The shifted atmosphere has made the participants of this card game visibly more on edge.
'More questions, will probably not be welcomed with the same excitement as before. Perhaps I should stop here and just move on elsewhere.' Secessus still deep in thought gets interrupted.
"I guess you're figuring out what to do?" Bernt asks, like a grandpa interrogating his grandson about his education.
"Yes, I am."
"Do you have magical abilities?"
"MMH, a bit, I guess." Secessus replies modestly, trying to figure out what the old man's getting at.
"Well, do you have a license?"
"A license?"
"A certification from Drearoth, you know the academy in the Confederacy?"
"I, unfortunately, can't say I have." Secessus replies, making himself sound timider on purpose.
"Well, I would definitely do that. They get pretty pissed off about it."
"Purely theoretical, what's the worst that can happen?"
"Depends on your magical capabilities. If you are on the weaker or average side, then they just register you and let you move on. Not everyone can just leave their home and go on a year trip. But if you are stronger than average, then they will want to train you. However, if you pose a legitimate threat and refuse, chances are they brand you a witch."
"That seems… rather controlling."
"It is, I would personally avoid the place. Even if I had magical power." The weary Timo adds.
"I knew a mage when we were serving in the army. Nice lad, wasn't yet registered. He was forcefully enlisted in the army and couldn't make the trip. Some mages came to inspect and found him. Said that he should follow them. He refused, stating that he first wanted to finish his time of service." The old man's rather weary face starts to visibly change. His questioning gaze became more expressive and firm, whilst his tone of voice became slightly louder and sharper.
"…"
"They didn't like that reply. Not a day later they came back with some other colleagues and captured him. They nearly killed him in the process. He kept yelling that he didn't have any interest in being a mage and that they should let him go. I went to his family after the war. What they did was monstrous." The old man takes some time, to gather his thoughts. Clearly playing the events of that day through his head.
"Such a bright lad… Made a mute and a fool who couldn't even properly feed himself."
"Why did they do that?" Secessus asks, straightening his back as he leans closer.
"I don't know. However, let me tell you one thing. Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, could have been a good enough reason to do that." Timo says, looking straight into the emerald eyes of this strange fellow that joined them.
"Well, I'm tired. Thank you all so much." Secessus suddenly announces, breaking the tense atmosphere.
Giving each one a short handshake. Secessus leaves toward his room for the night. It's a typical tavern room, small but efficient enough. Cornelius quickly follows, closing the door behind him.
"Did you listen?" The shade demon asks, not looking at Cornelius as he's busy looking in the mirror cutting his hair with a small dagger made of mana. The much more refined-dressed man moves closer as he gently grabs the dagger from Secessus's hand. The shade demon complies as Cornelius continues to cut his hair.
"I heard everything."
"I'm surprised, you couldn't sit farther away."
"Two individuals might have been too suspicious for that group. Besides, you wanted social interaction."
"What do you think?"
"About what exactly?
"Just in general. Some things you would like to add."
"You came here after so much struggle. Do what you want, it's not like anyone can stop you."
"That's not what I meant, and you know it." Secessus replies, clearly annoyed.
"Don't move your head." Cornelius says as the shade demon moves uneasily.
"…" Secessus's head stops moving.
"The paladins and knight orders should be avoided. Some individuals might sense your true nature."
"…"
"The mages also sound annoying. It seems they're trying to monopolize all wizards. Quite the useless endeavor if you ask me."
"I guess, but we can hardly just go from town to town like this. Someone will get suspicious."
"It sounds like you have an idea?"
"Whilst playing cards I discovered 2 things, there are plenty of races and some of them are described as bestial. And secondly, someone named Isaura Geldhart was once a mercenary. Wouldn't it be logical to think that this world has some adventuring guild or adventuring business if we combine those factors?" The demon asks out loud, still deep in thought.
"And why would that be helpful?" Cornelius asks out loud, slightly disgruntled.
"If there are, then there will be tasks that need to be completed. Joining a group that's doing such a task or doing it ourselves would give us an ideal alibi. We have been welcomed here, but we can't guarantee that every place will be hospitable. Besides, if we can find the ideal group of adventures, then we can over time learn everything about this world."
Cornelius sighs whilst slowly nodding his head." You just want to do it because it sounds cool, right?" He says, clearly not impressed.
"That was also a factor. However, it has its benefits, you can't deny that." Secessus says whilst dispelling the knife, just as a guarantee.
"I guess. Personally, I think you're too preoccupied with what these humans think. However, rising in stature, so they stop bothering you, isn't that bad of an idea." Cornelius says, taking Secessus's suggestion in a completely different direction.
Secessus laughs loudly at Cornelius's weird scheming.
"Rising in stature, what are you thinking of? HAHAHA! Nobleman, Captain or no even better king!" Secessus says in a playful yet mocking tone. He creates a crown of darkness on his head as he fully acts dignified. Looking like a stern, presumptuous king. The shade demon circles around and creates a scepter made of blood and dark magic.
"Does it look good on me, Cornelius?" Secessus asks with a playful smile on his face.
Cornelius doesn't reply, he just silently stares at Secessus. The silence lasting a bit longer than planned, Secessus dispels his short-lived creations.
"Anyway, I'm going to sleep." The shade demon says as he plops down on his bed.
Cornelius also plops down on his bed. He mumbles something inaudibly under his breath before sleep takes him. Making the rest of the night pass by.