Ace stared at the wizard incredulously, "Magic?" he repeated, still in shock.
"Or more precisely, the flow of my mana to you," the wizard returned, "this time your body accepted it. That's progress,"
"I still don't understand,"
"Very well. " The wizard tutted, "Listen closely. Every being in this world has mana. However, not all can channel it into magic. That comes from training or what I like to call 'shock treatment' - flooding the body with mana. There is one more example of when magic can manifest, but It's rare - under intense threat the body may unconsciously use magic.
At first, I thought this might be the case with you. Your strange aura was caused by your time in the demon world. The flow of your mana was restricted by something. You've been trained by the sword saint for months and no magic? Even, he isn't that incapable. No, I knew it had to be something else.
The ' shock treatment' didn't work so I improvised. This trinket seems to be the problem," he relieved Ace's necklace from his pocket.
Ace instinctively moved towards it. The moment he did, the wizard quickly snapped it back into the palm of his hand.
"Not so fast," the wizard laughed, "You didn't let me finish. This thing, whatever it is. It protects you, yes. But not just that. It's able to disrupt the flow of magic. I've never seen anything like it. Where did you get it?"
"None of your business," Ace returned.
"Wrong," the wizard held it up, "This! This is impeding my lessons,"
"I don't care. I want it back," Ace snapped.
"That's not what you agreed," the wizard sneered.
"What are you talking about?"
"You said I can take what I want. Right now I want this,"
"That is not what I said!"
"Do you want to learn magic or not? I mean really, what use is it to you? It barely works. Now, magic, that is a guarantee. You can already feel it can't you?"
Ace couldn't lie. The whole time they had been talking, a remarkable inbound of energy had been flooding his body. It was a tickling but pleasant feeling that hadn't left him since he touched hands with the wizard. Still, that necklace was all he had left of Sena. He refused to part with it.
"No,"
"No?" the wizard raised an eyebrow. For a moment, his expression became dark but he masked it with an irritated smile.
"Don't be a fool. This is only the beginning, do you understand? You're on the precipice of real magic - powerful magic. This could change your life,"
Ace contemplated the offer. He could hardly think straight with all the magic pumping through his veins. The wizard was suspicious but what choice did he have? He needed to learn magic.
"Fine," Ace conceded.
"There you go!" the wizard laughed. Ace watched as he pushed the necklace back into his pocket. He felt a pit in his stomach but he chose to ignore it.
The rain pelted the grove for several hours. Its hardy roots signalled irritation as the mud and grass sloshing together revealed the earth's veins below. The group had since reassembled for the most part. Only the wizard had not returned. After his impromptu training session, he abruptly conducted himself way into the forest. It was over an hour since he left and a decision had to be made: Go on or keep waiting.
The sword saint's patience grew thin and even the enamour of passive-aggressive silence grew wearisome.
"Pray tell, what are we waiting for?" He expunged the words from his system like sickness he hoped would die on exposure. It wasn't his nature to remain at such unease for long periods.
Bird, who had apparently been a daydream, was snapped uncongenially back to the grim and damp forest where they were now standing exposed to the heavens.
"I'm sure he'll be back soon," Bird reassured.
Albaric's sharp wit found itself on the tip of his tongue, as it often did, though he usually took the trouble to render it more kindly. Today, his nerves were shot. The tone of his voice was uncharacteristically sarcastic.
"Back from where?"
Bird's eyes dipped to the muddy slosh in which he was drenched to the ankle.
"How would I know? "
Nevertheless, with the same sharpness, Albain continued his investigation.
"Bird, he's not in this forest, is he? I know you can tell with your magic," Albaric forced a smile, but it only had the opposite effect, making him seem more menacing.
"Did he go back without telling us?"
"His horse is still here. How would he go back? " Ace interjected.
" Master has magic that can take him back to the Empire in seconds,"
"The same as Lord..." Ace began to speak but was cut off by a frigid glance from the sword saint.
"Is it the same magic which he refused to bring us here with?" Albaric asked, though his tone implied he knew the answer. Still, he went on:
"Last I checked there were dozens of magic portals all over the Empire. Where did they suddenly disappear to? "
Bird shrugged, wrapping his cloak tighter around himself.
