"Remind me again what your plan is exactly, Your Highness? Because it seems to me that we've been walking for hours now and there's still nothing."
After an hour or two of brief conversation, observing, and of course, walking.
Eirian, who was initially passive, asked Azrael but not in a rude way. More or less, he seemed mildly concerned about the lack of events. Azrael brushed his fingers through his hair as he glanced at the tall man beside him and shot him an apologetic smile.
'I expected this. He also got frustrated for having to walk for so long in the novel.'
"I apologize but please endure it a bit longer. Spirits hide in the deeper parts of the Aurora Glade. We have to keep walking until our environment has changed."
"What do you mean?"
Azrael gestures to their surroundings. "The Aurora Glades has
"I'm assuming that's where the academy is located?" Eirian cuts him off. Azrael nods in agreement.
"That's correct. The third stratum is where Luminara was built. As I'm sure you noticed, the contrast between the outer layers and this stratum is striking. The trees emit a soft glow, and the air hums with latent magic. Now, the fourth stratum, which is the stratum we're currently on."
"The fourth stratum is where the forest truly reveals its enchantment. The flora and fauna here possess extraordinary qualities, sought after by swordsmiths, potioneers, and alchemists alike. Typically, this would be the go-to for finding materials for a magical weapon but what we're really after is, as you know, on the fifth stratum."
Azrael's demeanor shifts slightly, a hint of nervousness flickering in his eyes as Eirian quietly listens to him. "The fifth stratum is an environment of mystery and potential danger. It is where spirits reside, with their presence sensed but rarely seen."
"How are we to know if we're on the fifth stratum if we can only sense the spirits in it rather than see them? Isn't there any other qualities the fifth stratum has besides it being dangerous?" Eirian turned to look at him, expecting an answer which Azrael fortunately had.
"There is. The fifth stratum's forest, allegedly, is thick, shutting out the sunlight, and the only source of lighting is believed to be luminescent orbs, which are said to be manifestations of the spirits themselves. The moment we do not see the sun or even the moon is the moment we've entered the fifth stratum."
"Hm. Then, the plan is to keep walking until we've reached the fifth stratum?" Azrael nods his head. "Right. But did you not mention before that spirits need an offering?"
"Ah—Well, yes....but..."
'You never needed to offer because the spirit who forged your sword automatically knew you were special.'
As much as Azrael wanted to say that, he could not. "In any case that a person does not have an offering, spirits offer countless tests to prove that they are, at the very least, deserving of their help—" The young prince abruptly stops, his breath ragged.
Azrael was well-aware that he and Eirian had been walking for quite some time but his body had only felt it now. It's as if all his exhaustion came down. As usual, Eirian was quick to notice as he stopped walking to check on him.
"Your Highness? Is there anything wrong?" Though his tone is still monotonous, there was a tinge of concern as well.
"I'm fine...I'm just...a bit tired. This is the first time I've had to walk this much." Azrael says embarrassedly as he clutches his chest gently to breathe. 'More like this body has not walked for this long. I used to be able to walk for more than three hours straight.'
For the first time in weeks, he was starting to miss his old body. He, as Zak, was fit. He was a student who had a tight budget to the point where he had to choose a tiny apartment that was cheaper and two hours away from his university.
To save more money, he would walk and only take the train or any mode of transportation if he was absolutely exhausted.
At first, it was hard on Zak, but as months went by, his body got accustomed to walking for hours on end and he would only ought to take the train if the weather was not good.
He had not felt this kind of exhaustion in years.
It did not feel good.
And as much as he was reluctant to ask or say anything, he knew what lies beyond the forest and he needed all his strength to assist Eirian in any way possible.
So, he gathered all of his thoughts and opened his lips slightly to speak, but before he could Eirian already spoke on his behalf.
"Let us take a break then, Your Highness." The black-haired prince walked past Azrael and headed to a nearby rock to sit down. Azrael blinked in surprise but a smile crept its way on his face as he followed behind Eirian to sit as well, and the moment he did...he felt pure bliss.
Azrael took a moment to catch his breath, relishing the sensation of sitting down after hours of walking. He reached into his satchel and retrieved his canteen of water, taking a long sip to quench his thirst.
'I'm also getting hungry...luckily I have some delicious looking sandwiches in my satchel.' As he continued to stretch, he couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude towards Adham for packing the sandwiches. Opening the satchel, he found the neatly wrapped sandwiches and smiled appreciatively.
