Afternoon came in the Senghore mansion, kilan carefully selected a simple shirt and coat to wear before making his way downstairs to await his uncle.
As he descended the stairs, Macus emerged from his study dressed in a sharp office suit. However, there was a look of disappointment in his eyes as he glanced at Kilan.
"I was called for an urgent meeting and won't be back until tomorrow evening , am really sorry kilan".
Kilan saw the sad look on his uncle's face and chuckled " it's alright uncle we could always go another time-"
But his uncle stopped him "no Kilan you could still go, I've asked sir Zenneth to find somone who is very familiar with the town to accompany you"
Kilan looked over at the butler, who nodded and gestured a young maid to come closer.
She has curly chestnut hair and warm brown eyes, he stood beside sir Zenneth and greeted Kilan.
"Good afternoon young master my name is Amelia Jones and i will like to accompany you to the town if you will allow me"
Her words were very calm but Kilan could sense her nervousness.
He smiled warmly at her " its a pleasure to meet you, Amelia", he repiled "i will be delighted to have you accompany me".
His smile and words made Amelia's heart swelled with relief and with the final nod from the butler, Kilan followed Amelia outside.
Macus who was standing behind Kilan, patted him on the shoulder with a smile on his face "have a good time, kilan", he said before heading off for his drive.
Kilan watched his uncle go, then he followed Amelia to the gate where a car was waiting for them, it's engine rumbling softly.
The driver helped kilan into the backseat and Amelia into the front seat.
As they made their way through the winding country roads, kilan gazes at the window taking in the sights and sounds along the way.
Finally reaching the town, Amelia began to point out various landmarks and shares stories about the history of each place they passed.
Kilan listened intently, intrigued by her knowledge and passion for her town.
"How admirable, Amelia, you could surely make a good guide" Kilan gave her a sweet smile.
Amelia was flustered by his words and started stammering " n- not at all, my mother taught me most of the history and the rest...ehm..i read them from the town's library".
Her shy demeanour made Kilan smile and the two continued the tour.
Arriving at the marketplace, Amelia suggested him to try some snacks and delicacies that should not be missed. Kilan agreed to it as Amelia left to make the purchase.
Sitting on a bench, he watched the people going around busily, the sounds of laughter, the smell of delicious food from street vendors, and the colourful decorations adorned the buildings all added to the vibrant atmosphere of the day.
As he enjoys the veiw, he caught sight of a young boy staring at him from a distance.
The boy looked to be around his age, with messy blonde hair that fell over his pale face and piercing black eyes. He wore an oversized blue hoodie that swallowed his frame with his hands tucked inside his pockets.
'What is he looking at '
Kilan looked around, he was the only on the bench and there was no one around .
The boy's gaze didn't give out any ill intent but somehow it made him feel uncomfortable.
The boy seem to notice Kilan's gaze, then he turned around and walk away.
"..."
"What a weird guy..."
"Young master, am back" Amelia finally returned with bag of snacks in hand.
"Did you waited too long sire"
Kilan shook his head and accepted the snacks Amelia handed him.
"No is fine, shall we head to the next stop"
Kilan asked pointing at the town's library and the two continued with the tour.
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As the sun began to set, the hustle and bustle of the day slowly faded away as shops closed for the evening.
Kilan and Amelia made their way back to the parking lounge where their chauffeur was waiting.
Amelia glanced at Kilan, her brown eyes were filled with curiosity and worries, she hesitate for a while before gathering her courage to speak.
"Uhm...young master do you like the tour" her voice was soft and tentative.
Kilan though back to the day's event- exploring the town, trying different foods, and soaking in local culture.
'Come to think of it, this is the first time i had ever went for an outing different from the usual family meetings and social events'
He smiled warmly at her and nodded
"Yes, i had a great time and its all thanks to you for being a wonderful guide, Amelia" he said sincerely.
Amelia cheeks flushed with embarrassment and she quickly averted her gaze.
"Oh, it was nothing, young master i was just doing my duty" she mumbled shly.
Kilan chuckled softly and they both climbed into the car.
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Inside the mansion
Kilan went to his room and sat on his bed, he closed his eyes and began to focus his energy, attempting to summon his dagger once more. Yet another fail.
"As expected" kilan knew that it won't work so he was going to try a new method.
With his eyes closed, a vision began to form in his mind, as he concentrates, the vision became clear, inside a dimly lit room he saw a young man with long black hair and red eyes sitting on an armchair his gaze fixed on somthing.
Kilan's vision expanded revealing a large estate surrounded by towering walls and a powerful barrier shimmering around the primeter making it impossible for any magic to breach, Just as he was about to explore further the vision abruptly ended and Kilan was back again in his room.
"So it was the barrier that was keeping me from summoning back the dagger ha.... and that man must be the one from the forest that night " Kilan laid on his bed, his brows furrowed in thought.
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Inside a room, Elric was sitting on an arm chair his gaze fixed on a glowing dagger on his desk. The dagger emitted a soft, ethereal light which brighten the room.
Elric watched it intently as the it glowed brighter and brighter given out an otherworldly energy.
Then as suddenly as it had began, the glowing stopped, leaving the room in darkness once more.
Elric rose up from his seat and picked up the dagger and left the room and made his way down a series of dimly corridors, finally, he arrived at a high-tech laboratory filled with strange equipments and tubes filled with strange liquids.
Inside the lab, a man with short brown hair and green eyes stood infront of a massive screen, his fingers tapping on the keyboards. When he heard footsteps approaching, he turned around and greeted the visitor with a smile.
"Well, good evening Elric, to what do i owe this unexpected visit " he was the same man who greeted him after his last mission, the man's name was Malakai.
Elric said nothing, he approached a long table and placed the dagger infront of him.
Malakai's green eyes widened as he took in the sight of the unfamiliar weapon.
"I want you to do some testing on it" Elric stated as and awaited the man's replied.
As Malakai studied the dagger, he snapped his fingers as thought he had just remember something.
"Ah, so this is why i sensed a foreign power around you after your last mission" he mused, a smile playing on his lips.
"A foreign power " Elric asked
"Yes" Malakai took off his gloves and infused his energy into the dagger, then it began to glow.
Malakai eyes widened in amazement, a grin spread across his face, but that smile quickly turned to a look of horror when the dagger suddenly unleashed a burst of purple energy, sending him crashing to the wall.
"Malakai!
Elric rushed to his side.
Malakai got up and dusted himself, an even wider grin on his face" Elric, tomorrow we must go on a journey " his voice was filled with a mix of excitement and amusement. "This dagger holds something i feel like we shouldn't know and seems to really be connected to the 'first fall' ". Malakai said as he looked at his trembling hand.
Elric stared at him and asked " so where will we be going tomorrow"
Malakai turned towards him and took out a sliver bell " to 'Her' .