As soon as the door closed all noise faded out of existence, there was no one but the two of them.
He didn't mind the silence and neither did the older male as he leisurely grabbed a cup of tea before sitting down in an equally detailed chair.
Even now in his sitting position Acacius could see muscles ripping underneath his fine clothes.
The other was smaller but Acacius could fit at least three times in the muscled width of the elder.
Flawless skin compared to calloused and torn, a blank face compared to a peaceful and relaxed one.
He had to admit behind his blank face was a bundle of nerves and if everything happened as it should there would be nothing wrong with it. Once more tracing the top of the chair, he wondered what he would say to break it however.
"I made it myself.''
Startled slightly by the unexpected wise and soft he intelligently answered. ''Huh?''
''The bookcase, chairs, you name it."
"Ah, it is very well made. Details are very astonishing and otherworldly.''
He could see the amount of time and patience that was needed to make even one piece.
''Years of practice, as with many things, one needs to go a step at a time."
"Wise words, wise words....in actuality I came her for something else."
''You want something from me.''
''Yes.''
''You have a decent sword but I don't want to get involved with nobillity.''
''Decent? This is-''
''A family heirloom, I guessed."
"I'm not--''
"Go tell your crap to someone else kid. Not a noble, what about the sword, clothes, speech, manners.
Just about everything screams nobility."
Admitting defeat, he was kinda glad he was only mistaken as a noble and not royalty.
"So noble one, what is your name?"
It was obvious he was hesitant as he answered. ''It's rude for one to ask someone's name while not introducing himself first.
Nobles he merely grunted out.
"Fine, Adrian.''
"No last name?''
"Does it matter?''
"I couldn't care less, Seriwen Cherrington.
Now I'm sure you're aware of the rule that you need to fight, especially since you have a want for something."
Tensing at the declaration, he carefully agreed. ''I came here to fight you.''
A brief laugh sounded, the flick of chestnut brown hair made the atmosphere a little lighter, he looked ridiculous with his unruly hair.
''Tell me why.''
No point in denying the truth he exclaimed. '' I send someone a while ago, to buy this place.''
''He was yours?"
Nodding he confirmed "He was mine."
"He told you I would not accept your offer?"
"He did.''
"Seeing as you came to me personally, you must truly need this place.''
''I do and i'm prepared to fight you for it.''
''Your skills are lacking-''an unimpressed look rushed over him as Seriwen grabbed a book and flung it a him, which he grabbed.''If you ever even want a chance against me, you better up your chances and read that.''
**The soul and sword combined**.
"I have never heard of this book."
"Ofcourse not, I wrote it.
You should honoured i'm giving you this chance, not many get it.''
Nodding respectfully, he flipped page after page.
"...thank you, may I ask why?''
"I see potential, however your soul is holding you back.
You don't have the necessary energy to keep that body standing for more than a decade.
And every big action you take, will ultimately take off weeks if not years for your lifespan.
If you learn this, it should help you for a while."
"How did you--?"
"Know? I just do, practice the book.
My student shall help you, train together and I shall allow you to do what you need."
"Student? Does this student needs to learn this too?''
''Definitely not, she just needs to learn how to control herself.
She kills her opponent faster, so fast that she barely learns something.
You don't mind right?"
Feeling himself earnestly going pale he stammered out ''H-her?''
''You've met her, in fact she has taken a liking to you.
Cyra don't just stand there, get in."
He kinda wanted the door to stay closed but nothing ever went his way as it swung upon with full force. He didn't look, the steps that came closer stopped right beside him.
He sighed audible as the face came into view, emerald eyes, star kissed cheeks and rosy coloured lips opened to once more surprise him,a thing he should have expected.
"What are the chances of meeting you here?" Both mentor and student looked so damn proud, as she went on. "If this doesn't mean we are fated to be then I don't know."
Everywhere he went there seemed to be a combination of crazy and flirty.
"And here I thought you would take me away from my 'fan'.''
''Not really, my student gets everything she wants. I just needed to judge you myself.
She will soon you, after all she learned from the best."
He did it again, the hair flip.
''I don't need to train with her, I'll do this alone."
Before he could even turn and walk away he was interrupted.
