Chapter 13: Chapter 13

• 3^rd Person POV

Inside that worn out box, there are several miscellaneous items sprawled out. It is mismatched, ranging from small worn out dolls, a worn & yellowed photograph with burnt holes, cracked pen with black spots similar to soot, a small notebook with leather straps already burnt at the edges, and the last but not least is a long black fabric elaborately embroidered making several words.

Strangely, the black fabric is the only one that have pristine condition even when the other items inside the box clearly show signs of damage and worn through time.

She hover her hand towards the fabric as she took it from the box while holding her own breath. A strong memory in her mind as she wanted to quash it down, yet it bubbles without any restrain. She can feel the sting as her vision slightly blurred remembering what had happened years ago.

 (“He…he would be 26 too this year…”)

She tried… and tried to held back the ongoing rush like a dam trying to hold the water at bay. After a while, she closes the box and folded the fabric neatly. Sucking in a large amount of breath, she held herself steady and wiped the stray tears away. After a while, She finally putting away that box and have done the proper cleaning as she usually do every day. Cecilia stood up from the bed and walk towards the room where Astra is told to wait.

The young lad isn’t sitting on the bedside rather he’s standing behind the window feeling the warm breeze flowing through the gap with his braided black hair sways. Seeing that, Cecilia says something to gain that lad attention.

“Astra?”

Noticing that he turned around and spoke.

“Ah…. Yes? I’m just enjoying the warm breeze”

She gives a slight smile, as she moves forward and continue on.

“Here, I have this… item. I believe it will help in studying magic. I’ll put it on for you if you don’t mind?”

She waits for Astra confirmation; He replies with a slight nod. With that, Cecilia pull his hood down and see his closed eyes and the characteristic Eastanian face. The long black fabric is tied like a blindfold to cover his eyes.

After the fabric covered his eyes, the embroidery slightly glow revealing the words containing in it. Cecilia gently smiles remembering past times on how this item works. This item is made in Etude Academy of Sages and given to their apprentices.

In their own words ‘By hiding your sense of sight, you’re able to sense what you couldn’t see.’ This item enhances the wearer sensitivity to the flow of mana not to the point that the wearer would see how it ebb and flow. But able to notice mana in their surroundings.

Astra who’s vision are usually seeing nothing or compacted ground whenever he uses his eyes. Finally opened his eyes covered in the blindfold.

(“What’s this?”)

Although what he’s seeing is still nothing mimicking complete darkness, he can sense that there’s something else. Faint though it may be, there’s glimpses of it around him, fleeting like air yet flow like water.

“Did you ‘feel’ it?”

Cecilia’s words breakthrough his momentary stupor as Astra nods & reply.

“Yes… there’s something… I couldn’t describe it but… I definitely felt it. May I ask what it is?”

“That is what we says, Mana… it is ubiquitous and essential to life. You did well, identifying the presence of mana is one of the most important step to learn magic.”

(“It’s interesting!”)

Cecilia can see that Astra is quite excited.

“Listen, Astra…”

Her words catch Astra’s attention who’s trying to feel more mana in his surrounding as he replies

“Yes?”

She held her breath and closes her eyes for a few seconds before finally opens it and seemed to be determined on something.

“Would you like me to teach you magic?”

That question struck a chord in the young lad’s heart as he exclaimed using a higher tone of voice not normally heard by Cecilia or himself.

“YES!!! Ah....”

Noticing that, he held his hand on top of his mouth as he apologetically lower his head to Cecilia thinking that it was rude of him to shout.

The doctor just chuckled as she told him to get some rest first since she’s going to bring something to eat for them before teaching Astra further.

--

Meanwhile, back in the council’s tent. Francis, Maleah, and Black are gathered with the first two already sat on the table whilst Black sat at the other end.

The situation is deeply quiet, one could even hear a pin drop if it happens. Until Francis cough few times just to lighten the atmosphere and catching attention as he spoke.

“ Black, did you remember what happened?”

That question made ‘Black’ held his breath, indeed he remembered how the young lad uttered mysterious yet familiar ‘word’ and how that awaken him from whatever holding him.

But is it correct to rattle this to them? Black widened his eyes once again as he realises that he’s able think clearly and made decision rather it being suppressed by the curse. That is, until he sees both Francis and Maleah expression...

(“They already know... he had broken the thing that held me. If I lie about it, it will get me and him in deeper trouble”)

And so, Black had no other choice but to comply as he confirms Francis & Maleah suspicion. Francis began to think as he ponders about it.

What else can that young lad do? Is it the type of magic I’m familiar or is it a new one? Alas, he couldn’t express it yet since he’s going to ask his wife about it later.

He ask another question to Black with Maleah watch in close detail.

“Do you remember where are you from? How did you get here?”

Black take a huge amount of breath before exhaling all at once then he said...

“I remember I’m running away from my birthplace in Draconia. But I do not know why I am running away. I got here after being captured and chained then sent by Blueport’s officials to Vogun.”

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The way Black said his experiences is as if he’s a witness rather than a victim from the cruelty shown towards ‘Curse Bearers’. So, avoiding that topic Francis began to ask questions after questions to Black relating Draconia.

