Chereads / The Prismatic Eye / Chapter 11 - You

Chapter 11 - You

"I have a question for ya."

"What is it?"

We were still making our way toward this so-called market, despite my many attempts at convincing him to get a weapon and now he's suddenly questioning me.

"That person earlier, as we were leaving the Arcanists… do ya know her?"

I guess if someone did ask a question like she did, it would make anyone intrigued.

"Well, we did talk briefly a couple days ago. she was also in the same carriage I was on. However, we didn't interact, I think... So I guess I know her?"

"Makes sense… I guess?"

Also, I didn't notice it before but, was that thing she carried around one of those staffs Atlas mentioned? Also, she was always wearing that hood thing. It wasn't a cloak, it just seemed to have been torn under the shoulders.

"So what do you think that request is?"

"The one that kid forced us ta do… well it was a requirement ta have more than one person. I don't know for sure but most likely… there will need to be some sort of distraction, maybe ta recover something, like a rich person's prized possession?"

I see… I still don't really know much about what kind of requests there are, all I know is that they're usually put up by many different people in need of help. So when it comes to the requirements to take on one, I have no clue.

After walking for a while I noticed a store in the distance a little down the hill, seeing as this town was built going up a mountain, we did spend most of the time walking up it… as we got closer I started to see more and more people.

"It's quite busy here!"

"Well, it is the place where ya get your food."

So that's what a market is…

"All of them are here just to get food?"

"There are other things as well, the majority is just food… how do ya not know that?"

Ignoring that, I speed up my walking pace and head straight into the crowd, excited to look around… I walk passed several people selling many different fruits, some I've never even seen before. I also saw someone selling meat which I assumed was the freshest you could get. There were also people who were advertising things to do with already purchased weapons and tools, perhaps for repairing them maybe?

"Hey, Atlas what's that?"

"…"

"Atlas…"

I turn around... he's not there. I continue looking all around me with no sign of him anywhere. He must have lost me when I walked in here first… well shit. Guess I'll check it out on my own then, I'll run into him at some point.

"Are these sharpening stones?"

"Why yes they are, were you after one?"

I did have one of these back at my cabin, however... these ones look completely different. Well, the long rectangle shape has stayed the same, it only looks like the material has changed.

"They look different though… to a regular one."

"Well, that's probably because these are the first ones of their kind, haha!"

First, of their kind, what does that mean… did he invent these.

"What do you mean, did you invent them?"

"Why yes I did, I'm surprised they weren't made sooner though."

Was it something simple that he added?

"Why?"

"You know the Metal Manith right, the one that's able to store and utilize magic?"

"Of course, my knife's blade is made out of it."

I wonder what it changes, perhaps it doesn't damage the metal as much… I wonder.

"Here I'll show you an example."

He reaches under him and pulls out a very uneven small blade that has a slight glow to it. He places it on top of the sharpening stone except, it wasn't touching it… instead, he was holding it slightly above. I was also able to see a slight glow coming from the stone which was connecting with the knife, it kind of looked like mist.

He then started moving it back and forth very slowly making sure it runs along the whole blade, with his other hand being used as a guide. I can notice that the now rugged blade looked like an entirely new knife.

"How did you do that! Without even touching it no less!"

"Because they are both made of Manith, whenever you try to make the two connect there is actually a thin layer of mana that acts like a barrier. The only way for things with Manith to connect with each other is for two tremendous forces to collide with each other."

That's interesting… so is it like some sort of magnet type thing, I would like to find out more about how that works, and I also want to know what purpose the barrier serves. Is the metal perhaps quite fragile? And what would a tremendous force be?

"The only recorded instances of Manith collision were all the same thing."

"What was it?"

"A fight to the death."

A fight… to the de… death.

"You seem shocked. Well let me ask you something, why do you think that's the case… have you ever been near death?"

Have I been near death… I don't thi— no, that time on the carriage, I did feel like I was going to die… except.

"I have… back in that moment I felt incredibly weak but… I didn't want to die, I was frozen. however, I tried so hard to move, I wanted to live!"

"Heh. People say that the collisions are just lucky events but I think it's something else… I believe it's the human will clashing with one another. Faced with death, you have no time for reasoning, that is when the most important thing to you clouds your mind. Whether you give up, think of someone important to you, a goal or obviously… the thought of not wanting to die, this is what I believe causes the collisions."

So just someone's will is enough to turn the tables on their opponent, how could that make sense, if that was the case I would have been able to do more back on the carriage.

"Wait bu—

"However, there is something stronger."

"Huh?"

"The intent to kill."

To kill, as scary as that sounds it would make sense… back then I could most definitely sense that guys killing intent, even though I think they wanted to capture me. What did I do that made them act that way in the first place.

"Did you want one of these?"

"I would love one but I don't have any money on me at the moment… how much longer will you be here?"

