Tonight was my date with Liara! For the first time in five years, I would have a date with the only person I have ever loved!
For the past five years, I have regretted losing her due to my stupid actions. I have been running through women left and right trying to fill the hole Liara left to no avail. If it wasn't for that Raine kid, I might have never filled that hole. I'd have continued going through poor girls knowing they'll never be the one. I shook my head at the thought, I could never imagine doing something like that.
The palace was kind enough to provide living quarters for me, but they might have overdid it just a bit. The room I was in was bigger than most houses in the commoner's sector. It had everything someone would need including a bed, numerous closets and desks, and a crystal mirror in case I wanted to watch broadcasting. Although I was receiving substantial pay, they also went overboard in living spaces.
"Well, this isn't so bad." I tied the tie around my neck tightly.
It was becoming dark out and it was almost time to meet Liara. I had dressed myself elegantly, with a formal suit and a dark blue jacket for suppressing mana. I put on a pair of black formal gloves and I took out my geas, the spectacles of foresight, and put it on. I looked into the crystal mirror and struck a pose.
"Yeah, I think I look pretty good."
I exited my room and began making my way to the palace garden. Raine had suggested the east sector to its abundance of romantic flowers and its setting. I swear, when that kid grows up, he'll be a worse lady killer than I am. I chuckled inward at the thought of an adult Raine with a large harem of girls. Although, it doesn't feel far off with his nature. Although I've never seen that kid express any sort of emotion, he seems to have this weird way of attracting attention from everybody around him, including myself.
Raine has immense talent, and I'm not going to allow him to waste that. Although I started this job simply for the money, he and his two siblings have shown more than enough talent to become high tier first ranks, or even rank zeros. I smiled at the thought of my pupils becoming stronger than me, it would be my greatest achievement to raise such powerhouses.
I made it to the palace gate that separated the garden and walked through it. I walked around to the east for a bit until my eyes set upon the most gorgeous of sights. A beautiful blue haired woman dressed in a black dress with blue outlines and a sword attached to her belt. The hem of the skirt reached all the way to her knees and her legs had been covered with dark stockings. She had been wearing long shin-high boots and dark blue and black elbow high gloves. On top of all of that, she wore a blue beret off to the side of her head.
My heart skipped a beat at the sight. She was a stunning beauty in the crystal moonlight. Like a flower that only blossoms in the night, she stood still, her petrifying gaze directed at me, "Well, are you going to say anything, Ev?"
My heart skipped a beat once more. Why did I ever let go of such a person?
"Y-you look beautiful, Liara."
She became red in the face as I walked closer to her. I grabbed her arm and pulled her in closer for an embrace. I hugged her tightly, not allowing any room for escape. Well, to be honest if she really wanted to break free, she would. She wrapped her arms around me as well and we both hugged each other.
"I'm sorry for hurting you. It was the worst day of my life when I had let you go."
"It's not your fault. I'm sorry for not being strong enough to keep you."
My eyes widened at her words. I immediately pulled away and grabbed both of Liara's palms with my own. I looked deep into her eyes and exclaimed, "Don't ever think that it was your fault I left! I left because I was weak, not you! You were perfect, Liara."
Tears began to well up in her eyes. Just how much pain had I made her go through? Just the thought of making her suffer caused my heart great discomfort. I locked my arm around hers and she began leading me around the flower garden.
I had a great knowledge of different plants. Growing up, I did nothing else but read and practice magic. I had no friends, no siblings, and no girlfriends, just one night stands. That all changed when I met Liara and Mason. They were like a family I never had. They never failed to cheer me up when I was down. They never failed to make me feel like I wasn't alone. They were the reason for my very existence, my heart and soul. I had forgotten this feeling. This feeling of being loved.
As she pulled my arm along, I could see a smile plastered on her face. In her eyes, there was nothing but pure joy in this moment. I couldn't help but smile at the sight myself. The stunning scene of the girl he loved leading him through the magnificent palace garden in the night pierced my heart deeply.
She let go of my arm and ran out in front of me. Her lakey blue eyes looked into mine, her hands were behind her back and she leaned to the right, "I'm so happy right now, Everett."
I felt my face becoming hot as I heard those words.
She looked amazing. That's right. I could never possibly replace Liara. I could be searching until the end of time, but I would still never find a woman that I love more than her. I felt my lips curve into a grin as she waved her arm over to me. I rushed over to her and grabbed her hand. We kept walking together.
Just then, I felt the presence of more people. I had been told beforehand by Raine that Stella would be the only other person in this garden at the time. However, there were numerous people rushing toward her position. Liara stopped in her tracks and looked up with a serious expression.
"You felt it too?"
"Yeah, let's go to lady Stella" I let go of Liara and began running toward the position of Stella.
Something was definitely wrong with the number of people. Just with the presences I detected alone, I counted at least ten third-rank magicians and above. This wasn't some special gathering, this was a hit squad. My stomach felt uneasy as I thought about it. There's no way they went through with the plan.
I arrived at the center of the garden, the place Lady Stella was located. She turned to look at me and Liara who had just arrived. I had been told that Raine had already spoken to her on the matter, so she had already known about our presence.
"My lady! It's not safe here, we need to get you out of here!" Liara was the first to speak up.
Stella looked at the two of us with a smile and said, "Ah, Raine told me that you two would be here. But, I'm afraid we cannot leave."
I looked puzzled at her words. I looked at Liara who was at my side and she readied the blade at her side and I noticed something with my foresight. Two giant white spears appear out of nowhere and fly toward the defenseless Stella. I erected a light barrier immediately and the spears met the shield. However instead of dissipating as soon as it made contact, the spears attempted to continue cutting my barrier. I struggled to maintain the barrier and I created three more barriers below the first. The spears broke past the first barrier and made it through two more before stopping at the fourth.
"What is this strength?" I was stunned at the powerful spears of light that had destroyed three of my barriers.
"Impressive!" I heard loud footsteps walking toward this position.
I looked up to see a petite blonde man dressed in dark church attire and wearing a black and gold blindfold walking through the garden. I hadn't detected their magic power, but instead, the group of ten behind them. This person was strong!
"You must be the great Everett Maxon! The All-Rounder of Knightford, or the greatest barrier mage!"
He stopped walking and began forming a long white spear made of pure light. The group behind him dressed in all black did the same, only with smaller weapons. The man was smiling as his blinding white spear became doused with white flames.
"Oh, where are my manners? I'm Austin Demiurgos, the seventh ranked most powerful first-rank magician in the world. I'm here to purge this kingdom's demon infestation."
Liara quickly moved to Stella's side, and I did the same. She drew her sword and I readied my spells. The blindfolded man laughed and got into a ready position with his spear.
"You should have taken our offer, Everett."