The world passed by in a flash as Harita dashed through space, his presence barely a blur as he willed himself forward, breaking through.
With a flash of green light, his legs brought him outside of the vile woman's clutches, past the halls of the macabre building and outside, where the sun shone bright and the world was depressed and dour, with the rays of light illuminating the backyard of the macabre house.
Three… no, even more that. Several people, one of them familiar, stood there, the air so thick he could cut it with a knife.
His green feline eyes flared with fury that betrayed his accumulated lassitude and fatigue. His voice was cold and low, almost to the point of freezing as he said, deepening his tone:
"Who are you people?"
Actually, he already knew who the unfamiliar people were.
'The Exousia Famiglia, one of the most powerful group in the city.'
The famiglia holds the higher concentration and quantity of able soldiers, Berserkers, and even the deadliest mind there is. Because of the prodigious mind of the new young scion of the famiglia, their influence, political pull, and economic reach have skyrocketed in the past years… but have recently stagnated. Some say it's because of the overprotective head of the family trying to keep her youngest child from harm, but judging by the fact that she is outside and about, the possibility is low.
…Then, it had to be the other reason.
Throughout his research into the background and study of the multiple alliances that make up the different leading factions, as well as more minor ones, he has learned much and pieced together quite a lot…
Including the recent storm that took the Exousia Famiglia, as well as its respective faction — the Exousia-Silata-Mocný League — by surprise, shaking the very core of their organization like the rumbling of a Mountain Snake rolling its enormous serpentine, gargantuan form.
…Stepping in between then with efficient steps, Mysta stood between him and the young scion and shocked him dumb.
'She's… bowing?'
It wasn't something to be surprised about, not really. However, knowing the barbaric and ruthless history of the Exousia Famiglia, no matter how much they have been changed in the past years, still told him to be extremely careful. Especially with something so out of character from somebody in such a frantic group.
With a smooth, elegant, and flowing motion, Mysta straightened her back and looked forward, flashing him a cold, calculated smile.
…It was fake, expertly so. So much that, even knowing its phony authenticity, he couldn't help but admire it in a strange, idiotic kind of way.
It was as if a finely-crafted mask had been tailor-made just to accentuate her beauty and deceive the world at the same time.
Keeping her artificial smile with experienced efficiency, Mysta spoke, her voice bland and monotone, as if she was a golem:
"It is with a heavy heart that I ask you, the guardian and so-called Aegis of the twelfth candidate, to allow us to part with your master."
His brows furrowed.
'What did she just say?'
There was a long pause as Harita pondered the meaning of her words.
It was just as he feared, but it was still worth asking, even if it would only sink him even deeper.
"What are you talking about?"
Without missing a beat, Mysta puffed up her chest and inhaled, saying with refined practice:
"The young lady of the mighty, powerful, and majestic Exousia Famiglia has reached the ample age for marriage, and thus a test to choose her betrothed has been conducted per tradition. With eleven pre-selected candidates from the lesser, but still magnificent branch famiglias of the Exousia-Silata-Mocný League, as well as one able and talented individual hand-picked by the bride-to-be herself, as well. And… well, this talented young man has been chosen to be the twelfth and final candidate."
She side-eyed the young boy surreptitiously, a look of doubt and suspicion glinting in her eye. It was clear that she did not trust the boy's abilities.
And Harita expected as such.
It made sense. Of course she would be paranoid and distrustful of this young boy with a shady background and, in her eyes, subpar magical ability. At least compared to the other candidates, who have surely been masters or sages, with abilities suited perfectly for this "test," as she called it.
It would not even be a stretch to say that their entire spell arsenal have been developed just to compete in this test.
And yet, he felt that this situation was only natural. With the Strings of Fate that wound around the boy tightly and suffocated him, an occurrence such as this was bound to happen at one point.
…And it made him worry even more.
'This is bad.'
Fate, by nature, is merciless. It attracted good and bad situations alike, with no regard for the consequences and aftermath involved. Or maybe that was what it was aiming for all along? To that specific result, which would lead to further lucky opportunities and horrific omens to attach to the next person, repeating the process over and over again.
With his eyes not leaving Mysta's, Harita sighed inwardly, ready to summon Silent Reverie at a moment's notice.
"And what exactly are talking about with this whole parting thing?"
He had not forgotten the woman's words for one second, instead letting her explain the situation on her own and pretend like a fool in the meanwhile, confirming his suspicions while discovering new dangers. It was a mentally harrowing task. To hear of the numerous dangers that his master would have to go through, and yet know deep inside that it was inevitable, was an experience that shook even his heart and soul with how mind-numbingly painful it was.
She smiled even wider. This time, it seemed true…
True enough to doubt its presence, that is. Her smile just seemed too artificial and crafted, tempered by experience, taught by the ultimate master: oneself.
"I'm afraid that is outside my duties to say."
With that dismissive phrase, she turned around and walked over to the two, shooting him a spiteful glare so venomous that he could practically see the toxic ooze emanating from her poison-laced gaze.
"Hey!"
Harita furrowed his brows and rushed forward… only to be stopped by three burly men wielding dual-handed blunt weapons: an earthen warhammer, a steel morningstar, and a lithe bowstaff.
As Silent Reverie manifested in his hands with bright green sparks, he gave the men a cold glare that made them flinch. His eyes were elsewhere.
Past the burly trio, ambient mana in the air shifted in accordance with the girl's will, bending itself to her benevolent presence as if they were her subjects. But that wasn't even the worst part, it was the boy beside her that made him appear manic and primal.
A whisper escaped his lips unconsciously:
"Lieren…"
The naïve boy stood there, unflinching. His eyes were downcast, with his blue pupils covered by his hair. The boy desperately avoided to be seen, or — the other way around — he refused to see anybody.
Realization dawned on him like a bolt of lightning.
…But it was too late.
In a flash of light they were gone, leaving Harita alone with the three burly men.
His eyes were alit with grim determination as he said:
"You three better know what's going on."