Chapter 18: Chapter 17

Another fall afternoon invaded the sky as Auron City residents continued their daily routines. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the Adventurer’s Guildhall. Many different adventurers began returning from their nightly hunts or arriving to tackle their daily hunts.

Arlan arrived through the door holding a large brown sack filled with his trophies. The young lion approached the same elven assistant from before and handed the sack to her.

“This should be for all four bounties, goblins, a great bear, and two trolls,” stated Arlan.

“Thank you,” answered the elven assistant as she took the bag, “Your four bounties are complete. Here is your compensation, twenty silver. You’ll also be eligible for the rank promotion. Do you wish to continue?”

“Yes, let’s take the rank promotion test,” said Arlan.

“That won’t be necessary, Master Arlan.”

“Oh is this another one of Yozac’s doings?”

“Yes, please turn in your insignia, and here’s your B-rank insignia.”

Arlan handed his old rank over and received his new rank. Afterward, the young lion returned to the Reeves Manor with Kage. The guards immediately knew it was Arlan and allowed him entry.

Arriving at the manor, Knight Jocko greeted his commander. “Milord, welcome back. Jovann’s operations have remained untouched. No new updates from your father or uncle.”

“I see, I’ll need you to retrieve my armor from a blacksmith this week. I’ll give you the address later.”

“By your command. Forgive my mistake, there is also one more matter I failed to mention.”

“No worries, what is it?”

“Lady Iris is here from House Hawkwell.”

Maybe she’s just here to see me.

“I see. Thank you, Jocko.”

Arlan returned to his room to see Helga and Jeanette preparing a hot bath for him. As he removed his clothing, the maids exited the room and allowed him some time to himself. The hot water enveloped not only his body but his soul as well. This cleansing feeling was a warm welcome.

Arlan reflected on the prior events. From what Soketh told him and seeing his friend from the orphanage, Wren. Then the encounter with the Gray Mambas played out through his mind as well. He knew they wouldn’t dare to test him on his word. Eastvale Trade Company had an unknown benefactor that was too risky to upset. Then his little solo trip outside Auron City was oddly enjoyable. It almost felt like a miniature vacation.

Then the young lion remembered his flashback to Terra. It was so surreal in his eyes. Something similar happened when he was back in Highmane the night he was adopted.

Right as his mind traversed the topic, gunfire went off. The first shot heard activated his reflexes and instincts. Arlan realized he wasn’t in the bathtub anymore but he was transported to a city in the desert. It was a warzone littered with fires, smoke, explosions, and gunfire.

The young lion was now Rove in his Astrium Power Suit or APS. In his hand was an M6AC assault rifle. A shortened bullpup style carbine. It was a standard-issue carbine for officers in the Terran Federation military. Rove was standing alone with his carbine-shouldered at the ready. Despite spending a few years on Terra, Rove never lost any of his skills.

The APS helmet displayed numerous tactical data but the most important information was his friendly units display. It was all empty. His communications or comms, for short, were quiet. It was only him in the area.

A scary sound slowly made itself known. It was the sound of a tracked vehicle traversing toward Arlan. A percussion of boots striking the ground accompanied the tracked vehicle.

Rove’s built-in radar picked up two light armored vehicles and at least three squads of infantry. The super-soldier would likely be overrun but he held his ground and moved to prepare his ambush. The enemy revealed themselves around a corner and a volcano erupted from the barrel of his carbine. The gunfire struck three enemy soldiers in the head as the rest moved for cover.

The APS was only issued to specialized regiments. The user had to be able to harness essence to use them. Channeling essence into them allowed the user to enhance their strength, speed, and generate a kinetic shield. This was greatly effective at deflecting projectiles but any attack with continuous force could penetrate the essence shield just fine.

Rove channeled his essence and moved from cover to cover firing his carbine. A few shots that would’ve hit the super-soldier were deflected instead. The strength of the barrier varied from user to user and also varied on how many or how frequent projectiles struck the barrier.

A light armored vehicle with a 20mm cannon began unloading towards where Rove had taken cover, this cannon was powerful enough to destroy the cover and it did. The super soldier had already moved towards the sidewalk where more debris allowed him to take cover. Rove knew the only way to destroy the light armored vehicle was to strike it with his arm blade.