"Looks like Adham packed quite a lot" Azrael remarked, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. He could not help but let out a small chuckle. "He really went all out."
Eirian glanced over at the sandwiches, a faint hint of curiosity crossing his features. "It seems so," he agreed nonchalantly.
Azrael took a moment to unwrap one of the sandwiches, admiring the care that Adham had put into preparing it. 'I'll have to thank him properly when I return,' he thought to himself, making a mental note to bring something back for Adham and Caspian as a token of gratitude.
As he began to eat, Azrael noticed Eirian's stoic expression and remembered his manners. "Would you like some water or a sandwich, Eirian?" he offered politely, holding out the canteen towards him.
Eirian shook his head. "No, thank you, Your Highness. I have my own water, and I ate before we came here," he replied evenly.
Azrael nodded understandingly, respecting Eirian's refusal. 'As expected of the protagonist. He's well-prepared and strong. Not easily tired...unlike this body.' He couldn't help but feel a pang of envy at Eirian's seemingly endless stamina, but he pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on savoring his meal.
As they sat in comfortable silence, Azrael took the opportunity to observe their surroundings. He marveled at the diverse array of creatures that inhabited the Aurora Glades, each one more fascinating than the last. One creature, in particular, caught his eye—a fluffy, round white creature that seemed to bounce around with boundless energy, unfazed by the presence of humans.
'It's incredible,' Azrael thought to himself, 'Honestly, the novel did not do the Aurora Glades any justice. The author just gave it a quick description and focused more on Eirian's interaction with the spirit.'
Despite his initial apprehensions, Azrael couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over him as he watched the creatures go about their lives, seemingly indifferent to the presence of outsiders. It was a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere he had grown accustomed to in the academy, and he found himself relaxing in the tranquil surroundings.
Lost in his thoughts, Azrael was startled when Eirian suddenly spoke up from beside him.
"Your Highness..."
"Mm." Azrael turned to look at him, curious about what Eirian had to say. "Yes?" he responded, his tone polite yet attentive.
Eirian hesitated for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Are you sure your sources are correct? About... me being a leader."
Azrael blinked in surprise at the unexpected question, taken aback by Eirian's sudden inquiry. He paused for a moment, considering his response carefully but in the end, all he could say was, "I am certain."
Eirian's eyes visibly darkened, his shoulders slumped. Despite the fact that Azrael had already told him about this fact a few days ago, it seemed Eirian still wanted to deny it. 'He really hated being one of the leaders, just as much as his own team hated him. This arc...it was set up for Eirian to fail and fall into deeper despair.'
When Azrael thought that was the end of conversation since Eirian wasn't the type to speak his thoughts, much to the young imperial prince's surprise, Eirian continued.
"Caelum Eversly...I can never understand why it seemed like he strived for others to hate me even more as if the prophecy was not enough."
Azrael's eyes widened a bit to what Eirian said because it almost seemed like he was confiding in him, but he had to remind himself that Eirian is just pointing out the obvious rather than opening his heart.
'It's because he knows you are the child of light, not him.' Was what he wanted to say but what he actually told him is, "Growing up loved can sometimes make someone greedy, or perhaps he was just born that way."
'Caelum was LITERALLY born to be evil.' Again, he could not say that.
Eirian did not say anything more. Instead, he exhaled in frustration. Azrael could only give him an apologetic smile as he began munching on his sandwich again.
As he ate, he went back to the only thing he could do right now: Think and observe.
Azrael was already prepared for this trip to be, somewhat, silent because of Eirian's introverted nature, and he did not want to cross his favorite character's boundary. 'I'm surprised we even conversed at all.'
The gentle rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds provided a soothing backdrop as he savored each bite of his sandwich. But as he glanced around, his eyes came to rest on a cluster of glowing flowers nearby but one flower in particular that stood out caught his eye.
'How pretty.'
Lost in the mesmerizing beauty of the glowing purple flower, Azrael couldn't help but feel a sense of awe wash over him. It stood out among the other flora, emitting a soft, ethereal glow that seemed to captivate his attention.
"This place is beautiful. No wonder spirits don't want humans here," Azrael remarked suddenly, his voice filled with genuine admiration as he continued to gaze at the flower.
Eirian looked at him, a hint of confusion crossing his features. "What do you mean?" he asked, his monotone voice betraying his curiosity.