''Well if you don't, you won't be allowed in here again and I won't help you ever.''
"Alright, for a month.
After that I will be quite...unavailable''
"That will do.'' Seriwen vanished, door closing behind him with a creaking sound.
Leaving the two of them alone in the library-like room.
"What are you looking at?''
"I'm just glad I have my library card because I was totally checking you out.''
Learned from the best...oh dear.
''You can't even see me, what's there to check out?
Such nonsense you speak.''
"Let's fight.''
He didn't even have time to ponder about the quick switch as she lunged forward, a sword somehow latched into her hands. Throwing the book on the desk, he grabbed his own, pulling it out just in time to block hers.
Her hair swung slightly by her movement as she winked playfully, a punch following the action.
Stumbling backwards to avoid, following his own action he pushed forward, taking advantage of Cyra's instability he slashed sideways.
Instead of blocking, she jumped and landed back on the same spot as his sword roughly hit and got encased in the bookcase.
There would definitely be a mark, a shame as it was such a fine piece of wood.
With a rough tug he pulled his sword out, returning all attention to his opponent, who merely wrapped her hand around his wrist.
He didn't know what irked him more, the fact the hand almost fully engulfed his wrists or the fact that she was staring like she already won.
Hissing under his breath he twisted their hands,gripping her wrist and bringing her closely.
Free hand appearing with a knife and going straight for her stomach.
It would have left a nasty wound, if something hadn't blocked it first.
Feeling his knife twist, turn and break by something as he braced for impact
A force slammed against him so hard, that he felt himself fly, crash against the bookcase echoed in his ears as he limply fell on the floor.
Groaning in pain, his eyes blurred and he narrowly stopped himself from fainting, hearing the approaching footsteps.
It felt like minutes yet only seconds had passed, the blurring lessened and he could finally make out Cyra on her tiptoes in front of him.
Coughing, he struggled to get up.''Sorry about that, it's an artifact. I forget I had it.''
''How can yo-ugh forget an artifact.''
''I didn't think you would come at me with the intent to kill.''
"Why not, you lashed out first.''
"True, true, though you're very calm about this. An artifact is about as rare as royalty in your kingdom. Seeing as there are only two left.''
Groaning in annoyance at the remembrance, he only then noticed his hood had fallen off.
''Don't hide, your so handsome.''
''Your drunk, I already told you to go home and sleep it off.''
''I'm not, I'm just intoxicated by you.
Besides this is my home, so why don't you help me get rid of effects.''
Her flirty expression returned easily as she trailed her fingers up and down his arm, tongue slipping past her lips and leaving wet patches on them as half closed eyes seductively at him.
She had an air around her, she was experienced, there was no innocence oozing from her and neither was there any unsureness.
Only pure confidence, in a way that showed that she would get whatever she wanted. Just like what her mentor said.
In all his time here, he had never seen even one artifact. It was an understatement to say that they were rare, they were more than that.
Valuable, almost costing a kingdom in this world.
So why did she have one?
And this particular one, he doesn't remember reading about it. He was sceptical, a factor that left him itching to go back to the castle to research.
An artifact in the hands of a sword wielding woman, that wasn't even from his kingdom?
Was she aware of anything? Was this a trick, sexual moves just a cover up for something?
It was clear said woman was in no hurry as she continued tracing his arms, it didn't take long before he swatted the hands always like flies.
Getting up, he brushed past her, put his family heirloom back where it belonged and grabbed the book in one motion.
Walking toward the door, he dismissed all her actions, like it was nothing.
"Are you going already?
I will miss you.''
''That's too bad."
''You have no choice but to come back too.
That is if you still want my mentor's help."
"The two of you are exactly the same."
"Thanks, we are aware.''
''Don't be so smug about it,...tomorrow at eleven in the night.''
''Don't tell me, the beauty can't leave during the day?
Will mommy dearest get mad and curse you?"
"Can you be serious about anything?"
As solemn as possible she answered ''Don't worry, if that is the case I shall kiss you awake. I promise on the very air I breathe."
"Dear heavens.."Covering his face again with his head, he vanished behind the wall, her voice trailing behind him asking for a kiss goodnight.''-you're quite something.''
Words that left him faster than he could stop them.