It's been a week since I managed to take down a Malefic, and let me tell you, that was no easy feat. The Council's finally decided to get off my back a little, and I'm planning to make the most of it.
Ah, the good life! Just me, my couch, and a movie marathon. Yep, you heard that right: today is all about a movie night...in the middle of the day! Why not? All it takes is closing all the curtains, blocking out any rogue beams of sunlight trying to sneak in, and voila! Instant cinema vibe, my way.
I sink into the couch, feet up on the coffee table, a massive tub of popcorn within arm's reach, and I dive right into a good old superhero flick. Honestly, there's nothing better! Those heroes in tights, fighting tooth and nail to save the world—it's hilarious. They take it all so seriously, like they have no choice, like it's their destiny. But me? I know what a major chore this whole "saving the world" gig really is. Why they insist on enjoying it? Now that's a mystery I'll probably never solve.
Just as I'm getting even more comfortable, savoring every second of this blissful me-time, a silhouette decides to step right between me and the TV.
Seriously? You've got to be kidding! Can't I get two minutes of peace? Fine, I'll keep my cool. I'm a chill person, not gonna complain. I tilt my head a little, trying to peek around the figure, but it mirrors my every move, like it's doing it on purpose.
A challenge? Alright, game on! I lean right, it follows. I lean left, still blocking my view. One more time—right... left... right... left... and no matter what, it's sticking with me.
This shadow's persistent! But it doesn't know my level of determination. I keep up the game, dodging from side to side, over and over. I'm nothing if not stubborn!
And then, just as I think I'm winning, the silhouette goes all-out ruthless: it walks up to the TV and... unplugs it.
That's cheating! How could it dare? I sit there, speechless, totally floored.
"Nash, what day is it, anyway?" asks the silhouette, with a tone that's just shy of impatient.
Oh… right. The silhouette dead-set on wrecking my peaceful day? Yep, that would be Aunt Libel.
Always showing up at the worst possible moment, always ready to pull me out of my comfort zone.
I look up at Aunt Libel, still half in disbelief. She really came all the way here just to ask what day it is? Has she not heard of smartphones? I mean, she's not that old! Okay, she's got that old-school vibe going on, but that's no reason to crash my home theater marathon.
I scratch my head, searching for some logical reason, an excuse, anything to explain this sudden interruption… but nothing. Absolutely nothing that makes sense.
Aunt Libel doesn't even notice my look of utter confusion. With the air of a battle-hardened general, she tosses that dull brown, overly thick Warden uniform right at me. I grimace as I feel the rough fabric between my fingers. Not only is it uncomfortable, but she also thought to include the matching sword. Long, massive, and gleaming, it looks so serious, so solemn, it's almost funny.
"Honestly, Auntie, there's nothing urgent going on today," I venture, trying to sound as innocent as possible. "Can't I just have one lazy day? Just one, all to myself..."
She gives me a look. One of those looks that could freeze the Sahara. Her deep, exasperated sigh makes me think she's about to implode from sheer frustration. "Really, Nash? Did you forget about the guild leaders' meeting today?"
Ouch. The meeting. The guild leaders' meeting—the one that gathers all the bigwigs, the top brass, and drags on for endless hours. It hits me like a sledgehammer, and a blurry wave of memories smacks me square in the face. Yeah…now that I think about it, there was an important meeting today. But between my comfy couch and the movie marathon, it totally slipped my mind.
"Oh, uh…right. The meeting," I mumble, wincing. "Completely…slipped my mind."
Libel just stares at me, her gaze laced with a mix of weariness and biting irony. She doesn't look surprised in the slightest. And me? I just want to crawl under the couch, like a kid caught sneaking candy.
She crosses her arms, and the silence hangs heavier than any lecture. I know what she's waiting for; she wants me to get up and follow orders.
"All right, all right!" I throw my hands up in surrender, defeated. "I'll get ready…but seriously, couldn't this meeting wait until tomorrow?"
Aunt Libel laughs, patting me on the shoulder, reassuring me in that mockingly affectionate way. "Come on, Nash," she says, shaking her head. "You'll have plenty of time to be lazy afterward. But today, you need to get serious."
