Weeks had drifted by since the unsettling incident, and Arlo remained confined to his room. Lady Helia, fully aware of the depths of grief and uncertainty that Arlo was going through, couldn't help but be concerned. Her own past, marked by the loss of someone dear, gave her a deeper understanding of what Arlo might be experiencing. She knew that the situation regarding his grandmother remained uncertain.
She stood outside Arlo's room and gently knocked on the door. Silence met her, but she understood that words alone might not suffice to reach the troubled young boy. She pushed the door open with a sense of urgency, revealing the empty room.
A sense of déjà vu washed over her, accompanied by an impending dread. "Not again," she whispered, a hint of worry lacing her voice. Clad in her dark blue tunic, an attire that allowed freedom of movement, Lady Helia wasted no time. She rushed toward the window and, as she descended to the ground, invoked her spell.
"Illus son of Life, Aquafloat," the incantation flowed in her mind. Instantly, water droplets formed a glistening halo around her, lifting her off the ground. Lady Helia moved swiftly through the air, guiding herself towards the riverbed near her household.
As she scanned the area, her eyes locked onto Arlo, seated near the riverbank. Their eyes met, and Lady Helia descended gently, her feet touching the earth without a sound. Arlo looked at her with a faint smile.
"Sorry, Lady Helia," Arlo confessed, an air of vulnerability in his voice. Lady Helia, caught off guard by his sincerity, wasn't sure how to respond. He looked across the raging river, where the dense forest appeared like a gateway leading back to the elven kingdom.
She sat down beside him, offering comfort. "I expected you'd try again," she admitted while gazing across the river herself.
Arlo sighed, wrapping his arms around himself. "I was, but... I don't know at the same time," he confessed, revealing his inner turmoil.
Lady Helia, with a gentle rub on his head, offered wisdom and solace. "It might be challenging to accept. But if you're trying your best to get back, that already shows you're not giving up. Arlo, you're just a child. Keep in mind that your grandmother would probably say the same thing. If you can't do something right now, wait for the right time when you can do it without a problem," she encouraged.
Arlo managed a small smile, but his face still carried the weight of confusion. Lady Helia stood up and extended her hand toward him. "Let's go, Arlo. It's time," she declared.
As Arlo glanced once more at the river's other side, his mind remained in a state of turmoil. He was torn between the desire to return to confirm his grandmother's fate and the need to accept it for his own safety and well-being. It was a heavy question for a child of his age.
Then, amidst the turmoil in his heart, Arlo noticed a striking sight. In the middle of the river, a single flower stood as if untouched by time. Its delicate petals blossomed under the warm sunlight, vibrant hues of blue and purple intermingling at its core. A radiant, condensed mana seemed to emanate from its heart, casting an ethereal glow.
Arlo found himself captivated by this unique and serene marvel of the natural world. But then, something unexpected happened. Tears welled up in his eyes and began to fall.
"Eh...?" he murmured in surprise as he gently brushed away the tears with both hands, as if trying to halt their descent. Lady Helia, at a loss for words, recognized that all Arlo needed was someone to be there for him. She took his hands, holding them gently but firmly.
"I'm sorry, Grandma..." Arlo whispered, a profound sadness in his voice. With those words, he turned away from the river, and, hand in hand with Lady Helia, he began his walk back to her Manor, where he could find the support and strength to navigate this difficult time in his life.
Several months passed, and Arlo continued his life as an adopted member of the Agatana Household.
It was a warm day, marked by a bright blue sky, signifying the arrival of the Green month. Arlo found himself running through the verdant fields, his young and agile body dodging an unexpected barrage of knives. Despite the hidden assailant, he relied on instinct to gracefully evade the blades.
However, in a sudden twist, his instincts faltered, and a knife closed in perilously. "No!" he exclaimed in a moment of fear. Just in time, Wilr emerged, snatching the blade from the air with his bare hands.
"Good move, Arlo," Wilr commended. To Arlo's right, a young girl materialized. She had a neat bowl-cut hairstyle, sharp black eyes, and an overall shy demeanor, giving her an innocent appearance.
Wilr patted the girl on the head, praising her, "You did well with the throwing and maintaining your ability."
Arlo pouted, pointing to the young girl, and protested, "It's not fair, Nico! Stop using that ability."
Wilr intervened, explaining, "In a fight, fairness doesn't apply. Arlo, you did admirably by dodging an unseen weapon." With a clap of his hands, he signaled them to resume their positions. Arlo and Nico exchanged a determined look.
Nico declared, "I'll win this again," and chanted, "Adapt with the wind, Ethertouch." Instantly, her form blurred, and she melded seamlessly with the surrounding air. This Experience magic allowed the user's body to blend with the wind, a rare skill for someone so young, but Nico wielded it with apparent ease.
