Chapter 43: The Gift

"Remember. You have seven days from the moment you enter the city. After that, the Ring of Apophis will stop working, and it'll go back. So no matter what happens, don't forget the time limit."

"I know I have seven days to get in and get out. I won't forget."

Gabriel was reminded about this time limit, but he also realized why it was the case. This time limit was one of the most important things for him. As soon as the time limit was up, his transformation was going to stop, and he was going to return to his old self, which was dangerous.

"Can I go now?"

Even though it was risky to enter the city, Gabriel was also somewhat eager to get inside. He wanted to see what the city he had always dreamed about looked like from the inside. He wanted to enter the academy and meet his old friends and foes. Everything else came later.

"Not yet. Before you go, I have something for you."

"Hmm?"

"Shadow Storage!" Lira chanted a spell. A shadow came out of the ground, this time belonging to herself.

The shadow stood without moving. Lira inserted her hand inside the shadow, which appeared to swallow her hand as Gabriel couldn't see the hand anymore.

By the time Lira pulled out her hand, there was a small cloth bag in her hand. The shadow disappeared.

She stepped a bit closer to Gabriel, extending her hand. "Here. Take it."

"What is in it?" Gabriel gazed at the small bag, which appeared to have something.

"The Soul Crystals. Since you're a Novice Mage with a Grimoire, you should be able to use around five of such crystals in a day without hurting your soul. This bag contains around fifty Soul Crystals."

"You can use around thirty-five of them in a week you'll be there. As for the other fifteen, you should be able to sell them in case you need money or use them for any number of transactions. Keep them with you. But remember, don't use any of them until you clear the Trial and get inside the Academy. If you do, you'll be shifted into a different category of trials."

"Lira, you've never entered the city, have you? How do you know so much about the Academy then?"

"Who says I've never been there?" Lira smirked.

"You said the barrier had been around the city for over a century at least. You certainly don't look older than a hundred. Are you?"

Hearing the confusion of Gabriel, Lira couldn't help but smile. Her smile was so beautiful that momentarily, it even stunned Gabriel. It was the first time he had seen Lira's smile properly. He found that smile really beautiful, especially the way it complimented her.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Lira tilted her head, noticing Gabriel looking at her oddly.

"Your smile is really beautiful."

Gabriel's compliment came so naturally that even he hadn't realized how effortless it was, probably because he didn't give any ulterior motives behind that compliment. He just said what he noticed.

Seeing Gabriel compliment her, it was Lira's turn to be stunned as her lips parted slightly.

"Was that a compliment or sarcasm?" After a long time, she asked. "No one ever said that my smile was beautiful. After all, who would find a demon's smile beautiful? All I've seen in people's eyes in my life was hate and disgust."

"You are not a demon. I've seen the real demons of this world... They hide in plain sight in the cover of light while calling others demons. They are the real demons, and this world is filled with them. We aren't the Demons. I'm not one, and you certainly aren't one. It's not demonic to fight for yourself when you're being persecuted for no reason at all."

Gabriel had been with Lira for over a week. He believed he managed to understand her quite well. Lira wasn't like anyone he had seen before. She didn't hide her bad side. She wasn't scared, and she certainly didn't hide behind fake morality for her actions.

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Lira was more true to herself than anyone he had seen. She didn't worry about what others would think of her. She didn't try to make a fake good impression.

She killed people when she needed to; she let them live when she needed to. She even argued with Lambard even though she needed his help. She was a really genuine person, from what Gabriel had noticed.

There were many who called her Devil because of her elements. There were many who judged her for taking lives and killing people, but did those people really have a right to judge her? Those same people cheered for her when thousands of Mages destroyed the Church of Darkness.

Those same people cheered when innocent mages who awakened with Dark Element were killed simply for existing. Those same people were the ones who weren't going to hesitate even a single second to take a life as long as it benefited them, as long as it justified their moral conscience.

Gabriel didn't believe that those people were fit to judge anyone. If Lira's taking lives was wrong, then all the Holy Churches of Elements were wrong! Then all those people who supported her actions were wrong! Then this entire world was wrong!

"Gabriel..." Lira called out, hearing Gabriel's words.

"Yeah?" Gabriel gazed in curiosity.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything. Remember, you must come back safely."

"You think I don't want to?" Gabriel rolled his eyes. "I'll finish the mission and come back with the Ancestral Staff."

"Even if you can't get the Ancestral Staff, come back if you believe it's dangerous for you. I don't want you to die there. Keep your safety above everything else."

Initially, Lira was more interested in the Ancestral Staff since that was the only thing that could give her a fighting chance in this war. For her, the goal was more important than even her life.

Unfortunately, something had changed... Something had changed inside her because of Gabriel.

After a long time, she had someone who understood her and stood beside her. The first time she had someone who not only didn't judge her but also was so nice to her. The thought of losing Gabriel made her scared since that meant she was going to be all alone in this world again. That thought was worse than the thought of not getting the Ancestral Staff.

"I'll keep that in mind." Gabriel nodded. "Now, can I leave?"

"One last thing I should mention. Inside that bag, there is also a small black stone. Whenever you're in danger and believe you can't get out of it, crush that small stone."

"What will it do?" Gabriel asked.

"It'll alert me that you're in danger, and I'll get there to help me," Lira explained. "So keep that stone with you always, and don't lose it."

"But if you get there, won't the barrier mark your soul as well? You'll be put in harm's way as well."

"It doesn't matter. You're going there for me. It's only fair that I do something. As I said before, we are a team. So, of course, I'll come to help. Moreover, it's not that easy to kill me. Don't worry about anything. You can crush that stone without hesitation whenever you're in danger and need me. You understand?"

"I will. Can I finally leave now, or there's more?"

"You can leave. I wish you all the best, Gabriel." Lira finally let Gabriel leave.

Gabriel turned the horse to the city and left, occasionally glancing back. He had taken his first step toward his destiny, going all alone in the midst of enemies.

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