Aethernea

by Cloe D Frost

  Kiel’s head rigidly turned to the side and only then did he notice that Elaru was not alone.

  Next to her stood an argel with warm chocolate colored eyes and light brown hair – Arion Urwin, He must have run into Elaru when he was going down to take his own exam.

  Arion looked reproachfully at Elaru as if disappointed by her lack of emotional intelligence, and then he leaned closer to her nonchalantly and whispered under his breath: “I reckon he must feel unsatisfied about his performance. No doubt he got some kind of a tricky opponent like his brother did last year.”

  By the way how Arion tried to speak without moving his lips, Kiel assumed that he was not supposed to hear that. However, he had sorely underestimated Kiel’s hearing.

  “You’re right. My opponents were indeed tricky.” Kiel smiled brightly, forced to remain polite even though all he wanted to do was just glare and tell Arion to get lost.

  He had just gone through a mentally exhausting battle, he had no patience to deal with an overly noisy person like Arion Urwin. He expected some rest time, yet what was waiting for him was not anywhere near the peace and quiet he wanted.

  And as expected, even though Arion had just advised Elaru not to ask about it, he couldn’t restrain his instinctual Urwin response: “How so? Who did you get?”

  Kiel didn’t respond right away, torn between whether he should tell the truth or avoid answering. In the end, he decided that he might as well answer truthfully.

  “Zor Arite.” Kiel spoke slowly, looking at Elaru from the corner of his eyes, gauging her reaction.

  He thought he saw her momentarily freeze but her expression soon turned half-shocked half-empathetic. Arion, on the other hand, sucked in a breath and exclaimed. “Bloody meep! That is some horrific luck!”

  Tell me about it. Kiel suppressed an eye roll and instead motioned for them to move up the stairs, instead of talking in the corridor. The three of them slowly made their way upwards.

  “Zor Arite was a genius, you know? One of the best men Purge ever had! He explored more uncharted areas of the forbidden zone in his 22 years of life than everyone else had in the last century.” Arion continued to chatter. “Not only was he an amazing Purger, but he was also a genius warlock and a sealer. Such a pity that he died.”

  “Indeed.” Kiel agreed, and this time, when he glanced at Arion, his irritation towards him lessened by quite a bit. This chatterbox might be annoying, but he was just a person he needed right now.

  For he needed information on Zor Arite.

  Kiel let out a sad sigh, looking as if he lamented the fact that the fates were so cruel to take away such a young and outstanding individual as Zor Arite. Then he added nonchalantly: “It really makes me wonder how such a person could have died…”

  Arion’s chocolate eyes beamed in pleasure that he knew the answer. “Apparently, on one of his expeditions, his battalion ran into an extremely dangerous Tainted unlike any other seen to date. It was so vicious, so powerful, that none of the Purge stood a chance against it. Zor Arite took it upon himself to delay the monster, giving his men time to evacuate the premises.”

  Arion sighed sadly. “They say it was an earth-shattering battle. Zor did his best to last until his men retreated, but he… couldn’t do the same. He had a Beacon, of course, could have teleported to the city, but he chose to die before putting innocents in danger. The monstrosity had bitten into his shoulder, you see, if he had teleported, he would be bringing it back to the city with him.”

  Arion paused to catch his breath. “Zor managed to finish off the monstrosity eventually, after a strenuous battle, but at that point, he had no strength left to activate a Beacon. It was tragic, really, he ended up bleeding to death before the Purge managed to rescue him.”

  Kiel feigned paying close attention to Arion, but instead, his attention was on Elaru. Her face was an emotionless mask, and her aura didn’t reveal any of her thoughts either. She seemed to be familiar with the story for she showed no surprise.

  However, she didn’t show much other emotion either. One would expect her to have some kind of reaction, perhaps pity, anger, or sadness? But there was nothing. It was as if she was doing her best not to show a reaction.

  “At least they recovered his body. It would be such an injustice for such a great man to rot inside a monster’s stomach.” Kiel mused, thinking how with all the plots and treachery of the nobles, he would never believe a person dead unless he saw their body.