Azrael turned to face Eirian, his expression thoughtful. "Well, I believe that humans were born to create, but we're also born to destroy, maybe not intentionally but it's like how Luminara Academy was created in Aurora Glades; certainly there were trees, wildlife that got destroyed in the process of building. Some humans see a beautiful flower like this…" Azrael gently caressed the glowing petals of the purple flower, marveling at its delicate beauty.
"...and they will pluck it. I don't blame the spirits for wanting to avoid that."
Eirian seemed taken aback by Azrael's insight, his expression reflecting a mixture of surprise and contemplation. It was rare for him to express such emotions, and Azrael couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at having provoked a reaction from his usually stoic companion.
"Destruction is inevitable, but I do not want to accept it," a voice suddenly echoed in Azrael's mind, catching him off guard. 'Who's there?' He said in his mind rather than say it out loud, his body tensing slightly.
It was a voice he didn't recognize, yet it felt strangely familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.
No.
Not as if.
'Live. Stay alive. Please don't die.'
It was the same voice he heard when he died. The one who told him to live.
Before Azrael could process that realization, another sound interrupted his thoughts—a soft, melodic voice emanating from the purple flower he had been admiring moments before.
"Interesting," the flower spoke, causing both Azrael and Eirian to jump in alarm.
'What the hell?'
"T-The flower can speak?" Azrael exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock.
Eirian instinctively pulled Azrael gently behind him, his expression guarded as he positioned himself protectively in front of the young prince. Despite his usual calm demeanor, Eirian couldn't hide the surprise and concern in his eyes.
Suddenly, their surroundings began to shift and warp around them. It was as if the very fabric of reality was being twisted and distorted, casting everything into an eerie purple hue. The once familiar forest now seemed alien and surreal, the trees looming ominously overhead.
The sunlight, which had been filtering through the canopy moments before, started to fade, leaving the forest shrouded in darkness. Panic threatened to overtake Azrael and Eirian as they watched the transformation unfold before their eyes, but they remained steadfast, their training and instincts kicking in to keep them calm.
As the trees grew taller and darker, more flowers sprouted from the ground, their radiant glow illuminating the forest floor. Water began to seep from the earth, pooling around their feet and reflecting the eerie purple light.
'Wait...does this mean? It's definitely is—'
Azrael's heart raced as he realized the truth—they had entered the fifth stratum of the Aurora Glade. The realm of the spirits.
But how? And when? Have they been there the whole time?
There were so many questions running inside his mind, and amidst the chaos, the purple flower that Azrael had touched earlier began to change, its petals unfurling to reveal a figure standing before them. It was not a human, not quite, but something ethereal and otherworldly—a spirit.
The spirit appeared as a small child with vibrant purple hair adorned with flowers and delicate antlers protruding from its head. Its form seemed to shift and flow like water, a testament to its otherworldly nature.
Azrael's breath caught in his throat as he beheld the spirit's grand transformation, his eyes widening in awe and disbelief. "You're a spirit," he whispered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Eirian, too, looked on in astonishment, his expression unreadable but his eyes wide with wonder.
The spirit smiled at first, its features gentle and serene. But then, its expression soured, and a mischievous glint appeared in its eyes. "Was that not obvious?" it replied, its voice echoing melodically through the forest.
Azrael stumbled over his words, still reeling from the shock of the encounter. "W-Well," he stammered, at a loss for words.
The spirit chuckled softly, its laughter ringing through the air like wind chimes. "Humans are really foolish, always asking the obvious," it teased, its voice filled with amusement.
Both Azrael and Eirian remained rooted to the spot, unable to tear their gaze away from the mesmerizing sight before them. The spirit, sensing their bewilderment, decided to have some fun, fluttering around them like a playful breeze.
'What do I do now? There's a spirit right in front of us. This is what we came for but...' Azrael furrowed his eyebrows, overwhelmed with emotion. 'Holy crap. There's a spirit right IN FRONT of us. An Actual spirit!'
For a moment, Azrael forgot all of his plans and what he had to do. Even seemed lost in his own thoughts because he did not utter a single word, and it did not seem like he was breathing at all.
"Why so quiet?" the spirit taunted, its voice echoing in their minds. "At this point, you humans should be on your knees, begging for me to grant your wishes, or whatever other foolish things you humans do."
'Right. We're here to request something...but how do I even bring it up?'
