[...]

Continuing our talk about magic, it is important to remember that, in the past, there was a balance between the energy of those who do and don’t have a body.

Legends and myths also say that this balance has been broken and, one day, it will have to be restored. That the control of the corporeal beings has become too big and, eventually, the lack of balance will be irreversible and the world will not resist.

Unfortunately, these are the words of an old woman, who closes yet another academic book with a warning about the world, hopping that future generations will not repeat the same mistakes.

Paige Geraldine – Magic and its Effects: Analysis & Hypotheses – Academic Collection – Volume X LII

*

Arthur’s face is red, and he feels the heat rising up his neck. A few days ago, Rinlia gave him clothes that belonged to an old acquaintance and, despite fulfilling the minimum requirements of heating and protecting the body, the medieval quality of the material makes him feel the skin itch.

Getting the brain (and body) used to the way of dressing, the technological and cultural limitations, the frequent presence of rats and large insects, in addition to a cuisine devoid of any refinement in relation to sweets and industrialized products was a difficult task for Arthur, who finds himself, day after day, more adapted to this absurd reality and, at the same time, more and more yearning for the conveniences of his previous life.

Still, although difficult, the days spent in this world were not at all unpleasant. Learning how to handle the spear and to use magic were fun activities. The possibility of creating fire, manipulating water and using the wind, even if only in the demonstrations given by Rinlia, were possibilities that encouraged him for the heavy training.

Incidentally, the magic training, during the whole trip to Fiandel and during the days in the house provided by Yvanna, caused a terrible internal tiredness in the young man, who felt himself “empty”, as if the essence of his existence had to be absorbed to let the magic pass.

Such tiredness was less physical and more emotional. He knew this with certainty because, daily, Yvanna forced him to train a lot his physique and the handling of the spear and sword and those did not exhaust him.. The battles with the vampire were frightening, but, at the same time, each training session made the young man feel alive. Comparing the risk involved in training and all the others he had to take after coming into this world made his mind lighter and his reactions sharper.

His progress was a reason to get excited. After all, magic came naturally to him, and, after learning how to make it circulate through his body, it was evident the way it helped him to have more vigor and strength. The more he manipulated magic, the stronger he became, the harder it was to exhaust his energy and the faster he learned what he was taught.

All of this without following the intended path. After all, his type of magic was different and that affected his training. Rinlia was always teaching the fundamentals, but could never teach him how to practice. Even then, his progress did not slow down. In addition to his natural talent, he fully dedicated himself in these training sessions – and his coaches noticed that. Despite not commenting on it, they both felt a mixture of pride and fear with each advance he made.

After all, they asked themselves: Could they be cultivating the power who was destined to destroy the world? Were they giving weapons to the one who, in the future, would use the same weapons to take down everything they cherished?

This was a frequent subject on their lips as they drank together on the evenings, safe within the city walls. While Arthur rested in his room, lying on his bed, talking to Akemi.

It is also important to notice that Arthur and Akemi debated several times about the possibility of telling the Lupine about the existence of the incorporeal. This could allow her to have a more peaceful life and to freely move around the house. They ended up not risking the creation of a new problem when they had not even solved the previous ones.

The rest of the nights they spent talking to each other and sharing stories. Day after day they talked about their desires, hopes, longings and what else came to mind.

-In the past, I heard stories about a place with others like me. – She told one night, with her eyes closed, lying next to him. – A place that the people of this world cannot reach.

-Does such place really exist? – He asks, his eyes open, staring the wooden ceiling.

-I don’t know. – She shrugs. – It is a rumor. I thought about going there, but I was too weak. I wouldn’t survive the trip.

-And what do you know about this place?

-It is on the Red Desert. – She points up, imagining a map on the ceiling. – It is to the right of the Great Forest, on the border with Fiandel. A place for the worst among the worst.

-And how the incorporeal would live there?

-The story I heard says that they are hidden behind a magical barrier. Maybe I should check it… You know, when it’s time for me to leave.

He turns his face and looks at her: The incorporeal with black hair and porcelain face; the luminous figure, made of magic, lying next to him. If he tried, could he touch her face?

-Are you really leaving? – He tries to sound natural, but can not help the tremor in his voice.

-At some point, this will be inevitable. – She opens her eyes, staring at the ceiling, to the place she pointed before. – You already gave me a lot of strength. A little more and I can get out of your hair.

-What about me? – He smiles. – Are you going to leave me alone? I may need your help.

She turns her face to him.

“Close”. He thinks. “Too close”.

-Tomorrow you will talk to the king of the greatest kingdom in the world, Arthur. You don’t need my help anymore.

The memory of these words permeates Arthur mind as he feels the warmth of his clothes.

“Don’t need her help? How could she think that?” He shakes his head. “I am as lost as I was when we first met. The only difference is the location.”

He is sitting on a long bench, placed in a high-ceiling corridor, in a place where any sound seems to echo forever. He wonders what would be the equivalent of that situation in his “previous life”.

Arthur learned a little about the geography of this world and is now aware of Fiandel’s size in relation to the continent. A meeting with the king of this territory, is, at the very least, the same as a meeting with the leader of a first-world country on Earth (this also applied to Vivre, which surprised him).

That is why “nervousness” is something he can not shake it off with a few deep breaths. Instead, every minute increases the sweat on his hands. The fear of making a mistake and provoking the wrath of a king is too much for his mind to bear with ease.

-Arthur, it is time. – Galaaz presses his snout against the boy’s leg, calling him back to reality the moment Rinlia asks them to come through the newly opened door.

