The wind blew over the Forest of Legrcstim causing the trees to sway. Within his meditation room, Lanthim lay on his back. Beside him sat Mynrea with a submissive look on her face. Her husband had no discernable expression but it could be felt that he was not exactly seeing things her way.
"It would be unfair for Fremlinta to marry Syrelia under these conditions Lanthim please consider my position." (Mynrea)
Mynrea had spent the last hour trying to get lanthim to agree to unseal her grandson. Lanthim had said nothing this whole time listening to his wife while sensing the emotions of the young man that sat with them.
Fremlinta sat slightly agitated watching his grandmother beg on his behalf frustrated him to no end. He had been told that if he wanted to have the seal removed he should say nothing. Only a day ago he had been told about this opportunity his mother sent him off as fast as she could.
'I can understand what this entails but to watch grandmother beg is too much.' {Fremlinta}
"You are a good grandson my young friend." (Lanthim)
For a moment everything stopped for a compliment no one expected. Lanthim's voice was not as Mynrea remembered. It was as it had been when she had seen him. When his true lineage was revealed.
It was an imposing feeling he was the fact that he could call upon such a shift in his presence to the degree that he could not be called human.
" I thank you sir for the compliment however if you would answer my grandmother's query I would be very appreciative." (Fremlinta)
For a long moment all Fremlinta could see was Mynrea's eyes boring into his soul. To which all he could do was shrug.
"It is you who answers her question. By your attitude, and words the way you control your emotions. Everything you do is an answer to your grandmother's question." (Lanthim)
Thinking on this for a moment Fremlinta could understand the answer. The entire exercise he had just experienced was a test to see what he would do. When placed in an uncomfortable situation not informing anyone of his intentions. Lanthim watched the young dragon as his wife struggled to give an acceptable reason for her grandson to receive such a gift as a second-order seal undone.
"If that be the case. Have I been able to impress your expectations?" (Fremlinta)
Silence filled the room as all eyes moved to Lanthim waiting for an answer. It was difficult to tell by mere body language seeing as most of his body was still heavily injured.
"You are young and understand little. But it would be more damaging to leave you as you are." (Lanthim)
Beckoning the young dragon nearer Lanthim raised his right hand. Mynrea's eyes lit up like jewels in an instant to think something this momentous was going to happen before his eyes. She had been present when Syrelia's seal had been released and it felt something normal for some reason. This moment an individual not of his immediate family was going to receive what was an impossible gift.
On the other side of the world, Syrelia sat in the stands watching her two brothers as they participated in the daily physical training. Leinea had classes for the next hour so she was not with her. Watching as she always did the training auditorium was near bursting with people. Most sat near where Illtris was admiring but keeping their distance. While she looked at Melryn with an admired forlorn look on her face.
The individual she watched was currently wearing a blindfold parrying fiercely. The one who attacked was of course Aldain who also wore a blind gold. Both attacking and defending with deftness and skill. The new reality of the change in clan name and the fact that this new clan took in massive territory. Had made the dynamics of the power structure of the school change. Not in the sense that anyone knew that he had his seal removed for some time now. But there was no possible way for anyone to reach his current status aside from Illris who was in the stands.
After a few minutes, Syrelia looked over where Illris was sitting and decided to sit with her. As she moved the eyes of the entire auditorium turned to her instantly. Syrelia had been popular before all this clan mess happened. Now she was treated awkwardly the sudden rise of the new clan left many feeling unsure how to proceed. Only in the last hour had the new reality come to light and many did not know how to react. No doubt there would be a flurry of letters. From the student's home, then instruction on how to proceed would come. In a rigid matriarchal society with clan identity and authority on the line. Many would side with and others against the Haldrakin clan. But regardless of how anyone felt they would all pay their wealth tribute to said clan.
Watching as the young girl made her way it was apparent that Illtris had not noticed her arrival.
"May I sit with you miss Yuikra." (Syrelia)
Looking in Syrelia's direction with a start both for a moment just looked at each other. Somewhat amazed by the surprise that had been caused.
"Miss Syrelia what a pleasure please sit down." (Illtris)
As the confused situation abated both girls sat together.