  “Yeah, thankfully they recovered it. There was a big funeral and everything. The entire Purge assembled. There were lanterns and pyres, long speeches, everyone was crying. The ceremony lasted for two days and two nights. They scattered his ashes into the wind to forever watch over Halnea. After the funeral, the Purge even erected a monument in his memory in front of their headquarters.” Arion talked excitedly as if he had been present, his face beaming, which was quite ironic, considering that he was talking about a funeral.

  “My mom told me all about it.” Arion added under his breath. “She says it was the biggest event of the decade. Everyone attended. You know, it is rare for a member of Arite family to die young. If all nobles didn’t make an appearance, it would be considered rude.”

  Kiel sighed again with feigned sadness and pity. “How did the Arite family take it? Losing the future head of the argel branch must have hit them hard.”

  It was almost eerie how Elaru didn’t join the conversation at all. Kiel had never seen her so silent. Or so…solemn?

  Arion didn’t seem to notice the lack of Elaru’s almost omnipresent smile, nor her peculiar behavior. “How could they take it? They did their best to recover from it. But it didn’t go so well. You see, Rine Arite was very close to Zor. She was simply devastated when he died!”

  Kiel’s heart jumped at the mention of Rine’s name. That was the person Zor had asked him about! “What happened?” Kiel almost failed to restrain the urgency from seeping into his voice.

  “Well, she was supposed to succeed her father, Meilin, as the head of the elibu branch of the Arite family, but Zor’s death hit her hard, and she hasn’t been the same ever since. Has been cooped up within the Arite mainhouse henceforth.”

  When Kiel failed to glean anything from Elaru’s solemn face, his eyes dropped downwards, noticing that her fists were clenched so tightly that her tanned knuckles turned white.

  So, she was agitated! Now if only he could figure out why…

  Arion, completely oblivious to the tension, shook his head sadly and continued. “Well, Rine recovered eventually. Married her older brother, Councilman Edaus Arite, and has had two kids with him. Although she still doesn’t leave the mainhouse, she often appears on those fancy dress parties Arites throw every year.”

  Usually, a mention of a blood brother and a sister marrying would be a hot topic causing much gossip. However, the situation was completely different when it came to the Arite family.

  When it came to the Arite family, a shocking topic would be if one of them married an outsider.

  It was because, out of all families, Arites were the most bent on bloodline purity. They wanted to avoid diluting their divine bloodline inherited from their god ancestors. They laid the most importance in keeping their impeccable genes that granted them abilities above everyone else.

  This was exactly the reason why their unique hair and eye colors never spread outside of the Arite family. And it was also why all Arites had similar desirable qualities such as their astonishingly beautiful appearance, high intelligence, and high magic ability.

  Arites never married into other families, however, extremely rarely, they would allow their members to marry an outsider into the Arite family. Only those which had outstanding genes that would improve their already flawless gene pool, such as geniuses of incredible inherent talent or wielders of an Aethernea, would be allowed into the family.

  Arites selectively bred to create the most perfect offspring possible.

  It was a harsh practice that left no fre
edom for the Arite members to choose who to marry or have children with. Yet, it was undoubtedly very effective – a prime reason why Arites stood above everyone else to this very day. It also created a strange cohesion inside the Arite family, making them the most united noble family which never had internal power struggles.

  * * *

  Coming up in the next episode:

  Arion blinked confusedly. “Your guesses are too darn accurate!”

  “Where did you get such a powerful artifact?” Kiel asked nonchalantly as if he was just making small talk.

  “Fascinating.” Kiel almost purred in his husky voice. “You know, something very curious happened earlier in the exam.”

  Elaru’s large eyes looked at Kiel so emotionlessly it was eerie. “Is… that… right?”

  Kiel’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Aren’t you worried the Arite family will see you using one of their artifacts?”

  Yes, that was it. He was just being cautious. Kiel was quick to conclude that his sudden interest in Elaru’s matters surely didn’t imply that he had interest in her. Cause that certainly wasn’t the case.

