"He is a what?" Ajax's curiosity hung palpably in the air, the sole echo in the ensuing silence.
Viktor spoke the word hesitantly as if he was questioning his own understanding. "A... basketball."
"Basketball?" Belial's eyebrows raised in utter perplexity.
A sudden eruption of laughter from Arthur broke the stunned hush. "I can't believe this halfwit bought it! I could have said I was a toaster, and he would've swallowed it whole. Now it makes sense why he chose to be a mage," Arthur scoffed, his mirth gradually ebbing.
Viktor defended himself, frustration creeping into his voice. "He kept his secret closely guarded and convinced me to remain silent. He even showed me his transformation into an energy sphere in secret!" Embarrassment tinged Viktor's voice, even as the collective gaze from the group seemed to tattoo 'gullible' onto his forehead.
Across the space, Viktor's assigned officer turned to his counterpart beside Ajax. His proposal was as unexpected as his tone was solemn. "I'll offer you two thousand golden crests in exchange for Ajax," he stated.
The mention of the sizable amount caused the target of the proposal, Thalion, to raise an eyebrow. "You're willing to part with enough for a grand palace over an honest mistake, Oyrm?" he queried, attempting to urge some reconsideration.
Oyrm stood resolute, his gaze unwavering. "I trust my instincts, and they warn me about this summon. If you think the stress is worth the money, it's yours," he declared.
Viktor's voice cracked with indignation. "Hey, I'm right here! Aren't I supposed to be the world's savior? Is this how you treat your last hope?" He protested, his frustration evident.
Thalion paid Viktor's outburst no mind. With a nod and a grin, he agreed to the deal. "Done. Always a pleasure to do business, Oyrm." he chimed as he steered his course towards the flabbergasted Viktor.
Oyrm returned the nod, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I appreciate your decisiveness. I'll gather the funds after this battle," he replied before striding towards the preoccupied Ajax, who seemed engrossed in observing Arthur.
Meanwhile, Belial sought clarity amidst the commotion, turning his attention to Ethan. "So, Arthur invented a nonsensical term for his class? One that isn't even recognized by your system?" The puzzlement in his voice mirrored his struggle to make sense of the convoluted scenario.
With a sigh of resignation, Ethan clarified, "Basketball is a legitimate term. It's just a relic from our previous lives. Given his reaction, I suspect Arthur would be best suited to elaborate. His laughter seems to hide a wealth of insight."
"Agreed. I must apologize, Ethan. My curiosity is piqued by Arthur's spectacle. I'm eager to understand more about this 'basketball' class. You will be assigned to Natalia," Belial decided, motioning toward the striking female officer. A radiant smile blossomed on Natalia's face as she gave Ethan a warm, welcoming nod.
Arthur's expression morphed into one of bewilderment, his features painted with genuine confusion as he attempted to decipher the situation.
'What a royal fuck-up,' Ethan seethed inwardly. His thoughts throbbed with a cocktail of exasperation and a begrudging understanding. 'But then again, if he's drinking the same spiked Kool-Aid as Viktor, maybe it's best not to get too close. Might be contagious, this brand of dumbassery.'
To Belial, however, Ethan presented a calm and composed demeanor. "I understand, Belial, and I respect your decision," he replied, his respectful nod mirrored by the horned figure, whose horns cast a brilliant crimson glow. "I hope your quest for understanding proves enlightening," Ethan added, without so much as a backward glance at Belial. With an air of elegance, he began making his way toward Natalia.
Once the chaotic shuffling concluded, each summoned hero followed their assigned officer, branching off into various sectors, ready to partake in the forthcoming battle. Separate tactical directives were laid out for each.
Ethan and Natalia journeyed a fair distance before they arrived at her private quarters - an elegant, yet functional tent, nestled in a serene part of the camp. "Pay close attention..." Natalia started, her words hovering in the air before trailing off.
Responding to the silence, Ethan extended his hand for a handshake, introducing himself, "I'm Ethan. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Taken aback by the unfamiliar gesture, Natalia studied his offered hand, her turquoise eyes reflecting her bewilderment. "Are you suggesting we hold hands?"