Before Rove could charge into the foray, a nostalgic voice overtook his comms system. “Sir, get down!” stated the unfamiliar voice. The super soldier dove back behind the debris and a loud blast carpeted the area in front of him. Rove opened his eyes and he was Arlan back in the bathtub.

It happened again.

The flashbacks were too vivid. Arlan knew what was happening. Back on Terra, in his old body, he would be able to handle the stress and trauma of combat and war. But that was because his emotions and mental state were regulated through a neural chip and drugs. He was able to operate efficiently.

But here, his body was not regulated or monitored closely. His post-traumatic stress was relapsing unopposed. Slowly, Rove’s past has been burning into Arlan’s heart and body. Eventually, Arlan will be engulfed in the flames of Rove’s past.

A tear slowly dropped from his left eye as he sat there in the hot water. It had only been ten minutes. Arlan wiped his face with water and got out of the bath. The young lion didn’t know how to deal with these remerging emotions. Instead, he pushed it back inside and ignored it.

Arlan got dressed in his noble attire and left for the garden. He knew Katalina, Marie, and Iris would likely be back there. As he walked through the halls, Helga confirmed what he knew and informed him that the three girls were in the garden drinking tea.

Arlan was back outside in the garden and to his surprise, the gloomy sky was gone. It was replaced by a bright sun that showered its rays all over. The trio of girls wore their dresses and was enjoying themselves with laughter and smiles. Arlan greeted them with a bow and a servant pulled up a chair for Arlan.

Katalina spoke first, “Arlan, we were just talking about the Autumn Ball and how wondrous it would be if you came.”

“The Autumn Ball?” asked Arlan.

“It's the Academy’s first of three ceremonies that celebrate the passing of the season,” answered Marie as she twirled a spoon in her teacup.

“Have you decided if you’ll go, Arlan?” asked Iris.

“I’m not sure. I’ve never been to something like that,” replied Arlan.

“Oh, you have to come,” exclaimed Katalina, “It’ll be fun and the first-rank has to be there.”

Arlan hesitated at answering but he saw the fire burning in Iris’ eyes.

“You can’t let someone else dance with Iris,” uttered Marie with a devious expression.

“Now you’ve done it, Marie,” said Katalina. Arlan realized what they were up to. He approached Iris while she was still in her chair. And while the young lion’s teenage emotions were still rising, he was able to confidently brush them aside.

Arlan gracefully knelt before Iris while holding her hand and asked, “Iris, may I accompany you to the Autumn Ball?”

While Iris’ cheeks flared pink, she held up her front and answered with assurance, “Yes, I’d like that.”

Katalina and Marie’s eyes met and smiled at what unfolded before them. Marie had a slight crush on Arlan but it was more playful than it was longing for him. She held no feelings deep down.

The four teenagers enjoyed their afternoon together as Arlan recounted what he did while leaving Jovann, the Gray Mambas, and Soketh out of his story. An hour had passed when rain clouds took over the clear sky. Iris said her goodbyes and returned home with her escort and carriage.

Afterward, Katalina and Marie gathered their schoolwork and got it ready for the next morning when they would return to Lancel High Academy. The young lion returned to his room and did the same.

Helga and Jeanette stood by in his room while he read a few documents sent by the Merchant Union. While Arlan disliked the idea of sitting behind a desk and reading papers, he knew it was necessary. Without this transfer of information, it would be incredibly hard to run an organization of any kind.

The evening went by quickly at the Reeve’s Manor as everyone looked out the window to see the clouds cry raindrops down. Each person reflected on their life. But there was one oddity in the bunch. Arlan reflected on both his lives.

 

The next day, at Lancel High Academy, students had already returned to their dorms, and morning classes were to begin. Arlan was making his way to his next class when he noticed Godbert from a distance staring at him with vengeful eyes.

This guy has to be the most stupid opponent I’ve ever fought. We’re in completely different leagues and he still wants to harbor this animosity.

Arlan ignored Godbert and continued onward through the courtyard. After the evaluation results were posted, everyone treated Arlan as a celebrity. He was no longer mocked but was now taken seriously. Many feared him and many who adored him.