"I'll be gone tomorrow night.:

Tomorrow night huh, I do know I'll be out of town, I just don't know for how long.

"I'll come back before you leave then, maybe around midday?"

"Sure."

I wave goodbye and merge back into the crowd, hoping that I'll find Atlas in here somewhere. However, I kept getting pushed around, it seems like everyone was in a rush to buy stuff, and this market may not be open for that long.

*THUMP* *CRASH*

Someone running incredibly fast crashed straight into my left shoulder causing me to fall to the ground.

"Oi, you!"

I felt someone grab my arm hard… which then yanked me out of the overwhelming crowd into an alleyway.

*smack*

My body landed back on the cold hard ground. 'Why do I keep getting thrown around.' As I go to get up I look at who pulled me out… it was that guy back at The Halls…

"Surprised to see me eh!"

"I gue—

"Hurry and get up already!"

He said while yanking me off the ground and onto my feet. Still grabbing my arm we were now face to face, practically touching. We were both staring at each other. Being this close I started to notice something.

"You've got a very feminine face for a guy."

After saying that I noticed he began to smile.

"Ha…"

He let out some sort of snicker before falling to his knees… for a couple seconds, all I heard were deep breaths...

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"

He suddenly erupted into laughter, perhaps the loudest I've ever heard someone laugh like that… this went on for around ten seconds before calming back down again. Standing back up it looked like tears were streaming down his face.

"Are… are you alright, did I do something?"

"You have got to be joking! Did you think I was a dude this whole time?"

I felt my face immediately begin to heat up.

"Wait! You aren't!?"

"Pfffft! Course I'm not you idiot, should be obvious because of my hair."

I used to have long hair so just because she had long hair doesn't necessarily mean that someones female.

"I had longer hair than you! So I didn't really think about it too much!"

Now that I remember… Atlas did mention that it was quite unusual for a guy to have long hair. Was that why he gave me that blank look after I mentioned that I had long hair!

"Really? Well… how about my body shape, it's entirely different from a guy's!"

What is she saying?

"About that… I have no clue what you're wearing, all I know is that it looks way too big on you."

Again, I've never seen clothes like hers, all of it just looked incredibly baggy.

"Ah of course! This is what I call a hoodie… and these are shorts."

She told me while pointing to the things she was wearing.

"Anyway! Was there a reason you helped me?"

"Yes actually… I need others in order for me to take on that request… but even though you chose to help, It won't matter anyway if you fail this test, soooo."

So, what? How would she even be able to help me? This is a test for me to take, I don't see it being fair to get outside help.

"Are going to give me a hint or something?"

Her face looked a little shocked.

"How did you know?"

"You made it quite obvious."

"Hah! I see."

I turn and look back into the crowd. 'It seems to have died down.' I've barely done any real shopping. I should probably get back to Atlas as well, we might nearly be out of time.

"Well, I don't want to hear it!"

I said loudly while I started to walk out of the alleyway… but I immediately felt a hand grip my arm again the second I started moving. It was actually quite strong to the point it started hurting.

"Not so fast!"

"…"

"Listen! This test isn't as easy as you think it is!"

Easy? Have I ever once thought it was easy… I'm just not worried about it.

"Of course it isn't, but I'll pass it don't worry, I did say we'll help, you know."

"You better…"

After saying that I noticed her looking down with one of those sad looks… similar to the one I usually see on Atlas.

"Oh before I go, what actually is the request we'll be doing?"

She looks back up at me.

"It's a weapon recovery. I assume someone lost one they really cared about or maybe it got stolen… haha…"

Why did she laugh at the end there? It wasn't the usual laughter but more of a nervous laugh… I hope nothing is wrong?

"I'll let you go now, don't want to fail for being late now do you."

"Yeah alright… then I'll go, see you."

I turn around and walk back into the crowd. 'Why does everyone seem sad?' there must be hundreds of problems in this world that I still don't know about. I don't even know if there is anything I can do for them… I should probably pass this test before I start thinking about that. I guess the first thing I could do is help her with that request.

*bump!*

"Ah sorry."

"You're alright."

The most important thing right now is trying to find Atlas, I want to know what he's been doing. He's probably been doing the shopping seeing he has the money… except, trying to make my way through this crowd is tough, I basically have to squeeze in between people just to move forward. Maybe I should ask someone?

"Hey excuse me!"

"Can I help you?"

I spotted someone off to the side, most likely trying to find a chance to rejoin the crowd.

"Have you seen someone that's quite tall with dirty brown hair and a scar covering most of his face—

"WHAT DID YOU SAY!!!"

The guy snapped at me.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT THING DOING BACK IN THIS TOWN!!!"

Why is he so mad.

"Hey, could you please calm down?"

"WHERE IS IT!!!"