"We're—" The young prince's voice cracks and when it did, he had to stop speaking. His face started heating up as he felt the gaze of both the spirit and Eirian on him.
"Use your words, human. I am not the most patient spirit in this forest."
Clearing his throat, Azrael bows his head in shame. "My apologies...we're uh, students from Luminara Academy. My name is Azrael Celestria, and the one in front of me is Eirian Wycliffe. We've come to ask for something."
The spirit tilted his head to the side, his face seemed unimpressed. "Again, tell me something I do not know. I was already aware of your names, and I am already aware that you need something. Come to think of it, I know so much about the both of you that you might not be aware of yourselves."
'That means he already senses the nature of Eirian's magic...so why isn't he offering to grant any of his wishes then? That's what happened in the novel. Eirian's mere existence alone was enough to pique the spirits' curiosity and desire to help.'
It was strange. Very strange.
So strange that Azrael was at a loss of what he should say, and the spirit was obviously well-aware of it so he decided to speak again. Now, with a smirk on his face. "I am aware that you are hoping to find a spirit that would provide you with a weapon forged by me, a spirit, am I correct?"
Azrael's eyes widen a bit, he nods his head. "Yes. That's right."
'So, he's already aware...then is he going to offer Eirian a sword now?'
Azrael was hopeful because it was already proven that spirits took interest in Eirian because he was a light magic user. Light magic is often associated with spirits, it is said that a spirit's power comes from the light, hence why the fifth stratum was a darker place.
All the spirits and living creatures, even the trees that are in the fifth stratum absorbed all the light.
The spirit's smirk grew as he positioned himself in the air to mimic sitting down, he placed his chin under his hand then asked. "If that's the case, then where is your offering?"
'What...?'
"Excuse me?" Azrael took a step forward to speak with the spirit, highly confused by his question. 'Why is he asking for an offering? I thought he knew more about us than we know about ourselves? HE should be able to see the magic inside Eirian.'
It did not make any sense. He must've misheard it.
When Eirian felt that Azrael was trying to move in front of him, he instinctively held out his arm, his brows furrowed. "What are you doing, your highness?"
"I'm talking to the spirit."
"You can talk to it while behind me, your highness. There's no need to go in front."
Azrael shook his head as he placed a hand on Eirian's arm and pushed it down, much to the black-haired prince's dismay. "Eirian, don't forget...we're here because I'm trying to prove to you that I am serious about helping you. What is the point of this if I'm going to be hiding behind you? Besides, spirits don't usually hurt humans."
"And which foolish fool told you that?" The spirit interjected which made both Azrael and Eirian look at him. There was a mischievous grin on the spirit's face. "What? Do you wish for me to lie? We spirits have had countless histories with hurting humans. With good reason, of course."
After the spirit said that, Eirian's eyes went to Azrael. "As much as your assistance is much appreciated, your highness. I do not want to be the reason the second imperial prince of the empire gets killed."
"Ah. Smart human."
"Your highness...I think we should go."
'Go? No way. We've come so far.' Azrael thought to himself, frowning a bit. He did not want to give up so early, and he was curious as to why the spirit seemed so disinterested of Eirian. It really didn't make any sense.
"You should go. After all..." The spirit's deep purple eyes glowed as he twisted his whole body, menacingly, and when he did the flowers surrounding them began shaking which made Eirian even more tense. "...you would not want to see what happens if you don't."
Azrael should be afraid. He should be feeling frightened and tense like how Eirian was acting, but there was something about the spirit that did not seem...dangerous.
Yet another strange thing.
Why was he so calm?
It's as if...he didn't believe anything the spirit said.
'It's as if the spirit is actually...'
Azrael's eyes widened in understanding, things were starting to make sense. 'The reason why he doesn't seem interested in Eirian is because—'
Clenching his hands in determination, Azrael took a step forward which caught Eirian off-guard momentarily which he used to his advantage because it did not seem like the black-haired prince would let him get closer to the spirit at any cost.
"Your highness, what are you—"
"How clever." Azrael spoke with a smile on his face, confidently walking towards the spirit whose eyes followed his every move. The spirit's demeanor did not change, if anything, he seemed even more amused.
Eirian, on the other hand, did not seem happy. Not one bit, as he glared at the spirit. As much as he wanted to stop Azrael, he saw the young prince's determined look, and something told him that he should not stop him.
