"How long until three hours, Aelfryn?" asked Coy. He wanted to lay down on a bed, and 'interrogate' Chóros nicely. The fact Chóros did not tell him that he had another different kind of energy in his body was concerning. Even though that geezer said he could trust him because we were bound by a soul contract, Coy had little trust for him in his heart. From what he had observed about him with the time they spent together, Coy noted down a few things. The geezer was a crafty person who withheld information in the name of safety precautions. He was also just like him; someone who wanted interesting elements in his life.
The only goal Coy had in mind at the moment was to go to the academy and learn more about this world on his own properly, and enjoy whatever it offered. The first reason he had done the parting ritual was that his life on earth bore no meaning to him anymore. Now that he is here, should he not at least find a new one? … Though the meanings he strives for might be considered 'unique' to the majority of the people.
However, to bring that to fruition, he needed absolute control of his lifestyle, which required power, and power can only be achieved through knowledge.
Aelfryn put down the empty cup and looked at the roof of the inn for a brief moment before he said, "Around 2 and a half remains. Why do you ask?"
"I want to rest, they rent rooms here, right?" Of course, the resting part was a lie. He just wanted a quiet atmosphere to talk to Chóros.
"That can be arranged. Mr VisCarel, a room for two," Aelfryn requested as he gazed at the person behind the counter who was writing down something on a note while standing. Coy also set his eyes upon the man.
Ever since he came to this inn, this man had never once talked. It was only after Aelfryn struck up a conversation did he understand why: the man was mute. Whenever Aelfryn said something to him, the man would reply with hand gestures, like sign language. Coy knew sign language, but that was the one on earth: here, it was slightly different, so he could only grasp half of what they were talking about.
Numerous languages were spoken on Mundus according to Coy's memories. Back at the ceremony, everyone talked in the Miranian Language of the vampires. But here at Arveich, 70% of the population spoke Biskarian, while the other 30% spoke different languages. The rowdy adventurers at the inn were talking in Biskarian. Coy himself had knowledge of 5 Languages including both Biskarian and Miranian.
By Aelfryn's request, the man known as VisCarel who had stubble on his strong jaws with spine-chilling slit eyes paused his writing. He lowered his hand and grabbed a bunch of keys before picking one, handing it to Aelfryn. The key had a number engraved on it. VisCarel then gestured with his hand, pointing out two fingers.
Taking the key, Aelfryn nodded at him. "Both the key and the food on my bills. Take care." The man did not reply and went back to what he was jogging down.
Aelfryn got up from his seat as he nudged Coy, who followed him to the stairs. Before he took his first step, Coy took a last glance at the man with flowing red hair. A single thought surfaced on his mind, which he brushed away as he went up the steps.
Those eyes of his, they reminded him about the past…
…
Coy and Aelfryn got up to the second floor before entering one of the rooms with the same number as the key.
'So that's why he pointed out two fingers, he was pointing out the floor to where our room was located,' reasoned Coy.
The room was simple as it had two beds, one near the window and the other near a small bathroom, and a cloth hanger beside the door. On the walls, bronze scones lightened the room which reminded Coy of his room, but his were silver ones.
Aelfryn picked one of the beds and sat on it, before leaning his arms. He said while caressing his ear, "Master will be here soon, so don't go into a deep sleep."
He then took out a book from a concealed space ring, reading it.
"Alright," Coy replied curtly. He took off his peacoat and laid down on his bed near the window. He put one hand over his eyes and fell 'asleep'. But he was secretly having a conversation with Chóros.
{You are awfully quiet tonight,} stated Coy.
{I was busy analysing this energy they call ether inside you,} Chóros replied in a grumble tone. This ether has been on his non-existing throat ever since he returned to Mundus, even worse was that it is in his contractor's body.
{Well I won't have to push around the bush then, what have you discovered about it?} Coy asked. From his family's reaction of not panicking about an energy besides mana in their son's body, he knew that it was not a threat. His father had taught him the ways of the sword and how to manipulate mana to enhance his body, but he had never once mentioned anything about ether. Since he was also a kid when that happened, his memories were blurry.
{You remember back when I told you about me leaving Mundus right? It was around that time the demons were on their invasion, slaughtering what they deemed a threat, and using the weak as slaves for labour and other purposes. This ether energy, although similar to mana, came from the cracks of the demons' world. Back then I didn't have the opportunity to study it, but it is different now.}
If Coy was not pretending to sleep now, he would have put his hand on his chin. {So, what have you found about this energy?} asked Coy.
Chóros replied with a lost voice, {I have no idea where to begin... It behaves like mana but does not have the ability to create, rather it leans towards destruction. Unlike mana, It reeks of chaos instead of order. This ether is one of the peculiar things I have encountered in my entire existence.}
{I see… I reckon that you have been studying it for a while. Why did you not tell me about it?}
{About what?}
Coy replied calmly, {The fact that you knew I had ether?}
{Hah! Did you ask? It's not like I'm your caretaker. Don't forget, the reason that I'm even bound to you was due to your own foolish decision,} scoffed Chóros. He still bore a grudge about what happened.
Coy did not expect these words. He replied with a mocking tone, {You have the audacity to say that when you loitered at our families' house for generations? Yet you think I'm at fault? If you were that afraid of being restricted by a contract, why have you not left long ago?}
Even though Coy took a liking to this world because of its mysterious nature and history, he could be regarded as a hostage kidnapped by an extraterrestrial entity, not that he had problem with it.
{You! Haa, do you think that I had a choice back then… If I had the strength, I would have left before you were even brought into life?} Chóros said faintly. He regretted leaving Mundus, but he had to. He needed to distract 'It' from his siblings.
{Now we are stuck like this forever until you die. Do you not think it's time we stay true to ourselves? Let bygone be bygone? Because if we are not on terms everytime you talk, it would only be a disaster to ourselves.} Continued Chóros.
{… Alright. It will only worsen if we go on like this. But from now on you have to tell me what you think is necessary for me to know that could potentially endanger myself and my family, and don't try to twist my words by saying 'I thought this was not necessary, as such it is why I didn't tell you.'}
{Hmph, Fine! But you have to do me a favour when I ask for your assistance. As of now, I'm a disabled person, and you are my legs. Surely an elder vampire like you knows how to take responsibility.}
Coy chuckled at his words in amusement. {Do you even count as a person? You are sometimes a talking cube, sometimes a string. But of course, at the right price, I will do you a favour, otherwise I will be a heartless vampire.}
Chóros responded with travesty, {I'm an esteemed being above your meagre comprehension in which the likes of you will never understand my nature. Nevertheless, we have a deal, with the right price you will help me… I forgot to mention it, but for my information, you are already a heartless vampire.}
Ignoring his last words, Coy said, {I'm going to rest now. You go back to whatever you were doing.}
He wanted to take advantage of the little time left before Mrs Caesy sauntered into the room. Although she had cast heal on his mind, the effect of the teleportation still lingered.
Chóros also went quiet and resumed on with his research, but it was not very long before he interrupted Coy's nap with a surprised expression.
{A demon walking among the others? Interesting, very interesting indeed. Vampire, a commission has knocked on your door, wake up.}