"That guy is a freaking monster," Leonardo panted, leaning heavily against one of the estate's colossal gate pillars.
Sweat trickled down his face as he struggled to catch his breath, his chest heaving from the exertion.
The recent encounter had left him rattled, and the stark reality of their situation was beginning to set in.
The gates of the estate were nothing short of magnificent, towering iron structures adorned with intricate carvings.
The gates themselves were not meant to enclose the entire estate but served as a grand entrance, a statement of the power and prestige that lay within.
Flanked by massive brick walls that extended outward, each brick seemed to be meticulously placed, forming a fortress-like barrier that exuded strength and durability.
This place, with its imposing architecture and palpable aura of authority, felt more like a stronghold than a sanctuary.
"That was a warm welcome," Leonardo muttered, his voice tinged with sarcasm as he glanced at the gates towering above him.
"Look, Leonardo," Anna interjected, still trying to steady her breath, "that guy would have killed us... maybe not us, but definitely you."
"That's not exactly reassuring," Leonardo shot back, his tone flat as he wiped the sweat from his brow.
"He rendered my longsword useless like it was a twig," Kaelan grumbled, his voice dripping with frustration and disbelief.
His hands flexed. "I thought my defense was top-notch for my age, but then the golden child shows up."
"He's one of the Seven. What did you expect?" Anna replied, shrugging as if to dismiss the concern. "But you're right. They've been calling him a prodigy for years. We should have known better than to underestimate him."
[where ever altan is right now]
Meanwhile, deep within the door where altan entered, Altan stood alone in a room full of darkness.
A sly smile curled his lips as he imagined the others, likely now discussing him in hushed, anxious tones.
"They should be talking about me right about now," he mused aloud, his voice a soft purr of satisfaction. "Kids are so fun to toy with." His smile widened, revealing sharp, predatory teeth as he ran his tongue over them. "I'm hungry. Wyrm should be nice... out of the tower it is."
He paused, tilting his head slightly as if listening for something. A subtle shift in the air caught his attention. "Sister," he whispered into the darkness, his voice carrying a mix of affection and mischief.
From the shadows, a figure emerged—Altan's sister, her presence almost ethereal in the gloom.
Her form was cloaked in darkness, only her eyes standing out, glowing eerily in the dim light. Altan's stark white eyes met her unsettlingly vivid purple ones, their gaze locking in a silent exchange.
"Oh, brother," she drawled, her voice dripping with casual indifference. "Didn't notice you there... or maybe I did. Anyway, had fun? Big brother is looking for us outside the city—this one," she concluded, her speech tapering off into an abrupt silence.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. The air between them was thick with unspoken words, an invisible tension crackling in the dimly lit room.
Then, with a sudden burst of energy, Altan shattered the silence. "SIS!!" he shouted, rushing toward her with an exuberance that belied his earlier calm. "It's been a week, I think.
And outside the tower again? We've been out a bit too much… are we really protecting the tower? Also can I get two days first? I want to do something."
"Altan, you know it's big bro's orders. Plus, isn't it fun to hunt those demons?! Eeeee!" she squealed, her excitement almost palpable.
A purple light began to glow beneath her chest plate, mirroring the sliver glow from Altan's own armor. Her voice was filled with a twisted glee, as if the thought of ripping through their enemies filled her with an almost childlike joy.
"And sure, you're free to do whatever you want, really. We have a month to prepare anyway.
The holiday's about to start too, so get ready," she added with a nonchalant wave of her hand.
As she spoke, the eerie purple light radiating from her armor and eyes gradually faded, leaving the room in near-complete darkness once more.
"A month…" Altan echoed, his grin widening into something far more sinister. His teeth gleamed menacingly in the shadows, a stark contrast to the darkness that enveloped him.
Back at the estate's grand entrance, Kaelan stood before the gate, his impatience growing by the second.
His eyes were narrowed in frustration, unable to see his face thanks to the armour, its tellable he isn't smiling. "Open the door, please. A year is short, and this year is also packed with erupting events. I should start as soon as possible," he insisted, his tone brooking no argument as he cut into Anna and Leonardo's conversation.
