Chapter 128
Lamberton Dormitory Building, Cornell Academy, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2036, Planet: Grimoire
There was brilliant sunlight, but the weather had cooled considerably. It was almost unbearably cold but just short of that coldness. Grifton would've welcomed it if it remained longer, but he felt it was temporary.
The preparations took less than a week to complete, much to Grifton's relief. However, before he could depart, there were still more exams to finish and the mandatory competition looming. "What a waste of time that's going to be," Grifton muttered irritably.
"You're referring to the competition, right?" Jesso glanced in his direction.
"Yes," Grifton confirmed. "I dislike that mandatory requirement." He itched to leave.
"Well, given that you only have two exams left," Jesso shrugged. "It means that you're going to skip a year." He grinned. "That is after you return from your missions."
Grifton sighed. "I'm worried that this competition will determine the Republic's final status." He shook his head. "I think it sucks."
"We all do," Molly told him.
Troy shook his head. "Not only that, but we're now up to our ears with the last checks on the finished products."
"All of these were derived from the first prototypes you helped us develop." Kyle reminded Grifton.
Grifton winced. "Oh, right, I still have to do infusion spells on them, correct?" That was also a sign for him to finish other incomplete work.
They nodded, and Grifton grunted. "I'd almost forgotten about them." That's right, he should finish all of them now. "Have any of you managed to master those spells?" It would be good if someone other than him could apply those spells to permit mana infusion into those items.
The boys shook their heads. "Nope, too advanced for me." Kyle sighed.
"I get a bloody nose," Troy grimaced. "I don't think I have enough mana to cast the spell."
Of the girls, only Gladys held up her hand. "I can do it, but it'll take an hour or more before the spell takes effect." She scowled. "Let alone knowing how much mana can be infused."
Jesso grimaced. "I can do it, but I either get a bloody nose like Troy or cough it up instead." He spread his hands. "It might just have to do with the type of element that you use to create the spell."
Hmm, there was that complication. Grifton's eyes narrowed. "Try adjusting it to your primary elements?" he suggested. "Even though I can do it for all of them," Grifton gave them an example, "doesn't mean they're all going to have the same amount of mana infusible to the items."
Once they saw what he meant, they looked relieved. "All right, we should now be able to do the spell without nasty side effects." Troy brightened up with that realization.
When the others nodded in agreement, Grifton said, relieved. "If there's anything else I need to do, tell me," he warned. "Otherwise, I won't be able to create anything once I'm on the road this time." There will be no spare time in the future.
"Nope, as we mentioned, all that was left were the infusions." Jesso shrugged. "Now that we have a better understanding of what to do so that we don't go beyond our current limits. We should be able to complete all the sets that need the infusion of different elements."
Grifton nodded. That was the trickiest part of the idea behind the armor and shoes they'd developed for the collaborative projects. On another note, he rubbed his jaw with a sigh. "I'll be glad when all the exams are over, and that stupid competition is over."
Given his preference, Grifton would've just ditched the competition altogether. However, he couldn't do that if he wanted to remain in the Academy, much less the military or merchant caravan, for that matter. What a mess.
They all nodded.
"I know you dislike it, but here's a suggestion," Jesso studied Grifton thoughtfully. "Look at it as a possibility for gathering clues that otherwise wouldn't be accessible."
"You can vent your wrath on all the nations that caused trouble and make it a part of your duels against the participants." Lilac pointed out.
"Not to mention, we're going to have to work as a team at some point in the team section." Kyle grimaced at Grifton. "I'd rather not go down under friendly fire just because you're in a bad mood if it's all the same to you." He folded his arms. "Right now, everyone is walking on eggshells."
Ugh, a complication he hadn't considered. Grifton grunted. "I apologize, but the stress is worse than I thought." He shrugged ruefully. "However, I'm doing my best. It isn't good enough even if you are on eggshells right now." That wasn't what Grifton meant to do. Now, he had more problems than planned.
Kyle yawned. "Well, now that you're aware of it, just be more conscious."
They all nodded, and Grifton sighed. "Fine, I'll do my best." He looked around. "Want to get something to eat? It might be the last time we can get together like this."
They were surprised at his rare offer. "Sure, why not?" Jesso cleared his throat. "I think it is a good thing to do." He smiled faintly. "As you say, it may be a while before we see each other again."
Grifton nodded. "Shall we meet up at the Jade Palace in an hour?" He'd made prior reservations so that they could eat there. "I don't have the wits about me to join you at the Orient Palazzo afterward, though." He figured that was sufficient warning of him being unable to continue that part of their usual routine. Tonight, Grifton was too tired to watch anything right now.
"That's fine. We'll just be glad to have a meal with you tonight," Jesso told him.
Grifton recalled something else he should have mentioned before they ended their activities. "I should warn you if I act a bit peculiar during the competition." Now that he wasn't hiding his proper form, he'd heard that the Crow's Heights assassins were uptick in their aggression. "It'll be because I'm trying to trace magic signatures of those buzzards that enjoy firing unauthorized arrows throughout the competition." He watched them as they assimilated the information, he'd just dropped on them.
"Well, if you manage to flambe them all, it'll make the sight more enjoyable for us." Gladys shrugged with a grin. "Now, let's get out of here, shall we?"
They packed everything up for the night and took off.
~*~
The week of the competition went as expected. All gloves were off, and everyone did their best to win the highest rankings now that the status of countries and nations was on the line. Unsurprisingly, the Shantu Republic remained in good standing despite efforts by others to undermine it.
However, since people knew what to expect, no one was about to go down without a brutal fight. Grifton and his cronies reached the first-place mark in the team competitions. At the same time, in the individual categories, they all ranked in the second or third places. Grifton got first place regarding showmanship battling foes in a one-to-ten combat exhibition. He didn't need to show off his dragon form; instead, he stomped them into the ground using elementals.