The man then bolted into the crowd shouting the same thing he just said… the crowd then began to slow down and people started to whisper to each other, probably about the guy that ran off screaming. Not getting my answer, however, I quickly begin looking around again, making my way through the whispering crowd.

"He doesn't mean the thing we kicked out five years ago does he… what was its name again."

Huh?

"The thing that attacked those three kids who were trying to protect the commander's daughter?"

What are they talking about?

"The son of that good-for-nothing man, should have kicked him out as well… what if he was actually hiding it?"

I don't understand, they aren't talking about the screaming man… I think they're talking about Atlas! But why, what did he do and why are they referring to him as it and thing? I should hurry up and find him, I speed up my pace, I'm practically running through people now. I see an opening in the crowd, they were looking at something.

Pushing my way out of the crowd I notice a cloaked person however, from this angle I can tell it's Atlas, he's carrying multiple bags and looks to be buying apples… he looks in my direction and notices me. I make my way toward him.

"There ya are Auric, why the hell did ya run off, I lost ya instantly haha!"

He let out a small laugh and a slight smile appeared on his emotionless face. This was the first time I'd seen him smile… except it doesn't seem like he's noticed that everyone is looking at him.

*whoosh*

Due to the wind, a tiny gust made its way down the street at that exact moment, causing Atlas' hood to come off, blowing his hair back and revealing his scarred face.

""""GASP!!!""""

The whole crowd let out a shocked, loud, collective gasp upon finding out who he was. I looked into Atlas' eyes and watched them fill with fear… he then immediately covered his face with his hand trying to hide the scar.

"OH, THERE IT IS!!!"

The person from before came running out of the crowd, straight toward us… no not us, but to Atlas. *SLAM!* He slammed into him, pushing him straight up against the wall.

"What is a psychotic creature like you doing back here!"

Instead of yelling, the man switched to an aggressive and assertive whisper.

"I…"

Atlas tries to speak but couldn't, as the man is pressing his arm against his neck.

"Hey… what… what are you doing!"

I started stumbling over my words, I'm not even the one that's targeted but I still felt terrified.

"Who are you!"

He shoots a piercing glare at me that sent chills all throughout my body.

"I would appreciate it if you would stop treating my friend like that."

"Friend? Tch! This thing! Do you have any idea what it did to the last person that called this thing a friend…"

There was a brief period of silence, no one talked nor moved.

"What the hell are you talking about! And why are you talking like he isn't a person!"

How could anyone even talk about someone like that?

"Heh, you don't know. This thing got so attached to someone it tried giving them that same scar!"

The man said as he pointed to the Scar covering Atlas' face… there's absolutely no way that could be true! I don't believe that, I may not know Atlas that well but there's no way in hell he would have ever done something like that… I look over at Atlas, anger filled his expression.

"I!… I didn't!…"

"What's that! You didn't do it! There were witnesses you piece of SHIT!"

"ACK!"

*THUMP*

The man throws his other fist straight into Atlas' chest causing him to fall to the ground clutching his stomach and coughing.

"You little fuck, something like you should have never been BORN! Especially to someone like HER!"

Looking around with the hope that someone will help, it's however, immediately crushed. Everyone in the crowd and by everyone, I mean the hundreds of them that were watching. some were smiling and some were laughing. How can so many treat someone this way, I have to do something… but what.

"Now, how much of a beating do I need to give you?"

"Fu… fuck off ya prick."

Atlas said in a mumbled voice as he managed to pick himself up with one foot touching the ground and the other still knelt on the ground… I also noticed that those words pissed the man off even more, as I could see him preparing for another punch. I need to decide on something right this instant.

*Thwack!*

I quickly dashed in between the two whilst I grabbed my knife by the handle, blocking the punch. he managed to hit my sheath which was made out of metal, not knowing what kind it was I just assumed it would hurt to punch. And it looked like it worked.

"Ah! What the hell is your problem kid!"

he said while grabbing his fist.

"Helping my friend of course… hey Atlas stand up already, we don't want to be late."

"Hah, yeah."

Atlas began to stand back up however, there was another problem.

"This ain't your problem, move out the way."

"Like hell!"

Still gripping the handle I prepare to take the hit, hoping I could still block it… but I noticed something. The knife started moving inside the sheath like it wanted to get out—

"Drop the weapon kid."

The man tried snatching the knife out of my hand but only managed to grab its sheath, causing me to pull the knife out, I slowly noticed the immense glow coming from the blade, it was extremely bright. Way brighter than back when I got it.

"Manith huh, interesti…"

After the blade was fully unsheathed the man instantly lost consciousness, he fell to the ground, as if he had fainted. It was similar to the times when I tried expelling magic, this time though, only one person was affected, everyone around me was still watching, this time staring in shock. I shouldn't think about it right now though.

