Outside the city, the day was already about to break, and atop a high mountain, Sief gazed at the sky as he watched the Kujura spread its large wings, gliding toward the central city. As it began to descend, Sief noticed Edgar beside him with his hand raised.
"Well, there should be an announcement summoning the adventurers. There's a chance you might find the remnants around the territory, but heading toward the Giant Dwelling is less likely," Edgar concluded as the bird landed on his arm, revealing a letter with a faint golden glow. "Here it is."
"I'd like to know where they come from exactly. Not that I've visited many capitals, but I only see them flying, never taking off." Sief observed the letter Edgar withdrew with a slight smile. "Are they calling already?"
"Yes, but what kind of curiosity is that?" Edgar sighed, still smiling as he reached into the Kujura's pocket. Its iris dilated, yet it didn't move until a simple letter was pulled out. As Edgar read it, the bird leaned toward Sief and hopped onto his shoulder, prompting the assassin to comment, "Oh, for me too?"
He reached into the bird's pocket again, and it remained motionless until the letter was retrieved, finally settling on Sief's shoulder. He scanned it quickly, immediately recognizing Tom's handwriting.
"It's as I suspected," Edgar muttered. "They've already created some divisions between the guild's newcomers and veterans. When the sun is a bit higher, they'll allow the explorers to advance, but of course, there's no mention of Tulla."
"I figured they wouldn't." Sief continued reading and spoke slowly. "Admitting that two from the heroes' group got beaten by a single monster without knowing if it was a beast, an alpha, or whatever, would definitely be demoralizing."
"I'm not sure if you hold more of a grudge against Tulla or Astrad," Edgar remarked, still smiling as he pocketed the letter. "Well, I'll pass on any important information I receive to you. I tried sending another letter for more info, but in the end, he only told me to attend the announcement myself. Still resentful, I guess, since I'm not exploring the new territories he's so eager to learn about."
"I'm more concerned with your father's wealth, who sends at least one letter to me every day. If he's sending them to you too… he must be wealthier than I thought." Sief felt a gaze over his shoulder and pulled a coin from his pocket, placing it in the Kujura's pocket as it rubbed against his face. "Here, birdie."
After a few seconds, the Kujura climbed back onto Sief's head, opened its wings, and quickly took flight, ascending to the sky and heading toward the central city.
"I should worry about you, who can't keep a weapon intact for long." Edgar crossed his arms, staring back at the city. "These birds must communicate well; they already know there's a fool giving a coin for a cheek rub. I wonder if this applies to humans too."
"I see being under Astrad's wing doesn't pay you well enough, so I'd better get going." Sief eyed the descent and stretched his legs, letting out a long, tired sigh. "Can I go now?"
"Not yet." Edgar kept his light smile and positioned himself beside Sief, sitting on the edge of the descent that led directly into the forest below. Looking up, he watched the sun rising on the path Sief would follow toward the next territory. "I think it'll be a while before we see each other again. Even though you know where I'll be, it doesn't mean you'll stop by the Giant Dwelling, right?"
"If she's in that place, that's where I'll go, and I'll only return if she's with me." Sief crossed his arms after stretching, watching the sun gradually dispel the night sky. "But that's not what you're really asking, is it? It's about Tulla?"
Edgar placed his arms behind him, still smiling as he felt the morning breeze blowing through his hair.
"Yes, we only managed to properly develop one skill, and it's directly linked to poison." Edgar leaned forward, sighing as he grew more serious while gazing at the path. "I don't know how it works for you to have an affinity with these things, but it's not just that either."
"It's kind of frustrating to be able to produce a potent poison but unable to create a straightforward advancement skill." Sief continued staring at the horizon. "Whether it's connected to that monster or not, I'd fight like this. I haven't felt that purple aura taking over my body again, and I can't just wait for it to reappear. At least I'm still myself; if it shows up again, I'll stop using it."
"But it's not just about the poisons." Edgar turned his gaze to Sief. "Your regeneration is also abnormal. Traversing the territories in a single day is a grueling task, not just because of the monsters that appear along the way. Even after all those injuries, you were back on your feet the same day, and the next day, you were fine as if nothing happened."
