After spending hours roaming the main city and poring over books in the grand library, Lucas felt a sense of accomplishment. Though the information he gathered wasn't nearly enough to answer all his questions, it was a start. The library had become a wellspring of knowledge for him, and he knew he would have to return often. There were so many unanswered questions, and the more he learned about this world, the closer he might come to uncovering the truth.
But his visit to the city wasn't just about books. He had crossed paths with someone—Kael. Though their interaction was brief and not particularly profound, Lucas couldn't shake the feeling that Kael was someone worth knowing. There was something formidable about him, something that made Lucas hope their paths would cross again. Perhaps next time, they could have a real conversation, and Lucas might gain some much-needed insights.
As the memory of his time in the city played back in his mind, a small smile crept onto Lucas's face.
Now, he and Eldric were on their way back home, riding atop the Skyrak. The creature's massive wings beat rhythmically against the sky, carrying them smoothly over the forest below. The wind rushed past, tugging at Lucas's hair as he sat behind Eldric.
It felt like the perfect moment to ask the questions that had been swirling in his mind.
Lucas leaned forward slightly, his voice carried over the sound of the wind. "Hey, Eldric. Can I ask you something?"
Eldric glanced back over his shoulder, his expression curious but calm. "Hm? What is it?"
Lucas hesitated, lowering his gaze to the Skyrak's back. "Well, it's about what you said before. About the Avaloria Kingdom. I've been wondering… why do you want to become an Archmage Supreme?"
For a moment, Eldric didn't respond. His gaze shifted forward, and his expression turned pensive. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter than usual. "It's… just a silly dream. Something I promised my parents when I was a kid."
Lucas stayed silent, sensing the weight of Eldric's words as he continued.
"Back then, I admired my parents more than anyone else. They were strong—both of them—and I wanted to be just like them. My dad was from the Avaloria Kingdom, and he used to tell me stories about it. Amazing stories. He was the one who first told me about the Archmage Supreme. It was his dream to become one, but… he couldn't. His brother, my uncle, was the one who achieved it instead." Eldric's voice faltered for a moment before he continued, "That day, I made a promise to my dad. If he couldn't fulfill his dream, then I would do it for him."
Lucas's chest tightened at Eldric's words. He glanced at the boy in front of him, his expression softening.
'Eldric's still just a kid, like me,' Lucas thought. 'Yet he's been through so much. Carrying the weight of a promise like that… it's not easy.'
He debated whether to say more but decided against it. Dwelling on the topic might bring up memories Eldric didn't want to revisit.
"I see," Lucas said softly, leaving it at that.
The two rode in silence for a moment before Lucas spoke again. "By the way, Eldric. Earlier, I met a human."
Eldric turned his head slightly, his brow raising in surprise. "Seriously? He must've been strong. Or maybe he had someone with him—an ally to get through the forest barrier. Oh, you do know about the forest barrier, right?"
Lucas nodded. "Yeah, he told me about it. But I have another question. When you first saw me… did you ever wonder how I got here?"
Eldric fell quiet, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Then, in his usual cool tone, he said, "Of course I did. When I first saw you, I thought you were an elf. But as I got closer, I realized you were human—and about my age too. It caught me off guard, honestly. At first, I thought you must've been incredibly strong to make it this far. But after thinking it through… I figured that probably wasn't the case. So I decided to bring you back home and make sure you were treated."
Lucas studied Eldric's face, searching for any trace of doubt or suspicion. "Don't you find me… I don't know, suspicious? I mean, let's be honest—I'm probably the most mysterious person you've ever met."
Eldric's lips curved into a small smile. "Of course you're suspicious. But, you know, Lucas, elves have a unique ability. When we look into someone's eyes, we can sense what they're feeling. If they have bad intentions, or if they're lying, we can usually tell."
Lucas's eyes widened slightly. "You… can sense that?"
Eldric nodded. "When I looked at you, I didn't sense any malice or deceit. But I did feel other things—sorrow, anger, loneliness. It was clear to me that you've been through a lot, things you probably don't want to talk about. And that's fine. Everyone has their secrets."
Lucas's chest tightened at Eldric's words. He lowered his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "So… you knew."
'He saw right through me,' Lucas thought. 'Does that mean Dr. Sebastian knew I was lying too? Yet he never pressed me for the truth. What a kind man.'
"That's… an amazing ability," Lucas said, his voice subdued.
"It is," Eldric replied. "But it's not perfect. If someone's skilled at hiding their emotions, we might not be able to sense what they're really thinking."
Lucas's gaze drifted to the horizon, his thoughts wandering. He wondered, 'Where is Dr. Sebastian now? He said he'd find me somehow.'
The two rode on in silence, the Skyrak's wings carrying them steadily closer to home.