  * * *

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  Episode 116 – Seed of Aegis

  Episode 116 – Seed of Aegis

  Previously:

  Kiel’s practical exam ends and the entire world around him turns into motes of light. Mageheart tells him that he will see his score two days from now. When he exits the room, he finds Elaru and Arion waiting for him. Kiel subtly extracts information from Arion about Zor Arite, finding out that he died a heroic death 18 years ago which had a great impact on the Arite family, especially Rine Arite who was close to Zor.

  * * *

  Arites selectively bred to create the most perfect offspring possible.

  It was a harsh practice that left no freedom for the Arite members to choose who to marry or have children with. Yet, it was undoubtedly very effective – a prime reason why Arites stood above everyone else to this very day. It also created a strange cohesion inside the Arite family, making them the most united noble family which never had internal power struggles.

  * * *

  There was no discrimination based on ability because every Arite was extremely capable and thus valued by the family. There was no need for Arites to struggle for power to secure the future of their offspring, because, in the Arite family, personal ability decided everything.

  They also imposed many strict magical contracts onto their members to ensure the utmost loyalty of their members as well as ensuring that the Arite blood stays within the Arite family.

  “Arites lost two successors just like that? Tragic.” Kiel’s forehead creased with a troubled frown. And this time, he didn’t need to feign distress. Hearing that Rine Arite had not been the same since Zor died disturbed Kiel, because it was highly likely that Rine was the soulmate of Zor. What if the severing of an Aetherneal bond wasn’t harmless after all and Zor’s death had a hard impact on Rine on more than just an emotional level?

  “Horrible, right? They never had something like that happen before, ever. Mentioning that event is a sure way to kill the mood of any party with Arites present.” As the three of them reached the exit of the Replica Dungeon, Arion looked left and right, and conspiratorially whispered.

  Abruptly, Elaru spoke up, for the first time during their conversation: “Arion, you should hurry back down. Your exam will be starting soon.”

  Both Kiel and Arion looked back at Elaru startled. It was as if, today, Elaru and Kiel had completely switched roles. Kiel was the one happily conversing with Arion while Elaru was the one who wanted to shoo him away.

  Even Arion suddenly felt like this situation was extremely bizarre. He didn’t quite want to leave just yet, especially because he finally felt as if Kiel was warming up to him, but there was no denying that Elaru was right. His practical exam would be starting soon.

  While Arion hesitated for a moment, Elaru’s previously solemn face erupted in a wide grin, and she patted him on his back. “Good luck and Godspeed!”

  “How did you know I am participating in a race?!” Arion gaped, clearly misunderstanding Elaru’s “godspeed” statement.

  Elaru was startled but quickly recovered. “A lucky guess.”

  “Huh?” Arion blinked confusedly. “Your guesses are too darn accurate!”

  He waved at the two of them friendly. “Well, then, I’m off. See you guys later.”

  Both Kiel and Elaru plastered on a slight smile and waved him off.

  As soon as Arion’s figure left their line of sight, both of their smiles were wiped off without a trace.

  “Why the sudden interest in Zor Arite?” Elaru asked Kiel telepathically as they made their way towards the tables in the courtyard.

  Even though Kiel was trying to be subtle, his efforts might be able to fool Arion, but not Elaru who knew that he rarely showed interest in others.

  Instead of answering her, Kiel held up his hand towards her with the Seed of Aegis in his palm. “Thanks. This egg of yours was very useful.”

  Elaru looked at him suspiciously, unsure if there was a hidden meaning in his words, but eventually took the egg back. “Glad to hear it.”

  “Where did you get such a powerful artifact?” Kiel asked nonchalantly as if he was just making small talk.

  “Hmmm? Papa gave it to me.” Elaru murmured quietly.

  “Is there a way to activate it or deactivate it remotely? It would be great if one could use it to guard their things while they were gone.” Kiel commented, looking up at the clear sky.

