"So about the installment experiment. It seems that the researchers each had abilities that allowed them to do something like...what they did. The abilities are redacted and I won't describe the procedure itself but I'll mention some key points. Nier's mana core was broken done along with his mana veins during the experimet as they had expected from previous results. At the same time before it happened, they installed the Anti-core in him.
This should have resulted in the two cores clashing with the Anti core completely destroying the mana core, and the clash between two cores would lead to the body completely breaking down like glass. Now, in Nier's case, the breakdown did happen but before his body could be completely ripped apart. An unknown phenomenon happened and the Anti-core bonded with Nier. It worked on it's to repair the breaking body and they couldn't understand what the Anti-core was doing as they didn't have the equipment to find out." Renley said putting the papers back in place.
Everyone took a deep breath absorbing the knowledge.
"Some conclusions they reached were- The Anti-core has a healing attribute of advance level. Nier still has mana in him that allows him to live but cannot be used. The Anti-core has receded from its initial power as the aura emitted by Nier was drastically lower than on caused by the stone. The cause was likely the stone repairing Nier's body. Speaking of which, is the reason he looks supposedly different from before. It has also strengthened his body highly compared to average." Renley said.
"That was a lot to swallow" Kyber said.
"I see...the likely reason why his presence is miniscule is because his core has broken down so it keeps the bare minimum required for life. Considering his body is getting used to the new core. The aura fluctuates randomly which is why sometimes we cannot sense him when the Anti-mana aura supresses the mana aura in him." Len speculated.
"He also has the healing attribute now right? That alone is extremely special. Adding the ability to cancel mana..." Kyber said smiling.
Nier heard it and recalled the information about attributes. Aside from one special property, any sorcerer could unlock a magic attribute out of three. Healing, Destruction or Concealment.
"Could it be the special property of 'Anti-mana' to cancel other mana?" Nier asked.
"Unlikely since there's also the fact that we cannot really sense it. It's more likely to be another type of energ-" Len replied but was interrupted.
"What if it is infact mana but has all three attributes? You know, since it destroys mana, cannot be sensed and can apparently heal" Kyber said.
His words caused the paladins to raise their eyebrows. The imagination of children was truly something to behold.
"You know...I am not sure how that would work but it's a possibility. I've never heard of someone ever gaining all three attributes but I have been getting many firsts since yesterday so who is to deny it? Len sighed.
"You are right...we can assume that it is infact mana with all three attributes unlocked. Well, once Nier gains control over it, it would be clear if that's the case but we can always use it as an explanation of your abilities" Renley said.
"Yes...the truth about Anti-core should not be revealed without care. You do not have to hide your ability as there are many ways to explain them. The world is full of surprises after all but never ever reveal the existence of the Anti Core and how you gained it." Len said looking at Nier.
Nier nodded at the words. It was something he understood as well. Anti-core and the experiment's success were things that went against what everyone thought was the natural law.
"I am tired....I will be sleeping so wake me up when we reach our- *Yawn" Kyber muttered before falling asleep.
The yawn caused Nier to do the same as he leaned back. Closing his eyes, Nier entered the sweet world of dreams.
Waking up at sunset. They stopped in a forest and camped. It was an uneventful night as no monster reached for them or at least for Nier before he came to the conclusion that Len chose a specifically unharmful spot with his mana. The night passed like that and they continued their journey the next day. Nier woke up and looked outside to realise that the horse had been going really fast. Really fast.
At noon, he once again yawned and slept.
After an hour or so, the horses pulling the carriage stopped at a point on the road where many hut stood by. Looking at the sleeping children. Renley smiled before exiting the carriage.
*Creak
The calming winds welcomed him as Renley silently stood there appreciating nature.
"What do you want to say?" Len asked. He had just been signalled by Renley's mental energy.
"We must absolutely not present him to the League" Renley suddenly declared.
Len turned around facing Renley. The blue eyes met green as none of the two backed down.
"Are you betraying the League? You know we must present every thing about the mission." Len asked coldly.
"You know what will happen to him if they find out. He will become a labrat! A tool!" Renley replied with greater ferocity.
Len sucked in a deep breath
"What are you planning to do then?" He asked.
"We will tell them that we found nothing in the first two bases aside from corpses. The researchers had been experimenting something but someone came before us which caused the leaders to be wary and burn all their records. We then confronted them in the final base and killed them. We shouldn't mention the Lich since they can find him and extort information about Nier from him."
"You are really going to lie to the court?" Len asked a little more calm then before.
"If that's what it takes to protect the boy. I promised him after all.
I know it Len. We both have grown there with all the...needed values instilled in us. The League's orders...our tasks...they have always taken priority.
I...I cannot do it anymore"
Renley said and leaned backwards against the carriage pressing his face with both his hands.
"Well...I won't even present my opinion because there is someone in the League who has been in contact with the Lich" Len said gravely.
"What?!" Renley looked at the man in shock.
"There is a chance that Nier's... situation has been leaked. The lich mentioned he had...'friends' in the league "
"This...I-I should calm down. Let's think about this rationally...I don't think the information has been leaked" Renley said rubbing his nose bridge.
"Sigh* Well...I agree...the Lich seemed to have been wanting something from Nier. If he told the Golden League, he likely won't get his wish"
Renley nodded few times in silence as his head bobbed back and forth in thought before conviction flashed through his eyes.
"I have decided...I will leave the Golden League"
"Renley!" Len groaned as he looked at his best friend.