"Is not Leinea with you today? I am surprised not to see her." (Illtris)
Hurriedly looking to and fro Illtris wondered what bizarre thing had happened for this girl to be all alone.
" She is still in class and will likely not be out till the physical training is over." (Syrelia)
Hearing this Illtris returned to a more calm state. Very rarely did these two have time to interact for more than a few words. Now that they sat together everything seemed a bit strange.
" You were originally here to see if you could attract my elder brother's attention. I wonder how your intentions have changed." (Syrelia )
Illtris did not speak for a moment. A dark state was present as she looked at the eleven-year-old girl.
" What do you mean by that miss? My coming to this academy was for foreign exchange purposes not for any other reason." (Illtris)
Holding her hands on her lap one could tell she was becoming agitated.
" I see, you must understand miss Yuikra. I have the best possible teacher when it comes to mana manipulation so feeling out a lie is no small thing for me." (Syrelia)
While maintaining a placid expression Illris could barely contain the desire to kill the child immediately. Her purpose in this country was not meant to be known by anyone. Only her mother had spoken directly with her about what her task was.
" Speak what you wish there are none that can hear us within the barrier." (Syrelia)
Amazed by the sudden declaration Illtris pushed her hand forward to find it passing through a curtain of air.
" Impressive when did you deploy this?" (Illtris)
" When I sat down." (Syrelia)
In an instant, Illtris surrendered given the last few seconds she could feel that if she made one wrong move she would die.
" How did you know about my reasons for coming here? No one should have been told save myself and my mother." (Illtris)
For a moment Syrelia did not answer but watched the combat below. Or at least it looked like that was the case for anyone that knew Syrelia they would have realized that she was having a viewing.
"All you need to know is the fact that your affection towards Melryn. Is as far as I can tell to be genuine. It could be said that you are smitten with him. Therefore I shall say this if you desire a better life for your son you should forget the purpose that you are here for and dive fully into your desired relationship with Melryn." (Syrelia)
Rising in an angered panic Illris left Syrelia alone passing through the barrier as quickly as she could. In the same instant Melryn tore off his blindfold and looked up towards the angry Illtris. Turning his attention to Syrelia who did nothing but shrug he knew that something had been said between them.
"Aldain I will be stopping early for today." (Melryn)
"Sounds good." (Aldain)
Walking hurriedly Melryn could not move fast enough to catch up to Illtris immediately. Quickly coming around one corner he found her.
"Illtris what happened that you are so angry." (Melryn)
"This is none of your business Melryn." (Illtris)
"You had something to say with Syrelia that has angered you I just wish there to be no ill will between the both of you." (Melryn)
This was one thing that Melryn excelled at playing peacemaker. Though his best solution to most problems was to beat it till it went away.
As he continued to walk though he deftly evaded Illtris who had stopped.
"How does she know about Uslign? You said you would not tell anyone that I keep a child with me. The school knows because I could not come here if I didn't tell them. If not for my clan's high position everyone would know." (Illtris)
As Melryn came to a stop he did not immediately turn to look at her.
'Great! Looks like Syrelia said something unnecessary again.' {Melryn}
Playing defenceman for a person that could see into the future was sometimes a real chore. Though it was not like such a thing had ever been common. Syrelia had always been good at keeping the things she saw to herself. But there were also times when she would say things that needed coverage. However, he did not know what to say to change the current situation.
"There is not much I can say about that." (Melryn)
Illtris's face became bright red in an instant. Certain things were not meant to be known outside of her clan.
"It is important Melryn that Uslign does not become known to anyone unnecessarily do you understand." (Illtris)
As they were both standing in a hallway a few heads had become interested in what was happening and had come into the hallway. That being said all they could see was the two of them talking but no sound
"When was there a barrier created." (Illtris)
"Before we had started talking." (Melryn)
In his right hand, Melryn held the jewelled armband. With a confused expression on her face, Illtris could not understand what was happening. She had been told that there was the possibility of a Male that could manipulate mana. That had been her purpose for coming here in the first place.
"There are many things that I can't tell you but there is one that can." (Melryn)
As they both stood looking at each other. A hand suddenly reached out from behind Melryn grasping his shoulder.