At dawn after the competition, Grifton went on the road with Lamberton and Darmono. Even the merchant caravan and the military units were downsized to prevent unwanted attention from being drawn to their actions.
Only the best of both the military unit and the caravan accompanied them. Neither Darmono nor Lamberton wanted to lose lives to unwelcome surprises and attacks that might occur. It took them less than a week to arrive at their first destination.
A fierce firefight occurred between Grifton and his companions and the cursed mages. The cursed mages lost when Grifton managed to nullify their dark magic and reverse it against them. He also wholly tore apart all their artifacts, releasing souls trapped against their will. That was when he learned what happened to Madam Murray, whose soul had been trapped. She was indeed dead, much to all their sorrow. Doyle Moline wasn't dead but close to losing to despair if he wasn't soon taken out of that nest of neutral monsters.
So that was their next destination, provided they didn't run across any more cursed mages on their way.
They almost ran out of luck when the deity-tier creatures of the neutral zone found them first instead. However, because Grifton wasn't in dragon form, nor was he showing signs of aggression, the same as his companions, the creatures were willing to listen to what they wanted to convey.
"I'm surprised they were willing to listen." Darmono was shaken. "That is a first."
Lamberton grunted. "We may want to thank Moline's presence in that case." He suggested quietly.
"I'm in agreement with Lamberton," Grifton nodded. "This just isn't typical behavior from what I recall of past discussions and readings." He wasn't sure how to feel about this change of events.
In the end, after some negotiations and Grifton proving that he could heal some of their sick and wounded companions, the trio managed to retrieve Doyle Moline, who'd been trapped in a magical crystal that stabilized his physical and mental well-being.
Under the creatures ' observation, Grifton was requested to heal him and bring him back to complete health. He learned that some of their companions had healing abilities. They didn't know how to utilize them for humanoids and their own kind. Thus, Grifton took time to teach them how to use their primary type of elemental magics. Once he could do that, the encounter became less tense and more friendly.
After Doyle Moline regained consciousness and saw they were there, it was time to tell them his tale of what he recalled. The facts were horrifying. He'd been seriously wounded in a fight with the same cursed mages that killed Madam Murray.
The creatures had witnessed his desperate battle and attempt to save the healer/medic. However, when he'd nearly died, they retrieved him before the cursed mages could react to their unexpected appearance.
It had been well over three years before Grifton, Darmono, and Lamberton showed up. They were shocked at the discrepancy in time for Doyle Moline.
"It lines up with my siblings' three months of silence," Grifton told them soberly. He shrugged. "Time passes differently in some areas. You should know that by now." The fact that they were caught in a microcosm of time differentiation warned them they needed to be on their way.
Grifton left behind items that recorded everything he'd taught them to use for reference. He hoped it would serve them well.
Now, they had to go to the barrier of the dragon's turf. After what they'd gone through, Grifton wasn't sure this was the right thing to do. "I wonder if we should leave well alone," he admitted wearily to Darmono and Lamberton. "If war is what they're returning to, I don't know if they would even want to depart." He sighed with frustration and rising unease.
"The only way we'll learn is by going there," Darmono informed him gruffly.
"Not only that, but we've reached the barrier's edge." Lamberton frowned. "They've actually extended it farther than what I remember." He made a note on his pad that he always kept with him.
"I guess I shall go on alone from here," Grifton observed.
{That won't be necessary.} A thunderous rumble made all of them jump.
{You helped the neutral creatures and proved your sincerity.} Three dragons appeared from a hidden mountain peak.
{Now, we will extend courtesy to all of you who possess the draconian lineage.}
With that, they were unexpectedly transported into the dragon's nest.
Grifton was immediately pounced on there by his siblings, nieces, and nephews.
"I knew you would find us," Pepper exclaimed.
"Yes, we did believe you would find the signatures," Marlayne confirmed with a sigh.
Grifton regarded them. "I think I can understand why you chose to remain here."
They would continually be hunted because of their unique abilities.
"I cannot remain here even though it is very tempting." Grifton sighed.
"We cannot leave because we will die once leaving the barrier." Calico shook his head. "The children, once they've come of age, will have the option to depart."
However, Grifton didn't think that was wise. "Well, with the continent about to become embroiled in a war between nations." He shook his head. "I don't think it is wise to leave this place unless you know of another nest to temporarily relocate to?" He glanced at one of the dragons.
The dragons all glanced at one another and shook their heads. {No, we cannot leave this place. The youngsters may do so at their will, but we're tied through blood.}
Ah, that type of permanent binding was the worst. It could only break through murder. Grifton grimaced. "I see. Other than through sacrifice, I would assist you if there was a way to release the ties that bind."
The dragons inclined their heads. {Thank you for your thoughtfulness. We hope to find a solution that doesn't require a sacrifice.}
As for his siblings, Grifton spent his time with them while he could. Darmono, Lamberton, and Moline exchange news with the dragons to figure out what happened to create the barrier in the first place. In general, war was declared against the dragons' species, forcing them to the barricaded lair in the unreachable mountain pass.
Their time ended, and they were forced to separate once more. Grifton exhaled wearily and with exhaustion. He knew he wouldn't be able to see his siblings again. They'd aged so fast since he last saw them. They would soon die because their bodies were that fragile.
"They'll become the sacrifices whether they want to or not," Grifton muttered. "I'm just glad I got to see them one last time." It wasn't the reunion he'd hoped for, but at least he understood what happened to them.
"Now we should return." That they did without looking back. Otherwise, they would only go back to the land they called home.