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While this change was an upgrade from how others treated him before, many students still felt too scared to approach him. So as usual, Arlan would cross from class to class by himself.

With Arlan at rank one, there was a shift in how commoners were treated. The discrimination wasn’t vanquished overnight, but it did tone down. Another variable in this change was due to Katalina, Marie, and Iris confronting the behavior whenever they saw it.

Arlan was in his final general class before lunch would be served and his hunger was all he could think about. The young lion didn’t pay attention to his class but his mind wandered and he thought of attending the Autumn Ball with Iris.

The first Trial and the Autumn Ball were both in two weeks.

A familiar bell interrupted both his thoughts and the class.

I’m so hungry. I can’t wait to eat.

Arlan rushed to the dining hall and was one of the first students to grab food on his plate. As usual, he quickly devoured his food. He normally sat with Iris but he was earlier than usual. The snow-haired girl sat before him with a bright smile and her food.

“Aren’t you hungry, Arlan? You should get some food,” said Iris, perplexed.

“I finished my food before you got here,” replied Arlan with a smile.

“You should eat slower, and enjoy the food more.”

“It’s hard for me not to eat fast. It’s kind of how my lifestyle was before.”

Arlan began an elaborate lie about how he was raised on the streets like it was a warzone. Iris knew Arlan was adopted and accepted the story. Arlan used this time to review his schoolwork and after Iris finished her food, she leaned into his arm.

This was the first time the two had become intimate. Ever since Arlan agreed to attend the Autumn Ball with Iris, she had become more cheerful and daring. Her confidence and cold calculations were her exteriors while a more vulnerable Iris existed on the inside.

Iris was able to easily navigate her feelings while exhibiting a powerful presence. This was attractive to Arlan. He could tell she wasn’t afraid of going against the flow. Her elegance was the final blow that made Arlan realize his feelings for her.

Other students started gossiping about how both Arlan and Iris were being physically close. Arlan didn’t mind and neither did Iris. She was brave enough to act on her own heart despite what others may think.

With Iris leaning her head on Arlan’s left shoulder, her arms wrapped around his left arm. The couple had publicly established itself to everyone.

 

Two weeks went by and the classes became more intense. Arlan was finally able to chant first-tier spells and learned quite a few of them. The Headmistress was impressed at how fast Arlan adapted to magic. His core was now intertwined with mana lanes as well.

The swordsmanship classes were the same results but Arlan’s core was now improved to a fifth-tier orange core. His duels with Iris were quite one-sided but he would also spar with Instructor Dink. His father’s old friend was still on another level than everyone else he fought, aside from Soketh.

Iris had improved her core to a third-tier white core. She was almost ready to ascend to a fourth-tier. Katalina and Marie were able to advance to third-tier orange cores. Half the first-years began ascending to the second-tier. Although this ascension may be their only breakthrough as some students would peak at this level.

Over the two weekends, Arlan instructed Jovann on what to do with the Eastvale Trade Company. It started to expand its markets and offered other services. This built a rapport with many different clients and eventually, this would be used to infiltrate different social groups or organizations. While the intelligence network was still new, it was beginning to show promise.

Rumors about Arlan spread throughout the school as his achievements as an adventurer reached the student body. As if there wasn’t enough to talk about the first-year rank one student, Arlan was also quoted as the strongest student to ever walk the academy. Many different arrogant nobles took this as an attack on their pride as well.

It was the day of the Autumn Ball. The Autumn Ball would be held in the main hall and all the students that attended would be dressed up in more classy outfits. Arlan was in his dorm with Tebald preparing his attire. It was quite a luxurious outfit with a dark red overcoat and a white tunic shirt underneath.

“Arlan, you look incredible.”

“Thanks, Tebald. How’s the attire coming along?”

“It’s great, thanks to you.”

Arlan had bought Tebald an outfit when he was to join Katalina’s group in attending. Tebald was personally invited by both Katalina and Marie. Originally, Tebald declined but Arlan stepped in and made sure his friend could go.

Afterward, the two were dressed handsomely. The duo left the boys’ dorm and proceeded to the courtyard where they’d meet the girls. Other groups of students were waiting for friends in the courtyard as well. This was the first time first-years got to interact with upperclassmen.

