The Seed of Decay or known as Hanubi is the special plant of demons a long time ago. A researcher discovered it first on North's cold land.
Apparently, the plant can be grown in a cold environment, but after planting it in different places during winter it died as soon as it's planted on the ground.
The researchers speculated that the plant can only grow on the North since the land has the demon's energy. For its appearance, it slightly resembles a tulips, however its petals are in full bloom with a darker shade of purple with long and vibrant green leaves.
The one who found it was a herbalist besides his house. The symptoms soon appeared after a year of constantly exposed to it.
At first, he's short breath all the time and he easily got tired followed by losing appetite, lack of energy as well as fainting or sleeping longer than staying awake. Lastly, the most dangerous thing is when the person is coughing blood and bed ridden for days with high fever. That is when its insides slowly are destroyed before dying. More
It was a potent poison that none of the wizards can find a cure since there is always a little information about this plant, other than that it was super rare that none of the people heard it.
The herbalist who got the poison died after 3 years and the one who wrote it was his brother. Published 326 years ago.
"..." the spirit must know something about it since she panicked. She kept saying that it wasn't supposed to be here. Meaning that plant was in our home to begin with or Euphrasia is exposed to it.
"Hanubi?" I jolted from my seat when Zairon whispered close to me. He looks serious as he reads the book Im holding as deep frown appeared in his face.
I closed the book and glared at him for leaning close. I feel uncomfortable especially since he has nice features and the fact that I am trying to avoid him.
"How's lady Agatha?"
"Her symptoms are coming back,"
"Mom can't cure her." I said unconsciously which both of them look at me. His eyes are reflecting the pain as well as acceptance. I see that he realizes it as well
"Why did you search for this?" he changed the topic, grabbing the book away from me.
he flips the pages as he awaits my answer. I frowned and sighed, "Haven't you heard what happened to Aunt Mavis?"
"Ah, the rumors about her youngest being ill. Is it related to this plant?" I nod, confirming his guess.
"I heard she hasn't woken up ever since they came back," he says, his focus though is on the book.
Warm hands and smell of mint soon penetrates my nostrils. Those warm hands soon pinch my cheeks hard, Cervi grinned widely.
"Hehe, her cheeks still look like dough being stretched" I glanced over at Boaife. However, she was busy chatting with Milla over the other table. How should I punish these two later?
On my peripheral vision I saw how Zairon grimaced, smacking Cervi's hands away, "You don't learn. For a spirit you are an idiot."
Cervi became silent and then...
"Yup." he just admitted it which made Zairon more annoyed. These two never get along which is understandable since Zaiton hates air-heads like Cervi.
"besides, I cannot let my master summon my older sister. My master may collapse again." speaking of which, I heard him call her sister before I collapsed.
"You have a sister?" Zairon asked, openly showing how surprised he was.
"Your highness I think you are missing the point," Theo said as he looks ashamed for no reason, "Spirits are like humans you know."
"I have something to ask your sister," The three of them then glanced over my way.
Cervi then patted my head, "... what is this for?"
"No reason master," I really do not understand this guy.
Zairon clicked his tongue, and said in such a bitter tone, "If you are done. Can we go back to our topic?"
suddenly Sir Theo laughed and turned his back on us, ignoring the piercing gaze of Zairon. I really have not answered him.
"Right, She hasn't woken up. I have to call for a spirit"
"And that is your knight's sister," I nodded at him and then, Cervi once again spoke, "You can't make her summon my sister"
Zairon looks at him coldly, "I heard you and I have no interest in making her collapse."
He must hate me seeing weak all the time... "Im sorry." I whispered and let myself immerse in the books I had
---------------------------------------------------
On the other side of the palace, the laboratory is chaotic when the twins and Yessenia arrive. No one notices them after they entered the room
The researchers are busy with papers and new tools on every corner. Some even cramming themselves while drinking coffee in a big mug that Yessenia frown with the unfamiliar environment.
Was this like how a mage acts?
"Why am I with you, Brother?" Yessenia pouted, thinking about the fun she missed and the anger she felt not seeing Zairon and Wren together.
Laxus separated himself and goes to the training ground to see some of his acquintances. Yessenia protested on their way because of it, but Lexus is firm in not letting Yessenia out of his sight today. This made Yessenia think of something.
"Brother are you also rooting for Wren and Prince Zairon?"
Lexus is showing disgust in his face as he winced. Yessenia did not see this, "Let's go with whatever you think," her face brimmed brightly with how Lexus answered
It seems he made another mistake since this is Yessenia we are talking about. This results in Lexus having a grim face.
"Ah! Lexus!" someone shouts behind the big vial with high steam from it, "Senior what are you doing?"
he fixes the goggles first and puts some purple liquid in the vial when a small explosion happens. Blackening his face and the glass vials broken.
he then removed the goggles and wiped his face off, grunting, "I mess up again, haizz"
Lexus walks forward and stares at the left over liquids and dust on the table, "Are you trying to do a warping scroll?"
