*Haru*
The last months, all I did was train Seer. The effects zero gravity had on her body were severe. Her stamina was practically that of a granpa's, her strength that of a child's, and her knowledge of Mana was non-existent. I, the Union's strongest Bearer, had nothing better to do than train newbies that were gathered from around the Land. Many were promising, but none of them had an ability that could help me find Arata, the person who Declan told me to hunt.
After months of training, Seer's stamina far exceeded that of some men, her strength was above average - which was good for a non-combat Salan ability. Even in no Mana hand to hand combat, she excelled. 'Was expected of the world's most talented girl.'
"You're pretty much dead if you were to fight another Bearer." I stated.
"Why is that? I defeated Briony in a one on one before, and she was a Bearer." Seer retorted.
"Be glad she didn't use her abilities. And even if you were to face another Bearer with an ability which is useless in combat, what will you do when he has the same martial arts experience as I do?
"Aren't you too confident?"
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that... You can go and wash up. I have a meeting with Declan.
*Seer Aurora*
I walked out of the training grounds, Briony stood in front of me. She looked mad, as if I had done something wrong.
"Oh, you look terrible." She said. "I'm pretty sure Haru is sick of you. I mean, you are completely useless when it comes to a fight between Salan abilities."
I wondered, why was Briony trying to insult me? What would she gain? What did she have to gain? 'Is she jealous? After I came here, the majority of my training was accompanied by Haru.
Since my training started, Briony had to follow simple orders. She was ordered to find new recruits that could join the army and spar with me from time to time. All in all, my presence minimized the time she spent with Haru.
"What are you talking about? Wasn't it Haru that offered to train me? If I remember right, he was the one that took care of me first." I struck back.
Briony was visibly angry. How could she not be? 'I am so beautiful and talented, there is no way she isn't even a bit envious of me.'
"Listen here, Bitch. Haru will throw you away eventually, you will see. You don't even know the real reason why you're being trained in the arts of Mana."
Briony took steps to close our distance. Her Mana rushed out of her Core, releasing a pressure I had memorized from our countless spars.
"I can't hope to defeat you... yet, hear I am. A seemingly useful tool, trained by your man."
Briony softened, probably because I "acknowledged" her relationship with Haru.
"Briony, why do I always see you arguing with Seer? Unlike you, she has no one she can trust with all her heart. Am I right, Seer?" Haru appeared with a few pieces of paper in hand.
My heart felt at ease, Haru was such a warm man. He always treated me with respect and never got mad at me. Tough it hurt hearing him say I didn't trust him. I trusted Haru with my life. He was the one that gave my life another goal to accomplish. Was I a fool? Maybe.
"Did you speak to Mister Wise?" I changed the subject.
"I did. Briony, your father finally approved of Seer's value and has granted her the same rank as you. From now on, Seer will be a member in my troop. With that, she also gains access to classified information. The most important document is with me. It's basically your first mission, Seer. Look at this." Haru stated.
He handed me a map of Superio. The most detailed map I'd ever seen. At the bottom of the map was a logo, it said "DW Industries". I knew that logo, Declan Wise Industries. The company that was a big help in my astronaut career.
"Clear satellite images that were turned into a simple map. I wonder how many credits this must've cost." I said.
"Not enough to rob Declan of his personal wealth. Well, he wasn't someone to care about money that deerly anyway."
"What do you want me to see?" I asked, jumping to the conclusion that my Salan ability was needed.
"A few weeks before you landed, an incident occurred at Union Bridge, the bridge that connects this Land with Central Superio. This incident robbed the lives of the innocent and the brave." Haru explained. "The hospital near the bridge was under the command of a war veteran named Reus. Reus had a few Mana-Wielders under him. He usually sent them to scout, and occasionally sent his so called elite troop to do jobs for us. One day, the scouts found an Asian man, they managed to incapacitate him, but lost 2 scouts in the process. This Asian man - we started to call Arata - was brought in for questioning. Then, a Mana-Wielder named Tsuki Shizukana helped Arata escape. They destroyed half of the hospital and killed innocent people while they escaped. Reus was also killed, his autopsy report shows that he was brutally tortured before he was killed. Declan Wise wants us to find Arata, or get Tsuki's current location. You will help us now, that was one of the reasons why I personally trained you."
„I'll do my best to see where she is at this moment." I reassured.
„Good. Begin when ready."
I sat down. Concentrated. Focused. Haru gave me a quick description of Tsuki.
‚Pretty. Moon-grey eyes and hair. Shy and introverted.' Mana began to be released into the air around me. My Mana reserves depleted rapidly, I had never used my ability to this extent. Then, I saw a glint on the map of Superio. A purple dot had manifested somewhere in the Asian Empire. That was not the end. I could see more. Even more than a location on a map. I felt as if I could be able to see Tsuki.
„I feel like I can see so much more." I informed.
„Just concentrate, I'll help you." Haru reassured.
I felt a hand on my back. It was warm. I welcomed it. My Mana-Core felt warmer, and it eventually began to refill.
I began to see beautiful grey hair, a bow and a few bags. But a second later, malevolence engulfed me. This aura was thick, I felt like I was drowning.
„Ahhh!" I screamed.
„What's wrong." Haru asked.
„I… I felt an aura. It was evil. No… more like scary, unforgiving and- a bit excruciating."
My heart pounded. My breath became unstable and I felt dizzy.
Whatever that was, it was clear to me that it was Arata. ‚How did he feel my presence? No… I was drawn to his aura somehow.'
„Haaa, all I can say for sure is: Tsuki carries a bow and they're there." I informed and pointed at the map.
„City of Karama." Haru mumbled.
„They're in the Asian Empire already. Did they go through the Arabic Empire?" Briony asked.
„Hard to say. They're most likely on horseback. But that wouldn't makes sense, because they would've been further northeast. Karama seems way too insignificant to be a point to stay at." Haru explained.
„What now?" I asked, after I managed to calm myself down.
„Tsuki and Arata will be considered Union criminals. If we ever meet them, we either kill or capture them. We'll try to locate them again in a few days. Rest for now, Seer. You did good."
„Hmpf!" Briony scuffed.
„Bring her to her quarters." Haru ordered Briony. „And remember, you two share the same rank. In your father's eyes, you're just another soldier. I doubt he will show you the same favors as before.