Despite his hidden allegiance, Orimudi's intellect and mastery of magic allowed him to operate undetected for centuries. Now, his apparent focus on Niu stirred curiosity and unease among the council members.
The chamber doors opened, and Stargen and Evermon entered, their postures stiff with unease. They bowed deeply before the council.
"State your names and roles," Rujik commanded.
"I am Stargen, Lieutenant of the Intelligence Corps."
"And I am Evermon, Senior Operative of the same."
"You were stationed to guard Niu, were you not?" Elder Lirana asked.
"Yes, Elder," Stargen replied.
"Describe your observations," Rujik ordered, leaning forward.
Their accounts bordered on the unbelievable, and both officers hesitated, fearing ridicule. However, the council remained silent, listening intently.
The officers exchanged uncertain glances. Stargen began, "The child... he is unlike anything we've seen. At just nine months old, he projects his thoughts telepathically, speaks fluently in three languages, and reads ancient texts as if they were nursery rhymes."
Evermon added, "He has mastered foundational spirit magic—something that took me years to grasp. His telepathy is strong, and his grasp of the God Tongue, Shambali, and Koronic languages is flawless."
The council listened in silence, their faces unreadable.
"I understand how this sounds," Stargen continued, his voice faltering. "But we are merely reporting what we have witnessed."
"It defies reason," Evermon admitted. "Yet we see it daily. Elder Orimudi trains the child, focusing on foundational magic. If I may boldly say, Elder Orimudi is better equipped to provide actionable report about Niu compared to us."
"Elder Orimudi … discusses his research with the child as if consulting a colleague." Lietaunant Stargen added.
When the officers finished, the silence was palpable. Finally, Elder Kasrel spoke, "Your accounts are... extraordinary. Do you suspect Orimudi has broken sanctuary law?"
The officers shook their heads. "We are not privy to the council's decisions or Orimudi's methods," Evermon replied.
"Lietaunant Stargen, Commander Evermon, you are dismissed," Rujik said, waving them away.
The officers saluted their seniors and quickly exited. As the doors closed behind the officers, the council remained silent for several moments.
Headmistress Kasrel broke the silence. "If even half of their report is true, we are dealing with an unprecedented phenomenon."
"It aligns with Orimudi's recent behavior," Lirana said. "His sudden interest in the child, his refusal to attend this meeting—he knows something."
"I fear it may be more than that," Rujik said gravely. "The child's abilities surpass anything natural. His mastery of spirit magic at his age is impossible unless…"
"Unless?" Kasrel prompted.
"Unless Orimudi returned his memories," Rujik finished.
A collective gasp filled the chamber. "That is a dangerous accusation," Lirana warned.
"Dangerous, but plausible," Rujik countered. "The child's reincarnation is no secret to us, but to restore his past-life memories? It would explain his rapid development and Orimudi's secrecy."
"What do you propose?" Kasrel asked.
"I will investigate," Rujik declared. "I will observe the child and speak with Orimudi. If he has tampered with the child's soul, it must be addressed immediately. But…"
"But what?" Lirana pressed.
Elder Rujik broke it. "The child possesses the mind and personality of an adult. Even without his memories, he retains the cognitive depth of someone far older."
Rujik hesitated. "I fear the child's potential. Even without his memories, he possesses the mind of an adult. Every soul in this sanctuary was hand picked by a deity. If his personality is unchecked, if he harbors resentment or ambition, he could become a force beyond our control."
The council exchanged glances as Rujik leaned forward. "I suspect Elder Orimudi may have given the child his potion of the sealed memories. I would be surprised if he did not. This possibility requires immediate investigation. I will personally assess the child's character and confirm whether my suspicions hold merit."
The room fell silent as the weight of Rujik's words settled over them.
"Then it is settled," Kasrel said. "You will investigate and report your findings. Until then, we watch and wait."
Headmistress Kasrel nodded, though her expression remained troubled. "And Elder Orimudi?"
Rujik's gaze hardened. "I will handle him personally. His secrecy is a liability we can no longer afford."
As the council adjourned, Kasrel lingered, her mind racing. Kasrel placed a hand on the golden vines that adorned the council chamber's walls. "May the roots of our sanctuary hold fast," she murmured. "And may we have the strength to face what is to come."
The council delegation team of five members, led by Rujik, arrived at Orimudi's chambers shortly after. Elder Rujik was a military general with a face covered in battle scars that formed bald patches on his scalp of red hair. The elder's presence was imposing, his sharp gaze taking in every detail of the room as if it held secrets waiting to be uncovered.
Orimudi greeted them with a composed smile, though his mind raced. "A surprise visit, Elder Rujik? ."
Orimudi turned to glance at Niu, who sat cross-legged on a mat at the center of his training hall, the pendant Orimudi had given him tucked around his neck. The child's innocent curiosity was evident as he attempted to float several small magic stones using telekinesis.