"Destroyed, I suppose. I can't recall. Now, if someone has somewhere to go, they have to request it from the tower, officially. The master said we have to go to the temple on foot or the demons might follow us, "Bird answered
"But he saw fit to use it himself to go back at such a time?" Albaric folded his arms and began to pace impatiently, "What could be so important?"
A crack of sun emerged from the wave of dark clouds. The rain, at last, began to ease. Though blue skies remained firmly beyond the sheet of grey that blanketed the sky. The woods became mystical under the subtle light and for a moment the tension eased.
As a beam of light hit the forest, the wizard emerged from the green depths. He had a wild look in his eyes under dishevelled brown hair. He marched forward without apology. He muttered the words:
"Shall we go?"
As though he had in fact been waiting for them. Albaric shook his head in disbelief as the wizard passed. He turned an eye to Ace as though to signal his disapproval. However, Ace was too intent on the magical power he could feel surging through his body.
It was hard to imagine that this is what everyone felt all the time. At first, it had just been a warmth, but now the ferocity of it appeared to have ignited something within. An electric current flooded his senses sparked by each breath he took.
The party mounted their horses and galloped along the mountain pass. A surreal beauty embodied the North. The great mountains dotted with white reached toward the sky with sharp acuity. Rolling green dipped into folds of water. Small crevices in the mountain housed shrine-like falls that rushed fresh water to the rivers below.
For a few hours, they traversed in the valley's ethereal and sharp winds. The road took them up higher. A few of the temples could be seen crowning the mountainside. As they went further and the sun began to dip, a shadow of place barely eclipsing the side of the mountain came into view. It was more than falling shade that hid it in the grips of the mountain. It was scorched black.
Only a ruin remained of what might have been the four pillars of grey brick, a feature which most of the mountain temples shared. It was sprawled out so far one could almost trace where the line of flame had ravished
When they arrived at the steps of the temple, it was night. The sky had never seemed clearer to Ace. The stars were effervescently shining. He stared up, breathlessly in awe of it. He felt so light, he might suddenly find himself unchained from the ground and go floating up.
It was Bird's playful tap on his shoulder that brought him back to the shadowy remnants where they were taking shelter. Ace volunteered to fetch some kindling and Bird insisted on following to satiate his curiosity. The temple had been too battered by winds for any trees to grow.
The upper parts of the mountain were covered by heather that shimmered in ways of grey. Ace suggested they could just take some of it but Bird argued they would find something better within the ruins. Ace, being curious himself, didn't put up much of a fight. It would be more interesting at night anyway.
Against Albaric's advice, they followed the trail a little, coming to one of the few buildings stuck behind the others that seemed to have the least damage. They took a few steps down and arrived at a lower chamber.
Spotting the remains of some scrolls in relatively good condition, Bird at once pounced on them. He spread open the singed edges and held it to his lantern.
"Look at this," he called, "what do you think it says?"
Ace stepped towards him. He peered at the black ink scrawled across the paper. Bird stared at it intently but couldn't make out the strange characters.
"It's elven," Ace observed at a glance.
Bird's mouth opened in surprise.
"You can read it?" He exclaimed.
"Not well, "Ace confessed, "Something about old...no...'elder gods' and their...children? Or maybe descendants. That's all I can read,"
Bird's eyes widened. For a moment he was quiet. When Ace stepped away, he quickly shoved the scroll into his bag. They took some scraps, enough to start the fire, and headed back.
Upon return, they were met by an uncomfortable silence which the Sword Saint and wizard managed to maintain even without their presence. Seeing their return, Albaric used the opportunity to break the silence. He saw the two carrying things from the temple.
"I told you not to go in yet" Albaric scolded, "we haven't secured the place. There could still be demons inside,"
"You worry too much, old man, "Bird dismissed. He exchanged a playful smirk with Ace. "Am I a bad influence?"
"Terrible," Ace smiled.
Albaric admitted defeat, a stifled laugh escaped his lips. He decided to let them be. Besides, all were tired from the long journey. They hastily set about heading to bed for the night.
Ace was still awake for a while longer. He still felt too excited to sleep. However, he quickly learned he was not the only one awake. He heard soft whispering. He turned slightly, inclining himself in the direction of the chatter. A whisper of it reached his ear.
"You did well, Bird,"
"..the right one..."
"We're close. It was as I thought...finally, this will be over,"