Arlo retorted, "Keep quiet." Nico disappeared from his view, prompting him to shift back into a defensive stance, acutely aware of the wind's subtle movements, waiting for her attack.
Nico, invisible and confident, watched Arlo prepare for her assault. She found it almost humorous how Arlo still seemed unaware of her presence despite her invisibility. She skillfully moved to her bag, grabbing a knife.
She hurled the knife with incredible speed and precision. When Arlo dodged, she sent another, following up rapidly. To her surprise, Arlo not only dodged her throws but also seemed to sense her direction despite her invisibility.
"Found you," Arlo declared coldly, pointing directly at her. Nico realized her imminent capture but was too slow to escape. Roots emerged and swiftly ensnared her right foot, immobilizing her.
"Life, Overgrowth," Arlo incanted, commanding the vines to grow rapidly around Nico, rendering her powerless. An applause resounded, with Wilr approaching as Nico's invisibility dissipated, and the vines receded. Arlo grinned, while Nico pouted, unable to accept her loss to Arlo. They had trained together for five months, and Nico still had her doubts about Arlo, despite Wilr's unwavering trust in him.
As Wilr directed, "Both of you can return to the household now." Nico and Arlo paid their respects, bowing to him, and headed back to the Agatana Household.
Arlo led the way, and Nico followed, her thoughts running deep. Arlo's appearance, with his shaggy jet-black hair, deep brown eyes, and warm ivory-toned skin, seemed out of place with the Agatana family's characteristics. Yet, his extraordinary magic abilities were undeniable.
"You're still not as amazing as Lady Helia." Nico suddenly said out loud.
Arlo retorted with a smile, "Spouting bitter words again?"
"You're looking very pleased after managing to find me twice." She grunted and rolled her eyes.
"Of course," Arlo replied confidently. "I've heard about an academy Lady Helia and Wilr attended, and with my steadily improving skills, I might have a chance to get in."
Nico couldn't help but laugh. "We're too young for the academy, Arlo. They only accept students at thirteen, so we've got five more years. Plus, your skills are not enough you should reconsider your thoughts about your skills," she added in a teasing tone.
Arlo chuckled and observed, "You always do your bitterness thing." He glanced ahead to the imposing blue manor of the Agatana and suddenly pondered whether his skills were truly sufficient, and if he could live up to Lady Helia's lofty expectations.
With determination, he clenched his fist, harboring a fervent hope of one day reaching the same heights of greatness as the legendary Lady Helia.
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In the midst of a dense forest, two monstrous grizzly boars charged through the woods, their massive frames toppling trees like fragile dominos as they fled in a frenzy. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the trees. It was Arlo, clad in leather armor bearing the proud blue emblem of the Agatana Family.
With grace, he descended from the trees, and upon touching the earth, the very ground seemed to resonate with his presence. Arlo could sense the frantic movements of the two colossal grizzly boars. With a determined incantation, he channeled his life magic. "Give life once more, Sylvan Restoration," he whispered.
Instantly, the fallen trees, victims of the grizzly boars' rampage, began to stir. They rose from the ground, rejuvenating into their former grandeur, and then swiftly converged to form an impenetrable cage, barring the path of the rampaging beasts. The boars, driven by panic, attempted to plow through the resurrected trees, but the trunks became denser and more robust, defying their efforts.
In a matter of seconds, long blades appeared, thrusting themselves into the grizzly boars' massive skulls, ending their rampage in an instant. A woman, her hair short, and her eyes sharp, appeared atop one of the fallen beasts. Her gaze met Arlo's with a look of profound admiration.
"Remember the second time I did that to you back when we were..." Arlo began but was cut off by Nico's curt interruption.
"Hush! That was five years ago. Move on," she admonished, pulling the swords from the grizzly boars' heads. Her tone was tinged with playful sarcasm.
In stark contrast to Arlo's attire, Nico donned a dark green tunic, also bearing the Agatana Family badge. She sported a long cape fashioned from leaves, offering her effective camouflage within the forest.
Arlo couldn't help but grin and nonchalantly swayed his long, jet-black hair to the side. "I learned it from a book. You should try reading one," he retorted, prompting a roll of Nico's eyes.
"Let's hasten. We need to prepare for the Academy examination," Nico urged, to which Arlo merely nodded. In an instant, Arlo's eyes shimmered with an emerald glow. Two lifeless grizzly boar carcasses were swiftly ensnared by magical vines that emerged from the ground. These vines transformed into a wagon, towing the heavy loads with ease.
Nico watched the spectacle with a practiced demeanor, seemingly unfazed by the display. For Arlo, however, the marvel of his own magic still managed to impress him. "My magic is as incredible as ever!" he exclaimed with enthusiasm.
