to be bragging, but I am quite amazing."
She paid for the food and suddenly asked the waitress a curious question, "Excuse me, Miss. Has a white-haired young man with blue eyes come here?"
The young waitress's eyes brightened, "Ah yes! You mean the Taler right? He just left this morning. Are you a relative of his? You look quite similar to him.", she asked, noticing Iris's appearance.
The wanderer smiled, "Nah. Just an old acquaintance of mine. He's one of the reasons why I came to Crystalis. I felt his presence."
"So he's a Taler now.", she then said quietly.
Ruth wiped her mouth, "If you are searching for him, isn't it better to reach out to the Adventurer's Guild?"
"Thank you, Miss Ruth but it'll be faster if I search for him by myself.", Iris got up and adjusted her huge hat.
"It was fun meeting and being with you guys.", she said, tipping her hat to them.
"Same here.", Seventeen said as he and Ruth also got up.
"So what are you planning to do now that you are in the city?", Ruth asked.
Iris shrugged, "I'll be exploring a bit. It has been some time since I came to Crystalis. After that, I'll do some digging about the magia pillar and try to find my friend. I guess I'll be staying in the city for some days."
Seventeen grinned, "If that's the case, why not come for the Grand Battle Festival?"
She looked at him, "By Arkenstein's name, is it that time of the year already?"
He and Ruth nodded.
"Are you both taking part as well? There is the instructor's round."
"Yes, we are. And I'll be taking the grand prize for that!", Seventeen declared with confidence. Ruth just rolled her eyes while Iris gave a hearty laugh.
"Well, there is no doubt about that. I can already see the results little Zephyrus will announce."
Seventeen and Ruth stared at her, "Little Zephyrus?", the latter asked.
"Ah! Look at the time!", Iris said with a clap, "You two should get to the dorm before it gets late."
She moved to the door and turned around, "Thanks for helping me. I'm indebted to you."
With another tip of her hat, she opened the door and exited the tavern.
Seventeen quickly went after her only to see that the wanderer has disappeared.
"Weird.", he said.
(Indeed.)
Ruth stood beside him, "Whys does it feel like Iris is not what she seems?"
Seventeen nodded, "She probably is."
*******
Arthur almost lost his head.
"Whoa!", he yelled as a black sword brushed past his hair.
"I just had a haircut! I doubt I need another one!", he told a calm Seventeen.
It has been a few days since he woke up after his awakening and the Battle Festival is just around the corner.
He's now training with his instructors in an attempt to control his newly acquired powers.
Which is going quite well.
There are many more changes he underwent. His body is more toned and agile and his already sharp senses have gone up a whole new level.
His magia control is more refined, and his strength, durability, and speed have increased a lot. So much so that he once accidentally ripped his room's door off the hinges.
If he did a full sprint, he would reach the academy's main building in a few seconds and make an Arthur-sized hole in the stone walls if he didn't stop.
His hair had grown past his waist, so he cut it to shoulder length, and twice he woke up in the morning with a black tail and torn trousers.
And his newly acquired flames? It was a miracle that he didn't burn down the dorm.
Even with Inferno's guidance, well, more like unclear instructions, he only managed to envelop his sword with flames, and that too is quite unstable.
Inferno is a powerful spirit, but a lousy teacher.
So he and Seventeen are now focusing on his combat skills and manipulation of liquid magia along with trying to sort his new body.
His instructor grinned, "Oh don't worry about that. I may not be as skilled as Jade but my blade work is good."
He took a stance, "Shall we continue? Make your move."
Arthur nodded and gripped Ghost. The purple-tinged blade hissed as he streamed magia into it. He exhaled and in a flash appeared right in front of Seventeen.
'Night style fifth form: Blade Frenzy'
He unleashed 21 precise sword strikes in a single minute. One great thing about this move is that the final strike forms the path for the first strike. It means one thing.
If one has the stamina, Blade Frenzy can be repeated continuously and each set becomes faster.
At first, Seventeen skillfully dodged all of the strikes. But then he had to deflect another set of strikes, and then another.
They were fast and unpredictable, as only the first and last strike follow a determined path. But before he could counter those two, they disappear.
It's Jade Aria all over again.
Arthur did six sets before his stamina dropped. Before he could only do two sets. His stamina has improved a lot.
At the end of his final set, he streamed magia into Ghost.
'Night style second form: Phantom Claws.'
Two blades of magia appeared on both sides of his sword and he slashed upward.
Seventeen's sword glowed blue and he deflected the attack. The deflected Phantom Claws flew and destroyed parts of the Training Hall.
He smiled, "Impressive. Your power has grown exponentially."
In a second he did a downward strike. Arthur barely dodged it before the black sword decimated the floor he was standing on previously.
"Go on. More."