"I have always been...the cleaner. One meant to execute the judged. I have spelt blood in the name of justice for so long that when I look at my hands, I only see red. It never washes away. Cleaning 'dirt', I realised at some point that I am the one most dusty. I cannot do it anymore...killing does not bring peace. I just wish to live somewhere far away in peace." Renley said gritting his teeth in daze.
"I...I understand Renley but you think that the league would let you go away? Or me? Even if our request is accepted, we will likely be hunted down by some extremists. Also, we know too much." Len said sighing
"We can make a soul bind not to speak about the League's inner workings, can we not" Renley asked.
"That's possible..."
"We should ask Lord Pasarus...He is the one most likely to permit us an exit."
"That is...true. The problem is that once he commences such a thing. The other factions are likely to persue us secretly"
"Then we run and hide?" Renley proposed
"They will find us. All paladins are at least grade four and even if they do not send a Demigod, we still would need to protect the kids. Me knowing the approaching danger does not make it go away" Len replied.
"I have an idea..." Renley suddenly said.
"..."
"I will tell you later."
"Anyways. there is one thing we must do and that is to send Nier somewhere safe."
"...You are right. We should prepare to send him somewhere far in case something happens after our report" Renley nodded.
"You have a place in mind?"
"Oh I absolutely do... It's perfect timing as well. Let's go..."
Inside the carriage, Nier listened to everything in thought. He had woken up just as the carriage stopped and got to hear everything. Kyber was still sleeping holding his bandaged arm.
'Golden League huh..."
According to what he had heard. It was akin to a superpower in this world alongside others. If those superpowers found out about him then he would be in extreme trouble...Nier...did not care.
Not that he would rat himself out but rather he didn't have anything to do with those 'superpowers'. His wish right now was to simply explore the world and search for his past.
Glancing outside the window while laying on the couch, Nier saw the blue expance and a smile came on his face. The clouds looked stuck in the sky yet they would shift when he didn't look. Nier was sometimes confused if they were moving or not. So he squinted his eyes and put his finger in one place in front of him. Sure, they were moving alright. Nier enjoyed the peace and dozed off. Such were the joys of life.
_________
*Gruff
The sound of a horse snorting entered Nier's ears as he slowly sat up from the carriage couch. No one was inside so he sat alone for a moment looking outside. It seemed they were on the side of a cement road with many buildings lined on both sides. Stretching himself, Nier looked towards the door but cam to a realisation.
"How do these open?" Nier scratched his temples.
*Creak
The door suddenly opened as Kyber peaked inside.
"Hey...had good sleep?" He asked with a smile.
"Yes..." Nier replied as he realised that the sun was much lower then before and instinctively understood that hours had passed. He then stood up and exited the carriage. Kyber stood aside and walked towards the horse giving it a pat as it ate.
Nier looked around and realised that there were many people walking around wearing clothes different than him or the paladins. They seemed more like Kyber's.
He himself was wearing a baggy white shirt and white pants.
"Hahahaha....look at you. Anyways, follow me!"
Nier waited for a moment before following Kyber. As he walked, he saw many stores where they sold fruits, clothes or other accessories. The bustling crowd and screaming noises made Nier a little... nauseous?
"It's your first time seeing so many people isn't it? Don't worry you will get used it" Kyber said with a smile looking back at him. Nier nodded but still felt perturbed by the crowd especially when some of them constantly gazed in his direction.
"By the way, this is called New Lain city. It's also called the city of...city of...I forgot but don't worry as that is irrelevant any ways" Kyber said without shame entering an alleyway.
"Haha..." Nier chuckled which caused Kyber to pause and turn, looking at Nier with surprise but he smiled.
"Nice. Great to you see smile. Keep it up" Kyber said as they reached a 'dead end' in the shape of many boxes covering the place. It was however, a dead end only for larger people as the two children sneaked in through a small gap.
After walking for four minutes more, Kyber stopped in front of a tree. Nier looked surprised at the destination but Kyber didn't say anything and glanced around. No one was nearby.
Nier narrowed his eyes as he felt... Kyber's mana flare up. Nier was sure he couldn't feel the people around him before but he could sense Kyber right now.
Nier was about to think but the memories of the food he had while camping slipped into his mind distracting him.
"Don't be afraid of what happens next" Kyber said looking back with a smile. Before Nier could comprehend his words, the tree in front of them suddenly moved opening a pathway that looked like a toothy mouth and swallowed them
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAA..."
Nier screamed in horror before light reached his eyes and-
*Zwoop
They now stood in a large green expanse surrounded by trees. Nier turned around to see a tree just standing there unmoving, He began to quiver before looking at Kyber.
"Why didn't you say anything!!!" He screamed
"But I did!?" Kyber defended himself but like any sensible kid, Nier ignored his words and roared as a droplet formed in the corner of his eyes.
"You should have warned me!"
"I did war-"
"AAAAAAAAA-" Nier suddenly screamed.
"Please calm dow-"
"AAAAAAAAA-"
"Ok I am sorry! My fault! Should have warned you. Please calm down" Kyber said in resignation but Nier didn't stop screaming. Truthfully, he had already calmed down and accepted the apology but he enjoyed Kyber's anxious expression. An expression a teenager makes when they accidentally hurt their aunt's brat and don't wish to face the possible consequences.
"Oh poor child! Don't worry! Big sister will take care of you!" A soothing voice came from behind.
"AAAA- eh?" Nier realised that he had been lifted of the ground and was being hugged by a woman with dark green hair and dark geen eyes wearing a sweater and a long skirt.
"Big sis! Why did you wait!?" Kyber asked perplexed.