On the other side of the snowy mountain was a massive lake called Vera. Located near to a train station, it served as one of Famu Town’s richest quest spots. The green pasture filled with a mixture of flowers and orchards that surrounded it along with the bright, blue sky above made it a place for everyone to venture whenever they had the time. At most, it was accessible and free. Loris was standing atop Mount Tenu and watching the scenery below him. When he parted with Arturo early in the morning, Arturo said she was heading to that lake to go to her first quest. Loris gave the quest to her since she was a water-based magic element user. In any case, Loris would have to head to the volcano on the other side of the border to find the healing crystals next.The wind blew, making Loris’s hair sway a little. He didn’t hate the cold but he wasn’t pleased by the cold it brought.It was during these times that one could only believe their companion or ally was in a better condition. Toward
At Lake Vera.Arturo obviously didn’t think through her plans. For so many days and nights, she anticipated working on her first quest with Loris. However, due to their elements being quite the opposite, it was difficult to meet this expectation. She looked ahead at the sparkling water scenery before her. Although everything was colorful, totally surpassing what she imagined the place to be, she still felt dissatisfied inside.The thought constantly played in her mind: ‘If only Brother Loris was here right now, this place would become much more beautiful.’Just then, a familiar figure started to walk towards her from a distance.Leon Federico was carrying a new bucket for their next quest. Because he had the same element as Arturo, their collaboration was to be expected. He had strong feelings for Arturo ever since they were young so naturally, Leon considered the quest a blessing.He wasn’t blind, though, and he could tell Arturo wasn’t being her usual cheerful self.“The Komodo sta
Inside the Famu Town’s City Police District, two individuals were in a serious discussion. Commander Gaspar, head of the metropolis army, had a cold look on his face. The air was thick with tension and every second felt like an hour, each word uttered holding an important message that went far from the room.“The civilians have been warned but there is still no intel to tell us where the origin of this attack is,” Colonel Jason Genson exclaimed. He had ruled the police district for over 20 years and was totally shocked when he received the news of a potential assassin attack.“Are you still thinking it was aimed at the city and not to a specific individual?” he asked Commander Gaspar.Gaspar was a man of commitment. He never showed his emotions which made him the perfect candidate for the high position. Calmy, he said, “There is still no other evidence aside from one witness.”“But there are still other witnesses aside from him, right?” Colonel Jason Genson said. “Loris Federico. He w
Morne City. The city stadium center for Arts and Culture was empty by noon. Everyone in the city was aware of the consequence of entering the venue as such only a few specific students could actually enter without needing to send an official request to the Council of Education.As soon as the clock struck noon, the gates of the said stadium were immediately closed. At the same time, a carriage stopped by at the entrance and stepped out.Remuel Rodel stood outside, wearing her academy badge. When the guard saw her, he immediately bowed down.“Miss Vivien is already inside, Miss Rodel,” the guard said.Remuel gave him a small nod then she walked straight to the stadium.Inside, one could hear the faint sound of a piano playing, its melody resembling a tone that depicted a sense of rush and euphoria. The sound echoed through the hallway, creating a combination of eerie and holy ambiance inside the dark, empty building.Remuel’s footsteps danced along with the beat of the piano, making
“Loris Federico is the city hero…?” Remuel just arrived at the academy for training. First stop was, always, the Principal’s Office. The 55-year-old woman had a lot of experience and knowledge. She was even one included in the Top 20 Gunsmiths of the World, holding a special record of producing 11 enchanted firearms during her entire life. Remuel had a lot of respect for her and thus, she always made sure to show them whenever she came to the Academy.But when she entered the Principal’s office and she started to reveal information about the recent case in Famu City, Remuel’s initial purpose halted. The plans she had in mind vanished and her body froze.“They want us to take in that young man since apparently, he still hasn’t been listed to any school yet,” the Morne Gunner’s Academy’s Principal, Amy Hamilton, said, her face unreadable.Remuel stood like a statue. She slowly let the information sink into her system. Apparently, they were saying that Loris Federico was the same perso
When Arturo heard what happened to Loris, she immediately left everything and went to see him. Outside Loris’s room, his father was speaking to a doctor. The doctor gave Gustav a paper and left.Arturo rushed to ask, “Sir Gustav, is Loris inside? How is he?”The worry on her face could no longer hide her real feelings. In truth, everybody in the clan was aware of it except for Loris himself.“He’s recovering,” Gustav emitted a long sigh. “He protected Azmien at the last minute.”Arturo could tell Gustav was both pleased and displeased when he was saying that. She understood him completely. What kind of father would feel complete joy when their son almost got burned in a volcano? They could not understand what brought Loris to do such a dangerous quest. Didn’t he say he still needed to heal his hands?Because Loris had to rest, Arturo decided to come back the next day.Meanwhile, the room was actually quieter than the night but the person lying down on the bed was fully awake.Loris w
The two words seemed to echo in the living room. Everyone was stunned and unable to speak.Arturo was the first to recover, her eyebrows twitching while staring at Remuel Rodel and Loris.Meanwhile, Loris felt offended. He wasn’t surprised and just straightforwardly told her, “No.”It was as though the room level turned 20 degrees lower. Still, Remuel Rodel continued to wear a fairly unimpressed but not surprised expression. “Which of the two—”“Both of them,” Loris cut her off. “I refuse to study in your academy and I’m not going to marry you.”The declaration sounded louder than the announcement of the commentator in a duel. It felt like a ticking time explosive could be heard from a distance.Arturo felt a wave of relief at Loris’s response while the rest continued to feel more shocked and confused while looking at the two people. Nobody expected the sudden exchange of words, much less how easily Loris reject a talented beauty like Remuel Rodel.Some servants couldn’t contain thei
“Stop!”Cahlan’s voice came like a thundering sound.Jordan immediately stopped but he continued to glare at Loris. “He has been disrespecting our clan, father! Let me punish him!”Loris’s eyes narrowed. How was this being punished when he hadn’t done anything wrong? The likes of Jordan suddenly reminded him of someone he met at Mountain Tenu. Those two were really too alike and always had a lot to say.Cahlan glanced at the people in the garden. If the guard from the elders’ pavilion house didn’t tell him everything that transpired, he wouldn’t even believe it. To avoid any mistake, he had to see it for himself. But when he arrived at Gustav’s house, he was beyond stunned.His son, Jordan, was attacking Loris!As the new clan patriarch, all eyes were on him. If he allowed this mess to get out, he surely would lose face!“Enough, Jordan,” Cahlan reprimanded. “Head back home and we will talk.”“But, Father! Didn’t you hear what Loris did?!” Jordan complained, still glaring at Loris and