"It was just a single fight, Kaelan. We weren't prepared—" Anna began, trying to offer some reassurance, but Kaelan wasn't having it.
"Anna, he dodged my attachment skill like it was a measly third-rate skill," Kaelan interrupted, his voice laced with bitterness.
He gestured at his now battered attire, the remnants of his hoodie barely hanging on, his armor dented and scarred from the brutal encounter
"You're right, but—" Anna tried to respond, but Kaelan wasn't interested in any further discussion.
"No buts. Training remains," Kaelan declared firmly, brushing past them with purpose. "Let's go, Astraea," he called over his shoulder, striding purposefully into the estate.
"And I'll still be going to the Grand Bibliotheca,i didnt forget that" he added, directing his words toward Elara.
"Definitely," Elara agreed, her enthusiasm palpable. he gripped her longsword tightly, its edge glinting as if it shared kaelans same resolve
As they approached the estate, the architecture was a testament to the grandeur of high nobility.
The estate was dotted with minor houses resembling minor two story buildings, each building reflecting a blend of medieval and classical designs. The architecture evoked a sense of ancient opulence, with high ceilings, intricate stonework, and elegantly crafted windows.
The centerpiece of the estate was an enormous mansion, its front flanked by colossal, intricately carved pillars that rose high into the air.
before that a large fountain with a few cherub as its center piece as its main design is seen, its base wide with water.
The mansion exuded an aura of authority and permanence, its sheer size and grandeur making it clear that it was the heart of the estate.
Expansive lawns of meticulously maintained grass stretched from the towering gates to the mansion's grand entrance.
The grass was a rich, deep green, contrasting with the black, expertly crafted stone paths that wove their way through the grounds.
They continued walking, passing by large vases filled with a vibrant array of plants. The estate's entrance was a masterpiece of architectural precision, every element meticulously placed.
As they made their way through, the intricate design of the building's facade caught the eye, each corner a testament to the legacy of those who had once ruled here.
"Leonardo, we'll need to talk," Anna said, her tone a mixture of urgency. "I don't like the idea of whatever training Kaelan is about to commit himself to, so I made an alternative, we'll need to read all year round!" Her smile was genuine, though her concern was evident.
"Study!!" Elara chimed in, her enthusiasm for the Grand Bibliotheca evident. "I can't wait to dive into the knowledge there, Its been a while actually "
"What type of books does it hold?" Leonardo asked, trying to recall the library in Volnia, which had been filled with towering stacks of books arranged in circular staircases going up into the ceiling artistically,
Volnia's narrative is unique in that it doesn't draw on the stories of others but instead weaves together the experiences and histories of its own people.
Each section of Volnia's chronicles is a tapestry of individual lives and contributions, reflecting how these personal stories have shaped and built the land.
Unlike other regions where external tales influence the narrative, Volnia's essence is crafted from the collective experiences of its inhabitants, illustrating how their journeys and actions have directly molded the nation's history and identity.
This approach ensures that the land's story is deeply rooted in its people's lived experiences.
Which is similar to the bibliotheca but.. better
"Books?" Elara responded, shaking her head. "The Bibliotheca doesn't hold books in the archaic sense. It's more like... words come to life. It's hard to explain well. We'll reach it soon, maybe tomorrow or the day after. I'm tired now, right, Anna?"
"Archaic.." Leonardo thought,
"Yeah," Anna agreed, nodding. "Change my outfit and get some rest. And wait for Dad."
"What do you mean, words?" Leonardo interjected, trying to grasp Elara's cryptic description.
"Words become real—" Elara began to explain, but suddenly a barrier materialized, cutting her off and splitting the group into three segments.
"Elara!" Leonardo shouted, reaching out in vain as the barrier formed between them.
"See," Elara said with a teasing smile, "it's kinda not exactly like that." She continued, her tone light-hearted as she walked toward the large door, which was slightly ajar. "I like my attachment skill. I'm glad Altan liked it too."
"What do you mean? Is the translator messing up again."
[no]
As the barrier begins to dissipate , Elara turned and walked through the door,
"Home!!" Elara called out with excitement as she crossed the threshold, eager to begin their next chapter of study and preparation.