Katalina and Marie appeared before Arlan and Tebald with three other girls. They were all mutual friends. Arlan and Tebald complimented the girls on their extravagant dresses. Arlan looked around for Iris but she wasn’t with their group. Marie saw this and said, “Arlan, she’ll be here soon.”

“Thanks, Marie. You guys go ahead and I’ll wait for her here.”

The group took this as a cue so Arlan could have some alone time with Iris when she’d arrived. So they entered the main hall where the festivities started. After a few minutes, gasps were let out by those still in the courtyard.

Arlan looked up to see Iris in an alluring aquamarine dress. It was a low-cut gown with arm coverings that revealed her attractive features. Her hair was held up into an intricate pattern, revealing more of her face. Her eyes were even more delightful than usual which complimented the extra-colored lips. Her silky smooth skin was desirable. Arlan’s heart raced so fast that he could swear it would burst out.

The pretty girl was flustered before him. Wearing such an outfit wasn’t easy for her. Iris leaned her head into his chest and wrapped her arms around him. The butterflies in his stomach and the smell of lilies overtook his senses. Arlan gazed straight into her ruby eyes and was hypnotized. Iris looked up into Arlan and felt the same emotion envelop her mind.

Slowly, and carefully, the young lion leaned in. Both of them closed their eyes and let their hearts guide them on autopilot. Allowing their emotions to dictate their physical affection was the best decision they made at that moment. Arlan felt Iris’ lips meet his. An eruption of love lit up inside his heart as the same feeling paralleled itself in Iris. After their passionate kiss, the two let go. A nervous grin overtook Iris and Arlan couldn’t tell why he was so happy.

“Should we go in?” asked Arlan.

“Yes, I’m ready!” announced Iris. A few onlookers noticed what transpired and weren’t surprised. Arlan and Iris had become close. They expected this. The couple entered the main hall and servants ushered them through. The main hall was decorated to set the atmosphere and an orchestra had been playing their hearts out.

Instructors and students alike dressed up. Tonight, there were no uniforms but everyone was at their best. There were circular tables set out across the main hall for students to sit at and food served at different areas. The festivities hadn't started but the students were already enjoying themselves.

When Arlan stepped through with Iris linked in with his arms, the entire student body’s eyes were upon them. They didn’t blush at how everyone saw them but exuded confidence and style. The power couple joined their friend group and enjoyed themselves over food. The Headmistress appeared in the center and used her wind magic to make a quick speech about how important it was to enjoy themselves on the passing of each season.

The festivities involved a formal dance that Arlan and Iris took part in. The night before Arlan reviewed more noble customaries and this dance was among them. He had researched this to keep appearances up. This dance would require the entire dance floor to be synchronized.

The other students envied the grace and elegance that Arlan and Iris exuded. The night went on perfectly and without a hitch. Students were forgetting their statuses and woes for a night.

Never thought I’d enjoy dancing like this.

Arlan and Iris retreated to a balcony on the second floor to escape the crowd that surrounded the couple. This was the first time they met Arlan and Iris introduced him as her date. Girls were starstruck by Arlan while other boys were jealous that Arlan was the one with Iris.

Outside on the large balcony, the two noticed a few other couples entangled in each other but paid no mind. Iris shivered a little and Arlan immediately wrapped his red overcoat around her. Iris’ heart exploded right after.

This romantic night was the first time the two had reciprocated each other so openly. There was a type of magic that this particular night carried. It had its effects on any boy and girl brave enough to realize their feelings.

“Iris,” said Arlan, “I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way about anyone else.”

“Stop it…” protested Iris but she knew she wanted more.

“No, I won’t stop. You’re incredibly beautiful, talented, confident, and yet in front of me here, you’re this vulnerable girl.”

“I’m at a loss for words,” said Iris as she blushed.

“The way you move, the way you smile, the way you lean against me, everything you do just draws me closer and closer to you. I think-”

“You can’t be!” said Iris.

“I love you, Iris.”

A slight pause overtook Iris as tears rained down from her eyes. Her elevated heart could not stop pounding. Both the happiness and sorrow from hearing those three words cut their way through.

“I love you, too, Arlan.”

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