"Clever? What have I done to deserve such praise?" The spirit asked with a mocking tone which Azrael ignored.
"From the moment we left the academy, I felt someone was watching us. I tried blaming my nerves even when that feeling never stopped. I just learned to ignore it."
"Hmm? How does that concern me?"
'Right.'
"We walked for hours...hours. It did not seem like we were ever getting to the fifth stratum, until you spoke, and showed us that we have been inside the fifth stratum."
'There's only one possible explanation for all these strange things.'
The spirit was about to speak, most likely another snarky remark but when he was right in front of the spirit, Azrael raised a hand to make him stop.
"Huh?" Azrael's actions obviously made the spirit start to get annoyed.
"Your highness, what are you doing?" The young prince could hear Eirian ask behind him, and though he wanted to answer him, he had to get straight to the point once and for all.
"I did not think about it at first, but it's clear now...you aren't a nature spirit, aren't you?"
The spirit's eyes slowly widened, surprised by Azrael claims. There was a chance that the spirit would deny his words but he was almost certain it was true.
In this word, specifically in the Aurora Glades, there were many kinds of spirits, the most common ones were the nature spirits and the animal spirits, but there were also other mischievous and cunning spirits that are even more hostile.
The type who would purposely stay outside the fifth stratum to mess with humans.
As Azrael stood before the spirit, his words hanging in the air, he waited for a response, his heart pounding with anticipation. Eirian, standing beside him, watched the exchange with a mixture of curiosity and caution, his eyes never leaving the spirit.
For a moment, there was silence, broken only by the soft rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of a distant bird. Azrael held his breath, waiting for the spirit to react to his accusation.
Then, without warning, the spirit burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the forest like a symphony of madness. 'He's...laughing.'
The spirit rolled around in the air, clutching his stomach as if Azrael's words were the funniest thing he had ever heard.
Azrael watched him, his expression a mixture of confusion and frustration. He couldn't understand why the spirit was laughing, or what was so amusing about his revelation.
Now beside him, Eirian spoke up, his voice calm but tinged with curiosity. "Your highness, what did you mean by that?"
Azrael turned to face Eirian, his expression serious. "I believe he is not a nature spirit, as we initially assumed. Instead, he is a spirit of...well, I'm not sure what but he might be the type of spirit who stays out of the fifth stratum to mess with humans.
Eirian's eyes widened in surprise, his gaze shifting back to the spirit. "But how can you be sure?"
Azrael took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before explaining. "Think about it, Eirian. Everything about our journey so far—the endless walking, the sense of being watched—it all seems orchestrated, designed to keep us here until we give up or become lost."
"Oh."
The spirit, who had finally managed to compose himself, grinned wickedly at Azrael's words. "Well, well, well. Aren't you a clever one, human?" he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "I did not expect any mortal to figure me out so quickly."
Azrael inclined his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Thank you. Now that we've had you figured out, why don't you introduce yourself? You seem to know a lot about us but we know nothing about you."
Fraus's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Ah, that is the question, isn't it? Then, as a reward for your cleverness I shall grant you the knowledge of knowing who I am."
'What? He doesn't even seem fazed...'
Azrael's stomach churned with unease. He hadn't expected the spirit to take their revelation so lightly, and he couldn't shake the feeling that they were in even greater danger now.
"My name is Fraus. I am one of the few spirits who thrive on deception and control, and your realization is quite accurate. I initially wanted you both to walk to the point of frustration, and let you get lost."
Eirian stepped forward, his gaze steady as he addressed Fraus. "Why reveal yourself if your plan was to deceive us then?"
Fraus's grin faltered for a moment, his expression turning thoughtful. Then, he shrugged nonchalantly. "I suppose I found something...interesting," he replied cryptically.
Eirian frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What do you mean?"
'It's you, Eirian. He finds you interesting.'
Fraus chuckled softly, his eyes glittering with amusement. "I am not obligated to tell you, foolish human."
Azrael felt a surge of frustration building inside him. He didn't like the way Fraus was toying with them, but now everything made sense.
Still, he had to think of a brand new plan since the spirit who helped Eirian in the novel was a nature spirit, hence why that spirit was more than willing to help the protagonist. Fraus, on the other hand, did not seem like the helpful type.
But despite his misgivings, he couldn't deny the opportunity that lay before them considering Fraus still called Eirian interesting, it was a silver lining. If there was even a chance that Fraus would grant their request, they had to take it.
