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Chapter 101 - Reunion
“Adion!?”Is that…Aiden?Adion stared at the figure who had just entered the building, looking around frantically.“I swear I saw him,” Aiden said to an elven girl with long white hair beside him.“Your brother? I thought he…” The girl didn’t finish the sentence.“Brother?” Adion murmured to himself. His brother looked older, but still unmistakable from the 16-year-old he had in his memories.Even though Adion had spoken in a barely audible voice, his brother seemed to have heard it, as he turned to look straight at Adion.“Adi...
Chapter 100 - Admission II
Are they going to say anything?The professors all stared at Adion, trying to see if he was serious. He had just boldly claimed to be the strongest student by far, after all.“A bold statement,” Lukas said calmly, “Why would you say that?”“I am Gifted,” Adion said, “And my Gift is very powerful in a one-on-one fight.”“You’re Gifted?” Lukas asked, surprised.“Mm,” Adion nodded.Lukas smiled widely at the news. Haul and Alamani were both leaning forward in interest.“What a pleasant surprise,” Lukas said, “We haven’t ...
Chapter 99 - Admission I
“When will you be back, boss?” Perk asked.“I don’t know, but I’ll get back and let you know the situation as soon as I can. You have money, so just stay here and train while you wait for me to come back.” Adion said, turning to leave. He had gotten the brothers a room at an inn fairly close to the Academy so that he could be at ease while he got everything sorted. But now he had to hurry for admissions.“Okay, boss,” Perk nodded.“We won’t slack off,” Tib said.“I know,” Adion said, “Just don’t forget to eat and get s...
Chapter 98 - Cyalis [End of Book 1]
I hope there are some interesting people joining this year. Rellitha thought to herself as she stood staring out the window. She had a full view of the thousands of youngsters who had already begun lining up for admission.I heard there is some Noble guy from Delovan that has reached high Bronze. I wonder if that’s true.It was still quite early in the morning, and the admission wouldn’t begin for a few hours. But there were still well over a thousand men and women gathered outside on the plaza. Rellitha noticed how some people were approache...
Chapter 97 - The final stretch
“What’s the hold-up!?” Adion yelled for Holen to hear.“There seems to be a problem up ahead!” Holen responded.What is it this time? We don’t have time for any more delays.Adion stepped out of the carriage to get a look at the situation.It was a complete stop on the road. Carriages blocked the road as far as Adion could see.“I’ll go take a look. Wait here,” Adion said and started running up the road to see what the problem was.When things were finally looking up, something just had to slow us down again.They were just about to ...
Chapter 96 - Ready to leave
“Boss, the carriage is here,” Perk’s voice sounded from outside Adion’s room.Adion stopped his meditation and went to open the door.“Did everything look alright?” Adion asked as he opened the door to Perk and Tib standing outside.“The carriage looked to be in good condition,” Perk said, “The driver was a bit concerned about driving in this weather, though.”“We paid the carriage company extra, so he doesn’t have the right to complain,” Adion said.“Mm,” Perk nodded.“Well, get your stuff ready,” Adion said, “I...
Chapter 95 - Cake
How does he do that? Every detail is so precise. Every shade brings an incredible sense of depth. It’s almost like I am looking through a window, not staring at a painting. And it’s almost as if the painting tells me what the painter wants me to know.Adion was standing behind Quahim, watching the old elf paint. It was something he did for at least a short while each day. Adion knew that he would never have a chance like this ever again, so he tried to make the most of it.Unfortunately, it’s a long way to go before I can begin to replicate...
Chapter 94 - Flame Ruby
It took a lot longer than I expected, but I guess it’s finally finished. I don’t think I can drag it out any longer. I’ll soon see her for real, so I guess it’s okay.Adion turned away from his painting to look outside. The ground had a thin layer of snow on it.It’s still not even winter for a week, but it already feels like we’re a month in. Hopefully, it won’t be too harsh a winter. It would make traveling to Cyalis a pain.“Are you finally finished?” Quahim asked.“You could tell?” Adion turned to his teacher and asked.“...
Chapter 93 - Oath of loyalty
“There! I feel it! It’s the aura of high Stone strength,” Perk said.“Well, done,” Adion said, nodding approvingly, “It seems like you haven’t slacked off.”“Of course not, boss,” Perk opened his eyes and responded. He and his younger brother were sitting on the floor facing Adion.Adion had been training them both every evening for the past two weeks now, and Adion had focused on making them able to just barely tell the strength of his aura in order to hone their aura sense.“How about me?” Tib asked.“Let’s give it a tr...
Chapter 92 - Teachings
That should be enough meditation for the morning. I’ll ask the brothers if they want to have breakfast.Adion got up from his bed and headed out of his room. As he opened the door, though, he saw Perk standing outside with an eager expression on his face. His younger brother was beside him, looking around with a bored look.“Good morning, boss!” Perk greeted with a smile.“Good morning,” Tib said.“Er…what are you doing outside my room?” Adion asked.“Waiting for you to wake up,” Perk said, “Are you ready to start training?”...