As they towed the carcasses back to the town of Blueshire, the townspeople, having eagerly awaited their return, erupted in cheers. "Nicely done!" they praised. "It only took them half an hour to hunt those beasts!" Another exclaimed, "The future of the Agatana Family is secure!" The celebratory mood washed over the two hunters. Arlo waved in acknowledgment, wearing a smile as if such adoration were an everyday occurrence, while Nico, though content, returned to her more reserved self.
Rigdur, the town's merchant, approached them, offering a hearty handshake with his robust arms. "Ahaha! I knew both of you could be trusted," he exclaimed. His attention then shifted to the grizzly boars' carcasses. "This will provide enough food for the entire month of Frost," he mused. The townspeople cheered once more and offered their gratitude before the two hunters headed back to the household.
"Frost is coming soon, and we have the academy entrance exam that month," Arlo worried aloud. The Frost, a season marked by severe cold, was an annual occurrence, and it would follow the intense heat of the Sunshower season.
"Yes, that's why this will be our last gift before we leave," Nico explained, securing her two longswords to her back. Arlo couldn't help but marvel at her magical backpack, a creation by Wilr during their time at the Academy.
"Leave? How? The western part of the forest is almost frozen," Arlo inquired. "Even Rigdur isn't leaving town for a month."
Nico calmly replied, "Based on Master Wilr, we're going to take a magic caravan with Lady Helia. The route should be clear at this time of day." Arlo acquiesced, admitting his poor map-reading skills.
"Do you think our skills are sufficient?" Arlo inquired as they reached the manor's gate, which promptly swung open, recognizing their presence.
Nico nonchalantly replied, "I certainly hope so," leaving Arlo to ponder the uncertainties of their impending examination.
The manor welcomed them with warm light and comforting heat as they entered. Greetings from the maids further warmed their return. Following a short greeting, they proceeded to the office of Lady Helia, a door adorned with a beautiful carving of a mystical blue flower.
Nico tapped lightly on the door. "Come in," came Lady Helia's sweet voice from within. They entered and found the room in disarray, cluttered with stacks of papers and overgrown plants. Lady Helia was absorbed in a sea of reports, while Wilr busied himself with collecting papers from the floor.
"Did you manage to complete my quest?" Lady Helia inquired, her classic dark blue dress contrasting the chaotic state of the room.
Arlo nodded in affirmation, while Nico cut to the chase. "How did those grizzly boars end up outside the forest?" she questioned. However, Lady Helia's laughter and evasion of the query did little to provide a direct answer.
"You both need to prepare. You have an hour until the caravan arrives here," Lady Helia stated, maintaining her warm smile.
Nico's grumbles were audible as she rolled her eyes, heading out of the room. Arlo tried to stop her but found himself at a loss. He turned to Lady Helia, apologizing as he followed Nico.
As Lady Helia returned to her paperwork, she noticed Nico's apparent tension. Nearby, Wilr commented with a chuckle, "You acted the same way before our examination, remember?"
Lady Helia, who couldn't help but smirk at the memory, managed to give Wilr a disdainful look. However, the memory was a reminder that Arlo and Nico might be dealing with pre-examination jitters. She sighed and redirected her focus to the paperwork at hand.
Arlo caught up with Nico, who was walking briskly towards her room. As she approached her door, Arlo blocked her path, prompting her to utter, "Get out of my way."
Arlo, with an unusual firmness, responded, "No," taking Nico aback. His intense gaze held hers, and he continued, "Don't ever disrespect Lady Helia again."
Nico looked down, unable to meet Arlo's serious gaze. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, "It's just... frustration and realization..."
Arlo inquired, "Frustration about what? We didn't fail the quest."
"I know," Nico sighed, "We didn't. We always do the quests together. It's just... without you, can I even trap or take down those boars? All I do is deliver the finishing kill. How can I be a hunter if I can't even trap our prey by myself? It's just... what if the exam is a solo one? I'm exhausted, maybe..."
Arlo, understanding her concerns and realizing that he also couldn't accomplish their tasks without her, offered words of comfort, "Don't overthink it. We can pass, no matter what kind of exam we face."
Nico's chuckle and her silent "thank you" conveyed her appreciation as she closed her door.
Arlo sighed and entered his own room, where memories flooded back. He sat on the bed, reminiscing about the first time he arrived as a child.
"Grandma..." he whispered, as his thoughts traversed the paths of his childhood and the pain of losing his grandmother and Malek. The absence of her voice weighed heavily on him. Those cherished memories kept fading, and even the sound of his own youthful voice began to elude him.
A knock on his door interrupted his reverie. "Are you done, Arlo?" It was Nico, knocking again. Arlo suddenly realized he had spent too much time lying on his bed.