A flicker of chagrin passed over Ethan's face. "Apologies, I keep forgetting handshakes aren't a part of the customs here. Should we greet each other with a bow, perhaps? I'm still acquainting myself with the etiquettes of this world," he admitted.
Natalia looked at him with a certain loftiness. "Among the plebeians devoid of magic, a simple bow is their form of greeting. Us elites, who dance with magic, need not resort to such mundanity," a smirk playing on her lips as she reflected on the simple customs of the non-magical folks.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, "That seems...a tad standoffish, don't you think?"
Natalia's lips curled into an indulgent smile, "Not quite. It isn't about arrogance. You see, we have a custom, a ritual of sorts, called 'essence exchange.' It's a potent bond, allowing a brief journey into one another's emotional realm, magical potency, and underlying motives," she elaborated, extending her palm in an elegant invitation.
Ethan hesitated briefly before extending his hand, "Why not?" He responded, his palm meeting Natalia's. A breathtaking swirl of vibrant energy spiraled from their hands, illuminating the air around them before subsiding.
"Feels strangely familiar," Ethan mused aloud, a puzzled expression dancing on his face.
Drawing back her hand, Natalia's emerald eyes twinkled mysteriously. "The essence exchange could be achieved with any form of contact, but traditionally, it is through the palm. This ritual is intensely personal and laden with risks, hence most mages avoid it unless absolutely necessary," she explained, her voice falling to a seductive murmur. The playful glint in her eyes hinted at more than a mere magical ritual, painting a tantalizing picture of the depth and intricacy of their nascent connection.
A flicker of unease ghosted across Ethan's features. "What did you glean from that exchange?" he queried, his words tinted with a touch of apprehension.
Natalia gave him a look that was part curiosity, part amusement. "Just that you're not particularly invested in this world's salvation. And then there were a few... suggestive musings." Her lips curled into a half-smile that held a hint of sly reproach. "I would advise caution when engaging in essence exchanges until you learn to safeguard your thoughts."
"Holy hell, you got all that from a simple touch?" Ethan blurted out, his tone rich with shock. "Here I was, picking up nothing more exciting than neutrality from you." A realization crept into his mind, uninvited and unsettling. 'If Seraphina and Lunera tapped into the same... Damn, they're privy to all my unfiltered thoughts and still sticking their necks out for me?' His inner turmoil brewed, making him reassess the tangled web of his intentions.
Natalia shrugged nonchalantly, her teal eyes gleaming with devil-may-care defiance. "Well, you're not the only one detached from this world's fate. I've paid my dues, clawed my way to where I am, and it feels like a hollow victory, a chalice brimming with despair," she confessed, her voice taking on a rare melancholy note. She quickly recomposed herself, though, and added, "Let's keep this our little secret, shall we?"
As the atmosphere weighed heavy with her unexpected admission, Ethan could only manage a mute nod of agreement. But Natalia swiftly swept away the lingering tension.
"I should probably make an effort to fill in the void for her at some point. It seems like she could use a friend," Ethan reflected inwardly, a tinge of sympathy coloring his thoughts. "Being in a high-ranking military position in any world must make it challenging to form connections and find companionship."
"Anyways, apologies for the detour. We have pressing matters to attend to. In a matter of minutes, the Bastorii will launch their assault," Natalia switched gears, her tone steeling with resolve. "For this battle, I will be your personal shield. Feel free to take risks. Just remember, such luxury may not be afforded in future skirmishes," she instructed, rising smoothly from her seat. She beckoned Ethan with a graceful gesture and strode towards the exit of the tent.
Ethan shot back with a mix of confusion and sarcasm, "Bastorii? Is that some sort of fancy swear word here?"
Natalia let out a sigh, her face hardening with determination. "You'll understand soon enough. For now, let's prepare to spring our ambush on these marauders," she stated with a hint of fiery resolve sparking in her gaze.