The man was stunned when he heard Lexus' question. "Wow, how did you know? Did Abbie tell you? I thought I told her to keep quiet about it."
A young girl huffs and retorts, "I haven't spoken with Lexus in ages!"
They were surprised at his guess meanwhile Lexus was left in deep thoughts as he thought something in the past.
"I just guessed since you guys have been busy."
The warping scroll they are talking about can be used one time where a single person will be teleported to the other person's copy of the scroll.
What they were was not released to the empire and only the researchers and the emperor knew about it.
"As expected of Lexus! He is so smart!" someone praised him and Yessenia and Knight Aaron watched the scene.
"Isn't Young Master Lexus... Usually quiet?"
"That's how he is Aaron. If his voice is needed he will speak." Since the knights rarely see Lexus as he also never steps inside the Training ground. The reason why he doesn't know that this is his usual attitude.
Still, there is something bothering him.
"..." nothing seems to be out of place there as he sighs.
"Aaron don't you think he is being weird as he stands there?" Yessenia pointed to Lexus who was staring at the empty spot on the corner.
he just assumed that there must be something there. Suddenly, the ground shakes, the vials on the table kept shaking and fell from the table, shattered followed by the books falling from the shelves.
"W...what is this?"
"did someone on the lab made another mistake?" The shake is everywhere on the Palace that it made the employee to stop their work.
Boaife and Milla stopped talking. The shaking is undeniably different from normal. The ground is splitting from outside, cracks appearing on the palace's walls.
"What is happening?"
The quake continued, Yessenia held onto Aaron.
"Seriously? A quake happening right now?"
"We should record this!"
This is the first quake after 400 years and some say they can find something after the quake. Lexus who is staying still suddenly said, "Hide yourselves"
no one listened, but it is fine since if this plan is executed properly, they will live. It has a small amount of percentage that it will work and he is willing to risk it.
"Lex..." Yessenia stops as loud shriek suddenly appears. Everyone reflexively covered their ears as the screams began to hurt.
None of them can check outside as it is making them weak. Except Lexus, he watches the red dragon roar once again from the window.
"It really came," at first he was worried if the sudden changes will result in a change of plans. He was skeptical whether he will drag Yessenia here, but seeing how she looks now is making him hopeful.
Other than that he's awfully calm about this.
"The quake must be the sign that a dragon has awakened," Boaife said as she gritted her teeth, "A dragon?!" Milla is surprised at what she said.
Dragons were legends that the last sight of it was before the empire was founded. To think that she will see a dragon living, breathing is a bit of a surprise.
"We just pray that he will be bored." even though being overwhelmed by the dragon, they were not surprised with his answer as it was Cervi-like answer.
"Lexus!!" Yessenia shouts as she grabs the sleeves of his robe, "We should leave!" she shouted, worried over their lives as a loud explosion happened in the imperial garden. The Imperial Knights were already in the garden, trying to slain the dragon.
It even became more agitated as it flew higher, breathing out fire. The knights groaned with how hot the fire was. The silver shield melted slightly, then the dragon blew another—directed at the laboratory.
The flame lights the room as everyone panics, running towards the door, forgetting about the painful shrieks of it. Aaron tries to run away, grabbing Yessenia and Lexus who was rooted on the floor.
"Young Miss and Master! We should leave, hurry!" Even though leaving is the choice, it doesn't guarantee they will live. Yessenia cried as Aaron put her on his back, while Lexus stared at his cousin when the fire broke the laboratory. Soon, a loud shouts behind shocked Lexus.
It didn't occur to him that Laxus will try to slain the Dragon. He gritted his teeth and shouted, "MOVE AWAY, LAXUS!"
However, Laxus is occupied with the dragon as he pierce his sword on its back. The Dragon roar in pain, swinging its tail uncontrollably everywhere, hitting it on different building.
The tower next to the laboratory shattered with its tail, Lexus saw the debris being thrown on their side. His eyes remained calm with it despite the fact he will die if that debris and bricks will hit him.
But, he is betting on Yessenia. Laxus was thrown off to the far side of the building, leaving him scathed with scars and blood. Lexus on the other hand, is on the floor unconscious.
Blood pooled beneath him as she suddenly felt something painful. Of course, even though he teases Yessenia. She always thought of him as his brother. Remembering it, beneath her a light glow which surprised Aaron.
"Go back..."
The sound of bubbles once again filled the room, the laughter and debation can be heard from the room. She pinched herself, maybe she was dreaming after all?
"Ah! Lexus!" Yessenia's eyes grew wide as she remembered the scene in front of her. Suddenly, she felt dizzy and Lexus caught her. Momentarily confused before a thin smile appeared on his face, "good job." he ruffled her hair as she closed her eyes.
"..." he then glanced at Aaron and said
"Get Wren," he bowed and before he left the room Lexus added, "If you see my brother. Tell him not to do anything and stay still."