"Ah, just a bit more time!" he hurriedly replied. He hastily gathered his belongings, tossing clothes into his leather bag without bothering to fold them. Once he had finished, he grabbed the bag, rushed to open the door, and found Nico waiting just outside.
Nico scrutinized his disheveled appearance and commented, "You look awful. Change your clothes!" Her attire had shifted into a graceful dark blue tunic dress with a golden Agatana family insignia on her right shoulder, adorned with a silver necklace.
Arlo was still wearing his hunting attire, a realization that dawned on him as he apologized and shut the door. He hastily changed into a cleaner outfit, opting for a blue silk tunic and loose trousers that had been gifted to him by Lady Helia. He added his Agatana family badge and prepared himself.
Once he was ready, he opened the door, and Wilr was waiting for him in the hallway. Wilr gestured to Arlo, signaling him to hurry. Arlo rushed out, and Wilr opened the door, revealing a waiting magic caravan drawn by two six-legged horses.
Notably, Lady Helia and Nico were missing. Arlo couldn't see anything inside the covered caravan.
"Master, where are they?" Arlo inquired, and Wilr explained that Lady Helia and Nico were already inside, taking some rest. Wilr patted Arlo's head with a warm smile.
"I'll be going now. Thank you for everything!" Arlo expressed his gratitude. Wilr simply smiled and bade him farewell.
The door of the caravan opened as Wilr stepped aside. Arlo observed Nico and Lady Helia sitting in the back. Wilr placed Arlo's leather bag among the other luggage at the front. Lady Helia patted the vacant seat beside her, inviting Arlo to join.
He complied, taking the offered seat while Nico sat to Lady Helia's left. With everyone aboard, the caravan began to move, the six-legged horses setting off as they traveled through the grand gates of the Manor.
Suddenly, Lady Helia took the opportunity to put both Arlo's and Nico's heads on her shoulder, speaking softly, "Both of you should rest; it's already night." Both were taken aback but couldn't resist the offer. The exhaustion they had accumulated throughout the day began to overtake them, and their eyes grew heavy.
After a short while, Lady Helia noticed that both Arlo and Nico were fast asleep. She gently patted their heads and leaned back, closing her eyes, whispering, "I truly hope to see you both excel in the examination tomorrow." She then opened both windows, allowing the cold breeze to permeate the caravan, cooling the passengers while the moon's gentle glow provided the only source of light.
A few hours passed, and it was already midnight. The cold breeze coming through the window caught Arlo's attention, and he blinked awake. He looked out at the full moon and the bright stars, the view casting a peaceful spell over him. He found himself leaning against Lady Helia's shoulder, with Nico beside him. The beauty of the night landscape, with the river Ylian on one side and lush green fields on the other, caught his attention.
"Where is this place?" Arlo wondered, peering out of the window. As he leaned to look out, his nose caught a hint of a fragrant breeze, carrying the scent of the forest. He whispered, "Elf..." A glance to his left revealed a group of fireflies flying in formation along the riverbank.
However, as he watched the fireflies, his hands began to shake, and the memory of his past rushed over him. In an instant, the carriage came to a halt, leaving Arlo and Nico bewildered. The caravan's sudden halt startled Nico, and Lady Helia, who was already awake, noticed the abrupt stop.
Lady Helia skillfully brought her horses to a halt with just a thought.
"Prepare yourselves," Lady Helia said unexpectedly, catching both Arlo and Nico off guard by her vigilance.
"This situation will serve as your warm-up before the actual exam. Allow me to handle the initial encounter," she said with a reassuring smile. She elegantly adjusted her dark blue dress as she disembarked from the caravan. As she stepped down, the river's current seemed to intensify, and they were greeted by the sight of eight elven figures blocking the road.
Noticing that the horses' feet were ensnared by magical vines, Lady Helia quipped, "Why is it that the Silvercrowns always resort to these theatrics?" She confidently strode toward the front of the caravan, where the eight Silvercrown soldiers were preparing for an attack.
Arlo and Nico followed Lady Helia outside. When Arlo laid eyes on the Silvercrown soldiers, a sudden paralysis overcame him. Their uniforms invoked vivid memories from his past - silver armor adorned with a hint of gold, shining brilliantly beneath the moon's glow.
Observing Arlo's uncharacteristic silence and the look of recognition in his eyes, Nico asked with concern, "Hey, what's wrong?"
Arlo remained speechless, transfixed by the soldiers. Lady Helia, sensing the abrupt shift in Arlo's demeanor, turned back to see him and comprehended the significance of this encounter.
"Prevent them from advancing!" one of the elven soldiers commanded, and the remaining seven swiftly closed in on Arlo and Nico. Arlo's heart raced, his mind entangled with memories, leaving him bewildered about how to respond.