I sigh, long and dramatic. She's right, of course. Might as well get it over with. But that doesn't stop me from dragging my feet like a grumpy kid. I trudge toward my room, casting one last longing glance at my couch, then reluctantly pull on the Warden uniform, muttering under my breath.
When I'm finally ready, suited up head to toe in this uncomfortable outfit, only one thought crosses my mind: I can't wait to get through this endless meeting and get back to my couch, my movies...and my peace. But for now, I'm in full Warden mode, bracing myself for all the pompous speeches while secretly dreaming of my stolen lazy day.
---
The meeting room is vast, almost intimidating. Huge windows let in a sliver of light that glides over the grand central table, surrounded by heavy, carved wooden chairs. The walls are decorated with austere paintings of wild landscapes. But despite this solemn atmosphere, I can't help feeling a hint of weariness.
This room is almost like a theater set, where the same repetitive scenes play out, and I know today will be no exception.
Then I feel a hand on my shoulder, a friendly pat. I turn to see a man with a smirk greeting me with, "Magister Rosales, right on time today!" A sarcastic smile creeps onto my lips. Ah, a real comedian, this one. People can't resist making jokes whenever they get the chance.
"Count yourself lucky I have a devilish aunt forcing me here," I mutter back. Without her, I wouldn't even be here.
Across from me, an elegant woman observes me silently, a slight smile on her lips. She tilts her head slightly, her sharp gaze missing nothing. "It must be the elder Libel who prompted you to arrive on time," she murmurs knowingly, as if she's privy to all my secrets.
A burst of laughter echoes through the room. Another man, with a jovial and carefree look, jokes, "So, what's on the agenda today?"
I suppress an exasperated sigh.
Honestly, these meetings… Outsiders probably imagine the Warden guild leaders gathering for tense discussions, weighty decisions, life-or-death choices. If only they knew… Nothing is ever really serious here. Our debates go in circles, endless discussions that rarely lead to anything concrete. Sometimes, I admit, the exchanges are even entertaining. Last time, we ended up playing a board game. Hardly anything to get fired up about, believe me.
So, why do we hold these meetings? Good question. The answer is simple and boring: the council. This imposing institution forces us to meet a certain number of times a year to supposedly "maintain our relationships and share information." They actually believe our guilds strengthen through this kind of ceremony.
If it were up to me, I'd be far from here, doing something actually useful or at least fun. I picture a movie night with friends; it seems much more appealing.
But my thoughts are abruptly interrupted when a woman at the far end of the table claps her hands. The sound echoes in the room, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
"This time, there really is a serious matter," she announces in a grave tone.
Oh, right, as if that would make the meeting any more captivating. Faces turn to her with a hint of interest, but I remain skeptical. At every meeting, we're promised "serious" topics, only for it to end in empty discussions or exaggerated concerns.
The first man grimaces, visibly annoyed. "You really know how to kill the vibe," he grumbles, crossing his arms.
But the first woman, still attentive, leans forward slightly. "What's the subject?"
Before the second woman can respond, the second man speaks up, as if eager to share the news. "The Enchanted Forest has a new king," he states, with his usual detached air. He crosses his arms, as if it's nothing unusual.
The woman who asked the question raises an eyebrow, clearly irritated by his lack of enthusiasm. "You knew about this and aren't even concerned?" she scolds.
The man shrugs. "It's still too early to worry," he replies lightly. "We don't even have all the information yet. No reason to panic, honestly."
This time, the first man turns serious. He frowns and leans forward. "It's still surprising that a king appeared so quickly. It hasn't even been half a century since the last king left." His voice is deep, as though the situation has suddenly taken on an importance he can no longer ignore.
The first woman nods, her face reflecting a certain solemnity. "That's true," she murmurs thoughtfully. "It's rather unusual."
The second woman, the one who first captured our attention, speaks again in an even more solemn tone.
"And there's more. The new king… is a dragon."
Silence falls over the room.
To be continued!
Next Chapter: A Tutorial on How to Get into Trouble