Time passed and everything went through the natural rounds as they were expected to. The arcanas hunted, gained points, and spent them to improve themselves.It was getting close to the time the raid was supposed to begin; the trial of the ruins. As they got close to the eighth week that had been scheduled, the tension in all their minds was palpable. None of them had any idea what the ruin would be like but were full of anticipation for its arrival.This was the situation until the day that things began to change in preparation for the first ruin opening… The first change was bizarre, to say the least, however, it was very understandable.No one had any control over it as they vanished from wherever they were in the world. This was simply like a blur across their faces as they vanished and opened their eyes to see themselves standing somewhere in the central city. Everyone who had been deposited in the central city quickly found that they were not alone in this as they looked left an
"Here we are, I hope you are ready. The first ruin is here and it will be open to you all in three days"This was all she said this time before she vanished. For a moment there was pin-drop silence, then there was an uproar as every person in the city looked up at the same object.The island became the center of the city as if wasn't already that, descending from the sky bathed in light the way it did. However, this was a different kind of fascination and attraction. In every mind that heard the announcement by the woman in the projection, two words echoed over and over till they managed to pull themselves together.Three days—This was the word that continued to echo even as some people continued to stare and some chose to find something else to do when they saw that there would be no other changes to the island, at least for that day. There were now two groups of people at that moment, the people who were so fascinated by the ruin that they looked like they had lost their minds… The
"You have no idea how much trouble you are in, do you?", he asked Raven."I could say the same to you"', Raven fired back immediately.For a moment all eyes flashed between the noble, Raven, as well as the two who stood like they were frozen in the middle of the room."What are you babbling…?", the noble beganHe did not finish that statement because he froze before he finished that statement. So did many others at that moment, as they watched Aiden step away from Saeron, unharmed, unruffled, and unbothered by the situation he walked into.The noble's face turned bright red as he felt the instant embarrassment from his previous statements that called for Raven to apologize… Right before all their eyes, Saeron's arm dropped to his side as simply face-dived soon after. He had passed out with only the whites of his eyes showing.At that moment, there was a word that flashed through the minds of many who watched the fight. It had ended in an instant, leaving almost no one with any proper
The back and forth between Aiden and Trajus continued to go at each other for the next few minutes, and in this period, everyone who was watching them fight got quickly desensitized to the hard punches and bangs that they produced as they moved at breakneck speeds.When Aiden and Trajus finally pulled apart, their state became clear to those watching, showing that they'd had a relatively even fight as they both looked virtually the same with the bruises covering their bodies like that."I understand now… Saeron was never a match for you, but you can't think that this is all I have up my sleeves"As soon as he said that, the atmosphere around him changed, disturbing the surrounding so much that the crowd easily felt it and quietened down from the ruckus that they were starting to create once more. Aiden also felt it and it made his skin tighten.This sensation brought him the focus he needed to analyze the threat that Trajus posed to him now. As he looked at Trajus, he understood immed
Aiden sat up while Raven stared straight into their eyes. She did not back off and her first statement made the crowd fall silent almost immediately."Well, we won", she said right to their face.This made their expressions cross, however, they had nothing to say to this. Raven did not care about this reaction as she continued speaking."We will be back to collect. We all need artifacts to bind. I'm sure you also notice that he did not use a fighting technique, so there is that option to collect as well"As she finished this statement, Aiden stood up and they walked back into the restaurant. They found the sit in the restaurant, leaving the members of the council of nobles to find their way out of the dilemma that had been created.Aiden chose not to speak to any of them. He still had the cross expression on his face as he sat down and laid his head on the table. As a fourth-order arcana now, he still found it difficult to win a fight easily against someone at his level. He had used t
"It seems we at least have something to work with, don't we?", Zakari chipped in.They all looked at him, confused for a moment by what he meant by that statement."We can all thank Raven for finding us some favors to call in when the time comes", he added. "Of course, Aiden did most of the work, so he gets most of the thanks", he continued with a small smile as he glanced at Raven.She squinted her eyes in response to Zakari's words but eventually looked away after a few seconds when Diane spoke."Well, that is right. We have some favors to call in when we need them. Which means that right now, I have to go get that dummy and see what he came up with after a night of existential thought"Connor, Deirdre, and Reinhardt wore puzzled expressions when they heard Diane's words, with Deirdre vocalizing her thoughts, "who", she asked. "Aiden?", she added soon after."Yes, he might look like he is sulking, and he might be, but there is one thing I know; he won't do that without finding a sol
"So, what…?", she asked.For a moment, the tension in the air increased dramatically. The three girls looked at Eleanor at the same time, their thoughts going through the implications of this statement. Eloise and Aiden were the only people who remained unfazed at that moment. They both looked at Princess Eleanor, but their expressions remained neutral.Deirdre was about to speak, but Diane gestured for her not to as she asked Aiden a simple question…"Should we leave?", she directed her question at him.Aiden looked up at Diane for a moment before he turned back to look at Princess Eleanor and spoke. This he did as he slowly stood up from his seat…"Your highness, as I told you from the beginning, I already have teammates, and we will be exploring the island ruin as a party. So, I appreciate the fact that you came to invite me yourself, unfortunately, I must decline your offer", he said.After saying this, he stepped away from the table and followed Diane, Raven, and Deirdre as they
Fraser and Lloyd walked through the streets of the town as they separated from the rest of the group in completely different directions.Lloyd kept pace with Fraser but was otherwise confused by what Fraser was doing and where he was leading them to. He followed quietly as they left the bright part of the town, coming to the darker parts of the town. There was a gloom in the air. It was at this moment that Fraser stopped and chose to explain his thoughts to Lloyd."In both elf and human communities, so long as there are some that don't live up to the standards of society, with the presence of alcohol in any form that they can access, you will find places like this", he started. "I would advise that you keep your hands to yourself as the smallest things you do can trigger a big reaction", he continued.Lloyd nodded and followed when Fraser resumed walking. He turned a corner nearby. This move led them into a dark alley; along the walls were people who sat, slept, and stood in different