Sief remained silent, still watching the sunrise, while Edgar also turned to the light, which was steadily climbing higher.
"Maybe you have a talent. A skill that was born with you and is unique to you. I want to believe that, since regeneration and poisoning are completely different fields." Edgar rested his fist on his cheek. "But it's not entirely impossible, which worries me."
"Whether it is or not, I'll find a way to reach Beatrice." Sief cracked his neck and drew his fin dagger with his only hand, which still trembled but now held it more steadily. He frowned slightly and finally noticed a faint red glow beneath his shirt. "You've helped me a lot, creating this new skill. And even if I couldn't create a speed skill, at least this trick will do. I don't need help from monsters, nor do I intend to be one. If he wants me to be, I just won't become one."
"Just… won't, huh?" Edgar smiled slightly and stood up, putting both hands in his pockets. "It's a half-answer, but I'll be fine with that. Let's see if this trick is truly useful once and for all."
Sief sighed, looking down the descent just ahead of him. He started his descent, his steps quickening as he frowned and concluded.
"I really don't like this, but it's not like I have another option." Sief raised his head, his steps growing faster and longer, increasing his descent speed. "And you said the skill improves as I visualize and absorb mana, so one day it might be useful."
"Perhaps." Edgar kept pace with Sief, feeling his body lean forward as he joined in a light run beside him. "I wish I could give you an explanation that would help you more. I'm just teaching you what I do."
"I admit I regret not asking Millo more questions, but this will have to do." Sief widened his eyes while running lightly, gradually accelerating as the descent added to his speed. "Whatever, let's give it a try."
As the ground drew nearer, his steps grew faster, and a green glow appeared in Sief's eyes. He could see the mana in his abdomen spreading throughout his body.
A faint aura quickly enveloped him, and he reached his peak speed just inches from the ground. With his legs, he dove forward, moving his feet to touch the ground and continued running at the same speed as his fall.
Edgar gritted his teeth with a slight smile and eventually fell to the ground. But as he raised his head, his legs were already surrounded by reddish streaks, and with strength, he propelled himself forward, digging into the ground and moving swiftly with jumps that left marks wherever he passed.
With several jumps, Edgar managed to catch up with Sief, frowning slightly with a faint smile as he concluded.
"The ideal process is to feel the mana, concentrate it, and visualize the effect. But apparently, experiencing it firsthand is also a form of visualization." He looked ahead, dodging some trees that Sief avoided with ease. "But I'm not sure this can be called a skill like that."
"It doesn't seem... as refined as… what I saw the day before yesterday..." Sief frowned, positioning himself on a stretch without trees. "At least this will get me there before they do."
"Focus on staying in this state." Edgar advanced alongside Sief, watching as he breathed heavily, maintaining a tense expression. "Go and come back safely."
Edgar felt a jolt in his leg, frowning as he looked down to see it had temporarily frozen during a jump, causing his jumping speed to drop slightly. Gradually, he began to fall behind but still watched Sief's back.
"Don't die, Sifritt."
In moments, Sief passed Edgar without changing his expression, making the swordsman lower his brows slightly, landing with a long sigh as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Glancing at his legs, he saw them trembling slightly. Looking again in the direction Sief had gone, there were no traces of his presence anymore.
'He still needs speed to activate it, especially given the pressure it puts on his body as if he's constantly falling. It requires intense focus... any misstep, and he'd likely end up in a major accident.' Edgar stood, wiping the sweat from his chin and sighing. 'The mana cost is high, but with the amount he has now, he'll be able to use it for a while.'
Edgar observed faint traces of mana left behind by Sief's run and sighed through his nose, crossing his arms as he concluded.
"Any abilities beyond venom seem to be blocked for him." Edgar narrowed his eyes and looked up, watching as the wind swept the leaves more forcefully. "Even after the monsters invaded the city, something is still happening..."
"He could've at least promised to come back." Edgar placed both hands on his hips, still looking at the sky, where something distant flew, partially covering the sun.