  “Of course, there is. Didn’t I use it to guard our stuff while we were in Hot Pot?” Elaru who was usually full of smiles was anything but smiling. It didn’t take a genius to figure out where this conversation was going.

  “Fascinating.” Kiel almost purred in his husky voice. “You know, something very curious happened earlier in the exam.”

  “Oh?”

  “When I ran into Zor Arite… he just pointed his finger towards this egg of yours… and just like that… it deactivated.”

  Elaru’s large teal eyes looked at Kiel so emotionlessly it was eerie. “Is… that… right?”

  “Yes. Very curious. It was as though he… knew how to operate it.” Kiel smirked, enjoying the feeling of finally getting under Elaru’s skin.

  Elaru still showed no change of expression. Even her voice was flat. “Curious indeed…”

  “He seemed very surprised to find me in possession of…what did he call it?” Kiel pretended to think. “Ah yes! The Seed of Aegis.”

  Elaru’s face finally moved. She sighed softly and looked Kiel straight into his eyes. “Sheesh. You could have just asked about it. No need to beat around the bush.”

  “But would you have answered if I just asked?”

  Elaru ignored his question. “The reason why Zor Arite knew how to use it was because… well… it’s because he was the one who created it 22 years ago. And the reason why it’s named the Seed of Aegis is because Shield of Aegis inspired Zor Arite to create it. This egg is basically a simplified version of the Shield of Aegis. And when I say simplified, I mean, a version that can be cast using arcane magic.”

  Kiel’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Aren’t you worried the Arite family will see you using one of their artifacts?”

  Elaru frowned, and her mouth twitched into a pout. “It’s not one of their artifacts. It was made by Zor Arite. It’s one of his artifacts. If he chose to give it to someone, it’s his business. Papa didn’t steal the artifact. If he had, he wouldn’t know how to use it.”

  Seeing that Kiel’s suspicious look didn’t lessen in the slightest, Elaru added. “Besides, I doubt there are many Arites who even know about its existence. His soulmate might be the only one who knows about it.”

  “Rine Arite?” Kiel inquired.

  “Yes.” Elaru confirmed.

/>   “How did your father get his hands on such a precious artifact? Was Zor Arite on close terms with your dad?”

  “If you want to hear details about it, you’re going to have to ask papa.” Elaru shrugged.

  “Well he isn’t here for me to ask, is he?” Kiel snorted derisively.

  “I’m sure you’ll meet him eventually. After all, you’re my soulmate.” Elaru’s unusually solemn face finally returned to her usual radiant smile.

  And when that smile appeared, Kiel’s doom and gloom inexplicably evaporated, leaving only curiosity behind: “But you do know the story behind it, don’t you?”

  Elaru’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she shrugged, her lush lips slightly curved at the side.

  Kiel sighed in half-agitation and half-disappointment. He knew she wouldn’t tell him. And the worst thing about it is that he didn’t even have the right to be mad. She had no obligation to share her personal life story with him. And in fact, if she pried into his, he’d be the first to get furious about it.

  But it didn’t stop him from feeling curious. He wasn’t even sure why he felt so interested in it. He never felt so interested in someone else’s private matters before.

  Ah, but her private matters might involve you. A voice whispered in his head. It is your right to investigate anything that might involve you in some way.

  Yes, that was it. He was just being cautious.

  Kiel was quick to conclude that his sudden interest in Elaru’s matters surely didn’t imply that he had an interest in her. Because that certainly wasn’t the case.

  Not at all.

  “What happened in your exam? Did Zor create trouble for you?” Elaru’s musical voice interrupted Kiel’s thoughts. She was back to her usually cheery self.

  “Not really. He was quite pleasant… compared to the other Replicas I had to deal with.” Kiel’s eyes flashed with displeasure at the memory. “Which reminds me… there is one point that bothers me that I wanted to discuss with you.”

  Kiel suddenly brought his hand to his eye level and cast a Temperature spell on it. “At one point, one of the Replicas caused an explosion that should have burned me to a crisp…”