The boy and the wolf enter a dark room, without windows, in which the members of the meeting are already placed. Waiting for the newcomers are: Rinlia, Yvanna, two men and an elf.

The oldest human is Njalmar, the king, with his royal bearing and his thick beard.

The youngest human is Connor, the prince, with his youthful expression and lightness in his movements. His face is lightened by a thin layer of makeup to hide imperfections of the skin.

The elf with caramel skin and a carefully shaped beard (around his chin) is Armenvald, the magician and advisor of the crown.

Yvanna, for the first time since meting Arthur, is wearing a dress and, right now, is posted next to the prince. Her face carries a friendly smile and she also uses a thin layer of makeup, highlighting the contour of her eyes and eyelashes.

Arthur, although nervous, recognizes all of them. He had been warned by Rinlia about the people he was going to meet. She also told him how to proceed: The boy kept his distance from the table and kept his head down, staring at the floor. Facing the king, he places one knee on the floor and stays still. Galaaz accompanied him in all these movements, showing the same level of reverence.

-I see you gave him some tips, Rinlia. – Despite the friendly phrase, Njalmar’s voice is sober. The calm in each syllable indicates that the sentence is not one of approval, but merely a notation.

-Yes, sir.

-Get up, young man. – The king waits for Arthur to stand up. – Look me in the eye. We have to talk and I have no interest in giving you permission for every half word.

-As you wish, your Majesty. – He replies, straightening his posture and looking the monarch in the eyes.

-That’s a good start.

Njalmar, from his seat at the head of the table, indicates a place on the opposite side. Arthur promptly positions himself there, with Galaaz next to him. The giant wolf is big enough to see the others who occupy places to the right and to the left of the king.

-I called you here after receiving reports from Vivre. – The king starts. He immediately notices Yvanna and Rinlia’s confused looks. – Yes, I received reports from Vivre. Some of our soldiers survived the attack on Lake Martha. Among them, the hobgoblin Gasser.

-Is he alive? – Yvanna uses her position to interrupt and ask.

-Yes. He and a handful of soldiers. Thanks to the efforts of Rinlia and Arthur, they survived. – He waves to Arthur. – And for that you have my gratitude and that of the survivors.

Rinlia smiles, happy with the news.

-What about Gaenar? Wasn’t he with Gasser?

The memory of the big soldier comes to Arthur’s mind. During the past few days, he had barely thought about him.

The king, instead of answering immediately, just shakes his head in silence. The prince bites his lips. Rinlia seems shocked.

-The bad news arrived fast. – He addresses the elf. – Your reports were accurate, however, I believe you underestimated Aetna by helping the boy.

-Sir, I don’t understand.

-You didn’t fool Aetna. – The caramel-skinned elf speaks for the first time. His voice is hoarse, like that of an elderly smoker. – Not with a sketch of a plan, executed in a desperate way. She knows that what happened at the lake was related to the boy’s presence. He points his thin finger at Arthur. – A wizard of her category is more than capable of understanding the threat he poses and she will not rest until she takes him back.

-Calm down, Armenvald. We are not here to scold them. – The king extends his hands on the table, making the elf suppress the words he was about to say. – After all, I believe I would have done exactly the same thing that Rinlia did. – He realizes that the elf’s expression softens. – Which does not mean that the situation is not serious. Aetna really understood what happened on the lake. An emissary from the nobility came to me to make it clear that his queen accuses Rinlia of assisting Arthur’s escape, demanding that both be handed over.

-They want us to hand Rinlia over? – Yvanna’s voice is full of irony. – But this is just-

-You are forgetting the accusation. – Njalmar sighs, closing his eyes for a few moments. – Of course, asking for us to hand Rinlia is just a way to start bargaining, probably in the alliance we are trying to establish between the nations of the continent. I do not believe Aetna really thinks that we are going to hand over one of the leaders of our army.

-What about the boy…? – Armenvald’s tone is somber.

-I called this meeting to help me decide about that. – The king turns to Rinlia. – For now, Aetna agreed to participate in the meeting to talk about an alliance. This meeting will happen two months from now. During this period, we will have to decide whether to hide the boy’s presence or to hand him over. The risk on the first option is big and, honestly, - He turns to Arthur for a moment. – I would prefer to hand you over.

-Sir, I-

-You don’t need to defend yourself. Not yet. Before we talk about anything, I need to know if it is worth risking the lives of my people to protect you. I don’t know you, I don’t know your power or your potential. All I have is the word of Rinlia and Yvanna, who say that you can be an important ally. Am I right?

-Yes, sir. – Rinlia and Yvanna answer in unison.

-Their opinion is valuable to me, but, in this case, is not enough. I need to be convinced of what you can offer to my kingdom. Do you understand?

-Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I cannot imagine what I could offer to you.

-As I said, I don’t intend to waste my time on half words. Arthur, look at me. Didn’t I told you to look me in the eye? Well, what I want is for you to prove to me your power and loyalty. Rinlia explained to me the type of person you are and Armenvald told me the type of power you carry.

Arthur turns for a moment to look into the wizard’s face, who smiles in a corner when he looks at the boy. The king continues.

-Your power can help us with a serious problem. The power of the incorporeal. If you can prove that you will help us with them, no prophecy can justify an attempt to kill you and I will be able to offer my kingdom as a refugee to you.

-And how can I prove myself?

Yvanna’s gaze crosses the room and settles on Arthur’s face. Rinlia is tense when predicting what the monarch’s next words will be.

-You will kill an incorporeal to me.

*

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