"Orimudi," Rujik began, his tone formal yet tinged with curiosity. "The council appreciates your dedication to Niu's development, but we have heard remarkable accounts from the stationed officers. We thought it prudent to observe the child's progress ourselves."
"The child is practicing telekinesis at the moment, he is self-taught and is currently approaching a breakthrough. I have left him to continue under close supervision.I hope you do not think I would withhold anything from the council." Orimudi said faking humility.
"Of course not," Rujik replied smoothly. "We merely wish to ensure that everything is progressing as expected. And perhaps," he added, his tone calculated, "see a demonstration of Niu's abilities."
Orimudi looked at the child with a concerned expression, he felt like his hands were tied. Niu, overhearing the exchange, stood slowly, bowing deeply despite nearly toppling over. His small body nearly loosing balance from the action. "Elder Rujik," he said, his small voice steady. "It would be my pleasure to showcase my progress and, hopefully, receive feedback."
Rujik raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Very well, proceed."
"My telekinesis abilities can be summarized as mere party tricks but I hope it may arise the same level of curiosity that it has in me." Niu spoke while raising thin needles of iron each several inches in length before him.
The floating needles shifting into a precise alignment. Their pointed tips reflected the room's faint light, gleaming like miniature stars.
"While playing with metals that have a strong affinity for magic stones," Niu began, "I noticed the needles align themselves in distinct patterns around the stones. These patterns, I believe, are a visual representation of its attractive force.They show the concentration of the attraction power of the magic stone."
Rujik smiled at the child, "It is impressive to have discovered this by yourself but those are called magical waves. Elder Orimudi should have taught you this as part of his foundational magic classes."
"Hmmh," Niu said a bit heartbroken. Niu's face fell slightly but quickly recovered. "Magical waves," he said, "are what I use to do this."
Niu lifted one foot forward and step on air, he raised the other foot and remained levitated off the ground. With that, he stepped forward—and then upward. His small frame lifted gracefully into the air, his feet stepping as if on invisible stairs. He hovered a meter off the ground, his movements fluid and controlled.
The room erupted in murmurs of astonishment. "Is he flying?" one delegate asked. "Is this wind elemental magic?"
"How are you doing that?" Rujik asked as he approached closer inspecting him from different angles as if expecting to see an enchanted gadget or glowing runes.
"I am using magical waves," Niu said, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Magical waves?" Rujik and his delegation team echoed in unison.
"Yes, the term is new to me, but feel free to consult foundational magic texts for details on how they work," Niu quipped.
Orimudi chuckled unable to hold down his laughter. "Niu set them on the same page."
"Yes, Grandpa." Niu answered, he clearly had not appreciated Elder Rujik interrupting his explaination earlier him but he had to appreciate Orimudi's subtle pun.
"Do you know what a magic stone is?" Niu asked condescendingly.
"In definition but not how they occur naturally" Rujik answered ignoring the child's attitude.
"Good. What you are currently standing on is a giant magic stone. I am merely balancing on the magical waves it is emitting." Niu answered as he levitated across the hall.
Elder Rujik looked around him, but his eyes could not spot the "what" the child spoke of. The entire delegation team began paying close attention to their sorrounding, their senses failing to spot any subtilties.
"Is this a special platform?" Rujik asked, his enthusiasm dampened by confusion.
Niu could not hide his disappointment. He sent out a telepathic message to Elder Orimudi. "Why didn't you tell me he is an idiot?"
Orimudi burst out into laughter. He spoke out loud. "The entire planet is a magic stone !".
"What?" Rujik said in confusion. " That is absurd, all metallic objects would be glued to the ground. Magic stones are rare artifacts and we would have noticed if we were standing on one."
"Well then, if magic stones are as rare as you say. Follow this needle and you will find the largest deposit of magic stone on the planet." Niu said sarcastically as he made a thin needle of steel float on a sheet of paper before him.
The steel needle slowly aligned itself and pointed to the north and south like a compass.
" All I seek in return is a small compensation for my contribution," Niu finally said, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Orimudi's laughter grew louder, the sound filling the hall. "He's serious, Rujik. We've mapped this theory extensively." Orimudi had always wondered how birds would migrate during winter and navigate the sky without an understanding of the position of the stars. Niu's theory had answered his questions to some degree.
'What is so funny' Elder Rujik wondered. Niu's sarcastic comment had gone over his head.
"How much for the needle and chart?" Rujik began his bid.
Orimudi became teary with laughter. Niu had shared his discovery with him days prior and had convinced him that not only was their planet a magic stone but all life-bearing planets had to share this property.
Elder Orimudi watched as a piece of steel was traded for unlimited access to the council's library, he had forgotten what pure joy felt like.