"You should be wearing that Melryn." (Leinea)
'Ah, Leinea.' {Melryn}
"Sister pleasure to see you here." (Melryn)
Turning to face his sister-in-law Melryn anticipated a lecture. What he got was a stern face and a pair of eyes that told him to put the seal back on.
"Well, we can't stop what is already passed. If there is nothing important for you to attend to after class today miss Illtris. It would be best that you come to my husband's estate for a little conversation." (Leinea)
For a moment Illtris was still confused by what was all happening. It looked that her problems were not anything compared to what was going on with Melryn. The young man in question just stood where he was gobsmacked by what had just happened.
"If it is acceptable that I may visit after classes are over I will do so." (Illtris)
With a smile, Leinea pulled Melryn down the hall.
"What stupidity compels you to remove your limiter in the presence of people who have no business knowing?" (Illtris)
For the past two hours, Leinea had held in this question until now. Having travelled back to the estate she finally unleashed her frustration.
"We had a private matter to discuss and needed to deal with it at that time." (Melryn)
With her arms folded Leinea gave the impression that such a reason was unacceptable.
"Come, It will be some time before your friend arrives so we shall speak with your brother concerning this matter." (Leinea)
"Forgive me sister but I thought you wanted me to construct a better relationship with her. If by your already stated desire that we should marry why would she know to be that much of a problem for you?" (Melryn)
All Leinea could do was look at him in disbelief. Turning away from Melryn she began to head up the mountain.
"Such information should have been kept secret from her until you were married. Lanthin never intended for you to tell anyone concerning these things until he was prepared." (Leinea)
"But the world knows that brother can manipulate mana. Why would two or five more cause any problem?" (Melryn)
Leinea was ahead as they both continued to walk to where Lanthim currently was.
"Yes they know him but there are many potential enemies that could harm him. Look at his current condition than there was when Syrelia was kidnapped. There are many ancient things. Artifacts of a time long lost to us that make our clan's current situation precarious." (Leinea)
Swallowing hard Melryn had not thought about such things. And why should he such information was not easily given to thoughts that did not enter the forest a the library that lay within? For Leinea on the other hand she had all this information dumped on her three days ago.
"Then what shall we do to deal with this situation?" (Melryn)
Both stopped directly in front of the door that lead into the mountain.
"We shall see what Lanthim decides he is the head of the clan after all." (Leinea)
Entering the mountain they could feel a shift in the mana that was present. As they came to where Lanthim had decided to remain until he had recovered. Both noticed one of the other meditation rooms was in use with the door closed.
Coming to the door to where Lanthim was Leinea took a small stone from the table before opening the double door.
"Leinea you were agitated upon returning home. What has happened?" (Lanthim)
As per usual Lanthim did not miss a beat. Sitting next to him as she always did Leinea did not hold back.
"Melyn took off his limiter and created a barrier for a private conversation with Miss Illtris Yuikra. About what I do not know but he felt it was important enough to remove his limiter."
For a moment the room was silent as Lanthim did not say a thing. Then all that could be heard was a low growled sigh from him.
"Our sister has informed me of this situation it seems that this young woman is the mother of an Haldrathin hybrid." (Lanthim)
Melryn in an instant prostrate himself before his brother.
"Forgive me master I knew of this child and said nothing." (Melryn)
Again silence as his elder brother said nothing. Leinea just looked at Melryn with cold eyes as he admitted to knowing of the existence of such a child.
"You have caused me a great loss with the withholding of this information little brother. Only here can such a child be able to live and not be driven eventually mad by the power within them." (Lanthim)
What Lanthim said was true only by releasing the order seal could a haldrathin human high bred not go mad from the immense amount of purified mana inside them.
"Forgive me master forgive me." (Melryn)
Truly penitent Melryn could not but feel low in spirit. He had tried all his young life to please his older brother and now this was twice he had performed poorly.
"I think we should wait and see. As you know I have already invited Miss Illtris to the estate." (Lanthim)
To this, Lanthim simply nodded.
"Well, I guess she will be the first visitor to our mountain home." (Leinea)