Chapter 91 - Tib
“It’s the building down there,” Perk told Adion as he pointed out a building further down the street.“Mm,” Adion nodded and dragged Perk behind the building where they were standing. Out of sight of anyone that might be keeping an eye out.It’s not exactly the slums, but we are still outside the city walls. That building is a far cry from the manor Heavenly Light had in Wender. Does that mean that there aren’t any strong members here?Adion stood with his eyes closed, going through different scenarios in his head.Shouldn’t be any ...
Chapter 90 - Perk
“Evening, Adion,” The bartender, an old elven man called Belkim, greeted Adion as he entered the inn, “Want some warm food?”“No thanks,” Adion said with a polite smile, “I just ate.”“Alright then,” Belkim nodded.Due to being absorbed with his painting, Adion had skipped lunch back at Hevima. So Adion had stopped to eat on the way back, too hungry to wait until he got to the inn.I should skip lunch more often. It was a nice little place to eat. It’s starting to get dark early now, too, so I should make the most of the dayli...
Chapter 89 - Nighttime
“Adion, quick!” Quahim yelled as he jumped up from his seat.Adion immediately got to his feet, too. Only a second passed before the image of ‘Atao’ appeared in the back of Adion’s mind, but it was a second too late.“You got me,” Adion said, taking his seat again.“Mm,” Quahim nodded, sitting down and picking up his brush again, “It’s good to react quickly. But to react in the best way, you need to keep calm. I could tell a lot from your expression before you got a hold of it; nothing that reveals anything you want to hide, ...
Chapter 88 - Uncle
Come on, this has to be useful during the day. Adion thought as he conjured a shadow and tried to Will it denser faster than the Will of the world could sweep it away from his control.He was sitting on the carpet in Quahim’s study. Sweat was running down his temples, not from physical strain but from the heat. Summer had arrived in full swing, and even with the windows open, Quahim’s study seemed to have been designed to trap heat.Adion continued conjuring shadows, but the Will of the world was not easy to beat, and Adion had to finally giv...
Chapter 87 - A visit
I wonder what the best paintings during the Age of Wonder were like. Adion thought to himself as he was sitting on the carpet in Quahim’s studio, reading one of the books Quahim had lent him. It was a book about art, and Adion was just getting to a part of paintings from long ago.It was almost summer, and Adion had read through a bunch of books during the last months. Quahim had lent him a few books about Quemer to sate his curiosity, and Adion found himself enjoying reading a lot. He used to read back at the Remori manor, but he hadn’t rea...
Chapter 86 - Silver
I am finally ready.Adion opened his eyes. He had made sure his core was completely full and ready to advance. He was sitting cross-legged on his bed. The sun’s first rays of light made their way in through his window, lighting up the room. Now that he could advance any time he wanted, Adion took the opportunity to just be in the moment, in some strange way enjoying his final moments as a Bronze mage.What a journey. Even though I got through the Bronze stage a lot faster than most people, it still feels like I’ve been a Bronze mage forever. ...
Chapter 85 - Shadow
“So,” Quahim said as the two finished eating, “Let’s talk about shadows, shall we?”Adion was sitting opposite Quahim on a carpet on the floor. Adion hadn’t seen any tables in Quahim’s studio, and he didn’t mind eating on the floor.“Yes,” Adion nodded his head, looking at Quahim expectedly. They hadn’t talked much during their meal, and Quahim hadn’t mentioned how he wouldn’t teach Adion anything if he decided to leave in just a few weeks. Adion didn’t think Quahim had dropped the subject, though, probably just leavin...
Chapter 84 - A mother's smile
I should stop here. I don’t want to show up for my first lesson with a completely dried-up Will, after all.Adion stopped his meditation and got up from his bed, stretching his body slightly before heading out of his room.Adion had gotten a new room now that his teammates had left. The inn he was staying at now was closer to Hevima and a lot cheaper than the hotel he had stayed at previously. Even if Adion had money, he didn’t really need anything more than a bed to sleep on. There was no need to splurge for no reason; who knew when he would...
Chapter 83 - Goodbye
“So, what’s up, Adion?” Rufus asked as he took a seat on Adion’s bed.Adion had invited his teammates to his room after breakfast. He had a lot to tell them. And he couldn’t say anything at the dinner the night before as Termon and Prago were there.“Well, I had a very eventful day yesterday,” Adion said. He then began telling everything that had happened from the first time he met Quahim, to how he went to ask for information about him, and finally, how Quahim had revealed his aura to him, easing a lot of Adion’s worries.“You d...
Chapter 82 - Very strange
As Adion finally spotted the hotel down the street, he had calmed down a little. If that painter wanted him harm, he would have already done something. Adion wouldn’t be able to resist.But this is all still very odd. Is it really the case that having a shadow affinity is incredibly rare? And Quahim is simply looking for a disciple? But why, then, would he offer me a job first? Was he trying to lure me in with a job so he could teach me later? That doesn’t make any sense.I can’t forget how the man working behind the counter also seemed to ...