Maleah noticed something from Black. Unconsciously that man flinches whenever Francis gave questions relating to his birthplace. Since Vogun is too far away from Draconia, they wouldn’t know what happened. Coupled with Draconians tendency to self-isolate. News from that place are few and far in between.

She made a mental note to ask Chrys to scout for information regarding that place. She held her hand up indicating Francis to stop with the questioning since it is making that man uncomfortable. Catching Black’s attention, he turn his head towards Maleah as she ask something to him.

“Do you know your real name?”

(“My name...”)

That question sent him to deep contemplation as he tries to dig around his memory regarding it.

He remembered when he was but a little kid running on an open field. The warm & safe feeling bubbling in his heart as he heard an affectionate shout from behind him.

[“Viktor!! Don’t run too far!”]

He reminiscences his mother walking from afar towards him who’s stood still enchanted by the beautiful view of the flowering fields.

Her figure shines from the sunset as she pick the little Viktor on her slender arms. Enjoying the nice breeze as well.

[“Mom! It’s pretty!!!”]

Soon after though... The sweet scent from the flower field changes to sickening smoke. It is so intense that he needed to held his own breath as Little Viktor turn around to her mother’s visage.

Her unblemished pale skin turned into red with blisters & burn. Her whole body is on blazing fire as little Viktor felt the intense heat in close proximity. He gasped horrified at what happening, allowing the smoke entered his lung and began choking him from the inside. The burning pain spreads like wildfire from inside him until…

“*Cough* *Cough*”

“Black!!!”

That shout snapped Black from the painful memory as he abruptly opened his eyes greeted with two figures, he’s familiar with. Sweat already drenched his forehead and neck. Colours on his face have been drained as he realises that he’s breathing faster than before.

The pair notices those things and let the male in front of them catching his bearings before continuing on. Black stood straight from the chair and finally spoke a word answering Maleah’s question.

“I-I-I’m Viktor Von Ryusei. *Exhale* *Inhale*”

[“A family name?”]

Francis who heard it, immediately thought about nobility since he’s familiar with it. He was once a noble, Blaise was his family name. It is a renowned family of speakers and writers magicians particularly attuned with the ‘words of fire’ though it was but a distant memory of his youth before he made a clean slate & entered Etude’s academy of sages.

Maleah heard that and seemed satisfied with the answer seeing the expression of Viktor's face. While Francis knowing that the male in front of him from Draconia couldn’t keep his curiosity as he begin to ponder several things.

(“Viktor Von Ryusei. From his face he is clearly not from Eastania yet the surname… that is similar to Eastania. I wonder how the Draconians lived and their culture too? Is it similar to the Eastanians refugees? Or...?”)

Maleah glances to Viktor and sees his face turning even paler with his breathing pattern quickened for bit. She decided that this will be postponed until he has enough rest. For now, the most important thing is to get his bearings in Vogun.

Francis agrees with her decision while quashing down the bubbling curiosity. With Viktor has been dismissed and she ordered one of the stationed watcher to escort him back to the residential district to his own tent.

Entering his own tent, Viktor immediately took a swan dive to the nearby bed as if an invisible burden on his shoulders finally won and made him crumble.

His body slightly shivers from the horrific flashback of that image when he was a little kid. Unconsciously, he started to rub the growing scales on his skin. Each soft strokes has an effect on him that calmed him down as his shaky breath turns steady.

Hours have passed until he is able to think clearly now after all of that is over. Mindlessly gazing to the leather roof of the tent.

(“What should I do now….?”)

He looked at his empty palm as he squeezes on it few times. Seeing the gloss of his scales moving whenever he did that. That’s until the image of that frightened young lad who cured him of the ‘Curse’ came up as he commented to himself.

(“Ah… I forgot to say thank you…”)

Grateful for being freed from that mental cage to be able to move as he wants to and to feel again. The sunlight from the windows have dimmed, indicating that darkness has begun to take hold. He doesn’t feel hungry at the moment and preferred to sleep since he’s incredibly tired. Closing his eyes, he finally get the rest he needed.

--

“W-wait… did I hear that right? You’re going to teach that lad about magic?”

“Yes, my dear hubby. As I was saying, it appears he has innate talent including the extremely high mana affinity we’re talking about…”

Francis looked at his wife in confusion while Cecilia is talking off her reason to teach Astra. He wonders at what spurs Cecilia to suddenly want to teach the young lad.

Magic is indeed powerful & useful, but it is also a double edge sword. If one mishandles it, accidents are bound to occur. A particular bitter memory washes over Francis for quick second then return to his usual calm demeanour.

“Judging by his personality….I-”

“Cil? Are you sure?”

Although her conversation was cut-off in the middle. Cecilia looked at Francis wrinkled face; she sees the look of concern. Understanding what Francis’ meant, Cecilia gives a small smile towards her husband.

“I’m sure…”

“I… understand”

Francis relents, who knows? This decision might lead to a better future. The pair glances through the gap between tent flaps to see the peacefully sleeping figure on top of the guest room bed.

Astra already fallen asleep in the couple’s guest room, although he isn’t physically tired, he’s mentally exhausted from the transportation ordeal.

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