Braxis gripped the guard's gauntlets firmly, his fingers closing around the cold metal. The guard's eyes widened in horror as he witnessed a peculiar phenomenon unfold before him. With each passing moment, he observed in disbelief as vibrant specks of mana, the essence of magic itself, slipped away from the gauntlets, dissipating into thin air. What were once extraordinary, empowered gauntlets now appeared as ordinary, unremarkable leather gloves in Braxis' grasp.
A mischievous glint danced in Braxis' eyes as he spoke, his voice laced with amusement, "Impressive gauntlets. Or should I say, gloves now?" He punctuated his remark with a petty wink aimed directly at the baffled guard, who struggled to comprehend the astounding feat he had just witnessed.
Trembling with a mixture of shock and fury, the guard managed to find his voice amidst his storm of emotions. "You! What did you just do!?" His question hung in the air, carrying a weight of incredulity and indignation.
Braxis responded with a smug smile, his tone tinged with an air of dismissiveness. "Let's not concern ourselves with that for now. Instead, why don't we take a closer look at the rest of the magnificent gear you possess?" His words filled with a subtle arrogance as he extended his power toward the enchanted equipment adorning the guard's body. With an insidious touch, Braxis began to absorb the enchantments, one by one, draining the magical properties from each piece. The guard's once resplendent attire, a symbol of his authority and protection, swiftly transformed into a heap of worthless scraps, devoid of any magical essence.
A surge of defeat washed over the guard, mingling with the remnants of his fading rage. He glared at Braxis, a snarl of defiance etched upon his face. "Do you truly believe you will escape the consequences of your actions?"
Braxis chuckled softly, a chilling sound that seemed to embody his confidence and superiority. He bent down, seizing the guard's head firmly by the back of his hair, lifting it up to meet his gaze. The guard's expression contorted with a mixture of pain and defiance, as he realized the extent of his helplessness before this enigmatic force.
A sinister smirk curled upon Braxis' lips as he leaned in, his voice a venomous whisper delivered at ear level. "I will. And you will be unable to do anything about it." Without a moment's hesitation, he forcefully drove the shocked guard's head into the unyielding ground, a brutal blow that rendered him instantly unconscious. The sound of bone meeting earth reverberated through the air, a sickening thud that resonated with the finality of defeat.
"Return," Braxis commanded with unwavering authority, his voice carrying a commanding tone. Obediently, the summoned entity fell into the ground like a cup of water being spilled, retreating into the sanctuary of Braxis' own shadow. Braxis then swiftly slapped his palms together, dispersing the lingering dust as he regained his composure. With an air of cool detachment, he resumed his purposeful stride, resolutely continuing down the path that stretched ahead.
"Now, it is time to locate the ally who has been assigned to me," Braxis murmured quietly, his words a mere breath in the stillness of the surroundings. He began gently sifting through the list of summons as he attempted to locate anything possible in helping him.
Engrossed in his contemplation, Braxis relished in the abundance of mana at his disposal. "Let us see... With that generous contribution, my reserves now stand at a formidable 1000 mana," he pondered, a self-assured smile playing upon his lips. With a decisive selection, he chose a new summon, his mind alight with anticipation.
Shortly after he made his choice, a fascinating transformation began to unfold directly upon his shoulder. Initially shrouded in an enigmatic play of ethereal light particles, the form gradually took shape, revealing its true essence. The rapid metamorphosis reached its climax, and perched upon Braxis' shoulder now sat a strikingly majestic eagle, its formidable presence commanding attention. The piercing gaze of the eagle's eyes seemed to penetrate the very depths of one's soul, radiating an aura of ancient wisdom and profound insight.
"You're an expensive little guy aren't you, 300 mana.." Braxis said as he gently pat the top of the eagle's head.
"Alright, eagle, take to the sky and scout for any nearby presence," Braxis commanded, his voice firm and decisive. With a loud caw, the eagle obeyed, soaring into the air and embarking on its reconnaissance mission.
"Great, that's sorted. This mission should give me the materials I need to unlock another passive ability. It'll come in handy down the line," Braxis thought to himself, finding a spot to sit not too far from the palace. He settled down, eagerly awaiting the return of his faithful eagle. As he waited, he couldn't help but take in the beauty of his surroundings.
Braxis turned his head, casting his eyes over the breathtaking scenery that stretched before him. The landscape was truly awe-inspiring, captivating his attention. He let out a deep exhale, feeling a profound sense of relaxation wash over him. The serene atmosphere allowed him to unwind and let go of any tension he had been carrying.
Braxis welcomed the rare opportunity to catch his breath, his mind finding relief from the constant attacks and burdens that had weighed him down. "Being constantly attacked and stressed by everyone I've encountered has taken its toll. It's nice to take a break for once," he thought, savoring the momentary respite.
"CAWWWW!" Suddenly, a piercing caw interrupted his thoughts, drawing his gaze upward. The eagle returned, gracefully swooping down to perch on his shoulder. Without hesitation, the bird playfully nudged its head against Braxis, initiating a transfer of information that flooded his mind. The intricate layout and fine details of his surroundings became clear to him, a mental map forming with each passing moment.
Looking around, Braxis couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. "I don't see anyone... They must be hiding, or perhaps my father is playing a trick on me, enjoying my confusion," he contemplated, considering the possibilities. Nonetheless, he knew he had to stay focused on his primary mission. Dealing with his bothersome brothers could wait; he had to complete his objective. And to do that, he needed to make some preparations, starting with finding the right attire. Despite the lack of any signs of life nearby, Braxis's determination remained unwavering.
Standing up, he brushed off the dust from his pants and resumed his journey. Returning to the palace, Braxis made his way to his room, a sense of purpose driving his every step. Opening a drawer, he retrieved a small coin purse, a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes. However, disappointment struck him once again as he realized there were no servants around to assist him.
"Great, looks like I'll have to make a visit to the servant's quarters," Braxis sighed, a tinge of frustration evident in his voice. He hadn't expected to go through all this trouble just to find Julianne, but he knew he couldn't let that deter him. His mission had to be accomplished. With determination in his heart, he left his room, scanning the surroundings for any signs of help, only to be met with an empty hallway.
Navigating the bustling halls of the palace, Braxis found himself surrounded by a constant buzz of whispers and murmurs. The conversations that once centered around his past misdeeds had now shifted to discussions about his newfound position.
"Did you hear the news? He's the successor now..."
"Fantastic, just what we needed. The esteemed young master Vorkath being overshadowed by this womanizer..."
"Shh! Keep your voice down! He might hear you!"
Braxis chose to tune out the chatter, his gaze focused ahead as he walked, sighing softly to himself. "Some things never change, huh?" he thought, a hint of resignation in his sigh. Despite the significant strides he had made in the past few days, he found himself still entangled in the webs of gossip and judgment. Nonetheless, he remained resolute, convinced that his consistent delivery of positive results would eventually alter the perceptions of those around him.
Interrupting his contemplation, a small servant girl approached him, her demeanor respectful as she knelt down and bowed her head. "Lord Braxis, what brings you here?" she inquired, her voice filled with deference.
"I am in search of a servant named Julianne. Have you seen her?" Braxis asked, his eyes assessing the young girl.
"Julianne? Well, if I recall correctly, she was summoned to one of the guard's rooms for some reason... It seemed a bit unusual," the servant girl replied, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Instantly, a wave of apprehension washed over Braxis. "Can you tell me the name of this guard and provide a description of his appearance?" he asked urgently, his tone betraying his growing concern.