Chapter 81 - Rethi
“I’m already in love with the place,” Rufus said, looking out of the carriage, “Let’s stay here for a while.”“We’re not in a hurry, so a few days won’t hurt,” Termon nodded.“I’m glad we chose Rethi to visit, it looks so peaceful,” Sahra said, also looking out of the carriage as it made its way down the city streets.“I can’t wait to get out of this carriage and move around a little,” Prago said.“You say that, but I bet you’ll still be in your room scribbling notes about runes the whole day,” Termon said.“I...
Chapter 80 - Leaving Ellia
“Feels nice to get out of there,” Sahra said as the view of Ellia disappeared below the horizon. She then turned to Termon and hurriedly added, “No offense, your manor was lovely. I’m sure Ellia is really nice during other circumstances.”“Don’t worry about it,” Termon smiled, “I’m well aware of how hard it can be to ignore the tensions in the city..”“Yeah, I’m afraid the Delovan Empire won’t be normal for a while. I’m glad we’re getting out of here,” Benji said, “How long before we reach Iitha?”“Even at t...
Chapter 79 - Delhelm manor
“When did you grow taller than me?” Prago asked Adion as they greeted each other. Termon had only been gone for 20 minutes before returning to the guest house together with Prago.“I’ve always been taller than you,” Adion said.“You’re a year younger. Why is life so unfair?” Prago complained.“Alright, let’s get comfortable,” Termon said and gestured for everyone to take a seat, “I want to hear about your journey.”“Of course,” Benji nodded and began to explain, “After the auction, nothing much happened. We headed to...
Chapter 78 - Ellia
“Finally,” Adion said as the port of Ellia appeared in the distance. He and his teammates were all up on deck, not wanting to stay on the ship for a second more than necessary.“You’ve had it rough,” Rufus said as he put a hand on Adion’s shoulder.“But I did it,” Adion nodded in satisfaction.“Did what?” Sahra asked.“I got through the journey without killing Astor,” Adion said.“That was an option?” Sahra asked.“Mm,” Adion nodded, “But I held it in. Now, there won’t be any mess to clean up because of a missing N...
Chapter 77 - On the Trident
“Won’t be long before I reach middle Bronze,” Astor’s annoying voice disrupted Adion’s meditation.Adion opened his eyes to look at him. Astor was sitting cross-legged on his bed, looking at Adion with a smug expression.“You said you were stronger than me back at Lermen, right?” Astor continued, “I have no doubt I’ll be able to make it into the diamond class. You think you can make it? You’ll have to advance to middle Bronze at the very least before you can have those thoughts.”What an idiot.Adion had spent a week on the sh...
Chapter 76 - Escape
“Adion!” Adion woke up to Benji’s loud yell and his door bursting open.“What the-” Adion got out of bed quickly, prepared to get attacked. The look on Benji’s face gave him a bad feeling.“The Tyllen family manor has been attacked,” Benji said in a serious voice, “It’s chaos out there. No one knows much about what’s going on, but we should leave before trouble comes knocking.”“Alright,” Adion nodded, “I’ll be ready in a minute.”“I’m going to get Rufus,” Benji said, “Lomin and Sahra should be waiting down...
Chapter 75 - A break
Haven’t eaten since lunch yesterday, have I. Guess I’ll get some breakfast before meditating.Adion got out of his bed and did some light stretches before getting dressed.I can’t slack off now just because I’ve reached peak Bronze. I’m so close to becoming a Silver mage; it’s not much longer before my core is filled to the brim, and I’m sure my Will is more than enough to handle it.It was now a few weeks into winter, and Adion had managed to advance to peak Bronze a little over a month ago, after which he spent a lot more time medi...
Chapter 74 - Training is relaxing
“Adion, come on. You haven’t joined us for drinks for weeks,” Rufus's loud voice came from outside Adion’s door, disrupting his meditation.“Haah,” Adion sighed and went to talk to Rufus.“I don’t have time, Rufus,” Adion said as he opened the door, “I’m training.”“There is a limit to training, you know,” Rufus said as he made his way into Adion’s room.“Is there? Well, if there is, I haven’t reached it yet,” Adion said.“You’re well past the limit!” Rufus exclaimed, “We’ve barely seen you for the p...
Chapter 73 - Leaving
“Sell, are you up yet?” Sellitha woke up to Sahra’s voice and knocking on her door. “I’m going to get something to eat. Do you want to join me?”Sellitha didn’t answer immediately. She stayed in bed, staring at the ceiling as memories of the previous night flooded her mind.Did I really do that? I kissed Adion?Sellitha touched her lips, the image of Adion’s visage etched firmly in her mind.Ah! How will I face him now?“Sell?” Sahra asked through the door.“One moment!” Sellitha finally answered.I’ll ask Sahra for advice. S...
Chapter 72 - The end of the world II
“Cozy,” Sahra commented as they stepped inside Mergen’s.“When will that bard start singing?” Rufus asked.“The few times I’ve been here, he goes up a few hours after sundown and sings some songs for about an hour. I’m not sure exactly when, but we should have plenty of time,” Lomin said.“Wait, you’ve been here before?” Rufus asked.“Of course,” Loimin nodded.“When?” Rufus asked.“Well, a few times during our time here, whenever I felt like listening to some songs,” Lomin said.“Why did you never tell me?” Ruf...