"Hurry, let's go."

I grab Atlas by the arm and help him up, I then start sprinting while pulling him behind me. The people who were watching weren't moving so I started pushing them out of the way.

"I heard he was the one that also attacked those three kids… isn't that their father, what happened to him, why is he unconscious?"

Even after what they saw, all of them were still talking about Atlas… what the hell happened to him, did he really do what they were saying.

Soon we made it back to The Halls with five minutes to spare. After we had lost sight of the mass amounts of people we both walked the rest of the way in silence, neither of us said a word, even when we arrived back in the room where we had learned what the first test was.

"… one and a half gold, two and a half silver. Well down! Here you go."

She chucked the money back toward Atlas. I do know he had three gold coins left when we were separated… so I wonder how much he actually used, it would be worth it to ask him about the currency.

"Well before we move on, did any of you have a question?"

I should probably ask her how the ranking works in this job. Because Atlas did mention there were only ever six B Ranks at a time.

"Can only a certain amount of people have the same rank?"

"That's an interesting question… but yes, there are only a certain number of slots for every rank with Z Rank being an exception, for example. Only one can have the Rank of A, they're considered the most successful adventurer at the time. Below that is the B Ranks, which have six spots. It's quite a complicated system, but if you pass this test you'll learn all about it. once every month there's a worldwide event that we call the Rank Ups, all adventurers no matter the rank can decide to participate. It's the most common way to increase your rank."

So Rank Z doesn't have a limit but all the rest do… interesting. I wonder how many slots each rank has, I also wonder who the current A Rank is. She did also say that the Rank Ups were the most common way to increase your rank.

"Are there other ways to rank up?"

"Uh huh, except it's extremely unlikely. The only other people who have that kind of power are the nation's kings, select nobles, and the person who holds the A Rank."

So Rank Ups really is the only way, from what Atlas told me. the only thing I know about nobles and royalty was that they were rich, so I guess money equates to power.

"Any other questions?"

"…"

"No? Well, I'll give you the rundown on the next test."

I'm a bit concerned about what the next test is, they said that the stuff we bought wouldn't need to be used however, that makes me a bit nervous.

"As I said before, the first part consists of three tests. You just completed the first, now I will be explaining the next two as they're similar… Test two is a one-on-one fight, we have experienced adventurers that offered to take part in the next two tests. Your end goal is to either best them in battle or survive more than ten minutes. Test three will have the two of you join together and your opponents as well in a two on two battle, same rules apply… make sense?"

So it's a battle eh, I'm not very confident in my abilities when it comes to fighting… I don't even know how to hold this knife properly.

...

"… well if there's nothing else you need would you please follow me."

The tester then leads us back out into the main area and takes us up the stairs. Up those stairs was another long hallway, but at the end I could see a large door. Making our way to the end the tester pushes the large door open.

"Wow— huh! Why is there a forest in here!?"

After the door had opened it was as if we had walked outside, no, more like we teleported… I turn back around, and there was a massive wall, but I couldn't see the top.

"This is the Test Zone, every Halls has one. When standing in the center of this room there's one kilometer of distance in each direction."

"Shit, really!"

Atlas said in surprise… is it really that big. Well makes sense it doesn't shock me, I still have no idea how to visualize distance, let alone how much a kilometer is.

"Well, Auric! You're first, so follow me, please! Atlas please follow my assistant, he'll take you to the spectating room."

Atlas then turned back around and started walking back the way we came… I begin to follow the tester into the forest.

"Hey, idiot…"

I heard Atlas' muffled voice behind me, I could tell he wasn't facing me… but for some reason, I couldn't turn around to face him either.

"Yeah?"

"Good luck…"

Haha, that's a shock, coming from him of all people. Despite what just happened earlier, I'm glad… glad that I'm still able to talk with him, even though I can't face him right now.

"Thanks…"

There's no way I'll fail this, if I do, I won't be able to help him, to him this is probably the ticket out of this hell of a town. Being ostracized by everyone in this town and having to stay in hiding for the last five years… I know what they said wasn't true, after meeting Marx and the time I've spent with Atlas, there's absolutely no way he's done the things they were saying, Not ever.

"Alright we're here, please stand here."

The tester directed me into a circle. The circle was a blue mist colour… as I stepped into it I felt a slight breeze coming from inside the circle which caused my clothes and hair to sway from side to side.

Looking ahead I noticed another circle, no one was standing in it though. I scanned the area trying to spot another person but couldn't, the area was way too foggy, or maybe they were late.

"Auric, are you ready?"

"Yes, I'm ready. Who's my opponent though?"

There was still no sign of anyone.

"Your opponent is…"

I then spotted something slowly appearing within the fog, the dark silhouette of someone, someone who was carrying a sword… it's…

"ZATH!!" | "Zath Zitrio."