Clearing his throat, Azrael stepped forward, meeting Fraus's gaze with determination. "Fraus, since we've uncovered your scheme, and I'm genuinely interested in what you have to offer. I believe we deserve to be heard."
Fraus regarded him with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. "Oh? And what makes you think I should grant your request, human? You have no offering, and you've spoiled my fun."
Azrael clenched his fists at his sides, refusing to back down. "I understand that, Fraus. But we're willing to do whatever it takes to earn your assistance. We—I may not have much to offer, but I am determined to give anything I can. Surely, that must count for something."
Beside Azrael, Eirian shifted uncomfortably, his gaze flickering between Azrael and Fraus. "Your highness, are you sure about this? A sword does not seem worth the risk." He whispered, now visibly concerned. "I'll be fine as I am."
"It is. It's definitely worth the risk. I promised I'll help you, and if I can't do this much...then my promises mean nothing, and I refuse to let it mean nothing."
Eirian's mouth gaped a bit. His expression showed that he wanted to say more but again, Azrael seemed so confident and determined, he could not.
Fraus's eyes glittered with interest, his smirk growing wider. "Well, well. You certainly are an intriguing pair," he mused. "Very well, I will hear your request."
"Wait...really?!" Azrael's eyes twinkled in joy as he exclaimed.
"But do not get too excited. I am not like my brothers and sisters who are too kind and lenient with you humans." Fraus crossed his arms against his chest while Azrael just nodded enthusiastically which made the spirit roll his eyes. "I am sure you are already aware that when a spirit is not offered anything...they can give humans a series of tests or tasks to complete. We do not do anything without a cost, after all."
"Yes, yes. Of course. I am willing to do any tests or task."
Fraus chuckled softly at Azrael's enthusiasm, his eyes glittering with amusement. "Oh, how eager you are, young prince. But before we proceed, I must ask—are you both prepared to face the challenges I will set before you?"
"Yes—Wait."
Azrael's excitement faltered for a moment as he exchanged a glance with Eirian, who remained impassive as ever.
'He said to both of us. Did he not?'
"Uh. I think I forgot to mention it but I am the only one taking the test. Eirian should not be involved."
"Mhm. I was aware that you did not want to involve him but he has to be involved in order for me to grant you a chance."
"No, Eirian is—"
"Alright. I will do the test as well." Eirian suddenly spoke, his eyes flickering between Fraus and then Azrael.
Azrael gasped, his mind racing as he tried to process Eirian's unexpected offer. He hadn't anticipated Eirian's willingness to participate in the test, especially since he had been so adamant about protecting him from any potential danger.
"Eirian, you don't have to do this," Azrael protested, his voice tinged with concern. "This was my idea, and I don't want to put you in harm's way."
But Eirian remained steadfast, his expression unchanged as he shook his head. "Your highness, I insist," he replied calmly, his tone unwavering. "I may not fully understand the reason behind your insistence, but I made a choice to accompany you on this journey. I will see it through to the end."
Azrael's heart swelled with gratitude and admiration for Eirian's unwavering resolve. This was the same resolve that made him favor Eirian to the point of him becoming his favorite character.
'He's the main character for a reason.'
"Once you're both decided and ready, just say you are ready and I will start the test immediately." Fraus said, his tone seemed bored as he watched the two decide.
Truth be told, Azrael really did not want to risk Eirian, he would not be able to forgive himself if the black-haired protagonist got hurt because of him. Eirian was still unable to use his magic, same with Azrael, so they would be defenseless.
'But...'
But despite his apprehension, Azrael squared his shoulders and met Fraus's gaze with determination. "Yes, we're ready," he replied, his voice steady despite the nerves gnawing at his insides.
'...we have to do something now. I can't give up.'
"Are you both sure?" Fraus's voice echoed through the forest, his tone laced with a hint of warning. "My tests are not for the softhearted."
Beside him, Eirian nodded in agreement, his expression unreadable but his resolve unwavering. "We're prepared," he affirmed, his voice calm and composed.
Fraus's grin widened at their response, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Very well, then."
"Let us begin"
With a flick of his wrist, Fraus snapped his fingers, and in an instant, the forest around them seemed to come alive with energy. The air crackled with magic, sending shivers down Azrael's spine as he thought.
'What the fuck—'
Then everything went dark.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Academy Olympiad concept photo: Eirian